May 10, 2010

Rasmussen: Sestak Tops Specter, 47-42
— Ace

We will probably not get the thrill of retiring this nasty (perennially voted among the Senate's meanest) bastard ourselves; the Democrats will beat us to the punch.

One partisan, media-bashing point: The media will take the ouster of Bob Bennet as an indictment of conservatives. We're too ideological and/or partisan, they'll claim. (See the predictable Kathleen Parker, for example.) This take-down of one of the "good guys" (that is, someone willing to bend the Democrats way) proves that, as if it needed further proving.

First of all, one of the media's go-to Neutral Story Lines is that incumbents have too much of advantage in elections and there's not enough turn-over and fresh blood (read: drama which makes the news more fun to write) each election. Mickey Kaus often notes the media likes Neutral Story Lines, as they're easy to write, but are supposedly nonpartisan, as they usually criticize some procedural defect in both parties.

What makes the "Neutral Story Line" not neutral at all is that the media seems most interested, each cycle, in the "Neutral Story Li9ne" that hurts the Republicans more. For instance, the amount of money flowing into elections became a more and more intense problem as more and more money flowed to Republicans, putting Democrats at a disadvantage. The supposedly Neutral Story Line doesn't really seem all that Neutral when you consider that there's-too-much-money-in-politics reached its crisis stage during Bush's 2004 election, when he spent more money than anyone in history, but suddenly wasn't a problem at all when Obama topped him in 2008. This despite the fact that Bush actually had a higher percentage of small-money donors than Obama (as a percentage of total money donated), and Obama had a bigger percentage of high-dollar donors.

The media loves these story lines, because facially they appear neutral -- "money in politics is a danger" has no on-its-face, explicit partisan import -- but the timing of when to deploy a particular story line is highly partisan, and always made with the Democratic Party's best interests in mind.

Thus, when Bush refused the campaign spending limits, and spent only private money, it was nearly a constitutional crisis; when Obama did the same, it was a triumph of people-powered politics.

Are conspiracy theories bad? Well, right now, when the Republican base is vulnerable to buying into conspiracy theories about Obama's birthplace or sabotaged deep-drilling oil rigs, conspiracy theories are bad, and examples of the Paranoid Style of American Politics.

On the other hand, when former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright confessed to Mort Kondracke she feared Bush had actually captured bin Ladin and was secretly holding him only to publicize his capture on the eve of the 2004 elections, a party's trafficking in conspiracy theories wasn't even worth noting.

Certainly such conspiracy theories weren't worth noting when Bush and Cheney (and their deadly cabal) were accused of sabotaging a plane in order to murder a sitting and popular liberal US Senator.

Now, of course, in the case of Bob Bennet, the media is instructing us that we on the right are too partisan and too ideological and too inflexible and so on and so on -- the "neutral story line" they're pushing; a call for moderation is neutral, by its own terms -- and ignoring the other possible neutral story line -- that it's wonderful that an incumbent got beat, which proves that our politics can change when an electorate gets involved.

But consider the case of Sestack and Specter: The media will once again have its choice of two "neutral story lines" when that primary is resolved. It's heads the Democrats win, tails the Republicans lose, as far as the media is concerned.

If Sestack wins, the media will in fact push the "neutral story line" they could have pushed, but chose not to, in Bennet's case: That we're retiring an old warhorse in favor of a fresh face and that proves that our system works.

On the other hand, if Specter wins, they'll push the "neutral story line" that the Democrats, unlike Republicans, are welcoming of moderates. (And Specter, a moderate Republican turncoat now voting as a somewhat-less-moderate Democrat, is still pretty moderate.) So that story line does have something to it.

But we'll have no stories about "overly-partisan and inflexibly ideological Democrats driving out a true moderate and fence-crosser" if Specter should lose -- trust that. Instead we'll have the other supposedly-neutral story line, the one that once again just happens to wind up praising Democrats.

And this is how media bias works 75% of the time. Most of the time, the media is selecting between several possible "rules," many of which are arguably correct, but which are contradicted by nearly opposite rules, which are also arguably correct. The media never decides which rule is correct in the most cases; instead, they choose whichever "rule" benefits the Democrats this cycle.

Are we too interested in personal scandals which don't really have much to do with a party's governing philosophy? The answer is "No" if you mean Mark Foley or Mark Sanford; the answer is "Yes" if you mean Eric Massa or John Edwards.

Is it out of line for a former vice president to toughly criticize a new president of a different party? Well, if you're Al Gore criticizing Bush, you're just being patriotic and expressing the frustrations of millions of Americans. If you're Dick Cheney criticizing Obama, you're deliberately weakening a new president and endangering national security.

Is it patriotic, or treasonous, for a high-level national security staffer to leak to the press? Well, if you're exposing Bush's SWIFT snooping, you're a patriot, keeping a vigilant eye on the shadowy, murky world of espionage. If you're embarrassing Obama by noting that he has no Iran plan at all, you're a dirty leaking traitor giving away critical state secrets for a cheap partisan advantage.

And dissent? Is it the highest form of patriotism or the lowest form of partisanship? I think you know the answer there, and the answer is, of course, It depends on who's dissenting.

In each of these situations, a halfway decent case can be made either way -- often, both of these "rules" is kinda-sorta true and kinda-sorta false.

The way the media shapes opinion is by stating, categorically, without caveat, that one rule is true in all cases when it benefits Democrats, and then, the following election cycle (or even the following month) that its opposite rule is categorically, and without caveat, true, in all cases, when it hurts the Republicans.

Neutral story lines are only really neutral when the criteria for choosing them is neutral. When partisan and ideological considerations drive the choice of which conflicting "neutral" story line to push, it's just a partisan press covering its tracks with the thinnest pretense of objectivity. As usual.


Thanks to James.

