Patterico's Pontifications

2/13/2016

Debate Open Thread

Filed under: General — Patterico @ 5:34 pm



Front and center: the Court. It’s Cruz’s chance to whack Donald Trump across the head with a shovel and start digging his grave with it (that’s metaphorical, Charles Johnson!).

We have dinner reservations, so let me know how it went.

792 Responses to “Debate Open Thread”

  1. Ding.

    Patterico (d5f843)

  2. jesus effing christ my life has way way way too much jeb bush in it

    i’m a good person i don’t deserve this

    happyfeet (831175)

  3. it’s supposed to snow tomorrow

    it’s very very cold too

    if i had a dog tied to the tree out front i’d for sure bring him in and let him sleep by the hypothetical fire

    happyfeet (831175)

  4. For Waste Management, the company that runs this operation, collecting, sorting and bundling recyclables was until recently a profitable endeavor. A year ago, Waste Management could have fetched $230 for each bale of thin translucent plastic.

    But today, thanks to the glut of cheap oil flooding global markets, they are worth just $112 each.

    “Recycling is in a crisis,” said David P. Steiner, chief executive of Waste Management. “It used to be that all players in the recycling ecosystem were able to make a profit. That’s not the case anymore.”

    lol

    happyfeet (831175)

  5. Here’s a preview of the debate. Safe. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDj5UPZNzsU

    Please clap.

    nk (dbc370)

  6. hah! No intros to the stage.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  7. Oh, boy… another Democrat Operative with a Byline as a debate moderator. How refreshing.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  8. CBS leading a moment of silence for Antonin? Someone check the Hell livestream webcam for ice.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  9. Kasich speaks of fairy dust and unicorn farts…

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  10. This turd immediately seeks to marginalize Ted Cruz and elevate his opponents. There is nobody in that hall better suited to speak on the constitutionality of all this, and Ted is not asked.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  11. Fuck this guy for trying to make Cruz look like he was wrong about any of this.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  12. you forget the purpose of these shindigs,

    narciso (732bc0)

  13. Ted nailed it.

    mg (31009b)

  14. No pancakes tonight?

    mg (31009b)

  15. here is link

    sweet jesus still too many poopers

    kasich is presidential kinda like how beyonce is smart

    happyfeet (831175)

  16. jebbio thinks with the right amount of military force he can fix the middle east

    good lord wtf is wrong with this family

    happyfeet (831175)

  17. did the bushfilth klan go to some freaky madrassah when they were little

    happyfeet (831175)

  18. madrassah (sp?) i have no idea

    happyfeet (831175)

  19. Dickerson’s questions take on a weak-suck tone and he’s barely started.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  20. this audience is quintessential Republican trash

    nasty nasty nikki’s south carolina is covering itself with sputum and shame

    happyfeet (831175)

  21. ohnoes jebbio is gonna have an aneurysm

    say hi to scalia for me sweetcheeks

    happyfeet (831175)

  22. 17… On that, we agree. You have no idea.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  23. kah may knee

    is cruz auditioning for npr?

    happyfeet (831175)

  24. yes yes if only we arm teh kurds there will be peace in our time

    harvardtrash ted is winging it

    happyfeet (831175)

  25. kurds are the only ones who are sure to fight ISIS, the syrian ones, are working a deal with volodya,

    narciso (732bc0)

  26. Thanks be to God that Trump is exposing himself. Yoooooooge.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  27. god bless you Mr. The Donald you nailed it

    it was a disaster what W did

    he paved the way for failmerican humiliation and two terms of obama

    and now Jebbio wants to do it some more

    let’s lift that sequester and rock n roll bush-style says bushfilth

    this time will be dif for sure

    happyfeet (831175)

  28. If Kasich looks at me one more time I’m going to start with the eye twitches… no!!! you bastard!

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  29. The Gong Show never had it this good.

    mg (31009b)

  30. has he stopped with hong kong fooey karate chop,

    narciso (732bc0)

  31. “jeezo man” says obamacare-loving ohio trash

    happyfeet (831175)

  32. Kasich hurts my ears.

    mg (31009b)

  33. Trump just played “Bush lied” – What a complete hackery. I hope this kills the bastard Trump.

    Kasich, is mealymouthing it now.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  34. Why are they debating the Iraq war??

    Dana (3541b6)

  35. happy my disgust in reading your posts never gets so low, that you cannot lower it.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  36. What is with Bush and Trump baby wah-ways??

    Dana (3541b6)

  37. good lord these people are trash

    all of them

    oh my goodness

    happyfeet (831175)

  38. What an embarrassment. holy bat guano.

    mg (31009b)

  39. “FLASHBACK: DEBATE MODERATOR JOHN DICKERSON OF CBS ADVISED OBAMA TO “DESTROY THE GOP” IN A 2013 SLATECOLUMN.”

    http://pjmedia.com/instapundit/226659/

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  40. 34… You would know that look…

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  41. Happyfeet,

    Knock it off. I can’t delete your comment because I’m not at a computer, but will when I get home.

    Dana (3541b6)

  42. lispy fruit loop Dr. Ben Carson is like a nice little quaalude interlude tonight

    a calming splash of white noise

    happyfeet (831175)

  43. It’s a real shame this is not being seen LIVE by more folks. NBA All Star and first NASCAR race on against this. Plus, Valentine’s Day celebrations for many. They are not choosing to watch this nasty political stuff on such a night.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  44. Ted stayed clear of that circus.

    mg (31009b)

  45. Jebbio’s on a kamikaze mission tonight

    happyfeet (831175)

  46. Trump Boosh reminds me of watching roller derby

    mg (31009b)

  47. leather tuscadero ftw

    happyfeet (831175)

  48. The make-up person has a sense of humor in applying the pink eye shadow on Trump.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  49. he has that tanning bed thing going on Mr. Colonel

    happyfeet (831175)

  50. yeah the VAT is naive at best Ted

    happyfeet (831175)

  51. this moderator is very condescending

    “major” they call him

    happyfeet (831175)

  52. Ted is great again.

    mg (31009b)

  53. ted got lost in the weeds on taxes

    happyfeet (831175)

  54. the pink suit is kinda gross on its own but esp with all the red on the set

    happyfeet (831175)

  55. bull poopers, happyfeet.

    mg (31009b)

  56. Kasich is flat out lying about the runaway medical costs to the State of Ohio.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  57. this trashy audience is disgusting and also they are out of step with failmerica in a big way

    happyfeet (831175)

  58. Ted has not beat the podium, yet.

    mg (31009b)

  59. “death tax” Mr. mg that just sounds like newsletter talk to me

    very dated newsletter talk

    happyfeet (831175)

  60. economic growth IS an end unto itself

    jesus what’s wrong with you people

    happyfeet (831175)

  61. he wants to get rid of it. chop, chop

    mg (31009b)

  62. jebbio’s loser brother george gave us the prescription drug benefit

    now jebbio has religion against expanding government healthcares

    yeah i’m so buying this

    happyfeet (831175)

  63. Yay, Kimberly!

    #GOPDebate john dickerson is chris matthews without the drooling, leg tingles and overt alcoholism.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  64. boosh has the clap going for him….

    mg (31009b)

  65. Trump is channeling Sanders with the arm chops…

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  66. Major Garrett insisting on his question for Jeb, instead of letting truths come flying out in the back and forth is a perfect example of what is wrong with “debates” as we know them. Dickerson is a dick, but he was smart enough to let Donald be Donald and the others have at him.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  67. why so much jebfilth

    this is excruciating

    happyfeet (831175)

  68. lispy fruit loop is incoherent

    happyfeet (831175)

  69. boosh talks to the donor class, what a dope.

    mg (31009b)

  70. this debate is terrible

    it makes me hate these people even more than i thought possible

    happyfeet (831175)

  71. republicans are trash

    democrats are trash here i am

    stuck in the middle with you

    happyfeet (831175)

  72. Take heart. It’s only nine more months.

    nk (dbc370)

  73. i think this set is designed on purpose to make people hate everyone standing on it

    happyfeet (831175)

  74. all this red is just wrong in terms of basic set-design principles

    this looks like early-80s mexico tv

    happyfeet (831175)

  75. roobs is very excited about securing the border

    he purses his lips with great passion when he speaks of this

    happyfeet (831175)

  76. yes, I think I saw that shade in the decontamination room in the andromeda strain,

    narciso (732bc0)

  77. ted’s attacking who on amnesty exactly?

    he’s not being very clear

    happyfeet (831175)

  78. over blinking, headshaking, finger wagging, amnesty loving, liar rubio.

    mg (31009b)

  79. Nice try, Marco. Cruz owns you on the Shumer bill.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  80. oh. there it is – he’s attacking roobs

    and ted picked up Mr. Trump’s understading of the stupid audience tricks the RNC is playing

    why is ted punching down though

    roobs is a whiny non-contender

    happyfeet (831175)

  81. The donor class sucks

    mg (31009b)

  82. *understanding* i mean

    hah ted is gutting roobs like a greasy greasy swampfish

    happyfeet (831175)

  83. roobs is so gross good god he should go back to stripper dancing

    happyfeet (831175)

  84. Rubio was sweating like a stuck hog.

    mg (31009b)

  85. the audience again is complete carolina trailer trash

    these people are low class in a way that you just don’t see very often

    happyfeet (831175)

  86. why are they inflicting so much pompous bushfilth on us

    this is not value

    happyfeet (831175)

  87. What a sad sad sad display. These guys are losing any kind of decorum.

    I can not vote for Jeb, Trump or Rubio.

    Trump won’t stop lying. Jeb is trying to be a conservative. Rubio is trying to get to Teds right on immigration.

    Cruz and Carson are not

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  88. jeb is so so so weak

    Mr. The Donald nails it

    John McCain IS a loser hello

    how is this even debatable

    happyfeet (831175)

  89. Just shut up Kasich.

    mg (31009b)

  90. Doing themselves much good either.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  91. the chick in pink looks like an SNL parody of herself

    happyfeet (831175)

  92. is Kasich sober?

    happyfeet (831175)

  93. It’s a real damn shame this is gonna be the smallest audience of any GOP debate thus far. Cruz destroyed Marco and Trump destroyed himself.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  94. Kasich is really gunning for Jeb and Rubio voter – and he might impress them. Kasich is doing better than them.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  95. melissa harris-perry is on CBS’s “debate feed”

    happyfeet (831175)

  96. Trump destroyed himself.

    he really did act like the manhattantrash loserslut we always hoped he wasn’t

    happyfeet (831175)

  97. Ted’s dad is a nutball

    i thought he knew this

    happyfeet (831175)

  98. Hugh Hewitt, yet again, pushing Rubio and Kasich. He is declaring them “way, way, ahead.” Only one with an agenda could say such a thing.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  99. oh good Mr. Trump’s medication is kicking in he’s doing much better

    happyfeet (831175)

  100. cbs has a definite agenda to make these losers look like weaksuck

    happyfeet (831175)

  101. Hew is not a conservative, he is a rock ribbed establishment R. For a man who’s professional livelihood (pre-punditry) was fighting EPA overreach it amazes me that he does not see the R party is pro big government, almost as much as the Ds.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  102. oh good Mr. Trump is back on an even keel

    Trump/Cruz

    this is the way forward

    if you have to build anything with this horrific selection of filthy lego bricks that’s what it is

    happyfeet (831175)

  103. With Christie out, it is now safe to use the term, “dollars to donuts”.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  104. Awesome. Trump getting fileted here.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  105. Ted Cruz really over-stepped there now everyone’s gonna hate him plus he just said “child molester”

    so creepy

    happyfeet (831175)

  106. Sounds like a pack of dogs barking at each other. This a poor showing. Embarrassing.

    ropelight (e65ab1)

  107. Toldja in my Comment 5, with a video. Always trust videos from nk.

    nk (dbc370)

  108. yes yes Mr. Trump is right harvardtrash Ted pushed harvardtrash John Roberts

    this is who these harvardtrash losers are this is what they do

    happyfeet (831175)

  109. Ted showed how shallow Trump is.

    mg (31009b)

  110. This a poor showing. Embarrassing.

    it really is good god in heaven i’m so glad i have my spaghetti

    happyfeet (831175)

  111. Jeb is gunning for Trump.

    Trump is a lout.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  112. roobs has one cadence

    david hasselhoff has more range

    happyfeet (831175)

  113. no roobs e-verify is not what people are pining for

    god bless america

    happyfeet (831175)

  114. Rubio, Bush, and Cruz are having a strong debate.

    Trump is getting thumped.

    Kasich and Carson are non-factors.

    Dejectedhead (cf5b30)

  115. lispy fruit loop’s all over the map it’s like a big lispy gumbo of nothing

    happyfeet (831175)

  116. The fool Luntz is claiming this is hurting the gOP’s chances to beat HRC. He does not understand that if they don’t kill Trump politically, HRC wins in a walk in the general.

    Hewitt’s fellow Salem Radio crony Michael Medved saw Cruz’ vivisection of Trump as Cruz “melting down.” And Salem wonders why their ratings keep sliding.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  117. i miss chris christie

    happyfeet (831175)

  118. actually carson avoided the pie throwing contest, what a fustercluck,

    narciso (732bc0)

  119. I know, I know, I know oh I know , I know, I know
    kasich stumping

    mg (31009b)

  120. Trump is a lying hack. MEGO.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  121. Mr. Trump spended this many monies smart whereas bushfilth spent his idiot donors’ money on magic beans

    this is true

    happyfeet (831175)

  122. I do listen, I’ll hire top, top people.

    argh.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  123. Mr. Trump is a good communicator i like how he speaks with such integrity

    happyfeet (831175)

  124. he’s a Great Communicator really

    happyfeet (831175)

  125. Jebbio’s the only one on stage who sold drugs out of his dorm room

    happyfeet (831175)

  126. downers?

    mg (31009b)

  127. Trump, I did not declare bankruptcy. integrity.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  128. cannabis i think it was mostly

    plus probably the odd roofie

    happyfeet (831175)

  129. We officially have our media narrative: The candidates really hurt themselves by allowing the Trump circus to play on.

    This was a MUST. Trump had to finally go full-on Trump so people could see it. Otherwise, he would have won the freaking nomination.

    Long-term, this was a GREAT, not good, night for Cruz. Trump is done and Rubio was cemented as the weaker on immigration. Rubio also lost huge credibility by accusing the Cuban Cruz that he could not speak Espanol? Really, Marco? Crux needs to hammer that exchange home this week. en Espanol.

    Anyway…watch the FOX panel at the top of the hour trumpet how HRC was the winner tonight.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  130. I’m back. What did I miss?

    Patterico (d5f843)

  131. Trump is done

    That seems unlikely. But I haven’t watched so far. Why do you say that?

    Patterico (d5f843)

  132. Roobs said we have to dispel with this fiction that Barack Obama doesn’t know what he’s doing

    happyfeet (831175)

  133. You missed Kasich. He had a strong moment where he called out debate fighting between Republicans…you know. 4 debates late.

    Dejectedhead (cf5b30)

  134. Trump is getting hammered from Cruz and Bush.

    Dejectedhead (cf5b30)

  135. he captain tupolev’d, ‘shot himself in the foot’ on 9/11,

    narciso (732bc0)

  136. Pat – He was unhinged and the attacks on him being a liberal all hit home. It seemed providential to me. The real DT showed up. A minor miracle.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  137. Well early in the thread (and sort of in general all over) happyfeet dropped so X rated imagery language.

    Clean up on number …. OH. It’s hard to pick just one.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  138. p and also shaw

    happyfeet (831175)

  139. Big enough for Trump to drop 15-20%???

    Come on.

    Patterico (d5f843)

  140. Cruz delivered on his stump answers. And beat up rubio and trump.
    People need to be aware of how great Cruz was at the FTC
    He is a champion for small business.

    mg (31009b)

  141. lispy fruit loop dr. ben carson has a disgusting hair circle around his mouth

    yuck

    happyfeet (831175)

  142. america does not deserve jeb bush

    he’s too too good for us

    happyfeet (831175)

  143. I have a super low opinion of the electorate, as do you. I am telling you this was a seminal moment and Trump was finally well and truly seen. Trump may yet eke out a win in SC, but I believe he will not win again.

    Check out his performance tonight. Unthinkable. But, it happened.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  144. Patterico, several times the debate degenerated into a shouting contest complete with cat-calls from a loud and boisterous audience. Trump was calling Bush and Cruz liars – several times. See my comment at #105.

    ropelight (e65ab1)

  145. when roobs talks is it just me or do you hear the sesame street theme in the background

    happyfeet (831175)

  146. Ted Crus says marriage hangs in the balance

    that ship has sailed picklehead

    jesus christ

    happyfeet (831175)

  147. Raccoon eyes is annoying.

    mg (31009b)

  148. Ted *Cruz* says marriage hangs in the balance i mean

    happyfeet (831175)

  149. Cueing up part 1.

    Patterico (d5f843)

  150. pope commiepickles is in mexico city

    i bet it’s warm there

    probably there’s even butterflies

    happyfeet (831175)

  151. Carson is such a good man. Happyfeet? You should be ashamed of yourself.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  152. Pat – You will not believe how hard he went after W. I still do not. He showed himself to be no Republican.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  153. Trump should have been at the Democrat debate. Blaming Bush for 9-11 and siding with Putin would put him at the top of the Democrat ticket.

    crazy (cde091)

  154. Just the pink eye shadow alone will cost Trump 20 pts. That won’t go over down there.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  155. W made his own bed

    and a filthy filthy bushfilth bed it is

    dead soldiers debt and incontinent spending

    the department of homeland securitah lol

    that’s the legacy of w

    plus two terms of food stamp

    the bush klan has been no friend to failmerica that’s for sure

    happyfeet (831175)

  156. Trump should have been at the Democrat debate. Blaming Bush for 9-11 and siding with Putin would put him at the top of the Democrat ticket.

    This.

    Steve Malynn (b5f891)

  157. So far he’s asking a pro-Obama question about the Supreme Court and going to everyone but Cruz. Just what I would expect from a leftist moderator. Let’s see if they go to Cruz at all.

    Patterico (d5f843)

  158. i have a comment stuck in moderation

    happyfeet (831175)

  159. Stephen Hayes says Rubio had a great debate. I wouldn’t go that far, but do agree with the earlier comment that Bush, Cruz and Rubio all had good nights.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  160. OK, finally got to Cruz and he gave a strong answer. Is that it for the Court? Yep. Hacks.

    Well, I don’t suppose anyone is interested in my two-hours-late running commentary, and I will probably have other things to do anyway, so.

    Patterico (d5f843)

  161. trump backing planned parenthood should wake up a few trumponistas.

    mg (31009b)

  162. Mr. Trump really did lose it

    you should watch

    happyfeet (831175)

  163. Trump lost it as the debate went on. Badly. It’s called sundowning in dementia.

    nk (dbc370)

  164. Doubtful. They’ll just explain away Trump’s support of the abortion mills.

    John Hitchcock (1425d9)

  165. well they aren’t predominantly prolifers, really I thought the abc debate was bad, but ‘this toad the wet sprocket’ in hackitivity,

    narciso (732bc0)

  166. Each of them should have told John Dickerson where he could put his relitigation of Iraq crap, the effing tool.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  167. Mr. Trump really did lose it

    you should watch

    Interesting.

    Patterico (d5f843)

  168. good point Mr. Colonel

    we have to look forward not backwards

    which is why Jebbio never had any business being on these stages

    happyfeet (831175)

  169. As usual, Piers Morgan is on the pipe… “It wasn’t always pretty to watch but @realDonaldTrump whacked them all again tonight. As the polls will show. #GOPDebate”

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  170. Pat – Please opine on the moments when Trump viciously attacked W, especially as to 9/11. That isn’t a deal breaker, even with so many fools in the GOP electorate?

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  171. I looked at 5 polls trump was at 70% in 4 of them.
    wtf

    mg (31009b)

  172. Cruz fired back. “It is fairly remarkable to see Donald defending Ben after he called him pathological and compared him to a child molester. Both of which were offensive and wrong,” he said.

    i didn’t know about these allegations against lispy fruit loop Dr. Ben Carson

    disturbing, if true

    happyfeet (831175)

  173. I looked at 5 polls trump was at 70% in 4 of them.
    wtf

    Those are the people who think they’ll get their Mexican neighbor’s Camaro when he’s deported.

    nk (dbc370)

  174. Pat – Please opine on the moments when Trump viciously attacked W, especially as to 9/11. That isn’t a deal breaker, even with so many fools in the GOP electorate?

    Ed from SFV,

    As I said: I am catching up. I just now saw that exchange.

    It should be bad for him. Should.

    Will it?

    Will it be worth 15-20 points?

    Patterico (d5f843)

  175. My favorite part was rubio acusing Cruz of not speaking Spanish, when Cruz spoke in Spanish, Rubio was toast.

    mg (31009b)

  176. what really unsettles me is how the RNC is recruiting slovenly bark-on-command trailer park trash for these debate audiences

    that’s so who they are but at the same time some part of me expects better still

    how naive am i?

    happyfeet (831175)

  177. I don’t know. Since you don’t ever vote, but do run your mouth, who cares how naive you are?

    Simon Jester (ed1ed4)

  178. came set match, on cruz’s part, he didn’t speak to jorge ramos in spanish, then again I would only speak to him ‘if needs must’

    narciso (732bc0)

  179. #107. Tnx for the info. I didnt realizE
    Cruz was a voting member of the Senate
    When roberts was confirmed.

    jb (8a9f1d)

  180. it was revealing that the Ted Cruz jumped out there and did preemptive damage control about his nutjob daddy

    happyfeet (831175)

  181. My favorite part was rubio acusing Cruz of not speaking Spanish, when Cruz spoke in Spanish, Rubio was toast.

    I saw that exchange on Twitter. I can’t speak fluent Spanish, really — but I could speak enough to pull that stunt. Don’t know if I would be clever enough though.

    Patterico (d5f843)

  182. only if he had a time machine, he was back in texas at the time,

    narciso (732bc0)

  183. I don’t know. Since you don’t ever vote, but do run your mouth, who cares how naive you are?

    i just want us to find our way back to before

    to when being American was something you could be proud of

    it’s a silly dream i know

    someday

    somewhere

    we’ll find a new way of living

    happyfeet (831175)

  184. roobs and his one cadence were sad

    cadence, said roobs, you really let me down

    oh eff you, said cadence, you look like you need a fresh

    happyfeet (831175)

  185. Old Whazzizname: “The government doesn’t know what it is doing.” So naturally he believes that once he is in charge he will magically make big government work under conservative principles. Didn’t we already go through this twice with Bush Administrations?

    JVW (9e3c77)

  186. It’s like, here’s a little secret: big government doesn’t just fail because of Obama.

    JVW (9e3c77)

  187. In fact, he had been back for two years, narciso. His connection to Roberts was that they were both on the Bush v. Gore team. Do you need three guesses as to who was senior?

    nk (dbc370)

  188. yes, I remember ever vouched for an associate, or a fried, who ultimately goes pear shaped,

    narciso (732bc0)

  189. I wonder if the govna of s.c. will ride with rubio. If she had a pair she would voice her support for Cruz.

    mg (31009b)

  190. You know, I’ve asked this before. Other than Obamacare, what lollipop has Roberts failed to give us to keep us from crying?

    nk (dbc370)

  191. national soros radio scrapes the bottom of the precedence barrel and comes up with this smelly gooey filth under their fingernails that makes them look like the filthy bought and paid for soros sluts they are

    “The fact of the matter is that it’s been standard practice over the last nearly 80 years that Supreme Court nominees are not nominated and confirmed during a presidential election year,” said Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which would have to vote to confirm a nominee. “Given the huge divide in the country, and the fact that this President, above all others, has made no bones about his goal to use the courts to circumvent Congress and push through his own agenda, it only makes sense that we defer to the American people who will elect a new president to select the next Supreme Court Justice.”

