Saturday AM

The traditional "End of Linsanity" open thread.

Comments

[Sandy Daze]

Hello ? Good Morning. . . anyone there?

I know the Lin family from Taiwan, and that he is a strong practising Christian (as well as a basketball playwer), but hope you will not mind this cross post from a few threads back:

SUPPORT THE FIRST AMENDMENT !

ABO OMG,
Sandy

[Sandy Daze]

gawd,

. . .is from . . .

. . .player. . .

. . .practicing. . . (brit-spell)

(need to wear my cheaters and turn on a light)

[henry]

It's crunch time on verifying Walker recall signatures. LI has a round up of where things are. There is also a link for anyone who wants to join Caro and help out. Of a million signatures, they have 330,000 entered and checked. Challenges are due in one week.

[narciso]

Morning all, so a 20% of faulty petitions in the recall, they really let themselves go all out

[narciso]

When one thinks about we're more on the 6th intifada than the next one;

http://www.americanthinker.com/2012/02/the_big_picture_on_why_the_palestinians_always_say_no.html

[hit and run]

I'm a fervent fan of tradition.

[narciso]

On the upside, he did stay at a holiday inn,
once, lol

http://news.yahoo.com/experts-agree-president-obama-elected-2012-205400456.html

[AliceH]

They need to get about 50% of the signatures actually disqualified to reduce the total vetted number below the 500K odd required to proceed with a recall. That's not impossible -- the 20% invalid metric they are reporting now is just the number of names deemed to be fake (maybe also addresses deemed imaginary), but there is no estimate yet on how great a number of duplicates may be found, or invalid for some other challengeable factor. [Aside: Anyone know offhand if one must be registered to vote in Wisconsin to sign a petition? My guess is that only residency is required, since it's been only in the last year I think that Wisconsin replaced the "same day registration" practice.]

Even if the number of challenges submitted or approved is insufficient to stop the recall effort, it's a worthwhile venture to quantify and substantiate with documented evidence the degree of lawlessness associated with the effort.

I'm signing up.

[Clarice]

Where would we be without experts,narciso? Some really hard hitting analysis in that waste of time piece.

[MarkO]

This is worth reading twice, but a must if you haven't seen it. Steyn.

http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/291383/contraception-misdirection-mark-steyn

[narciso]

Yes, they make Lichtman's alchemy look accurate by comparison,

[AliceH]

Methinks they could edit that 'experts predict' report to just one sentence:

"All of the GOP candidates scare me"

[Thomas Collins]

Perhaps Mr. Lin will have a fine NBA career. Perhaps he'll be a flash in the pan. It's too early to tell. However, despite Mr. Lin's exploits, the standard for insanity in the NBA remains the Big O's 1961-1962 season with the Cincinnati Royals in which he averaged a triple double over the course of the seaon. See LUN to check it out and to view the career stats of the man who should always be a part of the conversation on who is the greatest basketball player, but who is all too often left out of that conversation.

[narciso]

Steyn does have a way with words, I was glancing through a piece in Town in Country,
by Nicholas Gage, about the circumstances of the affluent ship builders in Greece, the core
of their economy since the classical era, how they are despised by the remora class, conscientous industrialists, have tried to invest in their economy, with the consequence of heartache and lossit told how naturally, the previous regime folded
the shipping ministry's function, into the rest of the malfunctioning govt, 'Release the Kraken;

[Rick Ballard]

It's a wonder that the NYT isn't trumpeting Obama's Libyan success story. After all, only twelve people have actually been tortured to death in the past few months. The community organizing skills of the Ali Babas seem to be working perfectly. Imagine having a complete justice system with judge, jury and executioner combined in one man, all available in every neighborhood.

Who could ask for anything more?

[narciso]

It's just like that other success story, the Ivory Coast, with oil instead of cocoa, Rick.

[henry]

AliceH, signers need to be "qualified electors". That means resident, 18 or older, non felon, not registered to vote somewhere else. Thanks for helping out.

[narciso]

In other news, it looks like they rewrote a good part of Princess of Mars, for that John Carter film, including the description of Dejah Thoris, pure genius, sarc;

[centralcal]

Her Excellency Michelle Obama is hanging out with the 1% in Aspen this weekend:

Michelle Obama has embarked on a skiing vacation with her daughters in Aspen, Colorado, according to the Aspen Daily News.

