SOARING RHETORIC

I really don’t see why he doesn’t inspire more people, when he reaches these heights of oration

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/mitt-romneys-michigan-victory-speech-we-won-by-enough/2012/02/28/gIQAV72IhR_blog.html
“We didn’t win by a lot, but we won by enough and that’s all that counts.”

Crossover (and cross over back)

Then: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/remember-how-romney-voted-in-a-democratic-primary-himself.php
[Romney in 2007, on voting in the Dem primary] “When there was no real contest in the Republican primary, I’d vote in the Democrat primary, vote for the person who I thought would be the weakest opponent for the Republican.”

Now: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/28/quote_of_the_day.html
[Romney on Santorum] Using robocalls to seek the support of crossover Democrats “is deceptive and a dirty trick.”

Romney explains how it is TOTALLY a different thing: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/02/romney-distinguishes-his-own-crossover-voting-record-from-santorums/

Of course, that’s a lie too: http://thinkprogress.org/politics/2012/02/28/433689/romney-false-explanation-of-1992-primary-vote/

Hair on fire

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/romney-not-willing-light-my-hair-fire-win
[Romney] It’s very easy to excite the base with incendiary comments. We’ve seen throughout the campaign if you’re willing to say really outrageous things that are accusative, attacking of President Obama, that you’re going to jump up in the polls. I’m not willing to light my hair on fire to try and get support.

Rush doesn’t like it, no not at all: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/rush-slams-romney-for-hair-on-fire-line

Romney, and who he is, in a nutshell

http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/the_conversion/2012/02/mitt_romney_s_abortion_record_flip_flop_or_conversion_.single.html
[William Saletan] Romney is a man with many facets, groping his way through a series of fluid positions on an array of difficult issues. His journey isn’t complete. It never will be. . . . [read on]

Obama lays into Romney, Repubs

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/28/10532944-what-is-it-about-working-men-and-women-they-find-so-offensive
'What is it about working men and women they find so offensive?'

More: http://prospect.org/article/obama-smash
"You want to talk about values? Hard work—that’s a value. Looking out for one another—that’s a value. The idea that we’re all in it together—that I am my brother’s keeper; I am my sister’s keeper—that is a value. . . ." [read on]

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/president-obama-delivers-barnburner-to-uaw-dings-romney-and-santorum.php

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/28/obama_takes_the_gloves_off.html

Another tradeoff between privacy and security?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/white-house-nsa-weigh-cyber-security-personal-privacy/2012/02/07/gIQA8HmKeR_story.html

“Sovereign citizens”

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/georgia_may_soon_crack_down_on_sovereign_citizen_p.php

Good news on the Wisconsin recall

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/poll-shows-scott-walker-in-trouble-against-dems-in-recall.php

http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/02/28/wi-gov-poll-finds-walker-in-trouble-in-recall-election/

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/28/1069107/-WI-Gov-New-poll-shows-recall-of-Scott-Walker-to-be-a-tossup

Walker: it’s not about me http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/scott-walker-recall-election-think-childre

David Brooks is worried about his party

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_02/possum_brooks035691.php

More: http://www.samefacts.com/2012/02/watching-conservatives/david-brooks-says-the-thing-that-is/
[Mark Kleiman] The most important fact about contemporary American politics is that the Republican party has become an extremist organization, in which what used to be the fringe is now the base.

The most important problem facing political journalists and pundits is whether to report that fact as fact, or to remain even-handed as between (in Churchill’s phrase) the fire-fighters and the fire. . . [read on]

Bonus item: “Hallucinatory utterances”

http://www.eschatonblog.com/2012/02/delusion.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.***

TROUBLE

http://youtu.be/bEbSkybMuqs
Is this the best use of a pop song in a film? . . .



Trouble!

http://www.salon.com/2012/02/27/mitt_is_choking_in_michigan/
[Steve Kornacki] The familiar Romney campaign formula — wait for conservative rival to emerge, beat back conservative rival with attack ads and strong debate performance, prevail in do-or-die primary test, wait for next conservative rival to emerge — may be in the process of repeating itself in Michigan. But the final polling in advance of tomorrow’s primary contains some serious hints of trouble for Romney. . .

More: http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/politics/2012/02/mitt_romney_and_rick_santorum_are_offering_a_different_version_of_the_same_message_to_michigan_voters_.html
I’m One of You! No, Really!

http://prospect.org/article/romneys-wealth-problem
Romney's Wealth Problem

He even lies about the little things

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_02/mitt_keeps_digging_in_michigan035674.php
Romney recalled he was “probably 4 or something like that” the day of the Golden Jubilee, when three-quarters of a million people gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the American automobile.

“My dad had a job being the grandmaster. They painted Woodward Ave. with gold paint,” Romney told a rapt Tea Party audience in the village of Milford Thursday night, reliving a moment of American industrial glory.

