1 I hope the hell he don't run.

2 Ugh.

After reading up on Daniels insane decision to veto a bill designed to get rid of the Missouri Plan for judicial appointments - and seeing first-hand what happened as a result  - I am a woman without a candidate. 

3 It's not shaping up very well, is it Y?

4

Drew M. welcome back.

Huck is a bad t.v. comedy preceded by infomercials. 

5 @3
Not so far. 

6 Long shot:

By "crazy" he's referring to the shock to everyone that he decided against running and the scramble to analyze who's going to benefit, who he's going to endorse, etc..

Or maybe he's not going to announce but he's going to endorse.

Long shot. I know. He's probably running. I'm just brainstorming here.

7 <Cue banjo music>

8
I am a woman with a candidate who is a woman. 

9 Or maybe he's not going to announce but he's going to endorse.

Or maybe he was going to run but Cheri Daniels told him not to. 

10 The street says he is not going to run, however the street has been wrong before. The thing that makes it more likely that he will run is the fact that Romney is going to run. Huck will run just to spite Romney. My prayer is that if he does run the local preachers will not get behind him again here.

As for Palin, she is not going to run.

11 I'm not sure how saying, "I'm not running, tune in next week for another show. Just like we've been doing for about 3 years now" would make things "even crazier".

They don't call him "The Huckster" for nothing.

If' he's doing this for ratings, it's brilliant.

Maybe he thinks that he can get a ground game going in Iowa in plenty of time for the straw poll and go from there. One thing, though, it doesn't look like Rollins has gone to anybody else yet.

It wouldn't be an official announcement (you do that in front of crowds of screaming supporters) at most it would be an announcement that he's canceling his show and forming an exploratory committee.  I don't think he could say any more on Fox News.

12 The crazy, assuming it means anything, could simply be his coverage of the primaries, etc on his show, etc.

Yep cue banjo music.  I've barely traveled outside the NE USA. I think I'm in for a cultural shock.

13 After reading up on Daniels insane decision to veto a bill designed to get rid of the Missouri Plan for judicial appointments - and seeing first-hand what happened as a result  - I am a woman without a candidate.  Posted by: Y-not at May 14, 2011 12:26 PM (pW2o

Would you let us know if Mitch has any thoughts on this obvious trampling if the US Constitution?

Court: No right to resist illegal cop entry into home

14 If the right-right vote is divided amongst Bachmann, Huckster, and say, Palin and/or ? That benefits the center-right candidates: Romney, and maybe Daniels.  Christie?  He should be someone's VP.

15

Another weak GOP presidential candidate?

I'm trying to contain my enthusiasm.

I really am.

 

16 Speaking of the Constitution:

High schooler challenges Michele Bachmann to Constitution showdown

"I have found quite a few of your statements regarding The Constitution of the United States, the quality of public school education and general U.S. civics matters to be factually incorrect, inaccurately applied or grossly distorted".

/Why is this girl writing to just Rep Bachmann?  This same statement describes basically all the Dems currently in the US Congress along with a good portion of the Republicans.  Guess she's a lib...

17 Huckabee/ShamWow Vince '12

18 Huck will run just to spite Romney.

That is true.

I do think the starry-eyed religious support is gone, especially with his disastrous pardons. But if you think about it, there isn't a first-tier candidate for social conservatives.

19 sounds like Huck will get in just to stop Romney.

20 Would you let us know if Mitch has any thoughts on this obvious trampling if the US Constitution?

Court: No right to resist illegal cop entry into home
-----

That's the decision that prompted me to look into the judges which led me to research why Mitch appointed one of ones in the majority which led to the background on him vetoing a 2009 attempt to get rid of their judicial appointment commission. 

I don't know how to figure out if Mitch picked the lesser of three evils (the 3 nominees he was offered).  I tried to look up the other judges, but couldn't find anything useful. However, it does seem like he was really stupid to veto the bill that would have gotten rid of this judicial commission system. 

I only recently switched to Mitch after Romney's latest double-down on Masscare.  I'm not enthusiastic about either, but thought they were the best of a weak group.  Now I don't know what I'll do.  I guess I'll research Pawlenty, but I'm not optimistic. 

21 If he does run I don't expect Romney to sit back and be his punching bag this time. Huck got a pretty free ride as the msm's preferred candidate and his longshot, outsider role. Now that he's one of the front runners I expect (and hope) he will get the beatdown he so sorely deserves.

