1 He's gonna steal out guns!!!!!!!  And then potentially sap our essense!!!

2

shoot

out=our. damn typing fast to be first

3 So in essence, you are a sap?

4 Has he really taken on spending in NJ or just the teachers unions? He canceled the NYC tunnel and as soon as the dust was clear the NJ senators yanked out a new one.

What about the rest of the NJ budget? Has he slashed that as well?

5 Good.  Maybe he'll provide cover (no fat jokes, please) for some of the weak-kneed sissies in Washington.

And if Obama thinks he's gonna demagogue the issue, well, let's see him debate Christie (ha).

6 Doing big things didn't get me as far as I'd hoped it would

7 Let's just be careful with this guy.  I've done a little research and he's not crystal clear on two explosive topics: 2nd amendment and immigration.  But he is clear on Sharia law as he has nominated a questionable islamic atty. for the NJ Supreme Court.

I implore my fellow moron(ettes) to dig into Christie's national positions before we tie ourselves into his corner and then can't escape because we've take a position in favor of him.

8 Chris Christie:  too big to fail!

9 Now that Chief Moolah (or Mullah) is a deadly racial insult, is it still okay to refer to the Chief Ewok?

10 I like this guy but then I get annoyed because I am praising a politician for a) being a leader, and b) doing the right thing. In these times of lower expectations and shitbag politicians, Chris Christie, just by doing the right thing, is going 'above and beyond' what is expected of our elected officials.

11 he's the reason grain prices keep rising.

12 re: Ann Coulter As usual, she's right. But let's stop with this Fantasy Presidential Candidate League because it's a waste of time.

13 Getting rid of open primaries would help a lot.

14 The White House is the GOP's for the taking in 2012... if they *want* to do what is necessary, i.e., lead. It's all right there. All any Republican needs to do is show strong leadership. It is that simple.

15 Well, one problem with 2008 is the GOP nomination process rewards weak tea states with firsties. Coulter is usually right and in this case, I assume the point she's making is that CChristie is the first clean articulate fatman we've had. He makes the case, he doesn't fluster, he isn't a surrender monkey like Mackerel was. I am a Romney guy because CChristie is a squish on social issues. But, with Great Depression 2.0 rolling on in through the USA, I'd say we need a fiscal warrior more than anything else.

16 Conservatives need to stop looking for a leader as a presidential candidate.  What we need is an employee who will do what he is told by his boss (us).

17

I implore my fellow moron(ettes) to dig into Christie's national positions

We've heard. If and when he runs, he'd probably back off on these to get the support of conservatives. I can't get too worked up about it. We'd be a trillion times better off with him as President wanting an amnesty bill to get through Congress than with Obama.

18 Not real impressed with the guy, sorry. He attacks people on youtube and makes cuts because the place is about to go bankrupt. Well yeah, just about anyone would at this point. Even Jerry Brown is cutting and doing a hiring freeze because their outfit is about to go bankrupt. I am glad Christie is doing it, but many ignore his dreadful positions on a host of other issues.

19 Fuck this fat rat bastard.
He's a Radical Islam supporter, anti-gun, pro-amnesty, Cap&Tax scumbag.

20 What we need in 2012 is nominally simple;

1) Proven Conservative
2) Charismatic
3) Backbone

The problem is that surprisingly finding politicians that share these traits is hard...

Oh, and looking at 2008 we nominated a guy with none of the above and lost to a failed community organizer.

21 So does that mean that AoSHQ will be getting behind the candidacy of Gary Johnson? If we're not gonna nitpick over bullshit irrelevant diversions from the orthodoxy in the name of saving the fiscal health of the Republic, I can't think of anyone better suited to put the fucking boot down on the growth of government. He managed to shrink the size of New Mexico government during a period of time when every other state in the union was using the good economy as an excuse to piss tax revenue into the wind, how much more awesome would he be tackling a behemoth like the USFG?

22 Christie zeroed out funding for Planned Parenthood. Now, he did that for budgetary reasons, but you know that is a cherished agenda item for the left. He defied them and said, I don't care, we don't have the money. Squish? Not really. One thing people really need to get over is the insistence on voting only for people who resemble them or come from their cultural cohort, as opposed to voting for people who will actually advance their political agenda.

23 The problem in 2008 is that by the time the primaries came to Ohio, those staunch NH "republicans" had eliminated any reasonable candidate.  Not that we were exactly chockablock with talent. 

24 " left with the guy who on paper was supposedly a conservative but we all knew wasn't." You just described Chris Christie.

25 So Christie's idea of approaching the coming fiscal catastrophe is to viciously attack our educators by publicly shouting them down at public meetings? Who ultimately loses out? Oh that's right, our children. Thanks but no thanks.

26 >>>o does that mean that AoSHQ will be getting behind the candidacy of Gary Johnson? I'm not against him, but I really do not think the Republican Party is ready to embrace his libertarian-on-drugs policy, which was a leading policy for him, not just some philosophical musing.

27 btw, expect more stunts organized by the unions of taking bus loads of stooges to affluent neighborhoods to protest in the near future.

28 If Christie would promise to keep away from gun legislation altogether during his time in office I would vote for him.  But I'm seriously going to need that stated pretty baldly.

29 Getting rid of open primaries would help a lot.

Posted by: dan in michigan at February 16, 2011 01:08 PM (ursg4)

Um...no!!!!

30 >>>So Christie's idea of approaching the coming fiscal catastrophe is to viciously attack our educators by publicly shouting them down at public meetings? Who ultimately loses out? Oh that's right, our children. Giggle. Let me guess -- teacher?

31 Fat Man in the Bathtub

32 So Christie's idea of approaching the coming fiscal catastrophe is to viciously attack our educators by publicly shouting them down at public meetings?

I can't think of a more deserving group...

33 Left Wing Hate Radio is putting out the word in the wake of Gov Walker's actions in WI: The rich need to pay their fair share.

34 "as opposed to voting for people who will actually advance their political agenda. " Mike Castle, the GZM, gun control, REFUSING TO JOIN THE LAWSUIT AGAINST OBAMACARE, and laughing it up with liberals on late night who hate me, are not part of my political agenda.

35

 Who ultimately loses out? Oh that's right, our children.

Fuck the Poor! Children!

36

 He attacks people on youtube

Hang on, I might faint from the HORROR.

 

37 rolling eyes. Whatever, Dan.

38 By the way, he's not running, so he's no threat to SARAHHHH PALINNNNN... You can dial it down, therefore.

39 One thing people really need to get over is the insistence on voting only for people who resemble them or come from their cultural cohort, as opposed to voting for people who will actually advance their political agenda.

Posted by: ace at February 16, 2011 01:11 PM (nj1bB)

The problem there is that there is *a lot* of pressure on a president to go left. If someone is already a squish on issue X before taking office, can we really not expect them to end up doing the State Media's bidding on that particular issue?

I could easily see a President Christie getting nowhere on real budget cuts while "compromising" on things like illegal immigration...

40 Imam Christie?
http://tinyurl.com/4c6cdds

41

Fuck the Poor! Children!

Posted by: Roman Senate at February 16, 2011 01:15 PM (YeD/k)

I've always  loved Italy.

42 Sarah Palin, who by the way supported John McCain's amnesty as well as TARP but we're all supposed to forget about that because her supporters have declared those unfacts. But anyone else with those positions is instantly disqualified. Only Sarah Palin gets the pass, because we know what's in her heart or somethin'.

43 I know Dan. He's always hangin around.

44 If he is so concerned about the growth of government and out of control spending, he should join the lawsuit against Obamacare, but he has refused.

45 Wow it's amazing how all these anti-Christie people suddenly appear isn't it? So. Predictable. Anyway, listening to him now - oh yeah he's still awesome! Christie/Petraeus 2012!

46 I would love to see him run. He brings up important issues. I am in favor of everyone running. Let everyone make their case including people I do not care for.

47 @26 - Ace, you think there's not an argument to be made for the fiscal necessity of maybe not spending billions of dollars hunting down potheads and throwing them in jail? It's not like GJ is running around screaming "HEROIN IN OUR SCHOOLS", he just thinks pot should be legal because a.) from a principled perspective it's the right thing to do, and b.) it costs too fucking much to run a gigantic domestic war against the 25% or so of the population that smokes. It seems that if the argument is that the GOP is going to have to suck up some things it might not like in order to right the financial ship, it'd be far better off taking a GJ than a Romney/Guilianni/Newt/Barbour/T-Paw/etc... I mean, you may be right that the legalized weed thing is just too wacky for the subset of the GOP base that's still worried about jazz musicians fucking their daughters, but if that's the case, maybe the GOP isn't actually ready to be a big boy about the giant crushing debt and unsustainable entitlements that are about to smother us.

48 DailyMotion black listed my video immediately.

49 Ace, what "strong candidates" from 2008 are you talking about?  The alternatives were Romney -- implementer of RomneyCare, Huckabee -- big government nanny-stater, Giuliani -- a RINO's choice by your own words... Who's left?  Ron Paul?

McCain got as close to beating Obama as anyone could have; Obama had Bush fatigue on his side and that was a powerful force.  I get the frustration of not having a candidate with the balls to cut spending where it's really needed, but McCain's 2008 loss wasn't a failure to nominate the best candidate.  It was the culmination of 8 years of an unconservative Republican president who sold out our economic independence and paved the way for socialist Democrats.

We didn't select McCain because we weeded out all the "good" candidates.  We selected McCain because he was the best out of a terrible field.  And we've got the same problem going into 2012: a terrible field of candidates who haven't proven their seriousness about taking on the major debt crisis that defines our political moment.  That's why Paul Ryan and Chris Christie are so vital.

50 Let's get him and Ryan on the ticket. Actually, put Christie on Ryan's ticket.

51 He could maybe pull New Jersey?

52 >>>Ace, you think there's not an argument to be made for the fiscal necessity of maybe not spending billions of dollars hunting down potheads and throwing them in jail? I believe there is an "argument to be made." I also believe that people do not vote for people who make arguments contrary to their beliefs. Very few people change opinions, ever. Oddly, this is equally true of less partisan people, who are not as committed to their positions, but then, they also do not take in additional political information so they stick to their positions for lack of interest in evaluating them. I believe people vote for whoever can sum up what they basically already believe, pretty much.

53 We've heard. If and when he runs, he'd probably back off on these to get the support of conservatives.

Never ever think someone will back off on old political positions once elected. History has not only shown otherwise, it has shown the exact opposite. The only thing they always back off on is conservative promises.

Wishful thinking is what caused a lot of people to vote for Obama even as they saw he was the most liberal Democrat in the Senate.

I keep saying there are only two things we should be looking at as a candidate (1) How close does his positions match those of your own on all the important issues for you personally and (2) How much can you trust him to hold to those positions once elected.

And the best indicator for that number 2 item is their record. Sadly politicians are master liars and their rhetoric is seldom trustworthy.

54 Badges

55 I must say how surprised I am to hear Ann Coulter go negative on Mitt Romney. She liked Mitt in the past.

56 Christie on the ticket is a no brainer unless it's say Romney. 

57 is there a troll on here saying that cutting the unearned pay and pensions for overpaid, underpermforming public employees is screwing the poor? Just an illustration, I guess, of the Death Blossom Rule 12 Hate-Filled Leftist Meltdown we will have to face for the next 2 years.

58 I've done a little research and he's not crystal clear on two explosive topics: 2nd amendment and immigration.

The next president will be too busy trying to un-fuck the nation to bother with a gun grab.  Even Ogabe has been too busy fucking up the nation to bother with gun grabs.

59 Christie is great at the state level, but not what I want at the federal level.

This is one of the major differences between the right and the left.  Lefties want a full national government that decides whatever the hell it wants, so lefties have no difference in their attitude towards state politicians and federal (national for the left) politicians.  Conservatives have a more complex view of our governance, as the Constitution sets it out.

60 Methinks Dan is the Romneybot, not the Sarahbot.
 
Say it ain't so, Dan.

61

I like Christie a lot.

On the upside, he will most definatley drop some of his positions if he runs. He won't come out for gun control or cap and tax.

However, he does strike me as the bipartisan type on Amnesty(or whatever you want to call it).

Also, I'm not sure what he thinks about Obamacare, would he sign a repeal if it came to his desk?

There are essntially three things I want for our candidate in 2012.

Cutting Spending(entitlement reform)

Naming a Conservative Justice

Repeal Obamacare.

 

I will be willing accept deviations in other areas if i can get those three things

62 BTW, Christie was all kinds of wrong in opposing the nomination of now-Senator Christine O'Donnell, huh?

63 43, ace you play fast and loose there. You know and everyone knows that when you are the VP nominee you must defend and support the top of the ticket. Did you expect Sarah Palin to call McCain an open borders amnesty lover when she was his VP? lol In fact, in Paulson's book he describes how Palin was very uneasy about TARP when Paulson brought the idea to the campaigns and interrogated him over the bonuses she knew would be coming and old Hank was a little mad that this little woman was challenging him. Palin was the one who wen to Arizona and defended the AZ law and demanded the border be secured. She is not for McCain's amnesty but had to defend the top of the ticket's positions. Also, I never brought up Palin. You did. It seems this time, she was on your mind before she was on mine I was discussing Christie's dreadful positions on other issues.

64

43

Posted by: ace at February 16, 2011 01:17 PM (nj1bB)

Thank you for that.

65 i agree with some of the commentators.
Christie is ALL TALK and the action he's taken is NOT WHAT WE WANT.
I love Ann Coulter but she's way wrong on this and she's being bamboozled by girth.

66 >>>4 43, ace you play fast and loose there. You know and everyone knows that when you are the VP nominee you must defend and support the top of the ticket. yeah I know dude -- everyone has a story. Politics forces people to consider politics in their politics, doesn't it? And yet while we all are supposed to give Palin a pass for that, we're supposed to disqualify Pence for his "touchback" amnesty proposal. Gee, I'm sure no politics were at work in his proposal. Only Sarah Palin gets the pass. Because We Know What's In Her Heart (TM).

67 25 So Christie's idea of approaching the coming fiscal catastrophe is to viciously attack our educators by publicly shouting them down at public meetings? Who ultimately loses out? Oh that's right, our children.

Thanks but no thanks.

Posted by: Jason D. at February 16, 2011 01:12 PM (sqLKs) 

Heh.  This is a joke, right?

68

BTW, Christie was all kinds of wrong in opposing the nomination of now-Senator Christine O'Donnell, huh?

 

[screeching record stop]

69 By the way, why is it that we conservative perennial argue about which 60-80% of the conservative agenda our candidate will embrace while in my adult lifetime the Democrats have never had a serious contender who wasn't in 100% agreement with the liberal line?

70

So Christie's idea of approaching the coming fiscal catastrophe is to viciously attack our educators by publicly shouting them down at public meetings? Who ultimately loses out? Oh that's right, our children.

Thanks but no thanks.

it's for the mother f'ing children. Pay up bitches!!!

71 He's RINO.  Screw him!  That's right...I said it!!

72 21 So does that mean that AoSHQ will be getting behind the candidacy of Gary Johnson? If we're not gonna nitpick over bullshit irrelevant diversions from the orthodoxy in the name of saving the fiscal health of the Republic, I can't think of anyone better suited to put the fucking boot down on the growth of government. He managed to shrink the size of New Mexico government during a period of time when every other state in the union was using the good economy as an excuse to piss tax revenue into the wind, how much more awesome would he be tackling a behemoth like the USFG?