The Golden Jubilee described so vividly by Romney was indeed an epic moment in automotive lore. The parade included one of the last public appearances by an elderly Henry Ford.

And it took place June 1, 1946 — fully nine months before Romney was born.

Flip-flop fatigue

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/mitt-romney-and-flip-flop-fatigue/2012/02/27/gIQAiJbCeR_blog.html

Santorum plays class warfare against Romney

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/02/rick-santorum-playing-class-warfare-card

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/02/santorum-brings-working-class-campaign-2012

Santorum goes all-in against higher education

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/27/10518152-santorum-warns-of-higher-ed-indoctrination

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/27/1068825/-Rick-Santorum-calls-Obama-a-snob-for-wanting-people-to-attend-college

He likes keepin’ em dumb: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/27/10520535-understanding-carbon-emissions
"CO2 is a pollutant? Tell that to the plants."

Something Santorum and Kos have in common

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/dirty-trick-santorum-targets-michigan-dems-with-robobcall-that-sounds-like-it-came-from-uaw.php
Rick Santorum’s campaign is locked in a tight battle with Mitt Romney ahead of Tuesday’s Michigan primary. On Monday his camp started openly courting a demographic that’s not often reached out to in GOP primaries: Democrats.

Michigan’s primary rules allow Dems to vote in the state’s GOP primaries. The liberal site DailyKos and other progressive partners have been trying to drum up enthusiasm for “Operation Hilarity” - an effort to get Democrats to vote in the GOP primary and tilt the vote against Mitt Romney. The Santorum campaign evidently decided they’d take votes from any legitimate source. . . .

Waah! http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/28/quote_of_the_day.html
[Romney] "Sen. Santorum did something today which I think is deceptive and a dirty trick."

It’s helping: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/02/late_move_in_santorums_favor.php
We now have two new polls from Michigan in tonight. One has Santorum up by 1, the other has Romney up by 2. The latter, however, shows a strong move in Santorum’s favor since the pollster last survey four days ago. The upshot is basically a deadlock. . . .

The Theocrat tells us, you can't be a liberal and a Christian

http://prospect.org/article/santorums-double-standard

How the Repubs do politics

http://prospect.org/article/architects-their-own-defeat
Architects of Their Own Defeat

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/02/republicans-are-crazy-thats-perfectly-normal

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_02/triumphal_march_or_panicked_co035667.php

How the Dems do politics

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/non-aggression-tack-maybe-being.html
[Digby] I'm still not entirely sure why it took the administration so long to recognize that the Republicans were going to be a totally obstructionist opposition (or realize that they could benefit from being in opposition to them.) . . . [read on]

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/perlsteins-flag-setting-up-next-phase.html

The Bataan death march . . .

http://dyn.politico.com/printstory.cfm?uuid=597A1E5B-BF72-4BA2-8229-B1A8D5F5CFE3
A new POLITICO/George Washington University Battleground Poll reveals the prolonged nominating battle is taking a toll on the GOP candidates . . .

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/27/1068660/-Politico-GWU-poll-Obama-winning-GOP-primary

Bonus item: More trouble

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_ttbun_YoQ



***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.***

MAN OF THE PEOPLE

NOT the way you go after the “NASCAR vote”

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/romney-i-have-some-great-friends-who-are
Romney tells AP: “I have some great friends who are NASCAR team owners.” [read on]

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/romney-vote-other-guy-if-you-cant-relate-me
"So, that's just the way it is," he added. "If people think there is something wrong with being successful in America then they better vote for the other guy because I've been extraordinarily successful. "

The Theocrat

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/27/us/politics/santorum-makes-case-for-religion-in-public-sphere.html
With two days left before the high-stakes Republican primaries in Arizona and Michigan, Rick Santorum delivered a full-throated defense of religion in public life . . .

More: http://firedoglake.com/2012/02/26/sunday-late-night-jfk-makes-santorum-throw-up/
“To say that people of faith have no role in the public square? You bet that makes me want to throw up. What kind of country do we live in where only people of non-faith can come in the public square and make their case? That makes me throw up. And that should make every American [throw up],” Santorum said on ABC’s “This Week.” [read on]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/26/1068491/-Rick-Santorum-expels-JFK-declares-church-state-separation-makes-me-want-to-throw-up-

http://prospect.org/article/romney-santorum-and-god

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/26/1068052/-The-encroachment-of-religion-on-our-secular-government

The problems with campaign finance

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/02/metaphysics-icitizens-unitedi-and-campaign-finance-law

Newt gives Obama foreign policy advice. The response?

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/gibbs-zings-gingrich-well-call-him-lunar-col
Former White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on Sunday dismissed foreign policy criticism from Republican presidential candidate Newt Gingrich, quipping that his advice was only valuable "[i]f there’s a problem on a lunar colony." . . .

