Patterico's Pontifications

5/20/2011

“I Do Have That Fire in My Belly”

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 7:36 am



The potential candidate has not made a decision about whether to run, and in the past has raised concerns about how running might affect the potential candidate’s family. The potential candidate discusses those concerns in the clip linked below, but assures the interviewer: “I do have that fire in my belly.”

When I saw the headline at Hot Air — the same headline above — I knew who had said it.

And I was . . . wrong.

Answer below the fold.

The answer is: Sarah Palin.

368 Responses to ““I Do Have That Fire in My Belly””

  1. I thought it was Mitch Daniels.

    Patterico (c218bd)

  2. B-but she’s unelectable

    /People who would never vote palin even if she were 100% perfect.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  3. when hoochie says she has fire in her belly she means she sees an opportunity to exploit… people what have fire in their belly for public service don’t bail on their elected office to shake it for the Fox News cameras

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  4. I agree with happyfeet.

    Kman (5576bf)

  5. Stay classy crappyfeet and his sockpuppet kman.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  6. People who are getting their asses sued off by crooked Democrats can retreat to fight a more winnable war, happydick.

    kansas (7b4374)

  7. 2.B-but she’s unelectable

    /People who would never vote palin even if she were 100% perfect

    Well, she is unelectable: she’s got exceedingly high negatives in her polls. Pretending this doesn’t matter doesn’t change it.

    I say this as someone who actually likes Palin. She’s done things I admire, especially taking on a corrupt old boys’ network of a Republican party in Alaska. But she can’t win a national election.

    Chuck Bartowski (4c6c0c)

  8. Mr. Biden it’s not that I don’t want her to run – she needs to run – she needs to strut pout put it out and show the American people what she’s got for so they can make a judgement about whether or not she’s the one they want to take home to the white house.

    It’s time she stopped the teasey teasey slow bump and grind and took this lap dance to the next level I think.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  9. I love how Crappyfeet and his hired goon Kman call her a hootchie but yet they insist they never use such sexist words only right wingers do so.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  10. Somebody is making a lot of sexual references to Palin. He wouldn’t be pounding his pud would he?

    kansas (7b4374)

  11. hey Mr. kansas A More Winnable War would be an awesome title for her next autobiography thingy I think

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  12. Hey Mr. Happydick, what would be a good title for Obama’s next autobiography? I, Me, and My. Oh but who will write it? Maybe Mahmoud Abbas.

    kansas (7b4374)

  13. I do hope that in the years ahead we find ways to top the turkey slaughter starbucks coffee cup video. And that won’t happen without fire in the belly.

    Bruuuce (28016e)

  14. Fred Thompson with the hoochie wife, now he had the fire in his belly. What? Oh, nevermind.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  15. Obama’s autobiography should be called Daddy Dearest: How Mr. Soros Took A Trashy Trashy Pothead From The Gutter To The White House And So Can You! I think

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  16. “I do hope that in the years ahead we find ways to top the turkey slaughter starbucks coffee cup video.”

    Bruuuce – That is called real life. Unlike Rosary Joe Biden who only finds religion come election season.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  17. Yeah notice how Crappyfeet or his hired goons never ever call Fred Thompson’s wife a hootchie.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  18. Bruuuce – Have you ever lived outside a city?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  19. DohBiden – She does have those awesome funbags.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  20. Yeah, but who’s gonna to write this one?

    kansas (7b4374)

  21. Plus Fred was kind of a man whore around Washington, but we won’t talk about that.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  22. I wish Crappyfeet and his hired goons would go take a flying leap off a cliff.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  23. I have an idea for a new weekly TV series called Zombie Candidates where everyweek an undead conservative politician is attacked by the Soros media machine. But they keep coming, and eventually saying the same shit about them over and over stops working.

    kansas (7b4374)

  24. “Bruuuce – Have you ever lived outside a city?”

    Yup but there wasn’t a Starbucks nearby. But maybe real life has changed since then.

    Bruuuce (84ca1e)

  25. Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuce has never seen a starbucks outside a city?

    He needs to get out more.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  26. The same media that called Fred ‘lethargic’ was the one that carried McCain, like the winning quarterback, till they lost interest, Sarah understands this as well, she was the belle of the ball, in the local press, till August 29th, then
    she became a pumpkin, in their eyes

    ian cormac (72470d)

  27. 4. I agree with happyfeet.
    Comment by Kman — 5/20/2011 @ 8:14 am

    — Never has such a short, simple statement said so much about two otherwise NOT like-minded individuals.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  28. Icy Texan you must understand Kman is one of HappySheet’s best friends all of a sudden.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  29. That’s right, crappy feet. Sarah must be a whore if she’s contemplating a White House run. Thanks for reminding us about what’s really important.

    Shoeless Joe (ae1582)

  30. Takes a long pull on his pipe. Strokes his beard in an intellectual manner

    I like the cut of her Jib.

    papertiger (e55ba0)

  31. So do we call Mitch Daniel’s wife a whore when he wants to run for the White House presidency?

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  32. you’re welcome

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  33. The difference, DohBiden, is that Kman is merely engaging in partisan politics, while happyfeet is giving in to his misogynist tendencies.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  34. Hootchie shaming is my game and your mama is so lame.

    /Happysheet

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  35. Honestly why does crappyfeet post here?

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  36. Can we get past the peculiar notion that elected office is so much more noble than private work? When someone leaves a private job for a government one we don’t say they “bailed”; why should the opposite be different? One of McCain’s ugliest moments, I thought, was when he sneered at Romney for having actually done something productive in his life, rather than spend his entire life working for the taxpayer as McCain had done.

    Milhouse (a8afa6)

  37. Yeah but Romney is BFFs with Mccain I mean he supported him over JD hayworth.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  38. I saw Palin being interviewed a few nights ago. Her command of the medium certainly has improved.

    One small point. I wish she would stop repeatedly using the term “Lame Stream Media.” It’s okay in the informal world of blogging, but on national TV it sounds infantile.

    Dispatches (da1e19)

  39. It sounds infantile.

    Like your posts here…………..oh the bitter irony.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  40. In the UK Members of Parliament are not officially allowed to resign in mid-term. There’s a way to get around this, but it’s so in theory. When the US constitution was written, the framers didn’t follow that precedent, and explicitly referred to senators resigning; by implication, the same applies to representatives and the president. There should be no more shame in resigning an elected office than there is in resigning any other job. On the contrary, one who desperately clings to office when it has become clear that he is no longer being productive in it, and that the public would be better served with someone else, is an opportunist who should be shamed for it.

    Milhouse (a8afa6)

  41. Mr. Milhouse you don’t exactly take an oath to fulfill your duties as Fox News babe, but to be governor you definitely do. Furthermore, you’ve taken people’s monies in return for a promise to do what you told them you would do in your campaign. You should give it the old college try.

    But that’s not the point. The point is that when Sarah coyly come-hithers about a presidential run, she cheapens the office every bit as much as bumble did by insisting that it’s an office suited to any common media whore with trifling governing experience and a vapid but dazzling smile.

    Grow up, America. You look pathetic with your People magazine president bimbos. It’s like you know you’re a faily faily loser state, but as long as your president has better blowjob lips than China’s you think you’re WINNING!

    History is not likely to concur.

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  42. STFU before I slap your blowjob lips off your blowjob face happyblowjob.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  43. “I believe in the Free Enterprize System”

    except in Alaska

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  44. Sorry but when I saw the thread title I couldn’t help but thinking of Fat Bastard in Austin Powers saying “Get in my belly”…

    vor2 (6c8528)

  45. DohBiden, anyone with a lick of sense would support McCain over Hayworth. The VERY FIRST thing that guy did after losing his re-election bid for Congress was to shill on an infomoercial for one of those “free government handouts” books. The man is a tool.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  46. DohBiden,

    Okay thats a bit over the top – Happyfeet hasnt said anything that isnt true, eben while typing with one hand and savoring a poppyseed, lemon poundcape with a rassberry dark chocolate drizzle

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  47. thats poundcake, a lemon poppyseed poundcake

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  48. Oh, look! the Epwitch dropped by to spread a little susnshine.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  49. That’s a really tough call, considering his kneecapping Mukasey the other day, on Panetta’s
    word.

    ian cormac (72470d)

  50. Mccain is no better.

    Why do you leftys demagogue the hell out of oil companies but yet scream bloody murder when Palin raises severance taxes on them.

    So calling Palin a hootchie is perfectly justifiable right?

    John Mccain is no better but I digress.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  51. Methinks that happyfeet’s ‘free hand’ has been busy admiring the cut of her jib.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  52. John Mccain is no better but I digress.

    Comment by DohBiden — 5/20/2011 @ 10:02 am

    if McCain is that bad is it fair to question Palin’s judgment for agreeing to join the ticket?

    vor2 (6c8528)

  53. DohBiden

    Well technically in her first speech she played the “I’m a girl card”, Had McCain Picked Perry, he would have won easily

    Perry would have managed the Senate and given a rats a$$ about what the Senate rule were

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  54. Actually you could and you’d be spot on.

    Especially since she was salvaged by Mccain’s people and he did nothing until it was too late.

    and btw Icytexan that was funny.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  55. There seem to be an unusually high number of people who have deposited Palin’s image into their wankbank….

    vor2 (6c8528)

  56. Mr. Milhouse you don’t exactly take an oath to fulfill your duties as Fox News babe, but to be governor you definitely do.

    She did fulfill her duties, for as long as they were hers. You do not take an oath to fulfill those duties for a whole term; if you did, then Obama would have violated that oath by resigning in order to become president.

    Furthermore, you’ve taken people’s monies in return for a promise to do what you told them you would do in your campaign.

    The same applies to any job; you get paid for the work you do, but you’re free to resign and stop being paid at any time.

    Milhouse (a8afa6)

  57. Perry wasn’t under consideration, it was either him or TPaw. McCain was the nominee, he was the last man standing, well there was Luap Nor still around,
    We were assured he was the one who would secure the
    independents, by Brooksie, Noonan, Chris Buckley.

    ian cormac (72470d)

  58. Once again a reminder that “severance taxes” are not taxes at all, they’re what the private sector calls “royalties”.

    Milhouse (a8afa6)

  59. Icy,

    Apparently Free enterprize is different when Sarah Palin raises taxes

    How would she handle this question in the debate

    “Gov Palin, why did less than 2 years after you left, your own Party in Alaska, overturned your signature legislation in the House and the only reaason it hasnt reached the gov’rs desk is that the liberal Democrats in the house are trying to save your Tax increases?”

    Anyone defending Palin is a cheese eating tax raising wildly spending, welfare throwing liberal democrat – I dont care how long they have been pretending to be a conservative 🙂

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  60. rassberry dark chocolate drizzle

    that reminders me I’m a look for peaches this weekend… and poach them! I found some melba sauce at the Smart n Final.

    I hope there’s a youtube on peach poaching I will look later. I wanna practice cause I wanna the peach melba to follow Mr. bour3’s pork loin thinger. I bought a cast iron skillet last weekend to get ready.

    I didn’t buy the sauce cause it was kinda pricey so I’ll probably just use honey for the practice run.

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  61. And there are 2 million Jews in Iran.

    So there!!!

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  62. Democrats in the Senate

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  63. ‘there are four lights’

    ian cormac (72470d)

  64. Yes, DAMN HER for wanting the citizens of her state to receive the revenue due them.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  65. Happy

    For Whole Foods we demo’d our artisan goat cheese, slow cured, inside hollowed out Georgia peaches

    The buyers and public went wild, good stuff

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  66. Anyone who defends EricPWJohnson’s slandering of the duke lacrosse players is a democrap marxist.

    And btw you are not one to decide who is conservative considering the fact you lie about everyone to their face.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  67. Mr. Milhouse I already said all that part wasn’t the point. Specifically I said, “But that’s not the point.”

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  68. Icy

    I think every state should tax companies until they stop investing and give that money to people who did absolutely nothing to deserve it
    – after all – thats what conservatism really means

    when I saw Pats article on the man pretending to be a baby, I couldnt help but be reminded of alaska – the entire state.

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  69. that sounds very very very very tasty Mr. Johnson! But is it a dessert thing? I bookmarked that comment so I can investigate more further laters.

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  70. Dohbiden

    So you are on record here that raising taxes and spending to record heights is a good thing?

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  71. Selective outrage much?

    You have a problem with alaska’s constitution like all leftys.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  72. Granted she was wrong to do that.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  73. Happy

    Goat milk icecream is the best, also choolate goat milk cheese cake with a crushed dried cherry graham flour crust – is another hot ticket item – when making a cheese cake with goat cheese leave out the cream, and bake at a 20% lower temp to avoid cracking

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  74. If Murkowski were Governor of alaska and raised the severance taxes we would be accused of wingnut purity for decrying her.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  75. I like a dessert with ambition

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  76. EricPWJohnson:

    I think the Federal Government should borrow money against our future and give it to Wall Street so that the bonuses of bankers can continue to be flush — after all — that’s what Obama liberalism really means. Just as long as major Wall Street banks use biodegradable coffee cups and support gay marriage.

    JVW (24ee9a)

  77. Just like how you love your male congressmen?

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  78. Murkowski wanted a state income tax in addition to the severance taxes, as was Andrew Halcro, the used
    car dealer turned radio talk show,

    ian cormac (72470d)

  79. You have a problem with alaska’s constitution like all leftys.

    Comment by DohBiden — 5/20/2011 @ 10:22 am

    How would you classify the potential first dude, member of the Alaskan Independence Party for several years (which also supported her run as mayor way back when)?

    Their founder Vogler is quoted as saying “Vogler has been quoted as stating “I’m an Alaskan, not an American. I’ve got no use for America or her damned institutions”

    vor2 (6c8528)

  80. Palin is not a member of the AIP.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  81. and yes the AIP are wrong to want to secede.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  82. It is interesting seeing some of the people who defended Palin for waiting for her family’s go ahead to run turn around and bash Mitch Daniels for the same.

    Sure, some may care enough to find fault with his wife, but Mitch is married to her, so whether you like her or not, a good man will be concerned for his wife.

    Honestly, I don’t see a whole lot of difference between Daniels and Palin. Of course, they have different styles, and one has far more experience (and to my eyes, more impressive political change), but on the issues, they are very close.

