I’ll never in a million years vote for the guy, but this was nice:
Johnson went on to state that “the so-called ‘Marriage Vow” pledge that FAMILY LEADER is asking Republican candidates for President to sign attacks minority segments of our population and attempts to prevent and eliminate personal freedom. This type of rhetoric is what gives Republicans a bad name.
“Government should not be involved in the bedrooms of consenting adults. I have always been a strong advocate of liberty and freedom from unnecessary government intervention into our lives. The freedoms that our forefathers fought for in this country are sacred and must be preserved. The Republican Party cannot be sidetracked into discussing these morally judgmental issues — such a discussion is simply wrongheaded. We need to maintain our position as the party of efficient government management and the watchdogs of the “public’s pocket book”.
“This ‘pledge’ is nothing short of a promise to discriminate against everyone who makes a personal choice that doesn’t fit into a particular definition of ‘virtue’.
While the Family Leader pledge covers just about every other so-called virtue they can think of, the one that is conspicuously missing is tolerance. In one concise document, they manage to condemn gays, single parents, single individuals, divorcees, Muslims, gays in the military, unmarried couples, women who choose to have abortions, and everyone else who doesn’t fit in a Norman Rockwell painting.
I concur. Although one minor quibble- what gives Republicans a bad name is not the vow, it’s the fact that they are pursuing these policies and are composed of religious fanatics and bigots.
(via OTB)
ppcli
The bar’s been lowered pretty far if pointing out the obvious hatefulness of the pledge gets someone points. But, well, I guess on the Republican side the bar has been lowered that far, so points to him.
I don’t know where he comes up with this, though:
“We need to maintain our position as the party of efficient government management and the watchdogs of the “public’s pocket book”.”
The way you were during the Bush and Reagan mega-deficits? The off-the-books unneeded war where billions of dollars just vanished without a trace? Drug benefit giveaway?
These guys are trying to coast on a reputation that they last deserved at best in the Eisenhower administration.
Chris
Sounds like a Barry Goldwater conservative. (Supposedly, he and Bob Dole were somewhat flabbergasted that they’d ended up being the new “moderates” in the Republican Party. Sad commentary on the ever-rightward-drift).
Chris
Yeah, this.
I’ve been asked if I give Bush credit for his “we’re not at war with Islam” speeches. Frankly no, I never did, because freedom of religion and the unwillingness to blame 1,000,000,000 plus people for the actions of nineteen of them, seemed so bloody basic that it would’ve been like “giving him credit” for not declaring himself dictator-for-life. Or for brushing his teeth and showering in the morning.
Now that the party’s Teabagger Central, I suppose I should give him credit for not being quite as bad as a Republican could be. Makes me wonder what the next generation of Goopers will do to make me miss Sarah Palin.
MattF
So,… Johnson is actually suggesting that “If you disagree with me you’re going to Hell” is not conservative and not much of a vote-getter? Well, goodness gracious, how about that.
seabe
Given the choice between Obama and Johnson, I’d probably vote Johnson just because he would end the two wars: the wars abroad and the war on drugs.
His nonsense economic stuff would never pass. The things he’d have control over would be superior to Obama in policy terms.
And you know why he’d never get close to winning? It’s because of the war stuff.
stuckinred
Gooooooaaaaaaaaallllll USA!!
Chris
Seabe,
You’re assuming that his military things would pass. I don’t see Congress allowing the war on drugs to end, and only possibly the other two.
Omnes Omnibus
@ Seabe: I bet Johnson would appoint fantastic Supreme Court Justices, right? Of course, the whole topic is academic since the reanimated corpse of Che Guevara has as much of a chance of getting the GOP nom as Gary Johnson does.
seabe
@Chris:
Congress would give him money to enforce things, but he has control whether or not he would actually enforce them. He wouldn’t.
He’d also end all four wars and dismantle our bases abroad, and as Commander-in-Chief, he would not need their approval. Sure the DoD might still be appropriated money, but it wouldn’t be spent.
@Omnes: Sorry, but those two issues are of more importance to me. Actually, wait. Three issues. Civil liberties.