22 In regards to your question about Fox forcing Palin to do something....My bet is that she made it crystal clear in her contract that she can opt out at anytime if she chooses to run for office. Huck and the others most likely did not have the clout to have that in their contract or never even thought about it at the time to put it in. She thinks ahead.

23 He's signed on for the next season of 'Jersey Shore.'

24

Contrary to popular opinion, I think Obama will have the edge in general election debates against most of them. Perception, not substance, drives that train. I hate it, but there it is.

 

25 OT: Just figured out why Obumbles won't release the UBL photos--at least right now.

He's dragging his gutsy moment out as long as possible. I wouldn't be surprised if, come next October, the administration finally, after long and thoughtful study and 16 hours of sleep, decides that the American public can handle the truth.

I question the hypothetical timing.

26 The only way I would watch Gomer's show is if he toured the country to meet the relatives of people murdered by the scum he has pardoned. That would be compelling drama.

27 Oh, fuck it...McCain Ron Paul!

28 And what the hell is a "sworn obligation?" To Fox News?

What a pompous religious populist he is.

29 Now that he's one of the front runners I expect (and hope) he will get the beatdown he so sorely deserves.

----

Well, I agree with you there.

It galls me that a vocal minority of supposed conservatives focus on Romney's "heretical" religion more than on policies and qualifications.  I hate that sort of bigotry. 

But it's not enough for me to vote for Romney just to put my thumb in their eyes.

However, if I keep reading snide comments about Romney from people pushing candidates with the "right" religion, I may just apply my own bigotry and refuse to vote for an Evangelical. 

30 Read the letter for more lolz:

As one of a handful of women in Congress, you hold a distinct privilege and responsibility to better represent your gender nationally.

Again, why single out Bachmann unless you're a misguided liberal teenager?  (btw, there are currently 75 women Represenatives in the US House, considerably more than "a handful" - math fail!). 

The statements you make help to serve an injustice to not only the position of Congresswoman, but women everywhere. Though politically expedient, incorrect comments cast a shadow on your person and by unfortunate proxy, both your supporters and detractors alike often generalize this shadow to women as a whole.

This applies to essentially everything Nancy Pelosi or Maxine Walters or Debbie Wasserman Schultz has said while in office, past, present, and future. 

Rep. Bachmann, the frequent inability you have shown to accurately and factually present even the most basic information about the United States led me to submit the follow challenge, pitting my public education against your advanced legal education.

That statement is dripping with arrogance and pretension and is particularly humorous, coming from an NJ-public school learned whelp. 

31 I love Mike Huckabee!!!

32 As for Palin, she is not going to run. Posted by: Vic at May 14, 2011 12:33 PM (M9Ie6) She has been in the race since July 2009.

33 Oh Christ, don't tell me he's really going to run... Even WORSE: The Mrs. comes home from visiting her sister's place out in Omaha. I guess this means I should unclog the toilets(?)

34 It was disgraceful when Huck attacked Romney on his religion. I disliked huck long before that due to his statism though.

35 As for Palin, she is not going to run.
Posted by: Vic at May 14, 2011 12:33 PM (M9Ie6)


She has been in the race since July 2009.

It's a floor wax, AND a dessert topping.

36 Makes for a nice short and sweet bumper sticker. "Huck Sucks".

37 Court: No right to resist illegal cop entry into home

Posted by: Barbarian at May 14, 2011 12:34 PM (EL+OC)

There's a thread below.

Basically, Daniels has supported the Missouri plan in which judges are chosen in part by the ABA and a small list is given to the governor.  In fact, he vetoed an attempt to partially do away with it that passed the legislature overwhelmingly two years ago.  I don't know if he was overridden.

He got three terrible choices.  He picked one, praised him (that I think was pro-forma) and appointed him.

Daniels is a conventional wisdom guy. He's easily rolled by people with nefarious intentions.

38 Huck will announce he has had surgery. His new name is Darlene.

39 That 4/16 speech in Madison, Wisconsin sure sounded like a campaign kickoff to me. "The 2012 election begins here. We will fight for America and it starts here in Madison, Wisconsin. Mr. President, game on!”

