BROKEN

We don’t do as much international coverage here as we might. Here’s one case where it’s necessary

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/euro-crisis-the-biggest-story-in-american-politics-and-nobodys-talking-about-it.php
Euro Crisis: The Biggest Story In American Politics And Nobody’s Talking About It

More: http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/09/28/331314/european-debt-crisis-primer

http://www.americablog.com/2011/09/roubini-us-economy-contracting.html

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/09/29/germany-approves-expanded-european-bailout-fund/

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/09/29/331601/the-european-crisis-shows-that-too-much-democracy-isnt-the-source-of-the-worlds-problems/

The GOP’s refusal to vote on Obama’s judicial nominees is having real consequences

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/29/1021329/-Federal-judicial-crisis-affects-two-thirds-of-the%C2%A0nation

Getting what they want: http://www.americablog.com/2011/09/obama-nominates-republican.html
Obama nominates Republican recommendations for open U.S. attorney positions in Utah and Texas

Good

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/29/1021296/-Occupy-Wall-Street:-NYPD-and-Manhattan-DA-to-investigate-use-of-pepper-spray-on-demonstrators
NYPD and Manhattan DA to investigate use of pepper spray on demonstrators

More: http://www.americablog.com/2011/09/more-shocking-video-of-nypd-brutality.html

Bad

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/09/30/awlaki
‘Glenn Greenwald] It was first reported in January of last year that the Obama administration had compiled a hit list of American citizens whom the President had ordered assassinated without any due process, and one of those Americans was Anwar al-Awlaki. . . . [read on]

Newt should stay out of the theocratic pool

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/gingrich-argues-god-must-exist-because-peopl

By the way, how’s that campaign coming along, guy? http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/29/gingrich_scolds_reporter_for_asking_about_money.html
Seema Mehta, Los Angeles Times: "With the fundraising quarter coming to a close, what..."

Newt Gingrich: "See, I knew you couldn't resist. I'm not going to answer you. I think you should, you should really go home and think about why you would even ask that today."

“None of the above” is winning!

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/29/giuliani_still_flirting_with_president_bid.html
Giuliani Still Flirting with President Bid

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/30/christie_seriously_considering_bid.html
Christie Seriously Considering Bid

Rush pre-emptively trashes Chris Christie

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/scarce/rush-limbaugh-pans-chris-christie

Our very own Joe Walsh (R-IL) is making a name for himself as one of the real extremists of the House GOP – and that’s saying something

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/joe-walsh-concealed-handguns-keep-govt-off-our-back.php
Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL) told an audience in Illinois that he was ashamed of his state for not allowing concealed handguns, warning that they were the “last line of defense” if Americans need to revolt against their government. . . .

I like this idea

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/columnist-offers-fund-drug-tests-florida-law
Miami Herald columnist Carl Hiaasen told MSNBC's Rachel Maddow Wednesday that he would be willing to pay for drug tests for the Florida lawmakers who voted to drug test welfare recipients. . . .

Bonus item: Onion parody gets Capitol police riled up

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/the-onion-roils-capitol-with-fictional-congress-perpetrated-hostage-situation.php
“Congress Takes Group of Schoolchildren Hostage”

Extra bonus item: Jon Stewart lampoons Sarah!s phony indecisiveness

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/bluegal-aka-fran/open-thread-jon-stewart-sarah-pal

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

A WITCH! A WITCH!

Back to the dark ages

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/another_day_another_battle_in_the_gops_war_on_plan.php
House Republicans have announced an investigation into Planned Parenthood's funding, in the latest move in the seemingly endless effort to cripple the women's health service provider. . .

More: http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/oct-18th-cnn-gop-debate-question-person
Mississippi voters will be allowed to decide on a ballot measure that defines "personhood" from the moment of fertilization, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled last week. The measure could potentially outlaw abortions, birth control, in vitro fertilization and stem cell research across the state. . . . [read on]

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/conceived-in-rape-forced-pregnancy-tour.html

Perry pulls a Romney

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rick-perry-says-his-remarks-on-immigration-were-inappropriate/2011/09/28/gIQAr25t5K_story.html

Perry: too “liberal” for today’s GOP

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/the-campaign-to-paint-rick-perry-as-a-liberal.php

http://firedoglake.com/2011/09/28/texas-tea-party-to-attack-rick-perry-on-immigration/

Ronald Reagan too: http://www.americablog.com/2011/09/michael-reagan-dad-would-have-hard-time.html

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/09/28/330477/was-ronald-reagan-too-liberal-for-todays-gop

Quick! Change the rules!

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/28/wisconsin_lawmakers_may_change_recall_rules.html
Wisconsin Republican lawmakers signaled that they will likely give Gov. Scott Walker (R) authority "over how recall petitions can be gathered, just as Democrats gear up to recall him next year," the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports. . .

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/09/28/scott-walker-finds-antidote-to-recall-make-the-recall-process-more-difficult/

“Careless and unnecessary”? Is that really an apology?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/28/alabama_lawmaker_sorry_for_racial_remark.html
Alabama state Sen. Scott Beason (R) apologized for referring to blacks as "aborigines" and says his words were "careless and unnecessary," the Montgomery Advertiser reports.

