Panic Sets In

Following last night's debate, Bret Stephens of the WSJ throws in the towel on the current Republican offerings:

The GOP Deserves to Lose

That's what happens when you run with losers.

...Above all, it doesn't matter that Americans are generally eager to send Mr. Obama packing. All they need is to be reasonably sure that the alternative won't be another fiasco. But they can't be reasonably sure, so it's going to be four more years of the disappointment you already know.

As for the current GOP field, it's like confronting a terminal diagnosis. There may be an apparent range of treatments: conventional (Romney), experimental (Gingrich), homeopathic (Paul) or prayerful (Santorum). But none will avail you in the end. Just try to exit laughing.

Ross Douthat lauds William Kristol's indefatigabe efforts for a better candidate:

For months now, even as the rest of the conservative commentariat has gradually resigned itself to the existing presidential field, the Weekly Standard’s Bill Kristol has continued to pine — publicly, unstintingly, immune to either embarrassment or fatigue— for another candidate to jump into the race....

And do you know what? He’s been right all along. Right that the decisions by various capable Republicans to forgo a presidential run this year have been a collective disgrace; right that Republican primary voters deserve a better choice than the one being presented to them; and right, as well, that even now it isn’t too late for one of the non-candidates to change their mind and run.

...Contrary to what some of my more excitable colleagues in the press corps have been claiming, the weekend’s results didn’t demonstrate that Newt Gingrich could actually win the Republican nomination, or prove that Mitt Romney could actually lose to him. (Yes, I’m still on the “against this field, Mitt’s inevitable” bandwagon: More on that anon.) But the last week was a reminder, after months in which the incompetence of his rivals made him look better than he is, that Romney remains a tremendously weak frontrunner, whose strengths don’t compensate for a style that leaves conservatives cold and a background that will leave him open to attacks across a variety of Democratic-friendly fronts in the general election. I don’t think he can lose the primary, and I still give him decent odds of winning in November. But those judgments have everything to do with his political environment, and very little to do with the man himself. And under such circumstances, it seems absurd and pathetic that both the party and the country won’t have the chance to consider another option besides Newt the Great and Terrible.

 

 

Comments

[Jane]

Predict the outcome and win and Ipad

[clarice feldman]

Gallup Daily Tracking: Newt-31(+3), Romney-27(-2), Paul-12(-1), Santorum-12(+1)Romney advisor reportedly told Andrea Mitchell duke & duke will pick someone else if Romney loses Fla.

[Captain Hate]

There wasn't much "there" there, as the result indicated

Exactly. Bonior could just make charge after bogus charge against Newt and the clean toga crowd couldn't be bothered to defend one of their own by threatening retaliation in kind. Or sending attack dogs like Carville out to defend him on the gab shows. Perish the thought. Once it was obvious that the Repukes could be so easily rolled, the ethics charges against Palin almost bankrupted her while the country clubbers smiled to themselves.

[clarice feldman]

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/01/23/andrea_mitchell_romney_adviser_said_party_elites_will_find_alternative_if_romney_cant_win_florida.html

She's such a liar and so are most political operatives --who knows?

[NK]

So Jamie Dimon meets Barry O's bus; Barry O doesn't care about US jobs or properity, or anyone who brought him to power,so long as his crew of permanent left-wing political operatives aggregate as much power in DC as possible: http://www.nasdaq.com/article/dimon-regulations-are-hampering-recovery--fox-businesss-gasparino-20120124-01192

[clarice feldman]

From my point of view, Sarah was attacked so viciously because she is conservative and female, a combination like garlic and a wooden cross to the vampires in the press and Dem party.

[Extraneus]

I think a brokered convention will get us a Fnork for sure. I'm for an insurgent jumping in and shaking the whole thing up as soon as Newt makes the slightest stumble. Not sure who that could be, but maybe Sarah Palin still has some juice. Otherwise, I just want an actual America-loving conservative who people can believe in. Rubio, Walker, Jindal, someone else, just as long as it's somebody trustworthy and real.

[Captain Hate]

Well yes, Clarice. My point was that she's given far more than she's gotten from the RNC.

