Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

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

The cruelty is the point; the law be damned.

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

Accused of treason; bitches about the ratings. I am in awe.

A Senator Walker would also be an insult to reason, rationality, and decency.

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

They’re not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

John Fetterman: Too Manly for Pennsylvania.  Paid for by the Oz for Senator campaign.

In my day, never was longer.

Black Jesus loves a paper trail.

The next time the wall wtreet journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first.

All your base are belong to Tunch.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

Make the republican party small enough to drown in a bathtub.

A sufficient plurality of insane, greedy people can tank any democratic system ever devised, apparently.

We are aware of all internet traditions.

Putting aside our relentless self-interest because the moral imperative is crystal clear.

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

And now I have baud making fun of me. this day can’t get worse.

Infrastructure week. at last.

“Everybody’s entitled to be an idiot.”

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

You are here: Home / Past Elections / Election 2012 / GOP Jacksonville Debate Thread

GOP Jacksonville Debate Thread

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(John Deering via GoComics.com)
__
Not a good likeness of Romney, but Wolf ‘Windsac’ Blitzer will be moderating, so the Swollen Amphibian should be back on form.

CNN livestream here.

Richard Adams’ Guardian liveblog here.
************
“A state that knows ALL ABOUT election cliffhangers” — really, Wolf? I don’t know that the sane people in Florida want to be reminded about hanging chads and butterfly ballots. Oh, wait — these are Republicans. As you were.
************
From the Guardian:

7.57pm: In an effort to win support from the Latino community, Newt Gingrich will tonight give half of his replies in Latin.
__
And in a bid to win support for his plan to build a huge moon colony, Newt Gingrich will give the other half of his replies in Klingon.

************
At Wolf’s frantic urging, Newt calls Willard “The most anti-immigrant person on this stage.” Willard retreats behind Marco Rubio — that’s RUBIO, folks, credit-to-his-race Marco! — who just went to the top of the ‘who will be Romney’s VP pick” sweeps.
**********
Santorum wants to drone-bomb Cuba like it was Libya, and then go back to the great American tradition of invading Latin American and Southern American to “help” them understand “the god-given joys of democracy.” Not going over as well with the audience in the hall as he’d hoped, but I’m sure it will play well with Talibangelicals tomorrow.
**********
Wolf: “Next up — the debate questions go to SPACE! — the FINAL FRONTIER!” Oh, I think the candidates have been orbiting Uranus for at least the past 20 minutes, Blitzer.
***********
Feels to me like Blitzer’s been in the tank for Willard all evening (probably under orders from his paymasters). He just went for “Dr. Paul, you would be the oldest president — will you release your medical records?” Yeaaah, Wolf’s got an agenda.
**********
Willard says a Moon colony would be too expensive. Santorum and Paul both say, as far as I can tell, that they’d rather spend that money on a space-based military, because otherwise the Chinese will bomb us from space. Newt assures Wolf, and us, that if we would only Get Out of the Way of Private Enterprise, Charles Lindbergh would already have flown from Paris to the Moon. And also, we wouldn’t need to give NASA any extra money, we could just “take away the waste” from “the NASA office in Washington”. In other words, we’ve moved away from science fiction and into olde-tyme fantasy.
***********
Willard: “Romney-Obama-care is approved of by Massachusans, by about three to one [more like four or five to one, IIRC], and therefore, on the day I’m inaugurated I will kill Obama-care for the rest of you suckers.” Well, he wasn’t getting many votes from his Commonwealth ex-neighbors, anyway…
**********
Not sure I can stand another 40 minutes of this. “Next up — explain why your wive would be the best First Lady”. Newt no doubt will assure us, The American People, that if Callista flags under the strain he’ll gladly bring in a mid-term replacement.
***********
Ron Paul: My wife has put up with me for 55 years. Mitt: My wife has contended with MS, breast cancer, and many years of instructing young sluts to marry their baby-daddies or else give up their whelps to more fortunate couples, while the little squirmers are still newborn & most desirable. Newt: Heh, heh, I’d “co-president” with any of those other three women, ifyouknowwhatImeanandIthinkyoudo. Oh, and Callista has a great embouchure. Santorum: Did you know we have a special-needs kid, and a dead kid as well? This proves my wife is a More God-Blessed Woman than anyone. (Also, we beat raised our kids right, which is me signalling at my fellow Talibangelicals.) Santorum has given up on the Oval Office, but he’s open to the second spot on anybody’s ticket, and if all else fails, it’s back on the God Grifter circuit!
************
Whooo, boy, CNN found a self-proclaimed Palestinian-American to ask Newt about his “invented people” crack. Willard just spent five minutes frantically insisting that Isreal is the fifty-first state, and anyone who doesn’t think so is un-American. Newt just re-iterates that “historically” Palestinians don’t exist, so who cares about hurting their invented feelings? Ugh.
***********
Newt just claimed that ‘a large part of the reason I’m running” is that ‘there’s a war, by the elites, on Christianity.‘ Well, we know the Jacksonville hall is thunderbolt-proof, at least. And Newt still couldn’t out-Gawwwd-bother Santimonious, I mean Sanctorum — what a whiny little turd that man is, and I say that as a person of faith: Ricky apparently thinks of his God as an omnipowerful Big Brother who’s gonna lay the hurt on anybody who crosses Little Ricky.
***********
Why should YOU be the next president? RonPaul: Freedom, and money. Willard: Private enterprise is supreme, and none of these other mooks have ever been a CEO. Newt: Fundamentally, historically, all authorities agree that St. Reagan wants me in the Oval Office. Ricky: I’m God-chosen, and those others are no better than atheists.

