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Palin on "Lessons Learned and the Way Forward"

…in National Review. Singled out as a brilliant political formulation by John Podheretz is this bit:

The meaning of the 2010 election was rebuke, reject, and repeal. We rebuked Washington’s power grab, rejected this unwanted “fundamental transformation of America,” and began the process to repeal the dangerous policies inflicted on us. But this theme will only complement the theme of 2012, which is renew, revive, and restore. In 2012, we need to renew our optimistic, pioneering spirit, revive our free-market system, and restore constitutional limits and our standing in the world as the abiding beacon of freedom.

Discuss.

Without using the word hoochie this once, if at all possible.

(h/t Geoff)

187 Replies to “Palin on "Lessons Learned and the Way Forward"”

  1. Bob Reed says:

    Palin’s NR essay is excellent, and calls into question the assertion that she’s a sel-serving, mush-headed, pretty face. She has a vision of the way forward, and would serve herself well by beginning to outline policies to get there; either of her own inspiration, or the good ideas of others.

    I’d personally like to see her get behind at least some of Ryan’s proposals in his Roadmap, as well as some foreign policy ideas-maybe Bolton would help her with that one.

    Remember, Reagan didn’t think he knew the best solution to every problem, but was smart enough to surround himself with folks who collectively did…

  2. Abe Froman says:

    She’d make an excellent Secretary of the Interior.

  3. geoffb says:

    For some contrast Obama pitches his own way “forward”.

  4. SteveG says:

    You changed it and *bleeped* up the context of my reply..
    Whatever.

    She’s still scary and full of the religious dangeryousness. She should self mute before another nugget like this escapes her mouth in between bible studies and mooseburgers.. lest she (god forbid) be taken seriously again.
    Let’s face it… Palin is a much less serious woman than Katie Couric and more dangerous to our freedom than Nancy Pelosi. She couldn’t even carry Barbara Boxers coat. The only thing Palin is good for is making Joy Behar bray like a donkey.
    Palin also seemed to have caused Meghan McCain to gain 50 lbs and shrink under 4’11” for a while there.

    Seriously though, Palin has a voice that shouldn’t be muzzled by the right.
    She has good instincts.
    She’s created more jobs without using taxpayer money than Obama ever has… ask Levi and that other creep that moved in next door.

  5. serr8d says:

    SteveG, I’ve no clue what to make of your comment.

  6. ThomasD says:

    I believe one of the Constitutional limits we need to restore is the idea that the only form of redemption that government should be concern with involves bond coupons.

  7. Abe Froman says:

    She’s still scary and full of the religious dangeryousness. She should self mute before another nugget like this escapes her mouth in between bible studies and mooseburgers.. lest she (god forbid) be taken seriously again.
    Let’s face it… Palin is a much less serious woman than Katie Couric and more dangerous to our freedom than Nancy Pelosi. She couldn’t even carry Barbara Boxers coat. The only thing Palin is good for is making Joy Behar bray like a donkey.
    Palin also seemed to have caused Meghan McCain to gain 50 lbs and shrink under 4’11? for a while there.

    Seriously though, Palin has a voice that shouldn’t be muzzled by the right.
    She has good instincts.
    She’s created more jobs without using taxpayer money than Obama ever has… ask Levi and that other creep that moved in next door.

    This is why I usually bite my tongue about Palin. Whenever the subject comes up there will invariably be detractors who sound so stupid and unhinged that I’d rather align myself with her.

  8. SteveG says:

    I also wanted to point out that although Palin makes Behar bray like a donkey, so has Rosie O’Donnell… although likely under different circumferences and stances

  9. winston smith says:

    She talked up Ryan in that first Wallace interview, she has remarked on many occasions that “politicians do inevitably dissapoint” and she has been one for the better part of 20 years,

    You were just channelling the mad Mogwai, I think, right Steve

  10. Bob Reed says:

    Sorry Steve G,

    I didn’t notice any “nuggets” of “religious dangeryousness” in her NR piece. Perhaps you’d be so kind as to point one out.

  11. bh says:

    Like a good deal of her piece. Her final point doesn’t so much worry me as wish I could ask for clarification.

    “The last, and possibly most important, lesson is that a winning conservative message must always be carefully crafted.”

    This turns to a discussion of how to pitch entitlement reform. While I agree that one should phrase things to the best of their ability, we all know that if we talk about the issue frankly and in any depth, things will be said that can be demagogued. And we have to speak frankly and in depth here. The policy distinctions matter to the tune of trillions of dollars. We’re going to have to take a chance here that the American people can be trusted with some details about the truth.

    So, over all, I like her thrust but that section leaves me a bit cold.

  12. bh says:

    I’m fairly certain that Steve was making a funny.

  13. SteveG says:

    Ah

    Original post that Jeff put up played off of the tendency of some to demean Palin.
    So I was playing around by diminishing her by comparing her to the luminaries on the left, plus Ms. McCain.

    I stand by my assertion that since 2009, Palin has created more private sector jobs than Obama has (without using taxpayer money)

  14. serr8d says:

    You changed it and *bleeped* up the context of my reply..

    Who changed what reply ?

    The rest seems to reek of ‘feets, with just a little less vehemence. Still mostly dead wrong I’d say.

  15. serr8d says:

    Well, then, that’s a little bit more clear than muddy turtle soup. Still tastes the same, though.

  16. Jeff G. says:

    Who changed what reply ?

    Steve is joking.

    The original post I wrote included after the Palin blockquote, “Whatever. Hoochie.”

    That’s the post he responded to. I changed it a bit, so his reply doesn’t seem to follow as well. My fault. Apologies.

  17. Abe Froman says:

    We’re going to have to take a chance here that the American people can be trusted with some details about the truth.

    That’s exactly what Christie is doing. His approvals aren’t exactly off the charts in NJ for his troubles, but an implosion in California may be a sufficiently teachable moment to work with.

  18. twolaneflash says:

    It’s Constitutional Convention time! Term limits across the board: Senate, House, Supreme Court. Outlaw public employee unions. Outlaw union involvement in public elections. Deconstruct the bureaucracy by eliminating EPA, Energy, Education, and other useless government monstrosities. Get ‘er done, Grizzlies! More Tea, please.

  19. sdferr says:

    Hooch is a term I’ve liked to use for tasty tasty booze. Wi’h which to get soused. So let hoochie be a just a smidgen of tasty tasty booze, eh? For toward the barely (barley?) tipsy.

  20. Bob Reed says:

    I agree sdferr, let’s use hoochie to describe a wee dram of the fruits of the barley, you know, for medicinal purposes only.

    I suggest we all take a shot now, to fortify ourselves. After all, one should always heed the doctor’s orders.

  21. bh says:

    Certainly hope so, Abe. If a few folks like Christie survive their efforts, that takes away this annoying figleaf from the rest of them.

  22. Soiled Sockpuppet says:

    Palin’s right, in that most of the people have rejected hoochies.. I mean.. rejected big government. The only places that didn’t respond have large amounts of hoochies.. um.. you know, government-entrenched work populations, such as teachers or state employee unions.

    The biggest changes were in the State hoochies– houses, where Republicans can now redistrict due to the census results in states that had been Gerrymandered to Democratic whims. Also, southern Democrat seats in the House were hoochied– Lost.

