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You are here: Home / Elections / Election 2016 / So, What About the Media Villagers’ New Man-Crush, Rubio?

So, What About the Media Villagers’ New Man-Crush, Rubio?

by Anne Laurie|  October 29, 201511:29 pm| 149 Comments

This post is in: Election 2016, Marco Polo Rubio 2016, Open Threads, Republican Stupidity, Republican Venality

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MARCO RUBIO: Looking good by contrast.™

— Bob Schooley (@Rschooley) October 29, 2015

Greg Sargent, in the Washington Post, on “Why Marco Rubio is so effective and dangerous“:

Marco Rubio bashed the mainstream media with great gusto last night, eliciting roars of approval from GOP voters. Amusingly enough, the emerging media consensus appears to be that his attacks on them were brilliantly executed, never mind that they were pressed into service to evade just the sort of legitimate questions the media has been pressing him upon.

But it’s worth drilling down on one key reason why Rubio is so effective and dangerous — to his GOP opponents, and potentially in a general election as well. It’s this: Rubio knows how to feed the angry preoccupations of many GOP base voters while simultaneously coming across as hopeful and optimistic…

This isn’t just because Rubio is young and Latino. His formula is a bit complicated. Last night, Rubio, in what appeared to be an appeal to the deep resentment of many of these voters, skillfully converted legitimate questions about his personal financial management into evidence of Democratic and elite media contempt for his relatively humble upbringing, which he proceeded to explain he had overcome through hard work. Rubio’s narrative is both laden with legitimate resentment and inspiring!…

Rubio just promised to only fuck over people under 40 on Social Security and Medicare. #thatjusthappened #GOPDebate

— Marc Love (@marcslove) October 29, 2015

Rubio: I won't take away Medicaid and Social Security from my mother. Just you.

— Clara Jeffery (@ClaraJeffery) October 29, 2015

Rubio certainly wowed the Grey Lady:

… In a deft show of forcefulness and diplomacy, Mr. Rubio managed to seem both respectful of the older candidate and politically more imposing.

“My campaign is going to be about the future of America. It’s not going to be about attacking anyone else on this stage,” Mr. Rubio said.

And then he all but smothered Mr. Bush with esteem.

“I will continue to have tremendous admiration and respect for Governor Bush,” he said. “I am not running against Governor Bush.”

Mr. Rubio lifted his arms to his left and right. “I am not running against anyone on this stage,” he said.”

The crowd offered a thunderous round of applause…

Marco Rubio hit from the left (Correct the Record) and the right (Right 2 Rise) over being absentee senator

— Maggie Haberman (@maggieNYT) October 28, 2015

"Do you hate your job?" Marco Rubio: MANY MANY WORDS THAT ARE NOT "NO." #GOPDebate

— Jeff Chu (@jeffchu) October 29, 2015

"For me, it’s an incredible honor to serve in the United States Senate." –@MarcoRubio on keeping his Senate job.

— TODAY (@TODAYshow) October 29, 2015

Serious question: What was Rubio doing skipping work on those early binges far before he was running? pic.twitter.com/kQWnZIgKf3

— Bob Schooley (@Rschooley) October 29, 2015

Mr. Charles P. Pierce brings the reality:

… If I had to guess, I’d say Rubio probably will be said to have had the best night. He really slapped around Jeb! Bush when the latter called him on Rubio’s confessed dislike of the job of United States Senator. He looked directly into the camera with his young man’s sincerity, and he parried questions about his personal profligacy in just the way guaranteed to appeal to the audience in the hall. He blamed the media for bringing it up.

Of course, when it comes to the actual things he would do as president, Rubio once again is a shoeless, blindfolded kid in a wilderness of rakes. John Harwood–for whom I am going to buy a beer the next time I see the guy–pinned Rubio on the fact that the Tax Foundation scored Rubio’s tax plan and found that it would send the deficit careering off into the Van Alen Belt, as well as shoving even more of the country’s wealth upward. In response, Rubio told Harwood he was wrong. (He wasn’t.) Then, Rubio started talking very fast, mentioned something about his dry cleaner and small business, and probably got more points for being tough with Harwood than he did for his tax plan, which is exactly as bad as the Tax Foundation said it was…

Rubio's top 5 contributors: 1. Goldman Sachs 2. Microsoft 3. Wiley Rein LLP 4. Fanjul Corp 5. Rooney Holdings

— Matt Murphy (@MattMurph24) October 29, 2015

Jamelle Bouie, at Slate:

… Rubio looks like the natural choice: He’s a young, gifted communicator with a strong biography and orthodox Republican views. But Rubio the candidate hasn’t caught up with Rubio the idea. His fundraising lags behind that of his rivals; in the last quarter, he raised $5.7 million, compared to $20.8 million for Ben Carson, $13.4 million for Bush, and $12.2 million for Cruz. And like Bush, most of this cash comes from the wealthiest contributors—just 22 percent of Rubio’s support came from small donors. That said, he also falls short on super PAC support—Carson’s super PAC raised $11.3 million, while Cruz’s raised $13.8 million.

Rubio’s modest fundraising translates to a slim operation. Compared to his competitors, he has few offices and staff, focusing on volunteer recruitment. The upside is that—if Rubio can attract substantial volunteer support—he can quickly organize in Iowa and New Hampshire, where he’s spent relatively little time. The downside, as one GOP source explained to Politico, is that this is an “unpredictable and risky bet that traditional campaign organizing doesn’t matter.” If it doesn’t pay off, the junior senator from Florida is finished…

@GoBrooklyn @MattMurph24 after blaming his economic woes on student loan debt he voted to make problem worse.Just like a Republican

— MomSense (@MomSense_ME) October 29, 2015

This fact from @danbalz is almost all you need a know abt '16. The rest is mostly noise pic.twitter.com/tJHYA3V9IS

— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) May 26, 2015

Of course, there are Those Rumors — the persistent-yet-unverifiable theory that Rubio’s longterm financial thimblerigging was intended to hide the existence of what the genteel media refer to as “a second family”. But the GOP operatives best known for spreading such rumors have already signed up with Marco Rubio. Buzzfeed‘s McKay Coppins, before the debate, on “Marco Rubio’s ‘Knife Fighters’”:

… The Rubio campaign is being helmed by a combative strategist, Terry Sullivan, who once (allegedly) dispatched interns dressed in prison stripes to crash a 2007 Mike Huckabee rally and protest the former governor’s controversial parole record.