Posted by: DMXRoid at February 16, 2011 01:10 PM (vd872)

Fuck off troll.  You don't even vote.  Go back to your fantasy future of anarchist utopia where you will be king and have money to hire guys to protect you.

73 you'll be sucking Romney's joint soon enough. Just open up and relax, ace.

74 Dan's a RomneyTroll and kay is just a troll/moby/whatever Right now, speaking live, Christie is KILLING IT

75 I'll explain why a Republican soft on Amnesty is an automatic disqualifier: Amnesty will kill the Republican party. If Amnesty passes, the Republicans will never again have a majority in Congress or control the Executive branch, and then eventually the Judicial branch will swing hard Left. We cannot afford to have Republicans who are willing to bend on Amnesty.

76 Chris Christie is one cool RINO! Drew M, can I get an Amen!

77

That part of the speech was very good

78 Yeah, that's right guys. Wingnut demagoguery over progress in our schools. But hey, at least Christie gets to make his little made-for-YouTube propaganda clips of him being an absolute bully.

79 Only Sarah Palin gets the pass, because we know what's in her heart or somethin'.

We get it, Ace. You hate Palin. You hate that the most articulate spokesman for conservatism has a vagina and isn't you.

BTW, Christie was all kinds of wrong in opposing the nomination of now-Senator Christine O'Donnell, huh?

Yes, he was.

Oh, I forgot. You Pyrrhic Republicans would prefer we elect people who will stab us in the back first chance they get than lose an election.

80 BTW, Christie was all kinds of wrong in opposing the nomination of now-Senator Christine O'Donnell, huh?

Did you forget Castle's last votes?

Yes, Christie was wrong in opposing O'Donnell's nomination.

81 oooooh methinks the libs are way afraid of Big Chris eh? sending trolls out in force today are we? I hope you guys are listening to this cos really, it's not boring and is completely awesome!

82 61 Methinks Dan is the Romneybot, not the Sarahbot.
 
Say it ain't so, Dan.

Posted by: GnuBreed at February 16, 2011 01:22 PM (h0RtZ)

There are two Dans.  The Romneybot is always sure to link the Romney sites in all his posts talking about how there is only "one candidate that can beat Obama."

83 Wingnut demagoguery over progress in our schools.

WTF is "progress in our schools"? Or "wingnut demagoguery" for that matter?

Are you speaking English? Habla ingles?

84 Oh, I forgot. You Pyrrhic Republicans would prefer we elect people who will stab us in the back first chance they get than lose an election.

Posted by: Rob Crawford at February 16, 2011 01:28 PM (IuKAf)

Hey, we can't implement policy if we don't win elections!

85 Who ultimately loses out? Oh that's right, our children.

C'mon, ace, you know poor children learn better when they know their teachers are making two, three, ten times what their own parents are making, and for working 3/4 as many hours in a year.

86

Hey, we can't implement policy if we don't win elections!

Posted by: Jumpin' Jim Heffords at February 16, 2011 01:29 PM

And really, how will we function as a country without experts in Scottish law?

87 This is so wrong.

88 71, everyone knows I support Sarah Palin. I still try to be intellectually honest. In that post, I was talking about Trump donating money to Rahm Emanuel, but now he is a pro life conservative lol. I was not born yesterday Donald!

89 WTF is "progress in our schools"?

Zero tolerance on unapproved thought.

90 Yeah, he says good things that have to be done and are hard to do.  But He's a RINO! Screw him. That's right...I said it!!

91 73 He's RINO.  Screw him!  That's right...I said it!!

Posted by: Mark Levin at February 16, 2011 01:26 PM (HaUE0)

No halal kabobs for you!

92 @53 - If that's the case, why bother having any hope at all? If the only candidate who will win is one that tells people what they want to hear and already believe, whether Barry or the GOP nominee wins is irrelevant, b/c the only way they'll be able to do that is by pretending that nothing is wrong, that entitlements are fine, that Social Security and Medicare aren't going anywhere, that it's OK to spend a half trillion dollars on the military every year, and that the Federal Reserve is full of unicorns shitting gold to keep the value of the dollar up. I'm amenable to the "voters are fucking idiots" arg, as I'm not a big fan of democracy in the first place, but it seems that any arguments of that vein that would apply to GJ and drugs would apply to pretty much any candidate who was wiling to actually deal with the giant shit sandwich that 80 years of crazy government spending has put on our plate. Nobody wants to be told that the dream is over and its time to wake up and go to work.

93 Woohoo! More purges!!!!  Purge all those RINO fucks!  Purge all those backwards Social Cons!  Then we'll definitely have GOP that we truly deserve!

94 I updated to include Christie's brief quotes on entitlements.

95 Cue the purist "RINO!" rants in 3...2....never mind they already started.

96

Posted by: Jason D. at February 16, 2011 01:12 PM (sqLKs)

So the "educators'" idea of approaching the coming fiscal catastrophe is to leech off the public purse while they viciously attack the governor who dares to bring their salaries in line with the rest of the economy? Who ultimately loses out? Oh that's right, our children.

Thanks but no thanks.

97 however, Chris Christie deserves huge accolades for getting off his ass and communicating with people. He's out there; he's explaining shit; he's making his case. Not many other Republicans are doing that and that's why the Democrats/Media are shaping the narrative and keeping the Republicans constantly on the defensive.

98 Amnesty will kill the Republican party.

Not only that but something like 70% of the general public are against amnesty and an even larger portion of the Republican Party.

As for Sarah Palin supporting amnesty I have looked for evidence of that and never found it.

99 The guy is impressive.  No notes.  No TOTUS.  All gripping and articulate. 

100

Only Sarah Palin gets the pass, because we know what's in her heart or somethin'.

You Betcha'!

101 Hey say what you want about Christie, but as a NJ resident I love him and so do alot of people here in Joosie. I bet, deep down- like real deep down, so do even the teachers in NJ. Well OK maybe not the teachers.

102 C'mon, ace, you know poor children learn better when they know their teachers are making two, three, ten times what their own parents are making, and for working 3/4 as many hours in a year.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at February 16, 2011 01:30 PM (nAOMZ)

+1

103 sock off

104 A lot of red flags pop up for me on this guy, although I'm pretty impressed with his fiscal sense.  But to me, it's all a moot point anyway because he's emphatically stated he's not going to run. 

Besides, in case you haven't heard, Bieber loves him some Obama.  We're doomed, I tell you...DOOMED.   /s

105 --We have to reform Medicaid because not only is it bankrupting the federal government it's bankrupting every state government.

Then Christie would have to be totally opposed to ObamaCare and would have NJ suing to stop it, since ObamaCare guarantees future EXPANSION of Medicaid (at both the federal and state levels).  No entitlement reform of any real value can be effected while ObamaCare is around to explode Medicaid to take up any cuts from other areas - which the $500 billion cut from Medicare (which people are specifically taxed for) and given to Medicaid should ahve showed people.

This ain't rocket science.

106 however, Chris Christie deserves huge accolades for getting off his ass and communicating with people.

Accolades with frosting.  Mmm, frosting.

107

Here let's make it simple

Romney Troll: Posted by: Dan at January 07, 2011 09:04 PM (9L1z6)

Palin Supporter: Posted by: Dan at February 16, 2011 01:30 PM (mXBxH)

One drops his turd of support and that's it.  The other while you may not agree with his support of Palin, at least engages.

108 If he simply inspires our governors to govern, we'll be in much better shape. He doesn't have to be President.

109 "An Albatross of Irresponsibility". Great stuff.  Screw him...he's a RINO!

110 Count me in as one of the people a bit concerned about this Islamist story.  I used to have no problem with him, as what is done locally often does get softened nationally and at first the Islamist issue might be rationalized as the same -- but the more I read about it, the more concerned I became.  He warrants more vetting imho.

111 Amnesty will kill the Republican party.

It already did (in 2006 and 200 .  It was only the Tea Party that saved the GOP and might save the US.

112 110. I agree, he's already having a very salutary effect on his immediate neighbors here in PA and in NY Corbett btw - well I don't want to go OT but he has been doing some really great things so far.

113 O/T  Holy crap.  Fox saying two Iranian warships heading toward the Suez canal, to dock in Syria near the Israeli coast.

Sweet jeebus.

114 speaking of frosting... Dunkin Donuts now makes a 'reverse' boston éclair. True story.

115

The guy is impressive.  No notes.  No TOTUS.  

The key is a BIG Breakfast.

116
"Then Christie would have to be totally opposed to ObamaCare and would have NJ suing to stop it"

Isn't that up to the NJ Attorney General?  And what has Christie personally stated about Obamacare?

117 "You do not represent the best that teachers have to offer, you often represent the worst"

hallelujah

118 Hey say what you want about Christie, but as a NJ resident I love him and so do alot of people here in Joosie. I bet, deep down- like real deep down, so do even the teachers in NJ. Well OK maybe not the teachers.

Posted by: Camden NJ at February 16, 2011 01:34 PM (7wmOW)

Dude, teachers are masochists.  I will never understand someone who votes for politicians to spend more and more public money on public projects that, when the crunch comes, are competing for survival with his own salary.

The fact that teachers aren't outraged at the amount of money that's going into ObamaCare instead of education should tell you everything you need to know about how brainwashed our "educators" really are.

119 Has he shouted down any teachers yet? Oohh the excitement.

120 119. Seriously, when he said that I literally fell out of my chair. That's risky!

121 however, Chris Christie deserves huge accolades for getting off his ass and communicating with people.

Actually, can we get him to have a seminar on this with the rest of the party. Bush 43's ignore the Left strategy isn't exactly a winner...

122 "We have to reform Social Security because it's bankrupting us. We have to reform Medicare because it's bankrupting us. We have to reform Medicaid because not only is it bankrupting the federal government it's bankrupting every state government.

See the common theme here.

123 "Time to do big things" and Allen West's, "Stand firm," are code for, "Show some balls, stop being pussies."

124

Its time to take our country back from big government, big unions and big media. Is the big man the answer? Does a drill seargent make a lousy therapist?

 

125 109, maybe I need to use a more unique name when I post. I usually use Dan C on other sites, but that is not real original either!

126 Why are we acting as if 2012 is our doom year? We are coming off of 2010...historic, you know? In 2008, we had the Lightmaker and we were still stinking up from 2006. Then, we had downward momentum, now we have upward momentum. 2012 is a pickup year for every branch of government. Unless Ross Perot and Bob Dole show up and tumble off of stage again. That being said, we need to nominate people who are clean, articulate, and leaders. The only purges should be against squishes who go along to get along.

127

Here's the thing: I am a fairly conservative guy, both socially and fiscally. I am a believing Protestant Christian. I was born and grew up in the wilds of Jesusland (that's that big area between the coasts to you Democrats). So you'd think that Christie would raise my hackles a bit, being a fairly socially-liberal guy from Joisey.

Well, guess what: I think he'd do great as President, and I'd have no qualms at all voting for him. Why? Social issues aside, if we don't solve our financial issues nothing else matters. Gay marriage, the role of the courts in our democracy, free speech, all that stuff -- none of it means dick in the long run if we can't get our spending under control. Social Security and Medicare will kill us if we don't kill them first -- that's just a plain fact, and the fact that Christie is willing to say as much, in plain language, makes me happy.

I think Paul Ryan is going to learn to be just as blunt (though in more wonkish terms, given his skillset), but right now he's hemming and hawing right along with the rest of them.

 

128 Isn't that up to the NJ Attorney General?  And what has Christie personally stated about Obamacare?

Posted by: Waingro at February 16, 2011 01:37 PM (uAytX)

I don't know what Christie thinks about ObamaCare, but one can't talk about reforming entitlements - especially Medicaid, which Christie singles out as being particularly dangerous (which is 3000% true) without saying that ObamaCare is a death sentence.

Did Christie mention Medicaid in his speech?  That's all you need to know.

Like I said, I like Christie at the state level, but not the national level.

129 "American exceptionalism has to include the courage to do the right thing"

130 126. That's probably meant to be rhetorical, but I'd say a drill sergeant makes an EXCELLENT therapist, in particular for neuroses, which is primarily what Americans are "suffering" from.

131 "Teetering on the edge of disaster...the courage to do the right thing."  This guy needs a Christmas night visit from the Ghost of Ronald Reagan.  He needs to run.

132 And maybe Ace is right, maybe Palin is an Amnesty lover. Fine, that's why we have primaries. Say this for Palin, she's survived more Rule 12 hate than any other member of teh GOP.

133 30 >>>So Christie's idea of approaching the coming fiscal catastrophe is to viciously attack our educators by publicly shouting them down at public meetings? Who ultimately loses out? Oh that's right, our children.

Giggle. Let me guess -- teacher?

Posted by: ace at February 16, 2011 01:13 PM (nj1bB)

Noooooo Ace.  He's an EDUCATOR!!!!

How dare Christie respond to a whiny-ass teacher bitching about making $85K to work 9 months!!!

134 130. Yes, Christie absolutely mentioned Medicaid in this speech, and he has spoken about it previously.

135 115 O/T  Holy crap.  Fox saying two Iranian warships heading toward the Suez canal, to dock in Syria near the Israeli coast.

That was the news story Rush lead with today.  Its definitely an Iranian provocation, but what exactly they are up to remains to be seen.  Obviously Iran isn't going to start a full-fledged war with Israel using these 2 ships.  I'm guessing they might be shipping weapons to the myriad Iranian-linked terrorist groups in the area, with this thumb in Israel's eye as a side-benefit. 

Still, this isn't good at all.

136 So, umm, NOW Coulter's boldness is a good thing? What changed? I thought we were supposed to be reading her out of the movement because her day has passed or something. Someone get me a current scorecard? Thanks. BTW, guys, if Christie is a squish, sign me up for squishiness.

137 Posted by: buzzion at February 16, 2011 01:35 PM (oVQFe)
 
Thanx for the clarification. Sorry to Dan#2 (non Romneybot).
 
I have many qualms about Christie, but none are related to his way of communicating. He's leaning on the third rail like it's a pizza.

138 Any Laurel and Hardy jokes will be sliced by my lethal wit.

--xx Ann

139 >>>Bush 43's ignore the Left strategy isn't exactly a winner... Wasn't that great? He never defended himself personally or his policies. All that shit was dumped on us and the other elected Republicans everywhere. Thanks, George.

140

 maybe I need to use a more unique name when I post

"Dan, Dan, Not the Spam Dan" might work.

141 just updated to include Christie's key quote on American exceptionalism.

142 whew! I need a cigarette now and I'm not ashamed to say so

143 130. Yes, Christie absolutely mentioned Medicaid in this speech, and he has spoken about it previously.

Posted by: BlackOrchid at February 16, 2011 01:42 PM (SB0V2)

That's not what I asked. I pointed out that he correctly identified Medicaid as being uniquely dangerous, as it will drive the feds and the states ALL into bankruptcy.  I asked if he addressed ObamaCare in the same speech.  You cannot be serious about reducing Medicaid without citing the need to repeal ObamaCare - and that's even separate from the Constitutional issues that should make it a non-starter for anyone with a brain.

