ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY?

Did Obama get backed into giving Romney just the issue he needs to get the far right fired up behind him? Or did he boldly stand up for principle?

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/obama-gay-marriage-interview-abc.php
Obama Endorses Same-Sex Marriage

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/05/09/obama-confirms-support-of-marriage-equality/

http://www.salon.com/2012/05/09/e_3/

Two views

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/05/dont_be_surprised_josh.php
[WB] I don’t care what the polling on the issue says, this won’t hurt Obama in November. In fact it might help him.

This is about operating in good faith (which I would argue for the most part Obama has done) versus bad faith. On some level everybody already knows that Obama doesn’t object to gay marriage, so why should he continue to pretend he has reservations or his position is “evolving”? It’s the kabuki charade that would have had a greater chance of dragging him down. . . . [read on]

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/05/that_sinking_feeling.php
[CN] I wish I could agree with reader WB. Most of me is absolutely thrilled to see Obama boldly step forward to the right side of history. But I also have this sinking feeling: the feeling that Obama just handed the election to Romney. . . . [read on]

More views: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/09/reaction_to_obamas_evolution_on_gay_marriage.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/10/us/politics/obamas-watershed-move-on-gay-marriage.html
A Watershed Move, Both Risky and Inevitable

http://prospect.org/article/obamas-evolution-too-little-too-late
Too Little, Too Late?

http://prospect.org/article/obama-comes-out-marriage-equality
[T]here is tremendous symbolic value in taking this step. It will inspire marriage equality activists to work harder to persuade their friends and family. What’s more, as a political matter, this could help the president as he tries to reenergize young voters and increase turnout among his liberal base. . . .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/politics-moves-fast-sometimes/2012/05/09/gIQAJ75jDU_blog.html
The politics of gay marriage has moved very, very fast

http://prospect.org/article/i-am-gobsmacked
Well, I guess I'm cynical. I had a list of reasons as long as my arm for President Obama NOT to state that he favors equal marriage. My heart is turning such cartwheels that I am not sure I can write anything cogent. . . .

http://prospect.org/article/doing-right-thing-was-right-thing
Doing the Right Thing Was the Right Thing

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/barney-frank-obama-gay-marriage.php
“I do not think anybody is going to switch his or her opinion on him because of this,” [Barney] Frank said shortly after Obama’s announcement Wednesday afternoon. “I believe that if you are someone who was going to be so influenced by your position on same-sex marriage, then you would already be against Obama before this . . .”

I love headlines that tell you you can safely skip reading the story

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/same-sex-marriage-how-will-it-play-politically/2012/05/09/gIQAm9hCEU_story.html
Obama’s gay-marriage stance brings uncertain political fallout

Shep!

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/shep-smith-gop-is-on-wrong-side-of
Fox News anchor Shepard Smith suggested that Republicans were on “the wrong side of history” when it comes to the issue.

“I am curious whether you believe in this time of rising debt and medical issues and all the rest, if Republicans would go out on a limb and try to make this a campaign issue while sitting very firmly without much question on the wrong side of history,” he asked reporter Ed Henry. . . .

Still, it IS Fox News: http://www.americablog.com/2012/05/fox-news-obama-flip-flops-declares-war.html

Classic Roveanism: Get out front by accusing your opponent of just what you are doing yourself

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/05/romney_obama_is_now_a_flip-flopper.php
Romney: Obama Is Now A Flip-Flopper

But where DOES Willard stand on the issue? Why he can't fully take advantage

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/05/romney_hedging_on_civil_unions.php
Romney Hedging on Civil Unions?

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/09/11620380-creating-a-clear-contrast-on-marriage-equality

Willard Gets Testy!

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/romney-gets-testy-after-questions-on-gay-marriage

I’ve never understood the Log Cabin Republicans. As a self-respecting gay person, how do you back a party that is openly homophobic, encourages the most hateful and bigoted segments of society, and suppresses gay rights at every opportunity?

Still, even I wouldn’t have expected them to ATTACK Obama over supporting same-sex marriage. But they just did

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/05/offensive_and_callous.php

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/09/1090214/-Obama-and-marriage-equality-Conservative-reaction-roundup

Interesting: http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/richard-grenell-obama-on-right-side-of-history.html
Romney's Openly Gay Former Foreign-Policy Spokesman Says Obama on 'Right Side of History' With Equality Stand

Just numbers

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/obama-big-government-reagan-bush.php
What Gov’t Job Cuts Have Done To The Unemployment Rate

More: http://crooksandliars.com/susie-madrak/wsj-columnist-government-layoffs-maki

ALEC – know your enemy

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/states-quietly-exempt-alec-lobbying-rules-w
In the wake of Common Cause's complaint to them about ALEC abusing their non-profit status by functioning as lobbyists, they've squawked about how it's all just a left-wing conspiracy to destroy them.

Yet, even as they squawk, news is emerging that in at least three separate states, legislation was passed exempting them from lobbying laws. . . [read on]

What would Michele Bachmann say about a presidential candidate who suddenly declares dual citizenship . . . with Switzerland?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/09/1090095/-Michele-Bachmann-decides-to-become-citizen-of-Switzerland-in-socialist-Europe-

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/post/does-michele-bachmann-know-about-same-sex-marriage-in-switzerland/2012/05/09/gIQAQPdAEU_blog.html

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/09/11617122-michele-bachmann-swiss-citizen

Defeated GOP moderate Richard Lugar lashes out at the radicalization and intransigence of his party. First, here’s his victorious opponent, Richard Mourdock:

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/dick-lugar-doesnt-go-quietly.php
“I have a mindset that says bipartisanship ought to consist of Democrats coming to the Republican point of view,” Mourdock said on Fox

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/richard-mourdock-compromise-means-democrats-
What I hear you say is you are not going to compromise," CNN host Soledad O'Brien observed. "In fact, the only compromise you'll do is really getting other people on the other side of the aisle to your side of the aisle, which I guess is the definition against compromise."

