February 11, 2011
— Ace You can't beat tragedy, especially not when coupled with instant sainthood. This Washington Times article speculates that Giffords would win easily if she runs -- and I have to think that's right. Because voters are dumb.
“If one assumes she’d be healthy enough to run, there’s nobody who could beat her,” said Mr. Merrill [a professor at ASU and a pollster]. “Now she’s got 100 percent name identification and 100 percent sympathy from the public. If she was well enough and she wanted the nomination, I don’t think there’s any question.”
Plus, because the media was determined to claim the conservative movement were co-conspirators in the shooting, we (most of us) rushed to note she was a moderate, not a liberal (and therefore not really the sort of person we nominate for killing at our weekly Murder List meet-ups), so she now has the whole conservative movement, mostly, swearing to her moderation and centrism.
I don't think it's a lost cause, but it's plenty tough.
The other candidate will also have almost 100% name recognition by the time of the election, and sympathy, while potent, doesn't mean you automatically win. But that is the way to bet, isn't it?
Plus, if Giffords enters the race, our best candidates will probably not enter the race, and in that way the prediction winds up making itself true.
So we start the cycle one down. We need five pickups for control.
Posted by: Ace at
07:55 AM
| Comments (190)
Post contains 248 words, total size 2 kb.
Posted by: Mary Jo Kopechne at February 11, 2011 07:58 AM (FcR7P)
Probably right because the GOP will not only not run someone agaisnt her, they might even endorse her.
Posted by: Soothsayer's Bloody Valentine at February 11, 2011 07:58 AM (uFokq)
Posted by: Gabriel Malor at February 11, 2011 07:59 AM (XVaFd)
But you know what?
I think she's seriously brain damaged. Like I said yesterday I hope she recovers fully, but she can't even talk. Not a good sign.
Posted by: Soothsayer's Bloody Valentine at February 11, 2011 08:00 AM (uFokq)
Posted by: halfastro at February 11, 2011 08:00 AM (5and4)
Posted by: Chris at February 11, 2011 08:01 AM (7ccv+)
Posted by: Captain Hate at February 11, 2011 08:01 AM (eh+ki)
Posted by: Adam_ME at February 11, 2011 08:01 AM (9lRYp)
Yeah, she would win but I think there's almost zero chance she'll run.
Posted by: DrewM. at February 11, 2011 08:02 AM (HicGG)
If.
Wasn't that the response by the Spartans to, I dunno, maybe the Greeks, when they gave them an ultimatum: "If you do not surrender we will kill your sons and enslave your wives..."
Posted by: Soothsayer's Bloody Valentine at February 11, 2011 08:03 AM (uFokq)
Posted by: Dr Spank at February 11, 2011 08:03 AM (1fB+3)
Posted by: TOTUS at February 11, 2011 08:03 AM (FcR7P)
Posted by: toby928™ at February 11, 2011 08:03 AM (GTbGH)
Posted by: ace at February 11, 2011 08:03 AM (nj1bB)
She's lucky to be alive.
You guys remember, she was 'dead' for a few hours. At least according to the idiots at NPR.
Posted by: Soothsayer's Bloody Valentine at February 11, 2011 08:04 AM (uFokq)
Sparta to Phillip, Alexander's father.
Posted by: toby928™ at February 11, 2011 08:04 AM (GTbGH)
There's a big difference between being able to say the word "toast" and serving as one of 100 Senators who vote on key pieces of legislation. Yes, Strom Thurmond and Robert Byrd kept getting reelected with one foot already in the grave, but we live in a post-Tea Party electoral reality now. The sympathy card won't be enough to get Giffords into the Senate. She'll have to be capable of running an effective campaign in order to make enough independents and Republicans forget about those votes for Porkulus and Obamacare.
Posted by: Adam_ME at February 11, 2011 08:05 AM (9lRYp)
Posted by: ace at February 11, 2011 08:05 AM (nj1bB)
Posted by: nerdygirl at February 11, 2011 08:05 AM (mfhdy)
Posted by: dan in michigan at February 11, 2011 08:06 AM (ursg4)
Posted by: ef at February 11, 2011 08:06 AM (c7Pp2)
Posted by: curious at February 11, 2011 08:06 AM (p302b)
I think there is a very good reason Gabby Giffords hasn't appeared on camera.
I doubt she'll be in any kind of shape to fulfill her duties as a congresswoman, let alone make a run for the Senate.
God bless her and I pray for the best recovery as can be expected.
Posted by: Shoppy at February 11, 2011 08:07 AM (Y227l)
She has partial paralysis in part of her face but she's as smart as she was before the shooting.
being a Jersey girl and marrying that idiot, and all. Heh.
Posted by: Soothsayer's Bloody Valentine at February 11, 2011 08:07 AM (uFokq)
Why? We didn't apply that criteria in the cases of Thurman, Byrd or Biden.
Posted by: Kasper Hauser at February 11, 2011 08:08 AM (HqpV0)
Posted by: Mama AJ at February 11, 2011 08:08 AM (XdlcF)
Posted by: t-bird at February 11, 2011 08:08 AM (FcR7P)
I think you're wrong on this ace. Arizonans hate democrats right now and I don't believe that will change just because of a sympathy vote.
