The Serenity Pollster: May I continue to strive to maintain the
To be a near-daily feature given the media's obsession with polls and the horse race.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Pollsters Anonymous
Fox News Poll: More Voters Believe Clinton Will Be President
The Serenity Pollster: May I continue to strive to maintain thePolling Serenity to accept the crosstabs things that are not mine to sample change, courage to change the focus groups things that I should for the margin of error betterment of my fees the planet or even one likely voter life upon it , and the wisdom to know the wording of the question difference.
To be a near-daily feature given the media's obsession with polls and the horse race.
The Serenity Pollster: May I continue to strive to maintain the
To be a near-daily feature given the media's obsession with polls and the horse race.
Nancy Pelosi Wants To Meet With You
According to The Politico Speaker Tracy Flick Nancy Pelosi is big on meetings:
"One leadership aide said that Pelosi schedules meetings to talk about the agenda for the next meeting, leaving no time to get anything done. Those complaints fall on the deaf ears of members of Congress not forced to attend."
As a former Hill staffer who reveled in blowing off one meeting after another called by the obsessive-compulsive disorder crowd just to "do something," this story cracked me up.
"One leadership aide said that Pelosi schedules meetings to talk about the agenda for the next meeting, leaving no time to get anything done. Those complaints fall on the deaf ears of members of Congress not forced to attend."
As a former Hill staffer who reveled in blowing off one meeting after another called by the obsessive-compulsive disorder crowd just to "do something," this story cracked me up.
How To Annoy Chichester V
By describing political events as a "gate." In Albany there are ceaseless mentions of "Troopergate." In Washington, D.C. every real or possible scandal is a "gate." It's a lazy use of the English language.
Governor Spitzer's Plan To Resurrect Buffalo
Today's Times reports:
"John E. McArdle, a spokesman for the Senate majority leader, Joseph L. Bruno, called the projects announced by the governor retreads of previously announced deals.
“'I’m glad to see he is living up to commitments made years ago under previous administrations,' he said. 'What’s new?' he added. 'Where are the new projects and initiatives that we have been attempting to get done in Buffalo?'
"Jeffrey Gordon, a spokesman for Mr. Spitzer, said Mr. McArdle was 'absolutely correct' in saying 'many of these ideas have been around for some time.'"
The Governor-Infant is likely to have his fourth or fifth tantrum of the morning after he reads that Gordon quote responding to John (my former boss, by the way).
"John E. McArdle, a spokesman for the Senate majority leader, Joseph L. Bruno, called the projects announced by the governor retreads of previously announced deals.
“'I’m glad to see he is living up to commitments made years ago under previous administrations,' he said. 'What’s new?' he added. 'Where are the new projects and initiatives that we have been attempting to get done in Buffalo?'
"Jeffrey Gordon, a spokesman for Mr. Spitzer, said Mr. McArdle was 'absolutely correct' in saying 'many of these ideas have been around for some time.'"
The Governor-Infant is likely to have his fourth or fifth tantrum of the morning after he reads that Gordon quote responding to John (my former boss, by the way).
Chichester Edits Statements For Accuracy
Governor Spitzer, yesterday in Rochester, defending his illegal alien driver's license scheme:
"We will not have them living in the shadows (I just used the 'living in the shadows' vacuous talking point to score with my base since my career could be over because I tried to destroy Senator Bruno's career), 500,000 to a million people, which is what we've been living with (we've been living with people who break our Federal laws, and just forget about how 20% of our Federal prison inmate population is comprised of illegal aliens). Security experts say better to know who is here, better to have a list, better to have them use a valid foreign passport (I've listened to these 'security experts,' and they still believe it's September 10, 2001).
"We will not have them living in the shadows (I just used the 'living in the shadows' vacuous talking point to score with my base since my career could be over because I tried to destroy Senator Bruno's career), 500,000 to a million people, which is what we've been living with (we've been living with people who break our Federal laws, and just forget about how 20% of our Federal prison inmate population is comprised of illegal aliens). Security experts say better to know who is here, better to have a list, better to have them use a valid foreign passport (I've listened to these 'security experts,' and they still believe it's September 10, 2001).
Rudy, Who Voted For Democrat Mario Cuomo
Mayor Giuliani was flawless in this week's presidential debate. At the end, it didn't matter what the other candidates said. The Mayor eloquently explained free markets and freedom, strongly defended his mayoral record, criticized Hillary in a humorous and substantive manner, and even called for the construction of new nuclear power plants. While it's three months from the Iowa Caucuses, it is becoming increasingly difficult to envision a nominee other than Rudy.
The Daily Chichester
Obama makes his first campaign appearance in Maryland. The assembled crowd cried in unison.
A San Francisco Federal judge loves lawbreakers.
Rep. Anthony Weiner is going to hear from Governor Richard Milhouse Spitzer after criticizing his scheme to provide driver's licenses to illegal aliens.
The Governor-Infant has a new problem with his aides and the IRS.
Rudy confusing Christian conservatives.
The Department of Defense continues to do a great post-Rumsfeld job adjusting its strategy to help us prevail in Iraq.
A San Francisco Federal judge loves lawbreakers.
Rep. Anthony Weiner is going to hear from Governor Richard Milhouse Spitzer after criticizing his scheme to provide driver's licenses to illegal aliens.
The Governor-Infant has a new problem with his aides and the IRS.
Rudy confusing Christian conservatives.
The Department of Defense continues to do a great post-Rumsfeld job adjusting its strategy to help us prevail in Iraq.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Chichester Edits Statements For Accuracy
"The thought that the Iranians could pose an imminent attack on the United States is preposterous (The thought that I don't understand the Iranians hate the United States of America, and would drop a nuclear weapon on a major population center when they have the capability, disqualifies me from being taken seriously as not only a presidential candidate, but as an adult) . There's no way (Is there a war going on in Iraq now, with the Iranians helping to kill our soldiers?) . This is just . . . this is . . . this is just war propaganda, continued war propaganda, preparing this nation to go to war and spread this war not only in Iraq, but into Iran, unconstitutionally (Did something happen on September 11, 2001 that no one has told me about?) ."
SCHIP and Children
This story about the use of a 12-year-old boy by the Democratic Congressional leadership to promote the expansion of the SCHIP program has not received the national media attention it should receive. The boy's family lives a moderately comfortable life in Maryland, which didn't stop Democrats from using him to deliver the response to President Bush's weekly radio address.
Part of what the boy said in the script written for him:
"I don't know why President Bush wants to stop kids who really need help from getting CHIP."
To place this boy in such a raw political setting, using language he is too young to understand, is revolting and shameful.
Part of what the boy said in the script written for him:
"I don't know why President Bush wants to stop kids who really need help from getting CHIP."
To place this boy in such a raw political setting, using language he is too young to understand, is revolting and shameful.
The Daily Chichester
Governor Richard Milhouse Spitzer on one of his top aides involved in allegedly attempting to ruin Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's career heading to a lobbying firm.
The Governor-Infant also had another fit tagging Bruno as part of the "rabid right."
The WaPo on the pedestrian presidential debate.
SpeakerTracy Flick Nancy Pelosi comparing SCHIP spending to Iraq war spending. She's got her priorities straight. They're practically the same issue.
Worker's compensation for a stripper injured performing on her pole upheld by Indiana court (there's no video evidence, which is a complete outrage).
The Governor-Infant also had another fit tagging Bruno as part of the "rabid right."
The WaPo on the pedestrian presidential debate.
Speaker
Worker's compensation for a stripper injured performing on her pole upheld by Indiana court (there's no video evidence, which is a complete outrage).
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Debate Predictions
Senator Fred Thompson will bomb, and cause his supporters to seriously reconsider support for his candidacy.
Mayor Rudy Giuliani will excel, and demonstrate a commanding leadership presence.