40 She has been in the race since July 2009.

Posted by: eman: Japanese Babe Rescue Team at May 14, 2011 12:48 PM (64xTs)

Yep. She also knows with Ryan, Christie, Rubio et al waiting in the wings, 2016 won't be kind to her. Now or never. It'll be interesting to see how the Bachman/ Huckabee/ Palin vote split goes for that segment.

41 38 Huck will announce he has had surgery.

His new name is Darlene.

No, Chaz. 

42 Amish, How did you determine that the other 2 judge nominees were worse?  Are you relying on a blogger's opinion or is it based on some specific cases?

43 Oh baby, yeah.  You know you love lil' Huck.  Try this one on for size.

http://tinyurl.com/458386a

44 >>It galls me that a vocal minority of supposed conservatives focus on Romney's "heretical" religion more than on policies and qualifications. I hate that sort of bigotry. I don't even view Huck as religious. He's a charlatan, typical Jimmy Swaggart money grubbing scum. He coats himself in the patina of religion to appear above it all but underneath the piety is a petty little man who will say and do anything for a buck. His bigotry is just icing on the cake. I would vote for Ron Paul before I would vote for Huck.

45 I've never understood Huckabee's appeal and never will. Even his interviews are only somewhat better than Hannity's.

46 Thanks Amish and Y.
I figured as much.
Daniels seems to be a retarded milquetoast.

47

O/T: White House has banned cameras from Jay Carney's daily briefings.

Can't linky anymore but it comes via a FB linked examiner.com article.

48
if there's one thing the conservative GOP base is in the mood for it's showmanship, teasing, and mind-games

this is great stuff
keep it comin' idiots!

49 So huck's gonna announce tonight? Doesn't he know the Yankees play the Red Soxs tonight? When will they ever learn

50

So, it was Trump two weeks ago, Romney last week, and this week it's Fuckupabee. The MFM is tripping over themselves to set up the GOP frontrunner for us. The sooner they commit, the sooner the attacks can start.

Since no one could effectively counter Obama last time, or even stand up to his radical, left-wing, lame-assery, I don't have much hope this time around either.

Where, oh wherefor art thou, oh great Republican slayer of Dims? Who is the firery orator who can show to the crowd that the emperor has no clothes?

51 That statement is dripping with arrogance and pretension and is particularly humorous, coming from an NJ-public school learned whelp. 

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at May 14, 2011 12:47 PM (c0A3e)

Two things: One, she doesn't want to debate Hank Johnson on plate tectonics (or "Teutonics" if you're the wise and learned Barack Obama).

Second, I don't know that she's all that "typical".  Cherry Hill East is (IIRC) a fancy area and I looked up the FEC database ($250 to Barack) that there is a Wayne Myers who works for Brown Brothers Harriman (fancy bank, Prescott Bush was a partner when it merged). Some more searches suggest that he's a Systems Programmer at the Jersey City office.  Helluva commute if it's the same guy.

Well at least the little crumb crunchers are learning early who their Emmanuel Goldsteins are supposed to be.  Let the little sophomore have her two-minutes' hate.

52 Where, oh wherefor art thou, oh great Republican slayer of Dims? Who is the firery orator who can show to the crowd that the emperor has no clothes? Posted by: BackwardsBoy at May 14, 2011 12:58 PM (d0Tfm) Living large in NJ

53 Wow, I'm amazed "examiner.com" got past the filter.

54

I have it from super secret sources that can't be named that Fuckabee is going to announce he has accepted B. Hussein's offer to replace Joe Biden on the Obama ticket and run for VP.

55 I'm not going to say I told you so. But I did tell you so.

56 49 So huck's gonna announce tonight? Doesn't he know the Yankees play the Red Soxs tonight? Is it just me, or do the Yankees and Red Sox play every weekend?

57
Herman Cain is the only no-nonsense candidate we have, so far.

58 42 Amish, How did you determine that the other 2 judge nominees were worse?  Are you relying on a blogger's opinion or is it based on some specific cases?

Posted by: Y-not at May 14, 2011 12:56 PM (pW2o

Well, one was worse inasmuch as she had a longer record.  I did rely on Gary Marx' old column from NRO and he didn't say much about the third.

59 Is it just me, or do the Yankees and Red Sox play every weekend? Posted by: rickl at May 14, 2011 01:01 PM (hZFhS) every G-D damn summer!