I also don't believe she will even run for her own sake. Head injuries take a long time to recover from, half of her skull is still in a freezer. I don't see her jumping up in a year and hitting the campaign trail.
Posted by: robtr nickless liberation front at February 11, 2011 08:09 AM (hVDig)
I just know that there are Democratic strategists who are falling over themselves thinking about all the ways they can use Giffords in the 2012 election. A Senator would be the least of my concerns.
I think she is going to campaign heavily with Obama. They would probably prefer her mumbling in a wheelchair. They wouldn't even need to say anything about discourse or personal attacks. It would be an automatic trump card for Democrats anytime they lost the debate or it shifted to an issue they didn't like.
Republican Candidate: Obamacare is killing job
Obama: Gabby, will you scoot over here and talk about the dangers of using words like 'killing'. Also, how did our wonderful health system that I improved help you?
Posted by: Paper at February 11, 2011 08:09 AM (VoSja)
The media was making a big deal this week because she asked for toast.
Posted by: Clapper at February 11, 2011 08:09 AM (ph9vn)
Posted by: Jane D'oh, sez save logprof and nickless at February 11, 2011 08:09 AM (UOM48)
Posted by: ace at February 11, 2011 12:05 PM (nj1bB)
But there are other things you don't see unless you are around a person a good bit...there's often memory issues, moodiness, easy to fatigue, etc.
I've never known someone who was shot but I've known a number of people who suffered TBIs in other ways (car accidents mostly) and therapists who do rehab work.
"Full recovery" doesn't mean "same as before".
Posted by: DrewM. at February 11, 2011 08:09 AM (HicGG)
Posted by: Tigtog at February 11, 2011 08:11 AM (Q5+Og)
You people see over on Drudge that AZ in counter-suiing the US over failure to inforce the laws against illegal immigration?
That ought to be interesting.
Posted by: HH at February 11, 2011 08:11 AM (6oDXl)
Posted by: Jane D'oh, sez save logprof and nickless at February 11, 2011 08:12 AM (UOM48)
Posted by: Guy Fawkes, free logprof secular brotherhood at February 11, 2011 08:13 AM (xdHzq)
I said earlier, it is a bit ghoulish for the Dems to run a person who was just shot in the brain.
I guess the rehab for brain damage is a senate run.
Posted by: Ben-Free Logprof/nickless prisoners of conscience at February 11, 2011 08:13 AM (wuv1c)
Yeah, but how does a candidate run attack ads on Giffords?
S/he can't.
A candidate will barely be able to criticize Giffords' record without it sounding like an attack.
Posted by: Soothsayer's Bloody Valentine at February 11, 2011 08:14 AM (uFokq)
Posted by: Ben-Free Logprof/nickless prisoners of conscience at February 11, 2011 08:15 AM (wuv1c)
It'll be an interesting situation, but it seems to me that she won't be fully recuperated until quite a while from now... so I have my doubts she'd be ready to run for the Senate in 2012. Plus, if I were her husband, I wouldn't want her to run. I'd want her to retire and enjoy the second chance we'd been given.
Posted by: Y-not at February 11, 2011 08:15 AM (pW2o8)
In other words, as Ace said, if she decides to run she'll be a formidable opponent, even in reddish AZ.
Posted by: Soothsayer's Bloody Valentine at February 11, 2011 08:15 AM (uFokq)
Posted by: ace at February 11, 2011 08:15 AM (nj1bB)
Posted by: mark x at February 11, 2011 08:15 AM (plLN9)
Posted by: Y-not at February 11, 2011 08:16 AM (pW2o8)
Posted by: Ben-Free Logprof/nickless prisoners of conscience at February 11, 2011 08:16 AM (wuv1c)
/T: Hey, did you guys know that Anderson Cooper's mom is Gloria Vanderbilt? Just saw that on Regis & Kelly.
Yeah, he is an Astor/Vanderbilt.
Posted by: Ben-Free Logprof/nickless prisoners of conscience at February 11, 2011 08:16 AM (wuv1c)
Posted by: BlackOrchid at February 11, 2011 08:16 AM (SB0V2)
Y-Not. we're thinking the same thing.
On the upside, the republicans won't run attack ads mentioning that she's missed a ton of votes in the house recently.
Posted by: Ben-Free Logprof/nickless prisoners of conscience at February 11, 2011 08:18 AM (wuv1c)
So.....
She's only able to say monosyllabic words and she'll be the next Senator of Arizona??
*golf clap*
On the other hand, there was always Sheets Byrd.
Posted by: laceyunderalls at February 11, 2011 08:18 AM (pLTLS)
Ordered Tests:
Low Level Shame
Decency
Test Results:
Low Level Shame: Less Than Lindsay Lohan
Decency: Less Than Lady Gaga
Impression:
The Democrat party has no detectable shame or decency.
Posted by: MīcÞeMūß at February 11, 2011 08:18 AM (0q2P7)
Y-not has been living in a cave?
Yeah, apparently I have! I never keep track of these media types. It's just not that interesting to me.
Gloria's jeans were the fugliest things evah, btw. I hope to goodness this return to the Carter era doesn't also bring with it GV jeans!
