And Over at NRO. . .
[guest post by JVW]
. . . Charles Krauthammer reminds Democrats who are panicking over Hillary!’s slow implosion that Jon Stewart is currently out-of-work and available.
Now that you have had your chuckle, give it serious consideration. Democrats are pretty much reliant upon a celebrity factor in their Presidential candidates. Three of the last four Democrats who won as non-incumbents were young, culturally attuned, and attracted a energetic youth following to go along with support from the usual cultural arbiters from New York and Hollywood. (The fourth, Jimmy Carter, won during bad economic times and in the lingering aftertaste of Watergate.) Jon Stewart would be an excellent rallying point for the low information voter who believes that a comedian with glib answers can get things done in Washington, and he might even peel off some of the anti-politician vote in the GOP that seems to be swinging Trump’s way.
Does Stewart have a big enough ego to throw his hat into the ring (you know, there is precedent, even if it was largely meant as a joke)? Or does he realize that the clown nose would have to come off long enough for people to decide that without a bevy of writers and an enthusiastic studio audience he’s just another blowhard with opinions on current events?
– JVW
I’m the other blowhard with opinions on current events, by the way. Just so we’re clear on that.
Our host is currently on vacation, I believe, and Dana has done a masterful job of carrying the load around here. I returned from vacation earlier this week, so I’ll try to be better about posting.
JVW (ba78f9) — 8/14/2015 @ 2:02 pmI would watch Cory Booker and Jerry Brown.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 8/14/2015 @ 2:54 pmAs for media personalities, maybe Jerry Springer (former mayor of Cincinnati) wants to give it another go. I’d love to see a chair thrown at a Presidential Debate.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 8/14/2015 @ 2:57 pmIf Stewart was president and you called his administration a joke, it would be a compliment.
Dejectedhead (5ce477) — 8/14/2015 @ 3:58 pmThank You, Dana.
mg (31009b) — 8/14/2015 @ 4:02 pmthe sleazy manhattantrash guy is the Democrats’ best hope really they should bail on clotty and get on board with Mr. trump
happyfeet (5546fb) — 8/14/2015 @ 4:04 pmAl Franken is warming up in the bull pen for 2020.
mg (31009b) — 8/14/2015 @ 4:07 pmit just gets better and better
happyfeet (5546fb) — 8/14/2015 @ 4:14 pmJimmy Carter won in a year when the Democrats could have been victorious running a talking dog, provided they didn’t screw up royally. And they very nearly did. The various factions in the Democrat party fought each other so bitterly that they ended up with Carter, a compromise candidate that nobody was happy with. And so he arrived in the White House with no friends in Congress. And was, in consequence, a fantastically ineffectual President.
And, once out of office, went fully neurotic, because he had been President and couldn’t get anything done.
C. S. P. Schofield (ab2cdc) — 8/14/2015 @ 4:20 pmThe last four Democratic presidents elected without being incumbent were Obama, Clinton, Carter, and… FDR? Did FDR have that kind of following?
Steven Den Beste (99cfa1) — 8/14/2015 @ 4:36 pmMeanwhile, there seems to be another GOP candidate. Did any of you guys even know he was running?
kishnevi (93670d) — 8/14/2015 @ 5:17 pmhttp://www.bostonherald.com/news_opinion/us_politics/2015/08/ex_irs_chief_throwing_hat_in_ring_for_gop_nomination
(He seems pretty Chamber of Commerce-y to me, but I know nothing beyond what the article says.)
You mean JFK, who beat Eisenhower’s Vice-President.
nk (dbc370) — 8/14/2015 @ 5:40 pmThank you so much for your nice words, JVW. I really appreciate it.
There is little to no question that Stewart has a sufficiently sized ego for, well, just about anything, but I don’t think he would deign to co-mingle with the unwashed low-information voters. Rich progressives. No greater snobs around.
Dana (86e864) — 8/14/2015 @ 6:00 pmI think FDR built up a loyal following from his Navy, running for v.p.in 1920, senate and time as gov. of N.Y.
mg (31009b) — 8/14/2015 @ 6:24 pmHe made a few great speeches at the right time and was a big provider for New Yorkers when the depression arrived.
