I think Matt Fong in 1998 was a half legit challenge to Boxer. She ended up winning by something like 10 points, but I remember some Boxer supporters being at least a little nervous in the weeks before the election. Bill Jones, on the other hand.... #2010
The big problem for both parties is balkanization. There aren't very many reliable voting blocks any more, and candidates on both sides have shown they're willing to do almost anything necessary to get those blocks "locked up."
That being said, I think the increasing prevalence of "purity tests" among the Republicans and the lack of a coherent party message will ensure that they continue to marginalize themselves. Bill Buckley's characterization of conservatism as a force standing astride history shouting "stop" is frighteningly correct, and right now it feels like the whole Republican party is just yelling "STOP." That's not a party slogan, but the reds are working hard to make it one. #2010
House Republican leader John Boehner, speaking on the Capitol steps earlier today, waved papers he referred to as "My copy of the Constitution" and proceeded to read from the Preamble...of the Declaration of Independence. The part about how all men are created equal.No, Congressman Boehner, they're not. You're living proof, if only on the level of a vegetable. Some of us have actually read these two documents and know the difference even as we don't spout 'em at the drop of a hat.Sadder still, judging from the clip I saw on TV none of the "Patriots" on display appeared to catch it either. #michelebachmann
Just remember, it's not about health care. It's about Bachmann. One of the interesting things in this story is how this particular gathering came about (her pleading, her idea, her follow through, her viewers on Fox, her speeches, etc....) She will get GINORMOUS media coverage for this, and my jaded self knows that is why she's in it. #michelebachmann
FoxNews is easily distracted by white children who have gone missing or who are found in strange places.
It's similar to the distraction some experience when they spot a shiny object.
Anyway, Rush Limbaugh could announce that he was running for office and Fox would ignore it if they heard a rumor that a cute, little, white child was in some kind of fix. #michelebachmann
Many of those protesting have no idea what a public option is, and when asked if they support a public option many have asked "...option to what?" #michelebachmann
You presume too much. That is not at all how we think, however I can appreciate that pretending that this is how conservatives think makes it easier for you to discount the arguments that thoughtful people make.
Rather than demonize your opposition, it is much smarter to try and understand who they really are, and how they really think.
Republicans do not view ourselves as elites. Quite the opposite. We are the red states. The everyday working class, down in the trenches. The vast inner core of America that makes our country work so well.
We do not view others as trying to get what we have worked so hard to earn. We desperately want them to share in our comforts. And we understand that the only way for them to get there is to learn to be self-sufficient.
If our poorer neighbors are to rise to a higher standard of living, they will only do so through hard work.
We recognize that liberal policies destroy wealth, while creating dependency.
As far as opposing something that "is for our own good", that is a very scary way of thinking.
Again, you discount the intelligence of your neighbors, while assuming that only your views are right.
I cannot debate someone who refuses to listen to me. I can only pitty them. #michelebachmann
@vayapues: Hard work, eh? And where in this economy is that work to be found? And are you aware that millions of people who are employed do not have affordable health insurance? What should they do? Furthermore, what about people who would love to work but are discriminated against because they have the misfortune (the word is used sarcastically, my friends) to be born black, female, gay, or all three? Should the government do nothing then? Seems to me that the supposedly religious rightwingers who believe this is a Christian nation conveniently forget that there are three great virtues mentioned in the New Testament: Faith, Hope, and CHARITY. #michelebachmann
@vayapues: "We recognize that liberal policies destroy wealth, while creating dependency."
REALLY? That's funny, because when Reagan was president I couldn't find a job. When Clinton was president I could find a job in an afternoon, I think unemployment was 2% (which is the same as no unemployment), and the federal budget was balanced, and I had a fat bank account. When Bush was president I lost every dime I had worked for over a period of 30 years. My "neighbors" are idiots who listen to Rush Limbaugh and think he's just like them (aside from the heroin addiction and the hundred million dollars he is just like them - uneducated and a bigot). If republican ideas - big military spending, tax cuts for the wealthy, and a deregulated banking industry - actually worked, this country would be rolling in clover after the past 8 years, rather than swimming through shit as it currently is. Luckily, the only people who actually got hurt by republican irresponsibility were the middle class and some of the Poors. The rich are doing just fine, thank you very much. A REPUBLICAN president, congress, and supreme court presided over the biggest bank robbery in world history, so go fuck yourself moron. Fifteen trillion AMERICAN dollars incinerated by Dubya and Phil Gramm, so again, with all due respect, go fuck yourself, you unpatriotic, piece of shit, Wall Street bank robber, republican apologist. #michelebachmann
I have been trying for the past 30 minutes to come up with something witty or funny or something about Bachmann.
