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.
According to this guy, The Fnork didn't field a candidate this time around:
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 24, 2012 at 12:12 PM
actually the GOP deserves to lose because of limp wristed pundits like Stephens and Kristol ...
Gee, who would of thought that 2 men who have done nothing but write their entire careers would turn out to be cowards ?
Posted by: JeffC | January 24, 2012 at 12:12 PM
It is always darkest before the dawn.
Right?
Posted by: centralcal | January 24, 2012 at 12:19 PM
For those of you who know, this is MILDLY important...
http://www.forexcrunch.com/gold-for-oil-india-and-iran-ditch-dollar-report/
Posted by: Benjamin Franklin | January 24, 2012 at 12:20 PM
Denouncing these four sad sacks as losers is a mark of cowardice? (Incidentally, Kristol has taught at the U. of Pennsylvania and the Kennedy School, and served as chief of staff to Wm. Bennet and Dan Quayle.)
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 24, 2012 at 12:39 PM
Really DoT, I wish Kristol was running the whole damn show.
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 24, 2012 at 12:41 PM
"That's what happens when you run with losers."!
That's what I thought of the Democrats, those seven dwarfs, who ran in 2008. One of those losers won!
Mark Steyn is only slightly more smoking hot than Jane and daddy in reviewing last night's "debate." He ridicules the choices of topics. Quemoy and Matsu, anyone, I ask? The only thing missing was an eagle's feather.
Posted by: Frau Gute Indianerherz | January 24, 2012 at 12:41 PM
I refuse to call them losers because I am sure Obama is cheering at the thought.
Posted by: Jane | January 24, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Right, centralcal. When there is an actual nominee, things will look better. As far as references to the supposed "A" team of Jeb, Mitch et al go, it's easy to look good when you're not debating and not getting pummeled in the media.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | January 24, 2012 at 12:46 PM
This software has achieved the additional 1% today to reach complete garbage status.
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 24, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Right, centralcal. When there is an actual nominee, things will look better. As far as references to the supposed "A" team of Jeb, Mitch et al go, it's easy to look good when you're not debating and not getting pummeled in the media.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | January 24, 2012 at 12:46 PM
Right, centralcal. When there is an actual nominee, things will look better. As far as references to the supposed "A" team of Jeb, Mitch et al go, it's easy to look good when you're not debating and not getting pummeled in the media.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | January 24, 2012 at 12:47 PM
Sorry. I guess I should wait awhile to see whether Typhuspad eventually accepts my post.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | January 24, 2012 at 12:50 PM
It's really bad today, TC; as mentioned in my 12:46
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 24, 2012 at 12:51 PM
Another coward heard from (Artur Davis):
"Imagine that California’s ultimate showdown leaves Gingrich with the slightest of edges, but with Romney remaining viable and in possession of a broader geographic base, far more internal support from GOP leadership, and a substantial chunk of delegates. To stop Gingrich, Romney might have no practical choice but to offer to throw his support to Bush, whose popularity would also implode Gingrich’s slim plurality.
"Not one bit of it is implausible. Arguably, a deadlock is an entirely realistic outcome in a race where Romney’s institutional edges are considerable, but his vulnerabilities and Gingrich’s raw campaign skills are more than enough to offset that advantage. It is also all too likely that the result of a protracted bout would be two candidates so bruised that neither remains competitive with Obama. If so, there will be a sense of panic, and it is not hard to conceive that Romney could come under intense pressure to sacrifice himself to avert a November catastrophe."
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 24, 2012 at 12:53 PM
CC,
You asked who was doing the debate on Thursday. Its CNN and it is coming from Jacksonville. Don't see how any candidate can pack the audience at UNF (North Florida) since tickets were all gone before the SC results. Duval County GOP handled them.
Remember Jacksonville is the 2nd largest city in Georgia:) and as such it is Newt country more than any other candidate.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | January 24, 2012 at 12:54 PM
"That's what happens when you run with losers."
That's what I thought of the Democrats, the seven dwarfs, who ran in 2008. One of those losers won!
