Patterico's Pontifications

8/14/2011

Destination Florida

Filed under: General — Karl @ 9:32 am



[Posted by Karl]

Some of what follows was sparked by a Saturday night Twitter conversation with HotAir’s Allahpundit and GOP fundraiser/consultant Nathan Wurtzel.  I mention this to credit them with any insight, but they should not get any blame for my further speculation.

Today’s political headline appeears to be fmr. Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty ending his campaign after a disappointing finish in the Iowa straw poll on Saturday.  It is a smart end to what I thought became a fundamentally misguided campaign.  With fmr. Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney the putative national frontrunner, the current basic dynamic of the campaign is Romney vs. Not Romney.  Pawlenty’s apparent strategy was to become Not Romney by campaigning against Iowa caucus frontrunner Rep. Michelle Bachmann, instead of highlighting his own advantages over Romney.  That strategy failed.  Fortunately for the following speculation, Pawlenty gained so little traction in the race that his departure is largely a non-factor.

After the straw poll, I was responding on Twitter to some hypothetical questions Allahpundit posed about the Iowa caucuses, when Nathan noted that South Carolina is a much more important state for the primary campaign.  I think he’s right on a number of levels, although I will go a bit further down the road to Florida. 

Given how dependent caucuses are on ground organization, Bachmann is the likely winner in Iowa, even if Sarah Palin gets in; the interesting story will be who ends up between her and Romney (who is not making a serious play there) in the final tally.  Similarly, New Hampshire is likely a lock for Romney.  There hsn’t been a poll there in over a month, but the most recent one (from Dem firm PPP) puts Bachmann six points behind, even if Palin stays out.  That seems consistent with New Hampshire’s general reputation and Romney’s near-favorite son status there.

That brings us to South Carolina, a state both bigger than Iowa or New Hampshire and more in line overall with the GOP’s electoral coalition, both ideologically and geographically.  Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s belated entry into the race likely dictated that he would announce there, as previous nominees McCain and Bush both won that state.  It is a bit less conservative than it was in the late 80s and early 90s, so one question is whether Romney might eke out a narrow victory over a closely bunched field of more conservative candidates — Bachmann, Perry and perhaps Palin.  A win in South Carolina could go a long way toward sewing up the race for Romney.

However, if Perry does not embarrass himself in Iowa and New Hampshire, he has a good shot at launching a successful campaign and eclipsing Bachmann in South Carolina.  Although Perry lagged Bachmann significantly in the most recent poll, that poll is close to a month old (on the other hand, it does not break out numbers for what happens if Palin stays out).  Moreover, as Ramesh Ponnuru notes, the GOP has a history of nominating “the next person in line,” but also a history of nominating candidates with executive experience from the South and the West.  Implicit is that the GOP does not have a history of nominating candidates from the House of Representatives.

Should Perry or Bachmann win in South Carolina, the next big tilt is Florida, where the 2008 GOP primaries were largely settled.  The most recent poll (from Quinnipiac) still has Romney comfortably ahead there, but also shows Bachmann is more hurt by Perry’s entry than she would be by Palin getting in.  This would again tend to point toward a Romney-Perry race developing, but only if Romney cannot sew things up by the end of January.  

A corrollary — and the lesson of Pawlenty’s failure —  is that the Not Romney field will have to get more aggressive soon about Romney’s weaknesses as a candidate, e.g., RomneyCare, his flip-flopping, the downside of his business dealings, if Romney is to be stopped.  The race is currently Mitt’s to lose, but most of the reasons whay he lost to the near-dead McCain in 2008 may return to drag him down as more people start paying attention.   The first two of the aforementioned weaknesses in particular would rob the GOP of opportunities to draw contrasts with Pres. Obama in a general election (which could become important if the economy ever emerges from its current stagnation).  On the other hand, the GOP needs a candidate who is competitive with Obama in places like Florida — as Romney currently is.  At the moment, a look at the general election campaign suggests the GOP’s best chance to win is with a map that looks much like G. W. Bush’s in 2000.  If I recall correctly, Florida was fairly important to that map.

–Karl

245 Responses to “Destination Florida”

  1. SC has a colorful history of dirty politicking (Bush v McCain). If the Not Romney candidates are going to get any traction in SC, be ready for a nasty anti-Mormon whisper campaign. Anonymous of course.

    Spartacvs (2d9449)

  2. I will vote for the primary season’s last candidate standing. R’s should run and debate using what differentiates them from the failed Obama presidency. When Obama’s pack dogs go negative, turn the focus on his failed policies. What Obama has wrought… the pain… the suffering… the despair… the hopelessness, is obvious and it deserves to be highlighted and it damn well needs to be stopped.

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  3. Since the new meme is Perry-v-Romney in the battle for the title of most competent person with gubernatorial experience to challenge Obama, and since Pawelnty’s decision to end his camapign really highlights the swap, Perry will have to make his case in the first debate against Romney directly, when all eyes among the Republican primary voters will be on how he handles going after Mitt’s record (and at the same time, Peery figures to face some shots from Romney and other GOP hopefuls about some aspects of his own time as Texas governor).

    Taking a pass on going after Romney will be seen as a sign of weakness, in a year when the Not Romney constituency in the Republican Party want signs that their candidate will be tough enough to handle not just questions about Commonwealth Care, but the Democrat and big media onslaught that whoever ends up with the nomination will face.

    John (d4490d)

  4. Jackass who the hell are you to complain about anti-mormon rhetoric?

    If you wanna see anti-mormon rhetoric look in the mirror bub.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  5. Obama’s failure
    His decimation of nation
    He is what is wrong

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  6. John,

    FWIW, I don’t see Perry making Pawlenty’s mistake. Then again, I didn’t see Pawlenty making pawlenty’s mistake. 😉 More seriously, Dave Carney likely joins Perry’s campaign and they go hard after Romney.

    Karl (37b303)

  7. sparty the huskie
    runt of the litter his paws
    gain little traction

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  8. watch out where huskies
    go, don’t you eat that yellow
    snow now li’l sparty

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  9. “We’re dismayed at the injustice that nearly half of all Americans don’t even pay any income tax. And you know the liberals out there are saying that we need to pay more.”

    Is Perry advocating increasing taxes on poor people to subsidize tax cuts for the ‘job creators’? That ought to go down well in the general.

    Spartacvs (2d9449)

  10. ___________________________________________

    It is a smart end to what I thought became a fundamentally misguided campaign

    Even though I focus on ideology and politicians’ biases like there’s no tomorrow, I’m also aware of other facets of what makes people good or not, or likeable or not. Their personality, demeanor, speech patterns, poise and, of course, looks. To be candid, I thought Pawlenty had too much of a dweeb-type of face and certainly a lack of charisma. However, I’ll always favor anyone who isn’t a liberal, and vote for any person who is as conservative as possible within the context of a particular election.

    Mark (411533)

  11. Sparty,

    Why not have the poor pay more taxes… They appear to use more government services than the “rich” who pay for their own homes, food, health care, retirement, etc… As well as hiring the poor and paying for their food, rent/home, health care, park systems, schooling, etc.

    If the poor paid their way–perhaps they would not want so many taxes. A family of four is around $49,000 per year in the 2011 Federal Budget. So, if they where paying their “fair share” (TM-Pres. Obama)–they should be proud to pay their $12,000+ a year per person taxes/fees to be alive in the US (plus more for state) taxes.

    Perhaps, if the poor paid their “fare” share–They would not be voting for Socialist/Marxist/Statist/Fascist Democrat or Republican.

    BfC (2ebea6)

  12. Sparticvs do you wear a lampshade on your head a parties in real life too?

    Blackburnsghost (2ffb0c)

  13. The only numbers that matter in a field with one true conservative! Here are the rankings on the fight against illegal immigration and amnesty:

    B-minus: Michele Bachmann
    C-minus: Herman Cain
    D: Mitt Romney
    D: Sarah Palin
    D-minus: Rick Perry
    D-minus: Newt Gingrich
    D-minus: Jon Huntsman
    F: Ron Paul
    F: Rick Santorum

    http://www.numbersusa.com/

    franke (c09ba5)

  14. “I don’t speak for the scientific community, of course,” Romney said. “But I believe the world’s getting warmer. I can’t prove that, but I believe based on what I read that the world is getting warmer. And number two, I believe that humans contribute to that … so I think it’s important for us to reduce our emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases that may well be significant contributors to the climate change and the global warming that you’re seeing.”

    if this douche is the nominee I’m about as likely to vote as I am to live my Olympic dream at the London games

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  15. Pawlenty ran against Romney as if the man had pictures of him wearing blackface and a dress. I like his politics but you don’t win by standing in the corner mumbling to yourself.

    Afraid I have to fit PPP into the same category as the new york times. If they tell me the sky is blue I would have to rent a plane and go check before I believed them. Their last poll was so far off base it was likely paid for by mmfa.

    I’m just keeping my fingers crossed hoping I don’t have to vote Romney.

