TREX!!!!!

NED!!!!!

There is no video of Chris Kattan as Mango on You Tube. What kind of a world IS this?

TRex !!

Masterpiece.

And yes, definitely, Chris Kattan as Dangerstein a la Mango.

But I suspect, even if offered good money, Kattan would balk at delivering the entire angry, tragi-comic Dangerstein soliloquy. Yeesh.

Anyhow…on to something of far more importance than Dangerstein on a Jaegermeister-RedBull fueled jag. What’d you get in your trick-or-treat bag tonight? Got a crapload of Rollos, Reeses mini-cups, peppermint patties, Hershey’s kisses leftover; I’ll send you some, no trick required.

And yes, definitely, Chris Kattan as Dangerstein a la Mango.

Or possibly the Church Lady?

Thank you, I have been looking forward to your smack-down of Dangerstain since last night, T-Rex.

I don’t know if there are any subscribers here, but there is a very interesting looking story on how much David Sirota and Dangerstain hate each oter over at TNR.

Gerstein, a thick-necked 39-year-old communications consultant and veteran Joe Lieberman aide, has been known to accuse those who disagree with him of being anti-Semites.

If anyone can get behind the gate, would love to know what it says……

RevDeb @ 7

And yes, definitely, Chris Kattan as Dangerstein a la Mango.

Or possibly the Church Lady?

Oh, no. Marilyn Musgrave is the Church Lady.

C’mon, Lamont! CLOSE THE DEAL!

Iraq, Iraq, and nothing but…

But, TRex, don’t you think by stooping to [dangerstein]’s level and spewing the same anger and hate he does, that you betray the progressive cause? Should we not meet this illness and rage with compassion and caring? It’s gotten so vicious here at LateNiteFDL, I wonder if I can go on reading every night, night after night, and still be a caring, progressive intellectually honest human. It once made me laugh, your writing, but now I wonder if you drag us into the same sewer of torture that our adversaries dwell in. I want them to come into the light, not pull us into the darkness.

=================
Had Enough Opposite Day?
=================

I’ve always been a firm believer that the more words use the less you know what the hell you’re talking about.

Fabulous TRex! Danny boy was 6′4″ before you got a-hold of him.

TSF – Thanks for sharing that wonderful trans-photo earlier. *Sigh* good memories and good times.

Did the world change or is it just my perception? Halloween candy used to be a lot more interesting and diverse than it is now. But then again I swear they’ve changed the recipe for Twinkies. They tasted much better when I was eight years old.

It’s beyond me why you let that Teddy guy come here every night and whine about how he’s had enough. You’d think somebody wrote a song about it or something.

I think [dangerstein] knew the editorial was coming. He’s really pissed about the damn bloggers deciphering the NYT “database” problem about RGJoe saying “Stay the Course.” Or not saying it.

Plus maybe Jennifer Medina stopped chatting with him after that kerfuffle.

hah! TRex,too many spot-on barbs to highlight. You’re leaving town on a high note, and Monsieur Danger will have to welcome you to CT with open arms. or not.

TRex @ 9

RevDeb @ 7

And yes, definitely, Chris Kattan as Dangerstein a la Mango.

Or possibly the Church Lady?

Oh, no. Marilyn Musgrave is the Church Lady.

No that’s WAY to literal. Musgrave is more like a reich wing nightmare version of Phyllis Diller.

I’m about this far away from flouncing off in a Mehlmanish huff.

Lierberman OT:

I don’t know if you guys have seen this yet but it’s good:

http://www.votevets.org/storag…..tad9-7.pdf

TeddySanFran @ 19

I’m about this far away from flouncing off in a Mehlmanish huff.

Teddy – for your sake and ours: please. step. away. from. the. brink.

you do NOT want to make me invoke a group hug. trust me on this.

This just in…‘actual’ video of Dangerstein writing his letter to the editor:
http://video.google.com/videop…..1075510549

707

Hope!

UptownNYChick @
8

Thank you, I have been looking forward to your smack-down of Dangerstain since last night, T-Rex.

I don’t know if there are any subscribers here, but there is a very interesting looking story on how much David Sirota and Dangerstain hate each oter over at TNR.

Gerstein, a thick-necked 39-year-old communications consultant and veteran Joe Lieberman aide, has been known to accuse those who disagree with him of being anti-Semites.

If anyone can get behind the gate, would love to know what it says……

Oh, it’s good:

And the issue of exactly how deep Sirota’s connections to Dark Lord Lieberman were three years ago has remained a serious bone of contention. Early this month, Sirota dug up a chain of e-mail correspondence between him and Lieberman’s office documenting that he did indeed cut off discussions with the Lieberman camp after one interview–and that he was not rejected by Lieberman, as Gerstein has claimed. On his blog, under the headline “here it is: the indisputable proof lieberman’s campaign lies,” Sirota posted the e-mail exchange, accused Gerstein of libel, and, lest anyone think he was merely grinding a personal ax, mused on “the bigger political sense” of the whole affair. “Why,” Sirota wrote, “does Joe Lieberman, a man of supposed ‘principle’ who is supposedly pursuing a ‘new politics of unity and purpose’ allow someone with such disdain for the truth like Gerstein to publicly represent him?”

Gerstein wouldn’t directly answer Sirota’s question. “I have never told one lie about David Sirota,” he replied, quickly pivoting to try to reframe the dispute. “This is one of the problems with the Lamont people. They make wild accusations about lies when they don’t even know what a lie is.” In an e-mail, Gerstein was even more blunt. “this proves nothing,” he wrote, “other than sirota has gone off the deep end.”

TeddySanFran @
11

But, TRex, don’t you think by stooping to [dangerstein]’s level and spewing the same anger and hate he does, that you betray the progressive cause? Should we not meet this illness and rage with compassion and caring? It’s gotten so vicious here at LateNiteFDL, I wonder if I can go on reading every night, night after night, and still be a caring, progressive intellectually honest human. It once made me laugh, your writing, but now I wonder if you drag us into the same sewer of torture that our adversaries dwell in. I want them to come into the light, not pull us into the darkness.

=================
Had Enough Opposite Day?
=================

you forgot the [/sarcasm] tag…

TeddySanFran @ 11

But, TRex, don’t you think by stooping to [dangerstein]’s level and spewing the same anger and hate he does, that you betray the progressive cause? Should we not meet this illness and rage with compassion and caring? It’s gotten so vicious here at LateNiteFDL, I wonder if I can go on reading every night, night after night, and still be a caring, progressive intellectually honest human. It once made me laugh, your writing, but now I wonder if you drag us into the same sewer of torture that our adversaries dwell in. I want them to come into the light, not pull us into the darkness.

=================
Had Enough Opposite Day?
=================

Snicker.

TRex @ 24

UptownNYChick @
8

Thank you, I have been looking forward to your smack-down of Dangerstain since last night, T-Rex.

I don’t know if there are any subscribers here, but there is a very interesting looking story on how much David Sirota and Dangerstain hate each oter over at TNR.

Gerstein, a thick-necked 39-year-old communications consultant and veteran Joe Lieberman aide, has been known to accuse those who disagree with him of being anti-Semites.

If anyone can get behind the gate, would love to know what it says……

Oh, it’s good:

And the issue of exactly how deep Sirota’s connections to Dark Lord Lieberman were three years ago has remained a serious bone of contention. Early this month, Sirota dug up a chain of e-mail correspondence between him and Lieberman’s office documenting that he did indeed cut off discussions with the Lieberman camp after one interview–and that he was not rejected by Lieberman, as Gerstein has claimed. On his blog, under the headline “here it is: the indisputable proof lieberman’s campaign lies,” Sirota posted the e-mail exchange, accused Gerstein of libel, and, lest anyone think he was merely grinding a personal ax, mused on “the bigger political sense” of the whole affair. “Why,” Sirota wrote, “does Joe Lieberman, a man of supposed ‘principle’ who is supposedly pursuing a ‘new politics of unity and purpose’ allow someone with such disdain for the truth like Gerstein to publicly represent him?”

Gerstein wouldn’t directly answer Sirota’s question. “I have never told one lie about David Sirota,” he replied, quickly pivoting to try to reframe the dispute. “This is one of the problems with the Lamont people. They make wild accusations about lies when they don’t even know what a lie is.” In an e-mail, Gerstein was even more blunt. “this proves nothing,” he wrote, “other than sirota has gone off the deep end.”

So Dangerstain caught in another lie and smear…..
Will he have to work for strictly Republicans afer this?

