Good morning, Christy. Lovely bird there. I’ve got flocks of redwing blackbirds at the bird feeders right now. I will leave the Sunday Morning Gasbags to the rest of you — I just can’t deal with them!

Morning, Marion — we had snow again last night, so I’ve got a flock of very puffed out sparrows and finches on my feeder this morning. They are looking miserable, and I’m just grateful to be inside with my coffee this morning. Brrrrrr…

Mornin’ Christy. Can’t we figure out a way to “primary” Donna Brazile?

Lovely photo. Looks like someplace warm and sunny.

I’ve all of a sudden got lots of little finches chowing on the nijer seed socks. For weeks nothing, then all of a sudden they just appeared. Saw the first goldfinches yesterday. I guess the word went out on the birds’ toobz!

It is going to be a Marion Breakfast in BlueBayState (which is more white than blue this AM, with no game at F*boro, no big deal). So we are looking forward to French toast with homemade apple butter, a real pot of tea and no talking heads. I need an egg white French toast recipe to use up all the eggwhites that were left behind their when I made homemade butterscotch pudding and to counterbalance all the butter and eggs that goes into that pudding.
Any suggestions for a guilt free/egg white French toast recipe?

GOod Mornng Christy,

Love the RWBBs Marion and the godlfinch, and that is a beautiful picture. There’s a whole lot of beautiful pictures over at that website. Tranquilities.

Any suggestions for a guilt free/egg white French toast recipe?

Like this?

mMmm this is the perfect morning for maple syrup
-and cinnamon and hastobe the hot chocolate today

The Caroline Kennedy endorsement will be the ultimate topic of conversation for quite some time. I imagine Hillary Clinton’s lead in most states will drop–likely by a big margin.

Thanks mightily. Exactly perfect. With Cinnamon, too, great base for the apple butter. The toobz are fantastic for recipes, but not as fantastic as the lake. holding on to it for virtual post X day breakfast buffet at the pups.

it, the recipe. correction at the lake with the pups. A reminder that come election day Marion and I will be hosting a virtual breakfast buffet for all pups with a menu of choices collecting from the same.

We have some lead time but keep it in mind.

The Caroline Kennedy endorsement will be the ultimate topic of conversation for quite some time. I imagine Hillary Clinton’s lead in most states will drop–likely by a big margin.

Hillary didn’t win, shouldn’t she do the right thing and drop out now?

Not only did she not win, she didn’t have the grace to offer congratulations to the man who beat her like a gong. Tacky, tacky, tacky…

Caroline’s endorsement bigger than Oprah’s among voters/party regulars? I think so.

John Edwards coming to Fargo Wednesday morning for a campaign stop–yep, planning to go. Fargo’s a good stop–the media hereabouts blankets the state and a good chunk of northwestern Minnesota as well. He has a lot of cred in the state–good ties carried over from 2004.

Watched The Breach last night–a cautionary tale about delusional hubris in high places.

Frank Rich thinks so, too…amazing since his column was written Friday for Sunday publication

Actually, she did. The networks didn’t bother to show that part until much later last night. Selective editing works wonders fot the narrative, dontcha know.

Well, it must have been after I gave up on her launching into her stump speech in Tennessee. Sorry I missed it. What did she say?

You know, Mike Huckabee is taking phone calls on CSPAN right now, I wonder have any of the other candidates done that?

OTish. For those who followed Grayson visit yesterday. Went to a party last nite. Told a few people about Grayson, the case he won and his plan for using his trial knowledge and the protection of the speech and debate clause to have hearing that would leave to a special prosecutor for investigation of contractor fraud that could lead to impeachment.

Absolutely. The right wing’s worst nightmare would be Alan Grayson with subpoena power. Gag order and the threat of criminal contempt have kept me and my clients quiet up until this point but if I get elected to the House of Representatives that’s all gone. The speech and debate clause protects me entirely. At that point I can tell everybody everything that I know and, on top of that I’ll have the ability to actually hold hearings, launch investigations, assign staff and subpoena people… Just on the basis of what I know of government contracting alone I think that there are strong arguments in favor of impeachment.”

