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You are here: Home / Elections / Election 2012 / Pushing “The Professor” out of the car…

Pushing “The Professor” out of the car…

by Dennis G.|  June 9, 20115:36 pm| 140 Comments

This post is in: Election 2012, Open Threads, Assholes

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Gingrich 2012_Liar, Grifter, Hack

Newt is a very clever fella and word is leaking out that “The Professor” is on the verge of running a new kind of campaign. It seems that his staff is resigning from his campaign as a group.

Some might view this as a bad sign for Newt’s Presidential ambitions, but not Newt. So this can only be viewed as a grand new strategy–an exciting new plan that Newt celebrated with a post on Facebook. TPM reported on his latest missive with the headline: “Newt: This is Great News for Newt!”.

I was enjoying Newt’s slow and steady implosion and I’m hoping to see it continue for a bit longer. I wanted to see him debate Backmann, Palin, Perry and Ryan when they jump in. Come on Newt–hang in there. Do. Not. Give. Up.

After all, he doesn’t need a staff to run the kind of campaign he’s running.

Still, if Newt is going to leave the GOP clown car it is nice to see him get pushed out with knives in his back. This kind of grifter on grifter violence is fun to watch.

Time to make some popcorn and have an Open Thread…

Cheers

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Reader Interactions

140Comments

  1. 1.

    RoonieRoo

    June 9, 2011 at 5:38 pm

    My understanding is that some of the staff higher ups that are leaving are former Perry staff. I’m wondering if this is a sign that Perry is going to jump into the race despite his denials.

  2. 2.

    Southern Beale

    June 9, 2011 at 5:40 pm

    Oh man. Hillary leaving the State Dept. for the World Bank? I picked the wrong week to give up crack.

  3. 3.

    canuckistani

    June 9, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    I came here as soon as I heard. I’m looking for the Grade-A snark.
    It’s Chicago politics come to life:
    “We had a different political vision. He saw himself as alive. And we saw him dead”.

  4. 4.

    Studly Pantload, a full-service troll

    June 9, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    Wake up and smell the Schadenfreude!

  5. 5.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 5:43 pm

    Re-posting from previous thread:

    Can you spot the snake??

    http://talkingpointsmemo.com/gallery/2011/01/meet-the-2012-gopers-ex-house-speaker-newt-gingrich-r-ga.php?img=4&ref=fpblg

  6. 6.

    dmsilev

    June 9, 2011 at 5:44 pm

    I’m very disappointed. Really, I’d hoped he would keep the charade going for a while longer, all the better to suck GOP donor dollars away from actual candidates.

    Fortunately, Sarah Palin seems to be running her financial vacuum cleaner at full throttle.

  7. 7.

    dmsilev

    June 9, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    @BGinCHI: I really feel sorry for the python. What did it ever do to deserve that?

  8. 8.

    Elizabelle

    June 9, 2011 at 5:46 pm

    @Southern Beale:

    Hmm. Maybe Biden to Secretary of State and an up and comer to VP?

    I would love to see Elizabeth Warren as VP and free to say whatever she likes. She’s on the side of the American public, and they will see that. She could go a long way toward cleaning up the mess the big boys (including Bush-Cheney) left.

    Gingrich? Meh.

  9. 9.

    Ana Gama

    June 9, 2011 at 5:47 pm

    Campaign newtered by quitpocalypse.

  10. 10.

    scav

    June 9, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    Forget the I’ll sign no bill longer than 3 pages: it’ll be I’ll have no staff longer than 3 months as the new grass-roots gold-star credentials.

  11. 11.

    Ana Gama

    June 9, 2011 at 5:49 pm

    @dmsilev: Politico is reporting that one of the reasons that they all quit was because there was no money to run a campaign with.

  12. 12.

    Soldier Boy

    June 9, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    Oh, I needed that bit of news to brighten my day. Now I can’t stop laughing. At this rate the final GOP nominee to have the honor of being buried by Obama on Election Day is going to be One of Monty Python’s Gumbys, or a cast member from Idiocracy.

  13. 13.

    dmsilev

    June 9, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    @Elizabelle: The rumor mill generally has John Kerry as next in line for SecState. For whatever that’s worth.

  14. 14.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 5:52 pm

    @dmsilev: Newt must have been between wives at the time.

    “So, slither here often?”

  15. 15.

    kindness

    June 9, 2011 at 5:53 pm

    I’m waiting to see what hooker Newt leaves wifey #3 for.