Rick Taylor
You won’t have the opportunity to vote for him in a million years; not unless you register Republican and vote in the primaries. I saw him in the first Republican Presidential debate; he seemed the most sane of those running.
Lolis
Yeah, sorry I can’t give this guy credit for this, it is just a No, Duh statement. He has also made really clueless comments on race that can’t really be excused.
Seabe is delusional if he thinks Congress would end the drug war or the wars abroad. Congress won’t let Obama or Gates cut things from the military budget the military says it does not need. Wise up. I am sick of progressives looking for the next magical fairy that will be able to solve their problems. Except they won’t be able to do pretty much all of what they say they want to do.
NamelessGenXer
@seabe
Is that before or after Johnson single-handedly amends The Constitution to state that The President makes laws and Congress signs off on them?
Villago Delenda Est
Which is of little help, as economic libertarianism is basically neo-feudalism redressed. Johnson is as much for enslaving you to Galtian overlords as the Jeebofascists are to enslaving you to their invisible sky buddy’s sexual scolds on Earth.
cleek
@seabe:
the war on drugs is largely a legislative issue. it will take Congress to undo dozens of laws, for us to have a sane approach to drug use.
SiubhanDuinne
I’d never vote for him in the general, but if his name is still on the GA GOP ballot next year I would likely vote for him in the Republican primary.
And, what everyone else said. What a tragedy that merely making a pro-tolerance statement is enough to make him look head and shoulders less batshit crazy than the rest of the pack.
arguingwithsignposts
You must be from the “legalize it” wing of glibertarianism, because that is some serious shit you must be smoking.
ira-NY
Sadly, Family Leader’s leader Robert Vander Plaats will choose the winner of the Iowa Caucus.
If Palin stays out, he will go with Bachmann.
boss bitch
@seabe:
You are incredibly astoundingly naive.
MattR
@cleek:
True. But the President has a large say in how the DOJ prioritizes enforcement of those laws. The president cannot end the war on drugs, but he can limit its impact.
EDIT: I am a bit surprised to see others asserting that the President of the United States is not the person who has the ultimate authority to decide where out troops are stationed or what activities they undertake. There is no reason that President Johnson (or Obama) could not end our involvement in Iraq or Afghanistan.
harlana
VERY nice coming from a republican, he seems to have a great deal of support in the comments section.
You know, that’s a LOT of people you are alienating there. The remaining 30% ain’t gonna get you the presidency.
NamelessGenXer
War on Drugs? meh. May I state for the record that in thirty odd years of this incredible waste of my tax dollars, not once — not once — have I been unable to obtain some primo party goods in less than an hour. The only thing that’s changed is the price has quadrupled. Three cheers for the invisible hand of tax-free capitalism – woohoo!
MazeDancer
Those of us who have lived in New Mexico can only laugh at the idea of Gary Johnson being the “most competent/least crazy” of any field.
That said, it doesn’t matter who says it to welcome his statements being given even a moment’s airing in the Republican melee.
Of course, voting for any Republican for President is inviting the Supreme Court to become the gateway for the US to become the living embodiment of Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
Citizen_X
It will also require the actions of dozens of state legislatures and Governors. In other words, more years of hard, nationwide, political work.
PurpleGirl
This idea always makes me laugh because Rockwell himself was such a liberal and working as a graphic artist Rockwell was giving his employer what the employer wanted.
ETA: The Saturday Evening Post covers that he did as a graphics artist were not what he painted as his own ideas.
lol
Citizen_X:
Well, that sounds boring and tough when I could be blogging at home.
I think this is just another way that Barry Fartbama is exactly the same (if not more) as Hitler and I’ll explain why in my piece at FDL.
Citizen_X
Geez, Cole, why don’t you just fire off a flare and pick up a bullhorn to shout, “ATTENTION: Murbella-matoko-Atreides, report to the comment section!”
MattR
@Citizen_X:
I agree with this as well. But I would also point out that doing the work at the state level is much more difficult when it is known that the federal government will preempt and overrule the states.
@Omnes Omnibus: HA!