    But Palin neglects to mention the hoochies– candidates who lost that she supported. Miller, Angle, Buck, O’Donnell– all lost. And not because they’re hoochies.

    Miller lost due to lack of follow-up. After winning the primary, there was a pull back in advertising and it let Murkowski overtake the election. Also, I think many Democrats crossed the line in Alaska to write in Murkowski to spite Miller.

    Angle lost because her campaign was a disorganized hoochie. Plus, she had amazing athlete’s tongue. Combined with relentless Democratic money and advertising, she failed. Had she not provided so much ammunition with her gaffes, this wouldn’t have happened.

    Buck lost for a similar reason Angle lost. That and fear. “Ken Buck wants to tear up the Constitution!” was a line from an ad. Patently ridiculous advertising from hoochie Democrats. Had he stuck to fiscally conservative talking points, he may have won. Bennett won because he isolated himself. He ran on nothing, basically, other than Ken Buck was Hitler Reincarnated.

    O’Donnell lost because she’s in a deep Blue state. Come on– Harry Reid calls Coons his “pet” and she can’t make political hay of it? She could have been Mother Teresa and she still would have lost.

    Ultimately, Palin’s backing meant very little in the overall state of things for general elections, but meant far more in the primaries. The lesson learned here is that conservative fiscal principles were enough to win House races, but state-wide races were determined by social issues. And hoochies. But mainly the issues.

    Palin’s still a huge force, and I’m still a fan. But before we embrace Palin-mania, the rest of the country needs to get on board. And we need to have better candidates for Senate and stay away from ANY social standpoints (which will be tricky). Democrats are big on fear, and saying things Democrats can latch on and run against is bad.

    Hoochie.

  23. Jeff G. says:

    Ultimately, Palin’s backing meant very little in the overall state of things for general elections,

    I doubt it.

    Most in the GOP were afraid to come out for TP candidates because they didn’t want to be attached to losers. Cowardly, cowardly, cowardly.

    Palin was not. Nor was DeMint. In the media, Levin was not. Limbaugh was not. And the real story of these elections was not which Senate candidates backed by Palin or the others lost; it’s how the movement overwhelmingly won — despite the best efforts of the GOP establishment to hamstring it.

  24. Carin says:

    lthough Palin makes Behar bray like a donkey, so has Rosie O’Donnell… although likely under different circumferences and stances

    I could have done w/o that image.

  25. happyfeet says:

    renizzle revivvle restizzle

    fuck yeah

  26. happyfeet says:

    oops *rezizzle* I meaned

  27. RTO Trainer says:

    I could use a hoochie.

  28. happyfeet says:

    no… *revizzle*

    jeez this is hard need more coffee next time I’ll get it right first time

  29. winston smith says:

    Miller hasn’t lost yet, however the state party, which many have no use for,have been in Lisa’s corner, from the beginning. And they will slay Snowball and have him for lunch, before they consider
    any real budgetary reform, or substantial petroleum development Buck was run down by the Soros affiliated Huffington Post and other netroots affiliates, for a case he properly adjudicated years ago. They voted for Biden six times, and they turned down Roth, the grand old man of the tax reform
    movement, any questions. As for Reid, they stole that election fair and square, he’s as crooked as the day is long; re Casino’s Senator Hickman.

  30. Abe Froman says:

    I’m more pissed about Alaska than all the other losses combined.

  31. happyfeet says:

    it’s not lost yet Mr. Abe don’t lose heart

  32. happyfeet says:

    meanwhile Lisa’s new best friends forever are actively destroying jobs in her state just for shits and giggles

  33. serr8d says:

    I think the woman who appointed herself as Senator for Life Since Daddy Died and Left Me His Seat is forever tarnished. Much like that Minnesota senator who, in my mind, is always in diapers.

  34. sdferr says:

    Murcky created conditions enabling the Democrats’ collusion to defeat Miller, should he prove to fall in defeat. She understood as much. To paraphrase Omar the outlaw, Murcky is them that gots to be got. For the chillren.

  35. winston smith says:

    Well no, he’s not dead, he’s on the board on Exxon, but you make a good point, the Lt. Governor who controls the polls, was appointed by him to the Guard post, so was the judge who forced the release of Miller’s personnel records

  36. Abe Froman says:

    The ultimate outcome won’t change why I’m pissed. That state is a fucking banana republic and rather than cutting off the pigfaced, entitled skank, the DC establishment straddled both sides while slipping her blow on the sly. It’s everything disgusting about politics in a nutshell.

  37. geoffb says:

    Lisa and Joe.

  38. sdferr says:

    If there are establishment (nominal?) Republicans who will collaborate with the leftists to undermine the American political-philosophical scheme, won’t there also be nominal Democrats who will find this a fine time to march away from the socialists toward the classical liberal side of the aisle? I think there will be, though they may not be prominently known just now. The trends are well in place.

  39. happyfeet says:

    bumblefuck’s dirty socialist Associated Press propaganda whores double triple down on the “New Normal” meme

    EDITOR’S NOTE — The Great Recession has been over for nearly a year and a half, and the economy is slowly growing again. But many of the drastic changes that Americans made in how they spend money have endured — and may be here to stay, some economists think. In a three-part series, The Associated Press examines the state of the American consumer.

  40. serr8d says:

    There’s the Galt Effect, whether it’s mentioned or no. No one who produces likes to be used as a server to moochers who don’t deserve.

    It’s an innate thing, whether or not one’s partaken of the Rand.

  41. winston smith says:

    You’re right Abe, and on the last point, that may not be metaphorical. Now you see what she has gone through in the last two years. As for the AP. good god, Inzvestia called ‘you’re trying too hard’

  42. newrouter says:

    Mr Bush has allegedly told friends that Mrs Palin is not qualified to be president and criticises John McCain for picking her as his Running Mate in 2008

    “Naming Palin makes Bush think less of McCain as a man,” a Republican official close to Mr Bush told the New York Daily News.

    “He thinks McCain ran a lousy campaign with an unqualified running mate and destroyed any chance of winning by picking Palin.”

    Mr Bush has allegedly been disparaging about Mrs Palin in the past.

    link

  43. Bob Reed says:

    This slightly off topic, but driven in part by the talk of state-house takepvers and redistricting.

    It occurred to me that there may ultimately be a deleterious effects on the state politics of places where people, leaving places where the policies and tax-rates have made it nearly impossible to retire, such as NY, CA, the DC area(including theMD and VA suburbs), generally flee to.

    What I’m getting at is a diffusion of indoctrinated progressives from places on the verge of failure. It’s had some demonstrable effects in this past election that were not noted as much die to “the wave”.

    I’m talking about Buck’s loss in CO, Reid’s loss in NV (although there may have been the usual funny business there), and such. I mean, the Florida race shouldn’t even have been close, should it? And look at carpetbagging crackahz like that Wasserman-Schultz woman, who still has a strong NY accent!, and is essentially elected by a colony of New York liberals who moved to, or winter in, Florida.

    What about the California diaspora that I’m sure is already underway?.

    /threadjack

  44. happyfeet says:

    maybe we should just dispense with the idea that the American presidency is an office for which one needs must be “qualified”

    or is that too honest?