Mark Steyn is only slightly more smoking hot than Jane and daddy in reviewing last night's debate. He ridicules the choices of topics brought by
Obama's buddiesBrian William and crew. Quemoy and Matsu ring a bell, I ask? Were the debaters and the audience drugged?Posted by: Frau Indianerherz | January 24, 2012 at 12:54 PM
Sorry to post twice.
SOB as needed,
Posted by: Frau Indianerherz | January 24, 2012 at 12:56 PM
How many folks are actually paying attention?
Posted by: Pofarmer | January 24, 2012 at 01:01 PM
Let us review the candidates (drum roll please...)
Barack Obama -- Well, his second term couldn't get much worse. Right? (*gulp*)...
Mitt Romney -- Competence at everything except campaigning and inspiring. Ralph Bellamy for President! He seems nice enough, and Cary Grant (or Ronald Reagan) isn't available...
Rick Santorum -- Huckabee was right. This is an election about gay marriage and cultural decline.
Newt Gingrich -- If you shout, use big words, and talk about fundamental change frankly, you are a leader, no matter if the trail you blaze has more switchbacks than a road to a West Virginia hollow, and the baggage you carry could outfit a flock of Kardashians on a safari.
Ron Paul -- The gold standard in unrealistic crazy
It's OK to be a bit depressed. Thank goodness that America is not just about the folks who tell us they lead it...
Posted by: Appalled | January 24, 2012 at 01:02 PM
"Competence at everything except campaigning and inspiring."
Really? I'm not sure that has been demonstrated.
Posted by: sbw | January 24, 2012 at 01:08 PM
"Barack Obama -- Well, his second term couldn't get much worse. Right? (*gulp*)..."
Right. When you are already screeching, "Barackaclypse" where do you go?
Mitt pays less than the 15% a married guy who makes $17k per year pays in Federal taxes. Woot !
But he does give 15% to charity
Posted by: Benjamin Franklin | January 24, 2012 at 01:08 PM
CaptH-- I believe 'Bam will lose on his own faults-- Indy voters will be like conservatives willing to crawl over broken glass to vote against him, and Lefties WON'T be enthusiastic-- 'Cam is catering to the left with rhetoric but his actions are aimed at his croney corporate contributors. But you still need someone credible to beat him-- and to me the most credible would be candidates that excite Tea Partiers. I think Daniels or Ryan/Rubio ticket does that. Do you agree?
Posted by: NK | January 24, 2012 at 01:13 PM
This happens almost every time. Nixon/Humphrey/Wallace in 1968 didn't exactly inspire. Bush/Dukakis in 1988 wasn't all that uplifting. Also, remember that Reagan 1980 wasn't viewed the way Reagan is now. Reagan/Carter/Anderson in 1980 wasn't greeted with much enthusiasm.
The individual who seemed to inspire hope in a substantial portion of the electorate was Obama in 2008. So much for a candidate inspiring the electorate.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | January 24, 2012 at 01:13 PM
Thanks for that info, JiB.
Look - my comments about MFM silencing the audience is not about Newt, entirely. Each of the candidates have their fans in the audience as has been ABUNDANTLY clear at those debates where they were allowed to express themselves.
Often, due to an unexpected reaction in the audience (applause, boos, laughter) a candidate expands or contracts his remarks.
Brian Williams has two goals. Those goals are: 1) do NOTHING that will benefit the GOP, their candidates, their issues, their voters; and, 2) do EVERYTHING possible to put the GOP, their candidates, their issues, their voters in the worst possible light.
Every single candidate, every single supporter of a candidate on our side should be loudly objecting to this.
Posted by: centralcal | January 24, 2012 at 01:14 PM
sbw:
Competence is a pretty tepid word. In his jobs, I don't think Romney made things worse, he performed his jobs at least adequately. (I think, at Bain and the Utah Olympics, he was a lot better than adequate) So, I'd like to know where you see Romney was incompetent. Besides campaigning and inspiring...
Posted by: Appalled | January 24, 2012 at 01:15 PM
great point, TC.
Posted by: kave | January 24, 2012 at 01:15 PM
I think the Stevens column was a message to Romney from the GOP money and political honchos. The message is this: win Florida or we are going to try to engineer a brokered convention.
