It’s a scary world out there for a conservative.

Marc Ambinder whose job it is to pass along what “they said” (who said? they said. oh. them) says that Asshole Calling Negro Van Jones is in pretty deep shit because Future 2012 President Mike Pence has already fired Jones from his future Oval Office. Right after future lunch.

Meanwhile, Rep.

Online Townhalls Sunday: Ohio Democratic Senate Candidates

Next Wednesday night, President Obama will give what’s been described as the most important speech of his career. Not because health care reform hangs in the balance. Not because of policy. But because Wednesday night will be about promises kept or promises broken. Because Wednesday night, we will know the emotional truth.

If I was in Afghanistan or if I was an assignment editor

Some folks might have qualms or questions about our having a Republican on FDL for a book salon. Not me. It’s high time we started talking to one another about the issues, rather than talking past each other in a political frenzy. Especially regarding issues which in years past were supposedly held above the political fray: national security, intelligence matters, and the rule of law.

A review of how Ashcroft’s testimony to HJC on torture matches what we learned in the CIA IG Report.

Florida State Senator Al Lawson is running in a primary race against notorious Blue Dog Allan Boyd in FL-02.

One of Time magazine’s star columnists blew up over a seemingly minor incident several weeks ago. Personal animus can’t explain the outburst, but internal turmoil certainly could.

For more on pruning back executive power see Pruning Shears.

Rahm Emanuel and Max Baucus may have forgotten the Democratic Party platform, but it’s still around. Health care is the first issue it deals with, and the first specific health care policy prescription is for a public option.

Maybe someone could remind Obama before next week’s speech.