Are President Obama's current problems of his own making or due to stubborn and unbending Republicans who tripped up his desire for honest bipartisanship?
Fivethirtyeight liked his defense at the meeting with Republicans Friday. And reminds us of how Republicans froze out Democrats while they were in power.
The operative words in that sentence are "were in power." That's not the example to follow if you want to succeed.
E. Thomas McClanahan of the Kansas City Star takes a hard whack in President Obama's direction.
The “art of the possible” isn’t static. With steady accomplishments, an effective leader can expand the zone of the possible. A winner draws new adherents, builds coalitions, acquires new strength for the next challenge.
For a weak leader, the opposite applies: His credibility shrinks, and so do the ranks of his followers. His ability to accomplish anything becomes doubtful.
This is the vicious circle that now ensnares Obama. He has succeeded mainly in uniting his opposition and dividing his own camp. House and Senate Democrats are openly sniping at one another. The hard left — Obama’s base — is writing him off as inept.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Polling problem
Public Policy Polling had some interesting analysis on its blog Friday. They find several Republicans leading in race despite poor favorability ratings.
What may be more disturbing for Democrats is the Republican officials who independents personally dislike, but will still support because they like the Democratic Party even less. It's something the party will have to find a way to overcome to be successful this year.
What may be more disturbing for Democrats is the Republican officials who independents personally dislike, but will still support because they like the Democratic Party even less. It's something the party will have to find a way to overcome to be successful this year.
A part of Greg Marrow's herd?
Democratic 2009 delegate candidate Greg Marrow is a fan of Alpacas, raising them on his farm.
Big Journalism uses Retracto, the Corrections Alpaca when they think big media made a big mistake.
Did they borrow one of Marrow's alpacas?
Find my jiggly, red avatar
The State of the blogger union is fine. There's links for friends, and it won't take 70 minutes to finish reading.
And I doubt Nancy Pelosi will be applauding any of this.
The Other McCain has a lengthy roundup, going from POTUS to nuts (LGF).
Ruby Slippers sounds off with a furious roundup.
Wyblog tries to remember if you "blog a cold or post a fever."
Carol found a special visitor at the State of the Union address.
It was a taxing effort for Pat to do her roundup, so she celebrated by finding snow photos.
Camp of the Saints cleans out the cache.
Everybody reads The Classic Liberal. Or at least looks at the pictures.
Daley Gator celebrates 200,000 hits.
American Power knows the Tea Party is not over.
DaTech Guy brings important news from Massachusetts.
Pundette speaks freely.
Troglopundit is waiting for the Vikings to get up - so the Packers can knock them down again.
Grandpa John climbs the highest mountain to get a great post.
Dustbury explains the Sperry-Piltz Ice Accumulation Index.
Another Black Conservative has the latest global warming news. When my fingers thaw out, I'll click over there.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Watch those lines on the road, stock up and follow your favorite brothers.
And I doubt Nancy Pelosi will be applauding any of this.
The Other McCain has a lengthy roundup, going from POTUS to nuts (LGF).
Ruby Slippers sounds off with a furious roundup.
Wyblog tries to remember if you "blog a cold or post a fever."
Carol found a special visitor at the State of the Union address.
It was a taxing effort for Pat to do her roundup, so she celebrated by finding snow photos.
Camp of the Saints cleans out the cache.
Everybody reads The Classic Liberal. Or at least looks at the pictures.
Daley Gator celebrates 200,000 hits.
American Power knows the Tea Party is not over.
DaTech Guy brings important news from Massachusetts.
Pundette speaks freely.
Troglopundit is waiting for the Vikings to get up - so the Packers can knock them down again.
Grandpa John climbs the highest mountain to get a great post.
Dustbury explains the Sperry-Piltz Ice Accumulation Index.
Another Black Conservative has the latest global warming news. When my fingers thaw out, I'll click over there.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Watch those lines on the road, stock up and follow your favorite brothers.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Rule 5 readers knew first
Congratulations to Miss Virginia, Caressa Cameron, our new Miss America.
She was featured on this blog June 30, and thus the July 5 edition of Rule 5 Sunday.
She was featured on this blog June 30, and thus the July 5 edition of Rule 5 Sunday.
UPDATE: Here's your winner starting to walk down the runway.
Two blogs in one, once again
Earlier Saturday, Blue Virginia posted a graph with the top tax rates since the 1920s (ha, you're not taxed enough).
Then, he posts an article about "stories are better than statistics."
That goes really well together.
The graph has some interesting items to find. Tax rates went up in 1932, and the depression went on. Guess raising tax rates in bad times keeps the bad times rolling.
And there's the rate dropoff in the early 60s. Current Democrats may not remember it was JFK's tax cut, but Scott Brown sure remembered.
As for stories, we've heard plenty from Democrats over the years. "Here's a person with a problem. Let's create a new law and government office to help them."
And the tea party people have the graphs with the greatly increasing deficit under President Obama's plan. And the high cost of the health care reform plans, unless the plan ends at the end of the 10-year window.
Sorry Democrats, but in 2010 both the stories and the statistics favor conservatives.
Then, he posts an article about "stories are better than statistics."
That goes really well together.
The graph has some interesting items to find. Tax rates went up in 1932, and the depression went on. Guess raising tax rates in bad times keeps the bad times rolling.
And there's the rate dropoff in the early 60s. Current Democrats may not remember it was JFK's tax cut, but Scott Brown sure remembered.
As for stories, we've heard plenty from Democrats over the years. "Here's a person with a problem. Let's create a new law and government office to help them."
And the tea party people have the graphs with the greatly increasing deficit under President Obama's plan. And the high cost of the health care reform plans, unless the plan ends at the end of the 10-year window.
Sorry Democrats, but in 2010 both the stories and the statistics favor conservatives.
Bob wants a link...
...Bob gets a link. or two.
Me, I'm thinking that it's eight weeks since the first snow.
Eight weeks from now will be the end of March.
The last week of spring training.
The NCAA's Elite Eight battling for a berth in the Final Four.
Youth soccer and little league baseball will be starting practices.
I think I can make it.
Me, I'm thinking that it's eight weeks since the first snow.
Eight weeks from now will be the end of March.
The last week of spring training.
The NCAA's Elite Eight battling for a berth in the Final Four.
Youth soccer and little league baseball will be starting practices.
I think I can make it.
Who dat gonna listen to the NFL?
The NFL and producers of "Who Dat" shirts are in a battle before Super Bowl XLIV.
Pat found a shirt with the Louisiana fighting spirit.
I have put on my "Baltimore CFL Colts" sweatshirt, bought in March 1994. After the NFL passed Baltimore by, they decided to get a Canadian Football League expansion team. They tweaked the NFL with the name, and the NFL said you can't use the name Colts. But I still have the sweatshirt.
Wear those "Who Dat" shirts proud for many years to come.
Pat found a shirt with the Louisiana fighting spirit.
I have put on my "Baltimore CFL Colts" sweatshirt, bought in March 1994. After the NFL passed Baltimore by, they decided to get a Canadian Football League expansion team. They tweaked the NFL with the name, and the NFL said you can't use the name Colts. But I still have the sweatshirt.
Wear those "Who Dat" shirts proud for many years to come.
Info for snowbirds
It's not the first snow of the season.
It won't be the biggest snow of the season.
Just another snow. Yawn.
It'll let the other snow birds tell the story.
SWACgirl has a good roundup.
Augusta Conservative sees the link between talk and snow.
A webcam in Mount Crawford, north of Fishersville shows the storm's progress.
It won't be the biggest snow of the season.
Just another snow. Yawn.
It'll let the other snow birds tell the story.
SWACgirl has a good roundup.
Augusta Conservative sees the link between talk and snow.
A webcam in Mount Crawford, north of Fishersville shows the storm's progress.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sabato on Obama
Larry Sabato had a column on the State of the Union address in the Times of London Friday - focusing on the challenges President Obama faces.
Mr Obama’s mixed messages underline his need to please constituencies that are at odds — the moderates and liberals at war within the Democratic party, a handful of moderate Republicans he needs to achieve legislative success and the large group of independents who have voted against his candidates in New Jersey, Virginia and Massachusetts and who threaten to deliver a drubbing to Democrats in the November midterm elections for Congress and state governorships.
Mr Obama’s mixed messages underline his need to please constituencies that are at odds — the moderates and liberals at war within the Democratic party, a handful of moderate Republicans he needs to achieve legislative success and the large group of independents who have voted against his candidates in New Jersey, Virginia and Massachusetts and who threaten to deliver a drubbing to Democrats in the November midterm elections for Congress and state governorships.
Almost poignant to watch
President Obama met with Republicans Friday to discuss the issues of the day. Whether or not Obama won, is it about a year too late?
Either his opponents could have been understood or discredited earlier if he'd met with them in the weeks after inauguration.
Either his opponents could have been understood or discredited earlier if he'd met with them in the weeks after inauguration.
Snow update
Waiting for the news to discuss how much snow is coming to Fishersville.
Our three biggest snowstorms have been Friday night/Saturday storms. Is snow good for kids if school isn't cancelled?
They have missed three days for weather. Two more built-in days for snow before going to the makeup days.
Our three biggest snowstorms have been Friday night/Saturday storms. Is snow good for kids if school isn't cancelled?
They have missed three days for weather. Two more built-in days for snow before going to the makeup days.
Wreck-onciliation
Pundette, among others, reports Jon Kyl's statement that reconciliation is still on. Guess the Democrats do plan on going down with the ship.
If they can't get 60 votes, they'll go for 51. What does this mean?
1. Virginia's senators are back in play. Webb and Warner weren't the 60th vote, but maybe votes 52 or 53. Now pressure can increase on them since their vote matters more.
2. Will anybody be fooled? Very doubtful. Sen. Lincoln, Nelson et. al can try to say "I didn't vote for the final bill." But there's been so much publicity about the 60th vote, people - especially tea party people - will not forget.
3. It's a sign of great weakness for Democrats. They can't convince Senators to stand by their December vote, or give Republicans a reason to look twice at it.
They're going to need an awful lot of duct tape to keep this from exploding apart.
If they can't get 60 votes, they'll go for 51. What does this mean?
1. Virginia's senators are back in play. Webb and Warner weren't the 60th vote, but maybe votes 52 or 53. Now pressure can increase on them since their vote matters more.
2. Will anybody be fooled? Very doubtful. Sen. Lincoln, Nelson et. al can try to say "I didn't vote for the final bill." But there's been so much publicity about the 60th vote, people - especially tea party people - will not forget.
3. It's a sign of great weakness for Democrats. They can't convince Senators to stand by their December vote, or give Republicans a reason to look twice at it.
They're going to need an awful lot of duct tape to keep this from exploding apart.
Weekend watchdog
Down under, it's summer. So tennis goes there for the first Grand Slam.
The Australian Open crowns its women's champion very late Friday night 3:30 a.m. , to be specific (Saturday evening in Australia) and holds the mens final late Saturday night.
Serena Williams goes for another Grand Slam title against Justine Henin. Top-seeded Roger Federe will face Andy Murray for the men's title.
While waiting for the Colts and Saints to head to Miami for Super Bowl XLIV, the NFL has a change for you. The Pro Bowl will be played ahead of the big game this year, also in Miami. ESPN has the coverage, starting at 7:20 p.m. Sunday.
The college football all-star season closes with the Senior Bowl Saturday on NFL Network at 4 p.m. Florida's Tim Tebow will show the pro football world what he can do, a week before he's featured on a pro-life ad.
The NBA begins its Sunday run on ABC this weekend. Denver visits San Antonio in the opener at 1 p.m., then it's the Lakers at Celtics.
The Wizards visit New Jersey Friday on Comcast-plus, then host the Knicks Saturday.
For your college basketball, Comcast on Saturday has CAA games at noon (James Madison-George Mason) and 4 p.m. (Old Dominion-Northeastern), surrounding St. Louis at Richmond from the A-10. Sunday night there's an ACC doubleheader, with Maryland at Clemson at 5:30 p.m. followed by Virginia-North Carolina.
CBS will show Duke at Georgetown Saturday at 1 p.m., and Sunday offer either Florida at Tennesee or Minnesota-Ohio State.
The ACC package shows Florida State against Boston College Saturday at 3 p.m., then Virginia Tech visits Miami Sunday at 1 p.m. on NBC29.