I cannot do it anymore. This woman is an ignorant, publicity hungry, ill-informed, Troll Bitch From Hell.
If these idiots out protesting today think that ANY of this has to with them and their needs or beliefs, they are sorely mistaken. They are mere extras in her crusade of self promotion and need to be on TV at least once every 3 weeks.
As for a ticket for president? Michelle will tear out Palin's eyes and eat them on crackers before she lets Caribou Barbie steal any of her screen time. #michelebachmann
@farfull123006: OMG A Palin/Bachmann ticket? Could Santa really exist? Could Saturday Night Live suddenly be relevant again? I'm getting my gay ass down to the capitol ASAP to join in the chant! #michelebachmann
@farfull123006: Sometimes when I'm alone at night I pleasure myself while fantasizing about a Palin/Bachmann ticket. It's almost as delicious as the Huckabee/Buchanan juggernaut would be. #michelebachmann
@manchops: My nipples get hard just thinking about it. Then I worry a little they might actually get elected by all the idiot republicans in this country, like the one who lives next door to me, who thinks only gay communists play soccer. #michelebachmann
Honestly, partisan politics aside, the idea of a White House... no, a COUNTRY ran by Sarah Palin and Michelle Bachmann is the most terrifying thing I have ever heard. The only thing that would save us from their lunacy would be the puppetmasters behind the scenes, the policy directors and cabinet members who would hopefully let those nutballs enjoy their time in the spotlight and let the real decision-makers do the tough thinking.*
*And no, it's only a coincidence that I don't think two women are capable of tough thinking. Any other two women in the world, sure. Hell, I'd take an entire White House full of women if the only restriction was that those two weren't allowed within 500 feet of the nuclear football. #michellebachmann
@croush1211: "The only thing that would save us from their lunacy would be the puppetmasters behind the scenes, the policy directors and cabinet members who would hopefully let those nutballs enjoy their time in the spotlight and let the real decision-makers do the tough thinking."
Yes, that's what we all thought would happen with Dubya. Sure, he's stupid, but he's got Dick Cheney pulling the strings. Man, that sure worked out well. #michelebachmann
I just can't get over how these people have been so snowed by whoever pulls their strings. They've been convinced that they are the special elites of this country and that everyone else is dirty beggars who just want to take everything they've worked so hard for. And they've even been convinced to oppose their own interests. The reality is, a lot of these people are the modern day equivalent of the 'house ni**er'; proffered some scraps of extra 'dignity' and shoes with still-intact soles, to distract them from the fact that they are just servants indentured to the 'machine' as well. I see no difference between many of these people and slaves gleefully whipping other, 'less worthy' slaves.
When you show up at a rally opposing health care with missing teeth, excema and an oxygen tank, you are the walking epitome of irony. But they don't see it, because they still have a proverbial chicken in their pot and they don't understand why they should have to share any of the bones. #michellebachmann
@vitajex: What's even more ironic it that most of them have the chicken in the pot (even though they can't work because their obesity led to life threatening diabetes) due to good old capitalist programs like Social Security, Medicaid, and disability checks. I wince whenever I see the signs that say "keep your government hands off my medicaid." God, it makes me want to cry that douchebags like Glenn Beck, Rush Limbaugh, and Bill O'Douchebag convince all the rubes to vote republican, so that millionaires can get tax breaks. #michelebachmann
11/09/09
Yeah, let's go with rehab. #2010
11/09/09
11/09/09
That being said, I think the increasing prevalence of "purity tests" among the Republicans and the lack of a coherent party message will ensure that they continue to marginalize themselves. Bill Buckley's characterization of conservatism as a force standing astride history shouting "stop" is frighteningly correct, and right now it feels like the whole Republican party is just yelling "STOP." That's not a party slogan, but the reds are working hard to make it one. #2010
11/05/09
11/05/09
The high point? A banner with dead guys all over it saying "National Socialist Health Care, Bachad, Germany - 1945."