    MaaddMaaxx (25e27f)

  16. I fear that Romney will be just just another Pres. Bush III or Arnold Schwarzenegger (that worked out well for us in California–I had “hope and change” for a rich businessman that would not be in fear of the Democrats. That lasted about 6 months)…

    BfC (2ebea6)

  17. the people who made McLame the GOP candidate and bound and determined to saddle us with Romney, and for the same reason.

    once they cram him down our throats, they will then turn on him and savage him in comparison to the anointed one, and then we are stuck with Jefh for four more years and a civil war.

    thanks, but no thanks: i’ll take “Generic Conservative” for $200 Alex.

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  18. that first “and” should be “are”

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  19. Why not have the poor pay more taxes

    Why not campaign on that very idea?

    Meanwhile

    “Now, therefore, I, Rick Perry, Governor of Texas, under the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby proclaim the three-day period from Friday, April 22, 2011, to Sunday, April 24, 2011, as Days of Prayer for Rain in the State of Texas.”

    Can we expect similar legislation to solve our national ills once pastor Perry is ensconced in the WH?

    Spartacvs (2d9449)

  20. sit it out happy
    it’s unrealistic to expect
    lockstep candidate

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  21. It would be better than a bill nationalizing the health care system, sport.

    Ag80 (9a213d)

  22. We had some nice rain here in Texas yesterday, the very next quarter. Job well done.

    Machinist (b6f7da)

  23. the concept of “shared
    sacrifice” only applies
    to “rich” per spurty

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  24. “skin in game”, spurty
    like the king whose throne you sniff
    has said many times

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  25. Spurty is getting his bigotry on again today.

    JD (318f81)

  26. I voted for McCain and I’m done done done debasing myself for loser douchebags

    Romney will have to buy himself some voters me I’m a get tasty pancakes but probably not vegan ones cause they don’t open til 11 now but maybe here or here but if NG wants to go then we’ll go here cause she never been and it’s kind of a thing

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  27. Comment by Spartacvs — 8/14/2011 @ 9:46 am

    Yes, that would have an Axelrod signature on it!

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (8bcded)

  28. Wow, praying for rain… That is so controversial. While I don’t agree with wasting government resources on political self congratulations/denominational work. I doubt that anything bad will happen from this (see US Dollar Bill for “In God We Trust”).

    Unlike you, I actually did some work in Jim Jones’ People’s Temple and live not too far from Leo J. Ryan Park. Had a very nice display case in the front with a bunch of “People’s Temple” government accolades from various city and state of California officials. That worked out well, didn’t it.

    Leftest+Religion, what could go wrong:

    Jones saw Jonestown as both a “socialist paradise” and a “sanctuary” from media scrutiny that had started with the Kinsolving articles.

    The Temple distinguished itself from most cults with its overtly political message.[56] It combined those genuine political sympathies with the perception that it could help turn out large numbers of votes to gain the support of a number of prominent politicians.[57] Jones made it known after he moved to San Francisco that he was interested in politics, and legal changes strengthened political groups like the Temple.[58][59]

    After the Temple mobilized volunteers and voters instrumental in George Moscone’s narrow election victory in 1975, Moscone appointed Jones as Chairman of the San Francisco Housing Authority Commission.[60][61] Jones and the Temple received the support of, among others, Governor Jerry Brown, Lieutenant Governor Mervyn Dymally, Assemblyman Willie Brown, San Francisco mayor George Moscone, Art Agnos, and Harvey Milk.[62] Willie Brown visited the Temple many times and spoke publicly in support of Jones, even after investigations and suspicions of cult activity.[63][64]

    After his rise in San Francisco political circles, Jones and Moscone met privately with Vice Presidential Candidate Walter Mondale in San Francisco days before the 1976 Presidential election.[65] Jones also met First Lady Rosalynn Carter on multiple occasions, including a private dinner, and corresponded with Mrs. Carter.[66][67]

    Jones used his position at the Housing Authority to lead the fight for a period against the eviction of tenants from San Francisco’s famous I-Hotel.[68] The Temple further forged an alliance with San Francisco Sun Reporter publisher Carlton Goodlett and received frequent favorable mentions in that paper.[69] It also received frequent favorable mentions from famed San Francisco Chronicle columnist Herb Caen and other local newspaper and television reporters.[70]

    The Temple aroused police suspicion after Jones praised the radical Bay Area group the Symbionese Liberation Army and its leaders attended San Francisco Temple meetings.[71] Further suspicions were raised after the defection of Joyce Shaw and the death soon after of her husband, Bob Houston.[72] After tension rose between the Temple and the Nation of Islam in San Francisco, the group held a large “spiritual” jubilee in the Los Angeles convention center attended by thousands, including prominent political figures, to heal the rift.[73]

    While the Temple forged media alliances, the move to San Francisco also opened the group to San Francisco media scrutiny. After Jones and hundreds of Temple members fled to Guyana following media investigations, Mayor Moscone issued a press release stating the Mayor’s office would not investigate the Temple.[58][74] During this time, Harvey Milk spoke at Peoples Temple political rallies[75] and wrote a letter to President Jimmy Carter after the investigations began praising Jones and stating that the leader of those attempting to extricate relatives from Jonestown was telling “bold-faced lies”.[76][77][78]

    BfC (2ebea6)

  29. Feet: no time or money today, but i;ll meet you at Millennium one of these days for breakfast… i’m a sucker for biscuits and gravy.

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  30. Sinking feeling the country club set is determined to jam Romney’s happytalk sissified scared candidacy down our throats.

    Again, as I said weeks,ago, Romneycare is going to take Obamacare off the table. Worse, in an economy shedding jobs. Romney’s business with Bain Capital will become an issue. H was basically taking over “undercapitalized’ companies, firing everyone and selling the stock at a profit.This campaign may very well be a rejection of Obma, but Romney will do worse than the generic Republican. If it’s one thing the independents are not going to like it’s happytalk bullshit, and that’s Romney’s strength.

    If only we could get someone with Paul’s beliefs who wasn’t Ron Paul.Paul Ryan? Rand Paul?

    Bugg (ea1809)

  31. When you’re the poster-child for MN-nice, it’s uncomfortable finding out that National Politics ain’t bean-bag.

    Don’t you just have one of those “gut” feelings that Perry has a message he wants to tell, and he’s not afraid of doing it?
    Must be some of that “Alamo” legacy!

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (8bcded)

  32. “praying for rain” is un-American, but celebrating iftar in the White House and proclaiming that islam has been part of America since its beginning is okay?

    yeah, whatever, you mendoucheous twatwaffle.

    you and Jefh can both FOAD.

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  33. Praying for Rain, is only acceptable on the Left it is accompanied by “Native American” rain-dancers; for then, it is a display of cultural diversity.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (8bcded)

  34. the key thing to note is that praying for raindrops didn’t work so what’s plan b?

    This is a very serious situation.

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  35. plan b?
    Well, they could seed the clouds with Liberals.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (8bcded)

  36. ok good thinking that’s exactly the kind of outside the box approach we need to try

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  37. Yea Islam+Early US History:

    Let us not call this view reductionist. Jefferson would perhaps have been just as eager to send a squadron to put down any Christian piracy that was restraining commerce. But one cannot get around what Jefferson heard when he went with John Adams to wait upon Tripoli’s ambassador to London in March 1785. When they inquired by what right the Barbary states preyed upon American shipping, enslaving both crews and passengers, America’s two foremost envoys were informed that “it was written in the Koran, that all Nations who should not have acknowledged their authority were sinners, that it was their right and duty to make war upon whoever they could find and to make Slaves of all they could take as prisoners, and that every Mussulman who should be slain in battle was sure to go to Paradise.” (It is worth noting that the United States played no part in the Crusades, or in the Catholic reconquista of Andalusia.)

    Ambassador Abd Al-Rahman did not fail to mention the size of his own commission, if America chose to pay the protection money demanded as an alternative to piracy. So here was an early instance of the “heads I win, tails you lose” dilemma, in which the United States is faced with corrupt regimes, on the one hand, and Islamic militants, on the other—or indeed a collusion between them.

    Maybe Pres. Obama and Rep. Keith Ellison could research why Pres. Jefferson had a personal copy of the Koran (hint, it was not a celebration of Islam (either they are smart like a fox, or dumb like a lamb for the slaughter.

    BfC (2ebea6)

  38. Perry’s love for cheap illegal immigrant labor and internationalist big business appraoch is a replay of compassionate Bush Jr..

    Insanity-doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. ROmney AND Perry-looks like Dole, Mccain, and Bush x2-ladies and gentlemen, I give you the GOP.

    Barring something dramatic, we are going to see a destructive 3rd party run, and it’s likely to give us another 4 years of the Socialist.

    Bugg (ea1809)

  39. Perry obviously has a message that resonates in TX and that should work just as well for him with the base during the nominating process, but can he articulate a message that will resonate with the country as a whole? I’m sure the consultants will come up with one, but the question then becomes, is Perry smart enough to articulate whatever they come up with without mangling it?

    Spartacvs (2d9449)

  40. _________________________________________________

    Leftest+Religion, what could go wrong:

    Meanwhile…

    newsrealblog.com, Joseph Klein, April 25 2011

    President Obama and the first family attended Easter services at the Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.