Omnes Omnibus
@ Citizen_X:
You are saying that he just lit the Batshit Signal?
RossInDetroit
Or live in an open primary state. It’s a tossup whether to make a statement by voting for the one who says something sane or to improve Obama’s chances in the general by voting for the craziest one.
PurpleGirl
Omnes: Yes, JC did send off the Batshit Signal. Murbella-matoko-Atreides in 3… 2… 1…
(Wasn’t she also using another name before G. Atreides?)
RossInDetroit
Kudos to Johnson for standing up to the culture bullies from the religious right. I doubt there will be many followers, though. The militant God-ists have got the rest of the GOP by the short & curlies.
Omnes Omnibus
@ PurpleGirl: Yeah, she was posting as Hermione Weasely-Gringo or something like that.
geg6
All I can say is that anyone who would vote for a libertarian like Johnson is too stupid to live. And based on what this person thinks a president can unilaterally do, I’m shocked he/she is still alive.
Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason
PurpleGirl@30
Yes, she had the temerity to name herself after Hermione Granger for a brief moment. Which got my hackles up.
burnspbesq
Solid first half, with a couple of exceptions.
Can I just say that for all her skill, Marta is a whiny punk.
dogwood
Go ahead and give him credit if you want to, but there’s something deliberately missing from his list of groups the document insults. African Americans. On the part of the pledge that raised the most controversy, he’s silent because he opposes the Civil Rights act.
stuckinred
burnspbesq
well damn, someone else is watching! Where’s Rohdanialio?
MattR
@burnspbesq: @stuckinred: Did either of you catch the Mexico-Germany Under 17 World Cup match? Ridiculous last 20 minutes.
stuckinred
MattR
nope, what network?
superluminar
Actually, I think it’s more likely he’s trolling Fred/Derf with this one. Probably should have thrown in a GG link for better effect though.
Sly
By contemporary conservative mythologizing, even Norman Rockwell wouldn’t fit into a Normal Rockwell painting.
@Chris:
Goldwater was from the conservative era preceding the takeover of the movement by the religious right, when all you needed to win the acclaim of Real Conservatives was be virulently anti-communist. Dole, I believe, always considered himself to be something of a “deal-making” moderate.
MattR
@stuckinred: Check out the highlights when you get a chance.
PS. I am about 2 min behind on the DVR. I look forward to one of you spoiling things for me in the second half ;)
PS #2. It is awfully hard to root against the Swedish team.
stuckinred
Aha, ESPNU
stuckinred
MattR
I’ll can it.
Jewish Steel
@ppcli:
If Republicans can’t have their imaginary fiscal responsibility and can’t be moral scolds, what appealing thing can they say about themselves? What’s left?
ruemara
Well, he gets some credit from me for doing the right thing. But, and I’ve said this before, this is just a stalking horse for liberaltarians. You get guys like seabe there, who somehow think that the real test is pot and getting government out of bedrooms. Sounds nice, sounds so liberal. Gary Johnson could do well with liberals, and conservatives if Republicans were more sane. I’m glad they aren’t, because I don’t want to live in a libertarian America. It’s bad enough with partial libertarianism.
PaulW
Johnson does have that reputation for being a pure libertarian, much in the mold of Ron Paul. Which means that on some social issues – like this virtue pledge – he’s actually appealing.
It’s just everything else about him – esp. the destruction of the social safety net again much like Ron Paul – that’s scary as hell.
If I had my druthers, I’d make him Commerce Secretary. But President? The current GOP would never offer him anyway. For all the teabagger’s insistence that they’re all “fiscal libertarians” they’re really all pro-corporate social wingnuts. If Johnson ever performs better than Bachmann in any primary… it’ll probably be New Hampshire and that would be about it.