ESPN starts its basketball Saturday with Louisville-West Virginia at noon. Then it's Indiana's visit to Illinois, Vanderbilt traveling to No. 1 (and undefeated no longer) Kentucky and Kansas at Kansas State at 7 p.m. ESPN2 goes with LaSalle-Temple at noon, then Oklahoma State at Missouri. Notre Dame takes on Rutgers at 6 p.m.
MASN has five games on Saturday. Two from the Big East start it off at noon - Marquette at UConn and Syracuse-DePaul. Then it's Siena vs. Marist, Towson at UNC-Wilmington from the CAA and High Point takes on Gardner-Webb at 8 p.m. Sunday, it's Pittsburgh visiting South Florida at 1 p.m.
ESPN2 has a women's doubleheader Sunday, Purdue at Iowa followed by Baylor-Texas.
To whet your Winter Olympics' appetite, ESPN will show the Winter X games throughout the weekend.
The Capitals host a pair of Southeast Division rivals this weekend, with the Panthers in town Friday and Lightning Sunday afternoon. NBC shows the Red Wings at Penguins Sunday afternoon.
The PGA tour returns to CBS Saturday and Sunday, with the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Tiger Woods won't be there, but plenty of good golfers will.
The Australian Open crowns its women's champion very late Friday night 3:30 a.m. , to be specific (Saturday evening in Australia) and holds the mens final late Saturday night.
Serena Williams goes for another Grand Slam title against Justine Henin. Top-seeded Roger Federe will face Andy Murray for the men's title.
While waiting for the Colts and Saints to head to Miami for Super Bowl XLIV, the NFL has a change for you. The Pro Bowl will be played ahead of the big game this year, also in Miami. ESPN has the coverage, starting at 7:20 p.m. Sunday.
The college football all-star season closes with the Senior Bowl Saturday on NFL Network at 4 p.m. Florida's Tim Tebow will show the pro football world what he can do, a week before he's featured on a pro-life ad.
The NBA begins its Sunday run on ABC this weekend. Denver visits San Antonio in the opener at 1 p.m., then it's the Lakers at Celtics.
The Wizards visit New Jersey Friday on Comcast-plus, then host the Knicks Saturday.
For your college basketball, Comcast on Saturday has CAA games at noon (James Madison-George Mason) and 4 p.m. (Old Dominion-Northeastern), surrounding St. Louis at Richmond from the A-10. Sunday night there's an ACC doubleheader, with Maryland at Clemson at 5:30 p.m. followed by Virginia-North Carolina.
CBS will show Duke at Georgetown Saturday at 1 p.m., and Sunday offer either Florida at Tennesee or Minnesota-Ohio State.
The ACC package shows Florida State against Boston College Saturday at 3 p.m., then Virginia Tech visits Miami Sunday at 1 p.m. on NBC29.
ESPN starts its basketball Saturday with Louisville-West Virginia at noon. Then it's Indiana's visit to Illinois, Vanderbilt traveling to No. 1 (and undefeated no longer) Kentucky and Kansas at Kansas State at 7 p.m. ESPN2 goes with LaSalle-Temple at noon, then Oklahoma State at Missouri. Notre Dame takes on Rutgers at 6 p.m.
MASN has five games on Saturday. Two from the Big East start it off at noon - Marquette at UConn and Syracuse-DePaul. Then it's Siena vs. Marist, Towson at UNC-Wilmington from the CAA and High Point takes on Gardner-Webb at 8 p.m. Sunday, it's Pittsburgh visiting South Florida at 1 p.m.
ESPN2 has a women's doubleheader Sunday, Purdue at Iowa followed by Baylor-Texas.
To whet your Winter Olympics' appetite, ESPN will show the Winter X games throughout the weekend.
The Capitals host a pair of Southeast Division rivals this weekend, with the Panthers in town Friday and Lightning Sunday afternoon. NBC shows the Red Wings at Penguins Sunday afternoon.
The PGA tour returns to CBS Saturday and Sunday, with the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. Tiger Woods won't be there, but plenty of good golfers will.
I wanna talk about me
Sean Hannity opened Thursday's radio program with his take on the State of the Union. And started half-talking, half-singing this Toby Keith song. Toby's much better than Hannity.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Don't mess around with Rush
In honor of the State of the Union address, I bring back one of my earliest song parodies - borrowed from Jim Croce's classic "Don't Mess Around with Jim."
Capitol's got its hustlers
The Senate's got its bums
Pennsylvania Ave's got Barack Obama
He's a smooth talking son of a gun
Yeah he's big and smart as a man can come
He's better than a Clinton, hoss
And when the Democrats all get together at night
You know they all call Barack boss
And they say
You don't tug on Superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask of the ol' Lone Ranger
And you don't mess around with Barack
Well outta south Florida come a talking man
He said I'm looking for a man named Barack
I am a radio talker man
Name is Rush Limbaugh
And no liberal calls me slim
Yeah I'm lookin for the king of the Democrats
He talkin about more spending, Jack
Now we wants to take all our money
And it may sound funny
But I come to get our money back
And everybody say Jack, don't you know
You don't tug on Superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask of the ol' Lone Ranger
And you don't mess around with Barack
Well a hush fell over the press room
When Barack come boppin' in off the street
And when the shouting was done
The only plan left on the table
was where to go to eat
Yeah taxes cut in bout a hundred places
And going end a couple more
And you better believe
They sung a different kinda story
When Barack hit the floor, uh huh
Now they say
You don't tug on Superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask of the ol' Lone Ranger
And you don't mess around with Rush
A video of the inspiration
Capitol's got its hustlers
The Senate's got its bums
Pennsylvania Ave's got Barack Obama
He's a smooth talking son of a gun
Yeah he's big and smart as a man can come
He's better than a Clinton, hoss
And when the Democrats all get together at night
You know they all call Barack boss
And they say
You don't tug on Superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask of the ol' Lone Ranger
And you don't mess around with Barack
Well outta south Florida come a talking man
He said I'm looking for a man named Barack
I am a radio talker man
Name is Rush Limbaugh
And no liberal calls me slim
Yeah I'm lookin for the king of the Democrats
He talkin about more spending, Jack
Now we wants to take all our money
And it may sound funny
But I come to get our money back
And everybody say Jack, don't you know
You don't tug on Superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask of the ol' Lone Ranger
And you don't mess around with Barack
Well a hush fell over the press room
When Barack come boppin' in off the street
And when the shouting was done
The only plan left on the table
was where to go to eat
Yeah taxes cut in bout a hundred places
And going end a couple more
And you better believe
They sung a different kinda story
When Barack hit the floor, uh huh
Now they say
You don't tug on Superman's cape
You don't spit into the wind
You don't pull the mask of the ol' Lone Ranger
And you don't mess around with Rush
A video of the inspiration
Beer goggle presidency
Jules Crittenden offers a roundup of reactions to the Obama State of the Union speech.
This is beginning to look like the six beers and several shots presidency, where the voters eagerly went home with someone who looked pretty hot … and available! … in the darkness of that honkytonk Bush night. Can’t wait to see the polls, but I have to think at this point, beer goggles off, the president is starting to look coyote ugly even to those who loved him best, and they’ll be gnawing on their arms off to get out of his bed.
This is beginning to look like the six beers and several shots presidency, where the voters eagerly went home with someone who looked pretty hot … and available! … in the darkness of that honkytonk Bush night. Can’t wait to see the polls, but I have to think at this point, beer goggles off, the president is starting to look coyote ugly even to those who loved him best, and they’ll be gnawing on their arms off to get out of his bed.
Too much information
I saw an interesting headline on the News Leader's website Thursday and submitted it to Opinion Journal's Best of the Web.
Hope they wrestle a few more visitors to their website.
Hope they wrestle a few more visitors to their website.
Vote for the worst - here's a selection
With American Idol season beginning, I like visiting votefortheworst.com. They boost Idol in their own way, pushing certain singers to stay alive another week.
Nothing those singers do matches this Florida woman.
Nothing those singers do matches this Florida woman.
Kerry/Baby Daddy
Driving to Staunton, I passed a car with several Democratic bumper stickers. Including one for Kerry/Edwards.
After the news of this week (confirming what some had thought for years), pull that bumper sticker off. Cover it up with another Obama sticker. How can you drive around with a Kerry/Edwards sticker five years after they lost to George W. Bush?
It really looks bad to have the Baby Daddy's name on the back of your car.
After the news of this week (confirming what some had thought for years), pull that bumper sticker off. Cover it up with another Obama sticker. How can you drive around with a Kerry/Edwards sticker five years after they lost to George W. Bush?
It really looks bad to have the Baby Daddy's name on the back of your car.
Ask the law professors
Several law professors have blogs, including Legal Insurrection. He has a take on President Obama bringing up a Supreme Court decision in his speech, along with a link to research on mentions of the Court in the State of the Union speech since 1913.
If it's a fight amongst lawyers, let them explain it.
If it's a fight amongst lawyers, let them explain it.
Why not? Yes, you can
Blue Virginia didn't like Justice Alito's reaction at the State of the Union speech. Okay, but he titled the post "Too bad we can't impeach Supreme Court justices."
Why not? It's been done before. And I'm sure he remembers the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s. And the signs "Impeach Warren."
You can impeach Alito if you'd like. What's the charge?
Hurt our feelings?
Disagreed with President Obama?
Go ahead and fuss about Alito. It just draws more attention to it, and won't budge the court. Just makes the president and his friends look bad.
Why not? It's been done before. And I'm sure he remembers the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s. And the signs "Impeach Warren."
You can impeach Alito if you'd like. What's the charge?
Hurt our feelings?
Disagreed with President Obama?
Go ahead and fuss about Alito. It just draws more attention to it, and won't budge the court. Just makes the president and his friends look bad.
Piddled his power away
Don Surber recaps the past year and knee-caps the President's chances.
Tonight’s State of the Union address is the least important one since Richard Nixon’s in 1974. The State of the Union address was delivered 8 days ago by the voters of Massachusetts. They killed the centerpiece of Barack Obama’s presidency and without his health care plan, he is nothing.
Tonight’s State of the Union address is the least important one since Richard Nixon’s in 1974. The State of the Union address was delivered 8 days ago by the voters of Massachusetts. They killed the centerpiece of Barack Obama’s presidency and without his health care plan, he is nothing.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tossing and turning
For those wondering if 2010 will be like 1994, Michael Barone goes back 20 years.
New York Times editorialists can opine that the Massachusetts result had nothing to do with opposition to health care, but their life's work is not in peril.
Democratic officeholders know theirs is.
And then there's this
I have not seen a party's fortunes collapse so suddenly since Richard Nixon got caught up in the Watergate scandal and a president who carried 49 states was threatened with impeachment and removal from office.
New York Times editorialists can opine that the Massachusetts result had nothing to do with opposition to health care, but their life's work is not in peril.
Democratic officeholders know theirs is.
And then there's this
I have not seen a party's fortunes collapse so suddenly since Richard Nixon got caught up in the Watergate scandal and a president who carried 49 states was threatened with impeachment and removal from office.
Two guys to keep him in check
Congratulations to Bob McDonnell for being selected to do the Republican response to the State of the Union address.
Any complaints about it are silly. There are two Republican guys in Richmond to remind him, if he needs it, that becoming National Chairman of a party is bad news to those you leave behind.
I'm sure Bolling and Cuccinelli could remind McDonnell every day until 2013 (Gilmore no more. Kaine cain't.) if they'd like.
Any complaints about it are silly. There are two Republican guys in Richmond to remind him, if he needs it, that becoming National Chairman of a party is bad news to those you leave behind.
I'm sure Bolling and Cuccinelli could remind McDonnell every day until 2013 (Gilmore no more. Kaine cain't.) if they'd like.
Why the State of the Union is tonight
We're in the middle of No Name Calling week.
So no name calling in your critiques. That goes for you too, progressives.
Shouldn't Keith Olbermann take a vacation each year during No Name Calling week?
So no name calling in your critiques. That goes for you too, progressives.
Shouldn't Keith Olbermann take a vacation each year during No Name Calling week?
What's going on in Oregon
Oregon passed a tax increase on high-income earners Wednesday. What does it mean?
1. Progressives can't buy Nike products. Nike CEO Phil Knight said the measure would be assisted suicide for Oregon.
2. Behold, the power of government unions.
According to the most recent campaign finance disclosures, the “yes” campaign, which got more than 90 percent of its money from public employee and teacher unions, reported spending $5.67 million.