  16. 16.

    dmsilev

    June 9, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    @Soldier Boy: The Onion profiles another possible contender. I give it roughly a month before reality laps their satire.

  17. 17.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    @Ana Gama: I thought the campaign was being sponsored by Tiffany’s. No?

  18. 18.

    Hal

    June 9, 2011 at 5:54 pm

    Oh man. Hillary leaving the State Dept. for the World Bank? I picked the wrong week to give up crack.

    Wonderful. Now I have to wade through weeks of comments about Hillary’s secret stealth campaing for President and the inevitable re-animation of the PUMAs.

  19. 19.

    mr. whipple

    June 9, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    I would love to see Elizabeth Warren as VP and free to say whatever she likes.

    I thought she was a firebagger favorite to primary Obama.

    (This was after she was the onliest person in the worlds to run the Wall street reform thingy, which was suddenly not as important as drafting her to run for Senate.)

  20. 20.

    GregB

    June 9, 2011 at 5:55 pm

    If he can just hang on long enough, I know there will be a wellspring of popular support that will catapult him in to the White House.

  21. 21.

    Elizabelle

    June 9, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    @dmsilev:

    He’s SOOOOO boring.

  22. 22.

    harlana

    June 9, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    I’m a little disappointed, too. It would be awesome and fun to see Newt flame out. Watching Palin and her bus tour is not something I would normally recommend, but it becomes fun when you understand all this nonsense is just sucking nice lots of air out of all those serious republican “campaigns”.

  23. 23.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    @dmsilev: At least the sign takes a position and sticks with it.

  24. 24.

    gnomedad

    June 9, 2011 at 5:56 pm

    @Soldier Boy:
    ARE YOU THE BRAIN FOREIGN POLICY SPESHALIST!?

  25. 25.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    According to RCP, Gov Goodhair “leaning toward getting in”

    Poor Mittens. That was the only thing he had going for him—his hair.

  26. 26.

    trollhattan

    June 9, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    Whoa, rats deserting the S.S. Gingrich before it even leaves the dock. Maybe Newtie will have time now to accompany Beck to Auschwitz?

    http://mediamatters.org/research/201106080022

    “Arbeit macht this beautiful necklace fur Frau nummer drei.”

  27. 27.

    dmsilev

    June 9, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    @kindness:

    I’m waiting to see what hooker staffer Newt leaves wifey #3 for.

    Fixed for historical accuracy. Though in fairness, I suppose it’s possible that Newt keeps a hooker on staff. So to speak.

  28. 28.

    Zifnab

    June 9, 2011 at 5:57 pm

    Oh Gingrich, that’s a mighty fall you’ve taken. Here, let me help you out. Which way did you come in?

  29. 29.

    cyntax

    June 9, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    Yeah, I’m a little concerned that Newt’s flameout is the first of many. Newt drops out, Bachmann doesn’t declare, and pretty soon we’re just left with T-Paw and Mittens in the debates, starting to look like I should have shorted popcorn instead of going long.

  30. 30.

    trollhattan

    June 9, 2011 at 5:58 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit):

    We know one thing: Goodhair has ample hands-on with gigantic budget defecits.

  31. 31.

    Ana Gama

    June 9, 2011 at 5:59 pm

    @BGinCHI: Makes you wonder if they all got parting gifts in a little blue box, doesn’t it?

  32. 32.

    mr. whipple

    June 9, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit): That’s not good.

  33. 33.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    June 9, 2011 at 6:00 pm

    Carney says there was a “fundamental disagreement” between Gingrich and his staff over how to run the campaign. “You can’t have a big political staff with a low-budget campaign,” he said.

    A low-budget campaign? So all the campaign contributions are going somewhere besides the campaign, maybe? Anybody smell the grift here?

  34. 34.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 6:01 pm

    @Ana Gama: Little severed horses heads.

    In 18 karat gold.

  35. 35.

    Comrade Kevin

    June 9, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    As someone said twitter, this will have no effect on his chances of becoming President.

  36. 36.

    Villago Delenda Est

    June 9, 2011 at 6:02 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit):

    As I pointed out in the other thread, that’s simply not true.

    Mittens also has his shoulders that, according to Tweety, you can “land a 737 on”.

  37. 37.

    Martin

    June 9, 2011 at 6:04 pm

    @Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason: Shorter campaign staff: “We’re not volunteers, asshole.”

  38. 38.

    boss bitch

    June 9, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    @mr. whipple:

    I thought she was a firebagger favorite to primary Obama.