    Grassley’s statement originally said it was “standard practice” over the last 80 years to not confirm a Supreme Court nominee during a presidential year. But Justice Anthony Kennedy was confirmed in February 1988 by a 97-to-0 vote. He was nominated in November 1987.

    slutty slutty npr operatives, they want them a new commie justice, dumber than sotomayor and twice as pliable

    and they’re pretty damn used to getting what they want

    happyfeet (831175)

  192. Big enough for Trump to drop 15-20%???

    Come on.

    Absolute melt down. Even Bush looked Presidential hammering on him. I was wondering why Cruz tolerated Trump’s spoiled child tantrum routine, until I realized he was doing his best to make it continue. Ole.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  193. I admit I get excited when Cruz talks small business.

    mg (31009b)

  194. You know, I’ve asked this before. Other than Obamacare, what lollipop has Roberts failed to give us to keep us from crying?

    Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play?

    Patterico (d5f843)

  195. Even Bush looked Presidential hammering on him.

    this is hyperbole and you are an hyperbolist

    happyfeet (831175)

  196. I’m not sure who was more annoying after reading all of this after watching the debate.

    Trump, for being an absolute flaming jerk in full melt-down
    Kasich, for the whole above-the-fray let’s-not-bicker BS. (Carson too, if I cared about Carson)
    happyfeet, for cluttering the board with trash talk.

    It was close.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  197. well there was the tradition of traditional marriage, there’s been a few others I can think of,

    narciso (732bc0)

  198. i agree with Mr. P Mr. nk

    the idea that the cowardly amoral failmerican government can tax you into oblivion for failing to buy something it has proscribed

    that’s some really sick sick sickness

    happyfeet (831175)

  199. ack!

    prescribed

    stupid stupid stupid

    somebody spank me

    happyfeet (831175)

  200. I think carson came off reasonably well, to some of dickerson’s mudpies,

    narciso (732bc0)

  201. That debate was the most combative I’ve ever seen at this level.

    My take on how it went… well, I’ve said since summer that there’s one, and only one, thing that can stop Trump, and that’s Trump’s mouth. I was astounded by his WMD comments. I was also astounded on planned parenthood – he has said repeatedly that it should be defunded,
    http://www.lifenews.com/2015/10/19/donald-trump-planned-parenthood-should-absolutely-be-de-funded/
    but didn’t say that tonight. Massive, massive tactical mistake IMHO. So too was going after W so hard in SC.

    My opinion is that this will probably hurt him in SC. However, I also think that if, in spite of what he said in the debate, he still wins SC at anywhere near the scale of his NH win, then nothing is going to stop him: he’s the nominee.

    Cruz IMHO did well, especially when he nailed Rubio on what Rubio had said on Univision. Well done.

    Arizona CJ (da673d)

  202. happyfeet, for cluttering the board with trash talk.

    oh yeah cause if you take out my comments you got nothin but diamonds

    pull my other

    happyfeet (831175)

  203. So I guess the place was packed with Rubio and Jeb people.

    Patterico (d5f843)

  204. “my favorite part was rubio acusing Cruz of not speaking Spanish, when Cruz spoke in Spanish, Rubio was toast.”

    I’m surprised Rubio didn’t lunge at him, given what Cruz said about his mama.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  205. Grassley’s statement originally said it was “standard practice” over the last 80 years to not confirm a Supreme Court nominee during a presidential year. But Justice Anthony Kennedy was confirmed in February 1988 by a 97-to-0 vote. He was nominated in November 1987.

    And, to be exact, the seat became vacant July 1, 1987 when Potter Stewart resigned. They slow walked the Bork nomination, then defeated him in October, and finally SEVEN months later in February 1988 Kennedy is confirmed. There was NFW that the Dems, after all that could have dragged it out another 12 months with the still-popular Ronald Reagan as president. The consequences in the 1988 election would have been extreme.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  206. #179: That was gr8 by Cruz.
    and does Rubio think people are so stupid that they will not read the English translation of that Rubio Spanish interview?
    Rubio lied tonight.

    jb (8a9f1d)

  207. Massive, massive tactical mistake IMHO.

    Mr. CJ the one who tried the most hardest to hump a fetus to the WH was the fiorina lady.

    And she crashed and burned – a lot cause of how she doubled down on her lies.

    The next most ardent fetus humper (in the debates) was the Chris Christie.

    He is no longer with us.

    It’s not a thhird rail per se.

    It’s just that maundering on about fetuses in 2016 shows that you’re spectacularly out of touch with the concerns of the drowning loser-assed no job having failmerican people.

    happyfeet (831175)

  208. Jeb travels with a clap posse.

    mg (31009b)

  209. *third* rail i mean

    i watch it all the time now that I ride the trains

    pigeons just hop right on that rail la la la – and then they fly away!

    pigeons have ginormous balls is the takeaway here

    happyfeet (831175)

  210. So I guess the place was packed with Rubio and Jeb people.

    packed tighter than a drum filled with the cremated ashes of everyone who died in george’s wars of choice

    happyfeet (831175)

  211. Roberts was with the minority in all three of the gay oxymoron cases.

    nk (dbc370)

  212. he’s something of a papey papey papist i think, deep down, our mercurial chief justice

    happyfeet (831175)

  213. I don’t think that’s quite right, you are a nasty pikachu, may you be trapped in dresden’s office with the protovirus,

    narciso (732bc0)

  214. packed tighter than a drum filled with the cremated ashes of everyone who died in george’s wars of choice

    Afghanistan was a “war of choice” after 9/11?

    Patterico (d5f843)

  215. The last contended nomination in a Presidential year was the Louis Brandeis nomination in 1916, fully 100 years ago. It was a doozy. John Clarke was also nominated in 1916, but was confirmed unanimously.

    The Cardozo nomination in 1932 was uncontested (Cardozo was a Democrat appointed by Hoover), as was the Frank Murphy nomination in January 1940 (confirmed in 2 weeks).

    William Brennan was a recess appointment just before the 1956 election, later confirmed.

    Powell & Rehnquist were nominated in 1971, confirmed in 1972, and Kennedy was nominated in 87, confirmed in 88.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  216. I stand corrected he did dissent in Windsor and Obergefell, I must have been thinking of Anthony Kennedy,

    narciso (732bc0)

  217. Look. The GOP will not put an Obama nomination on the table.

    If they did, I can’t even begin to describe the fallout.

    They just won’t. They won’t.

    Patterico (d5f843)

  218. HELLO?

    feelings

    i’m just trying my best to make sense of a crazy crazy whirl same as you

    somewhere in chicago a teardrop falls

    and a lil pikachu’s heart is just a little bit colder tonight

    happyfeet (831175)

  219. Afghanistan was a “war of choice” after 9/11?

    well

    inasmuch as failmerica chose to lose it yes

    LOL

    happyfeet (831175)

  220. george’s wars of choice

    Yeah, that’s pretty assinine.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  221. 215
    I’m buying what your selling.

    mg (31009b)

  222. right, because the three afghan wars, and the dozens of operations the brits ran in pakistan for a century were a cakewalk,

    narciso (732bc0)

  223. opium

    don’t let the days go by

    happyfeet (831175)

  224. Happyfeet would’ve preferred insulting the Taliban with his fruit frothy, passive aggressive insults.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  225. i am NOT the enemy Mr. Colonel

    you are SO confuzzled but you know what

    I forgive you

    happyfeet (831175)

  226. ok did i dream this or did jebbio actually for reals try to invoke a collective sense of affront with respect to Mr. Trump’s attack on Meghan’s coward daddy’s honor

    happyfeet (831175)

  227. do i mean evoke?

    words are hard

    happyfeet (831175)

  228. Why is Kasich talking?

    Patterico (d5f843)

  229. You said it right. You try to invoke and maybe what you said evokes what you tried to invoke.

    nk (dbc370)

  230. I thought it was very Presidential of Jeb not to say “Slovenian hookers” even once in response to Trump’s attacks on his family.

    nk (dbc370)

  231. In my book, you are the enemy, hf. You have been for quite some time now.

    John Hitchcock (1425d9)

  232. I would certainly say that the way the Bush administration went about Afghanistan was very much a war of choice. We could have gone in, destroyed everything, bombed the camps etc and left nation building stillborn on the situation room table. Nation building western style Representative democracy in the middle east and south western Asia is a fool’s errand.

    Soronel Haetir (86a46e)

  233. well if you have to pick an enemy hitchy i’m for sure the one you want

    i’m a sweetheart

    my goodness i just make the comments

    this is not exactly a maelstrom of destruction now is it

    even when i use the p word

    happyfeet (831175)

  234. it’s a mystery sometimes, he thinks he’ll be able to pay medicaid expansion with unicorn dust?

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/02/13/the-cbs-republican-debate-transcript-annotated/

    narciso (732bc0)

  235. recall W wanted to merely institute some kind of regime, so the Taliban wouldn’t come back, but the sanctuaries in Pakistan should be taken out sooner, but the latter being a nuclear power, sort of complicates that matter,

    narciso (732bc0)

  236. here’s a pic what shows how Mr. The Donald has a fairly significant advantage on the rest of the field just in sheer terms of physical stature

    happyfeet (831175)

  237. poor Mr. Kasich he really needs to get that checked

    happyfeet (831175)

  238. the late roman republic faced enemies like AQ and the Islamic State, with jugurtha and mithridates, in that order, one was in north africa, the other took over asia minor, precipitating a virtual civil war, back home,

    narciso (732bc0)

  239. yes

    and that ended badly

    happyfeet (831175)

  240. It’s not the physical smallness of politicians that’s a problem.

    nk (dbc370)

  241. Why doesn’t Ted mention his time with the FTC when talking about business?

    felipe (56556d)

  242. i still think the set-design tonight what CBS did was an in-kind contribution to the job-raping democratic gerontocrats

    happyfeet (831175)

  243. It’s not the physical smallness of politicians that’s a problem.

    you’re right i just thought it was a striking pic

    happyfeet (831175)

  244. I just tuned into the net, so I do not know what has transpired.

    felipe (56556d)

  245. Jeb!’s a tall guy too: like 6’3″ or something. The other guy looks bigger in the picture because he’s closer to the camera. But yeah, Rubio and Carson are pretty small guys. Rubio acknowledges that’s why his football career didn’t pan out.

    JVW (9e3c77)

  246. ‘human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together, human sacrifice’ also cruz gutpunched marco, when he wasn’t expecting,

    narciso (732bc0)

  247. @ Happyfeet,

    Mr. CJ the one who tried the most hardest to hump a fetus to the WH was the fiorina lady.
    And she crashed and burned – a lot cause of how she doubled down on her lies.
    The next most ardent fetus humper (in the debates) was the Chris Christie.
    He is no longer with us.
    It’s not a thhird rail per se.
    It’s just that maundering on about fetuses in 2016 shows that you’re spectacularly out of touch with the concerns of the drowning loser-assed no job having failmerican people.

    Happyfeet, the point I was trying to make was that Trump has, many times in this campaign, said he’s for defunding planned parenthood. I doubt he’s changed his stance, so what I was trying to say is he made a tactical error in not mentioning that. Why? Because now it’ll be spun that he is for PP funding.

    BTW, I’m pro-choice (but I absolutely oppose federal funding for it), so I’m not trying to say candidates need to be extremist on the issue (nor do I much care about a candidate’s position on the issue, unless they’re so extreme as to make them unelectable in the general), just that I think Trump made a tactical error in his reply by not actually refuting Cruz’s claim (by citing his prior declarations) when he could have very easily done so.

    Arizona CJ (da673d)

  248. height and stature are not quite the same

    Mr. The Donald just fills a suit better than the other guys

    and it helps him on some level i think, however intangible

    happyfeet (831175)

  249. Mr. CJ i just mean that eyes on the prize this cycle means you don’t get bogged down in these extremely tired so-con swamps of fail

    Mr. The Donald is very good at that – Mr. Cruz sucks at it, as does Roobs

    BTW, I’m pro-choice too (but also I absolutely oppose federal funding for it)

    Mr. Cruz says he switchered to listening to country after 9/11

    (ok yeah that’s not weird)

    so did he hear FGL’s song with Luke Bryan?

    not hardly he’s just a pandermonkey

    and you know what monkeys do

    they wait for you to get out of the car then they rip your face off

    Not nice!

    happyfeet (831175)

  250. also state funding for it

    buy your own damn abortion

    promocode #badmom

    happyfeet (831175)

  251. This should disqualify Trump right here:

    http://firstwefeast.com/eat/donald-trump-ordered-his-steak-well-done-and-the-internet-went-nuts/

    Patterico — Where was dinner? How was it?

    nosh (9d728b)

  252. I’m up to debate part 7. This is too wild-west for me, and the audience heckling is not helping. I’m done. Past midnight, here, in Texas. Going to bed.

    felipe (56556d)

  253. sweet dreams picklehead

    happyfeet (831175)

  254. but yeah

    you used to expect Republican audiences

    even in South Carolina

    you’d expect them not to bray like heavily-fatted trailer park pigs ripe for slaughter

    but that was then

    another crazy day you drink the night away

    happyfeet (831175)

  255. It’s all a matter of perspective. The sinking of the Titanic was a miracle to the live lobsters in its kitchens.

    nk (dbc370)

  256. yes yes

    praise lobster jesus

    happyfeet (831175)

  257. @ Patterico

    I hope you’re right regarding the Senate passing an Obama nominee to replace Scalia. I agree the fallout of doing so would be catastrophic.

    I just don’t trust them to have the spine to do it. No one will be more delighted than I if I’m wrong on this.

    Arizona CJ (da673d)

  258. jamie lynn sums up the republican field thank you jamie lynn thank you for your heartfelt expressions

    happyfeet (831175)

  259. Trump did nothing that would offend his hard-core supporters because there is nothing he could do that would offend his hard-core supporters, no matter how ridiculous or extreme. It’s at the margin that counts.

    Anyone with any willingness to consider Trump’s conservative bona fides heard Trump himself say things tonight that have to shake that.

    “Common-sense conservative” = “I’m going to disappoint every conservative.”

    Anyone veteran, or family member of a veteran, or friend of a veteran, who’s served in Iraq or Afghanistan must surely have taken offense at Trump’s trivialization of their service, their efforts, and their results. Iraq veterans in particular know that George W. Bush left Obama with a stable Iraq that needed only the political will to negotiate and sign an agreement with the Iraqis for a continued American military presence. Instead Obama cut and ran, which is why our new enemy #1 is ISIS, the monsters that very predictably filled the power vacuum Obama quite deliberately created.

    Everything Trump said about either Dubya or about the Iraq War sounded like it was scripted word-for-word by MoveOn.org.

    Trump got asked about his inability to control his potty-mouth, and promised he’s “never going to do that again.” (If that’s not a direct quote, it’s a very close paraphrase.) Any bets whether he can keep that promise for even 48 hours? Of course, in Trump logic, the fact that he encourages someone to repeat a profanity, to shout it out — and then he repeats it himself, on mic so that it echoes throughout a hallway that includes a great many small children, doesn’t count. See, Trump didn’t actually say that word that he said, or someone made him say it, or something. It doesn’t make any sense, but his supporters ignore this kind of lie, and indeed, many of them appear to applaud him for it.

    So I think he hurt himself at the margin with some people who might have been leaning in his direction or at least open to his con-job — but how many points off his polling lead that turns into, I can’t say.

    More significantly, though, I’m pretty sure he solidified the determination of all of the voters who despise him — which I think is pretty close to all of the two-thirds or so who don’t support him in the polls (i.e., a large majority of GOP primary voters) — to turn out at the polls to vote for someone, perhaps anyone, instead of him.

    I am not sure if Sen. Cruz can pick up enough votes to finish first in South Carolina; for that to have happened, someone else needed to drop out besides the ones that did. So Trump’s still likely to come in first, simply because the rest of the field is so badly split. And while I think Sen. Cruz did fine tonight, meaning he turned in a performance consistent with his previous ones, Rubio, Jeb, and even Ben Carson had relatively good performances (i.e., better than their average and in Rubio’s case vastly better than his last debate).

    I will be surprised, disappointed, and more pessimistic if Trump can not only win in SC but also lap the second-place finisher, as he did in New Hampshire. But to answer our host’s question, I doubt Trump will drop by 20+ points from where he’s polling now.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  260. I think the thing that will hurt Trump most is not his answers but his demeanor. Alone among the candidates he was unable to follow decorum and disrespectful of everyone – yet when it came his time to speak he was intolerant of any interruption.

    This is the behavior of a spoiled child. Now, maybe this is just my Southern California culture speaking and this kind of thing is tolerated in South Carolina, but I suspect not. I imagine that badly behaved children acting out in public are not highly thought of anywhere, and SC undecideds tuning into the GOP debates for the first time sure got an earful from Mr Trump.

    It was interesting watching Senator Cruz goad him. Trump was beet red at the end, and not just from the horrid makeup job.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  261. Kasich was trying to play the “oh look at all these ideologues fighting. Can’t we all get along and stop this bickering” thing that is what you always hear from people with no moral center. It reinforces my belief that he’d fill the Court with Souters.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  262. Trump is a loud-mouth Leftist.
    Christie was a loud-mouth Centrist.
    Kasich is a suit-and-tie Statist.
    Bush is a top hat and tails Statist.
    Rubio is a crossover bicycle for professionals: the worst of both worlds, it seems, but useful if you’re not a professional.
    Cruz is a Conservative best described by that famous rendering the artist created.
    Carson is like one of the patients in Awakenings: occasionally, you have to bump him to get him started again.
    Fiorina was the singer at the Capulets ball: fair enough, but not up to the standard set by the rest of the play.
    Santorum and Pataki were the hecklers in the 20th row in the balcony: they made a commotion but nobody could figure out what it was.
    Gilmore was the ticket-taker at the door nobody went through.

    John Hitchcock (1425d9)

  263. “yet when it came his time to speak he was intolerant of any interruption.”

    No wonder you guys are losing.

    I Realize You're Serious, and That's the Funny Part (c37083)

  264. Trump did nothing that would offend his hard-core supporters because there *is* nothing he could do that would offend his hard-core supporters, no matter how ridiculous or extreme. It’s at the margin that counts.

    oh my goodness your pickles are overwrought

    i’m a trump-leaner

    and i will say forsooth and for reals that Mr. The Donald had a bad night

    and what he did tonight was to stand revealed as manhattantrash through and through

    they’re still – every last one of them – they’re so *offended* by how their towers got knocked down

    well wah wah wah (i know this, you know this)

    like who cares about dead new york financial district losers

    i can understand how Mr. The Donald might though

    remember there’s Trump Tower in NY (midtown)

    but there’s also The Trump Building in the financial district

    this al qaeda (sp?) mischief really hit close to home for Mr. The Donald (just blocks away)

    remember george w’s stomping grounds are like ass-crack very low property taxes places like you find in texas (crawford – my car broke down there once between my hometown and college – pikachu was in a pickle i tell u wut)

    Mr. The Donald lives more in real America

    advantage: Mr. The Donald

    he understands that failmerica needs to be made great again

    bushfilth understands that people do not understand how awesome his fiscal record in florida 12 years ago was, and that they need to understand more better cause his lurch mama loves him very

    very

    much

    happyfeet (831175)

  265. “and i will say forsooth and for reals that Mr. The Donald had a bad night”

    Except for the winning every poll part.

    Trump is carving out a different swath of the electorate. He has to, since cucked GOP weakness has let the Democrats undermine GOP demographics (with fantasies about immigrant Hispanics being natural conservatives and somesuch).

    You are a smart guy and being very gracious here, but you’re still right night. Trump had a poor first half with a donor-stacked audience amplifying that, then rallied strongly and dominated the second half. What he may have lost in style, he more than made up in substance, from mentioning the workers at the factory that closed and on and on. I won’t get into it all.

    No, it isn’t the substance everyone here would prefer, but it’s the substance his voters, and there’s a lot of them and will be more in the general, prefer.

    Things like nationalism, having a country. That thing even the GOP forgot.

    I Realize You're Serious, and That's the Funny Part (c37083)

  266. *er, consider this dyslexic bit: “right night,” to read as “wrong.”

    I Realize You're Serious, and That's the Funny Part (c37083)

  267. just like a dream

    trump is not what he seems

    happyfeet (831175)

  268. he’s still better than bushfilth or a kim davis butt snuffler like ted cruz

    (if you axe me)

    (not like anyone ever does)

    happyfeet (831175)

  269. It’s pretty simple.

    Trump is the anti-1965 Immigration Act candidate. And the not-entirely free-trade somewhat protectionist candidate, in an era where good jobs are moving offshore. And the strong, charismatic candidate.

    There’s more, but that’s enough. That’s why he’s ahead.

    I Realize You're Serious, and That's the Funny Part (c37083)

  270. yes yes

    he’s better than the other r-holes

    bush kasich roobs crooz

    trash trash trash

    plus he didn’t marry a goldy sacky bim

    (extra credit +++ with bonus scratch n sniff sticker) (anna banana)

    happyfeet (831175)

  271. Oh, and if I wasn’t clear above, I mean post-debate snapshot poll. He even won The Blaze’s poll, where Glen Beck is having yet another utter breakdown. Glen has convinced himself that this debate seal’s Trump’s fate in South Carolina and Cruz will parlay this into a win, in six days, against the guy who is more than lapping him in a recent poll.

    Beck is also saying he’d be afraid to be alone with Donald. Somehow, dozens of models have managed being alone with him and, er, enjoying themselves without coming to harm, but Beck is terrified.

    He’s really losing it.

    I Realize You're Serious, and That's the Funny Part (c37083)

  272. here is a singing

    is a texas singing!

    and you know that i would do more if i could

    but the money’s no good

    happyfeet (831175)

  273. i miss the west

    happyfeet (831175)

  274. Another singing, in a more Trumpian vein, a gestalt of how he’s influencing the people against the RNC and GOP elite.

    (For a start!)

    I Realize You're Serious, and That's the Funny Part (c37083)

  275. “i miss the west”

    It ain’t over, baby. Not while I ——ing live.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  276. love that but food stamp invoked them mizzes in 2008

    it made me hate america

    GROSS!

    happyfeet (831175)

  277. Trump is fighting for the survival of the west. He’s striving to be a truly historic leader. He means the “think big” part of his book titles. He’s imbued himself with that type of mindset.

    It makes some people very uneasy (Patterico). It makes others lose their you know what (Beck, the left) (but then they always do over every Republican).

    But they’re not entirely wrong. Trump intends to play a very big game. The thing is, it’s over the defense of western civilization, which is in extremely grave peril, and its people. Patterico is afraid of this big thinking. I think it’s what we need.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  278. here’s the classic performance they just nailed it

    happyfeet (831175)

  279. The 20 point Trump lead goes away with erosion of support for him, which will absolutely occur after the debacle earlier tonight, and a consolidation behind a single candidate, preferably Ted. Carson has got to go away no later than next Sunday. I see no way Jeb will do the right thing before Florida, which is to say the SEC primary. Kasich will similarly hold on grimly until Ohio’s primary 2 days before St. Patrick’s Day.

    I can scarcely wait to see what dirty Atwater-esque tricks the GOPe will foist on Cruz this week. They will do anything possible to push Rubio ahead of Ted.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  280. He rises after tonight, Ed.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  281. This, “Oh now he’s done it!” has been going on for well over half a year now. It’s no more true now than ever.

