Can Anybody Here Play This Game?

William Kristol bets that the next Republican Presidential nominee is not eve in the race.  

Meanwhile, Tim Pawlenty denounces ethanol subsidies - in Iowa.  Apparently he is going to run as a truth-teller, but can voters handle the truth?

Comments

[peter]

Variation on a Casey Stengel line.

[Cecil Turner]

. . . but can voters handle the truth?

You'd think this'd be a relatively easy sell, considering food and gas prices are both rising (and the latter is remarkably resistant to depression by ethanol infusion). Besides, it represents some of the worst facets of the government spending gravy train.

As to the coy candidates, it looks as if the Dems have given up on running on their (abysmal) record, and are planning on a scorched-earth personal attack plan. In that environment, a late entry would seem to neutralize some of the oppo effort (or at least spread it around). Not sure where that runs afoul of the obvious fundraising ramifications, but I'd bet it's a while yet.

[peter]

As Geraghty pointed out, it gives TimPaw an out for losing Iowa, and also sells him as refreshingly honest.

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

I think it is utterly possible that the nominee is not yet in the race, and utterly possible that he is. So take that Kristol!

[bunkerbuster]

Exactly as I predicted, the 2010 victory for Republicans is playing right into Obama's hands.
Had the GOP lost in 2010, it could continue calling Obamacare a death ray from planet Stalin and the Obama doctrine a secret Muslim plot to exterminate white Christian males all while never having to even propose alternatives.
Now that Ryan has proposed ending Medicare as we know it, the Tea Party slogan: Keep the government out of my Medicare is defunct, and half the party is running scared. It's a great time to be a Democrat, if only for the entertainment Republicans provide...

[narciso]

Well you need to say why, the fact that it is making food unaffordable, while wastes energy,
a neat hattrick, and no, she's not in the race.

[Melinda Romanoff]

I see the fax went out.

[Jim Ryan]

Anti-ethanol is a winning position for me. I would have a tough time not voting for Pawlenty in the primary if he makes that a big deal in his campaign. Ethanol is a prime example of the dysfunction of our political system. It doesn't help the environment or save money. It's in gas because lobbyists want it in gas.

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

the Obama doctrine a secret Muslim plot to exterminate white Christian males

Really? I've never heard that. Got a link?

It's a great time to be a Democrat

Indeed. Particularly after the 2010 shellacking. That was really fun for you, wasn't it?

[Captain Hate]

the Tea Party slogan: Keep the government out of my Medicare

In what alternative universe was that a Tea Party slogan?

[centralcal]

Good Morning.

We've ditched the phoney Irish accent this morning for one more British sounding. No Grinch hair today!

Compare and contrast :)

[hit and run]

Coming out against ethanol subsidies? In Iowa?

Why that's the "gutsiest call" by a Republican in a presidential preimary race since . . . John McCain.

[Jim Ryan]

You're good, Hit.

[narciso]

No wonder he finished 4th in Iowa, and TPaw hired his Iowa guy.

[hit and run]

Look at Jane with her instalanche and everything...

[centralcal]

Good for Jane! Hope her server can take the hits that link is sure to bring.

[MaryD]

centralcal, someone on her staff hates MO. That outfit is beyond parody.

[centralcal]

Well, MaryD, I chose one of the better photos, too. Do you suppose Moochelle can't find her birth certificate either and is totally clueless to how old she is?

[narciso]

It wasn't that bad, the apotheosis was when they insisted that she was better than Carla
Bruni, that was high end delusion,

[MaryD]

Snort!

[jimmyk]

Hey, let's give credit where credit is due, both for Tpaw and McCain.

My issue with Tpaw is the distinct impression that this position doesn't come from a deep abiding belief in free markets and limited government, but from a strategic decision to position himself that way. Maybe that's unfair, but I'd like to see a record of consistent actions and positions like that as governor.

[Danube of Thought]

Minus 10 at Raz today.

[Ranger]

This news is making the rounds, but I think Campaign Spot has the best take:

.Illinois Treasurer: Don’t Loan Any More Money to My State!

Ah, the political culture that our president marinated in:... The backlog of unpaid bills will reach $8 billion by July, Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka recently estimated. Rutherford says the debt from past borrowing has soared to $45 billion in recent years, which amounts to $10,000 for every household in the state.

And people wonder why Obama doesn't think he ever needs to get serious about ballancing the budget or dealing with the debt. Its not possible for a Democrat from Illinois to think in those terms.