[Jane]

Sarah was attacked so viciously because she is conservative and female, a combination like garlic and a wooden cross to the vampires in the press and Dem party.

I will never, ever, ever understand the attacks on her.

[Threadkiller]

An insurgent for Ext:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBUyBjIvMHM

And text for Sue:

http://mcclintock.house.gov/2012/01/freedom-and-the-internet-victorious.shtml

[Thomas Collins]

There will be no brokered convention. Romney is going to win Florida and go on to win the nomination.

If I am forced to eat crow, I would request that one of the JOM chefs make a nice sauce for the crow.

[geezer]

Seating for Obama's speech shows:
Sheila Jackson Longstreet Forrest Lee with
Rosa DeLauro
Eat your hearts out

[Elliott]

duke & duke will pick someone else if Romney loses Fla.

It really ruins the film if we revert to status quo ante. I was under the impression that a bad bet on this crop of candidates in Florida would bring utter ruination and a request to the postman that all correspondence be forwarded to the nearest "Occupy" encampment.

[Captain Hate]

Btw where's JMH been?

[NK]

Left-Wing Catholics meet Barry O's bus: did TomM blog about this? The anti-Catholic contraception and abortion insurance rules are a real abomination: when I read 'Bam's Roe statement about government staying out of 'private' family matters I almost vommitted becasue it came within 48 hours of the GOVERNMENT shoving contracetives and abortion down Catholic employers' throats. The WSJ piece linked below is great: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203718504577179110264196498.html?mod=WSJ_article_comments#articleTabs%3Dcomments

[clarice feldman]

Elliott, you gonna trust "I must have been drunk" Mitchell?

[Threadkiller]

Shemp looks like he made a wish to be small again at the Zoltar Speaks machine. He looks like he is down to 70 pounds.

[Captain Hate]

I will never, ever, ever understand the attacks on her.

Attractive, intelligently glib conservative woman who didn't abort a Downs Syndrome baby? Any one of those first five words could make a progdumbass completely insane. All 5 together == Worker's Paradise Lost

[Thomas Collins]

A brokered convention will produce a weaker candidate than either Romney or Gingrich. Bush Bro or Loudmouth Christie or Mitch with the Alternative Wife or anyone coming out untested and not in campaign shape will be easier pickings for Axelplouffe than either Romney or Gingrich.

Each of the supposed "A" team members have vulnerabilities that can easily be exploited by Axelplouffe. I'd rather go to the Super Bowl with the team that played the whole season to win the conference championship.

[Captain Hate]

It's not gonna be Christie after Mark Levin shoved his foot up his fat ass last night.

[Sue]

The attacks on Palin were because they perceived her as a threat to Obama. And, I might add...she didn't abort the baby that wasn't perfect in their eyes.

[Threadkiller]

Now that is what I call a summary, CH.

[matt]

The balance will change and change again. President Community Organizer is going all in on "fairness" which is a code word for appropriating other people's stuff.

It is time for the Republicans to focus on Buffet and GE and all of the other cronies of the administration and give lie to the complete nonsense coming out of the president's mouth.

If you haven't noticed, a record number of long term members of Congress are retiring or are in play.Some of them are rats leaving the sinking ship, but this may be where the Tea Party wants to concentrate if it still exists, that is.

And if you factor in his tithing, or fifteenthing, Romney parted with a hell of a lot more money than Barry of Biden or most Dems for that matter did. Why give it to government when you know its going to be wasted?

[Sue]

We suck. Seriously. How on earth is it that someone on the right is being dinged with Fannie and Freddie? After all the left-wing nuts that have skipped away from there with gazillions, Newt is taking it on the chin for a million dollars? What the hell are we doing? Where the hell is the RNC chair? I haven't seen him anywhere.

[Jim Miller]

For the press, part of the problem with Palin is that McCain surprised them -- and they really don't like being surprised.

McCain should have given them hints, like outlining a set of qualifications, which would have included her and a few others.

McCain could have learned from Bush's naming of Quayle, which was also a surprise to the press -- and did not go as well as it should have.

In both cases, their physical attractiveness probably hurt them a bit, too. That's odd, but does happen in some circumstances, as some blondes I've known could tell you.

