1 first?

2 All I know is that   the latest    Drudge   headline is about Feds probing Christie, and about them finding a creamy nougat filling.

3

The treatment of Christie should send a warning to everyone in the GOP. This is straight out of the Democrats playbook; destroy the potential presidential candidates with fallacious attacks, seemingly damaging statements and words that resonate with “low-information” voters like “impeachment” no matter how ridiculous.

Christie has been a useful idiot for Democrats. But now that he has been mentioned as a potential presidential candidate- he is the enemy. Something he may want to remember.

By the way, remember how Democrats have treated anyone that dares to utter the “word” impeachment” against Mr. Obama as “crazy” or “extremist”. There is a lesson in that for the GOP. Impeachment for Christie over this? What a bunch of crazy Democrat extremists…

That is separate and distinct between whether I support Christie as a Republican candidate, which by the way is not influenced in any way by what Rove says (what the hell is he talking about anyway?). I still donÂ’t.

But that doesnÂ’t mean I support the character assassination. Because tomorrow it will be applied to someone else. And it could very well be someone I do like.

This should be nipped in the bud and stated for what it is by everyone in the GOP. More of the same from Democrats who have done nothing but divide and destroy our country with their hysterical, ungrounded, extremist language in an attempt to further fool the voters of our country.

They disgust me.

4 I've yet to have anyone explain to me just why the sweet Mary and Jesus the fat fucktard   needed to hold a 2hr press conference in the first place.   Fifteen minutes   should have been enough to    repeat the following lies   a few times:  "I didn't know.  I had    no knowledge that this was happening.  I do not endorse what was done and I will    make sure that    all    the people   involved    are punished." 

5 Shitting in my pants? Street cred.

6 Street cred? Bullshit!

7 Hey, I heard BenK measures his self worth by how many people follow him on Twitter. Can that be true?

8 Not won over. Don't care what he thinks or says. Screw him.

9 Street cred is great, if you are looking for someone to share a bottle in a brown paper bag. As far as getting voters to vote for you - not so much.

10 Rove is funny. *eyeroll*

11 As a long-time tea partier and concerned Christian conservative, I am impressed with Gov. Christie and now consider him my preferred candidate

12

Besides pissing off the teachers unions (and for that I give him full kudos), Christie's not done a damn thing that differentiates him from a fucking Democrat. 

 

I realize that    Karl Rove is a senile old fossil who still thinks   it's    still   1996, but FGS, man;  wake up!

13 Karl Wasserman Rove is borderline retarded when it comes to understanding the first fucking thing about how Tea Partiers think.

14 Hey Christie... how do you like your new friends now???

15 4 I've yet to have anyone explain to me just why the sweet Mary and Jesus the fat fucktard needed to hold a 2hr press conference in the first place. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 'cause he loves him some spotlight, but you know that.

16 Because if there's anyone who knows about 'street cred', it's Casper the Friendly Ghost's chinless, four eyed hack cousin.

17

I could see, for example, a scenario in which conservatism continues to be unpopular at the national level, and Christie (or a similar RINO) might be our only plausible vehicle for winning the White House.

 

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

Here's the thing...if I'm a conservative, and Christie is not, how is he "our" candidate?

 

He isn't mine, and I really don't see a situation where he ever will be. 

 

18 But maybe he's right and I'm wrong: Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference? No. And no "street cred" given to Rove either.

19 No, not won over. I judge a man by his actions, not words.

20 Nothing that happened with the bridge or the press conference did a single fucking thing to cut the size, scope, or expense of government....so, no.

21 Karl Rove speaks for the Tea Party, like Wile E Coyote speaks for Bugs Bunny.

22 "But maybe he's right and I'm wrong: Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference?"

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha (pause) Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

No.

23 Wait, wha....? I think his handling of this, being straightforward, taking action, saying IÂ’m responsible, firing the people, probably gives him some street cred with tea party Republicans *** I'm responsible, so I'm going to fire her... ...and him, and that one over there, and oh yeah, that one in particular. That'll show them who's responsible!!

24 Why is some fat fuck without   any  street cred with the TP  saying anything about someone else having street cred with the TP?

25 I've yet to have anyone explain to me just why the sweet Mary and Jesus the fat fucktard needed to hold a 2hr press conference in the first place.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

'cause he loves him some spotlight, but you know that.

Posted by: Countrysquire at January 13, 2014 12:10 PM (LSJmV)

He's Client 9 who obsesses on food instead of strange.

26 Fifteen minutes should have been enough to repeat the following lies a few times: "I didn't know. I had no knowledge that this was happening. I do not endorse what was done and I will make sure that all the people involved are punished." Then, "FYNQ".

27 'cause he loves him some spotlight, but you know that.

Posted by: Countrysquire at January 13, 2014 12:10 PM (LSJmV)

 

The spotlight needed to fully illuminate   Chris Krispy      was   so large   that when he passed in front of it, NASA was getting reports of a solar eclipse.

28

I thought TEA meant Taxed Enough Already.  I'm down with that and have been since Rick Santelli gave his epic rant about taxpayers bailing out idiots who bought houses they couldn't afford.  I've been down since the beginning with total opposition to the enactment of Obamacare and attempts to repeal it. 

 

But I must have missed the meeting when these became Tea Party issues:

 

-- Gun control in the states

-- "Amnesty"

-- Appointing judges who happen to be Muslim to a state court

 

29 In a word: no. And for all the reasons you listed. I mean, we know he's a blunt, and often times tough and combative talker, which is good and needs to happen with more people when talking to the prog media: challenge their assertions, and underlying assumption. But that alone isn't sufficient.

30 No Roves message was for big party donors. It's BS

31

I'm sure Christie is wondering why Obama hasn't hugged him in public for a nice photo-op.  I'm sure Christie has his official governor's fleece with him 24/7 just in case an impromtu photo-op arises.

Sadly - for Christie that is - he'll find no aid or comfort from Obama or the MSM who wrote nice things about Christie when Christie was nice to Obama.

Funny how that works, isn't it, Gov. Christie?

 

32 like Wile E Coyote speaks for Bugs Bunny. Posted by: sven10077 at January 13, 2014 12:12 PM (TE35l) ***** Ummm, mixing cartoon metaphors Sven? That'll be 10 demerits.

33 Hey Rove, go fuck yourself you fat shitbird turdburgler.

34 Yeah, it gives him "street cred". Also "props". And also it makes him "bad", which I understand means good.

35 Why would I vote for the least bad candidate? If you give me a choice between Candidate A who promises me free shit we can't pay for and Candidate B who promises me less free shit we still can't pay for, I'm picking A.

36 In Rove world, Christie is just a placeholder for Jeb Bush.

37

Cthulu 2014:

Why vote for the lesser evil?

38 You left out global warmist.  That's what does it for me.

39 Karl Rove speaks for the Tea Party, like Wile E Coyote speaks for Bugs Bunny. Posted by: sven ------------------------- Damn, Sven. That is just too..., twisted, for me to deal with this early in the day.

40 Karl Rove is now a master of what the Tea Party thinks. Hey Karl, see if you can tell me what I am thinking right now.

41 Cthulu 2014:
Why vote for the lesser evil?

Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos.

42 NO!!!

43 "I could see, for example, a scenario in which conservatism continues to be unpopular at the national level, and Christie (or a similar RINO) might be our only plausible vehicle for winning the White House. " Then "we" wouldn't have won the White House.

44 “In fact, I think his handling of this, being straightforward, taking action, saying I’m responsible, firing the people, probably gives him some street cred with tea party Republicans who say ‘That’s what we want in a leader, someone who steps up and takes responsibility.’” Yeah, cause we're all about punishing our political enemies by hurting the everyday people. They really have no fucking clue what we believe.

45 “In fact, I think his handling of this, being straightforward, taking action, saying I’m responsible, firing the people, probably gives him some street cred with tea party Republicans who say ‘That’s what we want in a leader, someone who steps up and takes responsibility." So is Rove saying the establishment GOP candidate doesn't bring that to the table?

46 Rove the Rino.... he who HATES the TEA party... Saying this will make TEA party folks SUPPORT Christie? A self avowed Enemy... and his babbling is supposed to mean something???? Only in Washington with the Beltway Bunch... Beltway Bunch.... just like the Wild Bunch... but they steal your money through taxes, instead of with a gun...

47 Yeah, it gives him "street cred". Also "props". And also it makes him "bad", which I understand means good. It totes twizzled my bridge schnizzle. Syria!

48

And no, I wasn't impressed with Christie's press conference.  I hope he doesn't come within 100 miles of the GOP nomination.  He will be crucified by the press and the GOP will have to wait until 2020.  And I cannot stand to even think about a Hillary! presidential term. 

I can only hope Christie's presidential ambitions are scuttled.

49 Rove is merely trying to convince big donors who like amnesty to keep writing those checks His message is tailored for that audience.

50 Rove is such a tool.  The GOP's image is still suffering from the "issues" he flogged in the swing states, like partial-birth abortion and the 10 Commandments!1!1eleventy!  I mean, to call strangers on the phone and ask them this shit to smoke out their leanings just plain pisses off a lot of people.

51 Karl Rove speaks for Tea Party people like GLAAD speaks for Christians.

52 Rove is a braying jackass.
Feel free to quote me....

53 I believe the media understands that I am a different kind of Republican and ant that will help my candidacy in 2008. 

54 " I could see, for example, a scenario in which conservatism continues to be unpopular at the national level, and Christie (or a similar RINO) might be our only plausible vehicle for winning the White House."

You mean like Dole, McCain and Romney?  What's hard to see about that?

55 I would say Karl Rove is an idiot, but he isn't. He identified a sucker his market niche and he's taking it for all it's worth making the most of it. Clue for the clueless: He doesn't work for us. But most of you figured this out already...

56

I'm taking responsibility......that's why I'm firing that other guy.

57 28 Rockmom, It's also about out of control govt. He signed on to tax hikes, does not hit ScoamfCare, and is not particularly a friend to regulatory reform. He can call Ogwbe for a hug, not me.

58 Rove is whistling past the graveyard He doesn't want the money to dry up

59 He isn't m(y candidate), and I really don't see a situation where he ever will be. Oh? how about Hillary is the Prog candidate, and Christie is the Retard candidate. Are you going to sit home, or go out and vote for the lesser of two weasels? if you do sit at home, then don't bitch too loudly when Hillary gets busy continuing the policies of Emperor Teh Won teh First.

60 Christie (D-NJ). D, for "dead to the Tea Party Movement, if you ask me."

61 "Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference?"

No.

62

Yeah, cause we're all about punishing our political enemies by hurting the everyday people,    and doing    so by abusing the power of    our elected    office

 

FIFY.   Like   I want this jagoff in a position to misuse the   IR-fucking-S.

63 52 Rove is a braying jackass.
Feel free to quote me....

Posted by: backhoe at January 13, 2014 12:16 PM (ULH4o)

Rove is a braying jackass.

64 Next Karl Rove is going to explain how the puppy is just like industry.

65 Rove is out of his mind. I am tea party like, live here in joosey, and I dislike Christie more ever day. But is because he is a traitor and has nothing to do with Bridgegate, which is a joke, just like the MSM

66 The plural of "anecdote" may not be data, but based on my own daily informal survey of where the passion in the conservative wing of the conservative movement is, it remains strongly anti-Christie. I read the term anecdata somewhere and I quite like it to describe precisely this scenario. Good heavens, Rove is smoking the bad monkey crack. Street cred from the press conference? The only street cred Christie had left was that he'll yell at the press. That was it. It's not like the press conference was different. Look, my issues with Christie are on the policy level. No amount of bluster is going to change that.

67 So, when TFG fires people when they get caught doing his bidding, we call it 'throwing them under the bus', but we're supposed to see Christie as a leader for allegedly doing the same thing? We can't have it both ways.

68 I was impressed by the press conference, but exclusively in the sense that ace mentions, i.e., it bolstered by confidence in Christie as a "least-bad option".  I still don't like the guy and I'd rather he get out of the way of actual conservatives so that we can avoid a repeat of the circular firing squad primaries of 2008. 

But that performance made me think, eh...it could work if it had to...sort of in a Newt Gingrich way, I'd be happy to see him be a tough guy to the press.

69 "This is straight out of the Democrats playbook; destroy the potential presidential candidates with fallacious attacks, seemingly damaging statements and words that resonate with “low-information” voters like “impeachment” no matter how ridiculous." Fallacious? Why is Christie firing people then?

70 These guys are just gluttons for punishment. Candidate A is our best hope for winning over centrists! Candidate B helps torpedo Candidate A’s election. Candidate B is our best hope for winning over centrists! Is this the kinkiness Hunter S. Thompson meant when he titled his political memoir “Better Than Sex”?

71 39 Mike Hammer, It works(I think) if you think it through but yeah I had to get lad from class b/ of flu so I am addle-brained.

72 15 4 I've yet to have anyone explain to me just why the sweet Mary and Jesus the fat fucktard needed to hold a 2hr press conference in the first place. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 'cause he loves him some spotlight, but you know that. Posted by: Countrysquire at January 13, 2014 12:10 PM (LSJmV)
I think they're going to need a bigger spotlight.

73 That idiot Rove!!!!
That fat fucker!!!
It is the immigration policy that will sink the mutt.
Nobody gives a rats ass about abridge closing..
That mutt is great at diverting the facts..

74 Was impressed at his press conference & taking responsibility. But I still hate the guy for what he did to Romney by slobbering all over Obama after Sandy. Also, never did think the guy was presidential material.

75 Rove has no credibility with me (a Tea Partier) how would anything he bloviated about be taken seriously? Christie? A clown show. A fat clown show. A fat clown who likes to kiss ass.

76 "Are you going to sit home, or go out and vote for the lesser of two weasels? if you do sit at home, then don't bitch too loudly when Hillary gets busy continuing the policies of Emperor Teh Won teh First." If you had a time machine to 1979, would you tell Lech Walesa to join the Party or STFU?

77 Christie won't have street cred with me until he twerks Rove and then Hillary on the Jersey boardwalk.

78 I'm with Ace on this... If it comes down to a Rino / Christie type as our candidate I'll pull the lever for him/ her. So sue me, but this Country could not survive 4/8 more years of a Obama/Hillary type Presidency...... Noble as it might seem to stay home and wait for the "right" Conservative candidate.... Yeah, I'd sell out...

79 Rove is just protecting one of his cash cows

80

Oh? how about Hillary is the Prog candidate, and Christie is the Retard candidate.

Are you going to sit home, or go out and vote for the lesser of two weasels? if you do sit at home, then don't bitch too loudly when Hillary gets busy continuing the policies of Emperor Teh Won teh First.

 

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

 

Sorry, I'm finished with being blackmailed into voting for a RINO because the alternative is JUST TOO BAD TO CONTEMPLATE.

 

If a candidate can't earn my vote on his own merits, he sure as shit stinks won't earn a default vote.  I played the GOP "lesser of two evils" game for the last time with Romney and the so-called "electible" candidates.  Never Again.