    I prefer Daniels, but they are so close on the issues, that if you like one, you probably should admit the other is one of the good guys.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  83. Dohbiden

    Look, she was very arrogant accused people of corruption that were extremely ethical and honest businessmen – she used the investigationa of that everyone knew were an unfair witchunt to get elected and pass and raise taxes

    I’m for Alaskans getting more than a fair share but when you are asked for 39 billion dollars to develop a gas pipeline and then she gives it to a canadian company along with the 12 a billion American oil company tax dollars – that were paid by that canadian companies American competitors – thats just wrong. (of Course Exxon promptly bought the hapless Canadian company so that poorly thought out gambit by Sarah – didnt work)

    Now Exxon – who Palin accused of corruption – is still going forward with the 39 billion but what if a democrat legislature after its built – BUT NOT PAID FOR YET – decides that – all of the money belongs to the “people” for the natural gas tranmission as well?

    Thats what she did with the oil – now did she deliberately do that, did she not realize the backlash and the world market? – I’m tending to think not – but can we be sure?

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  84. Wow I love the lie that the AIP endorsed palin as mayor is there proof for that?

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  85. 1/2 a billion not 12 billion – sorry

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  86. Comment by vor2 — 5/20/2011 @ 10:30 am

    Remind me of how this works vor2: Todd Palin is suspect because he once belonged to a party whose founding member once said something stupid and obnoxious about America, but Obama is blameless even though he spent 20 years with Jeremiah Wright as a mentor. Did I get that right in the upsidedown liberal worldview?

    JVW (24ee9a)

  87. Eric is for free distribution of natural resources, and against the deal that got the pipeline built in the first place.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  88. Yeah like how you lie about lacrosse players slandering them as rapists your one to whine about lying libturd and the majority of people who she accused of corruption were corrupt you a*shole.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  89. Look, she was very arrogant accused people of corruption that were extremely ethical and honest businessmen

    She rooted out real corruption in a state with pervasive corruption.

    That’s her brightest spot, aside from the fact that she herself is actually extremely ethical in the face of enemies who have invaded every aspect of her privacy.

    EPWJ, I don’t think she’s a conspiracy leader to harm energy prices. Yes, we can be sure.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  90. She was endorsed by the Libertarian party, the AIP actually had a governor who won under their banner, the late Gov. Walter Hickel, the father of the original Alaskan pipeline, which Biden opposed.

    ian cormac (72470d)

  91. Dustin do not try to reason with him he’ll just accuse Palin of using her gestapo to root out inaginary corruption.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  92. The voice-of-UNreason is talking to itself. Pay no attention.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  93. Uh…….your right.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  94. Comment by JVW — 5/20/2011 @ 10:35 am

    Ah, The standard “But… Obama” response

    The party wanted to secede from the union and supported palin in her run for Mayor. When she broadcast a greeting from her office to the group the US flag was conspicuously absent – only the Alaska flag was there.

    IF I had defended Obama re Wright you would have a point but I don’t and didn’t.

    vor2 (6c8528)

  95. #92 was re: #86

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  96. And what’s your point, vortex two?

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  97. Dustin

    She did nothing but open a colleagues laptop on his desk and saw that he had sent AN EMAIL – 1 EMAIL that he would be at a meeting

    that was the scope and depth of her crime fighting

    Icy,

    First you are ignoring the fact that Exxon makes 2 cents a gallon profit on gasoline in the USA – what if they decide its more profitable to refine it in Houston and ship it to Europe?

    where they make almost 50 cents a gallon.

    You are under the assumption that these are energy companies that have to sell their output like Utilities – au con traire

    I can tell you this is being discussed at many of the oil companies

    France and britain have offered tax shelters for all us Oil workers

    Will American companies try to compete in a market where they are clearly not wanted?

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  98. Can’t you just imagine the scene? EPWJ sitting there on the coast of the U.A.E. . . . in his beach chair . . . with his high-powered telescope pointed toward Iran — abacus in hand — just a-countin’ them Jews.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  99. Icy Texan,
    Point is it is a fact and goes to the larger argument of electability. You can poo pah it here in the blogosphere but if Palin were the nominee do you think the media would leave it alone?

    If Mrs. Obama’s statement about “the first time in my adult life..” concerned you why on earth wouldn’t a person’s alignment with a secessionist party be at least of equal concern?

    vor2 (6c8528)

  100. Vogler, had been dead and buried at the time that Todd became an independent, as her son is, little
    wonder seeing the quality of the GOP up there,

    ian cormac (72470d)

  101. Ian,
    He was registered with the AIP not as an independent. There is a difference.
    To say otherwise should have you saying
    “Obama says he was not at church when wright made those comments so he should not be held accountable for his association with Wright’s church and statements.”

    vor2 (6c8528)

  102. The AIP is not so reprehensible, is it? They have a few views I do not, and indeed, some of those views go farther than is practical, but there’s nothing downright evil about it.

    Am I mistaken?

    And why should this matter, anyway? Plenty of politicians have family with views outside the mainstream. Who cares?

    It’s also a particularly stale point.

    vor2, I’m not sure this is the same as Obama’s wright experience. 20 years worshiping under a hateful leader, baptizing your kids by him, naming your memoirs after his sermon… that’s quite a bit different than signing on to every political tenet of a political party.

    There aren’t many people who are 100% on board with any political party.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  103. Icy,

    Then why did the Alaska State House Conservatives overturn her Taxes as soon as it was on the agenda – less than 2 years after she left?

    Why are the liberal democrats who sued her ethically, and encouraged the invasion of her privacy, why are these same people that sued Palin, and according to some sources ran heer out of office – why are these liberal tax raising and spending democrats – why are they the only ones defending Palins Tax increases now?

    That should tell you the story right there

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  104. what if they decide its more profitable to refine it in Houston and ship it to Europe?
    — What is the ratio between Europe and the U.S. of DEMAND for refined product?

    where they make almost 50 cents a gallon.
    — Again, Europe may have lower supply, but who has more demand?

    You are under the assumption that these are energy companies that have to sell their output like Utilities – au con traire
    — No, I’m under the assumption that, just as with Asian auto-makers, the supply will flow to where the demand is greatest.

    I can tell you this is being discussed at many of the oil companies
    — What’s being discussed? profit margins? Go figure. Doesn’t mean that they will somehow abandon the LARGEST MARKET that they have.

    France and britain have offered tax shelters for all us Oil workers
    — Citations, please; especially in the case of Britain.

    Will American companies try to compete in a market where they are clearly not wanted?
    — That’s about as ‘clear’ as a Star of David painted on the window of a shop on the main street of downtown Tehran.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  105. Though Vor2 is on the mark about Palin’s electability.

    Rick Perry seems to love her, so I guess EPWJ is saying that Rick Perry lacks good judgment.

    Me, I think Rick Perry is right and Sarah Palin is one of the good guys. Her electability is certainly a point for worry, but you’re not going to win over Palin’s supporters to a coalition by bashing someone who is obviously a patriot.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  106. vor2: So if politicians have to be held accountable for their spouses’ behavior, can we finally investigate the war profiteering of Dianne Feinstein’s husband or the anti-labor practices of the businesses run by Barbara Boxer’s husband? Or is that all still hush-hush since there are liberals involved?

    JVW (24ee9a)

  107. If Mrs. Obama’s statement about “the first time in my adult life..” concerned you why on earth wouldn’t a person’s alignment with a secessionist party be at least of equal concern?
    Comment by vor2 — 5/20/2011 @ 10:47 am

    — 1) I live in Texas. What makes you think I have a problem with contemplating secession?
    2) You have a recording of Mrs. Palin spouting seccessionist rhetoric, do you? Let’s hear it!

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  108. Rick Perry also liked Guiliani as well

    Look Dustin, why did the conservatives in Alaska overturn her signature tax increases, revise her spending initiatives and in less time that she was governor – completely repudiate the woman?

    They should know whats best for Alaska, and who Sarah is and they have rejected her

    Why sould we accept a candidate who has had her agenda rejected in less time than her term as Gov – for its lack of conservative values

    We want people with conservative values – the Alaska conservatives are telling us she isnt conservative, nor wise in her leadership

    Measuring her by her enemies is not going to get us a decent candidate – measuring them by their actions and reactions by other conservative – is

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  109. What’s wrong with some Alaskans wanting independence, anyway? Right now most Alaskans don’t want that; but supposing they did, wouldn’t they have the right to determine their own destiny?

    Milhouse (a8afa6)

  110. revise her spending initiatives

    — Now hold up just a minute there, pardnuh! Is you a-sayin’ that when the Executive branch of a guvmint proposes a budget the Legislative branch a-gets to revise that there proposal and then actually votes on dem revisions?

    Boy howdy! Sounds like democracy in action if yer a-askin’ me.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  111. Secession isn’t something I personally agree with, but it’s no more offensive than gay marriage (whichever side you disagree with) or abortion.

    And we’re talking about Sarah’s spouse, not Sarah. It’s fundamentally unlike Rev Wright. His comments that 9/11 was our chickens coming home to roost because God Damns America and our AIDS inventing CIA is worse, and Barack himself chose to be a part of that.

    Seems like a radically unfair comparison.

    Rick Perry also liked Guiliani as well

    Look Dustin, why did the conservatives in Alaska overturn her signature tax increases, revise her spending initiatives and in less time that she was governor – completely repudiate the woman?

    This is a completely dishonest characterization. I don’t know why, but you consistently cannot discuss Sarah Palin fairly. ‘Her signature tax increases’? WTF? You act like changing this is a “complete repudiation” of her platform, but it just isn’t. You can’t even articulate the tax issue correctly, but tax increases obviously were not her signature issue.

    Laws change. Do you think every politician is completely repudiated if laws change after they leave office? Ronald Reagan was completely repudiated?

    It shows that you are just not handling the facts about Sarah Palin correctly.

    I think it’s because you personally profited in some way from Alaskan oil revenues, and thus profited from the corruption that Sarah Palin fought against. You keep going back to that issue in such an unfair way, where you think oil companies are actually entitled to pay less money than something is actually worth.

    Sarah Palin wasn’t corrupt like the Murkowskis. She remembered that it was Alaskans who elected her (and my guess is they would do so again, though I realize you could cherry pick some hacked up poll to pretend that’s impossible). She took care of the citizens, not big dollar contributors.

    BTW, I have no problem with Rudy. He’s a gun grabber and otherwise not my preference, but he was a great mayor, and a patriot.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  112. Icy,

    They overturned Palins taxes and spending plans – sure its government in action – correcting Palins wrongful actions – how can she run on this as its no longer an accomplishment?

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  113. dustin

    Yes its unfair to point out that her ACES was repealed by the Alaskan house and the only thing holding it hostage in the Senate are procedural moves by the tax raising liberal democrats

    In less time than her administration, they repealed a tax – rarely done in America

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  114. I’ll admit it: I supported Rudy until McCain became the front-runner.

    And after that I whole-heartedly supported McCain AND Palin — because it was the right thing to do.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  115. Eric, I simply disagree with you. And now I’m off to work, here in oil-rich West Texas, where the economy is still firm and unemployment is low.

    Icy Texan (ecd20f)

  116. Ditto, on that point, Icy, I don’t think much of the legislature up there, Marmot Day, was one of
    their signature efforts, at the tail end of their
    last session, she was a part of. Not that I have
    anything against marmots.

    ian cormac (72470d)

  117. Ugh, EPWJ, I just don’t think you can operate on the same page as the rest of the world on this. Even her lefty detractors don’t say this stuff because it doesn’t really seem coherent or… wrong.

    But by all means, let everyone know that Palin is not a hard core ideologue, but rather more moderate and also willing to stand up to oil companies.

    Frankly, it’s one of the few arguments that makes me more interested in Palin. I’m in the Daniels camp right now, but when you remind me of the crazy BS that surrounded Palin’s administration, I kinda want to support her.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  118. Dustin

    So what you are saying is – that its okay that only democrats want to keep her higher tax rates and higher spending rates?

    Redefined as “standing up to oil companies?”

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  119. And I’m glad someone finally labeled her a moderate – which is Palin speak for flaming liberal – which she is

    Until it payed better to give conservative speeches a 100,000 a pop

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  120. Someone’s Tourettes is acting up. This is only about the 35128623575125862286th time idiot boy has spit out this same gibberish.

    JD (d48c3b)

  121. Until it payed better to give conservative speeches a 100,000 a pop

    Comment by EricPWJohnson

    What?

    Palin earns money? She is able to discuss conservatism to people willing to pay for that service?

    Well never mind then. She’s obviously a horrible person.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  122. As opposed to Lisa Murkowski, who doesn’t take after her father, re the cloture vote on Liu.

    ian cormac (72470d)

  123. Wow. I hadn’t realized Lisa supported cloture on Liu.

    Honestly, where does she draw the line? Is there one? This is one nasty specimen, and plenty of democrats agreed, even in today’s hyper polarized environment.

    Sure, apparently Alaskans want that person as their Senator. Regardless of the political advantages her corruption brings, they picked her, but she’s wrong. That matters more than her popularity.

    Some issues are simply more important than whether someone coddled oil companies as much as EPWJ insists they must to remain conservative.

    It’s sad, but it raises a very important point. Even with Joe Miller, who really was a good (not perfect) candidate, and even with a fundamental advantage in the election (vs a democrat and a write in RINO), the appeal of conservatism has its limits today.

    My point: if your vote is primarily and anti-Obama vote, then Palin may not be the best vote. We’ll have to wait and see who really appears to be the best opponent for beating the guy who nominated Liu.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  124. She’s not a horrible person she’s just a silly choice for president. She’s way way more of a lifestyle brand than a political leadership brand, and deep down I think she knows it.

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  125. happyfeet,

    It really is sad for this party that someone with Palin’s level of experience is a front runner.

    And I don’t say that as an attack on her. It’s not her fault and more than it would be my fault if everyone resorted to me as their best hope.

    People trust Palin for a reason. I just think Palin has political liabilities, fair or not, and in all honesty, I’m mostly voting against Obama than for anyone, so I want my vote to be for an effective swing state taker. That’s sad that I haven’t found a guy I really believe in who is running. Another hard truth is that the Presidency takes tremendous skill, and the risks are enormous, so I want someone with more experience than I see in most of the candidates.