    [T]he mainstream press neglected to mention a couple of things about the church which Obama chose for his Easter worship. The Shiloh Baptist Church hosted an anti-Israel hate fest in 2009 at the same time as an associate minister of the church, Adam Russell Taylor, was serving as an Obama administration White House Fellow in the Office of Cabinet Affairs, Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs.

    Why did Shiloh Baptist Church’s associate minister Taylor win one of only fifteen coveted fellowship positions at the White House? Perhaps because he just happened to be the Senior Political Director of the far Left ministry Sojourners run by Obama’s spiritual advisor Jim Wallis when he was tapped by the Obama White House for the prestigious fellowship. Perhaps Taylor’s appointment was also payback for the kind things he had to say about Obama’s controversial Chicago pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, during the height of the brouhaha over Obama’s twenty year association with Wright’s Trinity Church.

    In October of 2009, while Taylor was serving in the Shiloh Baptist Church and as an intern in the Obama administration, the church hosted a hate Israel conference sponsored by a radicalized Palestinian Christian liberation theology group that called the establishment of Israel “The Catastrophe” (Nakba) and has openly questioned Israel’s right to exist.

    Guest panelists included Phyllis Bennis, who hates America as well as Israel. She has recently linked “Islamophobia” to “American exceptionalism, racism and America first-ism.” And she has identified Israel with “colonialism, violations of international law, crimes of aggression…”

    To sum up, President Obama chose to worship this Easter at a church where his Jeremiah Wright-admiring White House intern, whom had just previously served as Senior Political Director for Obama’s spiritual advisor’s left-wing organization Sojourners, is an associate minister.

    Mark (411533)

  41. Perry is dum. Bachman dum. Tpaw dum. Bush dum. Palin dum. A pattern is trying to emerge.

    JD (318f81)

  42. The only third-party run will be from the Left.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (8bcded)

  43. JD, you must realize that no-one can approach the intellectual heft that is found on the Left, nor typified by The Lightworker; certainly not any of those RW Bitter-Clinger, Knuckle-Draggers.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (8bcded)

  44. Phyllis Bennis, what does that IPS wacko have to do with Church services.

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  45. Can we expect similar legislation to solve our national ills once pastor Perry is ensconced in the WH?

    Comment by Spartacvs — 8/14/2011 @ 10:53 am

    What you cited is not legislation. That should be obvious to anyone who’s not a imbecile.

    Gerald A (9d78e8)

  46. … the question then becomes, is Perry smart enough to articulate whatever they come up with without mangling it?

    I bet he comes up with something better than “Shovel-Ready Was Not as Shovel-Ready as We Expected.”

    DRJ (a83b8b)

  47. Perry is dum. Bachman dum. Tpaw dum. Bush dum. Palin dum. A pattern is trying to emerge.

    And the further right they all go in search of the nomination the more dumb they all look to the voters they hope to win over in the general.

    Spartacvs (2d9449)

  48. Oddly enough, Spartacvs, that’s not the pattern.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  49. “I bet he comes up with something better than “Shovel-Ready Was Not as Shovel-Ready as We Expected.””

    DRJ – Or “If you like your doctor, you can keep your doctor.”

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  50. H[e] was basically taking over “undercapitalized’ companies, firing everyone and selling the stock at a profit

    I call bullsh*t on that.

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  51. Romney as Gordon Gekko, ouch that’s gonna resonate.

    Spartacvs (2d9449)

  52. Sparty,

    Since Bush II is objectively (higher standardized test scores, grades, achievements in life) smarter than both Gore or Kerry, and probably Pres. Obama (who’s school and job history are still classified information)…

    And, of course we have the Amiable Dunce Reagan vs the Nuclear Engineer Carter (actually drop-out nuclear navy technician)…

    Where do all of your leftists fit in the dumber than dumb yard presidential stick.

    Really interesting, Democrats actually go to great lengths to hide their writings. Reagan actually went to great lengths to get his known.

    BfC (2ebea6)

  53. Bfc – re-posted for your edification:

    Crazification factor

    GW Bush the intellectual giant? crazification.

    Spartacvs (2d9449)

  54. “H[e] was basically taking over “undercapitalized’ companies, firing everyone and selling the stock at a profit”

    If he fired everyone, how did the companies operate?

    Anyone want to talk about Obama’s legal work for Chicago slumlords?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  55. Obama as complete incompetent in both domestic and foreign policy – Jimmy Carter Part Deux. That’s gonna resonate.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  56. My error actually. Gallup Job Approval 39% … its already resonating.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  57. You gotta love the left they accuse bush of being a retard but yet at the same time he committed 9-11 on the orders of the mossad.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  58. Colonel-

    I have looked into it. There are exceptions; Bain did a very impressive and successful reorganization of Staples. But for the most part the Bain MO was to to fire everyone and downsize plant and expenses for a rise in stock price and a profitable sale. And at least Romney understands how businesses work unlike The One.But is that running a business, or it “Office Space”? Or worse, is that a negative corporatist image Obama can put on Romney? The “corporations are people too” thing this week adds to that,
    whether it’s unfair or not. Concern is too many in the GOP process are not acknowledging these problems, and may not do so until after Obama’s image makers do the color by numbers for the voting public.

    Bugg (ea1809)

  59. The Obama Administration places a higher value on the secrecy of The One’s grades, college travels(Pakistan after ZIa’s coup; how?) and his thus far unknown Harvard Law Review writings than the secrecy of Special Ops.

    Bugg (ea1809)

  60. Sparty,

    Note, I was just comparing both school and Officer Candidate qualifications between Kerry and Bush II. Bush comes out equal or higher. Kerry could not even figure out what country his was fighting his wars in.

    BfC (2ebea6)

  61. his=>he

    BfC (2ebea6)

  62. My error actually. Gallup Job Approval 39% … its already resonating.

    It would be a mistake to imagine the other 61% are all potential republican voters. Big mistake.

    Spartacvs (2d9449)

  63. Your right people like you will vote for Obama even as his goons kick down your door and point their guns at you.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  64. After he tossed “his” medals over the WH fence, he certainly had figured out what country he wasn’t fighting for.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (8bcded)

  65. Or Obama’s Outsourced Goons (TM-Obama) that he has supplied weapons to south of the border drug gangs in Mexico, Honduras (“Operation Castaway”) and who knows where else whom are operating on US soil(obviously, Poor Obama -Dem, has no clue).

    Do we impeach/remove Pres. Obama because he knew what was going on in his agencies (ATF, Department of Justice, FBI, DEA–anybody else?), or because he did not?

    BfC (2ebea6)

  66. CNN is polling Democrats are whether or not Obama should be nominated for a second term. That they are polling that question at all is the best clue that Obama is doomed.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  67. It’s a distinction without a difference.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (8bcded)

  68. “I love him, I love him not, I love him, I love him not!”

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (8bcded)

  69. Spurt’s reality
    is based on a distortion
    of space and time… sad

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  70. “the Not Romney field will have to get more aggressive soon about Romney’s weaknesses as a candidate”

    I doubt this, even if it will be welcome when it comes.

    Perry, Palin, Bachmann and even Cain–if he can break thru in SC–are the show. Romney getting 25% of the popular vote and 40% of the electors at convention is a very naked emperor.

    gary gulrud (790d43)

  71. “But for the most part the Bain MO was to to fire everyone and downsize plant and expenses for a rise in stock price and a profitable sale. And at least Romney understands how businesses work unlike The One.”

    Bugg – Please explain how creating wealth by making businesses more efficient is wrong. The Democrat approach seems all about destroying and redistributing wealth.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  72. But for the most part the Bain MO was to to fire everyone and downsize plant and expenses for a rise in stock price and a profitable sale

    That is total bullsh*t.

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  73. If it was not gun control via the “Gunrunner” program when Pres. Obama said at the beginning of the year:

    According to the article, Jim and Sarah Brady visited Capital Hill on March 30, the 30th anniversary of the assassination attempt on Ronald Reagan; to push for a ban on “large magazines.”

    The couple reportedly were meeting with press secretary, Jay Carney, when, according to Sarah Brady, the President came in. She said the President told her he wanted to talk about gun control and “fill us in that it was very much on his agenda.”

    She went on to say Obama told her, “I just want you to know that we are working on it. We have to go through a few processes, but under the radar.”

    The statement reinforces an article in the Huffington Post describing how the administration is exploring ways to bypass Congress and enact gun control through executive action.

    …that Pres. Obama knew about (which is ground for impeachment/conviction and crimes against a foreign state)–What was it?

    BfC (2ebea6)

  74. Recall that Mike Huckabee described Romney not as the guy who hires you, but the guy who fires you. Seems that too many here are losing the forest in the trees, and Romney’s “corporations are people too”(legally accurate but image-wise very dumb)doesn’t help either.

    Bugg (ea1809)

  75. Romney headed an equity firm that bought companies and then worked to help get these in a better financial condition, thus better able to say afloat and keep people employed. It serves no one to run corporations into the ground and out of business.

