INSECURE

The Washington Post’s slam job on Social Security

http://my.firedoglake.com/deanbaker/2011/10/30/washington-post-discards-all-journalistic-standards-in-attack-on-social-security/

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/look-mind-villagers-social-security

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/when-journalism-goes-bad-something.html

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/forbes-fox-panelists-push-social-security-p

Unfounded fears

http://www.samefacts.com/2011/10/wayward-press/chicken-little-and-social-security/
[Michael O’Hare] Last week I polled my mostly-undergraduate policy design class at Berkeley . . .

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/one-point-and-150-grand
[Kevin Drum] From this we can conclude a couple of things. . . the conservative campaign to convince everyone that Social Security is doomed has been wildly successful, even among extremely bright kids who are actively interested in policy issues. [read on]

Have you HEARD Rock Perry give a speech?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/30/perrys_bizarre_speech.html
Bizarre

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/syrupy-rick-perry.html

Crazy talk

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/cain-defends-accusing-planned-parenthood-pla
Cain Defends Accusing Planned Parenthood of 'Planned Genocide'; Goal Is To ‘Kill Black Babies’

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/herman-cain-speaks-of-the-so-called-palestinians.php
Herman Cain Speaks Of ‘The So-Called Palestinian People’

Oh-oh

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/30/women_accuse_cain_of_inappropriate_behavior.html
Women Accuse Cain of Inappropriate Behavior

Cain responds: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/team-cain-calls-sexual-harassment-story-is-unfair-attack.php

Is Fox News for Cain?

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/chris-wallace-rick-perry-your-jobs-plan-terr
Chris Wallace to Rick Perry: Your Jobs Plan Is 'Terrible'

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/30/chris-wallace-mitt-romney-fox-news_n_1065962.html
Chris Wallace: Mitt Romney Is Dodging 'Fox News Sunday' Invitation

Romney, with a lead, starts to play it safe

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/31/romney_limits_national_media_exposure.html
Romney Limits National Media Exposure

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/the_courage_of_his_absence_of033173.php

Theocracy watch

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/indoctrination_doc_argues_public_schools_are_hurti.php
‘IndoctriNation’ Doc Argues Public Schools Are Hurting Christianity

[NB: Yes, they should be HELPING Christianity!]

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/30/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_n_1065923.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.***

MEET THE 1%

Ah, ha, ha – isn’t that FUNNY?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/top_ny_foreclosure_law_firm_threw_homeless-themed.php
Top NY Foreclosure Law Firm Threw Homeless-Themed Halloween Party

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/dark-side.html
[Digby] Between the crying billionaires, Erick Erickson's "suck it up whiners" site, the snotty Wharton students, these disgusting foreclosure "jokesters" and the hippie bashing everywhere, it's pretty clear that the strain of human nature that civilized people usually keep under wraps has been let loose in America again. . . .

More hilarity: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/09/29/1021400/-Wall-Street-executives-watch-protests-while-drinking-champagne-from-balconies-%28literally%29

Why the “supercommittee” will never agree – and that’s just as well

http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/gop-debt-panel-tax-cuts-magically-increase-revenue

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/super-committee-of-1.html

The irrelevant GOP

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/30/us/politics/outside-groups-eclipsing-gop-as-hub-of-campaigns-next-year.html
[NYT] About once a month, a dozen or so of the country’s most influential Republicans meet in a bare-walled conference room in Washington to discuss how to make further gains in the Congressional elections next year and defeat President Obama. . . .

But almost none of them hold office or a job with the Republican Party itself. Instead, they represent conservative groups that channeled tens of millions of dollars into last year’s Congressional campaign. And as 2012 approaches, the groups — among them the Karl Rove-founded American Crossroads, the Republican Governors Association, the American Action Network and Americans for Prosperity, which is backed by the billionaire Koch brothers — have gathered into a loosely organized political machine poised to rival, and in many ways supplant, the official Republican Party apparatus.

At a time when the Republican National Committee remains weighed down by debt, outside conservative groups, freed from contribution limits by the Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision last year, are playing an ever larger role and operating in an increasingly coordinated fashion. . . .

Never let it be said we don’t learn from our mistakes!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/28/1031055/-Republican-introduces-legislation-to-reopen-the-bank-casino
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street reform legislation managed to pass with one piece that forces banks to be somewhat responsible for their lending, a provision that requires lenders to retain five percent of the residential loans that they make.

That's supposed to make banks less anxious to secure risky loans, bundling up that risk, and selling it off as securities. You know, the practice that created the whole massive casino that wrecked the global economy.

Unsurprisingly, that requirement has proven too onerous for the banks to be able to live with. So, of course, they've got their Republican lap dogs primed to try to repeal it. . . .

George Will’s full-on assault against Willard

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/29/the_pretzel_candidate.html
"A straddle is not a political philosophy; it is what you do when you do not have one... Romney, supposedly the Republican most electable next November, is a recidivist reviser of his principles who is not only becoming less electable; he might damage GOP chances of capturing the Senate. Republican successes down the ticket will depend on the energies of the Tea Party and other conservatives, who will be deflated by a nominee whose blurry profile in caution communicates only calculated trimming."