Bonus item: Get ready for Sarah!s next excuse for not running for President (no, she never was) – I’m too big for the job!

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/palin-worries-presidency-might-shackle-her
"Somebody like me -- is a title and is a campaign too shackling? Does that prohibit me from being out there, out of a box, not allowing handlers to shape me and to force my message to be what donors or what contributors or what political pundits want it to be? Does a title take away my freedom to call it like I see it and to affect positive change that we need in this country? That's the biggest contemplation piece in my process."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/make-no-mistake-sarah-palin-is-still-a-wild-card/2011/03/28/gIQAr4Kp4K_blog.html
[Jonathan Bernstein] A “title”? Palin professes to love the Constitution; perhaps she should read through Article II, which explains that the presidency isn’t a title. It’s an actual job, with responsibilities and obligations and opportunities. Of course, it’s nothing new; her resignation speech when she quit being governor was heavy on title-talk, too.

More nonsense: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/quote_of_the_day_15032496.php

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

COIN FLIP

This is big

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2011/09/27/health-care-reform-likely-heading-to-supreme-court-before-2012-election/
Health Care Reform Likely Heading to Supreme Court Before 2012 Election

And the Obama admin wants it this way: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/27/1020743/-Obama-administration-puts-Affordable-Care-Act-on-SCOTUS-fasttrack

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/three-reasons-the-white-house-is-taking-health-reform-straight-to-the-supreme-court/2011/09/27/gIQAFwng1K_blog.html

http://electionlawblog.org/?p=23578

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/the_aca_and_supreme_court_stra032462.php

http://www.scotusblog.com/2011/09/on-skipping-the-en-banc-eleventh-circuit/

http://www.slate.com/id/2304428
The Supreme Court is less interested in ruling on Obama's health care law than you think.

This is big too

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/09/27/329686/trade-with-china-is-a-really-big-deal/
Trade With China Is A Really Big Deal

More: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/study-china-trade-did-more-damage-us-

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/china-stealing-us-jobs-not-quite-what-you-think-experts-say.php

The dollar coin – long a source of opposition by conservatives and by businesses – is now embraced by the teabaggers as their Great New Idea

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/09/your_tea_party_at_work.php

The last time: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2685868/posts
US Wants to Take Your Dollars -- and Replace Them With Coins

http://capitalgainsandgames.com/blog/stan-collender/1910/dollar-coins-make-budget-sense-you-likely-wont-get-one-change

A pattern of bad behavior

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/pepper-spraying-cop-accused-abusing-bush-pro
Pepper-Spraying Cop Accused of Abusing Bush Protesters in 2004

Wow – the NRA is now arguing, “The fact that Obama hasn’t done anything to limit gun rights is PROOF of his secret plan to limit gun rights!”

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/the_nras_selfparody032464.php

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/09/obamas-devious-plot-take-away-your-guns

For someone who used to bash lawyers and frivolous lawsuits, Sarah! sure likes to sue people a lot (or at least threaten to)

http://crooksandliars.com/bluegal-aka-fran/sarah-palin-threatens-sue-r

What IS it with these people?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/heckler-screamed-anti-christ-at-obama-before-being-whisked-away.php
Heckler Screamed ‘Anti-Christ’ At Obama Before Being Whisked Away

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/making_good_use_of_unruly_gop032458.php

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/fear-of-their-lowest-common-denominator.html

Rush Limbaugh continues to poison the national discourse

http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201109270018
Limbaugh: Obama "Talks Honky Around White People"

Sick

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/jul/21/obamas-culture-of-death/
Obama’s culture of death

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/27/1020701/-Sex-as-a-battering-ram-Oh-my

Bonus item: GOP race is “American Idol in reverse” (don’t miss it)

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/scarce/jon-stewart-gop-base-your-candidates-aren-0

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/at_war_with_its_own_talking_po032471.php

But seriously: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/why-cant-republicans-accept-the-2012-gop-field/2011/03/28/gIQAhDJw1K_blog.html
Why can’t Republicans accept the 2012 GOP field?

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

TALES OF MODERATION AND EXTREMISM

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/26/1019610/-Our-story-so-far

Just can’t get too much Frank Rich

http://nymag.com/news/frank-rich/bipartisanship-2011-10/

Centrists keep looking for an Imaginary Candidate who speaks the truth and addresses the issues confronting America with sensible, balanced proposals. Steve Benen has found that candidate

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/its_called_the_democratic_part032442.php

The Repubs may be realizing that they don’t want to be the Tea Party Party any more

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/sen-whitehouse-on-disaster-funding-take-that-tea-party.php

Finally, the GOPers get serious in addressing the real crisis of the day

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/the_house_gops_big_plans_for_o032443.php
[T]he House leadership intends to push for a vote on a federal balanced budget amendment in October. . . .

Paul Ryan, really? Paul Ryan?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/26/1020341/-CNN-hackery:-Paul-Ryans-lack-of-popularity-means-hes%C2%A0popular

Mitt wants to meet The Donald – but doesn’t want his picture taken with him!