The first lady, who just returned last month from 17 days of relaxation in Hawaii, is skiing in Colorado on Presidents’ Day Weekend for the second year in a row. Last year she went to Vail.

Michelle’s decision to ski out West again instead of hitting slopes closer to Washington would seem an inopportune choice for a first lady who is helping her husband campaign on issues of “fairness.”

[MarkO]

Read it and weep:

Peachtree, Georgia - It's not often that you find men dressed up as live poultry dancing in the political limelight, but that was the scene at Newt Gingrich's homecoming rally, with one yellow chicken donning a Mitt Romney t-shirt and the other wearing a Rick Santorum one.

"It's Mitt-chick and Rick-chick!" a Gingrich supporter said gleefully, pointing to the signs the costumed men carried, which read "I'm chicken to debate Newt" and "76 delegates but Mitt and Rick don't want them?"
http://politics.blogs.foxnews.com/2012/02/18/newt-supporters-don-chicken-costumes-georgia-welcome-home-rally#ixzz1mk8RQL00

[narciso]

Link doesn't work CC, but it is amusing how they keep jamming that square peg into the round hole, hoping it will fit, Cantor had
a lot of this, in her book.

[centralcal]

Thanks, Narc - guess I am not fully awake yet!

Just Another Little Vacation

[Neo]

Now this is disturbing LUN

[SWarren]

Slime machine is on Karen Santorum.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2087812/Rick-Santorums-wife-Karen-love-affair-abortion-doctor.html

[narciso]

It's a wonder, because the coverage of Cantor's book, would have suggested it was was the modern Procopius, Secret History,

[narciso]

Yes, they pushed that in the Daily Basilisk, some weeks back, SWarren,

[Clarice]

Dr. Allen sounds like a real cad .

[Danube of Thought]

Minus 12 at Raz today.

[Janet]

Also attacking Santorum by saying he called Protestants satan's spawn.

[hit and run]

I'm with Michelle. I prefer Aspen over Vail.

They turn in clusters, because their roots connect them.

[hit and run]

Janet:
Also attacking Santorum by saying he called Protestants satan's spawn.

Heh. princess hit and run did a project for school on MLK. In prepping for her oral report yesterday,she kept stumbling over the word "protestant"

Pro-TEST-ant she kept saying.

And honestly,she never once said "satan's spawn" incorrectly.

[Captain Hate]

Slime machine is on Karen Santorum.

Hold the presses: Coeds might do ill advised things. I'm with C; this story is much more about the doctor's "issues" with younger wimmenz.

[Danube of Thought]

I'd rather be in Aspen than in Vail, but I think Vail Mountain trumps anything at Aspen.

[RichatUF]

They turn in clusters, because their roots connect them.

Hard to believe that its been 5 years.

[MarkO]

I perfer to ski Maui.

[centralcal]

Things to be thankful for in media blackouts - NO photos of Michelle:

in her bathing suit on the beach

in her ski pants on the slopes

[Mad Jack]

test

[hit and run]

DoT:
but I think Vail Mountain trumps anything at Aspen.

Vail certainly beats Ajax as a mountain. For me it's a tossup between Snowmass and Vail.

And if I'm just hanging out outside of skiing,I liked the pace of Beaver Creek. The mud season specials at the Hyatt were spectacular. And it was tradition to wear your bathrobe down to the bar/lobby. Who doesn't want to hang out in an upscale hotel lobby,drink in hand,with a bunch of people wearing bath robes?

[centralcal]

Okay, this commenter (Junius) at Weasel Zippers made me laugh out loud:

If Mooch hits the slope they will have to use a snow cat to haul her gigantic rump up the slopes. Ski lifts were not designed to carry that much weight. Pray for an avalanche.

[Mad Jack]

I keep losing posts in Typepad. Anyway, I sure this has been said before but if Mitt or Santorum just took a clue from Cato the Elder they would win the nomination and the general in a walk. Cato: Carthago delenda est. Modern version: Keystone must be built.
Energy prices are O's weak point. Even the dullest swing voter understands the impact of $5 a gallon gas. STFU about everything else and just hammer the point home already! Get to it boys.

[Danube of Thought]

Friedrich Hayek in "The Constitution of Liberty," 1960, quoted in today's WSJ:

"Not only is liberty a system under which all government action is guided by principles, but it is an ideal that will not be preserved unless it is itself accepted as an overriding principle governing all particular acts of legislation.

