HE HAS A SAD

Vintage Romney. I miss him already

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/30/1361169/-Romney-s-out
“After putting considerable thought into making another run for president, I’ve decided it is best to give other leaders in the Party the opportunity to become our next nominee.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/30/romney-exits-you-cant-imagine-how-hard-it-is-for-ann-and-me-to-step-aside/
‘You can’t imagine how hard it is for Ann and me to step aside . . . I am convinced that we could win the nomination'

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/01/30/one-number-that-explains-why-mitt-romney-didnt-run-for-president-again/
While Romney’s favorable rating among likely Iowa GOP caucus voters in October was 65 percent, compared to 30 percent unfavorable, that split became narrower in the months since. The newest poll shows 57 percent of Iowa Republicans view Romney favorably, compared to 40 percent who view him unfavorably.  That 40 percent unfavorable rating, we would emphasize, is among Republicans. You simply don’t often see that kind of resistance to a member of your own party . . .

[NB: You get it - his popularity went DOWN after he announced be might be running again.]

And, a little bash at Bush: http://www.vox.com/2015/1/30/7951515/mitt-romney-not-running
"I believe that one of our next generation of Republican leaders, one who may not be as well known as I am today, one who has not yet taken their message across the country, one who is just getting started, may well emerge as being better able to defeat the Democrat nominee"

http://politicalwire.com/2015/01/30/mitt-romney-doesnt-think-much-jeb-bush/
Mitt Romney Doesn’t Think Much of Jeb Bush

Cui bono?

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/30/7952397/romney-bush-walker-2016
Mitt Romney's exit is great news for Scott Walker, not Jeb Bush

http://politicalwire.com/2015/01/31/bush-gains-romney-exit/
Bush Gains Most From Romney Exit  

[NB: In other words, they have no idea. . .]

Meanwhile, in Fox World

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/01/clueless-star-tells-fox-panel-romneys
Fox News panelist Stacey Dash [star of "Clueless," I'm not making this up] knows something the rest of the political world doesn't: Mitt Romney's Friday announcement to supporters that he would not launch a third Republican presidential bid is actually a clever front.  "I think the fact that he is a numbers guy, makes me believe that this is a chess move," Dash said from her perch on the "Outnumbered" couch. "I don't believe he's not going to run." . . .

More from Stacey Dash: http://www.salon.com/2015/01/30/stacey_dash_on_fox_news_some_campus_rape_victims_are_bad_girls_who_like_to_be_naughty/
Stacey Dash on Fox News: Some campus rape victims are “bad girls” who “like to be naughty” 

Your daily Christie (sorry folks, I'm running out of material)

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/01/new-video-shows-chris-christie-falling-off-chair.html
When Christie went on the 94WIP morning show in June, he promptly fell off his chair upon greeting host Angelo Cataldi. Now this moment has been immortalized in video form. . . 

Life in the Zimmerman household

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/girlfriend-recants-no-charges-for-zimmerman
George Zimmerman is on to his third domestic violence incident since killing Trayvon Martin. And not just three incidents, three separate women: his ex-wife and then two successive girlfriends. Once again, the girlfriend has now recanted her account of George's latest attack. So he will face no charges. . . .

Step away from the blackboard, punk!

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/texas-bill-teachers-deadly-force-students
Bill Would Allow Texas Teachers To Kill Students Threatening School Property 

Bonus item: A lot of people watch the Super Bowl mainly to see the ads. Now we can save you the trouble

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/30/7952595/2015-super-bowl-commercials-ads-budweiser


***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.***

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR

One of my favorite sayings, and boy does it fit here

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/29/1360938/-With-Supreme-Court-victory-over-Obamacare-in-sight-disaster-looms-for-nbsp-Republicans
With Supreme Court victory over Obamacare in sight, disaster looms for Republicans 

More: http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/gop-faces-health-care-challenge-its-totally-unprepared

The Netanyahu debacle

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/truly-a-brilliant-move
We learn that Israeli PM Netanyahu's decision to enter the Speech Pact with John Boehner is going so brilliantly that Netanyahu's been hitting the phones with top congressional Democrats to try to make nice and end the controversy. And according to this Times article, it isn't going very well. . . .