The leading pro-Rubio super PAC is headed by Warren Tompkins, an infamous South Carolina operative who was widely suspected of orchestrating a whisper campaign during the 2000 Republican presidential primaries to convince voters that John McCain was hiding a black love child.

And in a more recent episode that could have lasting political repercussions in next year’s primaries, Rubio’s chief digital strategist, Wesley Donehue, is said to have actively hyped unsubstantiated rumors in 2010 that Nikki Haley had an affair with a local South Carolina blogger.

All three of these operatives in Rubio’s orbit have roots in South Carolina’s notoriously noxious political scene, where down-and-dirty campaign tactics are not only tolerated but often celebrated as tributes to the legacy of Lee Atwater — the legendary, impish GOP strategist who masterminded campaign victories for both Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush…

Who to trust?

Marco Rubio is the Republican John Edwards. Trust me I worked for Edwards. #CNBCGOPDebate

— Tommy Vietor (@TVietor08) October 29, 2015

Maybe not cut from the same cloth, but similar cloth I suspect. pic.twitter.com/iWZ8rk7kfP

— Bob Schooley (@Rschooley) October 29, 2015

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Reader Interactions

149Comments

  1. 1.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 29, 2015 at 11:35 pm

    He perhaps had the least worst performance in the debate. But that is a tallest midget contest. The man is devoid of substance and has a closet full of skeletons. If he gets the GOP nom. either Clinton or Sanders beat him to a pulp.

  2. 2.

    feebog

    October 29, 2015 at 11:38 pm

    It’s one thing to get off a zinger or two over a two hour debate with nine other morons. Quite another to face a tough, prepared candidate like Hillary Clinton over two hours when she will have all the ammunition she needs to blow you out of the water.

  3. 3.

    Jon Wiesman

    October 29, 2015 at 11:38 pm

    So after Zandar’s thread about Rubio, I said that he was the one candidate I really feared.

    Then after the debate I repeated that he really seemed like he could win and we should be very scared.

    Hopefully Bill Kristol will call him a sure thing so I can relax.

  4. 4.

    NotMax

    October 29, 2015 at 11:40 pm

    which he proceeded to explain he had overcome through hard work

    Granted, it does take some work to locate and kowtow to a reliable sugar daddy.

  5. 5.

    FlipYrWhig

    October 29, 2015 at 11:40 pm

    I think my comment got eated in classic FYWP fashion. But Marco Rubio is a lispy charisma-challenged nonentity who shouldn’t strike fear into anyone.

  6. 6.

    dubo

    October 29, 2015 at 11:42 pm

    It was actually amazing to see the mefia go from 100% in the tank for Jeb to 100% in the tank for Rubio in ten short hours. Politifact giving a “true” rating to Rubio’s claim that Obama was responsible for business closures occurring im 2008 is just incredible.

  7. 7.

    amk

    October 29, 2015 at 11:44 pm

    @FlipYrWhig:

    but bj’ers bedwetting over the flavor of the month week is fun to watch.

  8. 8.

    dubo

    October 29, 2015 at 11:44 pm

    @feebog: It really baffles me how the GOP seems to want their candidate to face off against Hillary without ever having to face a “mean, unfair” question in previous debates. Hillary ain’t beanbag

  9. 9.

    burnspbesq

    October 29, 2015 at 11:45 pm

    @FlipYrWhig:

    Marco Rubio is a lispy charisma-challenged nonentity who shouldn’t strike fear into anyone.

    Except for one thing: if he’s the Republican nominee, at least 57 million people are certain to vote for him in the general election.

    Complacency is still the enemy. That will never change.

    If you’re ever tempted to slack off, say these four magic words: “Justice Janice Rogers Brown.” When you’re done vomiting, clean yourself up and get back to work, whether it’s canvassing, phone-banking, or whatever.

  10. 10.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 29, 2015 at 11:45 pm

    @dubo:

    Politifact giving a “true” rating to Rubio’s claim that Obama was responsible for business closures occurring im 2008 is just incredible.

    Why would you say that?

  11. 11.

    PeakVT

    October 29, 2015 at 11:47 pm

    I still can’t care about which conservatard is up or down. The fact that we are talking about a 10+ candidate primary field a full 12 months before the election shows that our political process is broken.

  12. 12.

    Kropadope

    October 29, 2015 at 11:49 pm

    @dubo:

    It was actually amazing to see the mefia go from 100% in the tank for Jeb to 100% in the tank for Rubio in ten short hours. Politifact giving a “true” rating to Rubio’s claim that Obama was responsible for business closures occurring im 2008 is just incredible.

    So, he’s responsible for business failures a year before he was sworn in as president? Sure, he was 1% of the upper legislative chamber, but I didn’t know he was THE 1%; you know, the 1% that controls everything.