    Trump has, very strategically, being doing what I’ve been saying for months he’s doing: Ratcheting up. He’s moving the center, rather than moving to the center (the GOP). He did that more tonight. (The left always do this—move the center, and not apologizing for what they believe and say; Trump is singlehandedly moving it the other way.)

    It’s what people who oppose him sense, but can’t put their finger on. I love it.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  282. he’s better than the other options

    and u can’t take that away from him no way no how

    happyfeet (831175)

  283. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FwCLTvXPwl4

    with their government grants and my iq

    they brought me down to size

    happyfeet (831175)

  284. P.S. The right isn’t properly neocon wars for a foreign power, with too much domestic influence. It’s pro-American use of power, including restraint from use of power. Such as when Trump opposed Bush’s elective war, which destabilized the Middle East. Trump’s more of a Republican than the last 15 years of Republicans. He’s a little isolationist. He’s like W. Bush was when he ran, except Bush gave that up.

    Oh, and the part about Bush not keeping America safe? Might have had something to do with Bush refusing (pre 9/11) to profile Arabs on planes. The gate attendant who let in Mohammed Atta felt their spine crawl, but didn’t want to profile. Trump is tougher than that, than Bush, who absolutely hamstrung the war effort by defining the enemy as some nebulous “terrorism” (a tactic!) with Islam as a “religion of peace”.

    Trump demonstrated his superior toughness and more clear-eyed vision right from the day he announced.

    Yeah, it makes people uncomfortable. And it’s exactly what is needed if the west is going to win this fight.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  285. Yeah, it makes people uncomfortable. And it’s exactly what’s needed if the west is gonna win this fight, and life’s been kinda trippy down here in mississippi since cassie o’grady

    disappeared

    happyfeet (831175)

  286. It’s also exciting. What great endeavor was comfortable? We’re fighting for our civilization and our people.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  287. oh please

    america failed get over it

    you can’t make this trashy slut great again

    suadi royal pervs say jump

    tatted up failmerican soldier trash say how high

    losers

    you make me sick

    happyfeet (831175)

  288. it’s just a choctaw county affair

    happyfeet (831175)

  289. It is beyond absurd that no other candidate thought to ban Muslim immigration, that no one else had the guts to ban it, until the government “figures out what’s going on” (answer: jihad; solution: extend ban indefinitely).

    That alone should, in any rational world, give Trump the Presidency.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  290. Ted has not beat the podium, yet.

    You mean stamped on it? A podium is what you stand on with your pods. A lectern is what you lect from.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  291. Mr. Serious

    you failmericans are beyond the helps of a mere presidency

    ur well and truly effed

    that’s just the math

    sux 2 b u

    the time is now the day is here

    happyfeet (831175)

  292. yes yes Mr. Trump is right harvardtrash Ted pushed harvardtrash John Roberts

    When and how did he do that? He wasn’t even in Washington when that nomination happened.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  293. we can win syria if we just use our john kerry powers times 1000

    ready??

    OK!

    you should be here

    cuttin up crackin a cold beer

    happyfeet (831175)

  294. Rubio also lost huge credibility by accusing the Cuban Cruz that he could not speak Espanol? Really, Marco? Crux needs to hammer that exchange home this week. en Espanol.

    Um, I didn’t watch so I’m not sure exactly what you mean, but it’s well known that Cruz doesn’t habla the español. He’s publicly acknowledged it. His parents spoke English at home, so he never picked it up. Did you not know this?

    Milhouse (87c499)

  295. Mr. Milhouse roobs and his cheerleader boppy bippy pom pom waving hoochie mama are never gonna be president and first lady of failmerica

    I’m not saying it wouldn’t be cute as puppies

    but let’s be real

    it’s not gonna happen

    happyfeet (831175)

  296. Cruz debated Rubio in Spanish for a brief while (while Trump grinned, since couldn’t but help him with many Americans for whom immigration control is important).

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  297. nobody in failmerica should be debating anyone in spanish for a brief while

    wtf is wrong with you people

    don’t make me take off my shoe

    happyfeet (831175)

  298. the idea that the cowardly amoral failmerican government can tax you into oblivion for failing to buy something it has proscribed

    Read the decision against. It explicitly says the government can not do that.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  299. So anyway, as established above, Cruz pushed Roberts, and debated in Spanish.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  300. You know, I’ve asked this before. Other than Obamacare, what lollipop has Roberts failed to give us to keep us from crying?

    I actually liked the original 0bamacare decision, even though I obviously would have preferred it if the bottom line had gone the other way. But I think its chief argument was correct. A tax is not a penalty, and when Congress lies the courts should take judicial notice of that, and not take it at its word. That’s a damned good precedent, and even better for having the votes of the four lefties on the Court.

    The second 0bamacare decision was kind of hard to defend, though. And there have been several other serious disappointments. The decision on voters’ registration forms, for instance, was to my mind incomprehensible and indefensible.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  301. A good quote from Ann Coulter about the debate:

    “GOP donors are the only audience you could compose that would not stand and applaud a border wall. And they wonder why Donald J. Trump is so popular.”

    So yeah, despite Trump having 35% support in SC while spurning large donators, the audience was stacked with them. Therefore, the audience was stacked against him and for the other candidates. Effectively, a dirty trick.

    So, however you interpreted the debate based on audience reaction, Trump did far better with the TV viewing audience (most of whom were there to watch Trump). And the snapshot polls support this.

    Trump won the debate, again.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  302. ok so fine i was wrong

    you just half to buy the helf insurance for american glory

    otherwise we lois lerner irs tax your white ass

    pls 2 enjoy

    happyfeet (831175)

  303. he’s something of a papey papey papist i think, deep down, our mercurial chief justice

    If only the Wise Latina were more of a papist.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  304. Look. The GOP will not put an Obama nomination on the table.

    Maybe. And it’s their right not to, since they are the majority. But I think they should. Not rush it, but in due course they should put it on the table, and then vote it down. And do it again with the second nomination. And in the unlikely event that a third nomination gets to that stage, they should do it again.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  305. If only the Wise Latina were more of a papist.

    she’s just 1 vote

    singing in the darkness

    happyfeet (831175)

  306. You said it right. You try to invoke and maybe what you said evokes what you tried to invoke.

    No, I don’t think so. The collective sense of affront would have to already exist for you to invoke it. He was trying to evoke one that did not yet exist.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  307. dead court trash is dead, not unlike the kahnstitooshun

    let’s make tasty lasagna

    show some respect Mr. Milhouse jeez looweez

    and no we’re not gonna add kale

    happyfeet (831175)

  308. We could have gone in, destroyed everything, bombed the camps etc and left nation building stillborn on the situation room table

    And then ten years later we’d have to do it all again. 11-Sep-2001 happened because when we won in Afghanistan the first time we turned our backs on it and lost interest. So Bush thought the lesson we should learn from that was not to do thta again. He may not have been right, but it was a reasonable proposition. Maybe, though, it is cheaper and better in the long run to abandon it and accept that every so often we have to “mow the lawn”. That seems to be Israel’s policy on Gaza.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  309. It’s all a matter of perspective. The sinking of the Titanic was a miracle to the live lobsters in its kitchens.

    But not to the poor polar bear family that was traveling on the iceberg.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  310. i can’t stop crying

    happyfeet (831175)

  311. George W. Bush left Obama with a stable Iraq that needed only the political will to negotiate and sign an agreement with the Iraqis for a continued American military presence. Instead Obama cut and ran, which is why our new enemy #1 is ISIS, the monsters that very predictably filled the power vacuum Obama quite deliberately created.

    This. Very much this.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  312. I Realize You’re Serious, and That’s the Funny Part (c37083) — 2/14/2016 @ 12:24 am

    Trump is carving out a different swath of the electorate. He has to, since cucked GOP weakness

    Using the non-word “cuck” as a pejorative exposes you as a crass person who has nothing of value to say on any subject. It’s a shibboleth.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  313. No, it says everything, Milhouse. It doesn’t matter if you get it. Enough people do.

    There’s no nation without a people, or allied peoples, with sufficiently aligned interests and goals. Inviting every people, including your enemies, in, while warring with your enemies’ homecountries abroad, no less, is a recipe for unbelievable disaster.

    Trump gets this. So do most of his supporters.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  314. Somehow, dozens of models have managed being alone with him and, er, enjoying themselves without coming to harm

    And you are exactly the sort of disgusting person who thinks that this is a recommendation. That goes with having “cuck” in your vocabulary.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  315. it’s over the defense of western civilization, which is in extremely grave peril,

    If Trump is representative of western civilization then it deserves to be destroyed.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  316. It certainly goes to power, alpha, dominant, etc. I prefer him being happily married, as he is.

    However, you are intentionally taking this way out of context. The point I was making is a bunch of women were OK, and safe, with being alone with Trump, and Glenn Beck was talking, tonight, about how that thought frightened him. Plus other Beck extreme craziness. That was the point.

    But anyway, yes, it’s more than plausible that an alpha male type could appeal to a lot of people as a leader. This is so obvious you’re being willfully dense if you don’t get it.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  317. yes yes Mr. Trump is alpha

    harvardtrash ted is beta

    this is obvious to anyone who is willing to do the analysis

    happyfeet (831175)

  318. Now I’m Serious (c37083) — 2/14/2016 @ 1:07 am:
    neocon wars for a foreign power

    And now you have exposed yourself for what you are. Do tell us what you mean by this. Please. In as much detail as you like.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  319. Bush refusing (pre 9/11) to profile Arabs on planes.

    Evidence?

    Milhouse (87c499)

  320. Humans are a complex social species that can live in amazing population density. So we don’t have very simple alpha/beta hierarchies. But there are trends and evolved tendencies; and women wanting him, his success in business, his success in media, his newfound success in politics, etc., point to some strong alpha qualities. It’s hardly going out on an extreme here to note this.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  321. Sure, I’ll find that for you, but before I do, will you acknowledge that I proved above that Cruz pushed for Roberts?

    Because there’s no point in finding evidence if it is only to be ignored.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  322. that’s too much reading i’m going to bed

    happyfeet (831175)

  323. Here: “Yada yada yada … The Senate should confirm him swiftly.”

    So he wrote an opinion piece in a magazine. How is that “pushing” him? The allegation was that he played a role in the nomination, and AFAIK it’s baloney.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  324. Cruz debated Rubio in Spanish for a brief while (while Trump grinned, since couldn’t but help him with many Americans for whom immigration control is important).

    Oh? You expose yourself further. Why exactly would that not help him with anyone who isn’t a f—ing racist pig? It just proves that your problem is not with illegal immigration but with brown people.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  325. I am surprised, though, since he has said before that he doesn’t speak it. Has he been taking secret lessons? Getting his father to coach him? And did Jeb join in that debate, since he does habla?

    Milhouse (87c499)

  326. ok so fine i was wrong

    you just half to buy the helf insurance for american glory

    otherwise we lois lerner irs tax your white ass

    pls 2 enjoy

    No, you have a choice. You can buy the insurance, or you can pay a modest and easily affordable tax. The moment the tax becomes punitive it stops being legal. That’s a great decision.

    It’s still a terrible policy, but as a matter of law Congress does seem to have the power to do this sort of thing. What it can’t do, and this decision cements that principle firmly into US jurisprudence, is make people buy something, even if it pretends it’s not doing that.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  327. If only the Wise Latina were more of a papist.

    she’s just 1 vote

    singing in the darkness

    One vote that might be ever so much wiser if she could only be brought to take her supposed papism seriously.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  328. Stacking the audience with partisan hacks has backfired on team stupid. This party is being led by prince rebus. Hysterical.

    mg (31009b)

  329. dead court trash is dead

    Shut up. Just shut up.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  330. “So he wrote an opinion piece in a magazine. How is that ‘pushing’ him? The allegation was that he played a role in the nomination, and AFAIK it’s baloney.”

    OK, you’re not being intellectually honest here, obviously (and disappointingly). Pushing someone means advocating him—not necessarily being the one to appoint or approve him.

    Despite your proved, and regrettable, intellectual dishonesty, I will do this one last thing and again prove another point. It was in the second Bush-Gore debate in 2000 that Bush opposed profiling Arabs in the context of airline security, almost a year before 9/11.

    P.S. This is how dishonest you are:

    “So anyway, as established above, Cruz pushed Roberts, and debated in Spanish.”

    “yes yes Mr. Trump is right harvardtrash Ted pushed harvardtrash John Roberts”

    “When and how did he do that? He wasn’t even in Washington when that nomination happened.”

    The allegation was quite clearly that Ted Cruz pushed Roberts, not that he was part of the official process of nominating him. That is entirely something you brought up.

    I have no interest in convincing you who are not open to it. That’s fine. Trump doesn’t need you to win this, clearly. Cruz (and the other candidates) need a heck of a lot more converts than Trump does.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  331. “Stacking the audience with partisan hacks has backfired on team stupid.”

    You could be right, but I have no idea if it backfired or not.

    It certainly didn’t help them accomplish their goal nearly enough, though!

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  332. “Alpha” is the new codeword for “philanderer” and “adulterer”, which used to be pejoratives that would kill a candidacy, and still are among decent people. But people who use non-words like “cucK” admire such men, because they share their lack of decency.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  333. “Oh? You expose yourself further. Why exactly would that not help him with anyone who isn’t a f—ing racist pig?”

    It’s racist to want business conducted in English, that people can understand? Or to want to prevent the country from becoming essentially Mexico and increasingly Spanish, in essence?

    Well, we disagree. But you’re entitled to your opinion. If they want, Cruz and Rubio can conduct all future debate answers in Spanish and see how that works out for them during the election process. Maybe it’ll work like gangbusters. I, for one, am skeptical

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  334. “Alpha” is the new codeword for “philanderer” and “adulterer”,

    Nah, in this case, I think it more means winning the election for leadership of the people. (It just so happens that that sort of man is more appealing to women than the average man. Funny how nature works.)

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  335. Team retard will appoint bernie if obama wants.

    mg (31009b)

  336. The original allegation, which feets was repeating here, was that Cruz “is credited with persuading Bush to nominate Roberts to the SC”. And it’s false. Writing an opinion piece in a magazine is not the same thing at all.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  337. Wow, you point to something someone else said on an entirely different thread, after both feets and myself merely said “pushed” on this thread almost a month ago, and that’s what you saw us write?

    This is what you expected me to be aware of after going through pains to use the word pushed? After linking to an article and making no claims that Cruz was the deciding factor in George W. Bush’s mind?

    If this is your thought process, and that makes sense to you … it’s kind of ridiculous, dude.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  338. It’s racist to want business conducted in English, that people can understand?

    Yes. People conduct their business in whatever language they find most convenient, and it’s racist to object to that. There are plenty of voters, including native US citizens, who speak Spanish (hint: there’s a largish US territory where that is the dominant language), and being able to speak that language would be useful in reaching out to them.

    BTW an opponent of Fiorello Laguardia once tried accusing him of antisemitism; Laguardia offered to debate him in Yiddish.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  339. *Wow, you point to something someone else said on an entirely different thread, written almost a month ago, after both feets and myself merely said “pushed” on this thread? And that you saw us write here?

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  340. “Yes. People conduct their business in whatever language they find most convenient, and it’s racist to object to that.”

    This is so silly it doesn’t even warrant commentary. But if I were to reply, it would be something like it’s kind of important that people understand you.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  341. Wow, you point to something someone else said on an entirely different thread, after both feets and myself merely said “pushed” on this thread almost a month ago, and that’s what you saw us write?

    That is what feets was referring to.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  342. I’m still waiting to hear you defend your “foreign power” crack. Antisemite.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  343. And now I’m finally going to try to get a few hours’ sleep.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  344. It’s simple. The foreign policy of the United States should primarily benefit the United States. I was, in fact, referring to Israel and I was, in fact, stating that pro-Zionists have too large of an influence on American foreign policy. It’s fine to support Israeli goals, but not at the expense of American interests.

    Further, this is a country that has attacked US military interests in the past in attempts to sway US policy, such as (probably) the USS Liberty and attempted to carry out bombings of night clubs where US and British fighting men were (definitely), the Lavon Affair.

    Loyalty is a two-way street.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  345. If you ever have an argument that goes beyond, “That’s racist!” or, “You’re an antisemite!” please enlighten us.

    There are those, however, including Donald Trump (and most of the world, including and especially Israel) that believe it’s just fine and dandy to protect and advance your own people. Some see it as a good thing. This can even be politically popular, especially under current circumstances.

    Shocking, I know.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  346. Found 12 online polls (blogs and media sites combined). The closest was The Blaze’s with 46%-33% Trump-Cruz (and that’s center of GOP Trump hatred). The rest were blowouts for Trump.

    Not scientific polls, but a great measure of the energy of his supporters. Plus, Trump’s leading both the SC and national polling, so there’s that. If Trump’s supporters are all a bunch of hateful imbeciles, well, that’s a problem. Or it could be you’re missing his importance at this moment of history. That’s a possibility too.

    Either way, this is going as I want it to, so I can live with it. Cheers.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  347. Bah, can’t get to sleep, back to the computer.

    I thought that’s what you meant, and now you admit it. You repeat the claim of those notorious antisemites Walt and Mearsheimer that “neocons” (code for Joooos) pushed America into war for Israel’s benefit.

    And you add that other hackneyed antisemitic mantra, the Liberty. Unfortunately for you the recording of the conversation between the pilots and their control tower was declassified years ago, and proves conclusively that they thought it was an Egyptian ship. The real question is what Liberty was doing so close to the war zone, and whether it really was passing information to the Egyptians on Israeli communications.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  348. Um, Cruz has repeatedly said in interviews that he doesn’t really speak Spanish and is “lousy” at it. Both Rubio and Jeb Bush are fluent in Spanish…

    Victoria (4bb135)

  349. THE GOP NEEDS TO MODERATE ITS OWN DENATES!!!!

    What a crock of sh*t that was last night.

    Ben Carson needs to drop out for the second time…. as he adds nothing and wastes time. He has no insight on the damage of Obamacare as that should be his main strength and he never wants to discuss.

    Trump need to control himself better, and while I am a supporter of Cruz for president I appreciate Trumps ability to just say what ever the heck he wants. Even if it hurts him as it did last night.

    The media once again sits back and praises themselves and spins the facts of the debate.

    And lastly, America is very stupid to have allowed BO to sit in office for 8 years….I dont have much hope they will fix this.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  350. who gives a sh*t if any of the candidates speak spanish. this is America. But Rubio telling the Hispanics what they want to hear in their language and not being consistent with the voters is the issue.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  351. Dumb, dumb, dumb di-di-di-wah
    Only the loony
    Act like Trump behaved last night
    Only the loony
    Think that his rantings were right
    Only the loony

    nk (dbc370)

  352. A snapshot in time:

    **DRUDGE POLL** WHO WON THE 9TH REPUBLICAN DEBATE ’16?
    TRUMP 56.26% (197,507 votes)

    CRUZ 20.71% (72,712 votes)

    RUBIO 12.45% (43,705 votes)

    KASICH 4.95% (17,368 votes)

    BUSH 3.09% (10,832 votes)

    CARSON 2.54% (8,916 votes)

    Total Votes: 351,040

    ropelight (0bdb18)

  353. #10. Exactly, Ted Cruz was the most qualified and closest to Scalia and yet he was looked over as an after thought…THE MEDIA HATES CRUZ EVEN MORE THSN TRUMP…. there’s your man…. to fix the Hell BO has led us all into…

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  354. Cruz supporters wont even touch Drudge for as in the tank they are for Trump. Those Trump numbers are inflated and can’t be trusted….

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  355. Drudge’s voters are a suspect classification.

    nk (dbc370)

  356. So is Drudge.

    nk (dbc370)

  357. “Cruz supporters wont even touch Drudge for as in the tank they are for Trump.”

    Ya think they might go to The Blaze, where Glenn Beck endorsed Trump? Or to the Wall Street Journal? Or Fox News’s local affiliates? Etc Etc.

    But anyway, don’t sweat it. Two important polls come on the 20th.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  358. Cruz WON Iowa… middle America

    Trump won NH…. Flaming backwards fringe

    game on!

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  359. NIS, am I missing stomethin? If you think Glenn Beck endorsed Trump you better take another look – Beck has been excoriating Trump almost to the point of abject obsessed insanity.

    ropelight (0bdb18)

  360. What did I learn from last night’s debate? Trump and Rubio are comfortable using the tactics and language of the left, Bush and Kasich are not bad governors but unsuited for this election cycle, and Carson is overrated and unprincipled.

    Whatever happened to Reagan’s 11th amendment? If you are comfortable calling someone a liar, how soon til racist and misogynist are also acceptable by republicans? Last night was a homicidal-suicidal circle jerk.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  361. 356. I am NO Beck supporter but I’ll take Beck over this:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pinZNYxQeo

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  362. I see it was Vampires of the Vanities around here in the Wee Hours…

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  363. The NH primary can be summed up by who had the majority of all votes…Trump, Kasich, Clinton and Sanders. That particular Yankee electorate wants a guy who changed party affiliation five times, someone who adores big government and unions, a soon to be convicted felon, or a Marxist.

    NH, the gimme free sh!t or die state…no thank you, doesn’t represent American values or aspirations.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  364. Milhouse (87c499) — 2/14/2016 @ 2:56 am

    I have always taken Cruz’s statements on his Spanish speaking abilities to be similar to my own statements on my own Spanish speaking abilities. I can speak Spanish, and I do so only when the need arises, but I prefer not to conduct conversations in Spanish because I find myself without my favorite vocabulary.

    felipe (56556d)

  365. “Beck has been excoriating Trump almost to the point of abject obsessed insanity.”

    Almost?

    Gee, if a real estate developer who’s often accused of being too moderate, even a secret Democrat; a guy who hosted The Apprentice, a golf course and one-time beauty pageant owner gets in … well, that will lead to civil war in his first term.

    Also, Glenn Beck is terrified to be alone with him.

    He’s lost the plot.

    Yeah, Trump’s not a secret Democrat and has moved to the right, in the sense of being a nationalist who wants to protect Americans from terrorism, but Beck’s nuts.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  366. ropelight, typo. You’re right. Beck endorsed Cruz.

    Frankly, I wouldn’t want the endorsement of someone that insane.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  367. Colonel Haiku (2601c0) — 2/14/2016 @ 7:19 am

    “Vampire of the Vanities”

    I love it. Good one, Col. I gave an autographed copy to My sister (Lord have Mercy on her soul) in which I got Tom to draw a picture of himself. he seemed a not a little put off when I asked him if he could draw.

    felipe (56556d)

  368. I think a third or more of Republican voters have become single issue voters, something Democratic voters have been for years. The issues they care about vary, but the fact that voters can be swayed by one or two issues makes them more susceptible to emotion and less concerned about character.

    DRJ (15874d)

  369. What issues?

    Trump’s strongly associated with immigration control, wall, etc. Other candidates have moved toward him on that.

    Which single issues and which candidates do you think that applies too?

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  370. DRJ, concur…republicans are fully prepared to support a guy who’s only redeeming point is border control/immigration. Weirdly willing to outright ignore his past emphatic support of democrats and their idiotic and reprehensible policies.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  371. Cruz wins Iowa and yet the media ignores and treats him like crap. The people of Iowa should revolt. Meanwhile Bernie and Hillary aren’t even pulling more than a thousand votes to the millions that are voting in these primaries for the GOP candidates…HOW MANY DEMON-RATS ARE VOTING I THE GOP PRIMARY?

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  372. Trump making the claim that George W. Bush lied us into the war in Iraq and is responsible for what went down on 9/11/01 should give even the most fanatically ardent supporter pause.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  373. One would hope.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  374. “who’s only redeeming point is border control/immigration”

    Infrastructure needs building. Trump’s an accomplished on time and under budget builder.