    Still, lets keep an open mind. We may have to resort to a silly choice as our best choice.

    Also, Palin’s most outspoken fans are not necessarily the most accurate reflection on Palin herself.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  126. see I don’t agree Mr. Dustin I think if Team R nominates somebody less serious than the moment requires, we have a big big problem – we know the left is deliciously happy to put fluffernutter in the oval office, and if the right joins them then something’s been lost for which the election of the the right-wing fluffernutter can’t even begin to make recompense

    Me I won’t be a party to it.

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  127. the

    happyfeet (a55ba0)

  128. k if Team R nominates somebody less serious than the moment requires, we have a big big problem

    This is a good point. I think many differ on how serious Palin is as a candidate. Some see her as a very tested Governor with proven skill, and some see her as very short on experience with a lot of TV drama.

    Those who will vote for her (she is running) don’t mean to say she’s not serious, but will swing state moderates see her the same way they’d see a reelected governor who, frankly, is not affiliated with reality TV?

    I like Palin, so I don’t like describing her in those terms, but I still believe that we need someone with tremendous leadership skill, only really demonstrated by a long record as a governor, or some kind of amazing leadership elsewhere. Palin’s commentary has been pretty great for some time, but that’s a lot easier than actually leading.

    Sadly, these discussions about Palin quickly turn into people hitting her with cheap shots about stupid nonsense, instead of a more sober and respectful analysis. It’s hard not to root for Palin under those circumstances. She really does piss off all the right people.

    Anyway, if only I was king for a day.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  129. It never ceases to amaze me — people who criticize Palin as being a joke of a candidate have no problem tacitly admitting she gives them an erection (as if anyone had asked them). Not the type of people who are capable of semi-serious political analysis.

    L.N. Smithee (482b02)

  130. BTW, I have no problem with Rudy. He’s a gun grabber and otherwise not my preference, but he was a great mayor, and a patriot.

    He wasn’t that great a mayor. I don’t like to use the F word, especially about an Italian, so let’s just say he’s an authoritarian. He reduced the crime rate all right, but his methods were not ones any civil libertarian can be happy with.

    For instance, in NY anybody arrested for any reason at all, no matter how trivial, has to spend a night in jail. Meanwhile the police do a warrant check; if you turn out to be an ax-murderer they keep you, otherwise they let you go in the morning. The result was that a lot of ax-murderers got taken off the streets; but it also meant that thousands of people who’ve done nothing very wrong suffer a disproportionate “punishment” that’s often a greater hardship than their actual sentence.

    There’s also his penchant for making new restrictions, and digging up old ones that have never been enforced. And his war on porn, dancing, and various other things.

    Milhouse (a8afa6)

  131. Success speaks for itself.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  132. Is Sarah claiming the fire is in her belly? Who is she covering up for???

    AndySullivan (da8d08)

  133. dude, do the sock puppet thingy in the appropriate thread. lol

    Aaron Worthing (73a7ea)

  134. Come on, that was too good to pass up.

    Milhouse (a8afa6)

  135. “They overturned Palins taxes and spending plans – sure its government in action – correcting Palins wrongful actions – how can she run on this as its no longer an accomplishment?”

    EricPW – Yes, Alaska is now not taxing oil companies at all and the state government is not spending any money.

    As always, you are a complete joke.

    Why did they do it – bribes is my big guess. Back to the corrupt Murkowski era.

    As to repudiating Palin’s spending initiatives – please name them.

    As always, you never mention Palin’s budget cutting when revenues turned down.

    Why do you think anybody here should take you seriously?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  136. I always think of Kevin Kline’s character in a fish called Wanda, when I think of EPJW, at all.

    ian cormac (72470d)

  137. This is the song that never ends……….

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  138. I always think of Kevin Kline’s character in a fish called Wanda

    Or of the epithet he constantly uses…

    Milhouse (a8afa6)

  139. Nice to see Murkowski and her cronies being smacked down.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  140. So will the left support Oil Companies ripping off people…………..only if their pockets are lined.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  141. Dustin,

    And we’re talking about Sarah’s spouse, not Sarah

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/35238034/ns/politics/t/palin-e-mails-reveal-powerful-first-dude/

    reports that Todd was very much involved in state matters. Would he be as involved in a Palin WH? Fair question I think.
    In addition the AIP was heavily behind her initial candidacy for mayor and thrilled she won the governorship.

    Another 26,000 emails await release. She has resisted release for two years – almost makes one think Obama’s birth certificate is hidden in the cache…

    http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/01/28/us-palin-emails-idUSTRE70R01920110128

    vor2 (658d3e)

  142. happyfeet the world would be a better place if you never communicated or made your presence known to anyone.

    Brian (83f7d7)

  143. that is an untruism Mr. Brian

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  144. GentleBeings – are you forgetting that EPWJ seems to be an incarnation of the classic accuracy and fairness of the Grauniad ? When we keep responding to what he types, we are just incorriging him …

    If we politely step around his comments, without otherwise responding to them (as one sensibly does when walking through a field populated with well-fed cattle), he will either learn to make sensible comments – or he will stopp commenting …

    Alasdair (0f13d9)

  145. Would he be as involved in a Palin WH? Fair question I think.

    Good point. I have to admit, that’s a legit one.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  146. she would need all the help she could get if Todd wasn’t involved that would be very shocking to me and I think it would speak rather poorly of both of them

    If he’s gonna be hanging about he needs to make himself maximally useful I think.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  147. Even if it means reading stuff.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  148. lifeyfeetsdoodle – What was Fred going to put his hoochie in charge of?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  149. He probably didn’t think it that far,

    ian cormac (72470d)

  150. who said anything about in charge? Just being of service is a plenty big role I think.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  151. Brian is not a very nice person.

    JD (318f81)

  152. M’chelle for example is trying to help lay the groundwork for a massive expansion of the role of our faily faily joke of a government with respect to kids’ lifestyle choices and nutrition and such – she’s being of service to the dirty socialist ghetto trash pothead douche she married, and, by extension, to the simple-minded easily-manipulated cowardly food stamp whore populace what elected him.

    That’s all anyone can ask, and it’s also the least they should expect of someone in that situation.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  153. “He works so very hard every day,” she appealed to the crowd. “It’s unbelievable, starting first thing in the morning every day and going late into the night, hunched over briefings, reading every single word of every single memo he gets, making notes, writing questions, making sure he knows more than the people briefing him, because all of those wins and losses are not wins and losses for him. They’re wins and losses for the folks whose stories he carries with him, the folks he worries about and prays about before he goes to bed at night.”

    does she not realize her husband is a slutty slutty vacation-happy golf whore? Someone needs to let this clueless hoochie in on what’s really going on.

    That’s just embarrassing.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  154. “He works so very hard every day,” she appealed to the crowd. “It’s unbelievable

    /nods head

    Dustin (c16eca)

  155. It does take a whole lot of effort ‘to fundamentally
    transform,’ the country, well that and the bracket pickets, those are exhausting.

    ian cormac (72470d)

  156. Comment by ian cormac — 5/20/2011 @ 7:10 pm


    Comment by happyfeet — 5/20/2011 @ 7:19 pm

    Can’t believe she had the gall to utter those words.

    What a liar.

    no one you know (fd287d)

  157. I don’t think Palin can win. Of course, she can run and prove me wrong. I have been wrong before and will no doubt be wrong again..but I am not at all sure Palin can win in the primaries and I think she has much chance of winning a national election as I have of winning the powerball. In other words, it could happen…but it is very very unlikely.

    Terrye (d6aeed)

  158. I dont see how she is going to run on her signature achievement of

    Raising taxes

    giving away even more cash to alaskans (A sore point in any economic times)

    Raising Spending astronomically

    Then having it overturned on an agenda to be overturned less than a year after she left

    We can make fun of those who bring it up – but those facts are going to get in the way of a successful Palin campaign

    People are going to dare to bring up her record and be casrt in the same lot as the Triggers and the Levi Johnsons of the world – but they will finally say that the left shoe of liberalism fits tunderella.

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  159. giving away even more cash to alaskans

    Oh, she just gave cash away to them, is that it?

    So you’re saying that money belonged to the oil companies, and she wrongfully gave it to the citizens of the state?

    Raising Spending astronomically

    I think you mean cutting spending. That’s what you mean, right? I mean, she was willing to spend money on projects, but she was a cutter when needed. The only thing ‘astronomical’ about it is your reaction.

    Bring up Palin’s record more fairly, EPWJ, and you won’t be compared with the people you rightfully associated yourself with in the above comment.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  160. If a Tourrettes sufferer bleats out his nonsense and hatred repeatedly in the forest, does it make a noise?

    JD (318f81)

  161. Levi has a comparable level of integrity.

    JD (318f81)

  162. I have heard that Palin is less popular in Alaska by far than she was once. That might be why Miller did not do better there. I think that many of Palin’s supporters have had to defend her against all sorts of nasty stuff and as such they just keep defending her against any and all criticism, even the kind that might be true.

    But, what the hell, she can run if she wants to risk it.

    Terrye (d6aeed)

  163. I know a lot of people hate Palin to their core.

    What I don’t understand is why. She seems like a decent person, but she must be defeated at all cost.

    It is weird. Whatever. I doubt I would vote for her as president, but what the heck did she do to generate do much antagonism?

    Happy? It’s just strange.

    Ag80 (1bc637)

  164. Yes yes yes!!! If she is so confuzzled about who she is as to run for president then needs must be that she is defeated with extreme prejudice for so we can reaffirm that there are yet those Americans what hold the conviction that the presidency is a redoubt of greatness, and of great seriousness.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  165. Perhaps it has to do with the leftard media’s demonization of her? Little Zero gets a pass on everything and his past is also mostly off limits, whereas Palin’s womb is under a magnifying glass and her interviews were selectively edited by numbskulls like katie couric. If the left was not fearful of her, why all the hatred, all the time? Has anyone talked about how she really is with her hair down and not out in public. There’s an interesting book on some recent past Presidents and VPs from the perspective of the secret service agents assigned to them. What little I read reaffirmed the opinion I already had of pompous asses like Carter and Gore or womanizers like JFK and LBJ, party boy Clinton. And of course those the Bushes and Reagan were great to work for an treated people great. Whereas Hillary and Gore hated the secret service and the Goracle even warned his son to study hard so he didn’t end up scum like a secret service agent.

    How can people vote for a little zero or a huckabee, gingrich and luap nor and think Palin doesn’t measure up? Why does a certain assclown here possess a visceral hatred for her? I don’t idolize her but think she would do a better job than the other three monkeys on the two tickets. But then I think Senators per se are mostly all useless bench warmers not prone to logical thinking or commonsense. Like Algore being born on third base and thinking he deserves to be POTUS. He and Lurch are two peas in a pod and I’m thankful neither one was Prez.

    Calypso Louie Farrakhan (d36a3f)

  166. Oh well, tomorrow is the end anyway, so what the heck. The end should start in New Zealand in about 20 minutes. :).

    Ag80 (1bc637)

  167. Mr. Farrakhan Sarah Palin has never ever done much to defy the widely held impression that she is a person what is constitutionally comprised of hardy pandering simpleton stock, and what she has done, she hasn’t done with any consistency.

    And poor thing, she doesn’t seem to understand that the softball playpen keep-the-training-wheels-firmly-on happy happy joy joy oasis of Fox News where she does all her interviews, is incredibly enfeebling for her. It both feeds the impression that she can’t handle a contentious discussion, and, more insidiously, lulls her into believing that she can.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  168. You know, happy, that is a bit elitist. Common people have some smarts.

    Your argument seems to be she is incapable because of her enablers. That may be true, but it doesn’t discredit her.

    Look at what we have, with a much more enabling bunch.

    Ag80 (1bc637)

  169. The way I read it, is Fox is much like the line in Hitchhiker’s Guide ‘Mostly Harmless’ that’s in comparison to the thoroughly noxious influences
    of Anderson Vanderbilt’s CNN and the Madhouse that is MSNBC, to which Michael Steele looks to join the menagerie over there, they still contract the Soros reel AP for most of their stories, yet there are sparks of initiative, notably Beck, who has done a yeoman’s job uncovering the Administration’s initiatives, but as a general rule, they are more often than not, indifferent to the Tea Party’s goals, look at the pathetic little bumble fail game, that most of you fell for some months back.

    ian cormac (72470d)

  170. Mr. 80 is it elitist to think of the presidency of our little country as something one might aspire to achieve, to aspire to be worthy of, as opposed to something one might employ cheap marketing tricks to opportunistically snatch up like it was a tasty passel of 3 for $1 Shibolim Whole Grain Chocolate Coated Rice Chips?

    No it’s not.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  171. For most candidates, I expect them to show up to interviews at MSM outlets prepared for a mountain of spin and bullshit. They need to point out that they expect nothing short of democrat spin, and bring their own camera crew and insist on no editing.

    Palin in particular would never find a fair interviewer in the MSM.

    I think the idea of simply cutting them out of the process, and taking one’s case to the people directly, is not an adequate alternative. Candidates must field hostile questions, or they aren’t really vetted. That’s part of the problem with Obama. His harshest interview was O’Reilly, which was most cordial than most first dates.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  172. More Palin Derangement Syndrome in this thread, from the usual suspects.


    “…the widely held impression that she is a person what is constitutionally comprised of hardy pandering simpleton stock…”

    Widely held. Funny thing, there is another widely held impression on this blog, Mr. Feet, about your posts. And it doesn’t stop you from repeating endlessly your meme. Interesting that you want other people to stop what they do based on what some people think. Again, it doesn’t stop you here.

    But please. Continue to guzzle the h8erade. It makes you look really good.

    Simon Jester (406648)

  173. I am Palinesque in my folly?

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  174. I am Palinesque in my folly?

    Touche…Very clever.

    Bob Reed (5f2db5)

  175. Is that a fire in your belly, or did you shake too much pepperoncini on your pizza?

    Bob Reed (5f2db5)

  176. The usual palin hating suspects are kerryesque in their startling defense of the corrupt oil companies they once despised.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  177. no fiery belly problems here … but I have a song! I forgot about that one then somewhere I heard it this week.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  178. I actually admire Palin quite a lot, and called for her being “drafted” long before the national media was mentioning her name in the same vein as McCain’s…

    During the run-up of gas prices in 2008 she appeared on CNBC many times discussing energy issues. That’s when I decided she should have been part of the national ticket.

