More Tea Party Video

H/T: R. Neal, KnoxViews

Fair & Balanced Screenshot of the Day

The Counterrevolutionary Media just can't help themselves. The front page of their website this afternoon shows pictures of Rachel Maddow, Anderson Cooper and David Shuster with capital lettered words written across all of them reading, "TV TOILET HUMOR."

Promoting yesterday's freakshow event like a rock concert made a lot of us laugh. Now, Fox News ' feelings are hurt.  They're fighting back, exposing those left-wing media types and all of those supposed filthy jokes they've been broadcasting -- because the tea parties were such a family event. (see the Huffington Post's Top 10 most offensive tea party signs) 

Gimmick Alert! Tea Parties & The Tenth Amendment

The lunacy continues.   The shameless, right-wing fringe continue to teabag not only Democrats but each other.   And now, another cowboy Governor from Texas is making a fool of himself.

Texas Governor, Rick Perry, who plans to attend a tea party himself, just yesterday expressed his support for Texan sovereignty.  Uuhh boy...

Here we go again, yet this time, it's the tenth amendment.

Before now, as you may remember, it was all about the 2nd amendment, when the same tea-bag waving crowd of flakes claimed (and still do) that Obama was going to take away all of our guns.

Before that, no sooner than President Obama raised his right hand, a short-lived, anxiety-packed, petition the government now or else 1st amendment movement began when right-wingers persuaded Republican tea-baggers of a scary liberal conspiracy aimed at reviving the fairness doctrine. Those who got caught up in that hullabaloo had their jets calmed when Fox News broke the news (and even told the truth) of Obama's opposition to the idea.

Now, the most paranoid teabaggers among us have taken gimmickery to the next level in forming tenth amendment movements, as if any of them have ever read a book in their entire lives, let alone the Constitution.

Here's an interesting twist.  The same Governor Perry who now suddenly believes that tyrants in Washington are forcing their will by making him accept federal funds is also the the same Governor Perry who, in 2002 (see his own press release), gladly accepted hundreds of millions in No Child Left Behind funding.  All of a sudden, Perry and thousands of Republican tea-baggers just like him are wholly devoted to states rights.  

Perry's political posturing scheme mirrors the same kind of erratic behavior of John McCain's when he suspended his Presidential campaign. Since when has a state governor ever refused federal funding in the past?

Perry isn't alone in his political posturing.  South Carolina Governor, Mark Sanford, in an effort to appeal to his own tea party base, proudly claimed back in March that he was rejecting federal stimulus funds. Now, quite predictably, he's backtracking.  So much for that Free Republic interview when Sanford said he "loved the concept" of a tenth amendment movement.

What's next for these phonies? Secession? States printing their own money?  Negotiating treaties? Didn't we settle this argument in 1865 when southern states believed, before then, they were sovereign in their right to decide whether or not they were free or slave? What about that thirteenth amendment?

Where were these tea party people when George W. Bush was squandering away a budget surplus -- blowing up billions of dollars (and lives) in the desert sand -- and dolling out tax cuts for the wealthiest? Truth be told, not one of these teabaggers will pay higher taxes under Obama's plan.

Some would have you believe these protests are handwritings on the wall for a divided America.  But I couldn't disagree more.  You see, Americans in November proved they wanted more than just gimmicks.  They soundly rejected Drill Baby Drill, Joe the Plummer, suspended campaigns, lipstick on a pitbull, gas tax holidays and freezing federal spending. Americans rejected the notion that Obama was a radical Muslim from Kenya who wants to take away your guns, bibles and talk-radio.  Those who still believe it are out in full force today, waving their teabags, screaming "Impeach Obama" and claiming they know something about the tenth amendment.  

We'll keep tabs on how all that's working out for them. I'm looking forward to some of that juicy video tea party footage.  You know it's coming!

Meanwhile, for all of their hard work, President Obama's approval rating is still in the mid-sixties; and a recent Gallup poll shows that 71% of Americans trust the President in his handling of the economy.  Only 38% in the same poll said the same about Republicans.

Republicans Should Keep Doing What They're Doing

While the fringe right wing continue searching for the future of their party in radio, others who oppose them use video cameras to show the world how stupid these crackpots really are.

Pam over at House Blend, for instance, blogged today about Alexander Pelosi's HBO documentary "Right America Feeling Wronged." We've seen these types of videos before. Flocks of illiterate, racist, maniacs gather together to watch each other foam at the mouth.  Ask yourself after watching, "How many of these brains actually know what socialism really is?"    

This is the here and now (and probably the immediate future) of the Republican party. These are the people who brought us Bushonmics. They are the 25% who approved of Bush when he left office. Now, with Limbug at the helm of their party, we're sure to see more videos just like this.  Man, I can't wait! I found this one just by searching for tea party on Youtube. This guy seems confident of victory in '10 and '12. 

After the ass-beating Republicans took in November, who could have predicted their new stage right strategy?  Not me. But then again, we shouldn't underestimate their inability to get it. 

Republicans should keep doing what they're doing. To them I say, "Keep it up!" Keep it up with your tea parties.  Keep inviting crackpots to headline your gatherings. Keep embracing leaders who desperately want the president to fail.  