 

Not voting is just as valid a choice as voting, and yes I get to bitch very loud when the leadership choices I'm presented are Dumb and Dumberer.

81 I'm taking responsibility......that's why I'm firing that other guy.

Posted by: IllTemperedCur at January 13, 2014 12:17 PM (TIIx5)

Yeah I'm still trying to square "I fired this person" with "I'm still trying to figure out just what happened"; when you spend two fucking hours pontificating you're bound to create logical loggerheads like that.  But, again, it's the type of dogshit I'd expect from a former federal prosecutor who is used to dropping the full weight of the feds on any poor sucker who gets in his crosshairs.

82 That sack of shit has been dead to me ever since his "superstorm" Sandy photo ops with Pres. Toonces

83 Hey Karl, see if you can tell me what I am thinking right now. Ewww...I didn't think that was possible...

84 We're gonna need a bigger street.

85 Oh? how about Hillary is the Prog candidate, and Christie is the Retard candidate. Then the question is moot.

86
Fallacious? Why is Christie firing people then?

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at January 13, 2014 12:19 PM (5xmd7)

 

Because they were stupid enough to use their real names on their emails.  

87

Rove misunderstands completely.  He is never a conservative's candidate.  Not in the least.

 

But he can count on us to get in there and get bloody with these fuckers.  Because now the left is out for his head, and he may not be our guy in agreeance on some significant issues, but he is a member of the GOP and fuck you lefties and fuck you media.  A bridge delay, fuck you right in your anal fucking cavity.  Now if there are more serious issues, those will have to be reviewed.

 

But for  a bridge delay, they can suck a dick.  I will gladly stand behind Christie and laugh all day at the so-called media.

 

Estab. GOP, talking heads of the so-called GOP, we will see where they shake out.  1/2 will back, 1/2 will criticize, imho.

 

Conservatives need to take the high road.  Conservatives need to come out swinging against the left in defense of Christie.  Despite the fact that estab. fucks over candidates they don't like, we can be, and are, MUCH BIGGER than them.  We run the fucking party.  They're just our bankers... 

 

You take back control by always being dependable and forging alliances and fighting for people when no one else seems to want to step up.

88 Christie is bad on gun control, amnesty and global warming. Not just "NO" but a "H*ll NO."

89 Christie is in it for himself, and maybe for Bruce Springsteen (hint, hint) He does not want your vote, he expects and demands it. FOAD, fat boy...

90 Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference? Umm, no. When we needed Christie the most he didn't have our back. I feel no compulsion to have his back-fat now that he's screwed the pooch.

91

But maybe he's right and I'm wrong: Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference?

 

No.  In fact, hell no.

 

Here's the sticking point for me - Christie had the perfect moment handed to him on a silver platter.   He could have shredded the MFM live, all across the country, calling them out on their partisan bullshit.  But he whiffed.

 

I know you think I'm a broken record on this, Ace, and you called me on it during Romney's debates, but I'm going to repeat it - the mainstream media is an unelected, yet willing, propaganda arm of the Democrat party.  We cannot expect a fair shake from them.  We cannot expect honest reporting - you yourself prove this every time you dissect them, as you did with WaPo's Barkycare garbage.

 

A Tea Party candidate, or one who wants the TP backing, has to get in the media's face.  They also have to commandeer social media.  They have to do their best to push back.  If you begin by accepting their premises - "Governor, your aides closed the bridge.  What did you know and when did you know it?" - then you've lost the fight.

 

Or am I in the minority here, wanting a fight that won't happen and would be more damaging than helpful?

92 Ewww...I didn't think that was possible... It would take ten years of yoga to get that flexible.

93 Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at January 13, 2014 12:21 PM (9+ccr) And the RINO will loose.... again.... Please show an election that was WON campaigning on 'I'm not as bad as the other guy'?

94 Karl Rove talking about street cred is akin to Urkel talking about ghetto culture

95 FIFY. Like I want this jagoff in a position to misuse the IR-fucking-S. Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at January 13, 2014 12:19 PM (4df7R) Thanks MWR. Anger is clouding my head. I'm finding it difficult to finish my thoughts. Not to mention I am homesick as hell today, which just adds to my emotional volatility.

96 Governor Donuts channeled his inner Sergeant Schultz:  "I know nothing and ... you're fired!" 

97 To be fair, Christie is handling his one crisis better than Obama handled any of his crisiseseseses. Still can't trust him farther than I can throw, er, nudge him. The real loser is the media - they look ridiculous in their double standards.

98 59 IRA Darth Aggie, I'll probably be preparing. It's a lot like the REAL problem/opportunity in CO. I want the case made that if Obama can tacitly refuse to enforce Federal law in CO other states should legislate away EPA, BATF, and SEC tegs and laws. Undermine them.

99 Yes, tea party type here who was excited to see Christie fall on his face as comeuppance. But that press conference re-confirmed to me that Christie has more raw political skill than any other Republican candidate since Reagan, and a damn sight more skill than Hillary-The-Inevitable. And the Dems know it too.

100 Gee, I don't know Ace.  I mean Rove said: "“I donÂ’t think the tea party is going to seize upon Fort Lee and the George Washington Bridge as their defining difference for Chris Christie,”.  And on that point he is correct.  But the point he was trying to make, I think, was that Christie's standing up, taking responsibility and firing two staffers, one of whom was his Deputy Chief of Staff is REFRESHING given how, according to Democrats Progressives, everything is Bush's fault (still) and NO ONE gets fired by Obama and Company. Assuming that nothing else comes out of the probably dozens of investigations of GWBGate that would tar Christie, I think most of us on the Right would find that refreshing.  Maybe not enough - hell, certainly not enough- to want to vote for Christie unless he's the best of a bad choice, but it is still refreshing to see him take responsibility and some action.

101 Rove is not talking to the tea party Rove does not believe what he is saying Rove is spinning so the sweet sweet donor money keeps rolling in

102 This country won't be fixed until a viable third party emerges, imo.  The repubs right now are just as bad as the dems and they openly and covertly flay any candidates who really want this shit to end.

Despite what everyone says, there is a middle ground in this country and it is a middle ground that is socially realistic and fiscally conservative (Libertarian).

103 If Rove really believes that tripe he's a bigger idjit than I thought. If he doesn't he's a bigger liar. Either way, he pulls moose meat and so does Fat Boy.

104 "[Rove thinks] his handling of this, being straightforward, taking action, saying IÂ’m responsible, firing the people, probably gives him some street cred with tea party Republicans"

Um, that would be a big no-four, Mr. Rove.

In fact, what the "Fat And Furious" scandal reminds me of more than anything else is the incredibly tiresome schtick that we've now been subjected to for five-plus years from the Narcissist In Chief. Who never ever admits responsibility for problems even when it's crystal clear that he's directly responsible for them.

Right down to the tired repetition of the mantra, "No one is more outraged about [this completely predictable consequence of my policies] than I am, and I promise to get to the bottom of it."

So, another potential President who would govern in that same way as Obama has? DO NOT WANT.

105 Please show an election that was WON campaigning on 'I'm not as bad as the other guy'? I knew I'd take flack for this, but "purity" of Conservative Candidate will not win either... Not in this Country right now, so I'll take the lesser of two evils if it means keeping an obama type out...

106

Democrat  and RINO  support are limited to large  urban areas.   These urban areas are mostly a blight.    That people can't put 2 and 2 together   is frustrating to say the least.   

107 Karl needs a vacation. Or retirement. Personally I'd rather have four more years of full on march towards the burn then a possible slight slow down under a RINO.

108 stupid sock.

109 might be our only plausible vehicle for winning the White House.

What's the "our" stuff?

As a tea partier, Christie isn't "we" in any sense of the word.
He's Hillary Clinton with fatter cankles.

110

One other thing.  This election represents the first time that I will no longer just vote for GOP b/c it's the GOP.

 

I'll back our people all the way, but when it comes to President, I will no longer, ever, just vote for these fucks b/c the GOP name is next to them. 

 

Oh, I'm contributing to the slide.  If you haven't noticed, we're already pretty much there.  Why in the fuck do we have to continue to fight OUR OWN FUCKING PEOPLE on core issues like amnesty/zerocare/personal freedom/debt and deficits??????????

 

I'm done.  Run a squish, someone who's not proven as a solid conservative on the core issues, and welcome President Clinton once again you stupid fucking squish GOPers.  I will never vote for a squish again and at least I can tell my children that we tried to do something.

111 Wow. Rove is an idiot. . No, being investigated for being a corrupt fat bastard does not equate to "cred". . Mew

112
If Christie thought he was gonna get any benefit from his obama ball licking, he was naive and is gonna learn a big fat rotund lesson.  Federal investigations for Bridgaquiddick and Sandyaquiddick coming right up.

113 Karl Rove looks like the love spawn of Ben Franklin and a colonial era hooker.

114 Just finished watching Battlefield: Battle for Berlin. Spoiler! Commies won.

115 But maybe he's right and I'm wrong: Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference?

Christie can go to hell.

Conservatives should pile on him, but only as a mechanism to attack Obama.

"The Christie administration using traffic planning against political opponents reminds me of the Obama administration sic'ing the IRS on their political opponents"

or better yet

"In any case where a political administration has used its power against political opponents, like Christie's has been accused of I take this as a serious issue. But, as the Obama administration has made this a way of life and no one has been punished, I guess you in the media in fact see this as completely normal. Can you explain to me why that is Mr/Ms Media Talk Head?"

116 Second look at Chris Christie?

117 Rove doesn't quite understand that although the money comes from big donors, the votes will  have to come from conservatives.  A RINO establishment candidate will not attract the  conservative base this time.

Christie is  what most conservatives would call a RINO.  He shows more leadership skills than the SCOAMF, but he is still Dem Light.

118 I don't like him any more, or less, than before BridgeGate. The only issues I agree with him are on fiscal matters and teacher's unions. Other than those, he can take a long walk off a short pier.

119 "Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference" Uh, no.

120 If Christie thought he was gonna get any benefit from his obama ball licking, he was naive and is gonna learn a big fat rotund lesson.
***
"Moderate" Republicans seem to keep making the same mistake.

Ask Bush 43 about letting Ted Kennedy write parts "No Child Left Behind", Bush 41 about his bipartisan tax increases, etc...

121

The first thing Rove gets wrong is equating all conservatives with the Tea Party.   The Tea Party is purely fiscal in nature.  It's about    out of control gubmint spending.     So immediately   Krispy loses TEA Party cred on account of his Superstorm Sandy    slush fund.

 

And the Tea Party is just one part of the whole conservative movement.   It's fair to say that most conservatives are Tea Partiers from a fiscal point of view, but there are larger social issues that aren't necessarily Tea Party in nature   (though it's all related).   Amnesty.  Gun control.  Domestic surveillance.     Radical Islamists.     Law and order.     These are all things that are very, very important to the conservative wing of the "Republican" party, and Christie          fails on every last one of them.

122 if i hadn't given up the f-word as a new year resolution i'd say fuck rove and christie

123 I think Rove is more interested in getting paid than winning of late

124 I hope another Republican wins the presidency and appoints Christie Secretary of Transportation.

125 The establishment on both sides is already in motion for 2016:

1) The Dems want to tarnish CC because they seem him as the GOP frontrunner
2) The establishment GOP (Rove, Boehner) want to prop-up and defend CC because they seem him as the GOP frontrunner.

Regarding #2, the argument is that "why is CC's scandal getting so much coverage and the (D) scandals are not?" Now that's a legitimate counter-argument but it is not an affirmative defense to the actual allegations.

The meme is that CC is being honest, strong and straightforward throughout the scandal. The GOP-leaning LIVs around here are already falling for it.

We need to be vigilant and be working now to make sure 2016 isn't already decided for us.

126 I knew I'd take flack for this, but "purity" of Conservative Candidate will not win either... Not in this Country right now, so I'll take the lesser of two evils if it means keeping an obama type out... Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at January 13, 2014 12:25 PM (9+ccr) My point is that the Tactic itself may defeat the very cause you support. Kerry and Edwards ran AGAINST Bush... McCain and Romney ran AGAINST Obama....

127 If you had a time machine to 1979, would you tell Lech Walesa to join the Party or STFU? So, we're just a communist country, now, and our votes don't actually count? good to know. From my point of view, putting another Prog in the WH for 4 or 8 years doesn't fucking help turn the ship of state to the right. Putting a RINO in there doesn't help as much, but it doesn't cause as much damage, either. So what I'm hearing from y'all is that I should fully embrace the AoSHQ lifestyle, and stop worrying about the debt and the Progs cause everything will eventually go to hell in a handbasket?

128 Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference? Nein.

129

Oh? how about Hillary is the Prog candidate, and Christie is the Retard candidate.

Are you going to sit home, or go out and vote for the lesser of two weasels? if you do sit at home, then don't bitch too loudly when Hillary gets busy continuing the policies of Emperor Teh Won teh First.

 

I would appreciate your newsletter detailing exactly how Christie will cut back, eliminate or otherwise block the all-seeing, all-registering security state we have now.

130 Speaking of your liberal media...

http://tinyurl.com/khbr9gg

Matt Lauer fellates Obama right there in front of Bob Gates and everybody!

'Dangerous or Dishonorable" criticism of Obama.

131 Yes, by all means let's put someone in office who is "not as bad as the other guy" and then after four years of the electorate getting frustrated because he actually doesn't roll back anything of means, we can watch another Obama get elected and the Republican brand take yet another hit.

132

Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference?

 

It didn't move.  That's the test, right?

 

I wouldn't vote for Gov. Creosote for Prez even if a limosine full of busty  NFL cheerleaders pulled up to my house to give me a ride to the polls.

133  And in that case, a Christie nomination might be our least bad option, with our worst bad option being "run a symbolic candidate who will be doomed on Election Day and curse the nation into another four years of grueling political and economic hell."
***
We've been running "moderate" Republicans for President since 1988. We've had a "moderate" Congressional leadership since the late 90s.

How well is that strategy working out?

134 Christie's Obama-hug defined him: he is disloyal to the point of subversive. I honestly will consider pulling the lever for Hillary before I give Christie my vote.

135 I loathe Christie, but I don't think he's done and I do think he handled the situation deftly.

I have doubts about his electability, even before the bridge nonsense.  He comes off like a bully, and I see that act wearing thin in a national campaign.  he also seems to be the type that enjoys having "Sister Souljah" moments where he gets to bash conservatives.

But I'm not one of these TruCon retards that is going to threaten to sit out the election if he gets nominated.  Somehow, a "real" conservative now is one that's willing to help put a Democrat in the White House in order to show everyone who's boss.

I could see him getting nominated, especially if there's a really crowded primary.

136 As someone who is aligned but not a member of a TP org. I will say that I did like the handling of the situation, a lot. Does the guy still bother me on a number of issues, yes, for sure but it was refreshing to see a leader lead.