    (This was after she was the onliest person in the worlds to run the Wall street reform thingy, which was suddenly not as important as drafting her to run for Senate.)

    lol. yeah, that was supposed to close the enthusiasm gap right? a defining moment in his presidency? you’re either with us or against us?

    I do not miss those days at all.

  39. 39.

    cyntax

    June 9, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    But not a 747? Interesting distinction on Tweety’s part. He obviously spends a lot of time thinking about this stuff–as he should.

  40. 40.

    James E. Powell

    June 9, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    Open thread question that I’ve been meaning to ask.

    I missed a few months of blog readings late last year and appear to have missed quite a few things. One that I am very curious about is when, exactly, did Bob Somerby’s mission switch from historian/advocate in the defense of Al Gore to scourge of the non-right wing press/media. He has particularly strong words for nearly everyone on MSNBC as well as for any of us who are so misguided as to watch anything on MSNBC. Now I get the Tweety hatred. In fact, I have shared that hatred since 2000. But what about the rest of it? Was this some show business feud?

  41. 41.

    Elizabelle

    June 9, 2011 at 6:05 pm

    @mr. whipple:

    Yes, the GOP is imploding and the presidential candidates are dreck.

    I’m worried about Obama and his team talking up that indicators are good, when you could make a case that conditions are ripe for a double dip.

    In my fantasy world, at least, Elizabeth Warren could help assure the middle class and everyone struggling that, yes, the administration gets it and that we can make some needed reforms to grow a sustainable economy that benefits non-plutocrats too.

  42. 42.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 6:06 pm

    @trollhattan: That’s not the only think Goodhair has his hands on: http://www.statesman.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/politics/entries/2009/07/30/hutchisonoriented_site_luring.html

  43. 43.

    harlana

    June 9, 2011 at 6:07 pm

    Whenever I see Newt, I think of the Lewinsky scandal and want to vomit. Whatever you may think of them, the Clintons stayed together while this fucker is married for the 3rd time to his former mistress. He was putting her front and center (side-by-side) of the campaign, to try to legitimize her and legitimize what he’d done, to somehow erase the blinding hypocrisy of it all. Under normal circumstances, I think he would have already ditched her, he’s a slimebag and it happens all the time. Every picture I see of her she looks like a frightened animal.

  44. 44.

    JPL

    June 9, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    Local news is showing Newt’s campaign office with all the lights out.

  45. 45.

    cleek

    June 9, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    did anybody here really think Newt was actually going to go the distance ?

    seemed to me like he put his name in just to keep people from forgetting about him.

  46. 46.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 6:09 pm

    @Elizabelle: Warren as VP is too much to hope for. I don’t think karma will allow it.

    Maybe Jennifer Granholm? She’s from MI, is smart, and is young and feisty. She would crush any of the GOP candidates in a debate.

  47. 47.

    JPL

    June 9, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit): Unless he is caught in bed with a boy that won’t pick up steam. He carries a gun so that makes him a macho man.

  48. 48.

    Ana Gama

    June 9, 2011 at 6:11 pm

    @harlana: Yeah, that, plus he didn’t have any good ideas for running the country.

  49. 49.

    JPL

    June 9, 2011 at 6:12 pm

    @BGinCHI: Granholm was born in Canada so that won’t happen.

  50. 50.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    @JPL: Oh, I didn’t think it mattered where white people were born.

    My bad.

  51. 51.

    Ash Can

    June 9, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    Weren’t there some intellectually-challenged pundits lauding the “seriousness” of Gingrich and his campaign not too long ago?

  52. 52.

    Ana Gama

    June 9, 2011 at 6:13 pm

    @BGinCHI: One problem: she was born in Canada.

  53. 53.

    Valdivia

    June 9, 2011 at 6:14 pm

    @dmsilev:

    I thought it would be Susan Rice or the other female advisor from Harvard.

  54. 54.

    Canadian Shoggoth

    June 9, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    The Professor, alone on his Island reflects: “Perhaps I shouldn’t have made my campaign entirely of coconuts?”

  55. 55.

    Ana Gama

    June 9, 2011 at 6:15 pm

    @BGinCHI: Granholm should be appointed to an appeals court or the federal bench. She would be an excellent judge.

  56. 56.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 6:18 pm

    @Ana Gama: Or Atty General.