    The Left uses “corporations” as whipping boys that serve their political purposes, much like the Soviets used the bourgeoisie and the Nazis used the Jews, and it would be wise not to feed into it. “Fair” doesn’t quite capture it.

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  76. I have a funny Romney business story

    it’s not much of a story really just weird coincidence

    brb I have to google

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  77. I work for a corporation and I am a shareholder in many different corporations, as are the majority of working, productive Americans.

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  78. Pawlenty flamed out weeks ago when he showed the world, Putin, Wu, et al., that he didn’t have the balls to tell a guy to his face at a debate what he stated about his policies from the safety of a TV sudio– namely Oromneycare.

    DCSCA (9d1bb3)

  79. “Seems that too many here are losing the forest in the trees”

    Bugg – Seems like you are accepting a false description of the private equity/leveraged buyout business or whatever you want to call it. The object is to buy a business for a lower price than you can sell it several years down the road. If you think it has been mismanaged, you can bring in new management. You can cut unprofitable product lines. You can close inefficient plants or eliminate redundant employees to become more efficient.

    Companies not undergoing leveraged buyouts undertake the same planning exercises all the time. It is just plain anti-corporate vilification, a staple of the left, to promote the meme you are advancing here. BTW, large number of heavy duty dem donors made their fortunes in the private equity business and the Democrat party has no qualms with taking their money. It’s a complete BS line of attack.

    It’s equivalent to saying private businesses should operate as inefficiently as a bloated federal bureaucracy, otherwise you are in favor of drowning kittens.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  80. “Recall that Mike Huckabee described Romney not as the guy who hires you, but the guy who fires you.”

    Bugg – BFD. He was attacking an opponent. How much private sector experience does Huckabee have?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  81. President Rick Perry vs. President Barack Obama??? Oy vey. It’s not even a contest. Perry’s record of accomplishments in Texas vs. Obama’s record of disasters, both overseas and domestically. I reiterate; it’s not even a contest. Start counting the silverware in the White House. 😎

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  82. here this guy here – the kid with the black hair – he went on to do an internship with Bain and Co, which was founded by the dude who later went on to do Bain Capital with ickle Romneykins

    ok that is highly tangential but small world huh? and also puppies are cute

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  83. Flip Flopney will be back to accusing corporations of being a worser scourge on america then the plague.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  84. “We’re dismayed at the injustice that nearly half of all Americans don’t even pay any income tax. And you know the liberals out there are saying that we need to pay more.”

    >> Is Perry advocating increasing taxes on poor people to subsidize tax cuts for the ‘job creators’?

    New York’s Mayor Bloomberg has just come out for increasing taxes on both the poor and the rich, by the same percent – I guess something like a surtax of 1% or 2% whatever, so you could take that argument that way too.

    Sammy Finkelman (d3de3a)

  85. huckleberry hound
    has never impressed me as
    bassist or much else

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  86. no meat in your post
    happyfeet, no surprise there
    look!… Sarah Palin!

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  87. ^wish that were true, but the mudlinging from Axel Rose has already begun, they’re claiming that all of the job gains in Texas are because of…(wait for it)…BIG OIL. Raper of the environment! BloodforOilHalliburton! Second verse, same as the first.

    Dmac (8bfb47)

  88. That was in response to Summit.

    Dmac (8bfb47)

  89. yeah Mr. Colonel there really wasn’t was there

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  90. #87 Oh yee of so little faith …..

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  91. In my lifetime, California Sales Tax went from 4% to almost 10%…

    That is a “fair tax” don’t you think? The millionaire tax is only 1% on income… But, of course, the businesses and millionaires are all abandoning the place.

    Incline Village right next to California:

    Offering all these amenities in the tax haven of Nevada keeps our home values strong, even as changes sweep the rest of the country.

    BfC (2ebea6)

  92. California is basically a racket

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  93. Halliburton is owed in part by George Soros.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  94. @88: just as well, Feet…

    after all “meat is murder”.

    redc1c4 (fb8750)

  95. so I go and I stand on my own and I leave on my own and I go home and I cry and I want to die

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  96. John McCain was right to reject Tim Pawlenty.

    He wanted to name Joe Lieberman for Vice President, which would have created the interesting situation of the same man running for Vice President on two national tickets of two different political parties within 8 years!

    But his advisers convinced him the convention might not approve and/or too many in the Republican Party would revolt at the idea of making Loserman of the Sore Loserman team in the 2000 election, their very own nominee. And he was a Democrat. And only maybe a national security conservative. Of course that was true of McCain as well in great part. Although he was also a social conservative and a somewhat fiscal conservative.

    Now McCain could only pick among those that had gone through a whole investigation. And there were only 6 possibilities. It was sort of thought he would pick Tim Pawlenty but he picked Sarah Palin instead. That was one good decision.

    Of course since then Sarah Palin has decided to go for the cheap applause and even then she didn’t want to be honest about her lack of background – so much so that when ABC’s Charles Gibson spouted nonsense about a “Bush doctrine” that ABC itself had practically invented she didn’t have the confidence to know there was no reason anyone should know anything about it (In the January 2008 double Presidential debates in new Hampshire, Charles Gibson had *defined* what the Bush doctrine was to the candidates, but he didn’t do that with Sarah Palin.)

    The thing here was the run-up to the Iraq war was one of the few national issues Sarah Palin knew very well, because she’d watched the Senate debates in October 2002, because she was hoping to be appointed to the U.S. Senate by newly elected Alaska Governor Frank Murkowski.

    But not having confidence in what she *did* know, she didn’t call him out on it, thinking this is maybe something she should know about, and she bluffed instead. She bluffed also with Katie Couric about what newspapers and other media she read.

    No, she didn’t know everything but she could have said she could learn. Of course the problem with that was that McCain had said she’s right now ready to be president. He should have been stopped from saying that. He could have said listen after about one and half years she would know, and if earlier there’s cabinet and even if earlier, there’s the question of point of view.

    McCain should have said his choices were actually limited because of the pre-clearing of vice presidential candidates – also that you can teach facts to someone with good ethics and good instincts, but you can’t ethics and good instincts to someone with a knowledge of facts.

    Since then she’s not shown interest in learning. It’s really bad. You’d think someone would have enough pride to want to be able to hold their own in a full honest discussion..

    OK. About Tim Pawlenty. There was nothing to him. It’s kind of surprising to me this was noticed so fast, but not also noticed by the media.

    Still, this may not another one of these distressing situations of a candidate dropping out because of lack a money – a problem we have had since Senator Edmund Muskie dropped out in 1972. Pawlenty’s chances weren’t completely gone, and he could have continued on till at least the Iowa caucuses without feeling it was futile.

    People are overlooking how well Rick Santorum may do. There might be an issue or two, of course, that may deal a deep blow to his chances.

    The new York Post is touting as possibilities in 2 op-ed pieces today both Rudolph Giuliani and Michael Bloomberg. But Giuliani isn’t what he used to be, just like James Madison wasn’t what he used to be after he married Dolley Madison in 1794. Bloomberg says the winner is going to be one of the two major party nominees. Of course if we are heading into a depression and Obama looks hapless and the Republican nominee is slated to be perhaps Michelle Bachman and he thinks they both have (different) completely wrong-headed ideas he might try to run. Most of the people who want him to run want to work on his campaign, or hope for public jobs.

    Sammy Finkelman (d3de3a)

  97. Santorum reeks of the 80s

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  98. It would be a mistake to imagine the other 61% are all potential republican voters. Big mistake.

    Comment by Spartacvs — 8/14/2011 @ 12:53 pm

    That’s true, the poll is adults, not registered or likely voters.

    Gerald A (9d78e8)

  99. #94 happyfeet, what a sad and depressing comment. Cheer up, little guy.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  100. it’s morrissey!

    happyfeet (3c92a1)

  101. sammy loserman, another canddate for IATSE membership.
    His projection is so strong, he doesn’t even have to be plugged-in.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (8bcded)

  102. Is Perry advocating increasing taxes on poor people to subsidize tax cuts for the ‘job creators’? That ought to go down well in the general.

    Everybody’s taxes are going up starting in 2013 and no spending is being cut for the next ten years.

    You should be rubbing yourself in cocoa butter over that fact.

    Another Chris (c983db)

  103. The fundamental dishonesty of Spartacvs misrepresenting tax rate policy proposals is pretty obvious. But nonetheless, don’t forget that I linked to a two year old discussion of the Tax Foundation’s calculations of tax rates required to close the deficit with tax increases, and it showed massive increases on all brackets.

    Spartacvs ignored that because – well because simple math is beyond Spartacvs, lets be blunt.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  104. Remember, SPQR: his goal is to irritate. He is a lazy liar. I doubt he is truly a partisan. That takes some thought.

    Simon Jester (633d4a)

  105. Simon, Spartacus obviously wishes to annoy like the troll he is. However I find his every comment hilarious due to his incompetence.

    SPQR (a02ec5)

  106. http://hotair/greenroom/are-the-decks-clear-yet.html

    [note: link fixed. –Stashiu]

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  107. Thanks bfc.