(I'm not saying I understand entirely why so many leftist women reacted so badly to Palin, who was obviously better prepared to be president than Obama, but I do think McCain botched her introduction.)

[NK]

ThomasC-- I agree. I am comfortable with Mitt as a winner-- how will he demonized amongst Indies? he flip flopped? Yawn; he passed RomneyCare to help the uninsured? yawn; He's rich and has great hair? OK they've got that. The one concern I have is firing up tea partiers; he's got to sign on to the Ryan/House budget and tax reform to show he's serious about not bankrupting the country. That's what Indies need to hear as well-- when 'Bam demagogues that Romney will throw grandma in the street-- the answer is ez, national bankruptcy doesn't help the poor and he passed RomneyCare to help the uninsured. If he can excite teapartiers, that enthusiasm plus Indie disgust for 'Bam wins.

[fdcol63]

TC makes a good point. I'd be afraid of an October Surprise with any other "unvetted" candidate who jumps in at the last minute.

None of the candidates still remmaining are perfect, but they've withstood the mud that's already been slung.

[Sue]

I'm sticking with Mitt. Warts and all. I've tried to do the "anyone but Mitt" dance but the pickin's have been slim.

[NK]

fdcol63-- I agree. And I have to admit in the limited times I watch the debates... Mitt outperforms my expectations. I read so many criticisms in conservative outlets, when I hear him directlly, I'm pleasantly surprised. I think that will be true for Indy voters. When they hear 'Bam, at this point all they hear from him is Hope!! blah, blah, blah...

[fdcol63]

Personally, I'd worry about any candidate who actually seemed "perfect" or too good to be true.

That's the road to populism and Cult of Personality, and then to despotism if unchecked.

Isn't that how we got The Messiah?

[NK]

well-- we have to admit the cult of personality won in 2008. BUT.. in 2010 and now in 2012... the fall.....

[Sue]

My thought is Romney is as close to "generic" republican as you can get. And generic republic beats Obama. Let's go "generic Romney"!

[lyle]

What are the odds of substance abuse in this can tale ?

Um...Meghan McCain?

[Jack is Back!]

DoT,

Did you think the Tea Party could win what they won in 2010? They did this under massive negative reporting by the media including outright lies of racism, spitting, foul language and nazism. And they did it by the seat of their pants.

At least the "spirit" they invoked as compared to the funding and organizational communications they received from others. I am not prepared to discount Newt or any of these candidates ability or lack of it to beat Obama. Where I sit there is wholesale anger, disappointment and fear out there. Watch how Florida votes in this primary compared to say the republican one in 2000 or the Democratic one in 2008. And remember we have lost population the last few years.

When it comes to campaigning people seem to think that David Axelrod is some kind of wunderkind, unmatchable political houdini. But I think after '08 the other guys have figured out his methods, tendencies and tactics. The only thing Obama has going for him that the others don't is incumbency and that is also his major weakness.

OMG < > ABO!

{This is a paid political advertisement by Garden Gnomes United Against Fnorking}

[Rick Ballard]

"and serve me up some New Edsel Coke, Rick..."

You'll never regret it, Appalled. It tastes almost great and gets almost 16 MPG in highway driving.

[daddy]

For good health, eat right, get plenty of exercise, and have an abortion.

[Jim Miller]

daddy - I don't know about you, but that last is kind of tricky for us folks with XY chromosomes.

[Frau Spiegel-an-der-Wand]

Why "they" beat up Sarah Palin until their sticks broke.

Geezer made me do it, honest.

[fdcol63]

Statistics show that abortion is 100% fatal for the abortee.

[bgates]

Abortion safer than giving birth, study says

Likewise, running over a jaywalker is safer than swerving around him.

[Old Lurker]

Enough!

How about a diversion...

Can a court order a suspect to provide the password to an encrypted hard drive?

Fun discussion on the LUN

[lyle]

Abortion safer than giving birth, study says

What's next? That it tastes better and is less filling?

[Frau Spiegel-an-der-Wand]

Geez, TypePad outright refused to post this the first time.
After forty, you are responsible for your looks imho.

Rosa tries to remember why she kept Rahm in her basement.