  45. sdferr says:

    Would you be pointing at the sort of changes New Hampshire politics has been said to have suffered — due to the influx of idiot socialists fleeing Taxachusetts into N.H. — and bringing their stupidities with themselves Bob?

  46. happyfeet says:

    california diaspora sounds like a flesh eating bacteria

  47. Abe Froman says:

    Californians should be quarantined.

  48. Bob Reed says:

    That’s one example sdferr,

    I was also alluding to New Yorkers moving to Florida, and points southwest; as well as DC area and Californians to the same places.

    Although a few threads I’ve read this season seem to imply that Californians also flee to CO, UT, and ID.

    It’s like exporting a brain disease :)

  49. Abe Froman says:

    As I’ve heard the complaint, Californians like to sell their homes and then move to pretty, less settled places where property values are significantly lower. They make the places less pretty, they drive up housing prices which harms the locals, and then they start clamoring for all the services they enjoyed in California. Thus further driving up the cost of living as well as uglifying the landscape with ever more Starbucksesque niceties. But fear not. They destroyed their own state. They’re destroying others. And when they’re done they can all finally make good on their Canada threats and relocate to pristine and lovely British Columbia.

  50. sdferr says:

    Florida gets folks from all over, making the case slightly different from the concentration (and hence the shift) NH suffered. Too, I doubt Fl’s politics have been quite as coherent as NH’s over the last forty years ( I think back to the economic study Amity Shlaes cited looking at the contrast of fiscal and tax policy choices made by NH and Maine and their respective outcomes), though I don’t know Colorado or Idaho politics well enough to guess whether they too would fall into the same category as Fl.

  51. RTO Trainer says:

    Anonymous sources in a foreign rag. Credibility, not so much.

  52. Abe Froman says:

    Incidentally, what I wrote above isn’t altogether different than the leftist fetish for urban frontiers. Instead of marring beautiful landscapes they move to shitty neighborhoods with nice bones and drive all the poor people out so they can feel all bohemian while they work like busy bees to stamp out the squalor and let a thousand coffee shops bloom.

  53. Bob Reed says:

    Abe,
    Your characterizations of the invasion of small town USA and “gentrification” of urban combat zones is hilarious.

    Especially the way they both end with the bloom of a thousand coffee shops.

  54. happyfeet says:

    In the interest of drawing a very keen distinction between themselves and the alarming failshittery of bumblefuck and the dirty socialists, doesn’t Team R have both a vested interest and a responsibility to place a special premium in 2012 on qualities of judiciousness competence and experience in the candidate they choose?

    I’ve thought about this and I would answer this question in the affirmative I think.

  55. JD says:

    All of the tall leggy Cali girls should feel free to migrate to Indiana, where men are men, and women are happy ;-)

  56. Bob Reed says:

    I think that’s true happyfeet, but you also can’t completely discount force of personality, dynamism, and charisma.

    If a modern day Soloman was in competition for the 2012 Rethug! nominee, but lacked those qualities they probably would lose to someone else; barring an intense effort by grassroot supporters to supplant those defeciency with their individual efforts inside their sphere of influence.

  57. happyfeet says:

    you also can’t completely discount force of personality, dynamism, and charisma.

    but isn’t that exactly what bumblefuck has taught us… that you can?

  58. JD says:

    I think bumble fuck has taught us that we should ignore those traits.

  59. ThomasD says:

    The thing to remember about places like Idaho, and even Arizona (outside of metro Phoenix) is that the total population is relatively small compared to the coastal behemoth. It doesn’t take huge numbers to drive up housing prices, or swing elections, and even the ‘right leaning’ Californians are left by rural western standards. I saw it happen in both northern Arizona and north Idaho in the time I lived in each state.

    Kalifornication sucks donkey balls.

  60. Abe Froman says:

    Force of personality, dynamism and charisma are fine if they’re not confined in their appeal to a bunch of lathered up wingnuts. I’ve seen none of the aforementioned virtues in Sarah Palin since the night of her convention address. I just see a mediocrity who occasionally makes good points on Facebook.

  61. happyfeet says:

    That is an interesting perspective Mr. Froman.

  62. dicentra says:

    Somewhat OT:

    A few good lines from this Peggy Noonan article in the WSJ:

    On Wednesday, President Obama gave a news conference to share his thoughts. Viewers would have found it disappointing if there had been any viewers. The president is speaking, in effect, to an empty room. From my notes five minutes in: “This wet blanket, this occupier of the least interesting corner of the faculty lounge, this joy-free zone, this inert gas.” By the end I was certain he will never produce a successful stimulus because he is a human depression.

    Not knowing how to feel humility or therefore show humility he decided to announce humility.

    Even in a perfect political environment, those candidates who were conservative but seemed strange, or unprofessional, or not fully qualified, or like empty bags skittering along the street, did not fare well.

    Ok, the only part I liked was the empty bags thing. The rest misses the point, in which she piles onto Palin, as per uzh.

  63. Bob Reed says:

    Well happyfeet, what I was saying was that in addition to the qualities you mentioned in #55 those I mentioned should not necessarily be foresworn simply because Obama is an empty suit. If you look at my comment at #1, I stressed that she needed to start talking about policy to be taken as a serious contender for 2012.

    But as I said upthread also, those policy ideas need not be her exclusive content, but could have been formulated by others and articulated by her.

    I’m a little older than most of the commentariat here, with a few exceptions. I participated in the Republican presidential primary in 1980, and still remember the arguments of that campaign very well. People in the Rockefeller wing of the GOP, who’s preferred candidate was Bush the elder, cast Mr. Reagan as a vapid personality-an empty suit. That’s kind of the rap Palin’s getting today, in some instances coming from the same cadre.

    And as I said upstream, a good national leader, like Mr. Reagan, knows how to surround himself with people who can determine solutions to the difficult problems facing the nation. But, and this is key, they understand fully and can articulate those policy ideas; they are not the dunces nor empty suits they are castigated as.

    And that, gentleman, is why I qualified my gushing by the caveat that she needed to start talking about policy and ideas.

    I’m sure Mr. Ryan could be of assistance…

  64. Bob Reed says:

    sorry for the html fail, but, as you all know by now my typing stinks.

  65. happyfeet says:

    Maybe it would be more effective and efficient to look towards someone who didn’t need to start talking about policy to be taken as a serious contender for 2012?

    Just spit-balling here.

  66. newrouter says:

    a happyfeet candidate

    There are certain shibboleths in presidential politics that even the most forthright candidates feel obliged to repeat, certain topics they feel compelled to avoid. Yet talk to former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson, the unorthodox 2012 GOP hopeful, and those rules go out the window. Ask about church, and he says he doesn’t go. “Do you believe in Jesus?” I ask. “I believe he lived,” he replies with a smile. Ask about shifts in position, and he owns up to one. “I changed my mind on the death penalty,” he tells me. “Naïvely, I really didn’t think the government made mistakes.” Ask about his voting history, and he volunteers (without regrets) that he cast his first presidential ballot for George McGovern (“because of the war”). Ask about his longstanding support for marijuana legalization, and he recalls the joy of his pot-smoking days. “I never exhaled,” he says. (An avid athlete, Johnson forswore marijuana and alcohol decades ago when he realized they were hurting his ski times and rock-climbing ability.)

    link

  67. winston smith says:

    He’s actually proud of his vote for McGovern, this is what happens when you don’t exhale, he seems equally liberal on the Death Penalty, doesn’t understand the US committment in Afghanistan

  68. Bob Reed says:

    happyfeet, your opinion is absolutely as valid as anyone’s. I was only pointing out that Reagan wasn’t considered a viable candidate in 1980 by those who preferred others prior to the start of the primaries.