144 Christie speech in a nutshell:  "MAN UP WASHINGTON AND STOP PLAYING POLITICAL GAMES WITH OUR CHILDREN'S FUTURE"

145 That, fellow Morons, was what is known as a stem winder.

146 128, I agree. I have my bouts of pessimism just like anyone else given the constant barrage of news stories designed to prop up Obama and the left, but they did not work in 2010 for the Democrats. I am optimistic about 2012. We still need to outwork the other side though! I will be traveling to multiple states volunteering, getting the truth out about my preferred candidates record. I suggest everyone do whatever they can for whomever they believe in. Competition is good. But if you are on the left, just stay home, Obama does not need you

147 BTW, guys, if Christie is a squish, sign me up for squishiness.

Posted by: blaster at February 16, 2011 01:43 PM (l5dj7) 

He is a Radical Islam sympathizer. Wake up people.

148 Meanwhile, they are in the streets in Iran, Bahrain, and Libya?

149 Christie is promoting suicide!1!

150 Oh and Yemen?

151 He's not running. That sure sounded definitive.

152 Barbarian - show me.

153

The key is a BIG Breakfast.

Posted by: Chris Christie at February 16, 2011 01:36 PM (YeD/k)

Followed by an even bigger "evacuation" if you will.

154 This guy is so good. So fucking good.  And sadly, his denial of running is definitive and hilarious and heartfelt.

He is so much superior to every other GOP or Dem politician on the national stage that it's not even funny.

155 He's not running.  And, truthfully, I don't blame him.

156

Here's why this argument matters: "The Long Term Budget Problem Begins Now". (With some bonus scary chart-fu!)

People who look at this looming disaster and insist there is no real problem need to be taken off the streets and put under supervision for their own protection, because they are clearly insane.

 

157 137 Hmmm, that sounds familiar...

158 Posted by: BlackOrchid at February 16, 2011 01:42 PM (SB0V2)

Oops.  My mistake, BlackOrchid.  I asked about the Medicaid mention, but I meant to say that it required a parallel talk about the need to repeal ObamaCare.

"Did Christie mention Medicaid [ObamaCare] in his speech?  That's all you need to know."

Sorry about that.  Damn!

159 121 Has he shouted down any teachers yet? Oohh the excitement.

Posted by: Mr. Diddy Wah Diddy at February 16, 2011 01:37 PM (v9rhs)

Stick around a while, maybe he'll give you a noogie and send you home cryin to your mommy.

 

160 FlaviusJulius - what the hell are you trying to post?

161 On the one hand it depresses me immensely that he won't run (and there's no way he will at this point). 

On the other hand, my admiration for him is now approaching absolute levels.  The guy inspires me, inspires me in a way that Obama-cultists or Palinistas probably feel about their candidates.  I want to FOLLOW this guy.  I want to do things to help him.  I want to fucking move to New Jersey and sign up with him.  That's the effect he has on me.

162 I don't think he mentioned obama care, but I didn't listen to the entire speech as I'm working and stuff.  I think he thinks obama care is a fait au compli which makes me nervous.

163 That's the eternal paradox of a democracy: the best don't run for office, and the worst do.

164 163. Yep, me too Jeff. Except I'd also like to squish this squish! he's talking Ocare now, iknowtheleft

165 Obamacare question now...

166 164 I don't think he mentioned obama care, but I didn't listen to the entire speech as I'm working and stuff.  I think he thinks obama care is a fait au compli which makes me nervous.

Posted by: curious at February 16, 2011 01:49 PM (p302b)

He's answering a question about it now.

167 Cato institute girl asking about BO care now.

All the republican governors have written a letter asking the attorney general to ask the supreme court to take the case immediately.  This is difficult for governors.  He is not a fan of the president's health care plan.

168 WTF is "progress in our schools"?

Pay raises for teachers.

169 Kratos - the Iranians need to watch out, there have been kracken sightings in that area - those ships could just disappear.

170 Talking down the teachers are my favorite part. Is that the best the left can do? Oh the poor wittle teachers who struggle mightily to do crosswords in rubber rooms until they qualify for their gold plated pensions. Let's make public sector union thugs the face of the democrat strategy in 2012. scary. loser

171

"I want NJ to get a free ride"

Already started before he became gov. Doesn't need to join late; doesn't think it would make a diff so why spend the money.

172 He's too funny.  Didn't join in the lawsuit cause he figures NJ can get a free ride....too funny....

"If it's found unconstitutional for once new jersey taxpayers will get something for free"

173 makes cuts because the place is about to go bankrupt. Well yeah, just about anyone would at this point.

No, just about everyone won't.

174 FIGHT! FIGHT!! Want to get a better Republican party candidate? Let's move the first couple of primaries to states that actually matter in Republican politics, or at least who's culture tends toward conservatism. I just changed my registration from Ind to Republican so that I can vote in the Okie primaries.

175 I think he thinks obama care is a fait au compli which makes me nervous.

Posted by: curious at February 16, 2011 01:49 PM (p302b)

This is why I said that I like him at the state level. His opposition to ObamaCare is not required for him to be good at his job and do good for New Jersey.  However, at the federal level, it would be crucial.

But, I really don't take anyone seriously about cutting entitlements and government waste who is not totally opposed to ObamaCare, and I don't take anyone seriously as a Constitutionalist who is not totally opposed to ObamaCare.

176 153 Barbarian - show me.

Posted by: blaster at February 16, 2011 01:47 PM (l5dj7) 

Again.

http://tinyurl.com/4c6cdds

If this isn't quite disturbing,  I really don't know what is?

177 Actually, if he doesn't run for the Presidency but takes on the unofficial position of salesperson for fixing entitlements that's probably okay. I think, electorally, standing up loud and proud and saying I am going to cut Social Security is not likely to be a winner. I know the times have changed and all, but there is still danger for a national politician striking that pose. Now, if he can go out there and say it, and as he says, not get hit by lightning, then maybe other politicians will be emboldened to say it, too. But at a minimum, he can be the foil, and a Republican candidate won't have to run with him or against him, just say that he is addressing important national issues and the conversation should be encouraged, no one man or party is likely to have all of the right answers blah blah blah. Just so long as they don't *distance* themselves when the reporters inevitably say "Do you denounce..." We have to allow the conversation. BTW, I think Palin currently holds a similar position - she said the things on health care that the elected politicians would not, and I think she helped a number of candidates win who ultimately are there to vote against healthcare. I've said it before - she isn't running.

178

Nope! Nothing to see here folks...move along.

 

 

179 171 Kratos - the Iranians need to watch out, there have been kracken sightings in that area - those ships could just disappear.

Or Jew-Sharks.  Those things are nasty.

180 "If it's found unconstitutional for once new jersey taxpayers will get something for free"

Posted by: curious at February 16, 2011 01:52 PM (p302b)

Thanks. I missed the ObamaCare question.

181 "hence the name" heheheheh

182 Christie's said he's not running.

So who gives a fuck about him as a candidate.

I just want him as the 'fiscal responsibility' poster boy.

We need a complete party approach on this, not some figurehead who can get destroyed like Gingrich, so let Christie be a spokesman while others can start beating the same drum.  Let Christie draw the fire and have more people waiting in the wings to pick up the flag if he goes down. 

I don't need him to be President, but I'd like a pugilist like that selling fiscal responsibility against the people screaming 'draconian' reflexively.

183

"I want NJ to get a free ride"

Already started before he became gov. Doesn't need to join late; doesn't think it would make a diff so why spend the money.

Posted by: Mama AJ at February 16, 2011 01:52 PM (XdlcF)

Yeah.  He doesn't have to make NJ join a suit against it, but that shouldn't stop him from saying how bad, dangerous, and un-Constitutional it is. Unless he thinks it isn't ... which kind of seems like the case.

Like I said, not fatal at the state level.  Death at the federal level.

184 It sure is good to hear someone actually talk without using a bunch of poll tested gibberish bullshit like "investing in innovation to win the future"

185 Christie: If the GOP Congressional candidates I endorsed and campaigned for in 2010 duck out on entitlement reform, they'll see me with my arm around their primary opponent in 2012.

FUCK YES.

Again: this guy is awesome.  Wherever ChicagoJedi is, he can go suck a fuck.

186 Updated for his answer on ObamaCare.

187 http://tinyurl.com/4g445q5

188 Yeah.  He doesn't have to make NJ join a suit against it, but that shouldn't stop him from saying how bad, dangerous, and un-Constitutional it is. Unless he thinks it isn't ... which kind of seems like the case.

He said, "I'm not involved in the lawsuit because I disagree with it....I don't!"

189 Barbarian, I am not sure where that shows that he is a "Radical Islam sympathizer."

190 I like what he's saying about how it's the job of leaders to explain things.

191 "imagined deviations from orthodoxy"

Nice one, ace -- I see what you did there. In one well crafted phrase, you reduce "principles" (which are good things) to "orthodoxy" (which is, by connotation, a bad thing), then assert that no candidate, in the 2008 or 2012 primary contest, has ANY variation from that orthodoxy anyway -- any perceived deviation is purely "imaginary".

How can I put this bluntly? Ah...F*** that and the horse it rode in on.

Conservatives voters DO have principles (you can tell because those are the things "conservative" politicians run on, then routinely betray).  And politicians betraying those principles IS a real occurrence, and not "imagined".

And however much the NE Rockefeller types (see? I didn't say "RINO") want to avoid it, the bulk of Republican *voters* WILL NOT vote for a pro-abort candidate. The reasoning goes like this: "America will not last forever. I hope she lasts a LONG time, to preserve the blessings of liberty to my grandchildren's grandchildren, but if it is a choice between personal voluntary and knowing complicity in the murder of infants (by affirmatively voting for a pro-abort), and voting instead for a pro-life candidate who, thru not having quite the financial/budgetary acumen necessary to save the country...Sorry. Still not voting for the pro-abort. What good to my descendants is a government founded on the right to liberty and pursuit of happiness without life?"

So, Guiliani: his "deviation from orthodoxy" - not imagined. Romney: who the hell knows, he's flipped so many times on the issue; untrustworthy. Exactly WHICH of the eight dwarves in the 2008 campaign do you consider a "strong candidate" who was eliminated early due to "imagined deviations from othodoxy"?

Disclaimer: I was a Fred!head...

192 He said, "I'm not involved in the lawsuit because I disagree with it....I don't!"

Posted by: Tami at February 16, 2011 02:00 PM (VuLos)

Okay.

And thanks for the update, ace.

193 Will the trolls please stop it with the stupid fucking non-issue of Christie nominating a single Muslim judge?  We get it.  It's a non-issue.  You idiots are distorting it out of all reasonable rational relationship to what actually happened.  AND EVEN IF YOU WEREN'T IT DOESN'T MATTER IN THE FACE OF THE FISCAL CRISIS WE'RE FACING.

Besides, the guy isn't running for President.  So what do you want to do?  Push for Steve fucking Lonegan to primary Christie in the 2013 NJ Governor's race?

Dumbass fuckwits.

194

"that is how John McCain wound up winning. Not because of "RINOs" (RINOs wanted either Giuliani or Romney), but because any strong candidate was disqualified for this or that and we were left with the guy who on paper was supposedly a conservative but we all knew wasn't."

Respectfully disagree.  McCain won because there were huge blocks of Republican primary voters who thought it was his turn and that he deserved his shot at the Presidency: that's what gave him his big momentum-building win in South Carolina. (Also, Charlie Crist screwed Giuiani by switching his endorsement to McCain, but I am sure that played to the predisposition of Florida GOP voters to give ol' man McCain his rightful turn.)

195 Oooh, Christie now calling out Obama as a coward for his State of the Union address and his budget!  OH YEAH.

196 Kratos - I have seen the topless, Jew mermaids on the Tel Aviv beach, could easily see myself running a boat onto the rocks.  Hope those Iranians are careful

197 He thought that pathetic pep-rally by the Indonesian in Arizona was great?  WTF?

198

Again.

http://tinyurl.com/4c6cdds

If this isn't quite disturbing,  I really don't know what is?

Posted by: Barbarian at February 16, 2011 01:53 PM (EL+OC)

He supports a guy who was counsel to the American Muslim Union for a judgeship.  That's it?  Hey, Christie is part Italian and everyone Italian has some sort of connection to an Italian in The Mob so that means Christie is a mobster!

Some of the directors of the AMU sit on the leadership board of Islamic Center of Passaic County which was co-founded by a guy who is related to a guy who gave money to Hamas.  Sohail Mohammad defended people as required by his job.  Just like my sister defends accused criminals who retain her firm. I guess in your world that makes my sister a criminal.

199 "I clocked it, we went almost 40 minutes into the [SOTU] before there was ANY talk of reducing spending."

200

I propose we name Christie supporters: Doughnuts. 

It works on a couple levels, fat-doughnuts, money/fiscal issuses-dough, Causes euphoria in backers-nuts; just derogatory enough I think.

201

195  Well, this dumbass fuckwit is merely suggesting that it is perhaps worth looking into before going all out with the politico love and adulation.  That's all.

But if that's harshing your mellow too much, by all means, carry on.

202 Apparently Chris hasn't met the Slowsky family.

203

“I’m a little mystified as to why they’re not doing it, on either side. Because what we’ve shown in New Jersey is that the public is hungry for this.”

I'm not.  Our "betters" on both sides of the aisle for too many years have enjoyed the many perks/benefits that is afforded them by doing "favors" which means doling out the tax payers hard earned money.  The fact that the public is hungry for this will mean squat to them until they are voted out en masse.

 

204 This critique of Obama is devastating.  He's somehow calling him a "manchild" and coming off as being respectful at the same time.  Brilliant work.

205 " Plus, when this started, the whole suit seemed unlikely to succeed -- it is STILL unlikely, but has gone from longshot to underdog."

Ace, why would you possibly think this??  It's at WORST a 5-4 decision where Kennedy screws us over, but I think it will be at least 5-4 the other way, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a 6-3 or 7-2 split on the commerce clause "inactivity" issue.  Have some faith!

206 Stop with the Christie doesn't support the lawsuit against ObamaCare. He has clearly stated otherwise. He said it is bad legislation that will bankrupt the States and should be repealed. He said he supports the lawsuit against the feds, but on this one occasion he is being a little selfish on behalf of the tax payers of NJ. He knows the lawsuit is well funded and well represented. He wants NJ to get a free ride this time. He supports the lawsuit, just not with NJ tax payer's money. I wish he would join, but I see his point.

207 on O-Care - it's very, very good for pharma. NJ is pretty much run by pharma. I suspect that that plays into his stepping back from the suit.

208

The "President fantasies' have to stop if conservatives are going to seriously find out how to take back the WH.

I would love if every time a person talked about their support of a candidate, they had to post an electoral map of the 270 (or more) electoral votes they are going to win. It would help differentiate the mindless cheerleaders from people who had thought seriously about electoral viability. 

209 "Cue the purist "RINO!" rants in 3...2....never mind they already started." Cue the "you people who don't support moderate northeastern squishes are killing the party" snark in . . . oh wait. You beat me to it. I'd be OK with Christie, though. The thought of him verbally bitch-slapping the Dems and the media around on a regular basis gives me a warm, fuzzy feeling. But he's apparently serious about not running. If Palin actually runs and wins the nomination, whose ongoing public meltdown would be the most unbelievable: --GOP establishment types --The MBM --The Democrats It would be a hell of a spectacle. Almost reason enough by itself to support Palin.

