• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • About Us
  • Lexicon
  • Contact Us
  • Our Store
  • ↑
  • ↓
  • ←
  • →

Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

It’s pointless to bring up problems that can only be solved with a time machine.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires.

Republicans: “Abortion is murder but you can take a bus to get one.” Easy peasy.

Just because you believe it, that doesn’t make it true.

Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?

I wonder if trump will be tried as an adult.

Balloon Juice, where there is always someone who will say you’re doing it wrong.

Teach a man to fish, and he’ll sit in a boat all day drinking beer.

Sadly, media malpractice has become standard practice.

Their boy Ron is an empty plastic cup that will never know pudding.

“Why isn’t this Snickers bar only a nickel?”

In after Baud. Damn.

The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it’s not glory.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

You’re just a puppy masquerading as an old coot.

Republicans want to make it harder to vote and easier for them to cheat.

We need to vote them all out and restore sane Democratic government.

There are a lot more evil idiots than evil geniuses.

Republican speaker of the house Mike Johnson is the bland and smiling face of evil.

Democrats have delivered the Square Deal, the New Deal, the Fair Deal, and now… the Big Joe Biden Deal.

Cole is on a roll !

When you’re in more danger from the IDF than from Russian shelling, that’s really bad.

Their freedom requires your slavery.

Everything is totally normal and fine!!!

Mobile Menu

  • Four Directions Montana
  • Donate with Venmo, Zelle & PayPal
  • Site Feedback
  • War in Ukraine
  • Submit Photos to On the Road
  • Politics
  • On The Road
  • Open Threads
  • Topics
  • COVID-19 Coronavirus
  • Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Lexicon
  • Our Store
  • Politics
  • Open Threads
  • 2024 Elections
  • Garden Chats
  • On The Road
  • Targeted Fundraising!
You are here: Home / Past Elections / Election 2008 / Primary Open Thread

Primary Open Thread

by John Cole|  February 12, 200810:39 am| 32 Comments

This post is in: Election 2008, Previous Site Maintenance

FacebookTweetEmail

Have at it.

FacebookTweetEmail
Previous Post: « An Alternative Theory
Next Post: Round Two »

Reader Interactions

32Comments

  1. 1.

    D-Chance.

    February 12, 2008 at 10:44 am

    Eh, we’ll wait until the secondary open thread…

    ;)

  2. 2.

    Evinfuilt

    February 12, 2008 at 10:50 am

    Hillary says this one doesn’t count. After all, she didn’t spend enough money here.

  3. 3.

    Billy K

    February 12, 2008 at 10:53 am

    I think Sullivan gets it here

    There is a huge desire among many independents and conservatives in this country to punish the GOP for their betrayal of core conservative principles and basic competence and decency these past few years. These folks are plentiful enough to jolt the Republicans toward McCain. But a lot of these conservatives and independents like Obama because he’s obviously a smart, decent guy, because electing him would kill off Jesse Jackson style racial politics for a while, and because he seems like a liberal pragmatist who’s interested in getting things done. A lot of people will tolerate a move back to the center, even the left, if it means an end to this awful period in history and a fresh start for the country.

  4. 4.

    TheFountainHead

    February 12, 2008 at 11:03 am

    Clinton is still milking the David Shuster thing. I think if she hadn’t written off her husband’s fairly ill-advised comments and brushed them aside as no big deal, I could tolerate this indignation about Shuster. But as it stands, this is just a political move designed to engender sympathy (I guess) and it strikes me as crass given how many times she’s sought firings–let alone apologies–from the fine people at Fox News for the many over-the-top comments they’ve made about her and her husband. Then again, maybe that’s what Murdoch’s money was for. It wasn’t a donation, it was an out-of-court settlement!

  5. 5.

    mark

    February 12, 2008 at 11:06 am

    Somewhat O/T, and I’m pretty sure someone referenced this in another thread, but it bears re-posting: Romney’s equation “Democrats win” = “surrender to terror” is so vile, and such a distillate of what Republicans have become; Stewart’s reply is pitch-perfect, and the only one possible. Don’t miss it.

  6. 6.