  57. 57.

    anythingonlineispublic_dagnabit

    June 9, 2011 at 6:19 pm

    Since this is an open thread– open season on the Noot, anyway– I’ll risk being OT and tell you guys that I spent most of the day working in the Widow Rebozo’s fab Key Biscayne condo. Been there before. She’s a nice enough old lady, and we did no more than exchange pleasantries. She had lunch while listening to Rush (that’s an ordeal I haven’t endured for a while), but I just shut the door and did what I needed to do. The Imp of the Perverse wanted me to ask if she’d read ‘Nixonland,’ but my mortgage must be paid, and the only people with money right now are the ones in her class.
    Then on the way home NPR gives me the Nooty News!! Definitely made my day!!

  58. 58.

    clay

    June 9, 2011 at 6:20 pm

    Does Perry really think this country will elect another himbo from Texas four years after the last one. It’s the Jeb problem all over again. Besides, Obama already got elected running against Bush. I’m sure he’d love to do it again.

  59. 59.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 6:21 pm

    Why do bloggers love Eliz Warren? Atleast weiner gave good rants, but what has warren done?

  60. 60.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 6:23 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit): Seriously? You ever heard her speak?

    How about what she hasn’t done. Been co-opted by financial interests, had to whore out to donors to run for office, etc.

  61. 61.

    Villago Delenda Est

    June 9, 2011 at 6:26 pm

    @cyntax:

    A 747 needs a longer runway to land on than a 737.

    Tweety didn’t want to be over the top, you see…

  62. 62.

    Martin

    June 9, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    @BGinCHI: Why put Warren in a job where she can’t accomplish any of the things she could at CFPB?

  63. 63.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 6:27 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit): Also reminds me of when Kerouac and other west coast writers came to NYC in the 1950s and were at a reading by Frank O’Hara and some of NY school poets.

    There was some heckling and at one point Kerouac yelled out at the end of one of O’Hara’s poems “You’re killing American poetry!”

    O’Hara replied, “That’s more than you’ve ever done for it.”

  64. 64.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    @Martin: It wasn’t my idea. I was just responding to it. But it’s at least interesting. I guess it will be better than if they block her for CFPB and she never gets to do anything….

    Would like to see her run for MA Senate seat against Brown.

  65. 65.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 6:29 pm

    @James E. Powell:

    One that I am very curious about is when, exactly, did Bob Somerby’s mission switch from historian/advocate in the defense of Al Gore to scourge of the non-right wing press/media.

    Bob was a Hillary supporter, who is still scared that MSNBC was hostile to her in 2008.

    I always found it odd that Hillary got over the 2008 campaign quickly, but a sliver of her supporters have yet to get over it, and probably will never get over it.

  66. 66.

    jwb

    June 9, 2011 at 6:30 pm

    @dmsilev: Yes, because that’s all the Dems need is another senate seat to defend.

  67. 67.

    Studly Pantload, a full-service troll

    June 9, 2011 at 6:31 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit):

    Dood. Srsly. Youtube her (I know she’s been on The Daily Show), or look up something she’s written. She’s like, all adult, and stuff.

  68. 68.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 9, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit): Do you mean what made Warren a particular favorite in the blogosphere? Because just as a person she seems pretty damn amazing. Also, cute as a button.

  69. 69.

    Fucen Pneumatic Fuck Wrench Tarmal

    June 9, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    if hill goes on to the world bank, that would give obama an excellent chance to reboot on israel, pakistan, and the wars, perhaps with aiming to close them out as 2012 winds on.

  70. 70.

    RoonieRoo

    June 9, 2011 at 6:37 pm

    @clay: Yes, yes Perry does. And I really think that Perry can win the primary. He is very good at sounding Tea Party/Evangelical insane while he sounds sane to the doubting repubs. He is very charismatic and I truly think people are underestimating how well he would do.

    He’s a total nutbar but he’s very good at hiding it or pretending it didn’t happen when he has to. I think the desertion of Newt by these former Perry staffers is a sign that Perry is going to jump in and is calling his rats back to his ship.

  71. 71.

    trollhattan

    June 9, 2011 at 6:39 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit):

    “Not that there’s anything wrong with that.”

    Oops, except it’s the wrong party. Just how big are the the log cabin closets ?

  72. 72.

    Emerald

    June 9, 2011 at 6:39 pm

    @clay:

    Does Perry really think this country will elect another himbo from Texas four years after the last one.

    Also too, George W. is smarter than Perry.

  73. 73.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 6:39 pm

    @BGinCHI: words, words, words.

    I just don’t see why bloggers get so emotionally attached to words.

    I just don’t get why bloggers want to make someone emperor, or president or vice president or senator over some words.

    And I don’t want to single out Elizabeth Warren, because it goes deeper than that; she’s merely was a not too long ago flavor of the month. But, remember how the blogosphere wanted to make alan grayson king of the world simply because he gave entertaining rants.