    It’s all coming together…

  13. 13.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    October 29, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    @feebog: Rubio’s TV persona strikes me as smarter but less likable than George W Bush’s, by that I mean that’s how they come across to people who don’t follow politics or care about issues. I always found the Shrubb smarmy, condescending and obnoxious, and I’ve seen enough of Rubio to know he’s not that bright. Rubio is more glib and not as thin-skinned as Bush, I can’t imagine him getting cornered like Bush did in that “Do you know the name of the new Prime Minister of Pakistan?” interview: “No, do you?”, or a personal favorite where someone tried to get him to answer a question, and he looked frightened and then hit on what he clearly thought was a brilliant response: “You’re trying to get me to answer the same question twice!”. Rubio’s better than that, but he’s definitely weak in moments he’s not prepared for (“I”m not a scientist, man!”). If Clinton can get him off his talking points, he could flounder in a debate, especially a town hall.

    And does anyone want to have a beer with him?

  14. 14.

    trollhattan

    October 29, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    Who, who, who gets to have his balls kicked through his skull by Hillary? If it’s to be li’l Marco, I’m completely at east with that.

  15. 15.

    srv

    October 29, 2015 at 11:51 pm

    Trump will have no problem getting more non-white votes than W.

    1. Goldman Sachs
    2. Microsoft

    And Goldman Sachs was one of Obama’s top contributers too (#2, in fact). Of course, that’s different.

  16. 16.

    Marmot

    October 29, 2015 at 11:54 pm

    Amusingly enough, the emerging media consensus appears to be that his attacks on them were brilliantly executed, never mind that they were pressed into service to evade just the sort of legitimate questions the media has been pressing him upon.

    Yeah, why is it this works again?

  17. 17.

    burnspbesq

    October 29, 2015 at 11:54 pm

    @Kropadope:

    So, he’s responsible for business failures a year before he was sworn in as president?

    Do you think he was handed his Kenyan Mooslim mind-control powers by Chief Justice Roberts on 1/20/09? Of course he was responsible. For Lehman, AIG, the whole shootin’ match.

  18. 18.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 29, 2015 at 11:55 pm

    @amk: Just off hand, where is all this bedwetting happening?

  19. 19.

    Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et al.)

    October 29, 2015 at 11:56 pm

    I’m still hoping my wish will come true and Jindal somehow limps into next fall as the nominee. I’d love to see that sad sack get beaten up by Sanders or Clinton. He’s a guy whose greatest dream in life is to someday have as much charm and charisma and raw magnetism as Scott Walker, and can’t even reach that low threshold. I mean, shit. Walker is like a black hole of charisma. Anybody who comes within 15 feet of the guy will come away duller for having been in his orbit. And Jindal is even less appealing than Walker. We need scientists to study this guy.

  20. 20.

    Smiling Mortician

    October 29, 2015 at 11:59 pm

    @srv:

    Trump will have no problem getting more non-white votes than W.

    That’s cute. But maybe you meant “Trump will have no problem getting more non-white votes than W votes.” Cause yeah. He might get either one or two.

  21. 21.

    NotMax

    October 30, 2015 at 12:00 am

    @Omnes Omnibus

    Sometimes the hand develops cramps from clutching the pearls.

    :)

  22. 22.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 30, 2015 at 12:02 am

    @NotMax: Gasp!

  23. 23.

    amk

    October 30, 2015 at 12:02 am

    @srv:

    Why was donald dreck low energy in the debayte? Tanking polls in Iowa despite his begging?

  24. 24.

    benw

    October 30, 2015 at 12:04 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: in the bed. Otherwise it’s not bedwetting.

  25. 25.

    amk

    October 30, 2015 at 12:05 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: you must be new here.

  26. 26.

    benw

    October 30, 2015 at 12:06 am

    @Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et al.): Scientists politely say “no”.

  27. 27.

    gf120581

    October 30, 2015 at 12:07 am

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Not likely, because Rubio doesn’t look old enough to actually have a legal beer. He always looks like a teenage boy who dressed up in one of his dad’s suits to get past the bouncer.

    Rubio may well end up being the establishment choice for lack of other choices (Jeb is tanking like a brick, Christie is too damaged, Kasich is too much of a loose cannon for their liking), but let’s be honest, it’s not for anything he’s done. His weaknesses are too big and too tempting for his opents. Hell, I wouldn’t be shocked if, out of spite, Jeb napalms him and takes him down on the way out.

  28. 28.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 30, 2015 at 12:08 am

    @amk: You know that I am not. Where is it? One or two people being panicky don’t count. Cole’s house contains many mansions.

  29. 29.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 30, 2015 at 12:10 am

    @gf120581: Oh god, if Jeb goes out, his family will nuke Rubio.

  30. 30.

    Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et al.)

    October 30, 2015 at 12:12 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    That would be a fun show to watch.

  31. 31.

    amk

    October 30, 2015 at 12:15 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    You know that I am not.

    Good god, everything is literal with you, ain’t it?

    As for the proof that you demand as this blog’s hall monitor, read the threads, will ya? After all, you are an old hand at this.

  32. 32.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    October 30, 2015 at 12:16 am

    @gf120581: Christie is too damaged, Kasich is too much of a loose cannon for their liking)

    I’ve seen a couple of people saying that Christie is now angling for Anybody’s Veep spot. I don’t think he would ever accept that particular bucket of warm piss, and I don’t think anyone wants him (or Florina) as anything but a surrogate, too much baggage.

    With Kasich, given his history and current position and the general MSM love he inspires (I guess a lot of that could be nostalgia), I was surprised at the negative comments I saw about him from conservatives last night. His people don’t seem to like much. I don’t think it was just his “crazy” comments yesterday, I wonder how much of it is Medicaid, how much his tendency to pop off at people in a personal way– I think it was the owner of the AZ Cardinals he yelled at for criticizing that same medicaid expansion, calling a cop who pulled him over a jerk in front of a lot of people, and cameras.

  33. 33.

    Another Holocene Human

    October 30, 2015 at 12:18 am

    @Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et al.): Damn, beat me to it!

