1 Morning comrades!

2

Good Morning Morons. Its Friday (for all you working folks)!  January 6, 2012. On this day in history King Henry VIII of England married his 4th wife, Anne of Cleves. Her marriage didnÂ’t last but 3 months and was then annulled. She is one of the wives who was able to “keep her head”.

3

Obama to cut half a million troops

Like his communist predecessors before him he increases spending through the roof on communist programs and kickbacks to cronies and when the inevitable budget fights begin the first thing he wants to cut is defense. Now we canstand some cuts to defense if done correctly. But there are some damn things that are going to have to happen.

Get congress out of the procurement process.Streamline the bidding and procurement. Force companies to submit real bids and keep the politics out of it.  Have punishment clauses for cost overruns and non-performance.Get rid of the hangers on and pentagon desk jockeys. Most of all trim the Jag corps to almost NOTHING and get the dam PC out of the military.If we are going to trim back the fleet and the troops then we are going to have to trim back the missions. The last time the commie Presidents did this shit they increased the missions and resulted in moral busting extended deployments due to lack of personnel.

But, like all the other bullshit coming out of Washington in the past 100 years none of this shit will happen.

4

Homeland Security storm troopers setup check point at FL SS office

This was supposedly a practice “drill” but WTF. We don’t need to stinkin’ posse comitatus act. We will just create our own brown shirt military squads in every federal agency all the way down to the Dept of Education. Then when Obama finally does decide to make it final that he is going to close down congress and seize power they will all march forth and setup check point and road blocks.

Can you say “paperrz please”.  Oh, and you can bet the farm that this check point in FL was not set up to find illegals applying for SS.

5

West calls Romney center to center left

I think he was being nice. MuttÂ’s a damn left wing liberal Democrat by his record. And so far his rhetoric hasnÂ’t been too much either.

6

Santorum booed and heckled by obvious Paulbot plants

Why in the hell is he wasting time and money in NH? He should be busting his ass in SC right now. The Paulbots will not do too good in SC. Let Romney and RP have NH. It is meaningless anyway.

7

Will this red meat rhetoric help him or hurt him?

On the campaign trail here Thursday, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum discussed abolishing the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and joked about shipping its judges off to Guam.

This in NH. Help or hurt? Discuss

8

There is no question that this will hurt him.

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum compared his service in government to serving in the military during a town hall meeting on Thursday.

Would be nice to see a video of that to get it in context. But if true this will kill him with conservative vets.

Latest NH polls at HA

9

Just when you thought the DOJ and EEOC was bad, it gets worse

BOA ordered to pay “fine” to “community organizers”. Read that as ACORN under another name. This is illegal as hell. Question is, will the BOA fight it? Probably not. I am still waiting for one of these big banks to start fighting these communist dictators and singing like canaries for what has one on during the collapse.

If the next Republican congress doesnÂ’t rewrite the BS civil rights act to get rid of the EEOC during the next time they have majorities we need a new party.

10

US airlines add $3 surcharge to all flights going to Europe to take care of EU CO2 extortion

What we should do is add a equivalent surcharge to all EU aircraft coming to the US and offset those charges. Fuck these communists bastards but I am sure Obama is happy with this crap.  And keep in mind that if you think $3 on the price of a several hundred dollar ticket is chicken feed, just look at the history of this kind of shit. Soon it will be a “percentage” and then it will be a large percentage. It is just part of the phony AGW scam. Ask yourself this as well. Where is that money going?

11

BCBS fueling Santorum campaign in SC

The key to this story is this:

SantorumÂ’s S.C. fundraising mix is likely to change in coming days. Since his Iowa success, he has raised more than $1.25 million and counting nationally, according to a campaign spokesman. A state-by-state breakdown was not available.

So the money is rolling in huh?  He needs to quit wasting it in NH and get his ass down here now. But thatÂ’s OK, I understand Perry is headed down already.  I need to find his itinerary and go have a personal visit and see if I have any money left over from Dr bills.

12

Washington Post "experts discuss what went wrong with Bachmann's campaign

My question is this; are these people just a bunch of vapid idiots or are they just grinding some kind of partisan ax?  You have to ask that last question when dealing with the WP which is the NYT of the capital.

Is there anyone who did not see that campaign come off the hinges when when she jumped all over Perry and went overboard on Gardicil? She had been high on my list right up until that moment, despite a few other gaffes.  But that was one nut too many from the pecan tree for me. Sorry babe, no keys to the nukes for you.

13

Death threats against Walker during the recall efforts

Had to go find this after F&F reported it. Is there anyone who doesnÂ’t think the unions are behind this?  My position is this. If unions are found to be behind this WI should immediately declare the union a subversive organization and remove its certification. The make WI a RTW State.

From the Washington Times which is not quite as far left

With a June recall election all but certain, Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker says the debate is no longer just about collective-bargaining rights for state workers. Union leaders and others, he said, have made it personal.

“They want me dead. I don’t think that’s an exaggeration,” Mr. Walker said in an exclusive interview with The Washington Times after a roundtable discussion Thursday at the American Enterprise Institute.

14

Washington Examiner calls it on the Obama lawlessness

 

President Obama is not one to let the Constitution get in the way of a "recess appointment." He just named Richard Cordray to direct the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, and he has announced three similar recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board. But Obama is making these appointments at a time when the Senate is actually in session, according to the Constitution and under all definitions accepted by authorities for the last century. If the Senate is in session, the Constitution requires the Senate's advice and consent to these appointments.

This story is NOT going to go away easily. I think “the king” has finally stepped overt the line to hard and too many times.

15

Krautman pushes Santorum as alternate to Mutt

16

Palin praises young OK widow who blew away attackers

17

Yet another reason for staying off of Facebook

Not only do they sell your personal info, but it has become the prime hunting grounds for all the viruses from asshole hackers. (or so says Business Insider)

18 And that's it for this morning, happy doom Morons.

19 Thanks Vic! So how does it feel to be living under a dictator? Seems a little different, no?

20

Saw in the side bar a link to a story about some chick who defaced a "30 million dollar iconic painting."  I had to check it out - because it seemed horrible and irrational that anyone would do such a thing to a great piece of art.

Then I read the words "abstract expressionist" and suddenly it all made sense. 

21 Morning Vic --- I thought you might bring teh funneh this morning and spotlight McLame's gaffe at the Romney endorsement...

22 I thought you might bring teh funneh this morning and spotlight McLame's gaffe at the Romney endorsement...

I didn't see that why don't you post it???

23

BOA ordered to pay “fine” to“community organizers”. Read that as ACORN under another name. This is illegal as hell. Question is, will the BOA fight it? Probably not.

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 06:53 AM (YdQQY)

 

I agree - probably not.

Here's my tinfoil hat moment:  My fear is that BOA bosses arranged this payoff in some back room.  After all, if the government orders it, they don't have to tell shareholders that they're intentionally giving away money to commie scum.  They can claim they had no choice.  The big corps get in bed with whoever they think will do them the most good - maybe BOA is doing this to pay off the Left. 

24 ...I'll get on it...

25 http://tinyurl.com/8x4akjr

McCain gaffe...

26 Remember when we were all calling Santorum a whiny bitch and calling for him to quit? Does anyone remember this at all?

27 A related comment re: McCain...please Arizona --  retire your Senator.

28 My information was that BOA was forced to acquire Countrywide way back. And that has been the source of all their problems.

29 Huntsman's next. I guarantee it. What the fuck.

30 Perry is a dead horse who's meat been chopped off and sold in Chinatown.

31 After Hunstman, who's next? Ron Paul? It could happen, couldn't it. This is the dumbest primary I have ever seen.

32 From Billygoat's link:

McCain said "I am confident, with the leadership and the backing of the American people, President Obama will turn this country around." (see video in upper left column)

He is recalling his "you have nothing to fear from an Obama Presidency" moment. Good thing McShitty RINO did not endorse Perry huh?

33 If unions are found to be behind this WI should immediately declare the union a subversive organization and remove its certification. The make WI a RTW State.

I'd settle for prosecuting the thugs, but the police and prosecutors in Madistan are pretty open about refusing to enforce the law if Walker or Republicans are the targets.

34 Remember when we were all calling Santorum a whiny bitch and calling for him to quit? Does anyone remember this at all?

Well my initial eval was that he had some problems with spending but otherwise he was pretty good on the conservative side.

My biggest problem with him then was he just couldn't get any support.

35 This is the Tea Party's current alternative to Romney?

Everybody else is gone.

The only conclusion I can come to is that anybody who would be a serious candidate (aside from Perry, who stumbled terribly) doesn't want to go up against an incumbent president with a $1 billion dollar warchest and a slavishly-devoted press.

36 I'd settle for prosecuting the thugs, but the police and prosecutors in Madistan are pretty open about refusing to enforce the law if Walker or Republicans are the targets.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at January 06, 2012 07:12 AM (hO8IJ)

That should be grounds for firing everyone of them.

37 35 This is the Tea Party's current alternative to Romney?
Everybody else is gone.

Does anyone believe that someone new could jump in this thing?...who would it be?...

38 Oh come on, Vic. Come on. Are we really doing this? Really? Santorum? He was a JOKE at every single debate! We all made fun of him for whining! We made fun of him just as much as Huntsman. The two were nearly inseparable. I guarantee Huntsman is next. Did everyone lose their fucking minds?

39 Homeland security at the social security office.
This has to make you wonder why such training needs to be done and all the reasons my brain can come up with are not good.

Ok I will remove my tinfoil hat now.

40 Speaking of WI, "the 99%"[sic] can afford stretch limos, prom dresses, and municipal fines...but the sense God gave my cat remains elusive.

What a bunch of a childish jackasses.

41 Well Joffen, in case you haven't noticed I have never been impressed with these so-called debates.

From the very beginning I saw them as a MFM push to forward Romney, trash the rest of them and the Republican Party in general with gotcha moments.

Newt's red meat response to that crap is what brought him up in the polls.

42 Ok I will remove my tinfoil hat now.

Posted by: MarkC at January 06, 2012 07:14 AM (D9INj)

With all the lawless shit coming out of this administration paranoia is no longer a "tinfoil hat" thing. It has become the normal thing because it looks like they are really out to get us.

43 And remember ladies...sweater vests are dead sexxeh!

44 Well Heather at least they did arrest them.

45 I recall McCain saying we had nothing to fear about Obama...........

46

What was Rick PerryÂ’s reaction to the girl who shot the intruder?

I wouldnÂ’t expect him to put something out in the press praising her or making a link to second amendment rights.  His razor-sharp political instincts must be telling him now is the time to reserve judgment on such things and stick to snakes and coyotes as the reason for guns.

Yeah, this guyÂ’s a genius.

47 "With all the lawless shit coming out of this administration paranoia is no longer a "tinfoil hat" thing. It has become the normal thing because it looks like they are really out to get us."

I know what you mean, pretty damn sad when one has to think this way.
I was pretty pissed off yesterday thinking about everything that has occurred in the last few years to this country.


 

48 With all the lawless shit coming out of this administration paranoia is no longer a "tinfoil hat" thing. It has become the normal thing because it looks like they are really out to get us.

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 07:18 AM (YdQQY)

I can't believe I'm thinking this way but I have seriously considered increasing my weapons and ammo stock. And I believe myself to be a very rational person.

49 Santorum as an alternative to Romney? Absolutely! I know lots of people would prefer to put this back to "anyone but Obama," but we're not there yet. In fact, before we get there, two of the front runners for the R nomination are 1. completely unacceptable and 2. at BEST a "hold your nose and vote for" guy. So yeah, if need be, I will support Rick Santorum for President. A thousand times before I would support Romney, and an unquantifiably infinite amount more than Paul. I hope the Romney folks are learning, the reason our candidates get slashed up and down is because they really have nothing they can offer us. Yeah, he's a virtual lock for the nomination, but that's it. There's nothing else. Keep trying to find it though.

50 I wouldnÂ’t expect him to put something out in the press praising her or making a link to second amendment rights.

I doubt he would do it because his record indicates he is opposed to the second amendment. He is a damn gun grabber.

Of course he can always do another flip-flop lie.

51

Why in the hell is he wasting time and money in NH? He should be busting his ass in SC right now. The Paulbots will not do too good in SC. Let Romney and RP have NH. It is meaningless anyway.

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 06:52 AM (YdQQY)

I was wondering the same thing, and, as a Perry supporter am glad that he is. I hate to say this - and you can take this as more along the lines of damning with no praise, faint or otherwise - but if the race comes down to Romney vs. Santorum, I would probably hope for Romney to be the nominee. I sure hope it doesn't come to that.

Caught part of a Gingrich event on CSPAN last night...he's in NH too. Nice message about teaching kids the work ethic again (as in, yes, you have to work to get stuff you want)...nice sized crowd, polite and all, but not very enthusiastic, but friendly.

Just sent another donation to Perry (he's doing a $250K money bomb for SC), and it'll be my last to him until I see that he's gotten his crap together by doing well - very well - in SC. Thinking about sending a small one to Gingrich, too, just so he has more money to skewer Romney with.

52

Colorado become even more Blue - the greens have taken over

All the CA watermelons that shit in their backyards and left to go to CO now starting the same thing there.

53 The Muslim Brotherhood gave the United States assurances regarding the maintaining of Egypt's peace deal with Israel, a top U.S. official said on Thursday, despite recent comments by party leaders claiming that the 1979 treaty did not bind Cairo's new regime. Earlier this week, the Muslim Brotherhood, the overwhelming victor in the first round of elections for the Egyptian Parliament, announced that would not recognize Israel and intends to bring the Israeli-Egyptian peace treaty to a referendum. And the US bought that ha? This is the same Muslim Brotherhood who said they would not even run candidates for the Government? And in a related story the US said it believed men when they say "I promise I will come in your mouth"?

54 but if the race comes down to Romney vs. Santorum, I would probably hope for Romney to be the nominee. I sure hope it doesn't come to that.

I will go for Santorum before I vote for AGW supporting gungrabber-Romneycare Mutt.

55 Obama stutters while courting high school "voters". [Few applaud]
You inspire me. [dead silence] 
You do! [uncomfortable laughter]

56 With all due respect, I don't remember who said what but I remember calls for Santorum to be literally thrown off the stage, about 1500 comments calling him a loon. Some called him gay, most called him whiny. Now here we are 3-4 months later, and who's on the frontpage? Rick Santorum. Awesome.

57

Former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum compared his service in government to serving in the military during a town hall meeting on Thursday.

Would be nice to see a video of that to get it in context. But if true this will kill him with conservative vets.

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 06:53 AM (YdQQY)

Would be nice to see the context there, but if he really believes that (and, unfortunately, given his history in DC I can easily imagine him saying something like that), it should disqualify him from being C-in-C...just like Romney's moronic remark about his sons "serving" their country by working his campaign instead of serving in the military should have ended his political career. Jeez, arrogant narcissist much?

58 I know I'm not gonna make people happy, but (I can't fucking believe I have to say this) Santorum is not going to be the nominee. I mean, really. What the hell is telling you that it will be a Santorum/Obama battle for the White House. Has everyone lost their minds?

59 Right now if I ranked who is left on the Repub side it would be in this order:

Perry, Santorum, Newt, the rest or gags - Huntsman, Paul

Mutt is not on the list at all.

60

Saw in the side bar a link to a story about some chick who defaced a "30 million dollar iconic painting."  I had to check it out - because it seemed horrible and irrational that anyone would do such a thing to a great piece of art.

Then I read the words "abstract expressionist" and suddenly it all made sense. 

Posted by: Reactionary at January 06, 2012 06:59 AM (xUM1Q)

If she gets herself a good lawyer, she should be able to claim "extreme emotional distress" from having looked at the thing, and get off the charges..maybe even make the guy who painted that and the museum pay her damages for "permanent psychological scarring".

61 Perry, Santorum, Newt, the rest or gags - Huntsman, Paul I fully expecy Huntsman to replace Santorum on that list in about two weeks. What the hell are we doing?

62 I know I'm not gonna make people happy, but (I can't fucking believe I have to say this) Santorum is not going to be the nominee. I mean, really. What the hell is telling you that it will be a Santorum/Obama battle for the White House. Has everyone lost their minds? Posted by: Joffen at January 06, 2012 07:34 AM (zLeKL) See we agree on something

63 I know I'm not gonna make people happy, but (I can't fucking believe I have to say this) Santorum is not going to be the nominee.

I don't think he will make it either, but SC will be very important for him. This is why I don't understand why he is wasting money in NH.

64 55 Obama stutters while courting high school "voters". [Few applaud]
You inspire me. [dead silence] 
You do! [uncomfortable laughter]

Posted by: The Pirates Your Mother Fears at January 06, 2012 07:32 AM (lpWVn)

Obama really is a Stuttering Clusterfu*k of a Miserable Failure.

65 I know I'm not gonna make people happy, but (I can't fucking believe I have to say this) Santorum is not going to be the nominee.

Who the hell knows?  In July we all would have guessed Gingrich would be the first to drop out.

In a year's time we could be looking at President Paris Hilton and based on the events of the past year it would all make sense.

66 Morning Vic, and all others. Thanks for the news you can use. I just get the feeling we are boned. Until now I have tried to retain my optimistic perky cloud barrier, but these recess appointments have finally managed to pierce it and deflate it. Of course Congress having no balls will do nothing. Empty rhetoric, as usual. Started with the GM bankruptcy, how will it end???

67 I don't think he will make it either, but SC will be very important for him. This is why I don't understand why he is wasting money in NH. Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 07:37 AM (YdQQY) Well I guess he has to try to build on the momentum from Iowa. And all the press is in NH, so if he were in SC, he'd be there all by his lonesome

68 Look, Santorum ain't much but what do we have left? Mittens and a field full of fuckups not capable of getting on the ballots of how many states now? I find it terribly hard to believe that even looney toons Paul made the ballot here in VA but Perry, Gingrich, etc... couldn't make the mark? It's gonna come down to Mittens Vs. o'bummer and then we're truly fucked.

69 Well I guess he has to try to build on the momentum from Iowa. And all the press is in NH, so if he were in SC, he'd be there all by his lonesome

Posted by: nevergiveup at January 06, 2012 07:38 AM (i6RpT)

Actually both Perry and Mutt are in SC right now.

70 There is always perry!!

71 My point is, are we even bothering to vet these guys? It seems like we're just blindly following the flavor of the month. Oh, right. That is exactly what we're doing. We are putting no thought into this process whatsoever. Do you know what this will result in? Obama's second term. We are failing our country right now.

72 Actually both Perry and Mutt are in SC right now. Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 07:40 AM (YdQQY) Yeah but Perry has basically given up on NH anyway and Romney is so far ahead( in NH) I guess he figures he can afford it.

73 Obama Fails Math Portion of Presidency Test

A definitive article, explaining how and why lower tax rates increase feral revenue.

74 Morning all.

Following in the great liberal tradition, it appears that Mittens vote count in Iowa may be 'in correct'.
http://tinyurl.com/83onf78

75 I was one of those people, Joffen, who completely dismissed Santorum. Things change. Now I would cheer like a madman if Santorum could unseat Romney from being anointed. It's no more complicated than that.

76 Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 07:40 AM (YdQQY) Cant give mitt the south carolina win. Gotta stop the shit. Hope perry gets his ass together tomorrow.

77 Following in the great liberal tradition, it appears that Mittens vote count in Iowa may be 'in correct'. http://tinyurl.com/83onf78 Posted by: Mark E at January 06, 2012 07:43 AM (w5RwR) By 20 shitty votes. Lets not go bananas over this

78 My point is, are we even bothering to vet these guys?

I vetted them all way back in the beginning. Got a lot of grief from the Romneybots because I came down hard on him.

79 I will go for Santorum before I vote for AGW supporting gungrabber-Romneycare Mutt.

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 07:31 AM (YdQQY)

I understand the anti-Romney feelings (I can't stand him either, remember), but I can't imagine Santorum either 1) as president or 2) beating Obama. Another thing with him, that I think would kill him in the general... while I don't have an problem voting for a Catholic guy, and I don't think Santorum would try to impose some of his personal beliefs through the government if he were preisdent, he sometimes *sounds* like he might be willing to do just that when he talks about social issues sometimes. That, and we don't need a Bush III presidency...sorry, I just can't go there, not when Bush II's sins were, in large part, what created the environment that gave us King Barack I.

80 Yeah but Perry has basically given up on NH anyway and Romney is so far ahead( in NH) I guess he figures he can afford it.

That is what I said they aught to be doing. Santorum is wasting time and money in NH. Mutt may well be wasting money in SC - if so good. I just hope Perry floods the air with Mutt's record videos.

81 Things change. Yeah? What changed? What makes him worth your time now, when he wasn't worth it before? You worry that Mitt is being shoved down your throat. Well, every other candidate is...for about a month. Then everyone moves on all of a sudden. This is completely irresponsible.

82 billy goat.....i wish we could retire him.....

83 Vic's giving Santorum free campaign advice. I never thought I'd see the day.

84

By 20 shitty votes. Lets not go bananas over this

Posted by: nevergiveup at January 06, 2012 07:45 AM (i6RpT)

It would take the AoSHQ prediction crown away from Author and place it squarely on head of the real winner – me.

85 while I don't have an problem voting for a Catholic guy, and I don't think Santorum would try to impose some of his personal beliefs through the government if he were preisdent, he sometimes *sounds* like he might be willing to do just that when he talks about social issues sometimes.

Yeah, the social con stuff will turn a lot of people off, even as it turns a lot of people on. It will lose him blue States mainly which no Republican will win anyway.

The big question is the close States like NC, VA, OH, and FL.

86 That is what I said they aught to be doing. Santorum is wasting time and money in NH. Mutt may well be wasting money in SC - if so good. I just hope Perry floods the air with Mutt's record videos. Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 07:48 AM (YdQQY) My point about being all alone in SC was not that if Santorum went down there he would not be with other candidates, but the Press is up in NH and Santorum does not have alot of money and he needs the free coverage. And with his "good" showing in Iowa he has to capitalize on that Free Exposure now and for better or worse the place to do that is in NH where they press is

87 That is what I said they aught to be doing. Santorum is wasting time and money in NH. Mutt may well be wasting money in SC - if so good. I just hope Perry floods the air with Mutt's record videos.

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 07:48 AM (YdQQY)

Saintorum will be gone in a week. His political instincts are not great. Gingrich too. Dont forget he'll take mittens with him.

88 Why all this tentative support for Perry? Why not actual support? I've seen some comments saying they will give him money, that's awesome. But the flavor of the month bullshit needed to end months ago. I honestly thought there was no way people would rally around Newt. Then it was all-Newt all the time here. Cain was a total joke. This is surreal.

89 Perry is my current alternative. BTW fuck Romney and all the red faced rino dullards who endlessly chant that 'he's he only one who can win'. Stupid little fucks. For them, every year is 2008.

90 and why lower tax rates increase feral revenue.

There's so much truth in your typo. I love it.

91 Right now if I ranked who is left on the Repub side it would be in this order:

Perry, Santorum, Newt, the rest or gags - Huntsman, Paul

Mutt is not on the list at all.

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 07:35 AM (YdQQY)

For me...1) Perry (thru SC at least), 2) Newt and then...oy...not that it matters since I think his campaign will be done after NH, but I guess 3) Huntsman, 4) Romney, 5) Santorum...I'll not even bother to list Captain Tinfoil Hat.

I am willing to change my mind about Santorum, but he's got to start saying stuff that makes me think that he doesn't believe that the federal government is the answer to every single problem, and I don't think I'll hear anything like that from him. Surely haven't yet.

92 My hope is Perry can get back into the race and that hope rests on South Carolina. 

93 and I don't think Santorum would try to impose some of his personal beliefs through the government if he were preisdent, he sometimes *sounds* like he might be willing to do just that when he talks about social issues sometimes.

Meanwhile, FKOTUS (who neither holds elected office, nor is employed by a federal bureaucratic agency) is imposing her fucking personal "beliefs" about what the rest of us should be permitted to eat, and nary a peep. Oh, yeah, Santorum's a straight white guy.

94 but he's got to start saying stuff that makes me think that he doesn't believe that the federal government is the answer to every single problem,

Newt is worse on that score than Santorum. He just isn't "saying it" now but his record on that is not good.

95 My hope is Perry can get back into the race and that hope rests on South Carolina. 

Posted by: Case at January 06, 2012 07:56 AM (DYR2Q)

Yep, SC will be do or dies for Perry. The next "red" state will not be until March. He has to take at least 2nd place in SC and it needs to be close to first.

96 Why don't we rally around Perry? We all know he's the best candidate. We are wasting our time even looking at Santorum and you all know it, don't you. Let's choose a god damn candidate. Did Obama not make it clear enough for you on Wednesday? Is this election some kind of fucking joke? Drop Santorum now. It will happen in a matter of weeks, so why waste out precious time?

97 Doooooooooom! Wait, what?

98 I will be voting for Perry in the primary here.

99 This is the same Muslim Brotherhood

self professed terrorists promoting the House of Saud aspirations to be the global Caliphate for over a century, sponsored by the British initially, and then the US -- "our" Islamist mercenaries --  coupled with the US/CIA instigated al-Qaeda good/evil/good allies -- as if America's willing suspension of disbelief to recognize historically and currently our own politically incestuous relationships doesn't DOOM everyone to Wahhabi fashioned theocratic "civilization" running the Arabian Peninsula. As if a Wahhabi Caliphate is "better" than the Persian Shia. No, [Muslim] women are far better off in Iran than in Saudi Arabia. As if the Saudi's were ever a Western ally -- they just use us, and we pay them to use us. As if the Saudi's haven't accrued the greatest guilt against human rights. As if the US Government is ignorant. No, policies are made by government officials who know full well the score, but "don't care" except to promote their own sick reasons [profits/power] for promoting the terrorism of indigenous populations inhabiting the Arabian Peninsula and Asia Minor.  Genocide was never legitimate, regardless of which government instigates it, regardless of the "good" intentions of those conducting the most heinous crime against humanity.  Keep it simple, stupid. Regardless of who birthed them, no American alliance with the Muslim Brotherhood or al-Qaeda is ever legitimate; and those with a shred of decency will rue the day we played dumb while this US taxpayer sponsorship goes down. Better had America done nothing to foment the destabilization of every Muslim country than sponsoring monsters who gladly consume the source that feeds them.