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/mitt-romney-gives-reporters-the-slip-at-trump-meeting.php

Mittisms

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/romney-harvard-grad-with-harvard-advisers-rips-harvard-faculty-lounge.php
Mitt Romney once again criticized President Obama for taking his advice from the “Harvard faculty lounge” in a speech in Florida on Thursday. He’s repeated the line on the campaign trail despite being a Harvard alum himself and counting Harvard faculty among his own top advisers. . . . [read on]

More: http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/09/26/328499/mitt-romney-harvar/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/26/romneys-recived-56000-plu_n_981619.html?1317062734
'Harvard Faculty Lounge' Gives Mitt Romney More Than $56,000 In Donations

Desperate for attention, Michele Bachmann keeps upping the dosage of crazy

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/bachmann-warns-hezbollah-missile-sites-cuba
Bachmann Warns of Hezbollah 'Missile Sites' in Cuba

Ever been pepper sprayed in the face?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/nypd-pepper-spray-procedure.html

http://www.emptywheel.net/2011/09/26/the-name-of-nypd-brutality-anthony-bologna/

http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2011/09/26/the-now-infamous-nypd-pepper-spraying-of-occupywallstreet-protesters/

Alabama judge: go to church, or go to jail

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/alabama_town_offers_church_or_jail_sentencing_choi.php

More: http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/09/26/328180/go-to-church-or-go-to-jail/
[Ian Millhiser] This program isn’t just unconstitutional, it is unconstitutional even under conservative Justice Antonin Scalia’s vision of the Constitution’s Establishment Clause. In his dissenting opinion in Lee v. Weisman, Scalia wrote that the state may not us the “threat of penalty” to “coerce anyone to support or participate in religion or its exercise.” Telling someone — even someone convicted of a crime — that they must participate in a religious service or go to jail clearly fails Justice Scalia’s test.

Indeed, as conservative law Professor Eugene Volokh points out, religiously compelled church attendance is so clearly and obviously unconstitutional, that the Mississippi Supreme Court held that a “judge’s decision to order people to attend church as a condition of bail is not just unconstitutional, but merits a 30-day suspension from the bench.” Again, this was in Mississippi.

Just across the border in Alabama, however, one town apparently thinks that the Constitution no longer applies.

We always knew that Fox’s slogan “fair and balanced” never meant that THEY were fair and balanced. At best it meant that they provided an unabashedly conservative voice that “balanced” their view of a predominantly liberal media. Now Roger Ailes admits that this was the game all along

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/fairnbalanced.html

http://mediamatters.org/blog/201109260007

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/roger_ailes_and_straight_journ032440.php

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/26/1020289/-Roger-Ailes-putting-Foxs-ratings-above-politics-Puh-lease

Bonus item: VERY useful graph – when did the current collapse of faith in govt begin? (hint: not with Barack Obama)

http://elections.firedoglake.com/2011/09/26/americans-are-extremely-dissatisfied-with-how-the-country-is-governed/

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

A POX ON ALL THEIR HOUSES

Here’s the basic dynamic for 2012, I think. Voters are pissed off, with everyone. They're angry and they're going to stay angry. I expect it will be a very low turnout election. It will be made worse by an extraordinarily negative and nasty campaign, which suppresses voting even further. Independents are likely to stay home in droves. The winner will be the person who successfully scares their base about the dangers of the other side winning, enough to squeeze out a majority. It’s gonna be a depressing and difficult year, I’m afraid

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/25/1019967/-Will-voters-turn-the-post-2012-balance-of-power-upside-down

More: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/26/us/26iht-letter26.html
No One Is Winning Over a Volatile Electorate

What part of “across the board” don’t you understand?

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/lindsey-graham-worries-cuts-will-destroy-def

“Class warfare” from the Pentagon?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/pentagon-pay-cap-executive-pay-reimbursement-at-694000/2011/09/21/gIQA3t55wK_story.html
Pentagon may cap executive pay reimbursement at $694,000

The GOPers go full-force against taxing the rich

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/michael-gerson-thinks-asking-rich-pay-thei
Michael Gerson Thinks Asking the Rich to Pay Their Fair Share in Taxes Isn't a Good Democratic Message

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/chris-wallace-continues-pretend-rich-are-a

Perry’s problem

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/09/rick-perrys-sarah-palin-problem-0
[Kevin Drum] Perry looked like he didn't think he needed to even care about any of that stuff. He muffed his attack lines because he hadn't bothered to study them. He wasn't prepared for the tuition fight because he figured that he could just repeat the same old explanations and flash his thousand-watt smile at the audience. He didn't know what to say about Pakistan because he figured any sort of good ol' boy BS would do. It always has before, after all. So he's apparently spent the past month doing....nothing.

That's just way too Palinesque for the political pros. . . [read on]

Mitt stands by his book – err, that is, the book he REWROTE

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/26/words_have_meaning.html
Mitt Romney declared in last Thursday's debate -- unlike his rival Rick Perry -- that he stands by what he wrote in his book. Said Romney: "Words have meaning."

But a new Perry web video shows how Romney deleted key lines and rewrote sections when No Apology was released in paperback.