The last two sitting VPs elected President were George Bush and Martin Van Buren.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 8/14/2015 @ 6:40 pmThe last two (or more) term Presidents who were succeeded by their own party’s candidate were: Ronald Reagan, FDR, Calvin Coolidge and Teddy Roosevelt. I just cannot see “Obama” joining that company. That third term is amazingly hard to get.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 8/14/2015 @ 6:41 pmthey ended up with Carter, a compromise candidate that nobody was happy with. And so he arrived in the White House with no friends in Congress. And was, in consequence, a fantastically ineffectual President.
Carter and the current occupant of the White House illustrate the power of non-political or ideological aspects of a president. Simply put, even though Carter was and is about as nonsensically leftwing as Obama is, and screwed up the US in the late 1970s no less than what Barry is doing today, Carter at least didn’t have the scroungy life history of Obama.
But his superficial characteristics were the antithesis of what can be called straight out of central casting. Namely, that Carter’s face and speech patterns totally lacked spark (otherwise known as charisma), whereas Obama — as dogmatic and trashy as any US president has ever been — isn’t as pathetic in those same categories. Therefore, Obama gets better poll ratings than Carter ever did, even though he doesn’t deserve them.
Such a reality is why I wish one of my favorite Republicans, Ted Cruz, had a somewhat better mug, a bit less of a droopy-dog schnoz. But such is the breaks in life.
Mark (9abec5) — 8/14/2015 @ 6:56 pmI so thought you were going here, JVW:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3oiQhhdz8ys
Matador (ee0827) — 8/14/2015 @ 7:25 pmRight now the graybeards of the Democratic Party are in furious consultation regarding the least worst alternative to Hillary.
It’s Biden, and they know that’s a losing bet. He’d do better than Bernie, who’d do almost as badly as McGovern (I think he’d get MA, CA, NY, and DC, nada mas).
They’ll swallow hard, then join the Clintonistas in doing whatever it takes to politically assassinate every other alternative to Hillary. She’s hemorrhaging, but I still think she has a 90%+ chance at being the Democratic nominee. We’re about to see the most methodical, ambitious, relentless, and vicious attempt at air-brushing and PR rehabilitation in American history.
Did you know Republicans are evil devils, and Hillary will be The! First! Woman! President!?! What did you say? SHUT UP!
Beldar (fa637a) — 8/14/2015 @ 8:21 pmIt would be so funny if the likes of Al Gore (yes, there’s chatter), Biden, and CEO of Starbucks all jumped in because it would actually make the Trump circus appear a lIttle less nutty.
Dana (86e864) — 8/14/2015 @ 8:31 pmLet’s see if Hillary and Sanders survive the winter. Winters are hard on old people. They should get their flu shots, stay warm always, and walk carefully over the ice and snow.
nk (dbc370) — 8/14/2015 @ 8:36 pmLOL, there’s a much older precedent than that…
IGotBupkis, "Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses." (225d0d) — 8/14/2015 @ 10:51 pmSome of his campaign observations….
“All the problems we face in the United States today can be traced to an unenlightened immigration policy on the part of the American Indian.”
“I don’t want to say too much about illegal immigration. I’m afraid my views will be reported on the Cinco O’Clock News”
On the Miranda warning: “Why should we tell kidnappers, murderers, and embezzlers their rights? If they don’t know their rights, they shouldn’t be in the business.”
“A good many people feel that our present draft laws are unjust. These people are called soldiers.”
“Sex doesn’t have to be taught. It’s something most of us are born with.”
Presidential campaign slogan: “I’ve upped my standards. Now, up yours.”
Presidential campaign slogan: “If elected, I will win.”
IGotBupkis, "Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses." (225d0d) — 8/14/2015 @ 10:56 pmAlthough we should laugh. We have Trump who is pretty much running for Emperor.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 8/15/2015 @ 12:28 amThe Democrats do rely on a celebrity factor in their presidential nominees, but usually they rely on their allies in the compliant media to treat someone who is merely a youthful and good-looking politician as a celebrity. With Stewart, it would be reversed. He actually is a celebrity. Whether or not he could be sold as a politician is another question.
Anon Y. Mous (8ec442) — 8/15/2015 @ 1:53 amThe king makers in the Democratic Party are the SEIU and the teachers unions. Their actions might be the best starting point in figuring out who the final candidate will be.
bobathome (4a2679) — 8/15/2015 @ 6:47 amHillary!s slow implosion is, I am convinced, being aided and abetted by Obama’s massive ego.