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  108. #100, I was worried about you, little dude. 😎

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  109. South Carolina has more than a closer relationship to the Republican primary electorate nationally. Since the primary began, every single candidate who won SC won the nomination.

    Pawlenty did indeed seal his own fate by failing to confront Romney face to face after slamming him on television, but he always had a narrow road to the nomination. He did have more substance than anyone else, in terms of specific economic plans. But he couldn’t handle that Bachmann, who he knew as basically a gasbag, was not only really running but beating him out in the state he had to win.

    SC has a colorful history of dirty politicking (Bush v McCain). If the Not Romney candidates are going to get any traction in SC, be ready for a nasty anti-Mormon whisper campaign. Anonymous of course.

    Comment by Spartacvs — 8/14/2011 @ 9:46 am

    We can play hardball, but the myth of Bush-McCain 2000 is reversed. It was McCain who was doing the dirty politicking and got caught red-handed on TV by Bush. Bush or his campaign never had any connection to the McCain rumors, which got 1000 times more coverage after McCain complained than they did from the few people actually spreading them.

    Estragon (ec6a4b)

  110. #110 Estragon, you are right.

    What Spartacus has working for him in his favor is that he is already so ditzy that, as he grows older and gets dementia, nobody will be able to tell.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  111. Bush or his campaign never had any connection to the McCain rumors,

    Of course not, Rove isn’t that stupid.

    Spartacvs (2d9449)

  112. But someone is. And a lazy troll besides.

    Simon Jester (cdcfc2)

  113. SPQR, that is what is so funny about HDB: he seems to think he is so bloody smart, and yet has been shown to be lazy and um, not so bright (remember the Founder’s slander he delivered and then ran away from?). I like the tone of vast self importance he delivers his reflexive and ignorant partisanship with. His persona really does seem to indicate he is wise and well educated and a man of the world (sort of like DCSCA). Which is actually a little sad, given his track record. But he clearly has an overall plan, posting here.

    And you know the saying, SPQR: never begin vast undertakings with half-vast ideas.

    Simon Jester (cdcfc2)

  114. It’s glad he ended the campaign (though I really have no problem with the guy). But the timing makes the Iowa poll seem significant. Which is a shame. Tim is a much more impressive candidate than Ron Paul.

    Estragon, Spartacus knows he’s wrong. He’s interested in saying things that are just wrong enough to elicit some precious, precious attention.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  115. True enough, Dustin, about HDB.

    I heard Pawlenty interviewed by Dennis Miller months ago, and he was very impressive. Then he was interviewed a few weeks ago, and he was underwhelming.

    Previously he was funny, unguarded, and honest. Later, he stuck to talking points, and talked too long, without give and take.

    I suspect handler-itis. It’s a problem with candidates.

    Simon Jester (cdcfc2)

  116. He ended up with many of McCain’s ‘Top Men’ and it showed,

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  117. He ended up with many of McCain’s ‘Top Men’ and it showed,

    Comment by ian cormac

    They will be back again. If you’re a second tier candidate, you will jump at the chance to get people with their connections. It’s a recursive cycle of suck.

    Pawlenty should have been a first tier candidate. I think he (or at least someone advising him) had good instincts to be a clean break from established cycles of wasteful sacred cows without trying to be an attack dog. He needed a better strategy for criticizing the current administration, in order to convince voters he could take Obama on.

    What happened then was other advisers won out and diluted a good message and vainly put Pawlenty on a ‘see I can dish it out!’ path that just didn’t work.

    All that is T-Paw’s fault. He took bad advice, which is 99% of how Presidents screw up. It’s why I’m not so sad Mccain isn’t president (I get the impression he would take advice mainly from whoever was the most brown-nosing adviser).

    T-Paw shows strong judgment in bowing out at this point. I think that is a very tough decision to make, and shows he is genuine. I do hope he winds up in the administration, or better yet, the US Senate.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  118. To have lost to Obama, of all people, old Mr. Magoo has to have been thee most incompetent presidential candidate in the history of this country, imo.

    Since he couldn’t even manage his campaign properly, how could we have expected that old fool to have run this country properly, or any better than Obama has done? McCain was just Obama-lite.

    In 2012, we will have a real choice with a stark contrast between the two candidates, and it will [not] be another lesser of two evils scenario.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  119. Well it was a tough slog, regardless, but Schmidt told him, the Obama’s campaign was the reincarnation of the RFK campaign, and that it was best to bow out, like the 1919 black Sox.

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  120. Schmidt.

    McClellan.

    Powell.

    The Stig.

    Benedict Arnold.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  121. Lee Atwater was da man, and Karl Rove was his favorite protege.

    Without Karl Rove on his or her team, any Republican presidential candidate is going to have a very tough uphill climb. Like Atwater, Rove is a brilliant strategist and tactician.(Because of their dislike for each other, Rove refused to help McCain.)

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  122. Schmidt was his protege, Summitt, and he decided to ‘bumble the ball’ when it mattered,

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  123. I never heard of that Schmidt character to whom you referred, which leads me to suspect that he isn’t a player in the major leagues.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  124. Steve Schmidt, he was McCain’s campaign manager, yes I wouldn’t advertise that widely either, was part of the whispering campaign, against the only
    figure who thought there was something at stake,
    ended up team teaching a course at the U Delaware,
    with Obama’s man Plouffe,

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  125. I never heard of that Schmidt character to whom you referred, which leads me to suspect that he isn’t a player in the major leagues.

    Comment by Summit, NJ — 8/15/2011 @ 6:21 am

    Unfortunately, he was major player in 2008. The reason you know about Karl Rove and David Axelrod is that they succeeded. Love them or hate them, they know what they are doing.

    I can understand a conservative disliking Karl Rove, but I respect him. He’s not perfect, but he’s got sense.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  126. McCain was responsible for the management of his own campaign, and he ran a terrible campaign. He has to accept responsibility for the consequences of his many blunders. He was a very weak canidate. Nobody can blame his loss on that guy Schmidt. If Schmidt was that inept, McCain was a fool to have retained him, especially in view of what was at stake and the magnitude of that election, where a real pro, not some rank amateur was required.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  127. If we want to focus on historical lessons, this was because he had to switch out campaign managers, at the end of 2007, because he ran out of money, which
    Weaver repaid him by serving as a source for the Times bogus adultery story,

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  128. And why did he run out of money?

    Because he mismanaged and wasted it frivolously, paying too much money to so called, um, “consultants”, cronies who served no useful purpose.

    Presidential politics ain’t the same as Arizona politics.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  129. What is needed is someone who can speak plain with conviction and keep the main points the main points.

    I though Fred Thompson could do that back in 08 which is why I wanted to see him get in the race, but I don’t think he had the conviction that he was the better person for the job.

    At least initially this was why many liked Palin. The problem was the media succeeded in keeping her focus on the main points in the background and issues off the main points in the foreground. I think Bachman is similar in this, but lacks “something” that will make her a strong candidate nationally. Perhaps she will make a good VP candidate, but then I’m only guessing. I don’t think the Repub nominee will be Pawlenty (who has dropped out) or Ron Paul. More than that I have no idea. The person who would make the best president may not be the one to win the nomination, and we all know that.

    MD in Philly (cd9679)

  130. What, she described what we would face with Barack Obama as President,

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  131. Weaver repaid him by serving as a source for the Times bogus adultery story,

    Comment by ian cormac

    That’s disgusting. John Mccain is an irritating man, but that was one of the lowest blows. He deserved better. I wish he wasn’t a Senator anymore, but he deserved better.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  132. BTW, McCain is lucky that he wasn’t indicted for misappropriation of campaign funds.

    In my opinion, also, that egomaniacal, pompous and unprincipled opportunist ceased to be a serious contender when he saw (1) that the Democrats had taken control of both Houses of Congress, (2) that the economy was tanking, and (3) that the Democrats had put together Healthcare Legislation …, at which point he chickened out and said, in effect, that if Obama wanted it, he could have it. But hey, I could be wrong about that, just I could be mistaken in my belief that McCain is one of the worst scoundrels in Washington, as bad as the worst Democrat.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  133. “BTW, McCain is lucky that he wasn’t indicted for misappropriation of campaign funds.”

    Summit, NJ = Please explain. Also remember the liberal media (BIRM) gave Obama at least a 10 point boost in the election.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  134. You forgot that his campaign was audited, because he took public money, whereas Obama which had multiple violations of all sorts of funding regulations was not.

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  135. If Mccain wanted to hire a useless crony-ish fan with campaign funds, that’s a legit and stupid thing to do.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  136. Meanwhile Biden’s campaign incurred a 250 K fine from the SEC,

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  137. 126. “The reason you know about Karl Rove and David Axelrod is that they succeeded.” – Dustin

    135.“You forgot that his campaign was audited, because he took public money ….” – Ian

    You gentlemen are presumptuous, and wrong on both conjectures. Geezez, dudes, I’m not Spartacus. 😎

    #134, daleyrocks, see #129 for a concise explanation. (Interestingly enough and coincidentally, they discussed that issue just briefly on Fox News this past weekend, which reminded me of my irritation with McCain at the time.)

