(Drew Sheneman via GoComics.com)
__
Per the invaluable Mr. Charles P. Pierce:
… [I]n my goofy optimistic way, I am clinging to the town-hall format as my last hope that anything resembling something new and interesting will break through the din of a campaign aimed almost completely at the twelve undecided voters left in America. (The “ordinary voters” selected to participate on Tuesday evening are all “undecided voters” chosen by Gallup. All due respect to their honesty, and to Gallup’s due diligence, but that data indicate that, given the fact that they need enough people to fill up a ninety-minute debate, some of those people lied their asses off to get the gig.) It is the last stand for spontaneity, the last possibility of a human moment before both candidates climb back into their bubbles and bounce across the landscape the way that white blob on The Prisoner used to do it. It will be the last chance for flesh and blood before the election roars to its inevitable conclusion as a bloodbath of decimal points…
It’s a thin reed, I know. The people asking the questions at Hofstra University have been poked and prodded and vetted and, for all I know, fed tranquilizers, so that nothing will disturb the peaceful and blessed “centrism” and “balance” for which the organizers strive to the exclusion of all that nasty human unpredictability that can get people so damned worked up. The problem, of course, is that we should all want these people to be worked up. The country is still a very tough room for far too many people. Living in America has become hard, grinding work, not altogether because of factors beyond out control, but also because of what we have let our politics become. People should be angry. People should be grim. If, as always happens, somebody comes up with a genuine tale of sorrow and woe, the candidates should be allowed to emphasize for one entire minute and then, dammit, they should be expected either to tell this person specifically how their policies would alleviate the person’s situation, or why that person is simply going to have to suck it up while we get things in order for the bond traders.
Also, here’s a Sesame Street meme that actually adds something to the general discussion:
(Mike Thompson via GoComics.com)
__
Click on the cartoonist’s name, which will take you to his GoComics page, where you can click on the magnifying-glass icon for a larger, more readable version.
**********
Apart from the Hofstra town hall, what’s on the agenda for the evening?
Yutsano
I really should not give my PT an hour to work on me. Man does he get me contorted into knots.
Feeling better but just generally cranky. No big deal. Hoping the liveblog updates keep me informed.
Violet
So Pennsylvania might be back in play?
Link.
dmsilev
Finishing up what I’ve been working all day on, which is writing a response to referee reports on a journal article that we submitted recently. What’s a polite way of saying “the information you’re asking for is in the very next paragraph, so read the damn paper already!” ? And Microsoft Fucking Word corrupted my manuscript file. Twice.
I’m in the mood for strong drink, and lots of it.
? Martin
I have to confess about being a bit anxious about tonight. I don’t usually get like this. I’m still confident that Obama will pull this off, but the polling reaction since the first debate really caught me off guard. Let’s hope Michelle cuts off his tie 30 seconds before the debate begins.
Spaghetti Lee
Probably no debate for me-got some work to do. I’ll catch up on the postgame.
Logically speaking, a good performance by Obama should negate his poor performance and bring him back to where he was in the polls, right? Why do I have the feeling that’s not how it will work?
wrb
So if they are all undecided voters, they are all idiots.
Should make for some great questions.
Patricia Kayden
Cut Head Start by 20% and lower taxes for the rich by 20%. At least Romneybot is consistent in some ways.
Violet
@? Martin: I’m the same way. I’m afraid he’s going to overcompensate and come across angry or like a bully or defensive or whatever. And dumb, white America–the folks who fell for Romney’s lies the last time– around will just eat it up because “he looks presidential.”
I can only hope Romney makes a big gaffe that sucks all the air out of the room. The media hates Romney. I hope he gives them a reminder of why.
Hill Dweller
@Violet: Who knows? As I was saying in one of the lower threads, Romney has hit 50% in the Gallup and PPP/SEIU polls, and leads Obama in both.
I really have a hard time believing the country will elect a plutocrat, who made his millions at the expense of the middle class, President. It’s Bizarro World.
geg6
I just can’t believe that any question from an undecided voter will mean anything. If you are undecided, you are too stupid to live. So what great insights am I supposed to get from the candidates who are answering questions from people who are too stupid to live?
I’ll be watching, but I have no great hope for anything any more. I just keep canvassing and calling in the hope that work on the ground cancels out all the circus bullshit.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@geg6: Bob Shrum, of all people, said that at least a town hall debate would break the question out of the “old white guy’s concerns” rut they’ve been mostly stuck in.