MattR
@stuckinred: Don’t worry. I am gradually catching up with every break in the action.
scav
The repubs at some point are going to have to figure out how a single individual is supposed to manage to win both the election and the primaries in a world that isn’t guaranteed to take its retcon like good little children. Signing 12-point oaths of unflagging flag-waving belief and breaking a bottle of non-alcoholic champagne over a cheesegrater while christening it the Titanic is not necessarily the best first step to get you to New York. Hell of a movie though, especially as I just watched the cutaways to the champagne bashing over the icecube. I’m also looking forward to the aging ingenue catfight for the Winslet role.
stuckinred
MattR
So the dude actually missed the ball on that header?
arguingwithsignposts
@PaulW:
I don’t want that libertarian anywhere near monetary policy – even at commerce.
beltane
The fundies are as committed to the institution of marriage as they are to fiscal responsibility. It is amazing how everything these people lay their dirty little fingers on becomes tainted by their hypocrisy. When I look upon these assholes the first question that comes to mind is whether Michele Bachmann had to wear briefs or boxers in order to induce her “husband” to impregnate her.
Sorry to say, but the nastiest, most degenerate specimens of humanity I have ever had the misfortune to meet were evangelical Christians. To be saved means to lose all traces of shame.
aisce
you would say something nice about gary johnson, john galt cole.
stealth glibertarian republican motherfucker. glennbot. why don’t you go to the cato institute so you can suck brazil boy’s dick and get it over with?
/inb4 fred-derf
MattR
@stuckinred: Yep. Went over both the attacker’s and defender’s heads and bounced off the goal post and in. I was convinced that the Mexican kid was gonna be taken straight to the hospital (I thought the fact it was an under 17 team might make them a bit more cautious).
(EDIT: And I am now caught up.)
stuckinred
MattR
The Mexican kid from California apparently.
Ah, the goalkeep:
“Mexico’s goalkeeper is Richard Sanchez, a California native who graduated from the FC Dallas youth academy and signed a homegrown contract with the MLS club early this year.”
stuckinred
Holy shit
MattR
@stuckinred: Same thing :) Did not realize that. The German kid actually took another shot to the face later on.
Wow. This ref is really trying to give the game to the Brazilians. An absolutely atrocious call to force the retake of the penalty kick.
burnspbesq
Oh my fucking God. Referee just handed the game to Brazil.
Citizen_X
dogwood@36:
Good catch. So he’s another Rand Paul-type libertarian, huh? One’s already too many.
Does he hate low-flow toilets, too? Or is that too obviously stupid to whine about in desert-y New Mexico?
JCT
Thanks, beltane — I needed that good laugh. Maybe not the imagery, though.
Villago Delenda Est
What the libertarians consistently miss…and I’m not sure if it’s with malice or just stupidity…is that, inevitably, the liberty of person A will come into conflict with the liberty of person B.
That’s when a third party steps in and sorts things out. ONE of the two parties is likely to not be happy with the sorting. Then they’re “oppressed” by the third party for infringing on their “liberty”.
draftmama
In 1970 Pierre Trudeau said that the government had no place in the bedrooms of the nation.
My hero as a proud Canadian.
stuckinred
draftmama
Margaret took that to heart!
Derf
Jesus titty fucking christ. There you go with your Libertarian fetish again John Galt Cole.
How can you expect to be taken seriously with this Greenwald/Libertarian malfunction of yours?
burnspbesq
Overtime.
beltane
@Villago Delenda Est
When your philosophy is based around the three sacred tenets of Me, Myself, and I, there can never be such a conflict. Other people and their liberties are of no consequence. The followers of Ayn Rand should properly be called “subjectivists” not Objectivists.
WereBear
It’s too bad actual Libertarians are such wankers, because I’m a big fan of personal freedom. But as usual, they take a good thing ridiculously too far, because they don’t know how to think.
Personally, I’ve stopped playing the “Republican said something sensible!” game, because I never do fill up the Bingo card.
murbella
good libertarian reacharound for you Cole?
libertarians will say anything, you know.
this same assclown voted for anti-abortion and anti-union legislation.
this is the same as Brooks article….just a reacharound.
GaJo just diddled you from the front on gay marriage while ramming Distributed Jesuslands engorged white xian pen1s up your butt.
burnspbesq
The referees have succeeded in giving a completely undeserved advantage to Brazil. There was a clear offside not called in the buildup leading to that goal.