Posted by: Ace at 12:12 PM | Comments (149)
Post contains 1150 words, total size 8 kb.

1 Down with Spector!

Posted by: Mjim at May 10, 2010 12:14 PM (V8B//)

2 That's good.  Specter was lame.

Now the Democrats will win this seat, and retain control of both houses in November.

Posted by: dragon with the clap at May 10, 2010 12:16 PM (Mmw0q)

3 It's my nature.

Posted by: the scorpion at May 10, 2010 12:16 PM (4WbTI)

4
R weez evil right-wingers for wanting the crotchety old buzzard out?


Sign me up for the newsletter.

Posted by: Lemon Kitten at May 10, 2010 12:17 PM (0fzsA)

5
I am always neutral when explaining the danger to our country of the racist tea baggers who tried to blow up Times Square.

Posted by: Contessa Brewer at May 10, 2010 12:17 PM (Oxen1)

6 The MFM has been in the Democraps pocket since the FDR years when the media was cooped by the Soviet communists.


Posted by: Vic at May 10, 2010 12:19 PM (6taRI)

7 Bush's response to Katrina? Criminally slow (and racist). Obama's response to any natural disaster (on US soil)? Measured, reasoned and based on the available information.

Posted by: Dr Spank at May 10, 2010 12:20 PM (I1/U/)

8
I would laugh my nuts off if Specter decided to run as an independent.

He's turning 80, btw.

Posted by: Fred Jones, Scooby Gangmember at May 10, 2010 12:20 PM (uFokq)

9 I'm interested in balance, so islands and shit don't tip over.

Posted by: Hank Johnson at May 10, 2010 12:20 PM (Mmw0q)

10

I was COMPLETELY NEUTRAL when exposing the puppetmasters of those Anti-CNN, highly-partisan whackos during the April 2009 Tax Protests.

Posted by: Susan Roesgen at May 10, 2010 12:21 PM (kZVsz)

11
Folks are fed-up with incumbents. 
If-office-for-life is getting on our nerves.



Posted by: Lemon Kitten at May 10, 2010 12:22 PM (0fzsA)

12 We will probably not get the thrill of retiring this nasty (perennially voted among the Senate's meanest) bastard ourselves; the Democrats will beat us to the punch.

That would be justice in and of itself, since Specter jumped the GOP in order to avoid being ousted in a primary.

Posted by: The War Between the Undead States at May 10, 2010 12:22 PM (UBykT)

13

That was good, Ace.

Do you think they do it consciously or reflexively? 

Posted by: rdbrewer at May 10, 2010 12:23 PM (DAVsx)

14 This is nothing like the objective news I read in Newsweek.

Posted by: Shtetl G at May 10, 2010 12:23 PM (s2Bbk)

15 Spector's a traitorous back-stabber and Sestak's a despicable worm with a pea-brain.  A real dem competition.  I hope they tear each other to shreds right before Toomey makes minced meat out of whichever dipshit prevails in their loser primary.

Posted by: progressoverpeace at May 10, 2010 12:23 PM (Qp4DT)

16

The media will take the ouster of Bob Bennet as an indictment of conservatives. We're too ideological and/or partisan, they'll claim.

This was the meme all weekend from CK to Bill Bennet. Beltway Repubes are miffed at the ousting of this old school rino. Kudos to Crystal though who stuck it to Juanda Williams pretty good yesterday morning.  

Posted by: dananjcon at May 10, 2010 12:23 PM (pr+up)

17

Excellent post. It's a bit disappointing that an R won't get the chance to defeat Spectre in the fall, but it does make me chuckle that the democrats of PA don't want him. LOL.

You're quite correct about the media, too. Editors pick and choose which stories to report as well. Remember the Hooverville stories that appeared regularly throughout the Bush years. Although unemployment is very high in our county and area, animals are starving, foreclosures are up, real estate is suffering as are small businesses such as restaurants, absolutely no stories like that come out of the Charlotte Observer. It's all 'recovery' all the time. It's become a standing joke.

Posted by: Carmelita at May 10, 2010 12:23 PM (gq1Fx)

18 Excellent analysis of the mfm.

Posted by: davidt at May 10, 2010 12:24 PM (aag4W)

19 14 This is nothing like the objective news I read in Newsweek.

A SUBSCRIBER! We actually found one! Quick, someone catch him before he escapes!

Posted by: Newsweek Circulation Department at May 10, 2010 12:25 PM (UBykT)

20 Beware the Slestack.

Posted by: Land of the Lost at May 10, 2010 12:25 PM (7VvJB)

21 Bush's inability to get Iran to stop building a nuclear weapons program? Due to cowboy diplomacy and his failing to talk to the Iranians. Obama's failure to do same? Due to Bush's cowboy diplomacy and Bush's failure to talk to the Iranians. So they're consistent there.

Posted by: Dr Spank at May 10, 2010 12:25 PM (I1/U/)

22 Arlene Specter is a girly-man traitor that sucked off the taxpayer's for years, only to jump ship in an attempt to save his leathery hide.  A good ass whippin' is in order, and the spanker will be the voting public followed by Ann Coulter who will drive a stake through his black heart for the good of conservatism.

Posted by: Fish at May 10, 2010 12:25 PM (mTAG8)

23
Really past time to stop caring what the MFM thinks. 

Posted by: Dang Straights at May 10, 2010 12:26 PM (fx8sm)

24 Dang, I was relishing the chance to see Sphincter go down in November.  But this will do.  While I respect Sestak's military service, his politics are of the lefttard variety - Crap and Tax, Gun Control, ect. 

Let's hope the Repubs don't screw this up.


Republican candidates now hold a six-point lead over Democrats in the latest edition of the Generic Congressional Ballot, matching the narrowest gap between the two parties this year.

Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at May 10, 2010 12:27 PM (c0A3e)

25 Jack Abramoff? Culture of corruption. Tony Rezko? Who?

Posted by: Dr Spank at May 10, 2010 12:27 PM (I1/U/)

26 I think Bob Bennet's own comment influenced how the story was covered.

Like this one: Recently, he has said part of his problem with delegates has been that he doesn't go on conservative cable talk shows and offer angry sound bites.

Posted by: snapdragon at May 10, 2010 12:28 PM (5Etcj)

27 Tony Rezko? Who?

Posted by: Dr Spank at May 10, 2010 04:27 PM (I1/U/)

STFU.  No talking about that allowed.

Posted by: CBS Illinois Affiliates at May 10, 2010 12:29 PM (Mmw0q)

28 You won't have Nixon Specter to kick around any more...

Posted by: Arlen at May 10, 2010 12:30 PM (9dIfg)

29 Nobody trusts a turncoat, Arlen.  FOADIAF

Posted by: Captain Hate at May 10, 2010 12:31 PM (V5s1P)

30

Toomey will face a greater challenge from Sestak than he would from Specter.

(that's if Sestak beats Specter, and please remember: the old coot has more than one trick up his sleeve.) Sestak has been running ads that are red meat for Dems, clips of George W. Bush endorsing Specter's last Senate run. Arlen Specter will not go down easily. I would not discount an Independent run.

If Sestak wins the primary, Toomey will need to highlight Sestak's rubber stamp of Pelosi's agenda - all of it. Because Sestak will immediately attempt to shift rightward during the general election.

Posted by: kallisto at May 10, 2010 12:31 PM (+FkcS)

31 28 You won't have Nixon Specter to kick around any more...

Praise Gaia!  It's about time that old buzzard gets out of the Senate.  I wish him nothing but a long and happy retirement somewhere far away, like the Poconos.

Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at May 10, 2010 12:32 PM (c0A3e)

32 Obviously all that campaign money Specter has accumulated isn't going to do him any good if he loses the primary, so he has nothing to lose by spending it on an all-out negative ad blitz in the final two weeks.  Naturally, Sestak will be forced to respond in kind.

Somewhere Pat Toomey is having a good laugh to himself.

Ace seems to have discovered the media is biased, too.  Who'd a-thunk it?

Posted by: Adjoran at May 10, 2010 12:32 PM (3hg5M)

33 I think 

Posted by: snapdragon at May 10, 2010 04:28 PM (5Etcj)

No, you don't.  You feel.  If you thought, you wouldn't keep saying the stupid stuff that comes spilling out of your mouth (keyboard).

Posted by: progressoverpeace at May 10, 2010 12:33 PM (Qp4DT)

34 Specter is so bad I don't want him buried on American soil when he dies.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at May 10, 2010 12:34 PM (P33XN)

35 Great post, Ace.  Today, Rush was musing over Obama and whether he'll just tepidly endorse Meeks or back Crist with gusto.  Either way, Rush said "The meeks won't inherit the Senate seat."  Heh!  Our poor, young precedent.  He's being forced to make hard decisions in upcoming elections.  Whatever is he going to do?  No matter what he does, his fellaters in the MFM will run cover for him.

Posted by: runningrn at May 10, 2010 12:34 PM (CfmlF)

36

Did anyone read the article linked to "meanest"?

Share | Print Best and Worst of Congress

Capitol Hill staffers rate their bosses: who's naughty, who's nice, who's smart, who's not, and lots more.

Published Friday, September 01, 2006

Our survey shows that while there may be lots of partisan backbiting among the senators and House members, their staffers seem far more capable of putting politics aside and making honest judgments. It wasn’t unusual for aides in both parties to name one of their own as “spineless” or give the “workhorse” nod to someone across the aisle. Some politicians were runaway winners: Senator Barack Obama, for instance, received more votes for “rising star” than all the other contenders combined.

-------------------------------------------

How did they get Obama correct?

Posted by: anon at May 10, 2010 12:35 PM (j/wD+)

37
26 I think

Honestly, nobody gives a rat fuck what you think.

Posted by: Dang Straights at May 10, 2010 12:36 PM (fx8sm)

38 27 Tony Rezko? Who?

Posted by: Dr Spank at May 10, 2010 04:27 PM (I1/U/)

STFU.  No talking about that allowed.

 

 

See!  That's the problem with all that disinformation that's out there on Ipods, Ipads, X-boxes, and Playstations!  We must silence all of them!


Posted by: TOTUS, College Commencement Speaker at May 10, 2010 12:36 PM (CfmlF)

39

Susan Roesgen at May 10, 2010 04:21 PM (kZVsz)

Susan! How the hell are ya?

Haven't seen ya on the tube in a spell.

How's that porn fluffer gig workin' out for you?

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at May 10, 2010 12:37 PM (P33XN)

40 34 Specter is so bad I don't want him buried on American soil when he dies.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at May 10, 2010 04:34 PM (P33XN)

What about American water? Pilot the boat to the deepest part of Lake Michigan and heave it overboard?

Posted by: Ludicrous Speed at May 10, 2010 12:37 PM (PWj+8)

41
What about American water?

Garbage scow, dumped at sea.  That's good enough for him and his Scottish Law.

Posted by: Dang Straights at May 10, 2010 12:38 PM (fx8sm)

42 I got rid of SPECTRE by tossing a chap in a wheelchair down a chimney.

Posted by: Problem Eliminator, Universal Exports at May 10, 2010 12:38 PM (4OL2Z)

43

Some politicians were runaway WHINERS winners: Senator Barack Obama, for instance, received more votes for “rising star” than all the other contenders combined.

 

FIFY!

Posted by: TOTUS, College Commencement Speaker at May 10, 2010 12:38 PM (CfmlF)

44

I know that Bennet's crappy voting record did him in. How do I know this? The people who ejected his numb ass said so.