Posted by: Thomas Collins | January 24, 2012 at 01:16 PM
Given the formidable marketing budget available to push the New Coke Edsel, where were the Shiny Dark Horse products supposed to raise the seed capital necessary to reach market? Political investors aren't so very different from any other type of investor and the joy of sitting down to a rigged game is rather limited.
The abject cowardice shown by the national GOP in declining to defend Palin or support the Tea Party might also have had some small effect upon prospective candidates who might elicit suspicions of causing even the slightest gentle rocking of the boat.
Whining about the cards doesn't change the hand. We'll see if New Coke Edsel is actually a beverage that people enjoy driving in fairly short order.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | January 24, 2012 at 01:18 PM
TC, what's your take on the Tim Thomas snub of Obama? Would these poor widdle wibs be complaining if Gerry Cheevers skipped a trip to see Nixon?
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | January 24, 2012 at 01:18 PM
New Coke Edsel?
Urk...get me an RC...
Posted by: Appalled | January 24, 2012 at 01:19 PM
great point, TC.
I agree with kave.
Posted by: Janet | January 24, 2012 at 01:19 PM
TCollins-- hope your right. I personally like Romney even though he isn't a political conservative. I am also highly confident with a Ryan Congress, Romney would be a very good fiscal president. But he is marginally electable because Tea Partiers are apathetic, and when demagogued (even by Newt for F#&$ sake!) he is too defensive about financial success. Bring on the Daniels and the Ryans and the Christies and even the Jebs.
Posted by: NK | January 24, 2012 at 01:21 PM
I hope you're right TC. What's so baffling to me is that Romney has run such a lackluster campaign after what happened 4 years ago. If he learned anything from that experience there's scant evidence of it. Either his campaign staff is giving him terrible advice or they're giving him decent advice that he's ignoring. I will gladly vote for him in November if he's the last man standing from the primaries and Convention. My problem is will enough other people.
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 24, 2012 at 01:21 PM
"I think the Stevens column was a message to Romney from the GOP money and political honchos. "
I think it was a message to WSJ readers from Bret Stephens. I think there is much less concerted action going on than others believe. (If this is what we get from concerted action, heaven help us.)
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 24, 2012 at 01:22 PM
The abject cowardice shown by the national GOP in declining to defend Palin or support the Tea Party might also have had some small effect upon prospective candidates who might elicit suspicions of causing even the slightest gentle rocking of the boat.
Spot on Rick. At the very least it sends a horrible message to anybody considering a run.
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 24, 2012 at 01:23 PM
Is it too late to invest in another firm rather than Duke and Duke?
Posted by: lyle | January 24, 2012 at 01:27 PM
"I'd like to know where you see Romney was incompetent."
Well, Romneycare can be seen as something less than a stellar success. And, if it wasn't then, still supporting the top-heavy concept of non-competitive centralized healthcare now might be an example.
Romney might better have said he supports the minimums of catastrophic healthcare but, no, for some reason modesty in government is not in his repertoire. That might be perceived as incompetent for the presidency, too.
Posted by: sbw | January 24, 2012 at 01:28 PM
BTW-- for the public record, with standard deductions for the man head of household and his wife, plus earned income tax credits, a man earning FAR more than $17K/year pays $0 INCOME tax. the tax only applies to the income ABOVE $17K, in fact the effective rate will be 0% until he earns close to an order of magnitude more than $17K. BTW2-- John Forbes Kerry paid about 13% effective tax rate-- and gave virtually NOTHING to charities -- plus he was a Massachusetts luxury Yacht tax evader.
Posted by: NK | January 24, 2012 at 01:30 PM
Tammy Bruce will do what I do tonight: Not watch a minute of the dumb bastard's SOTU address/campaign speech and read something more fulfilling or informative.
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 24, 2012 at 01:30 PM
...for some reason modesty in government is not in his repertoire. That might be perceived as incompetent for the presidency, too.
If only Mittens were half black.
Posted by: lyle | January 24, 2012 at 01:32 PM
CaptH-- roger that and concur. Even if one likes 'Bam why would they watch the SOTU nonsense?
Posted by: NK | January 24, 2012 at 01:33 PM
Dave, I doubt that any Broon fans are upset with Tim Thomas since he was *the* major reason they won the Cup.
