Would you prefer the '08 Repuke Presidential candidate to be:

[Island Blue]

A.) Batshit crazy like Frist or Santorum or

B.) At least semi-normal like Chuck Hagel?

I go back and forth between the two. (Indecision may or may not be my problem.) Sometimes I think it would work to our advantage (regardless of who our candidate is) if their nominee is a really insane caricature of a human being. At other times, I truly fear that the insane person may actually get elected (hey, it's happened before. Recently.) and that it would be very bad for the country, therefore making the semi-normal Repuke candidate seem like a preferable choice.

Of course whoever their candidate is I hope ours kicks his/her ass, but this is just something I've thought about before and wondered if anyone else had.

Oh and I'm not speculating that Frist, Santorum or Hagel will run, I'm just using those folks as examples. I also realize that this is a very frivolous topic on a day when we should probably be thinking about more serious things, but sometimes our hearts and minds need a break!

[TayTay]

1. Senator Barfbag

George Will wrote a column this week extolling the virtues of the Jr. Senator from Virginia and how wonderful he was. I think Sen. Allen is dumber than a pile of split rocks, but it would be an interesting contest. We have so many good Democrats who can debate and think on their feet. I just want to see one of them (especially a tall one) debate this doofus and turn him into a little pile of deflated puppy poo.

Of course, it should be noted in passing, that Sen. Barfbag is my least favorite person in the Senate (though Santorum, Hatch, the nutjobs from OK and a few others are a very close second.) There is something about watching him in either the Foreign Relations Comm or FinComm with John Kerry that irritates me no end. It is such a mismatch and Sen. Barfbag can't debate, can't focus and can't construct an argument without having his talking points in front of him. Those Foreign Relations Comm meetings about Bolton were just painful to watch. Barfabag is a bully and a moron, a lethal combination in most cases.

I am closely monitoring Sen. Barfbag so that when he starts coming up to NH for Q&As with the voters, I can be there to ask some questions. I am learning where his buttons are, how to ask him a question in such a way that he freezes with stupidity (thinking on his feet is not exactly a skill Allen has spent any time trying to acquire.) There is also the Barfbag drinking game: every time his brain freezes and he has to resort to another football analogy, you drink. Should make all those Rethug debates that start in about 20 months more bearable.

[Mass]

2. Looks a lot like W

but he is excellent at stump speech and when he has a good script. I listened to him a couple of times in the Senate and was rather impressed by his ability to speak without saying uh every two words.

Given the needed polishing, he may be a dangerous candidate in 2008.

Frist would be the best IMHO - Neither good speaker nor looking sincere when he speaks. And he has PO enough people on both sides of his party to be a weak candidate.

Santorum will not be in the race because he will lose in 2006.

Hagle would be a dangerous candidate if he makes it through the primary because he is both conservative enough to please to the right (except the kooks), and reasonnable looking enough to attract some moderate Republicans. In addition, he has a compelling life story that I am sure he will play when necessary (though it has never been his battle horse).

[Island Blue]

3. I can't stand Sen. Barfbag either ... never have been able to

Even though I'm in NC the network stations my cable company carries are for the most part VA based so I see their news. I remember seeing Sen. Barfbag all of the time when he was Gov. and there is just something about him that I don't trust. I think it has to do with that constant little smirk on his face. It makes him look like he's lying all of the time. (Or maybe I just don't trust him because he's a Repuke.)

I don't get a chance to see him in action that much in the Senate (no CSPAN 2) but I did see Kerry wipe the floor with his ass during the Bolton meetings. I would LOVE to see you grilling him with questions in NH. Preface each question with "Without mentioning the word football ..."

[Pirate Smile]

4. Republicans seem to like dumber than a pile of split rocks.

We just may get him.

Any sign of individual thought is a huge strike so that knocks Hagel out and they hate McCain.

The people we can stand is like all the Republicans saying the Democrats should pick Lieberman in 2004. Dems didn't seem to agree.

[rox63]

5. I'd prefer that there's no chance of an insane wingnut winning

So even though I really, really want the Democrats to win, I'd prefer that the Rethug nominee not be an insane right-winger. Because no matter how hard we try, there's a chance that person will be the next president. And I'd prefer that it not be an insane christo-fascist war-monger.

So as the Rethug nominee, I'd choose one of the sane Rethugs, the ones who don't mind working with Democrats to acheive common goals.

[TayTay]

6. Okay Rox, no who is it

Hagel? He's not bad, (well, he is wicked conservative and a war-monger, but otherwise, I'd let him come to my Labor Day cookout.) And, ahm, well, not McCain, because I don't trust him anymore and well,
WHO?

[rox63]

18. Not sure

But there are some sane Rethugs out there, some in New England. I wish we could just convince some of them to change party affiliation instead.

[globalvillage]

7. IMO

Easiest to beat - Santorum
Easiest to live with - Hagel

Hmmm... Guess it depends on how strong the Dem candidate is. If it's JK (Teresa will love this), I hope it's Ricky.