Omnes Omnibus
Wow, both Fred/Derf and m_c/some-character-name-from-a-scifi/fantasy-novel show up at about the same time and don’t understand the post. What are the odds?
stuckinred
Omnes Omnibus
about the same as the US pulling this out of the fire.
MattR
@burnspbesq: Yeah. Combined with the tight offsides call when the US had the ball and it does seem like the field is not level. At least they haven’t missed any players picking up the ball in the penalty area.
PS. And today’s winning numbers are 64 and 68.
Ella in New Mexico
@ 22
Yes! Yes!!! But how do we get the REAL story out? It’s time for some “sorry to burst your bubble” reality reporting from the liberal (AKA, sane) side of the media.
People don’t realize that what comes with Gary Johnson’s pro-drug, pro-private mores value is someone who thinks that public schools are a waste of taxpayers dollars and should stop after 10th grade, is willing to outsource the state’s entire maximum security prison system to Wackenhut who pays it’s guards minimum wage, and tried to gut the state’s Children, Youth and Families Department. Famous Johnson quote from some of us who cared at the time “An increase in $750,000 per year to domestic violence shelters and counseling programs is excessive and unnecessary”–this in a state with one of the highest spousal homicide rates and lowest expenditures on the issue in the nation.
It used to drive me crazy that he was spending sometimes WEEKS training for and completing his damn triathalons while our state was swirling in stagnancy, poverty and social decline. If you want a Nero fiddling to our own burning Rome, you should support Gary Johnson.
stuckinred
nice save
Yutsano
The evidence suggests the dogwhistle worked as intended.
Derf
yea, way to go Johnson. And your oppostion to those pesky child labour and civil rights laws is also something to be impressed by.
Johnson for Prez…Whooah!
signed John Galt Cole
scav
Omnes Omnibus: well, John did whistle for them and rattle the bag of treats. If he wants to run a lonely hearts service for the deranged, on his head be it. I still think we should take up a collection for the spaying and then nick their ears first though.
MattR
@Ella in New Mexico: I don’t support Johnson because I think he would be a good President. Personally, I don’t think he has a chance in hell of getting the nomination. But I do support him because it is good to have at least one Republican injecting some amount of reason into the discussion (even if it is pathetic that the things he is saying actually have to be said and even if he is not reasonable on several other fronts).
EDIT: And by support, I mean I will say “good job”. I’m not gonna give him money or volunteer for his campaign or anything like that.
Derf
Shout out to all my groupies. Your undying interest in everything I say and do inspires me to do even more.
How is that “I’m gonna add you to my pie filter so there” project comin along?
Omnes Omnibus
@ Derf:
Acephalous or simply illiterate?
stuckinred
I never heard of this bum.
quannlace
Doesn’t anybody else, when seeing ‘Family Leader,’ immediately think ‘Fearless Leader?’
MattR
Hopefully the assistant referee at this end will give the US a makeup call on an offsides.
Ash Can
@scav:
I lol’d.
Yutsano
I’m not certain how effective that reason is (and not all of his ideas are reasonable, even Ron Paul has decent ideas about the war) if no one else in the field is listening. All eyeballs right now are on Crazy Michele Bachmann. And Willard is the pest that just will not die. I can’t support crazy no matter how attractive the peripheral points.
Lolis
OT: But John if we all donate a buck could you solve the Reply Button Gone problem?
Yes, Derf I am a fan.
MattR
Do you believe in miracles?????
EDIT: You notice the British guy commentating thought the match was over at 115 minutes instead of 120?
stuckinred
HOLY SHIT!!!!!!!
burnspbesq
Fear the Wombat.
burnspbesq
Time for Hope to shine.
stuckinred
Either team have an advantage here? Us because of the comeback?
stuckinred
burnspbesq
I was reading that her dad was a homeless Vietnam Vet that died suddenly a couple of years ago.
wazmo
Minnesota is now the canray in the cave for the US-and the gas is starting to enter, with no sign of any attempt to stop the leak. Talk is now about not only not having a budget signed by the State Fair, but not until the end of the year. Ratings agencies are already downgrading MN debt.