 

But our wilted flower has decided that quotes from the people doing the voting are naturally inferior to his prejudices.

Posted by: Blue Hen at May 10, 2010 12:39 PM (R2fpr)

45

You can't win elections, or build majorities, without "big tent" moderates like Arlen Specter.  The mushy middle, that controls every election, will always take the big tent centrist over the ideological candidate.  Centrists also like nasty old SOBs.

That is why I gave you Specter instead of Toomey back in 04.  Did you follow me, wingnuts?

Posted by: The Genius Rove at May 10, 2010 12:39 PM (jat5l)

46 Specter is so bad I don't want him buried on American soil when he dies.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at May 10, 2010 04:34 PM (P33XN)

What about American water? Pilot the boat to the deepest part of Lake Michigan and heave it overboard?

 

Speaking about Michigan, how about Detroitistan?  I don't think that's America any more.


Posted by: runningrn at May 10, 2010 12:40 PM (CfmlF)

47 In order to properly exercise my 2nd amendment rights, I believe I need one of these.

Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at May 10, 2010 12:40 PM (RkRxq)

48 I think
Posted by: snapdragon at May 10, 2010 04:28 PM (5Etcj)

Lies make baby Jesus cry.

Posted by: Waterhouse at May 10, 2010 12:40 PM (4OL2Z)

49 What about American water? Pilot the boat to the deepest part of Lake Michigan and heave it overboard?


HEY!  Pennsylvania elected the bastard over and over, dump him there.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at May 10, 2010 12:41 PM (mR7mk)

50 41
What about American water?

Garbage scow, dumped at sea.  That's good enough for him and his Scottish Law.

Posted by: Dang Straights at May 10, 2010 04:38 PM (fx8sm)

OK, so it's agreed. When this dried-up, nasty, stanky piece of garbage assumes room temperature, we will:

1. Steal the body from the funeral home

2. Sneak it unto the nearest garbage scow

3. Bury under the most stinky pile of discarded diapers

4. Find the nearest bar and pound down beers to Ronaldus Magnus

Posted by: Ludicrous Speed at May 10, 2010 12:41 PM (PWj+8)

51 Apparently traitor to the party is not an endearing quality to even a Democrat. And who would have ever figured that out.

Posted by: bill-tb at May 10, 2010 12:42 PM (y+QfZ)

52 Ha ha ha! I love watching teabagging wingnuts eat their own! Because of your thuggish insistence on purity an incumbent senator who was a perfectly reliable vote for your party went down and now Democrats will capture the open seat in the purple state of Utah and pick up another 20 Senate seats in November and it'll be a butt-slammin' Skittle-shittin' time for us this fall all because you Rethuglikkkans were busy committing suiciWHAT? ARLEN SPECTER TRAILS WHO?

Posted by: Oh SNAP, Dragon! at May 10, 2010 12:43 PM (UBykT)

53 What about American water?

Garbage scow, dumped at sea.  That's good enough for him and his Scottish Law.

Posted by: Dang Straights at May 10, 2010 04:38 PM (fx8sm)

OK, so it's agreed. When this dried-up, nasty, stanky piece of garbage assumes room temperature, we will:

1. Steal the body from the funeral home

2. Sneak it unto the nearest garbage scow

3. Bury under the most stinky pile of discarded diapers

4. Find the nearest bar and pound down beers to Ronaldus Magnus

Posted by: Ludicrous Speed

 

Shall we put snapdragons on his grave?

Posted by: Blue Hen at May 10, 2010 12:43 PM (R2fpr)

54 Did I miss all the prime Elena Kagan bashing? Because I've been saving this lefty twaddle to recycle it back at them:

Somewhere, a village is missing its idiot a girl's school is missing its P.E. Coach.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at May 10, 2010 12:44 PM (FyZ5a)

55 Bury under the most stinky pile of discarded diapers used condoms.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at May 10, 2010 12:44 PM (P33XN)

56 But Intrade has Specter up by 20%!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: In before the troll at May 10, 2010 12:44 PM (oHWLY)

57 Obama and the Democrats keep saying you can't expect the people who made the mess for eight years (Republicans) to clean it up. So here are the Republicans cleaning their own house, dumping the status quo politicians who voted for all those budget-busting spending bills that got us in all the trouble we're in today (according to the Dems, who voted right along). In a perfect world, the Democrats would say, "hey, I've gotta give credit where credit's due, you're really shaping up and finally acting responsibly!" But nooooooooooooo! Hey, here in New York City, the popular Mayor Koch, didn't get the Democratic nomination the third time around (and we got stuck with Dinkins). Before him the same thing happend to Mayor Lindsay in 1969, as popular as he was. Democrats are always dumping their own guys if they get too close to the center.

Posted by: Matt at May 10, 2010 12:48 PM (J3jFV)

58 Upscale Community Organizing Thought Criminal--Of course.  Either way, leave Lake Michigan out of it.  After we throw in Feingold, Durbin, Obey, and three generations of Daleys, the fish will be begging for mercy.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at May 10, 2010 12:50 PM (mR7mk)

59 58 <snip> (and we got stuck with Dinkins). <snip>

Posted by: Matt at May 10, 2010 04:48 PM (J3jFV)

I've always said that Obama is a cleaner and more articulate Dinkins. I lived in NYC during the Dinkins administration. Back then, the MSM was touting the "post-race" line.

Posted by: Ludicrous Speed at May 10, 2010 12:50 PM (PWj+8)

60 #57  Fixed for historical accuracy. It's tough to undue the damage those two cities do in an election.

As much as I'd love for that to be true in the case of Sphincter, it isn't. 

Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at May 10, 2010 12:51 PM (c0A3e)

61 I like the essay and your writing style, Ace, but it kind of elicited a "I hope Ace writes about how the Pope might be Catholic" response.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at May 10, 2010 12:51 PM (eNxMU)

62 Good points. I don't remember the MSM citing Lieberman's loss in the primary as evidence of the Democratic party being taken over by its radical right.