Isn't that like the bosses voting themselves a raise?
Oregon now joins Hawai'i with the highest state income taxes in the country. And Californians looking to escape can't go straight north.
Check out Blognetnews.com/oregon for more voices.
1. Progressives can't buy Nike products. Nike CEO Phil Knight said the measure would be assisted suicide for Oregon.
2. Behold, the power of government unions.
According to the most recent campaign finance disclosures, the “yes” campaign, which got more than 90 percent of its money from public employee and teacher unions, reported spending $5.67 million.
Isn't that like the bosses voting themselves a raise?
Oregon now joins Hawai'i with the highest state income taxes in the country. And Californians looking to escape can't go straight north.
Check out Blognetnews.com/oregon for more voices.
Reagan from 1982
It's President Obama's first State of the Union speech.
Here's the text of President Reagan's first State of the Union from 1982.
Compare and contrast.
Here's the text of President Reagan's first State of the Union from 1982.
Compare and contrast.
Arlen? Don't think I know any Arlens
Don Surber sees Arlen Specter as the person who killed Obamacare.
National Review's Campaign Spot has a pair of posts about him - gee, Republicans don't miss him at all.
Democrats, you wanted the 60th vote that Specter represented. He's your problem now.
National Review's Campaign Spot has a pair of posts about him - gee, Republicans don't miss him at all.
Democrats, you wanted the 60th vote that Specter represented. He's your problem now.
Do you fear what I fear?
Instapundit has the fear links of the day.
1. Michael Ledeen says that the State of the Union is fear.
2. Senators running scared.
From the Democratic side, the health care reform debate is about fear.
"You'll lose your insurance on a whim."
"You'll go bankrupt with high medical bills."
"You need insurance and can't afford it."
Guess we're fighting fear with fear.
1. Michael Ledeen says that the State of the Union is fear.
2. Senators running scared.
From the Democratic side, the health care reform debate is about fear.
"You'll lose your insurance on a whim."
"You'll go bankrupt with high medical bills."
"You need insurance and can't afford it."
Guess we're fighting fear with fear.
Mirror, mirror on the wall
The White House posted a photo of President Obama looking at himself in a mirror. Missourah has some fun.
h/t Daily Trawler
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
State of the Union line I'd like to hear
Maybe we were too rough on George W. Bush. This job is terribly hard.
Ellie Light roundup
The Ellie Light story appears to be winding down. The Cleveland Plain Dealer talked to her. And has lots of links to other Light stories.
Allahpundit has a roundup, calling it "freaky-deaky."
Hopefully, newspapers will get a better handle on their letter to the editor writers. And the Plain Dealer gets the gold star in this episode.
Allahpundit has a roundup, calling it "freaky-deaky."
Hopefully, newspapers will get a better handle on their letter to the editor writers. And the Plain Dealer gets the gold star in this episode.
Obama and James Buchanan
In checking James Buchanan's page on wikipedia, I came across this information about him after his term ended.
In 1866 Buchanan published Mr Buchanan's Administration on the Eve of the Rebellion, the first published presidential memoir, in which he defended his actions; the day before his death he predicted that "history will vindicate my memory."
Still waiting for that vindication. Whether you're considered a "good" or "mediocre" president isn't up to the president. It's up to historians, looking at what happened during and after an administration. Truman's standing has risen since he left office in 1953. Where Obama will fall depends on his actions, not his words.
The one-term presidents
President Obama says he wouldn't mind being a really good one-term president, instead of a mediocre two-term president.
Is being considered a good one-term president a choice? Let's look at the one term presidents (not counting those who served less than a term due to death or finishing a term).
John Adams
John Quincy Adams
Martin Van Buren
James K. Polk
Franklin Pierce
James Buchanan
Rutherford B. Hayes
Benjamin Harrison
William Howard Taft
Herbert Hoover
Jimmy Carter
George H.W. Bush
Twelve names. Who's your superstar? Maybe Polk, since we brought Texas and California into the Union during his term. Eight sought re-election in November and lost.
There's your list of one-termers. Will Barack Obama be number 13?
Is being considered a good one-term president a choice? Let's look at the one term presidents (not counting those who served less than a term due to death or finishing a term).
John Adams
John Quincy Adams
Martin Van Buren
James K. Polk
Franklin Pierce
James Buchanan
Rutherford B. Hayes
Benjamin Harrison
William Howard Taft
Herbert Hoover
Jimmy Carter
George H.W. Bush
Twelve names. Who's your superstar? Maybe Polk, since we brought Texas and California into the Union during his term. Eight sought re-election in November and lost.
There's your list of one-termers. Will Barack Obama be number 13?
Patterico and Ellie Light
Patterico, a California blogger, has been collecting information on the Ellie Light letters to the editor.
He has links to two newspapers discussing the letter, and earned a mention from Michelle Malkin on Monday's Hannity show.
More information is coming to Light.
He has links to two newspapers discussing the letter, and earned a mention from Michelle Malkin on Monday's Hannity show.
More information is coming to Light.
Coal caucus
Don Surber notes the creation of a Congressional Coal Caucus.
West Virginia governor Joe Manchin hopes for balance between the mining and environmental concerns.
When it comes to coal, I trust West Virginians. They live with it, they know its importance.
West Virginia governor Joe Manchin hopes for balance between the mining and environmental concerns.
When it comes to coal, I trust West Virginians. They live with it, they know its importance.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Humorless tedium puffed up by historic ambition
The Other McCain remembers his past work dealing with the State of the Union address.
Wonder if he'll be having a party to watch the address, like Organizing for America suggests.
I would have a viewing party, but I don't want Yankee Phil throwing things at my TV. I need to watch the Super Bowl on that.
I'll probably be able to hear him yelling "You lie" at his TV across the neighborhood.
Wonder if he'll be having a party to watch the address, like Organizing for America suggests.
I would have a viewing party, but I don't want Yankee Phil throwing things at my TV. I need to watch the Super Bowl on that.
I'll probably be able to hear him yelling "You lie" at his TV across the neighborhood.
Song for Democrats on Wednesday
Headed into the State of the Union address, President Obama has been using the word "fight" quite a bit. Reminded me of my youth, when the Electric Company did their song in the 1970s.
"Fight, we may not win but then again we might. And even if we don't it's still all right."
"Fight, we may not win but then again we might. And even if we don't it's still all right."
Unhappy camper
Chris Graham updates us on the Facebook status of Greg Marrow, the 2009 Democratic candidate for the 25th Delegate district.
Marrow's not a very happy camper about President Obama and the party this weekend.
He campaigned as a former Reagan Republican unhappy with the party's path. Now he's unhappy with the Democratic party's path. So he's either:
1. A strong minded person who's disappointed with what's going on in the country.
2. Unhappy with whatever happens, no matter what the reason.
And Marrow had to take a swipe at George W. Bush in his update.
As for brains, all I know is George W. Bush hasn't been talking trash about his friends on Facebook.
Marrow's not a very happy camper about President Obama and the party this weekend.
He campaigned as a former Reagan Republican unhappy with the party's path. Now he's unhappy with the Democratic party's path. So he's either:
1. A strong minded person who's disappointed with what's going on in the country.
2. Unhappy with whatever happens, no matter what the reason.
And Marrow had to take a swipe at George W. Bush in his update.
As for brains, all I know is George W. Bush hasn't been talking trash about his friends on Facebook.
Greedy Ellie Light
There's still lots of questions about Ellie Light and her letters to the editor.
1. Who is she?
2. Where does she really live? If it's Waynesboro, I get the exclusive. (looks like California, most likely).
3. Overzealous Obama fan or David Axelrod's imaginary friend?
4. Why, in the internet age, send the same letter to newspapers and websites across the country?
How about considering how greedy she is? A newspaper's letter to the editor area is a scarce resource. Two or three letters get published in any paper most days. And she had her letter in 65 papers in 31 states, plus overseas?
By her letter appearing in the News Leader on Jan. 15, one or two local letters had to wait. Or didn't get published. Ellie Light is hogging the space. Taking more than her fair share.
Local letter writers have to wait 30 days between publication of their letters. She took the spot some interested local could have filled.
Maybe she targeted small to medium dailies because they don't have enough letters to fill the space each issue. But in the internet age, small and medium dailies put their offerings online. They are available on Google in you know what to look for.
Final question - Has her letter-writing campaign helped the Obama administration, or given opponents another sharp stick to poke at the president?
1. Who is she?
2. Where does she really live? If it's Waynesboro, I get the exclusive. (looks like California, most likely).
3. Overzealous Obama fan or David Axelrod's imaginary friend?
4. Why, in the internet age, send the same letter to newspapers and websites across the country?
How about considering how greedy she is? A newspaper's letter to the editor area is a scarce resource. Two or three letters get published in any paper most days. And she had her letter in 65 papers in 31 states, plus overseas?
By her letter appearing in the News Leader on Jan. 15, one or two local letters had to wait. Or didn't get published. Ellie Light is hogging the space. Taking more than her fair share.
Local letter writers have to wait 30 days between publication of their letters. She took the spot some interested local could have filled.
Maybe she targeted small to medium dailies because they don't have enough letters to fill the space each issue. But in the internet age, small and medium dailies put their offerings online. They are available on Google in you know what to look for.
Final question - Has her letter-writing campaign helped the Obama administration, or given opponents another sharp stick to poke at the president?
I'm jealous
Little Miss Attila got a comment on her blog from "Ellie Light."
Since Ellie listed a Waynesboro address in a letter to the News Leader, that makes it a local story. When will I get my comment?
Seems Ellie is proud of getting her letters published when others couldn't. So she kept sending them (and making up new hometowns) until Cleveland.com caught her.
Is she going to be the Richard Reid of the Letter to the Editor set? Everybody has to take their shoes off at the airport thanks to Reid.
Will letters to the editor be more heavily scrutinized now that the extent of Ellie's writing has been brought to Light?
Since Ellie listed a Waynesboro address in a letter to the News Leader, that makes it a local story. When will I get my comment?
Seems Ellie is proud of getting her letters published when others couldn't. So she kept sending them (and making up new hometowns) until Cleveland.com caught her.
Is she going to be the Richard Reid of the Letter to the Editor set? Everybody has to take their shoes off at the airport thanks to Reid.
Will letters to the editor be more heavily scrutinized now that the extent of Ellie's writing has been brought to Light?
The little boy who cried "Bush"
It's popular for Democrats to blame George W. Bush for our current woes.
Great. It's Bush's fault. Now what?
President Obama risks becoming like the little boy who cried "Wolf." You yell Bush so many times, when you really need help people have tuned you out.
Great. It's Bush's fault. Now what?
President Obama risks becoming like the little boy who cried "Wolf." You yell Bush so many times, when you really need help people have tuned you out.
Black and Gold report
The Dead Pelican, focused on Louisiana news, goes black and gold to celebrate the Saints' win.
A little tough on the eyes, though.
h/t So it goes in Shreveport
A little tough on the eyes, though.
h/t So it goes in Shreveport
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Why they lost
Losing teams all over sports should read James Carville's column. If you lose, blame George W. Bush.
Sorry, but blaming somebody else doesn't get you to the Super Bowl. Or anywhere else.
Sorry, but blaming somebody else doesn't get you to the Super Bowl. Or anywhere else.
Out of this world letter to the editor
Interesting News Items shares the reach of Ellie Light's writing. It's far out, man.
Sober and frightened
Via NRO's Corner, thoughts from George Will about the State of the Union address.
I don't think the country is angry so much today as it is sober and frightened. And it’s frightened by the deficits, the sense that there's no plausible economic assumption that will make this turn out well.
I don't think the country is angry so much today as it is sober and frightened. And it’s frightened by the deficits, the sense that there's no plausible economic assumption that will make this turn out well.
Who is Ellie Light?
She's got a Facebook page. Photoshops. How about a song parody?
Based on Starland Vocal Band's "Afternoon Delight."
Gonna tout Obama, that's what I write
Gonna sign my letter from Ellie Light
My motto's always been; Obama's right, he's right.
Why even in the middle of this cold dark night
When everything's Bush's fault - that's what I say
How did you expect him to fix everything right away?