Made people very happy, but caused me to rethink what he said and a suddenly a doubt appeared. He seemed to assume the process would involve his chairing an HR committee. Isn’t that a pretty big and unrealistic assumption for a freshman critter? Won’t the oldtimers give him if he wins places on committees as far away from impeachment as they can?

LHP, Christy, Hugh any thoughts?

That’s not true. She called Obama and offered her congratuations something he did not do in Nevada.

Hillary Clinton phoned her congratulations to Obama, and aides described the conversation as friendly, with jokey banter.

http://www.nydailynews.com/new…..slide.html

who is tacky now

From the NY Daily News article:

But it was Bill Clinton who first faced the cameras after the blowout.

I don’t necessarily think that’s helpful for her campaign. You might want to peruse Frank Rich this morning.

There is something totally amiss in the Billary thing. He is trying too hard and falling totally short of the mark (whatever the mark might be). What happened to the campaigner’s campaigner? The man who was more savvy and smarter than all average bears? There is a powerful passive aggressive thing at play here. Anyone care to guess what kind of conversations are taking place behind the scenes? I’m guessing pillow shrieking vs. pillow talk.

Whatever
people see what they want frankly frank rich’s contrarian views and early endorsement of Obama don’t make me inclined to have any interest
the point is you repeated a lie and have no remorse whe it was pointed out

and you made a claim about behavior which are you are not willing to apply equally….appparently in your world..it is only tacky for Senator Clinto to be rude but not Senator Obaama

the point is you repeated a lie and have no remorse whe it was pointed out

“Whatever,” to quote you. I guess you didn’t see where I told Christy I was sorry I missed it.

Russert’s having McCain on! How rare!

People, it is way too early in the morning for snipiness. I’ve only had one cuppa coffee and am not in the mood to referree a pie fight while I’m trying to get a FISA post together for later in the morning.

Can we move on to something that is not bickering? I would very much appreciate it…

(And she said something like what Edwards said, congratulations to Obama on a win in South Carolina, but we are moving forward to all the states to come, Florida on Tuesday and then TN and the other states on Feb. 5th…)

Sorry for the pie fight.

I’m starting to wonder how hard the press will crush on McCain if Obama is the nominee. Do you think it’ll be as stark as Dubya v. Gore? I can’t help but think they’ll co-opt JFK into the hawkish “maverick” mantle of McCain (perhaps show an image of a young, strapping McCain?).

Having some interesting bird sightings around Fargo this a.m. Opened the blinds to a flock of long-legged runners, noted for their floppy wings and close-capped crowns this time of year. The plumage is variable.

Yes, we do have a Fargo Marathon coming up May 17. Why do you ask?

Good Morning

I’d like to congratulate the good citizens of South Carlonia, especially the record number of Democrats who voted. More Democrats then Republicans voted in the primaries and this is South Carolina.

Looks like Obama’s ground game did good.

The economy tanking is Bill Clinton’s fault. Seriously haven’t you noticed all this talk of recession just as he reasserts himself into the spotlight /snark

morning all. Wasn’t McCain on MTP, what, two weeks ago?

I guess GE/NBC feels the need to give its candidate some last-minute face time before he squares off in Florida against the Clearchannel candidate Romney?

You funny!

Maj Gen Kevin Berhner is up on CSPAN, he’s the Multinational Force – Iraq Deputy Chief of Staff

I was waiting to post this way down thread, but as per Christy & the moving on…

What a great idea, BSRH- vitual election day breakfast buffet. To counter any “morning after SC primary” dyspepsia that may be lingering, may I offer a Chile Rellenos recipe I’ve tried that’s good for breakfast/brunch, from Abuelita’s Kitchen, a recipe section on the Olvera Street web site:

Chile Rellenos-Recipe courtesy Estrellita Tapia Shawky
For this recipe you’ll need:
12 Anaheim chilies
1 plastic bag
1/2 lb. jack cheese
6 eggs
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Char 12 Anaheim chilies on the stovetop or in the broiler.
Put chilies in a plastic bag to allow them to steam to make it easier to peel off the skin.
Peel charred skin off roasted peppers.
Cut jack cheese into oblong cubes.
Make a small vertical incision near the chili stem and insert cheese to stuff.
Separate six eggs (whites and yolks). Put whites in large bowl and beat well until fluffy and stiff, then slowly add yolks.
Cover chilies with all-purpose flour, dip in egg batter and fry them in vegetable or canola oil until golden brown.
Lay them on a paper towel to drain oil and serve hot!

