I'll vote for those folks when they're electorally viable in my area. If they'd ever ask, I'd help them become electorally viable.

Most of them seem content to be non-benchers, though.

Posted at July 2, 2008 3:00 PM in response to Goodbye TPM, Daily Kos, Huffington Post

Bulldog, I can't possibly keep up with you on the ins and outs of recovery policy, but I do have a major problem with your apparent central premise:
the US has a right to (and/or just *will*) keep producing goods and consuming resources at present rates (or higher), and our energy policy needs to be directed toward maintaining those production levels, rather than using our new understanding of the limitations of oil and gas supply to remake the US economy and prudently redirect recovery and energy production efforts with a view to the next hundred years. Why do we we *need* to maintain these oil production levels rather than reducing use to the extent that alt. energy becomes more viable?

Also, I think your analysis of how much some AE solutions cost is skewed because you assume an individual with no tax support or community initiative support will be paying all the costs. Just because that's how it works doesn't mean we can't solve those problems.

Finally, your pegging the problem to "the Democrats" doesn't sit well with me. This is partly because I'm a partisan Dem, but there are lots of people of a lot of minds who work in a lot of industries including politics that influence this sort of thing. I hesitate to blame just Dems for the wide ranging problems you describe, esp. when 68 million acres apparently aren't being ramped up.

Posted at July 2, 2008 2:55 PM in response to They can't be this stupid

You can't govern if you don't win.

Have fun "moving on from Bush" during a McSame presidency. If you're of draft age, you'll probably be moving on to Iran.

You're not paying attention if you think this is co-opting or triangulation - it's what Obama actually believes in.

Also, your apparent atheism doesn't mean that religious programs can't do good.

Posted at July 1, 2008 3:03 PM in response to Election Central Morning Roundup

I think Bev's got it, and dataguy sums it up.

What is yer point exactly, McFadden? I think I could easily put my name in place of Obama's, change a couple of references, and suddenly have an explanation for why some vilify me even though I'm really a caring guy.

Posted at July 1, 2008 2:26 PM in response to The Left and the Right Agree: Obama Is a Sociopath

Billy, you're not dumb, so why do you alienate people by being a condescending jerk?

Posted at July 1, 2008 10:25 AM in response to Clark Ridiculed McCain and the Left Doesn't Get It: What's Up With That?

Jesus, leave it to a bunch of Democrats to abandon ship with land in sight.

Increasing oversight of government funds flowing to faith-based charity programs (thanks Eric) is a *good* idea. Even if it were just a not-great or even kinda-bad idea, we could just grumble about it and move on.

But no, every single policy is a chance for Goodbye, Cruel Politics grandstanding from some people. This is why I'm nervous about the election - fickle Democrats deciding they are So Disappointed that they just can't send money or walk a precinct for that durn Obama. Shut up and win, wouldja?

This only applies to some, and it's not a reason to not discuss policy on its merits. It's a plea for prudent self-interest in the Silly Season.

Posted at July 1, 2008 9:57 AM in response to Election Central Morning Roundup

"BO is done now burning the constitution and single handedly ensuring passage of the telecom immunity, and new invasive, unlimited, unmonitored, and unaccountable state spying on the president's word."

Yeah, 'cause it was his idea. I want him to vote against it too, and I really hope he at minimum gets rid of the immunity provisions, but it takes 535 to tango. This is way more Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi than BHO.

Posted at June 20, 2008 5:50 PM in response to Poll: Obama Vaults To 15-Point Lead Over McCain

Whoa there with the credulity. This:

"You may ask why am I supporting John McCain. Well, John McCain will put the national interest ahead of partisanship, he will work with anyone who sincerely wants to get this country moving again. If John McCain is elected President, the era of the permanent campaign will end. The era of problem solving will begin."

is verbatim off the John McCain website, from the section that provides blog-ready talking points. There's a post about the tactic somewhere else on TPM.

Snarky, or hamfisted? Your call.

Posted at May 21, 2008 1:49 PM in response to Serious Issues Ahead

EXCELLENT

Posted at May 21, 2008 1:35 PM in response to NEW Reuters poll O-59%,C-33%; O-47%, M-37%

pmSanFran:

Arguing that superdelegates should support the PD winner is a suggestion of how they exercise their judgement. It's not "changing the rules." (I can't read yer link, so if he argues they should be *bound* to do that, then it's a rule change, but I don;'t remember that analysis)

Getting the rules committee to reverse an earlier decision, ignore the violation of that decision, and admit MI and FL is, by definition, changing the rules.

I'll be real happy when I read a novel pro-Clinton argument that doesn't indict the agreed-to system or conflate the Obama campaign with vicious, alleged "supporters."

Posted at May 21, 2008 1:34 PM in response to the sudden burst of manufactured attacks on Obama