60 No, Chaz. Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at May 14, 2011 12:54 PM (c0A3e) He's finally getting his boobies reduced?

61

Living large in NJ

Ahh, wouldst that he wouldst consider the run. T'would be good for the country, it would.

Mehinks I had a few too many Guinnii last evening.

62 Huck? He ain't going nowhere.

63 Is it just me, or do the Yankees and Red Sox play every weekend?

Posted by: rickl at May 14, 2011 01:01 PM (hZFhS)

No, thank God. My boy, Joba, got lit up pretty good last night.

64 I adore Palin and would love to have her as President, but because I think so much of her I think she should stick with what she's got currently and not subject herself to to the gauntlet the left has set for her. I can see her running interference for those in the running who are closest to her philosophically. She might be able to do the most good blocking for the one with the ball.

65 Wish Rudy hadn't dropped the bowling ball on his toes. He would take the fight to Scooter, no holds barred. Spilt milk, now, I guess.

66 Every day I like Herman Cain a little more and keep meaning to research Pawlenty. Since I was also fooled on AGW until 2-3 years ago and Pawlenty completely owned that it was a mistake -unlike Romney who keeps saying Mass-care is great even though Obamacare sucks I don't hold that against him. And he did use governor powers to balance the MN budget against the borrow and keep spending desires of his legislators which is a +. I'll still support Cain early because I really like his "Unwind some of this choking red tape" message, but of the boring white guys I think I like Pawlenty best. Its just my WAG but I think Palin is more inclined to support any R to get Barry out and form a 3rd party for 2016 if(probably when) the beltway insiders refuse to start trimming back government in 2013.

67 He's a plant to tie off the evangelical vote, thereby making it much easier for the left to manipulate the Republican primary outcome. Cue the cries of "she's a delusional conspiracy theorist!!"...

68 Does anyone find Huckabee creepy?  I read that email reprinted on Time's web site.  It's like some cultish, cryptic BS presentation.  If that's the face, or even a significant element of the GOP, yeah, I can see why the GOP is demonized.

And there are people freaked out by Romney's LDS thing?!

69 Palin/Cain would clobber Ebola/Sheriff.

70 And there are people freaked out by Romney's LDS thing?!

Yeah.  We had a guy calling him a heretic and pushing Thune a day or two ago. 

71 I can see her running interference for those in the running who are closest to her philosophically. She might be able to do the most good blocking for the one with the ball.

Posted by: Minuteman at May 14, 2011 01:10 PM (/FqjZ)

THIS. She's a team player. She doesn't care who gets the credit, just that the job gets done. She'll take the slings and arrows so someone (Cain?) else can get through.

72 You've got to pick up every stitch
Must be the season of the Mitch

73 Does anyone find Huckabee creepy?
Yes

74 Huckabee was in some world government youth program called HOBY that continues to this day and took over a school whose campus I used to live on. They had 15 year old kids chanting and screaming all hours of the day and night about world peace and personal empowerment-- it's basically an indoctrination program and they are very secretive about the substance of what goes on. There is a lot of "one world" rhetoric. I think it's very very odd that, according to the founders of this own program, Huckabee attended this.

75

Ooohhh...Hucklefuck is being coy...keeping everyone on pins and needles and shit

The re-fat fuck is going to run...and will try to smear the other candidates again.

He's a dick

76

I'm hoping (praying, burning incense, sacrificing goats) that he is maybe somehow trying to generate one last pulse of buzz (maybe to keep VP an option) with the "crazier than ever" titillation before opting to stick this one out.

Sometimes good things do happen, right?

77 Might as well go on a diet now, chumps, before I force you.

78 And there are people freaked out by Romney's LDS thing?I

That was rhetorical, not a question.  Romney is being so skewered by the center-right media and blogosphere that he just. might. win.

79 Huckabee attended this.

Posted by: kathleen at May 14, 2011 01:22 PM (w2pFe)

Now THAT is creepy.

80 BTW HOBY stands for "Hugh O'Brien youth". Hugh O'brien is some old actor and has very very creepy interviews on youtube about this program. ("we lock the kids in a classroom, have at them, and don't let anyone in or out for hours"...ooookay)

81 Sounds like all Huck is saying is that God will tell him when he should join the race.

82 Don't bother campaigning in western Iowa, Huck. Most of the educated small town folk here aren't interested in revivalist preacher/progressive government cross-breeds masquerading as conservatives.