Decisive

http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/perry-s-plan-to-skip-debates-prompts-criticism-from-gingrich-santorum-20111027?mrefid=election2012
Perry’s Plan to Skip Debates Prompts Criticism

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/29/perry_will_debate_after_all.html
Rick Perry plans to participate in at least five more debates, "dismissing speculation that the Texas governor's lackluster performances so far would lead him to skip future Republican debates," the AP reports. . . .

Michele Bachmann has an ingenious solution to the problem of school bullying

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/bachmann-end-dept-education-solve-teen-bully

The Sunday talk show line-ups

http://firedoglake.com/2011/10/30/sunday-talking-heads-october-30-2011/
ABC’s This Week: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN). Roundtable: George Will, Cokie Roberts, Ron Brownstein, Austan Goolsbee, Dick Armey. Then, Bill Gates on Steve Jobs, taxes, education and foreign aid.

CBS’ Face the Nation: Herman Cain. Plus, John Dickerson on the horse race.

CNN’s State of the Union: Senior Obama Campaign Strategist David Axelrod. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX). Primary States Roundtable: Local reporters, Florida’s Adam Smith, Iowa’s O. Kay Henderson and South Carolina’s Gina Smith. Then, Ellen Davis from the National Retail Federation on the economics of Halloween.

NBC’s Meet the Press: Senior White House Adviser David Plouffe. Roundtable: Tom Brokaw, Walter Isaacson, Jennifer Granholm, Mike Murphy.

***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.***

DO SOMETHING!

The Orange Man doesn’t like it, but Obama’s new focus on jobs is working

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/white-house-our-jobs-message-is-catching-fire.php

Are the Dems on the “supercommittee” shooting themselves in the foot?

http://crooksandliars.com/rj-eskow/wanna-watch-ass-kicking-itself-read-dems-

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/10/28/cbpp-destroys-catfood-commission-dems-plan-for-deficit-reduction/

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/the_dems_wasted_supercommittee033165.php

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/as-public-conversation-moves-left-supercommittee-dems-move-right/2011/10/28/gIQAxVQiPM_blog.html

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/28/1030966/-Super-Congress-Democrats-offer-further-right-than-Simpson-Bowles,-Gang%C2%A0of%C2%A0Six
Super Congress Democrats offer further right than Simpson Bowles, Gang of Six

The GOPers, enemies of Keynesianism, are scrambling for arguments to avoid defense cuts if (when) the supercommittee fails to come to consensus. Guess where they’ve ended up?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/gop_cant_make_up_its_mind_on_k033141.php

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/republicans-cry-uncle-on-spending-when-cuts-hit-home.php

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/10/28/355959/the-rise-of-the-defense-keynesians/

Oh, snap!

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/scarce/george-will-romney-republicans-michael-duka
George Will: Romney is the Republicans' Michael Dukakis

Romney reinvents himself as Sarah Palin

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/28/1030975/-Another-Mitt-Romney-flip-flop:-Now-hes-a-global-warming-denier-and-wants-to-drill,-baby,-drill

Is Herman Cain ready for prime time?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/29/us/politics/for-cain-reverse-becomes-a-prominent-gear.html
But increasingly, Mr. Cain is becoming known for walking back provocative statements made in a shoot-from-the-hip speaking style, which raises questions about his grasp of issues and his readiness for office. . . . [read on]

More: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/herman-cain-gets-the-bad-lip-reading-treatment.php

Michele Bachmann, your time is up!

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/28/1030876/-Tea-party-wants-to-shed-its%C2%A0Bachmann%C2%A0baggage

Thank god we have Charlie Cook for this incisive political analysis

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/28/obama_will_struggle_if_approval_doesnt_rise.html
Obama Will Struggle if Approval Doesn't Rise

GOP candidates want to eliminate federal student loans. Now THAT’S brilliant long-term planning

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/gop_hostility_towards_student033154.php

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/gop-candidates-open-fire-on--student-loans/2011/10/28/gIQAlGl6PM_blog.html

Be careful what you ask for: we’ve been tracking for a while the increasingly punitive laws being passed in Alabama against “illegal” immigrants – so guess what?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/27/1030669/-Kicking-out-immigrants-isnt-working-well-for-Alabama

Bonus item: Muffins!

http://mediamatters.org/blog/201110280020

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/muffingate_the_day_the_16_dollar_muffin_myth_died.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.***

PLUTOCRACY

http://mydd.com/users/theyoungturks/posts/top-1-doubled-income-in-last-30-years-cbo-report
Top 1% Doubled Income In Last 30 Years

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/price-plutocracy-0

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/10/27/354515/what-percent-are-you/

http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/gop-candidates-will-expand-record-us-income-gap

Lets see the Repubs find a way to try to take credit for this

http://www.americablog.com/2011/10/us-economy-grew-25-last-quarter.html
US economy grew 2.5% last quarter

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/us_economy_shows_signs_of_life033114.php

The big spending cuts Repubs DON’T want

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/republicans-cry-uncle-on-spending-when-cuts-hit-home.php

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/why_debtreduction_talks_always033128.php
Why debt-reduction talks always fail

Wrong headline: I want them to be in session even LESS

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/27/1030679/-The-do-nothing-Republican-House
Lazy House GOP only in session 109 days

Helped by his enemies

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/27/obama_approval_bounces_back.html
The latest Gallup tracking poll finds President Obama's job approval rating has improved to 43% -- up from his low point of 38% two weeks ago. . . .

Hey, a Rock can flip-flop too!