Many bars/restaurants will soon have to close because they won’t be able to serve alcohol because they can’t get their licenses renewed.
So much for Minnesota Nice.
burnspbesq
SAVE!
stuckinred
Keep Hope alive!
burnspbesq
US WINS
Bill Murray
WOO HOO!!!1!!!111!
Was the Brazilian keeper legal for any of the PKs?
eta: yes the announcers can’t count
stuckinred
Bill Murray
Who cares? They don’t ask how they ask how MANY!
MattR
@stuckinred:
Ummmmm
:)
:)
:)
Crazy finish. Looked like the Brazilian goalie was still coming off her line early on several of the kicks. Glad we did not have to find out if they would have called for another retake.
stuckinred
MattR
I love it when I’m wrong.
burnspbesq
@Bill Murray:
One, maybe two. I played goal growing up. You’re taught to take a step forward.
burnspbesq
Let’s not forget the great work by Rapinoe, coming on as a sub, terrorizing the right side of the Brazilian defense, and serving a pinpoint cross to set up Wambach.
MazeDancer
@Ella in New Mexico
Wackenhut! There’s a name to bring back shudders.
Those Johnson atrocities you list – and his triathalon ignoring of his duties – would be more prominently discussed if Johnson was going anywhere nationally. And he’s not.
There are reporters and ex-reporters in NM with long memories and long knives who would be attempting to sell some national pieces/get pay back if Johnson was going to be anything other than comic relief.
But after the laughs, it is disturbing to see any progressives thinking anything positive about a guy willing to destroy the already slim safety net of one of the poorest states in the nation.
NM is the 5th largest state by land mass, yet 36th in population. And has dozens of counties where the per capita income is under 15K a year. Vast stretches of grinding poverty in spectacular natural beauty. And no public transportation to even let people get out of those counties to jobs.
ppcli
@burnspbesq
Yes, keeper coming off the line on a PK is like holding for offensive linemen in American football. It could be called on 99% of plays if the rules were enforced strictly. So when it actually is called, there is an element of caprice on the referee’s part.
burnspbesq
Replay on ESPN2 at midnight Eastern.
MattR
@stuckinred: @burnspbesq: Just reviewed things on the DVR. The first Boxx kick was egregious. The second one was noticeable. In a normal game it could have been called but did not have to be though in this game it should have been for consistency. The Lloyd shot was not too bad and would not have been called in a normal game, though they could conceivably have called it in this one. The Wombach shot was clean. The Rapinoe shot was similar to the second Boxx shot and the Krieger shot was pretty close to the first Boxx shot. Hope Solo was clean on all four shots she faced.
@burnspbesq: I was trying to figure out if she was really constantly involved in the play or if her hair made her more noticeable. Pretty sure you are right it was the former.
burnspbesq
Looking at the replay of the PK in regulation, it looks like one US player may have had one foot in the area when the kick was taken. I’ve been playing and watching football for 45 years and I can’t recall ever seeing that called. And on a penalty that was highly dubious to begin with.
dogwood
Citizen_X@59:
I don’t know, but I think he’s hot to sign the pledge being promoted by the Citizens for Light Bulb Liberty.
Bill Murray
I have seen it called but only when the encroaching player immediately played the ball to stop an offensive player from scoring.
Rapinoe was very involved in play although she made some poor plays, her cross for the goal was one of the best ever.
And looking at the 1999 PKs (today is the 12th anniversary of the US win at the Rose Bowl), Scurry was way off her line on her save.
dogwood
One of the things I’ve always wondered about people like the Paul twins is where to they stand on things like zoning laws. I mean if I purchase an empty lot (paid for in gold) next to Ron Paul’s Liberty mansion, would he be cool with me moving in a double-wide and raisin’ a few pigs and chickens. And could I open up a little business selling lawn ornaments, Sarah Palin memorabilia, and Gadsden flags?
burnspbesq
@Bill Murray:
Yes she was, but IIRC so was Gao most of the time. The ref that day called it consistently.
burnspbesq
Feel sorry for the US fans who assumed we would win our group and bought tickets for what turned out to be Sweden-Australia.