Senator John McCain will again forcefully articulate why we must achieve victory in Iraq, and get no bounce in the polls.
Governor Mitt Romney will deliver a smooth and polished answer every time, but still leave the audience and primary voters wondering exactly what he believes.
Rep. Ron Paul will do his Rain Main impersonation, which will again send the white coats running for his supporters. Definitely. K-Mart sucks. R-O-N-P-A-U-L. R-O-N-P-A-U-L. Main man.
Gov. Huckabee, Rep. Hunter, Sen. Brownback and Rep. Tancredo will be non-factors.
In short, the conventional wisdom prevails and the debate will have no significant impact on the campaign.
Mayor Rudy Giuliani will excel, and demonstrate a commanding leadership presence.
Senator John McCain will again forcefully articulate why we must achieve victory in Iraq, and get no bounce in the polls.
Governor Mitt Romney will deliver a smooth and polished answer every time, but still leave the audience and primary voters wondering exactly what he believes.
Rep. Ron Paul will do his Rain Main impersonation, which will again send the white coats running for his supporters. Definitely. K-Mart sucks. R-O-N-P-A-U-L. R-O-N-P-A-U-L. Main man.
Gov. Huckabee, Rep. Hunter, Sen. Brownback and Rep. Tancredo will be non-factors.
In short, the conventional wisdom prevails and the debate will have no significant impact on the campaign.
PROVOCATIONS: Chris Matthews Is Not An Issue
It continues to amaze that the Republican field allows Chris Matthews to moderate its debates. Matthews is easily the most obnoxious and rude political talk show host on the air today. His compulsion for interrupting his guests has grown so pathetic that "Hardball" long ago became unwatchable. He should re-name the show "Nutball" for accuracy purposes.
I used to watch him regularly when he debuted ten years ago during the impeachment glory days. I have read his books, especially the wonderful "Kennedy and Nixon: The Rivalry That Shaped Postwar America." But something happened to him along the way. Perhaps since he worked for President Jimmy Carter and Speaker Tip O'Neill he decided that being a raw partisan is more comfortable.
There has been much talk by Republican activists and commentators that the candidates should "take on" Matthews today, especially in light of his statement that the Bush administration had "finally been caught in their criminality." That's a major mistake. It's undignified.
Chris Matthews - and other media figures - should never be presidential campaign issues. Any candidate can pander to the party base by blasting a Chris Matthews or a Rush Limbaugh. When it comes to addressing the foreign and domestic issues confronting our country, that political tactic is utterly worthless.
A candidate who does make Matthews an issue would also engage in one of the elements of modern American politics that I despise: Ignoring a question and going to the talking points. Television hosts and debate moderators far too often allow candidates, elected officials and their supporters to quickly pivot to the topic they really want to talk about. In fact, those who excel at this rhetorical cowardice are not condemned. They're celebrated.
John McEnroe famously said to a chair umpire: "Answer the question! The question, jerk!" I'll be thinking of McEnroe when or if Matthews becomes an issue. And given his Clinton-style slickness and propensity to tell an audience what they want to hear, Gov. Mitt Romney probably will either start or eagerly join in any Matthews-bashing.
I used to watch him regularly when he debuted ten years ago during the impeachment glory days. I have read his books, especially the wonderful "Kennedy and Nixon: The Rivalry That Shaped Postwar America." But something happened to him along the way. Perhaps since he worked for President Jimmy Carter and Speaker Tip O'Neill he decided that being a raw partisan is more comfortable.
There has been much talk by Republican activists and commentators that the candidates should "take on" Matthews today, especially in light of his statement that the Bush administration had "finally been caught in their criminality." That's a major mistake. It's undignified.
Chris Matthews - and other media figures - should never be presidential campaign issues. Any candidate can pander to the party base by blasting a Chris Matthews or a Rush Limbaugh. When it comes to addressing the foreign and domestic issues confronting our country, that political tactic is utterly worthless.
A candidate who does make Matthews an issue would also engage in one of the elements of modern American politics that I despise: Ignoring a question and going to the talking points. Television hosts and debate moderators far too often allow candidates, elected officials and their supporters to quickly pivot to the topic they really want to talk about. In fact, those who excel at this rhetorical cowardice are not condemned. They're celebrated.
John McEnroe famously said to a chair umpire: "Answer the question! The question, jerk!" I'll be thinking of McEnroe when or if Matthews becomes an issue. And given his Clinton-style slickness and propensity to tell an audience what they want to hear, Gov. Mitt Romney probably will either start or eagerly join in any Matthews-bashing.
John Edwards, Afraid
John Edwards continues to permit his wife to attack Hillary Clinton. It is a craven and thoroughly unseemly campaign tactic. Edwards does not have the guts to do it himself because he doesn't want to risk blow back from women. Simply put, he's afraid of Hillary. Yet he seeks an office where the occupant is forced to confront the world's most vicious murderers and thugs. Edwards is unfit to be the next president of the United States on many personal and professional levels. This is yet another example.
Chichester Granted Exclusive Access To Thompson Debate Prep
Note: "To help prepare, Mr. Thompson, who has also been an actor, has enlisted the aid of Alfonse M. D’Amato, the former senator from New York, who has been playing the role of Mr. Giuliani. But whether these rehearsals will help is an open question." - New York Times, October 8, 2007
The full on-the-scene Chichester report of the debate preparation:
D'Amato: Rudy Giuliani is a back-stabbing, lying snake, who picked on my little brother Armand, and is a fuc-
Sen. Thompson: Al?
D'Amato: Yes, Fred?
Sen. Thompson: You're supposed to be playing Rudy.
D'Amato: Oh, right, right. Sorry, Fred.
Sen. Thompson: That's o.k.
D'Amato: As New York City Mayor and United States Attorney, I abused my power of office to unfairly attack, smear and besmirch the honorable and ethical former United States Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato. I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly apologize to Senator D'Amato and his family for the pain I've caused them.
Sen. Thompson: Al?
D'Amato: Yes, Fred?
Sen. Thompson: Are you sure Rudy is going to say that?
D'Amato: What the fuck, Fred. Of course I'm fuckin' sure.
Sen. Thompson: Ok, Al, let's continue.
D'Amato: New York City owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to a man I've always affectionately called "Senator Pothole" for his passion and success in bringing Federal aid to the city, Senator Al D'Amato.
Sen. Thompson: Al?
D'Amato: Yes, Fred?
Sen. Thompson: Are you sure Rudy is going to say that, as well?
D'Amato: Fred, don't turn into a Tennessee fuckin' putzhead of a redneck on me, ok?
Sen. Thompson: Proceed, Al.
D'Amato: In 1994, I supported and voted for former liberal Democrat, and scourge of the New York State Republican party Governor Mario Cuomo, and, to this day, it remains my proudest endorsement.
Sen. Thompson: Al?
D'Amato: Yes, Fred?
Sen. Thompson: You understand New York politics better than I ever will, and are you also sure he'll say that?
D'Amato: Fred, I was the driving force behind George Pataki beating Cuomo. Do you know who I am? I'm Al D'Amato! I made my bones when you were going out with cheerleaders, Fred!
Sen. Thompson: Al?
D'Amato: Yes, Fred?
Sen. Thompson: I've seen The Godfather films, as I am an accomplished actor and study the craft.
D'Amato: I'm your older Senator, Fred, and I was stepped over!
Sen. Thompson: That's the way Schumer wanted it.
D'Amato: It ain't the way I wanted it! I can handle things! I'm smart! Not like everybody says ... like dumb ... I'm smart and I want respect!
(This is wherePacino Chichester was escorted out of the room).
The full on-the-scene Chichester report of the debate preparation:
D'Amato: Rudy Giuliani is a back-stabbing, lying snake, who picked on my little brother Armand, and is a fuc-
Sen. Thompson: Al?