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/rick-perrys-confederate-symbol-flip-flop-is-gonna-be-a-problem-in-south-carolina.php

Herman Cain’s pro-smoking ad

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/herman-cain-adviser-campaign-resonating-smok

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/smoker-and-bandit.html
Cain's a cancer survivor, but what the hell. . .

Marco Rubio (R), young star of the GOP and an almost-perfect 2012 VP prospect, can’t dodge the accusations he lied about his family history (because he did)

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/heat_intensifies_on_rubio033120.php

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/27/is_rubio_a_risky_bet.html

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/rubio-sexy-exile.html

In Wisconsin, GOPers figure out a new way to prevent efforts to recall them

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/wisconsin-republicans-eye-change-to-recall-law.php
Change the Recall Law

In Mississippi, birth control in jeopardy

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2011/10/27/mississippi-womb-controllers-kiss-your-birth-control-goodbye-as-personhood-amendment-vote-looms/
“[H]uman life would begin not at birth but at the moment of fertilization. If the amendment passes, it will outlaw abortion in the state entirely, even in cases of rape or incest. It might even leave some forms of contraception, and procedures such as in vitro fertilization, on life support. . . . [read on]

In Arizona, independent doesn't mean "independent"

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/brewers_nuclear_option_in_ariz033129.php
Arizona has an Independent Redistricting Commission, made up of two Democrats, two Republicans, and one registered Independent. . . .

The tripartisan panel recently unveiled a draft proposal that would, as a practical matter, create two safe Democratic seats, four safe Republican seats, and create three competitive districts, all the while improving the voting influence of the state's growing Latino population.

To put it mildly, Arizona Republicans are apoplectic, so much so that Gov. Jan Brewer (R), best known for her anti-immigrant work, may impeach the commission's members for producing a map she doesn't like. . . . [read on]

Bonus item: Ha! I write it here as a joke, and then it becomes reality

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/27/michele-bachmann-newsweek-cover-becomes-halloween-costume.html
Newsweek’s Michele Bachmann cover has become a Halloween costume. . .

***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.***

DYSFUNCTIONAL

Just super!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/as-super-committee-gridlocks-influential-conservatives-harden-their-no-tax-demands.php
As Super Committee Gridlocks, Influential Conservatives Harden Their No-Tax Demands

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/26/1030337/-Super-Congress-Republicans-reject-Democratic-overture,-still-deadlocked-on taxes

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/no-need-for-compromise-when-theyve.html

9%

http://fdlaction.firedoglake.com/2011/10/26/congress-job-approval-drops-again-to-a-new-absurd-low/
In a poll released Tuesday, just nine percent of Americans said they approve of the job lawmakers on Capitol Hill are doing. The all-time low is down 2 points from an 11 percent approval rating just a month ago, and is the first single digit level since the question was first asked in 1977. . .

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/revulsion_towards_congress_rea033086.php

Not that the Republicans care

http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/10/26/353499/what-americans-want-to-do-to-create-jobs/
What Americans Want To Do To Create Jobs

Just in case facts still matter

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/26/obama_wrote_fewer_rules_than_bush.html
Despite being accused of stifling job creation by imposing new rules on businesses, Bloomberg notes that President Obama's White House "has approved fewer regulations than his predecessor George W. Bush at this same point in their tenures, and the estimated costs of those rules haven't reached the annual peak set in fiscal 1992 under Bush's father."

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/reality_ruins_another_gop_talk033089.php
Reality ruins another GOP talking point

Pretty pathetic

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/rick-perry-figures-out-how-improve-his-debate-performance
Rick Perry has figured out the answer to his embarrassingly bad debate performance. He's just not going to participate in debates anymore. . . [read on]

More: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/rick-perry-may-skip-future-debates.php

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/rick-perry-enters-the-no-spin-zone.php
Perry To O’Reilly: Debate Participation Probably A ‘Mistake’

Now the Rock says he isn’t really a birther after all

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/perry-on-birtherism-nod-i-was-just-having-some-fun-with-donald-trump-video.php

Evidence, through emails, of the racist intent behind redistricting bill in Texas that Perry signed

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/10/riveting_circumstantial_evidence.php

More from Texas

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/rick-perry-the-best-little-whore-in-texas-20111026
The Texas governor has one driving passion: selling off government to the highest bidder

Willard’s “flip-flop-flip”

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/the_hardtoexecute_flipflopflip033096.php

Paul Ryan (R-WI) gives a speech that sounds to me as if he wants to be someone’s VP

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/ryan
[Kevin Drum] Ryan's weak grasp of facts aside, what I'm really curious about is why Ryan gave this speech. You see, it was a fairly nasty speech, and Ryan doesn't usually give speeches like that. . . [read on]

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/what_is_wrong_with_paul_ryan033100.php
[Steve Benen] Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), the increasingly unhinged chairman of the House Budget Committee, has a fascinating sense of timing. . . . [read on]

More: http://politics.salon.com/2011/10/26/paul_ryans_great_disappointment_in_obama/

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/26/1030189/-Paul-Ryan-channels-Glenn-Beck,-claims-President-Obama-sowing-social-unrest

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/paul-ryans-big-speech-misleading-out-of-touch-and-filled-with-tired-talking-points/2011/10/26/gIQAvhG8IM_blog.html

Herman Cain can’t reconcile his antiabortion stance with his basic libertarianism and suspicion of government decisions over family matters

http://politics.salon.com/2011/10/26/herman_cain_pro_life_except_in_the_case_of_his_family/
Does he even know what "pro-life" means?