TeddySanFran @
11

But, TRex, don’t you think by stooping to [dangerstein]’s level and spewing the same anger and hate he does, that you betray the progressive cause? Should we not meet this illness and rage with compassion and caring? It’s gotten so vicious here at LateNiteFDL, I wonder if I can go on reading every night, night after night, and still be a caring, progressive intellectually honest human. It once made me laugh, your writing, but now I wonder if you drag us into the same sewer of torture that our adversaries dwell in. I want them to come into the light, not pull us into the darkness.

=================
Had Enough Opposite Day?
=================

I agree Teddy. I cannot believe the low depths this blog has stooped to, TRex. We are no better than the wingnuts we deplore. And it is all your fault.

I long for the golden days of FDL when I myself set the high standards to which I thought we all aspired with the words “sandpaper snatch.”

Then we all sipped mint tea from bone china with our pinkies extended.

Good times.

Gerstein wouldn’t directly answer Sirota’s question. “I have never told just (ed.) one lie about David Sirota,” he replied, quickly pivoting to try to reframe the dispute.

ture story: actually, he told several.

OfT: I know Grandma Pelosi has taken impeachment “off the table,” but aren’t Mark Halperin and John Harris a tad optimistic in using “When” to start this paragraph:

“When the current President Bush completes his full second term, it will be the first time since James Madison and James Monroe almost two hundred years ago that back-to-back presidents both served all eight years of two elected terms. Put another way, two of the most divisive figures in this country’s history will have commanded the White House for sixteen consecutive years.”

Quoted in Bowtie Will’s column, which ain’t bad reading tomorrow (I hate to admit):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/…..01315.html

Mr. TRex have a wonderful time helping Ned to victory!!! You’re going to where we’d all love to be when the cheers go up!

Folks, I am checking in from London. Played my first show (EVAR) with the Low Lows tonight here.

It was soooo gooooood.

Then did the Right Thing, and had a curry in a pub. (Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?)

But now it’s almost five am.

I miss you guys. Hope everyone is well.

Wish you were here, TRex. Have fun in CT.

Lou Costello @
22

This just in…‘actual’ video of Dangerstein writing his letter to the editor:
http://video.google.com/videop…..1075510549

707

Funny, that’s exactly what I pictured.

patrick rex @ 31

Folks, I am checking in from London. Played my first show (EVAR) with the Low Lows tonight here.

It was soooo gooooood.

Then did the Right Thing, and had a curry in a pub. (Isn’t that what you’re supposed to do?)

But now it’s almost five am.

I miss you guys. Hope everyone is well.

Wish you were here, TRex. Have fun in CT.

THANKS, BRO!!!

Everyone misses you here.

“BLINDINGLY ANGRY BLOGGERS” is a difficult phrase to parse.

It just doesn’t work, and it could be read to suggest that Gerstein himself is blinded by the anger of the bloggers, as though our collective anger with Lieberman emits some sort of brilliant light.

I sorta like that reading.

Put another way, two of the most divisive figures in this country’s history will have commanded the White House for sixteen consecutive years.”

yeah? so the f**k what?

ugh.

Falling asleep on this monitor.

Going to sleep. I will “refresh comments” when I wake up in the morning.

best regards, y’all.

rock on, P-Rex

LOOK At THIS: Schlesinger Says Lieberman $387K Slush Fund Is “Street Money”

As reported on the Lamont blog, Alan Schlesinger is claiming he’s pretty sure that Lieberman’s missing $387K slush fund is “street money”, a term used to describe cash that’s used for vote buying.

Here’s the transcript:

CT Bob: “Senator Lieberman apparently went through $387,000 in petty cash during the twelve days preceding the primary. By comparison, Ned Lamont’s campaign recorded a total of $500 petty cash for the same period. No other senate campaign has recorded anywhere near the same amount of petty cash being essentially unaccounted for. What do you think may be going on here?”

Schlesinger: “Well, it’s an awful lot of petty cash. It’s more than our whole campaign in petty cash.

I’ll tell ya, it’s gotta be street money. I mean, it makes no other sense.

I really thought the days of that were over, back in the early sixties, but I guess not. It’s unfortunate.”

Sure, that’s just Schlesinger’s say-so, but what about this Courant article? This article describes in clear detail an appalling absentee ballot scheme Lieberman’s been using to prey on the elderly and buy their votes.

I just can’t believe that Lieberman is THIS BAD. But here it is…

Teddy old man! How’s the city? Did you go to Castro Street? i love the Castro at Halloweenie…

Glenn Greenwald via Daou Report

ABC’s Halperin grovels: Political director of ABC News begs right-wing blogger not to call him a liberal – Glenn Greenwald: “One could argue that Mark Halperin, Political Director of ABC News (and author of a new book with John Harris, The Washington Post’s National Political Editor) is the living, breathing embodiment of the “mainstream media.” In order to promote his book, he went on Hugh Hewitt’s radio show for a three hour interview last night, and Hewitt spent the entire time trying to attack Halperin as one of the symbols of overwhelming, systemic left-wing bias in the “mainstream media.” The ironic problem for Hewitt? Halperin — like so many of the most entrenched establishment journalists — not only agrees with Hewitt about virtually everything, but was literally desperate to convince Hewitt that this is the case, that he is on Hewitt’s side…. So many “journalists” like Halperin seemingly have as their principal objective convincing right-wing extremists like Hewitt that they are good boys and girls and do their job in a way that pleases the Right.” ….Another gem from Halperin: “Conservatives no longer letting “liberal entertainers” like Michael J. Fox “have a free ride”

I am taking a break from FDL.

But it’s a short break — Liza’s on L&O:CI.

Be back in an Andy Rooney.

Vous aussi, punaise.

Filming a video in Paris on the 14th of Nov… I will send photos!

so… tired…

most thousand mile journeys begin with the first step. Mine began with me running a marathon. The Marine Corps Marathon, actually.

Good times…

TRex, I really miss ya. I gotta go to bed, though…. You folks are the best.

TRex @ 32

Lou Costello @
22

This just in…‘actual’ video of Dangerstein writing his letter to the editor:
http://video.google.com/videop…..1075510549

707

Funny, that’s exactly what I pictured.

I love the cursing in German. And for those without ‘The Broadband’…
Dan giving his all for SloJoe: http://www.sheeplaughs.com/angryposter.gif

Headed home, kids. Will check back in from there.

Josh Marshall has a nice frame for Democrats to use during this final week leading up to the election:

It’s time for the closing argument. The issue of the day may be Iraq. I think it is. But an issue isn’t an argument. An argument brings the issues together and motivates action. So what’s the argument? What should candidates and surrogates be saying at campaign stops this week?

[snip]

In America, politics action in Washington usually tracks fairly closely with public opinion, even though the voters only get a real bite at the apple every two years. But it doesn’t have to be that way. The people in charge can pretty much ignore what people think and say. For the two years between elections, they’re close to invulnerable.

And that’s the closer in this election. How do you think Iraq has gone? How do you think Congress is doing its job? How did you think Katrina was handled? Different people are going to have different hot button issues. But across the board I think what we’re seeing in the country is that sense of disconnect — things are seriously off course but the folks in charge won’t admit it and don’t know what to do about it.

So to voters I think the pitch is, think back over the last two years. You only have one chance to go on record with your verdict. Thumbs up or thumbs down. One chance before you have to go back and sit in the stands again for another two years.

Are you on board with what’s happening? Or do you want to go on record saying things have to change? One chance.

And if you give the thumbs up, how will you feel when you wake up on November 8th?

When I first read Dangersteins letter, a slow grin crawled across my face in anticipation of the TRex/Lamonster treatment.

That smile grew to knee-slapping belly laughs. Great stuff TRex!

I long for the golden days of FDL when I myself set the high standards to which I thought we all aspired with the words “sandpaper snatch.”

I remember those days when political discourse was civil. But now, not so much ; )

first time in a dozen-plus years that we haven’t been out accompanying the offspring for trick-or-treat. A preview of upcoming empty-nester-hood!

Thank GOD John Kerry is campaigning against Lieberman. Right TRex?

punaise @ 36

Put another way, two of the most divisive figures in this country’s history will have commanded the White House for sixteen consecutive years.”

yeah? so the f**k what?

Clinton: attacked for 8 solid years.
Bush: attacks constantly for 6 (going on 8) years.

Yep. Just the same.

Yes, indeed, I so deeply regret using Honest Joe as a visual pinata, lo these many months.

If only I could find a way to atone for such misdeeds by capturing his doggedly loyal essence, his tenacious digging for the buried bones of truth in the moist clay of mendacity, his fetching ways …Oh wait

;>)

Cozumel @ 48

I long for the golden days of FDL when I myself set the high standards to which I thought we all aspired with the words “sandpaper snatch.”

I remember those days when political discourse was civil. But now, not so much ; )

yeah, the rabble came in with their PC euphamisms, and we lost our spark….