No, you can’t always be responsible for your Commenters. But you CAN delete them

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/falsely-accused.html

“Political Evil”

http://www.slate.com/id/2303882/

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/25/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_n_979833.html

Bonus item: Who are they letting IN to these GOP debates?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/republican-debate-audiences-provoke-controversy/2011/09/23/gIQAJX6RtK_story.html

More from SNL: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/snl-season-opener-pans-recent-gop-presiden

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

IS CAIN ABLE?

Pizza Man trounces The Rock in Florida!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/24/herman-cainflorida-straw-poll-results-2011_n_979096.html
Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain came out on top in the Florida straw poll on Saturday. . . .

Herman Cain: 37.11%
Rick Perry: 15.43%

Perry, who was expected by many to win the straw poll, signaled his belief earlier in the day that it was a "big mistake" for rival candidates like Romney and Bachmann to opt against campaigning for support in the event. . . . The Lone Star State Republican said, "I've got all my hopes on Florida." . . .

Just days ahead of Florida's straw poll, Florida's Republican Party Communications Director Brian Hughes explained to "Power Play Live" host Chris Stirewalt just how big the sunshine state showdown really is.

"The winner of the Presidency 5 straw poll is going to be the Republican nominee," Hughes said. . . .

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-presidential-primary/183709-cain-pulls-of-upset-victory-in-florida-straw-poll
Herman Cain pulled off a shocking upset victory in Florida’s Presidency 5 Straw Poll on Saturday. The Georgia businessman won more votes than the Republican primary's frontrunners -- Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney -- combined. . . .

What does it mean? http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/09/cain.php

[NB: Quick – let’s do our own PBD straw poll. Raise your hands if you think the Tea-Partied GOP is going to nominate a black man. . . . . there, I thought so.]

Don’t count Perry out just yet

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/perry-primary.html

Rick Santorum: It’s the Socialists who are out to destroy the nation! It’s the Islamists! The Socialists! The Islamists! It’s the Socialists AND the Islamists!

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/santorum-socialists-teaming-radical-islamist

I don’t agree with the headline: NCLB is far from dead – but this is a big change to the program, and an admission that its original school targets were unrealistic and punitive

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/president-obama-kills-nclb-sweep-pen
President Obama Kills No Child Left Behind

Analysis: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/09/23/obama-administration-releases-guidelines-for-no-child-left-behind-waivers/

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/09/23/327238/the-real-deal-with-nclb-waivers

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/23/1019557/-Obama-administration-offers-first-details-on-No-Child-Left-Behind-waivers

And, of course: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/gop-pounces-on-obamas-education-changes.php
GOP Denounces Obama’s Education Changes

The Sunday talk show line-ups

http://firedoglake.com/2011/09/25/sunday-talking-heads-september-25-2011/
ABC’s This Week: White House Senior Advisor David Plouffe. Economic Roundtable: George Will, former Obama economic adviser and University of Chicago professor Austan Goolsbee, top investment manager PIMCO CEO Mohamed El-Erian, Chrystia Freeland of Thompson Reuters. Horse Race Roundtable: Mary Matalin, Donna Brazile, Amy Walter, George Will. Palestinian Statehood – Palestinian activist Hanan Ashrawi. Then, British Prime Minister David Cameron (Palestine and then some).

CBS’ Face the Nation: Twenty years of Bob Schieffer.

CNN’s State of the Union: White House Senior Advisor David Plouffe. Federal Funding – Sen. Mark Warner(D-VA), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-TN). Horse Race 2012 – Gov. Mitch Daniels (R-IN). Polling Obama – USA Today’s Washington bureau chief Susan Page and TIME Magazine’s deputy bureau chief, Michael Crowley.

NBC’s Meet the Press: Live from “NBC’s Education Nation Summit at New York’s Rockefeller Center.” Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I). Roundtable: Former Secretary of Education, William Bennett; former Secretary of Health and Human Services and current president of the University of Miami, Donna Shalala; PBS’s Tavis Smiley; and the CEO of the Special Olympics, Tim Shriver.

Bonus item: From the desk of Bill Kristol

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/special-editorial-yikes_594095.html
THE WEEKLY STANDARD’s official reaction to last night’s Republican presidential debate: Yikes.

Reading the reactions of thoughtful commentators after the stage emptied, talking with conservative policy types and GOP political operatives later last evening and this morning, we know we’re not alone. Most won’t express publicly just how horrified—or at least how demoralized—they are. . . .

The e-mails flooding into our inbox during the evening were less guarded. Early on, we received this missive from a bright young conservative: “I'm watching my first GOP debate...and WE SOUND LIKE CRAZY PEOPLE!!!!” As the evening went on, the craziness receded, and the demoralized comments we received stressed the mediocrity of the field rather than its wackiness. . . .

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

TROUBLE, TROUBLE, BOIL AND BUBBLE

First there was Sarah!, the darling of the right, who couldn't make up her mind. Then Haley Barbour, Mitch Daniels, but they wouldn’t run. A short blip – very short – for Newt Gingrich. Then, for a brief insane moment, Michele Bachmann, who wore out her welcome in no time. Then she was eclipsed by Rock Perry, the second coming of Ronald Reagan (they thought). Now conservatives are having serious second thoughts about him. They're burning through their favorites at an astonishing rate.

Will they seize upon some new savior (Paul Ryan? Marco Rubio? Chris Christie?), or will it be Mitt Romney by default?