210 That was great with awesome sauce.

211 >>>Ace, why would you possibly think this?? It's at WORST a 5-4 decision where Kennedy screws us ove dude 5-4 against is still a loss. Doesn't matter if it's close. It's my guess that Kennedy, who has trended ever more liberal on "social" rights, will of course fuck us over. I put the odds myself as one in three -- it's about twice as likely Kennedy will side with "the nation's children" as with the taxpayer.

212 Posted by: Waingro at February 16, 2011 02:07 PM (uAytX)

True.  The perversion of the Commerce Clause is epic and the fact that the administration switched to calling the Individual Mandate penalty a tax (though not uniform) while they had argued it was definitely NOT a tax, during the illegal passage, showed that even the left knew they were in deep doo-doo.

That all aside, just the idea of the federal Individual Mandate, itself, is as un-American and un-Constitutional as anything we have seen.

213 He's awesome, isn't he!!

214

I'd be happy as a clam if Palin won. I'd also be happy if marginal tax rates in my tax bracket fell to 2%. Neither is going to happen in 2012.

Where is the electoral map where Palin gets to 270? What states can she win to get there?

215 See Ace? This is why Jeff B gets abused in the threads. He's a dildo.

216 It's a cute answer, but it's false. I do not hold that against him; clever dishonesty must be in a politician's skill set.<<Ace

'cause you know what's in his heart.  Or somethin'.

217 12
But let's stop with this Fantasy Presidential Candidate League because it's a waste of time.
Posted by: plain old soothsayer at February 16, 2011 01:07 PM (uFokq)

I agree. The casting about for two names to head the top of the ticket in 2012 with insertions therein of whichever elected official (or former elected official) is making waves at the moment reflects the lack of a deep bench for the GOP at the national level.

Losing statehouses in the mid-2000s reduced the pool of potential candidates with executive experience. We have Sarah, the 2008 also-rans and relative unknowns at the national level. We are tempted to cannibalize our gains at the state level or in the House because we desperately want a "better" field from which to choose.

I generally like what Chris Christie and Paul Ryan have proposed doing, but there's the proposing and then there's the doing. To pull either one of them out of their current post, in my opinion, risks having nothing be done at all because it isn't apparent who would take up their causes if they moved on prematurely.

218 >>See Ace? This is why Jeff B gets abused in the threads. He's a dildo.


Leave his lady out of this.

219 I was born and grew up in the wilds of Jesusland (that's that big area between the coasts to you Democrats). So you'd think that Christie would raise my hackles a bit, being a fairly socially-liberal guy from Joisey. Well, guess what: I think he'd do great as President, and I'd have no qualms at all voting for him. Why? Social issues aside, if we don't solve our financial issues nothing else matters.

Ditto, ditto, and ditto.  Social issues are historically an extravagance.  If you don't have a job, gay marriage isn't on your list of priorities.

220 We're in the middle of a fight to cut federal spending, including entitlements, and this thread goes off the rails with people arguing Presidential politics for the next election.  Sheesh.

Christie says he's not running.  Either you don't believe him, or you think you'll change his mind.  Why not stick with what we know-- that we're fucked, and fix that problem on the table right now?

221 by a guy who is related to a guy who gave money to Hamas.

I have a very good friend who is Muslim. (She jokes that she's a MINO, and hasn't been in a mosque since she was 13.)

She says every Muslim is related to someone, somewhere who gave money to Hamas.

Everyone has a crazy cousin/aunt/uncle. I have an uncle and 3 cousins in the KKK. I'd like to think you wouldn't hold that against me if I chose to run for office..

222 Who is Tommy Lee Jones?

223 "they must be viewed comparatively."

This is how I win every argument about politics.

Young Person: Capitalism is unfair!

Me: Compared to what?

224 He doesn't elaborate on that but that is a crucial, crucial point for Republicans to make and everytime they don't make it they lose. Republicans must always present this as a choice -- would you like $40 billion in spending for high speed internet access now, or would you like your children relieved of $100 billion of debt (initial cost plus interest)? Or would you like $40 billion to go to our nation's solvency?" He didn't lampshade it like that, and he should have. Every Republican, always, should play the comparison of goods game. Sure, high speed rail is good. But would you rather have high speed rail or your children to have a functioning, vibrant economy in which they can actually get a job? I like this but it could be even more dramatic-if you invert it in a way. What's the worse that could happen if you under fund defense? What's the worse that could happen if you under fund high speed rail? There's probably something even better. "X" is your heating bill. "High Speed Rail" is frosting.

225 "dude 5-4 against is still a loss. Doesn't matter if it's close. It's my guess that Kennedy, who has trended ever more liberal on "social" rights, will of course fuck us over. I put the odds myself as one in three -- it's about twice as likely Kennedy will side with "the nation's children" as with the taxpayer."

Well, yeah, obviously that's a loss, but when it comes down to one swing vote, it doesn't scream "underdog" to me.  Your specific concerns about Kennedy are duly noted, but I do not share your pessimism. 

226 Isn't 37 of 3892 actually 0.95% .. or roughly 1% ?

If they could do math, they'd have better career options than "journalism."

227

This critique of Obama is devastating.  He's somehow calling him a "manchild" and coming off as being respectful at the same time.  Brilliant work.

I thought so too.  I watched the speech and the Q&A (this was the first full speech of his I've seen; the rest have been clips).  I liked not only the things he said but his approach to the topics.  That can make all the difference.

228 Posted by: plain ol soothsayer at February 16, 2011 02:13 PM (uFokq)

Question: do you disagree with the assertion that the fiscal/spending/entitlement crisis facing America is the #1 problem facing us today, that it threatens to ruin the country for generations unless drastic, immediate action is taken, and that this issue vastly dwarfs all others?  Do you disagree with that?  And do you think, say, appointing a token Muslim judge to a lower-level sinecure completely obviates and eliminates anyone who focuses on that? 

I'd like to know.  I want to know who's *really* on our side, and who's just a single-issue poseur inflating tiny (and mostly misunderstood) kerfuffles into TEH MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE EVAR. 

Are you really a conservative, Soothsayer?  One who cares about the nation, going foward, and wants to save it?  Or are you just some internet tough guy who likes to talk shit about people?  You single out people who disagree with you for attacks in a way that I don't (unless I'm responding to them), and you try to isolate them despite their probable (in my case, certain) agreement on 99% of other issues. 

229 I don't agree with Ann Coulter. We cannot be choosing our presidential candidates based on a single issue, however important it may be. There are other people who could do the right thing fiscally, and yet not be wrong on other issues.

Christie needs to stay where he is and continue doing his work in NJ.

230 One problem for Christie if he *did* want to seek national office is he doubtless has lots of skeletons in his closet--things that are "everybody does it" in NJ, but would be good ammo in the rest of the country. It's difficult for me to believe--even as a GOPer--he's climbed to the top of the political heap in a state that brought us Torricelli, McGreevey, etc.  without having to cut a number of deals along the way.

231

It is also disheartening to know that even though the people here are strong conservatives, we are not (still! even after the Tea Party!), the base of the Republican Party. In every poll I see, Huckabee and Romney are either #1 and #2 with Huckabee more often #1 than #2.

232 I have a very good friend who is Muslim. (She jokes that she's a MINO, and hasn't been in a mosque since she was 13.)

She says every Muslim is related to someone, somewhere who gave money to Hamas.

Everyone has a crazy cousin/aunt/uncle. I have an uncle and 3 cousins in the KKK. I'd like to think you wouldn't hold that against me if I chose to run for office..

Exactly.  And every Irish person I know is related to someone who gave money to the IRA (who are/were monsters, absolute monsters, and never forget it). 

So I guess we should forevermore ban them from electoral politics too?

233 224 from what I have read, it's a bit more than that...but whatever, it's obviously a trifling matter; I can see that now

234 Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 02:23 PM (NjYDy)

The IRA wasn't attacking America and wasn't committed to the end of the West.  Small difference.

235 On the upside, he will most definatley drop some of his positions if he runs. He won't come out for gun control or cap and tax.
Posted by: Ben at February 16, 2011 01:23 PM (wuv1c)

How the hell can you know that? Bullshit.

236 dude 5-4 against is still a loss. Doesn't matter if it's close. It's my guess that Kennedy, who has trended ever more liberal on "social" rights, will of course fuck us over. I put the odds myself as one in three -- it's about twice as likely Kennedy will side with "the nation's children" as with the taxpayer.

Honestly, I think this underestimates what could happen.  I see 6-3 against as being quite possible as well, with Roberts joining in the majority upholding Obamacare.  Or a 5-4 decision where Kennedy actually sides w/the 'conservative' bloc (Thomas/Scalia/Alito) and Roberts defects.

There are a lot of inside-baseball constitutional law issues at play here that the vast majority of laymen simply do not understand.

237 There are a lot of inside-baseball constitutional law issues at play here that the vast majority of laymen simply do not understand. Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 02:26 PM (NjYDy) Like take 2 and hit to right?

238

There are a lot of inside-baseball constitutional law issues at play here that the vast majority of laymen simply do not understand.

Can we have them explained to us? 

Or are they beyond our conceptual capacities?

239 Honestly, I think this underestimates what could happen.  I see 6-3 against as being quite possible as well, with Roberts joining in the majority upholding Obamacare.  Or a 5-4 decision where Kennedy actually sides w/the 'conservative' bloc (Thomas/Scalia/Alito) and Roberts defects.

There are a lot of inside-baseball constitutional law issues at play here that the vast majority of laymen simply do not understand.

Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 02:26 PM (NjYDy)

Why do you think Roberts would defect?

240 The other thing that bothers me about this whole Christie is a sekret Islamophile is the complaint that his assistant testified at an immigration trial for Qatanani. If your local DA investigated you because some of your friends or relatives were engaged in a possible criminal conspiracy wouldn't you want the DA to testify at a different trial about his findings if it was being used against you?  Because the prosecutor in the immigration case was bringing up the fact that Qatanani had been investigated by Chrisite's office in an effort to show that Qatanani was not eligible to be a green card holder.

In fact, Christie might not have had a choice because of the rules regarding calling witnesses in immigration trials.

241 There are a lot of inside-baseball constitutional law issues at play here that the vast majority of laymen simply do not understand.

Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 02:26 PM (NjYDy)

No there aren't.  The un-Constitutionality - and sheer un-American nature - of ObamaCare is clear.

The federal government doesn't even have any role in health insurance or health care.  The fact that the despicable, lying scumbags on the left need to go to the "general welfare" clause - which isn't operative, but merely a description of how the following explicit powers of Art I, Sec 8 are to be exercised (which does not include health care or insurance or anything of the like) - tells you how much bullshit it obviously is.

242 >>>The IRA wasn't attacking America and wasn't committed to the end of the West.  Small difference.

Wow.  Amazing how easy it is to suddenly find 'distinctions' and excuses for terrorist thug violence.  Let me guess: they were also Christians, so it's, like, totally different than Palestinian terror!

243 One can imagine a debate between Christie and Obama, no contest, Obama would be left a smoldering pile of nothingness  by the time it was done.  I'll be in my bunk

244

It is really, really too bad Christie is not running. He is a very effective spokesman. He has something crucial, too: Even though I know he is a politician and I know he therefore deceives for political gain and even though I know he plays to the camera for YouTube videos -- he seems like he's not running for anything. He seems like he's just hear to tell you the facts and not bullshit you at all.

Reagan is referred to as "The Great Communicator"

I think that is definitely a strength that Christie has.  He is a communicator.  He is "The Big Communicator."

245 It reminds me of Michael Keaton's speech near the end of Gung Ho, where he says, basically, the last three speeches I gave you were all this flattery about being the best workers in the world, but guess what? You want the truth? We're getting our asses handed to us and if we want to be the Great American Labor Force again we have to go out there and be that, and stop just saying we are.

That dog don't hunt.  There's nothing wrong with the private sector American worker.  There's a big problem with big government+big business+big labor.   

Worker output per hour comparison (BLS)  - LINK

2010 Preliminary Productivity And Costs (BLS) - LINK

US Exports (tradingeconomics.com) - LINK

Big Government and its socialist tendencies have made hiring workers to expensive.  Like 1982-2, there's a heavy investment in productive capital equipment and software phase before the employers are compelled to hire human beings.

246 The Fox News website has been on a tear about the deficit this week.

Good stuff.  White House Ignores Interest Payments in Claiming to Control Debt

247 If the GOP is serious about entitlement reform, then they need every voice they can get. Christie can legitimately say he's affected change in a state where it's difficult to do that and he appeals to the common man. Let him help lead the effort here. As for the presidency, let's cross that bridge when we come to it.

248 Wow.  Amazing how easy it is to suddenly find 'distinctions' and excuses for terrorist thug violence.  Let me guess: they were also Christians, so it's, like, totally different than Palestinian terror!

Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 02:30 PM (NjYDy)

Are you retarded?  Seriously.

I bet you think our firebombing of cities - incinerating civilians en masse - in WWII was "terrorism" and made us all war criminals.   That's what you're saying, you know.

249 235

It is also disheartening to know that even though the people here are strong conservatives, we are not (still! even after the Tea Party!), the base of the Republican Party. In every poll I see, Huckabee and Romney are either #1 and #2 with Huckabee more often #1 than #2.

Posted by: Paper at February 16, 2011 02:22 PM (VoSja)

 

Ooh...I like Mitt Romney...He's handsome and Presidential, He's got my vote!

 

 

250 What's this? CSPI, the Center for Science in the Public Interest, filed a petition today at the FDA to ban caramel coloring. ...for the children.

251 The IRA wasn't attacking America and wasn't committed to the end of the West.  Small difference.

Posted by: iknowtheleft at February 16, 2011 02:25 PM (N49h9)

So if the IRA was attacking America you would support eliminating Irish Catholics from political office because some of their family members might have supported the IRA in the past?  Guilt by association...it's in the Constitution!

252 The guy who could run is Paul Ryan, he's in his 7th term in Congress. It's not like he's inexperienced. He could pick someone with experience as an executive to help him manage, like a Jindal. He's the guy Coulter should be going after. We've elected about as many senators to the presidency as congressmen. This idea that you can't go from the House of Representatives to the White House is bunk.

253 "Ah well. I guess we're jacked for 2016." The 2016 candidate will be the incumbent GOP president seeking reelection, Ace. (Fingers crossed.)

254 Me: Compared to what?

Have you been following Milton?

255 It's a cute answer, but it's false. I do not hold that against him; clever dishonesty must be in a politician's skill set.

That's one of the things I love about you, ace.  You can see the difference between politicians being political and them being traitors to the cause. 

Anyway, I agree completely with you.

I got into it the other day with someone at HotAir over whether or not it would be a disqualifying act for Christie to go ahead and run in 2012 after he's stated he wouldn't run.  This person (clearly a supporter of someone else and not a Christie fan anyway) stated Christie would be lying and therefore he wouldn't vote for him.  My position was that it was the kind of "lie" that did not matter.  When politicians run for office, they run on 2-, 4-, or 6-year platforms, laying out their agendas for their entire term of office.  They may not explicitly swear an oath to stay for their full terms, but that's certainly the implication.  Politicians leave office early all the time and go on to bigger (or other) things.  Why it should be more sacred to tell a reporter "I'm staying for the full term" and not the voters is beyond me.