Does this surprise you?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/us/politics/as-cain-touts-management-skills-ex-aides-tell-of-chaos.html
Cain Touts Skills as Manager; Ex-Aides Describe Chaos

Proving once again that there is nothing a Republican can do that shames them out of public life

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/fox-news-doesnt-mind-hiring-serial-liar
On Friday, Fox News confirmed that they had hired former Gov. Mark Sanford (R-SC) as a paid contributor. The move that could make things slightly awkward at the network. During their coverage of the affair that tarnished Sanford's political future, Fox News hosts and contributors labeled their new coworker (among other things) a "serial liar," a "laughingstock," and an "early brain donor." . . . [read on]

***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.***

FLAT

Willard’s effort to always have it both ways hits the point of self-parody

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/shows-a-lack-of-principle-conservatives-rail-against-romney-waffling-on-ohios-sb-5.php
[From Ohio] Former Mass Gov. Mitt Romney stopped by a phone bank staffed by Republican faithful today to cheer on their efforts trying to stop the repeal of SB 5. The bill curtails collective bargaining rights. Supporters say the law is necessary to contain the state budget, and is set to face a referendum vote on November 8th. The bill was passed by the Republican Legislature, signed by the Republican Governor, and has the support of many conservative groups who are on the ground in Ohio trying to stave off the repeal vote.

So when Romney showed up to rally the pro-SB 5 political operation, it was a bit of a shock to conservatives who have been working to stop repeal when he said the following, picked up by CNN:

“I am not speaking about the particular ballot issues,” Romney said, only after repeated questions from reporters. “Those are up to the people of Ohio. But I certainly support the efforts of the governor to rein in the scale of government. I am not terribly familiar with the two ballot initiatives. But I am certainly supportive of the Republican Party’s efforts here.” [read on]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/conservatives-slam-mitt-romney-for-going-weak-kneed-in-war-on-public-employees/2011/10/25/gIQAHUDPGM_blog.html
Conservatives slam Mitt Romney

Perry pounces: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/updates/1453

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/no_profile_in_courage_award_fo033069.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/leaders_know_how_to_take_a_sta033074.php

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/25/romney_backs_away_from_ohio_law_he_supported.html

The Rock embraces the “flat tax,” which is fast becoming the new policy litmus test for any Republican wanting to be President. But, he reaches deeper into the Republican id (and steps on his own message) with this

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/rick-perry-goes-full-birther-lets-see-his-grades-video.php
Rick Perry Goes Full Birther: ‘Let’s See His Grades’

Oh, by the way: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/rick-perrys-flat-tax-plan-not-a-flat-tax.php
Rick Perry’s Flat Tax Plan: Not A Flat Tax

http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/rick-perry-shows-why-he-got-d-in-economics
Rick Perry Shows Why He Got a D in Economics

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/10/25/perry-scraps-tax-code-by-keeping-around-the-tax-code/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/rick-perrys-flat-tax--not-so-flat-after-all/2011/10/25/gIQAXcuoFM_blog.html

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/stepping_on_his_own_reset033060.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/perry_tries_to_clean_up_his_me033077.php

Theocracy watch

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/nc-anti-abortion-centers-told-jewish-woman-c
NC Anti-Abortion Centers Told Jewish Woman to Convert to Christianity

How bad is it when PAT ROBERTSON calls the GOP base too far right?

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/intervention-pat-robertson-thinks-gop-is-too-extreme.php

More: http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/may-be-pat-robertsons-only-honest-moment

David Brooks gives Obama (bad) campaign advice

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/25/opinion/brooks-the-fighter-fallacy.html
. . .Obama faced a choice. Double down on conciliator mode or become a fighter. Think of the latter as the Bibi Netanyahu strategy: since I have no negotiating partner I’m going to come out swinging in a way that pleases my base. . . .

Yet this is the course the Obama campaign has chosen. He’s campaigning these days as the populist fighter, the scourge of the privileged class. . . .[read on]

Critiques: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/david-brooks-hell-polls-president-obama-sh

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-morning-plum/2011/10/25/gIQAbfGYFM_blog.html

Bonus item: Looking for a template for carving your Halloween pumpkin this year? (Thanks to DR for the link)

***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.***

STILL IN THE GAME?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/obama-on-housing-we-cant-wait.php
Obama Rolls Out New ‘We Can’t Wait’ Slogan On Housing, Economy

http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/job-plans-stalled-obama-tries-plan-b-
With Job Plans Stalled, Obama Tries Plan B: Executive Orders, Baby!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/economists-white-house-mortgage-plan-is-a-good-but-modest-plan.php
Economists: White House Mortgage Plan Is A Good, But Modest, Plan

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/chart-of-the-day-repealing-obamacare-would-be-disastrous-for-the-budget.php
Repealing ObamaCare Would Be Disastrous For The Budget

More: http://elections.firedoglake.com/2011/10/24/in-theory-we-cant-wait-sounds-like-a-very-smart-move-for-obama/