Posted by: Socratease at May 10, 2010 12:51 PM (nJmDs)

63 Specter is so bad I don't want him buried on American soil when he dies.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at May 10, 2010 04:34 PM (P33XN)

Just bury the interloper in the 57th state and be done with it.  No 21-gun salute, no flowers, no service, just a very simple backhoe exercise the same as would be appropriate for a farm animal.  Apologies to the cows, horses, and Barbara Mikulski.

Posted by: Fish at May 10, 2010 12:51 PM (mTAG8)

64

Somewhere, a village is missing its idiot a girl's school is missing its P.E. Coach.

 

Heh!  That is funny.  I went to a college that had a big phys-ed program, where the women put the "men" in "Wo!" and the men were scared.  Heh!

Posted by: runningrn at May 10, 2010 12:52 PM (CfmlF)

65 Not to downplay how much Philly and Pittsburgh do swing the state blue, of course. 

/The linked election map is the 2004 results by county who voted for Sphincter (red) vs Joe Hoeffel (blue), his Dem opponent. 

Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at May 10, 2010 12:53 PM (c0A3e)

66 59 Upscale Community Organizing Thought Criminal--Of course.  Either way, leave Lake Michigan out of it.  After we throw in Feingold, Durbin, Obey, and three generations of Daleys, the fish will be begging for mercy.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at May 10, 2010 04:50 PM (mR7mk)

The last remaining Great Lakes Sturgeons committed suicide after reading that post.

Posted by: Ludicrous Speed at May 10, 2010 12:54 PM (PWj+8)

67

"Shall we put snapdragons on his grave?"

math sez yes!

Posted by: reason at May 10, 2010 12:56 PM (5npD/)

68 Specter is still a favorite here in Philly. He always was, even as a Pub....he's an old-time Philly pol, he knows who to grease. So, once again, do not discount the corrupt Dems to "find" enough votes for him.

Posted by: Luca Brasi at May 10, 2010 12:56 PM (YmPwQ)

69

I think
Posted by: snapdragon at May 10, 2010 04:28 PM (5Etcj)

 

CRAPWAGON!

Posted by: runningrn at May 10, 2010 12:56 PM (CfmlF)

70 Sorry, looks like it didn't work, back to lurking for me. Hope you like the video, spread it around.

Posted by: don at May 10, 2010 12:56 PM (tTj19)

71

....he's an old-time Philly pol, he knows who to grease

 

Yup, he was Ira Einhorn's (co-founder of Earth Day and girlfriend murderer) defense attorney (and not a public defender, either).  He is absolutely slimy. 

Hey, has anyone seen Nam Grunt or Teej around here lately?  Does anyone know what's going on with them?

Posted by: runningrn at May 10, 2010 12:58 PM (CfmlF)

72

"I like the essay and your writing style, Ace, but it kind of elicited a "I hope Ace writes about how the Pope might be Catholic" response."

The Pope is Catholic, too?  Fire up the Gulfstreams, he and I need to talk!

Posted by: Nancy "Commingling of Church & State" Pelosi at May 10, 2010 12:59 PM (5npD/)

73

Hey, has anyone seen Nam Grunt or Teej around here lately?  Does anyone know what's going on with them?

What happened to Peaches?

Posted by: Fred Jones, Scooby Gangmember at May 10, 2010 01:00 PM (uFokq)

74 Snatchdraggin', did somebody flush your head?

Posted by: maddogg at May 10, 2010 01:01 PM (OlN4e)

75 Whatever gets that crooked cocksucker Specter out of our lives is OK with me.

Posted by: sifty at May 10, 2010 01:01 PM (ntih1)

Posted by: HeatherRadish at May 10, 2010 01:01 PM (mR7mk)

77

"has anyone seen Nam Grunt"

You know, now that you mention it, just last week I heard a muffled boom coming from the east, followed by the distinct smell of grilled chicken...

Posted by: Nancy at May 10, 2010 01:01 PM (5npD/)

78 Well, I'm happy to vote against Spectre once or twice, however many times it takes over here. Once would be fine! Since I'm still all Operation-Chaosed up over here, any PA morons have ideas about who to cast a sinking vote for in the Dem gov primary? Williams?

Posted by: BlackOrchid at May 10, 2010 01:01 PM (SB0V2)

79
The main reason for Sestak's lead in the polls:

Sestak is running a devastating commercial with footage of Specter saying he switched parties "in order to get re-elected". It's killing Specter.

Posted by: Ed Anger at May 10, 2010 01:03 PM (7+pP9)

80

Benidect Spector and the magic bullet theory,may they both never be heard from again.

Posted by: ziptie at May 10, 2010 01:03 PM (UdYT0)

81 One thing we have to remember is that 1 - the is PA and 2 - these people re-elected Murtha after he trashed our boys.  It's not like they have a lot of shame out there.

Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at May 10, 2010 01:04 PM (RkRxq)

82

Alinsky's Rules for Radicals.

Rule 4: Make opponents live up to their own book of rules. “You can kill them with this, for they can no more obey their own rules than the Christian church can live up to Christianity.”

The media pretends their story lines are neutral, but as Ace points out, they are only interested in highlighting the instances when politicians and figures on the Right transgress the Right's rules.

Posted by: stuiec at May 10, 2010 01:04 PM (7AOgy)

83 We were for dissent before we were against it.

Posted by: The MFM at May 10, 2010 01:04 PM (TPtoC)

84
Asking questions about people who you think might be lying is not a conspiracy theory...it's an investigation.

If, say, I think the Obama admin is withholding information about Nadil Hassan, it doesn't make me a conspiracay theorist to demand to know What They Know & When Did They Know It.


