TYRANNY

You just can’t use mercenaries without paying a price. Now we are

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/private-security-contractors-in.html
'Private Security Contractors in Afghanistan Fueling the Taliban, Senate Report Concludes'

http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/10/08/sasc-report-shows-contracting-for-security-guards-in-afghanistan-run-amok/
SASC Report Shows Contracting for Security Guards in Afghanistan Run Amok

Justice Clarence Thomas’s wife has a job too

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/09/us/politics/09thomas.html
Liberty Central, dedicated to opposing what she characterizes as the leftist “tyranny” of President Obama and Democrats in Congress . . .

More: http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/new-york-times-finally-takes-notice-ginni-t

Gloom and doom

Gloom: http://washingtonindependent.com/99657/a-decade-of-slow-growth-followed-by-two-decades-of-slow-growth
A Decade of Slow Growth, Followed by Two Decades of Slow Growth

Doom: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/story/print?guid=633B0540-CFE8-11DF-8158-00212804637C
Wall Street banks control the Federal Reserve system , it’s their personal piggy bank. They’ve already done so much damage, yet have more control than ever. . . .They will eventually destroy capitalism, democracy, and the dollar’s global reserve-currency status. They will self-destruct before 2035 … maybe as early as 2012 … most likely by 2020. . . .

I think they’ve decided that breaking the law is okay so long as it’s impossible to prove

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/us_chamber_sees_no_need_to_add.html
U.S. Chamber sees no need to address core allegation against it

Susan Collins (R-ME) explains why the GOP’s unprecedented use of the filibuster is the Democrats’ fault

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/republicans-and-filibusters

Hmmmm . . .

http://crooksandliars.com/john-amato/rush-limbaugh-says-there-will-never-be-
[Rush Limbaugh] “Some people are just born to be slaves. Some people are born to put up with somebody else making every decision for them.”

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=109x38930
Way back, when he started going national, Rush took many more phone calls from listeners. Invariably, every call started this way, "Hi Rush, I agree with everything you say." . . . Eventually he started correcting the listeners and admonishing them to say "Ditto" instead.

Wow. Just read it. Wow

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/glenn-beck-has-been-poisoned-by.html
“Today I want to talk to you about something. I want to talk to you about a portion of my life that I want to share with you because I think it's going to lead me in different places. I don't necessarily mean physical, but mentally I think this is going to be a spiritual journey. It is going to be a physical journey. It is going to be a mental journey. And I would like to, I'd like to be able to share it with you and the things that I have learned, and you'll be able also to see why I'm going the places that I am and what I am doing.

Next week on Monday and Tuesday, I am going to take time off. I'm going out West to have some testing done. I have told you before that I have been losing feeling in my hands and my feet . . .” [read on]

[NB: He's SACRIFICING himself for our salvation. It's just like. . . . just like. . . ]

Theocracy watch: more on C Street

http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/interview-jeff-sharlet-about-c-street

Sunday talk show line-ups

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/the-sunday-show-line-ups-66.php
• ABC, This Week: Connecticut Senate candidates Richard Blumenthal (D) and Linda McMahon (R), former Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde.

• CBS, Face The Nation: White House Senior Adviser David Axelrod, former Republican National Committee Chairman Ed Gillespie.

• CNN, State Of The Union: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), pollsters Celinda Lake and Whit Ayres, former CIA Director Michael Hayden.

• NBC, Meet The Press: Illinois Senate candidates Alexi Giannoulias (D) and Mark Kirk (R).

Bonus item: “I am not a Nazi. I’m you.”

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/republican-responds-to-revelation-of-his-nazi-reenacting-past.php

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/9/909079/-I-like-horses,-long-walks-on-the-beach,-and-dressing-up-like-a-Nazi-SS-officer

Buh-bye! http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/republicans-scrubs-nazi-impersonating-house-candidate-from-young-guns-websiter.php
Republicans Scrub Nazi-Impersonating House Candidate From Young Guns Website

***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.***

MORTGAGING OUR FUTURE

The foreclosure crisis

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/democrats-step-up.html

http://crooksandliars.com/brad-reed/our-scumbag-financial-services-industry-

http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/10/08/foreclosure-fraud-destroys-claim-of-tarp-success/

http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/10/08/ohio-ag-richard-cordray-what-were-seeing-is-a-systematic-fraud-on-the-courts-of-ohio/

The GOP has a moment of lucidity and responsibility, backing off their absurd promise to shut down the government – which means, of course, that now their teabag supporters are angry with them!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/tea-party-leader-slams-cantor-for-taking-government-shutdown-off-the-table.php

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/08/joe-miller-mcconnell-is-o_n_755588.html
Mitch McConnell Open To A Government Shutdown, Joe Miller Says

No, I’m not! http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/spokesman-mcconnell-has-not-called-for-shutting-down-the-government.php

Doh!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/08/rnc-accidentally-highligh_n_756173.html
RNC Accidentally Highlights Study That Proves Dems' Tax Cut Plan Is More Generous

James Jones is out of the Obama admin – know who he is?

http://www.slate.com/id/2270510

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/president-loses-iron-hand-gains-donilon/64301/

Can you be tracked through GPS by the police or FBI – WITHOUT A WARRANT?

http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/gaming.gadgets/10/08/fbi.tracks.student.wired/index.html

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/report_arab-american_student_finds_fbi_tracking_de.php

IMAGINE if this were a Democratic appointee

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/09/us/politics/09thomas.html
Virginia Thomas, wife of Justice Clarence Thomas, has accepted large contributions for her new political nonprofit group, raising questions for some who study judicial ethics. . . . [read on]

The post-Citizens United world of political fundraising

http://washingtonindependent.com/100121/citizens-united-and-campaign-finance-law-summed-up-in-a-chart

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/08/gop_holds_huge_advantage_in_outside_spending.html

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/roves-republic-billionaires-playground.html
In August, American Crossroads raised $2,639,052. Fully $2.4 million of that -- or 91 percent -- came in the form of gifts from just three billionaires. . .