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  138. Comment by ian cormac @ 7:51 am

    You’re correct. Initially Obama had announced his campaign was accepting public financing and would be subject audit procedures.

    However, once he realized his Internet fundraising programs would provide more than adequate campaign cash, Obama reneged on his initial position and continued on sans public financing. And, yes, that left the door open for a plethora of then conveniently shady manoeuvrings and some outright crooked cash collection scams.

    ropelight (b80e6b)

  139. Geezez, dudes, I’m not Spartacus. 😎

    Now, that is as funny as hell.

    But, in the end, Spartacus is not even Spartacus.

    BfC (2ebea6)

  140. That reminds of a line from Total REcall; ‘If I’m not me, who the hell am I’

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  141. #130 MD, is there some reason why you’re being dismissive of Rick Perry, or have I misunderstood you?

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  142. “#134, daleyrocks, see #129 for a concise explanation.”

    Summit, NJ – Thanks for the help. #129 contains absolutely nothing which concisely explains indictable offenses for misappropriation of funds. Hiring consultants is not illegal, neither is “wasting” money.

    Your allegation, your obligation to explain, unless you want to behave like Spvrty.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  143. What is needed is someone who can speak plain with conviction and keep the main points the main points.

    Comment by MD in Philly — 8/15/2011 @ 7:19 am

    In defense of Romney he seems to be better at sticking to the main points than any of the other candidates. That’s one of his strengths – although there’s a danger that he does so in almost robotic fashion – so it is potentially a weakness. He needs to work on the conviction part. But he clearly is better than the others at focusing his message on the economy. Until one of the others shows they can talk about the economy convincingly, it’s not clear that they would be stronger against Obama.

    I don’t know about Perry since I haven’t heard him talk much yet.

    Gerald A (9d78e8)

  144. “(Interestingly enough and coincidentally, they discussed that issue just briefly on Fox News this past weekend, which reminded me of my irritation with McCain at the time.)”

    Summit, NJ – Interestingly enough, I don’t get cable and don’t watch Fox news. Since it is so fresh in your mind, though, it should be easy for you to concisely fill everyone in.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  145. #!43 daleyrocks, it would suffice for any rational and reasonable person. The buzz word there is rational …., and, um, reasonable, too.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  146. The problem lies in part with the Ctluthu like Dodd Frank,and Obamacare bill, the new EPA regulations,

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  147. Speaking of the slug Weaver;

    Huntsman’s campaign manager, John Weaver, a former McCain man, thinks the Republican Party “is nowhere near being a national governing party” — a view usually held by people called Democrats — and that the “simple reason” is: “No one wants to be around a bunch of cranks.” Many of the cranks are called: The Republican nominating electorate.

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  148. But he clearly is better than the others at focusing his message on the economy. Until one of the others shows they can talk about the economy convincingly, it’s not clear that they would be stronger against Obama.

    I don’t know about Perry since I haven’t heard him talk much yet.

    Comment by Gerald A — 8/15/2011 @ 8:53 am

    Romney is a skilled politician. He sounds all the right notes now. He would sound all the right notes to the democrats if he wanted their vote.

    See where I’m going?

    I too need to hear Perry and know he’s a polished candidate, but even if he isn’t, I have a record to go on that makes sense.

    I don’t want Romney to govern the country like he governed MA. No conservative does. I want Perry to govern the country like he governed Texas.

    The political messaging matters a lot, but Romney cannot escape the sincerity concern.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  149. daley…
    If it was on Special Report, or FoxNewsSunday, you might find it by searching their respective websites.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (61abdc)

  150. “#!43 daleyrocks, it would suffice for any rational and reasonable person. The buzz word there is rational …., and, um, reasonable, too.”

    Summit, NJ – No, without specifics it is a complete dodge. Why did you bring it up if you have no ability to explain yourself? You even claim it was talked about on Fox over the weekend.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  151. AD – Thanks, but not my obligation. Was it real or complete BS?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  152. #152 – LOL. Unreal. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  153. #152 – LOL. Unreal. LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Comment by Summit, NJ

    Daley was right. You didn’t back up your claims. We aren’t just automatons who accept something bad about someone we don’t like.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  154. Yeah, right, Dustin, you and daleyrocks are so rational. LOL

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  155. Yeah, right, Dustin, you and daleyrocks are so rational. LOL

    Comment by Summit, NJ

    Not sure what your deal is, man. Someone asks you what you’re talking about… and you take it as an attack?

    Did anyone ever tell you that adding additional exclamation marks does not bolster your remarks? Why not just answer the freaking question? You’re the one who brought it up. Daley and I just wanted to know what you were talking about.

    Toughen up a little bit.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  156. Summit, NJ – A tip for you since you are new. Mostly just trolls raise unsupported allegations about people or events here. Reasonable and rational commenters don’t. Plenty of lefty blogs are available for posting crazy unsupportable crap.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  157. #155,
    With respect, Sir, Dustin is one of the more respected commenters here because he is in fact quite rational and less given to emotional or subjective responses. Even when I may not agree with him his opinions warrant consideration because of this.

    Machinist (b6f7da)

  158. I just bottle it all up.

    Unfortunately, once in a while it all comes out. Usually it’s pretty justified by then.

    But thanks for the compliment, Machinist!

    Dustin (b7410e)

  159. “Did anyone ever tell you that adding additional exclamation marks does not bolster your remarks?”

    All caps is definitely better.

    All caps bold definitely convinces us something is true.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  160. daley…
    I have no idea, but it is news to me.
    Like you, I no longer have cable, and so don’t watch FoxNewsChannel any longer.
    I caught some of FNS yesterday, but it was mostly a panel in IA on the Ames Straw Poll, no mention of McCain that I heard.
    I doubt, after what he went through over “Lincoln Savings”, that McCain would do anything so stupid as walking the ethics line again – he got spanked pretty good on that one and survived, unlike his co-Sen’s who really had their fingers in that stinking pot.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (61abdc)

  161. 157.Summit, NJ – A tip for you since you are new. Mostly just trolls raise unsupported allegations about people or events here. Reasonable and rational commenters don’t. Plenty of lefty blogs are available for posting crazy unsupportable crap.

    Comment by daleyrocks — 8/15/2011 @ 9:30 am

    Well, in that case, we can’t give anymore credence to the insults that you direct at Spartacus, can we, you blowhard? 🙂

    You’re very selective with your criteria, which makes you look as stupid and as dense and as shallow as Spartacus is. But you’re entitled to your lamebrained opinions. Ain’t America grande?

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  162. Well, in that case, we can’t give anymore credence to the insults that you direct at Spartacus, can we, you blowhard? 🙂

    LOL. Dude, you can’t win the internet anyway. Relax and just accept you could have argued your point more directly.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  163. ** scribbles note to himself about Summit **

    SPQR (a408ec)

  164. Summit is an idiot.

    DohBiden (d54602)

  165. #162,Comment by Summit, NJ — 8/15/2011 @ 9:45 am–

    Is this really productive? I bother with this because I am interested in seeing more of your comments on this sight. This kind of exchange is a waste of time and talent, though. Might I suggest that if you think Daleyrocks is wrong or off base that you that you present a better case? It may lead back to a more civil and productive discussion rather than a spitting contest that serves no one and distracts from the topic. You will look all the more credible if you are right, the more so if your opponent is as unreasonable as you believe.

    I really would not bother with someone I thought was a troll.

    Machinist (b6f7da)

  166. I’m with Machinist. I liked a lot of Summit’s comments.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  167. “No one wants to be around a bunch of cranks.”

    John Weaver is 100% correct and Huntsman is laying down markers for 2016 in the hope the GOP has returned to it’s senses.

    Spartacvs (521ca4)

  168. * Scribbles note to self about SPQR *

    (cause that’s what we do here in kindergarten, kiddies.)

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  169. You’re bashing SPQR now, Summit?

    How much charity do you want?

    Dustin (b7410e)

  170. 168…Yes, he’ll have a chance when the GOP is again, as in the Bob Michel days, DEM-Lite –
    but at that point, we’ll have more important things to worry about than which RINO is the sacrificial lamb to be served up to the God’s of PC and CW.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (61abdc)

  171. Ah, but I don’t do charity, do I Dustin?

    SPQR (a408ec)

  172. Summit,NJ,
    People like daleyrocks and SPQR should not be compared with trolls like Spartacvs. Spartacvs is not here to debate or discuss but to disrupt discussions and distract from the subject and substance of threads. There is no honorable intention or good faith in anything he says. By contrast, someone like Daleyrocks may get carried away or strident in his passion, I have felt the sting of that myself and know it can be frustrating, but he is serious and comes to these discussions with honorable intentions. This is not the way of a troll and he should never be compared to one.

    Just my two cents, Sir. Ignore it at your pleasure.

    Machinist (b6f7da)

  173. SPQR is a bona fide smartypants. Claiming he’s got a kindergarten mentality reeks of projection.

    I get the feeling we’re being trolled. Last sane person in the garden state please turn off the lights on your way out (Mandy).