BGinCHI
Exercise after a long day of baby corraling, then dinner and the debate. We’ll try to watch it but not sure how much I can take if the format is a mess.
I’ll try to find the time to bring my irreverant wit and pithy apothegms to the fast-as-hell thing we’re using to liveblog tonight.
ThatLeftTurnInABQ
@Violet:
The likely voter screen is probably what is driving a lot of this poll movement. Reps are now more enthused about Romney and Dems less enthused about Obama than was the case right after both conventions finished, which is shifting the boundary between RV (registered voter) and LV (likely voter). Of couse much of the point of a GOTV effort is to make LV = RV.
The other thing which will help convert RVs into LVs and get Dems to the polls is if we make countless comments to all our friends and neighbors that Obama is a failure and has let us all down and that we’re all dooooomed! That works wonders.
BGinCHI
Undecided voter:
“Both sides do it so how can I choose between both sides?”
geg6
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
My guess is that the hall is full of old white guys. Or their female equivalents. I mean seriously, how many black and Hispanic people are undecided? How many poor people, not blue collar, but poor people? Remember that Gallup and Candy Crowley pick the questioners. And that Bob Shrum is always, always wrong.
I see no upside to this. The media smell blood and they are out to kill any chance Obama has to come out of this looking good. They want their daddy party back.
Davis X. Machina
The town-hall format gave us among others the people who couldn’t tell the difference between ‘the debt’ and ‘the deficit’.
Spaghetti Lee
Maybe they’ll get audience members from that SNL ‘undecided voters’ skit.
“When is the election? What happens if the president dies? Where’s my power cord?”
Yutsano
@BGinCHI: That don’t work on the Crackberry. And I left work early yesterday, not sure I can pull that off again tonight. Even though I am sore as hell.
red dog
I will be watching anything but this debate as I have already voted out here in CA. How many of you guys have voted and treat this as entertainment?
geg6
@red dog:
Unfortunately, we are not allowed to vote early in PA. You even have to produce proof that you can’t make it to the polls due to health or work or being out of state on election day in order to get an absentee ballot here.
I’d love to vote early just so I could quit paying attention to shit like this and just keep doing my GOTV.
blingee
What are the drinking rules for tonight? There is the obvious drink every time Rmoney mentions freedom, liberty, Libya, apologize to terrorists yada yada.
What about when the first pundit calls Obama an angry black man? Do we down the whole bottle.
Signed…confused.
gbear
New cat Edward Scissorpaws is going in to my vet for the free check-up that he gets because I adopted him from a MN Humane Society adoption center. It’ll be the first chance for old cat Halley to explore the back room since Edward came home.
I wanted to start letting them spend time together this weekend but new living room furniture is being delivered on saturday so I want to keep Edward locked in the back room and Halley’s going to be freaked out about change. Halley hates change…
I’m not going to watch the debate. I know who I’m voting for and I don’t want to listen to a lying sack of shit lying some more, even if Obama cleans his clock.
gnomedad
Here’s something I’d like to hear: “Mr. Romney is entitled to his own views but not his own arithmetic.” Nah, probably too rude.
TexasMango
@geg6: This is my concern. People want Big White Daddy back in the White House.
I still think Obama will win, even if it’s narrow. But I hate this fucking country.
Forum Transmitted Disease
Been watching Romney lie like a rug for eight years straight now, I’m damn sure not going to sit captive in front of my TV for an hour and a half while he feeds the morons what they want to hear.
I already know who I’m voting for, he ain’t the best ever but he’s damn sure better than the alternative.
TexasMango
This election will come down to what every election comes down to: Just how stupid is white America? Are there enough smart white people who will team up with a majority of non-white people to keep the bad guys out of office.
It really is that simple.
James E. Powell
I can’t watch the debate. If it’s bad, I won’t be able to take it. If it works out well, I can read about and enjoy it just as much as if I’d been there. Stated another way, I don’t give a damn about the debates, I only care about the election results.
If Obama doesn’t get re-elected, this country slides back into Nixonland.
Forum Transmitted Disease
@blingee: No thanks, I want to live
gbear
@TexasMango: Yea, but I don’t think they want Big White Fratboy. Obama is more the Daddy than Mitt will ever be.
General Stuck
I hope Romney shows up full of himself, 20 pounds of dog shit in a 5 pound sack with a short fuse. The white guy entitlement could scorch your cornea tonight, and Obama’s job is to bring the matches.