137 We got fucked and fucked good by trusting that senile bastard from AZ who doesn't know when to go home. We are not going to be bamboozaled by the fat bastard in joosey.

138 Second look at Bob Dole?

139 Posted by: Iasonas at January 13, 2014 12:29 PM (RUraj) The reason CC is getting so much coverage is that the Media does not want to cover anything going on in Washington... Not Obamacare, not IRS, not Benghazi, not Prezzy Vacays.... not budget battles... not even Amnesty... They want the limited Attention span of the electorate off of DC for awhile...

140 Actually, if Rove thinks his guy is in trouble, that's good news.

141 McCain and Romney ran AGAINST Obama.... Yes, you should run for something. Like, I dunno, getting the government out of your health insurance and telling you what doctors and hospitals you can use, and what coverages you must carry. I think that would be a good start. But then again, I'm just a moron.

142
I don't call people like Christie and Rove RINOs anymore, simply because they exactly represent the current Repub party.

143 Rove looks like Johan Van der Smut from Goldmember.  I wonder if he saves his scabs....

144 Rove thinks Chrispie Chreme now has "street cred" with the TP? OK, pull my other finger.

145 I would prefer to vote for Attila The Hun.

146 McCain and Romney ran AGAINST Obama.... Yeah? Ya coulda fooled me?

147 Somehow, a "real" conservative now is one that's willing to help put a Democrat in the White House in order to show everyone who's boss. In that case, IÂ’ll definitely vote for Christie. HeÂ’s a real conservative!

148 So, we're just a communist country, now, and our votes don't actually count? good to know.
***
The left has changed from favouring international to national socialism.

It would be an exaggeration to say one's vote doesn't count - but the system whereby the government steals from me to buy the votes of others makes the standard notions of how representative government works problematic.

149 Hillary get four Americans killed, including and ambassador, with her mismanagement and bad decisions. She has participated in the cover-up.

Remind me who got fired or really held responsible?

And did she say it was completely her fault?

What about the big expose on 60 Minutes?

Yet here we are talking about a bridge and some traffic...

Oh and news flash. Politicians provide more help to people who support them.

150 He can't be trusted to appoint people better than Clintonista hacks if he was telling the truth - these were people very close to him. I think he was lying, FWIW. He couldn't rehabilitate himself with me before this - too obviously a career opportunist politician. I'll accept him as a blue state alternative for governor or Congress, etc... but I won't vote for another person like him for President even if it means President Hillary. A Christie in the Oval Office cements the Rove wing in power down-ticket. I'd rather see genuine fi-cons strengthen themselves in Congress and statehouses than make POTUS the Holy Grail "at all costs." Electing another "better than Marxist X, Y or Z" isn't enough anymore.

151 I wouldn't vote for Gov. Creosote for Prez even if a limosine full of busty NFL cheerleaders pulled up to my house to give me a ride to the polls. I'd promise to vote for Governor Fattie McFat, but we'd never get to the polls, if you know what I mean...

152 Second look at  Attila    The  Hun?

153 Posted by: I R A Darth Aggie © at January 13, 2014 12:30 PM (1hM1d) Nah... continue to fight.... But also spend some time building your bunker...

154 Just to be clear, Christie would be the last on my list for Nomination.... I would hope we could do a lot better.... I've been wrong before see:Mc Cain.... I think of the choices we had last time Romney was the best.... Didn't work out, but I don't think anyone was gonna take down Obama and his machine....

155 2nd look at Charlie Crist?

156 Karl Rove is supposed to be raising tons of money for a counter-Tea Party RINO movement, and with all of his political acumen and experience in play, he picked New Jersey Governor Sergeant Schultz as the Republican Great White Whale.

Way to go, Turd Blossom! 

157 You know how when you have a guy like Dennis Rodman on your team you laugh at his antics and clap at all his rebounds and love him to death but then he gets traded and suddenly everything you loved about the guy sickens you to the point of kneeling by the toilet praying to die? You know that feeling? That's how I feel about Karl Rove.

158 Attila wasn't just any Hun.

159

"In any case where a political administration has used its power against political opponents, like Christie's has been accused of I take this as a serious issue. But, as the Obama administration has made this a way of life and no one has been punished, I guess you in the media in fact see this as completely normal. Can you explain to me why that is Mr/Ms Media Talk Head?"

 

Posted by: 18-1 at January 13, 2014 12:27 PM (P3U0f)

 

This is my rejoinder to these idiots.

 

"I can call Christie a rotten, no good    scoundrel because I'm equal opportunity.   But if you're a Democrat, or a liberal, or anyone else who self-identifies as 'left-wing,' and you didn't say a damn word about the audacity of our President     shutting down private businesses,  wide-open public spaces, and trying to keep people from looking at FUCKING SCENERY, then you can shut your g-ddamn mouth and shove a traffic cone up your ass, because you've got no right to say a fucking word, you commie shitweasel."

160

4 I've yet to have anyone explain to me just why the sweet Mary and Jesus the fat fucktard needed to hold a 2hr press conference in the first place.

 

It was a test to see if he could go that long without eating

161 Fer goodness sake. I lived in New Jersey to 15 years, until 2 years ago. If Christie didn't know its because he didn't want to. On some level he knew. The two people he fired were his "fixers". What he did, in terms of NJ dirty tricks, is nothing. But let's not put a halo on him because the MFM have turned on him

162 Do you think anybody would get mad if we dug up Reagan and propped him in a chair?

We could get one of those Hollywood voice over types to do the talking.

163 Actually, if Rove thinks his guy is in trouble, that's good news.
***
Yep. If the Republicans want to win they are going to have to actually run a conservative for President for the first time in 32 years. I sure as hell will not vote for another John McRomneybush.

Give me a choice, not an echo.

164 "I'd promise to vote for Governor Fattie McFat, but we'd never get to the polls, if you know what I mean..." But would you get to the "pole," if you know what I mean? We're gettin' older, son.

165 But let's not put a halo on him because the MFM have turned on him Posted by: Thunderb at January 13, 2014 12:34 PM (zOTsN) That would be one mighty fuckin big halo?

166 Not voting for one of two people who you agree with on almost none of the issues makes you a retard. Got it.

167 One day, DC police will find Karl Rove lodged halfway up a horse's ass.

The explanation will be the single greatest sentence ever transcribed.

168 I once actually liked Dennis Rodman during his early days with The Pistons. He seemed so normal then. It was a long time ago and hard to imagine now.

169 Who here isn't a tea partier? Smaller government, less taxes?

170 It's pretty obvious Rove doesnt understand the Tea Party, and ignoring his perspective might be better than trying to decipher his reasoning.

171

Somehow, a "real" conservative now is one that's willing to help put a Democrat in the White House in order to show everyone who's boss.

 

------

 

Funny how it's always the conservatives who have to bite their knuckles and vote against their principles in favor of their Establishment Betters.

 

So yeah, count me as a Real Conservative, not a guy who's willing to throw a tantrum to get their RINO asses in office by withholding support for a conservative candidate.

 

 

172

I wouldn't vote for Gov. Creosote for Prez even if a limosine full of busty NFL cheerleaders pulled up to my house to give me a ride to the polls.

 

Wait - that's a choice?

173 I do not avoid RINOs, Mandrake...but I do deny them my essence.

174 No.

175 But maybe he's right and I'm wrong: Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference? Not really. I think it made him look like a sleazeball. He turned on his own people. He should have resigned if he had an ounce of integrity.

176 You retards will come around once we play the old, "What, you'd rather vote for the Democrat?" card.

177 But let's not put a halo on him because the MFM have turned on him Posted by: Thunderb at January 13, 2014 12:34 PM (zOTsN) That's right, Comrade. The only leader who shall be portrayed with a halo is ME. Selfie McHalo, your President.

178 This just in: Chris Christie weeps when The Boss says, I'm with the Big Guy.

179 >>BTW, I think people are wrong to rule out Christie categorically<<

You are absolutely correct. Now that Democrats are spending all their time trying to destroy him, they don't want to waste it. They want to leverage all the work they've done and help make him the candidate.

180 Right now might be a good time for a guy like Ted Cruz to get out there and preach some Reagan populism, explaining why he says the he doesn't trust many politicians in either party. This kind of shit should not be tolerated by the people from a government that's supposed to work for us. Just sayin'...

181 "But maybe he's right and I'm wrong: Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference?" Before Bridgegate I found him to be a disgusting political whore with nary a conservative bone in his body, and someone who is blatantly anti-liberty as evidenced by his support for gun control measures. After Bridgegate I now fap to fat jokes because they make me think of Creamy Christie.

182 Rove can go to hell.
Christie can go to hell.
The R party can go to hell.
Let. It. Burn.

183 Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference? Christie got my attention with his ability to handle the press. He didn't keep my attention with his policy positions. Another good press conference isn't going to win me back.

184 Posted by: BlueStateRebel at January 13, 2014 12:36 PM (7ObY1) he's an addict...it's messed him up.....i'm not excusing what he's doing with no korea....it's not going to end well for him....i still like the guy

185 The only thing that the Repub party has going for it is that it isn't the Dem party.

It would be nice to have a little more than that.

186 It's pretty obvious Rove doesnt understand the Tea Party, and ignoring his perspective might be better than trying to decipher his reasoning.
***
I think he does understand us. The problem is that he and his ilk running the Republican party want to control the Leviathan that Obama built, not dismantle it.

187

Second look at Millard Fillmore?

188 Is the plural of "asshole" "Democrat" or "RINO"?

189 "'Moderate' Republicans seem to keep making the same mistake [about cooperating with Democrats]. ... Ask Bush 43 about letting Ted Kennedy write parts 'No Child Left Behind', Bush 41 about his bipartisan tax increases, etc..."

Shit, ask Reagan about his "grand bargain" with Tip O'Neill in which Reagan agreed to the TEFRA tax increases in exchange for liberals on Capitol Hill agreeing to spending cuts in a carefully planned proportion.

The actual ratio of spending cuts to tax hikes turned out to be 0:1.

Worse, really. Spending not only did not go down. It did not even stay flat. It went UP. The Democrats completely rooked Dutch. Who was a man of his word and foolishly figured they were as well.

190 Fat and Furious is the current load of Squirrels and Shiny!11! to keep attention away from Choom Boy.

And it works, big-time. President Historic First© can keep on with the busy work of screwing up the country while all eyes are fixed firmly on the Jersey Nothingburger.

Christie couldn't be less worthy of our attention if he was a genuine Democrat. But he's Big News, 24/7. We've been punked. Again.

191 179 This just in: Chris Christie weeps when The Boss says, I'm with the Big Guy. Posted by: MaxMBJ at January 13, 2014 12:37 PM (deaac) was he crying or leaking donut grease from his pores?

192 After Rove get's Hillary elected to two terms in the White House "T E A" will mean Taken Enough Abuse (?) . "Too late to fix, too soon to start the shootin'"

193 It was a test to see if he could go that long without eating Krispy was hooked up to an intravenous lard drip.

194 Yet here we are talking about a bridge and some traffic... Who cares? Christie's no friend to us. We should welcome his implosion.

195 Incidentally, can someone explain what the payback was supposed to be? The explanation that this was political punishment sounds a lot like the Doomsday Machine. That is, what good is it if you keep it a secret? There are traffic jams all the time. If this particular jam was meant as punishment, at some point didnÂ’t they know they had to make the reason for the lane closings public? And what was the payback? Are people in that city going to vote for ChristieÂ’s mayoral choice now that Christie has wasted their time and they know it?

196

This whole fiasco proves that Christie is either a very poor judge of character, or else a petty, small-minded, vindictive bastard.      Or, most likely,   both.     Not only has this GWB incident   moved him to the bottom of   my list   of Preezy candidates,    it's moved him off my list completely.  

197 You know Attila would sometimes treat with his enemies but totally annihilate those that betrayed him.

198 Is the plural of "asshole" "Democrat" or "RINO"?

Posted by: WalrusRex

I believe it is 'electable.'

199

The new F-150 is an awesome looking truck.  I want one.

200 with our worst bad option being "run a symbolic candidate who will be doomed on Election Day and curse the nation into another four years of grueling political and economic hell."
=============
Wait! How is that not Christie to a "t"?

Someone said it best: The reason John McCain's fat little brother undercut Romney was thus: If it wounds, Romney knows he has to buy him back for 2016. If it was fatal, it'd clear the deck for him in 2016.
Remember: Christie knows what's in his closet (besides a stash of doughnuts). Eight years hanging around NJ and something will leak. As it already has.

201 That statement just illustrates how fucking ignorant Rove is about the Teaparty. He needs to shut the fuck up and go the fuck away.

202 "Somehow, a "real" conservative now is one that's willing to help put a Democrat in the White House in order to show everyone who's boss." I'm not a Republican party hack that counts electing liberal Republicans as a win.

203 Nah, Ace... You just don't get it! If there is anything that I "signed up for" as a tea-partier it was to be treated like a fucking retard by the likes of Rove and Christie! 'Cause I don't get NEARLY enough Bullshit from Senator John McCain and his lapdog Jeff Flake who I will always now refer to as the Jr. Senator from Keating. Do it, I dast you! Jeff Flake! The Junior Senator from Keating! Pisses that old corrupt bastard off, no end, that we remember what a compromised POS he really is! Gawd, do I miss Jon Kyle... I didn't always agree with him but damn... We (Arizonans & you guys too) really lost something when he retired.

204 Up above somewhere I rashly said I'd consider voting for Hillary over Christie. I've had some time to think about that and wish to withdraw my comment. I despise Christie but he's still got an R after his name, as far as I know. Please, God, don't make me have to make that choice. "Scott Walker for President"

205 I use to admire Rove but he's become out of touch with the electorate. He needs to ditch DC and meet some of the "peasants" he claims to speak for.

Nominate Christie and we will sit at home again. I don't care if the Dems are running Satan. Tired of having Lucy as my placekick holder.

206 We have a window of opportunity with public anger at both parties at epic levels and OCare an epic fail. If we choose to go "lesser evil" those disaffected potential voters won't be won over. 14 to some extent and 16 more so are opportunities to shift the pendulum to the real right. Let's not be too quick to piss that away with making what seems the "safe" choice (which didn't work in 08 or 12, anyway). Prevent defense is hard enough to win with, but when the other guys have the refs on their side, it's a guaranteed way to lose.

207

Posted by: MWR, Proud Tea(rrorist) Party Assault Hobbit at January 13, 2014 12:34 PM (4df7R)

 

Will you marry me, MWR?

208 Were any of you ... won over by Christie's press conference? I'm just baffled that the Republican Establishment and Progressive Media are on opposite sides here. What's going on?

209 160 MWR, Yup. Of course Rove's sales pitch is awesome. Yes he kissed Obama, yes he punches right seldom left, yes you hate his policies, yes he praises Ds and slings invective at Rs BUT hey fuck you now send me money and vote! //Karl Rove in cursed boots of honesty

210 All is has proved it that Christie is an ordinary politician.

211 Christie plans fireside chats with the country when he's president. The first one will lay out the pros and cons of Krispie Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts.