"It is the definition of political effectiveness," Mourdock replied. . . . [read on]

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/dick-lugar-doesnt-go-quietly.php
[Lugar] He and I share many positions, but his embrace of an unrelenting partisan mindset is irreconcilable with my philosophy of governance and my experience of what brings results for Hoosiers in the Senate. In effect, what he has promised in this campaign is reflexive votes for a rejectionist orthodoxy and rigid opposition to the actions and proposals of the other party. His answer to the inevitable roadblocks he will encounter in Congress is merely to campaign for more Republicans who embrace the same partisan outlook. He has pledged his support to groups whose prime mission is to cleanse the Republican party of those who stray from orthodoxy as they see it.

More: http://prospect.org/article/lugar-sounds-alarm-against-gop-extremism

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/09/11617626-redefining-compromise

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_05/the_slow_but_very_steady_demis037235.php
The Slow But Very Steady Demise of Republican Moderates

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/09/purging_of_the_senate_republicans.html
Nate Silver notes that of the 27 most moderate Republican senators who served in 2007, at most six will return to the Congress in 2013: John McCain, Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Thad Cochran, Lamar Alexander and Charles Grassley . . .

The kind of people they are

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/republicans_complain_about_fbi_scrubbing_anti-muslim_materials.php
Right-wing blogs have been complaining for months about the FBI’s decision to purge less than one percent of their counterterrorism training materials which a review found contained inaccurate, and often inflammatory information about Islam. On Wednesday, a few members of Congress joined the fight to get that biased information reinstated. . . [read on]

The coming war in Wisconsin

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/09/taking_toxic_politics_to_a_new_level.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/scott-walkers-extreme-hypocrisy-on-milwaukee-jobs/2012/05/09/gIQAhlsRDU_blog.html

Crappy newspaper writing

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/house-to-vote-on-gop-plan-that-would-spare-pentagon-from-deep-cuts/2012/05/09/gIQAawkDEU_story.html
The House is expected to vote Thursday on a Republican plan that would spare the Pentagon from the deep across-the-board spending cuts envisioned as part of last summer’s debt-ceiling agreement, reviving what has been an emotional debate . . . .

Actually: http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/patty-murray-paul-ryan-gop-poverty-defense-cuts.php
House Republicans advanced a measure Monday that shifts automatic defense spending cuts the parties agreed to last August as part of a bipartisan debt-limit deal to domestic programs aimed at mitigating poverty and working-class struggles. . . .

Bonus item: The kind of man he is

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/jonah_goldberg_pulitzer_book_penguin.php
Conservative Author Jonah Goldberg’s Book Falsely Claims Pulitzer Nominations

***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.***

OH, MAN

The Liar breaks new ground – even for him

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/romney-ill-take-lot-of-credit-for-auto
Romney: ‘I’ll Take A Lot Of Credit’ For Auto Rescue

Reactions: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/kerry-laughs-at-romneys-claim-to-credit-for
“I just – he cannot be serious,” [John] Kerry told TPM in the Capitol Tuesday. . .

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/romneys-auto-rescue-claims-dont-hold-up.php
“I’ve read, I think, everything Romney’s had to say on this subject, and the level of flip-flopping and dissembling is truly mind-boggling,” Steve Rattner, the “auto czar” who advised the White House on the auto rescue, told TPM. “He’s been on every side of the auto rescue at different times and said different things, so it’s hard to know what he honestly thinks.” . . .

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/08/11597102-romney-wants-a-lot-of-credit-for-policy-he-condemned
[Steve Benen] I've come to expect quite a bit of dishonesty from Romney, who seems a little too comfortable working from the assumption that he can say literally anything and quite a few voters will believe his nonsense.

But even by Romney standards, this is just laughable. . . .

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/05/07/romney-taking-credit-for-auto-industry-success/
The Obama campaign pounced on Romney's statement Monday night, calling it "a new low in dishonesty" and calling on him to have "the courage and integrity" to admit he was wrong. . .

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/scarce/mitt-romney-takes-credit-saving-auto-indust

The Liar’s flip-flopping is putting those who want to support him in a difficult spot – unless they want to be flip-floppers too

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/auto-bailout-romney-republicans-bankruptcy.php
As long as Mitt Romney publicly claims credit for the auto industry’s recovery, he’s going to put his fellow Republicans on Capitol Hill in an awkward position. Nearly all of them have attacked the Obama administration’s bailout in exceptionally harsh terms, despite the fact that the administration’s actions are widely understood to have saved the industry.

In the Capitol on Tuesday, two Senate Republicans struggled to respond. . . . “Romney said that he was responsible for the auto bailout?” asked Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) in disbelief . . .[read on]

More: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/rnc-not-ready-to-discuss-immigration
The RNC’s Hispanic Outreach Director Bettina Inclan said at a pen and pad session with reporters Tuesday that she cannot comment on Mitt Romney’s position on immigration because she doesn’t know what it is. . . .

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/08/1089765/-Romney-s-position-on-immigration-is-so-clear-his-own-people-don-t-understand-it
[Bettina Inclan, back from the woodshed] A short while later. . . “I misspoke, Romney's position on immigration is clear”

The Amnesia Candidate

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-amnesia-candidate/2012/05/08/gIQARwLzAU_blog.html

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_05/mitts_latest_big_speech_big_li037217.php

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_05/mitts_latest_big_speech_big_li_1037218.php

Getting to know potential VP Rob Portman

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/08/rob_portman_as_a_chicken.html

The death of moderate Republicanism is almost complete – and that puts some races in play the Dems couldn’t otherwise have contested

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/lugar-loses-indiana-primary-to-mourdock.php
The embarrassing defeat for {Richard] Lugar caps off a 35-year career in the Senate and puts another nail in the coffin of centrist Republican political thought in government . . . [read on]

More: http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/08/moderate-republicans-fall-away-in-the-senate/

http://prospect.org/article/difference-between-republican-moderates-and-democratic-moderates

Can the Dems hold the Senate now?

