Better than House of Cards

The Netflix series about the presidency - House of Cards - will be releasing its next season Friday.
Whatever they thought up for 13 episodes, will it match the Republican primary?
Doubtful.
Time to get some rest before Virginia polls open at 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Why you dislike Trump

Lots of anti-Trump online this weekend.
Boil them down to three categories.

• You don't like the way he acts toward the Republican party.
• You don't like his style - too vulgar.
• You don't know what he'll do as president.

All good questions.
The trouble is, others don't share those concerns.
And there's more of them then there are of you.
Trump supporters look at Trump - then look at our current situation.
And they like his chances.
Many have been invested in him for months, so no amount of last minute attacks will sway them.
You've got to give Trump credit.
Sure, he started with a big headstart due to his dad's money. But he didn't waste that.
He built upon it in his business empire, enough to be ready for this election season.
And he found a way for his style to fit the current unhappiness of the electorate.
How will the next eight months go?
Likely a wild ride.

Scott Walker warned you

For those wailing and gnashing their teeth over Donald Trump's lead, you were warned.
In September.
When Scott Walker dropped out.
In September, you could have done something about Trump.
End of February is too late.
The Trump train is pulling out of the station.

Enjoying the Trump debate

Four days until Super Tuesday.
We have politicians starting to endorse Donald Trump.
Pundits upset with those politicians.
Posts and columns of why people shouldn't support Trump.
Along with columns explaining why many do.
There's much unknown about the next eight months.
But there's plenty we can learn from the last eight months.
Trump can never be as bad as though who disapprove of him now think.
And you have to weigh him - not against your ideal candidate - but the Democratic opponent.
We'll see what people do with that information.

Saturday song

Hey, Moe. Hey, Moe.

Facebook quote of the week

I hope legislation is enacted that requires the deportation of every idiot who proclaims that they are leaving the country if Donald Trump becomes president!

Last ditch effort

Here's news to shake up the Democratic primary race - Robert Reich has endorsed Bernie Sanders.
Just in time for Hillary Clinton to win a bunch of primaries and delegates.

Trump, Christie and Guilani

Eight years ago, former New York mayor Rudy Guiliani tried his luck at the Republican nomination.
Didn't last very long.
New Jersey governor Chris Christie tried his hand this time, and came up short.
The two elected candidates from the Big Apple struggled around the country, but not Donald Trump.
Now you can start to see Trump's team coming together.
If you thought Trump would be a lone wolf, it looks like he's pulling Northeastern Republican establishment figures into his campaign world.
Maybe he's not a loose cannon, but someone who knows how to play the game.
And play both parties.
How do you think Hillary feels watching these Big Apple heavyweights coming together against her.

Weekend watchdog

Last year, ESPN's College GameDay came to town.
A student hit a halfcourt shot during the show, but Virginia lost to Duke.
The Cavaliers would like this GameDay to end with a win, whether the student wins the money or not.
Virginia hosts conference leader North Carolina Saturday at 6:30 p.m. on ESPN, after the show packs John Paul Arena at 11 a.m.
The Cavaliers' hopes of winning the regular season title took a hit Monday with a loss at Miami. But they close the campaign with home contests with the Tar Heels and Louisville, leaving space for a spot in the top four.
Valparaiso meets Milwaukee Friday on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. then it's Rider-Monmouth.
On FoxSports1, it's Harvard taking on Yale Friday at 7 p.m.
CBS brings three contests Saturday, starting with Butler-Georgetown at noon. Texas takes on Oklahoma at 2 p.m. followed by Vanderbilt-Kentucky. Duke duels with Pittsburgh Sunday 2 p.m. and it's Iowa-Ohio State at 4 p.m.
Top-ranked Villanova visits Marquette on Fox Saturday at 2 p.m., then it's out west for UCLA against Stanford at 4:30 p.m.
The ACC network offers North Carolina State against Syracuse Saturday at 2 p.m. along with Louisville-Miami.
Kansas tangles with Texas Tech on ESPN Saturday at noon, then it's Arizona-Utah at 2 p.m. and Maryland meets Purdue at 4 p.m. Florida faces LSU at 8:30 p.m.
Seven games fill the slate on ESPN2, beginning at noon with Rhode Island-Dayton. Illinois State takes on Wichita State at 2 p.m. and it's Notre Dame-Florida State at 4 p.m. Iowa State hosts Kansas State at 6 p.m., followed by Gonzaga-BYU and Fresno State against New Mexico. The night closes at midnight with UC Davis taking on UC Irvine.
Georgia Tech battles Boston College on Comcast Saturday at noon. College of Charleston clashes with Hofstra at 4 p.m. and Richmond faces Duquesne at 6 p.m.
VCU faces George Washington on NBC Sports network Saturday at 12:30 p.m. and James Madison meets William & Mary at 2:30 p.m.
Liberty hosts Gardner-Webb on MASN Saturday at noon and Florida International faces Florida Atlantic at 2 p.m. St. Joseph's takes on St. Louis Sunday at 1 p.m., followed by Horizon League action between Illinois-Chicago and Milwaukee.
Western Kentucky battles Alabama-Birmingham Saturday at noon on MASN2.
There's a pair of Big East games on FoxSports1 Sunday, as Xavier travels to Seton Hall at 12:30 p.m. and St. John's battles Creighton at 2:30 p.m. Southern Cal takes on California at 8 p.m.
ESPN has the Bulls and Hawks Friday at 8 p.m. and Grizzlies against Lakers in the nightcap.
ABC has the Warriors' trip to Oklahoma City Saturday at 8:30 p.m.
Comcast brings Cavaliers-Wizards Sunday at 1 p.m.
On the women's court, Kentucky meets Texas A&M on ESPN Sunday at 4 p.m.
ESPN2 has a trio of games Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. with Georgia-Tennessee. Miami meets Florida State at 3 p.m. followed by Minnesota meeting Maryland.
Iowa State tangles with Oklahoma Saturday at 2:30 p.m. on MASN2. There's a pair of games Sunday, with Penn against Columbia at 3 p.m. and Rio Grand Valley against Chicago State at 5 p.m.
FoxSports1 brings Xavier-Villanova Friday at 9 p.m.
The NHL's Stadium Series heads to Colorado Saturday, as the Avalanche take on the Red Wings at Coors Field at 8 p.m.
The Capitals visit Chicago Sunday at 12:30 p.m. on NBC, after they host Minnesota Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast.
NBC Sports network has two contests Sunday, as Tampa Bay visits Boston at 6:30 p.m. before the Kings and Ducks play at 9 p.m.
On the college ice, Notre Dame hosts Boston University Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports network. Vermont meets Merrimack on MASN Friday at 8:30 p.m.
The PGA tour heads to Florida and NBC, with the Honda Classic Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. NASCAR heads to Atlanta for the weekend, with the Sprint Cup race Sunday at 1 p.m. on Fox. FoxSports1 has the Xfinity Series Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and the Truck Series goes at 4:30 p.m.
NBC Sports network has West Ham United against Sunderland Saturday at 7:45 a.m., followed by Leicester City-Norwich City. Manchester United faces Arsenal Sunday at 9:05 a.m. NBC brings Crystal Palace against West Bromwich Saturday at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.