D'Amato: Yes, Fred?
Sen. Thompson: You're supposed to be playing Rudy.
D'Amato: Oh, right, right. Sorry, Fred.
Sen. Thompson: That's o.k.
D'Amato: As New York City Mayor and United States Attorney, I abused my power of office to unfairly attack, smear and besmirch the honorable and ethical former United States Senator Alfonse M. D'Amato. I'd like to take this opportunity to publicly apologize to Senator D'Amato and his family for the pain I've caused them.
Sen. Thompson: Al?
D'Amato: Yes, Fred?
Sen. Thompson: Are you sure Rudy is going to say that?
D'Amato: What the fuck, Fred. Of course I'm fuckin' sure.
Sen. Thompson: Ok, Al, let's continue.
D'Amato: New York City owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to a man I've always affectionately called "Senator Pothole" for his passion and success in bringing Federal aid to the city, Senator Al D'Amato.
Sen. Thompson: Al?
D'Amato: Yes, Fred?
Sen. Thompson: Are you sure Rudy is going to say that, as well?
D'Amato: Fred, don't turn into a Tennessee fuckin' putzhead of a redneck on me, ok?
Sen. Thompson: Proceed, Al.
D'Amato: In 1994, I supported and voted for former liberal Democrat, and scourge of the New York State Republican party Governor Mario Cuomo, and, to this day, it remains my proudest endorsement.
Sen. Thompson: Al?
D'Amato: Yes, Fred?
Sen. Thompson: You understand New York politics better than I ever will, and are you also sure he'll say that?
D'Amato: Fred, I was the driving force behind George Pataki beating Cuomo. Do you know who I am? I'm Al D'Amato! I made my bones when you were going out with cheerleaders, Fred!
Sen. Thompson: Al?
D'Amato: Yes, Fred?
Sen. Thompson: I've seen The Godfather films, as I am an accomplished actor and study the craft.
D'Amato: I'm your older Senator, Fred, and I was stepped over!
Sen. Thompson: That's the way Schumer wanted it.
D'Amato: It ain't the way I wanted it! I can handle things! I'm smart! Not like everybody says ... like dumb ... I'm smart and I want respect!
(This is where
Chichester's Odds On The Dumbest Chris Matthews Debate Question
* Inspired by Erin Burnett.
3-1 - Mayor Giuliani, who is the hottest babe on Fox News, and could you describe her lip gloss?
2-1 - Congressman Paul, as a libertarian, do you find it's easier to meet those girls gone wild anything goes types?
5-1 - Congressman Hunter, as the former distinguished chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and I love those chicks in uniform, er-ha! er-ha! Ahem. Excuse me. Seriously, Congressman, was Demi Moore the most attractive woman in uniform you've ever seen when she was in A Few Good Men?
8-1 - Governor Romney, in the old days my mistake was drinking beer and doing shots with girls and saying how great I was. Can you share your similar experiences as a Mormon?
3-5 - Senator Thompson, Fred, Freddy, meshugana of a television star, I could hardly wait to get to ya. Regarding your wife - va, va, va, voom! How did you both first meet?
10-1 - Governor Huckabee, I once said Hillary Clinton had "the balls" to run for the Senate. As the former Arkansas Governor, was I right about her balls, sir?
6-1 - Senator Brownback, if you were still single, would you date Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama or John Edwards?
4-1 - Senator McCain, could you get a little closer to the camera? Ha! Just kidding! You're a knockout, Senator. So, do you agree with Congressman Hunter that Demi Moore is not the most attractive woman ever in uniform?
9-1 - Congressman Tancredo, isn't it an outrage that Jennifer Lopez and Salma Hayek don't do nude scenes in the first five minutes of their movies?
3-1 - Mayor Giuliani, who is the hottest babe on Fox News, and could you describe her lip gloss?
2-1 - Congressman Paul, as a libertarian, do you find it's easier to meet those girls gone wild anything goes types?
5-1 - Congressman Hunter, as the former distinguished chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, and I love those chicks in uniform, er-ha! er-ha! Ahem. Excuse me. Seriously, Congressman, was Demi Moore the most attractive woman in uniform you've ever seen when she was in A Few Good Men?
8-1 - Governor Romney, in the old days my mistake was drinking beer and doing shots with girls and saying how great I was. Can you share your similar experiences as a Mormon?
3-5 - Senator Thompson, Fred, Freddy, meshugana of a television star, I could hardly wait to get to ya. Regarding your wife - va, va, va, voom! How did you both first meet?
10-1 - Governor Huckabee, I once said Hillary Clinton had "the balls" to run for the Senate. As the former Arkansas Governor, was I right about her balls, sir?
6-1 - Senator Brownback, if you were still single, would you date Hillary Clinton, Michelle Obama or John Edwards?
4-1 - Senator McCain, could you get a little closer to the camera? Ha! Just kidding! You're a knockout, Senator. So, do you agree with Congressman Hunter that Demi Moore is not the most attractive woman ever in uniform?
9-1 - Congressman Tancredo, isn't it an outrage that Jennifer Lopez and Salma Hayek don't do nude scenes in the first five minutes of their movies?
Senator Bruno Must Be Reading This Blog
Yours truly has been referring to Governor Spitzer, given what we know about his plan to ruin Senator Bruno's career, as "Governor Richard Milhouse Spitzer."
Yesterday, he told Fred Dicker of the New York Post:
"The governor claimed that he had nothing to hide, that he wanted to tell the truth under oath. Instead, we get a cover-up, a Nixon-style cover-up."
Yesterday, he told Fred Dicker of the New York Post:
"The governor claimed that he had nothing to hide, that he wanted to tell the truth under oath. Instead, we get a cover-up, a Nixon-style cover-up."
Krauthammer's Bush Derangement Syndrome
"I think that President Bush is the worst president we've ever had. In
history." - Rep. Henry Waxman (D-), chairman of the House Government Affairs Committee, speaking Saturday on "Cappy McGarr's" radio talk show.
history." - Rep. Henry Waxman (D-), chairman of the House Government Affairs Committee, speaking Saturday on "Cappy McGarr's" radio talk show.
The Daily Chichester
This is too good. I thought, according to Democrats, that the Bush administration was "spying on Americans," and it was Gestapo-like to provide the National Security Agency with eavesdropping powers. Go crazy on your own today moveon.org.
Governor Richard Milhouse Spitzer's Communications Director departs for lobbying firm.
Sky-high expectations for Thompson's debate performance.
Obama's pastor is an extremist.
I almost couldn't make it through this WaPo story given the incessant Jimmy Carter-like whining from these former Bush staffers.
We're having a tough time convincing Afghan government officials that heroin is bad. Explaining why the United States does not pressure the government to spray its poppy fields with herbicide a State Department official said there "is a potential for losing hearts and minds." Wonder where we've heard those words invoked the last time we were at war. State should get some new talking points.
Governor Richard Milhouse Spitzer's Communications Director departs for lobbying firm.
Sky-high expectations for Thompson's debate performance.
Obama's pastor is an extremist.
I almost couldn't make it through this WaPo story given the incessant Jimmy Carter-like whining from these former Bush staffers.
We're having a tough time convincing Afghan government officials that heroin is bad. Explaining why the United States does not pressure the government to spray its poppy fields with herbicide a State Department official said there "is a potential for losing hearts and minds." Wonder where we've heard those words invoked the last time we were at war. State should get some new talking points.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Chichester Edits Statements For Accuracy
Christine Anderson, Governor Richard Milhouse Spitzer's press secretary, defending the effort to use the State Police to ruin Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's career:
“The Governor has a duty to his constitutional office and to the place it holds in our democratic system (a new generation of Haldemans and Ehrlichmans have been helping him do his constitutional duty). This provocative and misguided action therefore requires extended litigation at considerable taxpayer expense (if the Governor's State Police Superintendent and Communications Director had agreed to be placed under oath there would be no extended litigation) . . . Furthermore, the Executive Chamber is now forced to employ outside counsel to fight the Senate’s abuse of power (I cracked myself up when I wrote 'abuse of power.')