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/07/1089544/-Democrats-have-a-solid-chance-to-maintain-control-of-Senate

The GOPers return to their obstructive ways

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/senate-gop-returns-to-obstruction-after-brief-detour.php

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/08/1089807/-Republican-s-filibuster-addiction-continues-unabated

The GOPers turn U.S. Capitol space over to the worst of the theocrats

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/08/11598257-congress-lends-statuary-hall-to-religious-right-activists

More: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/#47347504

North Carolina passes sweeping anti-gay bill

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/problem-with-states-rights-part-745.html

Dopes

http://www.americablog.com/2012/05/white-house-tours-for-fetuses-sorry-it.html
Anti-abortion conservatives are trying to claim that the White House counts fetuses as people for the purpose of White House tours. Now stay with me here, because this is really, really, really, really hard to understand. . . . [read on]

More: http://tbogg.firedoglake.com/2012/05/08/fake-newspaper-faked-out-by-faker-news-source/

Just don’t call them misogynists

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/it-all-started-with-that-bitch-eve.html
“I think that one of the greatest mistakes America made was to allow women the opportunity to vote,” Peterson says. . . [read on]

Bonus item: Hillary

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/08/bonus_quote_of_the_day.html
I feel so relieved to be at the stage I'm at in my life right now. Because you know if I want to wear my glasses I'm wearing my glasses. If I want to wear my hair back I'm pulling my hair back. You know at some point it's just not something that deserves a lot of time and attention."

-- Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, in an interview with CNN, on a photograph of her "without makeup, except lipstick, wearing thick rimmed glasses during a recent news conference in Dhaka, Bangladesh."

***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.***

THRILLER

Rob Portman – the perfect Romney VP

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_05/toughguy_portman037165.php
[Ed Kilgore] You know, I’m really beginning to enjoy the mini-campaign underway to puff Ohio Sen. Rob Portman into something other than a boring Beltway conservative lifer who’s more or less the default-drive Veep option. Last week we had the exciting news that in the barrios of America, Hispanic voters are practically chanting his name, so inoffensive are his views about immigration (and he learned Spanish in college!).

Now we learn that this mild-mannered party hack has been auditioning as an attack dog . . . [read on]

Should be the question of the campaign

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_05/autopresident037160.php
[Paul Waldman] [I]f Mitt Romney’s experience in private equity gives him such unique understanding of the economy, why is what he proposes exactly what you’d hear from any Republican . . .? [read on]

More: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/05/romneys-business-schtick-probably-not-much-winner

http://prospect.org/article/would-president-romney-support-stimulus

The making of a “controversy”: Willard can’t get the wingers to like him, but he can use a fabricated outrage over same-sex marriage to get them angry with Obama – and the administration’s own gobbledygook on the issue doesn’t help matters

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/obama-team-struggles-on-gay-marriage-questions/2012/05/07/gIQAjDLm8T_blog.html
Obama team struggles on gay marriage

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/white-house-spokesman-grilled-over-bidens-same-sex-marriage-comments/2012/05/07/gIQAYv0c8T_story.html
White House spokesman grilled over Biden’s same-sex marriage comments

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/timeline-pressure-mounts-on-obama-to-complete-his-evolution-on-gay-marriage.php
Pressure Mounts On Obama

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/05/07/the-obama-campaigns-marriage-equality-conundrum/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/the-white-houses-ridiculous-dance-on-gay-marriage/2012/05/07/gIQAmatq8T_blog.html

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/07/what_is_obamas_position_on_gay_marriage.html

http://prospect.org/article/no-one-trusts-obamas-evolution

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/07/11577069-the-next-step-in-the-marriage-equality-evolution

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/axelrod-tries-to-clean-up-bidens-gay-marriage-mess/2012/05/07/gIQARzJG8T_blog.html

Remember: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/cheap-and-tawdry-political-tricks-when.html
[Digby] I certainly get why liberals are sick and tired of the silly dance the administration's doing on gay marriage, particularly after the controversy over Biden's comments this week-end. Come on, this isn't buying them even one vote and it's insulting to people's intelligence.

Still, nothing beats the sheer chutzpah of the right wingers decrying the administration's "confusing" rhetoric and demanding that they clarify their position. Let's take a little trip back in time to 2004, when Lynn and Dick Cheney, parents of an openly gay daughter, turned the issue into an incomprehensible mush . . . [read on]

“Treason”? TREASON???!

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/she-the-people/post/mitts-mormon-moment/2012/05/07/gIQAx8x68T_blog.html
According to the Post’s Phil Rucker, who was with Romney in Euclid, Ohio, the presumptive Republican nominee was answering questions at a town-hall style rally when a woman asked him what he would do as president to “restore our Constitution in this country,’’ given that President Obama “should be tried for treason.”

Many in the crowd of 500 responded by applauding the woman, and the candidate had this to say: “I happen to believe that the Constitution was not just brilliant, but probably inspired. I believe the same thing about the Declaration of Independence.”

Which was not exactly on point, and not at all a stand-up response. . . .

More: http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/obama-camp-romney-should-have-stood-up-to

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/07/1089521/-Why-did-Mitt-Romney-invite-treason-accuser-to-elaborate-
This will probably be overlooked, but Mitt Romney didn't merely fail to reject the accusation of treason made against President Obama by a Romney supporter earlier today, he also invited that very same supporter to cite specifics—and when she did, Romney said he would be "happy to" look into them. . . .

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/bring-on-the-crazy/2012/05/07/gIQAf68b8T_blog.html
Fairness aside, what’s interesting is how normal this sort of thing has come to sound. Even if they would never endorse an open declaration that Obama is guilty of treason, many mainstream Republicans have been cheerfully feeding the right’s paranoia about Obama for literally years now, albeit in slightly less lurid terms. . . .

Remember: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/07/11582669-romneys-cowardice-keeps-getting-in-the-way
Four years ago, shortly before the presidential campaign, John McCain was participating in a town-hall forum, and heard from a voter who wanted to share a concern. "I can't trust Obama," she said. "I have read about him and he's not, he's not uh, he's an Arab."

The Republican nominee, to his credit, took back the microphone and said, "No, ma'am. He's a decent family man [and] a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues and that's what this campaign's all about. He's not [an Arab]."

Mitt Romney in 2012 is a very different kind of candidate, and we were reminded of that this afternoon. . . .

Feel the enthusiasm!

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/05/like_a_thief_in_the_night.php
Santorum releases 11 pm email endorsing Mitt Romney. . .

Yawn: http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/santorum-endorses-romney-finally.html

What is Ron Paul going to do with all his delegates at the GOP convention?

http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/DC-Decoder/Decoder-Wire/2012/0507/Why-Ron-Paul-s-big-wins-in-Maine-and-Nevada-matter-video

http://www.salon.com/2012/05/07/the_ron_paul_plot_thickens/

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_05/paulapalooza037156.php

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/07/11577671-ron-paul-backers-make-gops-lives-more-complicated

No limits

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/05/there-anything-left-conservatives-wont-believe-about-obama
Is There Anything Left That Conservatives Won't Believe About Obama?