TV stations hate him

Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free?
Donald Trump isn't buying TV ads in Super Tuesday states prior to the big day.
Doesn't need to.
He's got all the coverage he needs, and has since June.
New Hampshire TV stations got rich from Jeb Bush and his SuperPac friends.
No such luck for TV stations in Super Tuesday land.
UPDATE: Linked by Dustbury.

Flyover country

DaTech Guy looks at Nevada and beyond for the Republican field.
And how the calendar favors Donald Trump.
Myth #6 The Ground game

My Candidate is and remains Ted Cruz, I believe he is he best choice due to his record and he has built an impressive ground game, but when you are dealing with states where you don’t have months to campaign and voters who might not have been paying attention until the week of the primary or caucus a ground game of activists without a comparable media game is comparable to an army attacking without air cover, it’s just not enough.

 

Who can fly in and get plenty of support?
Trump, who's been doing it the whole campaign.

Trump doom and gloom

Donald Trump leads the polls.
Leads the delegate race.
Looks to take control of the race on Super Tuesday.
And it unleashes a flood of columns about how Trump will doom Republicans.
And how can you support him anyway?
Trump plays the game differently than the rest.
It doesn't mean he's doomed.
Right now, he has to beat the remaining Republican candidates.
He's done that.
In November, he'll have to beat Hillary Clinton or Bernie Sanders.
Good chance he'll do that.
The world will be different with Trump in charge.
From his businesses, he knows how to work with people.
Will political people learn how to work with him?

Problem with the theory

Before the first votes were cast in Iowa, the thought about Donald Trump was simple - he will struggle when he starts to lose.
Hasn't struggled.
Has won three of four.
Looking like lots of winning on Super Tuesday and beyond.
The theory could be tested if the voters would play along.

Be like Strom

NBC News had an interesting report on the Nightly News Wednesday.
Who should Democrats' follow in the battle to get someone on the Supreme Court?
Strom Thurmond.
That old racist.

Meep meep

DaTech Guy likes Don Surber's thoughts after Nevada.
I’m just finishing up my lead post for tomorrow on the myths that the GOP Nevada results have demolished but if you want to get down to the meat and potatoes of what’s going on in the GOP primary, you can’t do better than Don Surber post titled OK, Wile, what is your next plan to stop Trump? which concludes thus:

It is not over. He has a ceiling, right? He will lose Texas to Cruz, Florida to Rubio, Ohio to Kasich, and Mars to Carson. Trust the Establishment. All Rubio needs is $100 million more and another 100 political endorsements and everything will be just dandy. Acme Company has this guaranteed Trump Runner Elimination Ray Gun.
Meep Meep

Next

The next Republican contests are Super Tuesday, including Virginia.
I guess I'd better decide on a candidate.
I liked Scott Walker going into 2015.
When he dropped out, I didn't pick anyone.
I just knew I didn't want Jeb, because I didn't see anyway he'd beat Hillary.
Who can beat Hillary?
Trump for sure.
Cruz and Rubio would be good choices as well.
I'm on the Cruz team right now, but expect to vote for Trump in November.
2016 and 2020.

Reducing Trump's ick factor

It's going to be fun to watch Democrats panic over the rise of Donald Trump.
Look, here's two KKK guys.
You don't want to be connected with people like that, do you?
How else do you convince people to stop supporting Trump?
The more wins, the more people feel better about their Trump support.
Using political arguments hasn't worked.
The ick factor might be the only one left for Trump opponents.

What did Hillary say in her speeches

Hillary Clinton continues to withhold the transcripts of her speeches to Wall Street firms.
She thinks she's being held to a higher standard.
Okay.
All speeches were you received more than $200,000 should be released.
I will gladly provide the transcript of any speech I gave where I earned that much.
I'd probably recite the whole thing for you if you asked.
She gets the question because she's the only candidate who received so much from so few.
We'll just have to guess what she said back then.
Maybe things like -

• Wall Street is great.
• You guys make the country run.
• My party may not like business, but I sure do.

Any other ideas?
Maybe you can get six figures for a talk also.

She's just a lousy candidate

Scott Adams has a small bit of praise for Hillary Clinton - she's broken the glass ceiling.
Any doubts that people have about Clinton are related to her character and track record. Her gender isn’t even in the conversation as a potential negative.
Clinton made that happen.
She wants being a woman to boost her chances.
It's a hard boost from being such a lousy candidate.

Free college - after you graduate

Current college students are excited about Bernie Sanders talking about free college.
They need a lesson in political math.
Even if Sanders gets the nomination, gets elected and gets his plan passed by this time next year, there's no free college for what you're doing right now.
If you are a junior or senior, you will have to pay what you borrow now.
If you're a freshman or sophomore, then political reality means any plan would be phased in.
After you graduate.
And pay more of the taxes from your first job to cover Sanders' promises.
Do you think you should get your college debts forgiven?
Why?
Those of us who went to college in the 1980s didn't expect college to be free.
We counted the costs and made our college decisions based on the money we had.
Not our wishes.
So college students, work hard for Bernie.
Your younger siblings will take the free stuff.
And make you work harder.

I didn't mean what I said

Poor Joe Biden.
Someone found what he said in 1992 - an election year.
George H.W. Bush, if you have a chance to send a nominee for a Supreme Court seat, don't.
Now Biden says that doesn't mean what it sounds like.
Guess he was just flapping his gums.
Like he's been doing all his political career.