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/runnin-from-rick-conservative-pundits-turn-on-perry-after-debate.php
After last night’s debate, the conservative establishment might just be seceding from Rick Perry. . . . [C]onservative pundits have been openly dumping on Perry as a candidate — a mere month and a half after he entered the race and rocketed to the top of the polls.

Bill Kristol published an editorial at the Weekly Standard, stating the magazine’s official reaction to the debate: “Yikes.” . . . [read on]

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/09/23/rick_perry_backlash
Rick Perry is officially blowing it

http://crooksandliars.com/tina-dupuy/perry-does-palin-impersonation-fumbled-
Perry Does a Palin Impersonation with Fumbled Debate Answer

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/09/rick-perry-pakistanor-something
[Kevin Drum] Holy cats. When I wrote earlier about Rick Perry "sounding like a schoolboy" during tonight's debate, I hadn't even seen this clip. . . . [watch]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/23/1019619/--Republican-debate-reaction:-It-was-bad-Really,-really-bad
Republican debate reaction: It was bad. Really, really bad.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/the_train_wreck032397.php
The train wreck

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/09/23/327492/debates-appear-to-be-hurting-rick-perry/
Empirical evidence that the debates are hurting Rick Perry. . .

So lame

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/rick-perry-republicans-dont-need-to-elect-the-smoothest-debater-1.php
Rick Perry: Republicans Don’t Need To Elect ‘The Smoothest Debater’

The Whopper

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/09/whopper_of_the_night.php
During last night's debate, Rick Perry's campaign sent out an email to the press making this incredible claim: "Gov. Perry never said that Social Security was unconstitutional." . . . [read on]

More GOP debate lies: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/building_a_campaign_message_ar032394.php

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/09/power-flat-out-lies

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/the_incentive_to_lie032398.php
The incentive to lie [read it!]

The one area in which Romney is to the right of Perry, and one of Perry’s few decent positions, is the one that might cost him the nomination

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/09/key-moment-last-nights-debate
PERRY: For a decade, I’ve been the governor of a state with a 1,200-mile border with Mexico. We put $400 million of our taxpayer money into securing that border. We’ve got our Texas Ranger recon teams there now....But if you say that we should not educate children who have come into our state for no other reason than they’ve been brought there by no fault of their own, I don’t think you have a heart. We need to be educating these children, because they will become a drag on our society. [read on]

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/23/1019606/-Anti-immigrant-nativists-show-theirtruecolors

But don’t count Perry out yet

http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/09/24/the-case-for-buying-low-on-perry/

Trouble brewing for The Rock?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/doj_rick_perrys_texas_redistricting_plan_purposefully_discriminated_against_minorities.php
The Justice Department said late Friday that based on their preliminary investigation, a congressional redistricting map signed into law by Republican presidential candidate Rick Perry appears to have been "adopted, at least in part, for the purpose of diminishing the ability of citizens of the United States, on account of race, color, or membership in a language minority group, to elect their preferred candidates of choice to Congress." . . .

[NB: Wow. They’re saying they think they can prove it was INTENTIONAL.]

More: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/doj_has_more_questions_on_rick_perrys_voter_id_law.php

Gutless too

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/santorum_condemns_boos_romney032409.php
Santorum condemns boos; Romney and Perry don’t

More: http://www.americablog.com/2011/09/former-military-call-on-gop-prez.html

Trouble brewing for Gov Scott Walker (WI)?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/walker_spokesman_given_immunity_in_investigation_-.php

What the GOPers on the “supercommittee” really want

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/mystery-documents-internal-gop-super-committee-wishlist.php
TPM got a hold of what appears to be an internal GOP Super Committee wish list . . .

Islamophobia within the FBI

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/09/23/327424/fbi-still-in-denial-about-depth-of-islamophobia/

More: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/09/fbi-islam-domination/

Bonus item: Bling-gate

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/michelle-obama-smeared-wearing-borrowed

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

ROCK BOTTOM

Another GOP clown show. How’d they do?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/22/reaction_to_the_gop_debate.html
[Taegan Goddard] Once again, the Republican debate proved Mitt Romney has been running for president for five years now. He is prepared and able to go the distance with his rivals. Romney easily deflected Rick Perry's attempt at calling him a flip-flopper by stating he stood by everything in his book, No Apology, while Perry has already backed away from proposals in his book, Fed Up! Romney was the clear winner of this debate.

In contrast, Perry looked tired and was barely able to finish a two hour debate. He stumbled badly over his attack lines on Romney -- almost as if he never practiced them. Not looking at Romney while attacking him was a big mistake. If this was Perry's chance to convince the GOP establishment he could win the nomination and defeat President Obama, he didn't come close to sealing the deal.

Jon Huntsman did much better in this debate, Herman Cain was very good and Ron Paul was as consistent as ever, though he had an ideological soul mate in Gary Johnson on stage.

The rest of the candidates -- Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, and Newt Gingrich -- simply served to show the Republican party has moved very far to the extreme right. This is no longer Ronald Reagan's party -- or even George W. Bush's for that matter.