Bonus item: Swiftboat ad tints Obama’s skin

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/05/obama-street-thug

***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.***

TAKING CREDIT

Hardball

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/team-obama-stays-on-offense-in-bin-laden-spat.php
The Obama re-election campaign doesn’t appear fazed by attacks from the right about “politicizing” the killing of Osama bin Laden, and on Sunday remained on offense over what it said was one of the president’s accomplishments.

“The president hasn’t been spiking the ball,” said President Obama’s senior campaign adviser David Axelrod on ABC’s This Week. “This was the one-year anniversary. It’s part of his record. And it’s certainly a legitimate part of his record to talk about.” Axelrod said Obama followed through with his promise that catching the al-Qaeda leader would be a top priority. “And then he ordered a mission that was — was, frankly, risky, dangerous,” he said. “Bob Gates said it was one of the most courageous, one of the gutsiest decisions he’s ever seen a president make. And it turned out successfully.” . . .

Absolutely true: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/06/david-axelrod-bin-laden-raid-romney_n_1489374.html
David Axelrod: Romney Would Be Slamming Us If The Bin Laden Raid Failed

Wow. Willard keeps polishing his halo of inevitability – and Ron Paul keeps winning delegates

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/ron-paul-wins-majority-of-nevada-delegates/2012/05/06/gIQA1An15T_blog.html

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/ron-paul-wins-majority-of-maine-delegates.html

I’m sure Willard wants to hear John McCain’s advice on how to pick a VP

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/mccain-cant-escape-palin-no-matter-how.html
This morning on ABC’s This Week, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., weighed in on Mitt Romney’s hotly anticipated vice presidential pick. The former presidential candidate’s advice was clear.

“The absolute, most important aspect is, if something happened to him, would that person be well qualified to take that place?” said McCain. “I happen to believe that was the primary factor in my decision in 2008. And I know it will be Mitt’s.” . . .

More: http://news.firedoglake.com/2012/05/06/abcs-tapper-asks-john-mccain-for-advice-on-picking-a-vp/

Really? Very stupid, if true

http://www.americablog.com/2012/05/ted-nugent-says-romney-camp-asked-him.html
Ted Nugent says Romney camp asked him to continue using violent language. . . And the Romney camp is refusing to deny the story. . .

What part of “AGREED TO” don’t they understand?

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/gop-defense-cuts-poverty-poor.php
As Congress returns from recess this week, House Republicans are set to advance legislation to replace automatic defense spending cuts they agreed to last year with cuts to programs for the poor and working class. The controversial measure is expected to pass the House and die in the Senate . . . [read on]

Super PACs aren’t just ruining federal elections

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/super_pacs_states_congress.php

What now for Europe?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/wonkbook-what-does-europe-want-to-do-now/2012/05/07/gIQAWKSf7T_blog.html

http://firedoglake.com/2012/05/07/people-versus-austerity-weekend/

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/francois-hollande-wins-french-presidential-election.html

In case you missed the Sunday talk shows

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/06/tv-soundoff-sunday-talkin_n_1489018.html

David Gregory – keeps letting the Republicans write his script

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/david-gregory-repeats-republicans-talking-p
David Gregory Repeats Republicans Talking Points on Stimulus and Unemployment Numbers

More: http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/david-gregory-allows-ed-gillespie-distort-b
David Gregory Allows Ed Gillespie to Distort Bush's Record on Job Creation

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/david-gregory-carries-more-water-republica
David Gregory Carries More Water for Republicans and Their Obstruction in the Senate

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal/2011_11/if_its_sunday_its_meet_the_gop033466.php
If it’s Sunday, it’s ‘Meet the GOP Talking Points’

Bonus item: Uhh . . . Newt? Nobody’s asking

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/06/newt-gingrich-romney-vp_n_1489546.html
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich had some blunt advice for Mitt Romney as the presumptive Republican nominee looks for a vice presidential nominee: Don't pick him. . . .

***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.***

TOTALLY UNFAIR

(But who cares. . .)

Obama versus Romney: a sociological analysis

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/04/what_does_it_mean_1.php
We know that President Obama is heavily reliant this year — even more than in 2008 — on sub-$200 donors, something that is especially anomalous for a sitting president. And close election watchers know that Mitt Romney is extremely dependent on a relatively small number of big dollar donors. . . . [read on]

We’ll hear this one again

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/05/bonus_quote_of_the_day.html
"Corporations aren't people. People are people."

-- President Obama

The Repubs under Bush HOWLED at any “interference” by Congress into foreign affairs

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/chen-guangcheng-case-republican-senators-urge-asylum-despite-deal/2012/05/05/gIQAqzIH4T_story.html
Two Republican senators plan to introduce a congressional resolution urging the Obama administration to grant blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng political asylum despite a tentative deal already struck on Friday to bring him to the United States.

An early draft of the resolution by Sens. Kelly Ayotte (N.H.) and Lindsey Graham (S.C.) included criticism of the Obama administration’s handling of of the diplomatic crisis, support for Chen’s work in China against forced abortions and language chastizing China. . . .

Bill Kristol!

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/bloody-bill-kristol-calls-romneys-attacks-o
Yesterday Mitt Romney attacked President Obama over the administration’s handling of Chinese dissident Chen Guangcheng. Citing “very troubling developments,” Romney said yesterday was “a dark day for freedom and it’s a day of shame for the Obama administration.”

Last night on Fox News, Bill Kristol advised Romney to stand down on the Chen case, calling his attacks on Obama “foolish”:

KRISTOL: I’m happy to be critical of the Obama administration as anyone is, but I think this is fast moving story. And if I were advising Governor Romney, I’d say you don’t need to get in the middle of this story. If this turns out badly, and it would be a terrible thing, it will turn out badly. People will know. … To inject yourself into the middle of this way with a fast moving target I think is foolish. [...]

There is no need to butt into a fast moving story when the secretary of state is in Beijing with delicate negotiations and say it’s a day of shame for the Obama administration. . . .