    The economy. Jobs. (Business success.)

    Avoiding unnecessary wars (Trump’s Iraq war position.)

    Security and foresight (Get bin Laden.)

    Not being beholden to special interests (getting supreme bang for the buck with free media coverage).

    Military. Rebuild. Don’t use it unless have to. No war with Russia for no good reason. No politicized procurement process. Give the military what it needs and wants, not what politically connected businesses want to sell.

    Keep social security.

    Repeal and replace Obama care.

    Executive orders protecting the 2nd amendment, especially on military bases.

    This is off the top of my head. I’m sure there’s more.

    Yeah, the other candidates have platforms too But it’s not all single-issue, not by a long shot.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  375. Trump making the claim that George W. Bush lied us into the war in Iraq and is responsible for what went down on 9/11/01 should give even the most fanatically ardent supporter pause.

    The second one is easy to defend.

    Also, Trump wrote that getting Bin Laden was a priority before 9/11.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  376. 373. No ONE was buying…. It was W’s fault for 9/11…plus, W. waited a year to go to war and only went when he had majority support…. including senator Clinton…. Monday morning quarterback they all are…. And Rubio hit the nail when he said Willy should have taken Bin Laden out when he knew about him.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  377. Trump’s protectionism should be on that list. He talked about it a lot, particularly before the Paris attacks (but brought it up even in this debate).

    It’s not just a single issue!

    You may hate protectionism, but it’s there as part of his platform, to an extent.

    And no, this isn’t cause for civil war, like mad as a hatter Glenn Beck would have you believe.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  378. “No ONE was buying”

    Yeah, in a crowd where the audience was largely stacked.

    But even still, Trump stuck to his guns. That’s his nature. Regardless of whether the crowd was “buying” it or not, there is a sound factual case for it.

    And the polls after the fact show that, audience notwithstanding, Trump kicked ass in this debate. Do you think wishful thinking is a plan?

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  379. Haiku, the culture war has grievously stricken the heart of the GOP…no emphasis on constitutional republic civics, ebullient praise of false victomhood, both parties advocating class-race-gender warfare. Most Rs are democrats now. Medicaid is good, government is your friend and savior, some animals are more equal than others.

    Buy ammo and pray…SMOD is not coming, it will end in a whimper and gnashing of teeth.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  380. I’m not making it up, right? Trump is winning. Even if you don’t get why.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  381. How is it that you think the multibillionaire candidate, the guy who’s in the Guiness Book of World Records for largest ever financial turnaround (on a personal basis), who’s been a success in entertainment media too (like Reagan), who advised and wrote against going into Iraq, and so on … who has a huge track record for producing big developments on time and under budget (and is doing so in his successful election campaign as well) … has only one redeeming feature?

    Do you think maybe you’re just a little biased?

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  382. NIS, supporting his protectionism is diametrically opposed to what most understand regarding free markets, individual liberty, and limited government.

    Choosing Trump is choosing your own poison…unfortunately your choice of tyranny hurts us all.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  383. 337 Yes. People conduct their business in whatever language they find most convenient, and it’s racist to object to that. …

    Actually it isn’t. The same issues can arise when everybody involved is the same race (as with French and English in Canada). There are obvious efficiency advantages when everyone speaks the same language (just as when everybody uses the same calendar) and it is reasonable for society to encourage this.

    But of course lefties like to accuse everybody who disagrees with them about anything of being racists. It is just a way of shutting down debate.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  384. I will acknowledge that the other candidates all have more than one good thing going for them. I think they’re inferior to Trump, but they’re not complete imbeciles or totally unaccomplished.

    But you, on the other hand, are letting your feelings blind you.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  385. Now I’m Serious,

    Thank you for asking me to elaborate. I think there are several issues that are so important to some GOP voters that they would base their vote solely or largely on a candidate’s position/statements on those issues. They include immigration, abortion, SSM/religion, taxes and the economy, repealing ObamaCare, and climate change/energy. Different voters respond to different issues, which may explain why we are seeing so many targeted ads.

    In other words, instead of looking at a candidate’s character or positions on a variety of issues, I think more and more Republicans are basing their decisions on one or possibly two issues and they don’t care about the rest.

    Is that the detail you were asking for, or do I need to respond further?

    DRJ (15874d)

  386. I’m curious why you call yourself “Now I’m Serious.” Are you new here or did you use a different name before? If you are new, how did you find this website?

    DRJ (15874d)

  387. 371.DRJ, concur…republicans are fully prepared to support a guy who’s only redeeming point is border control/immigration. Weirdly willing to outright ignore his past emphatic support of democrats and their idiotic and reprehensible policies.

    Hardly weird if you think immigration is much more important.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  388. “NIS, supporting his protectionism is diametrically opposed to what most understand regarding free markets, individual liberty, and limited government.”

    But completely in keeping with US policy, including Republican policy, for big periods of its history.

    The US had an economy during these periods of times, and manufacturing, and so on. Now, it’s bleeding jobs.

    Maybe the two things are unrelated, free trade and bleeding quality jobs, but there are people who think a return to this policy might help. You may disagree, but obviously some intelligent people feel otherwise.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  389. Hardly weird if you think immigration is much more important.

    And there’s this.

    The 1965 immigration act not only seriously began to change the character of the nation, it began to demographically doom the GOP, and force it to move to the left on and on to stay competitive electorally.

    So, even if this was Trump’s one good policy, it’s a biggie, and very popular, isn’t it?

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  390. Why do you think Trump is superior to the other candidates? Is it his positions, his background, what he says? At what point did you know he was your candidate – early on or only after you got “serious”?

    DRJ (15874d)

  391. JRT, like Cruz said at the end…excellent.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  392. I’m trying to remember when a substantial percentage of Republican voters were single-issue voters in past elections. Can you recall any, James B Shearer?

    DRJ (15874d)

  393. “Is it his positions, his background, what he says?”

    Yes and yes. And before I thought he could win, although I thought so earlier than most people including pundits.

    I thought he would raise the immigration issue and make it important for future election cycles. Turns out, I was over-pessimistic.

    But the honest answer is most of his positions, especially immigration, but even more so his character and personality. I’ve read some of his books, for example, and come away impressed.

    I was no fan of positive thinking. But I still remember the book about positive thinking that he wrote that had a chapter about the power of positive thinking, and another one about the power of negative thinking. That sort of thing stuck with me. He’s a big thinker, but a realist. “Protect the upside and the downside will take care of itself,” that sort of thing.

    Also, early on, I recognized what he was doing. He would say something controversial, get blowback, double down, and inoculate himself from similar future criticism. Then he rinsed and repeated a dozen or more times.

    And here we are. Everyone’s predicting #24 or whatever time of Trump’s gone and done it now.

    Maybe. But you know? I kind of doubt it.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  394. 346 And you add that other hackneyed antisemitic mantra, the Liberty. Unfortunately for you the recording of the conversation between the pilots and their control tower was declassified years ago, and proves conclusively that they thought it was an Egyptian ship. The real question is what Liberty was doing so close to the war zone, and whether it really was passing information to the Egyptians on Israeli communications.

    So your position is Israel didn’t do it on purpose. And your fallback position is the Liberty had it coming.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  395. “I’m trying to remember when a substantial percentage of Republican voters were single-issue voters in past elections. Can you recall any, James B Shearer?”

    Some are on immigration, because it’s that important. And I suppose Cruz has his pro-life voters and such (which is common in the GOP). But, with due respect, I don’t actually think you’re correct about your single-issue theory.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  396. NIS, the answer is not bureaucratic coercion but rather meaningful reform of our business taxes and regulations. Please don’t fall for his disingenuous populism. I’m assuming you are smarter than that and wouldn’t insult me with believing his claptrap.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  397. pieter, I noticed that as well. He always gets cut off mid sentence by media, but he never cuts anyone off when they speak as they do. He is very polite…. And the excellent was nice at the end when he knew he was able to tie Trump with Hillary and Bernie….

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  398. I recall elections being about who Republican voters could trust to keep their campaign promises. Character was an overriding issue because voters feared candidates who made promises to get elected that they never planned to keep.

    Democrats know that about Republicans, which us why they often relied on labels like Tricky Dick or last-minute stories about DUIs to tarnish the GOP candidates’ character.

    DRJ (15874d)

  399. When I have time, I’ll take another look at the Liberty incident, James. I noticed Milhouse didn’t talk about the Lavon Affair, which is an admitted, and horrific, plot to bomb US and British service members to get them into a war on Israel’s behalf.

    Look, I’m not saying everything about Israel is all bad, but that’s very hard to defend, especially after the US helped form Israel, liberated the camps, and so on and so forth. And it isn’t antisemitism to say an ally trying to covertly bomb US fighting men is bad.

    I don’t remember other countries trying that recently. Not allies.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  400. JRT, roger…noticed also. Cruz is articulate, non-profane, and well versed in the limits rightfully imposed by our founding document. What’s not to admire?

    pieter (ec44a2)

  401. “NIS, the answer is not bureaucratic coercion but rather meaningful reform of our business taxes and regulations.”

    Well, that’s an opinion. You could be right. I mean, I had your opinion for most of my life and am reconsidering it now, what with all the offshoring jobs.

    However, I’m of the mind that immigration, at this moment in history, is the main issue. I’m pointing out, though, that Trump has this and other issues in his quiver. Indeed, he started rising on populism with regards to protectionism as much or more than immigration.

    But, he’d staked out a strong immigration position before Paris, and he was best positioned to capitalize on that, and did.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  402. I’m not trying to convince you about anything, but I do like to discuss things. Trump is a big believer in himself so I agree he’s positive about that. But I’m not hearing you say you care about any issue other than immigration.

    DRJ (15874d)

  403. 351:

    Gee those poll numbers are way down from the Soviet-era numbers posted last time. Either Drudge has gotten better at stopping Trump’s IT department’s poll bashing or the number of willing fingers is dropping fast.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  404. Trump is nothing more than a joke or a side show. But the illegal and fraud votes gave us BO for 8 years, so what makes us think justice will be seen in our lifetime. Yes, people are tired of the GOP being in bed with the demon-rats…. But when given a man like Cruz that has been since 2012 and is willing to stand up against both parties they run towards the circus show reality TV star Trump.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  405. While Trump may have finally stepped in it with the Bush didn’t keep us safe on 9/11 blast the likely effect of it will be to hang that charge around W’s neck as he enters the SC campaign for JEB. I suspect he believes the press is gonna chase W for a comment and that W will be too gentlemanly to engage. If so, it’s unbelievably advantage Trump. Disgusting thought.

    crazy (cde091)

  406. After watching that debate last night, it becomes clear that Trump is a Democrat plant who is there to totally disrupt the GOP nomination process. No sane person would behave like that on television if his real agenda was to be elected to office.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  407. NIS, I don’t want to bag on you…you appear to be nice a chap who is heartfelt and appropriately angry. Most of us share your visceral sentiment…the only difference being recognition that Trump is not answer. He has as much baggage as Clinton, some of which is politically identical.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  408. Well, I do. Immigration is the main one.

    I also care about not squandering power by getting in unnecessary wars.

    I care about not wasting money buying dumb weapons that aren’t needed, and instead buying the one the military needs (not lobbyists want to sell).

    I care about jobs and the economy, and think Trump has a good shot of doing well here.

    I care about all the issues I listed above. I even think the US needs some positivity again. To believe in itself.

    And don’t pooh pooh this, that was a huge thing that Reagan did.

    All that said, if there’s no border, there’s no country, and the demographics imported will utterly move the country to the left (more so than it has since 65, which is a whole heck of a lot).

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  409. Oh, plus Europe. Europe is in grave danger of changing forever, and Trump gets this in a big way. His leadership there can be important.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  410. Why do you think you can trust Trump to keep his promises on immigration?

    DRJ (15874d)

  411. “NIS, I don’t want to bag on you…you appear to be nice a chap who is heartfelt and appropriately angry. Most of us share your visceral sentiment…the only difference being recognition that Trump is not answer.”

    Well, fair enough. You’re in the majority here. And I agree with the plurality of the GOP electorate. What can I say? We have different opinions there.

    I do agree Trump has baggage. But he has demonstrated a unique ability to blow through that stuff. And the Dems will attack any Republican President hysterically (they always do), so what difference does it make? The GOP needs a President who will fight for what the right, more or less, wants—and encourage the Congress to do likewise.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  412. It is also clear that neither Cruz nor Rubio is helping themselves with these arcane inside-baseball he-said-she-said attacks on each other that NO ONE understands or much cares about. Each time they do it they are both diminished and Trump’s idiocies are less pronounced.

    NOBODY CARES WHAT AMENDMENTS WERE OFFERED WHEN. NOBODY.

    What we want to hear is what you are offering now. If you want to attack someone, attack Trump. IF you don’t do anything about him, all you are doing is fighting over First Loser.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  413. #408. Ditto plus a personal search and destroy mission against the Bush’s ala Perot.

    crazy (cde091)

  414. crazy, good point and your analysis likely. Regardless of W’s culpability, a future GOP president should never disparage a party predecessor in such a reprehensible manner. Foolish or stupid, Trump showed more of his character than he intended.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  415. “Why do you think you can trust Trump to keep his promises on immigration?”

    Because I believe he sees the historic importance of maintaining the American nation rather than let it be overwhelmed by other peoples. He started his campaign bringing this up and has been consistent. In any case, he’s so identified with this now that, if he did go back on it, everyone would notice.

    He still could do it, I guess, but if there’s one thing they’ll be pressure on him to be consistent on, its this.

    Besides, the GOP has had a terrible record on this, and Trump is, if nothing else, different.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  416. Everything Trump said about either Dubya or about the Iraq War sounded like it was scripted word-for-word by MoveOn.org.

    It strikes me that this was the crowd he was pitching for. For a moment I thought he would expose Dick Cheney as the 20th highjacker.

    The current yokel was bad enough with his passivity and abnegation re Iraq, the “stupid war,” and selective disinterest in foreign policy generally (Quds force operatives in Syria, Somalia and Kenya? Can’t be helped. West Bank settlements growing by a few yards every three years? Inexcusable!).

    JP (adebcd)

  417. I’m sure you care about a lot of things but it sounds like you are voting based on immigration. The rest is wishful thinking about someone you like bease he is. That’s an emotional connection. It’s fine to do that. Candidates depend on it. It’s what got Obama elected.

    DRJ (15874d)

  418. … you like because he is positive.

    DRJ (15874d)

  419. Another snapshot 2 1/2 hours later: (Updated from #351)

    **DRUDGE POLL** WHO WON THE 9TH REPUBLICAN DEBATE ’16?

    TRUMP 55.12% (241,313 votes)

    CRUZ 21% (91,918 votes)

    RUBIO 12.93% (56,619 votes)

    KASICH 5.23% (22,892 votes)

    BUSH 3.16% (13,814 votes)

    CARSON 2.56% (11,245 votes)

    Total Votes: 437,801

    ropelight (0bdb18)

  420. “Everything Trump said about either Dubya or about the Iraq War sounded like it was scripted word-for-word by MoveOn.org.”

    Maybe MoveOn.org was not entirely wrong (and I used to be a huge backer of the Iraq war, so I’ve done a Mea Culpa). Trump opposed it. It didn’t work out very well, as it happens. I’ve formed the opinion that Trump was right about it and I was wrong.

    I’m not the only one, judging by his polling data and NH performance.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  421. I agree people would be upset if Trump went back on his signature issue, just as his creditors got upset with him for filing bankruptcy and walking away from his debts. He has experience protecting himself when he decides to go back on his promises.

    DRJ (15874d)

  422. 394.I’m trying to remember when a substantial percentage of Republican voters were single-issue voters in past elections. Can you recall any, James B Shearer?

    Seems to me like it has always been the case. A lot of Republicans care a lot about gun rights for example. But there aren’t a lot of vehemently pro gun control Republicans so it usually isn’t a big issue in Republican primaries. Immigration is a bit unusual because of the total disconnect between the leadership and the base. Immigration is an issue in this primary because unlike past primaries there is a serious anti-immigration candidate.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  423. “… you like because he is positive.”

    As I said above, I was never a fan of positive thinking (until recently: Trump sold me). I like Trump because he balances positive and negative. One of the books I read, as I wrote above, had a chapter on positive thinking followed by a chapter of negative thinking. That made an impression on me (as well as the content of them).

    Frankly, I think he’s bright as hell, and that’s a good thing. Bright, plus street smarts, cunning, ruthlessness, charisma, simple but effective communicatio Maybe I’m wrong, but there do seem to be a lot of people who see it that way..

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  424. (it wasn’t down on negative thinking: it was called “The Power of Negative Thinking”)

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  425. 413. exactly ….defining the problem and acting on the problem are two different things. Trump will have such a yuge learning curve when sitting in the office that he may turn the US into the second mafia dictatorship as BO has done. Only Cruz will do the JOB of the people for the people.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  426. I agree Republicans need a fighter. I also want a fighter we can trust to keep fighting once he gets to Washington.

    DRJ (15874d)

  427. “I agree people would be upset if Trump went back on his signature issue, just as his creditors got upset with him for filing bankruptcy and walking away from his debts.”

    In his personal finances, Trump refused to file bankruptcy and made the biggest personal financial turnound ever, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. As Trump has admitted many times, including last night, he used the Bankruptcy laws four times in business. He’s also had huge successes (more of those than losses). He’s made creditors money, and creditors factor in the possibility of losses when determining interest rates.

    Am I saying Trump has won every single time? No, but who the hell has? He’s won a lot. More than most.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  428. Trump is cunnung. He would make a great pirate.

    DRJ (15874d)

  429. I’ll just say a few things that I have said before:
    I don’t care what someone said or wrote in a book
    (unless it was an unpopular position)
    I care about what people do

    We have gotten where we are by listening to smooth talk backed up by nothing, at best.
    The Democrats have succeeded in making enough people believe that conservatives are just mean people who want to tell you what to do and are selfish,
    And that they are kind and caring so they give you stuff
    Do what you want and we will take care of you…

    The Repubs as a whole have tried to get by saying they really aren’t that bad, they can do things better, and when they do promise to do something different they typically don’t do it
    So as a whole they stand for nothing other than not being Dems

    In our world, looking at our own situation and Europe, it doesn’t take much to think we need to at least control the border if nothing else,
    And since one can not trust the dems or Repubs to do that, go with the one guy who says they will do that loud and clear

    I think it is that simple.
    Once one wants to think, if one does, it takes work to wade through all of the noise, and it takes desire, commitment, time, and a basic level of education to do that,
    Something our public schools have too often denied the public.

    The Republicans as a whole are responsible for Trump,
    Even where Trump is ahead, roughly 2/3rds don’t want him.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  430. 426.“… you like because he is positive.”

    As I said above, I was never a fan of positive thinking (until recently: Trump sold me). I like Trump because he balances positive and negative. One of the books I read, as I wrote above, had a chapter on positive thinking followed by a chapter of negative thinking. That made an impression on me (as well as the content of them).

    Frankly, I think he’s bright as hell, and that’s a good thing. Bright, plus street smarts, cunning, ruthlessness, charisma, simple but effective communicatio Maybe I’m wrong, but there do seem to be a lot of people who see it that way..

    Trump is a lucky-blesses gambler… and if you think he wrote a book you are fooled…. he paid a ghost writer and a team of people to fool people like you into dreaming big.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  431. “Trump is cunnung. He would make a great pirate.”

    Yes he would.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  432. That’s absurd. I’ve never said that to anyone online before but you act like Trump’s bankruptcies didn’t hurt people because they were business bankruptcies. That is disgusting.

    DRJ (15874d)

  433. “I care about what people do”

    Well, yeah. Cruz has got a book and time in a legislative body (not executive). Trump has a huge real-world track record.

    You may believe Cruz’s record outperforms Trump’s. Many do.

    Clearly, more people see it the other way around.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  434. To all those high on Trumps lead…. His base is made up of disgruntled Obama supporters. Trump should be on the democrat ticket…. Matt Drudge wants to keep getting invited to the resorts as perk for supporting Trump….. Trump pays off who he wants…..

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  435. 413.Why do you think you can trust Trump to keep his promises on immigration?

    I don’t really, I would much prefer an anti-immigration candidate without Trump’s numerous liabilities. But you have to choose among the existing candidates. And in Trump’s favor he has shown he isn’t afraid of being called a racist.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  436. NIS, a bridge too far. If the war were perpetrated on a fraud than more than W is to blame (UN, our allies, intelligence agencies both foreign and domestic, the congress, etc.), wars begin sometimes on murky terms such as our own 19th century war between the states…it is only important how they are concluded and the moral ground, and last what understood greater significance is placed on a conflict toward a larger ideological goal such as Viet Nam. The Iraq war will fall harder on Obama then Bush, sacrifice frittered away for cheap selfish political gain.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  437. “you act like Trump’s bankruptcies didn’t hurt people”

    No, I didn’t.

    Factoring in a risk in the price (interest) doesn’t mean you can’t get hurt. It means, on average, you’re likely to make a profit. (And if you don’t, others do, and have.) You misunderstood.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  438. If every time you lent money, you *always* got it back, there’s be little need for interest. Maybe 1% to cover admin costs and your salary.

    But, in reality, it’s higher. There’s a reason for that. Not everything works out.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  439. A second thing I have said before, is that I think too much of everyday life is being conducted like a cold war spy vs. spy plot – disinformation, manipulation, it is often hard to know when someone believes what they say or are using it as a ruse. Hence “mobys”.

    The US public can choose to live by the principles of “I want what I want, I want you to give it to me, and I want it now”
    Or
    They can choose to live by principles better than that,

    Do people want to live like created animals,
    Or as beings created “a little lower than God”?

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  440. “Now I’m Serious,” the Lavon Affair as it is referred to, took place in Egypt. It was carried out by Egyptians. I’m not familiar with any American soldiers being targeted in that. Also, it’s probably a stretch to claim that Israel was considered a close ally at that time.
    What any of this has to do with the current GOP primary is beyond me, but it sounds like something which animates you. The rest of America seems to have recovered from it.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  441. MD, wow and well said. If you would be so kind, start cloning yourself.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  442. Opportunity costs? Seriously serious!

    BobStewartatHome (8c49dc)

  443. DRJ, it’s like saying Eisenhower’s military decisions (or Washington’s or Lincoln’s) sometimes got people hurt (killed) because they weren’t perfect and not everything was in their control.

    Well, OK. We agree. And … how do you imagine it could be otherwise?

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  444. “Opportunity costs? Seriously serious!”

    This is simply risk vs. reward. Opportunity cost is another economic concept.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  445. No she didn’t, you cavalierly glossed over the business bankruptcies to claim a success in not declaring personal bankruptcy. In the process, lots of people lost their shirts.

    JD (791c15)

  446. “Now I’m Serious,” the Lavon Affair as it is referred to, took place in Egypt. It was carried out by Egyptians. I’m not familiar with any American soldiers being targeted in that.

    Well, learn. It was carried out by Mossad agents and only stopped because one of them half blew themselves up and Egyptian intelligence interrogated him and rolled up the rest of the cell. They were targeting night clubs where American and British service members (and their friends!) frequented. This was by design.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  447. “No she didn’t, you cavalierly glossed over the business bankruptcies to claim a success in not declaring personal bankruptcy.”

    No, you’re not being honest. DRJ is the one who only brought up one, and not the other. The omission was hers. I added more context. I never said no one lost during a bankruptcy.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  448. Israel has been playing hardball since its inception, anybody want to take a stab as to why? If they enjoyed geographic separation, friendly neighbors, and autonomous wealth…perhaps things would be different. Pretty easy to cast stones when your nation has not been in a similar predicament. Me, I wouldn’t have been as restrained…nuke your enemy til they glow, easier to shoot them at night.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  449. 435.That’s absurd. I’ve never said that to anyone online before but you act like Trump’s bankruptcies didn’t hurt people because they were business bankruptcies. That is disgusting.