I can’t help but notice that every statement pooted out by the Lieberswine is the precise opposite of what is true… just like a Republican.

Jane Hamsher @
28

TeddySanFran @
11

But, TRex, don’t you think by stooping to [dangerstein]’s level and spewing the same anger and hate he does, that you betray the progressive cause? Should we not meet this illness and rage with compassion and caring? It’s gotten so vicious here at LateNiteFDL, I wonder if I can go on reading every night, night after night, and still be a caring, progressive intellectually honest human. It once made me laugh, your writing, but now I wonder if you drag us into the same sewer of torture that our adversaries dwell in. I want them to come into the light, not pull us into the darkness.

=================
Had Enough Opposite Day?
=================

I agree Teddy. I cannot believe the low depths this blog has stooped to, TRex. We are no better than the wingnuts we deplore. And it is all your fault.

I long for the golden days of FDL when I myself set the high standards to which I thought we all aspired with the words “sandpaper snatch.”

Then we all sipped mint tea from bone china with our pinkies extended.

Good times.

Jane said “bone”.

Hoo hoo.

-GSD

Jane Hamsher @ 28

I long for the golden days of FDL when I myself set the high standards to which I thought we all aspired with the words “sandpaper snatch.”

Then we all sipped mint tea from bone china with our pinkies extended.

Good times.

Pinkies with tea. And sandpaper to buff ‘em. Ahhh yes, the good ol’ days.

punaise @ 49

first time in a dozen-plus years that we haven’t been out accompanying the offspring for trick-or-treat. A preview of upcoming empty-nester-hood!

You’ll be able to adjust…
travelling in a motor home, first visit to a sunblet 55 community, we were invited to the judge costume since we seemed neutrals; fireworks… live band… dance around the pool, I’m sure the offspring would have been too intimidated to approach the gate;
after empty nest it’s playtime for grandparents!

TRex, I must say your use of Capitalization reminds me of George Ade, the Great American Humorist at the Turn of the Century.

As the Master wrote in The Fable of the Caddy Who Hurt his Head While Thinking, “Don’t try to Account for Anything.”

John Kerry makes lame jokes.

George W. Bush asks for a permission slip from Nouri Al Maliki to find a missing American soldier and calls off the search when Maliki doesn’t give Bush the permission slip.

Fucking pathetic.

This story should be the one that is mentioned everytime some pus-headed Limbaugh wannabe tries to make the story about John “Shecky” Kerry.

-GSD

TeddySanFran @
42

I am taking a break from FDL.

But it’s a short break — Liza’s on L&O:CI.

Be back in an Andy Rooney.

Life is a cabaret old chum… hurry back.

Another killer post Mr. Rex!
IMHO your entire excellent essay can be summed up in one, just one quoted word regarding Mr. Lieberman and his loyal idiot employee…

(HURL!)

Followed by snatching references to pinkies, tea, and sandpaper. Ah, what a blog…it’s nice to sit down at the computer in the evening and feel like I’m home.

punaise @ 36

Put another way, two of the most divisive figures in this country’s history will have commanded the White House for sixteen consecutive years.”

yeah? so the f**k what?

Clinton, more divisive than Reagan? Somebody flunked math, or can’t remember the ’80s.

How about some music?

Guess what I found out that is happening right here in OKC, boys and girls? Our favorite Hard Dicked Nosed White House gay hooker “reporter” Jeff Gannon will be doing some sort of a net radio spot with a local wingnut blogger.

The topic is blaming La cage aux Foley on those naughty Democrats. Stupid bastards. Let’s keep that story front and center, huh. What the hell are they thinking. I’m gonna paste ‘em for it.

Oilfieldguy @ 63

Guess what I found out that is happening right here in OKC, boys and girls? Our favorite Hard Dicked Nosed White House gay hooker “reporter” Jeff Gannon will be doing some sort of a net radio spot with a local wingnut blogger.

The topic is blaming La cage aux Foley on those naughty Democrats. Stupid bastards. Let’s keep that story front and center, huh. What the hell are they thinking. I’m gonna paste ‘em for it.

Can you ask him if his White House sleepovers were with Ethel Mehlman?

Can you ask him if his White House sleepovers were with Ethel Mehlman?

How did he get that press pass? He didn’t get that round mouth from eating square meals.

I just can’t imagine anybody blowing a Republican. How many navels did he grab by accident?

TRex, do me a favor:

Beat the SHIT out of some asshole who desperately needs it.

Please..

Oilfieldguy @ 63

Guess what I found out that is happening right here in OKC, boys and girls? Our favorite Hard Dicked Nosed White House gay hooker “reporter” Jeff Gannon will be doing some sort of a net radio spot with a local wingnut blogger.

The topic is blaming La cage aux Foley on those naughty Democrats. Stupid bastards. Let’s keep that story front and center, huh. What the hell are they thinking. I’m gonna paste ‘em for it.

You might want to see if you can provide some promotional pictures of Jeffy for the local press.

Wouldn’t want the opportunity to go to waste. *g*

Oilfieldguy @
47

When I first read Dangersteins letter, a slow grin crawled across my face in anticipation of the TRex/Lamonster treatment.

That smile grew to knee-slapping belly laughs. Great stuff TRex!

Yeah you knew it was coming, didn’t you?

We all did. There was no way he could walk away from that. I called him up and said “TRex, Dangestein has written you a foaming, spittle-flecked love letter.” And the rest is history.

Oilfieldguy @ 63

Guess what I found out that is happening right here in OKC, boys and girls? Our favorite Hard Dicked Nosed White House gay hooker “reporter” Jeff Gannon will be doing some sort of a net radio spot with a local wingnut blogger.

The topic is blaming La cage aux Foley on those naughty Democrats. Stupid bastards. Let’s keep that story front and center, huh. What the hell are they thinking. I’m gonna paste ‘em for it.

Well, if you’re in luck, Inhofe and Coburn will stop by and make it a nutball foursome….

The local winger has to know this guys history. If he doesn’t, I just took him to school. I got a post up about it with links to the winger, Jeff Gannon’s site and Ameriblog, that spells out his sordid past. I think I may soon have a blogfight on my hands.

Soooooo, where do we stand?

Dems are leading in a lot of races around the country. Do they lead in as many as 75% of the races? As many as 90%? I don’t see a lot of happy Republicans, just nervous smiles or outright grim Halloween frowns.

Has this sort of wave ever happened? A pollster on C-SPAN said it was unprecedented.

If it’s that huge, then the Dems should not only take a majority of the House, but a huge majority. It won’t happen because of gerrymandering. Something tells me that’s gotta go. It’s bad for our Democracy.

Dems might get a lot of votes, but not win a lot of elections. The other main reason would be electronic voting/tabulating systems. That’s gotta be go too. It’s the very antithesis of democracy. The only way I see electronic systems helping is for a touchscreen system to take the vote and to print a ballot (the official ballot) which is then scanned and tallied. That could be easier and quicker without losing touch of reality.

I’m guessing that if all Senators were up for election we’d not only take the senate, but dominate it hugely. Thank God the founders of this country decided not to allow that kind of power shift all at once.

But, when I hear a commentator saying a Dem might take a ’structurally Republican seat’ … I have to wonder what’s wrong with his thinking. If the majority wants a Dem, then it’s a Dem seat. All ideas of ’structural’ bases for a seat are pure nonsense.

Aside from places where it’s obvious Dems are winning I can also imagine Dems winning/taking “structurally Republican” seats in Arizona, Nevada, Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Wyoming, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Virginia and Florida. Isn’t this what Karl Rove would call “f’ing someone like they’ve never been f’ed before”?

Dems ought to win at least 30 House seats with some potential for 50.

Senate races are harder to be accurate on. There are at present 3 or 4 close races. Virginia is light blue and Arizona is trending Dem. But, Tennessee and Missouri are stubbornly staying very tight. Many say Missouri will probably be the last race to finish.

The plans are in place and all is going well except for the electronic voting machines problems and Ohio’s brand-spanking-new crazy voting ID requirement.

Let’s watch how it plays out and see if Dems can make more gains in the next couple of days. Of course, we’ll need to watch Bush & Co. They’re feeling desperate and likely to do some more stupid things as the finish line nears. It ought to be entertaining to hear Bush say some more stupid things.

Oilfieldguy @ 65

Can you ask him if his White House sleepovers were with Ethel Mehlman?

How did he get that press pass? He didn’t get that round mouth from eating square meals.

I just can’t imagine anybody blowing a Republican. How many navels did he grab by accident?

For the record:

For someone like Gannon to be there, apparently sleeping over, on twelve different nights seems curious.