Ooohh – ouch!

http://mydd.com/users/tarheel74/posts/the-4
Stan Greenberg and James Carville have recently made a memo public, in which they state that the President's message has been weak and not resonating enough with the public to affect voter turn-out for an embattled Democratic Party. . . . [read on]

http://elections.firedoglake.com/2010/10/08/greenberg-poll-democrats-blame-bush-and-go-forward-not-back-message-driving-voters-to-gop/
Greenberg poll: Democrats’ “Blame Bush” and “Go Forward, Not Back” Message Driving Voters to GOP

Good question: how can Harry Reid be losing to SHARRON ANGLE?

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/why-they-win

Hmmm . . . what will she say if Mitt Romney becomes the GOP nominee?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/angle-in-flap-as-pastor-calls-reids-mormon-religion-a-murderous-cult.php
Angle In Flap As Pastor Calls Reid's Mormon Religion A Murderous Cult

Another one: Ken Buck (R-CO)

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/8/908787/-CO-Sen:-Ken-I-never-said-that-Buck-flips-again
[Joan McCarter] I've lost count on Colorado Senate candidate Ken Buck's ever-shifting positions. Seriously, it's been on taxes, on abortion, on repealing the 17th amendment, on privatizing veterans' health care, on whether teaggers are "dumbasses" and on and on. Today, add Social Security privatization. . . .

Christine O’Donnell, constitutional scholar

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/conservative-on-odonnells-claremont-creds-its-helped-me-tremendously-video.php

Christine O’Donnell, liar

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/christine-odonnell-fibs-says-passion-of-the-christ-was-nonprofit-video.php

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/8/908743/-DE-Sen:-ODonnell-becomes-a-bigger-embarrassment-each-day

You know it’s bad when even Christine O’Donnell isn’t sure Sarah Palin’s qualified to be President

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/et-tu-christine-odonnell-wont-say-whether-sarah-palin-is-ready-for-presidency.php

Good – we’re safe then

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/08/palin_says_shell_run_if_american_people_want_her.html
Palin Says She'll Run if American People Want Her

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/06/nearly_half_view_palin_unfavorably.html
She is viewed favorably by just 22% . . .

Interesting: what happens if the GOP DOESN’T win Congress?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/8/908152/-Speculation-on-what-happens-if-GOP-comes-up-short

The paradoxes of polling

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/do_voters_really_hold_gop_in_s.html
[Greg Sargent] Amid all the grim polling news for Dems, one bright spot that Democrats take solace in is that the GOP notches consistently higher disapproval ratings than Dems do. And polls certainly do show that. But how significant are those numbers, anyway?

Gallup has some new polling out that probes public attitudes towards the parties in a bit more detail than standard approve/disapprove questions do. And the results should be very disconcerting for Dems. In sum, the two parties are basically tied on a range of questions that gauge what the public thinks of the two parties' ability to govern.

* The poll finds that 43 percent think the GOP "can bring about the changes this country needs," versus only 40 percent who think that about Dems.

* It finds that 42 percent think the GOP "is able to manage the government effectively," versus only 39 percent who think that about Dems.

* The poll finds that 42 percent think the GOP "has mostly honest and ethical members of Congress," versus only 39 percent who think that about Dems.

http://scaredmonkeys.com/2010/09/28/obamanomics-cnn-poll-has-republicans-doing-a-better-job-of-fixing-the-economy-than-democrats/
[CNN] Although more people blame the Republicans than the Democrats for the country’s economic problems, a larger number of people think the Republicans are more likely to fix those problems . . .

Stop the presses!

http://washingtonindependent.com/100153/groups-charge-racism-in-gop-candidate-immigration-ads
Groups See Racism in GOP Immigration Ads

A humorous look: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/08/colbert-mocks-agnle-vitte_n_756093.html

“You might be a racist if . . .” http://firedoglake.com/2010/10/08/you-might-be-a-racist-if/

Criticizing people by comparing them with Nazis has gone too far – except, when, you know, they actually LIKE being associated with Nazis

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/ohio-tea-partier-spent-weekends-playing-nazi-games.php

Is the GOP going to pull their “hicky” ad?

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/8/908727/-WV-Sen:-Front-page-backlash-after-GOP-pins-hick-label-on-voters

Why?

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/08/washington_post_dinesh_dsouza
Washington Post publishes Dinesh D'Souza's garbage

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/08/dinesh-dsouza-docks-in-am_n_755990.html

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026045.php

Bonus item: “Making a killing out of killing”

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/10/code-pink-disses-blackwater-in-wackest-rap-video-ever/

***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.***

CHARACTER ASSASSINATION

Is America in decline?

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/americas-non-decline

Jobless claims decline, but still too high

http://washingtonindependent.com/99921/jobless-claims-fall-remain-high

More: http://elections.firedoglake.com/2010/10/07/gallup-unemployment-rises-to-10-1-on-eve-of-election/

This could be big

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/7/908523/-Chamber-of-Commerce-wont-deny-foreign-funding-of-attack-ads
Chamber of Commerce won't deny foreign funding of attack ads

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/7/908575/-President-Obama,-Congressional-Dems-seize-Chamber-funding-issue

What the GOP wants to cut

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/schools-cops-and-health-care-how-the-pledge-to-america-would-actually-cut-spending.php

More: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/gop-young-guns-balance-budget-with-cuts-to-amtrak-sleeper-cars-child-nutrition-video.php

The GOP makes ads

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/07/insulting_campaign_ads
Two Republicans caught airing ads with fake locals

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/hickey-ads.html
“We are going for a ‘Hicky’ Blue Collar look,” read the casting call . . . [read on]

More: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/is_the_hicky_gop_ad_a_non-stor.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/07/private-email-supports-nr_n_754271.html

Low blow

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/angle-ad-reid-supports-viagra-for-sex-offenders-video.php
Angle Ad: Reid Supports Viagra For Sex Offenders!