“The Senate Republican Majority is engaged in a purely partisan exercise (unlike us can't-we-all-get-along Kumbaya singers on the Governor's staff who have never engaged in purely partisan exercises) that serves no legitimate governmental purpose (could lead to Attorney General Andrew Cuomo defeating my boss in a 2010 primary) . . .
" . . . A partisan Senate inquiry into the Chamber’s ethics would, itself, be inconsistent with basic ethical principles. The Commission on Public Integrity should be allowed to do its work (Commission Head John Feerick better come up with a total whitewash for my boss or he's going to understand what getting steamrolled means).”
“The Governor has a duty to his constitutional office and to the place it holds in our democratic system (a new generation of Haldemans and Ehrlichmans have been helping him do his constitutional duty). This provocative and misguided action therefore requires extended litigation at considerable taxpayer expense (if the Governor's State Police Superintendent and Communications Director had agreed to be placed under oath there would be no extended litigation) . . . Furthermore, the Executive Chamber is now forced to employ outside counsel to fight the Senate’s abuse of power (I cracked myself up when I wrote 'abuse of power.')
“The Senate Republican Majority is engaged in a purely partisan exercise (unlike us can't-we-all-get-along Kumbaya singers on the Governor's staff who have never engaged in purely partisan exercises) that serves no legitimate governmental purpose (could lead to Attorney General Andrew Cuomo defeating my boss in a 2010 primary) . . .
" . . . A partisan Senate inquiry into the Chamber’s ethics would, itself, be inconsistent with basic ethical principles. The Commission on Public Integrity should be allowed to do its work (Commission Head John Feerick better come up with a total whitewash for my boss or he's going to understand what getting steamrolled means).”
The Daily Chichester
We finally have Romney, who voted for Democrat Paul Tsongas and Rudy, who voted for Democrat Mario Cuomo, clashing big-time.
The WaPo on what no Republican candidates want to talk about.
Governor Richard Milhouse Spitzer's aides get subpoenas for trying to concoct a plan to ruin Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's career.
New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly is the latest to oppose R. Milhouse's scheme to provide illegal aliens with driver's licenses.
Obama finds a General (who also supported John Kerry) who can help him rid the world of nuclear weapons, meet with every thug and Stalinist on the planet and invade Pakistan.
The WaPo on what no Republican candidates want to talk about.
Governor Richard Milhouse Spitzer's aides get subpoenas for trying to concoct a plan to ruin Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's career.
New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly is the latest to oppose R. Milhouse's scheme to provide illegal aliens with driver's licenses.
Obama finds a General (who also supported John Kerry) who can help him rid the world of nuclear weapons, meet with every thug and Stalinist on the planet and invade Pakistan.
Saturday Leisure: Chichester's One-Sentence Movie Reviews
Hoosiers
Coach Norman Dale (who never existed), played by Gene Hackman, becomes the Hickory (real name: Milan) High School basketball coach and Assistant Principal Barbara Hershey immediately hates him for no reason and Coach Dale finds he only has six players try out for his team (which never happened) and he kicks Buddy off the team for being a smart mouth and finds out that Jimmy Chitwood is Hickory's super-human basketball player and sitting out the year (which never happened) because manhood-robbing Barbara Hershey wants him to get an academic scholarship instead of an athletic scholarship to college and Coach Dale boldly tells Jimmy I-don't-care-if-you-play and Hickory starts to lose games and there is a Hickory Town Hall meeting called to fire Coach Dale (which never happened) where Barbara Hershey gives a boo-hoo-hoo Kleenex box speech urging that Coach Dale be kept but he is fired until Jimmy Chitwood shows up and says he's playing again but only for Coach Dale and they re-vote to keep Coach Dale and Hickory goes on a winning stampede with Jimmy and Buddy, with no explanation at all, is suddenly back on the team and Coach Dale and Barbara Hershey have a you-have-to-look-away-from-the-screen big smooch and Hickory goes on to be the smallest school to make the state championship game and Coach Dale gives a five Kleenex box boo-hoo-hoo locker room speech before the game saying "I love you guys" and Hickory wins the championship against a team from Indianapolis with 11 Michael Jordans on it.
The End.
Next week: Friday Night Lights
Coach Norman Dale (who never existed), played by Gene Hackman, becomes the Hickory (real name: Milan) High School basketball coach and Assistant Principal Barbara Hershey immediately hates him for no reason and Coach Dale finds he only has six players try out for his team (which never happened) and he kicks Buddy off the team for being a smart mouth and finds out that Jimmy Chitwood is Hickory's super-human basketball player and sitting out the year (which never happened) because manhood-robbing Barbara Hershey wants him to get an academic scholarship instead of an athletic scholarship to college and Coach Dale boldly tells Jimmy I-don't-care-if-you-play and Hickory starts to lose games and there is a Hickory Town Hall meeting called to fire Coach Dale (which never happened) where Barbara Hershey gives a boo-hoo-hoo Kleenex box speech urging that Coach Dale be kept but he is fired until Jimmy Chitwood shows up and says he's playing again but only for Coach Dale and they re-vote to keep Coach Dale and Hickory goes on a winning stampede with Jimmy and Buddy, with no explanation at all, is suddenly back on the team and Coach Dale and Barbara Hershey have a you-have-to-look-away-from-the-screen big smooch and Hickory goes on to be the smallest school to make the state championship game and Coach Dale gives a five Kleenex box boo-hoo-hoo locker room speech before the game saying "I love you guys" and Hickory wins the championship against a team from Indianapolis with 11 Michael Jordans on it.
The End.
Next week: Friday Night Lights
Friday, October 5, 2007
Please Resign Senator Craig
I don't know if Sen. Larry Craig is a public men's room trolling pervert, yet it doesn't look good for him. At all.
When I first saw the headline and lede for this story, the initial thought was that the Senator got caught in a full Brokeback Mountain in that Minneapolis bathroom. Not so, of course. Listening to the tape with the obnoxious arresting officer does engender minor sympathy for Craig, with the near-juvenile back-and-forth between him and Craig about foot-tapping.
Still, Sen. Craig has to go. He's an abject embarrassment. Cameras will continue to follow him, he'll continue to be asked why he broke his word regarding resignation, and Sen. Chuck Schumer is going to remind voters of Republican hypocrisy on "family values" issues while he attempts to elect more Senate Democrats as chairman of the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee.
Even worse for Republicans, is their national nominating convention will be held in Minneapolis. If Craig is still serving, and even has the nerve to attend the convention, that tourist attraction bathroom for the demented is going to be a national media story - a "family values" story.
Democrats are loving this Craig drama. The old political saying applies: Don't get in the way of your opponents while they're in the middle of destroying themselves.
There is some solace for Craig. Even if the arresting officer is 100 percent accurate about the facts, what Sen. Craig did pales in comparison to the past lurid behavior of a few colleagues. The senior Senator/Aquatic Wonder from Massachusetts brought us Chappaquiddick, and Sen. Robert C. Byrd was a walking-talking hate crime in his late 20's and early 30's as a Ku Klux Klan Kleagle.
Sen. Craig has to understand this political dynamic every time he looks across the Senate chamber and sees Teddy and Bob (among others). Perhaps that's a reason why he decided to finish his term.
When I first saw the headline and lede for this story, the initial thought was that the Senator got caught in a full Brokeback Mountain in that Minneapolis bathroom. Not so, of course. Listening to the tape with the obnoxious arresting officer does engender minor sympathy for Craig, with the near-juvenile back-and-forth between him and Craig about foot-tapping.