"Where no such fundamental rule is stubbornly adhered to as an ultimate ideal about which there must be no compromise for the sake of material advantages—as an ideal which, even though it may have to be temporarily infringed during a passing emergency, must form the basis of all permanent arrangements—freedom is almost certain to be destroyed by piecemeal encroachments. For in each particular instance it will be possible to promise concrete and tangible advantages as the result of a curtailment of freedom, while the benefits sacrificed will in their nature always be unknown and uncertain.

"If freedom were not treated as the supreme principle, the fact that the promises which a free society has to offer can always be only chances and not certainties, only opportunities and not definite gifts to particular individuals, would inevitably prove a fatal weakness and lead to its slow erosion."

Oh, what a sorry mess has been made of our country.

[Gmax]

Aspen the only place on Earth that take out Chinese dinner for four is $150! Snowmass is a great place to ski. Just bring your wallet. You get your first clue when none of the gas stations ever seem to bother to post their prices...

[Sandy Daze]

MadJack - Copy your post in case it subsequently disappears. The travails of Typhus are legend.

Believe it should be Voldemort Delenda Est.

There are any number of ways to go after the Administration. You say pipeline, I say FREEDOM. But I got your point. 11th Commandment. The pretenders have mis-identified their target.

BTW - SP has never mis-identified her target, nor violated the 11th.

Given what might happen next week. Someone quipped yesterday it will be May before any one candidate might amass sufficient delegates for the nom--that is, if one candidate ran the table from now until then. Brokered convention, anyone?

DoT - A nation according to the Rule of Law, vice the Law of Rule.

There's always the solution of '61--although I pray (there I go again) it does not come to that.

OMG-ABO,
Sandy

[Gmax]

Bill Quick this AM tells you what I have been telling for months now with a slight twist at the end!

My long time analysis of the political tea leaves remains the same: there is no way Obama will be re-elected, so for conservatives the real race is in the GOP primary. A Gingrich-Santorum race would be a win-win for somebody like me, giving me somebody I could at least vote for (with varying degrees of enthusiasm) no matter how it turned out.

At the moment, conventional wisdom still has Mittens Romneycare as the front runner. But conventional wisdom is wrong. You heard it here first: Just as Barack Obama will not be re-elected President, Mitt Romney will not be the GOP nominee in November. Take it to the bank.

[AliceH]

Anyone sign up to help w/ data entry on Verify the Recall? I did almost 2 hrs ago but have not yet gotten a confirmation email.

Just wondering if they are bogged down vetting volunteers/setting up logins, or if I should try again since maybe my submission just didn't go through.

[Gmax]

I dont know how this chart will come through in Typhuspad, but here i a chart of the changes in Obama approve over a week's time. Note the only significance increases are the yutes and blacks ( with Hispanics having a modest increase). Now given he carried those groups strongly last time, is that likely to add any significant voters to his totals when the votes are tallied? Note that Indys approval remains a dismal 43% and he is losing more Democrats than getting cross over Republicans. Oh yeah, this is an ADULT poll! Here:

Obama Job Approval

Feb 6-12, 2012 – Updates Tuesdays at 1 p.m. ET; reflects one-week change
National adults
47%
+1
18 to 29
60%
+10
30 to 49
46%
-1
50 to 64
43%
-1
65+
40%
-1
White
38%
+1
Nonwhite
73%
+4
Black
91%
+6
Hispanic
59%
+4
Democrat
85%
-
Independent
43%
+1
Republican
10%
-
Complete demographic data

[MarkO]

Quick could be right. That chicken suit thing seemed to help San Diego to a World Series Title.

[Danube of Thought]

I don't know who Bill Quick is, but that pronouncement will haunt him for a long time. He seems to be saying that the nation will only elect whatever candidate he himself can vote for.

[MarkO]

Give me liberty or give me contraceptives.

[Ignatz]

--He seems to be saying that the nation will only elect whatever candidate he himself can vote for.--

Aren't the doomsters saying the nation will only elect one they won't vote for?

[Gmax]

I will wryly note that Quick does not seem to be saying, "doom".

[Ranger]

18 to 29 60% +10

I guess free controception sells well with the kids.

[henry]

AliceH, from the comments at LI you are not alone. I hope they are swamped with volunteers and need to catch up-- Insty linked them as well.

[MarkO]

No Doom. He uses the euphemism, Newt.

[Gmax]

The poll is Gallup, the oldest pollster in the business and represents a full week of polling so the sample size is quite large and therefore conversely the margin of error is quite low.