Claaaaaassy. #michelebachmann
11/05/09
11/05/09
It's similar to the distraction some experience when they spot a shiny object.
Anyway, Rush Limbaugh could announce that he was running for office and Fox would ignore it if they heard a rumor that a cute, little, white child was in some kind of fix. #michelebachmann
11/05/09
11/05/09
11/05/09
You presume too much. That is not at all how we think, however I can appreciate that pretending that this is how conservatives think makes it easier for you to discount the arguments that thoughtful people make.
Rather than demonize your opposition, it is much smarter to try and understand who they really are, and how they really think.
Republicans do not view ourselves as elites. Quite the opposite. We are the red states. The everyday working class, down in the trenches. The vast inner core of America that makes our country work so well.
We do not view others as trying to get what we have worked so hard to earn. We desperately want them to share in our comforts. And we understand that the only way for them to get there is to learn to be self-sufficient.
If our poorer neighbors are to rise to a higher standard of living, they will only do so through hard work.
We recognize that liberal policies destroy wealth, while creating dependency.
As far as opposing something that "is for our own good", that is a very scary way of thinking.
Again, you discount the intelligence of your neighbors, while assuming that only your views are right.
I cannot debate someone who refuses to listen to me. I can only pitty them. #michelebachmann
11/05/09
11/05/09
REALLY? That's funny, because when Reagan was president I couldn't find a job. When Clinton was president I could find a job in an afternoon, I think unemployment was 2% (which is the same as no unemployment), and the federal budget was balanced, and I had a fat bank account. When Bush was president I lost every dime I had worked for over a period of 30 years. My "neighbors" are idiots who listen to Rush Limbaugh and think he's just like them (aside from the heroin addiction and the hundred million dollars he is just like them - uneducated and a bigot). If republican ideas - big military spending, tax cuts for the wealthy, and a deregulated banking industry - actually worked, this country would be rolling in clover after the past 8 years, rather than swimming through shit as it currently is. Luckily, the only people who actually got hurt by republican irresponsibility were the middle class and some of the Poors. The rich are doing just fine, thank you very much. A REPUBLICAN president, congress, and supreme court presided over the biggest bank robbery in world history, so go fuck yourself moron. Fifteen trillion AMERICAN dollars incinerated by Dubya and Phil Gramm, so again, with all due respect, go fuck yourself, you unpatriotic, piece of shit, Wall Street bank robber, republican apologist. #michelebachmann
11/05/09
I cannot do it anymore. This woman is an ignorant, publicity hungry, ill-informed, Troll Bitch From Hell.
If these idiots out protesting today think that ANY of this has to with them and their needs or beliefs, they are sorely mistaken. They are mere extras in her crusade of self promotion and need to be on TV at least once every 3 weeks.
As for a ticket for president? Michelle will tear out Palin's eyes and eat them on crackers before she lets Caribou Barbie steal any of her screen time. #michelebachmann
11/05/09
Dumb and Dumber, anyone?
11/05/09
11/05/09
11/05/09
11/05/09
*And no, it's only a coincidence that I don't think two women are capable of tough thinking. Any other two women in the world, sure. Hell, I'd take an entire White House full of women if the only restriction was that those two weren't allowed within 500 feet of the nuclear football. #michellebachmann
11/05/09
Yes, that's what we all thought would happen with Dubya. Sure, he's stupid, but he's got Dick Cheney pulling the strings. Man, that sure worked out well. #michelebachmann
11/05/09
When you show up at a rally opposing health care with missing teeth, excema and an oxygen tank, you are the walking epitome of irony. But they don't see it, because they still have a proverbial chicken in their pot and they don't understand why they should have to share any of the bones. #michellebachmann
11/05/09
11/05/09
I have to wait two years for that video? Please tell me TMZ is going to at least leak a few clips first. #michellebachmann