Cozumel @
48

I long for the golden days of FDL when I myself set the high standards to which I thought we all aspired with the words “sandpaper snatch.”

I remember those days when political discourse was civil. But now, not so much ; )

you funny

My post will get cross-posted at 9 am at the Oklahoma Political News Service site. The guy asked me to send him some stuff. I warned him he’s playing with fire.

Patrick 4/4 @
51

punaise @ 36

Put another way, two of the most divisive figures in this country’s history will have commanded the White House for sixteen consecutive years.”

yeah? so the f**k what?

Clinton: attacked for 8 solid years.
Bush: attacks constantly for 6 (going on 8) years.

Yep. Just the same.

Divisive? Clinton’s JAR was 65% at the height of the impeachment charade. “Victim of a small lynch mob whose opinion of the President was not shared by the rest of the country” is a bit more apt.

I’m not happy with Bubba at the moment but let’s get real.

ifthethunderdontgetya @ 72

Oilfieldguy @ 65

Can you ask him if his White House sleepovers were with Ethel Mehlman?

How did he get that press pass? He didn’t get that round mouth from eating square meals.

I just can’t imagine anybody blowing a Republican. How many navels did he grab by accident?

For the record:

For someone like Gannon to be there, apparently sleeping over, on twelve different nights seems curious.

Bush looooooves shaved heads.

ifthethunderdontgetya @
62

punaise @ 36

Put another way, two of the most divisive figures in this country’s history will have commanded the White House for sixteen consecutive years.”

yeah? so the f**k what?

Clinton, more divisive than Reagan? Somebody flunked math, or can’t remember the ’80s.

How about some music?

Hmmmmm. Clinton more divisive than Reagan?

I’m not sure what you mean by “divisive.” He encountered little controversy, because the press did not judge him nor harass him so harshly as they did Carter or Clinton.

But, in fact, he pretty well crushed the labor movement. He instituted welfare for the rich, aka trickle-down economics, which even George H.W. Bush derided as “voodoo economics.” He dismantled a great deal of governmental regulation. He set our health-care industry on course to being the least efficient in the world. He ran over the rights of congress to control the purse by selling weapons to what he called an evil state and great threat to the U.S. and using the proceeds to finance a war against a weak neighbor. He invaded one of the smallest nations on the planet. And the horrors of the Bush administration are the direct legacy of Reaganism.

But maybe blowjobs in the Oval Office are more divisive.

Here’s a lovely Gannon pic with a quote from his escort bio:

http://www.thenervemagazine.co…../slave.gif

TRex,

is this headline too subtle?

Gay Hooker Provides Oral Services For Foley

Jane Hamsher @ 75

Patrick 4/4 @
51

punaise @ 36

Put another way, two of the most divisive figures in this country’s history will have commanded the White House for sixteen consecutive years.”

yeah? so the f**k what?

Clinton: attacked for 8 solid years.
Bush: attacks constantly for 6 (going on 8) years.

Yep. Just the same.

Divisive? Clinton’s JAR was 65% at the height of the impeachment charade. “Victim of a small lynch mob whose opinion of the President was not shared by the rest of the country” is a bit more apt.

I’m not happy with Bubba at the moment but let’s get real.

These are more of the knee-jerk false equivalencies we’ve come to love.

Even better.

Oilfieldguy @ 78

TRex,

is this headline too subtle?

Gay Hooker Provides Oral Services For Foley

Love it. Don’t change a thing.

TRex @ 77

Here’s a lovely Gannon pic with a quote from his escort bio:

http://www.thenervemagazine.co…../slave.gif

Poor little fella.

George Will OpEd:

snip….

“But Allen, who makes no secret of finding life as a senator tedious, is fighting ferociously for another term, a fate from which his Democratic opponent, Jim Webb, is close to rescuing him. As a result, Allen is dabbling in literary criticism. He has read, or someone has read for him, at least some of Webb’s six fine novels, finding therein sexual passages that have caused Allen — he of the football metaphors, cowboy regalia and Copenhagen smokeless tobacco — to blush like a fictional Victorian maiden and fulminate like an actual Victorian man, Anthony Comstock, the 19th-century scourge of sin who successfully agitated for New York and federal anti-obscenity statutes and is credited with the destruction of 160 tons of naughty printed matter and pictures.”……….

http://tinyurl.com/yelv85

Jane Hamsher @ 75

Patrick 4/4 @
51

punaise @ 36

Put another way, two of the most divisive figures in this country’s history will have commanded the White House for sixteen consecutive years.”

yeah? so the f**k what?

Clinton: attacked for 8 solid years.
Bush: attacks constantly for 6 (going on 8) years.

Yep. Just the same.

Divisive? Clinton’s JAR was 65% at the height of the impeachment charade. “Victim of a small lynch mob whose opinion of the President was not shared by the rest of the country” is a bit more apt.

I’m not happy with Bubba at the moment but let’s get real.

Well, keep the thought in mind: payback’s a bitch. With enough work, Karl Rove will be banging his head on his desk, snarling at everyone in the White House and planning his hasty departure. Cheney will walk around the Old Executive Building mumbling, “oh, fuck.”

Gerstein will be saying to Joe, “sorry, old man, but I need another job. Sayonara.”

Little Ricky Santorum will be laying on the floor on his stomach, kicking and screaming.

And a bunch of those subpoenas that Gonzales has held until after the elections will suddenly begin to be served.

Payback’s a bitch.

Little Ricky Santorum will be laying on the floor on his stomach, kicking and screaming.

I prefer to imagine him uncontrollably vomiting on himself.

TRex @ 86

Little Ricky Santorum will be laying on the floor on his stomach, kicking and screaming.

I prefer to imagine him uncontrollably vomiting on himself.

That comes after he holds his breath until he turns blue…. :)

And a bunch of those subpoenas that Gonzales has held until after the elections will suddenly begin to be served.

But I thought Abu Gonzales was a defense attorney.

TRex @ 86

Little Ricky Santorum will be laying on the floor on his stomach, kicking and screaming.

I prefer to imagine him uncontrollably vomiting on himself.

While greatly enjoying the prospect, I, on the other hand, do not wish to visualize that.

Or maybe I do.

Oilfieldguy @ 87

And a bunch of those subpoenas that Gonzales has held until after the elections will suddenly begin to be served.

But I thought Abu Gonzales was a defense attorney.

He can’t represent himself.

Oilfieldguy @ 88

And a bunch of those subpoenas that Gonzales has held until after the elections will suddenly begin to be served.

But I thought Abu Gonzales was a defense attorney.

He will be if he decides to represent himself….

While greatly enjoying the prospect, I, on the other hand, do not wish to visualize that.

Or maybe I do.

He’s such a fiercely stupid man.

I was driving across PA the other day and was unfortunate enough to see Santorums visage staring down at me from a billboard.
It said something about front lines for the NRA.
Now Rick, was holding a rifle over his shoulder. But it looked like he had it backwards, more like he was ready to club baby seals or something.

Patrick 4/4 @ 89

Oilfieldguy @ 87

And a bunch of those subpoenas that Gonzales has held until after the elections will suddenly begin to be served.

But I thought Abu Gonzales was a defense attorney.

He can’t represent himself.

See what happens when I aim at snark and miss so consistently.

He is the chief prosecutor, but he has been behaving like the chief defense attorney for the Bush criminal enterprise.

“Warrants?!? We don’ need no steenking warrants!!”

Scene from the Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

TRex @ 92

While greatly enjoying the prospect, I, on the other hand, do not wish to visualize that.

Or maybe I do.

He’s such a fiercely stupid man.

Proudly and fiercely stupid. I can’t wait to see if the WWF takes him back as a lobbyist….

Oilfieldguy @ 91

I was driving across PA the other day and was unfortunate enough to see Santorums visage staring down at me from a billboard.
It said something about front lines for the NRA.
Now Rick, was holding a rifle over his shoulder. But it looked like he had it backwards, more like he was ready to club baby seals or something.

that reminds me of that Darwin Awards finalist a few years ago who tried to break the windshield of his ex-girlfriend’s car with the butt o a rifle. Shot himself to death.
Little Ricky’s definitely capable of something like that.
I just loved the NYT story on him today “I EARNED this job!!!!!” Waaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh

Oilfieldguy @ 94

Patrick 4/4 @ 89

Oilfieldguy @ 87

And a bunch of those subpoenas that Gonzales has held until after the elections will suddenly begin to be served.

But I thought Abu Gonzales was a defense attorney.

He can’t represent himself.

See what happens when I aim at snark and miss so consistently.

He is the chief prosecutor, but he has been behaving like the chief defense attorney for the Bush criminal enterprise.

“Warrants?!? We don’ need no steenking warrants!!”