Writin' all these letters works up an appetite
I live in all these different places, yes that's right
Blamin' Bush-Cheney forever makes my sparks ignite
and the thought of boostin' you is getting so exciting
Astroturfing in sight. Who is Ellie Light? Where is Ellie Light?
He started out his term being too polite
Guess he thought Republicans would be afraid to fight
But the tea party's growing so I think I might try writing
more letters signed Ellie Light
Astroturfing in sight. Who is Ellie Light? Where is Ellie Light?
Please stand strong when Scott Brown comes to town
We could pass our bills before the polls go down
Writin' all these letters works up an appetite
I live in all these different places, yes that's right
Blamin' Bush-Cheney forever makes my sparks ignite
and the thought of boostin' you is getting so exciting
Astroturfing in sight. Who is Ellie Light? Where is Ellie Light?
Repeat chorus.
A video of the inspiration, with David Cassidy too.
Based on Starland Vocal Band's "Afternoon Delight."
Gonna tout Obama, that's what I write
Gonna sign my letter from Ellie Light
My motto's always been; Obama's right, he's right.
Why even in the middle of this cold dark night
When everything's Bush's fault - that's what I say
How did you expect him to fix everything right away?
Writin' all these letters works up an appetite
I live in all these different places, yes that's right
Blamin' Bush-Cheney forever makes my sparks ignite
and the thought of boostin' you is getting so exciting
Astroturfing in sight. Who is Ellie Light? Where is Ellie Light?
He started out his term being too polite
Guess he thought Republicans would be afraid to fight
But the tea party's growing so I think I might try writing
more letters signed Ellie Light
Astroturfing in sight. Who is Ellie Light? Where is Ellie Light?
Please stand strong when Scott Brown comes to town
We could pass our bills before the polls go down
Writin' all these letters works up an appetite
I live in all these different places, yes that's right
Blamin' Bush-Cheney forever makes my sparks ignite
and the thought of boostin' you is getting so exciting
Astroturfing in sight. Who is Ellie Light? Where is Ellie Light?
Repeat chorus.
A video of the inspiration, with David Cassidy too.
Where's the Light house?
The Staunton News Leader appears have been used to be part of a pro-Obama astroturf campaign. This letter from "Ellie Light of Waynesboro" appeared in the paper January 15.
Ellie gets around, writing in numerous papers from Maine to California. The Cleveland Plain Dealer found the trail of Ellie Light letters and tried to get answers.
The article includes an email exchange after the Cleveland reporter received the letter. I like Light's response.
There was lots to write about this week, for example Teddy Kennedy' seat falling to a Republican, or the Supreme Court's ruling allowing corporations to donate unlimited funds to causes they support. Both those events portend unimaginable consequences for democracy in this country. And Ms. Eaton, a "Washington" journalist, decides to spend a few minutes pasting snippets of letters into Google and come up with a story about a letter writer. I'm sure such domesticity and small-mindedness would make Sarah Palin quite proud.
Anybody know where the local Light house is? If not, it's nice to see a national problem include Augusta County.
Ellie gets around, writing in numerous papers from Maine to California. The Cleveland Plain Dealer found the trail of Ellie Light letters and tried to get answers.
The article includes an email exchange after the Cleveland reporter received the letter. I like Light's response.
There was lots to write about this week, for example Teddy Kennedy' seat falling to a Republican, or the Supreme Court's ruling allowing corporations to donate unlimited funds to causes they support. Both those events portend unimaginable consequences for democracy in this country. And Ms. Eaton, a "Washington" journalist, decides to spend a few minutes pasting snippets of letters into Google and come up with a story about a letter writer. I'm sure such domesticity and small-mindedness would make Sarah Palin quite proud.
Anybody know where the local Light house is? If not, it's nice to see a national problem include Augusta County.
Finally, Massachusetts Joins Right-thinking Americans
The lesson for the week? Big numbers work for trucks, not for Congressional legislation. Our roundup celebrates Scott Brown's joining the Senate. And his truck having over 200,000 miles.
Stacy's back from Massachusetts and Smitty's back from a retreat, making sure all is right with the world.
Pat celebrates getting a new laptop, so her roundup will be even better now.
Wyblog posts his roundup on Thursday, and Ruby Slippers joins the Thursday revolution.
Carol takes a bite out of the blogosphere with her roundup.
Camp of the Saints focused on the election.
Da Tech Guy hears from a commenter who understands Scott Brown.
Naked Villiany bids Conan O'Brien a fond farewell.
Pundette looks at more bad news for the President.
Troglopundit questions the list at AskMen.com.
American Power tells about the heavy rains in Long Beach Thursday. Fishersville gets the system Sunday.
Paco celebrates Australia Day.
Dustbury finds an interesting pair of shoes.
Daley Gator finds out who's crazy about a sharp dressed man.
Grandpa John lists the President's path of destruction.
Legal Insurrection remembers some good insight.
Scaramouchee finds a new song for "Obama, the Musical."
Another Black Conservative features a grumpy old man.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Make sure to chill in the winter weather.
Stacy's back from Massachusetts and Smitty's back from a retreat, making sure all is right with the world.
Pat celebrates getting a new laptop, so her roundup will be even better now.
Wyblog posts his roundup on Thursday, and Ruby Slippers joins the Thursday revolution.
Carol takes a bite out of the blogosphere with her roundup.
Camp of the Saints focused on the election.
Da Tech Guy hears from a commenter who understands Scott Brown.
Naked Villiany bids Conan O'Brien a fond farewell.
Pundette looks at more bad news for the President.
Troglopundit questions the list at AskMen.com.
American Power tells about the heavy rains in Long Beach Thursday. Fishersville gets the system Sunday.
Paco celebrates Australia Day.
Dustbury finds an interesting pair of shoes.
Daley Gator finds out who's crazy about a sharp dressed man.
Grandpa John lists the President's path of destruction.
Legal Insurrection remembers some good insight.
Scaramouchee finds a new song for "Obama, the Musical."
Another Black Conservative features a grumpy old man.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Make sure to chill in the winter weather.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Future site of SWAC breakfast
SWACgirl and crew held the Conservative Round Table breakfast against Saturday. 
It was from 40 attendees in October to 67 in November and now 73 in January.
How big a place will they need in the future? Maybe this big?
The Rose Bowl is available most of the year.
D'oh
The Washington Examiner lists some of the people who gave money to Martha Coakley's campaign in the final weeks.
The list includes James Brooks, famous TV producer. His Gracie Films produces "The Simpsons."
Now we know the main political consultant for Coakley - Homer.
The list includes James Brooks, famous TV producer. His Gracie Films produces "The Simpsons."
Now we know the main political consultant for Coakley - Homer.
Plouffe or poof
Don Surber takes apart David Plouffe's plan for Democrats to do well in 2010.
Surber doesn't discuss the last point - no bed-wetting. Because the sheets were ruined Tuesday night.
Surber doesn't discuss the last point - no bed-wetting. Because the sheets were ruined Tuesday night.
Progressives, teabaggers can be your friends
Blue Commonwealth has the rundown of all the options President Obama and Democrats face going forward.
I like the "faux populism" idea, focused on thoughts that Democrats haven't done enough to excite their voters.
This is the famous Obama gap, noticed in Virginia and New Jersey, where the Obama voters simply failed to show up at the polls. Even after allowing for possible leftward bias by MoveOn.org and for the known liberal tilt of Massachusetts, these figures seem to make the point that the apparent voter anger boiling up across the country is a populist anger. They voted for Obama in 2009 because of his promise to change things to the benefit of workers and the middle class. They voted for Brown in 2010 because they were frustrated by Obama's failure to deliver, and Brown ran a populist campaign (maybe a phoney one, but nonetheless he punched the right buttons). In other words, the voters did not reject the Obama agenda.
If Brown voters are populist, then there's room for progressives and those they call "teabaggers" to work together. It will probably work better if they stop calling fellow voters "teabaggers."
We'll see which "big" the populist anger is focused on - "big business or big government." If big government is the focus, Obama's got a lot tougher job ahead.
I like the "faux populism" idea, focused on thoughts that Democrats haven't done enough to excite their voters.
This is the famous Obama gap, noticed in Virginia and New Jersey, where the Obama voters simply failed to show up at the polls. Even after allowing for possible leftward bias by MoveOn.org and for the known liberal tilt of Massachusetts, these figures seem to make the point that the apparent voter anger boiling up across the country is a populist anger. They voted for Obama in 2009 because of his promise to change things to the benefit of workers and the middle class. They voted for Brown in 2010 because they were frustrated by Obama's failure to deliver, and Brown ran a populist campaign (maybe a phoney one, but nonetheless he punched the right buttons). In other words, the voters did not reject the Obama agenda.
If Brown voters are populist, then there's room for progressives and those they call "teabaggers" to work together. It will probably work better if they stop calling fellow voters "teabaggers."
We'll see which "big" the populist anger is focused on - "big business or big government." If big government is the focus, Obama's got a lot tougher job ahead.
Off his sick bed
Jules Crittenden has been sick. But he gets himself up this morning to report on people who feel sicker - Massachusetts liberals and John Kerry.
In the days since the unthinkable happened, diehard Democrats have been forced to confront results that suggest Massachusetts votes much the way rest of the country does – blue on the edges with a big red swath in the middle. They have grappled with the possibility that the Commonwealth, until this week viewed by the much of the country as an outpost of extreme liberalism, may not be all that. And that has left them blue – in the other meaning of the word – over Martha Coakley’s defeat.
In the days since the unthinkable happened, diehard Democrats have been forced to confront results that suggest Massachusetts votes much the way rest of the country does – blue on the edges with a big red swath in the middle. They have grappled with the possibility that the Commonwealth, until this week viewed by the much of the country as an outpost of extreme liberalism, may not be all that. And that has left them blue – in the other meaning of the word – over Martha Coakley’s defeat.
Me, myself and irate
Pundette plows through President Obama's speech in Ohio Friday.
Aye-yi-yi. Or should I say I-yi-yi.
Aye-yi-yi. Or should I say I-yi-yi.
You've already had the best days of your term
Time to bring back a parody from July, when the Obama health plan was in a pickle. It's in a worse pickle now. And the best days of his term are farther and farther away.
Inspired by Kellie Pickler for "Best Days of your Life."
Cause I'll be there,
In front of your face
Reminding you of what took place
And you're going down
You've already had the best days
The best days of your term
And who's to blame?
Blame for an agenda that is floppin'
Big plans you had are stoppin'
You can't win a vote
And ain't it sad?
Think of the popularity you had
Take a look at how you thought it'd be
Your promises aren't free.
Cause I'll be there,
In front of your face
Reminding you of what took place
And you're going down
You've already had the best days
The best days of your term
And don't you know?
Know about the stories that you told me
Health care, environment you sold me
You're the ...the only one
I heard about
Yeah, CBO says your plans cost too much
Pelosi went crazy ran her mouth about me
Ain't politics funny?
Cause I'll be there,
In front of your face
Reminding you of what took place
And you're going down
You've already had the best days
The best days of your term
The election was a fairytale love
The press head-over-heels 'til governing starts
And it's just too bad you've,
already had the best days
The best days of your term
I heard you're pretty much harried
Still preaching your policy
Hoping your dreams will still come true
But I know that a schemer is always a schemer
Our blogs are hot; the Dems are through
Cause I'll be there,
In front of your face
Reminding you of what took place
And you're going down
You've already had the best days
The best days of your term
Of your term
Oh, oh yeah
You're gonna think and cry
Gonna think and cry how you lost
Oh, oh, yeah
You're to blame, you're to blame...You're to blame
The link to the video that inspired this.
Inspired by Kellie Pickler for "Best Days of your Life."
Cause I'll be there,
In front of your face
Reminding you of what took place
And you're going down
You've already had the best days
The best days of your term
And who's to blame?
Blame for an agenda that is floppin'
Big plans you had are stoppin'
You can't win a vote
And ain't it sad?
Think of the popularity you had
Take a look at how you thought it'd be
Your promises aren't free.
Cause I'll be there,
In front of your face
Reminding you of what took place
And you're going down
You've already had the best days
The best days of your term
And don't you know?
Know about the stories that you told me
Health care, environment you sold me
You're the ...the only one
I heard about
Yeah, CBO says your plans cost too much
Pelosi went crazy ran her mouth about me
Ain't politics funny?