  34. 34.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 30, 2015 at 12:21 am

    @amk:Dear god. Read the whole comment and if you feel I was being a hall monitor, it is on you. But it makes you a rather silly person.

  35. 35.

    Steeplejack

    October 30, 2015 at 12:25 am

    @Kropadope:

    Here’s the actual link to the Politifact item under “discussion.” Rubio used murky language. He doesn’t directly “claim that Obama was responsible for business closures occurring in 2008,” but he does give the impression that the problem belongs to Obama, even though it has been going on for quite a while and predates his administration. Politifact basically lets Rubio off the hook because of the wiggle room in what he actually said.

  36. 36.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 12:32 am

    God Bless Greg Sargent:

    Amusingly enough, the emerging media consensus appears to be that his attacks on them were brilliantly executed, never mind that they were pressed into service to evade just the sort of legitimate questions the media has been pressing him upon.

    I assume Bezos will be firing him soon and replacing him with Megan “2×4” McArdle.

    And anyone else surprised that the very conservative John Harwood, after some relatively tough questions, is suddenly painted as a liberal pansy?

    ‘Working the refs’ ….

  37. 37.

    Villago Delenda Est

    October 30, 2015 at 12:32 am

    @dubo: Politifact needs to be hit with mass drivers from orbit.

  38. 38.

    srv

    October 30, 2015 at 12:33 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Poll doomsayer, commenter nazi, bed wetter, poor thing has a lot on its mind.

    It’s best to follow Noonan’s advice and keep on walking when you see someone so tortured.

  39. 39.

    Suzanne

    October 30, 2015 at 12:33 am

    Rubio scares me. He is that kind of brainless cipher that too many people love, for some reason I can’t comprehend, other than that they’re stupid, too.

    Cruz actively pisses people off. Rubio is unctuous and spineless.

  40. 40.

    Suzanne

    October 30, 2015 at 12:34 am

    @Villago Delenda Est: Thought you left. Glad you did not.

  41. 41.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    October 30, 2015 at 12:35 am

    is Politifact the one that Rachel Maddow likes to taunt from time-to-time?

  42. 42.

    dubo

    October 30, 2015 at 12:38 am

    @Steeplejack: Rubio’s full quote was

    That’s an interesting question. That’s exactly what the Republican establishment says too. Why don’t you wait in line? Wait for what? This country is running out of time. We can’t afford to have another four years like the last eight years.

    You have small businesses in America that are struggling. For the first time in 35 years, we have more businesses closing than starting. We have a world that’s out of control and has grown dangerous and a president that is weakening our military and making our foreign policy unstable and unreliable in the eyes of our allies. And our adversaries continue to grow stronger.

    That isn’t “murky”. Not only is he DIRECTLY blaming Obama for it, saying something is happening “for the first time” when it’s been going on for close to a decade is a bald-faced lie.

    So there’s multiple angles from which Rubio’s statement is absolutely false, and the “fact checker” is covering for him.

  43. 43.

    Petorado

    October 30, 2015 at 12:38 am

    Too much is being made of the audience response to Rubio’s remarks about the press in last night’s debate. The venue, the CU’s Event Center, has a capacity of 11,000 seats. For last night’s debate, the capacity was whittled down to a minuscule 1,000. The University was given a total of 150 seat, very few going to students. The remainder were mostly apportioned to big money donors and party bigwigs. Even folks in the state party apparatus complained they were shut out of any access as well.

    The roars of approval were mainly issued by those wealthy enough to cheer on the horses they bought for the race. Very few in attendance could be considered rank and file voters.

  44. 44.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 30, 2015 at 12:38 am

    @Thoughtful Today: So who are the three Republicans in the Dem. debate? You said they were there, please name them.

  45. 45.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 12:38 am

    …

    “Politifact basically lets Rubio [right-wingers] off the hook because of the wiggle room in what he [they] actually said.”

    Call it “Kessler’s Rules”. Aka: IOKIYAR(ight-winger).

  46. 46.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 12:39 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Please tell me what Republican law firm you’re still working for.

    Do they pay per post?

  47. 47.

    dubo

    October 30, 2015 at 12:42 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Webb, Hillary, and O’Malley

  48. 48.

    srv

    October 30, 2015 at 12:43 am

    “There are two types of politicians,” Bush said during a brief appearance Thursday outside Geno’s Chowder and Sandwich Shop. “There are the talkers, and there are the doers. I wish I could have done a better job talking on the stage. I wish I could talk as well as some of the people on the stage — the big personalities. But I’m a doer.”

    I hope that clears everything up for you talkers.

  49. 49.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 30, 2015 at 12:44 am

    @Thoughtful Today :I asked what was a reasonable question, and you accused me of working for a GOP law firm. Interesting. You did say that three Republicans were part of the Dem debate, didn’t you? Must I provide a link?

  50. 50.

    Steeplejack

    October 30, 2015 at 12:51 am

    @dubo:

    What was “murky” was not Rubio’s blaming Obama but Rubio’s wording of how long the problem has been going on. I am not defending that weasel Rubio or the slippery equivocations of Politifact. But it is clearly false (a) that Rubio said Obama was responsible for businesses closing in 2008 and (b) that Politifact gave “a ‘true’ rating to Rubio’s claim that Obama was responsible for business closures occurring in 2008,” which was your original point.

  51. 51.

    SatanicPanic

    October 30, 2015 at 12:51 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: The front-page, the comments, the lexicon, probably

  52. 52.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 12:52 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Omnes Omnibus, I dub thee “The Trey Gowdy of Balloon-Juice.com”.

    Badgering, sleazy lawyer tactics used for naked political purposes while pretending otherwise.

    Your argumentation tactics are straight out of a Republican’s playbook.

  53. 53.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 30, 2015 at 12:53 am

    @efgoldman: I know that. I did get a weird accusation though.