More: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/23/more_reacton_to_the_gop_debate.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/debate-wrap-up-or-rick-perry-is-really-bad-at-these-things-isnt-he/2011/09/22/gIQArsFLpK_blog.html
Rick Perry is really bad at these things . . . [read on]

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/09/has-worm-turned-rick-perry
Has the Worm Turned for Rick Perry?

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/09/22/rick_perry_florida
Yet another poll makes Rick Perry look like general election poison . . .

The debate in 100 seconds

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/gop-googlefox-debate-in-100-seconds.php

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/fact-checking-the-gop-debate-in-orlando/2011/09/22/gIQA1DEdpK_blog.html
Fact checking the GOP debate

Rock Perry tries to pretend he never talked about secession

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/rick-perry-tries-walk-back-his-remarks-sec

He did: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/perrys_faulty_memory_on_secess032371.php

Speaking in code

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/perrys-counterattack-romneys-a-democrat.php
Perry’s Counterattack: Romney’s Just Obama-Lite

Or not in code: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/rep-joe-walsh-media-protects-obama-because-h
Rep. Joe Walsh: Media Protects Obama Because He's Black

Michele Bachmann is finding it harder and harder to get attention, I guess

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/michele-bachmann-taxpayers-should-keep-every-dollar-they-earn.php
Michele Bachmann: Taxpayers Should Keep ‘Every Dollar’ They Earn

The kind of people they are

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/audience-members-at-fox-news-debate-boo-gay-solider-video.php
Audience Members At Fox News Debate Boo Gay Soldier

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/09/22/gop_debate_florida
The night Republicans booed a soldier

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/karoli/audience-boos-gay-soldier-gop-debate
I'm not sure what's worse . . .

Heh heh

http://www.nationaljournal.com/congress/house-republicans-regrouping-on-cr-pondering-two-options-20110922
Boehner was described as "spitting nails" during a closed-door member meeting on Wednesday, and his harsh talk demonstrated that the usually unflappable speaker is reaching something close to a breaking point with his internally divided conference.

Those close to Boehner said there is a growing anger in the leadership that some in the freshman class and other intractable conservatives pay no mind to the legislative dangers of abandoning leadership. . . Boehner has grown tired of what he dismissively calls the "know-it-alls who have all the right answers." . . .

More: http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/09/22/325705/john-boehner-cant-make-the-house-work/
John Boehner Can’t Make The House Work

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/09/22/boehner_gop
The hell that is being John Boehner

It’s all about the benjamins

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/palin-pac-if-you-want-her-to-run-for-president----send-us-money.php
Sarah Palin has a message for her fans and supporters who want her to make a late entry into the race for president: Please send money.

The Des Moines Register reports that Palin’s SarahPAC has sent a fundraising letter to its supporters, telling them that Palin is “on the verge of making her decision of whether or not to run for office” — and asking recipients to send a donation in order to show their support. . . .

[NB: Suckahs!]

Bonus item: Pity the poor millionaires

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/our-most-vulnerable-citizens.html

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/our-surreal-debate-over-taxing-the-rich/2011/03/03/gIQAJGkvnK_blog.html

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT

Republicans fail to pass government spending bill

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/foiled-democrats-gop-conservatives-tank-government-funding-bill.php
Only six Democrats voted in favor of the legislation, a version of which must pass both chambers before September 30, or the government will shut down. . . . [read on]

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/house_gop_flubs_vote_inches_cl032355.php

Despite GOP threats, the Fed acts to stimulate the economy anyway

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/federal-reserve-to-gop-take-a-hike.php

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/09/21/fed-moves-forward-on-operation-twist/

http://www.slate.com/id/2304329

The threats: http://robertreich.org/post/10462900042

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/09/threatening-fed

So, this is how it’s going to be, huh?

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/rick-perry-draws-contrast-with-obama-im-an-american-video.php
Rick Perry Draws Contrast With Obama: I’m ‘An American’

Oh, really Mitt? Really?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/21/1018957/-Mitt-Romney-says-hes-one-of-us-in%C2%A0the%C2%A0middle%E2%80%91class
Mitt Romney suggested Wednesday that he feels the pain of the middle class. . . . “the 80 to 90 percent of us in this country.” . . .

An analysis of Romney's 28-page accounting of his wealth by the Boston Globe earlier this year put the former Massachusetts governor's net worth at between $190 million and $250 million.

Earlier this year, Mitt Romney told out-of-work Floridians that he was also "unemployed." . . .

Yadda-yadda-yadda

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/21/too_late_for_sarah_palin.html
Sarah Palin told Fox News she would make a decision about running for president in November -- once again pushing back her decision date . . .

Bonus item: Muffin-gate

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/grassley_budget_cuts_should_start_with_dojs_16_muffins.php

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/09/great-16-muffin-myth

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

BURN, BABY, BURN!

It just couldn’t be clearer what they are trying to do

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/business/economy/gop-urges-no-further-fed-stimulus.html
Even though the financial markets have been counting on the Federal Reserve to take action, Republican Congressional leadership sent a letter to the Federal Reserve chairman on Tuesday evening urging it not to engage in further stimulus. . . .