100 It will happen in a matter of weeks
---------
No Santorum will burn out before that. Vic, are you an SC resident?

101 This is surreal.

Posted by: Joffen at January 06, 2012 07:52 AM (zLeKL)

So who is it we should support in order to match your notions of reality?  Perry, the man who decided to leave his brain at home for his national TV appearances, or Mitt Romney, the man who has held every position and had to flee his own state because of massive unpopularity?

This is a shitty field, and we are all merely trying to find the man who sinned the least.

102 I will be voting for Perry in the primary here. Thank God. You honestly had me worried. Can we all please just drop Santorum? Remember how stupid you all felt after dropping Newt? Yeah, that feeling's gonna be worse with Santorum.

103 Is it true that Donks can vote in the Republican primary in NH? 

104 This is a shitty field, and we are all merely trying to find the man who sinned the least. I am sick to death of that bullshit line. Not going to argue with you on the merits of electing Rick "pink tie" Santorum. Does anyone even get that reference or do we all have amnesia?

105 The second Romney is nominated, two things will happen. 1.) The Tea party will be declared dead angering tons of republican voters and you rino idiots will throw a big party pissing off MORE republican voters. Contributions will drop. The fire in the belly will go out. 2.) The lovey-dovey 'let's be civi and respect the moderates and the middle' talk from the press will change overnight and declare that Romney is even CRAZIER than the tea party and cannot be allowed to become president. They will claim that the Republican party is over and that anyone in it is stupid or evil. Romney will be called racist. NONE of you self regarded genius types will have the slightest idea what to do. You will PROBABLY lose the way that you almost always lose. Then, because you are stupid, you will blame the tea party. A lot of sure thing senate pickups will look shaky and some of them will fall through. A couple of lock-in house races will go wrong. Will there still be a majority? Probably. Will it advance republican interests? Probably not. Will it be shouted down by a democratic minority? Absolutely. Will the GOP survive as a party? Probably not. Especially if Romney wins. because he will not rule as a Republican. He will be weak. He will be blamed for everything. To get along he will screw his base. He will limp through one term and get nothing repealed. But what else can we expect from the usual 'Brooks and Frum'-tards? FAILURE. BETRAYAL. CONTEMPT. STATUS QUO OR WORSE.

106 And once again, Gabe shows himself to be a silly person. Earmarks? Really? Romney, along with Reid, Pelosi and Obama is the face of socialized medicine. None of them speak more passionately about socialized medicine than Romney does. And you want to talk about Earmarks? He's trying to shove the whole pig down your throat, and you're worried about earmarks. Right. Joffen, I can't help you if you don't understand. I don't care which monkey is in the cage, I don't love any of them. I want the monkey to dance as close to on cue as I can make him, and right now Santorum is one of those monkeys I'm willing to consider.

107 103 Is it true that Donks can vote in the Republican primary in NH? 

Posted by: Case at January 06, 2012 08:01 AM (DYR2Q)

Yes, that's why neither IA or NH should be first and setting the tone for the primaries.

108
American Thinker has posted RINOs: Handmaids in the Destruction of America

109 I understand the anti-Romney feelings (I can't stand him either, remember), but I can't imagine Santorum either 1) as president or 2) beating Obama. Another thing with him, that I think would kill him in the general... while I don't have an problem voting for a Catholic guy, and I don't think Santorum would try to impose some of his personal beliefs through the government if he were preisdent, he sometimes *sounds* like he might be willing to do just that when he talks about social issues sometimes. That, and we don't need a Bush III presidency...sorry, I just can't go there, not when Bush II's sins were, in large part, what created the environment that gave us King Barack I. Posted by: davidinvirginia at January 06, 2012 07:47 AM (cPJUK) OK, I suspect it's pretty much forefone conclusion Mitt is The One, BUT, in defense of Santorum: 1. Perry sure did look presidential to me. Last time I looked, he was releasingmphotos of him that gave him allnthe gravitas of Ham the NASA chimp in his cute little space outfit. 2. Doesn't government legislate the Ten Commandments ALL THE FUCKING TIME? "Thou Shalt Not Kill, Steal, or Covet Your Hot Neighbor's Vajajay," remember? Law by definition IS legislated morality: the only question is, Who's Morality? God's or Obama's? I haven't made up my mind about him BUT I was impressed by his performance after Iowa. Perry fell apart; maybe Santorum can grow into the Presidential role.

110 Joffen, I can't help you if you don't understand. I don't care which monkey is in the cage, I don't love any of them. I want the monkey to dance as close to on cue as I can make him, and right now Santorum is one of those monkeys I'm willing to consider.

Posted by: BurtTC at January 06, 2012 08:04 AM (Gc/Qi)

Why not Perry than? We all know Santorum will be done soon.

111 Joffen, if it comes down to Santorum and Obama, I will vote for Santorum.  He won't win, but I'll vote for him.  damn

112 Here's a reality check. I can't believe it's needed, by there it is. That is what we're are fighting against. An actual, flesh and blood tyrant. How about we cut the shit and put some actual thought into who we want to beat this fucking criminal? Does that sound at all like a good idea?

113 No Santorum will burn out before that. Vic, are you an SC resident?

Posted by: Flapjackmaka at January 06, 2012 08:01 AM (FKQng)

Yes

114 Posted by: BurtTC at January 06, 2012 08:04 AM (Gc/Qi) Like I said, I'm not going to argue with people on the merits of a genuine loser. Ok? Not going to happen.

115 I am sick to death of that bullshit line.

Posted by: Joffen at January 06, 2012 08:03 AM (zLeKL)

Why is it bullshit?  You yourself just condemned most of the candidates as being 'unreal.' 

Is this because you're angry nobody's supporting Perry?  Well I got news for you - that's Perry's fault.  He dropped the fucking ball.

What makes Perry, a man who might freeze up during a debate for fifty fucking seconds, so much more of an electoral lock than Rick Santorum? 

They all suck, and we are looking for the one who sucks the least.  This is the process.

116
I haven't made up my mind about him BUT I was impressed by his performance after Iowa. Perry fell apart; maybe Santorum can grow into the Presidential role.

Posted by: Mongo the Scholar Athlete at January 06, 2012 08:05 AM (niZvt)

He will be gone in a week or two.

117 Keep in mind that there IS a strong social con element in SC. But Perry can also exploit that just as good as Santorum. Perry's problem in Iowa was he specifically said he would kill corn subsidies and ethanol BS.

So the social con vote went to Santorum and the corn vote went to "say anything to get elected" cornbrerrow.

118 How about we cut the shit and put some actual thought into who we want to beat this fucking criminal? Does that sound at all like a good idea?

Posted by: Joffen at January 06, 2012 08:07 AM (zLeKL)

I have an idea - we can have the states hold these pseudo-elections where the Republican voters in that state assess the candidates and then vote for them to be their nominee.  What should we call them?  Secondaries?

119 He will be gone in a week or two. We can't afford to piss away another week or two on a loser. We need to drop this Santorum bullshit yesterday.

120 I said it yesterday, I don't think some of you realize how fast this race could be over. If one of the three, Perry, Santorum or Gingrich, doesn't separate themselves in a big way in SC and FL this race is done before we even get to Super Tuesday. And as of right now I don't see the scenario of it happening and I don't know the answer either.

121 Oh, off mongo socj

122

Yes

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 08:07 AM (YdQQY)

Perry better play this

123

Can you say “paperrz please”.  Oh, and you can bet the farm that this check point in FL was not set up to find illegals applying for SS.

Police knocked on my buddy's door yesterday morning. And his aunt's door. The manager at Wal-mart had called to voice his "concerns" over what he thought was excessive use of money gram to send money to the family in the Philippines.

My friend was PISSED!

He was at the service desk and yelled at the manager "What about all of these illegal aliens that you're money-laundering for and taking a cut of the profits?" The entire front of the store heard him!

The cops said that the manager thought that there was a kidnapping and my friend and his aunt had been paying a ransom!

Can you say “paperrz please”.

This is what we are being prepped for. There are already groups set up to snitch on you. Commie tactics, pure and simple. Who will go quietly into this good-night?

 

124 billy goat.....i wish we could retire him.....

Posted by: phoenixgirl all in for perry at January 06, 2012 07:49 AM (Ho2rs)

You know I hate to rank on the guy -- I really respect him for his service to the Country...that said, he is just so out of touch and frankly, old.  Term limits AND age limits would be just fine with me.

125 If Perry is still in it by the time the Illinois primary rolls around, I will vote for him.  Otherwise, it's pretty much all over.  This jumping on the Santorum bandwagon is just desperation.. a last gasp of the Romney haters.  Santorum's a dope.. as everyone around here agreed for months.. a joke.  Now he's the savior of the GOP?

126 Morning all, Vic, I hope you are doing well. I am so sorry you went through that mess at the doctor the other day. Just make sure they give you the right meds, so you don't suffer from their screw ups. Yesterday was just one of those days, when you really wonder where the hell the US is going. Cutting over 100,00 troops, recess appointments when there isn't a recess, and no Republicans saying anything about it (unless the MFM simply isn't reporting it.) There was nothing on our local news about the recess appointment, or troop cutting, and we live in a huge military area. I am starting to get frightened about this next election. And Feral Revenue is awesome, franksalterego.

127 Posted by: lowandslow at January 06, 2012 08:11 AM (GZitp)

This race will not be over until we hit April primaries. This primary season is unlike any other because they are all proportional delegates until April 1.

Also note that some of those delegates in Iowa went to "super delegates". I had no idea the Republican Party had those BS delegates like the Democrats.

That is what gave it to Obama vs Hillary.

128

Damn, this place has gotten on the Perry bandwagon with the whole drum and bugle corps.  Sorry but I don't think he's any better than the rest of the crowd, except Ron Paul..  So for now I'm just ABO and waiting to see who's left standing.  Who cares about Iowa and NH or even SC or VA.  I want to see which of these idiots can take Ohio and Pennsylvania.  Personally I don't think any of them can and they will have to take at least one. 

129 Sure, I trust Obama to reshape our national defense strategy. Why not, he has done such a fine job on everything else.
Make no mistake. If he gets his way, it is the end of the US as a superpower.

130

Since AoS is a top political blog and the most fervent pro-Perry site on the internet, itÂ’s a safe bet that either Perry himself or some of his top advisors read both the articles and comments to get a sense of what people are saying.

With that in mind, letÂ’s review the advice heÂ’s been getting.

First, the most natural constituency that should have flowed to Perry was the Palin crowd.  There werenÂ’t too many differences in their positions, both successful governors, it should have been easy to pull her voters over.  But Perry never went after them by mentioning the similarities or offering any praise that would signal a connection.  Could it be that he was afraid to be associated with a retarded snowbilly grifter who doesnÂ’t even know what the one and only Bush Doctrine is? 

Now, heÂ’s receiving the impression that his best move is to mock and marginalize people who think PaulÂ’s fiscal austerity is good idea.  Apparently the logic is that there are plenty of voters out there, so why encourage a pack of Hitler-loving racists. 

Yeah, our boy Rick is going to do just fine.

131 Id settle for Huntsman. Boring? Yes. Condescending to base? Yes. Actually conservative? Better chance than the others...

132 Shoplifting  in Dallas.  Abdication of public trust. Traffic ticket writing is much more lucrative you rubes.

133

What disturbs me about all this discussion is that the bulk of our passions, even when defending our own preference, come not from enthusiasm for our own guy, but greater contempt for all the others.  The whole field sucks ass. 

Why can't our side get anyone good?  In the whole damn, rotten structure of the party, isn't there at least one man (yes, I said man) who isn't a nut, a wimp, a socialist, a goof, a lech, or a crook (or some combo of those)?  Maybe all the best guys are too smart to run for Prez - quite possibly one of the worst jobs of all time if you want to do anything positive and stay within the law.

It's like every major election nowadways is just a re-arrangement of the proverbial deck chairs.

My personal interests dictate that I endorse kicking the can down the road as far as possible, in terms of national collapse/civil strife.  But I really see that as the only path to renewal, because it's the only way the Left can be permanently removed from the levers of power in not only government, but also in the institutions.  I don't want to suffer for that renewal - but unless we're to become a worse version of Europe/Russia, that's what we need.  The Left needs to be rooted out, and I see no hope for any number of elections to make that happen. 

 

134 I want to see which of these idiots can take Ohio and Pennsylvania.  Personally I don't think any of them can and they will have to take at least one. 

Posted by: Deanna at January 06, 2012 08:13 AM (sJln+)

No one in the field is taking Pennsylvania. And Perry's record is the best by miles. Santorum has not done anything. He lost his last election by 20 frickkin points.!

135 no Republicans saying anything about it (unless the MFM simply isn't reporting it.

Thanks moki, I hope they do better today when I go over for them to disconnect the pump.

But on the Republicans saying something, yes several of them did say something. The problem was that it was all rhetoric. None of them has yet to say what they are going to do.

136 I have an idea - we can have the states hold these pseudo-elections where the Republican voters in that state assess the candidates and then vote for them to be their nominee.  What should we call them?  Secondaries?

No, they come before the general election. They should be called Firsties.

137 I'd settle for Huntsman. Boring? Yes. Condescending to base? Yes. Actually conservative? Better chance than the others... Joke now, but if this gets to be a trend and all of a sudden I'm seeing Huntsman videos on the headlines thread, I will come over to everyone's house and kick them in the nuts.

138 Id settle for Huntsman. Boring? Yes. Condescending to base? Yes. Actually conservative? Better chance than the others... Posted by: GergS at January 06, 2012 08:15 AM (dptRY) Yeah right Huntsman? He just got endorsed by the Boston Globe, the most liberal paper in New England. It's owned by the NY Times. Yeah just the guy I want???????

139 I don't know the answer either.
Posted by: lowandslow
..............
There is no answer.  We are stuck with Romney whether we like it or not.  I don't mind as much as some of you.  I really would have preferred Perry had risen to the challenge and hopes a lot of us had when he jumped in the race.. I told my wife.. there's the next president!  So much for my psychic abilities.

So yeah..we'll get Romney and pray he can beat Obama.  IF he can and more importantly if we can get control of the Senate, we can perhaps un-do some of the harm the SCOAMF has done.

140 Yeah just the guy I want??????? Give it two weeks...

141 Take a break and calm down, Joffen. You're investing way too much emotion into this. Not healthy.

142 I remember a few months ago we were all joking about how Santorum looked like he was about to cry on a national televised debate. Now, all of a sudden, he's the cure for what ails us.

143 Give it two weeks...

Posted by: Joffen at January 06, 2012 08:18 AM (zLeKL)

Santorum? Maybe not even a week.

144 we can perhaps un-do some of the harm the SCOAMF has done.

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at January 06, 2012 08:18 AM (UTq/I)

Somebody used the "ratchet" analogy the other night.

Nothing EVER gets un-done. Ever. What did Bush undo after Clinton? What did Reagan Undo? Progressive is the correct term for the creeping socialism we are seeing. Nothing will get undone under Romney.

145 This race will not be over until we hit April primaries.
Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 08:13 AM (YdQQY)

No, it will be over in a month if SC and FL doesn't make this a two man race. Barring a total Romney collapse in SC and FL the seven states before Super Tuesday are pretty much locks for Romney. A lot of voters will put ideology aside by then and attach themselves to a winner. Right now this isn't a Hillary/Obama scenario because it isn't a two man race. That's my point, this has become a two man race withing the couple weeks or this is over.

146 Huntsman is almost as liberal as Mutt. he is just not a gun grabber and supporter of abortion on demand.

147 @ 77 Following in the great liberal tradition, it appears that Mittens vote count in Iowa may be 'in correct'.
http://tinyurl.com/83onf78

Posted by: Mark E at January 06, 2012 07:43 AM (w5RwR)

By 20 shitty votes. Lets not go bananas over this

Posted by: nevergiveup at January 06, 2012 07:45 AM (i6RpT)

----

Why not? -- the Obaromney-bots were celebrating a Massive, Stupendous 8 vote Landslide that Locked the Nomination for Mittens

148 Santorum is thinking thusly: 1) I beat Perry by double digits in Iowa basically appealing to the same people 2) Third place in NH should be attainable with a little leg work and also inexpensive, this could be seen as keeping momentum. Everybody knows Romney is going to win so the 2nd and 3rd place finishers become more important 3) I have some debates before SC which is probably my best shot at introducing myself to SC evangelicals and I'll be there in a few days anyway 4) Last polls show Perry in the ditch so SC voters are looking for another not Romney. 5) If I can tie Romney yet again in SC I will solidify myself in a two man race for Florida which has large evangelical and catholic populations

149 Thanks Vic, please take care. I guess our local news didn't show any of the responses, and I have been put on medical leave of the major cable news channels, because my blood pressure has gotten too high. So, I hope the Repubs start manning up and fighting this crap.

150 I am cutting defense now, so no one notices my unconstitutional "recess" appointments. And vice versa.

151 And I get pissed off by the romney support saying: "you'll vote for him if he is the nominee, right?"

Cant even defend Romney.

152 Take a break and calm down, Joffen. You're investing way too much emotion into this. Not healthy.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at January 06, 2012 08:20 AM (vzFJV)

I've never seen Santorum inspire such emotion in anybody before.

153 There is no answer.  We are stuck with Romney whether we like it or not.  I don't mind as much as some of you.  I really would have preferred Perry had risen to the challenge and hopes a lot of us had when he jumped in the race.. I told my wife.. there's the next president!  So much for my psychic abilities.

So yeah..we'll get Romney and pray he can beat Obama.  IF he can and more importantly if we can get control of the Senate, we can perhaps un-do some of the harm the SCOAMF has done.

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at January 06, 2012 08:18 AM (UTq/I)

I think you are probably right about who we're stuck with, but not quite yet. One thing that gives me some hope re: Romney being the nominee...as nasty as he's willing to be with his opponents, he might, just might - unlike sorry ass McCain last time around - actually try to win the election against Obama. I think his ego is way too big to do the "honorable loser" shtick McCain gave us. Maybe, hopefully, fingers crossed.

154 No, it will be over in a month if SC and FL doesn't make this a two man race. Barring a total Romney collapse in SC and FL the seven states before Super Tuesday are pretty much locks for Romney.

And yet but "there is no party push for moderates". The first two states are blue, then one red, then 8 or 10 blue, then one red. makes you wonder huh?

But until April nobody will get very far on the delegate count. It will be a case of can the rest of the pack keep up on money?

155

No one in the field is taking Pennsylvania. And Perry's record is the best by miles. Santorum has not done anything. He lost his last election by 20 frickkin points.!

Posted by: Flapjackmaka at January 06, 2012 08:16 AM

So we will lose.  Perry won't take either one.  I don't like Perry or any of them.  Sorry he's just GWB Lite, as are all the rest simply Lite Beer versions of someone.  Even Ron Paul is Dennis Kucinich Lite.  But go ahead and support who you choose.  As I said. I'am ABO...the far worst of any evil choice.  I'm too old and seen too many of these jerks to get excited about one, especially this bunch.  

156 Nothing EVER gets un-done. Ever. What did Bush undo after Clinton? What did Reagan Undo? Progressive is the correct term for the creeping socialism we are seeing. Nothing will get undone under Romney. Posted by: Cicero Kid at January 06, 2012 08:22 AM (NAyRn) Well, if that's true, it's because unfortunately the American voter wants it that way. We ARE a democracy, after all; we can't blame the fact not all of our favorite policies are adopted on some bureaucracy in Brussels or something. The sad fact is, most Americans WANT welfare and WANT social security and WANT all sorts of things - but, they balance those wants against their WANT to Keep Their Own Money and Freedom. So there always be a balancing act between those wants, no matter who we choose as the candidate. That's what makes the purity tests absurd: it's not like President Perry would radically transform the federal government anymore than a President Romney would. We need to focus on who is most electable and most likely to be competent once President. I take is a given that the differences amongst the GOP field vis a vi Obama are hardly worth mentioning compared to the latter's frigging socialism.

157 Barack Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable tyrant.

158 I don't like Perry or any of them.  Sorry he's just GWB Lite
-------------
His record is much more conservative. If it's gwb lite it's santorum.

159 Good morning!

The Huntsman thing has started.  Story on radio this morning about how Utah voters prefer him 2 to 1 over Romney.

What's going on is that the press is pushing different people as a strategy to sow confusion and emnity in theGOP.  The idea is that our dislike of one or more GOP candidates will be so intense that we will not work hard or even go to the polls this fall. 

I am on record as being a broken glass Republican,  as in I will crawl to the polls over broken glass to vote for the GOP nominee.

And after the non-recess appointment and all of the other stuff,  I think I could even do it for  the very worst one, the crazy guy.  Crazy guy would at least obey the Constitution,  and maybe being in charge would knock some sense into him.  However,  crazy guy won't get the nomination so I am safe in my support of the GOP.

Honest to God,  I could pick a name out of the Gnawbone,  Indiana phone directory and whoever I picked would be a better president,  even some meth head toothless guy.

160 There is no answer.  We are stuck with Romney whether we like it or not.  I don't mind as much as some of you.

I don't either, would I like to see a strong conservative prevail? Sure, but out of the top four right now I really don't see them governing all that much different. It's going to be the governments fiscal realities that will force policy change now, not some conservative savior.

161

"Perry's problem in Iowa was he specifically said he would kill corn subsidies and ethanol B.B."

And he is right!  That crap came out of Washington and it is as stupid as the new light bulb crap.  Ethanol can be made out of many things but making it out of corn caused grocery prices to go up.  Think about it.  Corn is used in many grocery products.  Including meat and milk.  Those idiots in Washington do some really stupid things that hurt the average person.

162 Posted by: Joffen at January 06, 2012 08:07 AM

What reading your "reality check" did for me was remind me of the extent of liberal insanity. The fuckin' NY Slimes? They have their collective tongue so far up the stuttering clusterfuck of a miserable failure's posterior that...well, never mind.

My fondest wish is that somehow the Repubs will get off the Ed "Poppin' Fresh Morrissey surrender monkey/be nice/all-good-friends-together-in-politics wimpy shit and finally hold Osama Obama to account for the damage -- on the verge of being irreparable -- he has done to the country and impeach his communist ass.

Right now, anyone -- including deranged RuPaul -- would make a better president. Hell, I'd vote for Zombie Richard Nixon if that evil old crook was on the ballot. Having NO president would be better; at least anarchy can be brought under control in time.

163 His record is much more conservative. If it's gwb lite it's santorum.

Posted by: Flapjackmaka at January 06, 2012 08:27 AM (FKQng)

This.

164

You know, with Bachmann and Santorum arround I remember how a year ago some liberal professor or journalist wrote an article about how the Tea Party really is a social conservative movement in disguise and how we all ridiculed him. Mistake? 

165 "Right now, anyone -- including deranged RuPaul -- would make a better president. " No, Ron Paul would not. The man said he wouldn't have killed Bin Laden.

166 The "American People" if honestly questioned do not want a liberal tax and spend government. That is what provoked the Tea Party movement.

The problem is two fold (1) The communists own the press and most of the "people" never hear anything but the party line and (2) The progressives have screwed up the election laws so that people who live off the dole can vote themselves bread and circuses for life.

That last thing makes every election close.

167 Yeah, Santorum lost by 19 points in his last election. But guess what? Romney was going to lose by so much in Mass., he decided not to run for reelection. So that particular argument cuts both ways.

168

I think you are probably right about who we're stuck with, but not quite yet. One thing that gives me some hope re: Romney being the nominee...as nasty as he's willing to be with his opponents, he might, just might - unlike sorry ass McCain last time around - actually try to win the election against Obama. I think his ego is way too big to do the "honorable loser" shtick McCain gave us. Maybe, hopefully, fingers crossed.

Posted by: davidinvirginia
..............
I have always felt Romney would be best in a debate against Obama.  If he has shown anything, it is his grasp of facts.. and facts alone will kill Obama.  All you have to do is quote his 2008 campaign promises and then contrast that with what he's done.

The ads almost write themselves.

I know a lot of y'all were hoping for a really conservative nominee.. although that would have meant a much harder time beating Obama.  Romney will be OK if we can get a conservative Congress pushing him in the right direction.  As I said.. I think it's all we got at this point... but I'm willing to let the primaries play out some more and see if we get any surprises.

169 But until April nobody will get very far on the delegate count. It will be a case of can the rest of the pack keep up on money?

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 08:25 AM (YdQQY)

I know what you're saying but this isn't about delegate counts, this is about momentum. When Romney has say even seven out of eleven states going into Super Tuesday he will have it locked up because there would be no chance of failure on that day. With every win after SC and FL he will continue to rise.

170 If he has shown anything, it is his grasp of facts
----------------
Facepalm. Yeah, mandates are real conservative. The Bain stuff, mormonism will be attacked by the media and then it'll be too late

171 Meanwhile, Obama and the Democrats - that haven't produced a federal budget in something like 3 years - HAVE now proposed the virtual disarming of the United States of America at a time the 21st century is shaping up into the most dangerous one for America since the 1700's. And we are squabbling over weighty issues like corn subsidies or how many times a politician pandered to the voters on matters over which he really has little to no control, like abortion. Why is Foreign/Defense Policy being so utterly ignored this election cycle?