As for our so called fourth estate, Howy Kurtz said it best.
There you have it folks, Einsteins on the Beach. For An Eggman
gnomedad
@gbear:
This, pretty much.
kd bart
This debate should be held in the conference room of an airport Radisson because Mitt Romney is basically a huckster trying to sell you his book and system on how to make money in the real estate market with no money down. He will say anything in order to get you to buy his program. The only one making money in the market is Mitt from the sale of his phony program. American people. Don’t fall for his smooth huckster talk
geg6
@TexasMango:
I was watching Tweety when I came home from work and even the liberals there are setting the bar ridiculously high for Obama. When Tweety asked Bashir (who I usually really like) and Alter what each candidate had to do tonight, they had a list a mile long for Obama. As for Rmoney, they said all he had to do was sound human.
TheMightyTrowel
@gnomedad: Going to lunch with a friend instead. There’s a great little Japanese cafe around the corner from my office.
bemused
From occasional glimpses at cable news today, evidently it’s been non-stop pre-debate blathering since morning. You’d think the blatherers would even been sick of themselves already.
Todd
OT, but I just noticed that Gawker has gone full porn, what with the Zumba chick videos surfacing.
And here I used to make fun of Zumba, which apparently also results in hot girl-girl action.
Hill Dweller
@Todd: Zumba chick?
geg6
@bemused:
The blatherers NEVER get sick of their own blathering. NEVER.
raven
Having our traditional couple and their daughter over for baked pasta, sauteed collards and real ginger snaps. When we started this the little one was an infant, she’s in middle school now.
bemused
@TexasMango:
This.
Paul
@Hill Dweller:
This country re-elected Bush in spite of the disastrous Iraq war, in spite of 911 happening on his watch, in spite of the economy being in the dumpster in 04 etc etc.
I would be surprised if enough women, enough people comprising the 47%, the 99% did not vote for Romney and make him our next President.
raven
@Hill Dweller: Kennebunkport Chinese Nookie factory with a Zumba beat!
raven
@Paul: reagan
bemused
@geg6:
True. If only 99% of them would go galt.
gogol's wife
@TexasMango:
That’s exactly how I feel (I’m white). When Obama was ahead, I thought, well, the country isn’t as stupid as I thought it was, despite UNLIMITED CORPORATE CASH. Now I’m back to thinking the country is very, very stupid.
Paula
Yanks vs. Guatemala for World Cup Qualifying. (A matter of life and death for the Juergen Klinsmann experiment.)
Fuck this political theater. The soccer match stands a chance of being accurately reported.
SatanicPanic
Debates are stupid. I sat through the last half hour of the last one, and am hoping I can avoid this one entirely. Also, Romney will never be president. I know it’s a lot to ask, but have some faith in your fellow Americans. We’re not electing this guy, if only because no one wants this dork on our TV sets for the next 4 years.
Todd
@Hill Dweller:
The Maine prostitution/extortion case.
gogol's wife
@James E. Powell:
It slides way below Nixonland, believe me. We got dug into a hole by W., Obama got us partway out, but Romney is going to dig it far deeper.
ruemara
@James E. Powell: This country slides back into Gangs of New York-land. Don’t sugar coat it with Nixon. Gains by women, gays and minorities will slide back, perpetual war (what do you think the Navy shit is about? He wants war with Iran.) and the joy of wages having no bottom. Fuck republicans and fuck the haters.
Baud
@SatanicPanic:
Ha. I was just thinking that Obama should open tonight with “Do you want to have Romney on your tv for the next four years?” and then just walk out.
raven
@SatanicPanic: I said exactly the same thing the night before we elected Reagan.
gogol's wife
@SatanicPanic:
Please Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, I devoutly pray to You on this godless blog that this person’s comment may prove to be true.
JCT
@dmsilev: HAH — I’m doing the same and I’m busy trying to come up with non-perjorative ways to point out that Reviewer 1 is a drooling moron who is clueless regarding the subject at-hand. Sigh.
And I’ll raise you — competitive renewal at NIH to be reviewed on Thursday and I have a black-tie function for the med school that night where I have to give a talk. I will need a drink oh so badly…..
I can’t bring myself to watch the debate, but I have faith in Obama, he has spent his entire life overcoming barriers, plus he really doesn’t like to lose…..
Todd
@raven:
I may have to review them a few more times to discern the evilness of them.
geg6
I remember saying this very thing in 2000 and 2004. I put nothing past the idiots in this country, which seems to encompass at least 49% of us.
geg6
@raven:
Yeah, I remember saying it then, too.