    Unfortunately, McCain was a loser; I knew it then. And although her charisma, folksiness, and actual plain talk nearly helped Mav pull it off; it was close, but as they say in P.G. county, No Cigar

    Bob Reed (5f2db5)

  179. That’s an awesome video happyfeet. The visual is awesome, and I always liked that kind of real band music.

    Bob Reed (5f2db5)

  180. Mr. Farrakhan Sarah Palin has never ever done much to defy the widely held impression that she is a person what is constitutionally comprised of hardy pandering simpleton stock, and what she has done, she hasn’t done with any consistency.

    And poor thing, she doesn’t seem to understand that the softball playpen keep-the-training-wheels-firmly-on happy happy joy joy oasis of Fox News where she does all her interviews, is incredibly enfeebling for her. It both feeds the impression that she can’t handle a contentious discussion, and, more insidiously, lulls her into believing that she can.

    Comment by happyfeet — 5/20/2011 @ 8:44 pm

    While I suspect we disagree on the reasons for the “widely held impression” that Palin is a simpleton (and besides I think she’s actually very intelligent albeit lacking in at least two key areas of necessity if she wants the presidency), I totally agree that if she hopes to have a chance at a campaign, she needs to broaden her messaging horizons, and as quickly as possible. (I’d add, she desperately needs foreign policy chops, which she hasn’t seemed seriously interested in acquiring since the 2008 campaign.)

    Your last paragraph was really well put, feets, and I thought deserved another look.

    (BTW, JMO but would love it if you could disagree w/ her like this all the time, instead of the ‘hoochie’ and ‘tundra tart’ schtick which, let’s face it, seems to be backfiring in that it doesn’t make the points you want heard about Palin’s perceived unseriousness nearly as effectively as I see here that you’re able to get across.)

    no one you know (fd287d)

  181. actually research shows that the tundra tart approach can be super-effective it was in USA Today

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  182. here

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  183. Another feets video link doesn’t disappoint. That’s a terrifically fun remix. Heh.

    no one you know (fd287d)

  184. Is it alright if I call your mom a lesbian bulldyke?

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  185. hah I’m glad you like it … I’m not sure how much stock I put in those advocacy groups’ research but I thought it was interesting that they released their “handy handbook for tanking female candidates” just before a 2010 election what saw an unprecedented number of female conservative candidates

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  186. Mr. Feets – Why not call Palin a racist like EricPW has on this blog?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  187. Um, I meant the techno link obviously.


    actually research shows that the tundra tart approach can be super-effective it was in USA Today

    Comment by happyfeet — 5/20/2011 @ 9:53 pm

    Well…(to paraphrase Bill Cosby in Himself) Yes, but it makes people who do it look like a******s.

    Just sayin’. 😉 I’d think that someone interested in actually criticizing fairly could stick to the facts rather than slinging slurs. As I recall Dustin saying to you on one occasion (paraphrasing) there’s plenty to criticize Palin on while leaving the misogynist flourishes out of it. Bonus: it keeps the focus on her (perceived and/or real) weaknesses, rather than the speaker’s.

    no one you know (fd287d)

  188. I don’t think that Palin is a racist I think she’s merely unqualified for to be president. If she’d take herself out of contention and I think she’d find that people liked her more better. She’s not particularly annoying I don’t think in any other context aside from her presidential flirtations.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  189. I understand noyk and there is truth in what you say I just don’t like this idea that Palin is so often presented as someone deserving of respect, and I think sometimes I kinda rebel against that idea.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  190. I’m not sure how much stock I put in those advocacy groups’ research but I thought it was interesting that they released their “handy handbook for tanking female candidates” just before a 2010 election what saw an unprecedented number of female conservative candidates

    Comment by happyfeet — 5/20/2011 @ 9:57 pm

    Yep, that fact is pretty interesting (and I hadn’t seen that article)…which is why am in agreement that their research maybe needs to be taken w/ a few grains of salt. Though to be fair I hadn’t been aware that liberal women were apparently getting “the treatment” too.

    Can’t type very fast right now cause I’m bopping to that remix again. Man that is infectious. *favorites on YT*

    no one you know (fd287d)

  191. and I think she’d find

    I also think if Team R is to avoid the disastrous siren song of identity politics in 2012 it’s kinda imperative that she not run.

    Her obnoxious invocation, what hasn’t been really addressed in this thread, of “the good traditional things about America” is I think a fairly accurate foreshadowing of the dopey tact a Palin campaign would take.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  192. I mean tack of course I just wrote the wrong word cause I’m an idiot

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  193. Why not call Palin an anti-mexican racist like Eric the dumbturd has.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  194. I mean tack of course…
    Comment by happyfeet — 5/20/2011 @ 10:16 pm

    yep knew what you meant but come to think of it, “dopey tact” summarizes John McCain’s campaign in 2008 pretty darn well, don’t you think?

    Hope whoever’s running for 2012 doesn’t make the same mistake again. Obama needs to be absolutely hammered on his reversals, mistakes, misdirections etc. Not to mention all the variations of unseriousness he embodies. With all the ammunition he’s providing conservatives…

    no one you know (fd287d)

  195. Is she racist? I haven’t picked up on that mostly I think she’s an opportunist Mr. Biden, and a rather cheap one.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  196. I agree with the hammering, conjoined with a claxon of non-alarmist alarmism about the dreadful dreadful predicament our little country is in. Some for reals honesty about the unsustainability of America is a lot more preferable to vapid and trite invocations of long dead Reagan. There’s no precedent for the sort of trouble our little country as we know it is in.

    I know at least one governor what communicates that very very well.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  197. and yes you’re right dopey tact is spot-on for Meghan’s daddy’s 2008 fiasco, but maybe “ostentatiously dopey tact” does it a bit more justice

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  198. but maybe “ostentatiously dopey tact” does it a bit more justice

    Comment by happyfeet — 5/20/2011 @ 10:33 pm

    methinks you are right

    no one you know (fd287d)

  199. I think you shall not complain about cheap opportunists until you look in the mirror Mr.Crappyfeet.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  200. I shall!

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  201. Well look in the mirror.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  202. Dohbiden

    dustin appears to not be answering the question, he is trying to rephrase it to lesson the impact.

    Sarah Palin got a pass from conservatives – because she wasnt vetted and we were forced to support her as our VP candidate in a tense election.

    Then she was attacked brutally by the left unfairly many times

    Now, however, she is aspiring to either inject herself into who gets to run, or is running herself for the highest office

    Now, her accomplishments in Alaska HAVE been overturned by her own party within 20 months, only one’s stalling a final vote are the liberal democrats who want her tax and spending increases.

    Yes, name calling, hyperbole, snarky, nasty, vicious attacks on me aside – still am not getting an answer on why she raised taxes and spending and tried to pay off alaskans with extra free cash was described by the chief analyst for the Cato institute who said “sounds like welfare to me”

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  203. People’s alleged conservative credentials here are taking a strange turn as they are supporting a known moderate with a union (democrat?) organizer husband with a track record of false accusations, quitting, taxing and outrageous spending?

    Oh this is where they come in and say – oh we aren SUPPORTING her….

    Sounds like it to me….

    EricPWJohnson (becc0d)

  204. So now she “tried to pay off Alaskans”? Jeez, you’re really a special kind of person!

    Icy Texan (108534)

  205. And now you’re calling her husband a Democrat? It’s time for a trip to the lake house to collect our thoughts!

    Icy Texan (108534)

  206. Yes, name calling, hyperbole, snarky, nasty, vicious attacks on me aside – still am not getting an answer on why she raised taxes and spending and tried to pay off alaskans with extra free cash was described by the chief analyst for the Cato institute who said “sounds like welfare to me”

    Comment by EricPWJohnson — 5/20/2011 @ 11:32 pm

    The Cato gentleman notwithstanding, here’s an explanation of the difference between what happened in Alaska under Gov. Palin and what was being proposed by Democrats in 2008 when gas prices were skyrocketing under Bush. From August 7, 2008, here’s attorney William Dyer, better known as “Beldar” from BeldarBlog, in response to a poster’s remark that Palin had approved a “windfall profits tax” (bold mine):

    Lifeguard, thank you for your comment, but you’ve been misled.

    What the article you linked to is discussing is a severance tax. State severance taxes charged on production of oil and gas and minerals are common throughout the United States. Also sometimes called “production taxes,” they’re charged by the state from beneath whose land valuable resources are extracted, and they’re designed not to punish the energy companies, but to recompense the state for its loss of a non-replaceable resource one that must be quantified and taxed upon removal, if it is ever to be taxed at all. Severance taxes are therefore based on production from within the state, not on profits earned by the company extracting that production even though the production may be measured in, and the tax assessed upon, the market value or gross revenues (as measured in dollars) received for that production, rather than an “in kind” delivery to the state in barrels or cubic feet as such. See, e.g., Tex. Tax Code §§ 201.051 & 202.051 (Texas production taxes on gas and oil respectively).

    Indeed, I once represented Conoco in a Houston lawsuit against Mobil over how to allocate the severance tax they jointly owed based on jointly owned oil and gas leases in Idaho. There’s actually a fair amount of competing case-law from different states over whether severance taxes are more properly characterized as “property taxes” or “income taxes” if for some reason (e.g., interpreting a sloppy contract) you have to put them into one of those two categories or the other. But in any event, severance taxes are in no way premised on the notion that energy companies are making unconscionable or excessive profits.

    Alaska’s previous version of its severance tax had been negotiated behind closed doors by defeated Gov. Frank Murkowski, a few top state legislators (some of whom are now in prison for corruption), and energy lobbyists. One of the campaign planks upon which Gov. Palin ran for office was replacing that tax with one negotiated in the open with full transparency; and the resulting tax was, indeed, slightly more favorable to the State of Alaska. The article you linked tells some of this anti-corruption history on the part of Gov. Palin. But just because the newspaper headline writers and some of the people the article quoted used the word “windfall,” don’t be fooled into thinking that the tax in question is the same thing Barack Obama and the Democrats are now promoting at a national level.

    Rather, what Obama and the Dems are promoting is nothing less than selective government confiscation of the property of a particular industry, on the theory that such industry’s profits are “excessive.” That’s a repugnant rabble-rousing scheme, populism turned into class warfare and carried to its excessive worst. It’s completely unjustifiable either morally or economically. Its short-term victims are going to be energy-company shareholders (which include huge numbers of pension plans in which ordinary Americans have investments), but its long-term victims will be all Americans (who will suffer as our own energy companies are put at an increasing competitive disadvantage compared to others in the world, and whose national security interests will be further harmed as we become even more dependent on foreign sources of fossil-fuel energy).

    The MSM is not interested in the esoteric definition of a severance tax and why it’s different from windfall taxes, which are easy to define: ‘They’ve got too much, I don’t have enough, I want some of theirs.’ Reporters didn’t care about Alaska’s tax increase at all until it became a weapon with which to beat up the GOP’s new VP nominee. To be fair, Palin hasn’t done a decent job of defending herself, which is the main reason why I don’t believe she is ready to be President.

    For Palin specifically talking on the record about the tax increase before she was selected as McCain’s running mate, here’s video of her speaking to CNBC’s Larry Kudlow in June 2008 (forward to 3:34). In the process of promoting drilling in ANWR, she takes quick, sharp, smiling shots at Obama, McCain, and President Bush’s trip to Saudi Arabia to request beg for increased production.

    Palin’s in her element in the Kudlow interview, confident and smooth. Of course, the fact that it was a fine performance from her never stops the trolls that roam the net and search for new forums in which to insult her intelligence (you know who you are). She can do no right in their eyes.

    Hope that helps you out, Eric.

    L.N. Smithee (b20b8a)

  207. I will not be deterred, L.N. Smithee. I am invested in my hate. Heavily.

    EricPWJohnson, counter of joooooooos and hater of Palins (85b089)

  208. LNSMithee

    In the Alaska Dispatch

    http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/alaska-house-passes-governors-oil-tax-cut

    But the oil tax debate has clearly dominated the session, with weeks of hearings in the House Resources and Finance committees on a proposal by Gov. Sean Parnell that would cut billions of dollars of taxes on oil producers in the hope that companies will boost investment in Alaska, provide more jobs and keep oil flowing through the trans-Alaska pipeline.

    At issue is the 2007 law known as Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share, or ACES, which was put in place by a coalition of Democrats and Republicans and backed by then-Gov. Sarah Palin. It is designed to boost the state’s share of tax money as oil prices climb, and the controversial progressivity provision has resulted in billions of dollars in extra income for the state in the last few years.

    Democrats voted 100% for Aces in 2007, Republicans just a handful

    Sarah Palin put in and signed a Democrat crafted and sponsored Production tax increase on the oil companies.

    Case closed – totally discredited – one LNSMithee for life

    Palination (b92ab2)

  209. So now we have yet another person on record as being for higher taxes and spending:

    Dustin
    dohbiden
    LNSmithee
    Daleyrocks
    Alasdar
    Icy Texan

    EricPWJohnson (b92ab2)

  210. What I find amusing in Eric’s posts is his characterization of the Alaska GOP. Let’s see, aside from Palin, who are most notable? Ted Stevens and the Murkowskis. Those are some real conservatives!

    radar (ca5114)

  211. You have been pwned, L.N. My quote showing that tax rexeipts went up when oil prices went up toþally discredits you for life. I ignore that rates go down when prices go sdown, because that does not fit within the context of my lies and hatred and sputtering. I heart Big Oil.

    EricPWJohnson, counter of joooooooos and hater of Palins (306f5d)

  212. For all of you anti-Muslim bigots, since you are not living in the deep sands, I bet you don’t know which is more, Christians in the UAE or jooooooooooos in Iran.

    EricPWJohnson, counter of joooooooos and hater of Palins (85b089)

  213. I’am for higher taxes?

    Of course if Murkowski proposed these higher taxes we’d have to go along with it.