Here’s how bad she is: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/nevada-state-senate-republican-leader-endorses-harry-reid-trashes-angle.php
Nevada State Senate Republican Leader Endorses Harry Reid, Trashes Angle

They just CAN’T keep away from race baiting

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/nrcc-chair-makes-racially-insensitive-remarks.php

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/doj_hostile_to_race_neutal_civil_rights_law.php

John McCain, Big Phony

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/real-mccain
“I’ve always done whatever’s necessary to win.” [read on]

Everything finds its own level eventually

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/sarah-palin-popularity-down-to-22.html
Sarah Palin popularity down to 22%

Of course she does

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/odonnell-blames-liberal-media-for-character-assassination-against-her-video.php
O'Donnell Reportedly Blames 'Liberal Media' For 'Character Assassination' Against Her

Uh huh: http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/sarah-palin-and-hannity-whine-about-
Sarah Palin and Hannity whine about Obama and Dems' 'politics of destruction' -- then laud McMahon's nasty smear ad

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/your-brain-glenn-beck
This is Your Brain on Glenn Beck

Yoga – the latest threat to the nation

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/southern-baptist-leader-attacks-yoga-as.html

Bonus item: Why Obama’s Presidential seal fell off the podium

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/where_was_christine_odonnell.php
Witchcraft!

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

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

IS THIS ANY WAY TO RUN A CAMPAIGN?

Stop it!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/06/AR2010100607317.html
Obama warns Democratic donors against 'sulking and sitting back'

“The Big Republican Lie on Tax Cuts”

http://mydd.com/users/theyoungturks/posts/the-big-republican-lie-on-tax-cuts

Serving their masters

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/gop-planning-to-gut-wall-street.html
GOP planning to gut Wall Street regulation after the election

[NB: Was that one in the “Pledge to America”?]

Now we know what big corporations are doing with the tons of loot they’ve been sitting on instead of investing it to build growth and create jobs

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/more-growth-please

Yep

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/joan-walsh-conservatives-con-game-conflate
Joan Walsh: Conservatives' Con Game Conflates Corporate Interests With the Little Person

Stealth candidates

http://elections.firedoglake.com/2010/10/06/invisible-republicans-dont-want-voters-to-know-their-plans/
Invisible Republicans Don’t Want Voters to Know Their Plans

http://washingtonindependent.com/99831/a-right-wing-candidate-dons-the-mask-of-moderation
A Right-Wing Candidate Dons the Mask of Moderation

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/026013.php
In West Virginia's U.S. Senate race, where polls show right-wing businessman John Raese with growing support, Democrats have tried to highlight the fact that the Republican nominee isn't what he might appear to be. . .

Polls, polls, polls

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/6/908275/-Polling-and-Political-Wrap,-10-6-10

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/6/908296/-Senate-Snapshot,-October-6th:-A-step-backward,-but-hope-remains

Must read: the mystery of the “likely voter”

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/05/likely-voters-how-pollsters-choose-them_n_751560.html

“The enthusiasm gap” http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/06/explaining_the_enthusiasm_gap.html

An ”October surprise” for Dems?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/06/october_surprise_for_democrats.html

Dysfunctional

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/06/senate_inaction
Senate sitting on 420 bills passed by House

The impact of Citizens United

http://www.slate.com/id/2270036/
The Washington Post reported on Monday that interest groups have spent five times as much on this year's midterm elections as they did in 2006, and the money has gone overwhelmingly to Republicans . . .

Theocracy watch

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/top_evangelical_david_barton_government_should_regulate_homosexuality.php
Top Evangelical David Barton: Maybe Government Should 'Regulate Homosexuality'

The roots of teabaggism: race and religion

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/white-tea-by-digby-well-whodduh-thunk.html
[Financial Times] Members of the Tea Party, the burgeoning conservative movement whose membership is overwhelmingly white, feel they are losing ground to African-Americans and other minority groups . . .

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/country-of-invaders-christian-right.html

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/future-tea-parties

You always know where Republicans go when they get into close elections

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/6/908217/-NV-Sen:-Scary-brown-people-want-to-beat-you-up
NV-Sen: Scary brown people want to beat you up!

The usual code words

http://firedoglake.com/2010/10/07/as-opposed-to-the-party-of-screw-you/
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich today published a memo to Republican candidates urging them to cast the Democratic Party as the party of food stamps while calling the GOP the party of paychecks. . . . [read on]

News you can use: Where the jobs are (and who’s getting them)

http://washingtonindependent.com/99721/where-the-jobs-are-and-whos-getting-them

Foxification

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/fox-guest-lars-larson-thinks-racist-
Fox guest Lars Larson thinks 'racist' blacks should be 'ashamed' of their support for President Obama

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/sean-hannity-lets-boehner-make-his-closing
Sean Hannity Lets Boehner Make His 'Closing Arguments' on Electing Repubicans

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/cnn-mocks-fox-news-reporting-fake-lapd-jet-p
CNN mocks Fox News for using Weekly World News as source

Bonus item: Are the Dems WORRIED about the Stewart/Colbert satirical rallies?