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/gop_leaders_to_fed_let_america032329.php

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/09/gop-country-drop-dead

Oh, really? I hope so

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/holder_obama_administration_still_working_to_close_gitmo_before_2012.php
Holder: Obama Administration Still Working To Close Gitmo Before 2012

Or does it just mean they’re sending them there? http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2011/09/19/bagram
U.S. to build new massive prison in Bagram

Very, very bad news

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/09/read_it_and_weep.php
New data from the federal government show worldwide energy consumption rising more than 50 percent by 2035. . . . the increased energy production to meet this growing demand will still come overwhelmingly from fossil fuels . . . [read on]

Of course: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/clinton-says-gop-climate-deniers-making-the-us-look-like-a-joke.php
Clinton Says GOP Climate Deniers Making The U.S. ‘Look Like A Joke’

More nuggets from the Suskind book on the Obama admin

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/true-believer.html

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/20/speed_reading_confidence_men.html

http://www.slate.com/id/2304220

After the end of DADT

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/21/us/marine-recruiters-visit-gay-center-in-oklahoma.html
Marines Hit the Ground Running in Seeking Recruits at Gay Center

More: http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2011/09/20/dadt-repeal-celebrate-now-but-remember-the-enemies-at-the-gate/

Rock Perry’s biggest weakness

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/foreign_policy_isnt_perrys_str032316.php

More: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/20/perry_preps_for_next_debate.html

So far, so good

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/elizabeth-warren-takes-lead-over-scott-brow
Elizabeth Warren Takes Lead Over Scott Brown

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/20/1018529/-MA-Sen:-Elizabeth-Warren-leads-Scott-Brown-in-new-poll

More: http://www.eschatonblog.com/2011/09/what-she-said.html

Perfect casting

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/war-on-pleasure.html
Texas Rep. Wayne Christian (R): “Well of course this is a war on birth control and abortions and everything”

Isn’t Richard Posner supposed to be some kind of conservative legal genius?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/watching-detectives.html

The kind of people they are

http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/brit-hume-who-cares-if-income-inequality-is-high-video.php
Fox's Brit Hume: Who Cares If Income Inequality Is High?

Bonus item: Where’s the beef?

http://media.talkingpointsmemo.com/slideshow/2012michelebachmann

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

GOING ON OFFENSE?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/20/opinion/a-call-for-fairness.html
[NYT] This time, President Obama did not compromise with himself beforehand, or put out a half measure in hopes of luring nonexistent Republican support. This time, he issued an unabashed call for economic fairness in cutting the federal deficit, asking as much from those on the economy’s upper rungs as from those lower down whose programs may be trimmed.

And this time, standing in the Rose Garden on Monday, he seemed to speak directly to a public that has been parched for farsighted leadership in Washington. . . .

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/obamas-plan-is-the-opposite-of-paul-ryans-plan----for-good-reason.php
Obama’s Plan Is The Opposite Of Paul Ryan’s Plan — For Good Reason

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/09/19/obama_millionaires_tax
Obama and the art of picking a fight

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/behind-obamas-newfound-aggressiveness-gop-fear-of-the-trigger/2011/03/28/gIQAEPsGfK_blog.html
[Greg Sargent] I wanted to add some key context that helps explain why Obama is trying this new approach. What I think is really driving all of this is that Obama doesn’t fear the supercommittee trigger — and he suspects that the GOP might. . . . [read on]

More analysis: http://mydd.com/2011/9/19/potus-reclaiming-the-frame
Obama Reclaiming the Frame?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/why-the-white-house-changed-course/2011/08/25/gIQAjS8PfK_blog.html
Why the White House changed course

http://www.americablog.com/2011/09/ezra-klein-channels-white-houses-latest.html
Is the White House finally "manning up"?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/politics-of-presidents-plan.html
The Politics of the President's Plan

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2011/09/19/obama-deficit-rhetoric-moves-from-compromise-to-campaign/
Obama Deficit Rhetoric Moves from Compromise to Campaign

http://www.slate.com/id/2304121
This Time He Really Means It

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/09/19/obamas-deficit-plan-is-a-plan-for-re-election-not-the-opening-position-for-a-negotiation/
Obama’s Deficit Plan is a Plan for Re-Election

http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/09/every-single-poll-.html
Every single poll shows that the American public overwhelmingly supports higher taxes on the wealthy as part of a package to cut the deficit. . . .

What’s in it

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/19/us/politics/obama-plan-to-cut-deficit-will-trim-spending.html

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/09/19/322096/obama-deficit-pla/

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/19/1018268/-Benefit-cuts-largely-left-out-of-Obamas-Medicare-Medicaid-proposals

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/19/1018308/-Democrats-need-to-keep-holding-the-line-against-Medicare-benefit-cuts

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/09/conservative-medicare-plan-liberals-could-love

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/not_all_medicare_cuts_are_crea_1032295.php

"Moderate" Dems already undermining Obama plans

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/centrist-dems-already-trying-to-put-the-brakes-on-obamas-tax-increases.php

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/15/american-jobs-act_n_964722.html

OTOH: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/19/obama-debt-plan-super-committee_n_970681.html
President Barack Obama's broad new debt reduction proposal has, at least momentarily, managed to placate a community of progressive activists, Democratic operatives and congressional offices who have grown increasingly despondent over the course of his presidency. . . .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/newsflash-obamas-gambit-isnt-just-about-appeasing-dems/2011/03/03/gIQAOnpkfK_blog.html
Obama’s gambit isn’t just about appeasing Dems

Primary challenge to Obama? BAD idea

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/#415
In a letter released today, prominent “progressives” including former presidential candidate Ralph Nader announced they are seeking a slate of candidates to challenge the incumbent for the Democratic nomination in next year’s primaries. . . .