    Now please eff off Eric.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  214. Dohbiden

    Murkowski did pass higher taxes – this was also wrong, and was heavily lobbied against by the oil companies

    Palin passed a democrat sponsored and authored bill that she gladly signed

    Your defending the indefensible – must mean that you are for higher taxes and spending

    We can all grind our teeth at the oil industry, but if this life giving commodity is made scare through many factors – regulation, price, high taxes, we will suffer far greater than the average Alaskan getting a 1200 dollar windfall check from the first female gov of Alaska

    Economic recovery would greatly accelerate if the oil industry had a more free hand in determining the best way to drill and meet Americans economic potential and production

    Rather than Sarah Palin and her Alaskan democrats

    EricPWJohnson (b92ab2)

  215. Look palin isn’t perfect but still I find it hard to take you seriously as a conservative when you play the race card like the left does.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  216. Who will Eric vote for Palin or 3rd party?

    3rd party is more likely.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  217. Comment by ian cormac 5/21/2011 @ 6:29 am

    I hope he does Ian, I think Americans are looking for competence without all the melodrama. Daniels seems to fit that niche nicely.

    vor2 (658d3e)

  218. In two years, he hasn’t been able to formulate any critique of policy, from the betrayal of Poland, on BMD, to Iran, to dissing India,

    ian cormac (72470d)

  219. Comment by ian cormac — 5/21/2011 @ 6:51 am

    Daniels has been spending those two years running his state. Perhaps he has not had a whole lot of time for facebook.

    vor2 (658d3e)

  220. You know Daniels probably did something that EricPW doesn’t like.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  221. Now please eff off Eric.

    Comment by DohBiden

    Well said. I note that Palin cut spending, and EPWJ says that means I’m in favor of increased spending.

    I’m not even a Palin for President supporter… I just want a reasonable discussion. VOR2 doesn’t have any trouble presenting some sane criticisms… it really doesn’t look that difficult.

    Daniels has been spending those two years running his state. Perhaps he has not had a whole lot of time for facebook.

    Comment by vor2 —

    This is one of the problems with our system now. Daniels can’t take years off his important job to demagogue… his POV is more apparent simply from evaluating his results, which are the result of some degree of negotiation. They aren’t always ‘pure’, but they have the advantage of being real in a way mere commentary is not.

    Daniels has actually been leading, and there’s a reason so many other leaders respect him. I’d be comfortable with someone with his experience level moving to the White House. At some point, and I think soon, he needs to show us he’s able to fight politically. A lot of conservatives don’t even know his stances, and think he’s a RINO (which is absolutely ridiculous).

    If I were going to pick the ticket, though I really wouldn’t mind Daniels/Palin or perhaps Daniels/Cain. However, I think Daniels would need someone more moderate to balance the ticket out, after it was clear he is pretty hard line on some issues. Daniels/Pawlenty? Daniels/Perry? Those are strong tickets.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  222. You know Daniels probably did something that EricPW doesn’t like.

    Comment by DohBiden

    Yeah. I don’t think he’s a Moby (I was convinced at one point). I just think he’s very stubborn and contrarian. He wants to convince us that his cherry picked and radically distorted pinch of Palin’s record means… what? Support Bachmann and Perry? I don’t think so. I think if those where the prominent candidates, he would be bashing them instead.

    I think EPWJ is completely sincere, and has no idea that he’s wrong, but that doesn’t mean at some point he should accept that we’ve processed his argument and it’s time for him to process ours.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  223. Why do corrupt oil companies get defended but ethical oil companies are thrown by the wayside?

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  224. I think people who like Palin make the mistake of assuming that all the people who don’t only feel that way because she has been badly treated by the media..but she really does annoy a lot of people. It is just a fact. Her manner of speaking, the use of platitudes…phrases like unflippingbelievable might seem down to earth to many of her supporters, but they strike other people as silly. It is not that they are afraid of her or that they see her as a solid conservative…they think she got a free pass and still using it to make money. That is the problem..it is not just about how the press handles her..it is about how people react to her. I don’t know how she changes that at this point.

    So some people on the right see her as Margaret Thatcher and some others seen as Eliza Doolittle, without the voice.

    I used to like Palin a lot more than I do now. I am not sure what changed my feelings. It might have been the O’Donnell campaign that sort of turned me off to Palin, but I have started to think there is not much to her. Not really. And after Obama I honestly do not want another vapid, charismatic, shallow partisan for a president.

    I do like Daniels, but that is probably because I am from Indiana and I have watched him for years. He is a good Governor. He did his job and he did it well.

    Terrye (007c3b)

  225. Dustin

    Please furnish us a spending cut that wasnt already a program that was of significant funding

    Also Cherry Picking is another Dustin meme, to trivialize the arguments impact on her electability – I’m being accused of picking only her failures. Mishandling taxing the industry that according to the link above paid 89% of all taxes in Alaska is cherry picking?

    Wow!

    Cato institute said she made no cuts of any significance

    Caro institute and Realclearpolitics are both on record that Palin isnt a fiscal conservative and now joined by the Republican Party of Alaska when they ditched her democrat spawned legislative legacy

    I have no problem supporting Daniels

    EricPWJohnson (cb47e6)

  226. Chet Edwards Cato institute:

    P

    alin supported and signed into law a $1.5 billion tax increase on oil companies in the form of higher severance taxes. One rule of thumb is that higher taxes cause less investment

    .

    More from Chet:

    Perhaps I’m missing something, but I see no evidence that Palin offered any major tax cuts

    And he wraps up with:

    She did propose sending $1.2 billion of state oil revenues to individuals and utility companies in the form of monthly payments to reduce energy bills, but that sounds like welfare to me, not tax cuts.

    http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/palin-uninspiring-tax-policy-record/

    Processing one’s argument means that the facts you present have to actually be true, did anyone get proof of spending – I looked at the actual audited reports; spending rose 28 to 33 % under Palin in just 2 years – more than any other state but Jersey

    EricPWJohnson (cb47e6)

  227. Matt Voltz wrote:

    http://www.realclearpolitics.com/news/ap/politics/2008/Oct/12/palin_has_mixed_record_as_fiscal_conservative.html

    Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican nominee for vice president, bills herself as a fiscal conservative. But her record looks little like the classic conservative who favors less government and lower taxes.

    This spring, Palin signed an operating budget that authorized roughly $11 billion in spending — more than $16,000 for every man, woman and child in Alaska. That amounted to a 28 percent spending increase.

    EricPWJohnson (cb47e6)

  228. Scott Conroy of RCP

    Could Oil Tax Hike Come Back to Bite Palin?

    One of Sarah Palin’s signature accomplishments in her two-and-a-half year stint as Alaska governor is coming under renewed scrutiny and could have implications for the 2012 Republican presidential race should she decide to run.

    Dubbed Alaska’s Clear and Equitable Share (ACES), the oil taxes hike was extremely popular among state Democrats and received enough Republican support to become law.

    EricPWJohnson (cb47e6)

  229. What is the natural reaction in a good person to seeing someone like Sarah Palin suffer an injustice?

    Of course the natural reaction is to hope for some good to come to Sarah Palin.

    That’s why it’s so strange to see Palin’s detractors overtly show unfairness that is already well exposed. Once everyone discusses a lie to the point where it’s well proven to be a lie, then someone repeating the lie is actually well aware that all they are doing is making a show of being unfair.

    There are more worthy victims of injustice than Sarah Palin for me to worry about, and by God, I don’t want to grant anyone power merely to vindicate them over lies from corrupt Murkowski/Scozzafava fans who actually hate conservatism passionately, but I think we all at least understand that wavelength.

    If this were merely a made for TV movie, with no stakes, of course the best ending would be Palin winning the election, and all the creeps crying as the happy Palin family dances around.

    Some of Palin’s detractors have wised up to this, and some haven’t. Those who have wised up might say something like ‘I just think her speech and cultural background are… bad, but I actually used to like her and don’t anymore… but it’s not like I have a reason to discuss… I just wanted to announce how bad Palin is’.

    Those guys are much smarter than the ‘Palin is a big spending tax hiking monster!!! those she put in prison for corruption were innocent victims!!!!’ More honest too. A lot of people probably do just have a gut dislike for Palin.

    Me, I like her a lot, actually, but want someone with much more experience in the White House, and want someone more electable to be the nominee. I want Palin to be a big part of the GOP. I wish she were AK’s Senator.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  230. Some of palin’s detractors have nothing but contempt for oil companies which are not corrupt nice to see Eric is one of them just exposes him as a fraud.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  231. The ONLY things that I am “on record” for are FAIR taxes and this basic understanding of economics: if the population of a state increases, AND there’s inflation, AND your budget is balanced by collected revenue that was NOT the result of outrageous levels of taxation, then Yeah, you CAN have “increased spending” in a budget and have it be okay.

    Icy Texan (108534)

  232. Could severance tax hike on corrupt oil companies come back to bite palin.

    FIFY EricPW

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  233. Icy Texan,

    You don’t get it. If you favor sane, fair taxation and spending that your citizens are completely happy with (to the tune of 90% approval ratings), then you are a communist.

    If you support a defacto socialist like dede scozzafava, that doesn’t mean anything at all.

    —–

    Palin didn’t just turn a dial in her office to increase and decrease spending… she reacted to the world around her with the cooperation of other office holders while making the state of Alaska much better overall.

    EPWJ can say this isn’t an answer to his ‘question’ all day long. I don’t care. Alaska doesn’t care. Conservatives do not care. EPWJ doesn’t get to lie about Palin’s record as well as lying about what limits there are on acceptable conservative policy. And it’s clear he would present a better case against Palin if he had one. He hates her guts, after all.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  234. ____________________________________________

    The potential candidate has not made a decision about whether to run

    If the ultra-liberal currently in the White House is not voted out next year, I won’t give a damn about the particulars involving party squabbles and in-fighting. That’s because America will truly have jumped the shark and earned a prize for allowing itself to become the world’s ultimate Banana Republic.

    However, I’ll be particularly pissed off if political strategies for 2012 are screwed up by people’s egos and my-way-or-the-highway idiocy. That includes Palin being sort of a variation of Delaware’s Christine O’Donnell, or certain voters believing that living with another 4 years of a pock-marked leftist in the White House will be a worthy sacrifice in the name of ideological idealism and purity.

    Mark (411533)

  235. Didn’t Eric defend Tax and spend liberal Dede Slidgeafava?

    I don’t agree with the severance tax but it was needed IMO.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  236. Dustin

    Okay – show me where she cut overall spending in Alaska?

    Dohbiden

    Do you have any articles on “corrupt oil companies” in their dealing with Alaska ie ExxonMobil, Conoco, BP? Do they have any executives under indictment?

    If not then I guess – what you have a groundless conjecture

    I didnt write the title – Scott Conroy of RealClearPolitics did.

    EricPWJohnson (cb47e6)

  237. And don’t tell me that drops in approval after Palin leaves office in a pretty embarrassing manner, with years of extremely negative media coverage afterwards, and no political campaign to respond, that Palin’s drop in approval ratings is a clear message about the actual policies of her administration.

    It’s not. It’s a popularity measurement, and while that does matter, it’s a reflection of other things, such as Levi’s behavior, TV shows, and Joe Miller, Christine O’Donnell, etc. Use that info correctly, instead of pretending Palin was something she wasn’t. She was a moderate and ethical Republican governor who is a little short on executive experience and on TV a lot.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  238. Eric that guy you linked too never liked Palin.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  239. Why doesn’t Levi Johnston like Sarah Palin? Proof positive she’s a communist!

    Actually, if there is any sanity to EPWJ’s comments here, it’s because he’s trying to shill for Palin by overwhelming all the criticisms of her.

    85% of the thread is devoted to defending Palin from lies, thanks 100% to EPWJ. If you take his comments and the reactions to them away, you’re left with a much more sober take on her that ultimately shows most people rejecting her as a nominee.

    EPWJ acts like a cynical fan of Palin, similar to an Obama fan bringing up the birther issue today (Which many of them are doing, even wearing T shirts bringing it up).

    Why is EPWJ trying to shut down criticism of Palin with garbage? He actually posts it after someone has debunked it! It’s hilarious.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  240. ___________________________________________

    Me, I like her a lot, actually, but want someone with much more experience in the White House, and want someone more electable to be the nominee.

    When it comes to Palin, I don’t worry about her experience. After all, “experience” often is filtered through the biases of the observer. So a liberal will have no qualms about — and I being flippant here, but not too much — the local dogcatcher running for the White House as long as he or she is of the left. However, I do worry about Palin’s electability. After all, conservatives won’t be deciding the election of 2012 as much as other people will, including centrists (squishy or otherwise) and libertarians.

    Mark (411533)

  241. So Lefturd Levi Johnston hates Sarah Palin and this is proof she is worse than hitler and had her gestapo falsely accuse a man of beating his wife and son never mind the wife and son feared for their lives.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  242. Epwj is likely neuterd male version of Nishi. This is about the 8342873648283469283746927364982734692th time he has run with this meme. He ignores all of the evidence contrary to his ASSertions, and runs around with the goalposts, after point and point after lie after lie has been exposed. He then whines about not being treated nicely.

    JD (318f81)

  243. JD’s right that it’s annoying EPWJ would complain about how nicely he’s been treated.

    I’m giving him a lot more courtesy than he’s shown me. It used to piss me off, but these days I just don’t take the internet that seriously.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  244. So a liberal will have no qualms about — and I being flippant here, but not too much — the local dogcatcher running for the White House as long as he or she is of the left.

    Yeah, they wouldn’t care. And it’s totally unfair to compare Palin’s experience level with the democrat standards like Obama. She has accomplished more in her life than most if not all of the commenters in this thread. She has governed a state, albeit for a short period.

    I’m trying not to let Obama change my standards for what constitutes a Presidential level candidate. That’s easy, because Obama is proof that inexperience is a disaster.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  245. EricPW is bought and paid by Newt Gingrich and his girl Dede Sludgeafava which makes his whining about raising taxes hypocritical.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  246. After all, conservatives won’t be deciding the election of 2012 as much as other people will, including centrists (squishy or otherwise) and libertarians.

    Comment by Mark

    I wish I knew how this worked. I think you’re right, but I just don’t know. Is there a third party problem? That means the largest coalition leader needs to deflate it (as Palin would).

    Is turnout the big issue?