In our southwest Iowa county, I *will* caucus aggressively against you. I will point out how you're a fiscal Democrat -- the kiss of death in Western Iowa. I will point out all your anti-libertarian inclinations where it's evident you want to micromanage other people's lives (presumably due to the lack of control over those skeletons in your closet).

So if your backers want to throw away more money, go for it. But an Iowa Caucus win will be something too many of us will actively work against.

83 You've got to pick up every stitch
Must be the season of the Mitch

Posted by: Donovan at May 14, 2011 01:19 PM (h+MAX) 

No, sorry, his latest disqualification is that he appointed a judge who grew in office and made a liberal ruling.

So he's a RINO.  Like Reagan was.

84

So he's a RINO.  Like Reagan was.

Posted by: FUBAR at May 14, 2011 01:27 PM (1fanL)

ICWYDT.

85 Give me your tired, your poor, your also-rans yearning to break free. The wretched refuse of four years before ... Get in line with Newt, Mitt and the other 2008 has-beens, Huck.

86

I still don't think he is running. It doesn't make sense that Fox News would make a contract with Huckabee that he could leave at any time with no consequences. Not running is the only decision Huckabee could make without having to talk to the people who right the paycheck and are going to be so important to his financial future.

I think he is going to endorse Cain or that one of the candidates is going to be on his show, and he is going to endorse that candidate.

87 So the anti-Palin goppers demoted her to has-been, and now she's been promoted back to king-maker-pulling-guard-arrow-catcher-other-subservient position.

Well, the stars, they are aligning...

88 I'll say this: that mofo sure knows how to force an unwilling audience to watch.

89

No, sorry, his latest disqualification is that he appointed a judge who grew in office and made a liberal ruling.

So he's a RINO.  Like Reagan was.

Posted by: FUBAR at May 14, 2011 01:27 PM
--

I think if you read the posts you'll see that the bigger knock was that he decided to veto the legislature two years ago when it tried to get rid of the judicial commission system of justice appointments.  If you read his quotes, he really doesn't justify overturning the legislature except to say how much he loves the system and how it doesn't need fixing. 

90 If you can get through a whole episode of Huckabee where I'm guessing he has pimped all of his books, his new video line, his even newer line of health foods and fitness equiptment, and his interactive Bible with commentary, you will probably be 'even crazier' than you were at 8pm.

91 He’s going to announce that Palin is running, and he’ll be starting a band for the campaign. The band will be called “Turn the Page”. Kind of a beltway joke, you see.

92 Well, the stars, they are aligning...

Posted by: mrp at May 14, 2011 01:31 PM (HjPtV)

Mostly I think she deserves to grow old and enjoy her grandchildren. I'm not all that impressed that our SS is that good if she runs. I think that this election will be for the heart and soul of America and if we can't get it done with ballots...then it's civil war part deux.

93

No, sorry, his latest disqualification is that he appointed a judge who grew in office and made a liberal ruling.

So he's a RINO.  Like Reagan was.

Posted by: FUBAR at May 14, 2011 01:27 PM (1fanL)

He didn't "grow in office".  He was a Gitmo defense attorney and has only been on the court 6 months.

Mitch didn't have a lot of choice because of the system he's under.

However, Mitch vetoed a bill passed by overwhelming majority to overturn the system that handcuffed him.

94 Posted by: kathleen at May 14, 2011 01:22 PM (w2pFe)

Yeah, I'm going to have to call bullshit on that. I never got involved in it but some of my friends ran the local HOBY program. They were some of the most apolitical people I've ever known.

Want to know why Hugh O'Brien started it? Here's his philosophy...

"The concept for HOBY was inspired in 1958 by a nine-day visit OÂ’Brian had with famed humanitarian Dr. Albert Schweitzer in Africa. Dr. Schweitzer believed "the most important thing in education is to teach young people to think for themselves."

Hugh O’Brian’s message to young people is “Freedom to Choose” Here is his brief speech on this topic: "I do NOT believe we are all born equal. Created equal in the eyes of God, yes, but physical and emotional differences, parental guidelines, varying environments, being in the right place at the right time, all play a role in enhancing or limiting an individual's development. But I DO believe every man and woman, if given the opportunity and encouragement to recognize their potential, regardless of background, has the freedom to choose in our world. Will an individual be a taker or a giver in life? Will that person be satisfied merely to exist or seek a meaningful purpose? Will he or she dare to dream the impossible dream?