212 198 You know Attila would sometimes treat with his enemies but totally annihilate those that betrayed him.

Posted by: votermom at January 13, 2014 12:40 PM (GSIDW)

We need more of that in this country.

Lots more.

213 I've heard the fat man throw out some good conservative red meat, and within the same breath say something that makes you wonder when he's switching to team D.  He's a political animal with no ideology. 

214 You retards will come around once we play the old, "What, you'd rather vote for the Democrat?" card.

Posted by: Karl Rove at January 13, 2014 12:37 PM (oFCZn)

***

This is the central problem. We revolted against the Republicans over amnesty in 2006 and in 2008 they gave us one of the foremost amnesty shills in the Republican party.

In 2010 we revolted against Obamacare and achieved historic successes for the Republican party, and in 2012 the Republicans gave us the architect of Obamacare v1.0

Right now Rove and co believe that we will continue to support them no matter who they run preciously because we have for the last decade. So how are we going to convince them that this is no longer true?

Or will most conservatives collaborate and support a Christie or Jeb Bush in 2016 like the leadership wants?

215 Never trust the aim of a man who can't see his dick when he urinates.

And more importantly, don't shake his hand.

216 And in that case, a Christie nomination might be our least bad option, with our worst bad option being "run a symbolic candidate who will be doomed on Election Day and curse the nation into another four years of grueling political and economic hell."


A Christie nomination would be our worst bad option.

217 I think you're spot on Ace, I'm from NJ, Christie is a RINO wth no conservative street cred. I already see trial balloons being floated for Jeb in the wake of this??? Puh-lease!! Stay out the (RINO) Bushes!!! I'm still favoring Cruz, Rand, or Walker (probably in that order). Christie a barely tolerable alternative if all else fails, Bush a non-starter.

218 At best, Christie admitted that he was so out-of-touch as to let his underlings play with the controls of government for political purposes. That doesn't speak well of him as an effective executive. And if he wasn't ignorant then he's just a government-is-my-personal-attack-dog clone of Obama, only positioned to his Right. He's certainly not the limited government candidate the Tea Partiers are looking for, with or without Bridgegate. Rove is sounding pretty clueless here -- or maybe just trying to stir the pot.

219

Ace wrote:

BTW, I think people are wrong to rule out Christie categorically. Sometimes the only good option is one you don't particularly like. I could see, for example, a scenario in which conservatism continues to be unpopular at the national level, and Christie (or a similar RINO) might be our only plausible vehicle for winning the White House.

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

Whole lotta people here who still think 100% conservatism is just HUGELY popular, we just have never had a candidate who properly espoused it and explained it to millons of people who want free shit from the government. 

 

We ain't gonna yank America all the way back from Obama lite-socialism to Calvin Coolidge in one Presidential election, y'all.  We have to get someone elected in 2016 that will start the process, hopefully with a more conservative House and Senate.

220 The new F-150 is an awesome looking truck. I want one. The standard F-150 or the Raptor?

221 "Never trust the aim of a man who can't see his dick when he urinates. And more importantly, don't shake his hand." Nothing I hate worse than when the urine finds a quicker route down the pajama tie strings.

222 How can people still think Christie is viable? He's as toxic as Todd Akin.

223

Ace,

Believe it or not, I am not categorically anti-Christie.  I can see scenarios where I would support someone like Christie.  However, I doubt those scenarios will come to pass by 2016.  (The scenarios all include changing the GOP enough to trust it to NOT act completely liberally).

BTW, I think people are wrong to rule out Christie categorically. Sometimes the only good option is one you don't particularly like. I could see, for example, a scenario in which conservatism continues to be unpopular at the national level, and Christie (or a similar RINO) might be our only plausible vehicle for winning the White House.

The problem with a Christie presidency in 2016 would be that if the DNC holds one or both congressional houses, Christie will be perfectly happy governing from the center-left to far-left.

Meanwhile, if the GOP holds one or both congressional houses, the GOP will be happy to follow Christie as he governs from the center-left to far-left.

Your argument follows the traditional conservative way of thinking - which is that WE MUST support the GOP no matter what to defeat the democrats.  But, what does that really get us?  So far, it is has done nothing but enable the GOP to be big-spending, amnesty supporting, gov't enlarging fools.  Continuing to do that will simply keep the status quo. 

So, if Christie ends up being truly the best we can do (because either there is no conservative GOP candidate or because Christie beats a better candidate in the primary), what does supporting the GOP actually accomplish in that scenario?  Does supporting the GOP and helping Christie win move the GOP to the right?  No.  Does it reduce the size or scope of gov't?  Unlikely?  Does it roll back any of the left's gains?  Again, unlikely.

So, in that situation, what would that vote accomplish?

I'm still arguing for the tactic of conservatives refusing to vote for the GOP and forcing the GOP to decide whether it is going to be (at all) conservative or not.  From the evidence, that is likely the only way to move the GOP rightward. 

For instance, there is this from National Review's interview withClub for Growth president Chris Chocola in response to a question on the Ryan budget compromise:

 

I’m notgoing to bash or defend Ryan on it. I’m sure if he was left to his own devices to do a deal it wouldn’t be that one. But the reason he couldn’t do the one that he would have done is because he didn’t have enough Republican votes to do it. He just simply didn’t have enough Republicans that said they would keep the sequester. That’s always the problem. That’s what I learned when I was in Congress. That’s what has changed my life and why I do what I do, is the realization that it’s Republicans that don’t do what they say they’re going to do when they ask for people’s votes. So whatever the number would have been, 40, 50, defense hawks and appropriators who said they weren’t going to keep the budget caps under the sequester — it’s the Republicans that are the problem, not the Democrats.

 

They always say, well, we donÂ’t have the majority. Well, you did here. And all you had to do was pass a clean CR and send it to Harry Reid and see what he did with it. The Budget Control Act was bipartisan and those that supported it now want to get rid of it. And the groups that were against it are now for it.

 

Every time the Republicans say theyÂ’re going to spend less they donÂ’t. If any of your readers believe that Congress will spend less in ten years while they spend more now, then theyÂ’re wrong. I canÂ’t believe anyone actually believes that theyÂ’re going to do the hard work in ten years from now or eight years from now that theyÂ’re not willing to do now. YouÂ’re going to have maybe two different presidents by then? And youÂ’re going to have four congressional elections by then? Half of Â’em wonÂ’t even be there.

 

ThereÂ’s just nothing in history that would give confidence that theyÂ’ll live up to the budget deal that they made, that it would truly be deficit-reducing or even deficit-neutral.

 

That is from someone who was a GOP congressional insider telling you that the GOP has no interest in conservatism.  And yet we continue pretending it does.  Both in what we say (on blogs, etc) and in our actions (our votes).  And we expect different results from what we have received?

224 If there was even any grudging respect for Christie after the press conference, I didn't see it. *** Perhaps I am the only one, but I both tweeted and commented here that the way he handled the presser raised him a bit in my estimation. Granted, almost any act of self-control and humility would have been an improvement, but he did manage to control both his temper and the tempo of the press conference. Well done. That said, I do not want him to run for POTUS. I think he is perfect for, say... New Jersey, but not for America. And, with that out of the way... Will I vote for him if he gets the nod? Hell yeah. And, I'll campaign for him as well. We cannot afford any more "lessons" like Obama.

225 Yet here we are talking about a bridge and some traffic...

 

Posted by: Marcus at January 13, 2014 12:33 PM (GGCsk)

 

 

It's not about a bridge and some traffic.

 

It's about a politician's office    having no qualms about using the POWER of that office to deliberately and vindictively take revenge on    someone who didn't kowtow like a    proper peasant.   I    couldn't give a flying fuck about Fort Lee, NJ,    its mayor,    or the g-ddamn bridge.   I give a LOT of fucks about a politician who hires    people like that and then pretends to be shocked and shaken when he discovers what they did.

226 Great post, Monkeytoe.

227 Gawd, do I miss Jon Kyle... I didn't always agree with him but damn... We (Arizonans & you guys too) really lost something when he retired. Retire McCain & see how much you gain.

228 Dennis Rodmans problems are the problems of all the major sports right now.  We laud the athlete and don't hold them accountable.  They grow up entitled as they know they are being feted, and therefore get away with damn near anything.  During this whole process they never learn how to live and be responsible.  It ends poorly when the athlete runs out of talent and retire and the masses move on to someone else.  Adrift and not knowing how to live at 33 is a recipe for disaster.... re: Dennis Rodman.

229 Chris Christie was the loudest mouth used by the MSM to smear the Tea Party and libertarians and now he and the establishment want us to run to defend him?

Does anyone think for a second that if Mike Lee or Ted Cruz had a problem that Christie wouldn't be the first Republican to run to the MSM demanding that they resign because they're a disgrace to America and the GOP?

230 Please, for the love of God, don't write comments in word and then copy-paste.

231 Before Krispie adopted the policies of the Donks. Now he's adopted the policies and tactics of the Donks. What's not to love?

232 Monkeytoe, don't make us point at it. You know whee to go.

233 Stick that toe into the barrel Monkey.

234 Barrel.

235 More of the kind of insightful analysis that has made Rove the political nonentity that he is today.

236

IMHO, I really can't see anyone  worth a damn  wanting to be president after the shambles this regime is going to leave this country.  In three years, the presents times will seem like the good ole days.

237 Posted by: monkeytoe TL;DR

238 Oooh, the new engineering interns are now here. That slightly pudgy one with glasses likks like she might have self esteem issues. Hmmmm.

239 Posted by: rockmom at January 13, 2014 12:43 PM (NYnoe) Sorry, but the 2nd amendment is the final safeguard of our Freedom... And Christy is a gun grabber. There are many many Conservative things on which I could disagree with, yet support, a candidate... But that is not one of them.

240 How much is this simply seeing the sausage factory in operation? I have to say Mitt Romney is growing on me - I don't think he's the kind of person who would do this stuff. Character does matter.

241 "I could see, for example, a scenario in which conservatism continues to be unpopular at the national level...." I trust you're talking about "conservatism" as framed,defined, distorted and caricatured in the media culture. If you survey people about the ideas and governing principles of "liberalism" versus conservatism they choose conservative ones overwhelmingly .

242 Before Krispie adopted the policies of the Donks. Now he's adopted the policies and tactics of the Donks. What's not to love?
***
Two parties, but only one agenda.

Welcome to Rove's world.

243 I don't think "Tea Party" really means what it did in 2010, but what many "base" voters want is a Republican that's willing to fight and can handle the media.  I think that overcomes a lot of ideological flaws.  If Christie proves he can throw punches at the Clintons and not let reporters push him around, a lot will be forgiven.

Just like in 2008, I liked Giuliani, even though he was flawed because I saw a fighter, and on most of the big picture issues, he was with us.  McCain, however, was always looking for a way to surrender, stab us in the bag and reach across the aisle, but "on paper"  McCain had a more conservative record.  Sure enough, Mccain basically threw in the towel early on.  The piece of shit was cutting commercials saying how awesome he thought Obama was.

244

The problem w/ Rand for Prez is the baggage of his dad.

 

He'd be my ideal candidate for AG for 8 yrs tho!

245 I can't remember who said it, but someone in the Horde grew up in NJ and they translated what it was that Christie was saying back in 2012 when he got on his knees on the beach and stuck his tongue between Obama's butt cheeks.

They said, "This is dogwhistle. He's speaking Joisey. So when the rest of us hear him saying to Obama, 'My, sir, your ass is certainly extra nommy today. I can't remember ever having tasted such a delicious ass,' what that translates to in Joisey is 'Hey folks, things are a mess right now and I gotta do this in order to fix them and get you all taken care of.'"

They predicted that this would ensure Christie's local popularity. Which it seemed to do. And for a guy whose political hopes don't go any farther than New Jersey, maybe that's a viable way to position himself.

But I can tell you that it sure doesn't play outside of NJ.

246 On the plus side, Christie can handle a 2-hour press conference without discussing sodomy or how a woman's parts can deflect rape sperms.

247 You know, if they just shitcanned the damned toll booths, traffic on the bridge might flow a whole lot better.

248

Fat Bastard Rino as the GOP candidate will guarantee defeat. I would stay home for sure, and so would the rest of my family.

249 244 I don't think "Tea Party" really means what it did in 2010, but what many "base" voters want is a Republican that's willing to fight and can handle the media. And do a sit-up. Christie's toast.

250 MWR, What he did is really nothing in terms of NJ political dirty tricks. Nothing. This state gave you Corzine. Menendez. Lautenberg. Torricelli. We had political figures caught up in an FBI sting where they thought they were selling black market body parts. Let him stay in Jersey

251 I have to say Mitt Romney is growing on me - I don't think he's the kind of person who would do this stuff. Character does matter.

**

Ironically, Romney is pretty much the new liberal government man to a tee.

He's honest, competent, and smart.

The problem for us is that he is every bit the liberal technocrat that Obama wants to be.

252 On the plus side, Christie can handle a 2-hour press conference without discussing sodomy or how a woman's parts can deflect rape sperms. *** Plus++

253 Weebles wobble but they don't fall down.

254 Christie plans fireside chats with the country when he's president. The first one will lay out the pros and cons of Krispie Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts. - He will have a mandatory donut purchase plan: Christienuts.

255 Step away from the crack pipe Mr. Rove. Place your hands on your head. You have a right to remain silent - please do so.

256 220 RockMom, I kinda draw the line at the bill of rights... If I wanted an asshole who will indermine my rights I can repeal the 22d amendment and keep the real thing.

257 Holy crap, that was a barreling! The league might even impose a fine to go with your post misconduct, monkey toe.

258 206 I don't care if the Dems are running Satan. At least their theme music would be from Slayer.

259 I would stay home for sure, and so would the rest of my family. *** THAT would guarantee defeat.

260 Nominate Christie and we will sit at home again. I don't care if the Dems are running Satan. Tired of having Lucy as my placekick holder.

Posted by: Fen at January 13, 2014 12:42 PM (a422o)

At least Satan is upfront about what he wants, and what his goals are.

261

#219 Or maybe he's an executive who delegates everything, and he asked his people what was the deal with the lane closures in Ft. Lee that everyone's yelling about, and they told him it was a Port Authority traffic study and it only lasted a few days.  And he said, OK, sounds plausible, bullshit issue being overblown by Democrats, let's get back to the campaign.  The fact that he appointed a couple of loyalists to the PA staff doesn't mean he communicated with them or ever expected them to do any stupid political stunts there; it means those are plum patronage jobs and he had a few to give out. 

 

Just wondering, did anyone here think Reagan was either (a) dangerously out of touch with his staff and should have known what they were doing, or (b) lied his ass off about how much he knew about Iran-Contra?  Or did you thnk, he has a White House chief of staff and a National Security Advisor to handle this stuff and they kept him in the dark?