  74. 74.

    iriedc

    June 9, 2011 at 6:44 pm

    Might I point out that it’s completely inaccurate to suggest that Newt’s wife is a prostitute. There is only one in that family and it’s not her.

  75. 75.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 9, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    @James E. Powell: I think he’s been making some good points about the would-be liberal media, mixed in with the usual quixotism. My sense is that he, like Jon Stewart, expects a lot of major media figures, and expects more of his side than of the other side, so when someone like Rachel Maddow fails (in Somerby’s eyes), he gets particularly irate.

    The thing I can’t quite get over when it comes to Somerby is that he never lets go of a grudge, so that even when someone gets something _right_, he’s liable to hammer him or her for getting it right _too late_. So it’s like, “Jonathan Chait writes [something he agrees with], but where was this spirit when the press corps was laying into Al Gore in 1998 and 1999 and it could have made a difference?” And his overarching idea that media liberals pull their punches and cover for each other because they’re all ass-kissing careerists feels a bit too neat and tidy… a bit like the right-wing notion that climate science is all a scam to score lucrative grant money.

  76. 76.

    JPL

    June 9, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit): People still love Sarah because she said Real Americans and Drill Baby Drill. The average voter loves words.

  77. 77.

    Judas Escargot

    June 9, 2011 at 6:45 pm

    @dmsilev:

    The rumor mill generally has John Kerry as next in line for SecState.

    Ugh.

    Looks like MA will have TWO “Moderate Republican” Senators in a few years.

  78. 78.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    @Studly Pantload, a full-service troll:

    @FlipYrWhig:

    No, my question was simple, what has she done?

    I’m sure she’s good at speeches, as I said, so was weiner. Weiner was great at ranting. Great. But as a congressman in office for 13 years, he never passed any legislation.

    And this is not to say she’s a bad person. But if it was simply a matter of words, lets nominate Al Sharpton, he’s great at rants, as well.

  79. 79.

    jwb

    June 9, 2011 at 6:46 pm

    @RoonieRoo: I wouldn’t exactly call him charismatic. He’s been blessed by running in Texas and the fact that no viable Republican was dumb enough to want the job this last time around. (I’m convinced Hutchison threw the race because she knew the conditions this time around were going to be awful.) In fact, about half the Republicans in the state, including a good number of the big donors, hate his guts. He’s also got a vindictive streak almost as long as Sarah Princess.

  80. 80.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 9, 2011 at 6:47 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit): Warren is more of a Dawn Johnsen/Craig Becker favorite, I think, rather than a Grayson/Weiner/Paul Hackett one. More cerebral indie, less in-your-face punk.

  81. 81.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 6:48 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit): Well, if you have a list of amazing achievers who are better, then post it. She’s not a provocateur like AG.

    She’s a smart, sane pro who teaches and is amazingly smart. She doesn’t have political experience because she’s, um, see the sentence before this one.

  82. 82.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 9, 2011 at 6:49 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit): She’s not “good at speeches” in the same way you’re talking about, though. She’s just clear and compelling. She’s a wonkish consumer advocate. It’s not the same profile as some of the other blog darlings. I think you’re barking up the wrong tree.

  83. 83.

    BGinCHI

    June 9, 2011 at 6:50 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit): Christ.

    Concern troll much?

  84. 84.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 6:51 pm

    @FlipYrWhig:

    Also, cute as a button

    Meh. She’s no Gabrielle Anwar

  85. 85.

    jwb

    June 9, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    @BGinCHI: Actually, I can’t see Obama dropping Biden unless Biden doesn’t want to run. It’s really not Obama’s style, as it would draw attention away from where the campaign wants it focused.

  86. 86.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 6:52 pm

    @BGinCHI: yes, yes. asking bloggers what has she done is classic concerned trolling.

  87. 87.

    Violet

    June 9, 2011 at 6:57 pm

    Texas had (has?) a huge budget deficit. Didn’t Perry do some financial magic to get that to disappear or something? Was it done by firing all the teachers or was there more? I know a bunch of teachers protested in Austin and school districts are cutting jobs and programs all across the state.

  88. 88.

    JPL

    June 9, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    Warren would make an excellent President or Vice-President but she’s not good at sound bites and that’s what people expect. I would love to see the President make a recess appointment.

  89. 89.