  54. 54.

    dubo

    October 30, 2015 at 12:53 am

    @efgoldman: “Us”? You aren’t an angry old white guy. You can always tell the ones who weren’t around in 1980

  55. 55.

    SatanicPanic

    October 30, 2015 at 12:54 am

    @Thoughtful Today: ooooooooooooooooooooooh

    fight fight fight fight

  56. 56.

    srv

    October 30, 2015 at 12:55 am

    Bush held a conference call with top donors Thursday afternoon, vowing to improve as a candidate and saying he’s looking forward to being back on the campaign trail, where his supporters believe he shines.

    The doer is talking to people about being a better talker. Someone better check Putin’s sheets tomorrow.

    Late Thursday night, it seemed that Rubio had heard the criticism — his staff said the senator was canceling a campaign event in Iowa on Friday to make time to be in Washington for the early Friday vote

    Well that’s inconvenient.

  57. 57.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 30, 2015 at 12:56 am

    @Thoughtful Today: Just answer my question. You said there were three Republicans in the Democratic debate. Please name them. That is all I am asking.

  58. 58.

    Redshift

    October 30, 2015 at 12:57 am

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Yes. Basically, Politifact is useless in dealing with bullshit, because unless something is a clearly an intentional lie, they’ll always call it at least half true. Likewise if the precise things cited are not incorrect, but the statement creates a completely false impression.

    Essentially

  59. 59.

    Mandalay

    October 30, 2015 at 12:59 am

    Ruh-roh…the GOP candidates are going rogue:

    Republican presidential campaigns are planning to gather in Washington, D.C., on Sunday evening to plot how to alter their party’s messy debate process — and how to remove power from the hands of the Republican National Committee.

    Not invited to the meeting: Anyone from the RNC…

    http://www.politico.com/story/2015/10/gop-campaigns-rnc-debates-215371

    It’s like living in Syria except the bullets aren’t real.

    Imagine what any of these my-way-or-the-highway psychofucks would be like if they actually became president. They’d make Putin look like an amateur.

  60. 60.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 12:59 am

    Exactly:

    if he’s the Republican nominee, at least 57 million people are certain to vote for him in the general election.

    And in 2018, unless there’s a tremendous amount of excitement for the Democratic Party, Congress is going to be even deeper red.

  61. 61.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    October 30, 2015 at 1:00 am

    @Mandalay: I saw that earlier. The campaigns pretty much got together and fired Reince Priebus

  62. 62.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 1:02 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    As I’ve noted before, you’re a Corporate Troll, at least that’s a step above Creepy Stalker, but you’re edging closer to the latter….

    But sure, if you want to put on your Trey Gowdy mask and badger an uncooperative witness…

  63. 63.

    Villago Delenda Est

    October 30, 2015 at 1:05 am

    @Suzanne: Thank you! I may not comment as frequently as in the past, but I’m still around lurking and commenting occasionally.

  64. 64.

    Elie

    October 30, 2015 at 1:05 am

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Child, you do NOT want to go there with this commenter… just back away slowly….

    Seriously… I do not normally warn folks about other commenters, but take it from my experiences, just walk away.

  65. 65.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 30, 2015 at 1:05 am

    @Thoughtful Today: I asked a simple question. You responded with accusations. Okay.

  66. 66.

    Mandalay

    October 30, 2015 at 1:07 am

    @efgoldman:

    which essentially gave him almost a year to find a new job. Must be how Reince feels

    Except Reince doesn’t have a year. I think he may be spending a lot of quality time with his family this Christmas.

    Priebus is so worthless he makes DWS look good.

  67. 67.

    Villago Delenda Est

    October 30, 2015 at 1:08 am

    @Thoughtful Today: Someone is asking to get their ass kicked.

  68. 68.

    Elie

    October 30, 2015 at 1:08 am

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    That’s good– had only seen you here and there… but then I am here and there and lurking, so didn’t know if I had just missed you…

  69. 69.

    Steeplejack

    October 30, 2015 at 1:08 am

    “Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.” – Schiller

    As I said earlier, the blog IQ has been wallowing through a bit of a trough tonight. I do not except myself.

  70. 70.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 1:09 am

    @Thoughtful Today: Like a jello teflon – no question can stick to you!

    What state do you vote for Sanders in, Thoughtful Today? Hopefully you can drive many of your fellow Sanderites to the polls!

  71. 71.

    Villago Delenda Est

    October 30, 2015 at 1:09 am

    @Omnes Omnibus: Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton, and Martin O’Malley.

  72. 72.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 1:12 am

    @efgoldman:

    Speaking of Creepy Stalkers.

    Could someone explain to him that demanding personal details in a comment section (let alone anywhere on the Internet) is seriously creepy.

  73. 73.

    Elie

    October 30, 2015 at 1:12 am

    @redshirt:

    More likely to drive them insane…..

  74. 74.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 1:15 am

    @Thoughtful Today:

    Oh, Christ, will you just answer the goddamn question?

    Which three (nominal) Dems are Republicans?

    Amazingly enough, one does not have to be a lawyer to want you to cut the crap already.

  75. 75.

    Omnes Omnibus

    October 30, 2015 at 1:15 am

    @Thoughtful Today: Weirdly, I thought you were a Sandernista. Instead, it turns out that you are a troll. So be it.

  76. 76.

    SatanicPanic

    October 30, 2015 at 1:15 am

    @Villago Delenda Est: Webb and the two squirrels he hides in his jacket

  77. 77.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 1:17 am

    I wonder if Thoughtful Today and Right To Racism touched, would they annihilate one another?

  78. 78.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 1:17 am

    @Thoughtful Today:

    As opposed to refusing to answer a simple, direct question, which is seriously fucked-up.

    Whiner.

  79. 79.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 1:18 am

    @SatanicPanic: All of them, Katie.