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/01/29/morning-plum-is-house-gops-bibi-speech-invitation-backfiring/

http://www.salon.com/2015/01/29/bibi_boehner_blow_it_how_they_strengthened_the_white_houses_hand/

Gerrymandering and voter suppression strategies at the state level have locked in a GOP House majority

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/01/29/it-could-be-a-while-before-democrats-are-in-the-house-majority-again/
In 2012, under the new post-redistricting lines, Democratic candidates won 50.5 percent of all major party votes cast for House, but just 46.2 percent of all seats. In 2014, Democratic candidates won 47.1 percent of all major party votes, but just 43.2 percent of all seats. . . .

Let's just be clear

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/29/weak-gun-laws-and-high-gu_n_6572384.html
States With Most Gun Deaths Have High Gun Ownership And Weak Gun Laws, Report Shows

Mr Authentic

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/01/29/mitt-romneys-people-insist-hes-not-rebranding-sorry-but-he-most-definitely-is/
Mitt Romney’s people insist he’s not ‘rebranding.’ Sorry, but he most definitely is 

Lindsey Graham dives into the overcrowded 2016 pool 

http://www.salon.com/2015/01/30/americas_biggest_genius_why_lindsey_graham_is_a_huge_threat_to_einstein/
America’s biggest genius

Theocracy watch (we might have to create a daily Huck edition)

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/01/huckabee-obama-giving-muslims-special
Huckabee: Obama Giving Muslims 'Special Rights' While 'Stomping All Over Christians' 

Bye, bye Bryan

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/bryan-fischer-out-as-afa-spokesman
The president of social conservative group American Family Association said Wednesday that the organization had relieved longtime spokesman Bryan Fischer of his duties . . .

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/holy-moly-bryanfischerfired.html

http://tobingrant.religionnews.com/2014/01/23/top-5-unbelievable-bryan-fischer-quotes/
Top 5 unbelievable quotes from Christian radio host Bryan Fischer

Gender politics over at Fox World

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/01/megyn-kelly-women-drink-have-sex-before-work.html
Megyn Kelly to Huckabee: Women Curse, Have Premarital Sex, and Boss Around Men

More: http://www.salon.com/2015/01/29/megyn_kelly_schools_mike_huckabee_about_the_reality_of_womens_behavior_were_drinking_were_smoking_were_having_premarital_sex_with_birth_control/

***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.***

THE THRILL IS GONE

They're so over you

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sarah-palin-and-her-one-time-fans-on-the-right-its-so-over/2015/01/28/20625eb8-a70b-11e4-a06b-9df2002b86a0_story.html?wprss=rss_politics

More: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/matt-lewis-regrets-championing-sarah-palin

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_01/palinbashing_season_on_the_rig053921.php
 
Now there's a new girl in town

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/29/the-next-palin-is-in-your-pigsty.html

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_01/coming_your_way_in_june_the_jo053914.php

Putin, once a GOP hero. Where are they now?

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/against-putin-obama-gets-the-last-laugh

The Repubs suddenly couldn't care less about Homeland Security. WTF?

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/gop-grows-indifferent-homeland-security-funding

Don't read this. Really, don't

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/28/7929007/food-safety-salmonella-recall

A bold new idea from John Boehner

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/boehners-bold-new-idea-suing-obama-again
The Great Republican Lawsuit, Part II . . .

Koch addiction

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/sad-rand.html
You'd think that the Kochs and their buddies, big libertarians that they are, would just love rand Paul, wouldn't you? He's the guy who wants to deliver their dream agenda, after all: a small government, free market bonanza of no taxes, no regulations and no programs other than some police and military functions to keep their money safe. What's not to like?  