I ain't on Twitter

The Other McCain's Twitter woes continue.
Somebody thinks he was mean to them (or they lost their blanket).
If you like Twitter, their leaders are taking the fun out of it.
If it's not fun, why use it?
It's not like no one else can find a way around Twitter and get attention.

We want to stomp Hillary

Why Trump?
Why a guy who switches his opinions, and seems more liberal than conservative at times?
Because we want him to stomp Hillary and the Democrats like he did the Republican field.
Hillary's plan to win in November is simple.

• I'm a woman.
• I'll protect you from evil Republicans.

What Republican can stand up to the media and Hillary on their attacks?
Someone who's not a lockstep Republican.
How can Hillary attack Trump?
Won't be any better than the Republican field.
Hillary has switched positions over the years. If Trump has too, so what?
Where do they stand now?
What failures of Obama will Hillary try to defend?
Trump will stomp her on that.
He's led the field for seven months.
It's just over eight months until Election Day.
Did Trump give money to the Clintons and their causes through the years?
Who does that hurt in the campaign - Hillary.

Who asked Trump for money?

With Donald Trump as the Republican frontrunner, the rules have changed.
Last week, it was reported that Jeb Bush was on the phone asking for a $1 million to keep his campaign running.
Trump is a person politicians usually asked for financial help.
Who?
Will he name names?
Trump will probably keep quiet on this, to use later when the need arises.
Which Democrats will feel pressure to announce they asked him for money?
Or will they keep quiet about his candidacy, afraid he'll use their money seeking against them?

Jeb's Maginot Line

Jeb Bush is out of the race.
Unleash the flood of stories telling us why.
Politico has its piece on the blame game.
Let's go to the playbook.
On page after page kept safe in a binder, the playbook laid out a strategy for a race his advisers were certain would be played on Bush’s terms—an updated, if familiar version of previous Bush family campaigns where cash, organization and a Republican electorate ultimately committed to an electable center-right candidate would prevail.
Except the playbook had nothing to say about Trump.Those pivotal days in late August were one of the most critical inflection points for Bush’s troubled presidential campaign—the moments when Bradshaw, Kochel and Diaz might have reconsidered the assumptions made months earlier and redirected their candidate. They didn’t, because that redirection wasn’t part of the playbook.
“You cannot run a political campaign and not have the ability to adapt, to pivot,” one longtime Bush donor who has supported all five of the family’s presidential campaigns. “To sit there and say, ‘We have a book,’ just shows the immaturity."
In 1940, the French had a plan for defending against Germany.
They weren't ready for the reality of Germany's plan.
Jeb's team wasn't ready for the reality of 2016.

A stick of dynamite in Washington

Byron York talks with Trump supporters to find out their desires going forward.
"I think we need a stick of dynamite in Washington," one of Trump's supporters told me a few days ago at an event in Walterboro. "I think he's it."
Get ready for the boom.

Where we stand this morning

Jeb's run is done.
All that super PAC money went to TV ads that didn't produce votes.
Mark Steyn looks at how the outsiders stand this morning.
The difference between Trump's hijacking of the GOP primary and Sanders' attempt to do likewise to the Democrats is the difference between a fellow who means it and a guy who lacks the killer instinct.

Down memory lane

Concord University honored the men's basketball team that won its conference 25 years ago.
That team won the West Virginia Conference and advanced to the NAIA national tournament.
The current team, which won Saturday, plays in the Mountain East Conference in Division II.
As the local sports reporter, I traveled with the 1991 team in a bus to Kansas City.
Today, those players returned to their college gym with wives and children - men who did well in sports and are doing well in their lives.
It's good to relive memories of 25 years ago, and watch people making new memories.

#FreeStacy

Stacy McCain is in trouble with Twitter again.
Account suspended without notice why?
Will it quiet the Other McCain?
Not when his friends rise up in support.

Saturday song

Have the time of your life with Jennifer Warner and Bill Medley.

Facebook quote of the week

Big Bang Theory. One of my favorite shows. Hilarious and beats news and politics!!!!! Laughter is the best medicine!

Running on empty

The night before a primary isn't the best time for bad news to leak.
Do you believe Jeb Bush's money has run out?
If you're part of the team, and you know there's no money for you after Saturday, could you keep quiet?
In a big team, someone will leak.

Here's Donald

Roger L. Simon has an idea for the Trump presidency - add a talk-show to get his plans to the public.
On another extraordinary day when he was attacked by none other than Pope Francis, who evidently "doesn't love a wall" and dared to strike back, Donald Trump has once again upended traditional politics and walked off -- matador style -- with two ears and the tail.  At the end of his town hall session Thursday, the garrulous Trump had Cooper and everyone sitting there spellbound, regaling us with tales of his family life, why he has never smoked, drank or taken drugs (compare that to the Democratic Party crew), and how he preached that to his kids from early childhood (sometimes frustrating Ivanka).  Donald Trump as the family values candidate -- who'd a thunk it? But it's true.