Posted by: Fred Jones, Scooby Gangmember at May 10, 2010 01:04 PM (uFokq)

85 Now is there any way someone could sneak up behind Leaky Pat Leahy and pop an inflated paper bag or something so he'll have a heart attack before he starts the confirmation of Justice Sensible Shoes?

Nothing fatal, of course, just enough so that he needs to "spend more time with his family".

/having a seriously grouchy somebitch day.

Posted by: sifty at May 10, 2010 01:05 PM (ntih1)

86 #81  Since I'm still all Operation-Chaosed up over here, any PA morons have ideas about who to cast a sinking vote for in the Dem gov primary? Williams?

I think it's too late.  PA primaries are closed, and it's too late to change party affiliation. 

Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at May 10, 2010 01:07 PM (c0A3e)

87 90 - I'm a registered Dem, I left it that way after Operation Chaos. So I'm voting Dem on the 18th! and was looking for advice other than voting Sestak, which will be great fun

Posted by: BlackOrchid at May 10, 2010 01:08 PM (SB0V2)

88

Clickable link, here.

Hahah, I.Love.You.For.Posting.This.

I miss this guy!!!

Posted by: laceyunderalls hatin' on the long legged mack daddy at May 10, 2010 01:08 PM (pLTLS)

89 Hey Sphinkter got a new gig! http://tinyurl.com/2cxqkos

Posted by: Bevis at May 10, 2010 01:10 PM (68tQb)

90 Dissenting ??? Dissent in time of war is TREASON ! during wartime we have only one leader. You are either with us or against us, stop giving aid and comfort to the enemy by making it appear that our country is not unified.

Posted by: Georgie at May 10, 2010 01:10 PM (I+7Zv)

91 91 90 - I'm a registered Dem, I left it that way after Operation Chaos. So I'm voting Dem on the 18th!

Ah, good for you!  I didn't participate in Operation Chaos, btw. 

Haven't been really paying attention to the gov race, although I'm hearing tons of ads from the Dem candidates. 

Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at May 10, 2010 01:10 PM (c0A3e)

92

Posted by: laceyunderalls hatin' on the long legged mack daddy at May 10, 2010 05:08 PM (pLTLS)

 

The dude reminds me of Stanley on The Office!

Posted by: runningrn at May 10, 2010 01:11 PM (CfmlF)

93 95 Dissenting ??? Dissent in time of war is TREASON ! during wartime we have only one leader. You are either with us or against us, stop giving aid and comfort to the enemy by making it appear that our country is not unified.     "Georgie" has to be a sock!  No one could be this dumb!

Posted by: runningrn at May 10, 2010 01:12 PM (CfmlF)

94 john ryan is having an aneurysm.

Posted by: damian at May 10, 2010 01:13 PM (4WbTI)

95 There is a difference between dissent and wanting America to be destroyed.

Don't track that Oprah relativism in the house. Leave it out on the lawn with the rest of the dog shit.

Posted by: long-legged mack sifty at May 10, 2010 01:13 PM (ntih1)

96

o/t

Federal Reserve opens credit line to Europe. What could go wrong?

The move comes after the European Union and International Monetary Fund pledged a nearly $1 trillion defense package for the embattled euro, hoping to calm jittery markets and halt attacks on the eurozone’s weakest members. The ECB also jumped into the bond market Sunday night, saying it is ready to buy eurozone bonds to shore up liquidity in “dysfunctional” markets

@zero hedge

Posted by: willow at May 10, 2010 01:14 PM (7FgWm)

97 OT

Note this.  Joos are 2% of US population, yet 1/3 of the Supreme Court Justices are Jewish.  From Wiki:

She would also become the eighth Jewish justice in the Supreme Court's history, and the third on the current bench.

Of course, having all the Justices go to Yale or Harvard is another story.

Posted by: Kemp at May 10, 2010 01:15 PM (2+9Yx)

98 I was against large deficits before I was for them! I was against the Iraq war before I forgot about it.

Posted by: The MFM at May 10, 2010 01:16 PM (TPtoC)

99 95 Dissenting ??? Dissent in time of war is TREASON ! during wartime we have only one leader. You are either with us or against us, stop giving aid and comfort to the enemy by making it appear that our country is not unified.

Is this crackdragon, or another troll?  Can't tell - they all basically use the same template.

Posted by: Kratos (missing from the side of Mt Olympus) at May 10, 2010 01:16 PM (c0A3e)

100 Obama should listen to Pastor Manning. Might thicken that thin skin of his up a bit and get him to man up.

Posted by: long-legged mack sifty at May 10, 2010 01:18 PM (ntih1)

101

The dude reminds me of Stanley on The Office!

Translation: he will only be happy on Pretzel Day®

Posted by: laceyunderalls hatin' on the long legged mack daddy at May 10, 2010 01:19 PM (pLTLS)

102

Is this crackdragon, or another troll?  Can't tell - they all basically use the same template.

He left off his first name; Boy.

Posted by: maddogg at May 10, 2010 01:19 PM (OlN4e)

103 Is this crackdragon, or another troll?

Another troll, trying to bring teh funny sockpuppet and failing miserably.

Also, apparently, posting from 2006.

Posted by: Waterhouse at May 10, 2010 01:19 PM (4OL2Z)

104 I was against natural disasters before I ignored them! Tennessee I no see you!

Posted by: The MFM at May 10, 2010 01:20 PM (TPtoC)

105 Hurry up and retire Specter. You are my fill in, and I'm ready to go on vacation.

Posted by: Crypt Keeper at May 10, 2010 01:22 PM (4XzsU)

106 The Tennessee flood is proof that the God we don't believe in hates white people.

Posted by: Moonbat T. Sumbitch at May 10, 2010 01:22 PM (P33XN)

107 Who cares if a few Teabaggers get drowned in Country Music Land..

Posted by: MFM at May 10, 2010 01:22 PM (ntih1)

108 100

o/t

The move comes after the European Union and International Monetary Fund pledged a nearly $1 trillion defense package for the embattled euro, hoping to calm jittery markets and halt attacks on the eurozone’s weakest members. The ECB also jumped into the bond market Sunday night, saying it is ready to buy eurozone bonds to shore up liquidity in “dysfunctional” markets

@zero hedge errr, and Hot air

 

Posted by: willow at May 10, 2010 01:22 PM (7FgWm)

109 You are either with us or with the dirty racist ignorant bible thumping astro turf paid by the corporations Tea baggers.