262 "We revolted against the Republicans over amnesty in 2006 and in 2008 they gave us one of the foremost amnesty shills in the Republican party. In 2010 we revolted against Obamacare and achieved historic successes for the Republican party, and in 2012 the Republicans gave us the architect of Obamacare v1.0"

This.

This with the heat of a thousand exploding suns.

263 260 I would stay home for sure, and so would the rest of my family. *** THAT would guarantee defeat. Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at January 13, 2014 12:50 PM (DmNpO) Exactly. But you would feel oh so noble for having done it!

264 Iwouldn't vote for Gov. Creosote for Prez even if a limosine full of busty NFL cheerleaders pulled up to my house to give me a ride to the polls. ***** But I might ride along to the precinct polling place. Just to check turnout or read the signs or something. Just sayin'

265 Posted by: monkeytoe at January 13, 2014 12:44 PM (sOx93)

Oh look! A barrel full of Monkey.

266 Squishy on the 2A? Squishy on Scamnesty? Ahhh, but the establishment's preferred candidate. No thanks.

267 Sometimes the only option is one you don't particular like...


You might as well face it. If the fat man or prince jebward are your repub nominees, it will mean 4 more years of clintonism.

Think super happy thoughts.

268 Sometimes the only good option is one you don't particularly like. If our only "good" option is a corrupt New Jersey machine politician as opposed to a corrupt Chicago machine politician, there really is no practical difference. The jig is up.

269
Couple of thoughts......

I am very concerned about people (pols, staffers, the media) in the country that are entirely too comfortable with the idea of using the levers of the power of government to punish people.   Whether its that bint on Christies staff that wanted a little local Jersey style paybackck, the other bint that headed up the IRS and used her position to persecute conservative groups, The POTUS that keeps a list and wants his supporters to "get in theyre faces"...... and probably the worst of the lot..... the fricken media that either wont cover things like F&F, The IRS, bugging journalists families..... but will just go apeshit because somebody on Christies staff put traffic cones on a bridge.

Either we all deserve protection from out of control pols.... or we delve down the path of retributional government, and down that pathe lies or destruction.

270

Hay fat guy!

You been here fouh owah!

You get out now!

271 Hell yeah. And, I'll campaign for him as well.

We cannot afford any more "lessons" like Obama.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at January 13, 2014 12:44 PM (DmNpO)

 

 

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

 

 

Don't agree.  Christie is just another bad lesson.  He's a prog.  And I'm not voting for a prog. 

 

Besides.  My focus is on my state now.  The fed has long since past the point of being a lost cause.   It's the only way we're going to insure our freedom and start rolling things back to Constitutional  government.

272 Scott Walker? Sure, hell even Kasich...Chrispt is 200 Stone too far...

273

Rove sounds like a grad student anthropologist on his first field expedition, machete in one hand, notebook in the other, attempting to devine the motivations of a heretofore undiscovered aboriginal tribe. How strange we must seem to him.

 

So no, I don't know nuthin' about no street cred for Chris Christie. I do know that a leader's personality, morals and manner of thought ripple downward throughout the organization he or she leads and shape the culture of the work environment. Christie's subordinates did what they thought would please the boss, what he would do in their stead.  Look at IRS persecution of Tea Party groups and conservative donors and activists. Same thing.

274 "If Christie proves he can throw punches at the Clintons and not let reporters push him around, a lot will be forgiven." Totally true. Nothing warms the cockles of my heart more than a GOP candidate who actually attacks their opponent. Also, Christie may be more conservative than we think - trying to win in NJ means you have to make some compromises. But can he get over those instincts when he doesn't really need to do so?

275 The Dems have decided to take him down now. Rove unhappy because Christie was slated to be the next McCain/Romney with better debating skills. I don't care because he is a standard bearer for the Big Govt Party (Republicrats), which I am sworn to destroy. Because, America.

276 RE: "I could see, for example, a scenario in which conservatism continues to be unpopular at the national level, and Christie (or a similar RINO) might be our only plausible vehicle for winning the White House.

Not saying that will be the case. I'm saying it could be that way. And in that case, a Christie nomination might be our least bad option, with our worst bad option being "run a symbolic candidate who will be doomed on Election Day and curse the nation into another four years of grueling political and economic hell."

Uh. No. Not for me and not for most conservatives I know.

I'm not nearly as worried about who is in the White House as I am in actually having a political party that represents conservatism. If we don't have *that* than our long national nightmare will be another four or so decades while we build that party.

Thus I am focused like a laser on actually having a legitimate Republican Party -- and that being so, Christie is not an option under any circumstances that I can conceive of. In other words, if it's a choice between A) reclaiming the Republican Party and Hillary being President, or B) not reclaiming the Republican Party and having the likes of McConnell as Senate Majority Leader and Boehner as the House Majority Leader and Chris Christie as President, so that they can continue advocating for "better managed by us Big State Collective" and then conservatives moving on to another party -- the choice is easy.  I choose option A -- and there are an increasing number of conservatives out there just like me. More than when McCain ran.  More than when Romney ran.

The fact that establishment Republicans haven't figured that choice out yet -- and how many of their former base have made choice A) -- just boggles my mind.

But they'll get it. Someday.

277 Vote Christie for a deep fried utopia!

278 Rock mom he prosecuted the mob and rose to the top of NJ politics. Naive he is not

279 I'll wave the Gadsen flag over the GOP banner, so I'll chime in. I think Christie is a dirty politician but he's hopefully also willing to fight as dirty as the Dems. He's not my first, second or third choice, but he's slightly better than Hillary.

280 I could see, for example, a scenario in which conservatism continues to be unpopular at the national level, and Christie (or a similar RINO) might be our only plausible vehicle for winning the White House.

And what would be the point of that? Is there that much daylight between the policy preferences of Governor Creosote and Secretary Cankles?

281 The first one will lay out the pros and cons of Krispie Kreme and Dunkin' Donuts. - He will have a mandatory donut purchase plan: Christienuts. Chrisbits.

282 so I'll take the lesser of two evils if it means keeping an obama type out...

Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at January 13, 2014 12:25 PM (9+ccr)

Except that it won't. Running a RINO for the Presidency is pretty much a guaranteed loser, *that* has been well established in recent history.

283 247 On the plus side, Christie can handle a 2-hour press conference without discussing sodomy or how a woman's parts can deflect rape sperms. Posted by: sexypig at January 13, 2014 12:49 PM (dZQh7) You think this is better than that?

284 If the republicans run Christie or Bush or anyone other RINO then they will lose. I really think the base is fed up with being told to go to hell and sick of dem lite. I know I am done voting for said same and at least half of everyone I know as well (well, the conservatives anyway).

If we are going over the cliff either turn the bus around or speed it up. This frog in the slow cooking pot BS has to stop.

285 Just like I would prefer that big city urban center RINOs  not select our nomination, I just don't want   the same pure conservatives that were praising the John Roberts  nomination  and bashing the Miers nomination as the worst thing ever to be in charge of selecting our candidates either.   

286 Exactly. But you would feel oh so noble for having done it!

Posted by: hello, it's me also a creep-assed cracka.. at January 13, 2014 12:51 PM (9+ccr)

Feeling fucking noble has nothing to do with it. The fat bastard would be ZERO improvement over a leftard. Zero. So why add my vote to the insult?

287 Is there an ascii representation of the New Jersey crotch grab? ie I got your support, rino, righcheer!

288 "Street cred" ? Jezzuz that's a little like Romney asking those girls-- "who let your dogs out?" Whut? Is this going to be Chris Christie's campaign song? All aboard Every all aboard Anybody wanna take this ride Anybody wanna ride All it takes is a nickel or a dime Be sure to get your ticket Hurry, don't miss it Everybody's got to stand in line So make sure that you too will be right on time Everybody all aboard Everybody all aboard Mmm Mmm All aboard Don't you miss it, baby If you miss that train Don't miss the party train Oh...don't you miss it, baby If you miss that train Don't miss the party train Everybody all aboard Oh...baby Everybody all aboard Mmm Don't you that train If you miss that train Don't miss the party train (it even has cowbell!)

289 Also, Christie may be more conservative than we think - trying to win in NJ means you have to make some compromises.


I remember when the same bullshit was being flung about McCain.

290 Ace you're as delusional as Rove's brain with that "least bad choice" bullshit regarding Christie in '16.  Burn GOP burn.

291

We ain't gonna yank America all the way back from Obama lite-socialism to Calvin Coolidge in one Presidential election, y'all. We have to get someone elected in 2016 that will start the process, hopefully with a more conservative House and Senate.

 

Granted.  But Christie is not that man.

 

Mister, we could use a man like Calvin Coolidge again.

292 Vote for Han in 2016

293 past = passed

294 204 Nah, Ace... You just don't get it! If there is anything that I "signed up for" as a tea-partier it was to be treated like a fucking retard by the likes of Rove and Christie! 'Cause I don't get NEARLY enough Bullshit from Senator John McCain and his lapdog Jeff Flake who I will always now refer to as the Jr. Senator from Keating. Do it, I dast you! Jeff Flake! The Junior Senator from Keating! Pisses that old corrupt bastard off, no end, that we remember what a compromised POS he really is! Gawd, do I miss Jon Kyle... I didn't always agree with him but damn... We (Arizonans & you guys too) really lost something when he retired. Posted by: Deety at January 13, 2014 12:41 PM (daK3O) AMEN DEETY!!!!!!

295 Christie WILL give the nation amnesty. That, I cannot abide

296 Anyone seen Cochrane around? 

297 286 Just like I would prefer that big city urban center RINOs not select our nomination, I just don't want the same pure conservatives that were praising the John Roberts nomination and bashing the Miers nomination as the worst thing ever to be in charge of selecting our candidates either. I really can't fault Bush for Roberts. Nobody knew how quickly he'd get corrupted.

298 If Christie is serious about "street cred," he's going to have to get an imaginary homeless friend, like that nice young mayor in Newark has.

299 Barack Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a malignant traitor.

300 So, barrel of monkeytoe?

301 We ain't gonna yank America all the way back from Obama lite-socialism to Calvin Coolidge in one Presidential election, y'all. We have to get someone elected in 2016 that will start the process, hopefully with a more conservative House and Senate.

Where is there any indication that Governor Creosote is in any way inclined to take even a baby-step in the Coolidge direction?

302 300 Barack Obama is a stuttering clusterf*ck of a malignant traitor.

-----

300.   Heh!!

THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!!

303 So meanwhile, elsewhere, over at Warm Flatus, they ran a headline reading something about how the Virginia senatorial race "just got interesting".

Wow! Can't wait to read about that! Why, if Poppin' Fresh and the gang think it's "interesting", it must be major news.

Turns out that their definition of "interesting" is that Ed Gillespie, K Street lobbyist extraordinaire, lifetime RINO establishment bought-off party hack, the guy who brought us Senator Liz Dole, is throwing his hat in the ring.

Why, I can't tell you how excited I am by that. Positively galvanized.

Gillespie is basically a Republican version of Terry McAuliffe.

Wonderful. Just fucking wonderful.

304 Anyone seen Cochrane around?

Probably working.

305 "Where is there any indication that Governor Creosote is in any way inclined to take even a baby-step in the Coolidge direction?" He cut costs in NJ and fought the teacher's unions.

306 Sometimes the only good option is one you don't particularly like. I could see, for example, a scenario in which conservatism continues to be unpopular at the national level, and Christie (or a similar RINO) might be our only plausible vehicle for winning the White House. I'm sure someone has pointed this out, but why would I choose the amnesty-loving, gun-grabbing, Muslim-appointing guy who ALSO promises not to give me stuff instead of the amnesty-loving, gun-grabbing, Muslim-appointing guy (or gal) who promises to give me stuff? Put another way- how, exactly, would he be different from a Democrat? I mean, besides having an 'R' after his name?

307 300. Heh!!

THIS IS SPARTA!!!!!!

Posted by: fixerupper at January 13, 2014 12:59 PM (nELVU)

What's depressing is what King Leonides would say today:

"SPARTANS!!!!  PREPARE FOR DISAPPOINTMENT!"

308 >Probably working.<



Since when did that stop him?

309 I'm not voting for another blue state, big gov't Republican.  The GOP and "moderates" have been complicit in screwing up my country and I'll vote for Mickey Mouse before I vote for another Bush, McCain or Romney. 

310 275 "If Christie proves he can throw punches at the Clintons and not let reporters push him around, a lot will be forgiven." Totally true. Nothing warms the cockles of my heart more than a GOP candidate who actually attacks their opponent. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Yeah, he sure attacked Obama on that beach right before the election...

311 306 sexypig, So asking he hit some democrats higher up the food chain than Mrs, Jones rm124 @PS435 is just "too much?"

312 280 I'll wave the Gadsen flag over the GOP banner, so I'll chime in. I think Christie is a dirty politician but he's hopefully also willing to fight as dirty as the Dems. He's not my first, second or third choice, but he's slightly better than Hillary. Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards at January 13, 2014 12:54 PM (Cati5) ****** I think Christie is a dirty politician but he's hopefully also willing to fight as dirty as the Dems. Here's the thing. *If* this is all they have on Christie. Christie isn't even close. Democrats do traffic jams on ELECTION DAY. Sometimes they get the unions to do it for them. Funny how all those trucks break down innit? Plus your machine already has several thousand votes loaded and recorded before the polls opened? How did that happen!? Did union guys deliver the voting machines!?

313 If by "street cred" you mean "mockery and derision", then yes.

314 I think his handling of this, being straightforward, taking action, saying IÂ’m responsible, firing the people, probably gives him some street cred with tea party Republicans Well you win a very special award for doing your fucking job Governor. You win the Presidency. Now turn over your propietary donor list to the GOP. Rove is pissed because Christie has developed his own personal 'moderate' backers that don't answer to the establishment GOP. No. I'm not impressed. He lost me when he said he agreed with virtually everything Cuomo has done. As mentioned upthread, Lech Walesa did not decide to "work from within for change".

315 He cut costs in NJ and fought the teacher's unions. Yeah, he did. Exactly how much union-busting do you think he's going to accomplish (or try to accomplish) at the national level? 'Cause I'm not thinking much.

316 Dennis Rodmans problems are the problems of all the major sports right now. We laud the athlete and don't hold them accountable. They grow up entitled as they know they are being feted, and therefore get away with damn near anything. During this whole process they never learn how to live and be responsible. It ends poorly when the athlete runs out of talent and retire and the masses move on to someone else. Adrift and not knowing how to live at 33 is a recipe for disaster.... re: Dennis Rodman. Rodman has an interesting life story. As a freshman in high school he was only 5'6" and a marginal athlete. When he graduated high school he became a airport janitor, flunked out of one college and only did well when he transferred to Southeastern Oklahoma State. He was spotted by the Pistons at an Invitational. I think a huge part of his persona is played up to get attention and money. I don't doubt he's a freak, but I think a lot of it's self-promotion.