Chile Relleno Sauce-Recipe courtesy Estrellita Tapia Shawky
For this recipe you’ll need:
1 medium/large white or yellow onion
Vegetable or canola oil.
1 clove of garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt.
Red chile pepper or cayenne – optional.
3 plum tomatoes
1/4 cup of water
Slice onion and fry in vegetable or canola oil.
Crush one clove of garlic; add to mixture.
Add one teaspoon (or to taste) of salt. Add red chile pepper or cayenne – optional.
Cut 1/8-inch slices of three plum tomatoes and add to mixture.
Add 1/4 cup of water and simmer on low heat for five minutes.
Serve over hot Chile Rellenos.

Good morning, all. Great post, Christy! Funny you should mention the Carolyn Kennedy op-ed. I got an e-mail that included that op-ed. Interesting. Is Carolyn Kennedy a super delegate?

There has been speculation for at least two years that MN governor Tim Pawlenty is being groomed as McCain’s running mate. Pawlenty is young(er), relatively good looking (if you can get past the shifty Repug eyes), vigorous, slick, party loyal, politically ambitious and relentless. He’d help offset McCain’s elder image. Smoke and mirrors.

omigawd, Marie, I have died and gone to heaven…I love chiles rellenos. Can’t wait to try your recipe.

And for the Election brunch…will there be pralines?

Pralines? Pralines? Did someone say pralines? Yum…

Who do you all think would be easier to beat? Romney or McCain?

Is Carolyn Kennedy a super delegate?

In a manner of speaking. The State of Camelot is now in play, with Obama the early leader by a wide margin.

My guess would be Romney.

Romney. Fer sure.

LOL!

You, as usual

They’re great for brunch or breakfast. The secret is of course, light, quick frying & making yr. own Relleno sauce (or using yr. own homemade salsa).

Pralines? By all means ;->

Rich has a great piece today on this. Saying if it is McCain vs Hillary, then McCain wins hands down. So the answer I think lies in the candidate.

Frank Rich -NYT- that is.

That would be one way to get Pawlenty out of MN. LOL

Is the endorsement of governors going to be a big factor in a brokered convention. I really don’t know how this all works however it seems to me that governors are the head of the party in their states and have a lot of sway.

It seems like more governors have endorsed Hilliary, while more Senators have endorsed Obama. I could very well be wrong about this, which happens a lot.

Clinton’s polls were already dropping back to near post-Iowa levels yesterday so the SC surge will be important.

McCain pushing his Iraqi cred on Meet the Propaganda….

For pralines, may I suggest the luscious Aunt Sally’s version? They are truly to die for…can’t eat them very often, but man are they yummy!

Just saw Obama grilled by George Staphinfection. He did well, I think.

I cannot stand his happy talk.

-G

Yes, indeedy. But that’s very complicated locally (maybe you live here?) because his Lt. Gov., Carol Molnau, is up to her eyeballs in the mess of the Interstate bridge that fell into the Mississippi last summer. She is half-time Lt. Gov. and half-time Transportation Chief; ergo, not doing much of a job of either. And it seems likely that Pawlenty’s pursuit of the gold ring opens the gov. position to Dem seizure. Not sure how much that matters in the national scheme of things, but sure would be a lovely outcome for MN.

FWIW, the Hartford Courant endorses Clinton and Romney in today’s editorials.

Romney would be easier because the media is in the tank for straight talking maverick, man of integrity, approachable and genial man about town, good old John McCain.

-G

Thanks Marie Roget (BTW is that the name of a French after dinner beverage). Recipe and author noted for the big do.

Voters outside the “political junkies” — Joe and Susan Sixpack — would like to see who Hillary is as a leader. They will never be able to do this with the fog of “Billary” in their way.

Billary is too dumb to see that she needs to be seen on her own strengths and sell herself. Mr. Clinton, along with their myopic “handlers” have brainwashed her into thinking she can’t win without the “Billary” shtick.

Billary are smarmy, which is not what Mr. and Ms. Sixpack are looking for. Smarmy is what we have had for 7+ years.