I really do hate a large swath of my fellow Americans. I wish I didn’t, but I do.
Political Observer
Tonight is the night where Romney puts this election away, and the beginning of the end of the Presidency of Barack Hussein Obama.
January, 2013: End of an Error
Political Observer
I see the liberals are already calling the electorate “stupid” and “idiots”, a sure sign they know they’ve lost the election.
John O
I have to watch, because I’m a performance pressure junkie, and there’s lots of it here.
Call me addicted. It’s why I like major golf tournaments and the NCAA tournament.
Also, I’ll be drinking and hopefully participating in the live-blogging, depending on how the drinking goes.
Countdown to +1 begins in about 45 minutes. And no, the debates shouldn’t matter so much, and yes, undecideds are weenies, and finally, Romney is indeed one of the worst POTUS candidates ever, however, the GOP is really good at winning elections compared to their ability to, you know, actually govern.
raven
@geg6: Sucks doesn’t it?
Narcissus
I don’t care if it makes him look angry, I want Obama to beat the hell out of Romney every single time that fucker lies.
Paula
@Political Observer:
Is it 1 mini bag of Doritos per post? I hope they’re giving you healthier options.
gogol's wife
@John O:
They’re good at winning elections the way Putin is good at it. They have control of the means of mass communication.
gelfling545
@geg6: I can’t imagine that they will ask any questions the President & his crew have not answered a million times already or that Romney has refused to answer a million times already. If they are still undecided they are just undecided about how to justify voting republican when their candidate is a disaster. They will find a way, however.
SatanicPanic
@Paul: But let’s be real here. John Kerry is dork. Basically one of the uncoolest men in DC and he fits into all the stereotypes about liberals. Bush OTOH is a gigantic moron, but he’s got redneck (possibly fake) swagger. He had some wild times, he can ride a horse, he owned a baseball team.
Now look at Mitt. Somewhere between John Kerry and Joe Lieberman on the dork scale. A man without a manly bone in his body. Versus Obama, who can sing like Al Green and plays basketball in his spare time. No chance for Mitt. If Obama were white it wouldn’t even be close.
John O
@Political Observer:
Where would the GOP be without the racist, homophobic or otherwise bigoted, war-mongering idiot vote? I say, “nowhere.”
bemused
I’ll watch the debate. I remember how pitiful McCain looked in debates with Obama, a blustering old white guy. Hoping Mitt shows plenty of his empty core as well.
The only debate panel I plan to watch is Stephanie Miller on Current in about 10 minutes.
Political Observer
@John O:
Waaaah! Waaah! Waaah! Keep crying, bitch. It’s only going to get worse.
Davis X. Machina
And it’s safe to do it now. The economy is not exactly good, but it’s certainly no longer in free-fall, and thus desperate expedients, like dark or Democratic presidents, are no longer necessary.
Return to normalcy, in other words.
gogol's wife
@bemused:
Yes, but McCain had been maimed in the service of his country and looked old and doddering. Romney has never lifted a finger to serve anyone but himself, so he looks young and vibrant. The American electorate is too stupid, yes, stupid, to think that through for themselves.
raven
@John O: And people to keep their representatives engaged here by talking to them over and over and over.
Schlemizel
I’m a refusenik. Obama could rape a white woman live on stage tonight and order the bombing of an orphanage in Iran while Rmoney could convert to Pastafarianism and give his fortune to the poor and I am still voting for Obama. Why? because one night does not change who those two guys are any at all. (which is to say none of those things is going to happen or even close to happen)
So why torture myself with vapid questions, blovated answers, lies, bullshit and pointless inanities? I have a nice home brewed Belgian Tripel and smoked baba ganoush. Those of you who want to torture yourself pretending these things matter (when only the spin matters) can suffer through the night.
Are the assholes on CNN and MSNBC pretending its GameDay on ESPN again?
Political Observer
On November 6th, in the words of once and future Senator George Allen, we’re going to kick your soft teeth down your whiny liberal throats.
Chyron HR
@Political Observer:
Are you looking forward to Elder Romney turning America into a Mormon theocracy? Or do you just figure it’s a small price to pay to “put the white in the White House”?
SatanicPanic
@raven: But again, Reagan or Carter? I wasn’t paying attention at the time (being a child) but from what I can tell you had a choice between Debbie Downer or Mr Sunshine. Who do you want on your TV?