317 He cut costs in NJ and fought the teacher's unions. He also fought the mayor of Ft. Lee. And lost. He's as toxic as Huckabee with his thousand pardons. Why do I fear this is the only hill the GOP will die on?

318 SPARTANS!!!! PREPARE FOR DISAPPOINTMENT!"

Posted by: EC at January 13, 2014 01:00 PM (GQ8sn)

-----

Heh.

"Shpartansh......... We have nothing to fear from a Xerxeeesh Preshidency".

319 Know what other highly-touted Blue State Republican prosecuted the mob and got Repubs all excited with his tough-guy approach to Prog non-sensery? Shmudi Shmooliani.

320 Lunch over.  Back to work.  See you all tomorrow.

321 In answer to Ace's question: No. Christie can FOADIAF, as far as I'm concerned, and that is my assessment regardless of the current bridge kerfuffle.

322 Yeah, he sure attacked Obama on that beach right before the election...

Posted by: Countrysquire at January 13, 2014 01:01 PM (LSJmV)

 

 

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

 

 

Yup.  Gave Christie a boner, it did.

323 Man people really didn't like Romney. He got soundly beaten. What should we do next? Double down and run somebody else like him next time around? Sounds like a winning plan to me!

324 Nood. Also MWR, if you're around still, did you see the pretty I left for you earlier?

325 Taxes are on the rise in NJ, business, jobs, and the population are fleeing, and teacher unions are not a national issue. He does not help other republicans get elected, even in NJ. He sticks his neck, or coat tails, out for nobody. He loves gun control. He loves amnesty The only thing that can be said that is a big improvement is that he is better than Corzine. That's a pretty low bar

326 My problem with Christie is more personal, I just think he's a self-serving asshole.  But then again, most politicians are.

Christie went from conservative hero to villain all because he put his arm around Obama during the Sandy hurricane visit.  I was also outraged by it, I thought it was a bad time to have a bipartisan moment, but I can't get from that outrage to "I want Hillary as President to prove a point"

There is a difference between Hillary and Christie. From reforming pension plans, taking on the public sector unions vetoting numerous  tax increases, vetoed gay marriage, etc.  all with a Democrat legislature.  Let's not forget, Hillary tried to shove socialized medicine down our throat before Obama did.  And I'll take even a RINO President judicial picks over any Democrat, even Bush Sr. gave us Clarence Thomas.

I'd like Rand Paul to be President, but I'm not going to take my ball home if the Party chooses someone else because I don't want to have a beer with Christie.

327 311 275 "If Christie proves he can throw punches at the Clintons and not let reporters push him around, a lot will be forgiven."

Totally true. Nothing warms the cockles of my heart more than a GOP candidate who actually attacks their opponent.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yeah, he sure attacked Obama on that beach right before the election...

Posted by: Countrysquire at January 13, 2014 01:01 PM (LSJmV)

Whatever he may have in tenacity he lacks in, you know, being conservative. Who cares if he can get dirty in the trenches if he will not actually fight the battles that need to be fought.

You know little things, such as, rolling back the size and scope of government, rolling back regulations and heaven forbid agencies, and so on.

328 I'm sure someone has pointed this out, but why would I choose the amnesty-loving, gun-grabbing, Muslim-appointing guy who ALSO promises not to give me stuff instead of the amnesty-loving, gun-grabbing, Muslim-appointing guy (or gal) who promises to give me stuff? The Second Amendment is my uncompromisable line in the sand.

329 I'm not the least bit surprised that the MSM is going after Christie like piranhas that just saw a fat steer wandering into the water for a drink

Yet the likes of Rove, Christie, McCain and other insiders still continue to be shocked that the MSM only likes Republicans when they bash conservatives and libertarians
 

330 Well, this Tea Partier will give Crispy Creme some 'street cred', if by street cred you mean 'road rash'.

331 Why do wonks put so much faith in the importance of speeches? I mean, sure, there have been some famous ones; and a few which actually influenced people. But, given Christie's performance as a governor, who would consider a press conference to outweigh (ha) his track record? I consider myself Tea Party; I'm guessing the Tea Party still considers deeds more revealing than words. I don't hate him; I respect that he has held his ground in fights he considered important. I wouldn't want his definition of "conservative" to set the standard though.

332 "Purity" bashers keep presenting the false choice of losing with a "100% Conservative" vs. winning with a "51% Conservative." This makes assumptions on both the winning/losing parts and the percentages. How about winning with a 75% conservative, which is what most of us being ragged over "purity" really support instead of the Akin/Santorum strawman being used to attack us. I'm only concerned with fiscal issues and would rather ditch a social agenda, but Christie would require ditching both.

333 I'm not voting for another blue state, big gov't Republican. The GOP and "moderates" have been complicit in screwing up my country and I'll vote for Mickey Mouse before I vote for another Bush, McCain or Romney.

Posted by: RLTW at January 13, 2014 01:00 PM (rJCBA)

 

So you will not vote?  

 

I will never understand this logic.   I understand that your choices are between bad and worse but not voting changes nothing.  One of the two will be elected.    If you think electing a Republican will be worse  in the long run then  vote for the Democrat.   You should always be part of the process  until there is no process. 

334 I'm not voting for another blue state, big gov't Republican. The GOP and "moderates" have been complicit in screwing up my country and I'll vote for Mickey Mouse before I vote for another Bush, McCain or Romney.

Posted by: RLTW at January 13, 2014 01:00 PM (rJCBA)

 

I don't regret my votes for either George W. Bush or Mitt Romney. Both are good men, smart and capable and the best candidates to emerge out of their respective primaries. On the other hand, I deeply, profoundly regret my vote for John McCain.  I suspect he loathes Republican conservatives as much as we loathe him.

335 Christie went from conservative hero to villain all because he put his arm around Obama during the Sandy hurricane visit. No. A thousand times no. He lost many conservative's support for reasons expressed a thousand times on this blog and several times on this thread.

336 If Christie get the GOP nomination, who will balance the ticket? Need to be very small. Smaller than James Madison.

337 279 Rock mom he prosecuted the mob and rose to the top of NJ politics. Naive he is not

Posted by: Thunderb at January 13, 2014 12:54 PM (zOTsN)

 

He also prosecuted and convicted 135 elected officials.  You think he didn't now how easy it is to get caught abusing power and violating the public trust?  That this was the worst possible thing he could do to his corruption-fighting brand?  I didn't suggest he was naive, I suggested he is a delegator and it isn't unreasonable to think he would have no reason to believe a stunt this stupid was planned by people he trusted. 

338 i was partly won over to despising him totally, instead of just being disgusted with him being a useless RINO POS...

the Jersey Blob & Rove can both go straight to hell & stay there.

339 310 I'm not voting for another blue state, big gov't Republican. The GOP and "moderates" have been complicit in screwing up my country and I'll vote for Mickey Mouse before I vote for another Bush, McCain or Romney. Posted by: RLTW at January 13, 2014 01:00 PM (rJCBA) Excellent. There's a vote for PIAPS.

340 Except that it won't. Running a RINO for the Presidency is pretty much a guaranteed loser, *that* has been well established in recent history. RINO is such a catch-all term I don't think it has any meaning for me any more. If they agree with the majority of the Republican platform, are they really a RINO? I agree that Romney for example was not a staunch Conservative, but point me to the line items of the GOP platform that he disagreed with. The only one I can think of is abortion. He was all over the map on that one. I chalk that one up to the press crucifying Republicans over whatever position they have that isn't 100% pro-abortion.

341 "196 Incidentally, can someone explain what the payback was supposed to be? The explanation that this was political punishment sounds a lot like the Doomsday Machine.

That is, what good is it if you keep it a secret? There are traffic jams all the time. If this particular jam was meant as punishment, at some point didnÂ’t they know they had to make the reason for the lane closings public?

And what was the payback? Are people in that city going to vote for ChristieÂ’s mayoral choice now that Christie has wasted their time and they know it?

Posted by: Paid for by Citizens for Clyde the Orangutan at January 13, 2014 12:40 PM (QF8uk)"

I agree with you wholeheartedly. The whole thing doesn't make any sense. I think there was something ging on that no one is saying.

Here's the calculus, as proposed by pretty much everybody: can somebody please fill in step 2:

1. Cause traffic jam in NJ/Ft Lee.

2. ?

3. Republican Electoral Victory!!!!

The media seem to be thinking "If we scream loud enough, no one will notice that there is no step 2".

342 "I'm only concerned with fiscal issues and would rather ditch a social agenda, but Christie would require ditching both." Christie is pro-life. And manages to win in blue states with that position. Probably because he doesn't go around jamming it down people's throats or musing about sodomy bans. Fiscally, he did cut spending, no? He did fight the teacher's unions. I think his worst stuff is his instincts on gun grabbing. Also, people need to keep in mind that a President works with his Congress...which can affect what his policies would be.

343 Karl Rove's idea of street cred is chatting up the hookers stationed by the concierge. 

344 334 Polynikes, I'm tired of being told back this guy "electable" going one way... Allahpundit can hold his nose this time. No more McCains

345 One of the two will be elected. If you think electing a Republican will be worse in the long run then vote for the Democrat. You should always be part of the process until there is no process.

Posted by: polynikes at January 13, 2014 01:06 PM (m2CN7)

I would rather speed up our decline than merely slow it down, myself.

I have said this before and I stick to it today: TFG has hopefully helped the nation in the long run by turning things to crap and if more crap is needed for LIVs to learn then so be it. I will survive and help rebuild when the time comes. But I would rather be the one to suffer now than leave a crap hole of a nation for my children.

346 "jamming it down people's throats or musing about sodomy bans." Heh...I didn't even do that intentionally!

347 Ok, that stuff about the ad using federal dollars and only choosing the firm that would feature him? That is, using federal dollars to basically run name recognition campaign ads.

That'll be a beauty if it has legs.

Heh.

Fuck you, you fat tubber shit.

348 Not voting is also a choice. If you wish to make sure that everyone actually goes to polls on election day, then there must be a reason for them to go.

I will go no matter who is on the election ticket. However, how many empty boxes on the ballot, is entirely up to me.

My guess is that in 2014 and 2016 there will plenty of write ins.

349 On the other hand, I deeply, profoundlyregret my vote for John McCain. I suspect he loathes Republican conservatives as much as we loathe him.

Posted by: troyriser at January 13, 2014 01:07 PM (gNlvW)

 

I would feel the same except his opponent was Obama.  

350 Rove's idea of Street Cred is singing the music from Shaft ("Shaft: Is it possible for you to dig it?"). Rove needs to get an accounting degree and leave the rest of us alone.

As for Christie...he's so damn good at this politics thing. It's just too bad that he's utterly unelectable anywhere outside of Jersey.

351 Rove is seriously out of touch with the conservative man on the street/internet since 2010. I am not an official Tea Party member, but I am sympathetic to their views, and I would vote for a Tea Party Republican in a primary. Christie lost all his Tea Party cred when he hugged Obummer a week prior to the election. And he's made too many snarky comments to make me believe he is serious about wooing conservative Republicans in general, tea or no tea. The bridge SNAFU is just proof that he's a self-aggrandizing politician who takes things personally and who has sycophantic aides who do things on his behalf. There's quite enough of that last feature going on with the current President, we don't need a Republican president & staff with the same opinion.

352 Rove is just wishcasting.

353 IMHO, Christie in the WH would end up like Schwarzenegger in the Calif. Gov. Office.  A few half hearted attempts at reform then confirmation of his bi-partisanship by becoming a Democrat in office when the times get tough.  He is not the Savior to prevent the Burning Times but might delay it for a year or two at best.  At worst, he will betray everyone and anyone to try to keep power. 

Folks, incrementalism regarding government spending and debt accumulation is not going to turn the Titanic around and neither will the idea that more moderate GOP'ers seats in Congress will translate to anything other than tinkering around the edges. 

The iceberg of government spending and debt is right in front of the ship of state.  Anything other than reverse engines full speed will only result in a kindler, gentler, collision that probably sinks the ship of state faster through its shredding of the social fabric of the nation.  A full on collision might wake people up in time to save most of the ship when the immovable iceberg of debt is met by the irresistible force of government spending and regulation.

If Christie happens to be the 2016 nominee versus Hillary, I just do not know what I will do.  Voting Third Party won't prevent the burn but neither will voting for Christie who at best might delay it a year or two.  OTOH, Hillary might actually accelerate the ship of state into the iceberg and go down with the ship along with many Democrat Leftists.  However, if Christie is captain when the ship hits the berg--GOP will be destroyed and Christie hits the lifeboats ahead of women and children and becomes a Independent favoring Democrat or even change parties in the White House (see Lincoln's experiment in 1864 with the National Union Party). 

Sigh.  Despair is a sin but just Let is Burn is so Tempting because it does not require any action by myself.  Rebuilding a sustainable government requires changing the political attitudes and cations of a majority of voters AND the ruling class.  Sisyphus never had it so good--he just had to deal with one boulder and one hill.
 

354

Not voting is also a choice. If you wish to make sure that everyone actually goes to polls on election day, then there must be a reason for them to go.

Flawed logic.   Does that choice prevent  someone from being elected?  No, then its not a choice  in the election. 

355 350 Polynikes, , Yeah not seeing it...these "media all-stars" GOP are killing the party...

356 Some of you guys are brilliant with your comments, but most of you are out of touch when it comes to one thing. This country will never elect a "true" conservative. I don't like it as much as you guys either, but that's how it is. I love Rush and Mark Levin--both are great teachers, but they are wrong  when they insist a real, authentic conservative will galvanize the country. Look at Christie. He's as liberal as you can get and still have an (R) by your  name--see what they are in the process of doing to him? Do think they would EVER allow a "real" right winger anywhere near the presidency. The only good that can possibly come out of this is if Republicans finally realize that playing nice with the media, or cozying up to the opposition won't get them anywhere. But they won't realize it. And yes, what's happening with Christie is all about Hillary.

357 "Flawed logic. Does that choice prevent someone from being elected? No, then its not a choice in the election." Flawed understanding of logic. You're presenting a false choice.

358 I think a huge part of his persona is played up to get attention and money. I don't doubt he's a freak, but I think a lot of it's self-promotion. Posted by: bonhomme I'm really not much of a social conservative at all but there was a time in this Country when a private citizen taking a team to play ball for a foreign monster's birthday party (an enemy of the United States) and then getting drunk and probably tweaked and yelling at a reporter about it...well, such a person would never be allowed in public again. But we no longer have that Country.

359 So, Christie says the the WH approved the ad.

Dumbass.

1) That's the favor you called in after the ball-cupping on the beach? That's all you got?
2) And you're stupid enough--this late in the game--to think that the WH will (a) fess up or (b) not have a "unnamed staffer down in the basement that approved it" ready to throw under the bus?

This guy gets stupider and stupider.

No wonder the Gentry GOP love him.