    Woodrow "asim" Jarvis Hill

    February 12, 2008 at 11:11 am

    As an African-American, I’m happy to let the people like Jackson, who have left behind what I think MLK’s legacy really was, sit the rest of history out. And I say this as someone who’s dad went to High School with Jackson, and who’s Grandmother used to live just a couple of miles from his

  7. 7.

    TheFountainHead

    February 12, 2008 at 11:13 am

    Stewart’s reply is pitch-perfect, and the only one possible. Don’t miss it.

    Could not agree more. I’ve played that clip for all of my friends, and both of them agreed that was the only response we should give him.

  8. 8.

    CaseyL

    February 12, 2008 at 11:20 am

    I’m an Obama supporter, but I think Clinton is right to jump on Schuster with both feet: he smeared Chelsea, and that’s very different from smearing Bill and Hillary. Chelsea’s their kid, they’ve always been very protective of her, and I applaud that.

  9. 9.

    Michael

    February 12, 2008 at 11:27 am

    So, are the Romney boys enlisting now that they are no longer serving their country by working on their father’s campaign? Wasn’t that the reason they were not in Iraq?

  10. 10.

    TheFountainHead

    February 12, 2008 at 11:29 am

    I’m an Obama supporter, but I think Clinton is right to jump on Schuster with both feet: he smeared Chelsea, and that’s very different from smearing Bill and Hillary. Chelsea’s their kid, they’ve always been very protective of her, and I applaud that.

    Okay, Casey, then where was the outrage and calls for a formal condemnation on the floor of the senate for John McCain’s joke about Chelsea Clinton being ugly because her father is Janet Reno? You can’t have it both ways. The comment was dumb and unprofessional, but certainly nowhere near as bad as what has been said about Chelsea in the media in the past, let alone members of the Senate. This is more about controlling a news cycle and making Shuster’s life miserable, since he has been covering the Clinton’s since their days in Arkansas.

  11. 11.

    Fe E

    February 12, 2008 at 11:35 am

    Mark,

    Thanks for that link–it was perfect.

  12. 12.

    Pb

    February 12, 2008 at 12:06 pm

    Heck, if Hillary Clinton wants to start condemning vile speech on cable news, I’m all for it–she can start with that aforementioned Romney clip, or any random six minutes or so on Fox News.

    What’s that? She wants to hold a debate on Fox News?

    …

    Nevermind.

  13. 13.

    Caidence (fmr. Chris)

    February 12, 2008 at 12:06 pm

    I’m an Obama supporter, but I think Clinton is right to jump on Schuster with both feet: he smeared Chelsea, and that’s very different from smearing Bill and Hillary. Chelsea’s their kid, they’ve always been very protective of her, and I applaud that.

    He did NOT smear Chelsea. Hell, look at the language. She was “being pimped”. That’s passive form.

    Shuster was poking at Hillary’s campaign for their further use of familial relationships. Maybe Shuster had too much of Bill. Regardless of whether you believe it was a poor choice of words, Chelsea was not the target.

  14. 14.

    Billy K

    February 12, 2008 at 12:16 pm

    “But as it stands, this is just a political move designed to engender sympathy (I guess) and it strikes me as crass…”

    You said “gender.” You, Sir, are a sexist, bigot, mysogynist.

    I’m an Obama supporter, but I think Clinton is right to jump on Schuster with both feet: he smeared Chelsea, and that’s very different from smearing Bill and Hillary.

    He didn’t smear her; he used an inappropriate term. Also, like it or not, she is fair game as long as they are using her to campaign.

  15. 15.

    Phoebe

    February 12, 2008 at 12:17 pm

    Yeah, unfortunate term, but used to mean that they are exploiting her by trotting her out to please people. NOw, this might be condescending toward Chelsea, an adult now, who might be making her own decision. But he certainly was not calling her a ho. No.

  16. 16.

    Punchy

    February 12, 2008 at 12:22 pm

    He did NOT smear Chelsea. Hell, look at the language. She was “being pimped”. That’s passive form.

    That word is loaded, and he should have known this. He’s guilty of being a complete fucking dumbass. Regardless of his intent, he should be canned for being so clueless.