  80. 80.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 1:19 am

    @redshirt:

    I wonder if Thoughtful Today and Right To Racism touched, would they annihilate one another?

    You appear to be laboring under the misconception that they are not the same person. But answer me this: have you ever seen the two of them in the same room?

    ETA: And what of Lazarus?

  81. 81.

    Eric U.

    October 30, 2015 at 1:22 am

    I am starting to wonder how many of the Sandersnistas are actually republican trolls. This also got me thinking that the PUMAs had some republican trolls in their numbers as well

  82. 82.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 1:22 am

    ?

    I’ve read enough of Trey Gowdy / Omnes to know that his argumentation tactics are a rabbit’s hole.

    It’s the kind of tactic that would claim that taking rights away from LGBT’s is actually helping them.

    Queue umbrage at factual statement in … 5 … 4 ….

  83. 83.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 1:25 am

    @Thoughtful Today: Like jello, this one.

  84. 84.

    Eric U.

    October 30, 2015 at 1:25 am

    @Thoughtful Today: this is the kind of comment that makes me wish I had access to IP information for this blog. A new person shows up, butts their way in and starts being nasty. I really don’t think there are that many people that would do that.

  85. 85.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 1:26 am

    @Eric U.:

    See redshirt’s response @ 88.

  86. 86.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 1:28 am

    @SFAW:

    You appear to be laboring under the misconception that they are not the same person. But answer me this: have you ever seen the two of them in the same room?

    ETA: And what of Lazarus?

    They do behave sometimes in a similar fashion.

    But the Jeb! troll seems to experience actual emotions when things go bad for his guy. Whereas the Sanders troll floats above everything all the time, dropping Bernie posts wherever and whenever, and yet doesn’t actually seem invested in a Bernie 2016 moment. No emotion, only trolling.

  87. 87.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 1:29 am

    @Eric U.:

    Creepy, creepy stalking.

  88. 88.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 1:30 am

    @Eric U.:

    this is the kind of comment that makes me wish I had access to IP information for this blog.

    Working on it …

    Should be interesting.

    Legit Bernie supporters are worth debating/arguing with, but a Rethug pretending to be one (cough* Thoughtlos Today *cough) is just a waste of oxygen and pixels.

  89. 89.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 1:31 am

    @Thoughtful Today:

    Creepy, creepy stalking.

    This is the other trick in this troll’s bag – accusing you of something horrible.

    None of it’s real, it’s just a troll trolling.

    Would you blame a duck for ducking?

  90. 90.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    October 30, 2015 at 1:33 am

    @redshirt: At 93, he/she may not still have a driver’s license.

  91. 91.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 1:34 am

    Wow.

    Rather than doing creepy dox’ing, perhaps all of you Hill supporters should insist that John make this a private comment section.

    That way you can just talk to yourselves and don’t need to listen to anyone you feel is ‘shouting’ at you.

  92. 92.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 1:35 am

    @redshirt:

    You may be right. But both are devoid of facts (or lie outright) in their comments, both get progressively angrier when challenged (although their “reaction” is slightly different – Racist Above seems to get angry and starts insulting people, Trollful Today just throws out idiotic “accusations”).

    Either one would be moire useful as a paperweight. Well, except that he/they is/are so lightweight, would only be able to hold down a sheet or two.

  93. 93.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 1:36 am

    @Thoughtful Today:

    Wow.

    Rather than doing creepy dox’ing, perhaps all of you Hill supporters should insist that John make this a private comment section.

    That way you can just talk to yourselves and don’t need to listen to anyone you feel is ‘shouting’ at you.

    Can you answer even a single question?

    How about: Are you a US citizen, or not?

  94. 94.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 1:38 am

    @redshirt:

    This is the other trick in this troll’s bag – accusing you of something horrible.

    Which we’ve seen Racist Above also do.

    TT = RA — looks like it’s confirmed.

    The only remaining question is: is it DougJ? (Just kidding – DougJ would never pull that racist shit.)

  95. 95.

    Nate Dawg

    October 30, 2015 at 1:38 am

    Trolls are gaining steam around here.

    I’m a bit interested to see if the media can give Rubio the momentum needed to rise above the single digits he’s occupied.

  96. 96.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    October 30, 2015 at 1:41 am

    @redshirt: Obviously you’re doxing our Thoughtful one, are you trying to be like Charles C. Johnson?

    /heavy dose of snark

  97. 97.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 1:41 am

    @redshirt:

    Yes.

  98. 98.

    Duane

    October 30, 2015 at 1:42 am

    Three debates, three times it’s the media’s fault.
    “Mama, they’re lookin’ at me funny”.

  99. 99.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 1:42 am

    @BillinGlendaleCA:

    Is that better or worse than Michelle “Stalk You At Home” Malkin?

  100. 100.

    NotMax

    October 30, 2015 at 1:43 am

    @Nate Dawg

    When the spotlight glare focuses on him, Markie Blond will dissipate like a fart in the Grand Canyon

  101. 101.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 1:43 am

    @Nate Dawg:

    I’m a bit interested to see if the media can give Rubio the momentum needed to rise above the single digits he’s occupied.

    It won’t be for lack of trying, that’s for sure.

  102. 102.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 1:44 am

    @Thoughtful Today:

    Yes.

    Progress! And what state?

    I vote in Maine, for the record. Sorry for LePage and all the moderate Republicans.

  103. 103.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 1:47 am

    @redshirt:

    Sorry for LePage

    Why, did you vote for him? Or Cutler, for that matter?

    If not, then you have nothing to say “sorry” about. (Well, at least as far as LePage goes)

  104. 104.

    BillinGlendaleCA

    October 30, 2015 at 1:47 am

    @Thoughtful Today: Worse*, take a peek over at LGF.

    *Probably due to the floor pooping.