Well, they don't like him. At this week-end's ring kissing ceremony, he came in dead last . . 

Theocracy watch

http://americablog.com/2015/01/romney-run-on-his-religion-in-2016.html
Mitt Romney wants to run on his religion in 2016. Please do.

Rick Perry, charged with abusing his office, is running for President anyway

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/231004-rick-perry-legal-case-wont-change-2016-consideration  

Huck

http://www.salon.com/2015/01/28/huckabees_hateful_true_colors_why_his_dig_about_foxs_trashy_women_is_so_revealing/
Why his dig about Fox’s “trashy” women is so revealing 

Truth watch: Fox vs. CNN and MSNBC

http://www.politifact.com/punditfact/article/2015/jan/27/msnbc-fox-cnn-move-needle-our-truth-o-meter-scorec/

Bonus item: Your sense of touch

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/28/7925737/touch-facts 

***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.***

THE SUPREMES

SCOTUS and Obamacare

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/01/28/the-supreme-court-could-gut-obamacare-heres-why-that-might-not-matter/
The Supreme Court could gut Obamacare. Here’s why that might not matter.

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_01/obama_cant_fix_obamacare_if_sc053904.php

In case you wonder

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/28/7927257/republicans-holder-lynch
Why the GOP hates Eric Holder so much 

Well, yes and no

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/01/27/more-evidence-that-conservative-republicans-are-caving-to-obamacare/
More evidence that conservative Republicans are caving to Obamacare

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/27/7921783/obamacare-medicaid-indiana-pence
Republican governors are using Obamacare to make Medicaid more conservative

An understatement

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/01/Netanyahu-vs-Obama-on-Iran/384849/
The Netanyahu Disaster 

Maybe when Bush and Romney met, Mitty passed along his secret bag of tricks for running a presidential campaign

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/01/27/jeb-bush-needs-a-better-answer-on-immigration/
Jeb Bush seems to be trying to have it both ways when it comes to how to solve the problem of undocumented workers in America. . .

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/jebs-odd-solution.html

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/01/jeb-bush-suggests-polite-self-deportation 

Romney, a hopeless wind puppet, now talks about "authenticity"

http://www.salon.com/2015/01/28/im_normal_i_promise_mitt_romneys_unending_quest_to_win_over_america/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/01/27/mitt-romneys-authenticity-ploy-in-one-tweet/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/01/27/mitt-romney-and-political-authenticity/

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/27/1360458/-Mitt-Romney-s-2016-plan-Rebranding-himself-as-authentic-plus-polygamy-nbsp-jokes

Koch addiction

http://politicalwire.com/2015/01/28/rubio-favored-koch-brothers-donors/
Rubio Favored by Koch Brothers Donors 

More: http://politicalwire.com/2015/01/27/koch-party/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/01/27/the-koch-brothers-dont-care-if-you-care-about-their-plan-to-buy-2016-election/

http://www.salon.com/2015/01/28/americas_billion_dollar_mess_how_koch_bros_are_trying_to_buy_a_right_wing_future/

In case there is any doubt remaining over what the Benghazi investigation is all about

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/in-the-loop/wp/2015/01/27/gowdy-benghazi-investigation-incomplete-without-clinton-testimony/

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/27/1360453/-Democrats-point-out-that-Benghazi-committee-is-a-sham

http://prospect.org/article/under-pressure-right-gowdy-renews-benghazi-shenanigans

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/benghazi-committee-veers-predictable-path

Louis Gohmert (R-TX), the gift that keeps on giving

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/01/gohmert-excluding-rape-abortion-ban-was
Gohmert: Excluding Rape From Abortion Ban Was 'Entirely Wrong Message' From 'Our Republican Females' 

More: http://crooksandliars.com/2015/01/louis-gohmert-god-will-punish-america-if

And another one

http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/01/trashy-women-at-fox-news-offend-huckabee.html
‘Trashy’ Women at Fox News Offend Mike Huckabee’s Delicate Sensibilities