"I believe every person is created as the steward of his or her own destiny with great power for a specific purpose, to share with others, through service, a reverence for life in a spirit of love."

95 Hmmm....Huckabee possibly announcing his candidacy. Too bad I have other pressing things to do tonight.

96

>>Posted by: kathleen at May 14, 2011 01:25 PM (w2pFe)

Take a second look at Hugh O'Brian  aka Wyatt Earp @ Wiki, scroll to the HOBY part and read from graph 3-5. You can't just dismiss that out hand if you call yourself conservative. 

Huck is a dangerous religious demagogue/fake populist however and deserves no support.

97 I'm not all that impressed that our SS is that good if she runs. I think that this election will be for the heart and soul of America and if we can't get it done with ballots...then it's civil war part deux.

A bit circular, there.  I believe that she's the only Republican who can beat Obama.  If Obama wins and your vision proves correct (a POV I don't share), then as far as Palin is concerned it doesn't matter how good the Secret Service is.

2012 will be a Ruling Class vs. Plebs campaign.

98 None perfect, and every one better than the incumbent. 

99

>>Posted by: DrewM. at May 14, 2011 01:46 PM (plesI)

Thanks, beat me to it.

100 None perfect, and every one better than the incumbent. 

Posted by: MarkD at May 14, 2011 01:49 PM (6CLxP)

A turd's a turd, regardless of a (D) or (R) designation. And as much as I hate this administration I'm not totally convinced some of these candidates ARE better. Huckabee? shakes head.....No thanks 

101 That Rollins fella is a real peace of work.  There was a period in 08 where I couldn't tell him in and Axelrod apart.  (since they were saying identical things)

102 Please be patient if I don't respond immediately to an email because I expect that once I pull the trigger Saturday night, things will get even crazier, as if that's possible.

You don't use the phrase 'once I pull the trigger' if you're NOT going to run. 

And I'm going to go vomit....violently.

103

Tami, I share your nausea. I already did not like Huckster, for many reasons (freeing the cop killer topped it), but now I like him even less for his big tease and ego. What a jerk to do this, to increase ratings with his drama.

Please, God, let someone with some character and testosterone run, and very, very soon.

104

I still don't understand how he could quit a television show without any interaction with the people who make the show possible. Would he seriously be telling all the staff and producers in one day that they don't have a job?

It is more likely to me that he is 'pulling the trigger' on some new job with Fox like moving to Beck's spot. Again, he just realized some pay-by-month animated video sales system. This isn't the decision-making process of someone who is going to run, but someone who has decided to double-down on the pundit thing.

The crazy part could be an endorsement or candidate appearance, or it could just be him talking about his own life if he moves into a larger media position.

105 And I'm going to go vomit....violently.

Posted by: Tami at May 14, 2011 01:57 PM (VuLos)

Oh c'mon Tami! After my announcement tonight, I'm gonna put on my crazy hat and just go CRAAAAZZZYYYY!!!!!! 

106 Posted by: ChristyBlinky at May 14, 2011 02:02 PM (FnRYN)

I loathe him....my dislike of him may actually equal my dislike of Obama because I see absolutely no difference between them.

107 DrewM, you're going to call "bullshit" on the fact that they use brainwashing tactics on 15 year olds? And that there is a whole lot more talk of world peace than, say American sovereignty? Your calling it "bullshit" is bullshit. It's not conservative to keep 15 year olds up until all hours screaming slogans PERIOD. A lot of these people are delusional, not evil. But they are still fucking dangerous.

108 I loathe him....my dislike of him may actually equal my dislike of Obama because I see absolutely no difference between them.

Posted by: Tami at May 14, 2011 02:10 PM (VuLos)

You've got it all wrong. Obama likes basketball while I enjoy pretending people care what I think. He likes burgers and I.....oh, you meant politically? No.....no difference whatsoever.