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/26/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_n_1302165.html

Bonus item: Chris Matthews does Mitt Romney as “The Artist” (better off silent)

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/02/mitt-romney-the-artist-not-ready-for-talkies.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.***

HOPELESS

Has the GOP given up on 2012?

http://nymag.com/news/features/gop-primary-heilemann-2012-3/
[M]any Republicans are already looking past 2012. If either Romney or Santorum gains the nomination and then falls before Obama, flubbing an election that just months ago seemed eminently winnable, it will unleash a GOP apocalypse on November 7—followed by an epic struggle between the regulars and red-hots to refashion the party. And make no mistake: A loss is what the GOP’s political class now expects. “Six months before this thing got going, every Republican I know was saying, ‘We’re gonna win, we’re gonna beat Obama,’ ” says former Reagan strategist Ed Rollins. “Now even those who’ve endorsed Romney say, ‘My God, what a f--king mess.’ ” . . . [read on]

More: http://www.americablog.com/2012/02/why-is-only-good-republican.html

Romney’s nonsensical, dishonest budget plan

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/mitt-romneys-budget-in-less-than-150-words/2011/08/25/gIQATzJRaR_blog.html

Now Repubs are lining up AGAINST the value of going to college

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/michigan-tea-partiers-share-rick-santorums-fears-over-obamas-college-push.php

Don’t bother us with the facts!

http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/02/25/us-intelligence-community-iran-is-not-actively-building-a-nuclear-weapon/
US Intelligence Community: Iran Is Not Actively Building a Nuclear Weapon

When will we leave Afghanistan?

http://www.emptywheel.net/2012/02/25/is-david-petraeus-leaking-to-undercut-the-president-or-is-someone-framing-him/

The kind of people they are

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/gop-rep-john-sullivan-apologizes-saying
GOP Rep. John Sullivan Apologizes for Saying He'd Have to 'Kill Some Senators' Remark

A House divided

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/25/more_divided_than_ever.html
The latest National Journal congressional voting ratings finds polarization "remains endemic. Lawmakers march in lockstep with their party. Heretics are purged." . . . [read on]

On hypocrisy

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/02/there-more-cynicism-hypocrisy-washington

Kos wants Michigan Dems to vote in the GOP primary

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/how-serious-is-the-democratic-crossover-vote-threat-in-michigan.php

Gee, does it surprise you that Fox News sent interview questions to Sarah! in advance so she could prepare?

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/palin-files-glenn-beck-sent-interview-quest

And her answers got written for her too: http://www.documentcloud.org/documents/317105-pra-gsp02-0032620.html

The Sunday talk show line-ups

http://firedoglake.com/2012/02/26/sunday-talking-heads-february-25-2012/
ABC’s This Week: Rick Santorum. “Michigan Governor and Romney backer Rick Snyder faces off against Massachusetts Governor and Obama campaign co-chair Deval Patrick.” Roundtable: George Will, Cokie Roberts, former Democratic Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, host of Current TV’s “The War Room,” and former Republican Michigan Gov. John Engler, president of the Business Roundtable.

CBS’ Face the Nation: New Jersey Governor and Mitt Romney supporter Chris Christie. Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, Chair of the Democratic Governors Association.

CNN’s State of the Union: Obama Campaign Senior Adviser Robert Gibbs. Then, Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). Plus, gas prices – former Shell CEO John Hofmeister. Finally, Gov. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) and Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI).

NBC’s Meet the Press: Rick Santorum. Gov. Jerry Brown (D-CA) and Gov. Jan Brewer (R-AZ). Roundtable: Republican strategist and former McCain ’08 senior strategist Steve Schmidt, Harold Ford, Jr., Kathleen Parker, Chuck Todd.

Bonus item: A look back at Oscar moments, high and low

http://www.slate.com/articles/video/slate_v/2012/02/oscar_fails_bizarre_and_cringe_worthy_moments_from_oscars_past.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.***

RUNNING ON EMPTY

Brilliant stagecraft

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/mitt-romney-in-michigan-at-detroits-ford-field-empty-seats-steal-thunder/2012/02/24/gIQA2vFmYR_story.html
[Romney’s] lunchtime speech was delivered from the 30-yard line before 1,200 suited-up business leaders in folding chairs, in a stadium that usually holds 65,000. . . .

More: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/media-fixates-on-empty-stadium-rather-than-romneys-speech.php

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/24/1068042/-Mitt-Romney-campaign-We-had-nothing-to-do-with-picking-Ford-Field

http://www.freep.com/article/20120224/NEWS15/202240437/Romney-camp-s-game-plan-Make-Ford-Field-look-crowded

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/is-this-why-mitt-romneys-stadium-is-empty/2011/08/25/gIQAxd1KYR_blog.html

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-presidential-primary/212493-romney-delivers-clunker-in-detroit

http://prospect.org/article/romneys-clunker
“This is not exciting and barn-burning,” Mitt Romney admitted . . .