TheHalfrican
538 is -7.4 since October 9?
Okay, anybody else willing to admit that Sully’s panic attack wasn’t so crazy and unnecessary yet? Cuz I am. I mean even Maher was mocking him for it on Twitter but holy shit. We really thought Romney would be hurt because he lied? Ugh, WTF were we thinking. Please be in Game-6-Jordan mode tonight Obeezy, PLEASE.
Paula
@Political Observer:
I really like Ruffles Baked Chips. What’s your favorite snack chip?
John O
@gogol’s wife:
Yeah, it’s nice to have your own private propaganda machine. Though the GOP would argue MSNBC is the same, and it would almost be true if FOX ever put on, say, Evan Bayh on for 3 hours every morning.
Political Observer
@Chyron HR:
I believe the constitution says something about “no religious tests”, but it’s good to know that when the chips are down the Democrats turn to bigotry.
gnomedad
@TheMightyTrowel:
We’re seeing a Terry Pratchett appearance sponsored by a local bookstore. I win. :)
waratah
One thing I am sure of Obama will not overcompensate, it is not in his nature.
gogol's wife
@John O:
You really think Fox is all they have? ABC, CBS, NBC, CNN, NYTimes, every regional newspaper, etc., etc., etc.
geg6
@raven:
Well, one bit of good news is that the trolls won’t have posting privileges on the live blog. That should make the live blog bearable as I won’t be feeling murderous for that ninety minutes anyway.
Political Observer
@TheHalfrican:
Nah, Obambi won’t be Jordan. He’ll be the 1992 Angolan Olympic basketball team and Romney will be the Dream Team.
Chyron HR
@Political Observer:
The Constitution? I thought George W. Bush, leader of the Republican party, decreed that it’s “just a goddamned piece of paper”.
bemused
@SatanicPanic:
Republicans bought into the yarn that Bush was a good old boy they wanted to have a beer with. The problem is he didn’t drink, in public anyway, and I wonder if he really can ride a horse when he is scared of horses. I’ll never forget that unfortunate horse joke Laura Bush made at the WH Correspondence Dinner.
SatanicPanic
@Political Observer: No, it’s a sure sign that some liberals are nervous nellies. That’s not exactly news, buddy. I, for one, don’t think Americans are idiots, and I’m positive Romney cannot win. I have been saying this since mid 2011 and nothing so far, not even Romney alleged brilliant debate performace, has made me question that.
MomSense
@Hill Dweller and Todd
I grew up in Kennebunk, lived there for a long time, and still have family there. I am surprised by the media fascination with it though. I heard it on the BBC news the other morning.
And yes, I do know people on the list. Now we wait for the remaining 129 names…
bemused
@SatanicPanic:
Republicans bought into the yarn that Bush was a good old boy they wanted to have a beer with. The problem is he didn’t drink, in public anyway, and I wonder if he really can ride a horse when he is scared of horses. I’ll never forget that unfortunate horse joke Laura Bush made at the WH Correspondence Dinner.
Lurker
@red dog:
I have Permanent Vote-By-Mail status here in California, so I mailed in my ballot this weekend.
Political Observer
Obambi isn’t Jordan. He’s the Angolan Olympic basketball team from 1992.
Romney is the Dream Team.
John O
@Political Observer:
You’re an obvious asswipe. I once voted for both parties, and then the GOP went off the cliff, and you’ll see if you get your wish: Both fringes will hate Romney equally, by the time he finally decides who he really is.
Go ahead, vote for Super Bush. I won’t be hurt, since I’m white, male, and solvent.
BTW, how IS Romney going to pay for that tax cut, you douche?
MomSense
@Hill Dweller and Todd
I grew up in Kennebunk, lived there for a long time, and still have family there. I am surprised by the media fascination with it though. I heard it on the BBC news the other morning.
And yes, I do know people on the list. Now we wait for the remaining 129 names…
Narcissus
@Political Observer: Hey, did you ever figure out what part of calling someone a mulatto is funny, and why?
I still don’t understand
John O
@Political Observer:
You’re an obvious asswipe. I once voted for both parties, and then the GOP went off the cliff, and you’ll see if you get your wish: Both fringes will hate Romney equally, by the time he finally decides who he really is.
Go ahead, vote for Super Bush. I won’t be hurt, since I’m white, male, and solvent.