    Kathy in St. Louis

    June 9, 2011 at 6:58 pm

    The first thought that comes to my mind is that a man who can’t even hold his campaign together certainly shouldn’t be allowed to attempt to run the country. Newt has grown lazy and fat, truly. He’s like Fred Thompson was the last time. They’ve been too long on the celebrity gravy train to have the discipline to campaign. They are also jerks.

  90. 90.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 9, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    @BGinCHI: “Provocateur” is a useful notion. Some of the people lionized in the blogosphere are like that: Grayson, Weiner, Taibbi.

    Others are a bit different. They’re less pugnacious, more reserved, smart and clear and competent. I think I’d put Warren and Krugman in that category. (Among elected politicians, there are rather too few.)

    Some people would put Greenwald in the latter group; I think I’d put him in the former.

    For bloggers, I’d put Hamsher and Aravosis in the former, Steve Benen and Ezra Klein in the latter.

    ETA: Not that the former group isn’t smart and clear and competent, but stylistically and tonally there’s a distinct difference, even when on the attack and drawing contrasts.

  91. 91.

    Corner Stone

    June 9, 2011 at 6:59 pm

    @jwb:

    Actually, I can’t see Obama dropping Biden unless Biden doesn’t want to run

    Biden may decide he needs more time to wash the camaro.

  92. 92.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 9, 2011 at 7:01 pm

    @FlipYrWhig: She also has all the right enemies to guarantee her the love of the foul-mouthed and vituperative.

  93. 93.

    Martin

    June 9, 2011 at 7:02 pm

    @Corner Stone: Not to mention it’s hard to have a successful dump if you’re always in meetings.

  94. 94.

    mr. whipple

    June 9, 2011 at 7:02 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit): The question about VP from my POV is this: if POTUS dies, can you envision the VP as being up to the job of POTUS?

    I see nothing in Warren to this point that leads me to believe she would be ready for it.

  95. 95.

    JPL

    June 9, 2011 at 7:02 pm

    @Kathy in St. Louis: Newt’s headquarters are in Atlanta and it was amusing to see the local media showing the lights out in his office. Maybe he’ll move his headquarters. lol

  96. 96.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 9, 2011 at 7:04 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Good point.

  97. 97.

    Villago Delenda Est

    June 9, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit):

    Well, actually not true again.

    Weiner did get a few bills through. But there weren’t many, and they were pretty much all locally targeted in the NYC area, nothing of national significance.

    Your general point that Weiner hasn’t done that much, as a legislator, is still valid. It’s just that he did initiate and shepherd through a handful of bills.

  98. 98.

    jwb

    June 9, 2011 at 7:08 pm

    @Corner Stone: The point is that replacing Biden would be a major, major distraction, so unless Biden wants out or the poll numbers collapse I don’t see Obama pushing.

  99. 99.

    Villago Delenda Est

    June 9, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    @FlipYrWhig:

    Others are a bit different. They’re less pugnacious, more reserved, smart and clear and competent. I think I’d put Warren and Krugman in that category. (Among elected politicians, there are rather too few.)

    Peter DeFazio in the House, and Jeff Merkley and Al Franken in the Senate.

    Wonkish, articulate, and I think effective, although DeFazio pissed off Obama by calling for his financial team to experience unemployment up close and personal.

  100. 100.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 7:10 pm

    @FlipYrWhig: Good example. Krugman is someone I could support because he has accomplishments to his name (Nobel Prize, Clark Medal). But I wouldn’t support him if he simply was a columnist, who taught, and wrote text books.

  101. 101.

    eemom

    June 9, 2011 at 7:11 pm

    @FlipYrWhig:

    you had me until “the former group is smart and clear and competent.”

  102. 102.

    eemom

    June 9, 2011 at 7:12 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit):

    oh fer fucks sake dude. Prizes are fucking “accomplishments”? Gimme a break.

  103. 103.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 9, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    @eemom: Well, I’m trying not to prompt another flareup of the usual flamewar.

    @Villago Delenda Est: I always like Sheldon Whitehouse when he’s a talk-show guest, but he’s still not very high-profile.

  104. 104.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 9, 2011 at 7:14 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est: Then there are those few who fit both categories. Barney Frank, for example, who is both highly effective as a legislator (from what I’ve read) and a frequent rhetorical hoot. Franken seems to be making an effort to contain the smart-ass during this first term.

  105. 105.

    Tonal Crow

    June 9, 2011 at 7:17 pm

    I heard that the staff quit because Gingrich decided to divorce Callista after downloading pics of Anthony Weiner’s wiener from Bratbart’s laptop.