A day after Mitt Romney spoke of a "day of shame for the Obama administration" for its role in protecting a dissident in China who sought shelter at the American embassy, the presumptive GOP presidential nominee on Friday appeared to be softening his words . . .

Romney takes a gratuitous swipe at Jimmy Carter – and this backfires too

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/chris-matthews-blasts-mitt-romney-taking-s

What would Obama do in a second term?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/if-obama-wins-what-would-he-do-in-a-second-term/2012/05/04/gIQANPsx1T_story.html

The Sunday talk show line-ups

http://firedoglake.com/2012/05/06/sunday-talking-heads-may-6-2012/
ABC’s This Week: Host: Jake Tapper. Obama campaign senior adviser David Axelrod. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ). Roundtable: George Will, former Obama economic adviser Austan Goolsbee, Romney campaign adviser and president of The American Cause Bay Buchanan, Tavis Smiley, and Fox News anchor Greta Van Susteren.

CBS’ Face the Nation: Newt Gingrich. Rep. Michele Bachmann R-MN). Jobs Numbers with Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and former Vermont Governor Howard Dean. Foreign affairs with Zbigniew Brzezinski. Roundtable: The Wall Street Journal’s Peggy Noonan, The Washington Post’s Michael Gerson, Mother Jones’ David Corn, and CBS News’ John Dickerson.

CNN’s State of the Union: Newt Gingrich. Former Gov. Ted Strickland (D-OH) and former Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA) discussing these two battle ground states. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Rep. Mike Rogers (R-MI) both just returned from Afghanistan. Jobs Roundtable: National Journal’s Major Garrett and budgeters Douglas Holtz-Eakin, and Alice Rivlin.

NBC’s Meet the Press: Vice President Joe Biden. Roundtable: Mitt Romney supporter Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH); Chief Economist from Mesirow Financial Diane Swonk; Chuck Todd; Tom Brokaw.

Bonus item: I don’t even know where to begin . . .

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/05/1088907/-Saturday-hate-mail-a-palooza-Hitching-up-with-a-Republican-senator

***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.***

JOBBED

Behind the jobs report numbers: unemployment rate drops, but. . .

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/04/1082845/-Another-month-of-weak-job-growth-as-the-official-unemployment-rate-drops-to-8-1-U6-at-14-5-

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/04/11537143-job-totals-disappoint-again-but-overall-rate-inches-lower

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/05/chart-day-obama-record-jobs

http://prospect.org/article/look-revisions

On the other hand: http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/05/another-anemic-jobs-report-april

http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2012/05/04/aprils-jobs-americans-arent-working/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/the-incredible-shrinking-labor-force/2012/05/04/gIQANXAy1T_blog.html

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/labor-force-participation-is-lower-than-it-has-been-in-30-years----why-it-matters-and-why-it-doesnt.php

Willard tries to exploit the issue – and says something stupid

http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/david/romney-attacks-obama-not-keeping-unemploymen

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/holtz-eakin-romneys-four-percent-unemployment-target-is

The Romney campaign, in one sentence

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-morning-plum-the-premise-of-mitt-romneys-candidacy/2012/05/04/gIQAVAq60T_blog.html
Central to that argument is the premise of Romney’s whole candidacy: That you can run American like a corporation . . . [read on]

More: http://prospect.org/article/romneys-greatest-asset

Gutless coward

http://pamshouseblend.firedoglake.com/2012/05/04/romney-on-grenell-resignation-we-don%E2%80%99t-select-people-based-on-%E2%80%98their-sexual-preference%E2%80%99/
Romney on Grenell resignation: We Don’t Select People Based On ‘Their Sexual Preference’

[NB: No, but when the religious right howls, we DO put them in hiding.]

Steve Benen continues his chronicling of the Liar’s lies

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/04/11541783-chronicling-mitts-mendacity-vol-xvi
Vol. XVI

You know when the Romney surrogates start talking about Rob Portman as a pro-Latino VP choice, they are serious about choosing him

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_05/great_white_hope037122.php

No, the GOPers would never politicize national security issues

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/gop-osama-bin-laden-then-and-now.php

The kind of people they are

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/leading-house-goper-chastises-right-wing-group-for-comparing-climate-change-believers-to-madment/2012/05/04/gIQAfI521T_blog.html
As you may have heard, the Heartland Institute, a right-wing anti-climate-science think tank, has launched a billboard campaign that’s getting widely pilloried on the Web — it compares people who accept climate science as legitimate to Osama Bin Laden, Charles Manson, and the Unabomber. . . .

More: http://prospect.org/article/you-know-who-else-had-six-letters-his-first-name-hitler

http://andrewsullivan.thedailybeast.com/2012/05/the-right-and-the-climate-a-new-low.html
[Andrew Sullivan] Large sections of the American right are now close to insane as well as depraved. . . .

What a surprise. In our hereditary political system, Liz Cheney floats her ambitions

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/05/liz_cheney_eyeing_bid.html

The problem with CNN

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/why-is-no-one-watching-cnn.html
Why Is No One Watching CNN?

More: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/04/cnn-is-terrible-heres-why_n_1478927.html

Fox News thinks public works projects are a lousy way to solve unemployment. Unless. . . .

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/fox-news-public-works-projects-chris-christie.php

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/04/1088724/-Fox-News-Stealth-GOP-super-PAC
Fox News: Stealth Republican Super PAC

Colin Powell faced a moral test, and he failed it. I can’t feel sorry for him now

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/04/1088824/-Colin-Powell-so-so-sad-he-can-t-erase-blot-on-his-reputation-

Bonus item: “Chensanity”

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/jon-stewart-chen-guangcheng-china.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.***

HEY! GUESS WHO?