Still, Sen. Craig has to go. He's an abject embarrassment. Cameras will continue to follow him, he'll continue to be asked why he broke his word regarding resignation, and Sen. Chuck Schumer is going to remind voters of Republican hypocrisy on "family values" issues while he attempts to elect more Senate Democrats as chairman of the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee.
Even worse for Republicans, is their national nominating convention will be held in Minneapolis. If Craig is still serving, and even has the nerve to attend the convention, that tourist attraction bathroom for the demented is going to be a national media story - a "family values" story.
Democrats are loving this Craig drama. The old political saying applies: Don't get in the way of your opponents while they're in the middle of destroying themselves.
There is some solace for Craig. Even if the arresting officer is 100 percent accurate about the facts, what Sen. Craig did pales in comparison to the past lurid behavior of a few colleagues. The senior Senator/Aquatic Wonder from Massachusetts brought us Chappaquiddick, and Sen. Robert C. Byrd was a walking-talking hate crime in his late 20's and early 30's as a Ku Klux Klan Kleagle.
Sen. Craig has to understand this political dynamic every time he looks across the Senate chamber and sees Teddy and Bob (among others). Perhaps that's a reason why he decided to finish his term.
Hollywood Airhead of the Week On Politics
Brad Pitt Urges George Clooney To Run For President
Brad Pitt should stick to things he understands. Like tanning beds and hair gel.
Brad Pitt should stick to things he understands. Like tanning beds and hair gel.
The Catcher of the Phony
Phony of the Week: Senator Daniel Akaka.
On Monday, Senator Akaka said regarding the Rush Limbaugh "phony soldier" controversy.
"Well I feel that any citizen has a vote, a right to voice their opinion on anything they want to do and I think this Limbaugh, though I don't agree with him on many things, has the right to say what he says. And I don't think we need do legislation to get at him. I think, however, it's something that people can talk about and maybe help them render judgments. But I don't think we need to set any laws to stop that."
Yet he signed the letter with 40 other Senate Democrats to Clear Channel Communications that denounced Limbaugh.
On Monday, Senator Akaka said regarding the Rush Limbaugh "phony soldier" controversy.
"Well I feel that any citizen has a vote, a right to voice their opinion on anything they want to do and I think this Limbaugh, though I don't agree with him on many things, has the right to say what he says. And I don't think we need do legislation to get at him. I think, however, it's something that people can talk about and maybe help them render judgments. But I don't think we need to set any laws to stop that."
Yet he signed the letter with 40 other Senate Democrats to Clear Channel Communications that denounced Limbaugh.
The Daily Chichester
The Times today quotes Rudy extensively from his radio show days while New York City Mayor (A personal favorite remains: “David, your compulsion, your excessive concern for weasels is a sign of something wrong in your personality. I am giving you the benefit of 55 years of experience — having handled insanity defenses, you need help.”)
The Governor-Infant is mad, shockingly, at county clerks for denouncing his scheme to provide driver's licenses to illegal aliens.
Senator Pat Leahy of Vermont, who resigned from the Intelligence Committee after he provided sensitive information to a reporter, knows who the enemy is - the United States Department of Justice.
Hillary still being criticized for her debate performance.
James Gandolfini loses his mind.
The Governor-Infant is mad, shockingly, at county clerks for denouncing his scheme to provide driver's licenses to illegal aliens.
Senator Pat Leahy of Vermont, who resigned from the Intelligence Committee after he provided sensitive information to a reporter, knows who the enemy is - the United States Department of Justice.
Hillary still being criticized for her debate performance.
James Gandolfini loses his mind.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Have You Figured It Out Yet, Conservatives?
Rep. Bobby Jindal announced he will vote to override the president's veto of SCHIP:
"If the reauthorization of SCHIP continues to be pushed back, we are robbing these children of the coverage they need.”
Rep. Jindal has been hailed as a "new generation" of leaders by conservatives, as this American Conservative Union news release from last year notes:
“As many increasingly question what conservatism means today — especially in the face of an exploding and encroaching federal government — these rock-solid conservatives held fast to ACU’s core values of fiscal discipline and limited government,” said ACU Chairman David Keene. “Unmoved by shifting poll numbers and the Potomac temptations to make headlines and put power over principle, these men and women deserve our respect, our admiration, and our votes.”
"Rock-solid conservatives."
Right.
Except when you're running for the Louisiana Governor's office, which Rep. Jindal is doing now.
Despite Mr. Keene's happy-talk at the time, Rep. Jindal has now been overcome by Potomac temptations. He was moved by shifting poll numbers. He put power over principle. SCHIP is a major example of the exploding and encroaching federal government that Keene cited, and Bobby Jindal is on the side of exploding and encroaching.
As previously noted, the conservative movement and the conservative media have little influence with the House Republican conference. This Jindal announcement is merely the latest example, and there are many more to come from "conservatives" as we head to November, 2008.
"If the reauthorization of SCHIP continues to be pushed back, we are robbing these children of the coverage they need.”
Rep. Jindal has been hailed as a "new generation" of leaders by conservatives, as this American Conservative Union news release from last year notes:
“As many increasingly question what conservatism means today — especially in the face of an exploding and encroaching federal government — these rock-solid conservatives held fast to ACU’s core values of fiscal discipline and limited government,” said ACU Chairman David Keene. “Unmoved by shifting poll numbers and the Potomac temptations to make headlines and put power over principle, these men and women deserve our respect, our admiration, and our votes.”
"Rock-solid conservatives."
Right.
Except when you're running for the Louisiana Governor's office, which Rep. Jindal is doing now.
Despite Mr. Keene's happy-talk at the time, Rep. Jindal has now been overcome by Potomac temptations. He was moved by shifting poll numbers. He put power over principle. SCHIP is a major example of the exploding and encroaching federal government that Keene cited, and Bobby Jindal is on the side of exploding and encroaching.
As previously noted, the conservative movement and the conservative media have little influence with the House Republican conference. This Jindal announcement is merely the latest example, and there are many more to come from "conservatives" as we head to November, 2008.
Republican Fund-Raising Numbers, And It Isn't Pretty
The third quarter fund-raising totals are in. Rudy raised only $11 million, Romney raised only $10 million, Thompson raised only $9 million, McCain raised only $6 million and Paul raised $5 million. If the Republican front-runner can only double the haul of a certifiable straitjacket of a candidate like Ron Paul, the party's in big trouble.
Chichester Edits Statements For Accuracy
According to Reuters, The Sensitive Metrosexual, John Edwards, "attacks Clinton on Iraq Position:"
"If you're not ending combat missions and combat operations, you're not ending the war (I did not dispatch Mrs. Sensitive Metrosexual to attack Hillary here so that shows what a tough guy I am) . . . We clearly need fundamental reform of the system for providing security contractors in Iraq or any place else (I hope my hair looked good when I said that) . . . Our party, the Democratic Party, has to offer the American people real change, and that starts with ending this war for good, not just trimming it (speaking of trimming it, I think I need another Two Americas $400 hair cut by my 'celebrity stylist' Joseph Torrenueva of Beverly Hills - where they have a lot of blue-collar mill workers - before my next campaign appearance).
"If you're not ending combat missions and combat operations, you're not ending the war (I did not dispatch Mrs. Sensitive Metrosexual to attack Hillary here so that shows what a tough guy I am) . . . We clearly need fundamental reform of the system for providing security contractors in Iraq or any place else (I hope my hair looked good when I said that) . . . Our party, the Democratic Party, has to offer the American people real change, and that starts with ending this war for good, not just trimming it (speaking of trimming it, I think I need another Two Americas $400 hair cut by my 'celebrity stylist' Joseph Torrenueva of Beverly Hills - where they have a lot of blue-collar mill workers - before my next campaign appearance).