Billary can’t win. Frank Rich is dead on.

The thing to keep in mind about Superdelegates is that they may endorse early on, but if the tide turns in terms of public support for another candidate, they are free to switch their votes — and often do. Unlike state delegates who are obliged to vote on the first ballot exactly the way that their state’s primary indicates as an apportioned vote, superdelegates are under no obligation to vote a specific way just because they made an early public endorsement.

There have been a lot of switches in the past — the year Teddy Kennedy ran was a prime example of that.

I think the also supported Lieberlier

Steve Coll on CSPAN w update on Pakistan

Signing off to make the Marionical French Toast. All recipe links have been saved to the day after big do.

Back tmr. AM. By pups.

woops. saved for the big do and bye pups.

Thank you, I do appreciate the information. It’s very exciting to see how this election is playing out. After the last two suspect elections, with all the dynamics coming into play this time, it’s a great refresher course for people like me to learn.

For any election fete, we have to have the FDL chocolate orange cheesecake – recipe created by ? here on a week-end morning a while back – complete with political anecdotes.

Christy, may I respectfully request that next Saturday’s ‘Pull Up a Chair’ be about what everyone is making for the Super Bowl party? I love the recipes that people share. And being the anti-Martha Stewart type, I could use the help.

Very welcome. Lots of excellent recipes at the Abuelita’s Kitchen site.

I’ve posted under the moniker “Marie Roget” on lit sites for years. As I mentioned @ FDL way back when, I originally chose it because I wrote my doc. dissertation on aspects of E.A. Poe’s writings.

The Chocolate-Orange Cheese cake I mention above is supplied by Montag – and is inscribed at no. 71 of this post:
http://firedoglake.com/2007/08…..-chair-60/

They did for the primary but I don’t know if they carried it over to the general election. I also know they have stated their regret with the decision based on Short Ride’s actions since the election.

I think I found it at this thread, comment #71. I hope the linky works…

Gosh, you’re fast! (God bless Teh Great Google…)

now does Marion owe Richmond a coke or does Richmond owe Marion a coke?

Thanks – and interesting. I guess, as with the NYT, it may be about a local figure.

Neither – I cheated. I had it saved a a favorite, because I wanted to make it at some time (haven’t done it yet, so don’t know if actually “works” as a recipe – but my mouth waters just reading it.

Neither – I cheated. I had it saved a a favorite, because I wanted to make it at some time (haven’t done it yet, so don’t know if actually “works” as a recipe – but my mouth waters just reading it.

I thought everyone has a bookmark folder for fdl recipes

I just saved it, too, & will try it soon, for Easter brunch maybe. What an amazing recipe. More than one slice will probably add an extra mile to the ol’ morning jog for a while. But worth it.

Rudy Fooliaini is now in fourth place behind REv. Chucklenuts.

Clearly this has been planned all along, or so the lamestreamers keep telling me.

-G

he certainly showing his clever strategic skillz here.

Let us know how it works!

Absolutely.

Direct link to comment #71–chocolate orange cheesecake with schtick.

LOL.

Speaking of FISA, the Talking Head lineup for today is once again FISA-free. While that doesn’t surprise me, it certainly frustrates me. You would think that given the reluctance of the Democratic Congress to do anything but capitulate in the past year, a group of Senators and a lot of ordinary citizens saying “No” to telco immunity would be a “man bites dog” story that the media should be taking notice of.

Instead, we’ve got crickets chirping…

How do we pierce the bubble that the MSM lives inside?

I haven’t done that yet, but it is a good idea. (I also think someone with cooking experience could put together a nifty FDL cookbook and it could serve as a fund raiser for the site (or something like ActBlue). (Funny how it is always easier to suggest good things with other people’s time!).

Two pieces on Billary;

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01…..ref=slogin

http://www.salon.com/opinion/g…..index.html

That’s all.

thanks!

Rudy Fooliaini is now in fourth place behind REv. Chucklenuts.

Clearly this has been planned all along, or so the lamestreamers keep telling me.

Now, don’t forget, everything is good news for Republicans. (Love “Fooliani,” by the way!)

Russert’s most important words in months: ….George Bush’s last State of the Union speech

Rudy’s gonna close big.