    To be a serious contender they all have to talk about policy…Regardless of resume…Especially when important policy changes are at issue.

  69. Jeff G. says:

    Force of personality, dynamism and charisma are fine if they’re not confined in their appeal to a bunch of lathered up wingnuts. I’ve seen none of the aforementioned virtues in Sarah Palin since the night of her convention address. I just see a mediocrity who occasionally makes good points on Facebook.

    I don’t think I’m a lathered up wingnut, and I see plenty of appeal in Palin.

    But then, I also posted a BNL vid from 1990, which marks me as a drippy suburban middle-aged whitebread douche, as well. So it goes.

  70. happyfeet says:

    did you read Peggy’s thinkings what dicentra linked at #63 Mr. Bob?

    I found them to be very thought-provoking. It was the first time I thought at any length about the comparison what can be drawn between Sarah Palin and Reagan. I imagine we will revisit this comparison frequently in the coming months.

  71. sdferr says:

    Who sold Obama willingly? Peggy. Mark and remember.

  72. McGehee says:

    Maybe it would be more effective and efficient to look towards someone who didn’t need to start talking about policy to be taken as a serious contender for 2012?

    :facepalm:

    That’s what the Democrats thought they were nominating in 2008, you nitwit.

  73. Bob Reed says:

    Why yes I did, a couple of days ago…

    Now, notwithstanding that I view all of Peggy’s columns with a jaundiced eye since her infatuation, embrace, and ersatz endorsement of Obama, I thought she was presumptive to speak for all “Reaganites” and used the end of a meandering column to take a cheap shot at Palin. R.S. McCain’s pal Smitty is skeptical too ( http://tiny.cc/smitty ).

    Noonan was merely one of Reagan’s speechwriter. She was one of Dan Rather’s writers in the years preceeding her gig with Ronnie. She’s a New Yorker through and through, and has always struck me as Rockefeller Republican.

    I never realized you put so much stock in her opinion happyfeet. Perhaps it’s because you agree with her assessment of Palin as a nincompoop.

    I trust my own comparisons between Reagan and Palin as much as hers.

  74. Abe Froman says:

    But then, I also posted a BNL vid from 1990, which marks me as a drippy suburban middle-aged whitebread douche, as well. So it goes.

    Taking offense at the confessions of a collegiate music snob seems horribly anti-intentionalist.

  75. happyfeet says:

    Peggy should address her obamawhore period directly and unflinchingly I think Mr. sdferr.

    And sooner rather than later.

  76. Soiled Sockpuppet says:

    “I doubt it.

    Most in the GOP were afraid to come out for TP candidates because they didn’t want to be attached to losers. Cowardly, cowardly, cowardly.

    Palin was not. Nor was DeMint. In the media, Levin was not. Limbaugh was not. And the real story of these elections was not which Senate candidates backed by Palin or the others lost; it’s how the movement overwhelmingly won — despite the best efforts of the GOP establishment to hamstring it.”

    And even if there had been broad GOP support for all candidates, the problem of the poor candidate still exists. But there was a lot learned this election, especially about the appeal of smaller government, fiscal responsibility and national mood. We also learned a good deal about the state of deep Blue states, like New York and California. Effectively, they’re determined to vote for Democrats regardless of legislative precedent and economic status.

    If the GOP “gets it” in 2012, they’ll still have to field decent candidates, and even with great candidates, there are some states which refuse to displace Democrats.

  77. sdferr says:

    Too late I’m thinking. She’s done herself.

  78. happyfeet says:

    Mr. Bob if Smitty is really wondering… Peggy did vote for McCain in 2008. For whatever reason.

  79. newrouter says:

    peggy credibility is a terrible thing to lose

    By PEGGY NOONAN
    OCTOBER 31, 2008

    The case for Barack Obama, in broad strokes:

    He has within him the possibility to change the direction and tone of American foreign policy, which need changing; his rise will serve as a practical rebuke to the past five years, which need rebuking; his victory would provide a fresh start in a nation in which a fresh start would come as a national relief. He climbed steep stairs, born off the continent with no father to guide, a dreamy, abandoning mother, mixed race, no connections. He rose with guts and gifts. He is steady, calm, and, in terms of the execution of his political ascent, still the primary and almost only area in which his executive abilities can be discerned, he shows good judgment in terms of whom to hire and consult, what steps to take and moves to make. We witnessed from him this year something unique in American politics: He took down a political machine without raising his voice.

    link

  80. Bob Reed says:

    Agreed sdferr. There is no road to recovery by Noonan.

    Between her Obama sales gig, her palaverings on Scarborough’s morning show with other toney New Yawkuhz like Brooks et al, she’s done. Unfortunately for her, it seems like conservative Democrats are an endangered species, so she hasn’t a cadre to really run with.

  81. Abe Froman says:

    A little known fact is that Peggy Noonan and Christine O’Donnell are probably the only famous graduates of Fairleigh Dickinson University. I took a summer class there in college and – I shit you not – the professor was a biker who worked weekends as a bouncer at a strip club. Awesome, yes, but also something to be mindful of when Noonan gets uppity.

  82. Jeff G. says:

    And even if there had been broad GOP support for all candidates, the problem of the poor candidate still exists. But there was a lot learned this election, especially about the appeal of smaller government, fiscal responsibility and national mood. We also learned a good deal about the state of deep Blue states, like New York and California. Effectively, they’re determined to vote for Democrats regardless of legislative precedent and economic status.

    If the GOP “gets it” in 2012, they’ll still have to field decent candidates, and even with great candidates, there are some states which refuse to displace Democrats.

    Joe Biden is a poor candidate. Coons is a poor candidate. Jerry Brown is a poor candidate. And on and on and on.

    The difference being the Dems got behind their poor candidates, for the most part. Or at the very least, didn’t appear interested in actively working against them..

  83. sdferr says:

    She can hang out with the Daves Brooks and Frum, neither of whom know any more about running than Pegs.

  84. Jeff G. says:

    Taking offense at the confessions of a collegiate music snob seems horribly anti-intentionalist.

    Who said I took offense?

    Just providing context for my lathered tendencies to see in an Palin something other than an absolute dolt.

  85. Bob Reed says:

    happyfeet,
    I only provided the link to Smitty to prove that others are skeptical of Noonan too; not just me.

    And the link Newrouter provided provides all I need to know to be done with her opinion, advice, and punditry.

    I don’t really care who she claims to have voted for; words fly away like a summer breeze, but the print that’s in black and white generally stays around for some time.

    And when did you begin to put so much stock in her opinion?

  86. Big Bang Hunter says:

    – Palin has all three of those attributes, which explains why the Lefturds, and now the disappointed GOP good ole boys club spends so much time demeaning her at every opportunity. They’re all scared shitless of her.

    – Two things she has that I think are heads and shoulders over the other three are common sense and an absolute focus on consequences.