[Frau Spiegel-an-der-Wand]

Clarice, I think the aluminum can gal was from Fishtown *and* a victim of inferior schooling.

[clarice feldman]

Rosa is, however, a very fashionable dresser.

[Ranger]

I will never, ever, ever understand the attacks on her.

She didn't go to a moron credentialing facility, and therefore was seen as seeking to climb well above the station in life she was entitled to.

[clarice feldman]

Ah, Wiki says she's married to Stan Greenberg and is the 50th richest member of COngress. That explains the vogueish prog.

[NK]

Waterbury's RosaD? she's frightfully manish don't you think?

[clarice feldman]

Maybe, nk, but I've never seen her in an outfit that cost less than a couple of grand and was super cutting edge.

[Jack is Back!]

OL,

I don't understand this question at all. For example, what is a computer's hard drive? It is an information storage device. So is a file cabinet or a safe or a storage room or a locker. Are they saying the police and prosecutors can't open a file cabinet or a storage room or a locker if they have a warrant and legitimate court order? I am not a lawyer and don't play one on TV either but can some one show me the difference?

[NK]

.... hmmm..no..just frightfully manish.. the designer duds just emphasize the matter... rahm e would look better in those clothes...

[Chubby]

((Mitt pays less than the 15% a married guy who makes $17k per year pays in Federal taxes. Woot ))

nope

the 15% he pays is earned on money that has been already taxed at the highest marginal rate -- much much higher than the guy who earns $17,000

[Ranger]

So, this is priceless:

EU Parliament speaker Schulz warns Hungary's Orban

The speaker of the European Parliament, Martin Schulz, has told Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban he should not think EU leaders "are stupid".

To which PM Orban should have replied:

Really? Could have fooled me. By the way, how is that whole Euro thing working out for you?

[centralcal]

I agree with Clarice that Rosa dresses very au courant with the fashion trends. Many become her, many don't. I think she tries to detract from her face.

But, I gotta say, the ring choices (3 of them) in the above photo are rather a hodgepodge.

[daddy]

Possibly of interest:

A 1 minute video showing How aeroplanes' wings really work

[clarice feldman]

A little update.
http://chicksontheright.com/2012/01/15/remember-those-creepy-obama-songs-kids-sang-back-in-2008/

[Frau Trecksack]

I'll take Stan Freberg over Rosa's Stan any day.
And from high a-top the Aragon Ballroom, here's Stan and "Wun'erful, Wun'erful." PC was already a concern in 1957.
LUN

[Ranger]

Just an aside, but I do think it is time to remind people that paying taxes is not the only way people of means can do good things for society. Cheritable giving is a key part of maintaining a healthy civil society. If the state becomes the only means of funding civil society, then it stops being civil, and becomes deeply political in nature.

[Chubby]

((I will never, ever, ever understand the attacks on her.))

as I see it, Obama's "lipstick on a pig" crack was a marching order

[glasater]

I think the Tea Party is just keeping a low profile for awhile but they are not dead. In fact Newt gave partial credit to SC teapartiers for his win there.
One of our local TP leaders said at the last meeting that 20 million evangelicals did not vote in the '08 election.
Now one thing that Karl Rove did for GW was get out the evangelical vote.

[Chubby]

excellent point Ranger.

[NK]

One last thing about RosaD-- I remember her on local Connecticut television in the early 90s after she was first elected, obviously before Stan G made the big bucks polling for the Clintons, boy she was dressed Hippyish in those days. No designer clothes then, no siree. I guess you can take the girl out of Milford (sorry I got waterbury wrong earlier) and dress her up in Potomac/Bethesda.

[DJ (for Sara)]

Hello everyone.

I am home and feeling pretty darn good considering. Not nearly as much pain as anticipated. More movement than I had before, although right hand is kind of floppy with no strength at all.

I did not see a way to post one-handed without a huge hassle, but I've found a work-a-round that has me patting myself on the back.

I'm reading from my computer, but posting replies and comments using my phone and its voice to type feature. Saves scrolling though pages of comments, easy on computer, not by phone. I opened JOM on my phone, left it on the opening page to post comments, and read it all on my computer.