Reader Interactions

324Comments

  3. 3.

    dmsilev

    Somehow, the phrase “There will be blood” comes to mind.

    I’m beginning to understand the appeal that gladiatorial games had for the Romans…

  4. 4.

    Cassidy

    I knew I felt dirtier for a reason when I woke up this morning. Our fundies must be soaking this slop up.

  6. 6.

    dmsilev

    So, I wonder whether Newt will ask the Romneytronic 3000 about those off-shore bank accounts in Luxembourg and Bermuda that he just forgot to put on his disclosure forms.

    I mean, who among us hasn’t occasionally forgotten about a few million bucks worth of our offshore cash holdings?

    Edit: Oh yes, I forgot. According to the Romeny campaign, the discrepancies are ” a few trivial inadvertent issues.” Yeesh.

  8. 8.

    Mike in NC

    Regardless of whatever the Villagers will say about tonight’s “debate”, a loss in the Florida GOP primary would be an unacceptable setback for the Romneybot. Recall the conventional wisdom about SC: every winner since 1980 has gone on to claim the Republican nomination.

    The money boys will be going after Newt with everything in their arsenal after tonight. Sadly, can’t see him hanging in there for several more weeks.

  12. 12.

    jl

    I will attempt to exercise discipline and just check into the liveblogs from time to time. I found last time that the debates are really funny when followed that way.

    The rote attacks on muslin commies and tributes to Reagan sound like a satire of sub par Henny Youngman one liners. And the lies and nonsense become absurdist black humor.

    But my will is weak. I have the link to the livestream at the ready in case things get really wacky.

  13. 13.

    dmsilev

    @cathyx: I think they should go with actual red meat. Toss a few raw steaks into the circle; I’m pretty sure both Newt and Ron Paul would dig right in.

  19. 19.

    dmsilev

    After two or three audience reaction shots, I’ve yet to see any non-white people. Somehow, not surprised.

  20. 20.

    Brian R.

    Wolf is moderating.

    That means we’re going to get lots of questions where he repeats himself and shouts — AND SHOUTS! — part of the repeated phrase.

    What an idiot.

  27. 27.

    dmsilev

    Newt’s SuperPAC has a new anti-Romney ad out called “Blood Money” about a Bain company that had a wee little problem with Medicare fraud. The fun begins.

  31. 31.

    Cat Lady

    Newt’s more like Carrie after the prom. I really think he’s bipolar and we’re seeing his manic phase.

  35. 35.

    dmsilev

    Newt: “We have to be realistic in our indignation”

    In other news, Irony tragically committed suicide.

  36. 36.

    Brian R.

    @Judas Escargot:

    I’ve just realized how creepy the term “self-deportation” sounds.

    The nuns in parochial school told me that self-deportation would make me go blind.

  39. 39.

    jl

    Hey, kids, everyone remember when Obama ran attack ads against HRC saying she was nuts, unbalanced, unstable, and maybe insane? And HRC said Obama was so normal, maybe because of his weird muslin religion, that he was ‘too perfect’, and therefore ‘weird’? And emphasized that her serial cheating and multiple husbands showed she was a better person?

    Good times, weren’t they.

    See, the very valuable Dem debates from 2008 provided a pattern that the GOP is copied all too well. Good news for the GOP.

  43. 43.

    cmorenc

    @dmsilev:

    I mean, who among us hasn’t occasionally forgotten about a few million bucks worth of our offshore cash holdings?

    Yeah, I’ve got a few million bucks in offshore cash I’d forgotten about until Mitt’s problems reminded me, problem is the part I’ve forgotten is where in the hell it is located. That’s a potential problem with secret offshore bank accounts, just like buried treasure on an island you have to remember how the hell to find the island you hid it on. Mitt ought to thank Newt tonight for the prompt to remember about his, or he might have lost it.