Scene from the Treasure of the Sierra Madre.

Yeah, and Bush is Humphrey Bogart. “They’re all after my goods.”

There’s a Guckert joke in there somewhere, waiting to get out.

DCCC is running ad here in NY for Farrell, it’s got a good hook — one that can help Ned too — “if you wanto change what happens in Washington, you have to change the people you send there.”

UptownNYChick @ 98

DCCC is running ad here in NY for Farrell, it’s got a good hook — one that can help Ned too — “if you wanto change what happens in Washington, you have to change the people you send there.”

I kind of like, “throw the bums out.” It’s got a nice ring to it.

UptownNYChick @
8

Thank you, I have been looking forward to your smack-down of Dangerstain since last night, T-Rex.

I don’t know if there are any subscribers here, but there is a very interesting looking story on how much David Sirota and Dangerstain hate each oter over at TNR.

Gerstein, a thick-necked 39-year-old communications consultant and veteran Joe Lieberman aide, has been known to accuse those who disagree with him of being anti-Semites.

If anyone can get behind the gate, would love to know what it says……

would this qualify as playing “the race card” ??

Gosh, y’all, I wish I could hang out all night, but I have just finished eating dinner which means I am now officially out of excuses to put off packing.

I hate packing.

Good night, mes amis!!

Safe trip T-rex
Night all.

TRex @ 100

Gosh, y’all, I wish I could hang out all night, but I have just finished eating dinner which means I am not officially out of excuses to put off packing.

I hate packing.

Good night, mes amis!!

Keep your lotions in a ziploc bag.

fahrender @ 100

UptownNYChick @
8

Thank you, I have been looking forward to your smack-down of Dangerstain since last night, T-Rex.

I don’t know if there are any subscribers here, but there is a very interesting looking story on how much David Sirota and Dangerstain hate each oter over at TNR.

Gerstein, a thick-necked 39-year-old communications consultant and veteran Joe Lieberman aide, has been known to accuse those who disagree with him of being anti-Semites.

If anyone can get behind the gate, would love to know what it says……

would this qualify as playing “the race card” ??

There’s a simple counter to this. “I’m not anti-Semitic. I’m anti-asshole.”

Nothing much to add to the debate, except the last week of a campaign is usually INSANE! I have been fighting the battle of the SIGNS-the D’s are winning in my local neighborhood. My D congressman is not too mad at me anymore, and I got about 30 of his signs-which I put up-near my busy mall. The real race is our State Nazi Attorney General. We might knock him off. We might even amazingly win the State legislature for thje D’s.
On Nov. 8, lets roast marshmellows over the ashes of the Diebold voting machines.
Remember 9/11-inside job.

Frank33, you in Ohio by any chance?

Lou Costello @
22

This just in…‘actual’ video of Dangerstein writing his letter to the editor:
http://video.google.com/videop…..1075510549

707

Oh God you’re killin’ me!! HHHHAAAAAAAAA!!!!!

MARGOT, no I must admit the truth-KANSAS. Our Attorney General Phill Kline routinely violates open meeting laws, medical privacy records, and he has never taken a court case to a jury verdict. Even worse his signs are plastic but not in my neighborhood. I am talking about public thourough fares where there are no rules about signs-like the wild west.
They have been stealing my signs in my yard for 10 years and I have HAD ENOUGH-so I will put up a few more tomorrow, and maybe take a few down.
Jon Stewart has been reporting from Ohio-though-he was funny tonight.

We are upgrading our server tonight so we may be down for an hour or so.

I’ll go over and read Digby myself.

punaise @
49

first time in a dozen-plus years that we haven’t been out accompanying the offspring for trick-or-treat. A preview of upcoming empty-nester-hood!

It’s a beautiful thing, empty-nester-hood that is.

Diane Benson campaign Update

First of all, I’ve got to thank egregious and the other ActBlue folks who have created Diane Benson donor spaces there! A combination of donations for Benson at those sites plus direct donations to her campaign, plus growing interest here in Alaska, plus you wonderful folks spreading the word about her heart, charisma, durability and VIABILITY have brought in the first Democratic Party money to the campaign today! It is a combination of State Dem Committee money, plus some funds kicked in by candidates who are shoo-ins or unopposed. No DCCC bucks yet……….

We’re on TV. It is the first time a Democratic Party challenger to Young has been on TV for 16 years.

We’ve found another issue which has tremendous resonance here. Alaska has the highest per capita veteran population, the highest per capita military serving in the GWOT and the highest per capita National Guard units called up to permanent duty for the same GWOT.

When Diane’s son, a 101st Airborne Infantryman on his third deployment (after his enlistment was over! – he had wanted out but Stop-Loss kept him in) was injured – he lost both legs, Young called Diane into his Alaska office and staged a photo op with her before she left for Germany, where her son was not expected to live. After the photos, Young promised to visit Latseen if he survived.

He did, and was transferred to Walter Reed, where he spent ten months (December, 2005 to September, 2006). George Bush visited. Dick Cheney visited. John Kerry visited twice! Alaska Senators Lisa Murkowski and Ted Stevens (3 times) visited Latseen Benson.

Don Young hasn’t gone to see any of the scores of brave Alaskans wounded in his and George Bush’s war. Not once.

Jane Hamsher @ 108

We are upgrading our server tonight so we may be down for an hour or so.

I’ll go over and read Digby myself.

Seems like everybody’s a little down. Must be the crash after the sugar high.

Hey all,

OT, but like usual, I’m late to the party…

How ’bout that WY race tightening up to “toss up”?

Now, I love this blog, enjoy reading the comments here, and the authors are wonderful (I wish Pach wrote full time), but I have to tell you something…

First, you jumped to the aid of the fellow in Texas and got him close, then you helped Lamont to the Primary Win.

So now the people who have been inspired by your example to network in states some might consider GOP strongholds (me in wY) are expecting you to have a strong finish.

You know what I want to see…it’s like the “kick” you give at the end of a long distance race, you don’t know where it comes from, it certainly isn’t your brain.

It’s your heart…and your will to win!

Show these mealy-mouthed D.C. bastards you mean business, get out and mobilize the CT vote and bring it home for Lamont, CT, the U.S., and netroots!

Peace!

Here’s a great image for tonight’s post: http://www.acidlogic.com/graph…..rsmall.gif

back up so soon?

i just got here so i dont know if it went down or not. But since youre here I KNOW Somethings Going Down.

Yep, it’s going down momentarily. I’ll try to get things back up quickly.

Critics respond to James Webb’s fiction:

“I was so shocked I spat on my wife.” – G.F.A.

fdl is back up and my comment didn’t get disappeared – it was maybe the last one before the first of the necessary upgrades before hyperwar is declared against us late Thursday or early Friday.

If that’s all the October surprisers and deciderers have up their sleeve……..

test

hyperwar, or what?

Eureka Springs, AR @ 120

test

Did I pass? :)

punaise @
115

back up so soon?

not

Why is it that I see this image in my head whenever I read about Dangerstein?

Just replace the NYT with Mr. Bear in JTHM’s classic line, “WELL FUCK YOU MR BEAR! YOU SPEAK LIES! LIEEEEEEEEES!” and you’ve got the same exact character.

Oh god was that funny – and I don’t even mean this blog (even though that was funny too).

Someone please teach “Dangerstein” how to write… ugh. It was ugly, pathetic, long, boring and hilarious all at once! Sadly, what made it hilarious wasn’t the writing…

Ryan @ 125

Oh god was that funny – and I don’t even mean this blog (even though that was funny too).

Someone please teach “Dangerstein” how to write… ugh. It was ugly, pathetic, long, boring and hilarious all at once! Sadly, what made it hilarious wasn’t the writing…

Ah, what Dangerstein needs, like most of the pissants in and around Congress, is a few years of abject poverty, just to bring them closer to the earth and the people. Dangerstein’s had too many free meals and free drinks. That’s his problem.

Re George Will’s piece in the Washington Post where he says Romney has a good chance of being the repub candidate for prez in 08? My sister lives in Mass in the Berkshires and she claims everyone HATES him there – her words…
ET: how is the Alaskan woman (Benson?) doing in her race over your way?

spiderpaws @ 127

Re George Will’s piece in the Washington Post where he says Romney has a good chance of being the repub candidate for prez in 08? My sister lives in Mass in the Berkshires and she claims everyone HATES him there – her words…

The Republicans, ever since 1920, have been looking for stupid candidates even worse than Harding. If they succeed, they’ll pick Mitt Romney in 2008 and George Felix Allen as his running mate….