Weekend watchdog

The last time NASCAR's Sprint Cup series hit the track, Jeff Gordon was trying to claim a final championship.
Sunday at Daytona, he'll be trying to get airtime alongside Darrell Waltrip.
The Rainbow Warrior joins the Fox broadcasting booth as the NASCAR season starts with the Great American race. Coverage begins Sunday at noon on Fox.
The season begins for the Xfinity Series Saturday at 3:30 p.m. and the Truck Series has its season opener Friday at 7:30 p.m. on FoxSports1.
The Pacers visit the Thunder on ESPN Friday at 8 p.m., with Celtics against the Jazz in the nightcap.
The Warriors and Clippers battle on ABC Saturday at 8:30 p.m., and the Cavaliers visit Oklahoma City Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The Lakers take on the Bulls Sunday at 8 p.m. on ESPN.
The Wizards face the Pistons Friday at 7 p.m. on Comcast.
Richmond takes on VCU Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN2.
CBS offers Miami-North Carolina Saturday at 1 p.m. and Maryland meets Michigan Sunday at 1 p.m.
Georgetown takes on Xavier Saturday at noon on Fox, followed by Butler-Villanova.
Virginia Tech hosts Florida State on ACC network Saturday at 3 p.m. and some areas will see Clemson-North Carolina State.
ESPN's day Saturday starts at noon with Duke-Louisville. It's off to the Big 12 at 2 p.m. for Baylor battling Texas, followed by West Virginia hosting Oklahoma. The GameDay crew catches Kentucky facing Texas A&M at 6:30 p.m., and it's the battle for the Hoosier State between Indiana and Purdue at 8:30 p.m.
Vanderbilt takes on Georgia Saturday at noon on ESPN2. Pittsburgh plays Syracuse at 2 p.m., followed by Cincinnati-Connecticut and Kansas against Kansas State at 6 p.m. Notre Dame tangles with Georgia Tech at 8 p.m. with Saint Mary's-Gonzaga in the nightcap.
Colorado clashes with UCLA on FoxSports1 Saturday at 11 p.m. Sunday at noon, Seton Hall faces St. John's.
Winthrop takes on UNC-Asheville Saturday at noon on MASN, then Florida International meets Rice. Southern Mississippi travels to Texas-San Antonio at 4 p.m. and Presbyterian plays Liberty at 7 p.m. In the Horizon League, Oakland faces Illinois-Chicago Sunday at 5 p.m.
Marquette meets DePaul on MASN2 Saturday at 2 p.m. and it's UNC-Wilmington against Charleston at 6 p.m.
The CAA fills Comcast's schedule Saturday, starting at noon when Elon visits Towson. Drexel faces William & Mary at 2 p.m. followed by Delaware-James Madison. St. Thomas Aquinas faces UDC Sunday at 5 p.m.
Dayton battles St. Bonaventure on NBC Sports network Saturday at noon, followed by St. Joseph's-Davidson.
There's three games Sunday, starting at noon with LaSalle against George Washington. Northeastern battles Hofstra at 2 p.m. before George Mason takes on Massachusetts.
On the women's court, ESPN2 has a trio of games Sunday. North Carolina tangles with N.C. State at 1 p.m., followed by the Big Ten battle between Maryland and Rutgers. Mississippi State faces Mississippi at 5 p.m.
Virginia hosts Clemson Sunday at 1 p.m. on Comcast and Syracuse plays Pittsburgh at 3 p.m.
Rice takes on Florida International on MASN2 Saturday at noon.
DePaul clashes with Creighton on FoxSports1 Sunday at 2 p.m.
The PGA tour closes its West Coast tour at the Northern Trust Open Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m. on CBS.
NBC has Hockey Day in America Sunday, with Penguins-Sabres at noon before an outdoor contest between Minnesota and Chicago at 3:30 p.m. NBC Sports network closes out the day with Red Wings-Rangers.
The Capitals host the Devils Saturday at 7 p.m. on Comcast.
On the college ice, Boston University tangles with New Hampshire Friday at 8 p.m. on MASN.
The road to Rio in women's soccer continues Friday on NBC Sports network, with a semifinal in CONCACAF Friday at 8:30 p.m.

Don't talk to the help

Via Drudge, Politico revives a story - how Hillary Clinton doesn't talk with reporters following her campaign.
She has the set interviews.
The talks with people at events.
But the people who follow her daily - and can see trends others miss - don't get a chance to ask questions.

Another endorsement for Trump

Earlier this week, President Obama said he didn't think Donald Trump would be elected president.
Today, Pope Francis had discussions about Donald Trump and walls.
Do they both know their comments are going to help Trump?

Regrets, he'll have a few more

Now President Obama regrets his actions as a Senator, working with Democratic colleagues to filibuster Samuel Alito's confirmation to the Supreme Court.
When the Republicans win in November, and start using his methods to undo his policies, he'll have more things to regret.
Which is why you use restraint in power.
Because you're going to move out of power one day.

Arrogantly shabby meets arrogant

Just a few more days for Republicans to hang around South Carolina.
And my old stomping grounds.
Donald Trump will be in Pawleys Island, known as "Arrogantly Shabby," Friday afternoon.
Marco Rubio has a lunchtime event planned nearby.
Hope they take a moment to enjoy the sea breeze.

Obama doomed Jeb's campaign

As Jeb Bush's campaign slowly rolls to an end, time to answer why.
Why did all the money and establishment support not produce votes?
Instead, they produced reminders of the problems left over from his brother's administration.
George W. Bush did his best to leave the country in good hands.
Iraq was moving toward security in 2009.
Now the Middle East is in more turmoil.
Most of the current problems can be traced to Obama administration policies, but they prefer to blame the Iraq invasion.
The economic troubles of the fall of 2008 linger.
Seven years after that, the economy should be doing much better.
But Obama's policies continue to slow the nation, and he continues to blame Bush era policies.
If Obama had been doing a better job with the economy and internationally, "blame Bush" would not hold sway.
And a Bush brother would have had a better chance.

These are Trump's people

A protester tried to disrupt Donald Trump's rally Tuesday in South Carolina.
Two men escorted him out, and Trump asked them to the stage.
You may not like Trump, but these guys do. And they are proud of his campaign.

Replacing Cal Ripken Jr. with Ryan Minor

Do you remember Cal Ripken Jr.'s consecutive games streak?
Do you remember who took his place on the field the night the streak ended?
Ryan Minor.
He played college basketball at Oklahoma, and has been a minor league manager for years.
But he wasn't Ripken at third base.
Nobody could be.
Democrats need to understand that Antonin Scalia was not just a Supreme Court justice.
He was the best for years.
A legend.
Someone you know it will be hard to live without, even though you know the day would one day come.
President Obama will eventually name someone to take Scalia's seat.
But they will never take his place.
Never come close.

A compromise Court candidate

Can President Obama find a candidate for the Supreme Court people can agree on?
How about nominating Ted Cruz?
I'd supported that choice.
Trump would pay for any expense to make it happen.
The Republicans in the Senate would probably approve him at the news conference.

Delay. Delay. Delay

The Democrats heard Donald Trump talking about the Supreme Court vacancy Saturday.
They thought he meant take your time.
No.
He was giving Democrats his recommendation for the spot.
Tom Delay, Delay, Delay.

How we view the living Constitution

I enjoy watching Democrats like Elizabeth Warren talking about the constitution and the part on advise and consent.
Hey, isn't it a living Constitution.
If Democrats aren't bound by its words, should Republicans also?