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 24, 2012 at 01:34 PM
Not only will I not watch it, I can predict what he'll say. Expect lots of talk about "investments" and "hey, did you know I iced Bin Laden"? (pause for applause)
Posted by: lyle | January 24, 2012 at 01:36 PM
sbw:
OK, Romneycare. Fair enough. The mandate concept, however, had a lot of currency with the GOP at the time, and both Newt and Santorum have spoken in favor of a mandate.
I would have preferred. myself, a candidate who did not have the healthcare taint on them, because it dilutes what should be a big issue in this campaign. We don't have that.
Anything else? (TC -- if you want, you can do the "lifeline" honors for SBW, because I'm sure he wants to be a millionaire.)
Posted by: Appalled | January 24, 2012 at 01:36 PM
If someone calls him a liar or gives him the finger, it'll be on youtube tomorrow. I'll probably look for a clip showing the expression on the Buffett secretary/pawn during the demagoguing of the concept of capital gains. Will she give us a somber look, a knowing smirk, or hold her hands out like WTF?
Posted by: Extraneus | January 24, 2012 at 01:40 PM
I miss Joe Wilson and Valerie Plame. At least we all agree they both suck.
Posted by: Rocco | January 24, 2012 at 01:42 PM
Luke, you can read the energy and jobs portions of Obama's speech here:
http://www.jimmycarterlibrary.gov/documents/speeches/su80jec.phtml
There is some nice stuff in there about shared sacrifice too.
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 24, 2012 at 01:44 PM
Lyle...
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 24, 2012 at 01:45 PM
CH,
When I think Fnork, I think DeWhine or Castle.
SBW,
Governor Romney is an excellent strategist wrt planning, logistics, strength and weakness assessment and outcome assessment - as long as the plan survives. The response to first strong resistance (the Gingrich/Perry clip) suggests that his tactical sense is not on par with his strategic sense.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | January 24, 2012 at 01:45 PM
Incompetent is not being able to explain what you stand for.
Some may give Romney a pass for campaigning or inspiring, but suppose, just suppose, when you pull back the curtain, nothing IS there, Chauncey Gardner.
You can fone-a-friend, too. ;-)
Posted by: sbw | January 24, 2012 at 01:45 PM
What I can't find is Ted Stevens and John Rhodes response to Carter's Jan 1980 SOTU.
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 24, 2012 at 01:48 PM
Stevens replaced Mike Gravel, that year.
Posted by: narciso | January 24, 2012 at 01:52 PM
There is nobody who could run that we would not attack - nobody. So give up the fool hardy search for a perfect candidate. As soon as you name that candidate I will assure you there will be dozens of reasons why that candidate is not good.
Right now we got 4 to choose from. Before we think they are so bad remember McCain, Bush, Dole, Bush. Since Reagan we have fielded less than sterling candidates.
Posted by: Pete | January 24, 2012 at 01:55 PM
Depending on which investments he derived his earnings that were taxable at net 13.9% he also took those earnings after they were taxed at upwards to 35% corporate income tax. Liberals, Progressives and the like do not understand basic economics or accounting. This is the US IRS code not Frances, or Greeks, or Swedens. When you invest your own money in a company by buying stock or bonds or warrants or whatever you now have equity in that company. As such you are an owner. Its your company even if its only a nano-percent of ownership.
So when the Company makes income less expenses less taxes (including federal corporate income taxes) you are left with earnings. Your earnings from your income less your expenses and someone elses taxes.
This applies even to companies that gather, clean and supply feathers. Or General Electric, which pays no taxes or Berkshire Hathaway that avoids, adjudicates and fights paying corporate taxes. But its the feather industry that is the one exploiting the system, Big Time!
Posted by: Jack is Back! | January 24, 2012 at 01:56 PM
Whether a taxpayer pays 15% or 100% it is never going to be enough for the leftists, who will always need more in their redistribution insanity.
Posted by: pagar | January 24, 2012 at 01:57 PM
You've given me a new outlook, TK. In the spirit of bipartisanship, I intend you be as drunk as Ted Kennedy was in 1980 and, like him, not give a shit about what is coming out of the president's mouth. Unlike Ted, I will not have drowned a young women 11 years before.