JK would destroy him.

Santorum will be washed up by '06, though. Shame.

[Island Blue]

8. I don't think Santorum will make it past '06 either

Having said that though, since reading snippets from his book I think I'm going to get married, quit my job, get pregnant and stay at home adoring my husband and home schooling our darling children! It takes a family, people!!

[TayTay]

9. Been there, done that, didn't work

The rockiest time I ever had in my 22 year marriage was those 3 years when I worked at home. I was miserable. My husband told me later it was three years of walking on eggshells around me. Even my kids were happier when I went back to work and they went to after-school care. Not a fun time.

I am much better now. Really. This is my normal cheerful self.

Santorum is a complete moron. No wonder Momma T hates him and scolds her hubby for being so nice to him. Sigh! Sometimes my Jr. Senator can be a bit too much of a gentleman. (Only sometimes though.)

I have the money this week. For the Casey folk, the check goes out tomorrow.

[Island Blue]

10. I was joking.

Santorum is a complete moron.

[TayTay]

11. I know you were joking my dear

I'm only thickly stupid on alternate days of the week. (Just kidding.) Still, I tried that and I flunked at stay-at-home Mom thing. It just didn't work out.

Santorum is such a piece of crap. Honestly, how did the good and true citizens of the noble Commonwealth of Pennsylvania ever wind up with that dickhead as their Senator? (Oh No! I feel a Masshole moment coming on: Help, help, can't help myself, encountering smug, snarky feelings, ahhhh

I guess not everyone can have great Senators. Some States have to put up with real jerks. However do you people cope anyway?)

There, it has passed. I feel much better now. I hope I didn't offend anyone during my fit. (Remember, I am sending out the check to defeat Sen. Man-On-Dog tomorrow.)

[Island Blue]

13. My bad. I figured you knew that

but my sense of humor is kind of dry sometimes and that doesn't always translate well in type.

As far as how to cope with crappy Senators - lots and lots of alcohol. Some of us have two crappy Senators and therefore we get to drink more than others!

[TayTay]

15. Oh dear, I fear my response was too harsh

I meant it to be harsh ON ME not you. (I kid myself all the time.) Sincere apologies. I was not offended or anything. (And I am thickly stupid sometimes. Sad but true.)

Back when the John Kerry forum was but a few weeks old, I engaged in casual conversation with several of the denizens therein. It was revealed after, oh about 10 posts, that I have a shockingly horrible grasp of geography beyond the borders of the fair Commonwealth of Massachusetts. There were many posts exchanged wherein I completely couldn't remember which mid-western state was which. (I'm am very sorry. I am a geophobe. I will try and do better, but don't hold out much hope.) Illinois does not make much cheese and Wisconsin does not have a great Illini basketball team. And Iowa is close, but not really. I got it now.

It was also revealed that, as shocking as this might sound, some people in the US think that Massachusetts is a snobby state. Whome and I, over tea and scones, decided that we really should correct that image some day. Then we decided that that might involve expressing some genuine emotions and we decided that we are too reserved, gentlewomanly and aloof to do that. So we learned a lot about each other by exploring the stereotypes we hold about each other's home states. (Massachusetts is viewed as kinda gritty by the inhabitants therein. We sort of pride outselves on being tough and independent.)

Anyway, confusions abound. All in all, we have few instances of real misunderstandings on this group and we seem to correct them rather well. That's what I like about this here forum, we are all good sports.

[Island Blue]

16. I understood what you ment

no need to apologize! Sometimes when I talk (really talk, not type) people can't tell if I'm joking or not because like I said, my sense of humor can be very, very dry. I guess that's called scarcasim. Anyway, I think I was just projecting that onto your post and ... oh well, never mind! No misunderstanding here!

[rox63]

19. For those that think all Massholes are snobs

Send them to Revere Beach for the day.

[globalvillage]

17. Ummmm... One word, Tay Tay.

Mittens?



OK, you could argue that's four words.

Rats. Now it's 11.

Damn, 15.

[rox63]

20. No-o-o-o-o-o!!!!!!

Bad GV needs a spanking...

Please, let's retire Mittens from elective politics altogether.

[globalvillage]

23. Hey, Tay Tay

Teresa has a lovely home here in Pittsburgh. I think it would be great if she and John moved here. Wouldn't that be grand? Hey, maybe he can run his '08 campaign from here. In Pittsburgh!!!

Wow. That would be awesome!!!



Will someone call an ambulance for Tay Tay now, please.

[TayTay]

26. AAAAAAHHHHHHH, Elizabeth, it's the big one!

You cannot poach Senators dearie! Other states work years and years to get their Senators just right. It takes a lot of hard work.

The Fair and Noble Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is quite able to assemble it's own wise group of Legislators. (You can do it. You've done it before, my dear.) You mustn't come down with a bad case of Senator-envy. (It is unbecoming and gauche.) And I have grown accustomed to him. (Seriously, breaking in new Senators takes time.)

Besides I can lure him back with memories of things like this:


AND



What say you Pittsburgh & Philadelphia? And all the stops in between.