    Is it about appealing to Obama voters to change their minds?

    I get the impression that I’m inserting some of my best wishes for these three aspects onto the candidates I prefer. It’s a slightly less ridiculous version of how Obama attracted idiots who bought his blank slate routine.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  247. I would vote for any candidate, hey I admitted I voted for Dole, right, but that experience as well as that with McCain, has made me wary of all those the media, consider the weighty candidates. Daniels has his good points, So supporting an individual mandate, considering a VAT, being indifferent on foreign policy, having
    enunciated his dissent with the state party as to create his whole new crop of ‘fleabaggers’ that isn’t supposed to matter. I figure Daniels agrees
    with a much more circumscribed US role in the world, that’s the way he has signaled in the past

    ian cormac (72470d)

  248. Dustin

    We are still waiting for the audited financial reports that show that Palin made the cuts you are claiming and we are also waiting for the “corrupt” oil companies conviction – heck even arrest reports from Exxon Conoco BP et al

    Still waiting for any proof from your stories here about the Gov who raised taxes and spending to record heights in Alaska

    EricPWJohnson (9b8dcc)

  249. Still waiting for you to look in the mirror Eric.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  250. ______________________________________________

    I wish I knew how this worked.

    Dustin, just always keep in mind the dynamics of urban America (ie, San Francisco, Detroit, New York City, Oakland, Austin, Compton, LA, etc), blue-state America (ie, the Northeast, West Coast), societies like Mexico, Venezuela or France. IOW, there is a huge reservoir of pro-liberal sentiment among a high percentage of a populace, so political strategies for those on the right will be naturally tougher than strategies for those on the left.

    One side will always get a lot of benefit of the doubt, the other side won’t. And one side will nurture various forms of corruption and idiocy—both cultural and economic.

    The origins of this and the human nature behind it apparently were understood a long time ago:

    When the people find they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.” — Benjamin Franklin

    Mark (411533)

  251. They are talking about VECO you putz.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  252. So supporting an individual mandate, considering a VAT, being indifferent on foreign policy, having
    enunciated his dissent with the state party as to create his whole new crop of ‘fleabaggers’ that isn’t supposed to matter.

    Lying doesn’t become you, Ian. If you aren’t lying, look into these attacks.

    Mitch doesn’t support an individual mandate. Someone quoted a newspaper that paraphrased healthcare into ‘mandatory’ without quoting Daniels actually supporting a mandate. He supported a credit you can use however you like. That’s not a mandate.

    VAT wasn’t supported in addition to our current tax system. A lot of people have different tax ideas, such as the FAIR tax, and it’s not fair to just toss that out as though it’s a massive tax increase. Link Daniels’s POV on VAT, if you can find it. Nothing odious about it. He supports a VAT if combined with a flat rate income tax. That’s a lot different than the implications of a VAT on top of our progressive system.

    “being indifferent on foreign policy,”

    He’s the governor of Indiana right now. All he said about foreign policy is that he takes it seriously enough that he thinks he would need to prepare more before debating it. That is too much honesty for a smart politician to have, in my opinion, but it’s also not indifference.

    “having enunciated his dissent with the state party as to create his whole new crop of ‘fleabaggers’ ”

    Daniels didn’t petition anyone to flee to avoid a quorum. And his results speak for themselves. Daniels gets conservative results even with democrats in a legislature, which takes more than load commentary.

    Frankly, I’m a little surprised you’re saying this stuff. It’s not all that different from the level of BS EPWJ is spitting out.

    Daniels is a very conservative governor. He’s run his state very well, improving its economy, job outlook, business friendliness. He’s been a low drama high competence administrator. He’s got lots of experience and has worked at a high level under two presidents. Two good presidents.

    It’s really lame that Daniels has suffered the most dishonest attacks, one right after another. I’ve bought a couple of them, and then after reading into them more, learned I was lied to.

    Daniels does not support a mandate, his positions on record in 2003 contradict the notion he did then, and no evidence shows he ever did.

    You just don’t strike me as one of these people who wants to agitate against a really conservative and very qualified leader. I think you just read a lot of the same lies I read, and actually accepted them, as I was tempted to.

    This is Romney astroturf. This crap tears our party apart. Romney and Huckabee played this cynical ‘me me me at any cost to the GOP’ game all 2008, and the party was ruined for some time as a result.

    If it’s not true, or if you don’t know it’s true, don’t say it as though you know it’s true.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  253. Has epwj provided the FBI with his proof that Palin had a 6-figure no-show job. Certainly the FBI would be interested in an allegation of a felony from the deep sands. Maybe after yur flight to Jakarta, and before the camel caravan to Mumbai, epwj can find time to make the report, since he has made the claim.

    JD (318f81)

  254. Can i tell Romney to go suck on his manpipe.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  255. I have this image of one of those old word processors balanced on the back of a camel during a blistering caravan.

    What’s EPWJ going to do when Rick Perry endorses Palin, who probably sees Perry as a strong VP contender? I think suddenly Perry will cease to be the metric by which Repubicans are judged.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  256. Re: #235
    Thanks for clearing that up for me, Dustin! Most times Some times it’s difficult for me to keep up with Eric’s ramblings.

    Icy Texan (108534)

  257. Dustin,

    Still waiting…

    EricPWJohnson (9b8dcc)

  258. I’m going by actions, statements, policy decisions, not turn of phrases, tones of voice, or only partially relevant associations, he didn’t have complete responsibility for, (ie OMB in the Bush Administration)I don’t follow the personal, in fact
    I give him kudos for his patience on that score, which somes surely will not.

    ian cormac (72470d)

  259. Still waiting for EricPW to try and justify his Sludgeyfatwa worship.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  260. EPWJ’s actual knowledge of Alaska would fill a thimble leaving room for Paul Bunyon’s finger so he could darn his socks.

    AD-RtR/OS! (283024)

  261. Comment by Bob Reed — 5/20/2011 @ 9:41 pm

    Palin MSM interviews as VP candidate…

    Let’s not forget that she was “prepped” for these interviews by the capable handlers of the McCain camp who “knew things” about how much the MSM respected, admired, and supported the action of “The Maverick”.
    Is it any wonder that she mostly “locks out” the MSM, and that those around her now have virtually no connecton to the incestuous Beltway?

    AD-RtR/OS! (283024)

  262. You know it’s curious, I mean if she only had access to the braintrust, that pointed out how
    QE 2 had made food prices, ‘necessarily skyrocket’
    everywhere, specially in the Middle East, where the
    ‘wonderful democratic’Egyptian revolution was less than met the eye, then I’d be concerned. (sarc, for those without a copy of the home game)

    ian cormac (72470d)

  263. Comment by Dustin — 5/21/2011 @ 7:07 am

    Daniel’s biggest handicap among the Rank-&-File, is that he appears to be the Establishment choice, which will be the kiss-of-death with the TEA Party movement, unless he presents some really striking policy pronouncements.

    AD-RtR/OS! (283024)

  264. Comment by Dustin — 5/21/2011 @ 8:19 am

    I want a Presidential Candidate that combines the best qualities of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln;
    but I’ll settle for the best that is available from the field presented.

    As soneone famously said: You go to war with the army you have.

    AD-RtR/OS! (283024)

  265. VAT!

    Any candidate that supports a VAT in any manner has lost my vote.
    A VAT will destroy this country, just as it has led to the destruction of Freedom & Liberty in any country that has instituted it.
    It is the ultimate enabler of Crony Capitalism.

    Now, if you wish to talk about a National Sales Tax on consumption, which would only be implemented upon the repeal of the 16th Amendment?
    That we can discuss.

    AD-RtR/OS! (283024)

  266. hf

    I’d like to see your reasons for disliking Palin spelled out item by item in regular english so the discussion and disagreement can be about the issues rather than the pejorative. Then go back to the happyspeaking of nastygrams.

    Dustin,

    did you really mean this?

    “Secession isn’t something I personally agree with, but it’s no more offensive than gay marriage (whichever side you disagree with) or abortion.”

    Lincoln thought it was offensive enough to send thousands of young men to die over it.
    (first it was about slavery, then the CSA seceded to deal with slavery their own way on their own schedule and Lincoln said no, we will kill you and force you to rejoin the union and you will do it the way Washington tells you… thank God the cause was righteous)
    Secession has historically been very very offensive… more than Palin’s uterus even.

    SteveG (cc5dc9)

  267. An economist back in the 80’s advocated a complete, top-to-bottom, restructuring of taxes in America.
    His plan was to reserve to the three levels of government; Federal, State, and Municipal; three types of taxes, and only those taxes:
    Consumption (sales), Income, and Property, respectively –
    all functions of the government at each level would be financed solely by the type of taxation authorized,
    and any increases/decreases would be subject to the elected legislators of the people at each of those levels.

    Unfortunately, I do not remember the name of the person, and cannot provide a link.
    But, as seems obvious, it would upset virtually every apple-cart in the land, and so it went nowhere.

    AD-RtR/OS! (283024)

  268. EricPWJohnson trashes Palin with 3 sources:

    1. Libertarian CATO’s Chris Edwards — Eric calls him Chet Edwards — who lists Tim Pawlenty as one of his “top picks” for President but admits Pawlenty is an underdog to Palin. Perhaps Edwards’ dim view of Palin is based on his dislike for her oil and gas policies but Pawlenty has his problems, too.

    2. AP’s Matt Volz, whose Palin Derangement Syndrome extends to her parents.

    3. RCP’s Scott Conroy, better known as a former CBS’ reporter who wrote a tell-all book on Sarah Palin. He also thinks she will run for President because God told her to. No agenda there, right?

    DRJ (fdd243)

  269. The problem is Conroy, as well as his more aggressively dishonest partner, Walshe, include long debunked tidbits, in their tale, to consolidate a new narrative, (ie; the notion that she didn’t campaign with pro choicers, except Snowe, Specter and co)possibly only the Game Show ‘bobbsey twins’ Halperin and Heileman, are more mendacious or gullible, you pick which.

    ian cormac (72470d)

  270. DRJ,

    I didnt trash Palin, if pointing out someone’s public record is trashing someone then so be it.

    What was the audited financials show? that Sarah raised Taxes and spending 28 to 33% and now the dog fight in Alaska is to keep the largess or to invest in Alaska and bring back oil exploration

    The democrats voted 100% for Palins Taxes and Spending – the Republicans didnt

    Facts still stand in the way…

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  271. We’ve debated this before, Eric, but I’ve given up discussing the merits since you rarely respond to other comments and endlessly repeat your anti-Palin talking points.

    DRJ (fdd243)

  272. DRJ

    Which party voted overwhelmingly for Palins ACES tax increase – I can see why you dont want to answer that – it would be an admittance that Palin Passed a Punitive tax increase

    Which Party voted overwhelmingly for her accelerated spending budgets?

    Which Party just overturned her signature legislative accomplishment in the House and is being stalled by liberals in the Senate, denying a vote?

    Is this the Hallmark of a conservative?

    Sure, if I were a Palin fan I would avoid her record like the plague as well

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  273. DRJ

    I dont respond to peoples opinions about facts that dont exist – its impossible to – I’m sorry if that sounds rude or arrogant bur how do you respond to fiction?

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  274. Your a scozzafatwa fan.

    So you are one to hardly talk about fictional facts.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  275. So if it’s down to Sarah Palin or voting 3rd party.

    Odds are you’d vote 3rd party.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  276. As I’ve said before, the ACES’ program reformulated the way Alaska approaches oil and gas matters, and IMO it replaced a bribery-tainted system with one that made it harder for Big Oil to buy politicians in lieu of developing the oil and gas properties. Yes, it changed things for Big Oil and I understand they aren’t happy about that. But I think it was a change that will ultimately benefit Alaska, Alaskans, and even the oil companies. Finally, it doesn’t bother me to see there are proposals to make changes to the legislation. Any big legislative change is going to need adjustments as time goes on and the anticipated results can be compared to the actual results.

    DRJ (fdd243)

  277. DRJ

    I hear your hoping, your wishes, your goodwill, but as far as having anything more concrete than – “I think” would be helpful in convincing me that in this special Alaskan case that conservative principles are better served by the visionary wisdom of a Gov who raised already dangerously high taxes – to even greater heights which raised spending as well – all for the betterment of future generations – contrary to all facets of conservatism.

    Maybe I’m missing it

    Do you have any proof though? This corruption meme a court case where a Big Oil negotiator was charged I mean I provide facts but the Palin supporters seem to not need any – they just knooow? Where are the cases in which one of the Majors Bought Politicians?

    Alaska has raised oil taxes – not lowered them – so lets take your premise that Big Oil bought the legislature – well – they did a real crappy job of it, got their taxes increased instead of decreased.

    Again, its peoples wanting something to be true – hoping its true – but I’m waiting for:

    An Oil Company Spokesperson to say – ACES is a good thing (thats producing on state lands in Alaska)

    An Audited financial statement showing Palin spent less than previous Administrations

    A report showing how drilling and investment activity has increased on state regulated properties since Murlowski and Palin put progressive tax structures on the oil industry in Alaska

    I dont think anyone is going to get any of these soon

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  278. Eric,

    You didn’t bother to read the links when I posted them before (and linked it above) but I’ll give you one more link: Here are some facts about oil company profits under ACES vs in Iraq, presented by a former Republican “state legislator who helped expose VECO [the predecessor to ACES] for bribing Alaska lawmakers.” He thinks Palin was right to play hardball with Big Oil.

    And don’t you ever demand that I provide you with information when you provide little or nothing. Now I’m through with you and this blog.

    DRJ (fdd243)

  279. Exactly but do not let facts get in Eric’s way because he will say Palin took $45 from VECO which negates her record or something.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  280. give her quitty nature maybe the better question is does she have a VP candidate in mind what has the firebelly? See if she was talking to anybody but Fox News slags they would have asked that.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  281. *given* I mean

    hey $45 buys a lot of tacos

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  282. “… it replaced a bribery-tainted system with one that made it harder for Big Oil to buy politicians…”

    Well, you see DRJ, that’s just the problem in epwj’s twisted, Big-Oil centric, viewpoint…
    he wants the oil companies to be able to bribe the pols, since that is the system that he operates within in the ME.