Posted by: lyle | January 24, 2012 at 01:58 PM
--intend to be---
Posted by: lyle | January 24, 2012 at 02:00 PM
I will do as you intend. No correction is necessary.
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 24, 2012 at 02:01 PM
Unlike Ted, I will not have drowned a young women 11 years before.
Nor be filthy rich with inherited ill-gotten gains, none of which the MFM finds interesting.
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 24, 2012 at 02:01 PM
Don't forget to download and print your SOTU Bingo card for tonight.
Whoever gets the first Bingo - wins an all expenses paid trip to Omaha and dinner with Buffetts secretary.
Posted by: Jack is Back! | January 24, 2012 at 02:02 PM
I'm with you, sbw.
Posted by: clarice feldman | January 24, 2012 at 02:02 PM
I'm not gonna throw out my MITT SAVES!! sandwich board until after Florida.
Wouldn't be prudent.
Posted by: Rick Ballard | January 24, 2012 at 02:10 PM
This is an interesting take on why Obama did not use federal matching funds in 2008.
" Conclusions
The FEC still acknowledges the US Constitution.
However, in 2007 when Robert Bauer of Perkins Coie submitted an advisory opinion request on behalf of Barack Obama to keep open the option for presidential matching funds, Bauer knew that Obama was not a natural born citizen. Ellen Weintraub, on the FEC committee that responded with an advisory opinion in the affirmative for Obama, was a former Perkins Coie staff member. Fraud was committed by Obama and Bauer and one has to question the ethics of Weintraub’s involvement.
The FEC acknowledges with these statements:
“Although the Matching Payment Act does not specifically address the citizenship requirement for serving as President, it sets forth the eligibility requirements to receive matching funds. See 26 U.S.C. 9033; 11 CFR 9033.2. See also, e.g., Advisory Opinion 1996-07 (Browne for President) (describing the steps a candidate must take to become eligible for matching funds). These provisions collectively reflect Congressional intent to ensure that U.S. Treasury funds in the form of matching funds are only paid to eligible candidates. 5″
http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/01/24/obama-ga-ballot-challenge-fec-hassan-opinion-quotes-natural-born-citizen-requirement-judge-michael-malihi-why-did-obama-refuse-matching-funds-in-2008-part-5-fec-us-constitution-presidential-eli/
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 24, 2012 at 02:12 PM
Incompetent is not being able to explain what you stand for.
I sense the bias of a writer and journalist, here. I take your point, though. I'm not aware of anyone who thinks Romney has done a particularly good job of that.
If I were to give my sense of Romney, it is that he stands for doing the job right, but no particular interest in changing the scope of the job he's applying for. (You are going to have to rely on Congress for that -- I don't think he'll resist Ryan.)
I would really prefer something other than Romney, but Santorum, Gingrich, Paul and Obama, in my opinion, aren't the right something other. There's my ringing endorsement -- and serve me up some New Edsel Coke, Rick...Preferably with a couple shots of Stoli.
Posted by: Appalled | January 24, 2012 at 02:12 PM
Romney could say:
"I paid exactly my 'fair share' of income taxes; that is, I paid what the existing tax law signed by Barack Obama required of me.
"As for my capital gains tax, I ask you to bear in mind that those gains were on investments I made with income that had already been taxed.
"Like every sensible American, I attempt to minimize the tax I owe within the law."
But he won't.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 24, 2012 at 02:17 PM
TK, Maybe he didn't apply for matching funds becauser he wanted to outraise that nincompoopcCain who he believed (correctly) would stand there dumbfounded holding the lollipop stick after O stole the candy.
Posted by: clarice feldman | January 24, 2012 at 02:18 PM
** nincompoop McCain **
Posted by: clarice feldman | January 24, 2012 at 02:19 PM
But he won't.
Far worse, he tried to hide it and was forced to produce.
Posted by: Cecil Turner | January 24, 2012 at 02:20 PM
I predict that the expected electromagnetic shower will hit precisely at SOTU time and black out TV's all over the nation, thus proving God is very cool.
Posted by: Jane | January 24, 2012 at 02:22 PM
There is nobody who could run that we would not attack - nobody. So give up the fool hardy search for a perfect candidate.