Cause I'll be there,
In front of your face
Reminding you of what took place
And you're going down
You've already had the best days
The best days of your term
The election was a fairytale love
The press head-over-heels 'til governing starts
And it's just too bad you've,
already had the best days
The best days of your term
I heard you're pretty much harried
Still preaching your policy
Hoping your dreams will still come true
But I know that a schemer is always a schemer
Our blogs are hot; the Dems are through
Cause I'll be there,
In front of your face
Reminding you of what took place
And you're going down
You've already had the best days
The best days of your term
Of your term
Oh, oh yeah
You're gonna think and cry
Gonna think and cry how you lost
Oh, oh, yeah
You're to blame, you're to blame...You're to blame
The link to the video that inspired this.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Titanic expectations
I went back to the archives and found a post from last January. Holds up pretty well.
Thinking of the Obama administration - the last thing to launch with such great expectations was the Titanic.
Thinking of the Obama administration - the last thing to launch with such great expectations was the Titanic.
Many Democrats, many opinions
Which why should the health care reform bill go? American Spectator highlights four Democrats with four opinions.
Maybe at the State of the Union, Democrats can sit by their opinion - rush it through, wait a week, wait longer, start over and heck if I know.
Maybe at the State of the Union, Democrats can sit by their opinion - rush it through, wait a week, wait longer, start over and heck if I know.
No easy answers
Public Policy Polling looks at the Democrats' dilemma.
You wouldn't know it from reading the blogosphere but liberal Democrats are actually pretty happy with the direction of their party right now. On our most recent national poll 76% expressed that sentiment.
But those 24 percent are awfully loud.
Will being more progressive fire up the base or burn bridges?
I think it's entirely debatable whether the party has actually gone too far to the left but the perception is there- even in Massachusetts 53% of voters said Congressional Democrats were too liberal. I don't have any easy answers for how you solve that problem while also having substantive policy successes- and I don't think anyone else does either.
You wouldn't know it from reading the blogosphere but liberal Democrats are actually pretty happy with the direction of their party right now. On our most recent national poll 76% expressed that sentiment.
But those 24 percent are awfully loud.
Will being more progressive fire up the base or burn bridges?
I think it's entirely debatable whether the party has actually gone too far to the left but the perception is there- even in Massachusetts 53% of voters said Congressional Democrats were too liberal. I don't have any easy answers for how you solve that problem while also having substantive policy successes- and I don't think anyone else does either.
Time for a bombing pause on Obama?
It's been a good week for conservatives, and not so good for President Obama. How about giving him a break over the weekend?
He needs time to clear his head. Understand what's happening in the real world. Make some right decisions.
He obviously is defensive now. Besides, the left-side of the political world is whacking him pretty heavily. They are really ticked at how things are going, and how the opportunities have been blown. And they are all over the place trying to decide what to do next.
The momentum is on the conservatives' side, and Wednesday's state of the union address will offer plenty of chances to knock him around again.
If you think you'd like to take a vacation, maybe Martha Coakley can recommend some places to go and get away from it all.
He needs time to clear his head. Understand what's happening in the real world. Make some right decisions.
He obviously is defensive now. Besides, the left-side of the political world is whacking him pretty heavily. They are really ticked at how things are going, and how the opportunities have been blown. And they are all over the place trying to decide what to do next.
The momentum is on the conservatives' side, and Wednesday's state of the union address will offer plenty of chances to knock him around again.
If you think you'd like to take a vacation, maybe Martha Coakley can recommend some places to go and get away from it all.
Stacy, give up your keys
I think I've found the link between stories Stacy McCain covers and the results.
Massachusetts Senate - Da Tech Guy drives, Scott Brown wins.
College football championship - JSF drives, Alabama wins.
NY23 - Stacy drives through the mountains, Doug Hoffman loses.
Conservative candidates, if Stacy's coming your way, get him a driver.
Massachusetts Senate - Da Tech Guy drives, Scott Brown wins.
College football championship - JSF drives, Alabama wins.
NY23 - Stacy drives through the mountains, Doug Hoffman loses.
Conservative candidates, if Stacy's coming your way, get him a driver.
Democrats, remember Brown's moneybomb
The Supreme Court's ruling on campaign finance Thursday added another woe to Democrats. If corporations can give money to campaigns, they'll be overrun.
Just look back to last week. Scott Brown's internet appeals for money brought in $1.3 million Monday. I heard the average donation was $77. People, not corporations, from all across the country gave money to the cause.
The internet brought them together. That's what you've got to watch out for, not corporate money.
Just look back to last week. Scott Brown's internet appeals for money brought in $1.3 million Monday. I heard the average donation was $77. People, not corporations, from all across the country gave money to the cause.
The internet brought them together. That's what you've got to watch out for, not corporate money.
Weekend watchdog
The NFL is down to its Final Four. Two tickets for Miami will be punched Sunday.
Actually, four tickets. The losing coaches and some of their players will be at the Pro Bowl Jan. 31, when the winners arrive in town for the big game.
CBS gets the first game - Jets at Colts. The teams met in Super Bowl III and spent 32 years in the same division. Their Week 16 meeting ended the Colts' perfect season and propelled the Jets into the playoffs.
FOX closes its NFL season with the Vikings at Saints. The Saints have never been to the Super Bowl and never hosted a conference championship game. Expect the Superdome to be super-loud.
Brett Favre won his Super Bowl at the Superdome XIII years ago. The Vikings have lost their four Super Bowl trips, the last during the waning days of the Ford administration.
The college champ may be crowned, but there's still a few all-star games left to play. The East-West Shrine Game will be on ESPN2 Saturday at 3 p.m. from Orlando. Hopefully the Citrus Bowl grass will hold up this time.
If you're gearing up for the Winter Olympics, NBC has the U.S. Figure Skating championships this weekend. There's preliminary skating in the afternoon and finals Saturday and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 11.
State ACC teams will be on the TV Saturday. Virginia Tech hosts Boston College at 1:30 p.m., then Virginia goes to Wake Forest at 4 p.m. Sunday, it's Georgia Tech vs. Florida State at noon on NBC29.
CBS has a triple-header Saturday. The noon slot offers either Michigan State at Minnesota or Mississippi State vs. Alabama. At 2 p.m., it's either Ohio State-West Virginia or Oregon State-California, then 4 p.m. features Texas visiting Connecticut.
ESPN's college basketball schedule has five games on Saturday. St. John's vs. Villanova starts the day at noon, followed by Kansas at Iowa State, Michigan-Purdue and South Carolina going to Florida. Duke's trip to Clemson closes the night at 9 p.m. with the GameDay crew in town.
ESPN2 has Wofford visiting Charleston Friday, then Saturday shows at Middle Tennessee meeting Western Kentucky at 1 p.m., Maryland against N.C. State at 6 p.m. and Houston at Memphis at 8 p.m.
MASN starts Saturday with two Big East games - Rutgers at Georgetown at noon followed by DePaul-Notre Dame. Then it's CAA (George Mason at Towson), Big South (Liberty at Radford) and more CAA (James Madison vs. UNC-Wilmington).
Two more Big East games kick off Sunday's coverage - Cincinnati at Louisville at noon, then Pittsburgh at Seton Hall. Rider faces Niagara at 4 p.m.
ESPN2 has women's basketball Sunday afternoon - Michigan State at Minnesota.
ESPN's NBA doubleheader has the Lakers invading New York Friday on ESPN, followed by the Bulls at Phoenix. The Wizards host Miami Friday and then the Clippers Sunday afternoon on Comcast.
The Capitals host the Coyotes Saturday on Comcast. NBC offers a choice Sunday - Penguins at Flyers or Bruins at Hurricanes.
It's the middle of the Australian Open's two week run. Coverage on ESPN2 begins at 9 p.m. Friday, at 10 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday.
The PGA tour heads to California for the Bob Hope Classic on Golf Network. If you're disappointed with your round, you can chat up Dr. Phil or some other celebrity.
Actually, four tickets. The losing coaches and some of their players will be at the Pro Bowl Jan. 31, when the winners arrive in town for the big game.
CBS gets the first game - Jets at Colts. The teams met in Super Bowl III and spent 32 years in the same division. Their Week 16 meeting ended the Colts' perfect season and propelled the Jets into the playoffs.
FOX closes its NFL season with the Vikings at Saints. The Saints have never been to the Super Bowl and never hosted a conference championship game. Expect the Superdome to be super-loud.
Brett Favre won his Super Bowl at the Superdome XIII years ago. The Vikings have lost their four Super Bowl trips, the last during the waning days of the Ford administration.
The college champ may be crowned, but there's still a few all-star games left to play. The East-West Shrine Game will be on ESPN2 Saturday at 3 p.m. from Orlando. Hopefully the Citrus Bowl grass will hold up this time.
If you're gearing up for the Winter Olympics, NBC has the U.S. Figure Skating championships this weekend. There's preliminary skating in the afternoon and finals Saturday and Sunday from 9 p.m. to 11.
State ACC teams will be on the TV Saturday. Virginia Tech hosts Boston College at 1:30 p.m., then Virginia goes to Wake Forest at 4 p.m. Sunday, it's Georgia Tech vs. Florida State at noon on NBC29.
CBS has a triple-header Saturday. The noon slot offers either Michigan State at Minnesota or Mississippi State vs. Alabama. At 2 p.m., it's either Ohio State-West Virginia or Oregon State-California, then 4 p.m. features Texas visiting Connecticut.
ESPN's college basketball schedule has five games on Saturday. St. John's vs. Villanova starts the day at noon, followed by Kansas at Iowa State, Michigan-Purdue and South Carolina going to Florida. Duke's trip to Clemson closes the night at 9 p.m. with the GameDay crew in town.
ESPN2 has Wofford visiting Charleston Friday, then Saturday shows at Middle Tennessee meeting Western Kentucky at 1 p.m., Maryland against N.C. State at 6 p.m. and Houston at Memphis at 8 p.m.
MASN starts Saturday with two Big East games - Rutgers at Georgetown at noon followed by DePaul-Notre Dame. Then it's CAA (George Mason at Towson), Big South (Liberty at Radford) and more CAA (James Madison vs. UNC-Wilmington).
Two more Big East games kick off Sunday's coverage - Cincinnati at Louisville at noon, then Pittsburgh at Seton Hall. Rider faces Niagara at 4 p.m.
ESPN2 has women's basketball Sunday afternoon - Michigan State at Minnesota.
ESPN's NBA doubleheader has the Lakers invading New York Friday on ESPN, followed by the Bulls at Phoenix. The Wizards host Miami Friday and then the Clippers Sunday afternoon on Comcast.
The Capitals host the Coyotes Saturday on Comcast. NBC offers a choice Sunday - Penguins at Flyers or Bruins at Hurricanes.
It's the middle of the Australian Open's two week run. Coverage on ESPN2 begins at 9 p.m. Friday, at 10 p.m. Saturday and 7 p.m. Sunday.
The PGA tour heads to California for the Bob Hope Classic on Golf Network. If you're disappointed with your round, you can chat up Dr. Phil or some other celebrity.
Mystique fading
Via Lucianne, a look at how the Massachusetts loss harms the Obama mystique.
A final point: this must also mark the end of conservative defeatism. Obama is no longer a mystery, no longer an invulnerable figure, no longer the favorite of destiny.
He is the master of a party of thieves, loons, and hustlers. A party that has tossed away its mandate in less than a year's time, a party with no Plan B, with no ideas and no useful tradition, a party that feeds off fantasy, with nothing to serve it but the husk of an ideology dead for generations. They are easy targets, from Obama on down, and there is no excuse for holding back.
A final point: this must also mark the end of conservative defeatism. Obama is no longer a mystery, no longer an invulnerable figure, no longer the favorite of destiny.
He is the master of a party of thieves, loons, and hustlers. A party that has tossed away its mandate in less than a year's time, a party with no Plan B, with no ideas and no useful tradition, a party that feeds off fantasy, with nothing to serve it but the husk of an ideology dead for generations. They are easy targets, from Obama on down, and there is no excuse for holding back.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
From the Sheeple People
Carol at No Sheeples Here has decided to set up a separate blog featuring her photoshop work.
Why?
Because she's wise 'er. (Carol, not Sotomayor).
Generic newsgathering
Listening to a liberal show this morning, a caller mentioned generic drugs as a way to cut health care costs. Whether or not it will work, how about extending generics to other areas?