Posted by: The MFM at May 10, 2010 01:23 PM (TPtoC)

110

The dude reminds me of Stanley on The Office!

Translation: he will only be happy on Pretzel Day®

Posted by: laceyunderalls hatin' on the long legged mack daddy at May 10, 2010 05:19 PM (pLTLS)

They taste so sweet, sticking it in my mouth.

Posted by: Michael Scott at May 10, 2010 01:23 PM (Mmw0q)

111
Tennessee I no see you!

Funny how the whole Kagen thing has completely obliterated any news of Tennessee from the headlines, isn't it?  The MFM knows there's black people living there, don't they?

Posted by: Dang Straights at May 10, 2010 01:24 PM (fx8sm)

112 OT: I predict Greece is gonna go down like Keith Olbermann at Boy's Town.

Posted by: long-legged mack sifty at May 10, 2010 01:24 PM (ntih1)

113

They taste so sweet, sticking it in my mouth.

Posted by: Michael Scott at May 10, 2010 05:23 PM (Mmw0q)

That's what she said.

Posted by: Stanley Hudson at May 10, 2010 01:25 PM (Mmw0q)

114
Where's Bob Corker?
Where's Lamar?

If these two shitbag senators would get off their asses and 'raise awareness, maybe we could ding Obama a little bit. But they don't give a shit about neither their constituents nor the Republican party.

Posted by: Fred Jones, Scooby Gangmember at May 10, 2010 01:26 PM (uFokq)

115 I was for openness in government,and hard probing press conferences, before I was content with a one page press release and sitting on information in order to publish a left wing hustler letter book about how awesome Obama is in 2012!

Posted by: The MFM at May 10, 2010 01:27 PM (TPtoC)

116

Funny how the whole Kagen thing has completely obliterated any news of Tennessee from the headlines, isn't it?  The MFM knows there's black people living there, don't they?

 

Dang, I don't think the MFM is smart enough to know there are black people in Nashville.  They view that city as an haven for red necked, white, country music loving hicks.  Racist red necks deserve to drown in floods; it's cosmic karma for all those cross burnings.


Posted by: runningrn at May 10, 2010 01:29 PM (CfmlF)

117 "95 Dissenting ??? Dissent in time of war is TREASON ! during wartime we have only one leader. You are either with us or against us, stop giving aid and comfort to the enemy by making it appear that our country is not unified. Posted by: Georgie"

Not bad satire; try a little harder...

Posted by: backhoe at May 10, 2010 01:30 PM (AWAAB)

118 I was all for asking the tough questions, until Obama promised to take me to the Prom if I put out and help him get re-immaculated in 2012.

Posted by: MFM at May 10, 2010 01:30 PM (ntih1)

119 I was against Predator drone strikes with civilian collateral damage before I er....ah fuck it I just love Obama and Democrat cock. They can abuse me like a 16 year old hentai chick on planet Tentacleplexicron 5.

Posted by: The MFM at May 10, 2010 01:32 PM (TPtoC)

120 101 OT

Note this.  Joos are 2% of US population, yet 1/3 of the Supreme Court Justices are Jewish.  From Wiki:

She would also become the eighth Jewish justice in the Supreme Court's history, and the third on the current bench.

Of course, having all the Justices go to Yale or Harvard is another story.

Posted by: Kemp at May 10, 2010 05:15 PM (2+9Yx

Heh heh you need to get up with the times man! Cause you know the times they are a changin! http://tinyurl.com/27zgq47

Posted by: NYC Joo what used to be liberal till bernie madoff with my entire lifes savings at May 10, 2010 01:32 PM (68tQb)

121 Funemployment above 10% is the shizznet.

10% is the new 4.5%.

Posted by: MFM at May 10, 2010 01:32 PM (ntih1)

122 I wish there was a flood big enough to kill all white people.

Posted by: Moonbat T. Sumbitch at May 10, 2010 01:34 PM (P33XN)

123 Remember how funny it was to snicker about Larry Craig and Mark Foley?

Remember how funny it was when the president said something stupid?

Those were the days!

Posted by: Teh MFM at May 10, 2010 01:34 PM (Mmw0q)

124 Not much time today but just had time to scan Parker's piece. She's lamenting how this shows those hoping for "bipartisanship" will be disappointed. To use her meme, wake up and smell the "bitter tea," Kathy. Despite your fig-leaf swipes at Obama, you are the one drinking the "kool-aid." Bipartisanship with the current Democrats ? You might as well hope for Santa Claus. Show me how any more than a very-generously estimated 50% of current Dems aren't hard-left idealogues (that's base and leadership, BTW). I can't even consider her as misled or deluded anymore. She's a Manchurian Columnist whose motives should probably be distrusted as much as her judgment.

Posted by: societyis2blame at May 10, 2010 01:34 PM (7ZyYf)

125 Ahem... MFM is already taken: Mom's For Marijuana.

Posted by: Insider at May 10, 2010 01:35 PM (gbCNS)

126

Sestak Tops Specter, 47-42

Dammit! Why didn't somebody tell me that football season had started!

Posted by: conscious, but blinded by ugly at May 10, 2010 01:36 PM (YVZlY)

127 Ah I forgot about unemployment. What about the horrible underemployment menace of 2004? Or the chronic homelessness that occurs when unemployment is 5.5%?