Why, why? http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/09/19/nader_palin
Ralph Nader praises Sarah Palin

The end of DADT, finally

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/its-official-dont-ask-dont-tell-is-history/2011/03/03/gIQAq93yfK_blog.html

We’re doomed!

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/doomed-then-and-now.html

Good

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/justice_department_signals_concerns_with_rick_perrys_texas_redistricting_map.php
DOJ: Rick Perry's Texas Congressional Redistricting Map Violates Voting Rights Act

What it means: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/feds_v_rick_perry_what_dojs_dismissal_of_texas_red.php

Gotta laugh

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/tea-partier-john-boehner-is-a-socialist-video.php
Tea Partier: ‘John Boehner Is A Socialist’

Zombie lies

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/sheriff_joe_arpaio_assigns_cold_case_posse_to_inve.php
Sheriff Joe Arpaio [AZ] Assigns 'Cold Case Posse' To Investigate Obama's Birth Certificate

More: http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2011/09/19/arpaio_posse

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/19/1018318/-Sheriff-Joe-Arpaio-announces-posse-to-investigate-Obamas-birth-certificate-yetagain
According to Sheriff Arpaio, this isn't a political thing, he's just obliged to look into any "legitimate" allegations brought to him by citizens . . . [read on]

[NB: Next up, Area 51!]

Ed Rollins tosses Michele Bachmann another stink bomb

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/09/bachmanns-ex-campaign-manager-shes-out-of-money-after-iowa-video.php
Last week, Rollins (Bachmann’s campaign manager until recently) criticized his former candidate for refusing to apologize for her claim that the HPV vaccine Gardasil causes retardation in numerous interviews.

On Monday, he revealed that Bachmann probably won’t survive in the race past Iowa. . . .

***If you enjoy PBD and support what we are doing, you can help by forwarding a copy of this issue to your friends (using the envelope link below) or by sending them a copy of its URL (http://pbd.blogspot.com).

I don't get anything personally out of this project, except the satisfaction of doing it (I don't run ads, etc). The credit really all goes to the people whose material I copy and redistribute. But if I do have a "mission," it is to get this information into the hands of as many people as I can.***

CLASS WARFARE

Well, it looks as if the GOPers have found their talking point

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/paul-ryan-accuses-obama-class-warfare-over-m
Paul Ryan Accuses Obama of 'Class Warfare' Over Millionaire Tax

http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/lindsey-graham-thinks-making-milliona
Lindsey Graham Thinks Making Millionaires Pay More Taxes Is Class Warfare

More: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2011/sep/18/gop-slams-obamas-millionaires-tax-as-class-warfare/

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/sc-dc-tax-millionaires-20110919-9,0,2351238.story

(Yes, it IS class warfare)

http://blogs.villagevoice.com/runninscared/2011/09/if_rightblogger_1.php

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/09/paul-ryan-insults-our-intelligence-yet-again

Watch: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/yeaaargh.html

On negotiating with yourself

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/on-perils-of-wingnut-logic-and.html

Did you know?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_09/lindsey_graham_forgets_what_ev032272.php
[Steve Benen] * American job creation is better now than when Bush left office.
* American economic growth is better now than when Bush left office.
* Al Qaeda is dramatically weaker now than when Bush left office.
* The American automotive industry is vastly stronger now than when Bush left office.
* The struggle for equality of the LGBT community is vastly better now than when Bush left office.
* The U.S. health care system is better and more accessible than when Bush left office.
* The federal budget deficit is better now than when Bush left office.
* The major Wall Street indexes and corporate profits are better now than when Bush left office.
* International respect for the United States is better now than when Bush left office.

Perry’s “Texas miracle” . . . NOT

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/09/19/so_much_for_perrys_texas_miracle.html

More: http://www.americablog.com/2011/09/tx-unemployment-highest-in-24-yrs-twice.html
TX unemployment highest in 24 yrs, twice rate when Perry took office

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/16/1017539/-Texas-unemployment-rate-hits-highest-level-since-before-Perry-endorsed-Gore

http://www.samefacts.com/2011/09/macroeconomic-policy/what-rick-perry-did-to-texas-he-can-do-to-the-country/
What Rick Perry Did to Texas, He Can Do to the Country

When is it okay to question Israel’s foreign policy in the U.S. press? Apparently the rules are different when you’re Thomas Friedman (thanks to RM for the link)

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/index.html?story=/opinion/greenwald/2011/09/18/friedman

More: http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/09/18/321941/does-israel-have-a-strategy/

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/18/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_n_968346.html

What else you missed: http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/chris-hayes-show-asks-where-are-democ
Chris Hayes' Show Asks "Where Are The Democratic Reps On The Sunday Shows?"

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