Look out, boys

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/27/7921181/alabama-patricia-todd-marriage
Alabama legislator says she’ll expose affairs of pols trying to restore gay marriage ban

Bonus item: Dr. Oz, fraud

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/27/7920779/dr-oz-ftc-complaint

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/17/dr-oz-congress_n_5504209.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.***

HARD TO LEAD

How's it feel, guys?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-blocks-measure-to-build-keystone-xl-pipeline-discussions-will-continue/2015/01/26/a6ba4968-a5b1-11e4-a2b2-776095f393b2_story.html?wprss=rss_politics
Senate Democrats stalled the Republican-led push to construct the Keystone XL pipeline on Monday, dealing the first significant blow to the new Republican majority less than three weeks after being sworn in. . . .

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/26/1359797/-McConnell-s-big-open-amendment-ruse

The new GOP House "Freedom Caucus" seems to be formed to create a far-right bulwark against any legislation they don't like

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/26/1360246/-Far-far-far-right-House-Republicans-form-a-new-club 

There you go: the GOP mindset in a nutshell

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/even-if-it-worked-i-would-oppose-it
On the Affordable Care Act – which Carson has on several occasions compared to slavery – the famous former surgeon said he opposed any government intrusion in health care. “Even if it worked, I would oppose it,” Carson said of Obamacare.  . . .

The umpteenth Benghazi investigation isn't going quite as the Repubs had planned

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/26/benghazi-committee_n_6551460.html

Update on the Sterling leak trial

https://www.emptywheel.net/2015/01/26/jury-convicts-sterling-on-all-nine-counts/

http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2015/01/26/jury-convicts-former-cia-officer-jeffrey-sterling-of-leaking-to-journalist-violating-espionage-act/

Miss Universe -- sorry you missed it?

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/26/7904791/miss-universe-2015

Wal-Mart and obesity

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/01/26/did-the-growth-of-wal-mart-make-americas-obesity-epidemic-worse/

Koch addiction

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/27/us/politics/kochs-plan-to-spend-900-million-on-2016-campaign.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
The political network overseen by the conservative billionaires Charles G. and David H. Koch plans to spend close to $900 million on the 2016 campaign, an unparalleled effort by coordinated outside groups to shape a presidential election that is already on track to be the most expensive in history. . . .

More: http://www.vox.com/2015/1/26/7917917/koch-billion-2016

BustGate: it's a little thing, but this shows how sloppy Ted Cruz is with the facts

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/fact-checker/wp/2015/01/27/ted-cruzs-claim-that-one-of-obamas-very-first-acts-was-returning-a-bust-of-churchill/

More from Crazyland

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/01/jon-stewart-has-field-day-steve-kings 

Conservatives look like they're losing patience with Sarah!s nonsense

http://www.nationalreview.com/article/397155/2016-it-begins-john-fund
[John Fund] The former 2008 vice-presidential nominee told reporters last week that she was “seriously” considering running in 2016. But her meandering and often bizarre 33-minute speech in Des Moines proved she wasn’t. Sample line: “The man can only ride you when your back is bent, so strengthen it so America won’t get taken for a ride.” She will always be an entertaining speaker at conservative events, but she clearly lacks the discipline for a full-fledged campaign.

More: http://www.nationalreview.com/article/397238/sarah-palin-slips-self-parody-charles-c-w-cooke
Sarah Palin Slips into Self-Parody 

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/01/conservatives-lament-decline-of-sarah-palin-following-rambling-painful-weekend-speech/
On MSNBC’s Morning Joe, host Joe Scarborough lamented  Palin’s decline from the candidate who once wowed a national audience with her speech at the Republican  nominating convention in 2008. . . .

Bonus item: Sarah!s greatest hits

http://tiny.cc/7nf4sx 

***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.***

PAYBACK

What form will it take?

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/26/how-will-obama-punish-netanyahu.html
How Will Obama Punish Netanyahu?