[Threadkiller]

Cain did not show well on the “right of return” question. I agree he needs to be a little more prepared but I really see this as a gotcha moment. Two can play that game.

At the 30 min 30 sec mark watch Obama get tripped up on two really difficult questions.

Senate Debate

[centralcal]

This year's royal gifts are a little more creative.

TK - Cain flat out told Hannity last night that he didn't know about the "right of return," when questioned, but that he certainly did now. I think more pols should admit when they don't know something, rather than fake it.

[Danube of Thought]

half the party is running scared. It's a great time to be a Democrat

Tuesday, May 24: A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 42% of Likely U.S. Voters say they would vote for their district’s Republican congressional candidate, while 40% would choose the Democrat instead.

[Janet]

Congrats Jane!!

also via Instapundit - 58% of Americans Believe the Country would be no different or better off if Congress met every 2 years.

That's what I think. These people need to go home & quit thinking up stuff for us to do & ways to spend our money.

[narciso]

The consequences of foolish decisions are great:

http://patterico.com/2011/05/23/supreme-court-mandates-release-of-up-to-37000-prisoners-in-california-and-i-make-a-modest-proposal-to-fix-the-problem/#comment-795194

[Threadkiller]

Amen, CCal. And thanks for watching Hannity. :-)

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

Wow - I'm amazed. I never get an instalaunche. Was it something I said.

[Danube of Thought]

the 2010 victory for Republicans is playing right into Obama's hands

Just what he wanted--a shellacking. Now if he can only get them to lose the Senate, too...

[Threadkiller]

They should outsource the prisons to Mexico.

[BR]

Congrats, Jane! LUN at 7:58 am (5/24/11)

[Janet]

THanks for that Ill. Senate debate link TK. Interesting hearing Mr. Punahou & Sidwell Friends Obama. Public schools for thee, but not for me.

[Rick Ballard]

"Maybe that's unfair, but I'd like to see a record of consistent actions and positions like that as governor."

Jimmyk,

It's unfair to expect a finely balanced wind vane not to turn in the breeze. He's a very decent politician with a very wide and malleable set of principles underpinned by a rock solid conviction that winning the next election should always be Job #1.

He's not particularly objectionable and he's not as cloyingly obnoxious as My Friends.

Obama is going to beat Obama - the struggle is in getting into the ring to have your hand raised at the end of the bout.

[Barbara]

Apparently [Pawlenty] is going to run as a truth-teller

How quaint. My guess is that Pawlenty is running for the V.P. slot. But what do I know.

These people have to have such huge egos to run for the top job in the first place, maybe Mr. Peepers really thinks he can win the nomination.

[BR]

This would explain why Obama's fake birth cert has an out-of-sequence number.

Now, if we can discover what the deceased baby's bc number was, it would be good, but so far the surviving parent hasn't offered to obtain it.

We already know he has used a deceased person's CT SSN number.

Truth is simple, but deception is complex and spawn more lies to cover up the original lie. It's really looking to me that there is no Hawaiian bc for Obama and that a fake was made and inserted, but truth keeps rejecting it like a body rejects a foreign object.

[Danube of Thought]

I believe that the unemployment rate to be announced Friday will show a drop, perhaps to something like 8.8%. Anybody have any notions?

[Threadkiller]

Will the ex-prisoners be counted as unemployed?

[clarice]

Sure TK--cause they will be.

Congrats, Jane. Still working on the article.

[narciso]

This is beyond parody,

http://newsbusters.org/blogs/matthew-balan/2011/05/23/cbss-stahl-proclaims-stately-al-sharptons-metamorphosis

[Ranger]

Interesting things happening around the world:

'Blast' at new Iran oil refinery as Ahmadinejad visits

At least one person has been killed and 20 injured in a blast at an Iranian refinery around the time of a visit by Iran's president, local media say.

Just an accident of course...

Then there is this:

Hosni Mubarak and sons to be tried over deaths

The charges come after renewed calls for protests on Friday to demand the trial of the Mubarak family as well as the lifting of emergency law.

With wheat prices going up, Egypt will be literally starving by October, and they are going to run out of show trials long before they run out of starving people.

Who would have thought we would be on the verge of civil war in both Iran and Egypt at the same time.

[Janet]

Maybe the still sketchy birth is why Obama is on the Irish tour embracing & touting his great grandfather's roots?