Posted by: Y-not at February 11, 2011 08:19 AM (pW2o8)
Recovering from serious brain trauma usually takes years, and may never be complete. Giffords would need tremendous will power, rare ambition, and phenomenal medical luck to be up for such a challenge.
Posted by: lyle at February 11, 2011 08:19 AM (/0D5i)
Posted by: nerdygirl at February 11, 2011 08:19 AM (mfhdy)
Posted by: Y-not at February 11, 2011 08:19 AM (pW2o8)
There is just about zero chance she will replace Kyl because according to those doctors she will be in rehab for years. She will be lucky to be walking in 6 months much less doing a strenuous campaign.
That is sad, but it is the truth. One wonders just what the WT is trying to get out of this anyway. Maybe some sympathy for the Dem candidate that does run???
I don't know but this tactic is brain dead.
Posted by: Rick O'Connell at February 11, 2011 08:19 AM (M9Ie6)
I think Giffords might take some time off from politics and elected office.
She was shot in the friggin brain, you don't just get back to work after that. Also we don't know if it has effected her personality. She could pull a Phineas Gage.
Posted by: Ben-Free Logprof/nickless prisoners of conscience at February 11, 2011 08:20 AM (wuv1c)
Hey, did you guys know that Anderson Cooper's mom is Gloria Vanderbilt?
Yes, we knew about his genes.
Posted by: Mama AJ at February 11, 2011 08:21 AM (XdlcF)
Because I always hear a request for toast coming from my veggie crisper when I open the fridge...
Posted by: MīcÞeMūß at February 11, 2011 08:21 AM (0q2P7)
Don't forget, the democrats elected a guy to congress who thought Guam would tip over if it was overpopulated with military personnel.
They also gave a senate nomination to that Al Greene character. These people don't vote with their brains.
Hank Johnson is also riddled with Hep C if I'm not mistaken
Posted by: Ben-Free Logprof/nickless prisoners of conscience at February 11, 2011 08:21 AM (wuv1c)
Posted by: maddogg at February 11, 2011 08:21 AM (OlN4e)
Posted by: ace at February 11, 2011 12:15 PM (nj1bB)
Yes, they remove a large chunk of the skull to relieve the swelling pressure and preserve it until they can reattach it. Healing takes a long time.
Posted by: robtr nickless liberation front at February 11, 2011 08:21 AM (hVDig)
"Traumatic brain injuries do fucked up things to people, even the ones who make miraculous recoveries."
What if she gets that disorder where she speaks with a British accent? Or worse - Canadian?
Posted by: Joanie (Oven Gloves) at February 11, 2011 08:21 AM (HaYO4)
Fuck her, let's go there. Gloves off. She was a Democrat before, and that seat is staying red. Jeff Flake should replace Kyl.
Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 11, 2011 08:21 AM (mHQ7T)
I thought Regis retired?
I think this is his last year. They seem to be auditioning people.
I find him a fascinating study in the ecology of clueless upper-crust New Yorkers. And he's a clueless Notre Dame alumnus, to boot.
Posted by: Y-not at February 11, 2011 08:21 AM (pW2o8)
Since nobody else answered, yes, that's what they do and yes that is what they have done in her case.
Posted by: Guy Fawkes, free logprof secular brotherhood at February 11, 2011 08:21 AM (xdHzq)
They just need her on a stretcher for the Convention. It is to their advantage to keep her a news story, but out of the spotlight until then. Imagine the coverage if she is unveiled for the first time to rousing applause in the convention and struggles through a 45 second message.
Why waste a tragedy like this for a Senate seat when it can support Dear Leader?
Posted by: Paper at February 11, 2011 08:22 AM (VoSja)
Exactly what I told my wife about 4 days after she was shot, and reports indicated she was going to recover.
Unspoken: "... but she got shot in the head, and can't think properly. You can tell by the way she talks ..."
That's not confined to a (D) or (R) viewpoint.
Posted by: jwb7605 at February 11, 2011 08:22 AM (Qxe/p)
Well, then. She's a step ahead of Cyclops in his last days.
Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 11, 2011 08:22 AM (mHQ7T)
Posted by: MīcÞeMūß at February 11, 2011 08:23 AM (0q2P7)
The more I think of this the more i am convinced it will never happen.
This woman will be lucky to resume a normal life, she's not going to run for senate any time soon
Posted by: Ben-Free Logprof/nickless prisoners of conscience at February 11, 2011 08:23 AM (wuv1c)
Some of you think she'll leave politics. Why?
She and her a-hole husband strike me as very career-focused.
Posted by: Soothsayerwing Plover at February 11, 2011 08:24 AM (uFokq)
Posted by: Y-not at February 11, 2011 08:25 AM (pW2o8)
Posted by: robtr nickless liberation front at February 11, 2011 08:25 AM (hVDig)
Posted by: Guy Fawkes, free logprof secular brotherhood at February 11, 2011 08:25 AM (xdHzq)
Being glib and articulate isn't the same thing as being intelligent
Yeah, but are people going to vote for someone who sounds like Sloth from Goonies on the campaign trail. Even if she regains 100% of her mental capacity, she still has to appear recovered, and slurred or incoherent speech might give people second thoughts on their sympathy votes
Posted by: Ben-Free Logprof/nickless prisoners of conscience at February 11, 2011 08:25 AM (wuv1c)
Posted by: MīcÞeMūß at February 11, 2011 08:26 AM (0q2P7)
Also, Ace, you're forgetting something: Arizona is still a red state. Giffords BARELY hung on to her seat by getting good turnout from liberal Tuscon...you misunderstand the demographics of the state if you think that, even with 'sympathy voting,' she'll be able to play that well in other districts. She voted for Obamacare, after all.