BTW, how IS Romney going to pay for that tax cut, you douche? And where WOULD the GOP be without the racist, homophobic, bigoted base? 30%?
raven
@SatanicPanic: People that didn’t know shit about Mario Savio voted for what they thought was sunshine.
Political Observer
@John O:
How will he pay for it? Cutting the marginal rates will grow the economy and therefore increase revenues. That’s how.
And that’s what he will say tonight. And everyone will believe it. Suck. On. It.
You’re losers, Democrats. L-O-S-E-R-S at Presidential politics. You’ve only won since 1968 under weird circumstances. The default setting for the White House is Republican. It always will be.
And if you don’t like it, go fuck yourselves.
SatanicPanic
@TheHalfrican: Dude, he’s down to 63.8% chance to win. Vegas casinos make billions on odds worse than that.
Insomniac
Saw this today. Funny and true… http://www.romneytaxplan.com/
Maude
@ruemara:
Women could go back to not having any rights. I’m not being extreme. I think the Civil Rights Act of 1964 could be obliterated.
I am not having fun right now and maybe it causes me to be so low about what is going on.
SatanicPanic
FYWP
John O
@Political Observer:
You mean like it did under Bush? As I like to do, LOL.
Paul
@Political Observer:
You finally made a good point as I don’t recall a single time when the Republicans were bigoted towards Obama.
I’m sure I just dreamed where Republicans brought up the “issue” of Obama’s birth certificate, Obama’s religion, Obama’s skin color etc etc.
I would have expected that type of disrespect of a an American President from our enemies, not from Republicans. And these are the same Republicans who claim they are Christians and patriots. You can’t make this stuff up…
Political Observer
@John O:
Like under Reagan.
Funny thing is, the economy probably IS about to have a very sharp, V-shaped recovery next year.
And Romney will be President. Which party do you think gets the credit then?
John O
@Political Observer:
Reagan proved deficits don’t matter.
Dick Cheney.
It was all on the credit card, Einstein.
FlipYrWhig
@John O: Cutting taxes might stimulate the economy. But you can’t at the same time stimulate the economy and cut the deficit. Even if it was possible to be “revenue neutral,” that still doesn’t _reduce_ the deficit. So the plan is magic on top of magic. At best.
Chyron HR
@Political Observer:
Remember, a majority of living Presidents are Democrats, but the only statistic that matters is the cherry-picked date that ReaIity Check jerks off to.
Political Observer
@John O:
Yup. And?
John O
Answer my question, Political Observer/Partisan Troll:
Where would the GOP be without the racists, the homophobes, etc.?
27% seems to be the magic number!
Elizabelle
Why are you guys talking so much to “Political Observer”?
I am seeing a delicious piece of blueberry pie.
Or maybe chips and dip. Snack filter.
“Paid to be Obtuse” is just here to get in your grill. Ignore it.
Chris
@gogol’s wife:
Even when Obama was ahead I never thought “we’re not so dumb after all.” I just thought “good, the minority vote is finally that big.”
TheHalfrican
@Political Observer
LOL wow way to overreach
FWIW, if Romney actually pulled this off, he’d be more comparable to say, those last 2 lucky-ass Giants Super Bowl teams. Completely dogfucking the first 3 quarters with like 9 interceptions before suddenly becoming Joe Montana in the 4th is definitely Eli’s M.O.
But no, you had to go completely overboard and whip out the Dream Team comparisons. Didn’t Kobe demonstrate what a bad idea it is to compare anything to the Dream Team this summer? Negro Please.
Political Observer
“I, Willard Mitt Romney, do solemnly swear…”
Cacti
Political Derp is back from his sign twirling shift. Everybody throw nickels. Monkey has to dance to get paid.
John O
@Elizabelle:
I’m sorry. Don’t usually bother, but am feeling frisky tonight. Of course he’s an ass. He thinks a blog hosted by a two-time Bush voter is “liberal,” as opposed to “reality.”
Paul
@Political Observer:
So you are resorting to name calling now? How Republican of you.
Bush cut the marginal rates, the revenue didn’t increase and as a result our deficit sky rocketed. Wanna try again?
geg6
@TheHalfrican:
Um, I hate to contradict you but I am firmly convinced that it was Sully and Tweety and that idiot Ed Schultz and so many other prominent pundits and rank and file Dems who supposedly support Obama freaking the fuck out publicly and loudly that sent him into the tailspin we are seeing right now. Tweety right now is talking about Andrew Sullivan as the expert as to what Obama needs to do. Kill me now.