[Sue]

I thought this was a thread about the Dallas Mavericks. ::grin:: What a night. What a game.

[Danube of Thought]

As soon as they get out I imagine they will be busy little beavers.

[narciso]

They prove 'they are on the other side' always;

http://theothermccain.com/2011/05/23/did-national-magazine-award-winner-scott-horton-spin-a-guantanamo-myth/

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

I listened to about 5 minutes of Morning Joe this morning when they were talking about Obama's Israel performance. Eugene Robinson said it was no biggie and Jews would stay on board the Obama shift. Harold Ford thought it was a huge biggie and Obama would lose Florida as a result.

[Dave (in MA)]

Legal Insurrection: "Bye-Bye Brown" -

Go down the list of those praising your op-ed, and you will see the same people who smeared you as a "birther", who distributed rape mailers against you, who mocked you as a crazy extremist, who accused you of endorsing sexual violence against your oppenent, and who will work to defeat you in 2012.

The guy who does the A.M. drive time show on the local conservative station read the whole post today.

[jimmyk]

He's a very decent politician with a very wide and malleable set of principles underpinned by a rock solid conviction that winning the next election should always be Job #1.

That's my feeling, but it's almost entirely subjective. Anyone have the goods on him? His record as governor seems decent (balanced the budget without tax increases). I poked around a bit and only found this, from wiki:

Minnesota has mandated a 10% mixture of gasoline and ethanol (gasohol) since 1997. Pawlenty signed into law in May 2005 a bill that will raise the minimum mandated mixture to 20% in 2013. Pawlenty has also lobbied the Governors' Ethanol Coalition to mandate higher ethanol use nationwide.

It would be good to hear him explain his change of heart.

[Dave (in MA)]

TK, I can't see it as a gotcha moment against Cain. That's pretty basic stuff. I'll bet even a TV clown like Trump would have had a better answer for that.

[MarkO]

Not only will the unemployment rate rise, so with the price of weed.

[Danube of Thought]

The horny Frog already has his friends trying to buy off the chambermaid:

"He'll get out of it and will fly back to France. He won't spend time in jail. The woman will get a lot of money," said the source, adding that a seven-figure sum has been bandied about.

[Captain Hate]

Sue, that was a great comeback for the Mavs when they were all but left for dead. I felt bad for Durant and the rest but it should serve as a good learning experience about playing with poise. Is Nick Collison David Stern's love child? I like him ok as a player but he's gotten away with mauling Zach Randolph and Dirk with nary a call.

[Syl]

Hi gang....long time no type. :)

Sorry for the OT, but I just wanted to drop by and mention something about Obama and Israel. I've heard/read much talk about throwing Israel under the bus (true) and Obama forcing Israel to accept the 1967 borders (false). The Dems are all like we're stupid, the 1967 borders are merely the start of negotiations.

Look the situation is that Obama has taken the Arab and Palestinian position (the Europeans as well) and that is that negotiations start with the 1967 borders. That has long been the basis for the Palestinian's side of negotiations but it has NEVER been the basis for negotiations from the Israeli side and America has never had that starting point as stated policy.

Any mention of the '67 borders (in numerous quotes thrown at us from the Democrats) has only been within the context of the negotiations. Each side of any negotiation has its starting points...ie, a Palestinian one and an Israeli one.

My point is that Obama is forcing Israel to start negotiations from the Arab PoV instead of its own!

[clarice]

Harold Ford is a better politician than that hack Robinson.

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

Dave,

I wrote to Brown this morning and told him he has pretty much lost the tea party in MA.

Then Amy came to work and told me that he would never ever ever read my missive and the only thing his staff would report is how many for and how many against. (She used to work for a legislator)

And I agree with Jacobson completely.

Clarice, Robinson came across as the shill he is.

[narciso]

And the point is that is a nonstarter, that's why they sent Mitchell home, this is why there's pressure for Lieberman to resign, in order to topple Netanyahu, but I don't think even a Kadima regime would settle for those terms.

[MayBee]

Syl!!!!!!!

Oh, and good point.

[Syl]

"Robinson came across as the shill he is."

Fer sure. Have you noticed that Robinson has to move around and bounce up and down in order to force the words out of his mouth.

It's annoying as heck.

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

LOL - I never actually watch the TV, it's all just background noise. I can't tell you how many times I've looked up and seen a person whose voice I have heard a hundred times and I'm shocked at what they look like.