Posted by: Jeff B. at February 11, 2011 08:27 AM (NjYDy)
If there were a special election this spring, I'd concede the point. With that election nearly two years away, which means two years for the Dems to overplay the sympathy/smear the Right card, I say Kyl's seat is still ours to lose.
Posted by: JASmius at February 11, 2011 08:27 AM (VS0P/)
Some of you think she'll leave politics. Why?
I dunno. It seems to me that she could free up her life considerably doing some sort of public advocacy stuff - running a foundation or public speaking - and not have to be away from her husband so much. Why go back to the drudgery of Congress when she has an automatic bully pulpit now and is no doubt going to be set for life?
Do they have kids? I think a lot will depend on the family. If she were my family member, I'd urge her to retire.
And, yeah, I think the husband was an asshat about the TP when this first happened, but I haven't seen anything come from him lately. At least he had the decency to skip the State of the Union.
Posted by: Y-not at February 11, 2011 08:28 AM (pW2o8)
Posted by: Sheriff Choo Choo at February 11, 2011 08:28 AM (mHQ7T)
It's possible that she's cognitively ok but just having a hard time with speech.
Posted by: grognard at February 11, 2011 08:28 AM (NS2Mo)
In theory, ace is correct. But I agree with everyone else that she is going to be too physically disabled to run.
And ace, are you at the CPAC this year?
Posted by: HH at February 11, 2011 08:29 AM (6oDXl)
Posted by: Guy Fawkes, free logprof secular brotherhood at February 11, 2011 08:29 AM (xdHzq)
"I look at it this way, how many wheel chair bound or blind or deaf people were elected last year?"
And how many of those deaf, blind people in wheelchairs were also midgets?
Posted by: Joanie (Oven Gloves) at February 11, 2011 08:29 AM (HaYO4)
and sympathy, while potent, doesn't mean you automatically win. But that is the way to bet, isn't it?
You bet your sweet ass it is.
Posted by: Mary Bono at February 11, 2011 08:29 AM (Zi+FQ)
Think this might be more wishcasting than anything else at this point. Isn't Kyl up in 4 years?? That's a lot of time to pass and the sympathy to wear off, also depends what she says when she is able to speak. If she comes out swinging against the Tea Party, not sure that is going to help in AZ.
Posted by: opus at February 11, 2011 08:29 AM (lHQMb)
Aesthetics are a cruel thing to bring up, I know, but they are real in their effects.
Posted by: Jeff B. at February 11, 2011 08:30 AM (NjYDy)
Indeed, but it might have been
Dr: Do you want toast, or biscuits, Gabby?
Giffords: Tohhh.
Posted by: toby928™ at February 11, 2011 08:30 AM (GTbGH)
Posted by: CAC at February 11, 2011 08:30 AM (GleCU)
Please.
If her recovery was as miraculous as they're *trying* to paint it, we'd hear about it. Don't you know we'd hear about it.
Look, I wish she'd stand up and moon-walk across the room and give a Bernie Sanders style filibuster as I type. But it ain't happening. Not anytime soon.
But best of luck to her.
Posted by: laceyunderalls at February 11, 2011 08:31 AM (pLTLS)
Posted by: maddogg at February 11, 2011 08:31 AM (OlN4e)
Posted by: Jim Brady at February 11, 2011 08:32 AM (pW2o8)
Obama received 45% of the vote in Arizona and McCain is their Senator. It is a 'red state' in the same way that Texas is a 'red state', for the next ten years, twenty if we are lucky.
Demography, demography, demography.
Posted by: Paper at February 11, 2011 08:32 AM (VoSja)
Posted by: Guy Fawkes, free logprof secular brotherhood at February 11, 2011 08:33 AM (xdHzq)
And if the brain were only a real simple device a simple x is harder than y analogy might be applicable. But speech being a cognitively demanding exercise for the brain is not as simple as coordinated movement, which an earth worm that has the brain the size of a pin head can pull off.
Posted by: MīcÞeMūß at February 11, 2011 08:33 AM (0q2P7)
Posted by: Tattoo De Plane at February 11, 2011 08:35 AM (mHQ7T)
Posted by: robtr nickless liberation front at February 11, 2011 08:36 AM (hVDig)
Posted by: MīcÞeMūß at February 11, 2011 08:36 AM (0q2P7)
Posted by: Dr. Heinz Doofensmirtz at February 11, 2011 08:37 AM (4RuoW)
Honestly, not only will it never happen, we would be blessed if it did happen. It would guarantee the Democrats lost the seat. The 'sympathy' vote only goes so far.
In other words, don't be such a damn nelly.