The story keeps getting worse and worse.
http://dailycaller.com/2015/08/14/exclusive-hillarys-it-contractor-did-not-have-proper-security-clearance/
This is just a mammoth breach. The number of uncleared Americans, legal residents, foreign nationals with work visas, and no doubt illegal aliens who Hillary! provided access to national security information now has to number in the hundreds. This does not even begin to count the number of Chinese and Russian operatives who hacked into her system. The Secretary of State is always a prime target for foreign intelligence services, and Hillary! handed them a big fat gift.
But Obama isn’t doing anything about it not so much to protect Hillary! but because it would be a huge hit to his “legacy,” which seems to be the only thing he cares about.
I loathe Barack Obama for many reasons, but one thing I’m surprised about is just how stupid the man is. I always thought his reputation for being some fantabulous intellectual was overblown, but I keep watching this guy screw up things (not on purpose, in these cases) and he just keeps demonstrating he’s dumber than I even thought. I lower the bar and then something else happens and I have to lower the bar again.
The thing is this isn’t something that Obama and his crime family can control. They can ignore it, but it’s not going to go away. It’s just going to get away from them. I wasn’t joking that if I were a foreign head of state I would have to suspend information sharing with the USG. I’m sure some people would think that’s just because I’m partisan. But even leaders who might be favorably disposed to Obama would have to wonder who is seeing the information they’re providing via any channels, diplomatic or otherwise. Anyone at Platter River Networks and at least two major law firms could have unauthorized access to it. And that’s just what we know now.
Even if I liked Obama I’d have to tell him that he needs to get his house in order if I’m going to let any member of my government tell any member of his administration anything in confidence. I could only pass information that I don’t care if the whole world knows, because by accident or design (yes, there have been seriously damaging purposeful leaks) that’s what I’m going to have to assume will happen.
I believe Obama is incapable of seeing the forest for his ego.
Steve57 (5a07a9) — 8/15/2015 @ 12:00 pmAl Franken isn’t good enough and he isn’t smart enough and, doggonit, people just don’t like him.
Colonel Haiku (25d26f) — 8/15/2015 @ 12:09 pmSo, I was walking through a Dallas shopping mall and I saw that there was a “Muslim Book Store.” I was wondering what exactly was in a Muslim bookstore so I went in
As I was wandering around taking a look, the clerk stopped me and asked if he could help me
I imagine I didn’t look like his normal clientele, so I asked, “Do you have a copy of Donald Trump’s book on his U.S. Immigration Policy regarding Muslims and illegal Mexicans?”
The clerk said, “F*ck off, get out and stay out!”
I said, “Yes, that’s the one. Do you have it in paperback?
Colonel Haiku (25d26f) — 8/15/2015 @ 12:31 pmNice one, Colonel.
Patterico did a “what’s your favorite joke” post some years ago. Maybe we should bring it back.
JVW (ba78f9) — 8/15/2015 @ 12:59 pmBeldar,
I think Democrats are behind the Hillary email leaks/story. My guess is it’s Obama because he doesn’t want Hillary to be the nominee. If so, then there is a lot going on behind the curtain. My money is on Obama.
DRJ (1dff03) — 8/15/2015 @ 1:41 pmBest seller, Col.
mg (31009b) — 8/15/2015 @ 2:35 pm@11 Kishnevi: I’m aware of Mark Everson’s “campaign” for president, but mostly because it got mentioned in Wikipedia’s articles about the presidential campaign. He entered the race back in March, and through June 30 had raised a total of $39,470 from persons other than himself.
I am not sure why he is in the race; surely he doesn’t think that he will even get in the debates, much less be the nominee. Maybe he is trying to get a book deal or something like that, but I doubt he would receive an advance that would be as much as the amount he has contributed to his own campaign (over $120,000 so far).
Joshua (9ede0e) — 8/15/2015 @ 4:01 pmNo doubt her first act will be to pardon everybody in the Obama administration, including herself.
You could well be right. This drip drip of d@mning information is exactly Obama’s style. It’s suitably passive aggressive.
I do not believe there is much chance of Obama’s DoJ actually charging Hillary! with any of the crimes she so clearly has committed. But I doubt there’s any love lost between the two. Apparently Barack Obama and both Clintons loathe one another (and I do believe the hate-fest is a three way). It’s also clear that they find each other useful politically, so the phrase “thick as thieves” comes to mind.