Mr. 1%’s political instincts . . . fail

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/02/what-was-mitt-romney-thinking.html
“I drive a Mustang and a Chevy pickup truck. Ann drives a couple of Cadillacs. . .”

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/24/1067983/-Romney-accidentally-brags-about-all-those-cars-and-houses-he-owns

http://elections.firedoglake.com/2012/02/24/romney-cant-help-accidently-reminding-people-he-is-super-rich/

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/24/romney_delivers_clunker_in_detroit.html
"'That's my family leading the applause,' he said quickly, although no one was clapping, then laughed again. No one appeared to laugh with him."

“A campaign of almost pathological dishonesty”

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/24/10498938-a-campaign-of-almost-pathological-dishonesty

Santorum’s jeremiad

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/25/santorums-vision-of-america/

Follow the money

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/24/santorum_attends_super_pac_event_despite_denials.html
Politico caught Rick Santorum in a lie this afternoon after he "slipped away from the campaign trail" to speak to a super PAC fundraiser, despite denying previous reports that he planned to do so.

Marco Rubio’s faith journey

http://www.americablog.com/2012/02/marco-rubios-faith-journey-from.html

Dems relish a fight with the Repubs over birth control

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/dems-salivate-over-coming-gop-birth-control-misstep.php

The shifting political meanings of “left” and “right”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/what-left-and-right-really-mean/2011/08/25/gIQARtAqXR_blog.html

“The Fox Effect”

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/fox-effect

Bonus item: “The Mitt Romney Story”

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/the-streets-are-just-right-the-mitt-romney-story.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.***

REALITY SHOW

Why does the GOP presidential race look like an episode of "Survivor"?

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/conspiracy-santorum-gingrich-camps-accuses-ron-paul-and-mitt-romney-of-collusion.php

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/your-moment-of-zen-ron-and-rick.html

Meet the characters: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#46506815

Another expert on women’s birth control

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/rush-limbaugh-mocks-contraception-issue
[Rush Limbaugh]

More: http://www.samefacts.com/2012/02/religion-and-politics/simple-question/
Republicans seem unable to admit that birth control, in itself, is a good thing. . . .

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/gop-is-now-officially-against-birth.html

[NB: So, the small government Repubs, the ones who hate Obama-care because they want government OUT of your health care decisions, turn out to be perfectly happy to have the government dictating your health care decisions when it suits them.]

Because they are

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/why-dems-think-theyre-winning-the-contraception-battle.php
Why Dems Think They’re Winning The Contraception Battle

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-morning-plum-birth-control-wars-hold-peril-for-gop/2012/02/23/gIQAdexEVR_blog.html

Because it’s true

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/23/10486254-jobless-claims-remain-at-four-year-low
Jobless claims remain at four-year low

Because they will

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/doh-debt-hawks-fear-most-gop-tax-plans-will-increase-deficit.php
Debt Hawks Fear Most GOP Tax Plans Will Increase Deficit

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/wonkbook-what-the-gop-candidates-would-really-do-to-deficits/2012/02/23/gIQANQN9UR_blog.html

Because the better they know him, the less they like him

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/rasmussen-tracking-romney-drops-below-40-percent-against
Romney Drops Below 40 Percent Against Obama

More: http://elections.firedoglake.com/2012/02/23/romneys-favorable-numbers-tanking/

ROMNEY needs a bailout

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/23/1067598/-Mitt-Romney-clings-to-his-discredited-ideas-about-auto-industry-bankruptcy

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/romneys-underpants-gnome-defense-on-auto-bailout.php

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/romney-obama-gave-car-companies-uaw

Of course it is

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/karen-santorum-husbands-presidential-run-is-gods-will/2012/02/23/gIQAhCkdWR_blog.html
Karen Santorum: husband’s presidential run is ‘God’s will’

May be one of the most foolishly self-destructive political ads EVER

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/22/1067364/-MI-Sen-Hoekstra-s-racist-air-ball-of-an-ad-leads-to-20-point-Stabenow-lead

Sarah!s last emails as governor

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/24/palin_frustration_seen_in_last_batch_of_emails.html

Fox News makes a fool of itself (again)

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/fox-and-friends-selective-class-warfare-socialists.php

Bonus item: Marco Rubio (R-FL) is a favorite for Romney VP speculation. Did you know he was once a Mormon too?

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/romney-rubio-ticket-mormon-core

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/why-marco-rubios-mormon-past-doesnt-matter/2012/02/23/gIQAVW0rVR_blog.html
Why Marco Rubio’s Mormon past doesn't matter

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/23/marco-rubio-mormon_n_1296804.html
Who cares?