    – You will never see any of her detractors, including staunchy pekachu’s, get anywhere near that discussion. Personal acrimony is so much easier and opinion based, and you don’t need to defend opinion’s.

    – True dedicated thinking and well studied factual critique is such a bitch. (Hootchie?)

  87. Jeff G. says:

    Griefering again I see.

  88. Jeff G. says:

    Noonan’s snobbery in that linked piece is galling.

    She’s telling us what the Tea Party must do going forward? Really?

    Well, here’s my counter: What the Tea Party “has to do” going forward is resist listening to people like Noonan, who creamed her granny panties over Barack not so very long ago.

    Now she’s once again lecturing us as if she can recognize quality people and will instruct us who they are (and are not. Like that dreadful Palin guttersnipe). This, when she couldn’t recognize a socialist while he was (figuratively) sitting on her face with a red diaper on his head and balls that had “greater good” stamped on them in bureaucratic ink.

    Fuck her.

  89. Bob Reed says:

    I’ve found some examples of when you didn’t seem to place as much stock in Peggy Noonan’s opinon happyfeet. Here ( http://tiny.cc/hfpn1 ), here( http://tiny.cc/hfpn2 ), and here ( http://tiny.cc/hfpn3 ) are just a few from PW.

    Don’t look at these as me throwin’ them up at you, but only as a gentle reminder of bygone days.

  90. Jeff G. says:

    Don’t look at these as me throwin’ them up at you, but only as a gentle reminder of bygone days.

    Stop engaging him, Bob. He’s griefering again.

  91. newrouter says:

    the drip,drip,drip of the pegster’s credibility

    Peggy Noonan, Mike Murphy Caught On Tape Disparaging Palin Choice: “Political Bullshit,” “Gimmicky”

    Original Post: Wall Street Journal columnist and former Reagan speechwriter Peggy Noonan and former John McCain adviser, Time columnist, and MSNBC contributor Mike Murphy were caught on tape disparaging John McCain’s selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his Vice Presidential running mate.

    “It’s over,” Noonan said.

    When Chuck Todd asked her if this was the most qualified woman the Republicans could nominate, Noonan responded, “The most qualified? No. I think they went for this, excuse me, political bullshit about narratives. Every time the Republicans do that, because that’s not where they live and that’s not what they’re good at, they blow it.”

    Murphy characterized the choices as “cynical” and “gimmicky.”

    link

  92. happyfeet says:

    well I think specifically it’s this comparison with Reagan what I think is worth exploring… mostly cause I don’t think a Reagan is what our times particularly need – we need something new – instead of a great communicator maybe we need a great prioritizer?

  93. bh says:

    I’ve long found Noonan to be an odd fit at the WSJ. Her pieces wouldn’t rankle as much in People, US Weekly or the NYT.

    But, as she shares ink on those pages with Henninger, Strassel, O’Grady, and Jenkins it’s impossible to not see her as some sort of affirmative action hire. What under-represented slot she fills is open to question. Slow and maudlin Americans?

  94. Abe Froman says:

    Who said I took offense?

    Just providing context for my lathered tendencies to see in an Palin something other than an absolute dolt.

    I misunderstood. I thought you were engaging in sarcastic self-pity. Unlike grieferboy, my argument is simply that Palin’s appeal is pretty much limited to people who already agree with her. I don’t think people are foolish for liking her, but I do think they’re operating on faith without evidence in thinking that she has the verbal dexterity to not only sell the vision to an audience – ranging from ambivalent to unreceptive – but to overcome the real and imagined negatives which she’s already accrued.

  95. newrouter says:

    a great dismantler of the fed gov’t

  96. dicentra says:

    But you do have to admit that her description of Obama at his presser was pretty nifty:

    This wet blanket, this occupier of the least interesting corner of the faculty lounge, this joy-free zone, this inert gas.

    Credit where due: same with smackdowns.

  97. happyfeet says:

    I’m not griefering at all – Palin has far too little a record for her to be naught but a wild card – a hail mary – and one of the most clearest lessons of the midterms is that Team R’s back is not up against the wall – they’re not desperate, and there’s no rationale for a 2010 campaign what will pit lame duck against dame luck.

    Team R can afford to go with a known quantity, have faith in their principles, and expect to do just fine I think.

  98. sdferr says:

    No dicentra, I’m not going to give her credit now for what she ought to have been saying two years ago. She has proven she doesn’t warrant it, nor any more of my time.

  99. Abe Froman says:

    She writes with the affectations of a precocious 12-year-old girl. The perfect counterpart to 12-year-old boy Thomas Friedman.

  100. dicentra says:

    No dicentra, I’m not going to give her credit now for what she ought to have been saying two years ago.

    Point taken. Credit only goes to the first couple of observers; the derivatives get nothing but scorn.

    Now go look at some Rex begonias.

  101. sdferr says:

    What we have in Noonan’s comment is a vaporous political thinker commenting on a vaporous political character: a nice demonstration that the old saw “it takes one to know one” is a pile of crap.

  102. Big Bang Hunter says:

    – I just find it interesting that all these side remarks by her detractors concerning her lack of popularity, her snowbilly delivery, godbotheriness danger, and even stupidity at times, seems to not be present in her political success’s.

    – That must be really galling to the “clique”. If talking her down, Alinsky style, was going to work, she wouldn’t still be around. So far she’s made them all look like tin ears and partisan, but even worse, elitist.

    – That can’t be much fun. No wonder they’re all worried.

  103. Joe says:

    I am glad Podhoretz is giving her a fair shot. Because that statement is brilliant.

    I know they are going to throw everything at Sarah. And it took Ronald Reagan years of fighting the left to get elected. Still, I welcome her voice and her drive. She is helping conservatism.

  104. Big Bang Hunter says:

    – BTW. If she should end up running in 2012, the Left will be forced to abandon its closet sexism and run Hillery.

    – If something doesn’t massively reverse itself soon, Bummblefuck won’t even try.

  105. pdbuttons says:

    i’d like her to play the piano and sing
    that carole king song
    ‘ i feel the earth move, under my feet’
    because if she did that -ms. palin- i would lay flowers at her feet

  106. Joe says:

    Channelling Peggy Noonan is like taking acid when you are depressed.

    Just in case you are wondering, it is not a good idea.

  107. pdbuttons says:

    it’s a 24 hour reality show we live in people
    get with the program!
    personally- i prefer my leaders to have big t*** and look good
    in a tiny black leather jacket
    i do!
    hey- i voted for john anderson in 1980
    i got me bonafides!

  108. motionview says:

    The first lesson is simple: Set the narrative
    Renew, revive, and restore is good.
    a winning conservative message must always be carefully crafted.If candidates are going to talk boldly on the campaign trail about entitlement reform and reducing the size of government, they must be prepared to word it in such a way as to minimize the inevitable fear-mongering accusations of “extremism.”
    No way to minimize it so the approach shoud be to stay on the offensive: talk about what you believe, about what you are going to do, and talk about how victimized people the people who are counting on (SS/Med/pensions/Etc) will be in 10 or 15 years if we don’t start to fix things now.