  46. 46.

    jl

    @Baud: So now grandma and grandpa government loafers have no work ethic?

    You know, a lot of them might be getting food stamps.

    Damn, I may have to click the fatal live link. Then I will be doomed.

  48. 48.

    dmsilev

    Mitt: “Don’t ask me about my ads. Do you think I know anything about those. I have people to take care of such things.”

  49. 49.

    dmsilev

    @cmorenc:

    Yeah, I’ve got a few million bucks in offshore cash I’d forgotten about until Mitt’s problems reminded me, problem is the part I’ve forgotten is where in the hell it is.

    I know a Nigerian prince who’d be happy to help you track down the wayward cash.

  52. 52.

    Cassidy

    @Raven: I’m looking at going to the police academy here in Jax. Two schools offer it. I’m also putting in an app with the Highway Patrol. My wife has a pretty good job here with a growing company and she’s recently started saying that maybe me getting something federal and us moving again isn’t such a good idea. So we’ll see.

  54. 54.

    ericblair

    @Brian R.:

    The nuns in parochial school told me that self-deportation would make me go blind.

    Be Your Own La Migra.

    Aaand, it’s the Anakin versus Obi-Wan cage match. Whiny self-absorbed impulsive nitwit versus smug holier-than-thou lifeless stiff. We need Mr. Plinkett to review the shit out of these guys. That would be the nail in the coffin.

  55. 55.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    @Cat Lady: My NAMI oath requires me to remind you that the appropriate terminology is that

    Newt has bipolar
    as opposed to
    Newt is bipolar

    I actually suspect that it’s combined with a personality disorder, as even untreated bipolar disorder, which can result in some spectacular irritability during manic phases, does not generally present as the bone deep nastiness of Newt. It’s also usually a bit more disorganized, but I’m just being pedantic, to no one’s surprise. He’s a douchebucket aside and apart from any untreated brain disorder.

  56. 56.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Cassidy:

    I’m also putting in an app with the Highway Patrol.

    I drive a silver Saab with WI plates. If you could just look the other way, I would appreciate it.

  57. 57.

    Comrade Mary

    @Baud:

    Newt: I want grandmothers to harvest our food.

    Next debate: I want to harvest our grandmothers for food.

  60. 60.

    Calouste

    So Mitt’s dad was born in Mexico and his mum is from Wales, does that make him the Welshman from Mexico who came here to stay?

  61. 61.

    Baud

    Ron Paul wouldn’t impose American values on Central American countries. He would let the states do it.

  65. 65.

    EL

    If anyone is playing a drinking game, does “grandmothers and grandfathers” count as one drink or two?

  66. 66.

    dmsilev

    @Baud: That was actually the original meaning of the word “filibuster”. The career of William Walker, the “Grey-Eyed Man of Destiny” is instructive.

  69. 69.

    Bondirotta

    Unpossible. Wolf actually fact-checked Romney.

    How?? Why? Is this the “journalism” thing I heard about as a child?

  70. 70.

    JPL

    @Calouste: Well in the state of GA he would be presenting his birth certificate to a judge if he wanted to be on the ballot… Ah nevermind..iokiyr

  71. 71.

    dmsilev

    How pathetic does Romney have to be in order to get pantsed by Wolf Blitzer (re the ad that he claimed he hadn’t seen but of course had “I’m Mitt Romney and I approved this message” at the end)

  74. 74.

    Benjamin Franklin

    How would you phase out FM and Frediemac?

    Mitt=sum bullshit

    Gingko-Mo bullshit.cz Romney is mo bullshit

  75. 75.

    Brian R.

    Newt did some research and he discovered that Newt is totally innocent! It said “no lobbying,” so therefore the $1.6 million was clearly not for lobbying! ZING!

  76. 76.

    dmsilev

    Ouch. Newt: “Governor Romney should disclose how much money he’s made off the backs of foreclosed homes”

  77. 77.

    Brian R.

    My wife just said “These two are going at it like they’re in the school yard. … But a really rich prep school.”

  79. 79.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    Romney has game tonight. Newt has to pick it up. Hopefully, heh heh heh, he does.

  80. 80.

    General Stuck

    Fannie and Freddie mac. Kind of chystalizes wingnut hate for the poor. they never mention BoA, funny that

  84. 84.

    srv

    NBC/WSJ says Mitt is DOOMED!

    Gingrich is also viewed as the most electable candidate by GOP primary voters. He leads Romney 2-to-1 among those who picked electability as mattering most to them in a candidate. He holds a narrow lead, 46-44 percent, among those say views on issues matter most.