A New Rock

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rick-perry-hopes-to-recharge-campaign-with-tax-plan-and-new-hires/2011/10/24/gIQAk3FxDM_story.html
Rick Perry moves to recharge campaign with flat-tax plan and new hires

http://firedoglake.com/2011/10/24/rick-perry-now-reduced-to-cribbing-campaign-ideas-from-steve-forbes-and-donald-trump/
Rick Perry Now Reduced to Cribbing Campaign Ideas from Steve Forbes and Donald Trump

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/rick-perrys-miraculous-tax-plan

One of the things Sarah (who?) proved is that you can get a lot of attention and rake in a lot of money as a presidential candidate without actually, you know, RUNNING for President. Herman Cain follows the template

http://swampland.time.com/2011/10/24/the-mystery-of-the-missing-presidential-campaign-cain-operation-mia-in-key-states/
The Mystery of the Missing Presidential Campaign: Cain Operation MIA in Key States

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/shawna-vercher/is-cain-scamming-us-five-_b_1018867.html
9 Reasons the Cain Campaign is Done

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/herman-cain-officially-declares-himself-joke
Herman Cain Officially Declares Himself a Joke

Flipper

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/24/1029547/-NYT:-Mitt-Romney-still-straddling-fence-on-flat-tax-flip-flop
Mitt Romney still straddling fence on flat tax flip-flop

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/24/1029626/-Mitt-Romney-flip-flops-on-his-own-attack-of-President-Obamas-housing-policy-after-just-one-week
Mitt Romney flip-flops on his own attack of President Obama's housing policy after just one week

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/romney_was_right_before_he_was033048.php

Warning – could make you spew your coffee

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/24/quote_of_the_day.html
"I may not be as incendiary or outlandish in rhetoric as some have been in the race...but I think, in the final analysis, people want someone who is stable, solid."

-- Mitt Romney, in an interview with Sean Hannity

Willard tried to explain his Massachusetts “Romney-care” plan by saying it might have been the right solution for them but not for other states. Now he’s trying to prove it

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/romney-tries-to-outlaw-romneycare-in-ohio.php
Romney Tries To Ban Romneycare In Ohio

Boom!

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/what_romneycare_offers_undocum033031.php
The Massachusetts healthcare law that then-Gov. Mitt Romney signed in 2006 includes a program known as the Health Safety Net, which allows undocumented immigrants to get needed medical care along with others who lack insurance. . . . [read on]

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/mitt-romney-hearts-illegal-immigrants

Well-said

http://www.samefacts.com/2011/10/watching-conservatives/summary-2/
[Mark Kleiman] To be well positioned in a Republican primary, a candidate needs to want children brought to this country by their undocumented parents to remain both ignorant and sick. In this country's long history, has there ever before been a major party so flat-out morally depraved?

Newt still thinks people care about what he says

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/campaign-in-100-seconds.php

Bonus item: Democrats?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/24/1029578/-Joe-Lieberman-giving-campaign-advice-to-Republicans
Joe Lieberman giving campaign advice to Republicans

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/10/19/maddow-blasts-conservadem-ben-nelson-for-cheering-herman-cain/
Maddow blasts ‘Conservadem’ Ben Nelson for cheering Herman Cain

***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.***

IT’S NOT MY PROBLEM

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/mcconnell-not-my-job-to-prevent-firefighter-police-layoffs.php
McConnell: Not My Job To Prevent Firefighter, Police Layoffs

More: http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/10/23/350917/local-problems/

You might think it is a good thing that Obama is bringing the troops home from Iraq. Of course, you are wrong

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/graham-obama-failed-in-iraq.php
Lindsey Graham: Obama ‘Failed’ In Iraq

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/santorum-obama-lost-war-iraq
Santorum: Obama 'Lost the War in Iraq'

A desperate man

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/rick-perry-reaches-out-to-the-birthers.php
Rick Perry Reaches Out To The Birthers

More: http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/desperate-rick-perry-goes-full-tilt-birther

Look, give her a break – she’s easily confused

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/bachmann-gaddafi-may-be-still-power-if-i-wer
Bachmann: Gaddafi 'May Be' Still in Power If I Were President

There is NOTHING Pat Buchanan can say that will expel him from his media perch

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/pat-buchanan-america-disintegrating-becaus
Pat Buchanan: America is Disintegrating Because White America is an Endangered Species

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/twelve_pretty_racist_or_just_crazy_quotes_from_pat_buchanans_new_book.php
Twelve Pretty Racist Or Just Crazy Quotes From Pat Buchanan’s New Book

More: http://mediamatters.org/blog/201110190015

http://mediamatters.org/blog/201110210018
Pat Buchanan Won't Disavow Idea That Minorities Have Inferior Genes

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/23/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_n_1027038.html

Bonus item: Photo link from DR






***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.***

BANG! BANG!

Because these are the things on which Republican Presidential campaigns are run

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/rick-perry-on-iowa-pheasant-hunt-cites-long-love-affair-with-guns/2011/10/22/gIQA17Km6L_story.html
Rick Perry, on Iowa pheasant hunt, cites ‘long love affair’ with guns

More: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/man-oh-man-does-rick-perry-love-guns.php

Has the GOP lost their foreign policy “advantage”? (And who will tell the media?)

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/the_national_security_advantag032988.php

“The New American Way of War”

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/10/22/the-new-american-way-of-war/

Other things on which Republican campaigns are run

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/perry-challenges-cain-romney-on-abortion-stances-at-iowa-faith-and-freedom-dinner/2011/10/22/gIQAnJO97L_story.html
In speeches woven with spiritual references, the candidates spoke of reversing abortion rights and defending traditional marriage, and they cast the 2012 election as one that would determine whether the nation’s very freedom endures. . .