Honestly, GV, I repent. Lordy, you are trying to give me a haht attack. You cannot just steal other people's Senators. They will eventually notice. And they are very difficult to come by. We only have 7 or 8 Dems that I would consider voting for to replace someone who attained a higer office. That is not enough.

[globalvillage]

29. My dear Tay Tay

The campaign I was referring to was not for the senate, but I'm sure you know that.
You're right, though. I would not dream of trying to steal your senators. John and Teddy are rightfully yours, and until such time as we all can borrow JK for about 8 years, I guess it's only right that you get to keep them both.
Sigh...poor, poor Pennsylvania. Do not weep for us, though. Soon we will be a nice, dark shade of blue, and the other 49 will be wondering how we did it.

[TayTay]

30. That would be perfectly all right with me

Sen. Kerry mnade his announcement for the nomination inn South Carolina in '03. (Sigh!) He announced his VP pick in Pennsylvania. (Double Sigh!) I should imagine that if he does indeed decide to seek the Presidency again, he will spend a great deal of time in PA. (As he would then not be running for his Senate seat again. He cannot run for the Senate concurrent with a run for the Dem nomination. Triple Sigh!)

We are all patched up now. I will pull with all my might for Casey in PA on '06. We shall see what transpires with Senators and higher office after that election. There are no certain things until after that election.

[globalvillage]

25. Oops.

So sorry. I should have asked if you've mailed the check first.
My bad.

[MH1]

22. I believe it was Robert Reich who ran against Mittens, no?

At the time I talked to a business associate who lives in Mass and is pretty liberal. He thought Reich was "too radical" though, and said he was voting for the Republican. "Voting for a Republican" had been to that point, something I never would have thought to hear come out of that man's mouth. So apparently Mittens did a better marketing job. I'm still shaking my head over that one.

[TayTay]

28. Reich jumped in too late

and with too little money. He had the personality, but not the time, to get people to notice him and his campaign. I voted for him.

Massachusetts, like so many other states, ticket-splits. The Dem establishment owns something like 87% of the elected offices in the Commonwealth. People don't like too much of one-party rule, it leads to complacency, corruption and arrogance. The last Dem nominee, Shannon O'Brien didn't give people enough of a reason to think that she would differ from the main crowd on Beacon Hill, so Mittens got the node. (He didn't run as a Rethug and he certainly did not run as a basher of Massachusetts. Does your present Governor revile the very state he lives in? No, then give me a break. We have a Gov who hates us and runs around the country saying how much he loathes the citizenry of the very state he governs. We suffer, trust me, we know suffering in the Bay State. It just so happens that we also have good ones like Sens. Kerry & Kennedy. Thanks be to Gawd and all the Angels in heaven.)

[MH1]

21. Ahem. It's that "Alabama" part of the state.

You know, "Philly and Pittsburgh with Alabama in the middle"? I believe that was Carville's line.

We have some strange folks in this state, and they represent a sizeable chunk of votes. That's what the Pennacchio tribe doesn't get, I fear.

[globalvillage]

24. That is so true.

I tried making my point with a Pennacchio supporter, but there is no arguing with the idealogically 'pure'. I do respect their stance, but we really, really need a Dem senator in PA, and Pennacchio isn't going to be it. So sad. If we end up with Santorum in '06, it will be because for some people, there is no such thing as compromise.
Sigh.

[TayTay]

27. I hear that.

We have the Liberally Pure here as well. There is simply no arguing with people who cannot put aside liberal principle to achieve what amounts to liberal goals. (Ask Whome. She works in the Peoples Republic of Cambridge. Cambridge, you know, is a nuclear-free zone. They voted and there will be no nukes in Cambridge. I am assuming that the vote meant a trip to see the young genuises at MIT to have them construct a shield of sorts for Cambridge that would repel all nukes, but I could be wrong.)

igh! Kerry has had numerous run-ins with the liberally pure over the years. It is a part of his base, but a part that can never be completely placated. That's just the way it is.

[globalvillage]

12. Yay for Tay Tay!!!!!

If you ever find yourself in a situation where you have two pukey Repub senators and need some cash to get rid of them...



Like that'll happen.

[TayTay]

14. Ahhh, TayTay has a stroke!

No, no, no, no. It was actually difficult to contemplate getting a new Sen last year. (I said difficult, not that I would have minded, sigh! I should have this problem in 3 1/2 years.)

You know, great Sens like Kerry & Kennedy don't just fall from the trees. (Not even in Massachusetts.) We have to grow them carefully from scratch. (Well, not really on Kennedy. Kennedy's of his generation, well, ahm, it's different. And he evolved into The Greatest Senator Who Ever Lived. Sen. Kerry, on the other hand, was an acquired taste for a lot of the Bay State. But he is a goodie. Especially when put up against Sen. Barfbag. Okay, a dead skunnk would look good against Barfbag, but you know what I mean. I anticipate keeping my Jr Senator for 3 1/2 mor years.)