    AD-RtR/OS! (283024)

  283. no matter what Palin did Alaska is still a sparsely populated welfare state what sucks sucks sucks at the federal teat worser than any other state – that’s the Alaskan character – rape the federal treasury and then whine for more

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  284. Fox news slags.

    Hey LudwigVanQuixote is that you?

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  285. what Mr. Biden do you think Fox News whores are somehow respectable? They’re just dirty cable news propaganda sluts same as at MSNBC. They both produce newscasts for whiny typically-American tv-addled losers with fourth grade educations.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  286. it’s very telling that Sarah Palin unironically counts herself among their number while coyly teasing her white trash fan club with hints of a run for the white house I think

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  287. White trash?

    Uh look in the mirror and you’l see a textbook example of white trash……btw i laugh at your tears of impotent rage.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  288. You must be LudwigVanQuixote.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  289. impotent rage? I just think sugartits needs to can all the silly talk about being president. There are very serious demographic changes going on in America, and a candidate like Sarah Palin what appeals to such an incredibly narrow demographic is very very unhelpful.

    I would hope that not only would she have the sense not to run, that she would have the sense to keep a low low profile during the campaign. This would be a good window for her to develop a line of products for QVC or do another reality show about forest animals. Then after a Republican wins election maybe she can flit about giving stale warmed-over Reagan pep talks to her tribe again.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  290. “…sucks at the federal teat worser than any other state…”

    Perhaps that is because more of Alaska is owned/controlled by Federal Mandate than in any other state, for which they pay NO property taxes to any level of local government, getting a free-ride on much of the infrastructure that exists.

    Someone who resides in the West, should know about how the Federal Government restricts the activities of local governments on land-use matters while contributing bupkis to that land-use –
    someone, that is, who doesn’t live in the San Fernando Valley!

    AD-RtR/OS! (283024)

  291. be that as it may Mr. OS it breeds a mentality nevertheless I think

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  292. Two words: California Republicans

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  293. I think Crappyfeet needs to go play with himself and masturbate to his Mike Huckabee blowup doll.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  294. Mr. Huckabee is another candidate with narrow appeal and a very tribey base, but he had the good sense to say you know what? I’m ill-suited to run for president.

    That shows a wee bit of character I think.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  295. Epwj being rude and disrespectful to DRJ?!?! What a silly little Git you are, Eric. You should apologize, and be embarrassed, yet again. But you won’t.

    JD (318f81)

  296. So how do you people feel about a black nationialist wanting to change the castle doctrine?

    Back on topic the Palin haters will always hate her.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  297. Mr. Biden I think that’s a sort of, if I may, trite observation. I think it’s very possible that people would feel very different about a Sarah Palin divorced from silly presidential aspirations. She has a nice smile and an engaging personality. There’s no reason she can’t appeal more broadly, but all the silly president talk drives people to have rather more of an opinion about her than they otherwise would. It’s needlessly polarizing.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  298. polarizing….
    Yes, because the other side would never advance a candidate who tends to polarize.
    feets is just another “fellow traveler” centrist – one of the many that Laura Ingraham likes to call Butt Monkeys.

    AD-RtR/OS! (283024)

  299. If Palin was so bad, people like DRJ, who are patriotic, intelligent, and serious, wouldn’t prefer her.

    Daniel’s biggest handicap among the Rank-&-File, is that he appears to be the Establishment choice, which will be the kiss-of-death with the TEA Party movement, unless he presents some really striking policy pronouncements.

    I think this is exactly right. Though Daniels has actually made some big statements. As I said above, he likes a flat income tax. He’s with Palin on federal spending. He’s had some bright red social conservative times in the past, but lately obviously that is not his priority.

    Anyway, his problem is that people perceive him as a squish, and therefore a lot of his competitors and detractors are eager to define him before he defines himself to Tea Partiers.

    He needs to do a better job as a politician before I’ll be confident he should be the nominee. We do need someone who can stick up for himself. Someone with Daniels’s record should be able to appeal to the Tea Party a lot better than he’s been doing.

    DRJ: EPWJ doesn’t speak for anyone else. And your links were very informative.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  300. EPWJ, JD’s right. You should humble yourself to DRJ.

    No one gives a crap if you’re rude to me or JD. I’m just as rude sometimes. I don’t think it’s fair to punch out at people who are consistently so polite, though.

    Dustin (c16eca)

  301. Eric is busy masturbating to his Dede Sludgeyfatwa poster.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  302. I’m not a centrist I’m a staunch conservative freedom I won’t let you down I will not give you up

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  303. DRJ

    Your link there is an non-factual article. Its an biased opinion by a lawmaker that wants higher taxes and spending in Alaska. The Oil companies testified that the climate in Alaska is the highest in the world – so did the members of the Alaska state house

    Also VECO is not subject nor ever was subject to ACES – its an construction company – many construction companies in all 50 states at one time have been suspected or indicted for bribery over the last century

    VECO has nothing to do with the majors except being one of many subcontractors

    DRJ – what I do not understand is why you are willing to forgo conservative principles so easily and willingly apparently here.

    Raising taxes and spending and giving more cash grants to people are not even remotely conservative princples and in my and most people’s opinions – this is very UNAMERICAN behavior.

    Our very country is in danger of collapse due to cash being granted to people that didnt deserve it

    Yet – here – you ae willing to link non-factual articles, ignore solid evidence such as Testimony of Oil companies under oath, Public hearings, Votes on the State House Floor, motions in the Senate by Democrats to stall tax reform, audited financial statements etc – all in an attempt to prop up a Female politicians reputation – when the only people defending her actions are liberal Democrats

    This person isnt a conservative and never was. Scott Conroy haad it right at RCP, and in his book which by all means was more complimentary to Palin than most – but I dont read tell all books

    My information came from the audited, independently verified financial statements of the Great State of Alaska

    Not some state Representative’s democrat talking points memo – article – like that you have linked above

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  304. DRJ

    Ray Metcafe the “author” of these talking points – is a liberal Democrat, who was sued successfully by the conservatives for running and using the word Republican – he is also a known liar.

    So please dont accuse me of accuse me of acting in bad faith when articles – not audited financial statements are thrown out as “facts”

    I can answer incorrect material, there is no way to address lies and distortions by liberal democrats who regurgitate democrat talking points in unknown small publications circulated as facts on the internet.

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  305. Ah Mangia, you are denser than depleted uranium, Mr. Allen, was the great corruptor in Alaska, sort of their local version of George Soros, he was also
    protected by the authorities down here, mostly, from revealing how impeachable a witness he was, think DSK and go lower, in the Sen. Stevens case.
    Now the Conroy book is chalk full of lies, misrepresentations et al, about her record, her character, with just some clarifying tidbits (ie;
    the whole wardrobe controversy, which was deliberately misrepresented by Wallace, Schmitt,
    Berman, ‘he;s the one that came up with the ‘diva’ characterization, and from the looks of it, Salter, re his roman a clef.)

    ian cormac (72470d)

  306. Ian

    Veco is a construction company not an oil company.

    Conroy, pointed out Sarah palins public record and has been hired by one of the most conservative blogs – well respected – as a commentator on the internet.

    But what is going here is Palin’s assertion that because oil companies are rich – she felt entitled to tax them for their efforts – Just like Obama feels his supporters are entitled to the more Wealthy Republicans money.

    Its called taxing excessively

    Sadly here being defended in depth

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  307. What becomes clear, is that at the top of the leadership of the GOP, is an alignment of officials, I’ve dubbed them ‘Duke and Duke’ another calls them the clique which runs the RNC, and the two congressional committees, those headed by Sessions and Cornyn. And their commmittment to conservatism, specially the tea party variety has been found wanting, and they clearly want their stamp on the nominee, seeking as little day light between themselves and the Obama administration,

    ian cormac (72470d)

  308. Comment by ian cormac — 5/21/2011 @ 7:48 pm

    If the tea party is so opposed to the “establishment” they should split and form their own party. Of course that means that they would have to establish their own funding and support — last year they relied heavily on the GOP infrastructure.
    Er never mind they will just modify the Helen Reddy song to “I am a faction hear me roar…”/sarc

    excitedtexan (658d3e)

  309. The problem with all the polls that show her behind or with low favourable scores is that the groups that either do the poll or pay for the poll rarely release the information behind the poll or if it is, the media never give an honest analysis of it. A poll can be skewed so easily by the way questions are phrased, the order the questions were asked in, the method used to choose the sample and finally the data massaging (for example weighting a question, over-sampling a specific group say liberals) takes place after the raw date has been put into tables. I know, I used to do them at university as a part time job.
    If Palin decides to go I would guarantee that she commissioned (or her PAC) an honest poll with results that showed she could win. In fact, the only real honest polls that are done are the internal ones done by the political parties and they are never released unless they’ve been “fixed”.
    For a bit of a laugh I’ve got a link to YouTube for a clip from “Yes, Prime Minister” a Brtish Comedy. It shows how to get the answers you want from a poll through the use of leading questions. Ignore the first 10 seconds or so, I’m not sure who that guy is.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLhFXkvugLM

    scr_north (4f95d5)

  310. These manic sessions where epwj makes shlt up about Palin are exactly the same every time. Get help, deep sander. Apologize for being a prlck, especially to DRJ. Take your meds. This is like the 5315786325952125555255535553248652nd time you have done this.

    JD (b98cae)

  311. Yes, it’s typical, if he was occasional right about something, the impending Breitbart indictment, the demographics of modern Iran, the whole Scozzofazza
    mess, anything of note, than it would be worth paying attention to him.

    ian cormac (72470d)

  312. You do make an excellent point, scr, most of these polls by the Obama administration, and like minded
    parties, have samples so ‘tortured’, that they might
    as well been at Gitmo.

    ian cormac (72470d)

  313. JD

    I was not rude or disrespectful to DRJ, just pointed out that she is wrong to ignore facts and interject “I think” and “I know” instead of proof but claim it as proof nontheless.

    She has a burden to provide proof to support her contention that I am wrong, so do you – the very fact that both of you cannot – should speak volumes.

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  314. this is the lamest rapture ever

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  315. Ian

    Is Veco an oil company – does Veco pay ACES Taxes?

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  316. 312 comments later, and we find out from Sarah haters that her main draw back is she is a tough nosed negotiator, looked out for the interest of Alaskans, and she doesn’t take bribes from oil companies.

    Not bad at all.

    papertiger (e55ba0)

  317. well that plus she’s unelectable and dividey

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  318. EPWJ,

    It is frustrating to argue with people who don’t seem to be listening to you. That is the impression that I have in your conversation with DRJ: she is providing links and evidence and you are simply ignoring them.

    I don’t ban people for acting that way, but I will note that I disapprove.

    Patterico (c218bd)

  319. Pat,

    I responded to her links that she said were “facts” but were not. Its difficult if not impossible to convince someone whose mind has been obviously made up.

    when DRJ makes knowingly false statements like “the corruption tainted” without any corresponding court cases except VECO – which isnt an oil company, never was an oil company, has no plans to be an oil company – to paint an entirely unrelated industry as being as corrupt as VECO but cannot provide an instance where on of the big six oil companies oil executives that are under indictment?

    Its difficult to respond to fiction.

    I did respond to her but her premise that I must respond to everyone – is overwhelming and if you look at these threads – I did make a good faith attempt to respond to at least those that were trying to argue with something more than facts

    I think your dissaproval is best suited for her, not me, all I did was shove the fact that Sarah Palin felt that since the oil companies worldwide make money – they should pay more to her

    thats not conservatism, and the proof that only liberal democrats support palins taxing and spending is even more proof.

    I wonder why you are nt questioning her that she respond to audited financial statements and sworn testimoney rather than editorials from Sarah’s hometown paper written by a democrat lawmaker who was sued for trying to pose as a Republican:

    She present that as proof

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  320. when DRJ makes knowingly false statements like . . .

    But she doesn’t. That’s where you’re wrong. I have never known her to do that. And for you to make that accusation is inappropriate and without any foundation in reality.

    Patterico (c218bd)

  321. Pat

    So I have tried to debate this in good faith, I wonder where you were when DRJ also accused me of not being supportive of my Wife and Daughter’s career because I dared to question Palin’s motives in raising taxes or her record in general.

    I understand why DRJ and greatly sympathize with her on female political leadership and pointed out that there are other great more worthy female leaders out there that womens struggles for equality dont end with Palin, they just begin with all things Sarah.

    This seems to be a personal thing with DRJ based upon her comments to me, not a factual thing. I dont expect you to follow and read every comment and understand every context and nuiance its not a good use of your time.

    But DRJ knows, what I mean. I think she is a good person, eveyone here is. They are just making a mistake of colossal proportions if they think they can change the definitions of what is and isnt conservative

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  322. Pat,

    280.As I’ve said before, the ACES’ program reformulated the way Alaska approaches oil and gas matters, and IMO it replaced a bribery-tainted system with one that made it harder for Big Oil to buy politicians in lieu of developing the oil and gas properties. Yes, it changed things for Big Oil and I understand they aren’t happy about that. But I think it was a change that will ultimately benefit Alaska, Alaskans, and even the oil companies. Finally, it doesn’t bother me to see there are proposals to make changes to the legislation

    she has had weeks to come up with a single case where a big six oil executive bribed a conservative lawmaker

    When people start saying “corruption tainted” as a fact – we cannot challenge them on it?

    She made a false statement, knowingly and willingly – got called on it.

    The logic doesnt even apply, they raised TAXES on them, not lowered them. If bog oil was indeed bribing people ala Enron, they sure did a crappy job

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  323. Happyfeet and KMan clearly show why they never need be concerned with having a fire in their heads.

    Nothing burns in a vacuum…

    Smock Puppet, 5-time Winner of the Silver Sow award (c9dcd8)

  324. Do I still have a free, one-time-only, ban-stick? Just wondering. I’ve been fed up with EPWJ’s dishonesty for almost two years and largely held my tongue with the occasional exception meant to point out exceptionally egregious behavior from him.

    Now, in my opinion, he’s crossed a line that richly deserves an invitation to comment elsewhere from now on.

    Stashiu3 (44da70)

  325. well that plus she’s unelectable and dividey

    Comment by happyfeet — 5/21/2011

    So how did she become Governor?