  89. 89.

    Bondirotta

    Newt is way too soft. Why? He should have called Romney a liar to his face after Mitt got busted for lying about that ad.

  96. 96.

    General Stuck

    Oh goodie, we are gonna get the skinny on Newt’s moon unit plans. We NM’s always like that kind of talk

  98. 98.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    Wow, Santorum has the golden knee pads on tonight. He’s personally sucked off Newt twice and given Romney a reach-around.

  100. 100.

    Quarks

    Dear Republicans:

    I realize you aren’t listening to me, but as long as you aren’t listening anyway, can you also not listen to Rick Santorum’s desperate pandering for the VP slot? Thanks muchly.

  104. 104.

    Violet

    I’m only tuning into the debate right now. How’s it going? Sully’s live blog says it’s all going well for Mitt, that he’s destroying Newt. Is that how it’s going?

  108. 108.

    Brian R.

    What a weird exchange between Wolf, Newt and Mitt.

    Starting with those three’s psycho first names.

  109. 109.

    dmsilev

    Mitt Romney stands up for Wolf Blitzer, thus allowing Newt to attack him on taxes.

    Good move, Willard.

  112. 112.

    Raven

    @Violet: I don’t know about destroy but I think the money boys have stacked the crowd and payed off Ricky to help Mittens.

  115. 115.

    jl

    I clicked the livestream link. You people’s fault.

    Just in time for Mitt to lie about his tax rate.

    Edit: see that the ‘jerry springer’ rules in force for audience. That makes it more fun.

  120. 120.

    Suffern ACE

    I can’t believe you’re watching this when Modern Marvels – Moss and Mold is on History International.

    So, social security and medicare vouchers come up in this one? Or does no one mention that in polite company any longer.

  121. 121.

    Brian R.

    @dmsilev:

    Romney: “I’m proud of the taxes I pay”

    “I just kept them a secret for so long because I didn’t want to brag!”

  123. 123.

    Violet

    @Baud: @Raven: Thanks. It does sound like Mitt’s got his boys in the audience.

    When I first turned on the TV the volume wasn’t turned up and from Mitt’s body language he looked on the defensive. Interesting.

    Santorum seems to be running for Mitt’s VP. What a hilarious ticket that would be.

  125. 125.

    Corbin Dallas Multipass

    @J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford: He may be an idiot but the difference between him and John King is palpable tonight. The moderator has a job and has to assert himself. When Newt challenged Wolf he challenged him right back, and that was that. John King put his tail between his legs and Newt pounced.

  134. 134.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Benjamin Franklin: Why? He will never be elected or appointed to a position higher than the one he now holds. He has not influence on policy and has sponsored no legislation of note. He has fanboys, but that is about it.

  137. 137.

    dmsilev

    The space question!

    Mitt: Newt wants to spend too much money.

    Newt: Don’t worry, the private sector will do it. And don’t mind the advertising plastered across the face of the Moon.

  139. 139.

    General Stuck

    Mitt wants to build houses here on earth. But think of the view on the Moon. And mining green cheese. Profit

  140. 140.

    Raven

    CYRANO:

    I could not choose, falling so swiftly,

    my point of arrival – know not where I might be!

    Is it on a moon or on a planet, may be,

    that the weight of my backside has landed me?

  145. 145.

    ChrisNYC

    Newt’s really stuck in a time warp. “Waste fraud and abuse”! “There’s plenty o money. Just cut those BUREAUCRATS!” So so so 90s.

  149. 149.

    Lojasmo

    A little OP because I refuse to listen to nattering pussbuckets:

    Gingy is ahead of rom bot in recent MN polls (10%?) and Obama is ahead of Romney (12%?) and Gingy (18%?)

    So looks like newt is gonna be the nominee.

    Squeeeee!

  153. 153.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    Newt’s gone word salad. He’s just blithering now on this gradiose idea.

    Mitt just drank his milkshake!

  161. 161.

    General Stuck

    Newt going big for the vision thingy. That won’t work unless he promises to put Obama on the first space ship north

  168. 168.

    RossInDetroit

    I just got back from work so I’m missing the excitement. One question: Have all of the parts of Ron Paul’s face stayed glued on this time?

  172. 172.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    Was that uninsured woman clapping when Newt mentioned getting rid of Obamacare?

  173. 173.

    Brian R.

    Did Ron Paul just say that medical costs are so high and people don’t have health insurance because the federal government got involved with Medicare? Seriously?!

  175. 175.

    butler

    So all of their answers on the health care issue: repeal Obamacare, and then do a bunch of stuff which is already part of Obamacare.

  176. 176.