  106. 106.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 9, 2011 at 7:17 pm

    @eemom: Anyway, I think it’s kind of an interesting question, why certain figures become blogosphere darlings and others don’t, and, contra Mike Kay’s original assertion, it’s not only those who “rant” who achieve that status.

  107. 107.

    Villago Delenda Est

    June 9, 2011 at 7:17 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Franken I think is biding his time, establishing his chops as a wonk, a statesman, etc. He can be very effective in cutting through vast fields of BS when he wants to be.

    So he’s keeping somewhat of a low profile, as you indicate.

    Agreed on Frank. As an added bonus, he really gets under the skin of some Rethugs. Which amplifies his effectiveness, I think.

  108. 108.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 9, 2011 at 7:18 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Barney Frank is a good example.

  109. 109.

    Mike in NC

    June 9, 2011 at 7:22 pm

    Some might view this as a bad sign for Newt’s Presidential ambitions, but not Newt.

    The staff had to quit because Newt sucks all the oxygen from the room. Still, disappointing that he’ll be the first casualty and maybe not even make it to a debate.

  110. 110.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 7:24 pm

    @Villago Delenda Est: I know, it’s funny, he teamed up with a tea party guy to kill the Institute of Peace. I imagine the Institute of Peace must of said something negative about Netanyahu. Ya know Netanyahu survived a sex scandal, so Weiner always has international options.

  111. 111.

    SRW1

    June 9, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    @Southern Beale:

    Hillary is one smart cookie if that story is true. The Europeans want to keep the IMF chair in their hands, which will only work if the US goes along. So, there maybe a quid pro quo to be had: The US supports a Lagarde candidacy at the IMF and in turn the Europeans promise to lend a hand for a Hillary candidacy at the World Bank. Got to strike while the iron is hot.

    Just not sure how the finance alpha-males will react to the thought of two XY chromosome carriers at the helm.

  112. 112.

    Gin & Tonic

    June 9, 2011 at 7:25 pm

    @Corner Stone: That was a Trans Am. Jeez. *Huge* difference.

  113. 113.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 7:26 pm

    @eemom: where’s your Clark Medal?

  114. 114.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    @FlipYrWhig: I never said, only ranters achieve that status. I said, words over substance (ie Edwards). I never considered Edwards a ranter.

  115. 115.

    SRW1

    June 9, 2011 at 7:29 pm

    @GregB:

    Ah, the McCain recipe.

  116. 116.

    Lol

    June 9, 2011 at 7:30 pm

    Warren is doing great things already at CFPB (see Know Before You Owe). It’s too bad bloggers are less interested in promoting what the CFPB is doing today than constructing a cult of personality around Warren.

    See also the Raj Date freakout. Warren hand picked advisor with an impeccable background in consumer protection. But also too he once worked for a bank and the NYT did a hit job on him so he’s the worst person in forever according to the Know Nothing Netroots.

  117. 117.

    FlipYrWhig

    June 9, 2011 at 7:34 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit): You’ve been talking about rants and ranting up and down the thread: 1, 2, 3. You’re right, some people become BlogStars by their “entertaining rants.” But there’s another kind too. That’s all I mean.

  118. 118.

    Dennis G.

    June 9, 2011 at 7:35 pm

    @JPL:
    Most likely Warren will run against Scott Brown for the Senate. Just a hunch. Time will tell.

  119. 119.

    MikeJ

    June 9, 2011 at 7:44 pm

    @Gin & Tonic: Did it start as an Am or is it going to be an Am post op? And what the fuck is an Am?

  120. 120.

    Corner Stone

    June 9, 2011 at 7:45 pm

    @Gin & Tonic: You will never know how much I desperately wanted someone to call me on that.

  121. 121.

    stuckinred

    June 9, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    @MikeJ: The Trans-Am Series is an automobile racing series which was created in 1966 by Sports Car Club of America

  122. 122.

    eemom

    June 9, 2011 at 7:55 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit):

    I DECLINED it.

  123. 123.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 7:59 pm

    @eemom: show off.

  124. 124.

    Warren Terra

    June 9, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    And Newt is ending his vacation by giving a talk to the Republican Jewish Coalition. An organization that apparently exists. Because the Republicans can, if they exert themselves, find enough Jews willing to be called Republicans to fill a room.

  125. 125.

    Gin & Tonic

    June 9, 2011 at 8:05 pm

    @MikeJ: See, that’s the difference between a trans Am and a Trans Am.

  126. 126.

    lol

    June 9, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Franken and Frank share the trait of not acting like a jackass for the sake of acting like a jackass and wanting to appear as a “tough fighter.”