BUT

It is an ADULT poll, and the only movement detected is among the least likely to be registered and the least likely to vote.

Ponder and reflect.

[Clarice]

No wonder the Dems want to kill off old people.

I just read a very sad story about Monica Lewinsky--she is depressed, can't support herself, remains an international joke. In the meantime, Bill is rich and popular, Hillary remains prominent and is being named to head the world Bank, and gormless Chelsea is about to re-ink a contract with NBC despite the fact there is no audience for her work save possibly her mom and dad.

It's a story worth telling young people heading off to DC, isn't it?

[Gmax]

I am somewhat troubled that Gallup did not bother to poll the dearly departed. It does seem to be a demographic the Democrats regularly carry, and they did not even ask them their preference!

[hit and run]

Giving up your freedom to get stuff for free: dumb

[Clarice]

Mad Jack, I think you're right about the Pipeline and I think the House is working on it..

[Gmax]

Riddle me this Batman. If Democrats and Republicans are in roughly equal proportions ( I believe RAS has consistent polling showing Republicans actually outnumber Democrats over the last year plus ), AND you erode more Democrats that attract crossover Republicans, what is the only path to election?

Right!, boys and girls. Independents.

43% approval says Gallup. In a whoa is me his approval is rising period. Color me suitable unalarmed.

[Gmax]

I guess whoa should be woe, but somehow I kinda like "whoa is me" anyways...

[AliceH]

Gmax - I agree with your conclusion (I'm still unalarmed), but there's an enthusiasm factor missing. A fired up Democrat base can beat a larger, passive/apathetic Republican base - and so-called Independents are kind of band-wagony, siding with the candidate they think will win.

[Gmax]

We will be sufficiently motivated to finish what we started in 2010. I personally will walk barefoot throw broken glass to seem the incompetent to the speakers bureau with Jiminy Carter.

[Danube of Thought]

Aren't the doomsters saying the nation will only elect one they won't vote for?

Not this doomsayer. This one is saying they will elect Obama no matter whom I vote for.

And of course I pray fervently that I am wrong, and will gladly trumpet and celebrate my error should it occur.

[Gmax]

seem = send.

[Gmax]

Autocomplete is a silent usurper of the ability to communicate!

[Captain Hate]

gormless Chelsea

I'd always wondered what that adjective meant and this compelled me to look it up. LOL and perfect. The Today show was on as background noise in chez Hate over the last couple days and I heard them say that the ugly duckling was going to "present a story". Mercifully they kept her off camera but her uninflected and seemingly disinterested voice over could've been done by any MFM intern; leading me to wonder how many people who've aspired to do this type of work through college were passed over for this obviously arranged employment. At least Jenna Bush came to the show having accumulated an impressive body of work benefiting people in need.

[Porchlight]

Re: enthusiasm, I admit GOPers are feeling a bit gloomy at the moment. But for Obama to win I think the following two things (among others) are necessary:

1) Dem enthusiasm has to get back up to 2008 levels. Not going to happen. No way. No matter how much their panties are bunched up over the GOP nominee.

2) GOP enthusiasm has to stay at Feb 2012 levels. Again, not going to happen. No matter who wins the nom, come summer and fall, we are going to be a lot more excited about the opportunity to vote Obama out and vote in more GOP congressmen than we are now. If it's a brokered convention, which I allow is a long shot, we'll be even more fired up.

[Porchlight]

Jenna and Barbara Bush are worlds more accomplished than Chelsea, and in fields more harmonious with the things Democrats like to make a show of supporting, I might add.

They're also prettier but that is not Chelsea's fault.

[AliceH]

Thanks, Porchlight -- For your comment (with which I agree) and for reminding me my porch light is burned out. I remember every night after it's cold and dark and I'm all tucked in for an evening. Gonna go replace it now.

[Captain Hate]

They're also prettier but that is not Chelsea's fault.

True; and I only use the descriptor "ugly duckling" because of the MFM's obnoxious habit of treating her like a slow child; not dissimilar to how they regard El JEFe to those of us with, as Mega McCannz would say, an emoticon of sensitivity.

[Neo]

It simply made no sense whatsoever for the rich and powerful cartels to engage in nickel and dime purchases of semi-automatic* weapons in dribs and drabs across one of the most heavily-defended borders in the world when they could buy fully-automatic** weapons by the shipload from multiple sources around the world and at far lower prices. For that reason, folks in the know all around the world hoo-hawed at the Obama administrations blatantly phony attempts to link gun violence in Mexico to American-purchased arms. On the other hand, the lefties of the world ate it up.