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/05/dems-still-sweating-the-i_n_751567.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.***

LINES OF AUTHORITY

Does the military have problems with Obama as Commander-in-Chief?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/creeping-coup.html

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/10/06/military-encroachment-on-civilian-authority-seven-days-in-may/


Does ANYONE know how to deal with Afghanistan and Pakistan? Suggestions welcome. . .

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/afpak-update

Blackwater: Ah wish ah knew how to quit yew

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/05/apparently-there-is-nothi_n_751341.html

Needs to be said

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/suitable-for-lamination-why-social.html
[Paul N. Van de Water] Here are the facts. Social Security is a well-run, fiscally responsible program. . . . [read on]

Who killed the public option?

http://news.firedoglake.com/2010/10/05/the-deal-with-the-hospital-industry-to-kill-the-public-option/

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/daschle-admits----then-denies----that-white-house-agreed-with-industry-to-scrap-public-option.php

Theocracy watch: Bush’s “faith based initiatives” haven’t gone away – and they want their taxpayer money!

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/025988.php

Because corporations don’t have enough influence on our politics already

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/chamber-takes-care-of-business-by-any.html

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/insurance-companies-pouring-money-into.html

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/gop-groups-far-out-spending-democratic.html
“a financial blowout”

Are they breaking the law?

http://thinkprogress.org/2010/10/05/foreign-chamber-commerce/
Exclusive: Foreign-Funded ‘U.S.’ Chamber Of Commerce Running Partisan Attack Ads

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/report_chamber_raises_hundreds_of_thousands_from_f.php

http://washingtonindependent.com/99679/as-conservative-groups-release-new-campaign-ads-watchdog-groups-ask-irs-to-investigate

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/025986.php

Controversial Republican candidates have learned: the less you see of me, the better

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/bubble-candidates

Well, gee, what do you know? The “Pledge to America” really WAS an empty piece of paper

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/05/AR2010100501627.html
After fanfare, few Republicans campaigning on 'Pledge to America'

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/poll-pledge-to-america-a-bust-among-tiny-minority-whove-heard-of-it.php
Poll: GOP Pledge To America A Bust Among Tiny Minority Who've Heard Of It

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/025989.php

How you create “moderates” – run other candidates who are even crazier

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/two_really_lucky_guys.php

Christine O’Donnell ad: voting for me is voting for yourself. . . or something

http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/christine-odonnell-channels-linda-tripp
“I’m you”

Why it won’t work: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/05/when_denials_dont_work.html

Why it might work: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/why-christine-odonnells-new-ad-might-work/64061/

OK for me, but not for you

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/joe-millers-wife-received-unemployment-benefits-miller-called-not-constitutionally-authorized.php
Joe Miller's Wife Received Unemployment Benefits Miller Later Called 'Not Constitutionally Authorized'

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/5/907934/-AK-SEN:-Millers-wife-took-unemployment-benefits-after-working-for-him
[H]is wife took the benefits after she left a job working for him? [read on]

Alaska politics: just like high school

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/todds-irate-email-to-joe-miller-sure.html

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/5/907985/-AK-SEN:-Trouble-in-teabagger-paradise

http://www.examiner.com/rnc-in-washington-dc/the-sarah-palin-lisa-murkowski-feud

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/5/907969/-AK-SEN:-Miller,-Murkowski,-pot,-kettle

[NB: So, the Palins are angry with Joe Miller, who is criticizing Lisa Murkowski, who the Palins hate even more. Get it?]

Wait, but this doesn’t fit the narrative!

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/05/republican_leaders_hit_record_low_approval.html
A new National Journal/Pew Research poll shows that Republican congressional leaders have a record low 24% approval rating, while Democratic leaders did slightly better with 30% approval.

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/025979.php

GOP goofs are giving the Dems an unexpected leg up for the fall elections. Will the Dems blow it? (thanks to DR for the link)

http://www.npr.org/templates/rundowns/rundown.php?prgId=13

Duh

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/05/AR2010100501688.html
Tea party, religious right often overlap, poll shows

What they care about

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/missouri_tea_partiers_joe_the_plumber_join_movemen_1.php
Missouri Tea Partiers, Joe The Plumber Join Movement Against 'Radical' Anti-Puppy Mill Legislation

More: http://firedoglake.com/2010/10/05/why-does-the-humane-society-hate-puppies/
Why Does The Humane Society Hate Puppies?

Why is anti-abortion leader Randall Terry ripping up Korans?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/terry_randall_going_ahead_with_planned_koran_teari.php

Bonus item: while we can still laugh . . . (thank to DR for the link)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfuwNU0jsk0

***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.***

REDEFINING “NORMAL”

This feels like some kind of time warp. Political ideas that have been considered too extreme (not to say, CRAZY) are suddenly in the mainstream of political discourse. In some cases, people want to turn back the clock a century or more

What??!!??

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/demint_sexually_active_unmarried_women_and_gay_teachers_should_be_barred_from_classrooms.php
DeMint: Sexually Active Unmarried Women And Gay Teachers Should Be Barred From Classrooms

Nutsy

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/odonnell-in-2006-i-know-classified-information-about-secret-chinese-plot-to-take-over-us.php
Christine O'Donnell In 2006: I Know 'Classified Information' About Secret Chinese Plot To Take Over U.S.!

More: http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/10/04/christine_o_donnell_china

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/5/907764/-Open-thread-for-night-owls:-ODonnells-plot

Her new campaign ad: “I’m not a witch”

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/christine-odonnell-ad-im-not-a-witch-im-you-video.php

Snark: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/ich_bin_ein_witch.php

Rand Paul (R-KY), caught in a big lie – will it matter?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/tough-love-for-sick-and-frail.html
A new video today catches Rand Paul repeatedly supporting a $2,000 Medicare deductible on Kentucky seniors – despite his claims just last week that such a statement was a “lie.” . . .