Fascinating

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/bin_laden_documents_released.php
“They are not to target visits by US Vice President Biden, Secretary of Defense Gates, Joint Chiefs of Staff (Chairman) Mullen, or the Special Envoy to Pakistan and Afghanistan Holbrook,” bin Laden continued. “The groups will remain on the lookout for Obama or Petraeus. The reason for concentrating on them is that Obama is the head of infidelity and killing him automatically will make Biden take over the presidency for the remainder of the term, as it is the norm over there. Biden is totally unprepared for that post, which will lead the US into a crisis.” [read on]

Lots more: http://www.emptywheel.net/2012/05/03/the-bin-laden-document-dump

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/05/bin-laden-documents/

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/osama-bin-laden-lying-faisal-shahzad.html

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/al-qaedas-secret-thoughts-on-american-media.html

Bad news

http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2012/05/03/obama-administration-moves-to-censor-torture-testimony-from-911-suspects/
Five individuals suspected of being involved in plotting the September 11th attacks are due for arraignment on May 5. They are to be formally charged with “terrorism-related crimes that could bring the death penalty if the defendants are convicted.” And, as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reports, the government under the Obama administration is moving to censor any testimony from the individuals on torture or inhumane treatment they experienced while detained in CIA “secret” prisons.

A motion [PDF] challenging the possible censoring of testimony alleges the government has proposed a “protective order that would permit the government to suppress defendants’ statements about their detention and treatment, including torture and other abuse, in US custody.” . . .

Romney tries to make hay over the Guangcheng case – pretending that tough decisions would be easy (for him)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/chen-guangcheng-case-draws-republican-criticism/2012/05/03/gIQAkk23zT_story.html
“If these reports are true, this is a dark day for freedom,” Romney said. “And it’s a day of shame for the Obama administration.”

What’s really going on: http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/chen-dials-congress-seeking-asylum-in-us.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/04/world/asia/chen-guangchengs-plea-for-protection-deepens-a-crisis.html

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/05/mysterious-case-chen-guangcheng

The Liar postures with his good buddies, NYC firefighters – but his policies would hurt them

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/03/11522155-the-limits-of-transactional-politics

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/romney-coddles-government-parasites.html

Willard on global warming

http://prospect.org/article/how-romney-brilliantly-summed-gop-ideology-single-sentence

And who the hell cares what HE thinks?

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/03/11518348-rumsfeld-still-considers-himself-credible
Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/02/1088286/-Paging-Donald-Rumsfeld-you-ve-been-caught-with-your-pants-down

OK, Romney is going to be the nominee. But it might not be smooth sailing to the GOP convention

http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-faces-a-narrow-path-to-270-electoral-votes-but-his-team-remains-optimistic/2012/05/03/gIQAbw71zT_story.html
Romney faces a narrow path to 270 electoral votes . . .

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/03/paul_supporters_shake_up_the_delegate_math.html
Paul's "organizational victories … could complicate Mr. Romney's anticipated coronation at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Fla., this summer."

http://www.salon.com/2012/05/03/the_ron_paul_convention_takeover_plot/
In the past few weeks, as Romney cemented his hold on the nomination and the media turned its attention to the general election, [Ron] Paul supporters have wreaked havoc at numerous district caucuses and state conventions, producing some startling results. For instance, 20 of Iowa’s 28 national convention delegates will likely be Paul supporters – even though the Texan finished third in the state’s January caucuses with 21 percent of the vote. And 20 of the 24 delegates selected in district caucuses in Minnesota recently are Paul backers, even though he was trounced by Rick Santorum in the state’s February caucuses. Similar stories have emerged from Louisiana, Colorado and Massachusetts, with the list likely to grow. . .

Now that the Romney endorsements are flowing in from former opponents, it’s always fun to remember what they REALLY think of him

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45755884/#47287113

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/05/newt-gingrich-still-thinks-mitt-romney-lied-during-campaign/

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/04/dnc_highlights_santorum_statements.html

“It's Even Worse Than It Looks”

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/03/11521359-its-even-worse-than-it-looks

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/its-all-republicans-fault-or-is-it.html

Not as planned

http://prospect.org/article/dont-say-gay-bill-prompts-lawmaker-say-hes-gay
"Don't Say Gay" Bill Prompts Lawmaker to Say He's Gay

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/05/dont_say_gay.php
That makes him the only openly gay Republican state legislator in the country . . .

Jonah Goldberg is dumb

http://crooksandliars.com/blue-texan/jonah-goldberg-admits-his-new-book-tota
Jonah Goldberg is promoting his latest "nanny-boo-boo liberals!" coloring book, and Steve Inskeep of NPR basically got him to admit that's exactly what it is. After Inskeep smartly got Goldberg to agree that his book was railing against "politically poll-tested phrases that are designed to shut down debate rather than open it up"—Inskeep fired three fastballs by him. . . .

So what else is new? http://commentsfromleftfield.com/2009/07/jonah-goldberg-maybe-stupid-definitely-dishonest
Jonah Goldberg: Maybe Stupid, Definitely Dishonest

http://www.truthwinsout.org/blog/2010/12/13817/
Jonah Goldberg is always, consistently, one of the worst writers and least capable minds on the internet . . .

http://www.salon.com/2010/12/29/jonah_goldberg_gay_rights/
Today in incredibly stupid things Jonah Goldberg wrote

http://crooksandliars.com/blue-texan/stupid-right-wing-tweets-jonah-goldberg
Stupid Right-Wing Tweets: Jonah Goldberg Edition

Bonus item: Do YOU own a $1000 t-shirt?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-partisan/post/about-ann-romneys-1k-tee/2012/05/03/gIQAiU0wyT_blog.html

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

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

CHART OF THE DAY

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/40-years-of-workers-left-behind-chart.php

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/02/1088158/-Chart-The-illustrated-history-of-you-being-screwed-by-people-like-Mitt-Romney

And another key chart: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/stunning-income-inequality-data-of-day.html

So ex-businessman Willard Romney says economic policy is his strong suit, huh?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/comparing-romney-and-bush-has-republican-economic-thinking-changed-since-2000/2012/05/02/gIQABl0YwT_blog.html
Comparing Romney and Bush: Has Republican economic thinking changed since 2000?

More deep thinking: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/02/bonus_quote_of_the_day.html
"What I would do? People ask me, `What would you to get the economy going'? and I say, `well look at what the president's done, and do the opposite.'"

Another ringing endorsement!

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/05/02/gingrich-quits-race-prefers-romney-to-obama/
Gingrich Quits Race; Prefers Romney to Obama

So GOODBYE, already http://videocafe.crooksandliars.com/heather/long-goodbye-newts-presidential-campaign-c

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/04/newt-gingrich-best-of-video.php

And just in case you were wondering . . .

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/02/quote_of_the_day.html
"I do not think in 2020 I'll be a plausible candidate."