…..the sandman cometh and taketh thee away… ;>)

oh my, I do think Allen will be as extinct as a dodo bird by then, don’t you? We’ve had some good laughs on him though…

…is it true he spit on his old wife? Conjugal fights can get pretty ugly sometimes, not the kind of laundry you want to hang on the clothesline, eh? Anyone know how Burns is losing in Montana? for his loss, I do the happy dance…

…Wow, how dead is this room….byeeeeeee!

Morning, firedogs! Anybody up?

I am waiting for my ride to the Atlanta airport.

*streeeeeetch*

I had about two good hours of sleep. I feel like a hundred bucks!

People sleeping, I guess, TR. Me, I’m reading JHTM, after seeing Dangerstein, who reminds me of that character, in a twisted way.

Imus is telling Santorum that “everyone on the planet knows that Kerry wasn;t attacking the troops”.

Mornin’, fellow pups. Anyone in yet?

Hey T-Rex have a good flight and a good fight in CT!

FGD – Sadly I’m up and around. I suspect anyone with any sense has either gone to bed or not up yet depending on time zone.

Mornin’.

I’m here with my small bunny wondering why I can’t see anything. Maybe it’s because my eyes are still closed.

Kind coffee people?

TRex best of luck on your travels. Keep us posted [haha].

Coffee’s always here, folks. Some of us have to actually be at work this early!

TRex, my apologies — best wishes on your roadtrip. Is the koi going with you?

I’ve got coffee,hope you like Chocolate Truffle. My littlest kitty killed her very first mouse last night and caused quite the kerfluffle at about 3AM.So,coffee is a food group for me today,but I’ll share.

As for Dangermouse or whatever the hell his name is,why is it that I picture someone who never got over being stood up for the prom? Now that I think about it,that’s the feeling I get from alot of these guys,O’Reilly,Rush,most of the wingnuttier men. Never got over it,and now the rest of the world must pay.

spiderpaws @ 127

Re George Will’s piece in the Washington Post where he says Romney has a good chance of being the repub candidate for prez in 08? My sister lives in Mass in the Berkshires and she claims everyone HATES him there – her words…
ET: how is the Alaskan woman (Benson?) doing in her race over your way?

Re Romney, there are some Very Senior People here in Washington who are pushing for his nomination. Their reasoning: He is viewed as clean of scandal if you don’t count the Big Dig. It is hoped that evangelicals will overlook his being a Morman. He is tall, good-looking, and refined. He is credited, fairly or not, with the successful Mass. health plan.

Look I’m not promoting him, just giving you the view of some people here. [/little birdie]

Diane Benson, future Congressional Rep. covering the state of Alaska, is within 5 points of the incumbent, according to another little birdie that works for the incumbent’s campaign and saw their internal polling. Good intelligence, guys.

http://www.actblue.com/page/egregious

We raised the first $5k for radio, and have gotten 2 of the second $5k for TV ads. It’s gonna be tight. Have to reach the entire state by media, she has visited a lot but media is essential.

[/shameless promoting of an actually good candidate]

Now can I have some coffee?

[holds out cup to FishGuyDave…]

aob, sounds like you need to keep yours. Poor mouse. Poor you, hope you get some sleep later.

Mornin’ pups. Haven’t even turned on Imus yet. Glad he’s tellin’ truth to Santorum. And wasn’t Colbert en fuego last night–the riff about Bush’s gay posse was great. Naming Mehlman, Rove, even Gannon/Guckert. They sure would rather talk about Kerry screwin’ up a Bush joke than Bush SCREWING UP THE WHOLE WAR ON TERROR by quagmiring us in Iraq. Sorry for the yell…

And what’s with Queen Laura attacking Michael J. Fox? And McCain readng his script like a hostage tape?

Is this total meltdown desperation time?
Get Out Our Vote!

[pouring eg a cup…]

Speaking of kerfluffles, any thoughts on the latest one manufactured about Kerry? My parents — solid Kansas Dems — commented to me last night that the party should keep him in his box until after the 7th. I replied that a) his response was some of the fire we wished we’d seen in 2004, and besides, b) there’s very few out there that are undecided at this point. Either you drink the kool-aid or you don’t. That’s why I agree that GOTV is going to be the make or break point next week.

Alternatively, if it’s too early to talk politics, we can always talk more about Dangerstein. Some things never get old. *g*

Good Morning, firepups!

Pretty mild here this morning, with a few clouds. I’m packed and ready to go, too. I’m taking a couple of days to attend a knitting convention in Baltimore with a dear friend, and I’ll head over to her house after work tonight. I was thinking of bringing the laptop, so I could check in at the ‘Lake, but decided that I’m already too anxious about next Tuesday. I can always stop in at an Internet cafe for a little shot of FDL. I’ll be volunteering for Linda Stender in NJ-07 over the weekend.

Be good to one another and to yourselves. Keep calling and walking and talking to people. They’re ready to listen. Be polite and make the case. I am so grateful for all I have learned from everyone here: how to persuade people with simple direct language, buttressed by facts.

Work for peace, every day.

I’ve left some coffee on the counter for anyone who needs it.

[smells the coffee. warm mug in hands. steam warms face. takes a little sip. larger swallow. aaahhhhh.]

Vote..vote..something about the vote. about..abOUT Get OUT the Vote. Make it happen. Hm. Gotta wake up first.

1,321 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN’ GOEZ ON AND ON AND…

Firepups and all other Patriots:

Another day TO take it to the fascists, don’t let ‘em up!!

KEEP THE FAITH AND PASS THE AMMUNITION!!

Mornin all! Just back from Tampa. Saw Chris Matthews at Tampa airport. He was in line behind me at security then at the gate next to me waiting for a flight to DC. The only thing I could think of to say to him was “Wow, you look way older in person,” so I said nothing at all.

Norske! Good to hear from ya!

gotta run! be good!

RBG @ 15

It’s beyond me why you let that Teddy guy come here every night and whine about how he’s had enough. You’d think somebody wrote a song about it or something.

lol!

twolf1 @ 149

Mornin all! Just back from Tampa. Saw Chris Matthews at Tampa airport. He was in line behind me at security then at the gate next to me waiting for a flight to DC. The only thing I could think of to say to him was “Wow, you look way older in person,” so I said nothing at all.

I was flying out of Washington National (no, I’ll never, ever call it “Reagan National”) a couple of weeks ago, and a guy behind me in the security line looked familiar, but I couldn’t match the name with the face. When he had to show his ID, I saw that it was Andy Card. Still, all I could think was “Wow, you’re really short!” and so I too said nothing. I guess my momma’s manners are more hard-wired than I thought.

The new Q-Poll has Ned gaining ground, but still behind by 12.

And Doug Schwartz has given up even TRYING to be unbiased with THIS remark about the poll:

“Lieberman, the once and future Democrat, is winning 73 percent of the Republican vote.”

Well, we can all fold up the tents and go home. Dougie’s called it for Droopy Dog.

What a douchebag.

Steve Gilliard Rocks.

Connecticut Bob, yeah, right. I’m SO afraid. :p

Good Mornin’ firepups!

Ready for today’s Republican family values?

The New York Times
Printer Friendly Format Sponsored By

November 1, 2006
A Son of Privilege Takes His Baby Steps on the Political Proving Ground
By SARAH KERSHAW and ALISON LEIGH COWAN

HARTFORD — He seemed to sprout from nowhere to topple the establishment. In his stunning upset in the August Senate primary, he defeated a three-term incumbent and turned Connecticut politics upside down. He instantly became a favorite of the left-leaning blogosphere and his own political brand, with “Ned Lamont Democrat” surfacing on television programs and the Web as code for antiwar outsider.

But since that heady and sudden rise, Mr. Lamont’s political star has fallen, as the cable television executive from old money and a cocoon of privilege has faced the cold reality of a more conventional general election campaign, with more fickle voters and a formidable opposition.

The Connecticut race has been eclipsed by the frenzy of national Congressional elections. And Mr. Lamont, a relative neophyte whose previous foray into politics consisted of eight years on three local and state boards and a failed bid for State Senate, has struggled amid a brute force response from a seasoned candidate, trailing in the public opinion polls for weeks.

The antiwar message that won him the primary has not been, alone, enough of a selling point to the much wider audience of more moderate, less-motivated fall voters, and Mr. Lamont’s efforts to broaden his issues portfolio only muddled the differences between him and Senator Joseph I. Lieberman.

The man whose campaign was run out of a coffee shop in Hartford for the first several months lacks Mr. Lieberman’s polished prime-time campaign persona; he is far more comfortable at a town committee meeting in the country than on television repeating talking points.

[snip]

[ed. by CHS: Please only reprint portions of articles — not the entire thing — due to copyright considerations. A snippet and a link is more than enough…thanks!]

hey trex,have a safe tripp and thanks for being on the good side,we need ya!