Herman Cain, numerologist

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/10/21/herman-cain-is-obsessed-with-signs-and-symbols.html
In Chapter Nine of This Is Herman Cain—entitled “‘Forty-Five’—A Special Number,” Cain notes that his “conception, gestation, and birth all occurred within” the year 1945 (true of pretty much anyone born in the last three months of that year). He then launches into a detailed account of how “45 keeps on popping up as I go about the business of being elected—you guessed it—as the forty-fifth president of the United States of America.” . . .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/perry-challenges-cain-romney-on-abortion-stances-at-iowa-faith-and-freedom-dinner/2011/10/22/gIQAnJO97L_story.html
“Stupid people are ruining America,” businessman Herman Cain thundered in a well-received address before about 1,000 activists . . .

Climate change deniers oust a member who is beginning to have some doubts – because you can’t have people changing their minds based on FACTS

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/climate-change-deniers-abandon-befuddled-warmist-physicist-who-came-around-on-global-warming.php

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/22/1028783/-This-week-in-science:-global-warming-skeptics-get-burned

The Sunday talk show line-ups

http://firedoglake.com/2011/10/23/sunday-talking-heads-october-23-011/
ABC’s This Week: Libya – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, then Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). War Roundtable: Martha Raddatz; Richard Stengel, who traveled this week with Secretary Clinton; Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Robert Kagan; Sen. John McCain. Horse Race Roundtable: Frank Luntz, George Will, Donna Brazile, Matthew Dowd, Jake Tapper.

CBS’ Face the Nation: Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN). Rick Santorum.

CNN’s State of the Union: Libya – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Vice President Joe Biden. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

NBC’s Meet the Press: Libya – Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX). Roundtable: David Brooks, Harold Ford, Jr., Jack Welch; Andrea Mitchell.

***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.***

IT’S ABOUT TIME

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/obama-americas-war-in-iraq-will-be-over.php
Obama: ‘America’s War In Iraq Will Be Over’

http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/10/21/president-obama-to-announce-full-withdrawal-of-us-troops-from-iraq/

Another news coverage comparison: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/21/1028804/-Will-you-remember-where-you-were-when-you-learned-the-Iraq-war-was-over

Of course, the Republican candidates find this a reason to attack him

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/gop_candidates_decry_iraq_with032982.php

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/mitt-romney-whistles-wingnuts

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/iraq-war-to-end-have-dems-wiped-out-gops-national-security-advantage/2011/10/21/gIQA8nm63L_blog.html

Well

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/soldiers_may_be_leaving_iraq_but_contractors_are_just_scaling_back.php
Soldiers May Be Leaving Iraq, But Contractors Will Remain

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/10/obama-iraq-eternal/
The Iraq War Ain’t Over, No Matter What Obama Says

More: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/study-hundreds-fraudulent-defense-con
Study: Hundreds of Fraudulent Defense Contractors Are Still Getting Contracts

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/20/1028449/-Pentagon:-Defense-contractors-that-defrauded-the-US-military-received-$11trillion
Pentagon: Defense contractors that defrauded the U.S. military received $1.1 trillion

Public, shmublic. The GOPers remember those 2010 town hall events where Dems were lambasted by protestors. Well, they won’t let that happen to THEM!

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/10/cantor_bails_on_income_inequality_speech.php
House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) has abruptly cancelled a speech at the Wharton School this afternoon on income inequality, claiming that the University of Pennsylvania reneged on its agreement as to who could attend the speech. . . .

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/upenn-says-eric-cantors-speech-was-always-open-to-public.php

Eric Cantor, then and now: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/scared-eric-cantor-afraid-to-face-music.html

Calling a spade a spade

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/judge_dojs_witnesses_in_alabama_bingo_bribery_case_motivated_by_racism.php
Federal Judge: Republicans Only Cooperated With FBI In Alabama Bingo Bribery Case Because They’re Racists

Where do they FIND these people?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/goper_apologizes_for_saying_a_woman_should_be_a_wh.php
New Jersey Senate candidate Phil Mitsch is sorry for saying that women should be “a lady in the living room and a whore in the bedroom” . . .

Desperate for attention (again)

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/santorum-ill-die-stop-same-sex-marriages
Santorum: 'I'll Die' to Stop Same Sex Marriages

More: http://www.americablog.com/2011/10/santorum-says-contraception-is-not-okay.html
“One of the things I will talk about, that no president has talked about before, is I think the dangers of contraception in this country,” the former Pennsylvania senator explained. “It’s not okay. It’s a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.”

Herman Cain: I don’t think “clarify” means what you think it means

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/21/1028737/-Herman-Cain-tries-to-clarify-abortion-stance
Herman Cain tries to "clarify" abortion stance

http://www.samefacts.com/2011/10/watching-conservatives/clarification-2/

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/21/1028707/-Herman-Cains-pro-choice-stance-roilsconservatives

Foundering

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/21/1028681/-Bachmanns-New-Hampshire-staff-quits
Bachmann's New Hampshire staff quits

Sarah (who?)

http://tbogg.firedoglake.com/2011/10/21/past-her-freshness-date/

Bonus item: The GOP campaign – panic is setting in!