Joe Miller (R-AK) thinks child labor laws are unconstitutional

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/does_joe_miller_think_child_la.html

More: http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/ak-gop-senate-candidate-and-teabagger.html
Miller calls for minimum wage to be abolished

Where does Marco Rubio (R-FL) stand on Social Security?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/marco-rubios-year-long-social-security-flip-flop-video.php

Sharron Angle (R-NV) really steps in it

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/sharron_angle_promises_tea_par.html

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/politics_101.php

Listen: http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/sharron-angle-tea-party-candidate-lets-make

An ingenious argument from Obtuse Angle: Harry Reid’s ad against me is a lie – because it quotes MY OWN false information!

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/reid-ad-was-false----because-it-quoted-angle.php

GOP backing off the government shutdown threat

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/cantor-no-government-shutdown----we-dont-want-to-be-seen-as-a-bunch-of-yahoos.php

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/04/barbour-cornyn-cantor-low_n_749809.html

Pakistan: Ally? Enemy? An ally we are turning into an enemy?

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/10/04/terrorism

Simple observations

http://www.eschatonblog.com/2010/10/but-they-should.html
[Atrios] Stem cell research is "controversial," while in-vitro fertilization is not.

How climate legislation failed

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/how-climate-legislation-failed

Uh, maybe

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/dnc_our.html
Is the Dem base awakening?

http://washingtonindependent.com/99473/dnc-has-its-biggest-month-in-nearly-a-decade
DNC Has Its Biggest Month in Nearly a Decade

http://www.slate.com/id/2269871
Examining the Democratic claim that the race is tightening

http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/mid-term-elections-still-play-dems-ga
Dems Gaining Momentum

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/025975.php
THE 'SMALLEST GAP BETWEEN PARTIES IN ROUGHLY A YEAR'

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/are-democrats-really-doing-better/64046/
Are Democrats Really Doing Better?

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/keeps_closin.php
Did The Wave Crest?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/05/AR2010100500005.html
Democrats gain in poll but GOP still leads

http://washingtonindependent.com/99568/could-latino-voters-tip-the-scales-toward-dems-in-november
Could Latino Voters Tip the Scales Toward Dems in November?

Or not: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/4/907147/-Losing-Latinos
Losing Latinos

Can we trust polls anyway?

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/04/are_polls_getting_worse.html

The “Foxification” of American politics

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/foxifying-america.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/04/AR2010100403856.html

Are people finally on to Glenn Beck and his carnival sideshow?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-actully-watching-beck-teaches-you.html

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/milbank-its-manifestly-true-beck-dangerous

Bonus item: the jokes write themselves

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/it-has-come-to-this-odonnell-family-straightens-out-fathers-bozo-the-clown-career.php
It Has Come To This: O'Donnell Family Straightens Out Father's Bozo The Clown Career

***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.***

POLITICAL POTPOURRI

From what I’ve read, the real art of polling isn’t calling people and asking them who they support – it’s making inferences from that information about what an upcoming vote will be. Here the nebulous concept of “likely voter” comes into play, and there are countless theories and models about how to determine that. But it does make the whole reliability of polls as predictors of voting look as if they are built on the sand of very shaky and debatable assumptions

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/that_weird_newsweek_poll.php
That Weird Newsweek Poll

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/025956.php

Will Elizabeth Warren be able to do her job?

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/10/03/the-warren-commission-and-financial-reform/
[Bmaz] A lot of hope was placed on the back of Elizabeth Warren and the financial reform act passed by Congress at the behest of the Administration formally known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Concurrent with belittling the liberal Democratic activist base as ungrateful whiners, the Administration and Democratic leadership has touted Liz Warren and Dodd-Frank as prime examples of accomplishments that should thrill and satisfy the base. But are those “accomplishments” really all that and should they mollify Democrats, at least on financial reform issues? The initial returns indicate no. . . .

Blackwater’s front companies

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/10/blackwaters-34th-front-company-wins-big-diplo-jackpot/

What Sharron Angle (R-NV) REALLY thinks

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/10/03/angle_speaks_freely.html
"The Republicans have lost their standard, they've lost their principle. Really that's why the machine in the Republican Party is fighting against me.... They have never really gone along with lower taxes and less government regulation." [read on!]

More: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/sharron_angles_most_demostrabl.html
Sharron Angle's M.O.: I never said what I plainly said!

Meg Whitman (R-CA) has an ingenious new defense for her housekeeper scandal: it’s all Jerry Brown’s fault!

http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/74616

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/let-them-eat-beanie-babies-by-digby-am.html

Does Christine O’Donnell HELP the Republicans?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/03/opinion/03rich.html

Theocracy watch

http://fdlbooksalon.com/2010/10/03/fdl-book-salon-welcomes-jeff-sharlet-c-street/
C Street: The Fundamentalist Threat to American Democracy

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/sanders-republicans-do-not-want-america-to-succeed.php

Especially: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/week-should-americans-fear-muslims
This Week: Should Americans Be Afraid Of Muslims?

Dropping the pretense

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/04/opinion/04krugman.html
[Paul Krugman] [E]very major contender for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination who isn’t currently holding office and isn’t named Mitt Romney is now a paid contributor to Fox News. Now, media moguls have often promoted the careers and campaigns of politicians they believe will serve their interests. But directly cutting checks to political favorites takes it to a whole new level of blatancy. . . [read on]

Bonus item: First, fist bumps, now hugs – nothing Obama does is ever right

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/self-parody_watch.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.***

ENTHUSIASM GAP

Playing the expectations game. I think you call this “hedging your bets”

http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/91477-nrcc-co-chairman-predicts-gop-will-gain-56-seats
[April 10] NRCC co-chairman predicts Republicans will gain 56 seats

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/03/us/politics/03campaign.html
[October 3] House Majority Remains Uncertain, Republicans Say

http://www.newsweek.com/2010/10/01/newsweek-poll-anger-unlikely-to-be-deciding-factor-in-midterms.html
NEWSWEEK Poll: Self-described "angry voters" no more likely to vote; Democrats trusted more than GOP on key issues.