  109. happyfeet says:

    what’s good about that formulation is how flexible it is – you can run for president with it – you can sell hair products

    they can’t put you in a box

  110. Abe Froman says:

    what’s good about that formulation is how flexible it is – you can run for president with it – you can sell hair products

    they can’t put you in a box

    This, from the pikachu what thought the new Democrat logo was a stroke of genius? Preach, marketing master.

  111. happyfeet says:

    I never said it was a stroke of genius you can go back and look

  112. donald says:

    Alabama @ LSU.

    Whoa!

  113. happyfeet says:

    I said it was very fisher price

  114. Abe Froman says:

    I’m sure those weren’t your exact words. Probably something more like forward-thinking Hungarian muppet Hi Nishi I’d like to subscribe to your failshit cupcake newsletter.

  115. Rob Crawford says:

    BTW. If she should end up running in 2012, the Left will be forced to abandon its closet sexism and run Hillery.

    Why?

    They’ll be able to count on the creased-trouser brigades to cross the aisle and vote to re-elect Obama. Better the destructive fascist than the state-college-educated snow-billy who might actually believe the religion she professes!

    (and, most importantly, who is known to be a hard-ass on corruption. gotta protect the corruption — without it, where would the American press be? where would the pundits be? where would your average Democrat elected official be?)

  116. Big Bang Hunter says:

    – Not all of us look at politics as if it’s a box of toys feets.

  117. happyfeet says:

    #

    Comment by happyfeet on 9/15 @ 3:30 pm #

    that logo is very fisherprice with mom appeal

  118. pdbuttons says:

    i really don’t care about my leaders
    i really don’t- i know my general feelings= and there conservative
    and face it- we all gonna vote r [ don’t lie- do not lie to urself!]
    so if i get some candy-lipstick wearing gal- with a nice rack- who can shoot a gun from a heli=copter
    and looks good in a waist length black letter jacket
    yup- i’ve read her record – and i liked it!
    shit- u got my vote

  119. Bob Reed says:

    There are going to be a lot of hard choices that have to be made in the near future, in order to rein in spending, begin reducing the debt as well as the size of the federal government.

    In order to do these things, not only will someone need the ideas to make it happen, but they will need to be a great communicator, like Reagan, in order to “sell” them to the public; but that’s only half the battle really.

    A large portion of the public is currently of a mindset where they’d be open to being to not only being told the hard truth, an honest assessment of what needs to be done, but also accepting the reality of the solutions. Also, they’re going to need their leader to remind them along the way that the bitter medecine they’re taking is working, and do what leaders do; provide encouragement and reassurance that the path they are on is the correct one.

    All these things will take a person with extraordinary communication skills, personal appeal, and, to use some ordinarily pretentious sounding Roman charaterizations, actual gravitas and dignitas.

    In other words, everything Obama lacks.

  120. pdbuttons says:

    i might even campaign for her..
    wearing pants of course [zipper up!]

  121. Abe Froman says:

    #

    Comment by happyfeet on 9/15 @ 3:39 pm #

    the Team R logo doesn’t even have an R on it god they’re so stupid

    #

    Comment by happyfeet on 9/15 @ 3:49 pm #

    I’m just saying Team R doesn’t brand the R they brand the pachyderm … while Team D is saying hey maybe we need to move away from our sassy little donkey. And bam Team R’s logo is anachronistic.

    #

    #

    Comment by happyfeet on 9/15 @ 4:05 pm #

    Mr. Abe Team D wants Team R to look like the past while they look like the future… I don’t see how it’s all that opaque really

    I suppose I mistakenly remembered your babble as being effusive praise.

  122. pdbuttons says:

    i hate when the doctor/ or dentist tells u the hard truth..
    cuz then it’s suck it up time
    and life should be a lazy river…

  123. happyfeet says:

    Mr. Froman I was just sort of yimmer yammering about what the D people might have been thinking about when they changed their logo – I’m perfectly happy to be wrong I just figured no harm in venturing an hypothesis is all

  124. Abe Froman says:

    Mayor Bloomberg:

    “If you look at the U.S., you look at who we’re electing to Congress, to the Senate—they can’t read,” he said. “I’ll bet you a bunch of these people don’t have passports. We’re about to start a trade war with China if we’re not careful here, only because nobody knows where China is. Nobody knows what China is.”

    Effing cocksucker.

  125. pdbuttons says:

    i like soft truths- they are so gentle and calm
    ‘you might be out of a job-tomorrow'[ u mean i might not?-cool]
    ‘ you’re scaring the children’
    [ u mean they are finally showing some emotion?-cool]
    ‘please do not feed the animals’-[ i’d feed a polar bear cuz glaciers totally suck]
    princess-princess-princess

  126. bh says:

    All these things will take a person with extraordinary communication skills, personal appeal, and, to use some ordinarily pretentious sounding Roman charaterizations, actual gravitas and dignitas.

    Is John Houseman still alive?

  127. geoffb says:

    Another way of seeing them.

    Sarah Palin may actually lack what it takes to be a successful president of the United States. She may not have what it takes to be a queen. But she has in abundance what Barack Obama, who styles himself a “community organizer,” notably lacks. Palin has the ability to generate leaders other than herself. That quality was in evidence in the recent campaign when she successfully encouraged others, some of whom had never been in public life before, to throw their hats in the ring and run for office. And many of them won. Writing in the National Review, Palin found satisfaction in the achievements of others. That is the key attribute of a real “community organizer,” while the supposed Alinskyite, who is actually nothing like a classic organizer, was struggling with little apparent success to get beyond his “gift”; to get beyond himself.

  128. Jeff G. says:

    Team R can afford to go with a known quantity, have faith in their principles, and expect to do just fine I think.

    Actually, the lesson is that Team R doesn’t really get to decide anymore, does it?

  129. happyfeet says:

    I don’t think they do Mr. Jeff I’m pretty sure Palin can grab a plurality and take the nomination easy peasy.

  130. Bob Reed says:

    Effin’ Bloomberg is such an ass; the definition for elitist, “do what I say, not what I do”, arrogance has his picture next to it.

    One need look no further than Mr. Bernanke and his latest attempt to push on a string for what might become the prime cause of any coming trade war. geitner can’t keep yammering about China’s currency manipulation while we debase ours.

    Not to mention the effect that rapis commodity inflation will have on people at the bottom half of the income scale.

  131. newrouter says:

    moonbat country

    The Grizzly Manifesto
    By GAIL COLLINS

    link

  132. geoffb says:

    For Gail, everything in the entire universe is “Triple A”, Always About Abortion.

  133. serr8d says:

    We find that the freest states in the country are New Hampshire, Colorado, and South Dakota, which together achieve a virtual tie for first place. All three states feature low taxes and government spending and middling levels of regulation and paternalism. New York is the least free by a considerable margin, followed by New Jersey, Rhode Island, California and Maryland.

    (Linked for to make Jeff feel a bit better about Colorado.)

  134. newrouter says:

    postcard from mrs. O!s india adventure

    America’s Fashion Icon Plays Hopscotch

  135. SteveG says:

    “In the coming weeks there will also be a debate about the viability of particular candidates. Anyone with the courage to throw his or her hat in the ring and stand up and be counted always has my respect. Some of them were stronger candidates than others, but they all had the courage to be “in the arena.” The second lesson of this election is one a number of the candidates had to learn to their cost: Fight back the lies immediately and consistently. Some candidates assumed that, once they received their party’s nomination, the conservative message would automatically carry the day. Unfortunately, political contests aren’t always about truth and justice. Powerful vested interests will combine to keep bad candidates in place and good candidates out of office. Once they let themselves be defined as “unfit” (decorated war hero Joe Miller) or “heartless” (pro-life, international women’s rights champion Carly Fiorina), good candidates often find it virtually impossible to get their message across. The moral of their stories: You must be prepared to fight for your right to be heard.”