Posted by: Jeff B. at February 11, 2011 08:38 AM (NjYDy)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 11, 2011 08:39 AM (TATbF)
Posted by: Jim Brady at February 11, 2011 08:39 AM (pW2o8)
Posted by: nerdygirl at February 11, 2011 08:39 AM (mfhdy)
Posted by: Dr. Heinz Doofensmirtz at February 11, 2011 08:40 AM (4RuoW)
ISWYDT.
Posted by: BLM at February 11, 2011 08:40 AM (GTbGH)
Posted by: George H.W. Bush circa 1991 at February 11, 2011 08:41 AM (/joDP)
Posted by: CAC at February 11, 2011 08:41 AM (GleCU)
Posted by: Empire of Jeff at February 11, 2011 08:42 AM (OW0nw)
//Plus, if Giffords enters the race, our best candidates will probably not enter the race, and in that way the prediction winds up making itself true. So we start the cycle one down. We need five pickups for control.//
This WAPO piece is leftist wishful thinking. No need to make it self-fullfilling by accepting it as gospel.
Posted by: Misha at February 11, 2011 08:42 AM (WO6uQ)
It reminds me of a Marine who had a brain injury.
After the injury he could only sing From the Halls of Montezuma.
He went in for surgery and the doc removed part of his brain. When he woke up he could still only sing the Marines hymm.
He had another operation and the doc took out more of his brain. Same thing, singing From the Halls of Montezuma was all he could do.
The doc finally decided to remove the whole brain.
When the Marine woke up he started singing Anchors Aweigh.
Posted by: robtr nickless liberation front at February 11, 2011 08:45 AM (hVDig)
Posted by: Carolyn B. Maloney at February 11, 2011 08:45 AM (/joDP)
Not withstanding the other brain-dead D's we have seen in the Senate (e.g. Sen. Stuart Smalley, Sen. Joe Biden, etc.), Arizona is not going to elect Giffords to the seat Kyl is vacating.
I'm sorry she was shot; I'm glad she is alive; and I'm glad her recovery appears to be going forward. But saying all that is a far cry from electing her to the Senate. Bruno's name was briefly flashed, and while she'd be a better candidate, I don't think she'll be able to pry herself out of DHS. Gifford's husband might be a candidate, but that's a long-shot too.
The Race Card doesn't work anymore, and playing the Sympathy Card doesn't work any better. You run a candidate on his/her merits. The D's may believe they need a "sympathy prop", but that doesn't mean Arizonans will elect her.
The seat is Flake's to lose.
Posted by: azlibertarian at February 11, 2011 08:48 AM (ghALX)
Posted by: Have Blue at February 11, 2011 08:48 AM (mV+es)
I would be pleasantly surprised if Giffords is able to run for the congressional seat she now holds in 2012.
I bet she will be lucky to regain as much functioning as James Brady. Can you see James Brady running for an elective office? Not to be cold but I don't.
Posted by: Long Time Lurker at February 11, 2011 08:49 AM (TiURi)
Posted by: joeindc44 at February 11, 2011 08:49 AM (QxSug)
Posted by: opus at February 11, 2011 08:51 AM (lHQMb)
Posted by: Dr. Heinz Doofensmirtz at February 11, 2011 08:52 AM (4RuoW)
Posted by: Moi at February 11, 2011 08:52 AM (Ez4Ql)
Posted by: Alan Keyes at February 11, 2011 08:52 AM (ERJIu)
On the other hand, she's gotta be more functional than Biden, and he's VP.
Posted by: Merovign, Bond Villain at February 11, 2011 08:54 AM (bxiXv)
Posted by: Jeff B. at February 11, 2011 12:38 PM (NjYDy)
*BEEP*
Posted by: Captain Pike at February 11, 2011 08:56 AM (MIwwh)
Posted by: nerdygirl at February 11, 2011 08:57 AM (mfhdy)
They all seem brain damaged to me.
Posted by: Naqamel at February 11, 2011 08:57 AM (UMwMT)
Further (they thought), axon growth may proceed throughout adult life, but you will lose around 50,000 neurons from your brain every day. So even if you avoid dementia and alzheimer's and other brain disease, you are going to end up with less neural capacity when you live past 100 (or in Keith Olbermann's case, age thirty).
That's the old-school take. Newer research indicates they were wrong, at least with regard to specifics. Evidently the brain is remarkably regenerative, but it takes a long.long.time. Assuming some major damage, say a 20% reduction in capacity for decision-making (that sort of qualifier is arbitrary, given the holistic qualities of the mind vs the compartmentalized specialization of the brain), one might gain 3% to 12% of that back, just due to other parts of the brain "stepping up" to help. Long-term, say ten years or more, one could gain another 5% or more, due to neural regrowth. At least, that's one view of the possibilities.
It also takes hard work, like "going back to college kind of hard work," to accomplish that kind of regeneration. Let's hope new discoveries in brain stimulation, regeneration, and increasing capacity will help us all to better cope with brain injury and old age.