The Dot EDU Academic Delusional of the Week
John H. Mollenkopf, director of the Center for Urban Research at the City University of New York, on Governor Spitzer's scheme to provide driver's licenses to illegal aliens.
“I do think that immigrant citizens take offense at efforts to be mean to undocumented workers."
These men and women are not "undocumented workers" or "undocumented immigrants." They have documents, which are fraudulent. If they possessed legitimate documents, they would be in our United States legally. They are illegal aliens, which is the accurate description.
“I do think that immigrant citizens take offense at efforts to be mean to undocumented workers."
These men and women are not "undocumented workers" or "undocumented immigrants." They have documents, which are fraudulent. If they possessed legitimate documents, they would be in our United States legally. They are illegal aliens, which is the accurate description.
SCHIP Hysteria
A former co-worker in the House forwarded me a few statements Democrats have made about SCHIP:
Rep. Fortney Stark (D-Atheism):
“The Axis of Evil isn’t just in the Middle East, it’s just down here on Pennsylvania Avenue.”
Rep. Lloyd Doggett:
“How many children will be dead or will suffer with disease and disability until enough members of this Congress are willing to stand up to the President.”
Rep. Steny Hoyer:
“A stunning lack of compassion for some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”
Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-I Can't Go Ten Seconds Without Saying F---):
“Telling children to take a hike.”
Who could possibly vote for these people.
Rep. Fortney Stark (D-Atheism):
“The Axis of Evil isn’t just in the Middle East, it’s just down here on Pennsylvania Avenue.”
Rep. Lloyd Doggett:
“How many children will be dead or will suffer with disease and disability until enough members of this Congress are willing to stand up to the President.”
Rep. Steny Hoyer:
“A stunning lack of compassion for some of the most vulnerable members of our society.”
Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-I Can't Go Ten Seconds Without Saying F---):
“Telling children to take a hike.”
Who could possibly vote for these people.
"The Children," And SCHIP
Even though the SCHIP bill covers adults, a sampling of the headlines today:
L.A. Times: Child Health Veto Will Be Election Issue
New York Times: Bush Vetoes Children's Health Bill
Washington Post: Bush Vetoes Children's Health Insurance Plan
San Francisco Chronicle: Bush Veto of Kids' Health Bill Puts Pressure on House GOP
Did any human in the MSM read this bill? Their ability to consistently achieve stunning stupidity about the English language and simple facts never disappoints.
"Bush Vetoes Middle Class Welfare Bill To Provide Adults Health Insurance."
That's the accurate headline (Congressman Zach Wamp of Tennessee has an outstanding column on this issue, here).
The media is only outdone by Congress. Put "the children" on any bill in Congress and half of the 535 Thomas Jeffersons we elected would vote for it no matter what.
L.A. Times: Child Health Veto Will Be Election Issue
New York Times: Bush Vetoes Children's Health Bill
Washington Post: Bush Vetoes Children's Health Insurance Plan
San Francisco Chronicle: Bush Veto of Kids' Health Bill Puts Pressure on House GOP
Did any human in the MSM read this bill? Their ability to consistently achieve stunning stupidity about the English language and simple facts never disappoints.
"Bush Vetoes Middle Class Welfare Bill To Provide Adults Health Insurance."
That's the accurate headline (Congressman Zach Wamp of Tennessee has an outstanding column on this issue, here).
The media is only outdone by Congress. Put "the children" on any bill in Congress and half of the 535 Thomas Jeffersons we elected would vote for it no matter what.
Dr. Adam Nagourney
N.Y. Times: On Stump, Low-Key Thompson Stirs Few Sparks
First the Times brings us the most irrelevant story of the day regarding who would fill Hillary's Senate seat, and nowpsychiatrist reporter Adam Nagourney concludes that Fred Thompson is too tired, lazy, low-key, subdued, uninformed and aloof to be president of the United States. Just pathetic "journalism."
First the Times brings us the most irrelevant story of the day regarding who would fill Hillary's Senate seat, and now
The Daily Chichester
An Archbishop who understands Catholicism (when it comes to Rudy)
The New York Times thinks Hillary is already president (they must be stupefyingly bored at the Times to have come up with this department-of-who-cares story)
The Governor-Infant gets blasted by relatives of 9-11 victims for his scheme to provide driver's licenses to illegal aliens
Charles Schumerborking profiled on Bloomberg.com
People who care more about animals than human beings People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals indoctrinate Michael Vick
The New York Times thinks Hillary is already president (they must be stupefyingly bored at the Times to have come up with this department-of-who-cares story)
The Governor-Infant gets blasted by relatives of 9-11 victims for his scheme to provide driver's licenses to illegal aliens
Charles Schumerborking profiled on Bloomberg.com
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Pollsters Anonymous
Remember all those useless polls conducted for a possible Hillary-Rudy race in 1999 and 2000? The Mayor never even officially announced. Yet it was one poll after another before Rudy said he wouldn't run.
Here we haveQuackapiac Quinnipiac with another useless, Hillary-Rudy poll. It claims Hillary leads Rudy 52-41 percent in New York.
Here we have
The SCHIP Misnomer
President Bush vetoed the $35 billion expansion of the State Children's Health Insurance Program. We're going to see how resolute, how determined House Minority Leader John Boehner and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will be in advocating limited government and market alternatives for health insurance. Because if you can't stand up against a monstrous federal program with the word "children" in it, where the benefits also go to adults, you should just head for permanent Bob Michelville.
Speaker Pelosi Doesn't Disappoint
Well, I said Speaker of the House Tracy Flick's Nancy Pelosi's appearance on that Algonquin Round Table, The View, would be Stooges-level funny. It didn't disappoint, as the WaPo noted.
The highlight:
"Trying to shout over Whoopi and her other gabbing co-hosts and excited audience members, Barbara turned to Guest Pelosi and said she has heard Whoopi say before that she'd 'do Paul Newman.'
"And I think she'd like to do your husband as well," Walters deadpanned in that quintessential accent that made her the subject of late-night lampooning over the decades."
And she wanted to be taken seriouswie when co-anchoring the evening news with Howrie Wreasoner.
The highlight:
"Trying to shout over Whoopi and her other gabbing co-hosts and excited audience members, Barbara turned to Guest Pelosi and said she has heard Whoopi say before that she'd 'do Paul Newman.'
"And I think she'd like to do your husband as well," Walters deadpanned in that quintessential accent that made her the subject of late-night lampooning over the decades."
And she wanted to be taken seriouswie when co-anchoring the evening news with Howrie Wreasoner.
How To Annoy Chichester IV
By using UPPER CASE to EMPHASIZE a point. Because if you don't use UPPER CASE, no one will understand what you're ATTEMPTING TO COMMUNICATE in an e-mail.
Rudely standing in front of the half-and-half and carrying on a conversation (that means you Senate staffers in Russell's Cups).
And standing right in front of the elevator door when you know there will be people getting off (yes, you staffers in Russell, again).
Rudely standing in front of the half-and-half and carrying on a conversation (that means you Senate staffers in Russell's Cups).
And standing right in front of the elevator door when you know there will be people getting off (yes, you staffers in Russell, again).
Chichester Edits Statements For Accuracy
Mayor Giuliani's "strategy memo" from yesterday:
TO: TEAM RUDY (TEAM RUDY, WHO VOTED FOR DEMOCRAT MARIO CUOMO)
FROM: BRENT SEABORN, STRATEGY DIRECTOR
RE: 4th QUARTER KICKOFF
DATE: OCTOBER 2, 2007
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FIELD
. . . Mayor Giuliani continues to lead all major media polls (because Republican primary voters are in an apparent coma). A recent Pew Report poll reports Mayor Giuliani’s percentage of the ballot share has increased 5 points from the previous Pew survey conducted in July. The most recent Pew survey also reports Mayor Giuliani leading the important Republican candidate attribute categories of "tough", "energetic" and "smart", among a handful of others (the important Republican candidate attribute categories of "divorcing your wife via news conference," "weird" and "a track record that includes pro-abortion, pro-gun control, pro-rent control, pro-gay rights positions and trashing an honorable man like Mayor Giuliani's former boss Attorney General Edwin Meese" were not included).