Why they're talking about Rubio: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/23/10486972-romney-vs-the-fastest-growing-voting-bloc-in-the-nation
Romney vs. 'the fastest-growing voting bloc in the nation'

***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.***

POSING FOR RUSHMORE

The four-letter word Santorum won’t utter

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/santorum-makes-zero-mention-of-jobs-in-cnn-debate/2012/02/22/gIQAoxmXUR_blog.html
“jobs”

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/five-ways-rick-santorum-blew-it-in-arizona.php
Five Ways Rick Santorum Blew It in Arizona

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/02/bizarre.php
Something profoundly comical about Romney attacking Rick Santorum over supporting Specter, when Santorum was the conservative backed into supporting the moderate Specter and Romney was probably to the left of Specter at the time.

Winners and losers: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/arizona-republican-debate-winners-and-losers/2012/02/22/gIQAsKkVUR_blog.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/republican-voters-lose-in-arizona-gop-debate/2012/02/22/gIQAyg6QUR_blog.html
Republican voters lose

http://prospect.org/article/and-winner-barack-obama
[Jamelle Bouie] Without question, the winner of Wednesday’s Republican debate was Barack Obama

The Theocrat’s greatest hits

http://crooksandliars.com/diane-sweet/creepy-sht-santorum-says

The last debate

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/23/more_debate_reaction.html
[Taegan Goddard] Miss the GOP presidential debate? I thought it was easily one of the worst of the campaign. . . . [read on]

More: http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/02/last-debate

Heh

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/22/republicans_losing_interest_in_presidential_race.html
Republicans Losing Interest in Presidential Race

Romney tacks with the wind

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/02/not_just_happening.php
Romney just took his position on the auto bailout even further into total incoherence. . .

http://prospect.org/article/romneys-out-flops-abortion
Will Saletan offers a long, exhaustive story about Romney's history with abortion, documenting every movement on the issue over Romney's career, and all the ways (many of them shamelessly dishonest) that he has tried to justify those movements . . .

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/22/10477694-romney-occasionally-forgets-what-side-hes-on
Mitt Romney accidentally told the truth again yesterday. . . .

More: http://prospect.org/article/oops-he-did-it-again

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/22/10479269-romney-tries-again-on-tax-policy
Romney tries again on tax policy

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/02/mitt-romney-releases-exciting-smoke-and-mirrors-tax-plan
[Kevin Drum] Mitt Romney has released his new tax plan, and it calls for a 20% across-the-board reduction in income tax rates, elimination of the estate tax, repeal of the AMT, and a 30% cut in the corporate tax rate. Not to worry, though. It's designed to be revenue neutral because....it's going to....um....something. . . .

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_02/mitts_new_tax_plan_dessert_now035577.php
Mitt’s New Tax Plan: Dessert Now, Broccoli Later

Why we call him the Liar

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/02/watch_this_closely.php
Mitt promises to make sure the 1% pay their share “or more” . . .

http://www.americablog.com/2012/02/romney-proposes-tax-cuts-for-romney.html
The new Romney plan is all about helping himself and his friends who are part of the 1%. . . .

The tag line for Michigan, and Romney’s whole campaign

http://prospect.org/article/even-if-he-wins-he-loses
Even if He Wins, He Loses

Obama’s corporate tax cut proposal

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/whats-behind-obamas-new-push-for-corporate-tax-reform.php
What’s Behind Obama’s New Push For Corporate Tax Reform

Analysis: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/22/10479822-obama-plan-cuts-corporate-tax-rate

http://www.americablog.com/2012/02/obama-to-propose-lowering-corporate-tax.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/wonkbook-tax-reform-is-really-really-hard/2012/02/22/gIQA9sD4SR_blog.html

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/22/10479822-obama-plan-cuts-corporate-tax-rate

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/experts-react-to-obamas-corporate-tax-proposal/2012/02/22/gIQAdaSjTR_blog.html

http://firedoglake.com/2012/02/22/corporate-tax-reform-will-be-painful-for-whatever-is-left-of-the-middle-class/

Gas prices always rise in the summer. (Perhaps you have noticed this.) But THIS time, it will be Obama’s fault

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/rove-and-hannitys-barely-concealed-glee-ove

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/will-rising-gas-prices-sink-obama/2012/02/21/gIQAUCVXRR_blog.html

I’ve asked this before: are the Republicans really going to try to make an issue out of birth control? Really?