  105. 105.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 1:50 am

    @redshirt:

    Thank you for the apology. LePage /facepalm.

    FTR, I never do ASL questions.

    Though … I do like the idea that I’d be the matter to r2r’s anti-matter….

  106. 106.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 1:56 am

    @Thoughtful Today: What are “ASL” questions?

    I didn’t vote for LePage of course. Nor that fool Cutler.

    Show me anywhere in America where a 3rd party has made things better.

  107. 107.

    Eric U.

    October 30, 2015 at 1:59 am

    we had a temporary situation here in Central PA where the incumbent republican was in trouble. As I recall, that was when someone decided to run as a Green, and got 5 percent of the vote. Republican was reelected. Huh.

  108. 108.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 2:04 am

    @redshirt:

    Show me anywhere in America where a 3rd party has made things better.

    Nader in 2000.

    Oh, you meant “better for America, or at least for the 99 percent”?
    Never mind.

  109. 109.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 2:05 am

    @redshirt:

    lol, Urban Dictionary’s reminds me why it’s one of my favorite website’s with its definition of ASL:

    http://urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=asl

  110. 110.

    Goblue72

    October 30, 2015 at 2:06 am

    Rubio doesn’t scare me. Only guy I was worried about was Jeb!, until he opened his mouth.

    Bernie will call them out as corporate jackals to their face while telling the MSM stooges to STFU. Hillary will geld them on stage without anesthesia while pummeling the moderators with sacks filled with rocks called facts.

    Our top two candidates are a guy completely unafraid to say “WTF is so wrong with Scandanavia? Free college is some good shit. Banksters are shysters. GFY. You ever shop at IKEA?” And the other is the liberal second coming of Margaret Thatcher who carries an extra set of brass ones in her clutch.

    We’ve got Rocky Balboa AND Apollo Creed. What do they have?

  111. 111.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 2:08 am

    I assumed as much:

    “I didn’t vote for LePage of course.”

    I voted for Gore in 2000.

    I still feel guilty he wasn’t rightfully sworn in.

  112. 112.

    NotMax

    October 30, 2015 at 2:08 am

    @redshirt

    IIRC, Angus King wasn’t a disaster.

    Philip LaFollette was successful as Wisconsin governor in implementing a Progressive agenda.

  113. 113.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 2:10 am

    @Thoughtful Today: Yeah sure, giving out the state you live in will totally get you killed.

    Until you say what state you are organizing and voting for Bernie in, I cannot take you seriously, nor should anyone.

  114. 114.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 2:12 am

    @NotMax: Oh, Maine’s got some pluses with their negatives but it seems all negative here these days with LePage running roughshod. It’s like an Occupation.

  115. 115.

    NotMax

    October 30, 2015 at 2:21 am

    @redshirt

    Was more responding to your asking where a 3rd party has made things better than targeting Maine specifically.

    Could also well be argued as well that, while never elected, Eugene Debs was successful as an instrument in gaining acceptance and support for eventual implementation of policies making things better.

  116. 116.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 2:29 am

    @redshirt:

    Unless the answer is: Iowa, South Carolina, Nevada, or New Hampshire, I suspect most of the country won’t get a vote.

    Anti-democratic Superdelegates are clearly annoyed even those states get a vote….

  117. 117.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 2:30 am

    @NotMax: Gotchya.

    The list is pretty slim, right?

    3rd parties are actually tools to get fascists elected.

  118. 118.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 2:32 am

    @NotMax: Notmax, what state do you vote in? I ask to reassure TT that it’s a harmless question.

  119. 119.

    redshirt

    October 30, 2015 at 2:34 am

    @Thoughtful Today:

    Unless the answer is: Iowa, South Carolina, Nevada, or New Hampshire, I suspect most of the country won’t get a vote.

    Anti-democratic Superdelegates are clearly annoyed even those states get a vote….

    Jeepers. You just won’t do it, eh?

    I don’t get it. What’s the big deal?

  120. 120.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 2:43 am

    @redshirt:

    It’s not personal. You’ve seemed like an interesting commenter.

  121. 121.

    Pie Happens (opiejeanne)

    October 30, 2015 at 3:06 am

    @redshirt:NotMax lives in Hawaii, on Maui. I assume he votes there.
    I live in Washington near Seattle and everyone here gets to vote by mail.

  122. 122.

    Betty Cracker

    October 30, 2015 at 3:33 am

    @redshirt: I’m all for arch conservatives leaving the GOP in a huff and fielding unelectable third party candidates. That would do the country a great deal of good.

  123. 123.

    dogwood

    October 30, 2015 at 3:44 am

    I’m way late to this thread, but I’m wondering, given Vietor’s comparison of Rubio to John Edwards, if that’s why Florida Joe Scarborough was bad-mouthing Rubio this morning.

  124. 124.

    Amir Khalid

    October 30, 2015 at 3:49 am

    @Thoughtful Today:
    This is just like you calling me a Malaysian slaver. Overwrought personal attacks do nothing for your chances of being taken seriously around here, Gedankenlose Heute.

  125. 125.

    cokane

    October 30, 2015 at 3:58 am

    @Goblue72: at least 40 percent of the electorate… sadly

  126. 126.

    mikefromArlington

    October 30, 2015 at 4:19 am

    Just remember the nervous water gulp…

  127. 127.

    NotMax

    October 30, 2015 at 4:32 am

    @redshirt

    Shall presume that is a rhetorical question.

  128. 128.

    NotMax

    October 30, 2015 at 4:34 am

    @mikefromArlington

    As I opined about that image at the time:

    The face that launched a thousand sips.

  129. 129.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 5:47 am

    @Amir Khalid:

    “This is just like you calling me a Malaysian slaver. “

    You think slavery is funny, Amir.

    The nation you live in is riddled with slavery.