    Let me guess. She was awarded the title after pulling a rusty sword from a rock at the top of Mount McKinley.

    papertiger (e55ba0)

  326. No she slept with the people at the top or something.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  327. stashiu,

    E-mail me about it.

    Patterico (c218bd)

  328. Dude why does the Dede Sludgeyfatwa supporter get ot choose who os a real conservative or not?

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  329. “…a big six oil executive bribed a conservative lawmaker…”

    So, it’s only corruption if a conservative lawmaker is bribed?
    Doesn’t happen if it was a Liberal, or a Moderate, or a Big-Govt Republican…only if it was a Conservative?
    Because everyone knows that a Big-6 exec would never, and has never, bribed any govt official anywhere, anytime, in any manner;
    isn’t that right eric?

    Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming….What a Maroon!

    AD-RtR/OS! (283024)

  330. Eric is too busy wanking off to pictures of Dede Sludgeyfatwa in the nude.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  331. ‘these goggles they do nothin’ Doh, have a heart,

    ian cormac (72470d)

  332. *sigh*

    DRJ made a comment in January that was ugly, snide and personal. she basically said I wasnt supporting my family because I wasnt supporting Sarah.

    We work in the oil industry, all of us. we, my colleagues are ethical patriotic people.

    DRJ has for months made this statement:

    IMO it replaced a bribery-tainted system with one that made it harder for Big Oil to buy politicians in lieu of developing the oil and gas properties

    Veco isnt an oil company, DRJ knows that. Never was

    Yet she still makes this false accusation against me, my wife, my father, my grandfather, my co-workers and life long friends.

    And she knows its wrong, dead wrong.

    Yes Pats correct that he has never know her to do that and so did I until she started making these statements.

    Its not my fault that VECO for construction projects – bribed lawmakers – however VECO is not the oil industry – its in the service industry that is highly competative.

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  333. IF YOU ARE WRONG OR IF I AM NO BELIVED YOU I WELLL NOT EVER CALL YOU AND I WELL NOT WANT TO BE ONE OF YOU

    ALI AHMED HUSSIEN (90c7c4)

  334. THIS IS BELONG US MORE THEN LONG TIME

    ALI AHMED HUSSIEN (90c7c4)

  335. Eric just can’t quit him the meme . . .

    . . . or cop a clue to when discretion is definitely the better part of valor.

    Icy Texan (81c642)

  336. THEY ACTING ? SO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO

    ALI AHMED HUSSIEN (90c7c4)

  337. Icy

    Do you really believe that any executive from Exxon, Conoco, Shell, BP is going to risk jail time, lose their livelyhood, ruin their lives to bribe for leases?

    Really? do you honestly think that? Does anyone?

    Its not as if they dont have projects worldwide with more work than they have time to accomplish it in.

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  338. He’s ^^^ got the ‘mad goat’!

    Icy Texan (81c642)

  339. WHAT I BELIVE I GIVE YOU THEY DESRVE IT AND MORE MORTHEN THAT

    ALI AHMED HUSSIEN (90c7c4)

  340. Eric, NO executive is going to pull up stakes from where the oil is located.

    Icy Texan (81c642)

  341. Oh, in case u were confused, the “mad goat” comment was directed @ ALI AHMED CAMELLICKER.

    Icy Texan (81c642)

  342. Icy

    Don’t dodge the Question:

    Is this statement true or false:

    IMO it replaced a bribery-tainted system with one that made it harder for Big Oil to buy politicians in lieu of developing the oil and gas properties

    she’s said it more than once…

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  343. And if its true – what proof by anyone has been offered?

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  344. I can’t speak to what they do with politicians, but when it comes to buying off global warming skeptics, them oil company guys are stingie.

    papertiger (e55ba0)

  345. Okay, Eric, here is me NOT dodging the question:

    Since DRJ’s statement begins with “IMO” I am NOT going to claim that her OPINION is either ‘true’ or ‘false’. It’s her opinion.

    Icy Texan (81c642)

  346. Texan

    Do you think its true? Its a simple yes or no

    Dodging the question? Why?

    IMO doesnt mean that you can say a falsehood, and repeating it

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  347. And the Opinion was not questioning the bribery it was questioning the EFFECTIVENESS of preventing bribery

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  348. Icy

    Here is the Statement again:

    IMO it replaced a bribery-tainted system with one that made it harder for Big Oil to buy politicians in lieu of developing the oil and gas properties

    Is this statement true that Big Oil is/was buying politicians in Alaska?

    EricPWJohnson (bdbdcf)

  349. This is it.

    Sarah Palin bought a house in Scottsdale Arizona.

    It would be extremely hard to run a POTUS campaign from Alaska. She needed a HQ in the lower 48 for traveling and other reasons.

    She will be close to Bristol & her grandson Tripp. A win-win!

    In AK, Sarah was removed from the issues border states faced. Now she’ll be in the batters box.

    I have a hope for the country’s future.

    papertiger (e55ba0)

  350. Is this statement true that Big Oil is/was buying politicians in Alaska?

    Apparently.
    From the Anchorage Daily News story Palin explains her actions in Ruedrich case (11/19/2004)

    On July 18, 1995, Randy Ruedrich, then general manager of Doyon Drilling Inc., BP Exploration (Alaska) Inc.’s drilling contractor at its Endicott Field, testified before the U.S. Senate Energy Committee and its chairman, Sen. Frank Murkowski, that a new method of disposing of drilling waste back down wells had greatly improved environmental conditions because it eliminated the waste pits that blighted the landscape.

    Testifying on his own role, Ruedrich said, “I am responsible for the safe and environmentally responsible drilling and work-over operations of our rigs for the North Slope operators.”

    A month later, a cover-up of Doyon’s environmental crimes on the North Slope began to unravel when a whistle-blower, ignored by Doyon officials at Endicott and in Anchorage, approached BP and reported that illegal and hazardous substances were being injected down the wells by the operators of its Rig 15 to save money. BP began an internal investigation that determined the allegations were true and reported itself to federal and state authorities, including the AOGCC.

    After a criminal investigation by the FBI and Environmental Protection Agency, Doyon pleaded guilty to federal felony charges, as did BP, for not reporting Doyon’s illegal activity sooner. BP paid a $500,000 fine and agreed to establish a nationwide environmental compliance program that has cost it more than $21 million. Doyon paid a $1 million fine and was ordered to spend $2 million more on training and compliance. Three Doyon employees also were convicted, with one sentenced to prison. BP will remain on probation until Jan. 31.

    Ruedrich was questioned by investigators but wasn’t accused of wrongdoing. He said in an interview he was “horrified” that Doyon employees acted improperly.

    “I was left out of the process and only learned weeks later” that a drilling employee had tried to blow the whistle by informing other Doyon management, he said.

    TOO CLOSE TO TWO CASES

    The AOGCC determined that the federal criminal case resolved its own investigation of the dumping at Doyon Rig 15. But several months after Ruedrich joined the commission, he discovered that the state agency had an open file on a related case: BP’s own improper injection of hazardous materials down a disposal well at Endicott. Jim Regg, an AOGCC staff petroleum engineer, said the improper dumping was discovered and reported by BP when it was investigating Doyon.

    Seamount, the third commissioner, said he and Palin urged Ruedrich to recuse himself from discussions on that case because it was so closely related to Doyon and the activity took place at a time when Ruedrich was a senior official at Doyon, working as a BP contractor.

    papertiger (e55ba0)

  351. EPWJ:
    Do you think its true? Its a simple yes or no
    — I think that DRJ’s opinion is her opinion, just as I think that your opinions are your opinions.

    Dodging the question? Why?
    — Not at all. You asked me if her statement, a statement of her OPINION, was true or false. So, in that context I will say that it’s true, because I sincerely believe that DRJ was giving her honest opinion.

    IMO doesnt mean that you can say a falsehood, and repeating it.
    — This has to be one of the funniest things you’ve ever written. I believe that an example is in order:
    If Eric writes, “IMO the population of Jews in Iran is around 2 million,” the response might be, “Well, you can believe that all you want, but you don’t have the facts to back it up”.
    If, instead, Eric writes (as he has done repeatedly) “It is a FACT that there are 2 million Jews in Iran,” THEN the response will be, “You, sir, are full of crap, because you cannot cite ANY credible source to back up your claim”.

    Is this statement true that Big Oil is/was buying politicians in Alaska?
    — In light of what I wrote above about the difference between stating an opinion and claiming that you are stating a provable fact, this has to qualify as a goalpost shift. Either way, I will go with papertiger’s response to your question.

    And have heart, Eric. Belive it or not I do understand your point: she does not fit your personal (possibly too-narrow) definition of what a “fiscal conservative” should be. I have no doubt, however, that if the choices on your Nov. 2012 ballot are “Obama” OR “Palin” that you will do the right thing and make the correct choice.

    Icy Texan (81c642)

  352. like it was a tasty passel of 3 for $1 Shibolim Whole Grain Chocolate Coated Rice Chips?

    Feets, where did you find these at 3 for $1? I like them, but I don’t buy them too often at their usual price. And I didn’t realise they were marketed at all beyond the kosher shops!

    Milhouse (a8afa6)

  353. oh – Mr. Milhouse yeah those are tasty and don’t do a lot of damage – it was at a very sketchy going out of business Russian market in the not-ghetto north of NoHo what was by the very kitschy you-have-to-see-it “Maggie’s Bakery” (where the red velvet cake is not particularly tasty, but also not particularly spensive) – I got like 9 bags for $3 – they popped up again (I think it’s the same place) in the scary plaza where Superior is and I went and did not find value

    you can get those thingers at Target now but they want $3 a bag, which is fair but not very exciting

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  354. A VAT will destroy this country, just as it has led to the destruction of Freedom & Liberty in any country that has instituted it.
    It is the ultimate enabler of Crony Capitalism.

    Huh? Why would it do that?

    Now, if you wish to talk about a National Sales Tax on consumption

    Do you mean a retail tax? Why would you support that and not a VAT?

    which would only be implemented upon the repeal of the 16th Amendment?

    And why would you want to repeal that? What is it that you imagine the 16th does? Do you really think that the income tax should only apply to wages and not to rents or dividends? Why? And even if you do, do you really imagine the courts today would repeat the ruling that a tax on rent and dividend income is a direct tax?

    Milhouse (a8afa6)

  355. Typical socialist.

    Not you milhouse.

    DohBiden (15aa57)

  356. EricPW – Veco is an oil services company. It’s Chairman was caught on tape by the FBI engaging in a bribery scheme to lower oil taxes. He agreed to cooperated. A number of politicians were convicted as a result of the scandal, including the Republican Speaker of the House. When you ask why fewer Republicans supported Palin’s bill than Democrats, the answer is obvious to those who know anything about the political situation in Alaska and its 25 year history of corruption.

    Merely stating DRJ is wrong without presenting any evidence to the contrary is pure chickensh*t and typical of your behavior.

    Further, not all tax increases are bad conservative policy by definition. Please show the rule book where that is stated. I will wait.

    What was you counter proposal again for the Alaska Treasury? That’s right, imposing a property tax on residents. Stick the individuals rather than corporations. Which is more conservative Eric?

    What is your fundamental problem with the state of Alaska dividending money to its residents from its permanent fund? Does it not have a history of such activity?

    Please specify the major programs on which Palin increased spending and your objections to them. You can find them in the state financial statements. We’ve had this discussion before and I would welcome having it again.

    Please tell me which major Palin programs Palin’s her successors defunded, as you claimed several days ago. I have yet to see your evidence on that claim.

    Please produce the comment you claim DRJ made along with surrounding context.

    Please explain why you think Republican legislators in Alaska are trying to lower oil severance taxes. Governor Parnell is a former oil industry lobbyist and many legislator have firm ties to the industry. Which “independent” ones support the decrease?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  357. EricPW – Nobody has seen any proof from you that Palin held a six figure no-show job.

    Please don’t demand proof of things from people when you have been so demonstrably unwilling to back up your own accusations time after time.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  358. Comment by Milhouse — 5/22/2011 @ 2:23 pm

    1- A VAT is a stealth tax, in that it applies at all levels of production, and is unseen by the consumer. It has historically been very easy for legilatures to slowly ratchet it up since it is hidden from view. If you doubt that, just research the initial levels of VAT when it came into being, and what it is now in those countries that utilyze it. Plus, it is a boon to accountants and lawyers in defining what is, and is not, subject to it along the path of production, and what expenses are deductible pre and post tax. It encourages a tax bureacracy much more extensive than the one we have now.

    2- The 16th is not restricted to “wages”:

    “The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes on incomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionment among the several States, and without regard to any census or enumeration.” …emphasis added…

    In fact, Congress has delegated to the IRS the power to declare what is, and is not, INCOME.

    3- I most assuredly do mean a National Sales Tax at the retail level on consumption, and like the FAIR TAX advocates, believe that it is only feasible with the repeal of the 16th (so that there can be no tax upon a tax), and that it must accompany the repeal of all Payroll and Excise taxes too.

    There is a certain level of consumption that will always be there, but there is also a level of (say) conspicuous consumption that is entirely discretionary – wants v. needs.
    Just as State Sales Taxes protect areas of commerce from taxation that are “needs”, the same could be true of a National Sales Tax.
    Once again, with whatever a Congress does, the Devil will be in the details.

    Also, since we will have to increase savings to be able to pay-down the 14/15/16 TRILLION DOLLAR National Debt, a consumption-based tax system will encourage savings, where an income-based system (by taxing the earnings of savers) does not.

    AD-RtR/OS! (4712dd)

  359. AD, you’re not making sense.

    1. A VAT is no more or less hidden than any sales tax. It’s up to local custom whether prices are quoted pre-tax or including tax, and the same custom applies no matter what sort of tax it is.

    2. Of course the 16th is not restricted to wages. On the contrary, it has nothing to do with wages, since there has never been any constitutional restriction on taxing them.

    3. Questions: Do you have any idea what the 16th amendment is for? What do you think repealing it would achieve? What did the Supreme Court decide, that caused Congress and the states to pass and ratify it? Do you agree with that decision? And do you think any court today would make the same decision?

    It seems to me that of all the possible consumption taxes, a VAT is the fairest and most sensible, and the easiest to administer.

    Milhouse (9ef3cc)


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