Anya
@Violet: I’ve seen you make this same argument before, but I am yet to find any evidence of media’s hate of Romney. I think they’re oriented towards the Republicans and their talking points. I don’t watch teevee but I read a lot of news papers and I often watch clips from CNN and other networks and I think they’re harder on the president than they’re on Romney. Admittedly, they don’t love Romney as they loved grandpa Walnuts but someone as vile and craven as Romney should be getting loads of bad coverage. Instead his lies are excused or ignored and his non existant plans are treated as credible as the president’s plan.
trollhattan
@Lurker:
Am still plowing through mine. So many initiatives; so many downticket races; so many “Yes or no on forming a commission; in case commission passes, select seven commissioners from this list of several dozen” choices.
Is it okay to vote drunk?
weaselone
PO is most likely correct about the V shaped recovery in the next term, so it is essential we secure an Obama win unless we want to see a democratic bloodbath in the midterms. Off course, a combination of high gas prices and Republican policies would likely drive the economy off a cliff during the second half of a Romney administration.
trollhattan
@Elizabelle:
Taco pie?
SatanicPanic
@Elizabelle: True. I think Trolls can serve a purpose when they get everyone united around smacking them down. And based on some of his comments- Comparing Mitt Romney to the 1992 Olympic Basketball Dream Team (seriously, he just said that)- I think he’s just some bored liberals parody troll.
FlipYrWhig
@FlipYrWhig: Or, to put it another way, if all your commercials are about how awful it is to have $15 trillion in debt, and your big plan is to futz around with tax rates and loopholes in order to be “revenue neutral,” you still haven’t explained how you’re going to turn around the $15T you think is such a huge problem. If you start with $15T, do tax cuts to the tune of $5T, then somehow come up with spending cuts that are also on the order of $5T, you’re still nowhere on the original $15T problem that was such a moral imperative in the first place. It’s an astounding level of bullshit.
Elizabelle
@trollhattan:
As long as it comes with a margarita. Salted glass, please.
Chris
@Elizabelle:
And that’s why I always argue for ban hammers.
On a more serious note, blueberry pies rock.
ruemara
@geg6: This. I’m not upset about that dumbass RC, I’m pissed as hell that the freak out by 90% of MSNBC’s supposed liberal punditry and Andrew “God I wish I could have suckled at Iron Panties Maggie’s Teat” Sullivan public pants shitting have given the morons of the electorate the idea that Romney is a winning ticket. The world loves a winner and when you look like a loser, you lose. The debate was a draw at best, and they had an obligation to report on the FUCKING LIES, not on Obama looking at his notes. FOCUS, DO YOU HAVE IT MOTHERFUCKERS? Survey says, no. Goddamn morons, one and all and I include Rachael Maddow in that.
Cacti
@Paul:
Voodoo economics part III: this time, we promise the growth fairy really will make the numbers work.
trollhattan
@John O:
Some folks sure misremember the criminal enterprise-tax raisin’ machine that was the Reagan era.
Funny, that.
Quarks
Apparently Jill Stein of the Green Party was arrested after trying to show up and participate in the presidential debate tonight.
Cacti
@Quarks:
You can always count on the Greens to make a statement.
Usually, it’s some form of “Hello, my name is ___________ and I’m a jackass.”
Chris
@weaselone:
If he wins, Romney is JUST dumb enough that I can see him sinking the fragile recovery he was handed and sending it plummeting back into recession on steroids before his first term is up. Maybe even before the midterms.
Hill Dweller
@Political Observer: Unemployment was at 7.4% when Reagan was running for reelection, and it was “Morning in America”.
It is currently 7.8%, but the wingnuts act like Obama is Satan. And if the wingnut governors hadn’t fired hundreds of thousands of public sector workers, unemployment would be right around 7.4%.
Why is Reagan so much better in the wingnuts’ eyes?
Narcissus
Political Observer: I mean is it the part where a white lady goes into the emergency room and comes out with a black kid
Is that the funny part
trollhattan
@geg6:
Lord. Drown the pair nao and get it over with.
TheMightyTrowel
@trollhattan: seconded.
pseudonymous in nc
So good to see Very Ass admitting that tonight is the night that Romney shits his magic underwear on live television.
hep kitty
So. Has Romney set some kind of a precedent here for minimum amount of tax returns a presidential candidate is expected to produce in future elections?
weaselone
@Chris:
It’s still looking like Democrats hold the Senate. If Romney wins and the Senate stays narrowly blue, Romney’s ability to shoot his penis off via his economic policies would be blunted.