-- Newt Gingrich

Who said it?

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/shep-smith-politics-weird-and-creepy
"Politics is weird. And creepy. And now I know lacks even the loosest attachment to anything like reality."

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/02/1088278/-Shep-Smith-reacts-to-Mitt-Romney-reacting-to-Newt-Gingrich-quitting
You could say the same thing about Fox News.

More on Willard’s gutless refusal to stand by his guy, Richard Grenell

Watch: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#47269649

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/02/1088136/-Former-Bush-aide-on-Richard-Grenell-Mitt-Romney-Etch-A-Sketched-openly-gay-spokesman-off-campaign

We knew Bryan Fischer was a hateful bastard, but this is astounding

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/02/1088268/-Open-thread-for-night-owls-Delusional-hatemonger-Bryan-Fischer-the-media-and-discourse
“To Barack Obama, the entire United States of America is one big, giant Ku Klux Klan and the Constitution, for Barack Obama, is the membership charter for this giant Ku Klux Klan . . .” [read on]

Paul Krugman trashes Paul Ryan’s dishonest budget math

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/paul-ryan-paul-krugman-budget-deficit.php
“I’ve gone after his arithmetic and said it doesn’t add up at all. And he has never offered a response to that. All he does is make scary noises about the deficit, with mood music, with organ music in the background about how ominous it is, and then propose a plan that would in fact increase the deficit.” [read on]

Wow, just wow. . .

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/02/1087939/-Conservatives-declare-the-word-Forward-to-be-European-and-Marxist-and-stuff
Conservatives declare the word 'Forward' to be European and Marxist

More: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/forward-ho-conspiracy-theory-of-our.html

So, of course, here’s a George W. Bush 2004 campaign ad: “Forward”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnFNUzut_v0

Making a bad situation worse: how NOT to do damage control

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/north-carolina-marriage-amendment-protects-caucasian-race.php
The wife of a sponsor of North Carolina’s Amendment One, a proposed change to the state’s constitution that would ensure legal recognition only for marriage between a man and a woman, reportedly offered an eyebrow-raising explanation for her husband’s support of the measure. . . .

According to the alternative Yes! Weekly, which picked up the remarks from freelance journalist and activist Chad Nance, Jodie Brunstetter told a poll worker in Winston-Salem, N.C. Monday that the reason her husband “wrote Amendment 1 was because the Caucasian race is diminishing and we need to uh, reproduce.” . . .

Nance ultimately approached Jodie Brunstetter for clarification and he chronicled the exchange on video. . . . [read on!]

So, we all knew those right-wing vigilante groups were just a bunch of harmless wackos, right? Right?

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/jt_ready_arizona_massacre_border.php

Oh, man, something ELSE to worry about

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/05/battle-over-your-endocrine-system
The Battle Over Your Endocrine System

The state of journalism

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/05/ooops_part2.php
Politico followed by Drudge claimed that Obama never shared with readers that some of the characters in his book Dreams of My Father were composite characters. Only he says so very clearly in the preface to the book, which they failed to read . . .

Bonus item: Don’t miss it: if George W. had gotten bin Laden

Must-see: http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-may-1-2012/victory-lapse---the-anniversary-of-osama-bin-laden-s-death

***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.***

SHAMELESS

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/rumsfeld-criticizes-white-house-over-bin-laden
Donald Rumsfeld, former Secretary of Defense to President George W. Bush, took to Twitter to criticize the White House for touting President Obama’s decision to go after Osama bin Laden . . .

Because the GOPers would NEVER politicize the war on terror: http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/happy-codpiece-day-everyone.html

Never: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26315908/ns/msnbc_tv-rachel_maddow_show#47256158

Then and now

Romney, then: http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/01/romney_disagreed_on_osama_bin_laden.html
"It's not worth moving heaven and earth spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person."

Romney, now: http://news.yahoo.com/romney-tells-obama-back-off-bin-laden-issue-120710947.html
Romney . . . says it was "very disappointing for the president to try to make this a political item" by suggesting he wouldn't have ordered the raid, saying, "Of course I would have."

More: http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/01/11485197-can-we-define-politicizing

http://crooksandliars.com/jon-perr/republicans-wouldnt-shouldnt-couldnt-get-bin-laden

The theocrats command, and Willard obeys

April 24: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/04/mitt-romneys-gay-spokesman-a-milestone-in-republican-politics/256263/
The recent hiring of Richard Grenell, Mitt Romney's openly gay foreign-policy spokesman, represents a breakthrough in the world of Republican presidential campaigns. . . .

May 1: http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/gay-republicans-dismayed-as-romney-staffer-pushed-out-by-social-conservative-right.php
Seven days later, that spokesman had already stepped down, citing conservatives whose outrage over his spot in the campaign made it impossible to do his job. . . .

http://www.americablog.com/2012/05/gay-romney-spokesman-quits-because-of.html
[WP] During the two weeks after Grenell’s hiring was announced the Romney campaign did not put Grenell out to comment on national security matters and did not use him on a press foreign policy conference call. Despite the controversy in new media and in conservative circles, there was no public statement of support for Grenell by the campaign . . .

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/post/exclusive-richard-grenell-hounded-from-romney-campaign-by-anti-gay-conservatives/2012/05/01/gIQAccGcuT_blog.html

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/05/man_down_in_power_city.php

http://prospect.org/article/apparently-you-cant-be-gay-and-work-romney

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/05/01/1087979/-CNN-contributor-and-homophobe-Bryan-Fischer-declares-huge-win-against-gay-Romney-staffer

http://digbysblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/whos-his-daddy-religious-right-makes.html

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/05/01/11489342-conservatives-force-grenells-ouster

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/gay-republicans-dismayed-as-romney-staffer-pushed-out-by-social-conservative-right.php
[Bryan Fischer, American Family Association] “Given the propensity for members of the homosexual community to engage in frequent and anonymous sexual encounters, the risk to national security of having a homosexual in a high-ranking position with access to secret information is obvious.”

By the way, did you know: Pete Williams, Defense Dept official and spokesman under Dick Cheney, was gay?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3689493/ns/nbcnightlynews-about_us/t/pete-williams/#.T6EaII6bL1s

[NB: Because we know Dick Cheney was soft on security risks!]