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/campaign-in-100-seconds-party-in-the-panic-room.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.***

MOVE OVER

I’m not a big fan of ghoulishly celebrating the death (or assassination) of foreign leaders. But this is true

http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2011/10/a-tale-of-two-presidents.html
[Andrew Sullivan] To rid the world of Osama bin Laden, Anwar al-Awlaki and Moammar Qaddafi within six months: if Obama were a Republican, he'd be on Mount Rushmore by now.

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/republicans-wary-crediting-obama-with-libya-victory.php
Republicans Thank Everyone But Obama For Stopping Qaddafi

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/rights-national-security-problem

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/the_gops_thank_america_last_cr032939.php

Where have we heard this before? Rock Perry’s energy plan

http://mydd.com/users/heather-taylor-miesle/posts/perrys-energy-plan-offers-more-of-the-same-when-america-needs-innovation
Drill baby, drill . . .

It's not helping: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/20/perry_fades_to_6th_place_in_iowa.html
Perry Fades to 6th Place in Iowa

Did Herman Cain grab the Republican third rail?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/are-herman-cains-15-minutes-finally-over/2011/10/20/gIQARIkb0L_blog.html
Last night, Herman Cain made a big splash when he backed into pro-choice language on abortion last night on CNN — apparently by accident — when he said he is personally fully against abortion but doesn’t think that the government should tell women what to do. . . . [read on]

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/right-to-choose-to-die.html

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/the_prolife_candidate_whos_pro032941.php

BTW, a “Godfather’s Pizza” taste test

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/19/herman-cains-godfathers-pizza_n_1020793.html

More: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/66258.html

The anti-jobs GOP

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/obama-gop-needs-to-explain-why-americans-dont-deserve-jobs.php
[Obama] ”Every American deserves an explanation as to why Republicans refuse to step up to the plate and do what's necessary to create jobs and grow the economy right now” [read on]

More stupid headlines

Wrong: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-blocks-money-for-teachers-firefighters/2011/10/20/gIQA9NGx1L_story.html
Senate blocks money for teachers, firefighters

Right: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/senate-republicans-block-dem-jobs-bill-for-teachers-firefighters.php
Senate Republicans Block Dem Jobs Bill For Teachers, Firefighters

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/headlines-done-right

A moment of candor

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/sc_gop_operative_ap_story_showing_impact_of_voter_id_on_blacks_proves_exactly_why_law_is_needed.php
S.C. GOP Operative: AP Story Showing Impact Of Voter ID On Blacks ‘Proves EXACTLY’ Why Law Is Needed

In case the facts matter

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/climate-skepticism-takes-another-hit
Climate Skeptics Take Another Hit

Three news networks

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/20/1028347/-Fox-takes-a-break-from-ignoring-Gadhafi-death-to-warn-audience-that-Al-Qaeda-may-now-take-over-Libya



Bonus item: Birthers go after Marco Rubio, rising star of the GOP

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/birthers-targeting-marco-rubios-citizen

***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.***

OUT IN THE COLD

The bank screwed up, so you lose your house

http://www.eschatonblog.com/2011/10/just-some-paperwork-problems.html

Compassionate conservatives?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/blaming_the_victim032912.php
Two weeks ago, Herman Cain told economic victims, “Don’t blame Wall Street, don’t blame the big banks, if you don’t have a job and you’re not rich, blame yourself!” When CNN’s Anderson Cooper brought up the quote, the crowd applauded. When Cain stood by it, they applauded louder. . . .


Big fat liars

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/the-gops-ludicrous-claim-about-their-jobs-bill/2011/10/19/gIQAgX4GzL_blog.html
The GOP’s ludicrous claim about their jobs bill

Of course

http://firedoglake.com/2011/10/20/nobody-could-have-super-anticipated/
[WP] With a Thanksgiving deadline fast approaching, a powerful congressional panel devoted to debt reduction is running in rhetorical circles, unable to break the impasse over taxes that has long blocked aggressive action to tame the national debt. . . .

Rock Perry, desperate to juice up his flagging campaign, tries to dominate the Ridiculous Economic Solutions debate

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/rick-perry-and-what-he-means-by-aflat-tax-an-explainer/2011/10/19/gIQAqlqIyL_blog.html
In a speech next week, Texas Gov. Rick Perry plans to call for a “flat tax.” The presidential candidate said Wednesday that his plan would be “flatter and fairer” than the ones proposed by his rivals. . . . [read on]

Why it’s ridiculous: http://thinkprogress.org/yglesias/2011/10/19/348540/you-dont-need-a-regressive-flat-tax-to-eliminate-deductions

Hey Willard, when you’re the front-runner and trying to take the high road, you don’t produce a snarky attack ad against somebody who’s busy destroying himself already

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/10/another_mitt_mistake.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/punching_down032926.php

Why does ANYONE take Herman Cain seriously?

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/campaign-in-100-seconds-herman-down.php

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/apples-and-oranges

The dumbest, most inexcusable gaffe uttered at the GOP debate was made by . . . the moderator

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/anderson-coopers-debate-gaffe

Sarah (who?) wants us to know that if SHE was at the GOP debate, she wouldn’t have acted that way

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/sarah-palin-chides-vegas-gop-presidenti

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/19/1028066/-Sarah-Palin-goes-on-a-rant-about-how-debate-moderators-should-force-candidates-to-answer-questions

Obama’s impossible dilemma

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/damned_if_he_does032916.php

The latest right-wing attempt to discredit #OWS protesters – they’re anti-semitic!