More: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/2/906601/-The-RNC-has-an-enthusiasm-gap-of-its-own

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/2/906429/-Gallups-doomsday-scenario-contradicts-recent-history

David Broder really believes that John Boehner will “reform” Congress if the Republicans get the majority. This must be why they call him “the Dean of the Washington press corps.” (Yeah, Jimmy Dean)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/01/AR2010100105259.html

Looking ahead to the Supreme Court term

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/02/AR2010100203382.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/03/us/03scotus.html

Big news

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/blighted-titles.html
[Digby] If you've been following this amazing, unfolding foreclosure fraud story then you probably already know that JP Morgan/Chase, BofA and GMAC have all suspended foreclosure processes around the country now that it's been revealed they've been committing massive fraud. And Attorneys General in a number of states have also stepped in to stop the process, for the same reason.

But if you are just coming into the story, as is most of the national press, Alan Grayson has prepared a valuable primer on the crisis that's wee worth watching . . . [watch]

More: http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/bank-of-america-halts-foreclosures-in.html

ARE we a “center-right nation”?

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/2010/10/center-right-nations/

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/025953.php

Heh, heh, grab the popcorn. Guess who has a running feud with the new WH Chief of Staff, Pete Rouse? (Hint: he’s from Alaska)

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/yet-another-palin-feud

Wow. How sleazy do you have to be for Andrew Breitbart to disown you?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/andrew_breitbart_okeefe_sex_stunt_patently_gross_and_offensive.php
Andrew Breitbart stood behind James O'Keefe when he was accused of entering Sen. Mary Landrieu's office under false pretenses. He backed O'Keefe's ACORN investigation. But O'Keefe's latest botched plan to lure a CNN reporter onto a boat to seduce her? Breitbart wants no part in that. . . . [read on]

Glenn Beck makes you stupid

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/30/AR2010093005267.html

But he drew MILLIONS! (just ask him) http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/heres-your-enthusiasm-gap-one-nation-
Here's Your Enthusiasm Gap: One Nation Rally Draws More Attendees Than Beck's "Whitestock"

http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/todays-one-nation-rally-dc-lets-make

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/025955.php

DR's Corner: A Funny Thing Happened On The Road To Hope: Change Happened

[DR] This Paul Farrell article seems to get it right:

http://www.marketwatch.com/story/america-on-the-brink-of-a-second-revolution-2010-09-28

Even if Farrell is wrong about the GOP/Tea Party taking the White House in 2012, the split-government gridlock will endure past 2012 and the GOP will defund health care, and defund enforcement of financial regulations. And even if the timeframe for total systemic collapse is pushed a half-decade into the future, it won’t matter. We are inevitably headed for systemic failure. Everyone knows this. It’s just been malapropos to speak about it in decent society. Democratic Capitalism (DC) is too big to govern. It’s too corrupt. The financial system is nothing less that pure institutionalized greed. There is no incrementalist/gradualist way to fix things. In fact, gradualism tends to favor the corrupt and the greedy.

There is no happy solution. The business of government in the United States will soon become “managing failure.” Arguably it is already. Unfortunately, for whatever else governments generally might be well-suited for, they are never well-suited for managing the collapse of civil society. A stronger government during a time of social and civil decay is never democratic (by definition) and only darkness awaits us down that path. When it comes to the desirability of smaller government, the Teabaggers may be right for wrong reasons.

The so-called “economic recovery” we are told is happening is simply another round of music being played while we dance around a diminished array of chairs. The music is about to stop again very soon, and vast numbers of Americans are going to shocked and angry when they find they no longer have seats.

We are seeing much more serious discussion in the mainstream press about the real possibility that we cannot resolve our economic, political, and civic problems in a such way as to preserve America-as-we-might-wish-it-to-be. The conservative vision is utterly deranged, and the progressive vision is incompatible with business as usual. No coherent vision of any rational and enduring kind can be achieved in an environment of institutionalized greed and systemic corruption. There is a growing chorus of acknowledgements that solving our problems may involve paying a price that few Americans have the courage to even contemplate: fundamentally changing our “American Ideals.”

But we are watching that change happen, right now.

Sunday talk show line-ups

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/the-sunday-show-line-ups-65.php
• ABC, This Week: A town hall on Islam in America, featuring Franklin Graham, Daisy Khan, and others.

• CBS, Face The Nation: Gov. Ed Rendell (D-PA), Gov. Bill Richardson (D-NM), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

• CNN, State Of The Union: Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX), Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), former Gore presidential campaign manager Donna Brazile, former George W. Bush aide Ed Gillespie, Pakistan ambassador to the United States Husain Haqqani.

• NBC, Meet The Press: Will not air, due to NBC's coverage of the Ryder Cup.

***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.***

INTRO TO ECON

No comment necessary

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/1/906685/-GOP-pledge-reduces-deficit-less-than-Obamas-budget

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/025936.php
WELL DESERVED KUDOS FOR THE RECOVERY ACT

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/09/no-good-deed-goes-unpunished
[Kevin Drum] According to CBO reports, the stimulus has created 3.5 million jobs and kept unemployment about 1 to 2 percent lower than it otherwise would have been, and apparently it's accomplished this efficiently and with minimal waste. It's a testament to what happens when you take good policy seriously.