More: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2015/01/when-will-benjamin-netanyahu-finally-go-too-far 
Has Netanyahu Finally Gone Too Far?

Sarah! gives [another] rambling, incoherent speech, running 15 minutes over her allotted 20. Every extra word was precious, of course

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/01/sarah-palin-gives-long-rambling-incoherent

The DNC's brief reply: "Thank you!" http://crooksandliars.com/2015/01/dncs-hilarious-two-word-response-sarah 

Rights and wrongs

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/25/7879865/republican-senate-committee-names
Republicans scratched “civil rights and human rights” from a Senate subcommittee name

Murders at Gitmo 

http://my.firedoglake.com/blog/2015/01/25/we-murdered-some-folks-in-guantanamo/

Marcy Wheeler (known here as "Emptywheel") reports on the Jeffrey Sterlng leak trial

http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2015/01/25/podcast-journalist-marcy-wheeler-reports-on-trial-against-former-cia-officer-jeffrey-sterling-for-alleged-leak/ 

Wedding cakes, and the bakeries that make them: on the front lines of the marriage equality fight

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/23/7874489/gay-wedding-cakes
 
More: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/26/my-big-fat-anti-gay-wedding-cake.html

http://www.salon.com/2015/01/26/%E2%80%9Csorry_i_see_you_baked_a_cake_for_a_gay_wedding_in_2014_down_you_go/

Somebody's press agents are trying hard to change the narrative

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/26/us/politics/romneys-consideration-of-candidacy-is-closely-tied-to-his-faith-allies-say.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
A prominent Republican delivered a direct request to Mitt Romney not long ago: He should make a third run for the presidency, not for vanity or redemption, but to answer a higher calling from his faith. . . . 

Theocracy watch

http://prospect.org/article/jindals-prayer-rally-brings-together-prophets-bigots-and-right-wing-activists

Boy, they don't know the Greeks

http://news.firedoglake.com/2015/01/25/syriza-achieves-victory-in-greek-elections/
SYRIZA won 149 seats out of 300 in Greek parliament with more than 75 percent of voters already tallied. While the coalition did not gain the majority, it basically achieved a massive victory after the assault by European elites warning Greeks not to vote for SYRIZA. . . .

Ah, we'll just find other ones

http://www.salon.com/2015/01/25/7_natural_wonders_that_humans_could_destroy_within_a_generation_partner/
7 natural wonders that humans could destroy within a generation 

Bonus item: Half the U.S population lives in the blue areas

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/where-people-are.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.***

ON THE ROAD

Obama's final campaign

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/24/1359757/-View-from-the-left-Obama-s-final-campaign
President Barack Obama embarked on his final campaign this week and it has nothing to do with 2016. To be sure, he has launched several hand grenades into the 2016 campaign field that are already vexing Republicans. “America’s New Congress,” led by the GOP, is now playing small-ball on almost every front. . . .

But: http://www.salon.com/2015/01/25/hes_not_suddenly_paul_krugman_lets_not_morph_obama_into_elizabeth_warren_quite_yet/
Populist State of the Union with a fiery tone has liberals excited. They'd be wise to remember Obama's true nature 

Crazyland

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/25/iowa-confab-the-good-the-bad-and-the-absolutely-crazy.html
“Things must change for our government! It isn’t too big to fail, it’s too big to succeed! It’s too big to succeed, so we can afford no retreads or nothing will change, with the same people and same policies that got us into the status quo! Another Latin word, status quo, and it stands for, ‘Man, the middle class and everyday Americans are really gettin’ taken for a ride.’” [read on]

More: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/25/us/republican-primary-process-unofficially-kicks-off.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

The wingnuts argue that Justices Ginsburg and Kagan should recuse themselves from marriage equality cases because "these justices’ personal and private actions . . . clearly indicate how they would vote." Interesting principle. Can we apply that to ALL the justices?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/19/1358815/-AFA-demands-Ginsburg-and-Kagan-recuse-themselves-from-marriage-equality-cases