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/charges_of_occupy_wall_street_anti_semitism_find_audience_on_the_right.php

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/the_rnc_jumps_on_the_occupy_wall_street_is_anti-se.php

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/right-wing_blogger_ows_hashtag_sign_looks_a_lot_li.php
Right-Wing Blogger: OWS Hashtag Sign Looks A Lot Like A Swastika

Could the Dems retake the House next year?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/who-will-control-the-house-next-year-keep-an-eye-on-retirements/2011/10/19/gIQA9PifxL_blog.html

GOP House Rep. makes her town hall by invitation only

http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2011/10/19/348026/jaime-herrera-beutler-paper-secret-townhall/
The reason for not publishing an advance notice of the meeting was the fear that people from outside the immediate area could come and “just yell” at the congresswoman “whatever’s on their minds,” Bowman said Friday.

“When word gets in the paper, you get a certain set of people,” Bowman said. . .

Ho, ho: Internal memo sent to one Fox network – “Don’t be like that other Fox network!”

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/fox_business_network_memo_to_staff_stop_trying_to.php

Bonus item: Poor Michele Bachmann just can’t get noticed

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/10/anderson_is_the_new_bueller.php

Well, noticed for THIS http://www.americablog.com/2011/10/what-was-up-with-michele-bachmanns.html
I can’t hear Bachmann over the loud jacket from JCPenny’s Lady Dictator line. [read on!]

***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.***

PIE FIGHT

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/romney-still-the-best-at-this-perry-not-as-bad-and-the-loser-anderson-cooper/2011/10/18/gIQAvhI1vL_blog.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/mitt-romney-no-longer-the-teflon-candidate/2011/10/18/gIQAu9k4wL_blog.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/republicans-brawl-in-vegas/2011/03/29/gIQAaMx3vL_blog.html

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/tonights-debate-roundup

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/18/reaction_to_the_gop_debate.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/the-republican-bickersons/2011/10/18/gIQAbCk6vL_blog.html
[E.J. Dionne] That was fun . . .

More reaction: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2011/10/19/more_debate_reaction.html

"Highlights": http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/debate-in-100-seconds-what-happens-in-vegas.php

Fact checking: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/post/fact-checking-the-cnn-republican-debate-in-las-vegas/2011/10/18/gIQAHvbGwL_blog.html

http://xpostfactoid.blogspot.com/2011/10/once-again-attacks-on-romneycare-fall.html
[Andrew Sprung] There were so many lies, slanders, panderings, nostrums and nonsensical statements that it makes me weary to even think of itemizing them. . . .

Cain’s big goof

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/18/1027746/-Herman-Cain-encourages-Al-Qaeda-to-kidnap-US-troops

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/herman-cain-could-be-haunted-by-hostage-question-from-las-vegas-republican-debate/2011/10/18/gIQA7fv3vL_blog.html

Kinsley’s rule: It’s a gaffe when you tell the truth

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2011/10/mitts_classic_gaffe.php
Romney: “You can’t have any illegals working on our property. I’m running for office, for pete’s sake, we can’t have illegals”

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/the_dangers_of_accidental_cand032898.php

Another gift: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/dnc-slams-romneys-appalling-foreclosure-comments.php
Democrats see an opening in Mitt Romney’s comments that the government needs to let the foreclosure crisis hit “the bottom” rather than intervening. . . .

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/10/18/1027702/-Romney%E2%80%99s-housing-plan:-Allow-investors-to-buy-up-homes-by-accelerating-foreclosure-process
Romney’s housing plan: 'Allow investors to buy up homes' by accelerating foreclosure process

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2011/10/18/romneys-foreclosure-plan-faster-foreclosures/

Don’t compare #OWS with the Tea Party! (thanks to LW for the link)

http://globalspin.blogs.time.com/2011/10/18/why-you-shouldnt-compare-occupy-wall-street-to-the-tea-party/

Following up a previous story

http://firedoglake.com/2011/10/19/we-present-you-with-this-slap-across-your-wrist/
NYPD Deputy Inspector Anthony Bologna was disciplined Tuesday for pepper-spraying two female protesters in the notorious YouTube video seen around the world. . . . [read on]

Good news!

http://tbogg.firedoglake.com/2011/10/18/the-big-droop/
In David Brooks latest he explains the good news, that Hard Times are making Americans into a grimly moral and introspective people given to thrift and self-denial as opposed to the frivolous life embracing people we once were who ran up our national credit cards on flatscreens, the latest doodads from Apple, and the occasional big night out . . . [read on]

You know it’s bad when Repubs work up the courage to (sort of, mildly) condemn Rush publicly

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/limbaugh_takes_heat_for_lra_em032891.php

Rush responds: http://mediamatters.org/mmtv/201110180013

I think we know the answer to this

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/why-wont-media-report-aggressively-on-gop-jobs-plan/2011/10/18/gIQAQ2h2uL_blog.html
Why won’t media report aggressively on GOP jobs plan?

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/on-gop-jobs-plan-an-epic-media-fail/2011/10/18/gIQAZT3PuL_blog.html

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_10/failing_the_homework_assignmen032884.php

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2011/10/republicans-getting-pass-their-jobs-plans

***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.***