172 The progressives have screwed up the election laws so that people who live off the dole can vote themselves bread and circuses for life.

That last thing makes every election close.

And soon, it will make every election go Liberal, if we can't reverse the trend.

I honestly don't have too much problem with Santorum- he's a third choice after Perry and Newt.  My biggest problem with him is that he seems to be very anti-Federalism.  He seems to find it an affront that the Constitution left any unenumerated powers to the states (at least, those unenumerated powers that hadn't explicitly been denied to the states or reserved to the People).

173 I don't see Romney doing well in a debate against Obama, I see him agreeing with Obama more often than not. Smiling and nodding his head, and saying how he and the President have a lot of common ground. By the end of the campaign, he will essentially be endorsing Obama. Wouldn't want to be accused of racism, you know.
McCain v.2. We are well and truly boned.

174 Why is Foreign/Defense Policy being so utterly ignored this election cycle? Posted by: CoolCzech at January 06, 2012 08:34 AM (niZvt) Because the MSM still tends to set the agenda. But life has a way of intruding on things. I have a hunch something International might happen to change that, but your 100% it is a disgrace it is hardly mentioned

175 It's Helene Cooper, she'll buy any argument, just google her, As a general rule so con  are generally stronger on defense, and more disposed to at least considering
budget cuts,  as opposed to Specter, the Main Twins, Scottie Centerfold, (to paraphrase Captain

176 Romney will be OK if we can get a conservative Congress pushing him in the right direction.

But that isn't how it has ever worked.  The President pushes his party in Congress to support his policies, not the other way around. 

177 I don't see Romney doing well in a debate against Obama, I see him agreeing with Obama more often than not. Smiling and nodding his head, and saying how he and the President have a lot of common ground. By the end of the campaign, he will essentially be endorsing Obama. Wouldn't want to be accused of racism, you know. McCain v.2. We are well and truly boned. Posted by: real joe at January 06, 2012 08:36 AM (w7Lv+) I think that might be his natural instinct, but after the fiasco that was McCain, I think and hope he will restrain that instinct and go for the jugular. He is not a stupid man

178 Morons! stop letting the left nut jobs get you side tracked from ousting the fool in the whitehouse. from my zip post : Santorum gets it (national security and fiscal responsibility) and that knowledge will further rally the not so crazy middle (those concerned about basic safety, travel, overthetop airport security, the melting pot overheating, crazy protests, class warwar, etc) to do the right thing (and oust the fool masquerading as president) in november. I think, maybe its just hope, Â… Santorum could fill out, like a guy from freshman year to senior (no jokes please), and maybe walk a few steps in ReaganÂ’s path. I am projecting a bitÂ… but i can see itÂ… iÂ’m just sayingÂ….

179 Why is Foreign/Defense Policy being so utterly ignored this election cycle?

Posted by: CoolCzech at January 06, 2012 08:34 AM (niZvt)

Because most people are war weary, the idea of injecting ourselves into any more foreign altercations isn't a winner for anyone. Take a look at how the media already is going after Santorum on that.

180 171 If he has shown anything, it is his grasp of facts ---------------- Facepalm. Yeah, mandates are real conservative. The Bain stuff, mormonism will be attacked by the media and then it'll be too late Posted by: Flapjackmaka at January 06, 2012 08:34 AM (FKQng) Well, the Heritage Foundation - a RESPECTED conservative think tank - thought them an OK alternative for Mass, where voters by law were on the hook for paying medical expenses for people without insurance. I don't like mandates like that, but I also dislike forcing taxpayers to pay for medical deadbeats. If in Mass you HAVE to be on the hook for paying your deadbeat neighbor's medical full medical tab anyway, maybe it's NOT unreasonable to demand he pay for his own insurance? Understand what I'm saying: In Mass, if I were King, I would simply say that anyone that could have afforded insurance but didn't get it was ON THEIR OWN, and would not pick the pockets of taxpayers. However, Romney was NOT King, only governor, and it sounds to me that he probably did the best he could under the circumstances.

181 The President pushes his party in Congress to support his policies, not the other way around. Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at January 06, 2012 08:37 AM (TpXEI) Usually, but that is not really what is happening now. From the get go it was Pelosi and Reed driving the car over the cliff.

182 Romney also has to quit his creepy fucking staring in debates too.

183 Romney has not been challenged in these debates except once by Perry and then his response was to blowup and lie.

These debates are shit. If I was running the Republican party the MFM would never hold another debate. I would do them all with conservatives doing the moderating and film them for u-tube.

184 Romney will be OK if we can get a conservative Congress pushing him in the right direction.

Yeah, but we can't.  So, instead, we need a conservative President who will push Congress in the right direction.

185 I honestly don't have too much problem with Santorum- he's a third choice after Perry and Newt.  My biggest problem with him is that he seems to be very anti-Federalism.  He seems to find it an affront that the Constitution left any unenumerated powers to the states (at least, those unenumerated powers that hadn't explicitly been denied to the states or reserved to the People).

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) says 'No' to RINO Romney at January 06, 2012 08:34 AM (8y9MW)

That's my biggest - by far - problem with him as well. Bush III without W's pleasant personality.

186 However, Romney was NOT King, only governor, and it sounds to me that he probably did the best he could under the circumstances.
--------------
And now masscare is proven boondoggle. The shit destroyed the healthcare market but romney calls it conservative. He has literally thrown out all arguments against obama.

187 If in Mass you HAVE to be on the hook for paying your deadbeat neighbor's medical full medical tab anyway, maybe it's NOT unreasonable to demand he pay for his own insurance?

It is still cheaper to simply pay the fine (or higher tax rate, if you will) then to buy medical insurance.  So that's what people without insurance do.

All this does is punish the law-abiding, since it forces us to prove to the state that we have insurance every year, or WE get fined.

188 Yes, it turned out to be wrong, much as with NCLB,  a well intentioned mistake;
but a mistake none the less , made worse by Patrick and the Courts.

189 My respect for him rose as he discussed earmarks. Not because I like them. Rather, that he told the truth.

190 Santorum gets it (national security and fiscal responsibility) and that knowledge will further rally the not so crazy middle

I'll grant that he gets them both better than the SCOAMT, but prove that he'll actually be fiscally responsible from his record, please.  Words are meaningless.

191 Romney will be OK if we can get a conservative Congress pushing him in the right direction.

Romney is a lot more liberal than George Bush. We owned congress for 6 years of his Presidency. Was he pushed to the right?

Forget about a conservative congress doing any damn thing for Romney. They would go along with him. We would actually be better off with Obama in office and more gridlock.

192 Because most people are war weary, the idea of injecting ourselves into any more foreign altercations isn't a winner for anyone. Take a look at how the media already is going after Santorum on that. Posted by: lowandslow at January 06, 2012 08:38 AM (GZitp) Yes to a great extend that is true, but a smart candidate could point out that a STRONG and CLEAR America tends to prevent conflicts. If you remember it was Bush 1 that did NOT clearly spell out to Saddam that he better not invade Kuwait that set alot of this in motion. And it was out extremely tepid response to Al Quada thaht embolden them to attack us. It ALWAYS costs more if you wait till it's almost to late rather than intervening and nipping it in the bud.

193 As I said earlier, it will be the governments fiscal realities that will force policy change not the next President pushing an agenda.

194 Vic for RNC Chair, I paid my kids school tution bill yesterday and when I got home had my property tax bill waiting for me, so I can't talk politics today without attracting DHS attention.

195 Words are meaningless worthless.

Fixed, in the name of pedantry.

196 @ 135

No one in the field is taking Pennsylvania. And Perry's record is the best by miles. Santorum has not done anything. He lost his last election by 20 frickkin points.!

Posted by: Flapjackmaka at January 06, 2012 08:16 AM (FKQng)

---

Please be sure to tell the rest of the story on Santorum's loss in PA.

It came AFTER he was pressured by W into changing his support from Pat Toomey to the incumbent Arlen Spector.  People in PA viewed this as a betrayal, even though having the Sphinctor as a nominal R senator allowed W to get his Supreme Court nominees approved [does the name Chief Justice John Roberts ring any bells]

And after the democrats and unions raised question after question about whether or not he was really a PA resident (because he also bought a house in DC area like every other senator); home schooled his children and was effective in the leadership.  He was targeted by the enemy and due to W's directive to be nice & not to fight back, he lost.

197 Forget about a conservative congress doing any damn thing for Romney. They would go along with him. We would actually be better off with Obama in office and more gridlock.

Not if he keeps doing illegal shit by Royal Decree and nobody who has the power to do so is willing to stop him.

198 Jwest, is it true that St Sarah the Spineless is writing a new book called "Going Rogue Two: How I Almost Ran for President But Didn't Have the Spine To Do So"?

199 As I said earlier, it will be the governments fiscal realities that will force policy change not the next President pushing an agenda.

Posted by: lowandslow at January 06, 2012 08:44 AM (GZitp)

It will force inflation, not policy change.

200

And he is right! That crap came out of Washington and it is as stupid as the new light bulb crap. Ethanol can be made out of many things but making it out of corn caused grocery prices to go up. Think about it. Corn is used in many grocery products. Including meat and milk. 

Posted by: Case at January 06, 2012 08:28 AM (FD6YW)

 

The effect of ethanol production, if any, is negligible compared to the impact of increased demand over seas along with the crop failures that have recently taken place.  Remember - Russia stopped exporting wheat last year due to the fires, and Australia had massive flooding.  The Muz have been burning thousands of farms in the Phillipines, and who knows what other waste of land has been rampant lately.  Muz populations continue to grow, in lands where food does not. 

The waste from ethanol production becomes cow feed, so it's not that huge a loss.  But when you have millions of people world wide who are tired of rice/chicken and now want some beef, all of a sudden the game changes.  You could kill all ethanol production today and the price impact on groceries would be slight.

That was not the "principled" stand to take at this time.  It was shooting yourself in the foot to gain NOTHING.  That kind of thing impresses those of us who will already be voting against Obama.  It does nothing to help actually win an election.

201

It will force inflation, not policy change.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at January 06, 2012 08:45 AM (TpXEI)

Yep...as long as the printing presses keep working.

202 Yeah, but we can't.  So, instead, we need a conservative President who will push Congress in the right direction.
Posted by: AllenG
..............
Yeah.. but what we need and what we're gonna get seem to be two different things.  Santorum's a boob - he's too stupid to even know to shut up about his so-con gay marriage views in New Hampshire, for cripes sakes..  If Perry can't get his ass in gear, it's gonna be Romney.

203 @ 178 I think and hope he will restrain that instinct and go for the jugular. 

Posted by: nevergiveup at January 06, 2012 08:38 AM (i6RpT)

---

Sorry, I can't see Mittens the Kitten going for anyones jugular.

All Obama has to say is "Thank you Gov. Romney for writing my Health Care Plan and leading its Successful implementation in Massachusetts" and its all over

204 If we don't want RinoRomney we definitely need a two man race pronto. I definitely need an Obama defeat so I can remove our Declaration, Constitution and Bill of Rights from my bathroom walls. I vowed not to take them out of the crapper until the communist is out of the white house, but I feel guilty every now and then...

205 I think and hope he will restrain that instinct and go for the jugular. Posted by: nevergiveup at January 06, 2012 08:38 AM (i6RpT) --- Sorry, I can't see Mittens the Kitten going for anyones jugular. All Obama has to say is "Thank you Gov. Romney for writing my Health Care Plan and leading its Successful implementation in Massachusetts" and its all over Posted by: Mark E at January 06, 2012 08:48 AM (w5RwR) I'd like to vehemently disagree with you, but as I said it's only a faint hope and dream for me that he might actually fight back.

206 santorum too stupid? seriously? HE'S A SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE....HE DOESN'T HIDE THAT FROM ANYONE.....IT'S WHO HE IS....YOU WANT HIM TO LIE TO YOU? omg......you don't agree with him doesn't make him stupid.......

207 And now masscare is proven boondoggle. The shit destroyed the healthcare market but romney calls it conservative. He has literally thrown out all arguments against obama.

Posted by: Flapjackmaka at January 06, 2012 08:41 AM (FKQng)

But how does that help Obama in the election? Sure the GOP could use Obamacare as a club against him better if Romney wasn't the nominee but it's not like that's the only policy failure Romney will have to go after Obama. Even if Romney isn't the nominee Obamacare isn't going to be that much of an issue because most if not all of it hasn't been implemented yet so the results of it haven't been felt as much. Employment and the stagnated economy will be the driving focus. I know they're related but are they in such a tangible way that you can make a direct comparison? Tough sell, there's other issues that you can hammer him on more easily.

208 The waste from ethanol production becomes cow feed, so it's not that huge a loss.  But when you have millions of people world wide who are tired of rice/chicken and now want some beef, all of a sudden the game changes.  You could kill all ethanol production today and the price impact on groceries would be slight.

Actually, the problem is far larger than that.  Corn used in ethanol (and, coincidentally, livestock feed) is not the same corn used for human consumption (not that we couldn't, but corn grown for humans is a certain hybrid that apparently tastes better- I don't know the specifics).  So the ethanol subsidy- specifically the corn ethanol subsidy- has influenced farmers around the world to stop growing human food and start growing car food.

That takes a variety of other foods off the market as well (not just corn and corn products, but other foods impacted by farmers deciding that ethanol corn is a better investment than whatever they had been growing).  And so food costs rise.

Also, the corn waste from ethanol production may go into livestock feed, but it's not as good or nutritious as the real corn would have been.  More of it is required for the same result.

Then there are the other impacts of moving to ethanol- it's more expensive to produce, it takes more energy to produce than it provides, and on and on. 

In short: ethanol subsidies are (as are most Federal subsidies) an incredibly bad idea, and have negative effects that are much farther reaching than can be easily enumerated.  Opposing them is a principled stand- moreover- it's a necessary one.

209

Yep...as long as the printing presses keep working.

Posted by: davidinvirginia at January 06, 2012 08:47 AM (cPJUK)

 

No worries.  The "presses" are mostly notional now, since it's all electronic.  The computers will be fine.

And frankly, I prefer inflation to tax increases.  Inflation is the closest we get to a flat tax, and if you're working for the private sector (and, sadly, the government) the increase in prices is usually followed by some increase in wages.  And frankly I have no sympathy for folks who thought it was a good idea to lend the government money at low rates.  If they take it in the shorts, so be it.

 

210 I will remind you gentlemen that the ultimate goal is to defeat Obama with which-ever candidate staggers over the end-zone in November.

Eeyore discussions never helped a thing other than to work as some type of cathartic enema while dividing us. Please keep in mind that the enemy loves weak links and your shared despair. Compared to their loser none of our candidates, including Huntsman who is still trying to get recognition at Fresh Market, are as weak as their buffoon. It appears Bernie Lomax could poll well against the incumbent. [By the way, I am convinced the bizarre pep-talk in Iowa, portraying Buhrock to be a greying Uncle Ben's Wildrice ad, is more propaganda: see how much he cares, it is aging him on the golf course to run this country, poor poopie-pants, bless his tin heart]

If the candidate is Romney, I do not personally believe he is a "Washington" insider" or part of the "establishment." Gingrich fits that bill better. While I lean Perry, the outcome of the next two primaries will determine if my Florida vote goes to him or Romney. None are perfect but I will vote GOP in November vs The Little Socialist Queen with the facial mole.

"If" we win, and win big in November, then put on your stompy boots to create a stronger conservative party for the next big election for Marco Rubio (who I hope will be our VP. Heck, eight years of him as VP, plus eight more as President). A girl can dream, can't she?

Granted, nearly every politician has let me down in one form or another (see: W Bush, second term). However, life is not perfect. Life can certainly suck at times (see: ChristyBlinky's year 2011), but it sucks even more to be a whiny, weak, complaining pessimist. I pray daily for Obama's defeat. That is all I can do until November.

211 HE'S A SOCIAL CONSERVATIVE....HE DOESN'T HIDE THAT FROM ANYONE.....IT'S WHO HE IS....YOU WANT HIM TO LIE TO YOU? omg......you don't agree with him doesn't make him stupid.......

Posted by: phoenixgirl all in for perry at January 06, 2012 08:52 AM (Ho2rs)

He did say we need a "jesus candidate". He's a boob. Hopefully he cries in the debates again and he loses support. The only way he got in Iowa is two things: the anti mitt vote and he lived in Iowa for two years, he cant do that with other primaries

212 Dammit to hell I'm sick of these RINOs telling me that our only alternative is whoever wins the nomination after people get to vote in the primaries and that we have to back that guy because otherwise we'll just be supporting Obama. You'd have to be retarded from Gardasil to think like that. Better that we have Obama in office so we can impeach him than to settle for some RINO wimp GOP punk as president. Even a Mexican can figure out that 47 true and pure Republican Senators could remove Obama from office and give us President Biden. All they'd have to do is convince 20 Democrats to join in. Duh. Plus having a RINO in office just means that we lose slower. Like when Bushleague cut taxes and got Roberts and Alito onto the Supreme Court. I'm a red meat conservative and when I don't get fed I whine like a little titty baby. Then I stamp my feet. Then I hold my breath. Then I wet myself. That's how I got my way when I was a toddler and that's how I get my way now. My way or the highway. Listen up: If the RINO GOP nominates a RINO then I'm voting for Obama, Reid and Pelosi. To send my messages and to prove my points. If you're not down with that then go and fuck yourselves, chumps. I'll be laughing all the way to the bank to cash my trust fund check.

213 but it's not like that's the only policy failure Romney will have to go after Obama.

In many ways it is.  The Democrats are still the party of free-stuff, and we have something nearing 50% (maybe more, by now) of the voting population who get free-stuff from the government.  The Republicans are the party of no-free-stuff (or at least less), and so there is a rational (if short-sighted) interest for those free-stuff getting voters to vote Democrat.

ObamaCare is useful both because it's unpopular and because it can be shown that it will necessarily take away people's free stuff.  If we can't make that argument (and Romney really can't) then we're back to a normal free-stuff vs no-free-stuff election.

The economy is a good cudgel as well, but it really is improving (it was bound to, eventually, people aren't just going to sit around being miserable just because the Government says so), and if it improves much at all (say... 7.9% UE or something) people will see that as a positive sign, and it'll take that cudgel away from us, too.

214 So there are two debates in NH this weekend and two debates in SC before their primary? Geez, talk about overkill. Anyway, Perry should spend every waking minute he can spare pounding the pavement in SC. His money/debate performances haven't done him much good, so it's time to go "retail" and hope for the best.

215 Employment and the stagnated economy will be the driving focus.
--------------------
And Mitt will be attacked for Bain and having the 47th state out of 50th for job creation. The old 1994 Kennedy attack ads on Romney for Bain look really damaging. imagine what Obama does. It's going to be a wallstreet vs mainstreet thing and the media will paint obama as mainstreet. Romney wont release his tax records either, which is stupid, cause the media will go after it.

216 Yes to a great extend that is true, but a smart candidate could point out that a STRONG and CLEAR America tends to prevent conflicts. 

Posted by: nevergiveup at January 06, 2012 08:43 AM (i6RpT)

Oh foreign policy will come up, but right now is going to be a tight rope walk during the campaign. Gotta push a strong U.S. looking out for it's best interest while not coming off as "war monger". Because you know the press is going to jump on every thing you say.

217 His money/debate performances haven't done him much good, so it's time to go "retail" and hope for the best.

Posted by: Lincolntf at January 06, 2012 09:00 AM (Qjh0I)

No. He should do retailing but he needs something to happen in the debates. He did that in Iowa where he hoped ground game prevailed.

218 For all of the free stuff voters,  it would be smart to point out to them that they got more free stuff under GWB.  Obama didn't give them any more free stuff, and in addition,  the actual amount of free stuff (food stamps) is worth less because of inflation,  a direct result of President Stupid's policies.

The free stuff voters should be asked if their lives are really any better. 

This would apply not only to recipients of food stamps,  but anyone who gets a Social Security check.  For these people,  high food prices are a real hardship.

219 Because you know the press is going to jump on every thing you say. Posted by: lowandslow at January 06, 2012 09:02 AM (GZitp) Jump right back at them. When Newt was surging that is exactly what he did. He attacked the media and obama.

220 For all of the free stuff voters,  it would be smart to point out to them that they got more free stuff under GWB.

Only if we weren't also telling them that we still have to take away some of their free stuff.

Remember the Democrat Talking point that Bush caused the Deficits?  Yeah, they'll be all over that.

The free stuff has to end.  If it's going to end, we have to be the party that does it.  And we have to convince people that getting people in Schenectady to pay the grocery bill for some guy in Albuquerque is wrong.

221 In many ways it is.  The Democrats are still the party of free-stuff, and we have something nearing 50% (maybe more, by now) of the voting population who get free-stuff from the government.  The Republicans are the party of no-free-stuff (or at least less), and so there is a rational (if short-sighted) interest for those free-stuff getting voters to vote Democrat.

ObamaCare is useful both because it's unpopular and because it can be shown that it will necessarily take away people's free stuff.  If we can't make that argument (and Romney really can't) then we're back to a normal free-stuff vs no-free-stuff election.
Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) says 'No' to RINO Romney at January 06, 2012 08:59 AM (8y9MW)


I know what you're saying but I don't know if trying to convey that message is as easy as it looks.

222

frankly I have no sympathy for folks who thought it was a good idea to lend the government money at low rates.  If they take it in the shorts, so be it.

I never understood why the rates are so low on the long term shit.  The people buying that stuff must be on drugs to think the govt won't devalue the currency even more, and more dramatically.

223 I know what you're saying but I don't know if trying to convey that message is as easy as it looks.

Actually, that's my point.  It's a hard message to sell, and Mittens has less credibility to attempt to sell it than any of the other candidates, with the possible exception of Luap Nor.

224

So the ethanol subsidy- specifically the corn ethanol subsidy- has influenced farmers around the world to stop growing human food and start growing car food.

I'm not sure how this makes sense, unless you're talking about other nations' ethanol subsidies.  Maybe I'm out of date, but last I checked, we don't import much corn for ethanol.  If you're talking about our own land conversion specifically, well, we have a lot of fallow land around.  If those other crops are worth growing, they'll be grown in coming seasons.

Also, the corn waste from ethanol production may go into livestock feed, but it's not as good or nutritious as the real corn would have been. More of it is required for the same result.

True.  I didn't suggest the loss was zero - but it is no where near 100%.  Those cows would still have been eating corn in the fattening pens.

Then there are the other impacts of moving to ethanol- it's more expensive to produce, it takes more energy to produce than it provides, and on and on.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) says 'No' to RINO Romny at January 06, 2012 08:54 AM (8y9MW)

Yes - absolutely.  But I ask - so what?  This is among the least-bad of the government's many works of foolishness.  Why is this worth losing votes?  Many republicans, even conservatives, want candidates to shut up about abortion to keep from pissing off the women voters -that's an issue where it can be argued that people are KILLED!   Yet we choose to hurt our own chances by crusading against ethanol, which at least puts some people to work doing honest labor? 

 

225 Maybe I'm the wrong guy to be talking about message, if I were running I'd look at the undecided and go "what the fuck is wrong with you people?"

226 The unemployment number is down to 8.5%. Isn't amazing predictable that the unemployment number is going down as we enter the re-election of Barry.

227 Maybe I'm the wrong guy to be talking about message, if I were running I'd look at the undecided and go "what the fuck is wrong with you people?" Posted by: lowandslow at January 06, 2012 09:09 AM (GZitp) And what would yu be saying to the obama supporters?

228 The unemployment number is down to 8.5%. Isn't amazing predictable that the unemployment number is going down as we enter the re-election of Barry.

Posted by: TheQuietMan at January 06, 2012 09:11 AM (1Jaio)

The BLS is just another propaganda agency in this administration.

229 The unemployment number is down to 8.5%. Isn't amazing predictable that the unemployment number is going down as we enter the re-election of Barry. Posted by: TheQuietMan at January 06, 2012 09:11 AM (1Jaio) A) I don't believe it is really going down- people are dropping out of the stats B) it's still reflecting holiday hiring

230 Let's see, Santorum says that libertarians aren't conservative, which is manifestly true, and then says that too much attention is paid to earmarks when entitlements are the real problem, which is also manifestly true. Yeah, let's tar and feather this guy and kick him out of the party.

231 And what would yu be saying to the obama supporters?

Posted by: nevergiveup at January 06, 2012 09:12 AM (i6RpT)

It wouldn't be a message of unity and getting along, I'll tell you that.

232 If you're talking about our own land conversion specifically, well, we have a lot of fallow land around.

Farmers can get paid more for leaving it fallow than for growing food...and my memory is a little fuzzy, but I believe they upped the "conservation" subsidies to match the corn-for-ethanol subsidies to keep rational economic actors from ripping up "habitat" to plant crops.

233

I never understood why the rates are so low on the long term shit. The people buying that stuff must be on drugs to think the govt won't devalue the currency even more, and more dramatically.

Posted by: Purple Avenger at January 06, 2012 09:07 AM (UpN50)

 

I agree.  But I think part of it is that some people just have so much money they just care about not losing it.  That's basically it.  They don't necessarily need a return - they just want to not go broke.  The other part is that some folk have extreme, irrational risk aversion. 

234 It wouldn't be a message of unity and getting along, I'll tell you that. Posted by: lowandslow at January 06, 2012 09:16 AM (GZitp) A man after my own heart

235

Rasmussen has South Carolina at Romney 27 Santorum 24 Gingrich 18 and Rick Perry 5.