[Gmax]

Enthusiasm? OK we have the RAS proffered strongly approve versus strongly disapprove with a huge disparity right now for the "throw the bum out" sentiment. And while almost all of the decrease in an even bigger disparity previously, has come from an uptick in the Strongly support.

Do you really believe that the strongly support is going to continue to increase and even accelerate? We have less than 9 months to go until the election. That is some steep improvement in a very short period, if that is what you are saying.

[AliceH]

I couldn't quite parse your comment, but I think I agree. I was referring to "Independents" mostly in re: Enthusiasm comment. I reiterate that I am optimistic as to the outcome, but believe those calling themselves Independents tend to be most likely to just not show up to cast a ballot - regardless of how they answer a poll about degree of agree/disagree.

[Rick Ballard]

A lack of enthusiasm for NewEdselCoke cold mush? Who would ever have guessed?

I'd rather see a focus on lack of jobs than skyrocketing gas prices. We really don't know the terms of the deal struck by Obama for the use American forces in support of the Anglo-French coup in Libya. We can surmise that Daffy was cheating on his OPEC quota and that the Russian/OPEC oligopoly supported his deposition as a warning to others but we don't know if the quid pro quo was lower oil prices running up to the election.

Iraq just opened a new pumping station in the gulf which will offset 50% of the loss in Libyan production and the second pumping station opens next month with a third and fourth already beyond the planning stage.

Is Obama worth more to the Russian/OPEC oligopoly in office or defeated?

[(Another) Barbara]

If it's a brokered convention, which I allow is a long shot, we'll be even more fired up.

Yeah, Porch, right up until we learn the nominee's identity and then the Fnighting and Fnorking will be refueled, I'm afraid. Don't forget that our brokers would be from "The Establishment," not much loved around these parts.

[Jane]

I vote for the bumps at Vail over the powder at Aspen but maybe because I spent many many days skiing Vail and only a couple skiing Aspen - including the days of the Claudine Longet Invitational which remains by far the funniest thing I have ever seen on SNL,

[Clarice]

Maybe Chelsea could interview Monica and help her get a job.

[Captain Hate]

Once again, the world's leader in sports broadcasting steps in it in their inimitable manner: http://outsports.com/jocktalkblog/2012/02/18/espn-uses-racial-epithet-chink-in-headline-of-jeremy-lin-story/

I'm as un PC as you can get but this on-air clown car is never understated (I was going to use another word and then thought better of it) in its expression of outrage whenever others cross an ill defined line.

[centralcal]

I made the mistake of turning on the TV (waiting for the weather to warm up so I can go outside and do yard cleanup for Spring). Sigh - the Whitney Houston funeral is in full bloom.

On one side of the pulpit is Reverun' Jessuh Jackson. On the other side a large man in full regalia - black cassock piped in red, red buttons, huge red sash - very catholic-y looking, though I suspect he isn't Catholic.

Oh well...

[Danube of Thought]

My favorite run of all is Vail's Blue Ox when it has just been groomed. Just can't handle the bumps on that one.

[Captain Hate]

very catholic-y looking, though I suspect he isn't Catholic.

No but his incomprehensibly garbled syntax is kind of a reminder of when the Mass wasn't celebrated in English.

[JeanD]

AliceH, I signed up, too, and got a reply e-mail about 25 minutes later. However, when I hit the "submit" button, I was returned to the original screen. At that point, I scrolled down and saw that my formatting of info hadn't been accepted. (Only letters, numbers and spaces allowed in the address; and no parens or hyphens allowed in the phone number.)

After I corrected these, I re-submitted and got a thank you screen.

Did you get a Thanks! screen? If not, you may need to retry.

And my thanks to henry and harrjf for giving us so much useful local info. If not for them, we might not be showing our recall friends that THIS is what democracy looks like!

[Danube of Thought]

We had a fine experience Thursday night. Hollywood niece (also a Coronado High School grad) is the president for promotion at Relativity Media, the studio that is distributing Act of Valor (the SEAL movie). She arranged for the studio to book the Village theater here for a one-night "friends and family" screening. After the screening the two producer-directors (The Bandito Brothers) and a couple of the SEALs from the movie sat onstage for an audience Q&A. Really interesting.