Willard’s Swiss bank account

http://www.nationaljournal.com/2012-presidential-campaign/obama-s-new-swiss-bank-account-ad-slams-romney-20120501

No, but they think YOU have

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/has-team-romney-forgotten-about-the-bush-years/2012/05/01/gIQAgQsvtT_blog.html
Has Team Romney forgotten that the Bush years were terrible?

More: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/yes-bushs-economy-was-terrible/2012/05/01/gIQAsNNkuT_blog.html

Whee

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0412/75771.html
Think Congress is a big, dysfunctional, polarized mess?

Just wait: It’s going to get worse. . . [read on]

Yep

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/05/democrats-have-moved-right-not-left
Democrats Have Moved to the Right, Not the Left

More: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/04/30/1087693/-Conservative-Democrats-agree-Democrats-will-capitulate-on-privatizing-nbsp-Medicare-

Rupert Murdoch gets savaged by Parliament

http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entries/uk-parliamentary-report-murdoch-unfit-to-lead
“not a fit person to exercise the stewardship of a major international company.”

More: http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/news_corp_report_highlights_murdoch.php
Eight “Scathing” Passages From The News Corp. Report

http://crooksandliars.com/nicole-belle/uk-parliament-finds-rupert-murdoch-no

http://newstalgia.crooksandliars.com/gordonskene/mislead-mislead-mislead

Fox News "covers" the story: http://news.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/fox-friends-has-better-things-to-talk-about-than-rupert-murdoch.php

It’s the material

http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/04/why-arent-conservatives-as-funny-as-liberals.html
Why Aren’t Conservatives As Funny As Liberals?

Bonus item: For the cameras

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/05/01/maybe_the_pizza_was_too_heavy.html
Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani visited a New York City firehouse with each man carrying three boxes of pizza as "a gaggle of photographers, cordoned off at a safe distance, snapped away."

Moments later, and likely thinking the press pool was out of sight, New York magazine caught Romney and Giuliani unloading "all six pizzas into the arms of an aide."

Photos: http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/romney-giuliani-pizza-firehouse-photo.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.***

SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE

Romney and the Repubs haven’t quite figured out how to react to Obama’s successful pursuit of bin Laden

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/04/more_on_the_mitt_laden_smackdown.php
[Jon Meacham] Republicans are — forgive the cliché — shocked, shocked to discover that a presidential contender is “politicizing” an important national event. In this sense, “politicizing” might be best translated as “beating us up and we don’t have anything much to say to stop it.” The ad itself raises intriguing, substantive, legitimate questions — and the ferocious, sputtering Republican reaction is proof positive that they know it, or at least suspect it. . . .

http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/04/the-five-stages-of-gop-reaction-to-osama-bin-ladens-death----and-whats-next.php
The Five Stages Of GOP Reaction To Osama Bin Laden’s Death —And What’s Next

More: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/04/inside_the_mitt_laden_smackdown_1.php
Inside the Mitt Laden Smackdown

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/04/30/1087559/-Mitt-Romney-tries-to-Etch-A-Sketch-away-his-opposition-to-bin-Laden-strategy

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_04/the_bin_laden_flap037014.php

http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/30/11472854-romney-struggles-with-bin-laden-line

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/04/right_back_at_it_1.php
Also note Obama’s actual words — “I assume that people meant what they said when they said it” — another smack at Romney’s vulnerability as a perceived flip-flopper or political weathervane, and I suspect how the Chicago team plans to box Romney in. . . .

Classy

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2012/04/30/bonus_quote_of_the_day.html
"Of course, even Jimmy Carter would have given that order."

-- Mitt Romney, quoted by Politico, on whether he would have given the order to go after Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.

Reactions: http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/04/even-jimmy-carter/256558/

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/mitt-romney-undermines-his-own-argument-about-bin-laden/2012/04/30/gIQASM3AsT_blog.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036697/#47237923

The GOPers have been clever at backing the Dems into votes on bills that are politically difficult for them. Now it’s the Dems’ turn

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/04/romney-democrats-women-fair-pay.php
Next up in the Democrats’ effort to put Republicans on the wrong side of women’s issues: A new bill to combat gender-based pay disparities. . .

Willard’s uphill battle

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/post/republicans-electoral-map-problem--in-one-chart/2012/04/30/gIQAFgMMsT_blog.html

Still the Party of No

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/plum-line/post/the-party-of-no-makes-a-comeback/2012/04/30/gIQA2tVwrT_blog.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/ezra-klein/post/the-republican-party-is-severely-dysfunctional-not-severely-conservative/2012/04/30/gIQAfl42rT_blog.html

The GOP 2012 plan was to trash Obama on the economy – then it turned around. Then they were going to hammer him on unemployment – but it's slowly, unevenly improving. Then it was gas prices . . .

http://jaredbernsteinblog.com/j%E2%80%99accuse/

Oh, by the way . . .

http://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/how-obamacare-is-saving-seniors-billions-on-meds.php
How ‘Obamacare’ Is Saving Seniors Billions On Meds

Mike Wallace must be spinning in his grave

http://crooksandliars.com/karoli/whitewashing-torture-redux
[Karoli] I miss Mike Wallace and Morley Safer on 60 Minutes. I just cannot imagine them doing a two-part interview like the one CBS aired on Sunday where Lesley Stahl did a nice soft, gentle friendly interview with former CIA torture architect Jose Rodriguez. . .

http://www.emptywheel.net/2012/04/30/big-boy-pants-and-the-presidency/
Jose Rodriguez: We needed to get everybody in government to put their big boy pants on and provide the authorities that we needed. . . . [read on]

http://dissenter.firedoglake.com/2012/04/30/former-cia-spy-jose-rodriguezs-truly-sociopathic-60-minutes-interview/
“Sociopathic”

Bonus item: The Washington Times sets a record for wacky conspiracy theory convergence

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/04/30/1087627/-The-Washington-Times-kills-off-journalism-for-good
[WT] Medical examiners in Los Angeles are investigating the possible poisoning death of one of their own officials who may have worked on the case of Andrew Breitbart, the conservative firebrand who died March 1, the same day Sheriff Joe Arpaio announced probable cause for forgery in President Obama’s birth certificate. . . .

More: http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_04/the_conspiracy_widens037017.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.***