U.S. politics isolation tank

[JMohegan]

It's not gonna be Newt.

You're not going to like my reasoning but it's this:

Tall guy with cheekbones versus tall guy with cheekbones.


Forgetting your lines is unforgivable, the fact that the lines are batshit insane to begin with gets nary a mention? I guess it's too obvious.

Ha. Yeah, obvious. That must be it.

Tall Mormon with cheekbones? And a history of mandating healthcare? We'll see.

Please stick around, Netzach. This campaign's gonna be more depressing than usual, and I foresee a great need for your humor.

During my recent visit south of the border...

Next time, come East. Make that Northeast, or at least Mid-Atlantic.

And for the record, I always take my shoes off. Can't imagine why anyone wouldn't.

Oh, right, oil. I think I'd rather be an ice road trucker. Sorry, my husband loves those damn shows.

Um, I think many Americans don't take their shoes off. We do because we learned at some point that it's unhealthy to track whatever's on your shoes all over your house, but I don't think every American got that memo. I didn't realize this was an American thing though. I thought most people in non-Asian countries didn't bother taking their shoes off.

Not just oil. Fracking.

They have plenty of jobs, but not much water. Why? Bad drought, and.... wait for it...

Fracking.

http://www.austinpost.org/content/in-west-texas-rural-water-managers-struggle-track-use-fracking

What a fucking surprise.

 

[CutieMouse]

Ha. Yeah, obvious. That must be it.

Tall Mormon with cheekbones? And a history of mandating healthcare? We'll see.

Please stick around, Netzach. This campaign's gonna be more depressing than usual, and I foresee a great need for your humor.


Next time, come East. Make that Northeast, or at least Mid-Atlantic.

And for the record, I always take my shoes off. Can't imagine why anyone wouldn't.

Not just oil. Fracking.

They have plenty of jobs, but not much water. Why? Bad drought, and.... wait for it...

Fracking.

http://www.austinpost.org/content/in-west-texas-rural-water-managers-struggle-track-use-fracking

What a fucking surprise.

There will always be a strong oil/gas industry in Texas. Wind farms are picking up steam out west (land, land, land, cattle lot, land, cattle lot, cattle lot, wind farm, land...), but it doesn't matter how dry, how controversial, or how unpopular it is with the rest of the country; Texas has four industries - oil, gas, cattle, and tech.

The entire state is playing with level 3 (or worse) drought restrictions, but at the same time, fracking = jobs. As with most things, it's a complex issue.

And for the record, Pretty Boy Perry has always made my teeth itch.

 

[Jaded_One]

Fracking is a huge issue in my area.... how to resolve the need for jobs/income and energy with the continuing destruction of water and land.

Perhaps the problem with politics is trying to please too many people? There will always be some group that feels left out... though it's interesting to see that the groups with the most money, even if representing fewer people, don't seem to lose out too often.

 

[Keroin]

I thought most people in non-Asian countries didn't bother taking their shoes off.

Well, I can't vouch for all of Canada, but most Canuck households I know of are 'shoes off at the door' households and always have been. Interesting.

Next time, come East. Make that Northeast, or at least Mid-Atlantic.

Noted. Though I'll wait for warmer weather.

I've always wanted to visit Maine and Vermont.

 

[intothewoods]

Whenever I hear "fracking," I think frakking.

 

[intothewoods]

Drinking game! Every time Rick Perry says "serious"...

 

[WriterDom]

The way liberals fawn over Huntsman perhaps he should have run as a democrat.

Polls just give people on TV something to talk about. If you looked closely you'd see that "Don't Know" has been leading all along with 25% followed closely by "don't care" with 20%.

Perry and Cain are Dumb and Dumber. Perry makes W. Bush sound like a Poet laureate and Cain has been saying silly things all along. People just started paying attention.

But Cain and Ron Paul's supporters true blue and well, almost cult-like 8 to 10% following for each. Perrry has some cash but from what I've seen not many believers.

Bachmann I actually like more than her public perception but she's ridiculously under qualified to be president.

Santorum could do well in Iowa if the storyline is true about working your ass off there pays dividends. But honestly he and Pawlenty could be brothers and well, just aren't particularly likeable for some reason. Too white, too vanilla, and too whiny.

I could be wrong but the way I see it going down is Romney vs Newt. They've got some weird rule this time that says something like delegates are spilt proportionally up until a certain date, April 1 comes to mind, and then it's winner take all. That could end up helping Romney in the big blue states. How many people in Iowa anyway?

So I'd say it's Romney and the governor of a swing state as VP.

With Newt as a dark horse and the anti-Romney.

Now if Romney runs against Obama and loses? Then the liberal wetdream of a Tea Party split is on the table in 2016.

 

[intothewoods]

The way liberals fawn over Huntsman perhaps he should have run as a democrat.

Polls just give people on TV something to talk about. If you looked closely you'd see that "Don't Know" has been leading all along with 25% followed closely by "don't care" with 20%.