  17. 17.

    Punchy

    February 12, 2008 at 12:24 pm

    OT:

    I’m guessing this wins for the most understated headline I’ve ever read.

    Not to mention all the double entendres that cum…er, come…from it.

  18. 18.

    ThymeZone

    February 12, 2008 at 1:14 pm

    I could tolerate this indignation about Shuster

    You could tolerate it?

    So, people should tolerate being trashmouthed by assholes on tv, but you can’t tolerate them complaining about it?

    Look, we covered this adequately the other nite, and your position didn’t fly then, and it won’t fly now.

    People do not have to tolerate being spoken of this way by dicks on tv. It doesn’t matter who those people are or what the circumstances are, period. They don’t have to put up with it. I wouldn’t put up with it, and the “Everybody does and besides you’re a public figure” defense is HORSESHIT. The people on tv don’t own our dignity, we do.

    Apparently the abject apologies by Shuster, Olbermann and the managemen of NBC, plus the suspension, haven’t made the point: What Shuster did is intolerable, that’s the only intolerable thing here. His ass ought to be fired if that’s what it takes to make the point.

  19. 19.

    The Other Steve

    February 12, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    I’m excited to see the results tonight. I think there’s a real chance that Clinton could carry in at least Maryland or Virginia. One can never trust early polls.

  20. 20.

    The Other Steve

    February 12, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    I’m guessing this wins for the most understated headline I’ve ever read.

    Sadly, it sounds like much of Fortune 500 America too.

  21. 21.

    The Other Steve

    February 12, 2008 at 1:17 pm

    You could tolerate it?

    What actually is intolerable?

    Was it the language, or was it them attacking a politician for doing something politicians always do and is utterly and completely harmless?

  22. 22.

    crw

    February 12, 2008 at 2:12 pm

    In real news, the amendment stripping telecom immunity from the FISA bill failed again. Guess which candidate voted for the amendment and which was too busy campaigning? Hint: It may not be who you expect given the current narrative.

    This person also voted against cloture on the bill.

  23. 23.

    Tom in Texas

    February 12, 2008 at 2:17 pm

    crw:
    At least that certain Senator didn’t vote “Present.” THAT’s the real measure of not taking a stand on an issue.

    It’s really obvious to me which of the two is a stronger candidate as far as restoring the constitutional balances commonly accepted prior to the Imperial Age we are currently in.

  24. 24.

    Zifnab

    February 12, 2008 at 2:29 pm

    It’s really obvious to me which of the two is a stronger candidate as far as restoring the constitutional balances commonly accepted prior to the Imperial Age we are currently in.

    That’s been abundantly clear for some time. I just don’t know what Obama plans to do about all this bullshit if he finally does take office? When the Senate takes a big rubber stamp to a President’s right to make up the law on the fly, how does today’s elected official prevent tomorrow’s Emperor of America For Life? Who can you hold accountable anymore? Our elected representatives just handed the most criminally incompetent, morally empty, power hungry administration in US History all the Congressional Authority that wasn’t bolted to the floor. What the hell do you do? We’ve got two fresh-faced netroots sponsored Senators – Claire McCaskill and Jim Webb – amidst 16 other (D)s, voting to allow naked lawbreaking.

    I mean, good god! Didn’t Bayh want to throw his hat into the ring for President this time two years ago? WTF!

  25. 25.

    Tom in Texas

    February 12, 2008 at 2:47 pm

    Zif:

    #1) Feingold for AG.
    #2) Webb Sec Def

    Those two would take a hammer to this shitty setup. I hope Obama could do it.

    On another note — I have a question concerning the Texas primaries (multiple ones actually). Are you familiar with our caucus setup and how it works? And could you possibly point me to a site that explains the rules for caucusing?

  26. 26.

    ThymeZone

    February 12, 2008 at 3:00 pm

    What actually is intolerable

    If the speech on tv is about me, it’s whatever I say is intolerable.

    I decide what is acceptable to me, and I will confront them if they cross a line WRT me. And I apply that same right to every person. If Clinton is offended, then she has a right to say so, and bring that complaint forward, and it is really none of my business. Or yours.