Donald Trump is a professional self-promoting liar. That's all he has ever been. Why does anyone take him seriously?

http://politicalwire.com/2015/01/24/trump-says-beaten-obama/ 
Trump Says He Would Have Beaten Obama 

More: http://crooksandliars.com/2015/01/donald-trump-shares-his-deepest-fantasies

Trouble for McDonald's

http://www.salon.com/2015/01/24/were_not_lovin_it_mcdonalds_most_notorious_scandals/

Theocracy watch

http://www.salon.com/2015/01/24/the_12_worst_ideas_religion_has_unleashed_on_the_world_partner/
The 12 worst ideas religion has unleashed on the world  

In Fox World

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2015/01/is-fox-news-under-influence-of-drugs.html
I don't know what's going on over at Fox News but there seems to be a tear in the matrix. . . .

The Sunday talk show line-ups

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/25/1359771/-Sunday-Talk-Reversal-of-fortune
NBC Meet The Press: White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough; Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R); Former NBA Player Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; Roundtable: Radio Host Hugh Hewitt, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake (D), Helene Cooper (New York Times) and Tom Brokaw (NBC News).      

CBS Face The Nation: White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough; Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA); Sen. John McCain (R-AZ); Roundtable: Susan Page (USA Today), Dana Milbank (Washington Post), Michael Crowley (Politico), Jeffrey Goldberg (The Atlantic) and John Dickerson (CBS News).      

ABC This Week: White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough; Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R); Roundtable: Democratic Strategist Donna Brazile, Republican Strategist Sarah Taylor Fagen, Bill Kristol (Weekly Standard) and Cokie Roberts (ABC News).      

CNN State of the Union: White House Chief of Staff Denis McDonough; Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA); Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman (R); Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-IL); Rep. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ). 

Bonus item: The real poop

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/22/7871579/poop-feces 

***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.***

BUYING D.C.

Here it comes

http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/the-secret-fundraising-scheme-that-will-make-super-pacs-look-quaint-in-2016-20150123

Crisis governing

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/dc/gop-congress-social-security-cliff-debt-ceiling
With a fight over Social Security brewing in the new Republican Congress, advocates are worried that a possible GOP angle is to turn Social Security into a perennial crisis in much the same way raising the debt limit has become. By setting up a series of forcing events, the argument goes, Republicans would be able to create an ongoing crisis atmosphere around Social Security that would create a pretext for dramatic changes to the 80-year-old program. . . 

Conservative memory loss

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/01/conservative-catastrophic-memory-loss

The kind of people they are, part one

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/22/1359657/-Florida-town-officially-bans-police-use-of-real-mugshots-for-target-practice-but-questions-remain
Florida town officially bans police use of real mugshots for target practice

The kind of people they are, part two

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/23/7877643/republicans-rape-ellmers-abortion
Why Republicans can't stop talking about rape

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_01/rape_exceptions_and_the_strate053861.php

Un gran problema

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/24/us/politics/jorge-ramos-tv-voice-of-latino-voters-sends-shiver-through-gop.html?partner=rss&emc=rss 
Jorge Ramos, the Univision and Fusion television anchor who is often called the Walter Cronkite of Latino America, was in his suburban Miami broadcast studio when he all but pounced on the chairman of the Republican Party, Reince Priebus, who was appearing from Washington. The Republicans’ immigration policy is “deportations, deportations, deportations,” Mr. Ramos said. “Why?”  

Mr. Priebus, who stared out from multiple screens in a control room here looking as if he would rather have been doing anything but talking to Mr. Ramos, insisted it was not so. But Mr. Ramos would not have it.  

“The message,” he retorted, “is anti-immigrant.” . . . 