Americans aren't buying what these nuts are selling. Not anymore. While it may be true that these movements are solidifying the base, it's equally important to note that the Republican base is now a minority base.  Translation - There's more of us than them.  Thank god, right?  

The president's approval rating remains in the upper 60's, and Americans trust Democrats in congress by far more than their Republican counterparts (50-38).  If we're lucky enough, maybe they will continue to ignore the polls. Keep it up!

The McCain Stunt Meter

As we have pointed out in previous posts, the McCain campaign has a penchant for gimmickry whenever it hits a rough patch (a frequent occurrence lately). We are not alone in noticing this phenomenon. The ever-resourceful and brilliant Nate Silver at 538.com has not only noticed, but he has produced this insightful and entertaining 'stunt meter'.  

The stunt meter is funny and yet it's a bit scary in its implications. We just hope Nate doesn't get into copyright trouble with the geniuses at the Department of Homeland Security. You will recall their color-coded security alert chart (offered with absolute seriousness) which the McCain Stunt Meter closely resembles.

What will we do for cheap entertainment when the current in-charge crowd is booted out on November 4th?

Nuptials in Nome: the Next McCain Gimmick?

Since securing the Republican Presidential nomination, John McCain has engaged in a consistent pattern of gimmick-driven efforts to distract voters and change the subject in this campaign. In light of Barack Obama's growing lead in most national polls, many of us have been expecting another gimmick from the McCain campaign. We may not have long to wait.

The Times of London is reporting today that Bristol Palin, 17, daughter of Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin, will wed Levi Johnston, 18, her boyfriend and father of her unborn baby, before the November election. Lest you think this has nothing to do with politics, The Times quotes a McCain insider as saying: "It would be fantastic. You would have every TV camera there. The entire country would be watching. It would shut down the race for a week."

Shut down the race for an entire week? Not talk about the issues? Avoid those pesky political reporters? So, that's the goal, huh? Who knew?

h/t: TalkingPointsMemo

Debate Win Should Add to Obama's Momentum

As noted in our latest Electoral Vote projection, Senator Obama was already picking up steam heading into last night's Presidential debate. Three tracking polls out today  - Rasmussen, Gallup and Diageo/Hotline - confirm that assessment. 

Obama leads McCain by five points in the Gallup and Diageo/Hotline surveys and by six points in Rasmussen's tracker. None of these daily tracking surveys reflect the impact of last night's debate. Note that Obama's lead is outside the margin of error in all three tracking polls.

Then comes the debate. According to flash polls by CBS, CNN and others, Obama won last night's encounter handily. Numbers from various real-time focus groups (Luntz, GQR, etc.) show the same results. Assuming these snapshots are accurate, we will almost certainly see Obama's lead increase in the days ahead. Without a doubt, the Democratic Presidential nominee now has what Bush The Elder famously called "Big Mo" (momentum).

There must be a bunch of very worried ex-lobbyists at McCain Headquarters today. Stay tuned for the next gimmick from McCainWorld. Given the trouble they're in, you can bet it's coming.

A Noun, a Verb and a Gimmick

In an act of utter political desperation, driven by naked personal ambition, John McCain has suddenly 'suspended' his campaign, called on Barack Obama to do the same and announced he wants to delay the presidential debate scheduled for this Friday.  The public excuse he offers for these dramatic actions is to allow the two presidential candidates to go to Washington so they can focus on crafting a bailout plan for the financial industry.  

Oh really, Mr. McCain? It has nothing to do with a raft of new polls in recent days showing that your campaign is coming apart at the seams? Nothing to do with how tired, confused and erratic you've looked and sounded on the campaign trail lately? Nothing to do with the burgeoning scandals plaguing your campaign? Nothing to do with the fact that you can't allow your running-mate out of the house without adult supervision? Really?

Or is it, Mr. McCain, that you just can't do more than one thing at a time,? I've got a news flash for you: Presidents often have to juggle multiple problems simultaneously...  and sometimes several very serious problems at that. Lincoln ran a presidential campaign (1864) in the middle of the Civil War. FDR ran for President twice (1932 and 1936) in the midst of the Great Depression and once (1944) in the middle of World War II. What's your problem, Mr. McCain? Are you just not up to the job? 

No, Mr. McCain, this won't do. Your suggestion just won't wash. Be a man and admit the truth. This ploy is just one more gimmick - like the 'drill here, drill now' scheme, the faux concern about Hurricane Ike during the RNC, the selection of a totally unqualified and unexpected VP candidate and the reckless call to fire the head of the SEC as a fix for the Wall Street meltdown. All of them were gimmicks and all were designed with only one goal in mind: to get you elected President. Just raw, cynical political ambition - nothing more.

Barack Obama just held a press conference. He told us the truth while looking and sounding very presidential in the process. He knows this campaign must continue. He's willing to do what it takes to fix the mess on Wall Street while protecting taxpayers' interests, but he is unwilling to suspend the most important election campaign in a generation. Above all, he knows that we deserve presidential candidates who can manage a crisis and present their views to the American people at the same time. It's called leadership.

Enough with the gimmicks, John McCain!