    Dustin (b7410e)

  174. Thank you Machinist.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  175. Daleyrocks comes in good faith. I have also felt the sting of disagreeing with him, and frankly those times it turned out I was mistaken.

    And he’s a friend despite not agreeing 100% with me. That’s a sign of healthy perspective.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  176. #170, Charity? Is that like, um, trying to save face?

    Unlike like Spartacus, I don’t mind when you gang up on me. I just think that you’re so lame that you should get more reinforcements when you do. 🙂

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  177. I think when passions rule, many regrettable things are said.

    One of the great and brilliant moves by Washington during the Constitutional Convention was to know when to stop the proceedings and lead everyone in prayer for guidance and wisdom when passions threatened to derail the contentious proceedings between these strong willed men. One of the many great debts we own this great man.

    Machinist (b6f7da)

  178. Summit, do you have a point?

    No? Nothing but ‘lol’ and ‘you’re stupid’ and ‘you’re lame’?

    Dustin (b7410e)

  179. #179, Works for me. 🙂

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  180. Now, in retrospect, don’t you think that daleyrocks got uppity with the wrong person today, and that he bit off more than he could chew?

    No hard feelings?

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  181. Who are you asking?

    Machinist (b6f7da)

  182. I’ll make it easy for you. Think of them as, well, rhetorical questions.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  183. don’t you think that daleyrocks got uppity with the wrong person today, and that he bit off more than he could chew?

    Why would I think that? Your argument is ‘you are stupid and lame’. He didn’t even make an argument. He asked what you were referencing because he was curious.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  184. You’ve already dug yourself into a deep enough hole, Dustin. Stop digging.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  185. –Comment by Summit, NJ — 8/15/2011 @ 10:46 am–

    I am saying nothing about the issues here, who is right or wrong. I am suggesting that you are starting down a narrow road with few turnoffs that does not go anyplace desirable except to the trolls here. I am hoping you might consider stepping back and trying to restart the discussion on a calmer basis.

    In case you think I am personally biased I should point out that Daleyrocks is not a big fan and is probably more annoyed by my butting in than you are. Some quotes to me from other threads…
    — “Your unceasing calls for civility are kind of grating, though.”
    –“I’m not particularly fond of preening moralists of any strip”
    –“Machinist – If this was actually serious you are considerably less intelligent than I thought.”
    –“that’s exactly the kind of temporizing that usually gets mocked repeatedly here, so you can either attempt to deal directly with the argument at hand or risk undergoing additional beclowning at will.”

    In spite of this I stand by what I said earlier about him. I obviously disagree with him and others here at times but I give serious consideration to his opinions. Might I presume to ask you to consider looking at this exchange again and considering if it is going in a way you are happy with?

    Sorry if I’ve overstepped. I would not stick my oar in if I did not enjoy the discussions here and want the best from them. Good day.

    Machinist (b6f7da)

  186. Machinist, I don’t think there’s any point in engaging a troll like that.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  187. I think we need the ‘Argument Clinic’ sketch.

    ian cormac (81c5c2)

  188. Not that I have a memory like an elephant or anything but early in his commenting career here Summit bit my head off about something stupid related to Spurty and put an exclamation point on the dis by calling me “sweety”. (There is a very limited number of people who get away with calling me sweety and Summit ain’t one of ’em.) I thought he semi-apologized by responding that people shouldn’t take him, or themselves, too seriously which seemed cool. I had thought things had evened out as Summit has posted some very interesting stuff, and seems to have acclimated to the commenters (and trolls) here, and got into the general ebb and flow of this site. What’s transpiring on this thread today suggests otherwise and as several others have already said, that’s surprising and really too bad.

    elissa (ac1977)

  189. Dustin,
    Having been called a troll myself I may be a bit slower to throw the word about. Not saying you are wrong, Sir, but I hope so. My respects.

    Machinist (b6f7da)

  190. #186 – I’ve evaluated the merits of your comments. You’re making a mountain out of a mole hill. Chill out, dude …, and, oh yeah, y’all have a nice day, ya hear?

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  191. elissa ,
    Very much to your credit, Ma’am. No surprise given the grace you have shown here.

    Machinist (b6f7da)

  192. Elissa, as you mentioned in some thread recently, we are forced by the situation to evaluate every single comment with suspicion it may be a concern troll.

    It’s just discord sowing. Obviously this results in a ‘you are so paranoid!’ reaction. I don’t even care if the discord sowers are trying to troll or just comparing ego size.

    All the more so lately. It’s a fact that right now some are going to pose as one of us, and be unable to pull it off while trying to bash folks.

    I hate to bring her up, but Miranda is a great example of someone who is not such a sock, and the best way to tell is by how she is able to articulate conservatism realistically. I have never seen a lefty pull that off. So I trust Miranda more than Summit, even though Miranda has bitten my head off maybe seven times now.

    It doesn’t really matter. Either they can make their argument or they can’t.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  193. Hope I’m wrong too, Machinist. But it doesn’t even matter. Either they can make their argument or they cannot.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  194. #189 – You’re too sensitive. I didn’t bite your head off, not intentionally. Sorry that you took it that way, sweety.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  195. “Sorry that you took it that way, sweety.”

    My apologies, Dustin. Troll or jerk, it seems you were right.

    Machinist (b6f7da)

  196. Oh Dustin, you’re such a small and petty person.

    You take yourself too seriously. Grow some balls.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  197. I don’t actually take my comments here seriously at all. For some reason people I disagree with often act as though I murdered their entire family, but I have never understood that.

    Anybody can come here and have equal ground with me. There’s nothing really scary about it. Oh, the drama drama.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  198. Up yours, Machinist. And oh yeah, get a life.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  199. #198 – LOL, aw geezez. Add weird to lame. LOL

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  200. Machinist @186 – I now regret making those comments which you highlighted. I believe they were relatively early on in your commenting history here if I recall correctly (and I may not) , before we had become acclimated to each others’ views and beliefs. The issue under discussion was very emotional.

    While we do not always agree on issues, you are willing to support your arguments and, as I mentioned in the thread where we got a little sideways discussing atheism over the weekend, I have come to learn you are a man and commenter of honor and integrity.

    I apologize for the above comments.

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  201. Let’s get back to topic. Summit will, no doubt, continue screaming. Let’s step over the mess.

    Palin and Bachmann’s rift has continued to grow. There have been a few minor comments about Perry from Palin, but the media was obviously trying to elicit that.

    If Palin endorses Perry the primary is over. Bachmann’s running for VP at that point. She may already be, though I don’t want to insult her as she doesn’t act like she’s running for VP.

    When you look at politicians who have been successful in Florida, Rubio, Jeb, and Crist, I think it shows Romney and Perry would do fine there. This is the state democrats are thinking about when they talk about medicare and Paul Ryan.

    I think T-Paw would have lost Florida.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  202. “don’t you think that daleyrocks got uppity with the wrong person today, and that he bit off more than he could chew?”

    Summit, NJ – Hahahaha! Which wrong person? The wrong person who could not explain his own comment?

    Seriously?

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  203. Daleyrocks,

    No need for that, Sir. I would not have remembered if I didn’t respect you. I stated my opinion above. As you say, they were passionate discussions and I have a thick skin in most areas. I only mentioned them to make a point. It seems I was foolish today in any case.

    Machinist (b6f7da)

  204. THAR SHE BLOWS!!!!!!!

    daleyrocks (bf33e9)

  205. -Comment by Dustin — 8/15/2011 @ 11:28 am-

    Thank you Dustin. Your views seem sound. I certainly hope you are right. I would be quite happy to see Perry at the head, though I would vote for any of the current contenders. I sure hope that will not be Ron Paul.

    Machinist (b6f7da)

  206. WTF?!

    JD (d56362)

  207. ESAD

    Yeah, Even Summit’s Anti-Dustin.

    🙁

    Dustin (b7410e)

  208. I guess we shod not be surprised, since this one was extolling the virtues of Slow Joe Biden just last week.

    JD (318f81)

  209. Geezez, dudes, I’m not Spartacus. 😎

    I’m not Spartacus!

    BfC (2ebea6)

  210. #210 – LOL

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  211. 208.Summit ESAD

    Comment by DohBiden — 8/15/2011 @ 11:41 am

    Ah, and the creepy, little cockroach comes scurrying out of his hole again, poops again and scrurries back into his hole again. Can’t make this stuff up, folks. 🙂

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  212. JD @ 11:58 am, you hit the nail on the head. It’s been a while commin’ out, but it was there all along.

    Forgetaboutit Dustin, you’re alright, a little too long winded at times, but that’s in the noise. Same goes for the rest of youse guys.

    It’s the newboy who’s showin’ his ass.

    ropelight (b80e6b)

  213. a little too long winded at times

    I get paid by the word.

    Kinda working on it, actually.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  214. #214 – LOL

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  215. Summit why do you post here?