(Caveat: I'm not a brain researcher, nor a doctor, but I've had reason to keep up with the news in that area)
Posted by: K~Bob at February 11, 2011 08:58 AM (ZQkoK)
Posted by: joeindc44 at February 11, 2011 09:02 AM (QxSug)
Posted by: nerdygirl at February 11, 2011 09:04 AM (mfhdy)
Posted by: mpfs at February 11, 2011 09:06 AM (iYbLN)
Posted by: Plateau Plato at February 11, 2011 09:10 AM (H+LJc)
I've wondered about the deficit that required a trach. Shouldn't be resp function - that is located in a different area of the brain. Aspiration precautions? Not sure why that medical procedure was required, but it hints to me that there are major hurdles to be overcome. And the trach itself may have some impact on first words. Learning to speak with a trach can take awhile. Or, maybe the trach is out now.
It's hard to know what things mean. "neckrub" might mean stroking a thumb back and forth as kind of a comfort measure - or it might mean good muscular control. Who knows - we're being fed whatever they want us to 'know'.
They hint she may be present for his shuttle launch - that might tell us a lot about what rehab is needed.
Posted by: some wench at February 11, 2011 09:11 AM (bqjJT)
Giffords is going to look VERY different. Sound different, act different, think different, be different.
Even if she has a desire to join the Senate, she will quickly realize that she may not be capable of serving.
Shame on these libtards for putting unnecessary pressure on her, simply for political gain-
Shame on Ace for buying a rotton bag of apples, then coming here to sell it.
Posted by: Browndog at February 11, 2011 09:12 AM (VwrvU)
Posted by: Tigtog at February 11, 2011 09:13 AM (Q5+Og)
What if she gets that disorder where she speaks with a British accent? Or worse - Canadian?
-----------------------------------------------
You mean the Madonna Ciccone Disorder?
Yeah, that would be bad.
Posted by: Shoppy at February 11, 2011 09:15 AM (Y227l)
Posted by: Phineas Gage at February 11, 2011 09:17 AM (27KAF)
Remember when they wheeled that sorry-assed motherfucker out there to Bush's ranch to deliver some bullshit statement about Iraq?
Leftists are shameless.
Posted by: Warden at February 11, 2011 09:21 AM (V6HDd)
Posted by: Fresh Air at February 11, 2011 09:25 AM (PbzKE)
Posted by: Abe Lincoln, JFK, RFK, et al at February 11, 2011 09:26 AM (aneVZ)
And perfectly in character for them.
Posted by: AmishDude at February 11, 2011 09:29 AM (T0NGe)
Posted by: CoolCzech at February 11, 2011 09:29 AM (tJjm/)
Posted by: mpurinTexas(kicking Mexico's ass since 1836) at February 11, 2011 09:31 AM (aneVZ)
We call ourselves Morons, but that's supposed to be tongue-in-nostril. If you are smart enough to find your way to the HQ, you should be smart enough to not require an a$$load of caveats and qualifiers about her potential recovery, the actual amount of damage, where her capacity for reasoning is, etc, in order to understand Ace's point. That shzt is in Obviousville, so why would any blogger waste precious, carpal-tunnel-free moments to type it up? None of you "Ace should be ashamed" folks have made a dent in the point, which is (obviously):
If she's healthy, and can campaign well-enough, she has a built-in advantage.
Just watching CPAC coverage on the web is a solid reminder that the Republican party remains the Party-of-stupid. Do you have any freaking doubt that the MBM won't make Giffords' gunshot wound of massively greater importance than ALL of the people murdered by drug-related, illegal border-crossing thugs? Really? Do you think the Party-of-stupid is going to find the right counter-memes to this presciendent sainthood campaign?
Ace is essentially tossing up the question: how much effort is it worth to fight all of that (if it happens), versus making sure other seats are won? How hard are the AZ folks going to work to make sure the Republican isn't treated like Christine O'Donnell? How hard are the AZ folks (and the Senate electoral committee) going to work to make sure that a Castle-type isn't put up to run against the pre-sainted Rep. Giffords?
Those are worth discussing. Slamming Ace's point here is a move to dismiss all of those questions. Such a dismissal is indicative of at least one answer to all of those "how hard will people work" questions: not very.
Posted by: K~Bob at February 11, 2011 09:47 AM (ZQkoK)
Really she should resign. The problem is, I guess, she doesn't have the faculties to express it and nobody wants to broach it with her.
Unless she says or writes "I am resigning for now," they'll keep her in.
The ones who should be mad are Democrats. They could easily win a special election now and every day it's less likely that they win one.
Posted by: AmishDude at February 11, 2011 09:51 AM (T0NGe)
Posted by: Fresh Air at February 11, 2011 09:51 AM (PbzKE)
I think ace went beyond that, K~Bob. He said the (Senate) seat is lost.
I think several people, including Arizonans, pointed out that AZ is a pretty red state, that Giffords barely held her Congressional seat, and that her record voting for things like Obamacare would kill her.
I didn't say it earlier, but I think ace is putting too much stock in the speculation wishful thinking put out by someone who undoubtedly has an agenda. Even with the qualifiers about whether she will be able (or willing) to run for that Senate seat, it's far from a lost cause for the GOP. It's not one I would concede.
Posted by: Y-not at February 11, 2011 09:53 AM (pW2o8)
Posted by: opus at February 11, 2011 09:58 AM (lHQMb)
Also, lets say she did run. There would be the questions about who she blames for the shooting. If she implies that it was the fault of the Tea Party, Rush, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Conservatives, then that would not play well in AZ.