Newspapers are losing money. How about generic reporters instead of staff? Using bloggers to fill the news hole would be cheaper.
Instead of sending their own reporters to NFL games, find a fan who would gladly pay for the chance to go to games.
NBC is losing money, especially after spending $45 million to buy out Conan O'Brien's contract. How much money do Brian Williams, Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow cost? Use generics. Check youtube, or get some bloggers to rant for much lower costs.
Use of generics could extend to government. Part of California's budget woes is the high cost of employee salaries and payments to retirees. Instead of union members, fill the jobs with generics. See if we can tell the difference.
And how about generic political consultants? Plenty of bloggers have good ideas about political campaigns. Btw, high-price professional political consultants didn't do Martha Coakley much good.
Newspapers are losing money. How about generic reporters instead of staff? Using bloggers to fill the news hole would be cheaper.
Instead of sending their own reporters to NFL games, find a fan who would gladly pay for the chance to go to games.
NBC is losing money, especially after spending $45 million to buy out Conan O'Brien's contract. How much money do Brian Williams, Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow cost? Use generics. Check youtube, or get some bloggers to rant for much lower costs.
Use of generics could extend to government. Part of California's budget woes is the high cost of employee salaries and payments to retirees. Instead of union members, fill the jobs with generics. See if we can tell the difference.
And how about generic political consultants? Plenty of bloggers have good ideas about political campaigns. Btw, high-price professional political consultants didn't do Martha Coakley much good.
Rest stops return
Last weekend, the boys wanted to take the dog along to visit their grandparents. I was really happy to see rest stops on the way.
The dog didn't start out the trip very happy. So we stopped at the rest stop south of exit 200 on I-81. She was so happy there in the pet rest area. It's an all-you-can-sniff buffet for dogs.
She was fine until we got to the West Virginia border. Good stop there. She did get sick in the mountains of far southwest West Virginia, but it's probably just we gave her too many treats.
On the trip home, a stop at the Virginia welcome center.
Those rest stops come in handy, and I'm sure truckers will be glad to see 19 Virginia rest stops reopen this spring. Dogs and their owners are dog-gone happy.
The dog didn't start out the trip very happy. So we stopped at the rest stop south of exit 200 on I-81. She was so happy there in the pet rest area. It's an all-you-can-sniff buffet for dogs.
She was fine until we got to the West Virginia border. Good stop there. She did get sick in the mountains of far southwest West Virginia, but it's probably just we gave her too many treats.
On the trip home, a stop at the Virginia welcome center.
Those rest stops come in handy, and I'm sure truckers will be glad to see 19 Virginia rest stops reopen this spring. Dogs and their owners are dog-gone happy.
Lost and the State of the Union
President Obama will deliver his State of the Union address next Wednesday. He considered a date the following week, but ABC will be starting the final season of "Lost" and fans didn't want it to be pre-empted.
After the Massachusetts' vote, Obama may be Lost. We'll know more in a few days.
I liked this comment.
I usually hate having to watch the State of the Union speech, but the one President Obama will deliver next Wednesday is must-see TV. If we get more of the failure-of-the-last-eight-years rhetoric, Obama’s political capital — already severely depleted — will be gone. If he acknowledges that he blew it in his first year and will mend his ways, the American people — a forgiving group — will give him another chance.
After the Massachusetts' vote, Obama may be Lost. We'll know more in a few days.
I liked this comment.
I usually hate having to watch the State of the Union speech, but the one President Obama will deliver next Wednesday is must-see TV. If we get more of the failure-of-the-last-eight-years rhetoric, Obama’s political capital — already severely depleted — will be gone. If he acknowledges that he blew it in his first year and will mend his ways, the American people — a forgiving group — will give him another chance.
You're the big we're afraid of
In the battle of big business or big government (who's to blame for our current economy), here's a thought for President Obama.
You are the big we are afraid of.
You are the big we are afraid of.
View from the suburbs
There's an excellent article on the suburbs at American.com. I saw a link at Pundit and Pundette, but it's sure to be all over the place.
Much of it talking about the anti-suburb bias of the current government, but it ends with the likely solution - technology. Like the computer I'm blogging on.
Oddly, despite these tremendous potential environmental benefits, the shift toward cyberspace has elicited little support from smart-growth advocates. Indeed most reports on density and greenhouse gases virtually ignore the consideration of telecommuting and dispersed work.
One reason may be that telecommuting breaks with the prevailing planning and green narratives by making dispersion more feasible. The ability to work full time or part time from home, notes one planning expert, expands metropolitan “commuter sheds” to areas well outside their traditional limits. In exchange for a rural or exurban lifestyle, this new commuter—who may go in to “work” only one or two days a week—will endure the periodic extra long trip to the office.
Yet although it may offend planning sensibilities, the potential energy savings—particularly in vehicle miles traveled—could be enormous. Telecommuters drive less, naturally; on telecommuting days, average vehicle miles are between 53 percent and 77 percent lower. Overall a 10 percent increase in telecommuting over the next decade will reduce 45 million tons of greenhouse gases, while also dramatically cutting office construction and energy use. Only an almost impossibly large shift to mass transit could produce comparable savings.
Ultimately, technology will undermine much of the green case against suburbia. If we really want to bring about a greener era, focusing attention on low-density enclaves would bring change that conforms to the preferences of the vast majority of people.
Much of it talking about the anti-suburb bias of the current government, but it ends with the likely solution - technology. Like the computer I'm blogging on.
Oddly, despite these tremendous potential environmental benefits, the shift toward cyberspace has elicited little support from smart-growth advocates. Indeed most reports on density and greenhouse gases virtually ignore the consideration of telecommuting and dispersed work.
One reason may be that telecommuting breaks with the prevailing planning and green narratives by making dispersion more feasible. The ability to work full time or part time from home, notes one planning expert, expands metropolitan “commuter sheds” to areas well outside their traditional limits. In exchange for a rural or exurban lifestyle, this new commuter—who may go in to “work” only one or two days a week—will endure the periodic extra long trip to the office.
Yet although it may offend planning sensibilities, the potential energy savings—particularly in vehicle miles traveled—could be enormous. Telecommuters drive less, naturally; on telecommuting days, average vehicle miles are between 53 percent and 77 percent lower. Overall a 10 percent increase in telecommuting over the next decade will reduce 45 million tons of greenhouse gases, while also dramatically cutting office construction and energy use. Only an almost impossibly large shift to mass transit could produce comparable savings.
Ultimately, technology will undermine much of the green case against suburbia. If we really want to bring about a greener era, focusing attention on low-density enclaves would bring change that conforms to the preferences of the vast majority of people.
Good morning, Democrats
Democrats, I'm sure you're not feeling good after the Massachusetts Senate results.
Then, you wake up Thursday to see a John Edwards story on the Today Show. "Yes, that's my little girl. The one I denied for two years."
Wonder what Friday's going to bring?
Then, you wake up Thursday to see a John Edwards story on the Today Show. "Yes, that's my little girl. The one I denied for two years."
Wonder what Friday's going to bring?
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Jackpot winner
Iowahawk asked his readers to write their own 30 second ad for the Massachusetts special election. Then he awards the prize to a ringer.
Please don't throw your Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.
Please don't throw your Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.
Taking the pop out of Obama populism
NRO's Campaign Spot looks at Democratic populism.
Democratic Establishment: We know you're angry, and we share that anger! We're mad as hell at the fat cats, the Wall Street bankers, and the big corporations!
Voters: Actually, we're angry at you.
Democratic Establishment: We know you're angry, and we share that anger! We're mad as hell at the fat cats, the Wall Street bankers, and the big corporations!
Voters: Actually, we're angry at you.
Blogger hospitality
I checked out DaTech Guy's blog this evening, looking for final updates on the Scott Brown victory.
There's an interesting story there - Goldilocks and the three bloggers.
There's an interesting story there - Goldilocks and the three bloggers.
Hey rookie, you've done good
For some reason, Instapundit links the Law Prof traffic rankings.
Who's the rookie of the year? William Jacobson's Legal Insurrection, debuting at No. 9.
Give us another big election somewhere near Cornell, and who knows how high he'll go.
Who's the rookie of the year? William Jacobson's Legal Insurrection, debuting at No. 9.
Give us another big election somewhere near Cornell, and who knows how high he'll go.
Roundup time
SWACgirl collects the thoughts of conservative bloggers in Virginia.
Don Surber has the thoughts of lefties across the nation.
Nice work by both. Surber deserves combat pay for his effort.
Don Surber has the thoughts of lefties across the nation.
Nice work by both. Surber deserves combat pay for his effort.
Happy now, Conor?
Two weeks ago, Instapundit linked a criticism from Conor Friedersdorf about the lack of lengthy analysis on the Instapundit site.
I just checked, and there's five paragraphs about the Massachusetts special election and what it means.
Hope that satisfies Conor. Maybe he can check Instapundit's traffic from Tuesday to see he's pretty influential.
I just checked, and there's five paragraphs about the Massachusetts special election and what it means.
Hope that satisfies Conor. Maybe he can check Instapundit's traffic from Tuesday to see he's pretty influential.
Mr. President, we won
Lyflines from Massachusetts caught the mood Tuesday night.
h/t Instapundit
He also adds background on the Senate replacement switch that led to a January special election.
h/t Instapundit
He also adds background on the Senate replacement switch that led to a January special election.
1-5 right, 6-10 not so much
Blue Virginia has 10 reasons Scott Brown won in Massachusetts.
The first five reasons seem based in reality.
The second five? Wishful progressive thinking.
Virginia. New Jersey. Massachusetts. How many more defeats do Democrats need?
If the people see government as the problem, the party of government will suffer. If politicians need to pull together diverse parties for their coalition, those parties can pull apart.
If progressives keep pulling their way, the Democratic coalition will fall apart instead of coming together. Sorry, but that's the way it is.
The first five reasons seem based in reality.
The second five? Wishful progressive thinking.
Virginia. New Jersey. Massachusetts. How many more defeats do Democrats need?
If the people see government as the problem, the party of government will suffer. If politicians need to pull together diverse parties for their coalition, those parties can pull apart.
If progressives keep pulling their way, the Democratic coalition will fall apart instead of coming together. Sorry, but that's the way it is.
Scott Brown as Indiana Jones
After listening to reports Democrats are going to try more and more intricate tricks to get health care reform passed, I thought of this clip from Indiana Jones.
It's nice to have all the flashy, threatening moves that look tough. It was better to have a gun.
It's nice to have all the flashy, threatening moves that look tough. It was better to have a gun.
Barack will require you to work
What direction will President Obama take now that Scott Brown is Senator-elect in Massachusetts?
I thought it was a good time to remember Michelle Obama's campaign speech. About a minute in, there's the famous line "Barack will require you to work."
Obama administration, the grassroots have risen up. They took your wife's advice and took it in an entirely different direction.
Who are you going to follow, the old Washington guard or the people?
I thought it was a good time to remember Michelle Obama's campaign speech. About a minute in, there's the famous line "Barack will require you to work."
Obama administration, the grassroots have risen up. They took your wife's advice and took it in an entirely different direction.
Who are you going to follow, the old Washington guard or the people?
It had to be said
American Spectator's Wlady Pleszczynski brings back a phrase.
Heckuva job, Brownie.
Heckuva job, Brownie.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Waiting for an apology for Creigh Deeds
Answer: Martha Coakley and Jon Corzine
Question: Who are two Democratic losers not named Creigh Deeds?
For all the bashing of Deeds for losing the Virginia gubernatorial race, he didn't cost Democratic New Jersey or the Massachusetts Senate seat also. He didn't have a memo leaked on election day trying to blame others for his loss.
Are the Democrats just having a bad run of luck with bad candidates, or something else?
Deeds may not have run the best campaign in 2009, but he's not the only dumped Democrat. He may be history, but history will look better on him as the Democratic toll rises.
Question: Who are two Democratic losers not named Creigh Deeds?
For all the bashing of Deeds for losing the Virginia gubernatorial race, he didn't cost Democratic New Jersey or the Massachusetts Senate seat also. He didn't have a memo leaked on election day trying to blame others for his loss.
Are the Democrats just having a bad run of luck with bad candidates, or something else?
Deeds may not have run the best campaign in 2009, but he's not the only dumped Democrat. He may be history, but history will look better on him as the Democratic toll rises.