Ask Bernie and Hillary

No one said President Obama couldn't nominate someone to be on the Supreme Court.
Just that Republicans don't want to vote on it.
There is a campaign going on.
Will Obama's choice be the one that Bernie Sanders or Hillary Clinton would make?
Sure, they will probably support Obama.
But is his first choice also their first choice?
If not, should they have a say?

Nice try, scheduling guy

Monday was originally scheduled as a day off from school - teacher workday.
A few weeks ago, the county realized it would be too busy to have school on primary election day and made Monday a school day.
Mother Nature had other plans.
Sleep in kids, along with your parents who have President's Day off.

The Bork question

Democrats using the Anthony Kennedy confirmation story may not be helping the current cause.
Yes, the Kennedy confirmation came in early 1988 - an election year.
The question is why?
The answer is simple.
Democrats, including Joe Biden, voted against the nomination of Robert Bork in the fall of 1987.
They used their power of advise and consent to delay filling the Court vacancy.
It took a few more months to get Kennedy nominated and approved.
If you agree with that use of advise and consent, how do you disagree with the current Senate taking seriously its advise and consent role.

First Monday in October

So you want President Obama to nominate someone to replace Justice Scalia on the Supreme Court.
How does the calendar work for that?
It's mid February.
Almost all the important cases of this term have been heard or scheduled.
Usually the last case is heard in late March, and opinions released in June.
No need for someone before then.
The next term starts the first Monday of October.
Five weeks before Election Day.
When we'll have two candidates who'd like input in Supreme Court appointments that they will have to deal with.
There's time to make the right decision.

Time for Ginsburg to retire

The sudden passing of Antonin Scalia thrust the Supreme Court back into the political foreground.
But it's always there.
The oldest member of the court is Ruth Bader Ginsburg at age 83.
The past few summers, there was pondering that she should give President Obama the chance to appoint her replacement.
Especially in 2014, when Democrats still controlled the Senate.
Scalia represented the conservative side of the Court, and replacing him with an Obama liberal tilts the Court.
But if Republicans stop Obama from replacing Scalia now, a new Republican president could put a conservative in his place next year.
Then replace liberal Ginsburg with a conservative as well.
Imagine the fight over both of those choices.
People say they hate the Court being such a partisan group, but each side wants jurists who mostly vote their way.
Instead, Ginsburg could step up and take the opportunity to keep the court from drastically flipping.
Obama could replace her with a young liberal, and put a place-holder moderate in Scalia's place.
Maybe even an older Republican from the Senate.
We could work together.
There could be a compromise that both sides could feel good about.
I know.
It's unlikely to happen.
But we can hope that partisans will think about the good of the country for once.

Time to focus

DaTech Guy has a simple opinion about the passing of Justice Scalia.
I can’t think of anything that could raise the stakes for election 2016 more.
Any GOP senator who allows Barack Obama a vote on a replacement they should be drawn and quartered.

Donald Trump and Luke Bryan

I had the country music station on, and there was a Luke Bryan song playing.
He's quite popular, but not among those who like their country music the way it used to be.
People think there's too much pop in his country.
But lots of people like him.
They buy his records and pack arenas for his concerts
Does Bryan have a place in country music?
Donald Trump has the Bryan approach to Republican politics.
He doesn't do things the traditional way, but he has his fans.
Can old school Republicans adapt to living in Trump's world?

Saturday song

A little Earth, Wind and Fire to kick off the weekend.

Facebook quote of the week

Me: Leave out a brick of cream cheese in a bowl to soften. Came back to make dip, notice bowl and cream cheese is totally missing. Oh, there's the bowl! Upside down underneath the couch. I must have somehow left it under there. Could have sworn there was cream cheese in it....
Barney: Best Day EVER!

No complains about President Trump, right?

Andy Schmookler takes on Blue Virginia to praise President Obama's executive actions.
What else can he do with obstructing Republicans?
Something else.
Anything else.
The main reason - January 20, 2017.
The Obama term will end.
Will his executive actions remain in place when he departs?
Or will his successor execute actions to reverse Obama?
Why not?
That's why you're supposed to work with Congress and the Courts - to build actions that last.
Not your own whims.
When Donald Trump wins election in November, do you expect Schmookler to consistently praise executive actions?
I think he'll execute an amazing reversal.

Who's afraid of the big bad Trump

Scott Adams continues pondering Donald Trump's candidacy - asking why people are afraid he might become president.
Trump, on the other hand, actually scares people. I have seen people’s bodies twist up and go into full panic at the thought of him being president. I’m talking about actual, literal, bodily fear, as if a monster is already in house and you don’t know where it is hiding. Even professional members of the media feel this fear.