360 Re 354 Typo alert  should read "actions of a majority of voters. "

361 Has Karl Rove (RINO, DC) ever even met an actual tea party person?  I mean, a real tea partier, not some pretend DC tea partier.  If he had, he'd know the answer without even saying something so extraordinarily stupid that he makes Billy Madison look like a genius.

362 I'm sick of this f-in formatting nonsense. I am going to start formatting all my posts with MS Word, just like MonkeyToe, or ToeMonkey, whatever.

363 The Tea Party would have given Fat Man his street cred if he hadn't blocked off the streets

364 As much as I despise McCain,  we would not have the ACA right now if he were elected in 2008. 

365 Cristie Creme is hardly the Tea Party's favorite candidate; I'd put him about two levels up from Ted Kennedy. The governors budget work and Union fighting in New Jersey earn him that much.

However, to Ted Kennedy's credit, he is dead, and couldn't do any more harm than he already has done. Point of order: do dead people get to keep casting votes in the Senate if they're Democrats?

366 67 So, when TFG fires people when they get caught doing his bidding, we call it 'throwing them under the bus', but we're supposed to see Christie as a leader for allegedly doing the same thing? We can't have it both ways. Posted by: Countrysquire at January 13, 2014 12:19 PM (LSJmV) When does TFG fire people?

367 Why do I fear this is the only hill the GOP will die on?

Posted by: Bevel Lemelisk at January 13, 2014 01:02 PM (Ttj5v)

well, at least that would mean that the GOP has actually found a hill

368 Congress has a long way to go before they can act as a conservative break on a liberal Republican president.

369 I'm sick of this f-in formatting nonsense. I am going to start formatting all my posts with MS Word, just like MonkeyToe, or ToeMonkey, whatever.

You do realize that after 30 days I'll have to charge you rent.

370 I could see, for example, a scenario in which conservatism continues to be unpopular at the national level,

"Continues to be unpopular"?  With whom--the Media, Liberals, DC Republicans? 

Conservatism is very popular at the national level.

371 Conservatives have to start winning mayoral races and congressional races and school board races. They have to start  becoming educators and actors and novelists and filmakers. They have to wade  into the  media and  education monopoly that the liberals have, the monopoly that allows them to  fill young skulls full of mush with THEIR propaganda.

372 Good heavens, Rove is smoking the bad monkey crack.


Do you know where I can get some of the good monkey crack? Asking for a friend.

373 Won over by the press conf? I'm fond of Christie (he yells at teachers!) but he's not my first choice for President. If he got in, we'd need a MAJORITY tea party house to control him.

374 Christie is the dream candidate of the establishment. Like Obama, he is wiling to abuse power to grab more power for his party.

375 Flawed understanding of logic. You're presenting a false choice.

Posted by: Burn the Witch at January 13, 2014 01:16 PM (U1Tts)

 

What's the false choice?

376 336 Christie went from conservative hero to villain all because he put his arm around Obama during the Sandy hurricane visit.


No. A thousand times no. He lost many conservative's support for reasons expressed a thousand times on this blog and several times on this thread. Posted by: Burn the Witch

I disagree,I think 90% of the outrage was from that moment.  The other stuff was mainly inside baseball. I'd love to see some Christie favorability polls before and after that moment among Republicans.  It was similar to Rubio after he pushed amnesty.

And I'm not saying it's a completely stupid reason to loathe him, I completely get it, it was incredibly selfish. 

I'm just saying that's a dumb reason for conservatives to take their ball and go home and actually relish the idea of Hillary winning just so you can flip the bird.

377 Fuck the GOP with Christie's fat stubby penis.

378 However, to Ted Kennedy's credit, he is dead, and couldn't do any more harm than he already has done. Point of order: do dead people get to keep casting votes in the Senate if they're Democrats?

Posted by: An Observation at January 13, 2014 01:18 PM (ylhEn)

Sure. Robert Byrd did it for years.

379 324 Man people really didn't like Romney. He got soundly beaten. What should we do next?

Double down and run somebody else like him next time around?

Sounds like a winning plan to me!

Posted by: GOP at January 13, 2014 01:03 PM (oFCZn)

 

People didn't like the caricature of Romney as White-Bread Super Rich Asshole Who Doesn't Give A Damn About People Like Me And Hates Big Bird.  Oh, and women didn't like the guy in the TV ad that said over and over again he would "repeal Roe V. Wade" while frolicking around with his five sons. 

 

The reason the MSM are going after Christie so hard now is that they know they can't caricature him like they did Romney. 

 

Anyone who thinks the next campaign, or any Presidential election from now on is actually going to be about issues or policy, you need to get your head out of the sand.

380 I'm fond of Christie (he yells at teachers!) but he's not my first choice for President. If he got in, we'd need a MAJORITY tea party house to control him.

Working that for ya!

381 Do think they would EVER allow a "real" right winger anywhere near the presidency. *** The media's popularity is tanking along with the Dems and the DC establishment as a whole. In the end we decide who gets near the presidency, not the networks. The media crapped on Reagan the same way. Too many of us have gotten used to treating them as if they determine these things rather than influence them.

382 378. Women by far prefer a fat penis to a skinny one. Maybe not attached a whale, but there you go.

383 "Do you know where I can get some of the good monkey crack? Asking for a friend.

Posted by: Chim-Chim at January 13, 2014 01:19 PM (RD7QR)"

That question just might be misinterpreted. Just sayin'.

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384 So you will not vote?

I will never understand this logic. I understand that your choices are between bad and worse but not voting changes nothing. One of the two will be elected. If you think electing a Republican will be worse in the long run then vote for the Democrat. You should always be part of the process until there is no process.

Posted by: polynikes at January 13, 2014 01:06 PM (m2CN7)

Recent history has shown that voting for the GOP-favored candidate changes nothing. Your logic fails.

385 Posted by: West at January 13, 2014 01:22 PM (1Rgee)

*sigh*  I'll get the receipt book ready, looks like you'll be here a while.

386 381. Yes, the media's popularity  is crap to the public--but they still have sway over the public. Reagan was  one of a kind--and it was 1980. The country is not the same as it was then.  It's totally different. Sad but true.

387 365: We'd have McCainCare instead. Everyone's premiums would still go up, spreading less of the wealth a little thinner, with no outright mandate. Four years later, same debate we had in 2008-2009, with the single-payers' arguments "bolstered" by more of the same false-flag data.

388 RINO is such a catch-all term I don't think it has any meaning for me any more.

Posted by: bonhomme at January 13, 2014 01:09 PM (o4Xc4)

That is true, so I guess I should really have simply said "Republican", since that brand has nothing to do with conservatism, or even libertarianism, anymore. If it ever really did.

389 As much as I despise McCain, we would not have the ACA right now if he were elected in 2008. Because Amnesty is not really a big deal, right?

390 "385 Posted by: West at January 13, 2014 01:22 PM (1Rgee)

*sigh* I'll get the receipt book ready, looks like you'll be here a while."

Obama's goin' t' pay my rent!




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391 This country will never elect a "true" conservative.

Posted by: JoeyBagels at January 13, 2014 01:16 PM (POoYc)

They don't vote for Republicans either. So where does that leave us?

392 "I think his handling of this, being straightforward, taking action, saying IÂ’m responsible, firing the people, probably gives him some street cred with tea party Republicans." Yeah, no. Remember when Christie blasted Boehner/Republicans for not holding the vote on Sandy relief because Republicans were trying to get the pork out of the bill? That's just one of the things that tea party Republicans remember, Rover.

393 Recent history has shown that voting for the GOP-favored candidate changes nothing. Your logic fails.

Posted by: KG at January 13, 2014 01:24 PM (p7BzH)

 

29 Republican Governors and control of the House.  Obama is the only example and its only one. 

394 Conservatives have to start winning mayoral races and congressional races and school board races. They have to start becoming educators and actors and novelists and filmakers. They have to wade into the media and education monopoly that the liberals have, the monopoly that allows them to fill young skulls full of mush with THEIR propaganda. And they have to remain true to themselves the whole time. We'll have a much harder time of it--they guard their territory far more jealously than we did--but it's what has to be done. A slow, grinding slog, inch by inch. Failing that, pass the matches.

395 I guess I am in a boat all to myself. I find clinton and christie equally detestable and equally progressive.

I'll write in a my choice for POTUS in 2016.

396 389. But at least we'd be able to go after our guys (Romney, McCain) on issues like Amnesty without being labeled a racist...

397 29 Republican Governors and control of the House. Obama is the only example and its only one.

Posted by: polynikes at January 13, 2014 01:28 PM (m2CN7)

We are talking about the Presidency. Don't move the goalposts.

398 ♪ ♭ West to the barrelllllll... ♫ ♯

399 "396 389. But at least we'd be able to go after our guys (Romney, McCain) on issues like Amnesty without being labeled a racist..."\


That's what you think...

400 Because Amnesty is not really a big deal, right?

Posted by: Burn the Witch at January 13, 2014 01:26 PM (U1Tts)

 

I know we have ACA.   I don't know if we would have Amnesty.  Didn't have it in two Bush terms.   Anyway good to know you would rather Obama than McCain. 

 

 

401 It would be refreshing if the GOP would at least pretend that they need to work for the Conservative vote instead of just saying STFU and pull the lever. And by work I mean actually govern from the Right. The current fashion is that by voting for the lesser of the two you get to wear a little red star on your clothes and be told what to believe is happening by the ]i]Party.

402 ]i] Party = GOP

403

400 Because Amnesty is not really a big deal, right?
Posted by: Burn the Witch at January 13, 2014 01:26 PM (U1Tts)

I know we have ACA. I don't know if we would have Amnesty. Didn't have it in two Bush terms. Anyway good to know you would rather Obama than McCain.

 

Not for lack of trying.  Bush tried to pass amnesty, but fortunately, conservatives lit up the phone lines and threatened every representative and senator.  Got enough to not vote for it to kill it.

404

Conservatives have to start winning mayoral races and congressional races and school board races.

 

--------

 

Food for thought...

 

The VA GOP candidate for governor was a great conservative who was punished by the Establishment wing of the party because he didn't wait his turn before standing for office by honoring a deal he had no part in.  As such those moneyed Establishment types who continually insist that conservatives cross their principles and vote for squishes withheld support and let that candidate get painted as a wacko religious zealot.

 

In other words, it's nice to say conservatives need to start winning, but it's kind of hard when elements of your own party actively work against you.

405 Ultimately, what we need to do is take a page out of the donkey playbook--elect  a stealth candidate who can talk all squishy and moderate-sounding to get elected--and then govern from the right. Difficult to pull off with a daily anal probe though....

406 "It would be refreshing if the GOP would at least pretend that they need to work for the Conservative vote instead of just saying STFU and pull the lever."


I think the gop is counting chickens way too early. they are already dreaming of a bigger majority in the house and taking a bare majority in the senate.

Election day shock will be priceless.

407 329 The Second Amendment is my uncompromisable line in the sand. How the words "shall not be infringed" are interpreted is a pretty good litmus test in my book too.

408

"do dead people get to keep casting votes in the Senate if they're Democrats?"

 

Yep.

409 "do dead people get to keep casting votes in the Senate if they're Democrats?" Still get paid too!

410 Dude, Christie is living rent free in the Dems' head!  They'll tell you who they fear!

411 Where is there any indication that Governor Creosote is in any way inclined to take even a baby-step in the Coolidge direction?
Posted by: Gregory of Yardale

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

Well, he did say he agrees with democrats on 98% of the issues, so there's that.

412 It's a stupid form of logic to say you won't vote for Republican "X"  in a general election because they're "liberal" on some issue you damn well Democrat "Y" will do everything in their power to put into law.

An example, I have a problem with Christie because he's not an "NRA Republican", I'm big on the 2nd Amnendment.  He's basically for the status quo when it comes to gun laws in Jersey, but to my knowledge has not passed any new gun laws.

That's till a whole lot better than the Clintons who we've seen has a real hard on for going after guns and actually passed the Assault Weapons ban.  So a Christie Presidency would probably be a more federalist approach to new gun laws, and we know what the Clinton approach will be.

So to say "they're both the same" is bullshit if you actually care about these issues.

413 Nope. Not won over. I don't buy his lie. He comes off like Obama - "I didn't know what my subordinates were doing". It's his job to know. But I am happy that he's being taken out of the running early so we can focus on a better candidate.

414 Late to the party as usual. No.

415 I'm sure if christie could get away with it, he would grab as many guns as possible from the Citizens of Jersey. He just can't say so in public.

Haven't met a big government progressive repub yet that is not more than happy to exercise whatever levers of power that are available.

416 Karl Rove: Christie's BridgeGate News Conference Gives Him "Street Cred" with the Tea Party Yeah sure, Karl Rove knows what the Tea Party thinks. More like Karl Rove is full of shit.

417 "You are defined by what your staff does." - Tea Party

418 415 I'm sure if christie could get away with it, he would grab as many guns as possible from the Citizens of Jersey. He just can't say so in public.

Haven't met a big government progressive repub yet that is not more than happy to exercise whatever levers of power that are available.
Posted by: I'll take option C

You don't think he could do that right now with a Democrat legislature in New Jersey? 

419 "I could see, for example, a scenario in which conservatism continues to be unpopular at the national level, and Christie (or a similar RINO) might be our only plausible vehicle for winning the White House. " Seriously? What the FUCK is the point of winning the White House with a guy who has the political positions opposite of what we believe in? (I mean other than creating large coat-tails for the political class suck-ons like the guys who write often on this site). I mean really, other than for the consultant class ("R") version, isn't winning the White House with a RINO a lost, both short AND long term? Short term you get a back stabbed from the bully pulpit on matters of core policy. Long term, you make it easier and easier for the media to marginalize guys and gals who, you know, have actual conservative ideas. What a fucking crock.

420 "You don't think he could do that right now with a Democrat legislature in New Jersey?"


Sure he would, if it meant he would survive the next reelction attempt.

That is doubtful though.

421 "So to say "they're both the same" is bullshit if you actually care about these issues. Posted by: McAdams at January 13, 2014 01:52 PM (iq3N/) " Fooey. You just wrote gun rights out of the platform. If he did expand gun control you'd still urge he be elected; because he's not as liberal as the Democrats. Ditto amnesty, spending, higher taxes, tax dollars for abortion, federalized healthcare. Republicans are voting for all of that, and what's the response? They're Our Guys, The Lesser Evil. Electing liberal Republicans means they get the seniority, the money, and a presumption of loyalty. They stifle reform. If you care about issues more than career politicians, you will vet personnel based on the issues.

422 Christie is dead to me.

423 AND EARTH TO MODERATES: They will destroy you when they're done with you.

424 Chris Christie is 5 gallons of excrement crammed into a 1 gallon bag. His standards as a politician blow which ever way the wind does.

He got cozy with El Presidente, and now it looks like they're throwing him under the bus for a cheap distraction. I can't feel sorry for him.

425

 But at least we'd be able to go after our guys (Romney, McCain) on issues like Amnesty without being labeled a racist...