    I think I read somewhere here about fighting for your right to be understood…

    The Democrats nearly won with a slate of john fucking kerry and john fucking rielle… the whole time telling us GWB was stupid and inarticulate, so elect these Democrats who simply must be genius paragons.
    As long as some Republicans buy into the notion that Democrats have the intellectually superior candidates we won’t ever reverse their agenda… we’ll continue to meet them half way again and again until we start to think Peggy Noonan and David Frum are right.

  136. Big Bang Hunter says:

    “But probably that’s just me.”

    – You called it Gail. Yes its just you. along with all the other piss poor sore losers on the LeftProg side.

    – But hey, no one expected any better from you, so you’re covered, low expectations, and there you go. Feel better?

  137. McGehee says:

    Team R can afford to go with a known quantity, have faith in their principles, and expect to do just fine I think.

    It worked so well for them in 2008.

  138. serr8d says:

    Mr. Abe Team D wants Team R to look like the past while they look like the future… I don’t see how it’s all that opaque really

    Something smells of stale Nishi.

  139. serr8d says:

    Has anyone seen Miss Eugenics since the election? I’d like to get her take on her ‘Your party will never in your lifetime return to power, as long as I’m alive and forever young’.

  140. Abe Froman says:

    Per Bloomberg’s comment, I just looked up the pedigrees of the Incoming Republican senators for my own amusement. It really speaks to how fucking delusional the left is:

    A. Cornell, Georgetown Law
    B. University of Minnesota, Corporate CEO
    C. Duke Medical School
    D. Harvard
    E. University of Florida, University of Miami Law
    F. Dartmouth, University of Michigan Law
    G. BYU, BYU Law School
    H. University of Arkansas, Southern College of Optometry, military

  141. bh says:

    You were speaking about the QE2 just then, Bob. I wanted to recommend this quick piece to people. Good overview, free of wacky hyperbole.

    (FT so you have to register)

  142. RTO Trainer says:

    Well, no. This one.
    http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=31817319&l=afdc0d1b0d&id=1283310626
    If that doens’t work, I promise to give up.

  143. Rob Crawford says:

    Abe — some of the Congressmen Bloomberg spits on for not having passports traveled overseas without one — as members of the US military. Probably have more one-on-one contact with foreigners AS PEERS than Bloomberg, who likely only sees non-millionaire, non-government locals in the roles of waiters, janitors, and hookers.

    (And what is it with the idea that a passport is a mark of superiority? It’s a fricking government document. Anyone can have one.)

  144. Ric Locke says:

    $5 says Bloomburg couldn’t put a finger within four inches of Tulsa if the map wasn’t labeled.

    Regards,
    Ric

  145. Abe Froman says:

    I really don’t get the passport comment either. Travel just makes me thank fucking God I’m American.

  146. Abe Froman says:

    … while lefties travel abroad and pretend they’re Canadian.

  147. bh says:

    Travel just makes me hate work in a new location.

  148. Bob Reed says:

    Good link bh,

    The essay is by Martin Feldstein, who if I recall was the chairman of Reagan’s council of economic advisors for a few years.

    It’s right on target. Who knows what kind of protectionist actions will go on overseas as our currency devalues; favor our exports and penalizing their imports. Brazil has already increased the tax rates on foreign investment. Who’s next?

    All for small gains; lot’s of downside for little upside. Doesn’t sound prudent to me.

  149. Joe says:

    I am going to jump the gun:

    Falcons
    Bears
    Pats
    Cardinals
    Saints
    Ravens
    Texans
    Giants
    Raiders
    Colts
    Packers
    Steelers.

  150. Rob Crawford says:

    Actually, I do get the “they have no passport” crack — it’s a class marker, if a slightly broader one than an Ivy League degree. Supposedly, never having left the US means you’re a no-nothing provincial…

    And, yet, you can visit tropical paradises, arctic wilderness, some of the world’s greatest natural wonders, some of the modern wonders of the world, and see some of the world’s greatest treasures without leaving the US. If the US lacks anything it’s majestic ruins — but I submit that’s more an issue of not appreciating what we do have. Louisiana’s Poverty Point had been occupied over 1,000 years and was being abandoned around the time Rome was being founded; rather than scoff at it as just a “pile of dirt” we should play it up for what an accomplishment it truly was — the same for the Newark works, Cahokia, and on and on and on.

  151. Obstreperous Infidel says:

    My balls itch. Sorry for that interlude, but I really needed to share. My family is a bell weather for democratic thought (LOL!) and they’ve been facebooking silly things about Bush and teabaggers. I guess they’re (my family and dems in general) are doubling down on stupid. The recent elections have hurt them and hurt them good. It’s not the pragmatic morons that have them worried either. It’s the tea party that has them in a mood. My dad, a dem creature extraordinaire, tells me often that I need to read more of David Brooks. He’s a mature, well spoken cosnervative you see. I laugh and nod. Anyhow, it’s not boxed wine that I’ve imbibed, but I have imbibed tonight and I’ve seen the face of the enemy (the prez said it so I can too :)) and it is frightened. To.The.Fucking.Core. Carry on my not so wayward sons (and daughters) and 2012 should be a watershed moment in this faltering country’s history. Outlaw you motherfuckers.

  152. Jeff G. says:

    Rumor has it Bloomberg is considering a run for President.

    I kid you not.

    These kinds of quotes won’t help, I don’t think.

    Well, except with maybe wooing the Peggy Noonans of the world.

  153. serr8d says:

    My balls itch.

    Ummm…here.

  154. Abe Froman says:

    Actually, I do get the “they have no passport” crack — it’s a class marker, if a slightly broader one than an Ivy League degree. Supposedly, never having left the US means you’re a no-nothing provincial…

    I understand that. What I don’t get is how they can delude themselves into believing it matters. Living abroad for a stretch is one thing, but absent any kind of immersion, you might as well be visiting the various countries at Epcot Center.

  155. Obstreperous Infidel says:

    Thanks for helping a brother out, serr8d. It’s the wool skivvies. It’s cold up here in Cleveland.

  156. McGehee says:

    … while lefties travel abroad and pretend they’re Canadian.

    Heh. I traveled in Canada and pretended they were just “special” Americans.

  157. McGehee says:

    no-nothing

    HULK SMASH!

    (Ahem)

    It’s “know-nothing.”

  158. Abe Froman says:

    Leave it to a guy from Tennessee to have the answer when the subject is itchy balls from family members. ;-)

  159. Stephanie says:

    What’s truly funny is that until a few years ago (pre 9/11) you really didn’t need a passport to travel unless you were going to Europe or Asia. Most of the Caribbean and S. America, certain British colonies and Canada were available to anyone with a birth certificate and driver’s license.