NYT Lamont

GSD @ 59

John Kerry makes lame jokes.

John “Shecky” Kerry.

707

Gee, raven

First Kerry – now Lamont – one would think you have an agenda here…

Are you and herb tag-teaming it?

I thought folks might like to read it.

dab from CT @ 160

Gee, raven

First Kerry – now Lamont – one would think you have an agenda here…

Are you and herb tag-teaming it?

bwahaha! 520 am here on the west coast… some guy in a Jesus General costume got arrested last night (apparently his assault rifle was too realistic looking)_… but the local news has identified the costume as Osama… guess I’ll have to straighten that little problem out… seems like they should be able to identify the Republican Jesus!

but first the coffee…

Mornin’, FirePups. Pot of Columbian coffee on to brew here, if you like yours thick and crunchy.

Phonebanking today, still calling skippers (Dem who don’t vote regularly). Last day for local organizations to send endorsements to the local paper, finishing mine now.

Don’t forget it’s the first Wednesday of the month; that means it’s DFA Meetup day. Check Meetup.com or DFAlink.com and look for the closest DFA Meetup; they may be doing canvassing or literature drops or phonebanking in your neck of the woods this evening. (They’ll be phonebanking in mine!). Take some leftover Halloween candy or cookies and see if you can help them out. (I’ll be serving dinner and beer at my Meetup!)

Be sure to check in with the following if there’s no DFA group in your area:

Do More Than Vote

100Actions.org

MoveOn.org

raven316 @ 160

I thought folks might like to read it.

dab from CT @ 160

Gee, raven

First Kerry – now Lamont – one would think you have an agenda here…

Are you and herb tag-teaming it?

Steve Gilliard has some words that I think are appropriate.

Good morning, everyone!

I just have to say I am soooo glad Tony Snow’s segment ended on Washington Journal, because my blood pressure wasn’t going to hold much longer.

There will be a very special place in Hell for those who willingly distort and mislead good, decent people to further their evil agenda.

Important and easy to do: keep reminding your friends and others not to use the Diebold machines.

I’d recon some of the Bush Base wouldn’t be too keen on ‘Ol Red White And Blue Bush recent purchase of 100,000 acres in Paraguay. It might make ‘em scratch their noggins. It don’t seem patriotic to me. It hasn’t made any news in the US, yet, except for the internets. Scant articles come up when Bush and Paraguay are googled.

Good mornin’ Firehounds. This is a letter from that deranged blogger who dared to ask Felix a question about his arrest record in the ’70s. Perhaps an FDL post about this is in the works already, but I would love to spotlight this incident. Allen having his goons beat up constituents could ensure Webb’s election here.

Apologies if this has been posted already (via HuffPo):

http://www.timesdispatch.com/s…..sicArticle

“My name is Mike Stark. I am a law student at the University of Virginia, a marine, and a citizen journalist. Earlier today at a public event, I was attempting to ask Senator Allen a question about his sealed divorce record and his arrest in the 1970s, both of which are in the public domain. His people assaulted me, put me in a headlock, and wrestled me to the ground. Video footage is available here, from an NBC affiliate.

I demand that Senator Allen fire the staffers who beat up a constituent attempting to use his constitutional right to petition his government.”

First of all, I pointed out this morning that Imus was defending Kerry to Sanotrum. I agree with what Gilliard says about who is serving and who isn’t. If Kerry wanted to start some shit, call the Repub, out on their bullshit and then stand up to them that would be great. I guess it’s too much to ask that he make a clear statement.
LindyH @
164

raven316 @ 160

I thought folks might like to read it.

dab from CT @ 160

Gee, raven

First Kerry – now Lamont – one would think you have an agenda here…

Are you and herb tag-teaming it?

Steve Gilliard has some words that I think are appropriate.

Melissa Hart calls the cops on … wait for it … a group of SENIORS! Just wait til you hear the statement her office made. It’ll make your head explode.

FishGuyDave @ 145

Speaking of kerfluffles, any thoughts on the latest one manufactured about Kerry? My parents — solid Kansas Dems — commented to me last night that the party should keep him in his box until after the 7th. I replied that a) his response was some of the fire we wished we’d seen in 2004, and besides, b) there’s very few out there that are undecided at this point. Either you drink the kool-aid or you don’t. That’s why I agree that GOTV is going to be the make or break point next week.

I watched Andrew Sullivan and David Ger-gag-gan last night on the teevee and both were explaining carefully how John Kerry should “go dark” (I think it wasn’t a racist comment) for the next 7 days. Being whacked out from jet lag after returning from Chile, my judgment was impaired and I started to think that maybe they were right; maybe the Rovian-directed response was just too strong; maybe the John Kerry thing was “taking the focus away from the issues”; blah-blah-blah.

Then I fell asleep on the couch for 4 hours until my lovely wife dragged me to bed.

This morning, the world is new, the birds are chirping, and I have taken the time to get my Daily Kos fix, followed by all the Late Night FDL comments.

My head is straight again, especially from reading Kos’ nice 2:31 pm post on The John Kerry Nonsense.

If Republicans want to debate who supports the troops more, let’s have that debate. I’d love to talk about nothing else than Iraq for the next week.

And for the rest of you who think this is the end of the world — stop being afraid of your own shadow. Just stop it. Fight or get out of the kitchen. It will get hotter than even this.

And then the actual words that Kerry intended to speak:

Update: This is Kerry’s actual joke:

“I can’t overstress the importance of a great education. Do you know where you end up if you don’t study, if you aren’t smart, if you’re intellectually lazy? You end up getting us stuck in a war in Iraq.”

However much he may have mangled his words when he uttered them, regarding what he intended to say, Kerry is so right about that.

Kerry held a press conference, which you can read in its entirety at this right-wing blog. (Don’t know whether it’s on a leftie blog.) It is a shame to quote only excerpts from the full press conference, but here are a few:

QUESTION: Senator, John McCain said that you owe an apology to the many thousands of Americans serving in Iraq, who answered this country’s call because they are patriots.

To those people who didn’t get your joke, who may have misinterpreted you as saying the undereducated are cannon fodder, what do you say?

KERRY: I never said that, and John McCain knows I’ve never said that and John McCain knows I wouldn’t say that.

And John McCain ought to ask for an apology from Donald Rumsfeld for making the mistakes he’s made. John McCain ought to ask for an apology from this administration for not sending in enough troops.

He ought to ask for an apology for putting our troops on the line with a policy that doesn’t have an adequate coalition, that doesn’t have adequate diplomacy, where we don’t have a strategy to win.

and

QUESTION: Do you need to go to joke school?

KERRY: Sure.

QUESTION: Senator, do you regret saying the remark? And what were you trying to say?

KERRY: Very simple: that those who didn’t study it properly, those who made the decisions, they got us into Iraq. Very simple.

The fact is they know that. The administration knows that. And they’re simply trying to distort this. They’re trying to play a game.

And, again, I’m not going to stand for it. This is the kind of thing that makes Americans sick. People know — I mean, there ought to be some level of honor and trust in this process.

I have fought a lifetime on behalf of veterans. We have the finest young men and women serving us in the United States military that we’ve ever had, and I’m proud of that.

But this administration has let them down, and that was clearly a remark directed at this administration. They understand it. They want to distort it. It’s a classic Republican playbook. They want to change the topic.

We’re not going to let them change the topic. The topic is their failed policy in Iraq.

Kerry learned the hard way that to “go dark” when the swiftboaters attack is the wrongest thing we can do.

QUESTION: (OFF-MIKE)

KERRY: Let me tell you something: I’m not going to give them one ounce of daylight to spread one of their lies and to play this game ever, ever again. That is a lesson I learned deep and hard.

I don’t think that anyone except those in the unredeemable right-wing, fundie base will go into any voting booth in America and say to himself or herself: “If I pull this lever or touch this screen or punch this hanging chad for a Democrat, I am voting for John Kerry.” The Ds and the indies will, I believe, vote for or against the bumbled Iraq war, not for or against John Kerry.

And John Kerry’s remark, and the White House attack on him, and his pushback all keep people talking about Iraq.

That’s good.

mc @ 166

Good mornin’ Firehounds. This is a letter from that deranged blogger who dared to ask Felix a question about his arrest record in the ’70s. [snip]

Hey, mc. Is this getting much play in Virginia, especially the Tidewater area? Especially if it’s emphasized that he’s a former Marine, dude-ranch Felix will have some ’splainin’ to do in a typically red (and hence thought “safe”) area.

Melissa Hart calls the cops on … wait for it … a group of SENIORS

OMG – Yes, those seniors with the donut box really looked rowdy – lol

Guess who just lost the senior vote…

This Kerry flap should make people realize the Republicans have no October Surprise at the ready.