    Benjamin Franklin

    This is like a speedchess match where the participants are actually playing..
    checkers

  177. 177.

    Martin

    Rachel is piling on the moon bullshit now on her show.

    Honestly, this is infinitely more moonbatty, pie in the sky, economic fantasyland than anything any Dem has ever suggested.

  179. 179.

    Brian R.

    Health savings accounts. “See, all you have to do is save up $100,000 dollars, and not get sick until you’ve reached your goal. Simple!”

  180. 180.

    ChrisNYC

    Mitt: IF i’m President I’ll EXECUTE Obama’s agenda! Because hey that’s awesome, those plans he has.

  181. 181.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    Wow, if that woman is satisfied with the four answers she just got then she deserves to be unemployed and uninsured.

    Fuck her.

  184. 184.

    Brian R.

    Holy shit, did Santorum just point out that Republican bitching about the individual mandate is a crock of shit? WOW.

  186. 186.

    Bondirotta

    The dream has died. Newt really let it all slip away.

    Why the heck did he not attack Romney harder – particulary after Rmney’s transparent lie about the ad he had approved?

    Newt is making Mitt look tough. Good grief.

  187. 187.

    dmsilev

    So far, I think Mittens is ahead on points. Newt needs to go for the jugular, and it’s just not working for him.

  191. 191.

    MildlyAmusedRainbowPerson

    I guess it’s only my naive impression, but Comrade Romney seems to have drunk Newt’s milkshake and then wolfed his Big Whopper and double fries before belching contemptuously in his general direction.

  192. 192.

    ChrisNYC

    Mitt’s gonna win FLA anyway. People can’t take more than a week of a puffing Newt. It’s too gross. We CAN though look forward to his humiliation, having to drop out. He’ll be raging.

  194. 194.

    Brian R.

    “And if I’m your student council president, I’ll put Kool Aid in the water fountains and every day will be Pizza Day!”

  195. 195.

    JGabriel

    Shorter Newt Health Care Plan: Everyone should be in a menage a quatre with their doctor, pharmacist, and hospital.

    .

  197. 197.

    dmsilev

    Santorum just slammed Romney on Romneycare. Someone really should have done that three or four months ago when it might have made a difference.

  200. 200.

    ChrisNYC

    Oh my God! Thanks Mitt for making the personal responsibility argument for the mandate so perfectly! Useful for October campaign commercials!

  202. 202.

    Thoughtcrime

    Comments from GOS live thread:

    6:08 PM PT: Mitt Romney wants to give people who are unemployed a tax deduction if they buy their own insurance. Um, where are they going to get the money for that?
    6:09 PM PT: Mitt Romney must think that when somebody is unemployed, they still make $20+ million per year in carried interest, just like him.

  204. 204.

    JGabriel

    Mit Romney:

    … or pay the state for the cost of providing them free care.

    I do not think “free” means what Mitt thinks it means.

    .

  206. 206.

    Martin

    Don’t count Romney in! Mitt didn’t disclose all of his offshore money. The GOP race to the bottom may continue yet!

  207. 207.

    JGabriel

    I wonder what Politfact will say about Romney’s claim that Obama raised taxes by $500 billion.

    .

  209. 209.

    Thoughtcrime

    Rick Santorum. Hasn’t done this much damage since he spoke to a group of gay kids.
    — @LOLGOP

  212. 212.

    JGabriel

    Ron Paul is right that people weren’t out in the streets without health care before Medicare/Medicaid; they were resting docile and uncomplaining in early graves.

    .

  213. 213.

    Thoughtcrime

    6:14 PM PT: Newt has this funny smile on his face. Probably thinking to himself he’d like to hire Rick Santorum to be his debate coach on the moon.

  215. 215.

    lamh35

    Newt obviously didn’t realize the nature of the audience he was getting tonight. The debate was co-sponsored by the state GOP, which means this is an establishment crowd. So Newt’s usual read meat (like the liberal media jihad) just ain’t flying tonight and Newt wasn’t prepared.

    Not to take anything away from Romney who seems better prepared for this debte, but I’m beginning to think that this audience is stacked with establishment voters. So even if Newt wins on substance, Romney wins on style cause the audience is behind him.

  218. 218.

    ChrisNYC

    Gotta hand it to Latino activists. They are the ONLY people who are able to ask, to both sides, “How many of US will you appoint?” and get away with it. They are smart smart politically.

  219. 219.

    Baud

    Why would your wife make the best first lady?

    I guess Wolf was afraid people were starting to think of him as a real journalist.

  220. 220.

    MildlyAmusedRainbowPerson

    One of Sully’s little “readers” had this to say:

    Newt Gingrich pulled off some miracle wins recently, but now the game film is out on him. Now everyone knows how to take away his greatest asset. In short, he’s Tim Tebow. And we all know what happened when Tebow went up against an organization that was well run from top to bottom.