A recent FOX News poll reports Mayor Giuliani’s ballot support has increased 5 points from the previous FOX News poll conducted in August (we love citing numbers, and not our full record, on TEAM RUDY).
In addition to national polling, Mayor Giuliani is favorably positioned in a number of early and February 5 primary states. The Mayor leads nearly all Florida primary polls with a 2007 average of 30%, followed by Thompson 17%, McCain 14% and Romney 9% (we on TEAM RUDY are trying to Lilli Von Shtupp-seduce you with our numbers; don't pay attention to the full record).
. . . Most notably, Mayor Giuliani continues to hold strong with socially conservative voters. Socially conservative voters are becoming more comfortable with Mayor Giuliani as they hear him speak clearly about his agenda (he won't be dressing in drag any more) . Two of the Mayor’s 12 Commitments that are most important are "to increase the number of adoptions, reduce the number of abortions and protect the quality of life for our children" (which Rudy rarely talked about while New York City Mayor since the Planned Parenthood crowd would have went nuts, and Ruth Messenger would have had a big issue in the 1997 race).
TO: TEAM RUDY (TEAM RUDY, WHO VOTED FOR DEMOCRAT MARIO CUOMO)
FROM: BRENT SEABORN, STRATEGY DIRECTOR
RE: 4th QUARTER KICKOFF
DATE: OCTOBER 2, 2007
REPUBLICAN PRIMARY FIELD
. . . Mayor Giuliani continues to lead all major media polls (because Republican primary voters are in an apparent coma). A recent Pew Report poll reports Mayor Giuliani’s percentage of the ballot share has increased 5 points from the previous Pew survey conducted in July. The most recent Pew survey also reports Mayor Giuliani leading the important Republican candidate attribute categories of "tough", "energetic" and "smart", among a handful of others (the important Republican candidate attribute categories of "divorcing your wife via news conference," "weird" and "a track record that includes pro-abortion, pro-gun control, pro-rent control, pro-gay rights positions and trashing an honorable man like Mayor Giuliani's former boss Attorney General Edwin Meese" were not included).
A recent FOX News poll reports Mayor Giuliani’s ballot support has increased 5 points from the previous FOX News poll conducted in August (we love citing numbers, and not our full record, on TEAM RUDY).
In addition to national polling, Mayor Giuliani is favorably positioned in a number of early and February 5 primary states. The Mayor leads nearly all Florida primary polls with a 2007 average of 30%, followed by Thompson 17%, McCain 14% and Romney 9% (we on TEAM RUDY are trying to Lilli Von Shtupp-seduce you with our numbers; don't pay attention to the full record).
. . . Most notably, Mayor Giuliani continues to hold strong with socially conservative voters. Socially conservative voters are becoming more comfortable with Mayor Giuliani as they hear him speak clearly about his agenda (he won't be dressing in drag any more) . Two of the Mayor’s 12 Commitments that are most important are "to increase the number of adoptions, reduce the number of abortions and protect the quality of life for our children" (which Rudy rarely talked about while New York City Mayor since the Planned Parenthood crowd would have went nuts, and Ruth Messenger would have had a big issue in the 1997 race).
Let's Play Nutball
The Newsweek brief interview with Chris Matthews regarding his new book:
Newsweek: I would not have expected you, the hostus interruptus of "Hardball," to have an appreciation for listening.
Nutball: It was the way Bill Clinton got girls, and he taught it to his wife as a way to get votes. Another one of these rich ironies. My mistake in the old days was drinking with girls and saying how great I was.
Chris, please retire.
Newsweek: I would not have expected you, the hostus interruptus of "Hardball," to have an appreciation for listening.
Nutball: It was the way Bill Clinton got girls, and he taught it to his wife as a way to get votes. Another one of these rich ironies. My mistake in the old days was drinking with girls and saying how great I was.
Chris, please retire.
Governor Richard Milhouse Spitzer
The New York Sun reports the latest outburst from Governor Spitzer in a speech yesterday regarding his scheme to provide driver's licenses to illegal aliens:
"No amount of hysterical rhetoric will prevent us from doing what is right. I'm not going to run from the fight just because the other side decides to demagogue it."
"Hysterical rhetoric. "
A major focus of this blog is frauds, fakes and phonies in public life. Governor Spitzer has used "hysterical rhetoric" throughout his career, and largely never paid a price for it.
Until now, as Wayne Barrett notes in today's Village Voice.
I'm surprised he made it through this speech without dropping an f-bomb or ten on his audience.
"No amount of hysterical rhetoric will prevent us from doing what is right. I'm not going to run from the fight just because the other side decides to demagogue it."
"Hysterical rhetoric. "
A major focus of this blog is frauds, fakes and phonies in public life. Governor Spitzer has used "hysterical rhetoric" throughout his career, and largely never paid a price for it.
Until now, as Wayne Barrett notes in today's Village Voice.
I'm surprised he made it through this speech without dropping an f-bomb or ten on his audience.
The Daily Chichester
Pollsters Anonymous: Hillary clobbering Sen. Obama in new WaPo poll
Sen. Fred Thompson will address the New York State "Conservative" Party October 15th
Peanutsism: Jimmy Carter, once again, achieving nothing and looking good doing it
The Washington Post, the public relations firm for Anita Hill, on the Clarence Thomas book
Senator Bob Packwood Isiah Thomas costs the Knicks $11.6 million
My Mets Keep Willie (it's Omar who should go, btw)
Sen. Fred Thompson will address the New York State "Conservative" Party October 15th
Peanutsism: Jimmy Carter, once again, achieving nothing and looking good doing it
The Washington Post, the public relations firm for Anita Hill, on the Clarence Thomas book
My Mets Keep Willie (it's Omar who should go, btw)
Chichester Responds To E-mail / RE: Iraq
Q: Do you honestly believe victory [in Iraq] is even possible at this point? And what do you so dislike about Democrats?
A: Of course I believe we can achieve victory. The United States military is the greatest institution our country has ever produced. I know first-hand.
I dislike the Democratic party's inability to accept the consequences of war. I dislike its overwrought Oprah-esque talk show host, emotion-only approach to why we are in Iraq. I dislike the language the party leaders use that damage morale. Nancy Pelosi said it was a "grotesque mistake" and Harry Reid said "the war is lost." This language is deeply disturbing to me. Our soldiers hear this bile.
A: Of course I believe we can achieve victory. The United States military is the greatest institution our country has ever produced. I know first-hand.
I dislike the Democratic party's inability to accept the consequences of war. I dislike its overwrought Oprah-esque talk show host, emotion-only approach to why we are in Iraq. I dislike the language the party leaders use that damage morale. Nancy Pelosi said it was a "grotesque mistake" and Harry Reid said "the war is lost." This language is deeply disturbing to me. Our soldiers hear this bile.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Sen. Obama: It's September 10, 2001
There are proposals by candidates that achieve a level of naivete and ignorance from which they should never recover.
Today, Senator Obama announced he will seek the elimination of the world's nuclear weapons, if elected president. This is a proposal he should never, ever recover from. And one that his opponents should use to demonstrate - again - how his inexperience and I'd-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing-in-perfect-harmony Coca-Cola commercial philosophy of foreign policy is dangerous to our national security.