    DohBiden (d54602)

  216. James Taranto in today’s WSJ-Online BOTW on Michelle Bachmann:

    “…Suppose Bachmann gets the nomination. She will be asking voters, in effect, to take a flier on a politically talented but inexperienced lawmaker with unusual religious views and a history of irresponsible statements. Last time they did that, they ended up with Barack Obama. This time, if they don’t do it, they’ll end up with Barack Obama.”

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (61abdc)

  217. #218 – It’s still too soon to tell. But what you posted there could quite possibly be why Rick Perry is a Godsend.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  218. I think Taranto is doing what he does a lot of:
    playing Devil’s Advocate.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (61abdc)

  219. Hmmmm, how so?

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  220. Did you read his latest BOTW? It’s here….
    http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424053111903480904576510271119903298.html?mod=djemBestOfTheWeb_h

    There is an argument to be made that MB has accomplished very little in her legislative career, probably on a scale of what The Lightworker accomplished in his.
    Except for one glaring difference:
    She doesn’t vote “Present!”
    And, her sentiments are mirrored throughout that great expanse of “fly over country” where the election can be won.
    We know that BHO will win the major centers on the two coasts, but probably not by the majorities that he had in 2008 (though with the EC, a win is a win is a win, in any one state).
    But, he’s in big trouble between Appalachia and the Sierra’s, and a lot of those states are going to vote RED that didn’t last time.
    A PoliSci teacher told me a long, long time ago that American Election Cycles are like a pendulum:
    That when you push it really hard in one direction, it comes back almost equally as hard in the opposite direction.
    This could be one of those times:
    From an inexperienced minority (Black) one year, to another inexperienced minority (Female) the next; with the difference that her views and background are much more transparent than his were.
    One thing that MB will bring to the WH that seems to be sorely lacking at this point is “Common Sense” – we’ve had enough of pointy-headed, ivy-league, intellectuals.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (61abdc)

  221. All ivy leaguers aren’t intellectuals. Some of us got sports scholarships. 🙂

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  222. Lacrosse?

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (61abdc)

  223. BTW, That’s an interesting website. Can you recommend any other informative websites?

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  224. Ricochet.
    Commentary.
    Most anything linked to by Glenn Reynolds.

    And, you should be reading the WSJ Opinion page every day (well, except for Sunday when they’re in Church, or something).
    I can’t afford to subscribe, but I read everything that piques my interest that isn’t behind a firewall, and with a lot of stuff that is, I’ll read through the comments to see what the reaction is.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (61abdc)

  225. Thanks. That’s great to know. I’ll be Binging it tonight.

    Have you ever considered the idea of subscribing to The Washington Times Weekly Edition that can be sent to your home once a week? It has a lot of editorials and other informative stuff, and what’s really cool is that, for a nominal additional price added onto your annual subscription, you can get a book called Capital Contacts, which provides a wealth of information about all of the states’ governors and all of the politician in Washington, including their bios, their staffs, phone and fax numbers, etc., etc., and all kinds of other cool info. You can buy really cool things from their Classifieds that you can’t buy aywhere else.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  226. * politician(s) *

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  227. * anywhere *

    P.S.: Whenever there are Congressional or gubernatorial turnovers, you can obtain update inserts from the WT for your book, too.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  228. Thanks for your courtesies AD.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  229. Summit, I get a daily email from the Washington Examiner (actually, more than one, they’re mostly op/ed), plus the WSJ, and Townhall, and Heritage.
    I’m pretty much on the Conservative side of the line, and most of the Left/Prog “wisdom” bores me as I’ve been reading and hearing it for fifty-years; and it’s no more reliable today than it was then. It’s all about their “dreams” for the future, and a bunch of “what ifs”.
    In DC today, they have a leader who grew up on this crap, and they’ve led us into a mess that they have no idea how to deal with except to do “more”.

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (61abdc)

  230. The Washington Times Weekly Edition is [very] conservative, although they have a few editorials by moderates and liberals. It’s a quick read, too, kind of like a weekly magazine with concise, to-the-point articles for working and family people on the go who don’t have the time to go through a whole newspaper page-by-page. Their book, Capital Contacts, alone, is worth the cost of an annual subscription, imo. They used to offer a free trial period of, as I recall, four free weekly issues. I don’t know if they still do.

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  231. 142.#130 MD, is there some reason why you’re being dismissive of Rick Perry, or have I misunderstood you?
    Comment by Summit, NJ — 8/15/2011

    You didn’t so much misunderstand as I guess assumed too much. I wasn’t trying to be particularly dismissive of anybody, just trying to focus on what is wanted and how some people match up or fall short. I haven’t heard enough Perry to know yet.

    FWIW, While I had not been around much recently (until a few days ago), I have been around here for at least 6 years or so. I have always found “the regulars” to be pretty amiable, even when disagreed with. Some like to deal with folk like spartacus with obvious contempt- while I have done that at times, I prefer the ignore them until the get annoyed and go away, but not my blog and I consider it more an issue of personal preference.
    However, snide remarks, unless in reference to a purposeful troublemaker, tend to be taken as an insult. That said, sometimes remarks are made which are misinterpreted and usually that gets clarified if all parties are of good faith.

    Yes, ian, the argument clinic is always a good reference.

    MD in Philly (cd9679)

  232. 223.All ivy leaguers aren’t intellectuals. Some of us got sports scholarships.
    Comment by Summit, NJ — 8/15/2011

    I hope not too many people were drinking something when they read that…
    Now while that may be technically so, other than fencing I’m not sure what sports Ivy league teams are competitive with the rest of the nation, and even there Penn State and OSU seem to have had dominance recently (when I last checked).
    Of course, if I say too much, being a Big Ten alumnus, I’ll just draw one of those SEC’ers out of the shadows…
    This was intended as humours sparring. If I really wanted to be mean, I would compare Ivy League marching bands with those of the Big Ten.. 😉

    MD in Philly (cd9679)

  233. No reason to sign onto Perry just yet, MD. I think he’s a strong contender. Perhaps the answer to my prayers, even, but let’s see how he debates and how he handles the issues.

    I’ve been holding out for a conservative with a good resume, and this is probably going to be the guy.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  234. MD–Funny, I automatically assumed he meant synchronized swimming.

    elissa (ac1977)

  235. Now while that may be technically so, other than fencing I’m not sure what sports Ivy league teams are competitive with the rest of the nation

    Don’t forget about
    world-class hazing and ping-pong
    and booze-fueled stuff

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  236. The Ivy has marching bands?
    Other than the Starvation Navy?

    Another Drew - Restore the Republic / Obama Sucks! (61abdc)

  237. the air very thin
    brain misfires and sparks can fly
    up at the summit

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  238. #236 – MEOW!!! Pfttt! Pfttt!

    Summit, NJ (75c9eb)

  239. Don’t forget about
    world-class hazing and ping-pong
    and booze-fueled stuff

    Comment by ColonelHaiku

    I don’t know about ping-pong, but you need to get around more Colonel if you think the Ivies know anything about booze-fueled stuff. For the right reasons it would be good to avoid over-liberal use of alcoholic beverages, but the Ivies are not known for avoiding over-liberal anything else, so I don’t know what their excuse is.

    AD- true story- I went to a UPenn game once with friends who were alums…at halftime this rag-tag group comes out on the field- as it is Halloween weekend I think it’s some type of joke. Nobody said I offended them, but I surely was not complimentary. I knew some band people at Wisconsin- they put in hard work… after dark… in November..where the brass players needed to keep their mouth pieces warm enough so their lips wouldn’t freeze. And then there is Ohio State, where there is more competition some years about who gets to dot the “i” in “Script Ohio” than for starting QB.

    MD in Philly (cd9679)

  240. Dustin-
    In one way I think anyone not outright psychotic should be able to win over Obama, but when the time comes, I’m afraid there will be some amount of “false guilt” that makes people reluctant to vote against him after all, and there will need to be a “knight in shining armor” type to win. Here’s to split primary results and a “champion” being revealed at the convention, giving the smear campaigners little time to work.

    MD in Philly (cd9679)

  241. you need to get around more Colonel

    Funny… that’s what my wife tells me…

    ColonelHaiku (d1f5ff)

  242. Here’s to split primary results and a “champion” being revealed at the convention, giving the smear campaigners little time to work.

    Comment by MD in Philly —

    How much time to they need to say he’s stupid and weird? The democrat playbook for decades.

    I would think Obama would lose mightily, but I think powerful forces need him to win. GE, Unions, the bureaucracy, The Arugula Farmers Association, Five Brothers Hamburgers’ DC franchisee. We’re going to see a very well organized opponent with amazing GOTV, MSM coordination (of less value every day), wall to wall demonization and scare tactics.

    Dustin (b7410e)

  243. Hello, Gov Perry.. he’s on the phone right now, teleconferencing with CA voters from Dubuque.

    I’m PFTW, but I like this guy. Love the accent.. I know in Texas that’s no accent.

    He’s saying the large % of new jobs there are above min. wage, and the problem with O’s people (lies), and what’s wrong with low-pay jobs anyway.

    Job creation = increase in military support.

    Oop, there he goes! G b u.

    Vermont Neighbor (af7a3a)


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