    I am not sure which of the two would be more insulted by the comparison.

  221. 221.

    Thoughtcrime

    In explaining MA plan, Mitt just offered an eloquent explanation of the Affordable Care Act he says he would repeal.
    — @davidaxelrod

  222. 222.

    Comrade Mary

    So what would be Newt’s postural equivalent of Tebowing? (Please, no more blowjob imagery. I have few enough hobbies left without all y’all ruining it for me.)

  223. 223.

    JGabriel

    We need a new thread. At over 200 comments, and only 2/3 of the way through the debate, this is going to start bogging down the system.

    .

  227. 227.

    geg6

    For those speculating about the Salamander’s possible bipolar disorder, I can only say, based on my experience with my oldest brother, who has been diagnosed since the early 80s (about 10-15 years after his symptoms were obvious and fast approaching out of control), Newt exhibits many characteristics and behaviors that I have seen too many times before. If he isn’t bipolar with a personality disorder on top of that, I don’t know who would be.

  228. 228.

    General Stuck

    @Thoughtcrime:

    Yes, and I think in the long haul as this thing plays out, his Romneycare is going to sink him with the conservative voters in the primary. He has no answer for it, other than completely implausible bullshit.

  238. 238.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    Newt: All four wives would be wonderful first ladies and if I’m elected I will personally interview each woman for the job.

  240. 240.

    lamh35

    The First Lady Question is a good way to bring up Newt’s 3 marriages and his last one where he married his mistress without asking a direct question.

  242. 242.

    ChrisNYC

    @Raven: No, not just Cubans. They weren’t citing only Cubans. They were ticking off Hispanic Republicans. And, I mean, geez, Latino activists got an ENTIRE debate sponsored by them. That’s major. NARAL, League of Women Voters, soccer moms, and STILL women (nor any other group) can’t get the same thing. I think Hispanic advocates are smart and know how to do it. (Evidence: No Hispanic was among the bash Obama crowd. The DREAM Act went down in the same week that DADT repeal passed but Hispanics didn’t run to MSNBC to bitch bitch bitch. Instead, they delivered Harry Reid’s seat to him. Because they play long.)

  250. 250.

    Thoughtcrime

    Romney lists all the people of Mexican birth he wouldn’t deport. It’s a short list. #cnndebate
    — @RL_Miller

  251. 251.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    Wolf Blitzer: Gov. Romney, can you fuck the corpse of Reagan better than Newt?

  253. 253.

    General Stuck

    @gwangung:

    The point is that bullshit won’t matter, but his creation of a health care plan with a mandate in MA. will matter, among other flip flopping panders toward the left, that is Mitt Romney’s history

  254. 254.

    MildlyAmusedRainbowPerson

    The problem with Santorum is that he’s so damn whiny and self-righteous that even when he might be right about something, he just makes you want to bellow:

    “Shut the fuck up, Donny!”

  259. 259.

    Thoughtcrime

    6:29 PM PT: As Meteor Blades just put it: “When Reagan was president, I was opening my first accounts in the Caymans.”

  260. 260.

    ChrisNYC

    @Raven: Sorry. I didn’t mean anything bad with “they.” Just easier to write. I do really really think that the Latino activist community is smart, keeps their eye on the ball and delivers for their constituents. I think the professional left could learn from them. It’s discipline!

  261. 261.

    Judas Escargot

    I wonder which unopposed Democrat Mitt Romney must have voted for once. He’s being so specific…

  264. 264.

    MildlyAmusedRainbowPerson

    @ChrisNYC:

    You won’t mind my asking why Latinos continue to have such low rates of actually voting, if their activists are so smart?

  265. 265.

    MikeJ

    @geg6:

    If he isn’t bipolar with a personality disorder on top of that, I don’t know who would be.

    You might enjoy a book I just read, The Psychopath Test. It’s by the guy who wrote, The Men Who Stare at Goats, and his thesis is that 1%ers are much, much more likely to be psychopaths.

  267. 267.

    grass

    By my count, these 4 prime examples of american conservatism have spawned 19 children between them. Clearly going for the `if you cant beat them, out breed them’ political strategy.

  268. 268.

    Raven

    @ChrisNYC:

    So it’s not just burly macho hombres who hate gays that are tipping the vote. It’s quiet, polite Latina grandmothers who are willing to overlook Obama’s pro-choice tendencies, but can’t bring themselves to acknowledge that gay people have rights. Let’s be clear: When pundits talk about social conservatism among the otherwise Democratic-friendly Latino population, this is what they’re talking about.