A highly interesting and unusual movie. It opens nationwide on February 24, and I recommend it.

[Clarice]

HEH, CH

[(Another) Barbara]

Maybe Chelsea could interview Monica and help her get a job.

LOL, Clarice.

[Jack is Back!]

Today we are at the regional Pinewood Derby where we had to stand in line for 1 1/2 hours just to register the car and get it weighs. The kid is racing a fully detailed USAF Cougar (MRAP) he named Land Mine.

Into 2nd hour of Racing. 125 cars that have to race 6 times to earn a spot in the trophy heats. Still it is FUBAR.

[Danube of Thought]

Interesting to note that at this point in his presidency Carter was at 52% with Gallup, compared to Obama's 46%. But in the ensuing 45 days Carter dropped like a stone to 39%.

[MarkO]

I am just not sold on the idea that a brokered convention will "fire up" anyone. If the brokered convention gives you Romney, will you suddenly be ablaze? Newt? Or, as I am now coming to think, is "brokered convention" a way to say Palin without drawing the unwanted attention?

Who is this chosen one we can unfurl just after Labor Day who will carry our hopes and dreams? Draw me a map.

[Porchlight]

Ha, you're welcome, AliceH. I am terrible about changing lightbulbs, too - it's a wonder my porch light ever functions.

Cap'n, I know what you mean about Chelsea. It's like Michelle Obama. One can't fault her for things that aren't her fault - but one gets angry at being told by the MSM that she is the epitome of beauty and grace despite what might appear to one's lyin' eyes.

(A)B, I know that the establishment will be in charge of the brokerage. But I think most on both sides of the GOP divide agree that no matter who is chosen, be he establishment or no, he'll be better than those currently in the offering.

[Captain Hate]

El JEFe's incredibly tone-deaf statement to Boeing employees yesterday has to have the majority of the non-union employees fit to be tied. I thought he'd exhausted my ability to be shocked by the witless self-regard he displays. If any Republican candidate gets voters thinking about where the country's heading, the landslide will be on.

[Gmax]

And there were more Democrats than Republicans in Carter's day, go look it up...

[Mad Jack]

Rick, Sandy: I don't necessarily disagree with the focus on jobs or liberty but these candidates can barely articulate a coherent sentence on any subject so I'm pushing a KISS message on gas/energy prices. There are many areas to hit Zero on, the problem is our guys keep missing the target and/or cannot articulate a clear message on liberty/freedom. I think we win as long as our guy doesn't stick his foot too far down his throat so keep it simple and stay on point. If we had Cato the Elder running we would not have this problem but we don't so they will have to steal some lines from his and SP's act to get the job done.

[hit and run]

skyrocketing gas prices.

I'm starting to get a little chapped at Obama.

In April we're driving to Florida for our second annual St. George Island Spring Break,with a side trip to Legoland between Orlando and Tampa.

For the 4th of July we're driving to Idaho and then to Texas and then back here.

In all we're looking at roughly 35,000 bottles of beer on the wall.

And as for the cost...

At $3/gallon, our gas would cost $954

At $4/gallon,we'd be facing $1,272

And if it reaches $5/gallon as a number are predicting,we'll surrender $1,591

The difference between $3/gallon gas and $5/gallon gas would provide enough cash to buy top end contraceptives for an entire year.

Take one down and pass it around.

[Mad Jack]

Right on, hit!

[Captain Hate]

Speaking of gas prices, they were $3.26/gallon at a Sunoco in Euclid that usually has the cheapest East Side price for places I frequent.

[MarkO]

Imagine $4 gas with a Republican in office.

[Gmax]

I found this quickly its not 1980 but its close. First is Republicans, then Democrats then Independents. WHOA!

1977 Party ID (Gallup) 22% 47% 31%

[hit and run]

Mad Jack:
Rick, Sandy

Heh. I read that at first as Sick Randy.

I swear you JOMers have corrupted my mind.

[Porchlight]

My understanding of a brokered convention may be faulty, MarkO. I realize it is exceedingly rare in the modern era, but in current parlance, doesn't it happen when no current candidate emerges as a clear winner, and isn't the result usually a draft of a new candidate who (it is hoped) can unite the party? So a brokered convention almost by definition would not give us Romney.

I'm not taking your Palin bait. What about Daniels, Ryan, Christie, even Pawlenty? I'm not equally sold on all of these but I damn sure am not sold on Mitt, Newt, or Rick.