Showgirls, make-up, dance numbers, high kicks, leotards, the whole schmear.

-G

Go big or don’t go at at all.

George Bush’s last State of the Union speech

I’ll probably have the TV on, but muted. I simply cannot tolerate the sound of his voice. If they have closed captioning okay, otherwise the smirks alone will be enough to send my blood pressure into the stratosphere.

How do we pierce the bubble that the MSM lives inside?

Frankly, I don’t see any way short of buying a new channel.

Go big or don’t go at at all.

when do we see “Rudy! the Musical” on Broadway

when do we see “Rudy! the Musical” on Broadway

In a perfect world, never.

Springtime….for Rudy…in Florida…

Ahem.

He’s tanned, he’s fit, he’s ready, complete with costumes.

I’m sure I’l be able to find some bad movie on at the same time that will alow me to avoid him. Which I do at all costs.

I wish Air America was broadcast on tv. The ratings would be off the charts. I’ve never even heard a broadcast because of my hearing impairment. Broadcasting them would be a given if the media wasn’t pushing a repub agenda.

707 707 707

Very interesting insight here (I think) on Obama’s win and Hillary camp organizing sitation more generally
http://www.openleft.com/frontPage.do

Nightmare scenario. Say Obama wins nearly all of the remaining states and has a big lead but not a majority in terms of delegates going into the convention. It will then be a “brokered convention” with a lot of super-delegates who are party insiders and likely to support Hillary. If they give the nomination to Hillary, there would be a whole lot of very disappointed/disillusioned black and young voters.

The perfect clip for Rudy the G. Hard to resist linking it, so I won’t:

Springtime for Hitler- The Producers (1968)

Meet the Press has Mrs. “2nd Place” Clinton and Mr. “Last Place” Giuliani. Now THAT’S relevance!

Why the heck is the press paying any attention at all go Giuliani? Where is Obama? Where for that matter is Mr. “Kingmaker” Edwards?

I swear, the MSM might simply do the next four years in complete denial of who is president. In 2012 I may fine myself yelling at my television…

“Today President Giuliani continued his low key approach to running the country.”

(”What? Obama has been president since 2009!”)

“We’re looking forward to President Giuliani’s visit to Jamaica later this year with his First Mistress.”

(”Judy Nathan dumped him! He’s dating his niece, and he’s NOT president! President Obama and Vice President Edwards are in Tel Aviv for the peace accord!”)

“Up next, President Giuliani’s fashion leadership: will everone be wearing bathrobes in the boardroom?”

(”AAAARGGH!”)

Timmeh giving the faux-hardball treatment on MTP…

I think, if ya look close, you might catch the winks between them…

exactly!

Actually, Face the Nation has them on CBS. Meet The Press has McCain today.

Thanks, it’s always refreshing to go and talk to voters directly.

When I did that for Howard Dean I got quick trip on the learning curve about people and what they expect to see in a presidential candidate. Factors that contribute to a candidate’s electability are real.

I have to wonder when the last time any pundit or high paid consultant canvassed the public for themselves instead of relying on data supplied to them. I wonder venture to say they enjoy the view the from the ivory tower because from there they see little of the details that matter.

Giuliani’s trying to get a little attention in Florida where everyone’s ignoring him to watch the McCain/Romney fireworks.

He went with It’s bad to fight. Choose me. I’m not all divisive like them.

Everybody still ignored him, but New Yorkers who didn’t blink and miss it are amused.

I found Barack unimpressive in his interview with Stephanopolous today. in

Hilary, on CBS, said something new in explaining Bill’s behaviour recent, that “he loves me”. I think that is going to resonate with women.

Why would you think that?

You think people actually listen to who makes endorsements?

Yes. Let’s all follow along with Frank Rich who helped get Bush in office for us. Toward the end of his column he makes a pitch for McCain’s foreign policy creds vis a vis Clinton but never makes a similar comparison with Obama.

My take is that if Rich thinks that McCain has more foreign policy creds than my housepets, his column is only fit to use for paper training.

But I think I figured out Rich’s MO.

He trashed Gore unmercifully and gave us Bush and when Bush f’d up he had endless fodder for his column. Now he’ll do his best to give us McCain. When McCain f’s up he’ll have endless fodder for his column.