Elizabelle
@John O:
Glad you are feeling frisky tonight.
But why waste it on the obtuse!?
James E. Powell
@Hill Dweller:
Why is Reagan so much better in the wingnuts’ eyes?
Because he gave bellicose speeches and said nasty things about “those people”. He gave them the words to use when they wanted to express their bigotry and fear.
Oh yeah, and he conquered Grenada.
wrb
@ruemara:
I like
wrb
@FlipYrWhig:
Actually the $5T consists of new cuts on top of the $5.2 T that would result from extending the Bush tax cuts and the $2T of additional defense spending.
$12.2 Trillion is the number we should be using.
Deficit go “boom!”
hep kitty
I have to wonder how sharp these questions are gonna be, considering they’re supposed to be undecideds.
Pisica
I should thank that troll. I now have this image of Mitt in a finely-tailored suit – worth a few months wages for most – or a similar sweater/slack combo trying to play a game of 3on3. Come to think of it, I don’t recall seeing him do anything sporting except that super horse and play with his boat. They should bring him bowling! Not fishing or hunting.
FlipYrWhig
@wrb: Hmm, I hadn’t even realized that…
ThresherK
@Paula: “Reporting fairly accurately” is why I only bother with ESPN and The Weather Channel in the morning, should the TV be on.
Well, I mean The Weather Channel before Al Roker started showing up on it and they did other stuff. If I wanted that I’d go watch Snuffleupagus on GMA.
Sitting fairly comfortably after a 3-1 lead is taken into the half, especially after that first Guatemalan goal in what seemed like the minus-3rd minute.
Paula
@ThresherK:
Argh. I’m not sitting comfortably. So, I didn’t watch the Antigua/Barbuda “win” because the gnashing of teeth was too painful-sounding. Now, the previous 45 min of the Guatemala match was the some of the most brilliant ever. WHAT IS KLINSMANN DOING TO THIS TEAM THAT THEY CAN BOTH PLAY SOME OF THE MOST UNMOTIVATED SOCCER EVER AND THEN COME OUT WITH 3 GOALS??
Brachiator
I don’t know if it has been noted in other threads here, but Hillary Clinton taking responsibilty for the mess in Libya was an act of political courage. She may even have provided Obama with extra support and protection if this area comes up during the debate.
And if Obama wins re-election, Clinton is the immediate and prohibitive favorite for the Democratic Party nomination for 2016. Not just because of her name and her relationship with the Big Dog, but for the quality of her own performance as Secretary of State.
And her actions come with some risk. If they have not already done so loudly enough, I expect to hear Republicans demanding her resignation.
To deliberately put herself in position to draw their fire takes some hefty ovaries.
ThresherK
@Paula: I didn’t watch that previous one either.
I don’t know what Klinsmann is doing. Seriously. (I’m not much on tactics or the strengths of various coaches.) Sometimes my relative ignorance-style fandom serves to keep me a bit less worried. I’m not much for ignorant bliss usually, but I’ll take it in this spot.
PS If you haven’t read Soccernomics, I think it’s worth your time.
SiubhanDuinne
@SatanicPanic:
If Obama were white, he wouldn’t be singing like Al Green or playing basketball in his spare time.
Brachiator
@ThresherK:
What is this? Who wrote it?
@SiubhanDuinne:
Obama also likes to surf. What’s your point?
ThresherK
@Brachiator: Soccernomics is a book written by journo Simon Kuper and economist Stefan Syzmanski about three years ago.
It has a vaguely “Sabremetician” / Bill James kind of viewing at statistics as applied to football, instead of baseball. It doesn’t say that everything all the commentators say is wrong, but it does point out some erroneous groupthink in the football community at large, and how gains can be made going against that groupthink.
And I’m quoting from (possibly faulty) memory, but the big takeaway when it comes to the USA and CONCACAF is that one needs three things for a successful national team: A large enough population (for adequate talent pool), a fairly stable civilization / government (as practices of 20-player teams need to be run, regularly, to get any good), and a decent economy (so the pool of players are of sufficient weight and height in comparison to international foes).
Also throw in that the fastest-growing demographic group in the US is one which really enjoys soccer.
The upshoot is that Team USA should be doing better in 20-25 years than we were 20-25 years ago. There will be variance, of course, and hiring the right coach is always one of those variables.
(Disclaimer: I still have an Edmonton Drillers pennant from 1979.)