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/02/off_the_rails_1.php

Virginia takes one step back

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/va_governor_backs_off_transvaginal_ultrasound_bill.php

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/mcdonnell-backs-down/2012/02/22/gIQAfKupTR_blog.html

More: http://prospect.org/article/virginia-backs-down-mandatory-transvaginal-ultrasound

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/virginia-governor-withdraws-probe-but.html

Bonus item: “Church Lady runs for president”

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/22/1067377/-Church-Lady-runs-for-president

Or: http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2012/02/22/santorum-leading-the-transformation-of-the-gop-into-the-crazy-train-of-fundamentalism/
Santorum: leading the transformation of the GOP into the crazy train of fundamentalism

***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.***

DOING GOD’S WORK

The Theocrat thinks “Satan” is a great threat to America (thanks to DR for the link)

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/21/santorum-ill-defend-everything-thing-i-say/
[Santorum] defended his four-year-old remarks, made at Ave Maria University in Florida, where he said Satan was “attacking the great institutions of America.” . . . [read on]

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/02/santorum-satan-not-apologizing.html

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/santorum-goes-biblical-with-climate-change-denial.php
Santorum Takes Climate Change Denial To A Biblical Level

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/21/1067046/-Rick-Santorum-is-out-to-defeat-French-nobility-Hitler-and-Satan-

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_02/more_on_santorums_religious_an035555.php

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/santorum-liberals-are-anti-science-ones

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/santorum-slams-media-gives-defiant-defense-of-campaign-misstatements/2012/02/21/gIQAjGeMSR_blog.html

“Theocrat” (def.) http://crooksandliars.com/blue-texan/stupid-right-wing-tweets-matt-lewis-edi

Santorum attacks public schooling

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/21/10467118-targeting-the-existence-of-public-schools

His top priority

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/02/santorum-porn-website.html
[Dan Amira] Up until it was changed earlier this afternoon following a Think Progress post, the "Issues" page of Rick Santorum's campaign website listed "Enforcing Laws Against Illegal Pornography" as the very first subject. Not jobs and the economy, not national security, not energy, not immigration, not entitlement reform, not tax reform. Porn.

Beyond pandering: Mitt loves trees, lakes, and CARS

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/02/100_proof_mitt.php

Comment: http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/02/heilemann-on-morning-joe-romneys-letter-to-mi.html

Money, money, money

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/02/danger_mitt_romney_danger.php
A very telling chart about why Mitt Romney may be moving into the danger zone on the money front. It’s not just that he’s burning money faster than he’s raising it. It’s that he’s almost exclusively reliant on big dollar donors, most of whom have already maxed out their annual contribution limit. . . .

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/21/1067075/-Mitt-Romney-s-money-problem-and-why-Michigan-is-critical

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/21/mitt-romney-fundraising_n_1291095.html

Punt!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/supreme-court-considers-delaying-health-care-ruling-to-2014.php
Supreme Court Considers Delaying Health Care Ruling To 2014

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/21/1061496/-Supreme-Court-could-delay-health-care-law-ruling-until-2015

Real, or kabuki?

http://occupyamerica.crooksandliars.com/diane-sweet/silent-protest-outside-virginia-house-
Virginia House Puts Off Ultrasound Vote

Shut. Up.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/franklin-graham-cant-categorically-say-president-obama-not-a-muslim.php
Franklin Graham Can’t ‘Categorically’ Say President Obama Not A Muslim

More: http://www.americablog.com/2012/02/wsj-editor-repeats-obama-is-muslim-lie.html

Shut! Up!

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/liz-trotta-doubles-down-her-offensive-stat
Liz Trotta Doubles Down on Her Offensive Statements About Women in the Military

Why, indeed?

http://www.americablog.com/2012/02/why-is-washington-post-publishing.html
Why is the Washington Post publishing conspiracy nut Glenn Beck as a "religious voice"?

Bonus item: That’s for sure

http://prospect.org/article/least-funny-republican
The Least Funny Republican

***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.***

LAST ONE CHOSEN

Yep, looks like they’re stuck with him

http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/100866/caucuses-primary-election-party-nomination
[Walter Shapiro] THE MITT ROMNEY CRISIS transcends the seven straight national polls showing Rick Santorum in the lead. It goes beyond the embarrassing reality that the son of an auto executive and two-term governor has been behind in every Michigan poll conducted since Groundhog’s Day. Even more devastating for Romney is that elite Republicans have begun to conclude that he cannot, if nominated, beat Barack Obama. About the only argument that still works for Romney among GOP insiders is that he would be less of a drag on the ticket than the strident Santorum or the mercurial Newt Gingrich.

With the exception of Mike Dukakis (what is it about governors of Massachusetts?), it is impossible to recall a top-tier presidential contender who aroused such little passion among the voters. . . .