    Of course his bankruptcies hurt people but that’s the way business works. If he had been very successful and driven his competitors into bankruptcy that would have hurt people too. The fact that the owners (and/or managers) of a corporation aren’t usually personally responsible for its debts is kind of fundamental to the American system.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  450. There are obvious efficiency advantages when everyone speaks the same language

    Speaks every central planner ever. These are the same “efficiency advantages” that come from everyone liking each kind of item made the same way, so there is no “need” for a diversity of products and brands; only one kind of everything needs to be made. The only valid judges of which language/s is/are most efficient to use in any particular transaction are the parties to that transaction. They are the only ones who can assess the factors involved in such a question and arrive at the optimal and most efficient decision to make. That’s what the free market is all about.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  451. “Israel has been playing hardball since its inception, anybody want to take a stab as to why? If they enjoyed geographic separation, friendly neighbors, and autonomous wealth…perhaps things would be different. Pretty easy to cast stones when your nation has not been in a similar predicament.”

    I don’t believe, five years after America helped it be successfully launched, and eight years after America fought to free Jews in the camps, that American military men should have been targeted by Israel.

    You are entitled to a different opinion. I strenuously disagree.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  452. In his first bankruptcy, Trump did suffer personally. He learned to make other people suffer after that. I hope he doesn’t do the same thing to us but I’m afraid he will.

    DRJ (15874d)

  453. “There are obvious efficiency advantages when everyone speaks the same language”

    “Speaks every central planner ever.”

    It’s a debate! For goodness sakes.

    Look, they can speak whatever language they want, but speaking the language of the majority is what I would do if I was running for election. Hey, let them demonstrate their Gaelic. Works for me.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  454. oh my goodness Mr. Serious when do you sleep

    happyfeet (831175)

  455. Well, thanks for the kind words, pieter.

    I’ll just say that for over thirty years I have frequently, if not daily, prayed along the lines of Psalm 90, which is primarily about wisdom and living wisely in light of eternity.
    A few months ago I had the thought that if on occasion I have some wisdom I should not be surprised, otherwise I would need to believe that my hard-headedness is more powerful than God,
    and I don’t want to claim that much power for myself.

    I have at times made similar references to who should be cloned,
    But seriously, better than physical cloning is the opportunity to be indwelt by the Holy Spirit and live life on a whole other level.
    Which I hope to do much more consistently.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  456. NIS, the US government had mixed feelings and interests in the ME at the birth of Israel…from the forties into the seventies. Only starry-eyed progressives take friendship on blind faith. That kind of trust can and often leads to genocide.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  457. James Shearer,

    There is a cost to bankruptcy and it is not a good thing to celebrate failure, as Trump supporters seem to do. Is it better that Trump is out of the casino business? Obviously. Capitalism thrives on competition, including that the losers lose.

    DRJ (15874d)

  458. “NIS, the US government had mixed feelings and interests in the ME at the birth of Israel…from the forties into the seventies. Only starry-eyed progressives take friendship on blind faith. That kind of trust can and often leads to genocide.”

    Yeah, you’re making more excuses for Israel trying to kill American and British fighting men to draw both nations into an unwanted war than I’m comfortable with. But you’re in charge of your own mind and I’m not, right?

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  459. MD, humility is the fount of all virtues…thanks for your wisdom and acknowledged humility.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  460. “There is a cost to bankruptcy and it is not a good thing to celebrate failure, as Trump supporters seem to do.”

    This is just not honest. No one, certainly not here, is celebrating failure. It’s a fact that failure is part of life, particularly for those who try to do many big things and lead many enterprises.

    Who hasn’t failed?

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  461. the candidates are no good we need new ones

    happyfeet (831175)

  462. NIS – I read all your apologetics, and I took the same thing from them that DRJ did. Which puts me in damn fine company.

    JD (791c15)

  463. Trump likes to say that business bankruptcies are common but that’s not true. There have been high-profile business bankruptcies but big business bankruptcies aren’t common, let alone four.

    DRJ (15874d)

  464. Well, you’re in the company of those losing the primary, but at least you’re going down with your dignity intact, and that’s not nothing!

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  465. NIS, settle down and don’t get upset over matters we most likely share. Have the Israelis done questionable sh!t, yes but only in terms specific to our national interest and honor. Have they done anything not in their strategic national security interest…nope. They are not the 51st state of our union.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  466. Do we have a new commenter who is worried about the pernicious influence of the Jooooooooooze?

    JVW (9e3c77)

  467. Sorry. My last link didn’t work. Try this.

    DRJ (15874d)

  468. Jews are nice they share their spaghetti recipes

    happyfeet (831175)

  469. Was talking to a Jew a few hours ago. No spaghetti recipes, but many fine, recent photos of nature, especially the birds.

    Of the avian variety.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  470. Thanks, pieter
    Humility is crucial, and it is easy to underestimate the manifold ways pride sneaks in,
    I also agree with Lewis that Courage is also a most important virtue, for without courage the other virtues don’t have much of an opportunity.
    Especially in the West, we terribly underestimate how much courage it takes to live, like simply looking for work instead of taking a government check.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  471. Lots of people fail but they man age to pay their debts.

    DRJ (15874d)

  472. Then vote for Cruz. Very few nickles to rub together, but at least their his and his creditors’ and he might even pay them all back. He’s your guy, or Carson, or whomever.

    I’m sure Donald Trump would love your vote, but I’m also sure he’ll keep on trucking without it.

    No worries. He’ll make America great again for you too.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  473. 454 Speaks every central planner ever. These are the same “efficiency advantages” that come from everyone liking each kind of item made the same way, so there is no “need” for a diversity of products and brands; only one kind of everything needs to be made. The only valid judges of which language/s is/are most efficient to use in any particular transaction are the parties to that transaction. They are the only ones who can assess the factors involved in such a question and arrive at the optimal and most efficient decision to make. That’s what the free market is all about.

    Transactions often affect more than the two parties involved. When these wider effects are sufficiently harmful society has the right to discourage such transactions. Of course people will disagree about when and how to do this, there is no magic formula for how to govern best.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  474. NIS, I’m not a fan of affirmative action or assigning special status to the undeserved…but happyfeet is a special troll, untouched by the ability to reason or communicate succinctly with others. Sometimes he does say something funny.

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I-DgIU4E9Mo

    pieter (ec44a2)

  475. I love nature

    Mr. Trump needs to get over the whole 9/11 thing his obsession with it is creepy

    that said if he spends the rest of the campaign trashing the execrably disgusting Bush Klan that’s yeoman’s work

    happyfeet (831175)

  476. One compromise, James, is to use a particular language, or languages, for government business, but otherwise let people speak what they want.

    And, if someone running for President, wants to speak in Korean in the debate, when most people in the audience and most other candidates can’t understand it, then whatever they want. Throw in some pantomimes, too. Why not?

    It could get fun.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  477. 469 … Have they done anything not in their strategic national security interest…nope. …

    This seems unlikely, everybody makes mistakes.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  478. You have no idea what Trump would do as President, as is evident from your inability to do anything but repeat his slogans. No one does, perhaps even Trump, but I am certain he will make money doing it.

    DRJ (15874d)

  479. “untouched by the ability to reason or communicate succinctly”

    You know, that’s interesting, because I think happyfeet is the most reasonable, smartest guy here, and goes over and beyond while communicating, throwing in a dash of meter and poetry on top of incisive points.

    But what do I know? You could be the really smart one.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  480. No, wait. I am positive he will make money doing it.

    DRJ (15874d)

  481. you’re very kind

    happyfeet (831175)

  482. NIS, good for you and your self esteem. Watch the video and remember…no matter what, I still love you.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  483. And courage is something I lack in.

    Trump clearly, by his own words, has no guiding moral compass other than making the deal that he claims is a success for himself,
    And if you stick close to him, you can come out on top of the deal too.
    The problem is not many people can be that close to him at the same time.

    Trump is Obama without the leftist ideology,
    Which might be a bit better, at least at first, on the surface,
    But Trump will do nothing to help us be a nation of laws and not personalities.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  484. “No, wait. I am positive he will make money doing it.”

    But first, Trump will “self-fund” his campaign by sucking hundreds of millions of dollars of free media, over and above the amount usually received.

    And one definitely wouldn’t want someone like that near the White House while America is 19 trillion dollars in debt. Maybe he’d suck another 19 trillion into his own pocket (from China!).

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  485. “you’re very kind”

    Kind like Trump.

    Now I'm Serious (OK, Back to Poking Fun. A Tiny Bit.) (c37083)

  486. If every time you lent money, you *always* got it back, there’s be little need for interest.

    It always brightens my day to read a truly idiotic statement with my coffee. Interest is not just about risk or “administrative costs” it is also about forgoing the use of the money for the duration of the loan. It is also about covering any expected inflation.

    If I loan you $1000, I can’t spend that $1000 until I get it back from you. For having to wait for it, I expect a fee. I also expect that the inflation rate will be rolled into the interest — you are getting the money pre-inflation, I’m getting it back afterwards.

    Risk is on top of all that.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  487. 475.Lots of people fail but they man age to pay their debts.

    As I understand it these aren’t his debts but those of businesses that he invested in and/or managed. I don’t feel obligated to try and pay off all of Eastman Kodak’s debts just because I was a shareholder.

    I will agree that if you name your business after yourself it’s hard to escape some stigma when it fails.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  488. NIS
    Singing the praises of feets is a request, no, a demand, to not be taken seriously.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  489. If you’ve paid attention, the one thing we know that Trump will do, is serve his best interest first. And if that happens to also serve the the nation’s best interest, then that will be a happy coincidence. To think otherwise is not to have paid attention and to have bought into the soaring promises bereft of actual content. What evidence have you to believe otherwise?

    He continues to tap into the emotional urges and needs of an angry electorate. Nothing new. The question becomes, what will it take to wake up the Trump loyalists to see that this election can’t simply be about *their* anger at the political class, but that it’s about something far more and lasting than that?

    Dana (86e864)

  490. we are in a Holy war. Militant Muslims against infidels

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  491. Is Trump really being magnanimous by sucking the oxygen out of the room for the other candidates???

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  492. The US did not help form Israel. On the contrary, it did everything it could to strangle Israel at birth, by preventing it from getting the arms it needed to defend itself. Truman’s recognition made him popular with Jewish voters, but it had no actual effect on anything. Then he tried walking it back.

    The Lavon affair was an intelligence screwup. When it was exposed it brought down the government. When’s the last time a US government resigned over some hairbrained stunt the CIA pulled? That’s right, never.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  493. NIS, you’re killing me, smalls…self-funded and surrounded by the best advisors? Not terribly evident regarding Iowa and his “talking points” on birtherism and impeaching W. He is demonstrably a hypocrite and an idiot, regardless of however sweet you might find him.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  494. Trump is a bomb-throwing, bombastic, say-anything, finger-in-the-wind loudmouth… and that appeals to a segment of people who feel disaffected and/or disenfranchised.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  495. If Trump is the nominee two things can happen. Both are bad.

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  496. What Dana said,
    Which is exactly what I mean by Trump being Obama without the leftist ideology.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  497. Trump definitely knows how to make self-funding into a revolving door. His slogan should be Making Trump Great Again.

    DRJ (15874d)

  498. MD,

    Sometimes the smartest (very smart) people are thought not smart by those who are … not as smart.

    And I’m not trying to be mean, I’m being honest. And since you’re implying happyfeet is pretty much on the dumb side, you don’t have leg to stand on to be upset that I’m implying it’s you who isn’t as bright as he.

    With all due respect, and the acknowledgement that, hey—maybe it is I who am not smart enough to understand you all.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  499. Ooh. Oooh. Pick me team Infidel! I like bacon and girlz, tough to play with any heart if on the wrong team.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  500. Yes Marshall and Lovett and forrestal were not well disposed. Subsequently Copeland raised the pharoah nasser, who sent scouts like the sabeans, and subsequently abetted a plot like haman.

    narciso (094d9b)

  501. The Iraq war worked out fine until 0bama deliberately wrecked it.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  502. Can someone please explain to me why it was OK for Trump to interrupt every other candidate with shouts of LIAR! LIAR! when the other candidates were respecting his time, THEN demand equal time to respond after talking over them?

    In what universe is this acceptable behavior in any venue, let alone from a President?

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  503. “Is Trump really being magnanimous by sucking the oxygen out of the room for the other candidates?”

    lol

    No, of course not. That’s the kick ass part of his think big and kick ass program. He’s competing.

    But it will come in right handy when he’s up against Joe Biden or whomever the Dems put up against him!

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  504. He’s made creditors money, and creditors factor in the possibility of losses when determining interest rates.

    What interest rates? Trade creditors (the ones he stiffed) don’t charge interest.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  505. He continues to tap into the emotional urges and needs of an angry electorate. Nothing new. The question becomes, what will it take to wake up the Trump loyalists to see that this election can’t simply be about *their* anger at the political class, but that it’s about something far more and lasting than that?
    Dana

    As I see it Trumps base is primarily disgruntled Obama voters that are trading one vice for another.

    DC is poisoned and must be broken apart and rebuilt. Only Cruz has the knowledge and experience to do the dirty job that everyone wants to close their eyes and . Because, Sanders can collect 90% tax rate dollars and feed the children.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  506. Smart and clever are not the same. We know the difference, Now I’m Serious.

    Now I will ask you again: What does your name mean and have you commented before under another name?

    DRJ (15874d)

  507. “Can someone please explain to me why it was OK for Trump to interrupt every other candidate with shouts of LIAR! LIAR! when the other candidates were respecting his time, THEN demand equal time to respond after talking over them?

    “In what universe is this acceptable behavior in any venue, let alone from a President?”

    … the winning one?

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  508. edit…insert ignore…. close their eyes and ignore….

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  509. This is what 4 years of Trump will be. God help us.

    DRJ (15874d)

  510. One constant victory lap, high five, and aren’t I smart?

    DRJ (15874d)

  511. If you scroll up, DRJ, you’ll see that yes I did. Why, I commented on this very thread under “I Realize You’re Serious, and That’s the Funny Part.” That is a reference to how wrong I think you are, and how you’ve greatly underestimated Trump. “Now I’m Serious” is self-explanatory when juxtaposed with the above.

    For example, I’m serious when I think Cruz et al. are going to get their rear ends kicked on Saturday.

    The best part of that is you can gloat if I’m wrong! But who do you think is more likely to be in a position to do that come Saturday?

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  512. Seriously serious, Israel was flying ME-109s in the 1947 conflict for a reason. And that reason wasn’t to demonstrate their appreciation for American support. Those planes, purchased in Czechoslovakia, and a few surplus WWII bombers and transports that were smuggled into Israel against U. S. policy, were all they had to counter Arab’s flying Spitfires and other allied aircraft.

    And “opportunity costs” can be, and are, measured and used by every functional, large scale, profit-making enterprise in order to allocate their resources intelligently. Risk reward is way too universal, and doesn’t capture the predictable profitability of some activities. The risks encountered are often independent of the resource allocation decision. Like, for example, the risk we all would run with the election of a Democrat or Mr. Trump in 2016.

    BobStewartatHome (8c49dc)

  513. Milhouse, amen. Petraeus despite all his later faults absolutely won the Iraq war in our national interest, a success acknowledged by the present administration…thousands killed and trillions spent to be frittered away for expedient political purpose. Umbrage? Nope. Easier to castigate Israel or extoll a hollow populist with false promise.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  514. “Now I’m Serious,” the Lavon Affair was carried out by Egyptians in Egypt. Wasn’t the whole point to make it appear that it was being done by Muslim Brotherhood or some other Egyptian subversives? Yes, and that’s why it was carried out by Egyptians.
    By the way, I’m unaware that American soldiers were “targeted.”

    Also, your assertion that the liberation of WW2 concentration camps has something to do with Israel in 1954 is sort of a non-sequitir. I just don’t understand this animus toward Israel.

    ISIS, Iran, Al Qaeda, Boko Harum, Muslim Brotherhood, et al, are the enemy in 2016. Let’s keep our eye on the ball and not get distracted by every shiny object that glitters in the sand.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  515. He supports partial-birth abortion and gun control. His performance last night where he picked up the far-left “Bush lied, people died” battle yelp was telling and gives an indication of the depths he’s willing to plumb.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  516. 505.The Iraq war worked out fine until 0bama deliberately wrecked it.
    Millhouse

    I 2nd that notion

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  517. I missed your response above. Thank you for repeating it.

    As for the rest, I think you will be gloating, Now I’m Serious. Based on this conversation, I think you will enjoy doing it and that you will try to rub it in to make yourself feel even more superior, smug and smart than you already feel.

    DRJ (15874d)

  518. I don’t think I said feets was dumb,
    at least that is not what I meant to say,
    What I meant is that feets is taken with a grain of salt, especially when he gets vulgar.
    Stick around here for another 10 years and you will see what I mean.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  519. I doubt you care but the rules of the blog are that you comment under one consistent name.

    DRJ (15874d)

  520. NIS
    Singing the praises of feets is a request, no, a demand, to not be taken seriously.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84) — 2/14/2016 @ 9:36 am

    Now that was just plain mean… and yet, undeniably true.

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  521. “As for the rest, I think you will be gloating, Now I’m Serious. Based on this conversation, I think you will enjoy doing it and that you will try to rub it in to make yourself feel even more superior, smug and smart than you already feel.”

    I’ll settle for reducing the domestic terrorism rate, the foreign-invader rape rate in Europe, etc.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  522. The Lavon affair is irrelevant. It was 60 years ago, the government responsible resigned, and it’s got nothing to do with NIS’s championing the antisemitic claim that “neocons” pushed America into war, and sent US servicemen to die, for the sake of Israel. Or his repeating the Liberty canard.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  523. So NIS you’re saying that Trump supports racial profiling?! That’s what he meant?! Not a great way to get votes.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  524. I noticed Milhouse didn’t talk about the Lavon Affair, which is an admitted, and horrific, plot to bomb US and British service members to get them into a war on Israel’s behalf.

    It was poorly conceived and amateurish plot. But you are exaggerating the scope of the bombings and the strategic tack of the operation.

    None of the bombings had targeted “US and British service members”; the plotters apparently went to great lengths to avoid any casualties. The bombs were slipped into books and placed in shelves just before closing time in the targeted facilities. The subsequent explosions did little damage.

    Not was the operation designed to get either the US or Britain “into a war” with Egypt. Israel sought to maintain Britain administration of the Suez, due to cease, so there would not be much point in risking British control of the Canal by encouraging open conflict between London and Cairo.

    JP (adebcd)

  525. MD, happy is happy…much like tapioca is not expected to outshine monkeys in their hope of a Shakespearean sonnet. Relativism is an important philosophic understanding.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  526. I agree, DRJ, this is exactly what 4 years of Trump will be like.

    felipe (56556d)

  527. In fairness to NIS, there were a lot of military people who didn’t think the Iraq war made any sense.Saddam was a bad guy, but a controllable problem. Had he foolishly threatened Israel or the Saudis, they would’ve squashed him like a bug. And it was in fact fought damn stupidly. THE ROE under Bush were the same moronic ones as Obama. And Bush’s agreement with the Iraqi government is why we left early.

    Simple fact is we should have at some point since 1989 completely reevaluated all of our military commitments. Repeatedly bellowing about being tough like Bush or Rubio is a joke.The US is not going to war with Russia over Turkey or Ukraine. Instead under both parties we’ve blundered on without thinking.Being bellicose is not necessarily being tough. Appears Trump and Cruz are at least thinking about it. Rubio and Senor Jeb cannot wait to deploy more troops in a far off pointless engagement.

    Hearing Senor Jeb babbling about Scalia was a particular lowlight. We had Souter and then Roberts because his family is a special kind of stupid in all things legal.

    Bugg (fa64ec)

  528. meh happyfeet he’s
    teh suck what keeps on sucking
    suck goes on and on…

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  529. I think my point was understood,
    And yes, feets is feets,
    Including his combination of childlike demeanor and vulgar locker room talk.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  530. 523.I doubt you care but the rules of the blog are that you comment under one consistent name.
    DRJ

    I don’t get why some weak people feel the need to play games. Say what you mean and mean what you say. We already have anonymity which the NSA would like to control. The weakness on these boards is exactly why we now have a weak Obama-driven country.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  531. What Trump loyalists see as “courage” in their leader, I see as empty bluster and skillful manipulation of the masses who have become blinded by their own anger and lost an objectivity necessary for sound judgment. We are literally watching “courage” being re-defined on the national stage. It’s no longer anything to do with standing upon one’s beliefs and convictions, unwavering and unhesitatingly so because one’s inner core principles and values demand it no matter the cost. But rather, in Trump’s and his supporters’ world, “courage” has become defined as the brash braggadocio trying to be the one to yell the loudest, brutishly shut down any challengers, and stifle open discourse. “Courage” is the strong man, not the wise man, not the steadfast man, not the principled man who understands that what comes shooting out of the mouth must be grounded in a foundational belief for it to be worth anything. What Trump offers, contrary to his followers’ belief, is not “courage. This is an authoritarian, and tyrant-in-the-making, who is mimicking the same behaviors of those they see as having oppressed them in the first place. Be it the Republican party, or the media, or the Democrats. This should make all voters very wary and very concerned. Those who follow him and buy the loudest-in-the-room wins mentality, might do well to do a study in historical tyrants. It is essentially trading in one oppressor for another. Shouldn’t we as a nation be able to have higher expectations than that? Why are so many compelled to set the bar so low?

    A smart electorate should demand to be able to see evidenced in their candidate of choice, the foundational core principles and values that underpin all of their expressed views. If that is not possible because there is only shifting sand underneath all of the words, then the electorate should walk away because that is the person that will change on a dime, shoot from the hip, and have no one’s best interest at heart but his own.

    A loud ugly spew of word vomit does not a substantive candidate make.

    Dana (86e864)

  532. .Saddam was a bad guy, but a controllable problem

    He was notcontrollable. The sanctions were full of holes (remember “oil for food”) and couldn’t be sustained much longer. With all his oil revenue there was no way to stop him short of ousting him. The only question was whether to do it then or wait a year or two. In hindsight it could have waited, but not very long. Sooner or later it was going to have to be done.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  533. “Appears Trump and Cruz are at least thinking about it.”

    To give Cruz his due, when Trump has a good idea, he’s smart enough to see it and steal it. Rubio? Yeah, not so much. Carson? Yeah, Carson usually figures it out pretty quickly.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  534. 267.It’s pretty simple.

    Trump is the anti-1965 Immigration Act candidate. And the not-entirely free-trade somewhat protectionist candidate, in an era where good jobs are moving offshore. And the strong, charismatic candidate.

    There’s more, but that’s enough. That’s why he’s ahead.
    I Realize You’re Serious, and That’s the Funny Part (c37083) — 2/14/2016 @ 12:27

    So you are a one-issue or, at most, two-issue voter bolstered by strong emotions, Mr. I Realize You’re Serious, and That’s the Funny Part a/k/a Mr. Now I’m Serious (don’t ask, it’s self-explanatory). It’s not important to you but it explains a lot to me.

    DRJ (15874d)

  535. I will do more research on the Lavon Affair, and the USS Liberty incident, in case I have received slanted views of them. I will not take, without analyzing them, the characterizations you are giving me. It’s important to strive for the truth.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  536. “Why are so many compelled to set the bar so low?”

    Because inclusiveness! Participation trophies for all!