If they are in full shriek mode over this dopey comment, then they truly are in dire straits.

Imagine voters—”High gas prices, wars in Iraq and Aghanistan spiraling into disaster, deficits, corruption”…

I guess I voting for congressman X because John Kerry is a putz.

Nope, everyone, call talk radio, talk about the Republicans perverts like Foley…..Talk about the battery allegations against Congressmen Gibbons and Sweeney…the assaults on citizens by unhinged Republican brownshirts in the Musgrave and Allen campaigns……

Remember, Joe Scarborough said last night: “When the Democrats take control of congress next week”…..

Hang in one and all.

-GSD

Kerry on Imus right now. I hope it’s ok to mention it.

OT: On our Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta down to Chile, one of the airplane’s two engines caught on fire and shut down. We had to make an emergency landing in Tampa.

Although I fired off a news tip to CNN, they never called or e-mailed me.

The whole incident was never covered by the news media (except that by the next day some of us were waylaying a local TV cameraman and a Fox News reporter who strayed into the Tampa airport, trying to get them to cover the disorganized response to it all.

Airplane engine on fire. Probably poor maintenance.

Not news.

Sigh.

I think we should make a paypal pool to predict the day the week the national average price of gas goes up.

if we do this and publicize the pool, it will embarrass the shit out of the gop

GSD – Does anyone really think this will have a negative impact on the race? The right may be spinning this to stir up their base – but their base consists of many military families and I don’t think they are going to buy this BS. They know what a mess Bush has gotten the military into.

I do like John “Shecky” Kerry. He said he should go to joke school.

dab, I truly hope you are right on this.

Kerry goes dark – Sen. John Kerry has canceled plans to campaign for several fellow Democrats after controversy over his comments to college students about getting “stuck in Iraq.”

President Bush’s 2004 presidential rival — who explained Tuesday that his comments were a “botched joke” targeting Bush — will not appear with Pennsylvania Senate candidate Bob Casey on Wednesday night in Philadelphia, as originally planned, a Democratic official said.

“I would be surprised if you see him welcomed out there anywhere,” the official said, “and certainly not in a race that is meaningful.”

Appearing on radio host Don Imus’ program, Kerry said Wednesday, “I’m going back to Washington. I’m going back to tackle this, you bet.”

Prof @ 175

OT: On our Delta Airlines flight from Atlanta down to Chile, one of the airplane’s two engines caught on fire and shut down. We had to make an emergency landing in Tampa.

Although I fired off a news tip to CNN, they never called or e-mailed me.

The whole incident was never covered by the news media (except that by the next day some of us were waylaying a local TV cameraman and a Fox News reporter who strayed into the Tampa airport, trying to get them to cover the disorganized response to it all.

Airplane engine on fire. Probably poor maintenance.

Not news.

Sigh.

What a stomach and heart lurching story. Reading this just after reading your most excellent post reminded me of Paul Wellstone. Thank God you and the rest on that plane are alive. And that you are here fighting. Special prayers and thanks for you.

Good luck with the server upgrade. Maybe you can send some help to BSNBC…
…they seem to be a little slow: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13018905/

Casey has a huge lead and they still don’t think it’s a good idea for JK to appear with him.

south OC Democrat @ 179

Kerry goes dark – Sen. John Kerry has canceled plans to campaign for several fellow Democrats after controversy over his comments to college students about getting “stuck in Iraq.”

President Bush’s 2004 presidential rival — who explained Tuesday that his comments were a “botched joke” targeting Bush — will not appear with Pennsylvania Senate candidate Bob Casey on Wednesday night in Philadelphia, as originally planned, a Democratic official said.

“I would be surprised if you see him welcomed out there anywhere,” the official said, “and certainly not in a race that is meaningful.”

Appearing on radio host Don Imus’ program, Kerry said Wednesday, “I’m going back to Washington. I’m going back to tackle this, you bet.”

At the risk of getting tomatoes thrown at me, I have to say that John Kerry was wrong saying what he did wrt the soldiers and education.

Mr. Kerry should have said “Education is so important today. Without it, you might one day send American troops on the ground in Iraq, in a war based on error.”

while I didn’t think Kerry’s statements came out quite right, the truth of the matter is, most kids don’t say, “hmm – should I go to UCLA or join the Army?”

Peter Hart just said that the kerfuffle with a mangled joke is like a bathtub full of water with a raging fire around it…

’tis nothing.

It’s about “Iraq, Iraq, Iraq”.

Says that the thugs are in trouble.

msnbc

Morning FDLer’s,

The redhaired bimbo on CNN just insinuated that Mike Stark might have been a terrorist. She said something along the line of “you just don’t know who’s out there..he was wearing a backpack…” [not exact] Then smiles winks nods ensue. Not a drop of outrage that a tax paying/Marine/law student constituent was assaulted and battered over trying to ask a question.

That is just so much CM bs, Shez. My sis heard an interview with one of the goons on WTOP this am– Dan Allen– and he said they were on the lookout for Mike… and duh, he’s a student in a university town filled with backpacks. sheesh.

Sounds like targeted assault and battery to me.

Nice to see you!

UptownNYChick @ 8

Thank you, I have been looking forward to your smack-down of Dangerstain since last night, T-Rex.

I don’t know if there are any subscribers here, but there is a very interesting looking story on how much David Sirota and Dangerstain hate each oter over at TNR.

Gerstein, a thick-necked 39-year-old communications consultant and veteran Joe Lieberman aide, has been known to accuse those who disagree with him of being anti-Semites.

If anyone can get behind the gate, would love to know what it says……

I try to make sure everyone I know realizes it’s not Lamont/& supporters like Sirota who are “nasty”. It’s Lieberman with his unfathomable flipflops, lies and distortions about Ned(re:”layoffs”) and Hojoe’s own record (re: social security privatization) that make us supporters have to go on the defensive/offensive.
I have an idea for a cartoon: HoJoe looking into a mirror, not recognizing himself, and screaming “it’s all lies.”

Angie: Sounds like targeted ASPHALT the way they pushed him to the ground.

1,321 DAYZ AND THE KILLIN GOEZ ON AND ON AND…

ccmask:

With all do respect (and I have a bunch for ya) I think that “outrage ” and “concern” about what Kerry said is BULLSHIT…and I’ll spell it fer ya’ll if ya wanna. What he said was true and shoulda started a conversation about how havin a “volunteer” army has facilitated this bogus war. Now, I wish he had told the joke better but…paLEEZ, don’t exile Kerry for kickin’ the Nazis in the balls, ‘cuz that’s jest what he did.

Futhermore, Kerry’s response to the criticism was high testosterone, straight-shootin’ and hit the target. I wish he had responded in ‘04 like he did yesterday…he might not a won but he surely woulda put some spine in the worthless Democratic Party leadership.

So don’t fret about Kerry’s “mistake”, get a copy of his response to all the criticism and send it right up the ass of any wingnut who tries ta get any mileage out of it. It’s a tempest in a teapot…the fascists are toast…it don’t mean nuthin, it’s inconsequential.

More worrisome to me is the coordinated talkin pointz from corporate media and right-wing corpoartists in the Democratic Party who are tryin’ ta highjack this victory for the “moderate” and “bluedogs”. Ron Kind (my congress critter, unfortunately) is tryin ta stake out turf for the Quisslings by showin up in front of any camera that will have ‘im to say that the Bluemutt caucus will be the linchpin of a non-liberal House of Representatives. Now THAT is REAL dangerous and it’s gettin’ traction with the corporate shills.

KEEP THE FAITH AND DON’T BE AFRAID TA MAKE MISTAKES…JEST MAKE SURE YA HIT SUMPTHIN’ WITH THOSE MISTAKES!!

I knew I’d get a tomatoe. Thanks Norske. I stand by my statement. Had Bush had a real education, not a store-bought one, he would have known not to send boots on the ground in Iraq. Also, knowing how the media and Bush operate, it was definitely a Mis-statement by Kerry, although I myself agree with what he said.

angie @
187

That is just so much CM bs, Shez. My sis heard an interview with one of the goons on WTOP this am– Dan Allen– and he said they were on the lookout for Mike… and duh, he’s a student in a university town filled with backpacks. sheesh.

Sounds like targeted assault and battery to me.

Hmm. If there is advance planning and multiple parties, did the perps satisy criteria for criminal conspiracy?

I’d like to see the Rethugs nascent brownshirt movement flushed. I’m hoping vigorous use of criminal complaints and civil tort claims against Rethug assailiants and their employers will stop these cowards.

Seven more days to defeat gooper authoritarian rule.

Nice to see you!