Posted by: opus at February 11, 2011 10:02 AM (lHQMb)
Yeah, I know we're supposed to take that stuff in stride here, but it hits home, personally to me, so I'm not gonna shut up.
Unless you are a doctor working directly with Rep. Giffords, anything you have to say on the subject is pure speculation. She could end up severely debilitated, or she could end up fairly close to "normal" (whatever the fzck that is). We won't know for a while, either way.
I get what folks are saying about it being speculative by Ace. But Ace's point is still valid, even if it's purely hypothetical at this time.
It ain't defeatism to plan ahead.
Posted by: K~Bob at February 11, 2011 10:17 AM (ZQkoK)
Also, lets say she did run. There would be the questions about who she blames for the shooting. If she implies that it was the fault of the Tea Party, Rush, Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck, Conservatives, then that would not play well in AZ.
Posted by: opus at February 11, 2011 02:02 PM (lHQMb)Good point, opus. She also has to deal with her father's comments about blaming the right once she's healthy enough to assume her office (if she can). That's going to either hang out there as a stink bomb against her, or she will address it and set the tone for whatever happens next.
Also, if she remains unable to serve, we need to still brace for the unhinged crap coming at us from the left as they "elevate" her.
I just hope she has a full recovery, and can lead a decent life after this. These things are incredibly hard on the families involved.
Posted by: K~Bob at February 11, 2011 10:23 AM (ZQkoK)
Posted by: Schwalbe : The © at February 11, 2011 10:31 AM (UU0OF)
--
Unless you are a doctor working directly with Rep. Giffords, anything you have to say on the subject is pure speculation.
It's clear you feel this situation personally. It's not clear to me where you have either the medical or moral authority to say that the majority of us who think she is unlikely to be ready to run for Senate 16 months from now are wrong.
Posted by: Y-not at February 11, 2011 10:33 AM (pW2o8)
Imagine if you had a stop sign in your town that the city sign crew moved to random locations on a daily basis. Especially if it had nothing to do with intersections or crossings. When you see it, standing in some odd location, would you treat it normally, without a thought, or would you be thrown completely off by it? Everything else is normal, but you have this one damned stop sign suddenly show up in the middle of a street somewhere? WTF moment, indeed. That's what it can be like dealing with the brain injured.
It takes a lot of love and patience to let the brain-injured express themselves without assuming the usual baggage inherent in human communication. They can say things that are normally considered loaded with meaning, and not intend any of the usual interpretation of it. For example, you might bring up a person's name, let's say Matilda, and the brain injured might say, "she makes me sick!" Which statement, to many of us, would imply a deeper thought process involving implications of wrongdoing, or past grievance. In reality the injured person might only mean that they don't like the color of clothes that Matilda has on. Then, in all subsequent discussion, everything else the injured person might say would fall within normal conversational patterns.
Oddly enough, many folks have similar problems without ever being brain injured. I think the British expression about some people doing things or saying things "out of sheer bloody-mindedness" is indicative of the kinds of faults we all have to face from time to time.
Even the healthy among us are rarely in top form.
Posted by: K~Bob at February 11, 2011 10:45 AM (ZQkoK)
Before the shooting, Gabby was a rising star in AZ Democratic politics. She had a lot of positives: youth, looks, appearing centrist, and bona fide business experience. She was being positioned for a run for Senate down the road, trust me on this.
However, the AZ Democratic party is in SAMBLES, they have had their butts handed to them the last few cycles. About the only major offices they won lately were Harry Mitchell (vs. JD Hayworth) and J-No (vs. some forgettable SoCon). Otherwise, it has been a wipeout for Dems throughout most of the state.
Gabby's district is around Tucson (Southern Arizona) and it more Democrat than the rest of the state. This is the part of the state Dennis DiConcenni was from along with Jim Kolbe (moderate/lib R) and others. She barely defeated Jesse Kelly and many observers speculate that had Jonathan Patton won the primary, he would be in Congress.
JD will probably run but many folks are tired of his antics. I think either Jeff Flake or John Shaddeg will run and either would win fairly convincingly. For the next few election cycles, its going to be difficult for any Democrat to win a statewide office in AZ. Their only hope is that they can hold on to the three Congressional seats they currently have, one of which is completely safe.
Hope this adds some local perspective to the thread.
exurbanDoug
Mesa, AZ
Posted by: exurbanDoug at February 11, 2011 10:47 AM (ROXo4)
Posted by: Y-not at February 11, 2011 02:33 PM (pW2o8
Authority? It doesn't require authority, it requires normal experience. And "unlikely" is a proper concept. You can use that all day long and be on firm ground. It's the ones claiming certitude about the situation that are engaging in mere speculation.
Did you see where I wrote, first sentence, first comment, that "She may need some time to recover?" I went into some detail as to why.
But a remarkable thing about brain injury is that the wound and other surgery-related aspects seem to heal rather quickly, without the sorts of nagging problems you get with other surgeries. Long-term effects are still likely, but she could be "up and about" fairly soon.
Of course, she's spent a long time inside MRSA-central (AKA "the hospital") so anything could happen. I hope not.