Voice to type is neat. Have to correct some weird goof ups, but still better than trying to use only left hand. I switched my mouse to the left-handed buttons. Facebook is easy because it is more mouse use than typing, but my phone also has Twitter access with the voice to mail feature in the input box. Cool, huh?

[Dave (in MA)]

she's frightfully manish don't you think?

Someone should tell her that she looks more like Leonard Nimoy than she does Jolene Blalock and maybe she should pick a less Vulcan 'do.

[Sara]

Now I'm me again.

[GMAX]

The guy who makes $17K does not pay squat. There is an EIC ( welfare on the return ) that has to be considered.

[Frau Trecksack]

Hey, Sara. You are really some heck-uv-a woman to come back so soon after surgery. Take care and try to be lazy around the house, if you know what I mean.

[clarice feldman]

Clever, Sara

[Sue]

Unless Obama proposes raising the capital gains tax to match income tax rates, and doing away with tax-free munis, I'm not sure how he plans on the "rich paying their fair share".

[jimmyk]

Welcome back, Sara.

the 15% he pays is earned on money that has been already taxed at the highest marginal rate

I sure hope the Repubs can make this argument stick. It's a great opportunity. Why do I think they'll blow it?

There is a more legit argument that some labor income gets reclassified as investment income to avoid taxes. But that can't be allowed to drive an argument to raise tax rates on investment income.

[NK]

Daddy-- i found that video confusing for the reasons mentioned by commenters.

Gmax correct-- between standard deuctions and EIC credits, plus the tax only affecting income aboove TAXABLE $17K, that head of household with a wife probable has to reach $30K income to pay his first dollar of income tax. At $17K he's GETTING a check from taxpayers. Dana doesn't know anything about people making $17K.

[Sue]

A new poll says 52% support the Buffet rule. Which is why his secretary is going to be sitting next to MO tonight.

[Rick Ballard]

Jane & Daddy,

Are you guys going to live blog the last SOTU given by TOTUS? (crosses fingers and toes)

[clarice feldman]

Some black students at Duke are upset about this study--but I think it is accurate and worthwhile:

" The most immediate cause for students’ anger is an as-yet unpublished study by Duke researchers saying black students match the GPA of whites over time in part because they switch to majors that require less study time and have less stringent grading standards. Opponents of affirmative action are citing the study in a case they want the U.S. Supreme Court to consider."

[Thomas Collins]

Welcome back, Sara. And thanks to DJ for filling in. I hope DJ decides to continue posting on his own, if that is his inclination.

[Frau Trecksack]

You insult Leonard Nemoy!

[cathyf]

Hey, totally off-topic, but has anybody talked about HHS's rules which will force all Catholic Church employers to eliminate their health insurance plans? That would be every Catholic school, hospital, etc.

I told ya so from the beginning -- this has always been about destroying the legal framework which allows health insurance to exist.

[mockmook]

Hope you guys are as excited as these fans for the USA vs Mexico in Olympics qualifying for Women's Soccer.

10:30 ET tonight on Universal Sports Network or over the Internet at LUN

[Frau Trecksack]

And I have listened and worried, cathyf.
Will Newt take up this banner?

[NK]

FrauT-- really did we have to see that image? that crosses the line from manish to freakish;

Cathy-- I brought up the contraceptive/abortion insurance rule; that should be hung around Barry O's neck like the debt and cronyism-- a true outrage. that skank Nancy P was right, nobody knew what was in Obamacare until after it passed.

[narciso]

This is the slug that went after Guiliani in
a full demolition derby over the course of three books,

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/01/18/is-gingrich-s-hard-line-on-palestine-paid-for-by-sheldon-adelson.html

[narciso]

It looks like he is reverting back to form;

http://nation.foxnews.com/mitt-romney/2012/01/24/whos-greedy-obama-gave-1-charity-romney-gave-15

[centralcal]

We will all relish this news, but I know Janet will particularly:

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. - A military judge has recommended no time in confinement for a Marine sergeant who pleaded guilty to negligent dereliction of duty in assaults by his squad that killed 24 unarmed Iraqis after a roadside bomb killed a Marine in the town of Haditha in 2005.