Anyway, I love Christie.  I wish he'd run this time.  Unlike Rubio or West, who are also both quite impressive, he really is ready even after this short time as governor for the national stage.  His track-record as District Atty in the (I believe) second-largest district was stellar.  Someone posted yesterday that he was something like 130 (?) and 0 (W vs L) while DA. 

Yes, he's not perfect on every issue, but I think with a Republican Congress he'd be fine. 

256 Posted by: Quilly Mammoth at February 16, 2011 02:34 PM (HaUE0)

False comparison.

257

^{Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 02:30 PM (NjYDy)}

Are you claiming what I think you are claiming, here, JeffB?

258

So if the IRA was attacking America you would support eliminating Irish Catholics from political office because some of their family members might have supported the IRA in the past?  Guilt by association...it's in the Constitution!

Posted by: Quilly Mammoth at February 16, 2011 02:34 PM (HaUE0)

Comparing the IRA to muslims who want us and our nation destroyed is retarded.

Of course, I am not the holder of the universal international rules of global government and galactic morality, as you and Jeff are.

Are you against our own strategic nuclear arsenal?

259 he's not perfect on every issue,

Please tell me what president has been perfect?

Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?

260

>>Can we have them explained to us? 

Or are they beyond our conceptual capacities?

If you're not a lawyer, then roughly speaking yes...I'd say they pretty much are beyond most laymen's conceptual capacities.  Or rather, it would take so much fucking time and effort to slowly explicate all the various strands of SCOTUS jurisprudence (including not only the legal issues in dispute but also the traditions of Court interpretation and ruling as well as the particular ideological temperaments of each justice) that it's not worth it.  

But on a basic level it can be reduced to this: 1.) the recent U.S. v Comstock decision, in which Roberts joined the majority, bodes ill for the court's interpretation of the mandate as applied to the Necessary & Proper clause; 2.) Roberts has constantly defined himself publicly as a 'judicial minimalist', with a pronounced reluctance to strike down major legislation or ignore stare decises, and his SCOTUS record has borne this out.  I know for a fact (from talking with clerks for Alito and Kennedy, who I am good friends with) that this approach has caused a good deal of consternation within the 'conservative' wing of the court.

I hope Roberts sides with the angels on this case.  I cannot in any way assume that he will. 

And yes, I am a lawyer.  I do know what I speak of.

261 I have a very good friend who is Muslim. (She jokes that she's a MINO, and hasn't been in a mosque since she was 13.)

She says every Muslim is related to someone, somewhere who gave money to Hamas.

Posted by: MissTammy at February 16, 2011 02:17 PM (BebB7)

Sounds to me like your friend is not what I would call a Muslim.  If she doesn't believe it, and doesn't go to the propaganda center, she's not a Muslim.  She may identify with them ethnically or something, but she's not the threat.  Her sort should be given the chance to announce full apostasy and make official what is already unofficially the case.  Then the removal of the bad element can go forward.

That said, if any of my family members gave money to a terrorist organization, they would be disowned to the fullest extent I could disown them.  If not legally, at least in terms of having any kind of familial relationship.  Also, I would turn them in for it.  That's what should be done.

262 So I guess we should forevermore ban them from electoral politics too? 

Anyone who donated to the IRA should be in prison.

263 http://tinyurl.com/2axx7m3

264

244 Quatani isn't really the issue (as it can be explained); it's the appointing of his lawyer (then) Sohail Mohammed to the judge position -- and I merely said I felt it warrants more looking into before going back to being all gung ho for the guy.

But again, obviously it was over reacting on my part -- I apologize.

265 But he is clear on Sharia law as he has nominated a questionable islamic atty. for the NJ Supreme Court.

When I looked into that guy, it seemed to me to be a smear against Christie.  The atty in question defended someone accused of terrorism -- successfully.  In other words, the defendant was found not guilty... which means he's not a terrorist, doesn't it? 

266

"The IRA wasn't attacking America and wasn't committed to the end of the West." 

 Actually they were. Following the "Bloody Sunday" massacre, the Irish Republican Army's orientation became almost exclusively Marxist-Leninist. 

267

Comparing the IRA to muslims who want us and our nation destroyed is retarded.

(Uhmmm, you brought it up)

Of course, I am not the holder of the universal international rules of global government and galactic morality, as you and Jeff are.

(No, I believe in the Constitution and the Rule of Law where there is no support for guilt by association)

Are you against our own strategic nuclear arsenal?

(Non Sequitur...I win)

Posted by: iknowtheleft at February 16, 2011 02:36 PM (N49h9)

268 256 The guy who could run is Paul Ryan, he's in his 7th term in Congress. It's not like he's inexperienced. He could pick someone with experience as an executive to help him manage, like a Jindal...

He's been asked the question repeatedly, and the answer is that his marriage and raising his children are his top priorities.

269 266 So I guess we should forevermore ban them from electoral politics too? 

Anyone who donated to the IRA should be in prison.

One of these things is not like the other.

270 My ticket would be Christie/Rubio in 2012.  They would win. 

271 My major point, really, is that it is ALWAYS A MISTAKE to simply assume the Supreme Court will "see the obvious" and strike down legislation that we here in the trenches think (or know!) is blatantly unconstitutional.  Remember, that's basically what Bush's strategy was when he signed McCain-Feingold: he figured 'hey, the court will take this shit down and I can reap the PR benefits.'"

Except they didn't.  Not at first.  It took the replacement of O'Connor and a decade's worth of hashing the issue out to get to Citizens United.

The Supreme Court is, as a rule, hatefully reluctant to overturn the perceived 'will of the people' as expressed by major Congressional legislation.  Spare me your arguments about how Obamacare was shoved down our throats, reconciliation, party-line voting, polls in opposition, etc. etc.  I know this.  I believe it to be true.  But I'm just telling you that even though I subscribe to these caveats to the philosophy of judicial deference, I know for a fact (based on empirical track record if nothing else) that SCOTUS doesn't.  It's quite possible that they won't even look at that stuff, even informally.

Never bet on the Court to do the right thing.  The law is an ass.  Always.

272 dude 5-4 against is still a loss. Doesn't matter if it's close. It's my guess that Kennedy, who has trended ever more liberal on "social" rights, will of course fuck us over. I put the odds myself as one in three -- it's about twice as likely Kennedy will side with "the nation's children" as with the taxpayer.

Posted by: ace at February 16, 2011 02:12 PM (nj1bB)

If the Supreme Court decides that economic non-activity is activity, and that the congress has the right to compel every citizen to purchase a product from a private enterprise, then the majority in this country will have done with the constitutional experiment.

That would literally lead to violence.

273

People who look at this looming disaster and insist there is no real problem need to be taken off the streets and put under supervision for their own protection, because they are clearly insane.

 Posted by: Monty at February 16, 2011 01:47 PM (4Pleu)

There is no problem with Social Security.  It is funded for the next 50 years.  Medicare and Medicaid?  Fine too. 

274

Are you against our own strategic nuclear arsenal?

(Non Sequitur...I win)

Posted by: Quilly Mammoth at February 16, 2011 02:40 PM (HaUE0)

Not too bright, are you?  Answer my question; do you support our strategic nuclear arsenal, which is designed to incinerate tens of millions of men, women, children, and pets? 

A simple "yes" or "no" will suffice.

275 You know what? Fuck the teachers. Yeah I said it. I went to school, I saw the fucking dead weight "I" had for teachers. There were some very good ones, but there were some complete fuckups. We had one dude who used to just pass out those smelly copied pages with the purple writing, like some multiple choice test things. He didn't do a fucking thing other than that. he would sit and read all day to himself  while we did worksheets. Thats not a teacher, thats a fucking babysitter.

I went through my entire 12 years of public schools and was NEVER taught how to do percentages. I had to fucking learn myself after I got out. I had another teacher that was nuts. I got an F in english one marking period, and an A in the next marking period. I asked her how that happened. She says "oh you improved"

HUH??? I didn't do any damn thing different.

I had 2 years of electronics. My second year my teacher got really sick, he was out for almost 2 months, so they send in this fucking artifact of a teacher, who knew as much about electronics as obama knows about america. We played football for 2 months, that little triangular folded paper football thingy. Did we get an actually electronics teacher to sub for 2 months? Nope, we got another fucking baby sitter. There were 2 woodshop teachers, 1 of them was also an electronics teacher, but we got a fucking artifact to baby sit us instead of letting the second electronics teacher take up the slack. Oh what about the woodshop then. How about letting the other woodshop teacher do shit like oh I don't know, maybe teach fucking woodshop. We had only 1 woodshop, and only 1 electronics lab, so you're gonna tell me between 2 woodshop teachers and 2 electronics teachers, they had to get us a baby sitter? Because of that we never got into transistors OR vacume tubes, the whole damn reason I took the class.

I have 5...5 teachers in my family, and they are all good, half had lost jobs, because just like Christie said, they are the first to go while the other lazy fucks cruise on their tenure.

276 It is also disheartening to know that even though the people here are strong conservatives, we are not (still! even after the Tea Party!), the base of the Republican Party. In every poll I see, Huckabee and Romney are either #1 and #2 with Huckabee more often #1 than #2.

LOL, evidently you didn't see our own AOS straw poll last week. Those two bombed out miserably and BION the winner by a far margin was the evil Palin.

277

269  The non-terrorist in question was found guilty of belonging to a terrorist group in Israel, if I remember correctly.  And Sohail Mohammed is himself not exactly moderate (by the usual term of the meaning) on the subject.  So my big question mark is: why appoint this Muslim to the court bench?  All things considered of course.

 

278 263 he's not perfect on every issue,

Please tell me what president has been perfect?

Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller?

Posted by: elspeth at February 16, 2011 02:36 PM (0AkWH)

Eh...I vetoed a thing or two in my time!

279

She says every Muslim is related to someone, somewhere who gave money to Hamas.

This reminds me of a story my dad told me about an English class he took in college. The professor was discussing something about literature when the following exchange occured:

Professor: "Is anyone in here a member of the IRA?" Several students raise their hands, my dad looks around very surprised and confused.

Professor: "Is there something wrong?"

Dad: "No, just surprised. I have family members who have attended meetings and given money but it's not something anyone ever talks about in public."

Professor (chuckling): "Are we both talking about the International Reading Association?"

Dad: "Uhhhhhhhh, no."

Professor: "I didn't think so."

280 Which is ultimately what "gravitas" is. So would it be fair to say that he's got heft?

281 One of these things is not like the other.

Exactly.

282

Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 02:42 PM (NjYDy)

So if they rule it constitutional, can the gov't then mandate other things be purchased?  Not being smart...just curious if that would open up that door

283 http://tinyurl.com/246rmp8

284 No 2nd Amendment squish will ever get my vote.

285

If the Supreme Court decides that economic non-activity is activity, and that the congress has the right to compel every citizen to purchase a product from a private enterprise, then the majority in this country will have done with the constitutional experiment.

That would literally lead to violence.

No, it wouldn't.  I'm telling you, you are mistaking your own fervor (mine too!) on this issue for that of the nation as a whole.  There would be outrage, anger, grumbling, etc.  But if you think there's going to be violence on the streets of some shit like that then you are either projecting your own inchoate rage on to the populace at large, or you're indulging in some weird Freudian apocalyptic fantasy.

There might be a legislative or electoral response, however.  That's the best we could hope for in such a scenario.

Me?  I'd rather make it a non-issue by electing a Republican president and giving him a GOP House and Senate. 

It's like Hicks said in Aliens: it's the only way to be sure.

286 Christie is a gun grabber and an open borders guy, so count me out of his slobbering fan club.

287 I believe the Christie-Gun thing is a regional issue to inner cities. It is a valid concern but not the biggest one. The bigger issue is out of fucking control spending. Someone needs to lead, who as ace says "is not a cock sucker".

288 LOL, evidently you didn't see our own AOS straw poll last week. Those two bombed out miserably and BION the winner by a far margin was the evil Palin.

LOL, evidentaly you still don't realize that the vanishingly small percentage of conservatives/Republicans who participate in highly self-selecting online polls at Hot Air or AOSHQ do not represent the majority of GOP voters.  We are not the 'base,' but only a fraction (a highly committed fraction, but a fraction) of it.

That's the problem.  It's called selection bias.  Or "Kael syndrome" (i.e. Pauline Kael's famous 1972 proclamation that she couldn't understand why Nixon won, because "nobody I know voted for him.")

289

No, it wouldn't.  I'm telling you, you are mistaking your own fervor (mine too!) on this issue for that of the nation as a whole.  There would be outrage, anger, grumbling, etc. 

Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 02:46 PM (NjYDy)

At a bare minimum, you would see millions on the mall, shutting down the government until it was overturned. People have had enough of this political class.

290

Posted by: maddogg at February 16, 2011 02:47 PM (OlN4e)

Really? Exactly whose gun has he grabbed?

As for being open borders...yeah, he's an amnesty squish. But he's also law and order so I think he'd try to tie it a closure of the border and a regularization of the process (like Reagan tired and failed to do). It's not a good position but it's not the same as "open borders".

291 291 ...The bigger issue is out of fucking control spending. Someone needs to lead, who as ace says "is not a cock sucker".

Posted by: sTevo at February 16, 2011 02:48 PM (FzVlt)

Just don't cut me off Holmes.

292

Not too bright, are you? 

(I'm rubber, you're glue. Whatever you say bounces off me and sticks to you)

Answer my question; do you support our strategic nuclear arsenal, which is designed to incinerate tens of millions of men, women, children, and pets?

(I'll answer your childish question, but first you will blow me.)

A simple "yes" or "no" will suffice.

(Actually, I'm hoping like hell that the X-37B is really a test platform for "Rods From God")

Posted by: iknowtheleft at February 16, 2011 02:43 PM (N49h9)

You don't know jack.

293 Is it wrong that I want Chris Christie to be the big thing I do?

294

But on a basic level it can be reduced to this:

That is not outside the grasp of a seventh grader of nominal intelligence.  Why would a layperson struggle with it?

Thanks, btw.

295 LOL, evidentaly you still don't realize that the vanishingly small percentage of conservatives/Republicans who participate in highly self-selecting online polls at Hot Air or AOSHQ do not represent the majority of GOP voters.

Evidently going to law school doesn't teach you how to read. Go back and look at what I was responding to.

And by the way, you are 100% wrong about how the supremes will fall out on Obamacare.

296 Gun Rights and Immigration are deal breakers for me.  He fails on both. Next.

297 it's obviously a trifling matter; I can see that now

I don't mean to trivialize it at all, my apologies if it came across that way ; I don't have all the facts, just meant to add my 2 cents as far as being related to someone who is far less than perfect.

Sounds to me like your friend is not what I would call a Muslim.  If she doesn't believe it, and doesn't go to the propaganda center, she's not a Muslim.

I have not been to church since I was 14, but I still consider myself a Christian.

Her sort should be given the chance to announce full apostasy and make official what is already unofficially the case. 