109 here's some cute commentary from a HOBY alumna: "The HOBY ambassadors, as we were called, become a family from the second the junior staff comes to bang on your car door and collect your bags. Imagine sixteen over-excited faces chanting and cheering as your car pulls into the parking lot. As strange as that may sound, I promise you it was actually very soothing and comforting. It helped ease your nerves and enabled us all to transit into this new little world we would be living in for the weekend. We were constantly busy from all the assemblies and activities that kept the groups up and about from our 7:30am wake up calls to our 12:30am dorm-reunions. Aside from all the hands-on activities we went through, HOBY helped us develop and expand many important life skills. We learned dependency, leadership, motivation and confidence to name a few. The most important lesson we learned however, was when they taught the ambassadors how to pay-it-forward and the ripple effect it has. I like to think of HOBY as such: Imagine a dam; huge, powerful, fierce blockade. What happens when that dam gets a crack? Nothing at first, but the crack gets bigger with time. Then, if never repaired, eventually all those cracks will form a huge crack that breaks open the dam, allowing water to pour out everywhere. In this analogy, each HOBY ambassador represents a little nick in the dam-the dam representing the whole world, while the water represents love, knowledge and positive reinforcement. No one can accomplish world peace on their own, it takes baby steps. But if one nick, one person, can have an effect on another person and create another nick, itÂ’s only a matter of time before water, love and knowledge pours through and reaches millions." SO... ALL YOU NEED IS LOVE BABY, IF YOU WANT "WORLD PEACE". that's so conservative, eh DrewM?

110 I think we're boned.  Whatever that means.

111 sleep deprivation, constant acivity, slogan screaming sessions -- it's all good!

112

"The crazy part could be an endorsement or candidate appearance, or it could just be him talking about his own life"

 

Like announcing that he'll be taking a 6-month leave of absence, returning to TV in 6 months as Michelle Huckabee?

113 oh, I forgot this part from the HOBY teen angel: "As you continue create that ripple effect to demolish our global dams/blockadesÂ… Be a leader, be a spokesperson for change, and be you!"

114 oh, and DrewM, Schweitzer was kind of a creepy guy himself. Did you see what he said about Africa?

115 DrewM, here's what he said, it's not pretty: "There is something that all White men who have lived here [in Africa] like I have must learn and know: that these individuals are a sub-race. They have neither the mental or emotional abilities to equate or share equally with White men in any functions of our civilization." -- Dr. Albert Schweitzer

116 115 >>>oh, and DrewM, Schweitzer was kind of a creepy guy himself. Did you see what he said about Africa?
Posted by: kathleen at May 14, 2011 02:31 PM (w2pFe)

_{Kathleen, you need to drop what you're doing instantly, go to your nearest pet store and stare at the fishies for awhile, it will help.}

117 I missed this thread earlier, but saw the post in The Corner.

I hope it's just a mega-tease for his show, but I fear for the worst. . . .

118 ontherocks, you are tiresome. that Schweitzer quote is well known -- but even if it's completely utterly fake and I'm fooled again, explain to me how using sleep deprivation on 15 year olds is anything but creepy and insane.

119 Newt . . . Paul . . . Mitt . . . Fuckabee . . .

Ooo, a goose pimple.

No wait, that's a zit.

120 explain to me how using sleep deprivation on 15 year olds is anything but creepy and insane.

Posted by: kathleen at May 14, 2011 02:39 PM (w2pFe)

Worked for me!!! 

121 >>Posted by: kathleen at May 14, 2011 02:39 PM (w2pFe)

_{Ah, I don't think that I'm what is making you tired, but do get some sleep, and try some deep breathing exercises.}

122 ontherocks, maybe i'm confusing tiredness with boredom.

123 Huck's ego is too big to stay out of the race and his his hatred for Romney burns too hot for him to remain sidelined.  Huck gave us McCain and for that I will never forgive him.

124

You know who this benefits?

Yes.

Everyone not named Sarah Palin.

Which is why I'm eagerly awaiting Huck's announcement, and why so many Palinistas are wishcasting that he isn't running.

125 I give Palin leeway because she's not an effing bitch-whore sellout pop-tart MBM-licking politician who says only what is required to gain power and then does only what is required to keep the beltway happy.

Doesn't mean I think she's either going to run or going to win.

126

I'm wishcasting that he is not running, and I'm not a Palinista.

Huck and Paul would be the two most difficult for me to support. Paul because he is an insincere nut who takes treasonous political positions while getting nothing accomplished on the issues he is supposed to be so 'good' on, and Huck because he isn't a fiscal conservative along with being troubling on immigration.