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/daniel-cubias/not-so-fabuloso-latinos-a_b_144070.html

  270. 270.

    Chris

    @ChrisNYC:

    Very true, but I don’t think it has anything to do with them being “smart;” it’s just such a big voting bloc that they get to get away with it.

  273. 273.

    J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford

    Romney is going to explain to a Palestinian man why there is no peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

    Awesome.

  275. 275.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Baud:

    Consider the audience.

    In the immortal words of Bartleby the Scrivener, “I would prefer not to.”

    Edited because it can be.

  279. 279.

    MikeJ

    @dmsilev:

    A Palestinian-American Republican.

    I thought Republicans argued that there was no such thing as a Palestinian. Which is the difference between Democrats and Republicans. I’m willing to believe that people I disagree with exist and are human, but Republicans won’t admit that much.

  280. 280.

    Cacti

    @J.A.F. Rusty Shackleford:

    Romney is going to explain to a Palestinian man why there is no peace between Palestinians and Israelis.

    Bishop Romney should explain that it will all be resolved when Jesus returns to Jackson County, Missouri and the new Jerusalem is built there.

  281. 281.

    ChrisNYC

    @MildlyAmusedRainbowPerson: I don’t really know. BUT, I think that the voters they have, they do seem to be able to reliably “deliver.” I think the outreach to Latino media outlets (this debate (Univision, Telemundo, the Spanish radio stations, etc) shows that there are real numbers there, that are worth vying for. Maybe it’s a wrong analysis, but my understanding of Reid’s reelection was that it was FROM Hispanics voting. That’s capital. Undeniably, if they could get the participation rates up, more leverage. But I think they leverage what they have pretty masterfully.

  282. 282.

    Benjamin Franklin

    Huge diplomatic Feat;;

    Move the capital of Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem !!!

    Oingo Boingo !

  284. 284.

    a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q)

    @geg6: I agree, and emphasize the “personality disorder on top of it.” People with undiagnosed or untreated (or poorly medically treated) bipolar disorder can wreak acres of havoc and be downright unpleasant when manic, make no mistake (as you no doubt understand all to well). But the chilling and reflexive exquisite nastiness that Newt radiates is a giant tell for a personality disorder. Usual caveat that I am not a mental health treatment professional and would not pretend to diagnose without an actual live evaluation if I were, but I do have opinions based on some background training and experience. I cannot, however hold such opinions to a reasonable degree of scientific/medical certainty.

  285. 285.

    Schlemizel

    @JGabriel:
    “Mostly true” – the government DID take in at least that much in taxes this year.
    @Brian R.:
    Yes, you didn’t know the GOP wants to kill Medicare & SS?
    @Baud:
    Noot: “Hell, she wasn’t my FIRST lady and she does not need to be the first lady for any other guy either.”
    @Judas Escargot:
    Paul Tsongas

    Pasta damn moderation! even links to comments count

  286. 286.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @dmsilev: I can’t remember who it was, but somebody said yesterday that it was Newt’s “Palestinians are a made-up people” that got him the Adelson money.

    Watching TRMS, the lawyer for the birther case in GA is a GA state representative, and …

    Yesterday, the Georgia Secretary of State, Republican Brian Kemp, wrote a strongly-worded letter to President Barack Obama’s lawyer, Michael Jablonski, warning him that “if you and your client choose to suspend your participation in the… proceedings, please understand that you do so at your own peril.”

    this is un-fucking believable; are they threatening contempt charges or something?

  290. 290.

    MildlyAmusedRainbowPerson

    @ChrisNYC:

    Yes, this is true, but reliably delivering at a lower rate isn’t really impressive – and Reid’s re-election had a good deal to do with Sharron Angle babbling out some incredibly stupid and racist observations, including her thoughts on what various groups look like. I take nothing away from the people on the ground – but I don’t think one can say that Latino activists have managed to get the gold-mine working as much as it could. If they could, the GOP would be running for the hills as of yesterday.

  296. 296.

    Mark S.

    “Anyway, I think the Republicans have just lost the only Palestinian-Republican voter in existence.”

    Technical fact?

  299. 299.

    MildlyAmusedRainbowPerson

    I have to say, if we really were a meritocracy, Gingrich would be cleaning the peep-show toilets right now. God only knows where Santorum and Romney would have ended up.

  302. 302.

    ChrisNYC

    @MildlyAmusedRainbowPerson: Agree. Gingrich is the living embodiment of EVERYTHING that’s WRONG. What a cosseted life and he’s still SO SO angry. He should thank God that’s he’s never had to do a lick of work.

  304. 304.