    The Netroots likes posers and they get upset with Franken for not acting more like one.

  127. 127.

    Gin & Tonic

    June 9, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    @Corner Stone: If you share it with the class, we will all know.

  128. 128.

    Mike Kay (True Grit)

    June 9, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    @Warren Terra:

    And Newt is ending his vacation by giving a talk to the Republican Jewish Coalition.

    They’re holding the event at a phone booth.

  129. 129.

    nepat

    June 9, 2011 at 8:16 pm

    Most likely Warren will run against Scott Brown for the Senate.

    Not gonna happen. Whatever her merits, Warren comes across as a Martha Coakley clone. She’d make a lousy candidate. Too much of a pointy-headed professor type. And Mr. Handsome of the Pick-up Truck is extremely popular in the state. If they ran Warren, she’d just end up unemployed.

  130. 130.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 9, 2011 at 8:28 pm

    @nepat:

    Not gonna happen. Whatever her merits, Warren comes across as a Martha Coakley clone.

    I suspect she wouldn’t make a great candidate, she’s too thoughtful, I think, a certain glibness is necessary after all to deal with the press and townhall type meetings. I don’t see in her any of the marble-headed arrogance or out-of-touch cluelessness of Coakely.

  131. 131.

    Mike in NC

    June 9, 2011 at 8:50 pm

    @Mike Kay (True Grit):

    They’re holding the event at a phone booth.

    Hopefully there won’t be a scheduling problem with the Black Republican Coalition.

  132. 132.

    Davis X. Machina

    June 9, 2011 at 9:09 pm

    @nepat: Not strictly true. You would need her to get a bigger truck and a hotter daughter than ol’ Scotty, and more time on Dennis and Callahan, but that’s what staffers are for.

  133. 133.

    shortstop

    June 9, 2011 at 9:12 pm

    This thread is hilarious and I thoroughly enjoyed it. That is all.

  134. 134.

    RoonieRoo

    June 9, 2011 at 9:35 pm

    @jwb: Yeah, charismatic might not be the right word. How about he is a grade A Texas bullshitter? And from watching the past Texans in action in our national politics, it appears that the rest of the country consistently falls for Grade A Texas bullshitters.

  135. 135.

    Evolved Deep Southerner

    June 9, 2011 at 9:58 pm

    @BGinCHI: Wasn’t Kerouac from New Jersey?

  136. 136.

    lol

    June 9, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    @nepat:

    Warren would be fine on the campaign trail. She’s very good at politicking – it’s how she’s been winning over the support of the bankers. Congressional hearings have demonstrated she can think on her feet. Staffing wise she’d probably be surrounded by Obama alumni so that would be covered too.

    But I seriously doubt she has the stomach and patience for fundraising. Call-time is the hardest part of campaigning.

    The Netroots would pony up some cash but not enough to pay for the whole thing, especially during a Presidential year where she’d have to compete for attention with dozens of other candidates.

    Halter hated call-time too and thought he could just rely on internet money. It wasn’t nearly enough despite being the only race at the time.

    So I’m guessing she won’t run. She’ll get recess appointed when there’s an opening and Raj Date will be nominated to hold the position long term.

  137. 137.

    Corner Stone

    June 9, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    @Gin & Tonic: Meh.

  138. 138.

    Monala

    June 9, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    @Judas Escargot: I used to live in Boston, and my brother, who is still there, sends me links to Boston Globe articles from time to time. One aricle was a poll in which people were asked whether or not they believed in global warming. Results were broken down by race. About 68% of Latinos said yes, as did about 72% of African-Americans. Among whites, only 42% said yes. Forty-two percent. In well-educated, liberal Massachusetts.

    Remids me of the Village Voice cover earlier this year that read, “White America has lost its mind.”

  139. 139.

    jimbob

    June 10, 2011 at 12:35 am

    @RoonieRoo: “I think the desertion of Newt by these former Perry staffers is a sign that Perry is going to jump in and is calling his rats back to his ship.”
    Ha ha! Classic!

  140. 140.

    Whiskey Screams from a Guy With No Short-Term Memory

    June 10, 2011 at 11:03 am

    And I really think that Perry can win the primary. He is very good at sounding Tea Party/Evangelical insane while he sounds sane to the doubting repubs. He is very charismatic and I truly think people are underestimating how well he would do.

    @RoonieRoo: Agreed. I think he could run the table, in fact, and there’s a thought that’s going to give me the cold sweats for the next year and a half.

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