Over at The Atlantic, columnist Marc Ambinder makes the same point I made yesterday (only better): Republicans have to be extra careful. If they give credence to the birthers, they're (not only advancing ignorance but also) betraying the narrowness of their base. If they dismiss this growing movement, they might drive birthers to find more extreme candidates, which will fragment … Read More
The GOP Candidate’s Dilemna: A Case Study
This Youtube video is a perfect example of how difficult it will be in the next election cycle (or two) for GOP candidates. The video shows Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.), a moderate Republican who hasn’t announced whether he’s running for re-election or for the U.S. Senate next year, at a town hall meeting earlier this month. A woman gets up, holding … Read More
Answer: Three
Question: Over the past 3 months, how many sex scandals that have emerged from the "C-Street House" — the "Christian" housing "dorm" where conservative Christian GOP lawmakers reside while working on Capital Hill?
GOP Rebukes Bachmann’s Census Boycott Plan
I don't know why Bachmann amuses me so, but she does. Even her own party is embarrassed by her — so much so that they're now going public. From Think Progress: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has been bragging about the fact that she plans not to answer Census questions this year, which is a violation of federal law punishable with … Read More
Could Bachmann Wingnut Herself Out Of A Job?
The Star Tribune of Minneapolis raises an interesting point in its editorial bash of The World's Dumbest Politician ™, Michelle Bachmann: At the very least, the census statements call Bachmann's strategic judgment into question. She may be setting in motion events that could substantially hurt her home state and potentially cost her the office she occupies. The 2010 census will … Read More
Bachmann Follies [UPDATED with Video]
Yay! Our favorite Worst Politician In The World ™ is back in the news with some more batshit insanity. Last week, Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) said that she would refuse to complete the census when it rolls around next year (which is a crime, by the way). Today on Fox News, she explained her reasoning: "Take this into consideration. If we look … Read More
Sanford Fallout
It really really looks like the GOP is revving up to cut ties with the religious right now. The Sanford Affair seems to have provided the opportunity to do this. Why do I think that? Well, the mainstream media is covered with stories about the downfall of social conservatism. And then there's quotes like this: South Carolina Rep. Bob Inglis… sees … Read More
GOP Sex Scandal Flow Chart
I know…. so many… it gets confusing… H/T TPM
It’s 2:15 PM. Do You Know Where Your Governor Is? [UPDATE: He Confesses]
Gov. Mark Sanford is late for his 2:00 pm news conference to explain his whereabouts and odd behavior these past six days. Except he hasn't shown up yet. Probably on the Chisholm Trail, I'm guessing. UPDATE (2:25 pm): Okay, here he is. He's basically apologizing to his wife, kids and staff for just disappearing like that. 2:27 pm: Now he's … Read More
Who Do Americans Trust To Handle Terrorism?
For decades, the American people believed that the Republican Party, despite whatever else they may lack, was the go-to party on issues involving national security and terrorism. A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll from 2002 said that 57% of Americans felt Republicans were better on handling terrorism (only 22% favored Democrats). An NBC/WSJ poll from 2002 said that 49% of registered voters preferred Republicans to deal with terrorism (compared to 13% … Read More
Missing Governor Sanford: The Plot Thickens
From Greenville SC TV: GREENVILLE, S.C. – WYFF News 4 has received exclusive information from sources who say they have information about Gov. Mark Sanford's whereabouts during a mysterious absence over the past several days. Sanford's wife Jenny said she last talked to him on Thursday, and though she didn't know where he is, she said she wasn't concerned. She said … Read More
Nobody’s Down With The GOP
Ugly numbers from the latest Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll: REPUBLICAN PARTY FAV UNFAV NO OPINION ALL 24 71 5 MEN 32 63 5 WOMEN 16 79 5 DEM 5 94 1 REP 70 22 8 IND 15 78 7 OTH/REF 19 76 5 NON VOTERS 14 81 5 WHITE 31 64 5 BLACK 3 94 3 LATINO 8 86 … Read More
Mystery Solved?
See update on Governor Sanford story below…. FUN FACT: If the governor truly is in fact enjoying the Appalachian Trail, one might point out that the trail got stimulus money — money that the governor himself opposed. Read more. ANOTHER FUN FACT: Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) — yes, that John Ensign — disappeared for two weeks in 2002 citing personal … Read More
Odd Story Out Of South Carolina
Probably nothing, but still… The whereabouts of Gov. Mark Sanford have been unknown to state officials since Thursday, and some state leaders are questioning who is in charge of the executive office. Neither the governor's office nor the State Law Enforcement Division, which provides security for governors, has been able to reach Sanford after he left the mansion in a … Read More
The State of The GOP
A revealing USA Today/Gallup poll came out this morning. One of the findings? "One-third of Republicans now say they have an unfavorable opinion of their party." That doesn't bode well (by contrast, only 4% of Democrats have an unfavorable opinio of the Democratic Party". But more importantly, Republicans acknowledge their huge power vacuum. A 52% majority of those surveyed couldn't … Read More