Theocracy watch

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/01/huckabee-i-will-have-gods-blessing
Huckabee: I Will Have 'God's Blessing' As President To End The 'Secular Theocracy' Of Atheists 

Rand Paul has a big mouth, and it's going to cost him a chance at the Presidency

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/23/1359768/-Rand-Paul-s-47-percent-moment

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/wp/2015/01/23/rand-paul-clarifies-remarks-about-disabled/  

And thank you for asking!

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/sarah-palin-interested-president-2016
Sarah Palin: 'Of Course' I'm Interested In Running For President In 2016

The anti-vaxx movement has consequences

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/measles-outbreak-anti-vaccine-movement

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/23/anti-vaxxers-brought-measles-to-the-happiest-place-on-earth.html

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/23/7877321/measles-outbreak-scary-disneyland

http://www.salon.com/2015/01/23/anti_vaxxers_ruined_disneyland_why_this_public_health_nightmare_needs_to_be_stopped/

Revising NCLB

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/23/7877893/no-child-left-behind-esea-reauthorization

In Fox World

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/fox-arizona-state-problem-whiteness

Bonus item: Is Obama the worst President of all time? Get in line

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/01/23/quiz-which-worst-president-of-all-time-is-this/

Extra bonus item: The crock-pot -- a feminist icon

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2015/01/23/the-unfulfilled-promise-of-the-crock-pot-an-unlikely-symbol-of-womens-equality/

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

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

A SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP

Is it broken?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/us/politics/obama-not-planning-to-meet-with-israeli-premier.html?partner=rss&emc=rss
Obama Not Planning to Meet With Israeli Premier

More: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/quote-of-the-day--26
"Senior American official" as quoted by Haaretz: "We thought we've seen everything. But Bibi managed to surprise even us. There are things you simply don't do. He spat in our face publicly and that's no way to behave. Netanyahu ought to remember that President Obama has a year and a half left to his presidency, and that there will be a price." 

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-01-22/israeli-opposition-slams-u-s-congress-plan-for-netanyahu-speech
Israeli Opposition Slams Planned Netanyahu Speech to Congress

Consequences

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/22/7324107/palestinian-abbas-peace-process
Why the Palestinians are finally giving up on Obama and the US peace process

And now this

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/01/22/saudi-king-dies-and-the-world-shudders.html
Saudi King Dies, and the World Shudders

More: http://www.vox.com/2015/1/22/7875029/saudi-king-abdullah-dead

http://www.vox.com/2015/1/22/7875229/oil-prices-saudi-abdullah 

For abortion hardliners, it doesn't matter how a woman becomes pregnant, a fetus is a fetus with all the same rights whether it is a consequence of a one night stand, a mistake, a rape, or incest. They don't see why there should be ANY "exceptions." This is a problem for the Republicans

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/22/1359472/-Anti-abortion-activists-mad-at-House-GOP-for-not-voting-on-legitimate-rape

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2015_01/watch_what_they_do_not_what_th053843.php
Watch What They Do, Not What They Say
 
More problems

http://politicalwire.com/2015/01/22/extra-bonus-quote-day-2/
“Week one, we had a Speaker election that didn’t go as well as a lot of us would have liked. Week two, we spent a lot of time talking about deporting children, a conversation a lot of us didn’t want to have. Week three, we’re debating reportable rape and incest — again, not an issue a lot of us wanted to have a conversation about. I just can’t wait for week four.” 
     — Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA)

Ya think? http://politicalwire.com/2015/01/23/house-republicans-still-not-united/
House Republicans Divided on Social Issues 

http://www.salon.com/2015/01/23/tea_party_spawns_gop_nightmare_how_its_already_ruining_the_partys_16_strategy/
Tea Party spawns GOP nightmare 

In the rear-view mirror

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/01/22/1359499/-2016-Hillary-Leads-Potential-GOP-Opponents-by-Double-Digits
Hillary leads potential GOP opponents by double digits 

Bonus item: The Monsters of Money

http://crooksandliars.com/2015/01/jon-stewart-takes-whack-monsters-money

***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.***