[centralcal]

Very funny, Syl!

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

BTW Pat Buchanin said Obama would lose Florida and Ford agreed. I left out Buchanin cause I don't think he counts.

[Ignatz]

--I believe that the unemployment rate to be announced Friday will show a drop, perhaps to something like 8.8%. Anybody have any notions?--

Comes out next Friday, I believe, DoT.

[Ignatz]

--It would be good to hear him explain his change of heart.--

What he said is that he is against the ethanol subsidy, which is somewhat different than mandated use.
He also claims he cut the MI state ethanol subsidy.
Now I personally think subsidies and mandates are both ill-advised but he isn't necessarily having a change of heart.

[hit and run]

Free Syl!!!
Free Syl!!!
Free Syl!!!

[Rick Ballard]

Jimmyk,

"Malleable" is the most charitable description I could come up with. I believe that "OTOH" may be his personal motto although it seems rather restrictive - unless he's really an octopus.

DoT,

The employment numbers release is a week from this Friday. 8.8% is a good bottom number with 9.2% being the higher limit. Gallup's trend line supports 8.8% more strongly than 9.2% but the BLS might give the birth/death model an invigorating deep massage and surprise us all.

[Danube of Thought]

"The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey shows that just 47% of Likely U.S. Voters correctly recognize that it is necessary to make major changes in those areas [SS, Medicare and Medicaid] to make truly significant long-term cuts in government spending. Thirty-six percent (36%) don’t believe big changes in these three areas are needed, while another 17% aren’t sure."

[Ignatz]

Good, short article at Forbes explaining the sorry history of the IMF and why it should be scrapped.
It currently has $365 billion in assets, most of them donated by the US, naturally.

[clarice]

Actually I think it encouraging that 47% understand this, DoT.

[Ignatz]

Excellent article at AmSpec by Peter Wallison on the financial crisis and the role of Fannie and Freddie and the CRA in it.
And here is his devastating rebuttal to Krugman and others who dishonestly criticized the original article.

[Gmax]

Can you get elected on a coalition of blacks, college professors, extreme wealthy and union members? I think that is about 35-37%?

Where do the progs go to find enough gullible voters to get anywhere near 50% this time?

Scaring in granny seems to be their answer but I honestly dont see that as being viable...

[centralcal]

Oh my dear God! There are no words - only gasps of horror - to describe this link!

Does anyone suppose that there will soon be an enemy list of photographers? Or a special czar to oversee them?

[Syl]

::waving to all::

Miss you folks (hey, I AM free now Hit) but don't post much, if at all, anywhere. Still read, ponder, fool around. 'bout it.

Cheers

[C.R.]

Centralcal,

I tried to post that picture to show that you were too kind in the first one you posted (even though she did match the settee behind her), but couldn't get it to size correctly.

[Gmax]

I am not much on fashion but do those colors even go together? Does the WH not have a person schooled in etiquette to assist the challenged in residence? Dear lord that is enough to frighten young children.

[centralcal]

I noticed that too, C.R. - the dress fabric did rather resemble the royal upholstery.

Yep, I don't have any way to resize and post photo's either, so have to link.

Life is full of ups and downs, but I can almost always count on our fabulous Busy Mom and Fashion Icon to bring a smile (or hysterical laughter) to my life.

[centralcal]

C.R. - another website - Newsbird's Views did the work for us:

Who knew there was wind in Dublin and London?

[Janet]

This might fit -

[(Another) Barbara]

Can you get elected on a coalition of blacks, college professors, extreme wealthy and union members? I think that is about 35-37%?

Don't forget single women, Hispanics, voters 35 and under, Medicaid and Food Stamp recipients and . . . scared grannies.

[Danube of Thought]

Looks like the Fourth Circuit is going cuckoo on the Obamacare case.

[Danube of Thought]

I agree, Clarice. I was pleasantly surprised.

[centralcal]

First Lady Michelle Obama, strokes her husband, US President Barack Obama's back as he signs the Distinguished Visitor's Book in Westminster Abbey on May 24, 2011 in London, England.

[glasater]

Centralcal,

It's got to be a Brit photog for sure!

[Ignatz]

--Looks like the Fourth Circuit is going cuckoo on the Obamacare case.--

If the 4th district holds that the Barrycare mandate is a tax does that mean I can write off my car insurance as a state tax on my federal return, since I am mandated by state law to have it?