    But seriously, education is not what it used to be, so the descent of man was inevitable.

    felipe (56556d)

  537. my perception was that 🙂 feet was a gay guy… not that there is anything wrong with that… but when I asked him ( I’m a straight woman) I got nothing…. which makes me think he is a gay man that likes Trump for president. He talks about food way too much to be a straight guy. I have only been posting here for a week. I got this site from a hat tip on Levine’s show.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  538. 505.The Iraq war worked out fine until 0bama deliberately wrecked it.

    I don’t agree, it was a stupid idea executed poorly.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  539. “So you are a one-issue or, at most, two-issue voter bolstered by strong emotions, Mr. I Realize”

    Yes/no. That’s the most important issue for me. By far.

    But I agree with Trump about a lot of other things too.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  540. And ropelight was singing the praises of all the polls that showed a majority of Americans were in love with Laup Nor, right? Right? President Laup Nor, the insane anti-Semite? Right?

    Drudge polls are more worthless than the 1s and 0s it took to create them.

    John Hitchcock (1425d9)

  541. “I don’t agree, it was a stupid idea executed poorly.”

    I agree!

    And I used to disagree!

    Sometimes people make mistakes, even big ones, and change their minds. I haven’t achieved perfection yet. Hell, that’s not even scheduled until 2023.

    Being realistic here.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  542. But I agree with Trump about a lot of other things too.
    Now I’m Serious (c37083) — 2/14/2016 @ 10:09 am

    Serious quesiton, Now I’m Serious,

    What makes you believe you can trust Trump?

    Dana (86e864)

  543. 536..Saddam was a bad guy, but a controllable problem

    He was notcontrollable. The sanctions were full of holes (remember “oil for food”) and couldn’t be sustained much longer. With all his oil revenue there was no way to stop him short of ousting him. The only question was whether to do it then or wait a year or two. In hindsight it could have waited, but not very long. Sooner or later it was going to have to be done.
    Milhouse

    The people of Iraq condemned him to death, not the US citizens…

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  544. Dana (86e864) — 2/14/2016 @ 10:04 am

    Beautiful comment.

    DRJ (15874d)

  545. Haiku, please lead our singing the gospel that is happyfeet…all of you open your hymnal to our site favorite for the mentally deficient or in PC terms, touched;

    https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=I-DgIU4E9Mo

    pieter (ec44a2)

  546. 541… true that, Felipe!

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  547. “Now I’m Serious,”
    The Lavon Affair and the Liberty incident is totally irrelevant to what’s going on today. The Ron Paul Newsletter is best to be used as liner for your bird’s cage. We’re fighting jihadists in 2016. Get in the game.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  548. “Drudge polls are more worthless than the 1s and 0s it took to create them.”

    Yeah, I know. That’s why I said above I found 12 online polls from blogs and media sites, including big ones. They all showed Trump ahead, most by a lot. The Blaze’s was closest, and its proprietor is very (madly) anti-Trump.

    Anyhow, I concede those polls are not scientific and mostly test the enthusiasm of the candidates’ supporters. Fortuitously, Saturday’s poll will be much more rigorous.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  549. 505.The Iraq war worked out fine until 0bama deliberately wrecked it.

    I don’t agree, it was a stupid idea executed poorly.
    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

    change your name to Monday morning quarterback….. 9/11 was an attack on the US… an act of war. Yes, a hear after the fact when W. had a majority support a retaliation was needed.

    BO directly set out to hit W. AMD teach him a lesson and the entire world now suffers for the lesson that BO had to teach W.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  550. Had he foolishly threatened Israel or the Saudis, they would’ve squashed him like a bug.

    He did more than threaten both countries – he subsidized attacks on both states and fired Scuds at Tel Aviv and Riyadh.

    That he was a sawdust Caesar should not disabuse us of what he and his successors were capable of.

    JP (adebcd)

  551. Drudge polls are cooked books… and we all know it…. Ted WON IOWA….. newsflash

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  552. “What makes you believe you can trust Trump?”

    I explained my reasoning to DRJ above about why I think Trump is likely to, for the most part, follow through on the issue I care the most about.

    As for the others, I am certain he will not be able to accomplish them all to the maximum possible level of success. C’est la vie. If he gets some progressed, that will be awesome.

    Yet I’m sure he’ll try his darndest on jobs because he sees himself as an employer and its consistent with his self-image to work on that.

    It was good talking with you all. May the best man win on Saturday and beyond.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  553. I agree!

    And I used to disagree!

    Sometimes people make mistakes, even big ones, and change their minds. I haven’t achieved perfection yet. Hell, that’s not even scheduled until 2023.

    Being realistic here.
    Now I’m Serious (c37083

    and you can be Monday Morning quarter back #2…..15 years after the fact folks….9/11 was 15 years ago…

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  554. 553 change your name to Monday morning quarterback….. 9/11 was an attack on the US… an act of war. Yes, a hear after the fact when W. had a majority support a retaliation was needed.

    An attack which Iraq had nothing to do with.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  555. if 9/11 was a package of doritos they’d be super stale by now to where you couldn’t even eat them

    happyfeet (831175)

  556. 546 What makes you believe you can trust Trump?

    Speaking for myself, I don’t think I can trust Trump. But unfortunately he seems like the best bet.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  557. If NIS is leaving…one of us needs to be the troll.

    Trump will return America to greatness because he is self-funded, has the best advisors and knows how to make the best deals. If you do not agree, you are not sufficiently angry at the status quo.

    Well, that’s about it…your turn in the barrel.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  558. And so Millhouse, the US military was required to be the instrument of his removal?What was the constitutional basis for that? This is the crux of it. Why us? Always? Why not the directly-threatened Saudis if he was that bad? And if you in fact decided he was a national security threat to the US(which was absurd) , why the nation-building idiocy and ROE that got great people serving the country maimed and killed? Either go Roman or don’t go. Rubble don’t cause trouble. There’s nothing in the Constitution about people in far off lands “yearning to breathe free” as Idiot Bush the 2nd told us in his insane 2nd Inaugural. Not everyone nor every country is culturally able to transition to Madisonian democracy. It’s a fools’ errand to bother(arguably the silliest words in sentences uttered by any President not named Barack Obama). Most aren’t and culturally Islamic countries clearly are not. We have in fact created 2 countries who have installed sharia law (with the one sane exception being the very decent and sensible Kurds, whom we still refused to give their own state to appease the Turks supposedly of NATO who wouldn’t let us use their land to enter Iraq). What ever security threat Saddam posed could have been almost completely dealt with by protecting our own borders. Gee, who has suggested that?

    Bugg (fa64ec)

  559. … the winning one?

    Well, heck, there’s all kinds of non-standard ways of affecting the outcome of this. I mean if winning is everything…

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  560. Question:

    Will a Trump nomination break the GOP? Will the the party unify, or will there be a second candidate (not counting Democrat Bloomberg)?

    Kevin M (25bbee)

  561. What’s for dinner 🙂

    I made a pot of homemade pinto beans for bean burrito

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  562. One last comment today: see my man Glenn Beck for the answer to that one.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  563. it’s time for jebbio to drop out

    he’s a lickspittle and nobody trusts him cause they know all about his sleazy family

    who else should drop out is lispy fruit loop Dr. Ben Carson

    anytime in the next week is fine

    happyfeet (831175)

  564. i thought it was interesting how Mr. The Donald brought up eminent domain all by himslef

    happyfeet (831175)

  565. If people truly like Trump then they should love Cruz. Trump runs his mouth on everything Cruz has been fighting since 2012 in DC senate.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  566. Bugg, if that is your real name…

    The OIF foray was covered by UN mandate, congressional approval and partnership with dozens of nations. I get it you have qualms, but don’t lose sight of the unnecessary lack of vacuum filled by our enemy. In hindsight, not the best conflict we’ve entered into…the honest butthurt should incensed by how the sacrifice was cheapened and for what reason.

    I’m a veteran, in the army since ’87, the whole thing smells…yet I know who to blame for displacing our hard won strategic power for cheap election politics.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  567. 🙂 your upset that Jebito put Trump in his place last night….. Trump showed his azz and you know it…. Trump will have a hard time rebounding from last night…. and SC will be Cruz’s for the taking,.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  568. DICKERSON: We’re going to switch here to Senator Marco Rubio.

    Senator Marco Rubio, please weigh in.

    RUBIO: On anything I want?

    DICKERSON: I thought you had a point?

    RUBIO: Well, let me talk about poverty.

    DICKERSON: I thought you had a point you wanted to make.

    RUBIO: I do.

    BUSH: That was me.

    RUBIO: I had something important.

    DICKERSON: You’re on deck, sir.

    happyfeet (831175)

  569. I bet Trump Vodka would have been a more successful product if The Donald had distributed the bottles to retailers rather than just to his campaign supporters.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  570. *himself* i mean

    happyfeet (831175)

  571. 375.“who’s only redeeming point is border control/immigration”

    Infrastructure needs building. Trump’s an accomplished on time and under budget builder.

    The economy. Jobs. (Business success.)

    Trump is selling himself to America as the king of builders, a flawless dealmaker, and masterful manager. But he isn’t really any of those things.

    Avoiding unnecessary wars (Trump’s Iraq war position.)

    Security and foresight (Get bin Laden.)

    So, bin Laden was well known by the time Trump’s book came out — even though Trump now says “nobody really knew who he was.” Also, the book doesn’t say the U.S. needs to redouble its efforts to “take him out,” as Trump now tells it.

    Not being beholden to special interests (getting supreme bang for the buck with free media coverage).

    See my revolving door comment, above.

    Military. Rebuild. Don’t use it unless have to. No war with Russia for no good reason. No politicized procurement process. Give the military what it needs and wants, not what politically connected businesses want to sell.

    Don’t spend money or go to war unless you have to. Does anyone disagree with this?

    Keep social security.

    Ditto. Do any candidates disagree that we can’t take Social Security from older Americans, which is Trump’s position?

    Repeal and replace Obama care.

    Maybe. Maybe not: ‘Everybody’s Got To Be Covered’ And ‘The Government’s Gonna Pay For It’

    Executive orders protecting the 2nd amendment, especially on military bases.

    I believe he might do this. Is that enough for you? One issue?

    This is off the top of my head. I’m sure there’s more.

    Yeah, the other candidates have platforms too But it’s not all single-issue, not by a long shot.
    Now I’m Serious (c37083) — 2/14/2016 @ 7:48 am

    DRJ (15874d)

  572. Trump also believes in Global warming.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl9-tY1oZNw

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  573. As for Trump on the Iraq War: Donald Trump was not ‘loud and clear’ in Iraq War opposition.

    This is from PolitiFact. I don’t trust PolitiFact but the quotes and information recited at the link appear reliable. Feel free to show me why they aren’t.

    DRJ (15874d)

  574. The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.*

    That’s what Mr. The Donald says about the global warm warm.

    happyfeet (831175)

  575. Trump showed more than his a$$…he clearly displayed his two-faced loyalty to the party, his temperament under pressure, his judgment on matters critical to our nation’s interest (he castigated Bush instead of Obama for precipitously withdrawing from Iraq), his character regarding high and low road rhetoric, and complicity to progressives in utilizing their talking points.

    If you support Trump…it can only be due a defect in senses or ability to reason.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  576. I know this won’t convince Now I’m Serious and I don’t want it to. He has his mind made up and that is fine with me. But I don’t want to let his opinions go unchallenged, in case other people haven’t made up their minds and want to know the other side.

    DRJ (15874d)

  577. i trust mr. trump way way more than cruz or roobs or bushfilth to keep failmerica out of more humiliating wars

    happyfeet (831175)

  578. Vacuum filled by our enemy?Who in the case of Iraq? Where does that ever end?

    Washington warned us of entangling alliances, Eisenhower of the military industrial complex. John Quincy Adams told us not to go looking abroad for monsters to slay. Many wise people have said a Republic in perpetual war will soon cease to be a Republic at all.

    And so we blunder on thoughtlessly.Even after Bush Jr. took a torch to what ever credibility the GOPe had on foreign affairs.

    Bugg (fa64ec)

  579. DRJ, on this site most see Trump for what he is…an opportunist. God bless America. Bully for him, not my next president.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  580. Trump would tax Carrier air conditioning units for moving to Mexico

    this is the sort of fascist crap that i hate most about our manhattantrash front-runner

    happyfeet (831175)

  581. Even after Bush Jr. took a torch to what ever credibility the GOPe had on foreign affairs.

    he really lit her up didn’t he

    happyfeet (831175)

  582. Looking at the list of Trump positions in comment 375 that I reposted above, it strikes me that — except for ObamaCare and the 2nd Amendment — they could have been said and probably were said by Barack Obama in 2004. If that doesn’t prove that these promises can mean anything, nothing will. It’s only the wishful thinking of his supporters that make them seem good.

    Maybe that’s true for all politicians, which is why Trump supporters will continue to believe. But only one candidate, Ted Cruz, has gone to Washington and stayed true to his campaign promises.

    DRJ (15874d)

  583. 579.The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.*

    That’s what Mr. The Donald says about the global warm warm.
    happyfeet
    ……………………………………………………………………………………….
    Fear mongering was created by Marxism to scare the little people like you and your trump herd. BO and the POPE with his robe got together and with their socialist minds decided to use/blame the weather for the need to tax and spend any hard earned persons wealth. Its called throwing good money after bad.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  584. Mr. Feet, I’d be sad if you were banned.

    But when you produce the proportion of comments that you have on a post like this one — when you’re obviously out of control and posting any random thought that pops into your head, when other people are trying to have a discussion (to which you’re not actually contributing with more than, perhaps, one in twenty of your comments), I’d be inclined to excuse you permanently — that is, ban you, from my blog. It’s probably a good thing for you that you’ve found a host more patient than me.

    But what you’ve done in the comments to this post is spectacularly annoying. I’d rather this blog accept V!agra ads than keep posting your spam.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  585. Speaking for myself, I don’t think I can trust Trump. But unfortunately he seems like the best bet.

    Based on what, James B. Shearer??

    Dana (c596a9)

  586. Bugg, I take it you are 100 years old and sat with the decision makers that refused your wisdom. Thanks for trying…in the mean time, decisions were made, the success of the war ebbed and flowed, and eventually ended on note in our strategic interest. Harping on the beginning, the why, doesn’t mean much for those told to fight…did it matter in retrospect? Turns out, no. Pissed away and provided the Petri dish for a greater enemy. Bitter, sad, betrayed…thanks, Obama.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  587. Trump hasn’t even flip-flopped since yesterday. Let’s give him some credit.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  588. Ted Cruz is just flat out unlikable and i have no faith he can get the nomination much less win a national election

    it’s just not realistic

    Mr. Trump is way more likeable and he really sincerely seems to hate jebbio and everything the sleazy bush klan represents

    and that speaks to me

    happyfeet (831175)

  589. out of control and posting any random thought that pops into your head

    yes yes yes Mr. Beldar i was “live blogging” the debate it’s not something i do very often but baby it’s cold outside

    happyfeet (831175)

  590. I’ve never broken my hand.

    I do have a temper, and when I’ve lost it, I’ve once kicked a hole through a sheetrock wall, and I’ve pounded many a fist against a desk in my rage.

    But I’ve never broken my hand. I need my hand.

    Trump supporters are absolutely as angry at how things are going in our country as I’ve been when I’ve pounded a desk or, once, kicked a hole in a sheetrock wall.

    But when not angry, I’m capable of recognizing that there is absolutely no reason for anyone to believe that breaking my hand will fix anything that was making me angry, or even help with that. To the contrary, my losing my temper — in which moment, I deliberately suspended my much better judgment, temporarily — has more often than not ended up making things worse. I’ve never broken my hand, but sometimes it’s hurt for a while after pounding a desk; and fixing the sheetrock was a hassle and a completely avoidable expense.

    Trump voters: I get that you’re angry, but you’re about to slam the country’s head into a spinning propeller. You’re choosing the biggest scoundrel in America who’s not already in prison, and expecting him to become your Messiah.

    Cut it out. Wake up. Think twice, then a third time.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  591. I sympathize with DRJ in realizing there is little point in engaging some people,
    But at the same time one hates to let things stand.

    I can’t devote the time to it (like I did once upon a time),
    But maybe we could work to ID people who seem not to be interested in discussion, but only in subterfuge.
    In some ways I think it is ridiculous, but it guess where enough people try to muddy the waters here and there it works.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  592. Fwiw, and I may be wrong,
    I’m not sure NIS was a Trump supporter at all,
    Or just someone stirring confusion and dissent.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  593. An attack which Iraq had nothing to do with.

    Saddam’s flirtations with Al-Qaeda are well-documented, and Iraqi support for Bin Laden in Sudan in the late 90s is not seriously disputed.

    That he did not seem to have, per the Commission Report, a “collaborative operational relationship” with the 9/11 highjackers, is not a vindication.

    JP (adebcd)

  594. 593.Ted Cruz is just flat out unlikable and i have no faith he can get the nomination much less win a national election

    it’s just not realistic

    Ted won in Iowa by telling the truth….A President isn’t a warm happy pillow…. or a missing father figure.

    Too many people look for the wrong thing in a president……….YOU HAVE BEEN BRAINWASHED by Barrack Hussein Obama…

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  595. MD, pure genius. Your intellect is contrawise to my desire to refute illusory meaningful comments. Damned you and your powers to note the obvious…whoops, almost spilled my drink.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  596. Trump voters are disgruntled Obama voters and nothing more…. look at the total # showing up for the dem primaries…1/10th of what shows for the GOP

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfOgok0kcE0

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  597. Ted’s been dining out on that Iowa thing for like weeks now JRT lady

    how many poopers that won iowa ever went on to amount to anything in this life?

    not enough to where it’s a genuinely meaningful exercise i don’t think

    happyfeet (831175)

  598. 590 Based on what, James B. Shearer??

    The other candidates seem even less likely to do anything effective about immigration.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  599. Trump, wherever his support comes, is an existential threat to this republic. Unfortunately, 90% of the electorate don’t know what republic or existential mean. So it goes.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  600. The first scientific poll I’ve seen come out: it says Rubio (!) won, followed by Trump, then Kasich, then Cruz.

    It looks like Rubio calling Cruz a liar didn’t hurt him.

    Now I'm Serious (c37083)

  601. Mr. Feet, by my count, of the 600-odd comments on this post, 145 are from you. If every one of them were clever, that’s be impressive. But you’re just spamming.

    Beldar (fa637a)

  602. The other candidates seem even less likely to do anything effective about immigration.

    yes yes yes bingo Mr. Shearer

    the immigration thing is existential

    just look over at where europe used to be

    all the other stuff people are skeered Mr. Trump might do, most of that’s just aesthetic

    people need to remember just how beaten down this sad little country is

    cause when you remember that there’s one ineluctable observation you can make

    and for me it’s a comforting thought

    obama’s been SO vicious in his rape of america that just stopping the raping is going to be glorious like a thousand spring mornings happening all at once

    look at all the colors and flowers the people will say

    they will look around in wonder and they’ll delight in the sweet breeze and the feel of sunshine on their cheeks

    then they can start to think about moving forward again after this bitter stagnant hell we’ve all endured

    the idea that we need a huge dollop of hyper-dogmatic harvardtrash ideology at this time, after just getting a big dollop good and hard for eight years, seems very

    it almost seems cruel

    happyfeet (831175)

  603. :)Feet, how many different poster names are you using to use fraud to elect Your Mr. Trump?

    do you plan on voting more than once as well.

    God sees you.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  604. JRT, so LIVs are the arbiter of civic discourse? Pffft. Those ladies are an embarrassment on so any levels.

    What does Levin, Limbaugh, and Steyn think? I may not agree with them, but will listen nonetheless.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  605. Mr. Feet, by my count, of the 600-odd comments on this post, 145 are from you. If every one of them were clever, that’s be impressive. But you’re just spamming.

    this is no good, this analysis Mr. Beldar lots of comments were during the debate where you’re supposed to keep up a good patter

    then lots of others were in the overnight time slot where you mostly have dead air anyways

    and then i wasn’t even here all morning

    this comment doesn’t count by the way cause of this one is just a meta comment

    happyfeet (831175)

  606. Beldar, that is just plain mean…and accurate. Facts are ugly and gross and worthy of trigger warnings…shame and kudos on your sharing of bad thoughts unwelcome to holistic groupthink.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  607. Feets likes to post and at his most serious is despising of social conservatives,
    Other than that most of us do not see him as other than a diversion, on occasion humorous.

    Others have been around a long time like ropelight and like Trump and push for him.

    Then there are others who have recently appeared, and are largely unknown.
    I think we all give people the benefit of the doubt and take them at face value at first,
    Some, like DRJ, will give the benefit long after it has been violated.

    It would be a long story, but I have experience in seeing how threads and even sites have been infiltrated and manipulated, even to the point of “real life” legal consequences and destroyed lives.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  608. 610.JRT, so LIVs are the arbiter of civic discourse? Pffft. Those ladies are an embarrassment on so any levels.

    What does Levin, Limbaugh, and Steyn think? I may not agree with them, but will listen nonetheless.
    Pieter

    ……………………………………………………..

    P- my point was that Trumps base are mostly democrats that voted for Obama and only want the me me me culture to continue. YES, we have devolved as a nation. Cruz is our only chance at civility.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  609. That said, I have also been surprised/burned.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  610. Weeks ago I saw a survey that claimed most Trump supporters actually identified as independents.
    But can’t begin to give details.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  611. I’m new…happy is an ensconced institution worthy of (still thinking…fark, nothing…ok, brain, come up with some BS magic…damnit, still nothing…oh, uh, something, eh, maybe). I am not his best defender but yet willing.

    happy is harmless, no restraining orders that I know of, and faithfully leans toward the Sun after watered.

    +++DO NOT ALLOW HIM TO BABYSIT YOUR CHILDREN

    pieter (ec44a2)

  612. Now I’m Serious was Christoph.

    nk (dbc370)

  613. Trump has broad support. It is not the candidate’s fault the electorate feel like a 30 year long sexual assault victim. Unfortunately, Trump is just a new face on a series of abusers. Worse, he tells the violated he is going to help as he slowly eases off his pants.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  614. Donald Trump sought Sunday to walk back his statements during Saturday night’s Republican debate that former President George W. Bush bore responsibility for the Sept. 11 terror attack.

    “I am not blaming him,” Trump said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday.

    […]

    Trump on Sunday also seemed to walk back his claim that the Bush administration deliberately mislead Americans in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq.

    “They lied,” Trump said during the debate. “They said there were weapons of mass destruction, there were none. And they knew there were none.”

    On Sunday, Trump said George W. Bush “thought there were weapons of mass destruction, maybe, or maybe he didn’t.”*

    you really have to wonder at all the people what thought running another Bush was a great idea

    happyfeet (831175)

  615. nk, hmmm I thought Christoph was toast on this site.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  616. He is, but he comes back under new aliases and new IPs until Patterico blocks those again. He was at his best when he was here promoting the Canadian Foreskin Awareness Project — yes, CFAP, I’m not making it up.

    nk (dbc370)

  617. The other candidates seem even less likely to do anything effective about immigration.
    James B. Shearer (0f56fb) — 2/14/2016 @ 11:22 am

    How so? Please provide specifics. I don’t see how one could arrive at the conclusion. Cruz is the one, too, who accurately recognized “It’s not that we don’t know how to solve illegal immigration. What is missing is the political will to get it done”.

    Dana (86e864)

  618. This thread is a mess, sort of like last night’s Republican debate.

    Thin-skinned emotions, unruly shouting, indignation galore, booing to silence, desires to Facebook-unfriend everyone.