Weekend watchdog

With the NFL now done, we find ourselves in the heart of the college basketball season this Valentine's Day weekend.
Four weeks from Sunday, the 2016 NCAA tournament field will be announced.
The action starts Friday as Dayton battles Rhode Island on ESPN2 at 7 p.m. and Arizona takes on UCLA on ESPN at 9 p.m.
CBS brings Texas A&M-LSU Saturday at 1 p.m. and Indiana-Michigan State Sunday at 1 p.m.
Georgetown faces Providence Saturday at noon on Fox and Butler battles Xavier at 2:30 p.m.
Virginia meets Duke Saturday at 4:30 p.m. in the middle of a big day on ESPN. Kentucky faces South Carolina in the opener at noon before Kansas-Oklahoma at 2:30 p.m. Second-ranked Maryland plays Wisconsin at 6:30 p.m. followed by a Big 12 matchup between Texas and Iowa State.
ESPN2 has six contests on Saturday, starting at noon with Northern Iowa-Wichita State. Purdue plays Michigan at 2 p.m. and there's an ACC battle between Louisville and Notre Dame at 4 p.m. Vanderbilt meets Auburn at 6 p.m., with Tulsa-Connecticut at 8 p.m. and Gonzaga against SMU in the nightcap at 10 p.m.
Comcast starts action Saturday at noon with North Carolina State-Wake Forest, then Georgia Tech faces Clemson. Towson takes on William & Mary at 4 p.m. Massachusetts meets Duquesne Sunday at 3 p.m.
George Mason meets Davidson Saturday at 4 p.m. on MASN, followed by UTEP against Florida Atlantic. Utah Valley visits Cal State-Bakersfield at 10 p.m.
MASN2 offers Alabama Birmingham against Louisiana Tech Saturday at 2 p.m. North Texas clashes with Charlotte at 4 p.m. and there's a Big East battle between Creighton and Marquette at 8 p.m.
James Madison visits UNC-Wilmington Saturday at 3 p.m. on NBC Sports network followed by Hofstra-Delaware.
The ACC network brings Syracuse-Boston College Sunday at 1 p.m. and other areas will see North Carolina battle Pittsburgh.
Arizona goes against Southern Cal Sunday at 8 p.m. on FoxSports1.
On the women's court, ESPN2 has three contests on Sunday. Connecticut meets Temple at noon, then it's North Carolina facing Florida State and Maryland against Northwestern at 4 p.m.
Texas battles Oklahoma on FoxSports1 Sunday at 2:30 p.m. James Madison hosts Hofstra Sunday at 1 p.m. on Comcast and it's Virginia-Boston College at 5 p.m.
Western Kentucky meets Marshall Sunday at 1 p.m. on MASN.
It's NBA All-Star weekend in Toronto. TNT has coverage Sunday at 8:20 p.m., after the all-star skills contests Saturday at 8 p.m. The rising stars game tips Friday at 9 p.m. ESPN has the Celebrity game Friday at 7 p.m.
NASCAR gets ready for its season with the Sprint Unlimited Saturday at 8 p.m. The top two pole positions will be determined by qualifying Sunday at 1 p.m. on Fox, and FoxSports1 has practice runs Friday at 5 and 6:30 p.m.
The Capitals battle the Stars on Comcast Saturday at 8 p.m.
NBC has the Bruins and Red Wings Sunday at 3 p.m., and it's Flyers-Rangers Sunday at 7:30 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
On the college ice, Maine meets Notre Dame Friday at 6:30 p.m. and Saturday at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports network.
There's a ski jump in the middle of Fenway Park this week for Skiing Association's Big Air event on NBC Sports network Friday at 9 p.m.
Sunderland takes on Manchester United Saturday at 7:40 a.m. on NBC Sports network, followed by Everton battling West Bromwich and Chelsea clashing with Newcastle United at 12:25 p.m. Aston Villa faces Liverpool at 9 a.m. Sunday before Manchester City meets Tottenham Hotspur.
NBC Sports network has the indoor track and field grand prix Sunday at 4 p.m.

What follows Jeb

Jeb Bush had a campaign event in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina Wednesday.
Since I worked for the newspaper in the area in the 1980s, I thought I'd catch their coverage.
What happened in Murrells Inlet today?

• A body found in a hotel.
• A bank robbery
• A reported case of rabies.

Places may not want Jeb to visit if this type of thing follows him.

Plan your season

The Orioles announced their giveway schedule for 2016 Thursday.
Want a Manny Machado garden gnome?
Get your tickets for July 9 early.

Math Lives Matter

Being on the Obama email list, you see some scary things.
None more scary than what arrived this afternoon.
He talks about his budget.
and quickly says
If you take a look beyond the numbers and math of it all.
Isn't a budget supposed to be about math.
Making your priorities work within the numbers?
Not Obama.
His bloated budget shows his priorities.
Priority number one - not make hard decisions.
We have more priorities than money, so let's pretend to fund them all.
With nine trillion dollars added to the deficit during his tenure - and setting us on the path for more trillions in the future - future priorities will likely be crippled while we pay interest on our debt.
Too bad that hasn't been an Obama priority.

She traveled while the world burned

Mark Steyn looks around his northern New Hampshire home and how the primary went.
Hillary's real problem is that she's running on biography, and no one gives a crap. The consultants always say candidates need a "compelling personal story". Really? Trump doesn't have one, nor does Sanders, aside from occasional glimpses of his Soviet honeymoon, etc. No one cares about Kasich being the son of a mailman or Rubio being the son of a bartender. But whatever the opposite of a "compelling personal story" is, Hillary is it.

I am woman, hear me bore

As I read Jonah Goldberg's column, the headline I'm using came to me.
I was happy to reach the bottom of the column and find Jonah was already there.

Does the news reach Nevada?

Democrats head to Nevada next.
Before New Hampshire, Hillary has a 20-point lead on Bernie Sanders.
Will people going to the Nevada caucuses read the newspaper and watch TV?
Maybe her lead was based on name recognition only.
And now everybody knows Sanders.

Relax. You're not Hillary

Some Republicans are perplexed by Donald Trump winning the New Hampshire primary.
Relax.
You're not Hillary Clinton.
Your candidate didn't lose by 22 points to Bernie Sanders.
Your dreams aren't hanging by a thread.
And your only hope is keeping people who consider you the default candidate.
Maybe the voters weren't paying attention to New Hampshire.

Looked at her and ran screaming

When you want to know how the Clintons deal with problems, you check with Dick Morris.
His latest column doesn't disappoint.
The attacks are rooted in nothing more than a list of dirty names they call the Vermont senator every day. Having found little in his record to attack, they have consulted the thesaurus to turn up ugly sounding accusations.
Sanders has a coherent, consistent and concise message: Incomes are stagnant because the economy is rigged by the top one-tenth of 1 percent that controls politics through massive campaign contributions.
Clinton has no competing message, just the charge that Sanders’s supporters are “sexist and vulgar.” Brock adds that one of Sanders’s ads was racist because it had too many white people in it.

EPA's plans up in smoke

The Supreme Court said "halt" to the Obama administration's plans to deal with climate change by EPA action.
A new front on the War on Coal, with the states getting a chance before rulings go too far.

The end for Hillary

When the results of the New Hampshire primary come out tonight, the worries of the Hillary Clinton campaign will show through.
How can she lose to Bernie Sanders?
What other bad news from the past will loom in her path?
Could she be the favorite yet again and lose yet again?
To Sanders?
What will be the big news topic of the next week?
Trump's bluster or Hillary's blunder?

Heading into Trump's arena

Whether you like or dislike Donald Trump, he's done an impressive job gaining support despite not doing Iowa and New Hampshire as they've always been done.
For decades, candidates visited several gatherings for months at a time.
Voters would get several opportunities to meet them, ask questions and figure if they deserve their support.
After Tuesday, the pace picks up.
It's time for news media and a few, well-placed gatherings as we go to South Carolina, Nevada and then the multitude of March primaries.
What Trump has done well since June becomes the way to woo potential voters.
You know he can plan and hold a rally.
And people will come to see him.
His vote total in New Hampshire may be below his polling numbers.
But he's headed for turf he knows well.