Recon-silly-ation
Is reconciliation the way for Democrats to go now on health care reform? No, unless they never want to have power again.
They need to learn from the lessons of Massachusetts. Changing the rules to whatever benefits you at the moment doesn't work in the long run.
Massachusetts changed the law on replacing Senators in 2004 when a Republican was governor, and changed it back after Ted Kennedy died since a Democrat is governor. They got a few months of senator, and Scott Brown gets the finish the final three years of the term.
I've only seen a few places emphasize the rule changes in the Massachusetts political atmosphere, but it had to be there. Especially as Democrats in Washington try to pass health care reform by giving benefits/shielding problems from their friends and family.
Using tricks like reconciliation won't make the public happier with Democrats' work. If you change the rules to keep helping your side, eventually you'll lose the power to change the rules.
Sorry you've got to start over, but the people are speaking.
They need to learn from the lessons of Massachusetts. Changing the rules to whatever benefits you at the moment doesn't work in the long run.
Massachusetts changed the law on replacing Senators in 2004 when a Republican was governor, and changed it back after Ted Kennedy died since a Democrat is governor. They got a few months of senator, and Scott Brown gets the finish the final three years of the term.
I've only seen a few places emphasize the rule changes in the Massachusetts political atmosphere, but it had to be there. Especially as Democrats in Washington try to pass health care reform by giving benefits/shielding problems from their friends and family.
Using tricks like reconciliation won't make the public happier with Democrats' work. If you change the rules to keep helping your side, eventually you'll lose the power to change the rules.
Sorry you've got to start over, but the people are speaking.
"The definition of collapse"
Frank Luntz can't find enough supporters to balance his focus group for Tuesday night TV.
“They don’t want to be on television defending Martha Coakley. It’s passé. It’s socially unacceptable. I never dreamed I’d see Democrats in Massachusetts embarrassed to admit they’re Democrats.”
Looks like Martha Coakley's campaign for Teddy Kennedy's Senate seat sank just like Kennedy's car sank at Chappaquiddick in 1969.
“They don’t want to be on television defending Martha Coakley. It’s passé. It’s socially unacceptable. I never dreamed I’d see Democrats in Massachusetts embarrassed to admit they’re Democrats.”
Looks like Martha Coakley's campaign for Teddy Kennedy's Senate seat sank just like Kennedy's car sank at Chappaquiddick in 1969.
Hey, Mr. Axelrod
Obama adviser David Axelrod said he wishes that the White House had been asked earlier, so more could have been done for embattled Democratic Senate candidate Martha Coakley in Massachusetts.
Hey, Mr. Axelrod, on November 2 there will be elections. All across the country.
Just to let you know. So you can make plans.
Because someone thinks the November election will be hell for Democrats.
Hey, Mr. Axelrod, on November 2 there will be elections. All across the country.
Just to let you know. So you can make plans.
Because someone thinks the November election will be hell for Democrats.
Enthusiasm canyon
Enough talk about an "enthusiasm gap" about the Massachusetts special election.
Reading various sites, it's an "enthusiasm canyon." Maybe an "enthusiasm Grand Canyon."
Maybe even an "enthusiasm super big canyon on Mars."
Reading various sites, it's an "enthusiasm canyon." Maybe an "enthusiasm Grand Canyon."
Maybe even an "enthusiasm super big canyon on Mars."
Steyn approved parody
Mark Steyn highlights this parody of "Fly me to the Moon" that honors our airport security.
Hottest day ever? Who cares?
Blue Virginia reports that Saturday was the warmest day of global temperatures ever.
Don't worry. A Republican taking Ted Kennedy's Senate seat means the world is ending anyway, right?
Don't worry. A Republican taking Ted Kennedy's Senate seat means the world is ending anyway, right?
"That is huge"
The American Spectator's Prowler gets an unnamed DNC advisor to talk about Massachusetts.
"Someone on the Republican side is going to write a very popular analysis of this race that says [GOP candidate Scott] Brown cracked the code to beat us. And you know what? They might be right."
"Someone on the Republican side is going to write a very popular analysis of this race that says [GOP candidate Scott] Brown cracked the code to beat us. And you know what? They might be right."
Monday, January 18, 2010
Is it Fresno or Massachusetts?
Grandpa John liked Donald Douglas' pictures from Fresno.
Especially the vultures.
Are we sure it's Fresno?
Maybe the professor flew east and took pictures of the vultures outside Martha Coakley's campaign headquarters.
Especially the vultures.
Are we sure it's Fresno?
Maybe the professor flew east and took pictures of the vultures outside Martha Coakley's campaign headquarters.
Fun coming to D.C.
If Scott Brown wins Tuesday, the media tsunami will head south from Boston to Washington.
How long will it take Brown to get his seat in the Senate? If he's there by Friday, there's a beautiful photo op for every story on health care reform. Maybe the Republicans will find a place for him to park his bus near the Capitol. Or near wherever Harry Reid leaves the building.
Will he be seated in time for President Obama's State of the Union address?
Whatever it is, a Brown win means the fun will continue.
How long will it take Brown to get his seat in the Senate? If he's there by Friday, there's a beautiful photo op for every story on health care reform. Maybe the Republicans will find a place for him to park his bus near the Capitol. Or near wherever Harry Reid leaves the building.
Will he be seated in time for President Obama's State of the Union address?
Whatever it is, a Brown win means the fun will continue.
Teabagger anthem
Could Scott Brown pull off the first major tea party electoral victory? Maybe "teabagger" will go from being an insult to a word that strikes fear in the hearts of Democrats.
Time to pull out my song parody of the Monkees' "I'm a Believer."
Here's "I'm a teabagger."
I didn't fall
for ol' Obama's fairy-tales
Tax hikes for just a few
but not for me
Spending out of control
That's the way it seemed
Didn't want to see the end of all my dreams
When I saw his plan,
now I'm a teabagger
Not a chance I'll fall for his talk
Say it proud, I'm a teabagger! You can't fool me tho' you try
I know government needs taxes to run things
Seems the more I paid, the more they want.
What's the use in whinin'?
Taxpayers get the blame
But I need some relief from his pain
Then I saw my friends
now I'm a teabagger
Not a chance we'll fall for his talk
Say it proud, I'm a teabagger! You can't fool us tho' you try
Spending out of control,
That's the way it seemed
Didn't want to see the end of all our dreams
Yes, we saw his plan
now we're all teabaggers
Not a chance we'll for his talk
Say it proud, I'm a teabagger! You can't fool us tho' you try
Yes, I saw his plan
now I'm a teabagger
Not a chance we'll fall for his talk
Say it proud, I'm a teabagger! Yeah, I'm a teabagger. Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea I'm a teabagger.
And the inspiration
Time to pull out my song parody of the Monkees' "I'm a Believer."
Here's "I'm a teabagger."
I didn't fall
for ol' Obama's fairy-tales
Tax hikes for just a few
but not for me
Spending out of control
That's the way it seemed
Didn't want to see the end of all my dreams
When I saw his plan,
now I'm a teabagger
Not a chance I'll fall for his talk
Say it proud, I'm a teabagger! You can't fool me tho' you try
I know government needs taxes to run things
Seems the more I paid, the more they want.
What's the use in whinin'?
Taxpayers get the blame
But I need some relief from his pain
Then I saw my friends
now I'm a teabagger
Not a chance we'll fall for his talk
Say it proud, I'm a teabagger! You can't fool us tho' you try
Spending out of control,
That's the way it seemed
Didn't want to see the end of all our dreams
Yes, we saw his plan
now we're all teabaggers
Not a chance we'll for his talk
Say it proud, I'm a teabagger! You can't fool us tho' you try
Yes, I saw his plan
now I'm a teabagger
Not a chance we'll fall for his talk
Say it proud, I'm a teabagger! Yeah, I'm a teabagger. Yea, yea, yea, yea, yea I'm a teabagger.
And the inspiration
Best of Massachusetts
The Wall Street Journal's Best of the Web focuses on the Massachusetts special election.
I really like this bit about Martha Coakley's confusion about Curt Schilling.
Local celebrities, including former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, former football star Doug Flutie and actor John Ratzenberger (Cliff Clavin in Boston-based Cheers), worked the crowd before Mr. Brown took the stage. It was the biggest campaign event yet.
If Coakley came face to face with Ratzenberger, she would probably greet him with a sarcastic "Hello, Newman."
I really like this bit about Martha Coakley's confusion about Curt Schilling.
Local celebrities, including former Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, former football star Doug Flutie and actor John Ratzenberger (Cliff Clavin in Boston-based Cheers), worked the crowd before Mr. Brown took the stage. It was the biggest campaign event yet.
If Coakley came face to face with Ratzenberger, she would probably greet him with a sarcastic "Hello, Newman."
Bad 24 news
NRO's Corner ran a roundup of Sunday's 24. And included a link to blogs.4bauer.com.
And news that John Edwards is looking forward to the new season.
At least there's a good photoshop of Edwards to check out.
And news that John Edwards is looking forward to the new season.
At least there's a good photoshop of Edwards to check out.
Hindenburg crashing into the Titanic
Michael Graham gives his opinion of Martha Coakley's campaign effort.
In the Democratic primary, Coakley ran on the one thing she couldn’t get wrong: being a woman. It’s been downhill ever since.
Right after losing the primary, Rep. Michael Capuano was asked what he learned on the campaign trail. “You’re screwed,” he told his Democratic colleagues. Everyone wondered what he meant. Now we know.
In the Democratic primary, Coakley ran on the one thing she couldn’t get wrong: being a woman. It’s been downhill ever since.
Right after losing the primary, Rep. Michael Capuano was asked what he learned on the campaign trail. “You’re screwed,” he told his Democratic colleagues. Everyone wondered what he meant. Now we know.
View from a rally
DaTech Guy reports from outside President Obama's rally Sunday, where Scott Brown supporters met Obama supporters who could not get in the venue.
The Gadsden flag was flying, something a Democrat confused with the confederate flag.
This was consistent with the current campaign situation where ad after ad had bashed Brown with the zeal and accuracy of a jihadi denouncing the State of Israel. The Coakley supporters were not happy and felt cheated out of their rightful victory.
The Gadsden flag was flying, something a Democrat confused with the confederate flag.
This was consistent with the current campaign situation where ad after ad had bashed Brown with the zeal and accuracy of a jihadi denouncing the State of Israel. The Coakley supporters were not happy and felt cheated out of their rightful victory.
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Lesson from 24
The first hour of "24" is done.
Here's the lesson - If Jack Bauer asks you for some information, tell him. You'll be dead within the hour if you don't tell.
Here's the lesson - If Jack Bauer asks you for some information, tell him. You'll be dead within the hour if you don't tell.
"Panicky White House"
Associated Press has the phrase about the White House and health care reform.
Win or lose in Massachusetts Tuesday, that sure doesn't sound good for President Obama.
Win or lose in Massachusetts Tuesday, that sure doesn't sound good for President Obama.
Drop an anchor on your pointy head
Poor Blue Virginia. The governor's mansion changes hands and it's time for "woe is us progressive pieces."
The other day, it's about Virginia being "ungovernable." Sunday, it's about an anchor - conservatives have all the advantages (money and fooling the people that they too could be rich).
We're right, but we just can't win.
Sorry progressives. Did you miss the stories last week about health care reform? Let's make it so our union friends aren't hurt. What about the rest of the world?
Democratic Senate candidate Martha Coakley talks about taking on the bad contractors from the Big Dig. Who hired those contractors? Government. Cleaning up your own messes doesn't count as helping the world.
You dislike big business. But big government appears to be the bigger problem. And a bigger percent of the population see that.
The other day, it's about Virginia being "ungovernable." Sunday, it's about an anchor - conservatives have all the advantages (money and fooling the people that they too could be rich).
We're right, but we just can't win.
Sorry progressives. Did you miss the stories last week about health care reform? Let's make it so our union friends aren't hurt. What about the rest of the world?
Democratic Senate candidate Martha Coakley talks about taking on the bad contractors from the Big Dig. Who hired those contractors? Government. Cleaning up your own messes doesn't count as helping the world.
You dislike big business. But big government appears to be the bigger problem. And a bigger percent of the population see that.
Ready to explode
Two more days until the Massachusetts special election. Is this the real victory or just another close tease?
And the question of which Democrats to blame for the close election
Doug Hoffman came close in NY23 in November. That loss obviously didn't dim the enthusiasm of conser
vatives.