    I pointed out several weeks ago how purely visceral emotions did affect various people’s gut reactions towards one major candidate of the Democrat Party in 2008, who regrettably we’re still stuck with in the Oval Office. Such a response back then was evident in Republicans like Peggy Noonan.

    In 2016, that type of appeal doesn’t exist with and regrettably won’t help one of the major Republican candidates due to his facial and vocal qualities. His ideological strengths can easily take a back seat to his lack of strength elsewhere. Keep that in mind — and learn from it instead of becoming indignant about it—and wanting to shoot the messenger in the process — when a possible disappointing outcome is lurking up ahead.

    Mark (f713e4)

  619. nk,
    Where were you 8 hrs or so ago????😒

    pieter- you’ve been around long enough to recognize the name??
    That was why DRJ asked if NIS had posted before under another name.

    Some good things lost in the midst of the static.

    MD not exactly in Philly (deca84)

  620. nk, whoever could forget CFAP? Never heard of it or Christoph until a few days ago. Thanks very much. Obviously some of you have had epic times slaying trolls…how many gold and experience points for the next level in this crazy game overseen by DM Patterico?

    pieter (ec44a2)

  621. Donald Trump sought Sunday to walk back his statements during Saturday night’s Republican debate that former President George W. Bush bore responsibility for the Sept. 11 terror attack.

    “I am not blaming him,” Trump said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday.

    […]

    Trump on Sunday also seemed to walk back his claim that the Bush administration deliberately mislead Americans in the run-up to the invasion of Iraq.

    “They lied,” Trump said during the debate. “They said there were weapons of mass destruction, there were none. And they knew there were none.”

    On Sunday, Trump said George W. Bush “thought there were weapons of mass destruction, maybe, or maybe he didn’t.”*

    Can’t we just acknowledge that he lied Saturday night? Before millions of viewer and however many of his supporters? So, Trump Chumps, what do you think when your candidate makes outrageous and dishonest accusations? Because if he’s willing to do that on a public stage, what is he willing to do behind closed doors??

    Dana (86e864)

  622. Sorry, MD, I was making up my list of Mexican and Muslim neighbors to denounce to the police for the bounty you know, Sunday, Valentine’s Day, family.

    nk (dbc370)

  623. #167

    Good summation of happyfeet. lol Good job Pete

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  624. “They lied,” Trump said during the debate. “They said there were weapons of mass destruction, there were none. And they knew there were none.”

    Trump being happily mistaken on both counts is amusing.

    It would be even more magical to watch Hillary and Sanders incriminate themselves trying to support or refute these premises.

    JP (adebcd)

  625. Dana, you are singing to the choir. Trump made the mistake of speaking from his frank or calculated understanding. Either can be considered deficient to the office he seeks.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  626. On Sunday, Trump said George W. Bush “thought there were weapons of mass destruction, maybe, or maybe he didn’t.”*

    Can’t we just acknowledge that he lied Saturday night? Before millions of viewer and however many of his supporters? So, Trump Chumps, what do you think when your candidate makes outrageous and dishonest accusations?

    That he just shook hands with Colin Powell and his fans? Probably a good sized porting of them in NC.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  627. portion P O R T I O N portion of them in NC.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  628. It’s not that outrageous. Remember most of the public still believes there were no weapons of mass destruction (which is a stupid term of art anyway, on a par with “war on terror”).

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  629. paper, if you have a problem with the word “portion”…on this doll, tell me where Trump touched you. Was it the “portion” region? Jesus, I knew it, that bastard knows no boundaries.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  630. Can’t we just acknowledge that he lied Saturday night? Before millions of viewer and however many of his supporters? So, Trump Chumps, what do you think when your candidate makes outrageous and dishonest accusations? Because if he’s willing to do that on a public stage, what is he willing to do behind closed doors??

    Lets just say that Trump LLC will be set in stone if he sits as president. I would like to think that Trump wants to restore the USA to the Reagan era, but if that were true he would be backing Cruz.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  631. Big Picture: I think well of Cruz; he is very smart man. In a different time, say 1980, a guy like Cruz would be a very tough nominee. But we all have to consider the Electoral map. assume the GOP nominee holds Romney’s 2012 states. Then what blue state can he turn red? Because Trump can do that. he can put a host of states in the Midwest and Northeast into play that Cruz simply cannot do. I respect social conservatives, but think that ship sailed. The Evangelicals are not in many states that aren’t in the red column already. This Election so going to be fought about jobs, illegal immigration, our military misadventures, our debt. At least under Trump, Evangelicals and social conservatives will get a fair hearing. But if Cruz or any GOP candidate wants to spend capital on abortion, gay marriage, etc. he will lose,and badly.

    Rubio is a joke. There is no polite way of saying this.

    RIP, Nino. Scary thought of the day; Ruth Bader Ginsburg is today almost certainly seriously considering taking her daily nap someplace other than the the SCOTUS bench during oral arguments. And we have the sorry spectre of a legal imbecile Lindsay Graham, he who voted for Kagan, Sotmayor, Lynch, Holder, on the Judiciary Committee.Had occasion to hear his incoherence on full display on Fox this morning. And you wonder why people are clamoring for Trump over GOPe.

    Bugg (fa64ec)

  632. “Weapons of mass destruction” smacks of focus testing. Let’s see what phrase sells the best with the rubes. That kind of thing.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  633. Can’t we just acknowledge that he lied Saturday night?

    yes yes yes Mr. Trump lied

    I don’t think he really believes that the Bush Administration lied about weapons of mass destructions.

    But I definitely prefer Mr. Trump’s take to marco sleazio’s refusal to recognize that the Iraq war was a huge mistake. That’s disqualifying. And kind of nutty.

    happyfeet (831175)

  634. Bugg, you may be right. Bit of advice, though…republicans are or should be cynical regarding our loyalties. Trump has a crappy history of consistency. If you are are a girl, please use a contraceptive until the night of the general election. I care about you.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  635. Which is easier to say? Weapons of mass destruction or chemicals, deadly chemicals, poison gas….

    It was politic. Hate that.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  636. If it makes you feel any better pete, the nomination is always sewn up before I get a chance to cast a ballot.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  637. on this doll, tell me where Trump touched you.

    Donald Trump touched me on my global warming is bullshit bone.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  638. paper, in no way could I refute your cynicism…some of us take the pistol put of our mouths long enough to vote.

    Hope. Isn’t it wonderful?

    pieter (ec44a2)

  639. Bugg , really? your solution is to just roll over and play dead. Let the democrats elect Trump just as they gave us a decade of the Obama depression…Tbe thing is, I almost hope Cruz is spared because he is too good of a person to be thrown to the wolves of what this nation now is under Barack Insane Obama. Fear no man …..Fear the will of God…. We are living in a modem day Sodom.

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  640. Damned kindle, out not put. Grrr.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  641. on this doll, tell me where Trump touched you.

    Donald Trump touched me on my global warming is bullshort bone.

    papertiger (c2d6da) — 2/14/2016 @ 12:36 pm Your comment is awaiting moderation.

    Can someone fix this thing so I can say “bs” when “bs” needs to be said?

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  642. 640.Which is easier to say? Weapons of mass destruction or chemicals, deadly chemicals, poison gas….

    or history repeating itself with Islamonazis …….Islam, BO’s greatest champion is the problem

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  643. paper, in no way could I refute your cynicism…..

    Sorry pete. Sacramento California here.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  644. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sl9-tY1oZNw

    Trump would not get in the way of his buddy Al Gore and his $$$ scam

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  645. paper, you are a kindred spirit utilizing an equally unsatisfying computing platform. Both fists at the stars, one for the BS politics and the other…damned dirty kindle.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  646. But I definitely prefer Mr. Trump’s take to marco sleazio’s refusal to recognize that the Iraq war was a huge mistake. That’s disqualifying. And kind of nutty.

    And I definitely prefer a presidential candidate that doesn’t act like a foookin Nazi, command his minions to physically assault dissenters…

    Eric in Hollywood (5ff8bf)

  647. Remember most of the public still believes there were no weapons of mass destruction (which is a stupid term of art anyway, on a par with “war on terror”).

    Point.

    As someone related earlier, the average US citizen is generally uninterested in “re-litigating” anything to do with Iraq.

    JP (adebcd)

  648. It’s no cynicism when it’s true.

    I didn’t say I wouldn’t vote. I enjoy the looks I get from the poll workers when they see the Republican ballot.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  649. paper, I was born in Palo Alto moved by my family to Texas at a young age…as such, suggest you ask your dad if you can move. You will be happier though have less reason for others to commiserate. So it goes.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  650. Bugg, Donnie Trump is not a conservative. Come on, man.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  651. As the vote totals climb, the percentages remain fairly constant:

    **DRUDGE POLL** WHO WON THE 9TH REPUBLICAN DEBATE ’16?

    TRUMP 54.07% (294,708 votes)

    CRUZ 21.32% (116,226 votes)

    RUBIO 13.27% (72,348 votes)

    KASICH 5.46% (29,784 votes)

    BUSH 3.25% (17,689 votes)

    CARSON 2.62% (14,285 votes)

    Total Votes: 545,040

    ropelight (0bdb18)

  652. Isn’t Texas getting full? Eight years of migration and whatnot.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  653. papertiger makes up most of what he says as he goes…sort of like Trump actually.

    Gerald A (7c7ffb)

  654. ropelight,
    I’m sorry to tell you this, but the Drudge poll is not scientific. Thousands of Trump Sycophants had already voted 15 minutes into the debate last night.

    You’re trying to persuade people to support Trump based on some kind of ‘American Idol’ poll. What you fail to grasp is that those of us who oppose Trump’s nomination tend to do so based upon principle and ideology, rather than some kind of straw poll of Justin Bieber fans in the parking lot of a Justin Bieber concert.
    On top of that, many of us believe he would get wiped out in a general election due to all the profanities and insults which have turned so many people off. But then again, you’re attracted to that kind of social discourse.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  655. Can’t read this whole thread. Can someone tell me if paper and rope now think Bush lied people died?

    Patterico (d5f843)

  656. Again the brutal Electoral College math. 1988, GOP has won the popular vote on the 2 occasions the Dems nominated unpleasant liberal Massholes, and further won the Electoral College 1 other time when they nominated the repugnant Al Gore. We spend a great deal of time in this echo chamber that tells us conservative social ideals have broad support. Alas, were it so. when you start God Squading it, you guarantee the loss of many big number states. Simply spending time and energy about social issues is not gonna help things, in fact it will make them worse.Show me the blue state that will turn red with that. I’ll help you out; there isn’t one. In fact kiss Virginia, Florida and Ohio goodbye.And no Republican is winning without those states barring divine intervention.

    I am cynical. Which is why I find Rubio the Robot a complete embarrassment. 3rd and 5th place are not grounds for celebration. How one could look at Trump with such disgust and then next look at Rubio as a credible candidate is something I cannot fathom.

    Bugg (fa64ec)

  657. Hell no. There were chemical weapons. It’s not what Bush did that bugs me it’s the way he did it.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  658. The Paulbots have all grown up to be Trumpbots.

    Eric in Hollywood (5ff8bf)

  659. Besides there’s plenty that Bush did for me to be mad about without digging into the weeds of Iraq.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  660. Oh Bugg, expressing your Marco Rubio Derangement Syndrome does nothing to convince Republicans why Donnie Trump should become the nominee.
    At least Marco was a registered Republican during the 2008 election cycle.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  661. But I’m going to go ahead and guess that Trump spouting that dishonest leftist line doesn’t bother you…

    Patterico (d5f843)

  662. papertiger makes up most of what he says as he goes…sort of like Trump actually.

    Gerald A (7c7ffb) — 2/14/2016 @ 12:57 pm

    Yeah. You say that like it’s a bad thing.

    How do you do it? I mean do you type up an essay. Proofread the comment. Make revisions. Consult the encyclopedia for fact checking, then submit?

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  663. Old and Busted: Armani suit & tie

    The New Hotness: Brownshirts.

    Eric in Hollywood (5ff8bf)

  664. But I’m going to go ahead and guess that Trump spouting that dishonest leftist line doesn’t bother you…

    Patterico (d5f843) — 2/14/2016 @ 1:11 pm

    Trying to get a rise out of me? It is kind of cool when I get in full bluster mode. Feeling the love.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  665. How do you do it? I mean do you type up an essay. Proofread the comment. Make revisions. Consult the encyclopedia for fact checking, then submit?

    Yes. It’s called informed opinion.

    The LIV takes a step closer to the light…

    Eric in Hollywood (5ff8bf)

  666. Again the brutal Electoral College math. 1988, GOP has won the popular vote on the 2 occasions the Dems nominated unpleasant liberal Massholes, and further won the Electoral College 1 other time when they nominated the repugnant Al Gore. We spend a great deal of time in this echo chamber that tells us conservative social ideals have broad support. Alas, were it so. when you start God Squading it, you guarantee the loss of many big number states. Simply spending time and energy about social issues is not gonna help things, in fact it will make them worse.Show me the blue state that will turn red with that. I’ll help you out; there isn’t one. In fact kiss Virginia, Florida and Ohio goodbye.And no Republican is winning without those states barring divine intervention.

    I am cynical. Which is why I find Rubio the Robot a complete embarrassment. 3rd and 5th place are not grounds for celebration. How one could look at Trump with such disgust and then next look at Rubio as a credible candidate is something I cannot fathom.

    Bugg (fa64ec) — 2/14/2016 @ 1:04 pm

    The polls contradict your theory that Trump is the most electable. They show the opposite. Polls well ahead of an election can be significantly off, but generally it’s a situation where the candidate that started out way behind wasn’t well known yet. That isn’t the case here. It is totally irrational to think that someone who is so well known and has such huge negatives is going to turn that around.

    The polls clearly indicate Trump has no chance, assuming no big unforeseen event like a large terrorist attack, economic crisis etc.

    Gerald A (7c7ffb)

  667. papertiger,

    What you do is pound your fist on the podium, and insist that people don’t donate to your campaign. Then, you have your webmaster arrange a DONATE button, placed prominently on your website. That way, the people you don’t want to donate, can donate, and then you can still accept the money that you don’t actually want to receive.
    And then you can give lectures about lying and deception and corruption in politics. You can add a cup of water, and a pinch of salt, but don’t add any irony to it. Because that ruins the entire recipe.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  668. Bush lost me in Mexico. I’m still trying to figure out which jobs Americans won’t do

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  669. Yeah. You say that like it’s a bad thing.

    How do you do it? I mean do you type up an essay. Proofread the comment. Make revisions. Consult the encyclopedia for fact checking, then submit?

    papertiger (c2d6da) — 2/14/2016 @ 1:11 pm

    When I say papertiger makes up most of what he says as he goes…sort of like Trump actually I’m actually saying you make things up.

    Gerald A (7c7ffb)

  670. How do you do it? I mean do you type up an essay. Proofread the comment. Make revisions. Consult the encyclopedia for fact checking, then submit?

    Yes. It’s called informed opinion.

    The LIV takes a step closer to the light…

    Eric in Hollywood (5ff8bf) — 2/14/2016 @ 1:16 pm

    And your comment really shines for all the work you put into it.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  671. You damned noisy kids, go outside and play, you woke Patterico.

    Honey, here’s a beer…(shows a little saggy boob) who wants dinner?

    pieter (ec44a2)

  672. I guess paper and rope will be dodging this question then?

    Patterico (d5f843)

  673. If blog comments worked like you want them to, I’d be drinking daiquiris with Ann Coulter on her veranda.

    Love you, Ann. Call me.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  674. I’m sorry to tell you this, but the Drudge poll is not scientific. Thousands of Trump Sycophants had already voted 15 minutes into the debate last night.

    Remember the good ol’ days when Ron Paul “won” every GOP Presidential debate according to those amazingly-accurate online polls?

    JVW (9e3c77)

  675. If it weren’t for trolls…we wouldn’t have much to harumph at. Say, I didn’t hear a harumph from him…yes, you.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  676. Still here. Damn

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  677. Patterico, so far the consensus is Rubio may or may not be earning five bucks the hard way in a public restroom and Trump may or may not be wearing an overflowing adult diaper. The discussion on the other candidates is way over my head.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  678. Patterico,

    Ropelight is still hanging all his hope on a Drudge poll. As if that Drudge poll had any actual, you know, weight on, you know, anything. Anything at all. I haven’t seen anywhere where Ropelight actually discussed anything about the actual debate or Trump’s outrageous lies or uncontrollable juvenile behavior.

    John Hitchcock (0208ff)

  679. Or you can go with what John said…go with what John said.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  680. Mr. Trump’s biggest advantage is the other candidates

    happyfeet (831175)

  681. And Papertiger is still insisting a regulation to report, electronically, all contributions to your campaign is a requirement to have a donate button and to ask for donations. He cannot admit that the two are not the same and that the government doesn’t require anyone to accept contributions to political campaigns.

    John Hitchcock (0208ff)

  682. 623 How so? Please provide specifics. I don’t see how one could arrive at the conclusion. Cruz is the one, too, who accurately recognized “It’s not that we don’t know how to solve illegal immigration. What is missing is the political will to get it done”.

    I don’t consider Carson a serious candidate. If I am not mistaken Bush and Kasich are openly pro immigration. Rubio and Cruz have been pro immigration in the past and their current positions seem calculated for political advantage (which makes them subject to change upon election). This could be said of Trump too of course but his anti-immigration positions are more extreme and central to his appeal which would make changing them harder. Trump also seems more willing to ignore the inevitable racism charges effective action would elicit. And he is not dependent on big money pro-immigration donors.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  683. John, don’t be a tattle-tale…use a knife, more honest.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  684. Trust me, Pieter, I’ve made no bones about the fact papertiger is a damned liar, and the fact I’m using the dictionary definition of “damned” and not the pejorative usage of the term.

    John Hitchcock (0208ff)

  685. And your comment really shines for all the work you put into it.
    papertiger (c2d6da) — 2/14/2016 @ 1:26 pm

    Tis but a trifle…

    Much like your argument.

    Eric in Hollywood (5ff8bf)

  686. 671 The polls clearly indicate Trump has no chance, assuming no big unforeseen event like a large terrorist attack, economic crisis etc.

    At one time, not too long ago, you could have said the same thing about Trump and the Republican nomination. Things can change. Clinton could get indicted.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  687. Cruz has been pro-immigration the same way I have: legal immigration, good. illegal immigration, bad. Cruz has never been a supporter of illegal immigration or amnesty. To claim otherwise is to be dishonest.

    John Hitchcock (0208ff)

  688. Polls that say Trump has no chance of winning the Presidency take into account people like Patterico, myself, my daughter, my son-in-law, who will never, ever, vote for Trump. And 3 in that list are from bellwether Ohio.

    John Hitchcock (0208ff)

  689. Plus no regulation could mandate a message to please give. But we already established their laughable arguments in this. I just wanted someone to tell me whether in nearly 700 comments rope or paper criticized Trump in any way for his dishonest leftist criticism of Bush. I already know the inevitable answer of course; just want to hear it confirmed.

    After all: if I can’t give Trump supporters much deserved shit for having zero intellectual integrity then where’s the fun in having a blog?

    I hope this one man is worth it for you guys. Because I will never, ever let you hear the end of it.

    Happy Valentine’s Day! Mm-wah!

    Patterico (aa1d82)

  690. James B. Shearer,

    So Rubio and Cruz have been flexible with their immigration views, but Trump has not?
    But Trump has been flexible with pretty much every other view, though, wouldn’t you agree?

    At least in 2008, both Rubio and Cruz were registered Republicans. Unlike, uh, well, you know who.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  691. John, I bow to your skills at using the internet to its fullest, your superior intellect, and apparent sobriety. I could never find fault in the savaging of a liar. Go get ‘im. We are all equals in understanding and eloquence til proven otherwise.

    In all fairness, I have been shown provably wrong numerous times.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  692. After all: if I can’t give Trump supporters much deserved shit for having zero intellectual integrity then where’s the fun in having a blog?

    It really is like talking to an Obamabot, isn’t it?

    Trump 2016: Come for the impotent rage. Stay for the tribalism.

    Eric in Hollywood (5ff8bf)

  693. ‘Donald Trump sought Sunday to walk back his statements during Saturday night’s Republican debate that former President George W. Bush bore responsibility for the Sept. 11 terror attack.

    “I am not blaming him,” Trump said on CBS’ “Face the Nation” Sunday.

    Trump continued to imply Bush erred, however. “The CIA said there was a lot of information that something like that was going to happen,” he said. The attacks killed just under 3,000 Americans.

    During Saturday night’s debate, Trump told former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush: “The World Trade Center came down during your brother’s reign, remember that.” ‘

    http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/trump-walks-backs-attack-on-george-bush/article/2583272

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  694. Patterico! Jesus on a pogo stick! Some of us have been married decades…Valentine’s day is a cruelty inflicted by the young and ignorant on the old and stubborn.

    Take my wife, please. Honest, really…take the body at the very least.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  695. I’m in the sleeper berth of my big truck, in a truck stop in Georgia. Can’t have any alcohol at all in the tractor, which would include inside someone’s body in that tractor.

    John Hitchcock (0208ff)

  696. I didn’t watch the debate Pat.

    What I got of it was from you guys here at the blog.

    So I gather he did badly? But if he did well you wouldn’t have said that either.

    And I wouldn’t brow beat you about it, because that’s the way the dice rolls.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  697. This could be said of Trump too of course but his anti-immigration positions are more extreme and central to his appeal which would make changing them harder. Trump also seems more willing to ignore the inevitable racism charges effective action would elicit.

    If he doesn’t care about being called a racist today, then why do you think he would care about being called an immigration flip-flopper in 2017? I get your point that a rational person who had laid down such a strong marker on the issue would probably be unlikely to budge come hell or high water, but with your guy I think we are talking about a narcissistic pathology so extreme that he simply won’t think twice about changing his position when he feel that it suits his needs.

    JVW (9e3c77)

  698. John, my in-laws are truckers…stay safe and may the weather be good in your travels. I care immensely towards your well being…I promise to drink for the both of us. Cheers.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  699. I didn’t watch the debate Pat.

    What I got of it was from you guys here at the blog.

    Terriffic. Informed opinion, see?

    So I gather he did badly? But if he did well you wouldn’t have said that either.

    And I wouldn’t brow beat you about it, because that’s the way the dice rolls.
    papertiger (c2d6da) — 2/14/2016 @ 2:10 pm

    In other words…

    I’m being an a-hole because I just know you guys woulda been one, too.

    Oy gevelt.

    Eric in Hollywood (5ff8bf)

  700. papertiger, so now that you’ve discovered what Trump said about Bush, Iraq, and 9/11, what are your reactions to what The Donald said?

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  701. paper,

    I have hung out with Coulter and hope to again. I think I understand her support for Trump: she believes immigration is the defining issue of our time and that he is the best on that issue. If I see her again I will likely give her crap about all the backtracking she would have to do on other issues to support him, but I’m sure she would give as good as she gets. The thing about Ann is that what you see is what you get, and she’s perfectly happy to have a spirited debate with you if you disagree. I genuinely like her and still do.

    Patterico (20560f)

  702. Look at the results. Trump is the only one on stage that said prior to (not post script) that invading Iraq is a mistake.

    So let’s brow beat.

    Pat you think going into Iraq was a good move?

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  703. Ann is a good pickle she wants to make America great again

    happyfeet (831175)

  704. I have hung out with Coulter and hope to again. I think I understand her support for Trump: she believes immigration is the defining issue of our time and that he is the best on that issue. If I see her again I will likely give her crap about all the backtracking she would have to do on other issues to support him,

    I am so jealous of you right now. Can’t even think.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  705. paper,

    As long as you didn’t see him say that stuff about Bush you can pretend people made it up. I’m looking at some sand right now and any second I expect you to appear and stick your head in it.