127

Posted by: Merovign, Dark Lord of the Sith at May 14, 2011 03:26 PM (bxiXv)

What's the official AoS policy on the Atlantic piece that ran this week on Palin?  That it's lies and garbage?

Because, to me, it seems like Palin actually IS running a bit of a con here on people, because the Alaskan Palin was a far different animal than the Mama Grizzly of today.  One who was more moderate, and who actually compromised with Democrats. 

128

#128

Palin was a populist in Alaska, and she is a populist now. Being a populist in Alaska meant taking positions against the oil companies/state corruption and bringing in more money to the state through taxation. Being a populist in a national election would look more like than Palin we see now.

I think he principles lie more with actually reflecting the views of the base of her party (and even the electorate at large) than with being a completely consistent conservative. This is why she had such high approval ratings in Alaska. She actually seemed like someone who wanted to do what the people wanted.

129 The great part is in the Comments, when Lebron says, "Huck, BAD BAD BAD Idea."

130 I only lost last time because of the slanderous lies of Mitt Romney. He never had anything to say about me that wasn't a dishonest and cowardly personal attack. I confronted him many times about his scurrilous lies, and he never had a response that wasn't just another untrue and unfair personal attack. I hope he thinks long and hard about what a horrible person he is tonight while he's stripping down to his special Mormon underwear to go to bed.

131 128,129 you are forgetting that in Alaska the republicans were corrupt to the core and neck deep in crony capitalism. She took them on, so the dems loved her at the time. Given how our federal government operates, I think someone willing to stand up the entrenched corrupt interests on both sides would be great for the country.

132 I agree, Dan.

133

I agree that the state was/is corrupt, and she was absolutely right to take them on, but I don't think that it was necessary to raise taxes to the extent that she did.

I really like her, even if she made some decisions that I didn't agree with in Alaska. I do think that she isn't a member of the 'political elite' or the group that can't do anything more than try to be accepted by elite opinion. She showed an incredible amount of focus to fix the issue that pissed her and many Alaskans off.

To borrow the article's title, the 'Tragedy of Sarah Palin' to me is more how the media attacked her and how she was baited in to stooping to their level. She saw another corrupt institution, and she was conditioned to keep fighting. They media wanted a specific type of woman to be the face of women in politics, and she was not it. It would be like if Ken Blackwell or Herman Cain had been the first Black President. They want a liberal icon.

I hope she keeps fighting, but in a way that is more conscious of the media game. Opinion and image change all the time. If she were to enter and win the primary, I'll support her as much as I can. I honestly think though that she needs more time right now, but she has proven people wrong before.

134 Huck is not running - he is getting fat again.

135

What's the official AoS policy on the Atlantic piece that ran this week on Palin? That it's lies and garbage?

Posted by: Vyceroy at May 14, 2011 03:32 PM (Yhbmt)

We're Honey Badgers, dude. We don't HAVE an "official position."

Also, after the 2008 election, I have a pretty fuckin' high bar for taking trash talk about Palin seriously. I'm interested in the facts, but pretty much everyfuckinbody's lyin' to me, so there you are.

136 I'm and avowed Palinista.

I think she's running.

I think she's probably the (ideologically) best candidate out there.

I wish she'd work more (or any) with a voice coach.

I don't know if her negatives can be overcome.

But a pack of hungry Republicans tearing at the political flesh of one B. Hussein Obama which includes the Mama Grizzly is almost certain to be more effective at pulling him the rest of the way off of Mount Olympus than a pack of hungry Republicans without her. 

A corollary here is that the pack of hungry Republicans really, really, really, REALLY need to concentrate on Obama and not on tearing apart each other . . . "when you're up to your ass in alligators . . . " and all that.  The BEST Republican candidate for 2012 is IMHO by definition the one that will do the best job in bringing Teh Won down to earth.  To me, that's what the primary season will be about--who can do it the most consistently and effectively. 

Taking down Obama in 2012 is Job One.  Cleaning up the mess is Job Two.  Let's keep focused here, people.

And I don't think that, once the Republican presidential field is set, that the media will see fit to give Palin any daylight whatsoever, so the "she'll be more effective as an outsider" argument leaves me utterly unmoved.  So, I don't think she really has any option but to run--if nothing else to stay relevant on the national political stage up to the GOP Convention.

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