So yeah, more proof that Rick Perry has zero chance. At most he'll be a spoiler and hand the thing over to Romney.

236 New Rasmussem in SC.

Romney 27%
Santorum  24%
Gingrich 18%
Perry 5%

See, people want to be attached to a winner.

237

The unemployment rate dropped from a revised 8.7 percent in November, which was previously reported as 8.6 percent. The jobless rate is now the lowest since February 2009.

However, the payrolls count for October and November was revised to show 8,000 fewer jobs created than previously reported, taking some edge off the report.

Everything gets revised worse after the headlines are out. But Barry and his MFM buddies will go running around bleating that the economy is turning around and the EVIL Republicans will destroy everything if they get elected.

238 Posted by: Paul Zummo at January 06, 2012 09:15 AM (IGkEP)

Can he beat Obama?

That is all I care about (and that he isn't Ron Paul).

239 heather great comment on breitbart...i have to figure out my password so i can up ding you!!!!! 1st comment on the santorum thread....that's almost as cool as being the first comment here!

240 Re unemployment:  It is simply being manipulated.  In almost every city and town (with the exception of the North Dakota oil boom towns) there are shuttered businesses, people on food stamps who never thought they would be, foreclosed homes sitting vacant, etc.

I really think GOP needs to call in the people who do those employment figures and get them on record explaining how the numbers are determined.

We also need a concerted effort to fight the press.  I am to the point with those guys that I would use underhanded methods,  such as hiring PI's to follow them, revealing mistresses and unsavory connections such as drug pushers.

I am getting really PO'd at the attitude of the press people on Twitter.  This isn't a damn game where the "cool crowd" gets to mock the nerds.  They aren't that cool and their kids are going to be suffering through the same horrible decline as the rest of us.  Why they think they are immune to this I do not know.

Oh, and I wish a damn state would start in going after Soros. I know the feds won't, but I bet you could get him on some violation of state law.

241 Hey, I'm NOT a defender of Romneycare; I'm just saying that if the people of Mass insisted on socialized medicine - and they DID - then Mitt's approach was probably the least bad choice out of a slew of bad alternatives. It's a given that a free market solution is ALWAYS the best approach. Always. But if you're governing a hyper-liberal state... you have to deal with it.

242 I'm not sure how this makes sense, unless you're talking about other nations' ethanol subsidies.  Maybe I'm out of date, but last I checked, we don't import much corn for ethanol.  If you're talking about our own land conversion specifically, well, we have a lot of fallow land around.  If those other crops are worth growing, they'll be grown in coming seasons.

I am talking about other nations' food production.  While we sell most of the world's grain (last time I checked- it may have changed, though), other countries sell it as well.  That sets up the global market place: if a farm (well, really, a speculator- but I'm not getting into that) can sell their wheat/corn/tobacco/whatever over seas for a better profit than they can sell it here, they will.

The whole interaction there is way too complicated for a comment on a blog (especially one powered by pixy), but the shortest version is: by encouraging the growth of (specifically) non-human-consumption corn, we are literally causing people to starve to death who would not otherwise starve to death.

So the cost in money may not be the worst boondoggle in American history, but it's bad enough it must be ended.

And monetarily it's really bigger than you think, because it impacts thing you don't expect- your beef and milk and eggs are expected, as is your gasoline.  But it also affects the price of your clothes, and your computer, and all sorts of other things that are less obvious.

And what would yu be saying to the obama supporters?

Get your shine box?

243 Farmers can get paid more for leaving it fallow than for growing food...and my memory is a little fuzzy, but I believe they upped the "conservation" subsidies to match the corn-for-ethanol subsidies to keep rational economic actors from ripping up "habitat" to plant crops.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at January 06, 2012 09:17 AM (/kI1Q)

 

Excellent point.  I'd say that a subsidy to have land do nothing is even worse that to have it used for ethanol.  At least ethanol provides some benefit, however marginal.  When are we going to war against the fallow land subsidy?  I haven't heard anyone whining about that one for years.

244 A supporter of Murkowski who voted for New Start, the Dream Act, Sutton/Dillinger, who doesn't understand about the stakes in Afghanistan,

245

So yeah, more proof that Rick Perry has zero chance. At most he'll be a spoiler and hand the thing over to Romney.

Posted by: Chris at January 06, 2012 09:19 AM (XGZYX)

I hate to say it but his numbers are so low he isn't really in the spoiler role anymore.

246 Perry surged because he started attacking Obama. He faltered when he took time to try and parse and defend Bachmann's stupid Tardisil attack. He could have, and should have finished her off on the spot and gone back on the attack against Obama. "Look, bitch. I don't have time for your crazy bullshit. It wasn't a mandate and you know it. Now you're running around claiming some mystery woman told you her daughter BECAME RETARDED because of a vaccination. Really, bitch? REALLY? America doesn't have time for your insane rantings. I'm trying to unseat a President who is selling weapons to Mexican drug lords when he's not busy playing golf, pissing on the Constitution or running our economy into the ground." Dismiss criticism from other candidates as briefly as possible and get back to attacking Obama. Any candidate could use this advice, but they're all too fucking stupid. When you attack Obama, you surge. When you get bogged down in defending yourself against another candidate, you look weak. Real Americans don't like weak. They like strong, confident leaders. And they want an alternative to Obama. This field of dipshits aren't giving alternatives to Obama. They're giving alternatives TO EACH OTHER. Fucking stupid - the lot of them.

247 Posted by: nevergiveup at January 06, 2012 09:17 AM (i6RpT)

Don't forget "inclusiveness," and "diversity."

Those are vitally important in the formation of a "consensus."

248 Posted by: Empire of Jeff at January 06, 2012 09:23 AM (l9zgN)

EoJ 2012: "Go get your shine box."

249 Perry is at only 5 percent in South Carolina? That's ugly.

250

The whole interaction there is way too complicated for a comment on a blog (especially one powered by pixy), but the shortest version is: by encouraging the growth of (specifically) non-human-consumption corn, we are literally causing people to starve to death who would not otherwise starve to death.

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) says 'No' to RINO Romney at January 06, 2012 09:21 AM (8y9MW)

 

Fair statement, or at least I can't easily refute it.  But that said, I would again ask - so what?  I don't give a crap if some people over seas starve - I only care if Americans starve, and based on what I see on the street I'd say that day is still a long way off.  If anything, rising food prices in the US would seem to have a silver lining in that maybe I'd not have to see so many people who are almost too big to move under their own power. 

What I do care about is beating that vile bastard in the White House who poses a way bigger threat, on every front, than ethanol.  Throwing away votes, while gaining none, to campaign against ethanol, which is not starving any Americans, is a waste of political capital. 

251

Yeah, this guyÂ’s a genius.

Posted by: jwest at January 06, 2012 07:22 AM (FdndL)

jwest, do you ever contribute anything other than to denigrate Perry?  It's getting pretty old.

252 New Rasmussem in SC.

Romney 27%
Santorum  24%
Gingrich 18%
Perry 5%

See, people want to be attached to a winner.

Posted by: lowandslow at January 06, 2012 09:20 AM (GZitp)

Good grief. Yeah, you're right about many (most?) people being bandwagon jumpers...it's a shame the GOP doesn't have a real winner running this time around.

253 "...by encouraging the growth of (specifically) non-human-consumption corn, we are literally causing people to starve to death who would not otherwise starve to death."

Posted by: AllenG (Dedicated Tenther) says 'No' to RINO Romney at January 06, 2012 09:21 AM (8y9MW)

This.

It's Economics 101, yet too few people seem to understand it. One reason is that we are so immensely wealthy that the idea that one of us could actually starve is ludicrous. Americans are so far from the margins that we simply cannot fathom it.

The corollary is the large-scale production of "organic" food, which is less efficient than conventionally grown food. This too kills people at the margins, but the progressives just love their organic peaches -- and if a few hundred thousand Africans die -- well, you have to break eggs to make an omelet.

254 Perry is at only 5 percent in South Carolina? That's ugly.

Posted by: Lincolntf at January 06, 2012 09:25 AM (hiMsy)

What this race has showed us though is that anyfreakingbody can go to the front in a matter of days. Santorum was pulling an asterisk before Iowa. I hope to god perry catches fire.

255 I'm telling you this fucking Ron Paul ain't helping matters either. The GOP and Priebus should have never let him pollute the process, should have never let him participate because he isn't a fucking Republican.

256 jwest, do you ever contribute anything other than to denigrate Perry?  It's getting pretty old. Occasionally he says something in support of Palin, so YES. Don't you feel foolish?

257

Please be sure to tell the rest of the story on Santorum's loss in PA.

It came AFTER he was pressured by W into changing his support from Pat Toomey to the incumbent Arlen Spector. People in PA viewed this as a betrayal, even though having the Sphinctor as a nominal R senator allowed W to get his Supreme Court nominees approved [does the name Chief Justice John Roberts ring any bells]

Posted by: Mark E at January 06, 2012 08:45 AM

That and he ran against a Casey, which is like running against a deity in PA.  I dislike Santorum(and Perry and Romney and Giungrich and Paul) but let's be fair about it.

258

Real Americans don't like weak. They like strong, confident leaders. And they want an alternative to Obama.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at January 06, 2012 09:23 AM (l9zgN)

 

Thank you.  This is not only true of Americans - it's universal.  No one respects wimps and losers.  People will sooner follow a confident fool than a dithering wise man.

259

I saw Jim Inhofe explain earmarks during an interview once and while I get the whole gateway-to-more-spending argument, the fact of the matter is that when you have a president like Barack Obama the Congress should earmark every dime.  While earmarks increase the incentive to spend more, they are not responsible for the higher spending.  That falls on baseline budgeting.  It's baseline budgeting that increases spending and does it in such a way that no one gets the blame.  All earmarks are are a way for Congress to designate how already allocated money gets spent.  Without earmarks, it all goes to the administration and they get to spend it however they want.  Eliminating earmarks doesn't save a penny.

It's a losing argument, but it has some validity.  Look how much spending has increased since the whole earmark argument started.  And what good did it do in the end?  None.  No budget.  No earmarks. And we have $1.5 trillion in deficit spending.  That Obama pretty much gets to spend however he wants.

 

260 "This field of dipshits aren't giving alternatives to Obama. They're giving alternatives TO EACH OTHER."

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at January 06, 2012 09:23 AM (l9zgN)

Well said.

(and from a red-neck! Who knew they could think?)

261 I hope to god perry catches fire. Me, too, but the hour is getting late. I don't know how he's gonna make a meaningful showing in South Carolina in two weeks time, but miracles do happen.

262

I just cut out this morning'a Dilbert, crossed out "vendor" in the first line, replaced it with "candidate", and posted it up on the wall.

Pretty much nails how I've been feeling as of late.

263 Look, earmarks are the symptom of the problem, not the cause. It's a catchy thing to to latch onto and make noise about, but Santorum's dead right that in the case of McCain at least, it was a cheap way to sound fiscally conservative without getting to the real meat of the problem.

264 I don't believe Rasmusen polls, maybe after the primary. They have been funny this year.

265 Santorum is right. Earmarks are insignificant compared to entitlement spending. McCain was just blabbing about them this morning campaigning for Romney. They are a distraction at this point, especially next to ObamaCare.

266

Santorum is in  NH because that is where the national media is. 

Plus, the better he does in NH, the more he keeps the Iowa bounce.  There are "not Mitt" voters in NH too. 

267 Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 09:36 AM (YdQQY)

I don't believe any polls, and with Obama and his gang in power I'm not sure I believe actual votes either.

268 The corollary is the large-scale production of "organic" food, which is less efficient than conventionally grown food. This too kills people at the margins, but the progressives just love their organic peaches -- and if a few hundred thousand Africans die -- well, you have to break eggs to make an omelet.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJconservative) at January 06, 2012 09:29 AM (nEUpB)

 

If the government were to make a mandate for production of "organic" food, it would be a much bigger deal than the ethanol issue.  Trying to change over to organic farming would destroy the system.  Then we actually could have starvation in the US.  That's what uncle Joe would call a big F-in deal.

However, if we're talking about people (even leftist pukes) freely choosing to only buy organic, and farmers respond to that freely chosen market, then so be it.  There's plenty of productive capacity in the US to address both things - the need for lots of inexpensive food, and the desire for fancy boutique food.  As for the 3rd worlders - let them manage their own issues.  Saving them is not our job.

The biggest food related issue in the US is this:  I can see people buy food with food stamps that is way more luxurious than I can responsibly buy for myself.  That's the food issue I want to see addressed. 

 

269 From the AP article being touted on Fox for the BS unemployment numbers:

The Labor Department said Friday that employers added a net 200,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate fell to 8.5 percent, the lowest since February 2009. The rate has dropped for four straight months.

Recall it takes 300,000 jobs to break even. So unemployment actually got worse but the number went down???

More lying BS from the Obamanites. As I said way back months ago. expect this right up until the election. Watch for gains in GDP up in the 3 or 4 percent range.

270 At some point it doesn't matter what a campaign says or does if they can't reach a "credibility cut off" in voters minds. Bachmann saw that on Tuesday. To pick an arbitrary number, I'll go with 15 percent. If Perry can't hit that, his campaign ends whether he wants it to or not.

271 "Like it or not, we are for the foreseeable future, a two party system."
-- Millard Filmore (W--NY). Plooz la schaanje, bay-bee.

Santorum is somewhat to the left of Obama on gun issues. I don't know what effect that should have on election(s) -- I disdain political "science" -- but it's spooky to me. I'd consider a flip-flop a courtesy at this point.

Hey, someone said elsewhere that the Oklahoma local sheriff established a fund to help that widow who blew away the intruder. Can't find it on the sheriff's dept website. Anyone have a link for contributions? She seems like a fine young woman. Safer to send money anonymously and admire from afar, considering how her stalkers tend to end up.

272 More lying BS from the Obamanites. As I said way back months ago. expect this right up until the election. Watch for gains in GDP up in the 3 or 4 percent range.

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 09:40 AM (YdQQ

It is just like living in the U.S.S.R. and reading Pravda.

273

sent my absentee ballot yesterday for the FL primary because folks get so passionate over their guy I won't reveal my vote but I will say Ron Paul! wasn't the guy's name who I marked next to

as for santorum he will crash and burn come SC & FL where fiscal issues trump his obsession w/ wedge issues

274 Santorum PAC's (if he has one?) should be using there money knocking Newt out now. When it's a two man race they can go after Romney. That's the thing, I don't know if Santorum has enough money to separate himself and really go on the offensive hard.

275

Posted by: Lincolntf at January 06, 2012 09:41 AM (hiMsy)

your too kind to Perry, he cant afford even a 2nd place slot in SC, he MUST win in SC in my opinion or he should just drop out

276 Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 09:40 AM (YdQQY)

How many newly unemployed (since Obama) who voted for Obama last time will vote for the Republican nominee this time? That's the big question.

I agree that the numbers are completely ridiculous, but are people who are out of work swayed by the propaganda? The ones who are still looking have a better sense of the job market than the MBM that reports the fake numbers. The unemployed know what is true and what is fake.

277 Santorum is somewhat to the left of Obama on gun issues.

Link please. I found he had strong support for second amendment issue during my research.

278 Could somebody PLEASE explain why Romney is inevitable? He has support of, at most, 30%, and that is not enough. And, in the base, he could lose another 10% in the general. How does that make him the most electable? I am serious. He has already said, recently, that Obama is nice enough, that Muslims are peaceful, that he stands behind Romneycare, and that global warming may be true. But the biggest problem with Romney is that, so far, nobody has really dug into things like Bain. Read Legal Insurrection. they have tons of stuff that came out about Romney that Obama plans to use. We are fooling ourselves if we think he would be a shoe in. 75% of the Republicans are looking for somebody else, so why is it that we are supposedly stuck with him????

279 Test post from my new kindle fire. Apparently I will eventually get dragged into the 21st century.

280

Well, there are two debates before the GOP nominees is cast in Granite.  Hopefully, there will be some movement by those who can tear themselves away from the hyperthyroid millionaire tattooed thugs to actually pay attention.

And with all probability, it appears that Romney will be the head of the ticket, so our influence will be on the Veep candidate, platform, and the campaigning for the House and Senate. 

281

Posted by: Chilling the most for perry at January 06, 2012 09:47 AM (6IV8T)

I got news for you, whoever the nominee is will probably not a light fire under the base the way things are going

282 Romney is inevitable is the MFM myth. I hope to god we don't allow the fking MFM to nominate our candidate again this time.

283 Ramussen out with SC poll. Mitt 27 Santorum 24 Gingrich 18 Perry 5

284 "I'll attack China!" Rick Santorum

Obama's administration, known to take the GWB agenda beyond extreme, is castrating the US Military, no more funding for America's life blood. Cutting funding of our military provides "reason" why Obama can not secure our borders, even if he wanted to.

All the Bush administrations, "perfected" by Rumsfeld and Gates, constricted the ability of the US Military from capacity to fight no less than three fronts simultaneously to fighting only two fronts simultaneously, since the GHWB neoconservative administration. The rationale was to rely heavily on allies to protect the USA. Hm, what could go wrong there? As if any ally wouldn't kick us while we're down, particularly mercenary allies like al-Qaeda. Another point was to convert the US Military into robotics, to rely on non-manned air force, the drone military. Given the ease hijacking, stealing, losing US national secret military engineering developments, this drone military does not inspire either confidence or pride from Americans stripped of our finest military force, the finest because of the minds and hearts who signed up to protect our US Constitution against enemies at home and abroad. In drones we trust, no. Who living in the Great American Southwest wants armed drones flying overhead, even if posing as border patrol? As if US citizens are safer with long distance handlers determining when to fire arms stateside than with eyes belonging to those government authorities with grounded feet on the scene.

Santorum wouldn't have the means to attack China, though given his terrier pea-brain, that might not prevent him from doing it because he couldn't stop himself from digging under that fence.

Obama's move, the timing of this military cut in size and spending, would also be a calculation to steal support from Ron Paul. I doubt that would happen. First, most Paul supporters have done much more political research than the body of voters backing in serial fashion the other candidates on the catwalk.  There's  no way to commit support to Restore America without knowing how that is seen by asshats enabling the very government corruption they decry. Don't bear false witness, regardless of what justification you allow yourself for spreading lies of antisemitism or anti-American sentiment (everyone else is doing it, mom -- besides, "everybody" knows -- hate feels so good -- I refuse to admit I'm a bigot ...blah blah blah, so sue my lawyer ass). Whatever. There's no reason that US taxpayers should financially sponsor the military defense of Germany, specifically. If we're not to close certain installations, then hosting nations need to pay the costs of upkeep. If the US Military is mercenary, then those using our services must pay the bills. Here's his weakness; Obama's not willing to admit exactly what he's completed as the conversion of our Military as Mercenaries; again, the radical extreme beyond limit, as if Obama pulls his own strings. Just because Obama's cutting military funding doesn't mean he won't abuse the use of force in more interventionist attacks. When did a Keynesian ever let the lack of funds stop spending? After all, Obama still believes that debt is wealth [as would Romney, "Promise them anything; just get their votes!"]. And Obama's handlers will persist playing the neoconservative interventionism is good card so as to concoct what they will within the GOP campaign cauldron. Trump the Republican and Independent calling cards and snag the unprincipled idiots who don't mind being used so long as there's a pay-off.

Perry supporters who believe that at minimum, Rick's brain thinks clearly? Perry can't find his way out of his losing proposition of a "campaign", refusing to come out of his own paper bag where he's holding a map and a flashlight. Vanity. Though he'd like the monopoly, Newt is merely one on the vanity bandwagon. Like any prostitute, he'll play whatever role he's paid to perform.

And Mitt is the Repo Men candidate of choice.

Paul is the only GOP POTUS candidate whose platform is build on the bedrock of the US Constitution. If that is a desirable credential, delude yourself believing that Perry, Newt, Santorum or Mitt would ever let the Constitution get in the way of what they either want, or decide can't be helped. Ridicule that if you find the Constitution too inconvenient to support or tolerate. Regardless of who wins, there's only one candidate who will actually deliver constitutional governance from the Oval Office. Whatever goals Paul has, they are constitutional. And so far as being realistic, Paul said that were America attacked, he would ask Congress to declare war and then as CinC, Paul would aggressively conduct our military defense, already personally KNOWING the historical precedences per region and tribal features. Of all the minds I'd trust protecting our nation's defense, it would be Paul's. Can't live with that? Can't accept American history? Never read Bastiat? It's all irrelevant, anyway? You'd rather hate than think clearly? You enjoy the cut/paste mental feature to insert your own ugly words in place of what Paul actually believes and consistently promotes.  You were born yesterday. Whatever happened before never happened. If  you don't know something, then that something is either a lie or doesn't exist. At least accept responsibility for how you vote to cure our economic DOOM. 

How would a neoconservative strengthen the bankrupted US economy? The derivative neoconservatives paved the over-spending way to this DOOM and profited personally with no care for the middle class, the working class of Americans, destroyed by neoconservative policies that spend, regardless of pledges. The corruption of the US Economy and the global economy was the GWB/Paulson legacy. "Read My Lips: NO NEW TAXES" GHWB endorses Mitt Romney. Go figure how far "Promise them anything, just get their votes" Romney will bother cutting taxes for those earning no more than $250K/yr. -- the old McCain/Obama 2008 rhetoric -- pfft! From Michigan 2008, "Those domestic manufacturing jobs are gone. They're NEVER COMING BACK TO AMERICA. You can kiss them good-bye. So get a good job," instead of expecting to produce anything.  By "good job" Mitt encourages highly trained labor to retrain to stock shelves with foreign produced goods as a Staples employee, or a childcare worker in one of Mitt's brilliant business Harvard law contributions to America. Of that man to whom the Establishment has determined to give the potus ticket, Bain Romney's military direction will emulate Obama's. OUTSOURCE.

285 Perry could come in second in SC and stay in IF it was a respectable second place, almost tying with first place.

I am not votoing until May,  so am trying not to get too invested with anyone,  because who the hell knows what my choice will be come May.

286

How does that make him the most electable?

I don't know nothing...but I do worry that Santorum would upset the liberals so much that more of them would turn out to vote.

I want them depressed about financial matters so that they stay home.

287 At some point it doesn't matter what a campaign says or does if they can't reach a "credibility cut off" in voters minds. Bachmann saw that on Tuesday. To pick an arbitrary number, I'll go with 15 percent. If Perry can't hit that, his campaign ends whether he wants it to or not.

Posted by: Lincolntf at January 06, 2012 09:41 AM (hiMsy)

I think he has to finish in the top 3 in SC and even if he does that, it has to be a tightly bunched top 3...basically a tie with all within 2-3% of each other. I don't think hitting 15% would do it if he's still behind Romney, Gingrich and Santorum. He's got to finish ahead of at least 1 of those 3. That's my cut off for considering sending him more money post-SC...top 3 and really close to the top. I don't think it's happening, but strange stuff seems to happen every day or two this primary season, so who knows.

288 Recall it takes 300,000 jobs to break even. So unemployment actually got worse but the number went down???

More lying BS from the Obamanites. As I said way back months ago. expect this right up until the election. Watch for gains in GDP up in the 3 or 4 percent range.

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 09:40 AM (YdQQY)

It doesn't matter what the reality is. The story propaganda will remain the same

289 We are fooling ourselves if we think he would be a shoe in. 75% of the Republicans are looking for somebody else, so why is it that we are supposedly stuck with him????

Posted by: Chilling the most for perry at January 06, 2012 09:47 AM (6IV8T)

None of our candidates are a shoe in, none of them. As for those 75% looking for someone else, why didn't they pick one?

290

Good morning and happy Friday, 'rons!  Vic, good stuff as always.  Oh, and Barack Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a miserable failure.

291 Ramussen out with SC poll.

Mitt 27
Santorum 24
Gingrich 18
Perry 5

Posted by: President Chet Roosevelt at January 06, 2012 09:49 AM (Cm54n)

ouch for Perry

292 @247 Fucking stupid - the lot of them.

Our stupid is still better than their stupid 2012.

ABO 2012. Vote for the less stupid party: the GOP!

293 "Santorum is somewhat to the left of Obama on gun issues."

Posted by: comatus at January 06, 2012 09:44 AM (ySTXt)

Care to back that up with actual facts?

Sort of like this one: Santorum has a B- rating from Gun Owners of America.

Can you guess what Obama's rating is?

294 morning all
looks like the AoSHQ mud wrestling has started early this morning

did a little bit of digging, here is Romney on guns:
it is not accurate to say he is a "gun grabber"
he signed an assault weapons ban in MA, yes
in the SAME BILL, he also made it easier for individuals to own small firearms

think about both aspects when you call him a "gun grabber"

295 Rasmussen's New SC Poll Numbers:

Romney 27%
Santorum 24%
Gingrich 18%
Paul 11%
Perry 5%

Things are shaping up for Romney to take SC too, as he'll certainly get a post NH bump as well.  Does Gingrich realize that while he wants to take Mitt down in SC, if he stays in the race it actually helps Romney?