    MildlyAmusedRainbowPerson

    @ChrisNYC:

    We don’t disagree that it was Latinos who made the difference in Nevada. My point is that this had relatively little to do with stellar latino activism and a lot to do with the astounding incompetence of Sharron Angle as a candidate. Even long-term Republicans were announcing their support for Harry Reid, because Angle was such a moron.

  306. 306.

    mai name

    @a hip hop artist from Idaho (fka Bella Q): Well, I ain’t a behavioral sciences professional , I mean I deal with them at work but not in a true professional basis. Anyway, my point is that half of the Goopers have personality disorders of some kind especially if you consider closeted gays a behavioral issue. Primo example is Ricky Santorum. Ricky screams gay to me. Dumbya was a narcissist. Cheney was a pathological sociopath with ishcemic issues of the brain. Laura Bush was a Stepford wife. Condi, well, I don’t wanna go there…..

  309. 309.

    John O

    *yawn*

    Not as fun as I’d hoped. I guess I’d give it to Romney on points.

    The election will be decided on class issues. I like Obama’s chances.

  310. 310.

    MildlyAmusedRainbowPerson

    @ChrisNYC:

    But you now seem to be agreeing that it wasn’t Latino activists who made the difference, as much as Angle’s folly (which your link explicitly references) and Reid’s courting of a very angry Latino electorate. Anyway, let’s hope that however it happens, Latinos turn out en masse in November. There are some promising reports coming out of Arizona already about voter enrollment drives and citizenship clinics, so let’s stay optimistic and do our phone-banking when the time comes.

  311. 311.

    piratedan

    @dmsilev: not sure how that will play in Fla, after all, they elected a guy as governor who had a 2b medicare fraud judgement against him, apparently they don’t care about little personal flaws like that.

  312. 312.

    Martin

    Latinos are a difficult group to nail down, policy-wise. Even for something that might seem obvious like immigration, there’s a lot of anti-immigrant Latinos – families that came here ages ago or who were here when the border moved. Quite a lot of latinos don’t identify with the immigration issue.

    And quite a lot of Latinos are Catholics, so the usual social issues – gay marriage, reproduction rights, and so on apply here as well. The Latino community didn’t oppose Prop 8 here in CA, though they did side with Obama.

    So, ‘winning Latinos’ really means not much different than ‘winning caucasians’ excluding the whole Confederacy butthurt shit.

  313. 313.

    Martin

    AND FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS BIEBER CAN ONE OF THESE FUCKING MODERATORS PLEASE CORRECT THE CANDIDATES THAT FREDDIE/FANNIE DON’T ORIGINATE LOANS. ALL THEY DO IS BUY AND SELL LOANS THAT SOMEONE ELSE (A BANK) ALREADY ORIGINATED. THEY CAN’T GIVE OUT LOANS THAT PEOPLE CAN’T REPAY BECAUSE THEY CAN’T GIVE OUT LOANS!

    Apologies for the Jesus key, but hopefully the interons may hear this time. This lie is almost as brazen as the birther shit.

  315. 315.

    No One of Consequence

    Getting in late on this. God love you Anne Laurie. This post is chock full o’ win.

    Thank you,

    – NOoC

  316. 316.

    ed_finnerty

    I thought that Romney really stuck the knife in Noot when he said he stuck with his wife through cancer and MS. I think this was a total (slow acting) knock out blow.

  317. 317.

    YellowJournalism

    If Santorum wants to be the VP pick, then that means his name will always be tied on promotional material to the GOP pick. I don’t know about you all, but the words “Gingrich-Santorum” make my tummy churn.

  319. 319.

    Cap'n Swag

    This Indiana-Wisconsin game is horrible. 30-29 with 15 minutes to play.

    Yet it’s still better than whatever the hell transpired in Jacksonville. I applaud all of you that were able to sit through another one of those damn things.

  321. 321.

    Chris

    @Mark S.:

    Holy crap, I just caught the Palestinian thing. What’d Willard actually say? Besides the 51st state thing, which is technically inaccurate as I’m pretty sure we’re the 51st state as far as people like Mitt and Newt are concerned.

    (Tried finding something about it on the Intertubes, but didn’t get any hits…)

  322. 322.

    Jennifer

    Good lord, that was horrible. I only made it through about 30 minutes. And WTF is up with the whole American Idol stage set and camera work?

    Sweet christ, this country deserves to be over if our choice this fall is between any of those tools and Obama. Which it will be, which means, yep, we’re over.

  323. 323.

    Suffern ACE

    @Chris: I know, I know it’s controversial even in San Juan, but even if you were against statehood, wouldn’t you be a bit miffed by that. I mean, if you’re gonna have a list that includes proto-states, wouldn’t Israel be 53? Or maybe 55?

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