    Patterico (20560f)

  706. The thing about Ann is that what you see is what you get, and she’s perfectly happy to have a spirited debate with you if you disagree. I genuinely like her and still do.

    I’m glad to hear that you have met her and find her to be personable. I used to be quite fond of her writing, but I fear that for my tastes she is becoming too hard-edged and shrill. But then again, these are the times in which we are living, I suppose.

    JVW (9e3c77)

  707. As long as you didn’t see him say that stuff about Bush you can pretend people made it up. I’m looking at some sand right now and any second I expect you to appear and stick your head in it.
    Patterico (20560f) — 2/14/2016 @ 2:17 pm

    Of course. Plausible deniability.

    Bob Schieffer knows it well.

    Eric in Hollywood (5ff8bf)

  708. Patterico, what have we told you about cute blondes and guns…it will only end in tears.

    I like her, too. She either knows something I don’t or…fark, maybe I’m more of an idiot than previously realized.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  709. And you get to put people in jail too! Oh!

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  710. Did Trump say Iraq was a mistake before going in, or within a year or two after? I have seen evidence of the latter but not the former. I am not saying the former is not true. I just would like a link if one exists.

    I thought the Iraq war was the right move based on what we thought we knew at the time. I said around 2007 that it was a mistake.

    Patterico (20560f)

  711. P, only the googles know…I need a drop of your blood, your social security number and cosigning by a parent to confirm with the oracles.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  712. The more I drink the more I sound like happyfeet…perhaps he is also a soon to be retired veteran, undiagnosed alcoholic, clinically determined antisocial, and one bad decision away from federal scrutiny.

    I should be nicer to happy…at least make friends with his dealer.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  713. Did Trump say Iraq was a mistake before going in, or within a year or two after? I have seen evidence of the latter but not the former. I am not saying the former is not true. I just would like a link if one exists.

    DRJ posted a link from Polifact earlier. Now Polifact is Polifact, so go grain of salt if you want, but according to them they could only find one on the record instance of Ol’ Whazzizname speaking about the Iraq War before it started, and he said something along the lines of “it may not work out” but his statement was so anodyne that had it been a rousing success he probably could claim that he had supported it all along. But then that guy likes to make up his history as he goes along.

    JVW (9e3c77)

  714. pieter, you should load up on potassium, magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin C each time after you have some drinks. That’ll help you rebound. I promise.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  715. CS, roger and WILCO. Wait, what, did you say put a possum in my…

    pieter (ec44a2)

  716. congratulations on your imminent retirement

    retirement’s my favorite idea next to banana pudding

    happyfeet (831175)

  717. Only thing I got going for me is this stupid Trump tattoo.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  718. I’m in the sleeper berth of my big truck, in a truck stop in Georgia. Can’t have any alcohol at all in the tractor, which would include inside someone’s body in that tractor.

    John Hitchcock (0208ff) — 2/14/2016 @ 2:08 pm

    I been warped by Rand Paul, driven by the polls
    Ain’t drunk, just dirty don’t ya know, and I’m still, votin’
    Out on the road late at night, Seen my Teddy Cruz in every head light
    Teddy… Steady Teddy
    And I’ve been from Tucson to Tucumcari
    Tehachapi to Tonapah
    Driven every kinda rig that’s ever been made
    Driven the back roads so I couldn’t get laid
    And if you give me, weed, whites, and Cruz
    I can’t be drinkin’ no booze
    I’ll be willin’, to be votin’

    I’ve been breakin’ some wind, got stinky feet
    Have my head stoved in, when this trip is complete, and I’m still, votin’
    Now I smuggled some smokes and folks from Mexico
    Baked by the sun, every time I go to Mexico, and I’m still
    And I been from Tucson to Tucumcari
    Tehachapi to Tonapah
    Driven every kinda rig that’s ever been made…

    Colonel Haiku (2601c0)

  719. Speaking of pickles, happyfeet, I made my own for the first time. But I used Persian cucumbers which are too sweet. Should have gone for something more bland.

    JVW (9e3c77)

  720. pieter, yes a possum…now you know why they’re blind, and they only poke around at 2 or 3 in the morning after the bars have closed! No, I’m very serious about those minerals and vitamins. Google it, and you’ll get confirmation. Everyone reacts differently to alcohol, but over the long term, it incurs a deficiency in vitamins and minerals. Tomato juice is pretty high in potassium, so that’s why it’s long been considered an antidote to a night of drinking.

    Even after I drink a few beers, I turn to vitamins and minerals. If you have a Vitamin Shoppe near you, get yourself some B-1, and some packets of Emergen-C, which dissolves easily in water. That stuff is a real pick-me up.

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  721. 692.Cruz has been pro-immigration the same way I have: legal immigration, good. illegal immigration, bad. Cruz has never been a supporter of illegal immigration or amnesty. To claim otherwise is to be dishonest.

    My opposition to immigration, like Trump’s, is not limited to illegal immigration.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  722. Patterico,

    My comment is here regarding Trump’s position on Iraq. It links PolitiFact and I don’t want to give it another link, but I think it is accurate.

    My impression is that ropelight is not participating in the post-debate discussion, except to reprint Drudge polls that show Trump in the lead. papertiger has showed up for Trump and while we don’t always agree, I give him credit for participating.

    Most of the recent discussion has been with a commenter who posted zealously for Trump under two names: I Realize You’re Serious, and That’s the Funny Part (c37083) and then Now I’m Serious (c37083). nk says it is Christoph and I think he’s right. Who knew Canadians love Trump so much? It reminds me of the affection online foreigners had for Obama in 2007-2008.

    DRJ (15874d)

  723. I noticed two recent threads, most of the fun appears to still be here. The debate was illuminating, or should have been to some. Most here were reaffirmed as to suspicion…the rest of you slow starters hopefully got a clue.

    Who am I kidding? Clues are for chumps unwilling to recognize the great deals to be made by someone who will certainly subvert the constitution with republican applause.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  724. But James, I’m confused. Trump has consistently expressed love for legal immigrants. That’s one of several reasons he has said he wants a big beautiful door in the wall.

    DRJ (15874d)

  725. 701 If he doesn’t care about being called a racist today, then why do you think he would care about being called an immigration flip-flopper in 2017? …

    Standing up to your opponents is not quite the same thing as betraying your supporters. But as I have said before Trump just seems like the best of a bad lot. Perhaps this is wishful thinking.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  726. CS, thank you. I will endeavour to replace my precious bodily fluids…

    Mandrake, it’s not that I don’t like women but I will deny them my manly essence. (whatever I say next is likely to get weirder)

    pieter (ec44a2)

  727. Haiku,

    I’ve been thru Tuscon, Tehachapi, Tonapah, Tucumcari, and lots other places west of I-35. And stinky feet? Have you been talking to my asawa? That’s not nice of you to talk to her behind my back. Haven’t driven every kind of rig that’s been made, just Freightliners with Detroits and Navistars with “come aparts”. And, to quote Mike Warnke, “there’s a reason they call it “dope”, dope.” But you do have a way with lyrics.

    John Hitchcock (0208ff)

  728. FWIW I welcome legal immigrants, too. I don’t want immigrants from dangerous places because we aren’t vetting them properly, but I generally support legal immigrants and will continue to do that as soon as we get control of our borders and our immigration system.

    DRJ (15874d)

  729. good job on the pickles i wanna learn how to make mom’s bread n butter ones

    i think my sister in law knows

    i have a jar of pickled watermelon rinds i got at gene’s sausage shop

    i’m saving it for company

    happyfeet (831175)

  730. 728.But James, I’m confused. Trump has consistently expressed love for legal immigrants …

    Some legal immigrants perhaps but he has also opposed some currently legal immigration.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  731. Now I think Persian cucumbers would be right for bread & butter pickles, if your mom’s recipe tastes like how I remember bread & butter pickles taste. I’m trying to make really spicy ones with lots of hot peppers, but I think maybe I should have done something different.

    JVW (9e3c77)

  732. Christoph is now a white nationalist who has drunk the Trump kool-aid and goes around calling people cuck this and cuck that as he follows and retweets one white nationalist/”alt right” account after another. I find him creepy and feel vindicated in my decision to ban him lo these many years ago. When I have time I will check the thread and ban these accounts if I believe they are creepy Christoph.

    Patterico (20560f)

  733. 732.FWIW I welcome legal immigrants, too. I don’t want immigrants from dangerous places because we aren’t vetting them properly, but I generally support legal immigrants and will continue to do that as soon as we get control of our borders and our immigration system.

    The next question then is who of the billion plus people who would like to immigrate to the United States should we accept? I personally would be quite picky.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  734. Ted Cruz doesn’t just want to block legal refugee immigrants from Syria, Iraq and Libya, he filed a bill to make it the law. Schumer and Leahy Senate blocked it. You’d think the Republican Senate Majority Leader could find a way to overcome the actions of 2 Democratic Senators, but apparently not.

    DRJ (15874d)

  735. now you’re making me crave mom’s jalapeno jelly that stuff was special

    happyfeet (831175)

  736. We should be picky and we can if we have an immigration system that takes vetting seriously. I want the immigration system to look at everything, including medical status, family connections, past criminal and legal history, social media, and more. I doubt any of this is done consistently.

    DRJ (15874d)

  737. Creepy is not a crime, because of feelz. White supremacy coupled with willingness to use force to that end, is. Knock yourself out, Patterico.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  738. McConnell wants no controversial legislation to come up this spring. His goal is to preserve the GOP majority through the 2016 election. He’s like the rich guy who accumulates great wealth, but rather than spending it he hoards it which renders it useless.

    Of course if a Democrat wins the White House but the GOP holds on to the Senate, I may end up singing a different tune and congratulating McConnell on his brilliant strategy.

    JVW (9e3c77)

  739. McConnell represents stagnation and sclerosis and entrenched corruption

    he makes me uncomfortable

    happyfeet (831175)

  740. Trump was wrong about WMDs but it’s probably what everyone he knows in New York claims to know as fact. Or, as we say in West Texas, that’s New York Values.

    DRJ (15874d)

  741. JVW, who would of guessed the money would be tight from the GOP congressional caucus…unless it’s for Rubio.

    Me, both primary and general…will not vote for any incumbents, to include judges. I wish weren’t nearly alone in this sentiment. Even half voting this way would shake party.

    pieter (ec44a2)

  742. Regarding Trump’s ignorance about Iraq, this blog post is for Patterico and for posterity.

    DRJ (15874d)

  743. Mr. Trump just wanted to use his words to hurt

    it was not a good look for him

    Jebbio’s been really really vicious to Mr. The Donald and for no really good reason

    Jebbio has no chance whatsoever cause everyone thinks he’s a disgusting walking talking turdboy

    i think the sheer gratuitousness of Jebbio’s nastiness really gets under Mr. The Donald’s skin, and last night he lashed out

    i forgive him for it but he really kind of embarrassed me and we’re gonna have to work on our relationship a little cause I can’t be having these kinds of outbursts

    happyfeet (831175)

  744. 738.Ted Cruz doesn’t just want to block legal refugee immigrants from Syria, Iraq and Libya, he filed a bill to make it the law …

    That’s his current position. It has not always been his position. See here.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  745. Linking to the Puffington Host is like linking to VOX. It degrades the value of the claim. But you DID link to VOX to support your claims over on Patterico’s Pontifications at least once. As if VOX had any credibility at all.

    John Hitchcock (0208ff)

  746. Yes, James, but events change how we look at things, don’t they? The lax immigration vetting uncovered in the recent months has made it clear how dangerous it is to allowed refugees to immigrate.

    In a similar change of heart, Trump, in his 2011 book and again in a tweet published last Fall, wanted to invite foreigners graduating from American colleges to stay in America. We should want “good” immigrants until there is a reason to think they aren’t good.

    I’ve given Trump credit for changing the debate when it comes to immigration. That is a good thing. I don’t think it makes sense to give him credit for implementing it. It’s all talk up to now, and his past history on other issues shows he is prone to changing his mind.

    DRJ (15874d)

  747. The polls clearly indicate Trump has no chance, assuming no big unforeseen event like a large terrorist attack, economic crisis etc.

    At one time, not too long ago, you could have said the same thing about Trump and the Republican nomination.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb) — 2/14/2016 @ 1:58 pm

    I don’t think so.

    Things can change. Clinton could get indicted.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb) — 2/14/2016 @ 1:58 pm

    If you’re depending on Clinton getting indicted that proves my point. But if she does get indicted (and she won’t) she’ll be forced to step down in favor of someone else anyway.

    Gerald A (7c7ffb)

  748. 749.Linking to the Puffington Host is like linking to VOX. It degrades the value of the claim. But you DID link to VOX to support your claims over on Patterico’s Pontifications at least once. As if VOX had any credibility at all.

    This is silly. The Huffington Post link embeds a Fox news segment in which you can listen to Cruz blathering on about the huddled masses. Do you think they faked that or something?

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  749. what’s gonna be done about the trashy low-class republican donorfilth that goes to these debates

    they don’t know how to behave at these kinds of events and the disgusting propaganda trash “moderators” could care less about establishing any kind of decorum

    and what was with the prostitute in the pink suit she looked like a hooker barbie

    happyfeet (831175)

  750. Here’s the problem with George W. Bush in Iraq, from the link DRJ presents at #747.

    Wikileaks revealed that US troops regularly encountered chemical weapons in Iraq.

    Wikileaks! The stupid sob left us hanging with the New York Times pounding the message over and over and over for months and years even up to this day that there are no weapons of mass destruction in Iraq when he had the evidence in possession the whole time. Stupid effing half brained shmuck.

    We lost congressional seats, Senate seats, brow beat out of public forums, all so George could go to the grave with his secret (political metaphor).
    What an a@#hole.

    If Patterico were President during the invasion of Iraq, do you think he’s going to hide the key evidence exonerating his administration in the court of public opinion under a basket?

    Hell no.

    Speaking for me, I would have delivered crates full of Borak rockets (carefully rendered inert) and planted them on the porch outside the New York Times office, for all the world to see in unambiguous terms.

    Not our Georgie though. Stupid b***ard.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  751. Because the Puffington Host is a Lying Leftist site and VOX is a brain-dead Lying Leftist site, I don’t follow links to them. That’s like knowingly following the car in front of you right over the cliff.

    John Hitchcock (0208ff)

  752. very well said Mr. tiger

    happyfeet (831175)

  753. 751 I don’t think so.

    See here for example.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  754. Sulzberger would have had to walk around the stacks of chemical shells to get to his car.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  755. 755.Because the Puffington Host is a Lying Leftist site and VOX is a brain-dead Lying Leftist site, I don’t follow links to them. That’s like knowingly following the car in front of you right over the cliff.

    That’s your choice. It’s my choice not to waste my time tracking down a link which meets your purity standards when there is no serious doubt. Unless you think the Huffington Post is inventing Fox News clips.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  756. 751 I don’t think so.

    See here for example.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb) — 2/14/2016 @ 3:57 pm

    That’s not a poll of Republican voters. Where’s there a poll showing he was behind among likely Republican voters?

    Gerald A (7c7ffb)

  757. Because the Puffington Host is a Lying Leftist site and VOX is a brain-dead Lying Leftist site, I don’t follow links to them. That’s like knowingly following the car in front of you right over the cliff.

    John Hitchcock (0208ff) — 2/14/2016 @ 3:56 pm

    That’s very Democratic of you , John.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  758. That’s not a poll of Republican voters. Where’s there a poll showing he was behind among likely Republican voters?

    It’s the average of three polls of Republicans. June 2015 is a little early to be trying to determine likely voters and I doubt it would have made much difference.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  759. Of course, if I ever did get a call from Ann Coulter I imagine the conversation wuld go like this old link from Protein Wisdom.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  760. @ Patterico,

    Did Trump say Iraq was a mistake before going in, or within a year or two after? I have seen evidence of the latter but not the former. I am not saying the former is not true. I just would like a link if one exists.

    I guess this is Trump’s big opposition to the war in 2003:

    Donald Trump, with Amazonian beauty Melania Knauss at his side, pronounces on the war and the stock market: “If they keep fighting it the way they did today, they’re going to have a real problem.”

    Looking as pensive as a “Nightline” talking head, the Donald concludes, “The war’s a mess,” before sweeping off into the crowd.

    He also said this weekend after the invasion:

    “I think the market’s going to go up like a rocket!”

    According to the Washington Post, Trump’s public opposition to the war began in 2004.

    Dana (86e864)

  761. Moving towards 800 posts and the Colonel wins the thread! Awesome ode to truckers. Classy move, per standard, by Colonel Haiku.

    Beldar and DRJ have been terrific per usual, as well.

    I am blessed to have come across this site years ago.+

    I still think something Providential happened yesterday. So much is being crystallized with the passing of Antonin and Trump finally being Trump at a debate. It can’t just have been coincidental.

    Ed from SFV (3400a5)

  762. I didn’t get a harumph out of that guy.

    Work, Work, Work.

    HELLO, BOYS!

    Bugg (fa64ec)

  763. That’s not a poll of Republican voters. Where’s there a poll showing he was behind among likely Republican voters?

    It’s the average of three polls of Republicans. June 2015 is a little early to be trying to determine likely voters and I doubt it would have made much difference.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb) — 2/14/2016 @ 4:11 pm

    It is Republicans. But what does it actually show? It showed 57% of Republicans had a negative view of him, which isn’t inconsistent with the results we’re seeing. You don’t have to get close to a majority of the voters to win a primary, and he hasn’t gotten close. You do have to get a majority or very close in the general, assuming no significant third party candidate.

    Gerald A (7c7ffb)

  764. 768 It is Republicans. But what does it actually show? It showed 57% of Republicans had a negative view of him, which isn’t inconsistent with the results we’re seeing …

    A few months later his net favorability was 40+ points higher. See here.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  765. Tied to the tracks and the train’s fast coming
    Strapped to the wing with the engine running
    You say that this wasn’t in your plan
    don’t mess around with the demolition man
    Tied to a chair, and the bomb is ticking
    This situation was not of your picking
    You say that this wasn’t in your plan
    don’t mess around with a demolition man

    I’m a walking nightmare, an arsenal of doom
    I kill conversation as I walk into the room
    I’m a three line whip, I’m the sort of thing they ban
    I’m a walking disaster, I’m a demolition man
    Demolition, demolition
    Demolition, demolition

    You come to me like a moth to the flame
    It’s love you need but I don’t play that game
    ‘Cause you could be my greatest fan
    But I’m nobody’s friend, I’m a demolition man

    I’m a walking nightmare, an arsenal of doom
    I kill conversation as I walk into a room
    I’m a three line whip, I’m the sort that they ban
    I’m a walking disaster, I’m a demolition man
    Demolition, demolition
    Demolition, demolition

    Tied to the tracks and the train’s fast coming
    Strapped to the wing with the engine running
    You say that this wasn’t in your plan
    And don’t mess around with the demolition man
    Tied to a chair, and the bomb is ticking
    This situation was not of your picking
    You say that this wasn’t in your plan
    And don’t mess around with the demolition man

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  766. A few months later his net favorability was 40+ points higher. See here.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb) — 2/14/2016 @ 7:39 pm

    Good point. But why did that happen?

    Gerald A (7c7ffb)

  767. I hearing Rush saying Ted got booed at the debate. So that would be Trump and Cruz being booed.
    While Jeb was feted like MacArthur returning to the Philippines.

    Tell me what’s wrong with that picture.

    What do those two guys have in common?

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  768. It’s the difference between manipulation and persuasion. I’m not voting for a leader who can’t tell the difference.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  769. papertiger,

    (LOL)

    Cruz Supporter (102c9a)

  770. Yeah I know. Somedays my optimism gets the upperhand.

    papertiger (c2d6da)

  771. 771 … But why did that happen?

    I don’t know. I am just saying bad poll numbers can improve.

    James B. Shearer (0f56fb)

  772. I can’t remember what thread Patterico asked about Trump’s statements on Iraq so I’ll put it here. Buzzfeed News has done some digging. Trump did not oppose the War before it started and he didn’t turn against it for a year, in 2004.

    DRJ (15874d)

  773. yes yes Mr. The Donald got it wrong

    the most egregious lie the booshies told

    the one that can’t be forgotten or forgiven

    is that their little war would be cheap and easy

    happyfeet (831175)

  774. The people of Iraq condemned him to death, not the US citizens…

    Only after we made that decision possible.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  775. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpfZxDfOY4o

    rush doubting trump now…

    JRT for CRUZ (bc7456)

  776. And so Millhouse, the US military was required to be the instrument of his removal?What was the constitutional basis for that?

    The constitutional basis was Congress’s autority to declare war.

    This is the crux of it. Why us? Always?

    Because there was no one else capable of doing it. “In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.”

    And if you in fact decided he was a national security threat to the US(which was absurd)

    He was a threat to the security of the whole world. Including us. As documented at length in the AUMF against Iraq.

    why the nation-building idiocy and ROE that got great people serving the country maimed and killed?

    Because we saw in Afghanistan what happens when you leave a vacuum. And because someone had to do it, and we were there so it fell to us.

    There’s nothing in the Constitution about people in far off lands “yearning to breathe free” as Idiot Bush the 2nd told us in his insane 2nd Inaugural.

    Why does it have to be in the constitution? Do all people not yearn to breathe free? Why are we the only people who deserve freedom? You sound like you subscribe to the Kitty Genovese theory of foreign affairs.

    Not everyone nor every country is culturally able to transition to Madisonian democracy. It’s a fools’ errand to bother.

    I don’t think Madison would have agreed.

    Most aren’t and culturally Islamic countries clearly are not. We have in fact created 2 countries who have installed sharia law (with the one sane exception being the very decent and sensible Kurds

    Did you not notice that you just contradicted yourself? The Kurds’ success proves that Moslem countries are capable of being free and decent, just as Botswana proves that black African countries are capable of being free and decent. Their existence deprives all the Moslem and African hellholes of the excuse that this is their nature and they’re incapable of being better.

    , whom we still refused to give their own state to appease the Turks supposedly of NATO who wouldn’t let us use their land to enter Iraq).

    Hooray, you’ve finally written something sensible, with which I heartily agree. On the day the Turks screwed us I said that we should punish them by establishing an independent Kurdistan.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  777. The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.*

    That’s what Mr. The Donald says about the global warm warm.

    And it shows his ignorance. The Chinese had nothing to do with it. (There is a decent case to be made that it was created by Margaret Thatcher in order to promote nuclear power.)

    Milhouse (87c499)

  778. Washington warned us of entangling alliances,

    Washington was speaking to a tiny and fragile country that could barely keep itself going and didn’t need to be dragooned into Frane’s or the UK’s “coalition of the willing”, to its own detriment. Europe’s problems seemed far awy, and it was the Great Powers’ job to take care of them. Well, we’re a Great Power now, and the world depends on us because there’s no one else to do it.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  779. . 9/11 was an attack on the US… an act of war. Yes, a hear after the fact when W. had a majority support a retaliation was needed.

    But against whom? We could have gone to war only against the people who attacked us. It was Bush’s decision to declare that night that we were at war with the whole terrorist network of which they were a part. Iraq was also part of that network, but not part of the attack on us. We didn’t have to retaliate against it, any more than we had to retaliate against North Africa for Pearl Harbor.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  780. I enjoy the looks I get from the poll workers when they see the Republican ballot.

    A time or two they’ve had to open the package for me. Once they didn’t even realize there was a R primary.

    Milhouse (87c499)

  781. Oy gevelt.

    * gevald. From the German for “violence”.

    Milhouse (87c499)


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