Posted by: The MFM at May 10, 2010 01:36 PM (TPtoC)

128 Fuck it ill be generous people, how about for the next few years I just report on how unemployment is a problem for Obama and how he can overcome it/and has done so much for us instead of how it hurts everyday Americans like it did before 2008?

Posted by: The MFM at May 10, 2010 01:39 PM (TPtoC)

129 Good writing , you aced it..

Posted by: Temper Tantrum at May 10, 2010 01:40 PM (bAL0J)

130 Unemployment is caused by white people.

Posted by: Moonbat T. Sumbitch at May 10, 2010 01:40 PM (P33XN)

131 PA gov's race, Williams prob a good bet to throw a wrench into the game. Onorato a douche - More of Rendell. Trying to encourage all me lib friends(sic) to vote for Spinchter in the primary, just so Toomey can beat him like the bitch that he is in the fall. Keep the faith PA folk, the middle of the state seems more motvated this year, but still hard to overcome the welfare states of Philly and Pittsburg come election day. In the meantime I'll be polishing my guns and beating my dick like it owes memoney....

Posted by: Tim winters at May 10, 2010 01:41 PM (Gl1VP)

132 We can't compromise with Democrats and the other assorted freedom-hating idiots on the Left. The Republican Party still has a few Specters. And we still have McCain boning us every chance he can for 30 seconds of video.

Some things cannot be compromised on. Democrats are playing "just gonna put the tip in, I swear" politics.

Compromise got us Reagan's Amnesty and McCain-Feingold and a host of other bullshit. It almost got us Amnesty II and Crap and Tax.

Posted by: long-legged mack sifty at May 10, 2010 01:43 PM (ntih1)

133

This should put Specter over the top:

Kerry endorses Specter in Dem primary - http://is.gd/c3fXM

Posted by: conscious, but blinded by ugly at May 10, 2010 01:47 PM (YVZlY)

134

Some things cannot be compromised on.

There are some things on which cannot be compromised.

Posted by: Ending a sentence is something up with which I will not put at May 10, 2010 01:47 PM (gbCNS)

135

Like when instant replay shows the Yankees runner was clearly out but the umpire called him safe: "The Yankees win by bad calls! That's why baseball needs an instant-replay official."

And when instant replay shows the Red Sox runner was clearly out but the umpire called him safe: "Hey, that's part of the game. Officials are human and they'll make mistakes sometimes, but not having an instant-replay official keeps the game pure."

Posted by: FireHorse at May 10, 2010 01:47 PM (cQyWA)

136 OT This kind of reminds me of the old Art Linkletter show where kids say the darnedest things! lmao http://tinyurl.com/2ae4bv8

Posted by: sonnyspats at May 10, 2010 01:48 PM (68tQb)

137 Nor will I put up with my own misspelled joke name.

Posted by: Ending a sentence with a preposition is something up with which I will not put at May 10, 2010 01:50 PM (gbCNS)

138

This should put Specter over the top:

Kerry endorses Specter in Dem primary

 

Specter lurching to a win?

Posted by: runningrn at May 10, 2010 01:54 PM (CfmlF)

139 I never went to college. Heard it was full of assholes who would correct my grammar.

lolz

Posted by: long-legged mack sifty at May 10, 2010 01:55 PM (ntih1)

140 Excellent article Ace. 

I'm having this wild dream of Rush buying Newsweek - going to free distribution and filling it with writers like yourself.

Posted by: Jean at May 10, 2010 02:19 PM (CPefM)

141 143

This should put Specter over the top:

Kerry endorses Specter in Dem primary

 

Specter lurching to a win?

Posted by: runningrn at May 10, 2010 05:54 PM (CfmlF)

Did you know that Kerry served in Vietnam?

Posted by: Ludicrous Speed at May 10, 2010 02:32 PM (PWj+8)

142 Kathleen Parker can bite me. I have no use for this so called conservative columnist.

Posted by: 88cid at May 10, 2010 03:18 PM (yM/qQ)

143 IP = 59.175.0.62

Posted by: spammer at May 10, 2010 07:43 PM (JP50C)

144 IP = 115.193.175.154

Posted by: spammer at May 10, 2010 09:32 PM (aYx0l)

145

Ace,

I know this is WAY down on your priority list but PLEASE get rid of the italics. It is VERY hard to read.

Posted by: Anabolic State at May 11, 2010 08:21 AM (4me+L)

Posted by: dfcvbcb at May 18, 2010 08:55 PM (eU/Oa)

147 121

Posted by: 1 at January 28, 2011 11:46 PM (enYIw)

148 sdfs

Posted by: 1 at January 28, 2011 11:46 PM (enYIw)

149 Altýn Çilek Hapý Nedir? Altýn Çilek dünyanýn lif oraný en yüksek meyvesidir. En yakýn rakibinden 3,5 kat daha fazla lif içeren yapýsý onu dünya zayýflama sektörünün gözdesi yapmýþtýr. Bu lifli özelliði sayesinde net bir tokluk hissi saðlamakla birlikte en önemli özelliði vücuttan su kaybetmeden, kaslarý deðil yaðlarý hedef alarak kýsa zamanda yüksek ve sürekli kilo kaybý saðlamasýdýr. Altýn Çilek, Baþbakan R.Tayyip Erdoðan'ýn da bu meyveyi tükettiðini belirtmesinden sonra, gerçek anlamda hak ettiði deðeri bulmaya baþladý. En inatçý bünyede bile inanýlmaz sonuçlar veren Altýn Çilek þu an itibari ile piyasada bulabileceðiniz en kuvvetli zayýflama takviyesidir.

Posted by: altýn çilek hapý at March 07, 2011 10:45 AM (aAl9M)

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