[Jim Ryan]

With that pic, I'm starting to like this Michelle Obama. I'm 45, and for me, new wave style was a big part of my youth. It looks like she dresses and does her hair with a very extreme early-80's new wave sensibility, and I give that a thumbs up.

[Danube of Thought]

Just turned on FNC and have rewound the DVR so as to watch Bibi's adress to the joint session of congress. I understand it was interrupted by applause 56 times.

[lyle]

The woman will get a lot of money," said the source, adding that a seven-figure sum has been bandied about.

Straight out of the US Treasury via the IMF.

[pagar]

"Where do the progs go to find enough gullible voters to get anywhere near 50% this time?"

It looks like they will be losing some of the illegals, some of the dead, and some that vote more than once.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704816604576333650886790480.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

"The Case for Voter ID "

"http://townhall.com/tipsheet/katiepavlich/2011/02/03/new_mexico_governor_susana_martinez_rescinds_sanctuary_status

Have read that New Mexico has 80,000 illegals with drivers licenses. Apparently no one knows how many of these are illegal voters.
_-----------------------------------------
"Don't forget single women, Hispanics,"

IMO, all Hispanics will not vote for Obama,
only the illegals or the Americans that support illegal immigration. I am married to a Hispanic who immigrated legally and became a legal US Citizen; as did many others. It is my believe, that many if not most of this group do not support illegal immigration or the Americans that support illegals.

[Porchlight]

I think the dress is pretty, but the pink bolero is far too young for her, and it is simply outrageous not to wear hosiery in the presence of the Queen.

She deserves to have been made to look even more ridiculous by the London winds. I hope that photo or one like it is plastered on the front page of every tabloid in Britain.

[Sue]

Capt'n,

I'm not going to complain about the officiating this morning but they are all over Dirk and not getting called. Luckily, he made the shots anyway. I particularly liked the one where Collison is fused to Dirk's hip as he shoots and scores! ::grin::

[Danube of Thought]

"In his commencement speech at Hamilton College on Sunday, former Vice President Al Gore told the graduates that global warming is 'the most serious challenge our civilization has ever faced.' But as an undergraduate at Harvard University in the late 1960s, Gore--one of the most prominent spokesmen on climate change today--earned a 'D' in Natural Sciences. Gore’s transcript documents that during his sophomore year at Harvard he earned a 'D' in Natural Sciences 6 (Man’s Place in Nature). Also, as a senior at Harvard, he earned a C-plus in Natural Sciences 118."

[centralcal]

I guess I am just a fuddy-duddy, Porch, but above the knee, full skirts puffed out with crinoline, shouldn't be worn by anybody over 12 years old, or barely 20 somethings that are very skinny and youthful looking.

Daily Mail is having a ball with huge blow ups of all of FLOTUS's photos.

[Porchlight]

central, you are right, the whole outfit is much too young for her. (Look at Kate's 'grownup' and weather-appropriate dress in comparison.) Michelle rarely dresses her age at all, let alone dress appropriately for a FLOTUS her age.

Just wanted to point out that I don't think the dress would be unattractive on the hanger. ;)

[Jane (sit on the couch or save your country)]

It was a spectacular speech DOT. All I could think of is how mad bambi must be.

[centralcal]

I see a Code Pink protestor got in to heckle BiBi. What do they think they gain by these stunts?

[Ignatz]

--In his commencement speech at Hamilton College on Sunday, former Vice President Al Gore told the graduates that global warming is 'the most serious challenge our civilization has ever faced.--

Well, considering the insane, civilization destroying "solutions" he and his comrades are advancing, he may very well be right.

[sbw]

We're 15 minutes away from Hamilton College and editorially I'm giving the Goracle all the attention he deserves.

Nada.

[centralcal]

Look at Kate's 'grownup' and weather-appropriate dress

Apparently, the British press gave out the designer's name of Kate's dress and the website has crashed already from the hits.

Anybody crashing MO's designer website?

[Ignatz]

Considering her height, I'm pretty sure I've put smaller logs than those on a truck to the mill.

[glenda]

Oh, CC..

do you think the shoe size difference is really as bad as the pic shows:) and the one Janet posted--the hair, again..and those gams..she is definitely the boss--she outweighs BO by at least 60-75lbs. But Andrea Mitchell will report Princess Kate is anorexic to make up for the size difference. hee

great job, jane..run,jane,run! (skeletons in closets make life much more interesting)..:)