Tight-fisted businessman wants to bring tough fiscal accountability to Washington

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/super-pac-for-romney-spent-twice-what-it-raised-last-month/2012/02/20/gIQABsipPR_blog.html
Super PAC for Romney spent twice what it raised last month

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/20/1066704/-Mill-Romney-s-super-PAC-gets-5-million-from-just-25-donors

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/02/romneys-elite-super-pac-backers.html

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/20/luxury_hotels_of_the_romney_campaign.html
Luxury Hotels of the Romney Campaign

Scared. To. Death.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/20/mitt-romney-michigan_n_1289144.html
Mitt Romney Campaign Downplays Michigan After Calling It A Must Win

Santorum banks it all on social issues

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-presidential-primary/211607-surging-santorum-embraces-media-scrutiny-on-social-issues

Ah, come on, give her a break: it’s an easy mistake to make!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/santorum-adviser-i-misspoke-on-obamas-radical-islamic-policies/2012/02/20/gIQAidnlPR_blog.html
Santorum aide: I ‘misspoke’ on Obama’s ‘radical Islamic policies’

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/20/1066709/--Radical-Islamist-policies-stumble-lets-Rick-Santorum-spokesperson-avoid-defending-the-real-message

Stupid or crazy?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/rick-santorum-stupid-or-just-crazy-by.html

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/verdict-yeah-hes-little-bit-crazy-but.html

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/20/10458133-why-would-a-politician-attack-pre-natal-testing
Why would a politician attack pre-natal testing?

Why, indeed

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/birth-control-as-election-issue-why/2012/02/17/gIQASW6kPR_story.html
Birth control as election issue? Why?

Why we WON’T see a contested GOP convention

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/02/so_much_harder_than_it_looks.php

Well, I’ll take her word for it. After all, SHE’S a woman

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/michele-bachmann-republican-party-extremel
[Michele Bachmann] Well, there is no anti-women move whatsoever. The Republican Party is extremely pro-women. . . .

Yeah, pro-women like this: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/20/1065095/-CNN-s-Dana-Loesch-All-your-non-virgin-vaginas-belong-to-us-

http://firedoglake.com/2012/02/21/yes-virginia-the-19th-amendment-involves-the-1st-one/

Bonus item: The GOP has ALWAYS been pro-women!

http://crooksandliars.com/bluegal-aka-fran/open-thread-235

Extra bonus item: And stop buying their damn cookies!

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/02/indiana-lawmaker-girl-scouts-radicalized-homosexual-organization.html
Indiana Lawmaker Refuses to Honor Girl Scouts Because It's a 'Radicalized Organization' That Promotes Homosexuality

***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.***

BY THE NUMBERS

Turns out, deficits are. . . . okay

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/02/whos-afraid-little-inflation

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/you-know-the-deficit-hawks-now-meet-the-deficit-owls/2011/08/25/gIQAHsoONR_blog.html

By the numbers: bad news for the GOP

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/two-charts-that-terrify-republicans.php

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/eric-cantor-cant-explain-congress-lousy-po

Will the next President get to appoint a Supreme Court justice?

http://www.emptywheel.net/2012/02/19/the-scotus-merrygoround-is-ginsburg-shuffle-coming/

Theocrat logic

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/santorum-obamas-agenda-not-based-on-bible
Santorum: Obama's Agenda Not 'Based On The Bible'

http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/what-hell-rick-santorum-thinking
What the Hell is Rick Santorum Thinking?

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_02/gop_frontrunner_santorum_obama035511.php

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/02/santorum-implies-hes-the-only-real-christian.html

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2012/02/19/republican-ron-hill-taliban-rick-santorum-sinks-to-new-low-in-questioning-obama%E2%80%99s-faith/

Santorum compares Obama with Hitler, WP misses the headline

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/santorum-draws-world-war-ii-parallel-in-describing-threat-facing-the-nation/2012/02/19/gIQAzHcbOR_blog.html
Santorum draws World War II parallel

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/19/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_n_1287405.html

Bonus item: Thomas Frank

http://fdlbooksalon.com/2012/02/19/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-thomas-frank/


***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.***

MONEY TALKS

How the new campaign funding system is ruining our democracy

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/cui-bono-check-your-tv-listings.html

More: http://www.alternet.org/economy/154172/how_a_filthy_rich_196_people_will_buy_our_election/
How a Filthy Rich 196 People Will Buy Our Election

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/17/1065907/-Billionaire-bigot-bankrolls-Mitt-Romney-
Billionaire bigot bankrolls Mitt Romney

If Romney loses Michigan. . .

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/18/senator_predicts_panic_if_romney_loses_michigan.html

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_02/coming_closer_closer035501.php

The kind of people they are

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/18/romney-campaigner-in-arizona-resigns-after-accusation/
Paul Babeu, a staunch opponent of illegal immigration, stepped down after allegations that he threatened to deport a Mexican ex-boyfriend when the man refused to keep quiet about their relationship. . .

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/iokiyar-even-if-youre-having-closeted.html

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/18/1066194/-AZ-04-Republican-Paul-Babeu-implicated-in-explosive-scandal

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/02/the_real_issue.php

I love how the theocrats like to dictate whose faith does and doesn’t count

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/santorum-stands-by-statement-that-obamas-theology-not-based-on-the-bible/2012/02/18/gIQAfXGAMR_blog.html
At a news conference after an address to a conservative Christian group here, former Pennsylvania senator Rick Santorum stood by his comments earlier in the day that President Obama supports “a phony theology, not a theology based on the Bible” . . .