296 Actual Yahoo! Headline: "Unemployment lowest in nearly 3 years"

so a none-informed reader would think "hey Obama's finally kick-starting the economy" and yet the labor work participation rate remains stagnant, real unemployment is still at Great Depression levels, and 8.5% unemployment from 8.4% doesn't look like booming to me

297 Does Gingrich realize that while he wants to take Mitt down in SC, if he stays in the race it actually helps Romney?

Posted by: AeroFANatic at January 06, 2012 09:53 AM (h8FS0)

you could say the same about Perry unfortunately

298 NRA gives Santorum an A rating, fwiw.

299 I hope what someone upthread said is true that Perry's advisers likely read this blog. If so, dummies - throw every penny you have between right this fucking instant and the SC primary into going on the attack against Obama, both in their local markets and nationally. When you've done that, borrow more money and shovel it into more ads contrasting Perry with OBAMA. You have exactly one chance to surge again and get you to April. And this is the only way you'll get that chance. What, you read polls saying Generic Republican is out-polling Obama, so you try to make your guy into Generic Republican? Get your head out of your ass. I support Perry, but if you're not even going to try, then fuck off.

300 Probably too late for anyone to notice, but...

The reason Santorum is wasting time in NH?  Proportional delegates.  If he can come in second, he gets some delegates.  Did anyone notice the delegate distribution after Iowa?  Despite being the "winners" Romney and Santorum only got something like one more delegate than Perry and Gingrich.

No one will really "win" anything until April when the first winner take all primaries occur.  Until then it is only about who can keep money coming in to keep funding a campaign.

I'd bet that the field will stay as is until April.  Everyone has enough money now to stay in and see if they can get a second look going into Super Tuesday.  The only one who was iffy was Santorum, but Iowa was his ticket to fundraising (which was always his strategy, I heard him explain the strategy on Fox back in October).

I'll also go out on a limb and say that an extended contest is good for us.  It sucks all the oxygen out of the room, and keeps Obama from executing his slash and burn strategy.

301 think about both aspects when you call him a "gun grabber"

Posted by: chemjeff at January 06, 2012 09:53 AM (s7mIC)

dude you're screwing up the meme

302 283 Romney is inevitable is the MFM myth.
Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 09:49 AM (YdQQY)

It would only be a myth if something drastic changes fast. They've been going at it for six months now and he's still the front-runner. When is this great shift to someone else going to materialize? As I said, it's down to just weeks now.

303 It kills me to say it but it looks like Perry will be out after FL and Gringrich will be out no later than Super Tuesday. Huntsman can stay in as long as he likes because he's self-financing, but nobody likes him so it's not an issue.

Perry's and Newt's supporters will go to Santorum. It's all I can do to make my fingers type this, but assuming the above scenario plays out, the most conservative man in the race up to the convention will be Rick Santorum. Let that sink in for a while.

304 Did anyone notice the delegate distribution after Iowa?

Iowa doesn't divvy up delegates until June.

305 The photo of the Twitchy Mole on Drudge was taken after he did a popper. Holy moly. I may have to go back to bed. Unfortunately I just had some tea called "Awake" and am now as hyper as his auto-pen signing executive orders. I need to channel this into vacuuming up fir tree needles and various other tasks I despise almost as much as the Age of Barium in the WH.

306 Actual Yahoo! Headline: "Unemployment lowest in nearly 3 years"

so a none-informed reader would think "hey Obama's finally kick-starting the economy" and yet the labor work participation rate remains stagnant, real unemployment is still at Great Depression levels, and 8.5% unemployment from 8.4% doesn't look like booming to me

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Voted Already at January 06, 2012 09:53 AM (yAor6)

Seeking Alpha, the stock market/business site I use and occasionally post on, is chock full of Obama-spammers this morning posting Dem talking points on all the discussion threads related to the jobs report. Got so disgusted, I just turned it off for the day. Apparently the market is a bit skeptical about the bullshit content of those BLS numbers...the Dow is down ~70 points at the moment.

307

The divide in the Republican ranks under normal circumstances would be a good thing.  We should have a healthy skepticism, up to and including when our candidate, God willing, is the President.  They are all politicians after all.   

The problem of course is that our opponent leads a cult, a cult that's diminished somewhat but reflected a very powerful and dangerous movement to the point where his snot rag was treated like the spear of Longinus.  This cult will re-emerge in strength this year, which will make 2012 a very trying year for all of us.  All I can tell you is that if you have a purchase to make, can you hold off until 2013?  Is it really necessary?  I think the market went down this morning because many investors like me know that pseudo-positive economic news will bolster Obama's reelection chances.     

All I know is, we'll pretty much know if our guy is viable the day of the election (which happens to be my birthday this year).  I don't want to have to play 666 in the Illinois lottery. 

308 Oh something else w.r.t. the "recess" appointments: It seems to me that this is also a manifestation of Obama's narcissism.  No doubt he believes he *has* to take such action because *no other president* has been in such a "difficult" situation.  He is the unique snowflake among all past presidents who gets to break the law when the others didn't get to.

309 It's all I can do to make my fingers type this, but assuming the above scenario plays out, the most conservative man in the race up to the convention will be Rick Santorum. Let that sink in for a while.

Posted by: joncelli at January 06, 2012 09:57 AM (RD7QR)

*facepalm*

its a Friday dont depress me

310 Romney and Santorum only got something like one more delegate than Perry and Gingrich.

That's wrong, Romney took 13 and Santorum 12, the rest none. They award delegates based on county and congressional district wins. They're not binding but the last time only one or two changed.

311 Perry should come out NOW about Fast & Furious, recess appointments, reducing the military , Michelle Obamas vacations and all of the regulations that Obama has imposed.

312 Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Voted Already at January 06, 2012 09:55 AM (yAor6)

Sorry Author, I will behave myself from now on

ZOMG Romney's a COMMIE!!!!1!!111!

313 Does anyone have any polling on how Santorum stacks up against Obama?

314 If so, dummies - throw every penny you have between right this fucking instant and the SC primary into going on the attack against Obama, both in their local markets and nationally. When you've done that, borrow more money and shovel it into more ads contrasting Perry with OBAMA.

You have exactly one chance to surge again and get you to April. And this is the only way you'll get that chance.

What, you read polls saying Generic Republican is out-polling Obama, so you try to make your guy into Generic Republican?
Get your head out of your ass. I support Perry, but if you're not even going to try, then fuck off.

Posted by: Empire of Jeff at January 06, 2012 09:55 AM (vzFJV)

Sounds like a great idea to me...let's hope his staff gets a clue before it's too late if it isn't too late already.

315

Sounds like a great idea to me...let's hope his staff gets a clue before it's too late if it isn't too late already.

Posted by: davidinvirginia at January 06, 2012 10:01 AM (cPJUK)

Doesn't make any difference, that's his only chance.

316 Does anyone have any polling on how Santorum stacks up against Obama?

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 06, 2012 10:00 AM (pLTLS)

he's in double digits the last time Rasmussen polled the question and also in the Real Clear Politics average

and while Vic would like to think Rasmussen is wrong they are the #1 most accurate pollster in the country

however no polling has been done since Santorum surged, when a none-Romney surges he surges VS Obama

317 "November jobs numbers revised down 17%"

318

157 - Posted by: CoolCzech at January 06, 2012 08:27 AM (niZvt)

Agree 100%!  I have been peripherally "aware" of Santorum over the years (living on the PA border in NJ) and he has never struck me in any way whatsoever.  Not hot, not cold.  Just bland.

Of course, I could still be colored by my Perry crush and may be in denial still.

When I think of the most vile person I've encountered in my long life, I would vote for that person over Obama!

What do I want?  I want freedom.

319 Told ya so about the sterling economic numbers. Romney will be lucky to eclipse McCain's totals next Nov if the economy keeps improving.

320 RCP: Obama vs. Santorum

it doesn't look good

321 he's in double digits the last time Rasmussen polled the question and also in the Real Clear Politics average

Double digits could be 11%.

I'll look it up.

322 Joffen,

Now here we are 3-4 months later, and who's on the frontpage? Rick Santorum. Awesome.
This is the Tea Party's current alternative to Romney? Happy Friday. Posted by: Gabriel Malor

Gabe's being sarcastic without the /sarc.

We are failing our country right now.

"Who's this we PaleFace",
     Things Tonto said.

323

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 06, 2012 10:05 AM (pLTLS)

chemjeff provided a link, just noticed Ras has been the only one polling the question

324 Actual Yahoo! Headline: "Unemployment lowest in nearly 3 years"

so a none-informed reader would think "hey Obama's finally kick-starting the economy" and yet the labor work participation rate remains stagnant, real unemployment is still at Great Depression levels, and 8.5% unemployment from 8.4% doesn't look like booming to me

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Voted Already at January 06, 2012 09:53 AM (yAor6)

And that's what the MFM is relying on. Lie to an uninformed electorate and that helps get Democrats elected. Funny though, with all of this wonderful economic news the stock market took a dive to start the day.

325 I'll also go out on a limb and say that an extended contest is good for us.  It sucks all the oxygen out of the room, and keeps Obama from executing his slash and burn strategy.

Posted by: Dave in Fla at January 06, 2012 09:55 AM (9t6jP)

Downside: Obama isn't forced to squander any campaign resources, either. And the longer this goes on, the less time the GOP has to do some anti-Obama saturation coverage of its own. The Democrats know propaganda. Play the same song incessantly enough and eventually people start humming it in their sleep.

If only there was a way to get the Obama campaign to burn up some of that billion-dollar campaign money, get them to spend with no good effect.

Think, MacGyver, think.

326 RCP: Obama vs. Santorum

it doesn't look good

Posted by: chemjeff at January 06, 2012 10:05 AM (s7mIC)

They'll be better now, though, post bounce. Not that much better though, I'm afraid. I just have a hard time appealing to moderates/independents who aren't socons. (shrug) Just don't see him doing it.

327 "That's wrong, Romney took 13 and Santorum 12, the rest none..."

I stand corrected, I looked it up and that is correct.  Now I'm trying to figure out where I saw that weird statistic.

328 Funny though, with all of this wonderful economic news the stock market took a dive to start the day.

Hush, you're harshing hard-core-conservative-I-swear-really Gerg's obamagasm.

329

OMG!  Listen to the very last thing Santorum says ... He said, "Blow me". 

I gotta call CBS ...

330 Good morning, all. Don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but evidently the ACLU has jumped into the Virginia GOP loyalty oath brouhaha. http://tinyurl.com/7angeku A number of state elected officials are against it as well. http://tinyurl.com/Rescind-loyalty-oath

331 ack...#327 should be "...a hard time seeing Santorum appealing to..."

332 320 Told ya so about the sterling economic numbers. Romney will be lucky to eclipse McCain's totals next Nov if the economy keeps improving.

Posted by: Greg at January 06, 2012 10:04 AM (pftd6)

Sterling fucking numbers Greg, at this rate we'll see unemployment at under 5% in another thirty years. Stupid fuck.

333 Santorum did not equate homosexuality to beastiality as the leftard press is saying.

334 It seems to me that this is also a manifestation of Obama's narcissism.  No doubt he believes he *has* to take such action because *no other president* has been in such a "difficult" situation.

Didn't he let a whole bunch of positions in other agencies (including DHS) go unfilled for literally YEARS?

335 ... still waiting for a conservative argument that the state cannot ban birth control ...

336 If my primary choices are Newt, Mittens, or Santorum, I'm taking the blue pill.

Fuckin-A how did we get here? What a disaster.

337

They'll be better now, though, post bounce. Not that much better though, I'm afraid. I just have a hard time appealing to moderates/independents who aren't socons. (shrug) Just don't see him doing it.

Posted by: davidinvirginia at January 06, 2012 10:07 AM (cPJUK)

that's exactly my worries about him, not so much as him being a social conservative hurts him but he's so outspoken about it and so willing to trash the 10th amendment over it that it creates this image of him as a super evangelical who's gonna rid the world of evil instead of adressing the economic problems

but when I brought that up folks thought I was calling the man some evil bigot

338 Good morning, all.

Don't know if this has been mentioned yet, but evidently the ACLU has jumped into the Virginia GOP loyalty oath brouhaha.

http://tinyurl.com/7angeku

A number of state elected officials are against it as well.

http://tinyurl.com/Rescind-loyalty-oath

Posted by: MDH3 at January 06, 2012 10:08 AM (GKyUC)

Still won't get me to bother going in to vote with only Mutt and Captain Tinfoil Hat on the ballot.

339 If my primary choices are Newt, Mittens, or Santorum, I'm taking the blue pill.

/nods

340 Santorum did not equate homosexuality to beastiality as the leftard press is saying. Posted by: maddogg at January 06, 2012 10:10 AM (OlN4e) hey certain hetero and homo sex is damn near beastiality depending upon what partners look like?

341

What do I want?  I want freedom.

Posted by: abandon at January 06, 2012 10:04 AM (Q/K83)

Then why the hell do you live in the People's Republic of NJ?

342 he signed an assault weapons ban in MA, yes
in the SAME BILL, he also made it easier for individuals to own small firearms

You have to look at that closely. he filled it up with poison pills. It did NOT make it easier to own guns in MA. Its just like those States that passed bills saying they were tightening up on imminent domain after KELO when they were actually making it easier to to implement.

make no mistake, Romney is a gun grabber.

343

What do I want?  I want freedom.

Posted by: abandon at January 06, 2012 10:04 AM (Q/K83)

Then why the hell do you live in the People's Republic of NJ?

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJconservative) at January 06, 2012 10:12 AM (nEUpB)

oh damn...

344 @339, David, I hear ya. This really bugs the hell out of me. Never heard a peep back from Rexrode, the chickenshit.

345 hey certain hetero and homo sex is damn near beastiality depending upon what partners look like?

Posted by: nevergiveup at January 06, 2012 10:11 AM (i6RpT)

Hey, I resemble that remark!

346 Posted by: nevergiveup at January 06, 2012 10:11 AM (i6RpT)

Two fat, hairy bulldykes with strap-ons.

And jut in case your mind's eye isn't clear; they are both naked.

347 So based on the BLS' accuracy, actual December jobs, once they've adjusted them to reflect reality in a few months' time, will come in at a tepid 160,000.

348

Mornin y'all.

If Perry had smacked Bachmann like she righteously deserved, back when she was shreiking at him like a banshee.....then he would've fallen for her trap like Pawlenty did. .....He was wise to ignore her the way he did.

As a woman, I am pissed off at both Bachmann and Palin. ....They have set back women's chances for ever being in the White House, with their petty bullshit.

349 In all honestly, does anyone envision a scenario in which a Rick Santorum can beat a Barack Obama this November?

I don't see it.

350

Vote your candidate in the primary, the nominee in the general.

And if Perry isn't top 2 in SC, which would indicate a massive surge on his part, he should drop out of the race. I'm a Perry supporter, and I hate to approve this message.

 

351

that's exactly my worries about him, not so much as him being a social conservative hurts him but he's so outspoken about it and so willing to trash the 10th amendment over it that it creates this image of him as a super evangelical who's gonna rid the world of evil instead of adressing the economic problems

but when I brought that up folks thought I was calling the man some evil bigot

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Voted Already at January 06, 2012 10:10 AM (yAor6)

Well, maybe I'll hear that too now. (shrug) It's not so much I think he'd actually try to make stuff like that the law of the land; it's that sometimes he sure sounds like he might try. I think people can accept a candidate with his strongly held beliefs even if they don't share them, but not if it starts to sound like the candidate will try to push his beliefs onto them.

352 cornbrerrow.

Vic,
It's funnier spelled cornbrero.

353 I hate Paul bots.

354 347 Posted by: nevergiveup at January 06, 2012 10:11 AM (i6RpT)

Two fat, hairy bulldykes with strap-ons.

And jut in case your mind's eye isn't clear; they are both naked.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJconservative) at January 06, 2012 10:14 AM (nEUpB)

I hate you with the white-hot fury of a thousand burning suns.

355 336 ... still waiting for a conservative argument that the state cannot ban birth control ...

I am not sure about the conservative argument against *banning* it, but I can see the conservative argument that it would be a *bad idea* to ban it because it should be up to each family to decide how many kids that they want and it makes more sense, in a purely pragmatic way, to let families decide rather than let the state decide.

356 350 In all honestly, does anyone envision a scenario in which a Rick Santorum can beat a Barack Obama this November?

I don't see it.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 06, 2012 10:14 AM (pLTLS)

Nor I. Which is why I'm pretty sure I'll be voting for Mitt in the primary, and taking a shower afterward.

357 347  Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJconservative) at January 06, 2012 10:14 AM (nEUpB)

Dammit.

/applies Tamara Ecclestone eye bleach

358 No GOP President is grabbing any guns or going to implement any grand tax change policies anymore then they're going to overturn Roe verse Wade.

359

As a woman, I am pissed off at both Bachmann and Palin. ....They have set back women's chances for ever being in the White House, with their petty bullshit.

Posted by: wheatie at January 06, 2012 10:14 AM (oPkw3)

I see Bachmann as more serious then Palin but they do continue the whole nutty diva streak the GOP seems to be on. There's always someone as serious as Haley in SC but the problem with that is that she's a judas traitor to SOME people because she backed Mitt

that chick from SD is also someone to look at

360 @lacey, I don't either. It's worrisome. Santorum just doesn't seem to have that ten-yard fuck-you stare that would be so effective against SCOAMF during a debate.

361

As a woman, I am pissed off at both Bachmann and Palin. ....They have set back women's chances for ever being in the White House, with their petty bullshit.

Posted by: wheatie at January 06, 2012 10:14 AM (oPkw3)

Heh. I wonder how many husbands have been mercilessly beaten over the head with "petty bullshit" for years on end.....

362 Posted by: Insomniac at January 06, 2012 10:15 AM (v+QvA)

Since somebody posted a link to Barney Frank's nipple action, I have no problem with puke-inducing images.

363 You have to look at that closely. he filled it up with poison pills. It did NOT make it easier to own guns in MA.


Vic, what are the poison pills you are referring to?
This is where I got my info on making it easier for individuals to own smaller firearms
http://tinyurl.com/353dge

364 Nor I. Which is why I'm pretty sure I'll be voting for Mitt in the primary, and taking a shower afterward.

I think I'm in your same camp. My state's too big not to give a shit.

Makes me nauseous thinking about it.

Luckily my polling place is within walking distance. I can wake up drinking, go vote, and proceed to drink the day away.

365 350 In all honestly, does anyone envision a scenario in which a Rick Santorum can beat a Barack Obama this November? I don't see it. Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 06, 2012 10:14 AM (pLTLS) he would definitely have to "grow" into the role of looking Presidential, and fast. On the other hand, I just don't see how Obm can possibly win reelection against any semi-credible candidte without a grievous headwound (which, of course, leaves out Paul).

366

According to the update to the Wiki entry to the Republican Primary it went like this for Iowa delegates; 3 RNC, 12 CD and 13 AL. RNC = super delegates, CD = delegates by Distirc which will be split by the winners of the distric, AL = Statewide and who knows how they will be split.

367 Cheezit crackers.  Desperation is making people supremely stupid.  Santortum not only can't win, he's just completely awful.  He's a wound-too-tight Huckabee who can't even play an instrument. Not only does he stamp the brand with a particular type of busybody socon control freakiness that makes conservatism resemble its most repellant caricature,  he doesn't believe in limited government at all.     I want a not-Romney and there isn't anyone who showed up to *really* be not-him.  

368 Nikki Haley is the biggest disappointment of them all. I never took Bachmann all that serious so she wasn't much of a let-down.

369 Anybody know if Ace is going to liveblog tomorrow's debates?

370

In all honestly, does anyone envision a scenario in which a Rick Santorum can beat a Barack Obama this November?

I don't see it.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 06, 2012 10:14 AM (pLTLS)

 

neither do I,

I see a path for Newt, Perry, and Mittens but nor for Santorum

(sorry for italics)

371

that chick from SD is also someone to look at

Posted by: AuthorLMendez, Voted Already at January 06, 2012 10:17 AM (yAor6)

Kristi Noem

The sex tape is AWESOME!

372

(2) The progressives have screwed up the election laws so that people who live off the dole can vote themselves bread and circuses for life.

...and don't forget that their whole life revolves around American Idol, Survivor, The Housewives of podunk, the Kardashians, et al.  Then, in their lack of intellectual curiosity, they tune in to their local nightly news, and consider themselves informed.

There should be a litmus test for the PRIVELEGE of voting.

373 and while Vic would like to think Rasmussen is wrong they are the #1 most accurate pollster in the country

Ras hasn't been WAS during this round of primaries. I began smelling a rat on him way back months ago.

374 Luckily my polling place is within walking distance. I can wake up drinking, go vote, and proceed to drink the day away.

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 06, 2012 10:18 AM (pLTLS)

Unfortunately that's about the only way I'm going to be able to handle it too.  Ugh.

375 @ They have set back women's chances for ever being in the White House, with their petty bullshit I actually see it as worse than that. It reinforces the image of attractive, professional (conservative) women as not worthy of serious consideration on any level, particularly in a male-dominated milieu.

376 On the other hand, I just don't see how Obm can possibly win reelection against any semi-credible candidte without a grievous headwound

Of course he can and most likely will--

1. Lapdog MFM
2. Brain dead electorate
3. Mangina Republican candidate

Its' a recipe for a disastrous reelection

377 336 ... still waiting for a conservative argument that the state cannot ban birth control ...

Posted by: Chuckit at January 06, 2012 10:10 AM (TEyDw)

Are you fucking nuts? Why would you ask that? Conservatives don't want regulation unless not regulating whatever it is causes the death, misery, or subjugation of others. Conservatives also don't believe in redefining institutions so that they can be used to destroy the rest of society but that's the same as point one.

Idiots.

378 I'll also go out on a limb and say that an extended contest is good for us.  It sucks all the oxygen out of the room, and keeps Obama from executing his slash and burn strategy.

Posted by: Dave in Fla at January 06, 2012 09:55 AM (9t6jP)

Dave, fellow Floridian, I agree with all. However, I believe Twitch Mole has begun his slash and burn strategy to keep in the limelight as the savior of America vs those dastardly GOP Congress critters. Each day that we think it cannot get worse, it will, with his radical decisions and Alinsky-style governance. This is, however, only a taste of things to come if the GOP splits and allows him four more years to destroy what is left of the USA.

He does not want the GOP contenders to be forefront in the minds of his ninny hammers who vote (D). He craves the TV cameras. His next performance will probably show him limping up to the podium with a cane and hunched over from the weight of the world (aka golf clubs) on his bony shoulders. Actually this I would welcome vs his skeletal remains and limp wrists jogging up and down the stairs of Air Force 1. He "used" to give an air of "energy' (poppers) and now he is worn and frail. This was discussed last night on some talking head show on FOX as I waited for husband to get off conference call and allow me to watch recordings of The Big Bang Theory. They were yapping about his lack of energy and po-worn-out poopie-pants, how will he muster to campaign as he appears to be one and done (please God). This is when I brilliantly deduced that this is just a big act. A ploy for sympathy. I then projectile vomited (ok, like BuhRock, I lie at times).

Anyway, more to come by this sham administration. Next? Door to door raids of guns and food (but not before a shotgun blast from this redneck girl).

These Alinsky rules should be reviewed after every sighting of The Won if you are not blinded by the mole:

1. "Power is not only what you have, but what the enemy thinks you have."

2. "Never go outside the expertise of your people. When an action or tactic is outside the experience of the people, the result is confusion, fear and retreat.... [and] the collapse of communication. [See: MSM's circle the wagons of Solyndra and Fast and Furious snafus]

3. "Whenever possible, go outside the expertise of the enemy. Look for ways to increase insecurity, anxiety and uncertainty. [See: defense cuts, executive orders scorching earth]

4. "Make the enemy live up to its own book of rules. [Use conservative measures against them. Smaller government means less for poor]

5. "Ridicule is man's most potent weapon. It is almost impossible to counteract ridicule. Also it infuriates the opposition, which then reacts to your advantage." [GOP candidates must employ this against Barry-the-Sensitive-Thin-Skin]

6. "A good tactic is one your people enjoy." [See: current executive orders that Maxine Waters, Cindy Sheehan, etc, demand. Slash military! Leave Iraq! It will only get worse if the mortgage debacle is allowed. Free housing, baby!]

7. "A tactic that drags on too long becomes a drag. Man can sustain militant interest in any issue for only a limited time...." [See: budget now slashing of military]

8. "Keep the pressure on, with different tactics and actions, and utilize all events of the period for your purpose." [Daily TeeVee messages in whistly hypnotic drone]

9. "The threat is usually more terrifying than the thing itself." [Not true, the real threat of a second term is pretty terrifying, therefore, man up and vote 11/12]

10. "The major premise for tactics is the development of operations that will maintain a constant pressure upon the opposition. It is this unceasing pressure that results in the reactions from the opposition that are essential for the success of the campaign." [See media messages via Opie Taylor, Press Secretary]

11. "If you push a negative hard and deep enough, it will break through into its counterside... every positive has its negative."[This was what they were hoping for with Fast and Furious. Fortunately it has backfired. Now they will be trying this with mortgage pay offs for those who could not afford them anyway]

12. "The price of a successful attack is a constructive alternative."

13. Pick the target, freeze it, personalize it, and polarize it. [Have done this well...and the GOP should take note and pick Obama as the target. Watch for this in the debates going forward, as this is a winner instead of eating your own]

379 On the other hand, I just don't see how Obm can possibly win reelection against any semi-credible candidte without a grievous headwound

Of course he can and most likely will--

1. Lapdog MFM
2. Brain dead electorate
3. Mangina Republican candidate

Its' a recipe for a disastrous reelection

Posted by: laceyunderalls at January 06, 2012 10:21 AM (pLTLS)

The margin of fraud is going to be huge in the blue and purple states too. The dead are going to rise and vote Dem in unprecedented numbers.

380 Ras hasn't been WAS during this round of primaries. I began smelling a rat on him way back months ago.

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 10:21 AM (YdQQY)

really? when do you not smell rats on folks Vic? the guy's polling firm got it right in every important race (minus the NV senate race in 2010) and was the 1st to notice Scott Brown's surge in that MA senate race. He got Romneys and Santorums Iowa surge right as well. Dont get mad because you dont like the results of the poll.