Perry and Cain are Dumb and Dumber. Perry makes W. Bush sound like a Poet laureate and Cain has been saying silly things all along. People just started paying attention.

But Cain and Ron Paul's supporters true blue and well, almost cult-like 8 to 10% following for each. Perrry has some cash but from what I've seen not many believers.

Bachmann I actually like more than her public perception but she's ridiculously under qualified to be president.

Santorum could do well in Iowa if the storyline is true about working your ass off there pays dividends. But honestly he and Pawlenty could be brothers and well, just aren't particularly likeable for some reason. Too white, too vanilla, and too whiny.

I could be wrong but the way I see it going down is Romney vs Newt. They've got some weird rule this time that says something like delegates are spilt proportionally up until a certain date, April 1 comes to mind, and then it's winner take all. That could end up helping Romney in the big blue states. How many people in Iowa anyway?

So I'd say it's Romney and the governor of a swing state as VP.

With Newt as a dark horse and the anti-Romney.

Now if Romney runs against Obama and loses? Then the liberal wetdream of a Tea Party split is on the table in 2016.

Whooaaaa, he's back!

Ok, we all know it, but I have to say it: Santorum has a google problem.

 

[rosco rathbone]

Come election day, partisans on both sides of the aisle will battle dueling imperatives in their hearts.

Stay home, and punish the sellout centrists in power? Feels good.

Go vote, and inflict a loss on the hated other team, despite possibly cutting off own nose to spite face? Also feels good.

I'm just waiting for Ron Paul's moment in the sun as the anti-Romney. Why not??

 

[intothewoods]

Come election day, partisans on both sides of the aisle will battle dueling imperatives in their hearts.

Stay home, and punish the sellout centrists in power? Feels good.

Go vote, and inflict a loss on the hated other team, despite possibly cutting off own nose to spite face? Also feels good.

I'm just waiting for Ron Paul's moment in the sun as the anti-Romney. Why not??

Evidently the media would have to be really desperate to shine their light on Ron Paul. They usually love a straight talker and all that shit, but I guess he's just been saying the same thing for so long that he's not particularly interesting.

 

[rosco rathbone]

Amusing:

Clinton Gives Gingrich The Shiv

Newt's pseudo-privatization plan for Social Security pretty much sums up everything in the current state of play. An official goverment backstop to any market crash which would destroy the "privatised" accounts. How on earth is this a "conservative" plan??

 

[rosco rathbone]

Evidently the media would have to be really desperate to shine their light on Ron Paul. They usually love a straight talker and all that shit, but I guess he's just been saying the same thing for so long that he's not particularly interesting.

Is it that he's just saying the same thing? (which could also apply to Gingrinch)...or that his beliefs are dangerous to those in power...

 

[intothewoods]

Is it that he's just saying the same thing? (which could also apply to Gingrinch)...or that his beliefs are dangerous to those in power...

Well, I tend to shy away from conspiracy theories, considering they're never good for the Jews. I think the media was just desperate for an anti-Romney to talk about and Gingrich caught the momentum. Paul says too many things that piss off those ultraconservative primary voters.

 

[midwestyankee]

Well, I tend to shy away from conspiracy theories, considering they're never good for the Jews. I think the media was just desperate for an anti-Romney to talk about and Gingrich caught the momentum. Paul says too many things that piss off those ultraconservative primary voters.

Which occasions this question: who's next? Newt has more baggage than Paris Hilton on a three-year cruise and he'll explode at some point. Then who? Or, is the primary season close enough now that the faux contenders will no longer be necessary to maintain a narrative on the news shows?

 

[Netzach]

Come election day, partisans on both sides of the aisle will battle dueling imperatives in their hearts.

Stay home, and punish the sellout centrists in power? Feels good.

Go vote, and inflict a loss on the hated other team, despite possibly cutting off own nose to spite face? Also feels good.

I'm just waiting for Ron Paul's moment in the sun as the anti-Romney. Why not??

Because the media doesn't want to talk about him. They've cast him as "fringe" because he's the only one on either side of the aisle with the potential to tell giant interests to fuck off.

I just wish the people who liked him weren't so damn creepy. And "let him die" is a bit Ayn Rand fundie insane to play well.

I like your Libertarianism I do not like your Libertarians, to give Gandhi a shout out.

 

[JMohegan]

The way liberals fawn over Huntsman perhaps he should have run as a democrat.

Polls just give people on TV something to talk about. If you looked closely you'd see that "Don't Know" has been leading all along with 25% followed closely by "don't care" with 20%.

Perry and Cain are Dumb and Dumber. Perry makes W. Bush sound like a Poet laureate and Cain has been saying silly things all along. People just started paying attention.

But Cain and Ron Paul's supporters true blue and well, almost cult-like 8 to 10% following for each. Perrry has some cash but from what I've seen not many believers.

Bachmann I actually like more than her public perception but she's ridiculously under qualified to be president.