Unfortunately, it's also a testament to how little most people care about good policy and competent execution. . . .

http://www.americablog.com/2010/10/tarp-may-only-cost-50-billion.html
TARP may only cost $50 billion

US/Pakistan meltdown

http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2010/10/holbrooke-on-us-pakistan-relationship-its-complicated/63889/
[Richard Holbrooke] “It’s complicated . . .”

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/01/world/asia/01peshawar.html
Signaling Tensions, Pakistan Shuts NATO Route

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/09/new-poll-pakistanis-hate-the-drones-back-suicide-attacks-on-u-s-troops
Pakistanis Hate the Drones, Back Suicide Attacks on U.S. Troops

Still hiring Blackwater

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/10/exclusive-blackwater-wins-piece-of-10-billion-merc-deal/

Will Pete Rouse be better for the White House than Rahm Emanuel?

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/why_the_rouse_era_wont_be_any.html

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/10/inside-white-house

http://washingtonindependent.com/99334/are-rahm-emanuel-and-pete-rouse-really-opposites

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2010/10/white-house-staffers-welcome-peter-rouse/63903/

“Surging”

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/1/906612/-Nope,-American-Taliban-dont-believe-in-violence
TIME's Barton Gellman takes a look at the surging militia movement . . . [read on]

More: http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/right-wing-terror-returns-to-oregon

Ha ha. Typical (part 1)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/10/01/lindsey-graham-glenn-beck_n_746545.html
[Lindsey Graham] One year ago today, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) caused a stir within conservative circles when he mocked and criticized Fox News personality Glenn Beck. The conservative host, Graham said, was something of a charlatan, whose show presented a cynical take on politics and society that was antithetical to American values.

"Only in America can you make that much money crying," Graham said at the time. "Glenn Beck is not aligned with any party. He is aligned with cynicism . . .”

[Now] "I'm not worried about Glenn Beck," he told the Huffington Post. "He has got a big following and created a lot of energy to get Washington to spend less. So all and all, he has been a positive force."

Ha ha. Typical (part 2)

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/1/906910/-CA-Gov:-Meg-Whitman-no-longer-delighted-to-take-polygraph-test
[Meg Whitman said] ... she would take a polygraph test to prove she did not know her housekeeper was undocumented "If it comes to that."

"I would be delighted to do that," Whitman said.

[On Thursday, from Meg Whitman's spokeswoman] "She'll take a lie detector test when Jerry Brown and the accuser submit to a lie detector."

Linda McMahon, Wrestling Mama, has a bad week

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/1/906959/-CT-Sen:-Linda-McMahons-horrible,-no-good-24-hours

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/does-linda-mcmahon-oppose-the-minimum-wage.php

http://crooksandliars.com/heather/linda-mcmahon-thinks-we-ought-review-minim

Sharron Angle thinks “sharia law” has already taken root in the US

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/025944.php

What. A. Nut.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/odonnell_i_tried_to_be_a_hare_krishna_failed.php
In his latest trip to the O'Donnell vaults, Bill Maher gets an old video of Christine O'Donnell telling Bill that after being a witch she tried to become a Hare Krishna but ended up not being able to stick with it because you had to be a vegetarian and she liked meatballs too much. . . .

The NRSC smells a loser: http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/10/nrsc_still_bagging_on_delaware.php
[John Cornyn] It's no secret that I believed Mike Castle would have won that race handily We will be supporting Christine O'Donnell as appropriate if that race is competitive. Right now it looks like it is not as competitive as other places around the country. . . .

You can’t divorce the absolutism and anti-rationalism of some the teabag candidates from their theocratic roots

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/just-dont-call-them-theocrats-part-xxiv.html
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Sharron Angle describes her motivation for seeking elected office as a religious calling. . . .

“When God calls you, he also equips you . . .” [read on]

http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/politics/2010/September/ODonnell-Gods-Keeping-Me-in-the-Race/
In an exclusive interview with CBN News, Delaware Republican Senate candidate Christine O'Donnell said God is keeping her in the race. . . .

http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2010/05/sarah-palins-theocracy-america-should.html
[Sarah Palin] America Should Be Ruled By Biblical Law

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/09/03/miller-campaign-funded-by_n_705370.html
Alaska Republican Joe Miller is telling his supporters that he is refusing to take corporate and out-of-state money, yet the Tea-Party-backed candidate has hired a prominent K Street fundraiser to help with his bid for the Senate.

Miller, to date, has relied extensively on the Lord to raise funds for his Senate run, his campaign told supporters in an email . . . "So far the Lord has always provided the money in this grass roots campaign, and this time God is going to use you to provide!" Miller's campaign told supporters . . .

More: http://atheism.about.com/b/2010/09/04/theocratic-tea-party-out-of-the-closet.htm

http://www.religiousrightwatch.com/2010/07/meet-the-theocratic-tea-party-and-its-inner-city-prayer-warrior-cousin.html

http://www.talk2action.org/story/2010/7/11/10537/8280

File this under “What was he THINKING?”

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/10/what_rick_sanchez_said_about_c.html
[Rick Sanchez] I'm telling you that everybody who runs CNN is a lot like Stewart, and a lot of people who run all the other networks are a lot like Stewart. And to imply that somehow they -- the people in this country who are Jewish -- are an oppressed minority? Yeah. [read on]

More: http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/10/cnns-rick-sanchez-jon-stewart-is-a-bigot----and-jews-dont-count-as-an-oppressed-minority-audio.php

http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/rick-sanchez-loses-it-calls-jon-stewa

Of course: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/02/business/media/02cnn.html
CNN Fires Rick Sanchez

Bonus item: “Battle for America”

http://www.slate.com/id/2269303/

The trailer: http://www.battleforamericamovie.com/trailer.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.***

GOING TO THE BENCH

Their empty “pledges” aside, the Repubs have mastered winning campaigns and THEN surprising people with what they actually plan to do

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/shhh-dont-tell-rubes-what-we-plan-until.html
Paul Ryan is concerned that if people find out what it is he really proposes to do with social security that people might not want to vote for Republicans. . . .