    You explicitly joked about slavery under the photo of an adorable black American child.

    Maybe your balloon-juice fans think that’s okay.

    I don’t.

  130. 130.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 5:47 am

    @Amir Khalid:
    Nicht wahr?

    I’m still not convinced he’s not Racist Above. The “conversation” with redshirt was just a ruse, notice how little he actually said? Nice bit of attempted misdirection.

    Be that as it may: how are things in the Malaysian slaver business, these days?

    ETA: And while I was writing, I see Racist’s sockpuppet has now decided to attack you. Outstanding. Just another attempt to misdirect. And, I noticed, the same pattern/form of lies.

  131. 131.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 6:20 am

    ” how are things in the Malaysian slaver business, these days?”

    Unfortunately TPP essentially codifies Malaysia’s slave trade.

    …

    And, Amir, for the record, I’ve never called you a “Racist’s sockpuppet”.

    “Overwrought personal attacks” indeed.

    heh

  132. 132.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 6:23 am

    @Thoughtful Today:

    Hey, sockpuppet: it would be great if you could understand the written word, including when it has an upper-case letter at the start of a word – that indicates a proper noun.

    The more you write, the more obvious it becomes that you’re just another Republican troll, and almost certainly a sockpuppet for Racist Above.

    You can un-clutch your precious pearls now, your fainting couch has arrived.

  133. 133.

    Another Holocene Human

    October 30, 2015 at 6:29 am

    @Amir Khalid: Oops, I read that as “Thankless”, thank goodness for that translation link.

  134. 134.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 6:57 am

    Amir, I think your word “Overwrought” succinctly describes SFAW.

    Nice word.

  135. 135.

    Sherparick

    October 30, 2015 at 7:14 am

    After his breakdown of two weeks ago, David Brooks is now saying that all is well in the Republican Party, saved by Rubio and Ryan, two young Paladins, who will go out with the their shiny BS to crush the Hilary Monster in 2016 and bring Republican control of the Government from top to bottom in 2107, ready to give the People what they want, good and hard.

  136. 136.

    Sherparick

    October 30, 2015 at 7:21 am

    For more on why all a Republican candidate has to do is figure out the BS, Driftglass reports that all the Republican donor class wants is a guy who can sign his name. http://driftglass.blogspot.com/2015/10/fundraiser-day-four-republicans-skitter.html

  137. 137.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 7:27 am

    @Thoughtful Today:

    Whatever you say.

    So, is your theme for today “I know you are, but what am I?” Seems to be about your level – well, maybe a little too advanced for you. But it’s always nice to see a toddler as he progresses through stages.

    Overwrought? Right. But thanks for the comic relief, R.A.

  138. 138.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 7:38 am

    Amir –
    You’ll doubtless notice that, as Gedankenlose Heute gets pressed more and more by the non-trolls here, he starts pulling out the same “arsenal” (if a figurative water pistol can be called an arsenal, that is) of personal attacks that Racist Above uses when people mock his lying and general cluelessness.

    More evidence that they’re the same person – a Rethug troll.

  139. 139.

    brantl

    October 30, 2015 at 7:58 am

    Rubio’s TV persona strikes me as smarter but less likable than George W Bush’s, by that I mean that’s how they come across to people who don’t follow politics or care about issues.

    How hard is THAT?

  140. 140.

    Mike E

    October 30, 2015 at 8:06 am

    DougJ!

  141. 141.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 8:11 am

    @Mike E:

    Obama!

    Oh, did you mean that you think the latest (so to speak) troll is really DougJ? I would be surprised – personal attacks on commenters here (except for the ones who really deserve it, of course) do not seem to be DougJ’s style.

  142. 142.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 8:21 am

    >

    SFAW appears to have taken offense to your word, “Overwrought”, Amir.

    Did I just get Huckabee’d?

  143. 143.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 8:30 am

    @Thoughtful Today:

    Reince called, he says you’re doing a great job. Pretending to be a Sanders supporter really boosted you in his eyes.

    So, you’re doing pretty well.

    For a third-grader.

    How’s that fainting couch working out for you, by the way? “Overwrought”? Do tell.

    OK, now it’s time for you to toddle off and post the latest Jeb! PowerPoint delusion. Your Mommy will be SO PROUD of her little man.

  144. 144.

    cmorenc

    October 30, 2015 at 8:39 am

    Rubio is a smoother, more polished version of Eddie Haskell (character from classic “Leave it to Beaver” sitcom).

  145. 145.

    Thoughtful Today

    October 30, 2015 at 9:17 am

    Amir’s word “overwrought” appears to have set someone off.

    I condemn myself for laughing.

  146. 146.

    SFAW

    October 30, 2015 at 9:42 am

    @Thoughtful Today:

    You should switch back to your Racist Above persona, at least you’ll do something other than repeating the same tired – but intellectually challenging for you, of course – horseshit.

    And, don’t worry, I won’t tell your Mommy that you don’t know what “overwrought” means.

  147. 147.

    Amir Khalid

    October 30, 2015 at 10:54 am

    @Thoughtful Today:
    It appears to have set you off.

  148. 148.

    Pie Happens (opiejeanne)

    October 30, 2015 at 12:16 pm

    @Amir Khalid: I didn’t see where you used that word but I was just skimming the comments.

    And I also read your German word as Thankless because of the “dank” in the middle. What little German I retain after not using it for 40 years is very rusty.

  149. 149.

    Villago Delenda Est

    October 30, 2015 at 1:19 pm

    @SFAW: DougJ’s trolling is much more sophisticated than a simple personal attack. In his classic mode, he appears to agree with the target, but words his troll in such a way that it’s obvious to the discerning (which of course the target never is) that he’s attacking the target directly from their blind spot and they never even pick up on it, but the discerning observer is desperately trying to suppress chuckles so as not to give the joke away.

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