Santorum could do well in Iowa if the storyline is true about working your ass off there pays dividends. But honestly he and Pawlenty could be brothers and well, just aren't particularly likeable for some reason. Too white, too vanilla, and too whiny.

I could be wrong but the way I see it going down is Romney vs Newt. They've got some weird rule this time that says something like delegates are spilt proportionally up until a certain date, April 1 comes to mind, and then it's winner take all. That could end up helping Romney in the big blue states. How many people in Iowa anyway?

So I'd say it's Romney and the governor of a swing state as VP.

With Newt as a dark horse and the anti-Romney.

Now if Romney runs against Obama and loses? Then the liberal wetdream of a Tea Party split is on the table in 2016.

Holy shit, a WD sighting. Welcome back. Who'll get your vote in the primaries?

Cain's reassessing. Aww. Such a pity; it's really been quite entertaining.

 

[intothewoods]

Holy shit, a WD sighting. Welcome back. Who'll get your vote in the primaries?

Cain's reassessing. Aww. Such a pity; it's really been quite entertaining.

Cain's run has been the weirdest freaking thing I've seen in a long time.

 

[Keroin]

Cain's run has been the weirdest freaking thing I've seen in a long time.

Wow. That's quite a statement for U.S. politics.

Personally, the whole Sarah Palin bus tour thing was a non-stop weirdfest.

 

[intothewoods]

Wow. That's quite a statement for U.S. politics.

Personally, the whole Sarah Palin bus tour thing was a non-stop weirdfest.

Palin was crazy, but not all that weird. I wasn't really surprised by anything she did. With Cain, it has been WTF every minute!

 

[DeepGreenEyes]

Palin was crazy, but not all that weird. I wasn't really surprised by anything she did. With Cain, it has been WTF every minute!

He is a cartoon character!

 

[Keroin]

He is a cartoon character!

Palin was crazy, but not all that weird. I wasn't really surprised by anything she did. With Cain, it has been WTF every minute!

You guys have "politainment"!

Over here, if a politician says "Excuse me!" in the wrong tone, it's considered a scandal. LOL.

So, yeah, bus tour = weird.

 

[intothewoods]

You guys have "politainment"!

Over here, if a politician says "Excuse me!" in the wrong tone, it's considered a scandal. LOL.

So, yeah, bus tour = weird.

Yeahhh we do it up baby. The McCain bus (when he ran against Bush, not Obama) -- the Straight Talk Express -- was a big hit with the media and the folks. We eat that shit up.

I suppose, also, I'm used to Palin brand crazy by this point. I mean, if it's not about whether she was really knocked up or her various travel demands, it's not that weird. Cain crazy was like a breath of fresh crazy air. Black walnut ice cream, weird cigarette smoking guy in the commercial, women, women, women...

 

[JMohegan]

Yeahhh we do it up baby. The McCain bus (when he ran against Bush, not Obama) -- the Straight Talk Express -- was a big hit with the media and the folks. We eat that shit up.

I suppose, also, I'm used to Palin brand crazy by this point. I mean, if it's not about whether she was really knocked up or her various travel demands, it's not that weird. Cain crazy was like a breath of fresh crazy air. Black walnut ice cream, weird cigarette smoking guy in the commercial, women, women, women...

I forgot about that crazyass commercial with the campaign manager smoking.

Cain and Palin actually have quite a few things in common. Complete lack of intellectual curiosity on foreign affairs (and resulting ignorance thereof), for one. Perpetual blaming of the media for their own screw-ups, for another.

Cain has the added insanity of a 9-9-9 tax plan that would significantly raise the aggregate tax bill for the overwhelming majority of Americans. Oh, and four women who claim he broke anti-harrassment laws. And a mistress waving text records and phone bills! This crazy train just never stops.

 

[midwestyankee]

I honestly think that Cain's candidacy is really an act of performance art intended to get him larger speaking fees and maybe a gig on Fox. Yesterday he was in Ohio doing book signings. That fuck-up in Milwaukee - there's no primary in Wisconsin for several months. He was in town because his campaign manager - weird smoking guy - is from north of the cheddar curtain and he and another campaign worker wanted to go to a football game in Green Bay. So Cain said, sure, and why not talk to the nice people and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel while I'm there.

Ooops, to quote another cartoon character masquerading as a candidate.

 

[Netzach]

I honestly think that Cain's candidacy is really an act of performance art intended to get him larger speaking fees and maybe a gig on Fox. Yesterday he was in Ohio doing book signings. That fuck-up in Milwaukee - there's no primary in Wisconsin for several months. He was in town because his campaign manager - weird smoking guy - is from north of the cheddar curtain and he and another campaign worker wanted to go to a football game in Green Bay. So Cain said, sure, and why not talk to the nice people and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel while I'm there.

Ooops, to quote another cartoon character masquerading as a candidate.

This. But really why is the media meme "Ron Paul, haha, he so CRAZY!"

Nothing he does or says has the incendiary roman candle of crazy that half the rest of them do. I seriously think that the tin foil hat set is right about a lot of things for the completely wrong reasons.