No one is suggesting that there is a perfect candidate, and no one is suggesting there is a candidate who won't be attacked. But there are potential candidates who are not so eminently attackable and who are far more capable of responding effectively.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 24, 2012 at 02:22 PM
Make that geomagnetic.
Posted by: Jane | January 24, 2012 at 02:23 PM
I predict that the expected electromagnetic shower will hit precisely at SOTU time and black out TV's all over the nation, thus proving God is very cool.
Racist!
Posted by: lyle | January 24, 2012 at 02:24 PM
The FEC acknowledges with these statements:
Those statements acknowledge that fraud was committed by Obama and Bauer? Where does it say that?
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 24, 2012 at 02:25 PM
"Like every sensible American, I attempt to minimize the tax I owe within the law."
And I invite those high earners who feel so guilty about it that they think they should pay more, including El JEFe, to voluntarily contribute an amount they can more comfortably live with their conscience which must be bothering them.
Posted by: Captain Hate | January 24, 2012 at 02:27 PM
I accept that Clarice.
Here is a timeline of events that focuses on the conflict of interest that went unchecked at the FEC:
http://citizenwells.wordpress.com/2012/01/23/obama-ga-ballot-challenge-natural-born-citizen-status-judge-michael-malihi-why-did-obama-refuse-matching-funds-in-2008-part-4-obama-attorneys-democrats-control-fec/
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 24, 2012 at 02:27 PM
Newt Gingrich -- If you shout, use big words, and talk about fundamental change frankly, you are a leader, no matter if the trail you blaze has more switchbacks than a road to a West Virginia hollow, and the baggage you carry could outfit a flock of Kardashians on a safari.
His government record is clearly superior to Mitt's.
I would also point out that his "baggage" boils down to two divorces (with relatively mild allegations of impropriety, as such things go) and some largely trumped up ethics complaints in the wake of Bubba's impeachment. Of course, reading the leftist press's coverage, you'd think he'd drowned a party girl after a night of drinking or perjured himself about his serial sexual harassment complaints. (Or something like that.)
Posted by: Cecil Turner | January 24, 2012 at 02:29 PM
Rep. Jefff Duncan R-SC is passing out bright Red Buttons : 1000 days, to remind people that the Senate has been acting irresponsibly by not passing a budget since April 2009
Posted by: BB Key | January 24, 2012 at 02:29 PM
The abject cowardice shown by the national GOP in declining to defend Palin or support the Tea Party....
I don't think the national GOP--if by that is meant the RNC--is in the business either of defending individual candidates intraparty contests or of supporting unofficial parties.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 24, 2012 at 02:29 PM
TK, The least tortured route is usually the best one.
Posted by: clarice feldman | January 24, 2012 at 02:30 PM
...candidates *in* intraparty...
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 24, 2012 at 02:30 PM
DoT, this is a new one on me. It is a multipart series. I can't defend what he is stating although a defense might be within the entire article or series. I need to read it too.
Posted by: Threadkiller | January 24, 2012 at 02:30 PM
Drudge has preliminary ratings estimate for last night's debate at 7.5 million. That has to be only for the first 1/2 hour - I am sure channels were changed in significant numbers after that. lol.
Posted by: centralcal | January 24, 2012 at 02:32 PM
I don't think the national GOP--if by that is meant the RNC--is in the business either of defending individual candidates intraparty contests or of supporting unofficial parties.
The problem is that they [establishment, fnork, whatever] aren't even supporting the GOP candidates after the primary election, if they happen to be tea partiers. Or at least that's the perception (and it seems to me to be accurate).
Moreover, that's what I'm reading from the genre epitomized by the subject articles as well. The meme was all "ABO" whilst Willard was winning, now it's "brokered convention" with the specter of Newtmentum. And the thinking is rather clearly that they can take conservatives' votes for granted as they triangulate to achieve a Republican election win, with the primary goal being an elephant rather than a donkey at the trough.
Posted by: Cecil Turner | January 24, 2012 at 02:41 PM
" ... I am sure channels were changed in significant numbers after that. lol ..."