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone. Do you hold Westboro Baptist Church and Christians who bomb abortion clinics up as the sole expample of Christianity, and expect all Christians to recant their actual beliefs until all such people are purged??

That said, if any of my family members gave money to a terrorist organization, they would be disowned to the fullest extent I could disown them.  If not legally, at least in terms of having any kind of familial relationship.  Also, I would turn them in for it.

My klan relatives are not invited to family gatherings and such, and I wouldn't hesitate to turn them in for anything I saw them do that was illegal (aside from the corn liquor), but I did sign up to see if I would be a match when one of the cousins needed a kidney donation, so I guess that means I am not a True American Patriot.

298 So if they rule it constitutional, can the gov't then mandate other things be purchased?  Not being smart...just curious if that would open up that door

Well, to people like us who practice common sense, the answer is yes.  And that would be a huge problem.  But again, this is what I mean when I say that it's hard for laymen to grasp the workings of court politics, because what would actually happen is that SCOTUS would give, in their majority, lip service to the idea that some restraints still exist upon federal powers under the commerce clause.  Now you or I, or anyone with a decent background in logic, would be able to poke a billion holes through that shit.

But that doesn't mean it wouldn't play out that way.  The lip service would be given, and then it would be invoked somewhere down the line if Congress really did try to do something thoroughly unbelievably outrageous like.

You see what I'm saying?  They would uphold Obamacare, allow the mandate, and then the next time an activity/inactivity case came before them they would fine *some other* niggling distinction to use as the basis for striking THAT down if they so wanted.

This is what Supreme Court jurisprudence is about.  It's not about what's right, or fair, or logical, most of the time.  Only Clarence Thomas, really, of all the justices, is concerned with that game (which is why he's my favorite).  It's about the political exigencies of the era in which the court is making its ruling.  Always has been.  How else would you explain shit like, say, Dred Scott v. Sanford?  Or Roe v. Wade?  Or [insert legal atrocity here].

This is why I am cynical about the possibility of SCOTUS riding to the rescue.

299 Ah well. I guess we're jacked for 2016. Christie/Rubio (or Rubio/Christie; who cares?).

Who cares indeed. We'll be so fucked by then it won't matter.

300 Posted by: Quilly Mammoth at February 16, 2011 02:51 PM (HaUE0)


Why do you refuse to answer that simple question? Our strategic nuclear arsenal .... yes or no?  This should be a no-brainer.

Of course, it's illegal, as per the joke 4th Geneva Conventions, but I want to hear your opinion.

301

If the Court isn't about Strict Adherence to the Constitution, why adhere to any tradition?

302

Posted by: Berserker at February 16, 2011 02:43 PM (gWHrG)

Amen brother...My 4th & 5th grade math teacher used to pass out dittoes then pass out at his desk. Its no wonder It took me to high school to understand percentages and community college to finally understand algebra. In fact I look back now at the pultry amount of work I skated through high school with and I am astounded that I am not flipping burgers right now.

 

303

There are a lot of Christie-bots here. These Christie-istas are blind to his faults.

They shouldn't be because my mommy and fake girlfriend FUCKING.HATE.HIM!!!!

304

Christie's Giant Balls/Palin 2012

If he's not going to run can we nominate his Balls?

305 ""Amen brother...My 4th & 5th grade math teacher used to pass out dittoes then pass out at his desk. Its no wonder It took me to high school to understand percentages and community college to finally understand algebra. In fact I look back now at the pultry amount of work I skated through high school with and I am astounded that I am not flipping burgers right now."""


Was this in jersey?

306

Really? Exactly whose gun has he grabbed?

As for being open borders...yeah, he's an amnesty squish. But he's also law and order so I think he'd try to tie it a closure of the border and a regularization of the process (like Reagan tired and failed to do). It's not a good position but it's not the same as "open borders".

Posted by: DrewM. at February 16, 2011 02:50 PM (HicGG)

Well, Drew; let's pretend for a moment you don't actually understand what the hell I'm talking about. I say pretend because you fucking do know, but here goes: Christie is not a 2nd am. supporter, He has said as much. He has not actually grabbed anybody's guns, that is a figure of speech. He would not be adverse to the idea, however. And as far as the rule of law goes, not being a supporter of gun rights and secure borders means you would not be adverse to changing those laws in a direction you approve of. OK?

307 That is not outside the grasp of a seventh grader of nominal intelligence.  Why would a layperson struggle with it?

Well, because in order to get it to that level I have brutally (and I mean BRUTALLY) simplified, to the point (I fear) of stripping out the real intellectual substance of the issues.  I gave you a crayon-drawing version of the problem.  But anyone who's worked on conlaw issues (or even taken a course a top-level law school) would happily jump into this thread to pick apart my massive reductionism.

SCOTUS jurisprudence is the opposite of 'simple' or easily understood, in large part because, despite the claims it is forced to make for itself in each opinion, it is based on political/cultural contingency nearly as much as it is on the theoretically internal logic of American law.  It's a fucking maze, and one that I'm not even close to having fully mastered myself. 

308

If the Court isn't about Strict Adherence to the Constitution, why adhere to any tradition?

Posted by: garrett at February 16, 2011 02:56 PM (YeD/k)

And if the Supreme Court does not adhere, why should we?

309 269  The non-terrorist in question was found guilty of belonging to a terrorist group in Israel, if I remember correctly.

I support Israel, but I know nothing of their court system, not to mention the political ins and outs that lead to convictions over there.  Unless a U.S. court or authority deems someone a terrorist, they aren't in my book. 

310

301  Tell you what -- I'll draw in my claws too, and just say this: read up on the matter; read from a lot of different sources.

Then make your own conclusions.  I like him on a lot of spending issues, but he no longer gets as much like from me...does that make sense?

311 OT, but it looks like the second JSF engine is dead. How long's the DoD been trying to cancel that thing - six years or something? Fuck.

312 My ticket would be Christie/Rubio in 2012.  They would win. 
Posted by: Y-not

How about West and Rubio?

313 Oh, by the way, garrett:

>>Are you claiming what I think you are claiming, here, JeffB?

What was this referring to, exactly?  Whatever it is, I'm pretty sure I can put your mind at ease on the matter.

BTW, you're a Wire fan so you are a priori cool.

314 313 Same thing to you as to Miss Tammy -- just look into it.

315 As for being open borders...yeah, he's an amnesty squish.

The news account I read made it seem as if he was a "path to citizenship" guy who also was putting his lawyer hat on in saying it was a federal, not a state, issue (when asked about AZ's law). 

My recollection is that Palin made similar statements in support of a path to citizenship.  I think they virtually all do. 

316

Whoa, Bing's homepage is a picture of Vic's house, yard and neighborhood today.

All that's missing is a picture of that toothless goober himself.

He's coming up in the world. His former home had wheels.

317 Answer my question; do you support our strategic nuclear arsenal, which is designed to incinerate tens of millions of men, women, children, and pets?

And here's your answer iknowihaveasuckingheadwound:

I was a soldier for quite a while. I know what you are trying to do.  Here's a scenario.  Your unit is taking fire from a village that has the enemy mixed in with the civilian population. The first thing you try to do is isolate the enemy with directed fire, if that doesn't work you try to take out the enemy with a broader area weapon trying as much as possible to reduce "collateral damage", if that doesn't work you escalate...but only after you have tried the first options.

You are saying that we have to go nuclear...guilt by association for anyone who is a Muslim to Al Qaeda...right off the bat. You are trying to say that if I support a nuclear deterrent then I support guilt by association.  I do support a vigorous Nuclear Deterrent, but I want it to be the weapon of last resort.

I was prepared to wipe out quaint German towns, including their populations, to stop the Soviet Horde;  the effort to not have to do that is why I froze my ass off watching them across a border.  

318 How about West and Rubio?

Not for 2012.  And I'm not sure that's a great ticket because neither has been an executive, have they? 

319 Turbo Tax Tim is once again trying to sell Obama's "comprehensive plan" and talking about how Obama has put forward savings not seen since Dwight D. Eisenhower. He's also claiming debt is a problem and that Obama understands that. How nice, Tim. I'm surprised you haven't been struck by lightening.

320 WHAT FRUSTRATES ME:

Right now, we have two brilliant Republicans who could destroy Obama in 2012: Mike Pence and Chris Christie.  Right now, we have to two brilliant Republicans who REFUSE TO RUN, Mike Pence and Chris Christie.

I'm sorry, but WTF?  Our two best players decide to sit out the Superbowl?

Ok, so Christie says he isn't seasoned enough to be POTUS.  Fine, how about a Pence/Christie ticket?  Landslide anyone?  Can you just imagine the utter pwnage of the debates?

But now, we are playing all of our second stringers in the biggest game of the year.

** P.S., My only hope is that Pence/Christie are playing rope-a-dope here and letting the rest of the field commit to flawed positions, then forcing themselves to be drafted into running because the people demand it and it is their duty.

321

Unless a U.S. court or authority deems someone a terrorist, they aren't in my book. 

I'm torn.

322 If the Court isn't about Strict Adherence to the Constitution, why adhere to any tradition?

Don't fool yourself into thinking that there aren't several very prominent and influential legal thinkers who, roughly speaking, make exactly that argument.  The mild form of this is the "living Constitution" bullshit: the Constitution is a guide, a roughly-hewn channel into which decisions should flow but which can be altered or expanded (or contracted!) as political and temporal circumstances see fit.  See also: Stephen Breyer's love of introducing international (read: European) legal standards as a governing factor in decision-making.

323 but here goes: Christie is not a 2nd am. supporter, He has said as much.
Posted by: maddogg at February 16, 2011 02:59 PM (OlN4e)

Ok, what did he say?

I'm simply asking you to back up your statement so I know what the hell you are talking about. We've gotten past the idea he's a "gun grabber" so show me in what way he's not a "2nd am. supporter". I'm curious because I think there are different gradation of that. Does he disagree with the Heller decision that the Second Amendment is a personal right? Or is it something more nuanced like he favors some restrictions but not others?

Simply saying "gun grabber" and "not a 2nd am. supporter" doesn't exactly constitute proof or damn the guy.

Maybe he is awful on the issue, I honestly don't know.

324 I gave you a crayon-drawing version of the problem.  But anyone who's worked on conlaw issues (or even taken a course a top-level law school) would happily jump into this thread to pick apart my massive reductionism.

Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 03:00 PM (NjYDy)

Yes ... top-tier law schools ... where they can't even understand the clear conflict of interest in having management engage in a business negotiation against their own employers, using private information that they only had access to because they were working to safeguard the interests of said employers ...

Yep.  Those genius lawyers would have to move up two steps to even get to crayons.

325 One other thought.  If Christie is definitely NOT running for POTUS, why is he acting with such high visibility on the national stage?

326 her basic point that we can't do what we did in 2008 and eliminate stronger candidates due to imagined deviations from orthodoxy -- that is how John McCain wound up winning.

Dude, let the Giuliani failure go. McCain won because of an incompetent GOP running a lousy primary system. Giuliani would have lost, too.

327 Gun Rights and Immigration are deal breakers for me.  He fails on both. Next.

Posted by: SurferDoc at February 16, 2011 02:54 PM (o3bYL)

So, you're saying that you won't vote for him in the primaries, correct?  What if he's the Candidate for the Republicans?  You going to vote Mickey Mouse or Obama?  This is fine and all, but if he's the guy running for prez, you're not going to hold your nose and vote for him anyway?  We all agree that we're tired of voting for the lesser of two evils, but WHO ELSE IS THERE?

328

My dream team for 2012 is Sarah Palin  / Kristie Noem..

...no wait...that was my wet dream from last night...and I think that MILF Michelle Bachmann paid a visit too

329 Was this in jersey?

Posted by: Berserker at February 16, 2011 02:59 PM (gWHrG)

Yes, circa 1978/79. John Marshall Elementary, Edison NJ. IIRC the same time Jimmeh Carter formed the Dept of edumacation. To this day I can remember the fat fuck, stone cold snoring, head tilted back with a tic-tac hanging off his lip.

 

330 If Chrissy won't alow me the tools to defend my self, and allows illlegals...FYNQ!

331 When I looked into Christie's gun track-record, it didn't seem that bad to me.  He had at least one hunting group/PAC supporting him for election.  And I think if he were a really hard-core gun-grabber, he wouldn't have commuted Aitken's sentence. 

332 I suspect that Pence and Christie are both not interested in running because they both have political positions that make them unattractive to one portion of the possible voting spectrum or the other. Pence will not poll well at all in the center-Independent sector in a general election. Christie will not get much support from the hard right in a primary election.  Neither will give up their positions.

333 You are saying that we have to go nuclear...guilt by association for anyone who is a Muslim to Al Qaeda...right off the bat. You are trying to say that if I support a nuclear deterrent then I support guilt by association.  I do support a vigorous Nuclear Deterrent, but I want it to be the weapon of last resort.

Posted by: Quilly Mammoth at February 16, 2011 03:04 PM (HaUE0)

That's not what I was saying, at all.  I was pointing out that it is not tactics we are against (war calls for all tactics to be on the table) but enemies of our nation and our interests that we have problems with.  It doesn't matter if muslims use terrorism (though we find the use of that tactic as a primary one to be quite distasteful) or attack us in more normal ways.  It is the fact that they attack us and seek our destruction that is the problem.

People get on a moral pedestal and talk about "terrorism" as if it bad all by itself, but that's idiotic.  It's just a tactic of war, and one that we need to use occasionally.  What we have problems with are people attacking US and those committed to OUR destruction.

I support our strategic nuclear arsenal and I support all of the tactics we used in WWII to achieve the greatest victory ever - which turned our most intransigent and implacable enemies into our best and most trusted friends (which really goes against the whole idiotic "hearts and minds" myth).  Of course, we declared all of those tactics illegal with the asinine 4th Geneva Conventions right after that victory, because we do stupid stuff like that - just as we called WWI "The War to End All Wars" as if war will ever cease to be.  That is the thought of a child.

We don't have problems with muslims because they are terrorists.  They can suicide bomb themselves to eternity and I wouldn't care.  But they are our enemies and look for our destruction.  That is why they are a problem.

334 Speaking of Rubio, I'm glad they put him on the Intelligence Cmte.  He drew good committees -- Commerce, Foreign Relations, Intelligence, And Small Business Committees -- a sign, I hope, that the Party leaders recognize his potential. 

335

Drew @ 327

Here is a sample.

336

Hah! Ace bought my bullshit on the Ocare lawsuit.

Ace, brotha, need you to do a post on my islamist victory mosque thingy.

 

337

331 I'm a moderate independent -- at least that's where I believe I fall into the spectrum generally -- and I would vote for roadkill over you know who.

I'm just not going to have a crush on the roadkill no matter how much someone else does or tells me to do so.  Fair enough?

338 335 When I looked into Christie's gun track-record, it didn't seem that bad to me.  He had at least one hunting group/PAC supporting him for election.  And I think if he were a really hard-core gun-grabber, he wouldn't have commuted Aitken's sentence. 

Posted by: Y-not at February 16, 2011 03:12 PM (pW2o

Christie does not support concealed carry...just like a lot of cops I know. Christie appears to support some sort of path to citizenship...he's not a Open Borders guy, but he's not a Minuteman either. Given the current fiscal crisis that's not a deal breaker to me...but I think it is to him.