What the Virginia ultrasound law is really all about

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/is-virginias-ultrasound-bill-the-future-of-abortion-regulation/2012/02/18/gIQAzqgvLR_blog.html

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/im-all-for-government-making-women-feel.html
"I'm all for the government making women feel bad"

A lot of ways to read this, but. . .

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/02/teen-pregnancy-higher-red-states-blue-states
Teen Pregnancy is Higher in Red States Than in Blue States

The Sunday talk show line-ups

http://firedoglake.com/2012/02/19/sunday-talking-heads-february-19-2012/
ABC’s This Week: Host Jake Tapper scores exclusive interview with John McCain to discuss the Michigan primary, can the Surger upset Romney?. Then, Obama campaign senior advisor and former White House press secretary Robert Gibbs. Roundtable: George Will, Jonathan Karl, Lou Dobbs, Dee Dee Myers, Clarence Page.

CBS’ Face the Nation: Rick Santorum. Roundtable: CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell and John Dickerson, The Washington Post’s Karen Tumulty and The Detroit Free Press’ Todd Spangler.

CNN’s State of the Union: Ron Paul “has yet to win a GOP primary contest and is last in the delegate count. Is this a working long-term strategy? We’ll ask him.” Then, Gov. Mitch Daniels and Michele Bachmann on the possibility of a brokered convention. “turmoil in the Middle Eat” with former CIA director Michael Hayden and former ambassador to Egypt and Israel, Ed Walker. Finally, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz.

NBC’s Meet the Press: Rep. Paul Ryan, Chair, House Budget Committee. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Ranking Member, House Budget Committee. Roundtable: Ed Gillespie, Al Hunt, Helene Cooper, Andrea Mitchell.

Bonus item: Heh, heh

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/18/10437443-just-a-suggestion-panel-chosen-to-discuss-viagra-distribution

***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.***

RETURN OF THE CULTURE WARS

As noted here a couple of says ago, the GOP thought the 2012 campaign would be simple: run against a bad economy, high unemployment, and the old “are you better off?” question. Unfortunately for them, but fortunately for the rest of us, the economy is showing signs of recovery. So now what’s their plan?

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/02/the_search_for_plan_b.php

More: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/conservatives-struggle-to-find-new-game-plan-for-improving-economy.php
But there’s another idea gaining traction fast on the right as well: ditch the economy entirely and instead return to the 2004 God/guns/gays plan that re-elected President Bush. . . . [read on]

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/17/10435059-the-wrong-war-at-the-wrong-time

First draft: the GOP 2012 platform

http://www.americablog.com/2012/02/gop-2012-platform-in-brief.html

The Theocrat

http://www.samefacts.com/2012/02/watching-conservatives/rick-santorum-really-really-hates-you-if
Rick Santorum really, really hates you if …

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_02/santorum_to_mainline_protestan035489.php

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/intersection-where-gop-factions-all.html

The Liar

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/17/10436726-chronicling-mitts-mendacity

Payroll tax bill passes

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/senate-passes-payroll-tax-bill-over-broad-gop-opposition.php

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/house-passes-payroll-tax-cut-compromise.php

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/17/10435941-congress-approves-payroll-deal

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/a-big-win-for-the-white-house-and-dems-but-an-imperfect-one/2012/02/17/gIQAnUu4JR_blog.html

http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/02/17/payroll-taxui-bill-passes-the-house-senate-vote-will-not-face-a-filibuster/

The Repubs have been arguing since the Bush admin that you need extra-judicial processes to handle terror investigations. The civilian courts can’t handle them. Well, guess what?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/conservatives_quiet_after_saying_civilian_system_couldnt_handle_underwear_bomber.php

Increased drone use in US air space

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/keep-your-drones-outta-my-face

http://www.americablog.com/2012/02/drone-industry-wrote-legislation.html

More: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/319564
30,000?

Another big GOP screw-up in Maine

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/02/17/it_gets_worse_in_maine.html

Chris Christie (R-NJ) – the “good” Republican

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/nj-gov-christie-vetoes-gay-marriage-bill
Christie Vetoes Gay Marriage Bill

Scott Walker (R-WI) – trying to stall the recall process

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/02/judge-tells-walker-no-more-extensions-on-the-recall.php

The kind of people they are

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/conservative-radio-host-accused-hit-and-run-

How they roll over at Fox News

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/02/17/1065898/-Fox-News-Host-to-Rep-Maxine-Waters-step-away-from-the-crack-pipe-

Mr. Viagra condemns “mindless sex”

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/lawrence-odonnell-slams-rush-limbaugh-hypo

Bonus item: Cognitive inequality

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/02/internet-major-driver-growth-cognitive-inequality
[Kevin Drum] Moral of the story: the internet makes dumb people dumber and smart people smarter. . . . [read on]

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