    What Bloomberg is saying is the hicks in the sticks ain’t never been on a “Grand Tour” before. Right of passage among the elite. Truly distinguishable by the hicks lack of funds required to spend the summer in Paris, Rome and Gstaad.

  160. When I’m abroad I tell them I’m a Texan. YeeeeeeeeeeHaaaaaaaaaw!

  161. Bob Reed says:

    What Bloomberg is saying is the hicks in the sticks ain’t never been on a “Grand Tour” before. Right of passage among the elite. Truly distinguishable by the hicks lack of funds required to spend the summer in Paris, Rome and Gstaad.

    Precisely Stephanie.

  162. serr8d says:

    Leave it to a guy from Tennessee

    I’ve had that malady a couple times from lake and river waters, camping on canoe-accessible islands in the backwoods of nowhere. Misery it is, and believe me a prescription medication beats over-the-counter remedies all to hell.

  163. Danger says:

    “I’m more pissed about Alaska than all the other losses combined.”

    Abe,

    Personally, I’d have to rate The “War is lost” cheerleader and Senator Ma’am as bigger disappointments.

  164. Danger says:

    “…as you all know by now my typing stinks.”

    But it’s the rapid reload that matters!
    Html be damned, full speed ahead Rocketman;)

  165. Swen, oversexed heathen black Norwegian says:

    Old Lodge Skins explained long ago why O’Donnell lost.

  166. Danger says:

    “No way to minimize it so the approach shoud be to stay on the offensive:…”

    Darn skippy Motionview!
    Volleys Down Range, Warheads on Foreheads!

    Who’s with me people?

  167. Swen, oversexed heathen black Norwegian says:

    136.Comment by newrouter on 11/6 @ 5:33 pm #
    postcard from mrs. O!s india adventure

    America’s Fashion Icon Plays Hopscotch

    Any idea when that event took place? I’d like to look it up and see what it registered on the Richter scale.

  168. Danger says:

    pd is rockin tonight! Get buttoned down with your bad self;)

  169. Danger says:

    “Is John Houseman still alive?”

    bh,

    Fred Thompson is Houseman with a hot wife. What more could we ask for?

  170. Danger says:

    Excellent link at #129 geoffb!

    (I’m almost up to date on this thread good thing it has slowed down;)

  171. bh says:

    You’re right, Danger. Fred!

  172. serr8d says:

    My balls itch.

    On second though, OI, you need some professional help.

  173. Susan says:

    “She’s still scary and full of the religious dangeryousness.”

    If Sarah Palin is ‘full of the religious dangeryousness’ then how did she become governor of a state which is one of the LEAST “religious dangeryousness”?

    Alaska and New Hampshire are the least religious states in the Union whereas California and NY are the most deeply religious in that Algorical Environmental Welfare Worshipping sort of way.

  174. Susan says:

    And; not only does Michael Bloomberg suck, he is the Leader of infested NYC bedbugs who carry the highest rate of TAX DISEASE in the Nation.

  175. SDN says:

    Has anyone seen Miss Eugenics since the election?

    serr8d, after that generous splash of cold water on Election Day, I’m guessing she’s a puddle soaked into a carpet somewhere. And is not missed.

  176. geoffb says:

    actual gravitas and dignitas

    Too bad that if you are conservative these get morphed into the adjectives old, slow, and tired.

    One thing the TEA party has learned from the Democrats of 2008 is that the battle begins at the primary level. Of course we haven’t taken that to the extreme that they have of pre-selecting your preferred opponent for the main election.

    Yet.

  177. Steve G says:

    Those tired eurotrash slurs were trotted out by Bloomberg?
    What an elitist dick.

    Americans don’t travel like euros do…. ummmmm the euros get like six weeks paid vacation or they riot.
    Plus how hard is it to do international travel in europe? it’s more like interstate travel in the US.

    Americans only speak english… which was stupid and untrue then, and worse now. Lots of europeans don’t speak a second language, but the reason many do is because of how fucking close the different countries are to each other. If I’m in McCook Nebraska, I need a working knowledge of the menu at taco bell anything else is superfluous.

    I’ve got a passport with some nifty stamps, and I speak Spanish well enough to get thrown in jail anywhere south from here to Tierra del Fuego…. gosh… I’m this close to being Senator

  178. Lots of europeans don’t speak a second language, but the reason many do is because of how fucking close the different countries are to each other.

    Most of the educated ones speak English. But they pretty much depend on the Anglosphere’s cultural output so it makes sense. I don’t think all of Europe produces enough quality film, TV and music to justify fluency in one language there, let alone a variety of them. So it isn’t so much that people here don’t learn languages as it is that whatever limited proficiency they attain atrophies because the languages are mostly useless to us.

  179. Abe Froman says:

    Damned sockpuppet.

  180. SporkLift Driver says:

    For Happy

    The last, and possibly most important, lesson is that a winning conservative message must always be carefully crafted. If candidates are going to talk boldly on the campaign trail about entitlement reform and reducing the size of government, they must be prepared to word it in such a way as to minimize the inevitable fear-mongering accusations of “extremism.” We are quickly approaching a fiscal turning point where these crucial reform discussions will be mandatory. We need to speak about them in a way that the public will embrace. During his first run for the presidency in 1976, Ronald Reagan found out that election campaigns aren’t necessarily the best settings for quasi-academic discussions about issues like Social Security reform. So for his next campaign, he resolved to build his platform out of tried and tested policies like tax cuts. Successful candidates in the next election cycle will have to test and develop similar policy platforms that address the crucial issues of entitlement reform and shrinking government in a way that the voters will find pragmatic and even attractive.

    First bolding and italics hers, second bolding mine.

  181. SporkLift Driver says:

    html fail.

    Bolded part should have been.
    During his first run for the presidency in 1976, Ronald Reagan found out that election campaigns aren’t necessarily the best settings for quasi-academic discussions about issues like Social Security reform. So….

  182. SporkLift Driver says:

    Ever notice how the emphasis with languages is always on the speaking with the left? It’s all about how you look in social situations and not really about intellectual heft. Many of them can’t read for comprehension to save their lives. Our crop of trolls here is a good example of that.

    I barely have the confidence to speak in English, but I can usually suss the meaning in a La Opinion article, same for French and German and I’m learning Japanese. Trig, algebra, html, sql, basic, assembler, forth, pascal, java, c, c++, lots of things I can read but only one thing I (barely) dare speak in. Guess that makes any of the trolls here my intellectual superior?

    A lot of people here have made comments to the effect that this or that troll was one of the unpopular kids in school. I think it was the opposite. The unjustified feeling of superiority in a social situation reeks of popular kid. They’re just mad that when they got out in the adult world everything changed.

  183. Abe Froman says:

    A lot of people here have made comments to the effect that this or that troll was one of the unpopular kids in school. I think it was the opposite. The unjustified feeling of superiority in a social situation reeks of popular kid. They’re just mad that when they got out in the adult world everything changed.

    Nah. You’ve got it backwards. Being unpopular growing up decidedly colors the worldview of activist lefties who weren’t born into the racket. They cluster together in college, and, subsequently in their choice of vocations and locales. And it’s this bubble they live in which helps them cultivate deluded feelings of superiority – a sort of high school do-over. Sure, it’s a generalization so there are ample exceptions, but our trolls wouldn’t be among them. It’s inherently antisocial behavior.

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