339

I agree w/maddog and surferdoc on 2nd amend and Immigration issues. But NO MATTER WHAT...I would vote for Chris in the primaries and general.

Face it...he's not even close to Barry in these regards.

340 ""Yes, circa 1978/79. John Marshall Elementary, Edison NJ. IIRC the same time Jimmeh Carter formed the Dept of edumacation. To this day I can remember the fat fuck, stone cold snoring, head tilted back with a tic-tac hanging off his lip.""

Man not far from where I was in Iselin. I wonder its the same dude that may have ended up in my school. We had a fat fuck, he was an accountant or something, he was constantly falling asleep at his desk, or while hanging on the door knob during class changes. Was just unreal. In junior high we had a math teacher that looked like whistlers mother, she was so fucking old that she would probably pin a carbon test. She would fall asleep in the middle of sentences. Fucking seahag who should have been in a nursing home, not teaching.

341 80 Yeah, that's right guys. Wingnut demagoguery over progress in our schools. But hey, at least Christie gets to make his little made-for-YouTube propaganda clips of him being an absolute bully.

Posted by: Jason D. at February 16, 2011 01:28 PM (sqLKs)

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

This guy is a laugh riot! 

342 Note that I never said I would sit the election out if Christie was running against Zero. I just said I wasn't a fan.

343 Ace, brotha, need you to do a post on my islamist victory mosque thingy.

---

Yeah, it was awful the way he criticized Obama for playing politics over the mosque. 

"Given my last position, that I was the first U.S attorney post 9/11 in New Jersey, I understand acutely the pain and sorrow and upset of the family members who lost loved ones that day at the hands of radical Muslim extremists," said Christie at a bill-signing ceremony. "And their sensitivities and concerns have to be taken into account. Just because it's nearly nine years later, those sensitivities cannot and should not be ignored."

He included Obama as among the politicians who he scolded for playing politics with the emotional issue and called for tolerance for Muslims.

"We cannot paint all of Islam with that brush. ...We have to bring people together. And what offends me the most about all this is that it's being used as a political football by both parties. And what disturbs me about the president's remarks is that he is now using it as a political football as well. I think the president of the United States should rise above that."

The govenor said he would not take a public stance on the Islamic center because "I don't believe that it would be responsible of me to get involved and comment on this any further because it just put me in the same political arena as all of them," he said

344 Haley / Noem '69!

345 I support our strategic nuclear arsenal and I support all of the tactics we used in WWII to achieve the greatest victory ever - which turned our most intransigent and implacable enemies into our best and most trusted friends (which really goes against the whole idiotic "hearts and minds" myth).  Of course, we declared all of those tactics illegal with the asinine 4th Geneva Conventions right after that victory, because we do stupid stuff like that - just as we called WWI "The War to End All Wars" as if war will ever cease to be.  That is the thought of a child.

I agree. And every officer I know has thought of when or what would cause him to break it.

Shortly after 9/11 a group of including John Ringo discussed scenarios leading up to Option Zero. You might want to check it out.

346 Wow, Ace. Why all the Palin hate?  You sure seem to be ratcheting it up these days. 

347 Christie does not support concealed carry...just like a lot of cops I know.

Yeah, he's basically where my dad is on guns.  (Dad worked in criminal justice - prisons and probation - most of his life.) 

348 The problem with trying to pin Christie down on ANY subject is that he simply has not been in office long enough to establish a record on much of anything.

All we have to go by is speeches, u-tube videos of conferences where he is answering questions and some vague campaign statements he has made at times in the past.

We keep seeing he's pro-gun control and amnesty cropping up on other sites but I really do not put a lot of credence in those. I also don't put a lot of credence in speeches. A politician who can not make a good speech is not a politician.

This is why I am not on the Christie bandwagon. I am not anti-Christie, but I am not pro either. He is too much of an unknown quantity.

He needs more time to establish a real record.

349

Posted by: Jason D. at February 16, 2011 01:28 PM (sqLKs)

You obviously have never seen the SEIU in action have you sparky?

 

350

One other thought.  If Christie is definitely NOT running for POTUS, why is he acting with such high visibility on the national stage?

He's a politician.  Why not?  He probably does have political ambitions, but that doesn't necessarily translate into a 2012 presidential run.

Besides, I'm not sure that the national visibility he's gotten was something he engineered.  The videos that initially garnered attention were all related to his handling of state issues.  He didn't get famous by injecting himself into national issues.

351 quilly the border is a deal breaker for me...yes we are in a financial crisis but guess what? part of the problem is the freaking porous border....illegals sucking up tax payer dollars for free healthcare, education, groceries....not to mention the national security problem it causes....

352

What was this referring to, exactly?  Whatever it is, I'm pretty sure I can put your mind at ease on the matter.

I was afraid you were taking the first step towards the Pali / Irish  apartheid argument that has bcome fashionable with Palestinian supporters.

353 Christie circa June 2010:

On the hot-button topic of immigration reform, he said he has long declined to “demagogue” the issue as a former U.S. Attorney, because “I come from law enforcement and it’s not an easy issue.”

But he did intimate that he thinks stringent state-by-state laws – such as in Arizona – are the wrong approach, and added, “I think President Obama doesn’t do this at his own risk because it’s affecting the economy in the country…to me, I think the president’s really gotta show the leadership on this.”

“This is a federal problem, it’s gotta have a federal fix,” he said. “I’m not really comfortable with state law enforcement having a big role.”

He said that without border security, enforcement of existing laws and a “clear” path to legalization for immigrants, there would never be a fix.

354

...and Wire. 

What can you say about them that hasn't been said?

355 Posted by: maddogg at February 16, 2011 03:14 PM (OlN4e)

Thank you.

I definitely disagree with him on concealed carry. I don't have any problem with making it harder for felons to get guns or increasing penalties if they have them.

It's not as much of a bright line for me because I gun control isn't coming up at the federal level anytime soon and things like concealed carry aren't a federal issue anyway.

But we all have our own Do Not Cross Lines.

356 I'm not convinced Christie isn't running. Supposedly he has a blank check from Wall Street, who are now having second thoughts about supporting Obama. Perhaps he will jump in late, since the media will relentlessly attack whoever Obama doesn't want to run against, which would probably be Christie.

357

Who is Chris Christie politically? Take the Maine twins and clone them. Then tie the 4 ladies into a giant knot. Put a pair of pants on them. Fill said pants with 8 balls of steal. Finally make them a Governor who has to balance a budget. Is that who you want to vote for President?

What Christie is doing is not that conservative or amazing. If it was, the media would be attacking him, not singing his praises and giving him softball interviews. Obama's administration would be attacking him, not inviting him to parties. The Dems and libs seem to like him, not fear him.

I think a good case could be made that Christie is the MOST liberal Republican in the country. And there is one thing worse then a liberal Republican and that is a liberal Republican with 8 balls of steal. Some of you are creating a monster that will devour conservatism. Atleast the Maine twins have shut their mouths the last year.

358

I want to fucking move to New Jersey and sign up with him.  That's the effect he has on me.Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 01:49 PM (NjYDy)

Love is a many splendored thing.

359 Barbarian, thanks for the link on the judge appt. Really appreciate the info as I had not heard that.

360 Shortly after 9/11 a group of including John Ringo discussed scenarios leading up to Option Zero. You might want to check it out.

Posted by: Quilly Mammoth at February 16, 2011 03:21 PM (HaUE0)

Interesting, and a good analysis, but I would say that he skips the most obvious solution.  All threats emanating from the arab/persian/muslim world start and stop with control of the gulf oil fields.  They are the source of every ounce of power in that world - financial, political, strategic (as they have used "the oil weapon" before).

If we really wanted to defang the arab/persian/muslim world, we would retake the gulf fields and most of the problems would disappear.  But, we won't allow ourselves to even talk about this.  Because ... sometimes, we're just stupid.  And we have gotten caught up in this destructive holier-than-thou stance, when we don't have to be holier than anyone to defend ourselves.  This is but one more constraint we've placed on ourselves (along with refusing to fight an enemy in a way that he understands - tribal enemies need to be fought in tribal ways, so they are clear on what we mean). 

We value our enemies' lives and the lives of their own populations much more than they do.  That is an unsustainable policy.  This is easily seen in how we deal with mosques with kid gloves, but any muslim who attacks someone goes after the holy sites first - and especially goes after mosques, when they are attacking other muslims.  It's funny how anyone can even think to worry about muslim "religious" sensitivities, when the arabs attacked Israel on the holiest day of the Jewish year, specifically.  But, still, people talk here about how we have to be sensitive to them.  It's crazy.

Of course, we've out a Hussein in the White House, less than a decade after 9/11, so it's difficult to argue that America is really committed to survival, anymore.

361 Wow, Ace. Why all the Palin hate?  You sure seem to be ratcheting it up these days. 

Posted by: laurairish at February 16, 2011 03:22 PM (DoNVU)

You can't be in the clique unless you hate her too

362 >>I was afraid you were taking the first step towards the Pali / Irish  apartheid argument that has bcome fashionable with Palestinian supporters.

Oh wow.  I'm not even *familiar* with that argument (as in, I literally can't even suss out what the thrust of it is from clever guessing), which I suppose should tell you something.

FWIW, I'm basically on the "they could have their own state if they ever fucking earned it" side of that whole crisis.  Which, in my experience, tracks with literally every single Israeli I have ever known: to paraphrase "we'd leave these assholes alone if we thought for a moment that they would ever leave us alone."  But of course an entire generation of Palestinians have been poisoned by inculcated fantasies of "pushing the Jews into the sea" and a "one-nation" solution that's merely polite code for a new Holocaust (or, perhaps more realistically in the less organized Muslim form, a complete lack of legal rights + endless pogroms + sharia law). 

Hey, you can't deal with an opposing side that isn't really willing to come to the table in good faith, now can you?  That's the hard lesson of the '90s peace process.  So until they learn a new lesson, screw 'em.

363 19 Fuck this fat rat bastard.
He's a Radical Islam supporter, anti-gun, pro-amnesty, Cap&Tax scumbag.
That.

After reading the entire thread.
Still. That.

However, if he wants to shame the other governors into following his lead on fiscal matters and unions by speaking out and DOING the cutting in New Joisey, by all means, push on, Big Christie.

364 350 Wow, Ace. Why all the Palin hate?  You sure seem to be ratcheting it up these days. 

Posted by: laurairish at February 16, 2011 03:22 PM (DoNVU)

Its an overreaction.  He's become tired of Palin supporters declaring she is the only one that they want and all others suck and essentially they won't vote for others, and if you don't support Palin you're nothing but a Democrat.  So the moment someone brings up Palin support he lashes out before it becomes actually necessary.

It gets tiresome in both directions but its not going to stop anytime soon.  Mocking and insulting is obviously much more important than both sides than just disagreeing and finding common ground.

365 By the way, we were just linked by Hot Air, which explains the influx of Palinista idiots.

366 I guess we're jacked for 2016. Christie/Rubio (or Rubio/Christie; who cares?). Campaign motto for 2012. Take Back America! Campaign motto for 2016 Rebuild America! Yeah, that's a depressing sequence.

367 Note to Jeff B:
Precisely because of the intricacies of the USSC and how they do react to popular culture, the increasing popular disdain for Ocare, and how a majority of states are trying to prevent it, I disagree with your analyses on which way Roberts would vote.
I hope I am right, and that the clerk watercooler talk is just that. Speculation.

368 One other thought.  If Christie is definitely NOT running for POTUS, why is he acting with such high visibility on the national stage?

Why not if it's there? Christie isn't running for POTUS because he knows something all his supporters seem to forget. He's a fat Republican from New Jersey. What would be nice is Attorney General or another Cabinet position. But I think even VP probably out. North East Republican Politicians are basically useless. At heart they are just Cheap Democrats. Christie stands out as much as he does chiefly because of who he has followed and is compared to in the NE, from both parties. Christie is to be highly commended for what he has done and is doing for the people of NJ which is to actually look at where the money is going and is it justified but that's mostly because it simply isn't done at all in the NE anymore.

369 My biz in in NJ and I'm here to tell you Christie is my man.  I almost goo'd my pants when I learned he flat beat that dick-neck Corzine - even after Obama pounded AF-1 to our state 3 times to stump for his sorry ass.  Doo-dad dippin' good.

Anyway, as much as I'd like to see my big buddy run for POTUS, selfish me wants him to fix New Jersey first.  And it's going to take at least one concerted term to do that.  Hopefully some of our sleep walking Repubs in DC and across the land will wake up and smell the man's copious methane and get a dose of some conservative manhood.

370

our biggest issue right now is a lack of fiscal leadership in DC, so yeah I would support Christie in a heartbeat for pres. I don't see why he is in DC giving speeches like this if he is totally closeminded to running. Ace is right, the man has a gravitas on the fiscal side. he comes across as tough and genuine. I hope Coulter is right and that by end of summer he throws his hat in. The Trenton Thunder would decimate President Urkel.

371

Dumbass fuckwits.Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 02:03 PM (NjYDy)

And yes, I am a lawyer.  I do know what I speak of. Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 02:36 PM (NjYDy)

SCOTUS jurisprudence is the opposite of 'simple' or easily understood, in large part because, despite the claims it is forced to make for itself in each opinion, it is based on political/cultural contingency nearly as much as it is on the theoretically internal logic of American law.  Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 03:00 PM (NjYDy)

I am in awe. You are a quote machine. You should be a judge. Or a cob-logger. 

372 I wouldn't necessarily call myself a Palin supporter, but unless and until somebody else emerges as the front-runner, she's the front-runner!  And do you know what the Republican Party does every 4 years? It nominates its front-runner.  I can understand why Palin detractors might not like that, but reality is what it is.  Don't shoot me, I'm just stating facts. 

373

20% unemployment, and the Christ-ers want to make 20 million new citizens.

Christ-er: "Spending is our/his strong suit."

For me it is a total disconnect.

If Sarah has the same position, she can piss up a rope as well.

Sarah supporting McCain is not the same.

 

374

So, you're saying that you won't vote for him in the primaries, correct?  What if he's the Candidate for the Republicans?  You going to vote Mickey Mouse or Obama?  This is fine and all, but if he's the guy running for prez, you're not going to hold your nose and vote for him anyway?  We all agree that we're tired of voting for the lesser of two evils, but WHO ELSE IS THERE?

Posted by: © Sponge at February 16, 2011 03:09 PM (UK9cE)

 

There's a bunch of people on this board (ahem..Ace) remind me of the old joke about the guy trapped on the top of his roof during a flood, turning down help from two different boats and also a helocopter because he was sure God was going to save him. He dies and in once in Heaven asks God why he didn't save him.

God says "What do you mean?  I sent two boats and helocopter for you"

The answer 2012 is staring you right in the face and you continue to turn away.

Sara Palin 

 

 

 

375

By the way, we were just linked by Hot Air, which explains the influx of Palinista idiots.
Posted by: Jeff B. at February 16, 2011 03:42 PM (NjYDy)

You're going there after saying this about Christie?

On the other hand, my admiration for him is now approaching absolute levels.  The guy inspires me, inspires me in a way that Obama-cultists or Palinistas probably feel about their candidates.  I want to FOLLOW this guy.  I want to do things to help him.  I want to fucking move to New Jersey and sign up with him.  That's the effect he has on me.