Bill Murray
@burnspbesq
It’s on ESPN right now in extra time, so we can check, although I think you are right.
the reminders of 1999, had me check out what happened to Sara Whalen and Lorrie Fair as they kind of faded away in my consciousness. Whalen has a Master’s in Psychology and had some nasty knee injury. Fair seems to be working in Africa eta: assuming Wikipedia has it right
AAA Bonds
Ah, it’s always good to see my theories confirmed, especially about creeps like Bachmann. More also-ran “candidate to beat” infighting, c/o Fox News:
Pawlenty: Bachmann’s Congressional Record ‘Nonexistent’
What’s far more important here is the subhead on Fox’s front page right now, and this is why I’m always telling all of y’all to read Fox News and Fox Nation on the daily.
The subhead contains the phrase “As campaign struggles, GOP hopeful Tim Pawlenty . . .” And the next bit after the lede in the story is “Pawlenty’s tough comments come as he faces mounting questions about the viability of his campaign. The former Minnesota governor is trailing far behind his competitors in the polls . . .”
Now, of course, six months out from Iowa, there’s no need for Fox to point out that Pawlenty is one of many candidates who trails in the polls behind Romney and Bachmann. For whatever reason here – and my guess is because Pawlenty replicates brands and the Republicans have to narrow the field – Ailes and Co. have decided the fix is in for Tim, right here, right now.
dogwood
John Cole:
You may be right, but we should be appalled at anyone from either party who would sign one of these things . People who think these written pledges are fine, also think presidentin’ is easy. It’s scary to think that a president confronted with a choice between bad and horrific must pick horrific because he signed on with Alpha Alpha Alpha during the primary season. The Republicans are running like it’s pledge week at Ole Miss and and they’ve all pledged to overturn the anti-hazing laws.
AAA Bonds
@dogwood:
It’d be tough to get rid of those pledges. They’re easy ways for groups to secure clout with candidates, and even easier ways for candidates to muster support from groups. And if you refuse to sign one you risk the ire of the group and another way for your competition to attack you.
dogwood
AAA:
I think it’s also that he’s just horrible on TV. He’s doesn’t just replicate the brand, he replicates the species. I’d bet if Pawlenty were the nominee you could flash his mug at a sampling of Americans in Sept. 2012 and a good share would swear they’d never seen him before but he kinda looks like a neighbor they had when they were 12.
rf80412
The Republican base could give a shit about “efficient government management and the watchdogs of the ‘public’s pocket book'”. Using the power of Big Government to legally enforce “a particular definition of virtue” and punish anyone and everyone who doesn’t conform has been the goal of the conservative movement from the very beginning. Even conservative economics is ultimately secondary to the social agenda, since conservatives believe that defying their standard of morality is only possible because of government service and protection, while embracing it will magically make everyone rich.
burnspbesq
@Bill Murray:
She also sent in the ball that Lloyd headed off the crossbar, that would have given the US a 2-0 lead if it had gone in.
Who plays in Buehler’s spot against France? If Lloyd were playing better, I might be tempted to play Boxx in central defense and insert Lindsey in midfield, but my guess is that Pia will bring LePelibet inside and start Cox at left back.
dogwood
AAA:
Sure, but they’re demeaning as hell. Pandering for endorsements is bad enough, but this is pandering on steroids.
Bill Murray
@burnspbesq
I’m thinking Becky Sauerbrunn in a straight switch, as France looked really fast on the wings against England.
and having just rewatched the 1999 PKs, Gao really didn’t come off her line much for the first three kicks, but did after Scurry’s save
kt
Conservative philosophy 101.
You will live your life according to all of my rules, but I will burn the world before living by any of yours.
TomG
John, thanks for giving Gary Johnson credit. I know, you probably disagree with 2/3 of what he wants to do, and yeah, he has no chance of winning the GOP nomination, but it feels good to see a Republican who isn’t beholden to the extreme social conservatives…
Cat Lady
Co-sign. Can we find another word to describe people against progress – how about whinebaggers?
Ben Cisco
@Cat Lady: Or whineboxers.