I'm sure al-Qaeda will agree we need to eliminate nuclear weapons. And Iran. And Syria. And Hamas. And Islamic Jihad. And I could go on listing the terrorists and America-haters who want to carry out another September 11, 2001 - using nuclear weapons on us.
Today, Senator Obama announced he will seek the elimination of the world's nuclear weapons, if elected president. This is a proposal he should never, ever recover from. And one that his opponents should use to demonstrate - again - how his inexperience and I'd-like-to-teach-the-world-to-sing-in-perfect-harmony Coca-Cola commercial philosophy of foreign policy is dangerous to our national security.
I'm sure al-Qaeda will agree we need to eliminate nuclear weapons. And Iran. And Syria. And Hamas. And Islamic Jihad. And I could go on listing the terrorists and America-haters who want to carry out another September 11, 2001 - using nuclear weapons on us.
Pollsters Anonymous
The latest Quackapiac Quinnipiac poll claims New Yorkers believe that Gov. Spitzer "knew what his aides were doing when they arranged for State Police records of Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno's travels to be leaked to the media" by a margin of 56-25 percent and that "New York State voters say 78 - 17 percent that Gov. Eliot Spitzer should testify under oath about what he knew of the so-called Troopergate scandal."
Yet:
"Voters say 57 - 26 percent that Spitzer is 'honest and trustworthy.'"
That makes sense. It's perfectly intellectually consistent.
The Serenity Pollster: May I continue to strive to maintain thePolling Serenity to accept the crosstabs things that are not mine to sample change, courage to change the focus groups things that I should for the margin of error betterment of my fees the planet or even one likely voter life upon it , and the wisdom to know the wording of the question difference.
To be a near-daily feature given the media's obsession with polls and the horse race.
Yet:
"Voters say 57 - 26 percent that Spitzer is 'honest and trustworthy.'"
That makes sense. It's perfectly intellectually consistent.
The Serenity Pollster: May I continue to strive to maintain the
To be a near-daily feature given the media's obsession with polls and the horse race.
Drudge
Drudge, when he's not obsessing about freak weather events, missing persons, 60-year-old mothers, 17-pound babies, the train wrecks of Hollywood bimbos and mimbos, today has one of his classic screaming headlines:
"QUEEN OF THE QUARTER: HILLARY CRUSHES OBAMA IN SURPRISE FUNDRAISING SURGE"
Perhaps he should ask how President Phil Gramm and President Steve Forbes did with their fund-raising prowess. Or even President Howard Dean before he self-destructed in Iowa.
Hillary raised $27 million. Sen. Obama raised $20 million. The difference is negligible so far out from the first votes being cast.
"QUEEN OF THE QUARTER: HILLARY CRUSHES OBAMA IN SURPRISE FUNDRAISING SURGE"
Perhaps he should ask how President Phil Gramm and President Steve Forbes did with their fund-raising prowess. Or even President Howard Dean before he self-destructed in Iowa.
Hillary raised $27 million. Sen. Obama raised $20 million. The difference is negligible so far out from the first votes being cast.
Governor Richard Milhouse Spitzer
The New York Post reports the Governor is a tad upset with critics of his scheme to provide driver's licenses to illegal aliens:
"What I object to is that the attacks from the right show the extent to which this is about desperate politics and not about substance . . .
"No amount of fear mongering and extremist rhetoric will prevent us from doing what is morally and practically correct."
He is coming apart.
There is no elected official in New York more practiced in "extremist rhetoric" than Eliot Spitzer. Joe Bruno knows it. Jim Tedisco knows it. John Whitehead certainly knows it.
He is petty.
He is petulant.
He can't handle, emotionally, anyone who disagrees with him.
He is America's Governor-Infant.
"What I object to is that the attacks from the right show the extent to which this is about desperate politics and not about substance . . .
"No amount of fear mongering and extremist rhetoric will prevent us from doing what is morally and practically correct."
He is coming apart.
There is no elected official in New York more practiced in "extremist rhetoric" than Eliot Spitzer. Joe Bruno knows it. Jim Tedisco knows it. John Whitehead certainly knows it.
He is petty.
He is petulant.
He can't handle, emotionally, anyone who disagrees with him.
He is America's Governor-Infant.
The Phony Soldier, and Phony Democratic Outrage
The controversy surrounding Rush Limbaugh's "phony soldier" remark has reached the Orwellian level.
Do Democrats and liberals even understand the English language, or the sequence of a conversation?
Limbaugh did not attack or denigrate anti-war soldiers as "phony soldiers." He attacked and denigrated one phony soldier, Jesse MacBeth. MacBeth was in Army basic training for 40 days before he was judged unfit to serve and promptly discharged. Yet he was adopted as the latest mascot by the moveon.org fanatics after he claimed to have killed men and women leaving a Baghdad mosque while stationed in Iraq.
This fact didn't stop Senate Majority LeaderPat Geary Harry Reid from calling Limbaugh's comments "so beyond the pale of decency that it cannot be left alone."
Senator Tom Harkin, in one of the most unseemly and undignified rants witnessed on the Senate floor in recent memory said, "Well, I don’t know. Maybe he was just high on his drugs again. I don’t know whether he was or not. If so, he ought to let us know. But that shouldn’t be an excuse."
And John Kerry said, "In a single moment on his show, Limbaugh managed to question the patriotism of men and women in uniform who have put their lives on the line and many who died for his right to sit safely in his air-conditioned studio peddling hate."
How these three men manage to corral even one vote from the people of Nevada, Iowa and Massachusetts is near-stunning. Each has used inflammatory rhetoric that damaged troop morale, and hurt our efforts to achieve victory. They have now directed manufactured outrage at a private citizen for the sole purpose of motivating their lunatic fringe supporters on the left. It's a disgrace.
Do Democrats and liberals even understand the English language, or the sequence of a conversation?
Limbaugh did not attack or denigrate anti-war soldiers as "phony soldiers." He attacked and denigrated one phony soldier, Jesse MacBeth. MacBeth was in Army basic training for 40 days before he was judged unfit to serve and promptly discharged. Yet he was adopted as the latest mascot by the moveon.org fanatics after he claimed to have killed men and women leaving a Baghdad mosque while stationed in Iraq.
This fact didn't stop Senate Majority Leader
Senator Tom Harkin, in one of the most unseemly and undignified rants witnessed on the Senate floor in recent memory said, "Well, I don’t know. Maybe he was just high on his drugs again. I don’t know whether he was or not. If so, he ought to let us know. But that shouldn’t be an excuse."
And John Kerry said, "In a single moment on his show, Limbaugh managed to question the patriotism of men and women in uniform who have put their lives on the line and many who died for his right to sit safely in his air-conditioned studio peddling hate."
How these three men manage to corral even one vote from the people of Nevada, Iowa and Massachusetts is near-stunning. Each has used inflammatory rhetoric that damaged troop morale, and hurt our efforts to achieve victory. They have now directed manufactured outrage at a private citizen for the sole purpose of motivating their lunatic fringe supporters on the left. It's a disgrace.
Daily News: Spitzer snubs Cuomo at L.I. Democratic Party meeting
Liz Benjamin has the latest on the Governor-Infant.
He blew off Attorney General Andrew Cuomo at the Democratic party's annual fall meeting. Likely because of the non-scathing scathing report he issued on the use of State Troopers to track Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's movements.
The Governor appears oblivious to the significance of the Cuomo report. He went easy on Spitzer. He should be sending Cuomo chocolates and flowers for not putting his aides under oath.
He blew off Attorney General Andrew Cuomo at the Democratic party's annual fall meeting. Likely because of the non-scathing scathing report he issued on the use of State Troopers to track Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno's movements.
The Governor appears oblivious to the significance of the Cuomo report. He went easy on Spitzer. He should be sending Cuomo chocolates and flowers for not putting his aides under oath.
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