I’ll make this short: The very same conservatism / classical liberalism that in 2010 propelled the GOP to historic gains in power — from the local level up to a retaking the House — was in 2011 rather unceremoniously reframed as hickish, unnuanced extremism by a GOP establishment that is every bit as interested in an expansive centralized government run by a permanent ruling class as are its progressive counterparts

Serr8d, who has been one of this site’s strongest advocates and friends, lost his wife of 26 years, Mary, to an aneurysm yesterday. She’d lapsed into a coma 8 days ago and in his email to me he notes that she eventually died in his arms in the hospital. As you would expect, he’s devastated — as is his daughter — and he was writing to let me know he

Because, well, dayumm! My boy is nowhere near this yet. But by next year this time he just might be. Recognize.

Others may wish to pick up the slack. Or not. In which case, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, deck the halls, bitches! and all that jazz. Meanwhile, be inspired (w/ thanks to JD): O!

Tony Katz: In the span of 24 hours, Mike Flynn, Dan McLaughlin (and much [of] the staff of RedState) and Ace all endorsed Rick Perry. Yet, Gov. Haley, Rep. Rohrabacher and other politicians endorsed Mitt Romney. Am I the only one who finds that curious? And it begs the bigger questions – which endorsement is more important? The millions of dollars with the establishment, or the millions of followers with

To celebrate this first night of ObamaHannukah, I lit all 8 menorah candles then got together with a French buddy and cursed you behind your lying Jew backs over pitchers of Stella Artois. Also, I told your neighbors that they can have all your property from your sliding rear door to the fence line, including your in-ground swimming pool. And for Christmas? I’ll be giving out nukes. Enjoy!

But remember: it’s the GOP candidates who are stupid and unqualified to govern. Andrew Malcolm, IBD: “Look, the Taliban per se is not our enemy. “That’s critical. There is not a single statement that the president (Obama) has ever made in any of our policy assertions that the Taliban is our enemy because it threatens U.S. interests. If, in fact, the Taliban is able to collapse the existing government, which

And? That just means the feds aren’t heartless. When it comes to the noble border-jumping Mexicans longing to live free. Right?

And in one precious piece sums up both the incestuous state of conservative opinion online and it’s very real cliquish power. Let me summarize the arguments: Perry has governing experience. The other candidates don’t. Except for Romney and Huntsman, who lack Perry’s swagger and drawl and the kind of manly Texas red state appeal we haven’t seen since, well, the last Republican president who made his “compassionate conservative” leanings available.

…and rumor has it the internet might literally explode.