Is the kid ready yet

Cam Newton appeared in a NFL Play60 commercial earlier in his career.
This kid planned to take over from Newton.
Panthers fans want an update.

Enjoy the ad, annoy NARAL

Thanks to Doritos for making NARAL look really bad.

Not enjoying the show

Legal Insurrection follows NARAL's Twitter feed on Super Bowl commercials.
Hoping that no one listens to their whiny complaints.

I'd watch

Almost Super Bowl kickoff time.
To be ready, you must read this column.
Such great insights.

The quarterbacks.

Carolina’s Cam Newton is impossibly athletic and congenitally jubilant. He is known for celebratory dancing and for presenting the football to an adorable child after each touchdown. Naturally, sports pundits hate his guts. They bellyache about his “showboating” ways. This is yet another reason for Sportsnet executives to green-light my proposed reality show: Let’s Lock Some Sports Pundits in a Basement!

When will they greenlight this show?

You mean you can't trust McAuliffe?

Blue Virginia continues its whine about Governor McAuliffe's gun control action.
They thought McAuliffe was their ally, and now he's gone against them.
McAuliffe puts his interest ahead of theirs.
Is this a surprise?
Republicans could have told you this was coming.

Jeb's final countdown

The L.A. Times follows Jeb Bush around New Hampshire.
One line he doesn't use - "Are you still alive? I can hear you breathing."
Perhaps Bush's greatest political misfortune, though, is seeming like a voice of substance and seriousness at a time many in the GOP prefer more animal instincts.
Nothing seems to energize Bush more than a rigorous discussion of education policy, or his plan to revamp Social Security. But as Bush went on at length in Laconia, at a resort on Lake Winnipesaukee, the crowd of 125 or so sat mute, and the only sound was the whoosh of the ventilation system in a hotel function room.
The next day in Pittsfield, at a plant that makes clothing for firefighters, Bush's accompaniment was the hum of refrigerator cases in an employee break room. When he finished outlining a plan to reform the welfare system, he asked his questioner, a troubled single mother, what she thought of his response.

Pay your bills, people

A high school in southwest Virginia, near where I used to work, got into the news when students with unpaid school lunch fees were denied lunch.
Only a few were supposed to be denied, but a miscommunication had more students going without lunch Thursday.
The story notes $4,555 is owed for past lunches.
That's a lot of money for a small school.
I doubt this was suddenly dropped on the students with the highest bills.
They probably had months of letters and notes reminding them to catch up.
And each year when school starts, they get applications for free and reduced lunch program.
How do you get non-payers to pay?
The principal probably should have been in the cafeteria at lunchtime to make sure things were done correctly.
You can get mad at the principal and her bosses, but they were trying to solve a tough problem.
Do you have any better ideas?

Getting ready for the big game

Powerline gives advice on picking a Super Bowl winner.

Saturday song

Campaign season is a perfect time for this O'Jays hit.

Facebook quote of the week

Alright fine. I'm up. Where's the coffee?

Trump's concession speech

What happens if Donald Trump's campaign doesn't bounce back after New Hampshire?
What happens the day he realizes he won't win the nomination?
What will he say?
Something like this.

I'm still rich.
And I'd better not see any of you politicians in my office, asking for money.

A fine San Francisco whine

It's Super Bowl weekend.
The trendy thing in San Francisco is to complain about the game being in their city.
Friends who live in the city grumble about the traffic caused by the “Stupid Bowl.” North Bay residents are angry about the whole Santa Clara 49ers business. Others abhor the corporate stink—the omnipresent Super Bowl branding—and outsized impact, which extends from road closures to hidden costs to the police escort that accompanied a media bus to San Jose on Monday, slowing the midtown commute.
Shut up and let us enjoy our game.
It will probably be a long while until it's back in your area, anyway.

Primary focus

When making the school calendar, Augusta County forgot to factor in the primary election March 1.
It was scheduled for a school day.
Not now, but the planned holiday Feb. 15 will now be a school day.
Unless it snows.