Bill Clinton understands how politics is played today (thanks to Ben R. for the link)

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/joe_conason/2010/09/15/clintontea/index.html
Clinton's warning: Tea Party is a corporate front

Rahm out: meet the new guy, Pete Rouse

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/09/30/AR2010093007155.html

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/ezra-klein/2010/09/who_is_pete_rouse.html

Stimulus money “well spent”

http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/09/no-good-deed-goes-unpunished
"Certainly, the fraud and waste element has been smaller than I think anything anybody anticipated," said Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan watchdog group. . . .

Austan Goolsbee, new head of Obama’s Council of Economic Advisors, explains the tax cut debate, clearly and effectively. Why didn’t they lead off with this sort of thing?

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_09/025920.php



The Dems’ big plans for the lame duck session after the election – and how the Repubs will try to block them

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/09/big_fight_brewin.php

Should Dems just embrace the new fundraising reality, post Citizens United?

http://washingtonindependent.com/99192/are-attacks-on-citizens-united-hurting-democrats-bottom-line

http://www.americablog.com/2010/09/many-big-donors-pulling-support-for.html

Oooh, ouch!

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/09/helluva_spot.php
Meg Whitman has denied for two days that she and her husband ever received the Social Security Administration letter which suggests she knew that her maid was in the US illegally.

Now she's admitting that ... well, maybe they did get it. And yeah the handwriting on the letter is probably her husband's.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/9/30/906755/-CA-Gov:-Meg-Whitmans-housekeeper-plot-thickens
CA-Gov: Meg Whitman's housekeeper plot thickens

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/arrest_meg_whitman_housekeeper_says_conservative_i.php
Conservative Immigration Group: Arrest Meg Whitman, And Her Housekeeper Too

Por supuesto: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/spanish-language-ad-hits-whitman-over-undocumented-maid-issue-video.php
Spanish-Language Ad Hits Whitman Over Undocumented Maid Issue

Double ouch

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2010/09/overcompensating.php
[David Kurtz] Any single one of Christine O'Donnell's questionable claims over the past several years about her educational background might be able to be written off as a misunderstanding or miscommunication. But when you string them all together, and add in the fact that she wasn't finally awarded an undergraduate degree until this month, and it looks like a classic case of trying to overcompensate for a lack of credentials you desperately want. But whatever was going on in her head -- and really, who knows? -- it requires a very skewed reading of her history of fibbin' to conclude it was all just accidental.

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/ap-odonnells-anti-sex-evangelism-group-could-lose-tax-exempt-status.php
Delaware Republican Senate nominee Christine O'Donnell could potentially be in some further trouble -- and it doesn't have to do with her seemingly exaggerated educational background. This time, it turns out that her non-profit group could lose its tax-exempt status, due to failing to file the required tax forms. . .

Not so fast, buddy

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/joe-miller-measures-drapes----and-some-real-estate----on-visit-to-dc.php
So confident is Miller that he'll win Lisa Murkowski's Alaska Senate seat in November, he boasted last night to his over 4,000 Twitter followers that, on his trip to DC this week, he might do some house hunting. And perhaps buy some furniture. And also commission a name plaque for the door of his future Senate office. . .

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2010/09/30/murkowski_viable_as_write-in_candidate.html
Murkowski Viable as Write-In Candidate

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/craciun-poll-murkowski-leads-miller-by-11-points-in-ak-sen.php
Craciun Poll: Murkowski Leads Miller By 11 Points In AK-SEN

Yeah, WHO?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/chambliss_fires_unnamed_staffer_who_wrote_gay_slur.php
Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) said in a statement this afternoon that he has fired the staffer who wrote an offensive comment on a gay rights blog last week ["All faggots must die”]. His office declined to identify the staffer. . . .

[NB: Then, uh, how do we know he fired them?]

Fear of black voters – because they might actually, you know, VOTE

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/09/despite_dearth_of_evidence_right_wing_voter_fraud.php

Charlie Cook on the dubiousness of most polls

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2010/10/1/906725/-Abbreviated-Pundit-Round-up
My view is that most academic polling, as well as the polling sponsored by local television stations and newspapers, is dime-store junk.

The far more sophisticated polling is done by top-notch professional polling firms for campaigns, parties and major business and labor organizations. These polls are considerably more expensive and the methodology is more rigorous.

Most of these surveys are not made public, but insiders can be made aware of them. While even the most experienced and contentious political pollsters have more challenges than a generation ago, their work is still far superior and reliable. . .

As the election gets closer, more of the established polling operations will use likely voter screens, despite the greater cost. The problem is that every pollster has a different philosophy and methodology for determining a likely voter. This is where art gets added to science, and thus where political and very experienced questioners have a substantial advantage over some of the more recent arrivals in the world of surveys.

Theocracy watch

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/did-you-know-that-politicians-get-every.html
“We know that politicians get every last bit of their authority from God. We know that there are certain things that are right in the sight of God and certain things are evil in the sight of God. . . .” [read on]

Who needs health care when you believe in prayer?

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2010/09/religious-health-care.html
As president of the Alliance of Health Care Sharing Ministries, Lansberry, and his team of lobbyists, had persuaded Senate lawmakers to exempt alliance members from the individual mandate. That exemption, Lansberry said, made those ministries "an island of freedom amidst this terrible piece of reform legislation" and "the last pro-life option for Christians of faith." . . .

Fox News, GOP subsidiary (again)

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/archives/individual/2010_10/025932.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.***