 

-----

Shut up, you wacko birdsh!!!!

 

 

426 "He got cozy with El Presidente, and now it looks like they're throwing him under the bus for a cheap distraction. I can't feel sorry for him."

More than likely rove is behind this flap. He probably has decided that prince jebward will be the man. Run the old double switch, pump the fat man up until he cant be taken down any further.

Then throw another bush our way.

427 "The VA GOP candidate for governor was a great conservative who was punished by the Establishment wing of the party because he didn't wait his turn before standing for office by honoring a deal he had no part in. As such those moneyed Establishment types who continually insist that conservatives cross their principles and vote for squishes withheld support and let that candidate get painted as a wacko religious zealot."


Yeah, "let" him get painted.  And let's not forget that when the Dems weren't hitting Cucinelli for his own law, they were hitting him for the Tea Party approved shut down.

"Let" him.  I love this argument that people in government shouldn't be held responsible for their own choices.

Conservatives have a choice between doing what's hard and likely unrewarding, and doing what's easy.  Easy is sitting on your ass, pounding your fist, and blaming the Establishment.

428 @93 Romeo13: 
"Please show an election that was WON campaigning on 'I'm not as bad as the other guy'?"

I think that this is actually how Obama beat Romney.

429

Oddly enough, I was less than impressed by the Fat Jersey Fuck.

"I could see, for example, a scenario in which conservatism continues to be unpopular at the national level, and Christie (or a similar RINO) might be our only plausible vehicle for winning the White House." — Sure, it didn't work twice before.  Bound to work this time.

I wonder if Rove doesn't actually believe this nonsense, as much as he actually believes anything, or if this is just something he's throwing out to try and reassure his money men that the RNC won't make them end up running a third Bush for the White House.

 

430 360 Royal Oil, He said he loved me, and I was the only one... //Chrispy Chreme

431 "Conservatives have a choice between doing what's hard and likely unrewarding, and doing what's easy. Easy is sitting on your ass, pounding your fist, and blaming the Establishment.

You keep doing what is likely all you want.

Myself, never wasting a vote on another proggie repub again. Thing is there are millions like me and more going this direction every day. Your direction is shrinking and it is shrinking fast.

I give the repubs one last POTUS election cycle before they become irrelevant.

432 Nope, not even partly.

433 Apparently, it is Jon Kyl... With no "Eeee's" or "Haitches" I just figured that there HAD to be an E in there, if there was no "H"!

434 Okay so Christy's policies include: 1) belief in man-made global warming and endorses the policies that are killing jobs, creating rolling blackouts, making American goods too expensive to compete world-wide and driving down wages to keep down costs For that alone the fat fuck can go DIAF, But soft, let us continue- 2) supports gun control 3) supports amnesty especially during a severe recession thus creating more competition and driving down wages 4) backstabs his own party during an important presidential election There's a whole lot of nothing there for me to support. Also, saying I'm responsible and then not quitting means you are not holding yourself responsible. It means you're just blabbing to hear yourself blab. So, no, Karl Rove- no "street cred" or any other kind of "cred" for me.

435 Chruck Fistie (Repub progressive ass hat).

Looking at any possible "non-Progressive" candidates (if you can find any), we are sooooo hosed.

436

I did what was hard, and unrewarding. Every four years since the 2000 election. I gave time and money to Bush, McCain, and Romney. All I got was a facefull of piss and a bunch of you guys telling me it's raining.

 

Never again.

437 427: Easy is being the establishment and demanding that dissenters have to cave for the last 25 years. The other guys are worse isn't enough anymore. Read Drew's piece on "the ratchet" from the other day. Find a candidate who can move the needle to the right, not just slow the shift to the left (if even that). Otherwise, I'm willing to let it burn. As for who's being selfish in that equation, seems to me that guys like Dick Lugar deserve some crap for actually supporting Dems just because they got primaried. Where's Karl on that ? One-way unity is "the ratchet" on the Republican side. Making the country only a little worse isn't worth voting for.

438 Christie was never going to be the nominee. Republican voters will stick to their pattern and nominate a moderate milquetoast presidential candidate. Sure, Christie is politically moderate but he is no milquetoast. So the traffic jam scandal has not hurt his nonexistent chances of winning the nomination.

439 "IMHO, Christie in the WH would end up like Schwarzenegger in the Calif. Gov. Office." Arnie had Democrats in control of the legislature. People forget that. So, unless you think Christie wins in 2016 and we also lose the House and Senate, its a poor analogy. I'm not a Christie supporter, but if its Christie vs. Hillary - I'm voting Christie. Wait...I live in CA so I don't even need to vote. Damn.

440 " So the traffic jam scandal has not hurt his nonexistent chances of winning the nomination."


I disagree. Christie has a very good chance of getting the nomination. Becoming POTUS is a whole different story.

441 Christie is a loathsome RINO and a total nonentity outside the Tristate area. Unelectable for a host of reasons. Rove is clueless and has been for years. A fool AND a RINO tool. Why the blogosphere continues to cover him as if his mouth-farts are relevant baffles and angers me.

442 Christie sign gun control bills: http://tinyurl.com/kv42oda "These common-sense measures will both strengthen New Jersey's already tough gun laws and upgrade penalties for those who commit gun crimes and violate gun trafficking laws," said Christie, who is expected to easily win reelection this year. In the same article, gun control supporters applaud Christie for signing these bills: "Gun control supporters in New Jersey said the signings represented a step forward." Enough said.

443 "Why the blogosphere continues to cover him"

Because they love him thats why. Wait until POTUS season opens up and watch who they endorse and cheer for. They may claim to be conservative but the vast majority of so called "right wing bloggers" will go for the rino over a conservative any day of the week.

444 233 Monkeytoe, don't make us point at it. You know whee to go.

Posted by: Niedermeyer's Dead Horse at January 13, 2014 12:45 PM (DmNpO)

If you are talking about html school, I agree.  Although, this is the only site where I comment that I have any problems whatsoever.  I'd say it is more a problem of this site, which is not user friendly at all for comments.

If you are talking about something else, I have no idea what you are talking about - so you need to "point at it".

445 238 Posted by: monkeytoe

TL;DR

Showing either my age, my technology knowledge lack, or my not spending enough time in the comments here - - I have no idea what this means.

446 Christie has a very good chance of getting the nomination. Becoming POTUS is a whole different story. Like the last two Republican nominees...

447 > But maybe he's right and I'm wrong: Were any of you who self-identify as Tea Partiers partly won over by Christie's press conference?

No, Virginia!  A thousand times, No!

448

" The other guys are worse isn't enough anymore"

 

The other guys aren't worse anymore. *Rove scrolls through contacts, seeing if he still has Huntsman's phone number*

449 The GOP establishment is panicking.Their presumptive nominee is in trouble.Time to shore up his "inevitability" factor and try to convince conservatives to jump on the bandwagon because, well he's electable and real conservatives aren't,and besides, you conservatives are used to gagging and holding your nose when you vote so just pretend he's one of you already and STFU.

450 TL;DR Too Long, Didn't Read

451 “In fact, I think his handling of this, being straightforward, taking action, saying I’m responsible, firing the people, probably gives him some street cred with tea party Republicans who say ‘That’s what we want in a leader, someone who steps up and takes responsibility.’” Um... I'm waiting to see if he ordered it. Ordering a shady deal for partisan political gain that hurts people for no reason; then firing an underling to CYA isn't really what I'm looking for in a leader either. I suspect we'll find out he knew/ordered/allowed/approved this action and is just trying to pass the buck to an underling to avoid repercussions for his own actions. That might be "leadership" in Karl Rove's world; but it doesn't impress me quite so much. And even if Christie's hands are clean, why did his underling think this was a good thing to do, a good idea, and wouldn't get him in trouble? What sort of "leader" has the people he "leads" abusing power for partisan political gain again? Now it might have been a loose cannon lunatic who played nice until he snapped and decided "screw my job I'm going to get my political opposition even if it costs me my job" ... but I'm not betting that way. Why would anyone think that is the likely option?

452 448
"The other guys are worse isn't enough anymore"

The other guys aren't worse anymore. *Rove scrolls through contacts, seeing if he still has Huntsman's phone number*

Posted by: Richard McEnroe at January 13, 2014 03:16 PM (XO6WW)

Good point.  Those who keep saying we need to support the GOP no matter what, need to come up with some argument as to why we should vote FOR the GOP rather than the same tired argument that allegedly the other side is so much worse.

Yes, we know democrats are bad.  But, the problem you continue to ignore is that republicans are just as bad.  Republicans enable the democrats by consolidating all leftist gains and giving those leftist policies bi-partisan cover.  Growth of gov't?  check.  Amnesty?  check.  Spending? Check. 

The point I continue to pound on is what, exactly, do conservatives have to show for support of the GOP over the last 30 years?  Gov't has increased.  Spending has increased.  Socialism has increased.  And that is with the GOP controlling all branches of gov't from 2000 to 2006 - during which time not one conservative thing was accomplished (aside, perhaps for tax cuts - however, I am not so certain "tax cuts" are truly conservative when combined with massive new deficit spending and debt. That does not seem like much of a conservative "victory" to me).

The reality is that the GOP was held together from 1980 - 1992 by the Cold War.  We won the Cold War, but at the expense of just about everything else (particularly the culture, while we were winning the Cold War the left completely took over the culture).  Not sure that was as great a victory as we think. 

In 1992 - 2000, opposition to Clinton mostly held the coalition together as it floundered about trying to figure out what the coalition was going to look like going forward. 

Between 2000 and 2006, the War on Terror took over for the Cold War as holding the GOP coalition together (hawks, fiscal conservatives, social conservatives, small gov't conservatives and repubricats [Romney like republican big-gov't technocrats]).

the War on Terror no longer holds the coalition together.

453 450 TL;DR

Too Long, Didn't Read

Posted by: Chris_Balsz at January 13, 2014 03:29 PM (5xmd7)

Interesting.  I generally don't comment on things I did not read, so never would have guessed it.  Not really sure what the point of the comment is.  That a few paragraphs is too complicated for some people to get through? I'm certainly not aiming at those to insipid to read a few paragraphs.  I doubt they'd understand it anyway.  Or is the point of that comment that you only want short, pithy snark to be included in comments?  You are aggrieved when someone writes something other than what can be found in a text or tweet?  

I love the idea that someone doesn't bother to read something - which is of course fine, I don't read every comment either - but then feels it's necessary to tell the world that one did not read the comment fascinating.  Talk about a new level of naval gazing.  "Hey - look at me - I didn't read that other guy's comment because it was 4 paragraphs!!".

454 Oh I know! Here's your best argument:

We should support a RINO because of SCOTUS noms. We need another Roberts.

*barf*

455 "Easy is being the establishment and demanding that dissenters have to cave for the last 25 years."

That sucks.  How are Conservatives going to fix that?  Oh yeah, it has no friggen idea so it's just posturing.


"The other guys are worse isn't enough anymore. Read Drew's piece..."

How about True Cons read Ace when he tells them the truth about the Electorate?  Nah, because then we might have to start pointing fingers at things that aren't The Establishment, or find out that RINO hunting isn't a one-way street, and we can't have that.


"Find a candidate who can move the needle to the right, not just slow the shift to the left (if even that)."

Or we could find an Eisenhower who repaired the Right's image after Hoover?  Nah, it's always All or Nothing.

456 How about True Cons read Ace when he tells them the truth about the Electorate? Nah, because then we might have to start pointing fingers at things that aren't The Establishment, or find out that RINO hunting isn't a one-way street, and we can't have that.

Posted by: Shoot Me at January 13, 2014 03:57 PM (qiXMt)

And what, pray tell, is the truth about the electorate?

You say "find a candidate who moves the needle to the right" - as if every candidate doesn't run as far more conservative than they act in office.

You seem to not understand facts and data.  OK - explain this to me.  Almost every GOP incumbent ran on opposing any form of amnesty.  Yet the GOP wants to push amnesty through.

How do you - being so much smarter and more reality based than everyone else who is a "purist" - square that circle?  I know, because you believe there is no "establishment" and that the GOP only does what we the voters want, it must mean that we the GOP voters want right?  Except, why then do they run opposing amnesty?  And polls of GOP voters show GOP voters opposing any form of amnesty.

that is but one example of many.  Show me the GOP incumbent that ran on increasing spending?  they don't, they run for decreasing spending. Yet, most of them vote for increasing spending and almost none vote for decreasing spending.

it's the same old argument from you - "purists" need to shut up and vote for the GOP because that's the best we'll ever get and therefore just stop wanting any conservative outcomes". 

I don't get why you pretend to be a conservative.  You obviously don't want to see any conservative outcomes and become angry at the thought of anyone pursuing conservative outcomes.

457 What the fuck could Rove possibly know about the Tea Party? The real one, that is, not the one in his paranoid fantasies...

458 >>That sucks. How are Conservatives going to fix that? Oh yeah, it has no friggen idea so it's just posturing. Destroy the political operation masquerading as the only opposition to the Democrats.

459 >>And, as I stated in a comment earlier, the GOP in congress would more than happily go along on that ride to the left. We would have a repeat of 2000-2006 (only more extreme) of the GOP increasing the size, scope and cost of gov't.<< YOU LIE! They just LOCKED themselves into a 10 year plan to save $22 billion!!! /s

460 Before I resign myself to the likes of Christie, I'd like to see the GOP take steps to safeguard voting procedures to minimize fraud. The RINO strategy is not the answer, as McCain and Romney proved.

The thing about the tea party is they haven't lost hope yet. They're not beat before they've started.

461 "I suspect we'll find out he knew/ordered/allowed/approved this action and is just trying to pass the buck to an underling to avoid repercussions for his own actions."

I don't even need that. The fact that his underlings were so brazen about it tells me Christie has been aware of this mentality for some time, probably party to conversations around the water cooler re sticking it to his enemies.

Its like coming home 15 mins early to find your wife in bed with some guy and believing her when she says "it was the first and only time". Really? The reason they got caught was because they were careless. They've been getting away with it for so long that they grew complacent - timing it to within 15 mins of your expected return instead of a few hours prior.

Christie knew. Maybe not of this particular instance, but of others. His staff was arrogant about it b/c they knew their boss supported their viewpoint.

462 I'm not voting for him. Or donating. Period.

463 Whom the lefty press would destroy they first make great. They buddied up to him so they could turn him against his won potential party consituents and then put the knife in as he started to take off. Like Romney. Nothing new under the sun.

464 Will not vote for him under any circumstances.

465 In response to  your last question:  I just strengthened my impression that Christy is typical corrupt politician and the letter after his name is somewhat meaningless.  It certainly didn't give him any 'street cred' with this TEA Party sympathizer.  What IS Rove smoking?

466 Hey Ace!  When was the last time "the only plausible candidate to win the White House" won the White House for the Republican Party?

467 Rove has no street creed with Tea Party members.