The Obama administration, it is clear, really is a crime family. But if Hillary! gets the nomination it will be equally clear that the entire Democratic party is a criminal organization. Because as Beldar points out the Republicans are devils as far as they’re concerned and even the rank and file think that breaking any law is perfectly fine with them if that is what it takes to thwart the devil.
I’ve actually heard Hillary! supporters admit to this. They keep insisting no laws or regulations were broken and there is no smoking gun.
The server in the basement was the smoking gun!
When you break through the various dodges and they admit she may have committed crimes, but since the evil Rethuglicans are far worse it was justified. So what if she had an unclas, unencrypted server in her basement. It worked to keep her emails out of the devil’s reach.
The government is fighting Judicial Watch’s FOIA request and the judge was already running out of patience. I think the government may have just filed a motion that will make the judge blow his top.
The DoS is taking the position that they shouldn’t have to search Hillary!’s home brew server because it’s not a government system.
In other words, Hillary! set up this server precisely in order to evade the Freedom of Information act and federal record keeping laws. And the DoS is taking the position that by keeping her emails off the government system they’re not the DoS’s problem when it comes to meeting FOIA requests.
There essentially arguing that, yes, Hillary! really is above the law, and so is the Department of State. I don’t see the judge will like having the Obama administration giving him the finger and telling the court, “F*** you, we’re just not going to comply with the laws and your silly orders.”
So now it’s not just a problem for Hillary! The Obama administration has adopted this as their fight as well. Laws and court orders are for the little people.
Steve57 (5a07a9) — 8/15/2015 @ 4:38 pmI should add that this isn’t the first time the Obama administration has taken this position. Several top administration officials have used private emails to conduct official business. And it was clear that it was done with the approval of Barack Obama, and it was clearly for the purpose of withholding evidence from Congress.
Because, Satan, you know.
But this is a little different. Now the Obama administration is telling a judge that they don’t have to meet his orders to produce the evidence.
This could prove to be an untenable position in many ways. They don’t have the evidence. But it’s a hundred percent certainty that someone in the world does have the evidence, that someone doesn’t have American’s best interests at heart (there Obama and these foreign intelligence services have meeting of the minds), but there may well be a treasure trove of embarrassing information in there, and it could prove embarrassing to the one cause Barack Obama has any regard for. Barack Obama.
It could prove embarrassing in other ways. Andy McCarthy has an interesting article up at NRO.
McCarthy’s take on this seems plausible to me, but that’s something the lawyers are better equipped to handle.
But by defending Hillary! and her evasion of FOIA/federal record keeping requirements in court this is now an Obama scandal, not just a Hillary! scandal.
I don’t believe they can cover it up. A great many administration officials could well be dragged into a number of scandals that Obama and his partners in crime thought they had successfully covered up and stonewalled Congressional investigations.
Which in many ways that would be sweet justice, but it will be a scandal in its own right if Khattahla walks over this. And not a satisfying scandal. I think if it turns out that a terrorist who has American blood on his hands escapes justice because Obama and his people were so consumed by keeping information from Congress, and ultimately the American people, even some Democrats are going to start asking questions.
Steve57 (5a07a9) — 8/15/2015 @ 5:10 pmIt’s pretty obvious that Obama is selling Hillary down the river.
Obama has had worse scandals in his administration–far worse. They have not received the news coverage that Hillary’s e-mail scandal has received.
Obama controls the media not through power, but through influence. If Obama wants a story shut down, it gets shut down.
Obama is purposely killing Hillary’s chances so that he eliminate another rival. Once no reasonable candidate is running, Obama will suspend the 2016 elections and be given dictatorial powers by a prostrate Congress.
It’s that simple.
Biden will not run. If he does run, Obama will sink him with some scandal that the media will put on him.
Onlooker (2aca65) — 8/16/2015 @ 11:49 amDice are rolling – the knives are out. Trump shouldn’t take any motorcade rides in Dealey Plaza, at least not while there’s still a Bush in the race.
ropelight (49e309) — 8/16/2015 @ 5:28 pmit’s arguable they never wanted anybody in the dock for benghazi, otherwise they would have introduced the security tape at the compound,
http://therightscoop.com/abc-its-highly-likely-a-backup-of-hillarys-private-server-exists/
narciso (ee1f88) — 8/16/2015 @ 5:33 pmAnd yet no one has complimented him on his New Clothes…
IGotBupkis, "Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses." (225d0d) — 8/17/2015 @ 3:46 pm