Weekend watchdog

It's Peyton against Cam.
In a year without Roman numerals.
Super Bowl 50 dominates the sports weekend as usual, with hours of hype leading up to kickoff around 6:30 p.m.
It's a day of game, food, and all those cool commercials.
Peyton Manning will be looking to tie his brother Eli with two Super Bowl championships, and to bring home a title to Denver after several years of close calls.
Cam Newton has two things Manning doesn't - a Heisman Trophy and college national championship title - but will be trying for his first Super Bowl victory. The Panthers reached the big game once before, losing to New England XII years ago.
The NFL Honors Awards will be distributed Saturday at 9 p.m. on CBS.
The Hawks take on the Pacers Friday at 7 p.m. on ESPN and it's a Texas battle between San Antonio and Dallas at 9:30 p.m. The Thunder meet the Warriors Saturday at 9 p.m.
ABC has the Heat and Clippers Sunday at 2 p.m.
The Wizards host the 76ers Friday at 8 p.m. on Comcast and visit Charlotte Saturday at 7 p.m. \
Columbia clashes with Yale Friday at 5 p.m. on FoxSports1.
On MASN, Penn plays Dartmouth Friday at 6 p.m.
Michigan meets Michigan State on CBS Saturday at 2 p.m., followed by Florida-Kentucky. Fox features Arizona and Washington Saturday at 4:30 p.m.
Virginia hosts Pittsburgh Saturday at noon on the ACC network, along with Boston College-Louisville.
ESPN starts its day Saturday at noon when TCU takes on Kansas. Duke faces North Carolina State at 2 p.m., followed by Purdue-Maryland. The Gameday crew catches North Carolina against Notre Dame at 7 p.m.
There's seven games on ESPN2 Saturday, beginning at noon when Cincinnati meets Memphis. It's Iowa State-Oklahoma State at 2 p.m., then Stanford faces California and Mississippi State battles LSU at 6 p.m. West Virginia hosts Baylor before Illinois State takes on Wichita State at 10 p.m. At midnight, it's Gonzaga against Pepperdine.
Oregon battles Utah at 4 p.m. Sunday.
FoxSports1 has Marquette-Xavier Saturday at noon, followed by Villanova against Providence. Western Kentucky takes on UTEP at 5 p.m.
Virginia Tech hosts Clemson Saturday at 4 p.m. on Comcast and it's Hofstra-James Madison Sunday at 3 p.m.
Davidson takes on Duquesne Saturday at 12:30 p.m. on NBC Sports network and Delaware duels with William & Mary at 2:30 p.m. It's St. Louis against St. Bonaventure Sunday at 2 p.m.
MASN starts Saturday's action at noon with Coastal Carolina's visit to Radford, then Marshall meets Texas-San Antonio. There's a pair of Atlantic 10 matchups - Dayton against George Mason at 6 p.m. and Rhode Island-LaSalle at 8 p.m. - before Missouri-Kansas City takes on Seattle at 10 p.m. Southeast Missouri battles Eastern Illinois on MASN2 Saturday at noon, followed by DePaul-Creighton. It's Butler against St. John's at 4:30 p.m. On the women's court, Tennessee takes on Texas A&M Sunday at 4 p.m. on ESPN. Duke duels with Miami on Comcast Sunday at 1 p.m. Providence meets Xavier Friday at 8 p.m. on FoxSports1 and it's St. John's-Seton Hall Sunday at 1:30 p.m. MASN has Princeton-Harvard Sunday at noon followed by St. Joseph's facing George Mason. Texas Tech takes on Oklahoma State at 2 p.m. on MASN2.
The Capitals take on New Jersey Saturday at 1 p.m. on Comcast and have their Super Bowl Sunday contest against the Flyers on NBC at 1 p.m.
On the college ice, Lake Superior State heads to Michigan Tech on MASN Friday at 8 p.m.
NBC has the PGA's Phoenix Open Saturday and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Manchester City meets Leicester City Saturday at 7:40 a.m. on NBC Sports network, followed by Tottenham Hotspur-Watford. Bournemouth battles Arsenal Sunday at 8:40 a.m. and Chelsea clashes with Manchester United at 10:55 a.m.
There's an international friendly between the United States and Canada Friday at 10:30 p.m. on FoxSports1.

Visit Bernie's Bank and Trust

The Democrats are talking.
Glad there are other people watching. Not me.
But Bernie Sanders' riff on banking leaves the question.
If you break up the big banks, what happens?
Will you need a Bernie's Bank and Trust in every city?
Banks grew bigger thanks to government intervention as well as the market.
When one bank saw a bigger bank was doing better, it wanted to be bigger too.
And looked for partners to join up.
Being bigger spreads out the costs of government mandates, and makes them easier to handle. A five-bank company can't afford the regulation Sanders would bring down on them.
I'm not a big bank person - love my local credit union. But I don't travel enough where it's helpful to have a branch of my local bank a 1,000 miles away.
You can blame the banks for being greedy. But break them up and there will be untold new ways Bernie's Bank and Trust (and their new friends) will make life tough for the public.

Backstage at the Democratic debate

Do you want your kids to be interested in politics?
But how can they relate to Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton. They haven't been kids for over 50 years.
Fortunately, SpongeBob has some older friends your kids may know.

Socialism lost already

DaTech Guy looks at the Democratic side and wonders - why doesn't Hillary link Bernie Sanders with the defeated Soviet Union.
Bernie honeymooned in the Soviet Union in the 1960s.
The socialist paradise fell apart in the 1980s.
Unfortunately, Bernie's fans don't remember the end of the Soviet Union.
Shouldn't Hillary remind them?

Trump's religious revival

Thanks to Donald Trump, the country will be much more religious this year.
So many are praying that he isn't elected president.

Let Carly speak

The Republicans have another debate Saturday.
Will they allow Carly Fiorina in?
Now we're down to eight candidates (nine if you count Jim Gilmore, which few do).
There will probably be fewer candidates after New Hampshire. Carly will be hanging on then, so let her speak this week.

Bernie, be more like Trump

Andy Schmookler likes Bernie Sanders.
But he wants Bernie to be more aggressive now.
Kinda like Donald Trump.
You don’t have to be president yet to start the process, because the powers required for leading a political revolution are not those granted the presidency by the Constitution. The “bully pulpit” is not in the Constitution. But, as Donald Trump has demonstrated, a presidential candidate can have a pulpit that’s bully enough to change the national conversation.Your job is to find the rhetorical strategy -- appropriate for your values and your political goals – to accomplish that.
The question for Bernie fans is - can he meet your expectations?
He talks a big fight - but can he do anything with it?
He's had chances in debates with Hillary Clinton - but backed away from the attacks any normal politicians would jump on.
He excites his fans - but will they be left unfulfilled again?
Probably.

Cursive, foiled again

It's the birthday for the youngest. Number 15.
My mom sent a birthday card, including a hand-written note. In the cursive writing she learned so many years ago.
He looked at it and said he couldn't read it.
They don't teach much cursive writing in schools these days. He learned cursive back in second grade, but there's not much need for cursive now in middle and high school.
Everybody types on their computers or phones.
The reasons for using cursive have diminished with new technology.
My mom also knows shorthand. You needed that to be an office worker in the 50s.
Not anymore.
Some teachers are putting up a fight to save cursive.
But the handwriting is on the wall - not much need for handwriting in our world.

Don't bury Trump yet

It's amazing that one loss can have pundits getting ready to bury Donald Trump's campaign.
If a guy's company can go through bankruptcy four times, don't you think he knows how to bounce back?
Scott Brown endorsed him today.
Who will be next on the Trump bandwagon?

On to New Hampshire

Two Democrats head to New Hampshire.
Three Republicans head there, with several others making their last week on the campaign trail.
Who drops and where the supporters go with determine the Republican race.

Check the desk

Want results?
Decision Desk has the numbers.

Mondayiest of months

Thanks to Leap Year, we will have five Mondays in February this year.
First time since 1988.
Next one will be 2044.
If you dislike Mondays, this is not your month.

Happy Trump day

For months, we've been waiting for this day.
Can Donald Trump turn his poll numbers into actual votes?
Is his lead just hot air?
By tomorrow morning, we'll have a much better idea.
Then it's time to reevaluate.