381

360....that chick from SD is also someone to look at 

Yup, agreed. Kristi Noem is a breath of fresh air.

 

362.....Heh. I wonder how many husbands have been mercilessly beaten over the head with "petty bullshit" for years on end.....

I know. Some females make me want to turn in my ovaries, so I can say "I'm not one of those people!". .....*sigh* ....But we're not all like that. You just don't hear much from the low-drama ladies. ....Because, well....most of us are just too damn busy.

We need to see more women in politics who aren't drama queens.

382 /applies Tamara Ecclestone eye bleach

Posted by: Waterhouse at January 06, 2012 10:16 AM (FUYSU)

Sorry. Will this make it better?

383 Vic, what are the poison pills you are referring to?
This is where I got my info on making it easier for individuals to own smaller firearms

I haven't got a link to it. There was a huge article in one of the gun mags that talked about the "fine points". Ask the Morons here from MA. Is it easier now to own and buy guns in MA? I think the honest answer would be NO.

384 Where the hell has Perry been? Shouldnt he be on tv?

385

My advice to Perry is all in in SC, media blitz, ads, live in the state until the votes are cast. Ignore the polling. It's too depressing. No top 2 finish, see who will offer the VP slot to you and endorse them. Romney would be a moron not to consider Perry for VP.

 

386 Not to worry. The Singularity is here. Led by our first digitally uploaded President. Barack Headroom: Uploaded, Now Virtual President Debuts At Iowa Caucus Uh-uh-unprecedented!

387 I think Perry watches a lot of Survivor. He's like Tina, flyin under the radar . . .

388 MEANWHILE. am v nervous today. Archdiocese is announcing major changes for us all here. really worried.

389 Sorry. Will this make it better?

Andy Roddick is one lucky dude.

390

385 Where the hell has Perry been? Shouldnt he be on tv? 

I hope he's been recharging his batteries.

391 Where the hell has Perry been? Shouldnt he be on tv? Posted by: Flapjackmaka at January 06, 2012 10:26 AM (FKQng) South Pole. Oh that Perry? Never mind

392 No top 2 finish, see who will offer the VP slot to you and endorse them. Romney would be a moron not to consider Perry for VP.

 

Posted by: Dick Nixon at January 06, 2012 10:28 AM (kaOJx)

Perry needs at least a win in SC to continue on. Anything less is shit. What he needs is for santorum to crash and him to catch fire in a debate.

393 I'm more concerned about the one that has Romney beaming while surrounded by Ted Kennedy and other Mass liberals as he signs off on Obamacare 1.0.  That's actual policy and should be of more concern in terms of governance.  He's still defending it today despite all we have learned since its passage.

394 389 MEANWHILE. am v nervous today. Archdiocese is announcing major changes for us all here.

really worried.

Posted by: BlackOrchid at January 06, 2012 10:29 AM (SB0V2)

What kind of changes?

395 Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 10:26 AM (YdQQY)

Here's a link to a general discussion of Romney's gun control stance.

396 Oh, that's right.  He doesn't support gay marriage, thus giving the vapors to the Andrew Sullivan of the site.

397

I definitely need an Obama defeat so I can remove our Declaration, Constitution and Bill of Rights from my bathroom walls.

I keep wondering why there is so little mention of these sacred documents.  I challenge my liberal (and some so-called Republican) aquaintances to download, AND READ, these very important foundations of our Republic.

They react as if I'm asking them to actually do some work!  One "Republican" actually said she doesn't like history, and can't understand it.

I told her she doesn't understand it because she doesn't want to. Period.

398 Disclaimer: RP is nuts.
Anything besides that said about him isn't backed by facts.

"Right now, anyone -- including deranged RuPaul -- would make a better president. " No, Ron Paul would not. The man said he wouldn't have killed Bin Laden.

Since RP is nuts and none of his do this ideas would work or get done he would be left with just vetoing things in DC.  So, theoretically 4 years of NO from the White House vs 4 more years of undead but still a maggot OBL apparently accomplishing nothing but being a figurehead from an ISI safe house.

399 The margin of fraud is going to be huge in the blue and purple states too.

I've told my '08 poll watching story so many times it's now redundant. Just to put it in context though, they gave us a packet with notes on the back for us to monitor any precinct irregularities. I had to type up a separate affidavit that was two extra pages on the amount of fraud I saw that day.

400 you guys are killing me. ABO. that is all. great big damn ship don't turn on a dime. squid mitt? fuck him and pull the fucking to get the socialist out. period.

401 The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is announcing sweeping cuts to our schools today, Jon. So, we'll see. Apparently it's going to really hurt. I'm sure the (mostly empty) St Charles Seminary will be still getting fully funded, however.

402 Posted by: abandon at January 06, 2012 10:31 AM (Q/K83)

Imprimus (the monthly publication of Hillsdale College) just did an issue about the glory of the Declaration and the Constitution. here is a link to the pdf, but it's worthwhile to subscribe to the pamphlet (it's free).

403 The margin of fraud is going to be huge in the blue and purple states too.

Oops sent that too soon. To complete my thought...

I think 2008 will pale in comparison to what we will see this year.

Can you imagine? Americans choosing to ask Chicago Jesus step aside for the good of our racist country. With nothing to lose people are going to act....well let's just it will be criminal in nature.

404 Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJconservative) at January 06, 2012 10:30 AM (nEUpB)

Yeah I have seen that one and a few others. Every gun rights organization I have seen hates Romney. Note also that all his anti-gun rhetoric was before he started permanently running for President.

405 ejo, I support Perry, who also doesn't support marriage equality. Reducing everything to my sexuality is, well, stupid. But it conveniently avoids having to deal with the merits of Santorum's position...

406 To counter the bogus unemployment numbers,  the candidate will need to run ads tailored to each market.  Run those cameras over closed factories and lay-off headlines.  In New York,  cover Kodak, for example.  Show pictures of abandoned homes, abandoned businesses, vacancy signs in office buildings.

Run those commercials over and over again until the unemployed are ready to pick up torches and pitchforks.

And call those statistics people before some House committee and grill them on how they are computing these figures.  And get that on tape, and run it and explain it to people,  along with the line "If you have tried and tried and have given up looking, Obama doesn't think you count."

407

No top 2 finish, see who will offer the VP slot to you and endorse them. Romney would be a moron not to consider Perry for VP.

Texas is solidyly red.

Bob McDonell, Virginia governor will be the pick.

408

398.....I keep wondering why there is so little mention of these sacred documents. I challenge my liberal (and some so-called Republican) aquaintances to download, AND READ, these very important foundations of our Republic. 

Because....for the last two decades, there has been a concerted effort to denegrate White Men.....tar them as 'dumb' or 'harmful'. ....Therefore, those old white men who wrote those those sacred documents, are 'flawed'. So we should toss out what they set forth and replace it with a socialist dictatorship.

409 Vic, I've been doing more searching and I don't see anything about "poison pills" in the MA assault weapons ban bill that actually made it more difficult to own small firearms in MA.  Every thing that I've read says that although Mittens supports an assault weapons ban, he also loosened registration requirements and created an appeal process, that hadn't existed prior, for people who had been denied a license to own a firearm.  I think that makes it easier.

Can you provide any source whatsoever that Mitt is actually a stealth gun grabber?

410 Can you provide any source whatsoever that Mitt is actually a stealth gun grabber?

Posted by: chemjeff at January 06, 2012 10:40 AM (s7mIC)

Hell if you go back to pre-2007 it is not stealth. He was very damn open about it. Go to that link above.

411 Romney would be a moron not to consider Perry for VP.

 

Posted by: Dick Nixon at January 06, 2012 10:28 AM (kaOJx)

Is this some kind of a fucking joke?  The Perry vs Biden debates would be clash of the retards.  I love how all of the ace ass-kissers still act like Perry hasn't revealed himself as a fucking idiot.  I hate Jeff B with the heat of a gazillion super-novas but at least he's admitted that Perry has been the biggest fucking embarrassment in these debates and interviews, including Bachmann.  About the only thing Perry has done well is hide his prehensile tail.  And unlike the Palin hating assholes here, I wanted him to succeed because he came into this seeming to have the right stuff; but at some point you have to call an inarticulate asshole exactly that.

And the fatassed skeezers here whining about how Palin and Bachmann have ruined things for Repub wimmenz are really closet Donks fully steeped in victimization.  We're still a nation of INDIVIDUALS who sink or swim on their own merits.

412

Bob McDonell, Virginia governor will be the pick.

Posted by: Circa (Insert Year Here) at January 06, 2012 10:39 AM (B+qrE)

Let's hope so -- we HAVE to flip VA.

413 402 Arlington Diocese (outside of DC in Va) is actually expanding and opening new schools. Other schools are at capacity. This diocese is one of the more conservative in the nation mostly due to the LAST bishop. However, it's reputation has kept it well staffed by priests and since they haven't watered down the doctrine to less than 50% the parishes thrive. I wonder where the point of no return is when turning a church into a lib tool makes it a complete loss? Everytime I see an empty church I know that the religion has been liberalized out of existance.

414 We're still a nation of INDIVIDUALS who sink or swim on their own merits.

When was the last time that was true? Not in my adulthood, certainly.

415 Uh-uh-unprecedented! Posted by: naturalfake at January 06, 2012 10:28 AM (I49Jm) That's pretty funny. I hated those fucking Max Headroom commercials and couldn't believe someone greenlit that shit for a television series. For accuracy's sake, though, Obama's version should be "Minimum Headspace."

416 In the first contest, Mittens got a glass jaw, and may have actually lost, even the NH,

417 When was the last time that was true? Not in my adulthood, certainly.

Posted by: HeatherRadish at January 06, 2012 10:44 AM (/kI1Q)

I work as a consultant; it works every fucking day for me or I don't work.

418 Whiskey Tango, agree: ABO 2012. (I do not include non luap in this).

I have to sincerely ask this of the anti-Romney crowd: if Romney would choose Senator Marco Rubio as his running mate, would that get you off the sofa in November?

My Marco says he won't run or be on the ticket. However, as his constituent I am planning to write him a passionate letter (no, not as an 'ette but as a sort-of normal person) begging him to consider being on the ABO ticket. It is time all of these politicians put country before career. While I like him in the Senator slot for Florida vs Botox-eyes Bill Nelson, I want this man to stir up the hearts and minds of the nation to vote in November, and I believe, with all of my heart, that he is the man to do this.

419 Okay, just saw CharlieBrownDildo's link @ 396.

The GOA people are being a bit misleading.

It's true that Romney said in 2002 that he wouldn't "chip away" at MA gun laws, and he didn't.  The assault weapons ban law that he signed preserved the status quo in MA because it was set to expire.

I'll be honest, 2A issues are not a huge deal for me, on my top 20 list of issues, 2A is somewhere between #15 and #18.

And it's clear that Romney is a flawed candidate when it comes to 2A issues.

But please, he's not a "gun grabber".  Let's not hyperventilate here.

420 Bob McDonnell went to the catholic high school that my sons go to. The school does not have a marching band. It is very small. They went to the other local schools and borrowed stuff and made a banner. They  then got all the old teachers that had been there when Bob McDonnell was there along with some kids that could march and few cheerleaders and went and marched in his inaugueration parade. McDonnell was really touched and greeted them with incredible enthusiasm. He spent some time with them afterward, etc. He absolutely could not have been nicer. His reaction was really sweet. The pictures actually made me cry (and I'm not much of a cryer).

421 Vic, is it his support for an assault weapons ban alone that causes you to apply the "gun grabber" label to Romney?

422 They react as if I'm asking them to actually do some work!  One "Republican" actually said she doesn't like history, and can't understand it.

Well if she considers the Constitution history we really are DOOMed.

One of my brothers went through law school and though he has never practiced I used to expect him to be able to think properly about the law. Silly me. I no longer start discussions with him about SCOAMF's disregard for the Constitution as he makes little effort to separate emotion from logic.

423

My advice to Perry is all in in SC, media blitz, ads, live in the state until the votes are cast. Ignore the polling. It's too depressing. No top 2 finish, see who will offer the VP slot to you and endorse them. Romney would be a moron not to consider Perry for VP.

 Posted by: Dick Nixon at January 06, 2012 10:28 AM (kaOJx)

If Romney really wants to be (more) certain the base will turn out for him, he'll have to go with a solid conservative as his VP pick. But, I sometimes wonder a) if Romney cares if the base turns out for him and b) if maybe he think that he can win without the base turning out in huge numbers. Either would be a huge mistake, but he sure makes me wonder sometimes if that's not his thinking.

424 But please, he's not a "gun grabber".  Let's not hyperventilate here.

Posted by: chemjeff at January 06, 2012 10:46 AM (s7mIC)

In my lexicon anyone who doesn't support the 2nd amendment fully as written is a gun grabber and does not support the Constitution.period.dot.end

425 A lot of negativity this morning.  Let me add some positivity.

A lot of you think all of the candidates are shit.  I understand that.  The primary so far has been a circus. 

I don't feel that way.  I think Rick Perry would be a terrific president.  I realize he has stumbled in his campaign (although I think it's behind him and is being over-blown for the purposes of squashing enthusiasm for him), but those stumbles don't relate to how he'd serve as POTUS (and CinC). 

When I think of how some of the others behaved in their campaigns, the gaffes that made me lose interest in them were ones that I felt said something about how they'd serve as POTUS.  Bachmann's shrill, unhinged Gardasil crap made me question her judgment.  Cain's obfuscations over the sexual harassment allegations made me doubt his honesty.  Mitt's extremely thin skin and rigidity in answering questions remind me of Obama. 

Perry has made gaffes, but to me they are understandable given how he entered the race (including the back surgery) and basically just reflect that he's not a perfect person.  They don't make me question his temperament or suitability for office.  They don't erase his core principles or his successes. 

I hope it translates into some votes. 

426 And the fatassed skeezers here whining about how Palin and Bachmann have ruined things for Repub wimmenz are really closet Donks fully steeped in victimization.

Closet Dem - who knew?!

'Fatassed skeezer' ---> and you know this how.......?

427 They react as if I'm asking them to actually do some work!  One "Republican" actually said she doesn't like history, and can't understand it.

A relative of mine, as solid a Republican as they come, could not place the Civil War in the correct decade.

There are ignoramuses everywhere.

428

Captain Hate at January 06, 2012 10:42 AM

So ignore the person with the best record, is the most conservative, and has a record of job creation in favor of someone like who? Rubio? Jindal? Some no name governor?

Perry debated poorly. His ads have been good, his speeches as well. I think he'd do well in a one on one setting, instead of a 8 person "let's shit on Perry" debate.

Your opinion is noted. And ignored. You mad bro?

429

412.....And the fatassed skeezers here whining about how Palin and Bachmann have ruined things for Repub wimmenz are really closet Donks fully steeped in victimization.

First off, Captn Hate, my ass isn't fat. ....So fuck you.

Second....it's the way that Palin and Bachmann would pull out their Girl Cards® and play the victim that is what has done damage to women in politics.

 

 We're still a nation of INDIVIDUALS who sink or swim on their own merits. 

Yeah right. Tell that to the fuckin media.

430

jwest, do you ever contribute anything other than to denigrate Perry?  It's getting pretty old.

Posted by: Lady in Black at January 06, 2012 09:28 AM (ycuSb)

Since you didnÂ’t notice, that bit of advice was meant to help the idiot Perry become the next President.

The New Hampshire debates will have Newt all red faced and attacking Romney at every turn.  Santorum might just be stupid enough to join in.  Perry needs to distinguish himself by contrasting with those two to present a less scary alternative to Mitt.

If he had a brain (which I highly doubt), he will punch the media with a line about “I know you want us to tear each other apart, but I want to point out how similar a lot of our views are…”

He would then go on to say how he and Bachmann share the same outlook on one thing, and that his position on something else has always been like what Palin tried to emphasis in the Â’08 election.  Perry would go on to say he agrees with Ron Paul on a number of fiscal issues and even though they differ on some aspects of foreign policy, he respects the idea that people want less intervention. 

Of course, you and a group of other Perry cultists would see this not as a smart way of signaling to voters that PerryÂ’s the better choice, but as a total sellout and an admission that Perry is a racist who wants to throw Jews in ovens.

You might want to consider that the patented Ace of Spades “destroy every other candidate” approach hasn’t worked too well so far, but go ahead and stick with it if it makes you happy.

431 421,

I was a campaign intern for McDonnell back in 09 at the Alexandria office, and we had BI kids come in all the time.  From everything I've heard BI is a good school.

432 We heard from the press and other Republicans in Iowa that Cain was a supposed womanizer, Romney a liar, Gingrich a blowhard and hypocrite, Perry clueless and tongue-tied, Paul a nut, Santorum a whiny complainer, Bachman a loser, and not much of anything about Huntsman.

Who cares that the debt is hitting $16 trillion, the Iranians are enjoying our reset diplomacy, Iraq is heating up after our departure, and we are talking to the Taliban via the Muslim Brotherhood? Who mentions that our rendezvous with Obamacare is daily coming closer? Or that the Simpson-Bowles commission, the super-committee, and all talk of the debt is now but a distant, bad memory? Does it matter that Obama decided not to follow federal immigration law and will sue states that do? What are recess appointments when the Congress is not in recess? While Obama sleeps, all sorts of strange things do not.

433 There are ignoramuses everywhere.

True, but in general, our side is usually more willing to remedy such gaps in knowledge.  Unfortunately, this doesn't apply to election tactics. 

434 jwest at January 06, 2012 10:51 AM (FdndL)


Talk about a backhanded compliment.  LOL, even when he's trying to "help" he can't stop calling Perry an idiot and doubting he has a brain in his head.  Yeah jwest, you certainly vindicated your "I'm not Perry hate all the time" stance there. 

435 Andrew Sullivan of the site.

Posted by: ejo at January 06, 2012 10:30 AM (CJGmL)

I have my disagreements with Gabe, but to suggest that he is in any way as stupid, hysterical, inconsistent and insane as Excitable Andi is embarrassingly dense and uninformed.

436 My recollection is that Palin jumped on the crony capitalism schtick early on in Perry's candidacy.  I don't recall Perry ever saying anything negative about Palin.

As for Paul supporters, Perry specifically reached out to them in one of the last debates during the conclusion when each candidate was asked to say something nice about the others.  He singled out Paul for praise in helping him (Perry) appreciate the importance of Federalism. 

437 @Posted by: Empire of Jeff at January 06, 2012 10:45 AM (XE2Oo) Thanks, EoJ. Minimum Headspace would've been a great title. BO's bizarre look on that video shows his clusterfuckery is entering the keep stepping on your dick phase. If only we can find a candidate who can administer a sound electoral whipping to the lawless bastard...

438 And the fatassed skeezers here whining about how Palin and Bachmann have ruined things for Repub wimmenz are really closet Donks fully steeped in victimization. We're still a nation of INDIVIDUALS who sink or swim on their own merits.

In the case of Palin and Bachmann, their merits are best suited to a circus sideshow attraction.

439 That old McVain video of Romney should be replayed every hour on the hour because it not only shows Mitt to flip flop, it shows him defiantly lying by saying 'You can go back and check on Youtube and there are no videos of me saying I am pro-choice.' Well, yes, Mitt, McCain found some and proved you can lie with a straight and sincere face. This is why Plough has been drooling for months about facing Mr. 'No Core' Romney. He not only has no core, the video shows he can lie with great sincereity.

440

 jwest at January 06, 2012 10:51 AM (

You going to get Sarah to autograph her next book for you when you buy it?

441

Perry has done well in the last five debates....and held his own at the two before that. .....Well, two of those were "forums", but they were called debates.

Which shows that he can adapt and learn on the fly. ....But people who want to hate him, are still going to say "Perry doesn't debate well".

I hope he's gotten over his "these opponents are not the enemy" thing, which I think hurt him at first. ....They all treat him like he is their enemy. So he should respond in kind.

442 Vic, is it his support for an assault weapons ban alone that causes you to apply the "gun grabber" label to Romney?

Posted by: chemjeff at January 06, 2012 10:47 AM (s7mIC)

Seems like a good reason.  The assault weapon ban in MA is a silly law.  The Law is basically that if it looks like one from afar - completely divorced from its capability to inflict mayhem - it is one.

443 But please, he's not a "gun grabber".  Let's not hyperventilate here.

Posted by: chemjeff at January 06, 2012 10:46 AM (s7mIC)

The lack of respect for the 2nd Amendment and the assumption that the Constitution is in some way unclear is troubling.

Romney speaks of reasonable restrictions on gun ownership. How would he react if another candidate spoke of reasonable restrictions on freedom of religion?

444

Your opinion is noted. And ignored. You mad bro?

Posted by: Dick Nixon at January 06, 2012 10:50 AM (kaOJx)

So ignored you responded to it?  You're as ignorant as your wage-and-price control namesake, bro.  Have fun playing victim with the women in a big cuddle party.

445 WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives on Thursday sidelined three senior officials pending the outcome of an investigation into a botched sting that allowed hundreds of guns to be smuggled to violent Mexican drug cartels.

The Inspector General has been investigating this longer than the Warren Commission took to investigate the JFK assasination. A couple of these folks were given promotions during that time. An now, they see fit to "sideline" them. I smell a pending report that is supposed to deflect from the utter incompetence of Eric Holder.

446

You going to get Sarah to autograph her next book for you when you buy it?

Posted by: Dick Nixon at January 06, 2012 10:58 AM (kaOJx)

Soaked in semen? She won't touch it.

447 In my lexicon anyone who doesn't support the 2nd amendment fully as written is a gun grabber and does not support the Constitution.period.dot.end

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 10:49 AM (YdQQY)

Well, Vic, then this gets into philosophical issues.  Does 2A protect an individual right to own tanks and artillery?  I would say no.

I would make distinctions between:

1. people who actually do want to ban all guns, like the Brady Campaign and Stop Handgun Violence people.  They really are gun grabbers.
2. people who want the right to own pretty much any gun.  I would say yeah, they are probably most faithful to the 2nd Amendment.
3. people in the middle, who favor a right to ownership of some guns but not others.  I think it can be a reasonable position to take, depending on the rationale.  You can have people like Lincoln Chafee, who actually wanted to get around the 2A by banning bullets.  Yeah I'd probably place him closer to Team Gun Grabber rather than Team 2A.  But Romney, I think, has said he is only interested in banning the one category of assault weapons, and not a general ban on guns (or bullets) in general, so I'd place him closer to Team 2A rather than Team Gun Grabber.

But I can understand, if 2A issues are high up on your priority list, that Mitt is an unacceptable candidate.  I get that.

Honestly, though, since 2004 when Romney signed his AW ban, there have been a lot of developments - the Heller case, generally low crime even in the face of difficult economic times (contrary to what the hysterical gun grabbers would predict), and 2A issues generally not being important in a national sense.  I don't see it as immediately disqualifying, myself.

But again, if you're a single issue 2A guy, then yeah, Mitt isn't your guy.

448 Romney speaks of reasonable restrictions on gun ownership. How would he react if another candidate spoke of reasonable restrictions on freedom of religion?

Well, to be fair, polygamy is illegal in this country.  (As it should be.)

449 I have the same 2 questions re Romney--will ABO be enough to propel him to victory(given the perceived lack of enthusiasm for him) and will that lack manifest itself in decreased voter turn out?

  IMHO, we need an unassailable majority in the House and Senate as well as winning the Presidency. On the order of denying the Dems even a spoiler role. Nothing of any consequence can happen if these criteria aren't met.

450 I just got a fundraising email from Katon Dawson (for Perry).  Isn't he one of the guys who was up for RNC chair?  Is he respected in SC, Vic? 

451 Well, his name IS "Captain Hate." Even when he's wrong and an asshole, he's got style. I'll give him that.

452 Romney speaks of reasonable restrictions on gun ownership. How would he react if another candidate spoke of reasonable restrictions on freedom of religion?

There already are reasonable restrictions on freedom of religion.  For instance, I can't just plop down on a city park and start a tent revival meeting - I have to get a city permit first.  For instance, churches are tax-exempt, but they still have to fill out all the forms to be faithful with their tax-exempt status.

Now I agree that restrictions on freedom of religion should be minimal, and should not single out or target religion per se.  But I do not have an absolute, unlimited right to do anything at all in the name of religion.

453 Posted by: chemjeff at January 06, 2012 11:03 AM (s7mIC)

I think that you are confusing ownership with restriction.

Sure, it is possible in most states for a law-abiding citizen to purchase a weapon, after jumping through the hoops of government. But concealed carry is severely restricted, privacy of transaction is severely restricted, and the assumption that the law-abiding citizen is in reality a cold-blooded murderer just itching to use his new pistol on a bunch of preschoolers is implicit in every action by government.

454 He not only has no core, the video shows he can lie with great sincereity.

Posted by: Schwalbe: The Me-262© at January 06, 2012 10:57 AM (UU0OF)

He isnt even sincere. He comes off as robotic.

455 Speaking of the McCain attack ad against romney, I read gingrich's pac is going to play that heavily.

456

449.....Well, to be fair, polygamy is illegal in this country. (As it should be.)

I am already bracing myself for the onslaught of media crap about Mormons, that will happen if Mitt is the nominee.

It's not much of an issue with conservatives, in the primaries. .....But the libmedia will go there. It won't be pretty. ....We will hear all about how Mitt's family comes from a Mexican community of polygamists, who fled after it became illegal here. ....And there will be reruns of Big Love and Sister Wives, 24/7.