But only by those who were still awake. LOL
Posted by: fdcol63 | January 24, 2012 at 02:42 PM
Cecil:
The ethics charges were real, and there is a casualness about the way Newt handles his 527s and self-perpetuation enterprises that makes the tax professional in me cringe. There is an argument that Gingrich's actions were not unusual compared to his colleagues, but they were pretty blatant. Given that he made his career by ethics charging a prior speaker out of office, he was remarkably heedless about appearences. A lot of the same thing can be said about his Freddie Mac engagement...
Beyond feeling sympathy for Callista Gingrich, who is going to have to put up with a lot, should Newt proceed, I could care less about the marriages. It Politicians make strange bedfellows.
Posted by: Appalled | January 24, 2012 at 02:43 PM
Lynn, MA, woman charged for bizarre can scheme
Posted by: Extraneus | January 24, 2012 at 02:47 PM
It sure looks like all these debates and the ensuing nastiness has made the candidates stronger.
Panic? I can't think of anything that would make Obama happier. Disarray. First the bloodletting, then the disarray.
Posted by: MarkO | January 24, 2012 at 02:51 PM
Posted by: Dave (in MA) | January 24, 2012 at 02:52 PM
The ethics charges were real,
There wasn't much "there" there, as the result indicated: Ethics Committee Drops Last of 84 Charges Against Gingrich.
A lot of the same thing can be said about his Freddie Mac engagement...
If you pretend he was one of the Democrats running the thing for hundreds of millions of dollars, instead of a consultant hired for PR advice on how to talk to GOPers, sure. Otherwise . . . not so much.
Posted by: Cecil Turner | January 24, 2012 at 02:55 PM
Extraneus you left out the funniest part of your story. The woman tried to deposit the cans into the machine without even emptying them. Guess, she pretty much ruined the machine, too.
Posted by: centralcal | January 24, 2012 at 02:55 PM
I couldn't even finish snarkblogging it - a first for me. The whole thing was a joke.
Posted by: Jane | January 24, 2012 at 02:58 PM
Buck up folks. One of these guys is gonna win this primary thing. Any of them is better than Obama.
My Garden Gnome remains the superior candidate. Today he actually resembles Newt a lot. Tomorrow, who knows who he will look like. But he will win.
Posted by: centralcal | January 24, 2012 at 02:59 PM
The woman tried to deposit the cans into the machine without even emptying them.
Just remember these are my neighbors.
Hmmm it's nearly 3:00. What can we expect next?
Posted by: Jane | January 24, 2012 at 03:00 PM
What are the odds of substance abuse in this can tale ?
Posted by: clarice feldman | January 24, 2012 at 03:01 PM
While I am not in love, anyone of the four candidates would be an exponential improvement over Obama, who was and is nothing but a stalking horse for Progressive authoritarianism.
Posted by: MarkO | January 24, 2012 at 03:02 PM
Jim Rhoads-left you a reply on previous thread.
Anyone else with an ethics ruling or case law to my attorney question on the previous thread, 3rd party operates in multiple states and seems to be encouraging firms willing to do what I described. Additional jurisdictions would thus be helpful.
Sorry for the interruption but as I described on the other thread the ambiguity appears to be over.
Posted by: rse | January 24, 2012 at 03:02 PM
Hot Air--Ras shows Newt leading nationally:
Rasmussen conducted a national poll of 1,000 likely Republican primary voters yesterday, and it confirmed what Gallup’s tracking poll also shows — Newt Gingrich’s second boomlet is for real. In the Rasmussen poll, Gingrich has vaulted to a seven-point lead as Romney settles back into the mid-20s:
After his game-changing win in South Carolina, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich continues to ride his surge to the front of the pack among likely Republican primary voters nationwide. He now leads Mitt Romney by seven points.
The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey of Likely GOP Primary Voters shows Gingrich with 35% of the vote, representing an eight-point increase in support from last week. Former Massachusetts Governor Romney now draws 28%. Former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum’s support is little changed at 16%, while Texas Congressman Ron Paul picks up 10%. …
Posted by: clarice feldman | January 24, 2012 at 03:04 PM
I was for Romney when I thouught he could beat Obama; now I doubt it. I have never thought Newt could win the general election.
That's why I'm for a brokered convention now.
Posted by: Danube of Thought | January 24, 2012 at 03:05 PM
I'm a fan of whatever works.
Posted by: MarkO | January 24, 2012 at 03:06 PM