Interesting note from Michael Graham in Boston, along with this photo.
Jules Crittenden sees some of the same things on his Saturday trip.
vatives.Interesting note from Michael Graham in Boston, along with this photo.
And the question of which Democrats to blame for the close election
Free money, jewels. Right, America?
If Scott Brown wins the Massachusetts special election, how will Democrats get health care reform through? Bribes? You got any better ideas?
The race to replace the late Teddy Kennedy dominates the weekly roundup.
The Other McCain took the train and holds Martha Coakley in disdain.
Wyblog keeps an eye on Massachusetts in his roundup.
DaTech Guy opened up his house to reporters working on the race.
American Glob has the pictures to prove who's there in the Bay State.
Carol tries a new kind of roundup.
Pundette knows real Red Sox.
Pat highlights Bride of Rove while preparing her roundup.
With the Packers' season over, Troglopundit puts a clock to NFL games.
GrandpaJohn has an important interview.
American Power covers the latest Sarah Palin news.
Dustbury has some show ideas for NBC.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Be a model citizen, celebrate your friends and their victories.
The race to replace the late Teddy Kennedy dominates the weekly roundup.
The Other McCain took the train and holds Martha Coakley in disdain.
Wyblog keeps an eye on Massachusetts in his roundup.
DaTech Guy opened up his house to reporters working on the race.
American Glob has the pictures to prove who's there in the Bay State.
Carol tries a new kind of roundup.
Pundette knows real Red Sox.
Pat highlights Bride of Rove while preparing her roundup.
With the Packers' season over, Troglopundit puts a clock to NFL games.
GrandpaJohn has an important interview.
American Power covers the latest Sarah Palin news.
Dustbury has some show ideas for NBC.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Be a model citizen, celebrate your friends and their victories.
Time for an update
The anti-Bob McDonnell campaign website is still up and running.
Maybe they can call it "The Real Governor McDonnell" now.
Maybe they can call it "The Real Governor McDonnell" now.
Alas, the season ends
The Ravens fell to the Colts Saturday night, ending their season just too short again. How much longer can Peyton Manning play football, anyway?
The Colts have now won eight straight against Baltimore, dating back to 2002. They have not lost to the Ravens since the death of Johnny Unitas on Sept. 11, 2002.
Unitas won his Super Bowl in his 15th season with the Baltimore Colts. Manning is trying for a second Super Bowl title in his 12th season.
See you in the playoffs after the 2010 season.
The Colts have now won eight straight against Baltimore, dating back to 2002. They have not lost to the Ravens since the death of Johnny Unitas on Sept. 11, 2002.
Unitas won his Super Bowl in his 15th season with the Baltimore Colts. Manning is trying for a second Super Bowl title in his 12th season.
See you in the playoffs after the 2010 season.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
"Let them join unions"
1790s France
"The people are angry because they have no bread."
The Queen - "Let them eat cake."
2010 United States
"The people are upset with this health care reform bill."
Democrats - "Let them join unions."
"The people are angry because they have no bread."
The Queen - "Let them eat cake."
2010 United States
"The people are upset with this health care reform bill."
Democrats - "Let them join unions."
Trying to improve on Trog's work
Troglopundit's photo of George W. Bush has gotten good play the last few months. While visiting my in-laws, I found something that may extend the life of this meme.
My father-in-law loves going to flea markets. He picked up this doll of Bush in his aviator suit (the left's favorite look for Bush) before the 2004 election. He has a doll of John Kerry, too , but only Bush watches over the living room.
Energy poem
Visiting the West Virginia coalfields this weekend (no computer at my in-laws. the horror), I was inspired to write a little energy poem. Maybe the kids can learn this at school.
When the sun doesn't shine
or the wind doesn't blow
We still need coal, gas and oil
to make the world go.
When the sun doesn't shine
or the wind doesn't blow
We still need coal, gas and oil
to make the world go.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Let's bill Bin Laden
White House advisor David Axelrod takes on Karl Rove and plays the "deficit blame" game.
Turns out the deficit isn't just the shortfall between income and spending. It's the difference between the 10-year estimated surplus in 2000 and current spending.
What happened after those rosy estimates were made? The dot-com bubble burst. And 9/11.
The good estimates were gone by the time George W. Bush got into the White House. At least being revised downward. And the terror attacks didn't help.
It's nice to know the 10-year numbers from 2000. Mostly because it's the 10-year numbers on this health care bill that have many Americans scared to death. (not the 10 years of taxing, seven years of spending numbers).
If you'd like health care reform, ask Osama bin Laden to pay his fair share - for the costs of dealing with him.
btw, one day a Republican political consulant will get his candidate into the White House. Doubt Axelrod would like to be pushed aside the way he'd ignore Rove.
Turns out the deficit isn't just the shortfall between income and spending. It's the difference between the 10-year estimated surplus in 2000 and current spending.
What happened after those rosy estimates were made? The dot-com bubble burst. And 9/11.
The good estimates were gone by the time George W. Bush got into the White House. At least being revised downward. And the terror attacks didn't help.
It's nice to know the 10-year numbers from 2000. Mostly because it's the 10-year numbers on this health care bill that have many Americans scared to death. (not the 10 years of taxing, seven years of spending numbers).
If you'd like health care reform, ask Osama bin Laden to pay his fair share - for the costs of dealing with him.
btw, one day a Republican political consulant will get his candidate into the White House. Doubt Axelrod would like to be pushed aside the way he'd ignore Rove.
Snow plus 28 days
It's finally getting warm enough to melt the remaining snow. And let the boys visit their grandparents in West Virginia this weekend.
Weekend watchdog
You know Chris Berman's happy this week. He just loves this NFL weekend.
Four games.
Best four teams of the regular season hosting.
Winners move one step closer to the Super Bowl.
The highlight game - Baltimore at the Colts (Saturday at 8 p.m.). The last time the Super Bowl was played in South Florida, these teams met in this round. The road team (the Colts) won that meeting en route to their Super Bowl XLI championship.
I think it would be nice for the road team to win Saturday and send the Ravens on their way to Super Bowl XLIV.
The NFL weekend starts on FOX Saturday at 4:30 p.m., when NFC top-seed New Orleans faces Arizona. The Cardinals were part of the highest-scoring postseason game last week, and the Saints hope to resume the offensive firepower that gave them a 13-0 record to start the season.
Sunday, FOX has the early game as Dallas takes on Minnesota. Tony Romo vs. Brett Favre. Romo finally got his playoff win last week, and Favre keeps coming back in hopes of winning one more Super Bowl.
CBS has the final game of the weekend, with the New York Jets visiting San Diego. The Chargers ended the season with 11 straight wins. If the Jets and Ravens both win, then there's one more game at the Meadowlands.
Going indoors, the ACC has a pair of college basketball contests on the air Saturday - Clemson at N.C. State at noon, and Maryland-Boston College at 4 p.m.
CBS hangs in Michigan for its college basketball coverage, showing Illinois visiting Michigan State Saturday and UConn vs. the Wolverines Sunday.
The ESPN Saturday slate starts at noon on ESPN with Syracuse visiting West Virginia, then North Carolina-Georgia Tech. ESPN2 has five games, starting at 11 a.m. with Dayton at Xavier. The day concludes at 9 p.m. with Prairie View A&M at Jackson State.
MASN's college basketball schedule starts at noon Saturday when they show Louisville-Pittsburgh. There's Oklahoma State vs. Baylor at 4 p.m. and UNC-Asheville taking on Liberty at 7 p.m.
Sunday there's three Big East games, starting with Georgetown at Villanova at noon. DePaul meets St. John's at 2 p.m., followed by Providence at Marquette.
Comcast offers James Madison hosting George Mason at 2 p.m. Saturday. Then it's LaSalle-Richmond and Virginia Tech against Florida State on Comcast-plus.
Sunday night, Wake Forest takes on Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Going up against the NFL playoffs Saturday night, ESPN decides to show the big women's basketball matchup between No. 3 Notre Dame and No. 1 Connecticut.
MASN has Big East women's basketball Saturday - Louisville at Georgetown at 2 p.m. Comcast features the Maryland women at North Carolina Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
ESPN's Friday NBA doubleheader features Phoenix at Atlanta early and Orlando's visit to Portland in the nightcap. The Wizards travel to Chicago Friday, then start a four-game homestand Saturday against Sacramento on Comcast.
The Capitals host the Maple Leafs Friday and Flyers Sunday afternoon on Comcast. NBC's regular season NHL coverage begins Sunday with the Blackhawks visiting Detroit.
The PGA tour has another event on Golf Network, the Sony Open.
The Australian Open begins its two-week run Sunday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
Four games.
Best four teams of the regular season hosting.
Winners move one step closer to the Super Bowl.
The highlight game - Baltimore at the Colts (Saturday at 8 p.m.). The last time the Super Bowl was played in South Florida, these teams met in this round. The road team (the Colts) won that meeting en route to their Super Bowl XLI championship.
I think it would be nice for the road team to win Saturday and send the Ravens on their way to Super Bowl XLIV.
The NFL weekend starts on FOX Saturday at 4:30 p.m., when NFC top-seed New Orleans faces Arizona. The Cardinals were part of the highest-scoring postseason game last week, and the Saints hope to resume the offensive firepower that gave them a 13-0 record to start the season.
Sunday, FOX has the early game as Dallas takes on Minnesota. Tony Romo vs. Brett Favre. Romo finally got his playoff win last week, and Favre keeps coming back in hopes of winning one more Super Bowl.
CBS has the final game of the weekend, with the New York Jets visiting San Diego. The Chargers ended the season with 11 straight wins. If the Jets and Ravens both win, then there's one more game at the Meadowlands.
Going indoors, the ACC has a pair of college basketball contests on the air Saturday - Clemson at N.C. State at noon, and Maryland-Boston College at 4 p.m.
CBS hangs in Michigan for its college basketball coverage, showing Illinois visiting Michigan State Saturday and UConn vs. the Wolverines Sunday.
The ESPN Saturday slate starts at noon on ESPN with Syracuse visiting West Virginia, then North Carolina-Georgia Tech. ESPN2 has five games, starting at 11 a.m. with Dayton at Xavier. The day concludes at 9 p.m. with Prairie View A&M at Jackson State.
MASN's college basketball schedule starts at noon Saturday when they show Louisville-Pittsburgh. There's Oklahoma State vs. Baylor at 4 p.m. and UNC-Asheville taking on Liberty at 7 p.m.
Sunday there's three Big East games, starting with Georgetown at Villanova at noon. DePaul meets St. John's at 2 p.m., followed by Providence at Marquette.
Comcast offers James Madison hosting George Mason at 2 p.m. Saturday. Then it's LaSalle-Richmond and Virginia Tech against Florida State on Comcast-plus.
Sunday night, Wake Forest takes on Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Going up against the NFL playoffs Saturday night, ESPN decides to show the big women's basketball matchup between No. 3 Notre Dame and No. 1 Connecticut.
MASN has Big East women's basketball Saturday - Louisville at Georgetown at 2 p.m. Comcast features the Maryland women at North Carolina Sunday at 5:30 p.m.
ESPN's Friday NBA doubleheader features Phoenix at Atlanta early and Orlando's visit to Portland in the nightcap. The Wizards travel to Chicago Friday, then start a four-game homestand Saturday against Sacramento on Comcast.
The Capitals host the Maple Leafs Friday and Flyers Sunday afternoon on Comcast. NBC's regular season NHL coverage begins Sunday with the Blackhawks visiting Detroit.
The PGA tour has another event on Golf Network, the Sony Open.
The Australian Open begins its two-week run Sunday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
"Bill Buckner" for Scott Brown
Iowahawk weighs in on the Massachusetts Senate race.
Coming this fall, "Steve Bartman" for any Illinois Republican.
Coming this fall, "Steve Bartman" for any Illinois Republican.
Know your special elections
We had the special election in NY23 in November, and now it's time for the race for the Massachusetts Senate seat. Are the ingredients in place?
Conservative enthusiasm? Check
Weekly Standard's John McCormack tussle with a candidate's posse? Check
Stacy McCain on the ground? Check
Hoping for better results on Tuesday.
Conservative enthusiasm? Check
Weekly Standard's John McCormack tussle with a candidate's posse? Check
Stacy McCain on the ground? Check
Hoping for better results on Tuesday.
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