457 Posted by: chemjeff at January 06, 2012 11:08 AM (s7mIC)

Good points all, but those restrictions apply to all Americans, all groups, all meetings, etc. The law doesn't care whether your group is meeting to worship the Sun or discuss the overuse of truffle oil in New American cuisine. And...they are trivial.

The restrictions on gun ownership, purchase, carry and use are far-reaching, punitive and in many cases exclusionary.

458 Second look at Thaddeus McCotter?

459 "The White House will propose a 0.5 percent pay increase for civilian federal employees as part of its 2013 budget proposal, according to two senior administration officials familiar with the plans.
[...]

'[A] permanent pay freeze is not an acceptable policy,' one of the senior administration officials said Friday. 'While modest, a .5 percent increase reflects the belt-tightening we must do in these difficult times.'”

_{@washingtonpost}

460 Posted by: Y-not at January 06, 2012 11:05 AM (5H6zj)

Why?

Serious question. (Ignoring the ick factor and the abuse of children by the LDS lunatics.)

461 Some health club in Dubai, run by what I believe are brits, used a photo of Birkenau in their advertising campaign.

462 .We will hear all about how Mitt's family comes from a Mexican community of polygamists, who fled after it became illegal here. ....And there will be reruns of Big Love and Sister Wives, 24/7.

Posted by: wheatie at January 06, 2012 11:12 AM (oPkw3)

Diane Sawyer, Brian Williams: Ok voters, Mormon fun fact of the day. Did you know Mormons think Satan and Jesus are brothers? Mitt Romney is a Mormon. He believes that.

463 Well, Vic, then this gets into philosophical issues.  Does 2A protect an individual right to own tanks and artillery?  I would say no.

I would say YES. When it was written the common man (who could afford it) owned all the same weapons as the military. And some people did, in fact, own cannon.

There is a method of making reasonable changes. It is called an amendment. Once you start in on the "reasonable" route you open the door for banning weapons like the stupid "assault" weapons ban.

If we regulated 1st amendment like the 2nd just think of the out cry.

1. 5 day waiting period to publish an article
2. Newspapers would be limited to no more than a certain number of pages.
3. People convicted of felonies or who were deemed to be unstable could not read a newspaper.
I could go on and on. And it is not just guns here. The second amendment is clear. You may not like but it is clear. When we start deciding which parts of the Constitution we will follow and which parts we will not we are in Obama territory.

464 In Worcester MA, you need a permission slip from the Chief of Police to own a handgun. I never went through the process, but people who did would usually find a cop friend/relative to bring in their ppwk for them. (As of 2007 that's the way it was, might've changed since.)

465 450 I have the same 2 questions re Romney--will ABO be enough to propel him to victory(given the perceived lack of enthusiasm for him) and will that lack manifest itself in decreased voter turn out?

  IMHO, we need an unassailable majority in the House and Senate as well as winning the Presidency. On the order of denying the Dems even a spoiler role. Nothing of any consequence can happen if these criteria aren't met.

Posted by: irongrampa at January 06, 2012 11:06 AM (SAMxH)

--

In answer to your first question - Yes, the lack of interest in the entire GOP field was well in evidence in the Iowa Caucus.  About 120K participated in the 2008 caucus and approximately 2000 more took part in this cycle.  This in a year where Barky can't get his approval rating above 50%.   So, no, the GOP is not enthused at all with the current field of candidates.  Will this result in reduced turnout in November?  Why Yes, yes it will.  Does this mean we're screwed?  Yes.It.Does. 

It's much too late for any other candidate to enter the race - just not gonna happen.  So, I would encourage everyone to forget about getting any of our current GOP candidates into the whitehouse.  That race is over - done - finished.

Instead, let's concentrate on taking the Senate and increasing our hold in the House.  Hunker down until 2016.  Oh, and buy more ammo - you can never have enough.

466 What happened to our MFM sock that would send subliminal messages, er daily instruction? Needing my daily dose so that I can be a good comrade.

467

Good to see we have some actual poll numbers for S.C., accurate or not.  What they do show at least, is what we all know already.  Namely, that 3 not-Romneys plus Paul equals a Romney win, in a cakewalk.

Look, I've been a solid Perry guy for months, but it's over.  Right now, Perry's presence in the race ONLY  benefits Romney.  I hate to say it, but it sure looks like Perry has been bought.  He's a politician though, they're all bought one way or another.  You'll know who bought him though, by seeing who he attacks now.  If he goes after Santorum, Newt and/or Paul, with nary a word against Romney?  You'll know who owns him.  Simple as that. 

468 'While modest, a .5 percent increase reflects the belt-tightening we must do in these difficult times.'

Ah, Newspeak. I remember when it wasn't considered "belt-tightening" if your belt is exerting more pressure because you're getting fatter.

469 "Rick Santorum's Anti-Gun History," link as requested, Vic.
http://tinyurl.com/7uqyhjk
Do you see any significant errors in this digest?

Which of the candidates, again, is not a "gun-grabber"?
I can think of one, but you daren't say his name outside the pentagram.

470 An Imperial Sham
Senator Reid endorses the imperial presidency.

471 465 In Worcester MA, you need a permission slip from the Chief of Police to own a handgun. I never went through the process, but people who did would usually find a cop friend/relative to bring in their ppwk for them. (As of 2007 that's the way it was, might've changed since.)

Posted by: Lincolntf at January 06, 2012 11:16 AM (hiMsy)

I had to get permission from the police dept. of my town in Connecticut too.  Then onto the State police to get the CCW.  But the town permission is a one time deal.  Any renewal is straight to the State police.

472 Anyone but Santorum!!!

473

463.....Diane Sawyer, Brian Williams: Ok voters, Mormon fun fact of the day. Did you know Mormons think Satan and Jesus are brothers? Mitt Romney is a Mormon. He believes that.

Yup. They will dig up everything they can. ....Then rinse and repeat. ....Then they will do interviews with women who can say "My father forced me to marry his crusty old cousin, and have three babies before I was eighteen".

And when they run out of that sort of stuff, they will just start making shit up.

474 Is he respected in SC, Vic? 

Posted by: Y-not at January 06, 2012 11:06 AM (5H6zj)

He was recently ousted as Party chair in SC. My understanding of him was that he was a "Lindsay Graham man". So if he is supporting Perry now that would be VERY surprising.

475

re: "Brain dead electorate"

This contempt for voters (or voters-not-like-us) is hard to square with a claimed belief in democracy.

Either you're on board with democracy or you're not.

The way to win is figure out how to persuade majorities to your way of thinking, not excoriate the people who you need on your side.

476 118 Keep in mind that there IS a strong social con element in SC. But Perry can also exploit that just as good as Santorum. Perry's problem in Iowa was he specifically said he would kill corn subsidies and ethanol BS.

So the social con vote went to Santorum and the corn vote went to "say anything to get elected" cornbrerrow.

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 08:10 AM (YdQQY)

Gateway Pundit has an ad sent out by the Iowa ethanol group the day before the vote which flat-out said Perry was worse than Obama because he didn't support shoveling more money into the gaping maw of stupid corn hicks. There were only two who got the "evil demons who want to drink the blood of our children" mark: Perry and Bachmann.

477 Burt - your argument is silly, Perry is one delegate behind Mittens. Santorum and Gingrich are hurting Perry; unless they can prove they have the money and organization to continue, they need to punt - now prior to SC.

478

Posted by: wheatie at January 06, 2012 10:50 AM (oPkw3)

 

Well, wheatie, I think your wrong about Palin and Bachmann hurting conservative women who wish to go into politics. I think women are taken on a case by case basis, as individuals. Ms. Thatcher was great, but no reflection on women other than herself. Women are people and those who don't see them that way are looking to justify their prejudices.

(thats not to say I wouldn't vote for a woman and with to nibble on her round ass at the same time though, I am a man, after all, and just as vile a dog as the next )

479

So given the annoying everythingness in my world (*emotear*), I've decided to start huffing glue.  As always, I assume distributed Horde knowledge will be able to tell me the best brands to use.  Put me some knowledge, Horde!

/attentionwhoring

Gah.  Is the election over now?  How about . . . . now?  Now? 

Also one of the co-founders of Comic Con just died of pancreatic cancer.  Fuck cancer. 

480 Well,  rather than bitch about the candidates,  I think we should be making an effort to make them be the best candidates possible. 

Romney needs to clearly explain how he MADE A MISTAKE with Masscare due to democrats tinkering with it,  and he will not let that mistake be spread nationwide.  And I want to see him attacking Obama by more than just saying "he's in over his head."

Perry needs to use the famous "Name them" bluntness with the media. And in debates,  just concentrate on Obama and go after the press for their divisive questions which ignore the real issue,  JOBS.

Newt nees to get over himself and TRY to get a thicker skin.  Whining and bitching about attack ads just make you look like a victim loser.

And Santorum needs to realize that whatever the Church teaches (and I am a Catholic convert so I am pretty much on board with it)  the fact is that this is not a Catholic country,  nor does the Church control legislation.  Saying stuff like "outlaw birth control" and such is just a recipe for doom. 
He needs to figure out a way to present things without sounding like Savonarola.

481 Iowa revisited, revision count.

482

This contempt for voters (or voters-not-like-us) is hard to square with a claimed belief in democracy.

Either you're on board with democracy or you're not.

There's no contradiction in supporting democracy while being frustrated with the stupidity of the electorate.

483 Does anyone think Santorum could beat Obama in the general election? Just wondering.

484

Either you're on board with democracy or you're not.

The way to win is figure out how to persuade majorities to your way of thinking, not excoriate the people who you need on your side.

Posted by: palancik at January 06, 2012 11:21 AM (4dnnO)

You can support elections while thinking the voters are complete fucking idiots. The mushy middle couldnt find their core if there was a fucking map in front of them. Like ace said. two voters: informed or not. But the majority makes up a worse kind: uniformed who think they're informed

485 485 Does anyone think Santorum could beat Obama in the general election? Just wondering.

Posted by: dude at January 06, 2012 11:26 AM (O7ksG)

Yeah. I do.

486 Fast Food Chain Serves 'Darth Vader' Burgers
In a galaxy not so far away, burgers are served on black buns.

How much force needs to be with you to eat a black burger? The Belgian fast food chain Quick is celebrating the upcoming "Phantom Menace 3D" movie premiere by launching a line of "Star Wars"-themed burgers. The burgers will debut in Quick restaurants throughout France on January 31, just before the film's February release in the country. Despite being in French, the ads for the burgers have sent the entire Internet into a tailspin of equal parts repulsion and curiosity.

487 Why?

Serious question. (Ignoring the ick factor and the abuse of children by the LDS lunatics.)

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJconservative) at January 06, 2012 11:14 AM (nEUpB)

----

On a practical level if you look at what is happening in England, polygamous (Islamic) families are causing a real problem with their welfare system. 

488 Is ace awake from his hangover from the booze yet?

489 Iowa revisited, revision count.

It's a claim by a Paultard who claims that Romney only got 2 votes out of 53 in his precinct.

The fact that he's a Paultard alone destroys his credibility.  And the basis for his contention?  The official numbers don't match with what he posted on his Facebook page.  To suggest that his claim is weak would be an understatement.

Not that it matters much anyways- for all practical purposes it was a tie.

490 Posted by: comatus at January 06, 2012 11:19 AM (ySTXt)

What I see on their besides the support for Spector which I don't really equate with gun control because Bush is the one who got him on the Spector bandwagon, is support for the Lautenberg amendment.

Unfortunately they don't provide anything there but "they say so". I am trying to find a roll call vote for that but it is hard because it goes back so far.

If it can be shown that he supported that POS he is OFF my list big time. Even the liberal at the time Supreme Court struck that POS down.

491

480.....Well, wheatie, I think your wrong about Palin and Bachmann hurting conservative women who wish to go into politics. I think women are taken on a case by case basis, as individuals.

I truly hope you're right about that, maddogg. .....Women, a lot of them, are good fighters. And the no-nonsense ones have the potential to be good leaders.

492 New NH Rasmussen

Romney 42&
Paul 18%
Santorum 13%
Huntsman 12%
Gingrich 8%
Perry 1%

Fuck Ron Paul and all his worthless followers.

493

(thats not to say I wouldn't vote for a woman and with to nibble on her round ass at the same time though, I am a man, after all, and just as vile a dog as the next )

Posted by: maddogg at January 06, 2012 11:23 AM (OlN4e)

--

I resent that remark.  My wife tells me I have it on good authority that I am the most vile creature to ever walk the face of the earth. 

494 Click here if you want to see a weird/funny star wars pick.

495 Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 11:16 AM (YdQQY)

Okay, Vic, just to be clear.  Would you say that if a candidate does not support the individual right to own tanks and artillery, then that candidate is a "gun grabber"?

496 new thread please.....

497 I should add that the FLDS polygamist here in Utah are very visible (if you go to the right places) and appear to also be milking public assistance based on what my neighbors who work in places like clinics and state aid programs tell me. 

498 Burt - your argument is silly, Perry is one delegate behind Mittens.

No he isn't, Perry doesn't have any delegates.

499 Does anyone think Santorum could beat Obama in the general election? Just wondering.

Yes 30% chance.

500 Does anyone think Santorum could beat Obama in the general election? Just wondering.

Probably not. Santorum would be going up against an incumbent while having little or no executive experience. His main focus has always been social issues, which will be taking a distant back seat to economic and fiscal policy.

501 I'd try the Darth burger. Those Euroweenies know their bread. Related, McDonald's has a new (?) Bacon cheeseburger on their Dollar Menu. Not too bad, but kind of wimpy.

502

482.....Perry needs to use the famous "Name them" bluntness with the media. And in debates, just concentrate on Obama and go after the press for their divisive questions which ignore the real issue, JOBS. 

This! .....That whole post was good, Miss Marple.

I am still a steady Perry supporter, because out of all of them.....I think he's the one who would fight for us little guys and reign in Fedzilla.

503 freddoso Because they hadn't even had hearings, some of Obama's "recess" appointees are 100% unvetted. http://tinyurl.com/7p7ry3z

Sharon Block and Richard Griffin - President Obama's Democratic likely illegal recess appointees to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) - may not have paid their federal taxes in recent years. Either one or both of them may be subjects of criminal investigations. There is even the possibility that one or both of them have substantial conflicts of interest that will prevent them from serving honestly.

Odds are neither Block nor Griffin is guilty of any of these things, but the U.S. Senate has no way of knowing for sure because both of them failed to fill out the required paperwork for their confirmation hearings before Congress, according to Lachlan Markay, a reporter for the Heritage Foundation's Scribe.

504 Okay, Vic, just to be clear.  Would you say that if a candidate does not support the individual right to own tanks and artillery, then that candidate is a "gun grabber"?

Posted by: chemjeff at January 06, 2012 11:33 AM (s7mIC)

No, but if he supports brady bill and ugly weapon ban yes he is.

505 While I like him [Rubio] in the Senator slot for Florida vs Botox-eyes Bill Nelson, I want this man to stir up the hearts and minds of the nation to vote in November, and I believe, with all of my heart, that he is the man to do this.

Posted by: ChristyBlinky hates Demoncraps at January 06, 2012 10:46 AM (baL2B)

Agreed. Rubio is going places and would bring some much-needed shine to the GOP ticket regardless of eventual nominee.  I doubt an egomaniac like Newt would make a Rubio pick. Look at Obama's selection of Biden over Evan Bayh. If you think of yourself as a 'Man Of Destiny', it would be impossible to run alongside someone more capable and charismatic than yourself.

And I, too, have heard enough from supposed 'A-listers' declining to run, bringing up 'family considerations', for godssakes; e.g., Palin, Christi, Daniels.  Ask any active duty soldier, sailor, or marine right now about their families, many of whom rarely see their families, about 'family considerations'. When your country needs you, you step up and do the right thing.

506 Probably not. Santorum would be going up against an incumbent while having little or no executive experience. His main focus has always been social issues, which will be taking a distant back seat to economic and fiscal policy.

Posted by: Hollowpoint at January 06, 2012 11:34 AM (SY2Kh)

Well. Zero's "executive exerience" may be summed up in one phrase: Stuttering Clusterfuck of a Miserable Failure.

Therein lies Santorum's cubic centimeter if chance.

507 Rubio wont be vp. He would just be window dressing. He already flat out said no. Those who consider it give vague responses.

508 @500
I think you're both wrong.  Here's the delegate count so far: 

Romney 18
Santorum 8
Paul 7
Perry 4
Gingrich 2

Honestly, I wish Gingrich would drop out and campaign for Perry.  I think the case for Perry in the general is stronger. 

509 Is ace awake from his hangover from the booze yet?

I think ace is really, really bummed out about Perry.

510 I resent that remark. My wife tells me I have it on good authority that I am the most vile creature to ever walk the face of the earth. Posted by: Not an Artist at January 06, 2012 11:31 AM (YUwuZ) That's funny, my good authority told me the same thing. I'm told my "quackies" are legendary.

511 same ynot

512

Romney needs to clearly explain how he MADE A MISTAKE with Masscare due to democrats tinkering with it,  and he will not let that mistake be spread nationwide. 

That will never ever ever happen.  Romney, for whatever reason, appears to be incapable of backing away from Masscare. 

513 In Worcester MA, you need a permission slip from the Chief of Police to own a handgun. I never went through the process, but people who did would usually find a cop friend/relative to bring in their ppwk for them. (As of 2007 that's the way it was, might've changed since.)

Posted by: Lincolntf at January 06, 2012 11:16 AM (hiMsy)

That is still correct.  Who gets a Class A or B permit is up to the local Chief of Police.

514

That will never ever ever happen.  Romney, for whatever reason, appears to be incapable of backing away from Masscare. 

Posted by: alexthechick at January 06, 2012 11:39 AM (VtjlW)

Why it's almost as if he likes and is proud of it or something.

515 Honestly, I wish Gingrich would drop out and campaign for Perry.  I think the case for Perry in the general is stronger. 

Posted by: Y-not at January 06, 2012 11:37 AM (5H6zj)

Only happens if he passes gingrich in polls. I hope so soon.

516 That will never ever ever happen.  Romney, for whatever reason, appears to be incapable of backing away from Masscare.

Ok, I read Masscare as Massacre... same difference??

517 Who was it who stuck a paint brush up his ass and painted canvases? Anyone remember?

518 Posted by: Y-not at January 06, 2012 11:27 AM (5H6zj)

Use the same argument against allowing multiple births out of wedlock in the inner cities. Should we make multiple pregnancies illegal? Limit the poor to two children to save welfare dollars?

I'm not trying to be an ass, but the arguments I have heard have not been rational.

519 I swear, if Perry blew himself into a thousands pieces his few supporters would be trying to put him back togetherwith their bare hands  while muttering " I wish he would catch on and become the nominee"....

520 485 Does anyone think Santorum could beat Obama in the general election? Just wondering.

Nope.  While 2006 was a bad year for Congressional Republicans overall, Santorum was beat by Bob Casey Jr by about 20%.  Santorum is a good guy and even former staffers even praise his goodhearted nature, but it's going to take more than a good guy and social issues to beat Obama.  It shouldn't be this way, but things are what they are.

As for a potential head-to-head between Obama and Santorum, Rassmussen has Obama beating Santorum handily by 10 points. 

521
*incoming transmission from Moonbat One*

522 Mild chuckles at this site: http://newtjudgesyou.tumblr.com/

523 Posted by: Y-not at January 06, 2012 11:37 AM (5H6zj)

CNN is wrong, there's a distinct formula on how Iowa awards delegates, it's mostly based on the four congressional districts won. I don't have the article anymore but it ended with Romney 13 and Santorum 12. As I said these aren't binding but they don't really change that much.

524

510

Romney 18
Santorum 8
Paul 7
Perry 4
Gingrich 2

And these are non-binding. ....As Iowa goes through their series of conventions [3 - county, district, state] , those can change. ....Especially as any candidates drop out. .....Case in point, where do Bachmann's votes go now?

Honestly, I wish Gingrich would drop out and campaign for Perry. I think the case for Perry in the general is stronger.

Yeah, that would be nice. .....Gingrich has a slim-to-none chance of beating the JEF in the general. ......The media tore him up before, they have to be just drooling at the prospect of doing it again.

525 chemjeff, what in hell do you have against armor and artillery?
I have an armored guntruck myself, and tracks are on the bucket-list.
You won't meet a nicer group of people than the MVPA.

526 I'm not on board with pure democracy. I am in a state of angst because the principles of being a democratic Republic that this country was founded on are being shredded. When the laws do not apply to everyone its very bad, and when the laws have proliferated to the point where everyone is probably breaking some of them and the government can hold it over their heads its really bad.

527

I am already bracing myself for the onslaught of media crap about Mormons, that will happen if Mitt is the nominee.

It's not just them. The evangelicals have their panties in a bunch. One told me that they think that God wants Romney to run against Obama so that the cult of Mormonism is exposed. He then went on to bitch about cults. I asked what he was and he said some bible church or other. I told him that Catholics think people who worship at "bob's church of the book" are as culty as any mormon but you don't see us announcing that God wants them "exposed".

All the retards are coming out this election.

Obama may not be satan but he maybe the second coming of PeeWee Herman.

528 Okay, Vic, just to be clear.  Would you say that if a candidate does not support the individual right to own tanks and artillery, then that candidate is a "gun grabber"?

Turn-about

OK Chemjeff do you support the Constitution as written?

Would you agree to banning the Muslim religion in the U.S. because they have amply demonstrated that they are very dangerous?

How about reasonable controls on Muslims and Mosques? FBI investigations, transfer taxes for Korans that cost thousands, fingerprinting of all Muslims etc.

529

Posted by: Kratos (Ghost of Sparta) at January 06, 2012 11:42 AM (9hSKh)

Most of the country knows nothing about Santorum, so that poll doesn't mean shit this early in the game.

530
Subject: The gloves come off

[redacted], yesterday President Obama used recess appointments to name Richard Cordray the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and to fill the vacancies on the National Labor Relations Board.

Please, send President Obama an email thanking him for this bold move.

Without these appointments, the National Labor Relations Board would cease to function as a defender of workers' rights. Without a director, the CFPB couldn't fulfill its critical function as a watchdog working to stop the fraudulent practices of mortgage companies, payday lenders, debt collectors and other financial interests that are bleeding Americans dry.

Republicans are livid. Failing to grind consumer and worker protections to a halt at the request of their Wall Street masters, Republicans are now claiming these appointments are unconstitutional (they're not). Within hours of announcement, they began setting up congressional hearings.

This is a big effing deal, and credit should go where credit is due. Please send a thank you email to President Obama for making these recess appointments.

Keep fighting,
Chris Cocksucker Bowers
Campaign Director, Daily Kos

P.S. Please chip in $5 to help support Daily Kos.

531 Does anyone think Santorum could beat Obama in the general election? Just wondering.

Remember when we were all saying a Ham Sandwich could beat Barry?

532 Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 11:35 AM (YdQQY)

I have an M1 and a bag full of preloaded N-blocs .

It has at least twice the effective range of an "ugly gun," and much more stopping power.

The combination of totalitarian and stupid is just too hard to tolerate.

533 Vic, please keep hunting for those roll-calls on Santorum and guns. I'm finding a lot of dispute on gun blogs. There was another Lautenberg Amendment, had to do with Halliburton in Iraq, and there may be some confusion on that.

534 @519, which may the most random question ever, I believe Robert Mapplethorpe.

535 Who says Republicans don't have a choice?
You can support a big government "conservative", a bigger government "conservative", or a biggest government "conservative".

536

521 .....I swear, if Perry blew himself into a thousands pieces his few supporters would be trying to put him back togetherwith their bare hands while muttering " I wish he would catch on and become the nominee"....

Tis but a flesh wound!

537 It has at least twice the effective range of an "ugly gun," and much more stopping power.

And under MA law that M1 is probably banned.

538

Girl preznizzle primary contenders:

Shirley Chisolm

Pat Schroeder

Elizabeth Dole

Michele Bachmann

Hillary Clinton

Boy preznizzle primary contenders

Gary Hartpence

Pat Robertson

Alan Keyes

John Edwards

Bruce Babbitt

It's amazing America has gone 225 years without collapsing into a singularity of ass. 

539 @500
I think you're both wrong.  Here's the delegate count so far: 

Romney 18
Santorum 8
Paul 7
Perry 4
Gingrich 2

Funny how of 13 unpledged RNC delegates all but 2 are for Romney. But there is no establishment, and if it did exist it certainly isn't trying to force Romney on us.

540 Posted by: Cajun Carrot at January 06, 2012 11:38 AM (zHl9z)

Sorry, but you both have been lied to.

Me wife says that I am, and she is never wrong.

541 Vic, please keep hunting for those roll-calls on Santorum and guns. I'm finding a lot of dispute on gun blogs. There was another Lautenberg Amendment, had to do with Halliburton in Iraq, and there may be some confusion on that.

I have to go get ready to go to The City and will be gone for a while to get the pump removed. I'll try later some more.

542 I'm not trying to be an ass, but the arguments I have heard have not been rational.

I know you're not.  And it is a difficult question.  But I think when you have to preface your question with "Ignoring the ick factor and the abuse of children by the LDS lunatics," that tells me that - rational or not - there is something fundamentally wrong with polygamy. 

And I'm not a libertarian so I have no problem whatsoever with our society defining things that it finds to be fundamental.  And I have no doubt that the founding fathers would consider marriage between a man and a woman as a fundamental thing that I seriously doubt they thought they would have to define. 

So, for example, I also object to redefining a person who has sexual reassignment surgery based on their new genitalia (assuming that genetically they are actually the other gender).  I don't object to someone having the surgery, but I object to society giving them a new, inaccurate label based on it.