The judge's decision Tuesday at Camp Pendleton, Calif., now goes to the commander of the Marine Corps Forces Central Command for approval.

Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich of Meriden, Conn., entered the plea Monday in a deal that ended a voluntary manslaughter case against him.

Bold is mine.

[clarice feldman]

Yowza. Wuterich's atty is married to a wonderful woman who is a good friend of Allen West.

[kile]

Steph & kristol should run themselves if they think the candidates suck.

nice being armchair milkstoasts. I hate obama too be at least he took the chance & ran.

this is why we have primaries. let them duke it out at then lets get behind the last one standing, brokerd or not.

[cathyf]

The guy who makes $17K does not pay squat. There is an EIC ( welfare on the return ) that has to be considered.

If the guy who makes $17k is single, no kids, and self-employed (e.g. he delivers newspapers or something else low-skilled requiring hard work and hustle) then he pays AT LEAST 15.30% tax on every penny.

Very few breaks for single guys without kids or whose kids don't live with them.

[centralcal]

Interesting, the timing of this:

When George Romney Met Saul Alinsky

Black and white photos of a meeting in the "wake of the Detroit riots of 1967."

The link is to BuzzFeed

[Atrollpasinthroo]

Bitch, bitch, bitch, yada, yada, yada

IMO, That entire article was bullshit, Tom.

Vent your frustrations with your life elsewhere, not on candidates who are striving to do the best that they can.

On their worst days they are better than Obama is on his best days. Even that eccentric little Martian munchkin, Ron Paul, provides insights and wisdom if you're willing to listen.

Your negativity has become tedious. If you think that you can do a better job, hey, run for POTUS.

[maryrose]

cathyf:
I am outraged by the stance Obama has taken wrt the catholic church and their insurance policies. This affects my brother and myself.
Stupak had his chance to nipthis in the bud and he blew it. In Cleveland we have Marcy Kaptur and Kucinich who both voted for Obamacare running against each other. I intend to vote for Joe the Plumber.

[NK]

Even in Military Justice there is justice.. No jail time... I think it was also just for the Sgt. to cop to the dereliction charge for the stupid "shoot first ask questions later" crack he made to his to his Marines. Now if there is real cosmic, justice that pig John Murtha is sweating out eternity in Hell.

[Ralph L]

lauds William Kristol's indefatigabe efforts
Isn't this illegal hate speech in Canada?

[Jack is Back!]

The Catholic Church will not go down in a wimp. Can you imagine the closing of so many great hospitals? Because they will do that before you see them acede to the HHS rules.

[Janet]

Thanks, centralcal. I was just putting that gateway pundit article about Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich in my Haditha folder. I used to print off everything. I had your article in there Clarice. Little 1" WaPo A-483 articles were in there as each Marine was cleared. There was all kinds of leaking & misreporting going on with that too. Josh White of the WaPo seemed to get a lot of leaked material.

It is all something. I don't know what we're gonna do....

[mockmook]

Must remember 400 pixels wide

400 PIXELS wide

remember

And, can't forget the "A", that just wouldn't be patriotic or fair

[narciso]

Mind you, some of those statements, are naive in the extreme, after the 2nd Intifada.

[clarice feldman]

Haditha was the U.S.'s Breaker Morant, and if that SOB Tim McBirk crosses my path he'd better duck.

[maryrose]

Janet:
You are one great gal! Your family must be so proud of you for all your great efforts and dedication to the military. You set a great example for us all.

[NK]

JiB-- I don't know Jack; these Catholic Charities are more nonprofits than 'Catholic', I think they'll fold, and explain to their Catholic contributors Oh we couldn't give up doing these good works, and we can't pay the Obamacare penalties for dropping insurance for employees -- blah blah blah. I am reposting the fine WSJ piece about how Lefty catholics got thrown under the Obama bus. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203718504577179110264196498.html?mod=WSJ_article_comments#articleTabs%3Dcomments

[Janet]

This from Maggies Farm - "The prosecution got a small symbolic pound of flesh. (It is important to note that the single count to which Wuterich pleaded is negligent dereliction of duty, lesser than the charges of willful dereliction of duty. ..."

[clarice feldman]

McGirk..Drat