But that's different, somehow, because why?

376 It'd help if I spell:   Sara = Sarah

377 380 It'd help if I spell:   Sara = Sarah

Posted by: WishRich at February 16, 2011 04:00 PM (hdpay)Posted by:

 

Facepalm.

378

By the way, we were just linked by Hot Air, which explains the influx of Palinista idiots.

Ah- that explains the sudden IQ drop in the comments.

Dear Palinistas- it does not help build support for St. Sarah (pbuh) to show up in threads having nothing at all to do with Palin and derail it with your mindless Palin worship.

It just makes both you and (by association) St. Sarah (pbuh) look like an asshole.

379 369 By the way, we were just linked by Hot Air, which explains the influx of Palinista idiots. Jeffie, As a reader of both Ace & Hot Air and a Palin supporter, I just wanted to apologize for interrupting your little boy coffee clatch. Jeeze.

380

our biggest issue right now is a lack of fiscal leadership in DC, so yeah I would support Christie in a heartbeat for pres. I don't see why he is in DC giving speeches like this if he is totally closeminded to running.

Posted by: exceller at February 16, 2011 03:47 PM (jx2Td)

I'm not enthusiastic about Christie for a federal office (though between him and the Indonesian I would support and vote for Christie without a hesitation) but I like this speech by him and would like him to give more of the same - though a few little tweeks would really tighten it all up.  He's doing this for the good of the nation, to my mind, and to help other Republicans get some real balls about fiscal issues.

I don't think there's any chance that he'll run for Pres, though.

381 A Democrat is going after Geithner because O's budget might kill the bourbon industry.

382 379 Because his gf and mom don't beat him with a rolled up newspaper for loving on Christie.

383 19 Fuck this fat rat bastard.
He's a Radical Islam supporter, anti-gun, pro-amnesty, Cap&Tax scumbag.

And those are his good points!

384 Jeff B you're kind of a shitbird .
 A lawyer too . Imagine that .

385 386--Winner by knockout!

386 Cannot, willnot vote fror anyone who appoints islamist judges. Islam is even more of a threat than bureaucracy.

387 Ace, don't be depressed about the American people. If Christie can be popular in New Jersey while being a budget warrior, there is hope. We have had no leaders for a while to follow, not the other way around.

"Have you been following Milton?"

Elspeth, what do you mean, does Friedman talk about this too?

388

Dear Palinistas- it does not help build support for St. Sarah (pbuh) to show up in threads having nothing at all to do with Palin and derail it with your mindless Palin worship.

It just makes both you and (by association) St. Sarah (pbuh) look like an asshole.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at February 16, 2011 04:11 PM (SY2Kh)

Well, maybe if you had bothered to read the thread before you ran off at the mouth, you would have noticed that it was Ace that brought up Palin first.

389 379 Because his gf and mom don't beat him with a rolled up newspaper for loving on Christie.

Posted by: unknown jane at February 16, 2011 04:26 PM (5/yRG)

And, because he's a lawyer, so that makes him smarter than anyone else!

390

Well, maybe if you had bothered to read the thread before you ran off at the mouth, you would have noticed that it was Ace that brought up Palin first.

I did read the thread.  Ace brought her up because of the behavior the Palinista assholes that I described. 

Bring up any nationally prominent politician who's even been mentioned as a potential candidate, and immediately the Palin cultists feel the need to demean and criticize that person because he/she is viewed as a blasphemous threat to their One True God.

391 It reminds me of Michael Keaton's speech near the end of Gung Ho, where he says, basically, the last three speeches I gave you were all this flattery about being the best workers in the world, but guess what? You want the truth? We're getting our asses handed to us and if we want to be the Great American Labor Force again we have to go out there and be that, and stop just saying we are.

Wasn't that Mr. Mom?

392 One thing people really need to get over is the insistence on voting only for people who resemble them or come from their cultural cohort, as opposed to voting for people who will actually advance their political agenda.

And what part of my agenda will Christie advance other than fiscal issues?  Second amendment issues?  He's a gun grabber.  Fighting Islamic radicalism? He favors the Ground Zero Victory Mosque.  Enforcing the border?  He's pro-amnesty (which essentially means, pro-illegal immigration).  And by the way, the latter issue seriously compromises the one thing he is supposedly good on, because giving amnesty to 20 million illegals and encouraging even more illegal immigration is a fiscal catastrophe. 

No fucking thanks, keep his fat ass in New Jersey making YouTube videos slamming teachers.

393 No gung ho dude, the movie about the car-making factory bought out by the Japanese firm.

394 392--Believe it or not , that was one of Hollowhead's more thoughtful posts. Any time Palin comes up, it goes all Chrissy Matthews. It's a Mittbot. All you need to know.

395 >>>The answer 2012 is staring you right in the face and you continue to turn away Right, sarah palin, with the net negative 23 favorable (winning candidates usually have +10 favorables at a minimum, usually +20). Right, I should ignore data, information, evidence and fact and embrace your faith-based strategery of wishcasting. Tell you what: When Sarah Palin fucking begins performing, let me know, and I'll reevaluate you. But if her goal is to win the white house she is FAILING, badly, and I need more than faith + failure to get behind someone. The moment she begins succeeding, turning those awful numbers around, second look at sarah palin, I promise. But until then? Give me a break.

396

The moment she begins succeeding, turning those awful numbers around, second look at sarah palin, I promise.

I find that woman very easy to look at, leer at even, with some quantity of drool falling from the corners of my slack mouth......

397 400 th!!!

398 401 400 th!!!

Hahahaha.

399

236 "And every Irish person I know is related to someone who gave money to the IRA (who are/were monsters, absolute monsters, and never forget it). 

So I guess we should forevermore ban them from electoral politics too?"

 

Why not encourage the ones who didn't give money to the IRA?

400 355 quilly

the border is a deal breaker for me...yes we are in a financial crisis but guess what? part of the problem is the freaking porous border....illegals sucking up tax payer dollars for free healthcare, education, groceries....not to mention the national security problem it causes....

Posted by: phoenixgirl at February 16, 2011 03:24 PM (eOXTH)

The thought, which I'm not really in favor of, is that by creating a path to residency that they become tax payers and get vetted for security threats.  I'd be willing to look at something similar as follows:

1. Before any more discussion takes place seal the borders tight.

2. Require that any streamlining of entry process be for those who are currently not living in the US.

3. Eliminate Anchor Babies as a path to residency.

4. After the above three things are done make being in this country illegally, or knowingly hire someone in this country illegally, incur a draconian penalty.

The self-deportation would begin straight away.  And it would, with an effective means to get in from Mexico legally,  deball the Lefty whinging.

401 I used to be super excited about Christie. He does have communication skill. I am not that excited about him any more. Will vote for him over any dem for sure, but not that strongly excited behind him anymore. I understand that he needs to hedge in politics, but given all his stances on 2nd amendment/radical Islamism etc... I am not sure anymore. Given all the hostilities toward the social cons for example, I would advise them the same. We shouldn't pull a Castle or Daniel by openly and actively undermining Christie. But they don't need you in any case. They can win by reaching out to the libs and the youth/GOProud crowd.

402 I do wonder about those idiots who would rather lose with Palin. That 's how to build a winning coalition?  I am surprised by the hate towards Palin. Looks like some of the people just try to create a Palinista strawman to attack Palin at any cost.

403 Considering the degree of unemployment AND that so many jobs and employers aren't suited for/hiring those of 62, what will happen to the millions that are currently living on Social Security?

If drastic cuts are necessary (and I accept this), what will happen to those who can't find a paying job or can't work?

It's easy to say "CUT ENTITLEMENTS: SOCIAL SECURITY, MEDICARE AND MEDICAID" but when that happens, what will happen to those affected?

AND: who do you think will pay for those solutions?

The situation we're in took years to make and it should be approached as one would approach a UXB from WWII; slowly, methodically and with utmost care to not disturb it to the point that it explodes and kills and maims thousands.

Also while screaming about cutting, how's about we enact some legislation to rein in the gamblers and hustlers on Wall street and the Banks that participated in the betting and hustles?

404 Posted by: ace at February 16, 2011 05:15 PM (nj1bB)

I really don't think Sarah Palin is going to run for president.  I don't think she is going to run for office at all.  I think she hired a "chief of staff" to manage the empire and since steady jobs aren't so easily available, the guy who manages political campaigns decided to take it and run with it for a while.  After all, it's kind of obvious no one else was hiring him, if you are running, even if you haven't announced, you at least have pre planned and have people ready to pounce.

Sarah Palin and Chris Christie are doing a spectacular job of keeping the issue in front of the American people.  Even the people who would rather play angry birds and read gawker and hand out every night successfully ignoring the news, even if they do get breaking news reports from CNN.

they are exactly what we need.  Adult moderators who don't need to have a political career and therefore are impregnable to the vagaries of DC.

I'm a big rudy guiliani fan but since the country hates NY, it hates rudy.  I know trump doesn't have a chance and would only facilitate the re election of BO, ala ross perot.  The same with mike bloomberg.   But, of all the alleged republican candidates I don't see anyone who even comes remotely close to being the kind of leader we need in the coming years.

In the end, Christie did a spectacular job of showcasing part of the problem.

405 Draft Christie, mofo's!! We can't wait 'til 2016. And I'm not going to watch Romney be a heckuva nice guy as Obama and the MFM gently crap all over him. Hellz-nooo... We're draftin' Christie, bitches!

There's Celebrity Fit Club and there's Presidential Running Club. He's running, whether he likes it or not. Chris Christie: get off your ass and run for President. You will win the nomination-- we'll all vote for you -- and then we'll campaign like hell for you against Obama (Ace included).

We'll forgive your incomplete term as governor. You are a top minor league prospect who is getting the early call up. Stop giving me a heart attack by denying you're going to run, and start being coy about a possible presidential run.

406 One other thing that would be a huge benefit to him is you know that he would bring the absolute worst out in the left short of running Palin.  I promise you that within 10 days of Christie running for Pres and sticking it to Obama hard on fiscal issues the far left would be telling fat jokes non-stop.  The "professional left" would take about 15 days and within 1 month Brian Williams, Katie Couric and the rest of the MSM would be telling thinly veiled fat jokes on the air (think of the MSM teabagger era).  Especially if he had traction in the polls.  I doubt this would help their cause but you know they wouldn't be able to help themselves.

407 When we first started with Christie, I was really super excited about him. In terms of results, Christie and Palin were the two people who really took the fight to the left for their destructive policies. I didn't really care who would win the primary between the 2 of them. I would be quite happy if Christie were our nominee. I even dreamed of Palin working to elect Christie even though she would have lost the primary to him. However, given the intolerance of the Palin haters on our side who seem to take every opportunity to attack her under the guise of the Palinista strawman, my excitement started to dissipate. Given more details about Christie, I am not excited anymore. He is definitely better than Obama or any lib. But about other issues outside of fiscal issues, I can't be sure anymore. I will vote for him, but will not be super enthusiastic in promoting him. It is hard to be excited when the intolerance faction on our side (such as the Palin haters and the GOProud crowd, who want to silence a large faction of the conservative base, eg. the social cons under the guise of social truce) seems to determine to trash Palin and to lose in case she wins the primary. Unless sth changes, I am excited about Christie anymore.
 

408 >>>I really don't think Sarah Palin is going to run for president. I don't think she is going to run for office at all. I think the odds are against it too. I think it's a pretty small possibility. 1 in 10, maybe. (And if she ran it would because poll numbers had changed somewhat, making my opposition to her proportionately less.) But given that she probably isn't running, I get annoyed when Palin support rushes in to knock down a conversation about others. It's like there is no oxygen permitted for any other candidate to breathe. It always gets smothered by the Palin question.

409 Obama may be a communist, but at least he had the balls to get out there and run.

The Republican are stuck with shitty choices because their young starts are chickenshit. 

Either Paul Ryan or Christie could ROLL Obama, but they're both too gutless to take their shots NOW instead of 4 years later.

I also HATE the way each guy has basically disqualified himself by making, "I'm not ready..." or "I can't desert my family..." statements. 

Get a pair.

410 The Republican are stuck with shitty choices because their young starts are chickenshit. 

Hey timing is important in anything. But somebody has to do the dirty work.

411 But given that she probably isn't running, I get annoyed when Palin support rushes in to knock down a conversation about others.

Ace, just ignore it if that is the case. Your goal is to promote Christie. Otherwise, the bad impression is not helping the cause!

412 Here's an interesting observation--the Republican candidates in recent memory all had to put in their time in the system before getting nominated.  The Democrats on the other hand have had outside people win their nomination--think Clinton, Carter, Obama . . . can the Tea Party change the Republican dynamic so that someone like Christie could be nominated?

413 Tell you what: When Sarah Palin fucking begins performing, let me know, and I'll reevaluate you. But if her goal is to win the white house she is FAILING, badly, and I need more than faith + failure to get behind someone.

The moment she begins succeeding, turning those awful numbers around, second look at sarah palin, I promise.

But until then? Give me a break.

Posted by: ace at February 16, 2011 05:15 PM (nj1bB)

 

Seems reasonable.   She's got to prove herself.   I agree.

414 How about all the Chris Christie promoters and supporters read this series and then come back here and tell me he should even be considered as a candidate... or will you ignore it like the media ignored Obama's real self? http://tinyurl.com/23svae5

415 sorry, forgot to hyperlink... http://tinyurl.com/23svae5

416

Remember this, he's a politician.  Like all politicians he'll probably talk a better game than he plays.

 

Going overboard on a politician you don't really know that much about is how we wound up with that nifty that's in the White House now.

 

Personally I tend to guess he will wind up being a one term governor. 

 

417 Christie is NOT running. He said so today and at least TWO other occasions where he was emfatic.

418 It will be so cool when my grandchildren can take the high speed rail to the unemployment office.

419 It reminds me of Michael Keaton's speech near the end of Gung Ho, where he says, basically, the last three speeches I gave you were all this flattery about being the best workers in the world, but guess what? You want the truth? We're getting our asses handed to us and if we want to be the Great American Labor Force again we have to go out there and be that, and stop just saying we are. "I rike you...you make me laugh."

420 That dog don't hunt. There's nothing wrong with the private sector American worker. There's a big problem with big government+big business+big labor. The workers in question in Gung Ho were big labour...UAW.

421 Wasn't that Mr. Mom? No, that was Gung Ho. Japanese company set up shop in a dying community...I have the video here. Gedde Watanabe and Keaton. Kasuo: "No more MTV! No more Jimmy Dean Sausage Links!"

422 But given that she probably isn't running, I get annoyed when Palin support rushes in to knock down a conversation about others. First person to mention Palin in this thread? Ace. Subject of previous 38 posts? Chris ChristieÂ’s record, Gary Johnson, and the GOP.

423 The bottom line: everybody Christie backed in 2010 election lost cuz he backed RINOs such as himself. Christie's a one-note song; on every other issue, he's Obama-lite. Beating up on the teachers' union can only take him so far. Palin has rebuilt the GOP and brought them back into power in the House. Where was Christie? Sneering and snickering at Palin when not supporting Mike Castle. Chris Christie is a big fat joke.

424 thanks for sharing

425
http://tinyurl.com/22oz5p2

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