Same thing in a sense with polygamy.  People do all sorts of things in their personal lives.  I am not saying we go into their bedrooms and count how many people are there.  But they should not be entitled to the status of "married" in our society. 

543 House Democrats stage protest in attempt to defend Obama RE pro-forma sessions

"House Democrats sought to turn RepublicansÂ’ argument that Congress is in session back against them Friday, taking to the House floor to make their case for the immediate start of negotiations on a long-term payroll tax cut extension. [...] 'We have been told by the Republicans that we are in session. We just spent four minutes in session, and now weÂ’re done. ... Either weÂ’re in or weÂ’re out of session,' Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) said."

_{@postpolitics}

544
In MA any handgun without a visible breach is banned.

Only handguns that allow the visibility of a chambered round are legally for sale in MA.

545

That is still correct.  Who gets a Class A or B permit is up to the local Chief of Police.

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at January 06, 2012 11:40 AM (TpXEI)

Don't know for sure, but I don't think that's an unusual process. I had to go to and through the local police department to get my carry license. I live in a small town, a county seat in central Indiana, so everyone pretty much knows everyone. After that, the application was sent on to the Indiana State Police, which I gather runs a national check.

And we don't do a 'concealed' carry license. You can carry it however you like but there are laws against 'brandishing' or behaving irresponsibly. Personally, I carry concealed IWB simply because some people are made nervous or become upset at the sight of handguns. My carry gun is a Makarov, so it's slim and unobtrusive, anyway. Hardly prints at all.

546 Most of the country knows nothing about Santorum, so that poll doesn't mean shit this early in the game.

And and when they Google his name what are they going to find?

I'm not saying it's fair. It fact it's not and that Dan Savage should be...well I'm not going to finish that statement. But it is what it is

547

I'm curious, are the long knives of HQ out to protect Romney now, or are they still trying to get Perry the nomination?  It seems the only way they can get Romney the nomination is to make sure there are three or four others still in the race, thus  continuously attack whoever at the time threatens Romney the most.

I'm guessing all along this is a pro Romney arm of the GOP establishment.

548

So now  I have to decide whether to vote for a feces covered crack whore or Perry's bloody stump?

Tough. But I may Perry's bloody stump may be a step up.

549 He faltered when he took time to try and parse and defend Bachmann's stupid Tardisil attack.

Perry faltered when he let slip that he thinks the GOP base are racist and heartless.  And then made it worse by acting like every stereotype ever of Reagan as an Alzheimer's case.

550

Posted by: troyriser at January 06, 2012 11:51 AM (vtiE6)

I have a Makarov. Excellent, excellent design.

551 Case in point, where do Bachmann's votes go now?

She has none. 

I assume she'll endorse Mitt, but I doubt it will help move her supporters... but it will be used by Mitt supporters to "prove" he's conservative or something, so in that sense it would help him. 

552

No, but if he supports brady bill and ugly weapon ban yes he is.

Posted by: Vic at January 06, 2012 11:35 AM (YdQQY)

Well I disagree - you draw the line between "gun grabber"/"non-gun-grabber" somewhere between private ownership of tanks, and private ownership of assault weapons - I draw it between private ownership of assault weapons, and private ownership of handguns and rifles. 

The point though is that both of these views are VASTLY closer to a pro-2A position than the anti-2A position that the real gun-grabber, Brady Campaign-type people take.  They actually do want to confiscate all guns.  Viewed in this light, I don't think it is fair to lump people who favor private ownership of guns of any type as "gun grabbers".

Incidentally Romney no longer supports the "waiting period" because the rationale was to have time to perform a background check, and there are instantaneous background checks now so the issue is moot, at least as far as Mittens is concerned.

553 In MA any handgun without a visible breach is banned.

Only handguns that allow the visibility of a chambered round are legally for sale in MA.

????

How do you make the firing chamber "visible" there are some pretty high pressures in there. Transparent aluminum?

554 I'm guessing all along this is a pro Romney arm of the GOP establishment.

Wait, Ace is now some Republican Establishment politico?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

555 Obama may not be satan but he maybe the second coming of PeeWee Herman.

I know you are but what am I?

556 How do you make the firing chamber "visible" there are some pretty high pressures in there. Transparent aluminum?

Posted by: MikeTheMoose Camellia Sinensis Operative at January 06, 2012 11:54 AM (0q2P7)

Sounds like revolvers only.

557 _{It seems the only way they can get Romney the nomination is to make sure there are three or four others still in the race, thus  continuously attack whoever at the time threatens Romney the most.}

Wouldn't it be more effective to push everyone else out of the race?

558 Feel good Vic, hope everything goes well, we miss you when you're gone!

559 Y-not, I lived in Salt Lake for a decade as a Presbyterian during college and as a new mom. Had jack-Mormon college friends who came back to the fold upon marriage. Good, A+, hard-working people with family values, who I still consider my friends.

As a newlywed we lived across the street from some FLDS folks. Made for interesting people watching and discussion when others dropped by my house. I have to say, in their defense, they had gorgeous flower gardens and minded their own bidness. In fact, they apparently were not allowed to speak to me (granted, I was hugely pregnant and in shorts when I asked them not to mow the lawn at 7am). Now they are gone, and left a long time ago. Many have fled to the deserts of Arizona, etc. They are there but maybe more of the Big Love variety (these neighbors of mine were of the pioneer type). I watched Big Love and, yes, it will be portrayed as the "norm" in Utah and you and I know it is not.

At any rate, my husband's Catholic family still lives in SLC. Sadly, after my Reagan-conservative father-in-law died, they have decided to vote Democrat to vote against the Mormon GOP vote. No rhyme or reason except religious bigotry. Oh! And they "like" Huntsman but despise Romney, which should tell you something when people compare the two. I have no problems with Mormons, nor do I have a problem with someone close to me who is of a Church of Christ spin off variety who shun their children if they leave their church. Ok, I have issues with their individual weirdness in how they interpret the Bible or the Book of Mormon, but they don't impact my own faith in this country, where we have the freedom to choose or not choose. If Romney is the GOP nominee he will not require that you join his church. I never, ever, had any pressure at all from my ten years with Mormons.

When the MSM starts flinging poo like Howler monkeys at Romney, I hope the tables turn and JFK is brought up as a reminder of religious bigotry.

560 Posted by: Y-not at January 06, 2012 11:49 AM (5H6zj)

The ick factor and the abuse of young girls is enough of a reason for me, but I am intellectually uncomfortable with using abuse of an institution as reason for outlawing it (Much like the gun grabbers use gun crime as a reason to restrict law-abiding possession).

One argument I like is the inherent inequality of multiple wives. It creates a second class of citizens, which is anathema to freedom loving people.

561 Shit, what was ace doing last night?

562 I draw it between private ownership of assault weapons, and private ownership of handguns and rifles.

Anyone who says that a US Citizen may not own a semiautomatic rifle with detachable magazine is a gun grabber.

The 2A is not strictly for self defense, it is also to ensure the security of a free state. And a Semi-auto with detachable mag is the opening argument and minimum bid for that purpose.

563 Take care Vic, be well

564 Only handguns that allow the visibility of a chambered round are legally for sale in MA.

Posted by: soothsayer at January 06, 2012 11:50 AM (sqkOB)

I don't understand this. I can open the slide on any semi-auto handgun and show you the chambered cartridge.

565 When the MSM starts flinging poo like Howler monkeys at Romney, I hope the tables turn and JFK is brought up as a reminder of religious bigotry.

Posted by: ChristyBlinky hates Demoncraps at January 06, 2012 11:58 AM (baL2B)

I wont say I know cause I was not alive then but wasnt the whole argument that he would bend over to the pope? The pope is pretty much nothing now to most american catholics. I'm catholic btw.

But Mormons believe in some stuff that will make evangelicals shit their pants with wtf.

566 Posted by: MikeTheMoose Camellia Sinensis Operative at January 06, 2012 11:58 AM (0q2P7)

I think that possession of the standard individual weapon of the military should be the minimum, for the reasons you just gave. Why limit us to semi-auto?

567 Remember when we were all saying a Ham Sandwich could beat Barry?

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at January 06, 2012 11:46 AM (TpXEI)

No one familiar with the recent electoral history of the GOP should have said something like that.

568 Sounds like revolvers only.

When the round is in the firing position (chambered) you still can't see it. You can only see the rounds on the outside, (e.g. not in firing position)

569 When the MSM starts flinging poo like Howler monkeys at Romney, I hope the tables turn and JFK is brought up as a reminder of religious bigotry.
---
That won't work. 

I hate to say it, but we have a regular here who has said she won't vote for a practicing Catholic. 

570 More on that inequality thing ...

The worldÂ’s congested mobile airwaves are being divided in a lopsided manner, with 1 percent of consumers generating half of all traffic. The top 10 percent of users, meanwhile, are consuming 90 percent of wireless bandwidth.

571 We should have ran the ham sandwich. But the voting public might have been intimidated intellectually.

572 The ick factor and the abuse of young girls is enough of a reason for me, but I am intellectually uncomfortable with using abuse of an institution as reason for outlawing it (Much like the gun grabbers use gun crime as a reason to restrict law-abiding possession).
---
Yeah, I understand that. 

573

My problem with Romney has nothing to do with his religion. ....Other than the fact that the media will use it against him. ....But I personally don't care about his being a Mormon.

It's the fact that he is a squish of the first order, who will say anything to get elected. ....We don't know where he stands.....on anything. And he would make deals with the Dems, instead of standing his ground and fighting for us.

 

574 Folks, GOP participation in the Primaries will be the best indication of turnout in the general.  It tells us how enthusiastic the base is going to be in November.  Without a decent candidate to boost turnout, the race is over. 

In Iowa, the turnout was only 1.6% higher this year over 2008.  This is not good.  I would encourage everyone to watch South Carolina next.  I couldn't care less at this point who wins the nomination - Perry is done, so the rest most likely cannot win in the general.  Especially if the base is not enthusiastic enough to turnout. 

575 I think that possession of the standard individual weapon of the military should be the minimum, for the reasons you just gave. Why limit us to semi-auto?

I was crafting the "minimum acceptable not to be deemed a gun grabber" but in reality, full auto is not really as useful as you think it might be on an infantry rifle. Which is why some models including the M-4 don't even have it substituting a 3 round burst.

576 When the round is in the firing position (chambered) you still can't see it. You can only see the rounds on the outside, (e.g. not in firing position)

Posted by: MikeTheMoose Camellia Sinensis Operative at January 06, 2012 12:02 PM (0q2P7)

Sure you can. You just have to put your eye against the muzzle and let it adjust to the poor light. You will be able to see the chamber via light through the flash gap. (just thinking like a Mass. moonbat).

577 Let's not wax too on and on about the purity of mormons.  Harry Reid is one.  On our side, the loathsome Orrin Hatch is one.  As to Romney, he won't renounce Obamacare 1.0 because:  a) he's liberal at heart; b) his record of accomplishment politically without it is 0.  I'm still waiting for the answer on why I should have the vapors over the Santorum video while not caring about Romney beaming as he is surrounded by Ted and the rest of the jackals in Massachusetts.

578

Sounds like revolvers only.

Posted by: maddogg at January 06, 2012 11:56 AM (OlN4e)

Wouldn't that 'visibility rule' also encompass semi-automatics such as the Ruger LCP or the Polish com-bloc surplus P-64, both of which have 'windows' indicating a round in the chamber? I only bring those two up because I own one and know the other.

And even if it was revolvers only, that wouldn't be so bad; e.g., S&W K38 Combat Masterpiece, Colt Detective snub-nose, Charter Arms 44 spl.. I wouldn't feel under-gunned in those instances.

579 It tells us how enthusiastic the base is going to be in November.  Without a decent candidate to boost turnout, the race is over. 

In Iowa, the turnout was only 1.6% higher this year over 2008.  This is not good.

---

Even worse.  I think I read that a larger percentage of "new Republicans" participated this year.  Now I suppose that could be young voters, but when I was reading the break outs of philosophical affiliation I got the impression that it was due to liberals and libertarians participating in the Iowa caucuses.  So I think the net participation of actual Republicans was down. 

580 I hate to say it, but we have a regular here who has said she won't vote for a practicing Catholic.

Jeez that really got under your skin. You've only been passive aggressively griping about that for two days now.

581 Posted by: MikeTheMoose Camellia Sinensis Operative at January 06, 2012 11:58 AM (0q2P7)

So.  No difference then between Mitt Romney and the Brady Campaign "ban all handguns" folks?

582 Sure you can. You just have to put your eye against the muzzle and let it adjust to the poor light. You will be able to see the chamber via light through the flash gap. (just thinking like a Mass. moonbat).

In that case a 50 AE should be legal. You can look right down the barrel and see the loaded round in normal light.

583 Good to know where you stand, lacey. 

584

So  our choices as 'libertarians' are ...

Romeny, who signed a law to force people to buy somthing....

Newt, who believes in Global Warming, and Government control...

And Santorum, who does not even pay lip service to Liberty or our interpretation of the Constitution...

/shakes head.....

585 Posted by: maddogg at January 06, 2012 12:06 PM (OlN4e)

Heh.

Try looking down the muzzle of a pistol. When I clean my pistols I will occasionally look down the barrels, and even knowing 100% that it isn't loaded, the slide is locked back, thumb in the breach, etc., it's an unpleasant feeling.

586 New thread.

587 So.  No difference then between Mitt Romney and the Brady Campaign "ban all handguns" folks?

It boils down to the difference between wanting to ban one group of weapons that the Citizens have a valid reason, purpose, and right to own, and another group of weapons that the Citizens have a valid reason, purpose, and right to own. So a little but not much difference in my mind.

588 I will vote for whoever the nominee is,  and probably won't even get a say since Indiana's primary isn't until May.

Also,  no more advice from losers and people who wouldn't run.  Those people need to be quiet.  I also don't want to hear from people who are either political consultants or pundit hangers-on.  This would include Karl Rove, Mike Murphy, Steve Schmidt, Kelly Ann Connolly, Frank Luntz,  and the rest.

If the media is going to cover this election,  I want some discussion of the issues, like energy, jobs, foreign policy, etc.  I am tired of hearing about Perry's faux pas, candidate's religion, and  :baggage,"  unless they are ALSO going to discuss Obama's numerous faux pas, his terrible church, and his relationship with KNOWN CROOKS AND COMMUNISTS.

589

Well, Vic, then this gets into philosophical issues.  Does 2A protect an individual right to own tanks and artillery?  I would say no.

I would say YES. When it was written the common man (who could afford it) owned all the same weapons as the military. And some people did, in fact, own cannon.

...as people do legally today, in some states that is.

590
It's been so long I forgot the terminology.

For instance, on a Sig 229 you can *see* the casing in that small window on the top. But on an H&K you cannot.

591 Posted by: MikeTheMoose Camellia Sinensis Operative at January 06, 2012 12:05 PM (0q2P7)

Utility is a stalking horse for the gun grabbers.

But why do you NEED a semi-auto weapon? Can't you hunt with a single-shot? Why do you NEED a 15 round magazine? Isn't 10 rounds enough?

592

I pray Marco Rubio is on the ticket as VP.   He would make me want to vote for Romney. 

 

Santorum, well,  he just sucks ballls....

593 Try looking down the muzzle of a pistol. When I clean my pistols I will occasionally look down the barrels, and even knowing 100% that it isn't loaded, the slide is locked back, thumb in the breach, etc., it's an unpleasant feeling.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo (NJconservative) at January 06, 2012 12:10 PM (nEUpB)

Yes. Same here. Like looking the Grim Reaper in the eye.

594 @ 567 flapjacka, I am not sure about the "why" about JFK other than his Catholic background. Evangelicals who stayed home in 2008 after Palin was on the ticket really helped their cause.Oh, yeah. They will freak out, for sure. But if they have any sense they may say one thing and still vote GOP in November if, IF, the contrast is presented of the option of four more years of this hell on earth.

I will have interesting comments soon, again, with my beloved mother-in-law, the most Catholic of Catholics, who told me she voted for Obama. This was after he was elected and I shot off my "I don't see how anyone can vote for someone who assisted in laws to murder late-term babies via abortion" not-so-suble comment in October 2008. I do think my husband's and my (we, the redneck branch of their tree) influenced one if his sisters to vote McCain/Palin in 2008. My mother-in-law would NEVER vote Democrat if her husband were alive. She does this due to constantly watching CNN and being influenced by liberal family members and those Mormons who run Utah.

If Santorum does make it, I sure hope he finds some spine, as he seems sort of limp and pastel to me. I really don't think he would do well in the national election, but I hope if he is "the" one he will win and I will vote for him.

I am not giving up hope on Rubio being drafted for the VP slot. Look at his letter on Drudge today. I will write him and hope others do as well, to step up in our country's desperate move to save itself. He claims not to want to be a career politician, so do your duty and then retire in, oh, 2024 or so.

595 Mormonism is still weird. . .

596 Even worse.  I think I read that a larger percentage of "new Republicans" participated this year.  Now I suppose that could be young voters, but when I was reading the break outs of philosophical affiliation I got the impression that it was due to liberals and libertarians participating in the Iowa caucuses.  So I think the net participation of actual Republicans was down. 

Posted by: Y-not at January 06, 2012 12:07 PM (5H6zj)

--

Yep, probably the Paul-bots.  I think SC and FL are the key - if we don't see a significant increase in participation in those primaries, then we are in deep trouble.  This all may be a result of the fact that there's not yet a real front-runner that voters can get excited about.  After all, the Not-Romney vote is still 75% of the GOP electorate.  Which is the main reason, I believe, that Perry is staying in the race. 

597 Time to go folks. bbl

598

I am so proud of my country.

599 USA F-Yeah!

600

" I draw it between private ownership of assault weapons, and private ownership of handguns and rifles.  "

Most guns that the AW ban covered are rifles. Semi Automatic rifles. Assualt weapons have traditionally automatic (multiple firings with one pull of the trigger). The AW ban was a smoke and mirror legislation to ban semi automatic rifles (one shot per pull of the trigger) that happen to look "menacing".

A joke in other words.

601

479 -

How is it silly? Do the math, 3 guys to split up the 60% slice of the pie, while Romney gets a steady 25%.  Float the percentages this way or that, it doesn't matter.  If delegates were assigned strictly on the basis of vote percentages, and the not-Romneys could keep (which they won't) Romney stuck at 25%, they might collectively have a chance.  But it doesn't work that way.  If he keeps coming in first (or second), he'll extend his delegate lead, and that will jack his vote percentages up substantially as it goes along.  There won't be a brokered convention, the PTB in the party saw to that. 

So if we want to argue WHICH not-Romney should drop out, that's fine.  But one of them should... and none of them will, before it's too late. So Romney it is! Yay us.

602 The Santorum clip is not "that" ominous, if that was the point, imho. And, let me just say, Perry was my first pick, who has too many "dear in a headlight" moments. I think Perry is one of those "slow thinkers*." Which is actually an asset, but doesn't play well in the MSM and the Reality TV crowd. People are quick to judge (info overload) with gotcha moments. It is Perry's problem that he is doing so poorly. He did not help himself with the "heartless" comment, but, again, I saw where he was coming from, and if confronted with illegals at such a scale as in TX, I would love to see how the Perry naysayers would handle it. With all of that said, my 2nd choice was Bachmann, because she fights like hell and doesn't give up, in Congress. We need someone with a backbone and the tenacity to keep going. Then there is Santorum, who was my 3rd choice candidate. The clip posted does not explain, in full, what he means and why. There is no context, nor snapshot of moment in time (environs). I climbed my way to an executive position in a multi-billion, international, multi-faceted company (a woman in a heavy male industry - think WoW or DiabloIII - yea, a female gamer). I know that the devil is in the details. And, expediency can be handled in a multitude of ways. So, I can see one view for earmarks for expediency, alone, in such a red tape infested government environment. The problem, of course, is the abuse of earmarks. Target and tackle the root of the problem. As far as Romney goes, arguing for a business executive (who the Wallstreet Journal considers someone who likes to roll up his sleeves and dig deep into the numbers, facts, and drilled down details) can be an adherent vs a positive. He simplh won't have the time, and needs to shine as a leader, not a CIO, CFO, etc, like I have argued over at the WSJ. Lastly, Romney is a liar. We already have that in the Oval Office. I just don't trust him. He believes in the concept of Romneycare. That is his mindset, and it is failing miserably in his state, but still won't admit to it. Sorry this is so long. But, the hit on Santorum seemed unwarranted. Seems too Politico.

603 *In the highly anticipated Thinking, Fast and Slow, Kahneman takes us on a groundbreaking tour of the mind and explains the two systems that drive the way we think. System 1 is fast, intuitive, and emotional; System 2 is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. Kahneman exposes the extraordinary capabilities—and also the faults and biases—of fast thinking, and reveals the pervasive influence of intuitive impressions on our thoughts and behavior. The impact of loss aversion and overconfidence on corporate strategies, the difficulties of predicting what will make us happy in the future, the challenges of properly framing risks at work and at home, the profound effect of cognitive biases on everything from playing the stock market to planning the next vacation—each of these can be understood only by knowing how the two systems work together to shape our judgments and decisions. Re: Perry

604

I dont have a problem with what he said. He's right, earmarks are a red herring. It's the entitlements. Is that so hard to understand?

I too have a problem with some libertarian strains. It is the hard core libertarians that push for NO government that make the right look loony. All Rick is saying is that we actually DO need some government.

Whats the big deal? Is this supposed to be some "gottcha" moment?

 

 

605

#604 Your analysis wasnt too long. It was thoughful and reasoned, unlike many of the Santorum pieces posted here by Ace and his cobloggers lately.

"But, the hit on Santorum seemed unwarranted. Seems too Politico." Absolutely God-damned right.

606 Teaching unions refuse to sign up to pension reforms

NASUWT and National Union of Teachers urge education secretary Michael Gove to change framework proposals drawn up before Christmas

607

The Guardian

Britain's two largest teachers' unions have demanded further talks with the government after refusing to sign up to pension reforms.

NASUWT and the National Union of Teachers urged the education secretary, Michael Gove, to change framework proposals drawn up before Christmas. The heads of agreement document established the principles that will underpin a final deal on pension reforms, but such an outcome appears unlikely with both unions demanding further changes.

The move came as the moderate Association of Teachers and Lecturers, which took part in public sector strikes on 30 June and 30 November, warned the NUT and NASUWT that a third wave of walkouts could lead to the imposition of harsher reforms.

608

More than 1 million public sector workers took part in TUC-coordinated walkouts on 30 November, with around 27 unions taking part.

609 We need to support the Teachers getting pension reform!

610 Lastly, Romney is a liar. We already have that in the Oval Office. I just don't trust him. He believes in the concept of Romneycare. That is his mindset, and it is failing miserably in his state, but still won't admit to it.

Posted by: Not buying it, yet at January 06, 2012 12:35 PM (/MuFf)

Romney won't back off or apologize for his defense of RomneyCare (1)because he believes he was right to do what he did as a Republican governor of an overwhelmingly Democratic state and he truly believes the federalist argument he espouses; i.e., the states can serve as policy laboratories and testing grounds. If these policy initiatives, practices, and programs fail, then only that state is effected. If those policy innovations work, then other states can use those successful initiatives as a template for their own purposes; and (2) Romney is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't, at least by the base. If he admits RomneyCare was/is a lousy program and repudiates it, he'll be fairly swarmed by critics who have been looking for just such an opening. He'll be construed as weak, never a good thing for the head of a pack.

Romney knows he's distrusted and even hated by big chunks of the conservative base. He needs to keep that base vote spread among his opponents--which also means he needs all or most of them still standing into the Florida primary. I'm betting the only time Romney has been nervous or uncertain in this race is when Perry first announced and most of the conservative voters coalesced around a single candidate.

I doubt Romney perceives Santorum as much of a threat.

611 Gotta love how someone "flubs" an answer when they answer in terms of the what the Constitution actually says ...

612 "573 We should have ran the ham sandwich." I thought Mitt WAS the ham sandwich?

613 NOT warming to Romney. But... photos have surfaced of a 19 yr old Mitt protesting the Vietnam war. Well, protesting that people are protesting.

http://tinyurl.com/6ozzz6u

614

There was no way Rick Perry was going to win Iowa or even show.  It was about who was going to bring Iowa what they wanted most.   They have a statewide unemployment rate of about 5%.  They didn't really care about fiscal conservatism.

Huntsman was right...they pick corn in Iowa. This is their sustenance.

This is what was most important. At least two influential corngrowers organizations had all candidates fill out their surveys and then sent out the results to papers and to their people on who they should get to the caucus to vote for. They also made calls to voters to get them to the caucuses.

Romney, Santorum and Gingrich are all for Ethanol Subsidies. They are also for mandated fuel standards, taxpayer funded programs for corngrowers and for Government conservation funding.

Santorum gave them the best of both worlds: the Christian and Big Government.

Rick Perry was against all these things, and didn't dishonor himself by changing based on which state he was campaigning in. Perry has the Christian, conservative qualities but this isn't what they were looking for.

Hypocrisy won the day from both Iowans and those Big Government candidates. 

615 YouÂ’re a very skilled blogger. I have joined your rss feed and look forward to seeking more of your magnificent post. Also, IÂ’ve shared your site in my social networks!

616 This info is a terrific read. Thanks for the info.I am looking forward for more updates.

617 Cummins, Fleetguard, Perkins, Caterpillar, Daewoo, Deutz,
 Volvo, Lovol, Isuzu,MTU, and domestic famous
 engine providers including Shangchai, Weifang,
Jichai, Yuchai etc