    I don’t need your permission or approval to stand up for my right to ask for an apology from some shithead on tv for the way they talk about me, and neither does anyone else.

    The bottom line here is that the idiot, and the network, and others on his network, immediately knew that they had crossed a line and they scrambled to apologize and take an action. They knew they were in the wrong.

    The reason why anyone would even question that is because too many people put up with this shit. People can stand up for the treatement they want, and more often than not, I think they will get it. I am not pro-Clinton in this primary election phase, but I totally support her and her family’s right to stand up for what they think is acceptable treatment. Good for them.

  27. 27.

    chopper

    February 12, 2008 at 3:04 pm

    In real news, the amendment stripping telecom immunity from the FISA bill failed again. Guess which candidate voted for the amendment and which was too busy campaigning? Hint: It may not be who you expect given the current narrative.

    somewhere myiq’s head asplode.

  28. 28.

    crw

    February 12, 2008 at 3:05 pm

    Tom in Texas:

    I assume you want to Democratic Party rules. They’re here. Skip down to the Precinct Conventions section. The main key is the caucus starts at 7:15pm on March 4th, and should be held at your precinct polling location. 3/4 of the delegates will be assigned by the primary vote, 1/4 will be assigned by the 7:15pm caucuses.

  29. 29.

    crw

    February 12, 2008 at 3:08 pm

    Ack!

  30. 30.

    Jen

    February 12, 2008 at 3:19 pm

    On Obama and Constitutional law

  31. 31.

    Tom in Texas

    February 12, 2008 at 3:34 pm

    Thank you crw. That (rather noticable) link is exactly what I needed.

  32. 32.

    The Other Steve

    February 12, 2008 at 4:21 pm

    The reason why anyone would even question that is because too many people put up with this shit.

    There is a point when you can beat a horse beyond death.

Comments are closed.

Primary Sidebar

Recent Comments

  • lowtechcyclist on Take the Fucking Win (Apr 15, 2024 @ 3:33pm)
  • WaterGirl on Henry Would Like His Lunch Right Now, Please (Open Thread) (Apr 15, 2024 @ 3:33pm)
  • smith on Henry Would Like His Lunch Right Now, Please (Open Thread) (Apr 15, 2024 @ 3:32pm)
  • zhena gogolia on Henry Would Like His Lunch Right Now, Please (Open Thread) (Apr 15, 2024 @ 3:31pm)
  • Ruckus on Henry Would Like His Lunch Right Now, Please (Open Thread) (Apr 15, 2024 @ 3:31pm)

🎈Keep Balloon Juice Ad Free

Become a Balloon Juice Patreon
Donate with Venmo, Zelle or PayPal

Balloon Juice Posts

View by Topic
View by Author
View by Month & Year
View by Past Author

Balloon Juice Meetups!

All Meetups
Talk of Meetups – Meetup Planning
Proposed BJ meetups list from frosty

Fundraising 2023-24

Wis*Dems Supreme Court + SD-8
Virginia House Races
Four Directions – Montana
Worker Power AZ
Four Directions – Arizona
Four Directions – Nevada

Featuring

Medium Cool
Artists in Our Midst
Authors in Our Midst
Positive Climate News
War in Ukraine
Cole’s “Stories from the Road”
Classified Documents Primer

Calling All Jackals

Site Feedback
Nominate a Rotating Tag
Submit Photos to On the Road
Balloon Juice Mailing List Signup
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Links)
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Posts)

Fix Nyms with Apostrophes

Balloon Juice for Ukraine

Donate

Twitter / Spoutible

Balloon Juice (Spoutible)
WaterGirl (Spoutible)
TaMara (Spoutible)
John Cole
DougJ (aka NYT Pitchbot)
Betty Cracker
Tom Levenson
David Anderson
Major Major Major Major
ActualCitizensUnited

Political Action 2024

Postcard Writing Information

Balloon Juice for Four Directions AZ

Donate

Balloon Juice for Four Directions NV

Donate

Site Footer

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Comment Policy
  • Our Authors
  • Blogroll
  • Our Artists
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2024 Dev Balloon Juice · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!