Posted by: K~Bob at February 11, 2011 10:58 AM (ZQkoK)
Posted by: K~Bob at February 11, 2011 11:06 AM (ZQkoK)
The problems there were it was all rhetoric. She actually proposed a law to make ALL semi-auto weapons illegal and her border security was all talk with the only action being voting for that amnesty bill during the lame *uck session.
In short she was a Pelosi Democrat all the way.
Posted by: Vic at February 11, 2011 11:14 AM (M9Ie6)
Thales the Miletian only left us one word, meaning, depending on how you read it, either "everything is water" or "it's all wet" (the scamp). And he's remembered as quite a sage, right up there with Mr.Natural.
Ron Paul only says "no," and he has a hell of a following.
If she reacts to every new extension of federal authority by saying "it's toast," she won't be far off the mark. Brings in the vital brain-dead vote.
Posted by: comatus at February 11, 2011 11:21 AM (W5ilH)
This is the part of the state Dennis DiConcenni was from along with Jim Kolbe (moderate/lib R) and others.
Wow. Someone here is a native Arizonan and has a long memory.
I haven't heard those names in long, long time. And I grew up there.
Posted by: HH at February 11, 2011 11:55 AM (6oDXl)
Posted by: ThePaganTemple at February 11, 2011 12:21 PM (c8taJ)
.
.
.
In short she was a Pelosi Democrat all the way.
Posted by: Vic at February 11, 2011 03:14 PM (M9Ie6)
Well I think that's been pretty much true for all "Blue Dogs" in the House, Senate, SCOTUS, you name it. The only "blue dog" dems that count are the ones in the voting booth that pop the cherry on the hanging chad for a Republican. Other than that, we haven't seen a functional blue dog in Congress since the days of Sam Nunn.
Posted by: K~Bob at February 11, 2011 12:52 PM (ZQkoK)
Anyway, southern AZ (Pima County especially) has traditionally been more moderate Republican to conservative Democrat for a long time, Gabby is about as electable a Democrat as you can find there. Statewide, especially in Maricopa County (about 4 million souls) she would be a harder sell. Go up to the Rim and towards the White Mountains, it gets VERY Mormon and VERY conservative.
So statewide, even if she were at full strength, it would be a challenge for her to win. Maybe in a 'wave" election but I think Ds will be playing defense in 2012.
180, many Rs in AZ regard Brewer as a dumbass who isn't a great campaigner. She got a TON of breaks because of SB1070 and Barry's fecklessness (although W wasn't too good either) regarding border security issues. Timing smiled on her and she caught a good wave. She is getting older and made some gaffes during her Guv run last year. She should take a page from Jane Hull, serve her term, sign good legislation, and then disappear. Brewer is not who you want in a high-stakes run for Senate, trust me on this.
I think Flake or Shaddeg will run and will most likely win. Shaddeg sounds tired though and did yeoman's work for a long time. Flake is younger and is a rising star, think of a Mormon, male, GOP version of Gabby. I think he has it in him to run for higher office and he would represent AZ well. Ruth the Rocket Scientist should get some more experience and run against Raul again. Sheriff Joe should go away and JD should take a long vacation and get the spirit of Foghorn Leghorn exorcised from him.
But what do I know ;-)
exurbanDoug
Postscript: Hey, I have a blog too and give a lotta hat tips to Ace of Spades so you fellow Morons get yer browser over there pronto!
Posted by: exurbanDoug at February 11, 2011 12:57 PM (Id+W0)
Posted by: ManeiNeko at February 11, 2011 03:17 PM (TiE76)
Posted by: pd at February 11, 2011 03:27 PM (ZR8/4)
Long story short, AZ-6 will be in GOP hands for a while. I think AZ gains one district and you can bet it will have a R registration advantage with both state houses and the Gov. in R hands.
I sincerely hope Gabby makes a recovery but she is in for a long, painful, and difficult rehabilitation. I would not vote for her but as a human being I have great sympathy for what she has had to endure. If it were me I would retire from public life and enjoy some peace and quiet. We'll see what happens but I wish her recovery goes well.
exurbanDoug
Posted by: exurbanDoug at February 11, 2011 06:20 PM (WoLYb)
Posted by: bobbymike at February 11, 2011 07:26 PM (TpGmG)
If she's a drooling invalid in 2012, she won't win. (In fact, she won't run.) But if she can string a few mumbled sentences together, yeah, she's a shoo-in.
Yes, voters are largely dumb.
That all being said, I continue to wish her a speedy recovery.
Posted by: RJ at February 11, 2011 10:08 PM (qDPnZ)
... Going by the elections, we won some but lost other close ones in closely divided districts. (As to Giffords herself, plus that Tarantula Basketball Face beat McClung.)
Ace, the only reason Giffords and Grajalva won is because independents and libertarians voted for their candidates in the general. If they had voted for the Republicans, then Giffords and Grajalva would not have won. I remember seeing the results after the election and thinking, "Thrown away votes - fucking smart douche bags, thanks!" Tucson breeds stupid - I should know, I have relatives there .
Posted by: Wee-wee'd Up at February 12, 2011 06:55 AM (dAyzh)
Posted by: Wee-wee'd Up at February 12, 2011 07:02 AM (dAyzh)
Posted by: Cleveland at February 13, 2011 11:16 PM (okW7o)
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