T-Paw pulls the plug on campaign.

Courtesy of the AP:

Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty dropped out of the race for the GOP presidential nomination on Sunday, hours after finishing a disappointing third in the Iowa straw poll. 

"I wish it would have been different, but obviously the pathway forward for me doesn't exist so we are going to end the campaign," Pawlenty said on ABC's "This Week" from Iowa. 

The low-key Midwesterner, who had struggled to gain traction in a state he had said he must win, had told supporters on a conference call shortly before the broadcast interview that he was ending his White House bid. 

"I thought I would have made a great president, but obviously that pathway isn't there," Pawlenty said. "I do believe we're going to have a very good candidate who is going to beat Barack Obama."

Those last remarks still indicate that Pawlenty is delusional, but apparently not delusional enough to stay in this race. Still I am surprised that of all the GOP wannabes in this contest that he is the first to recognize that his chances are non-existent.

After all third place was not bad at all in the "nobody gives two shits about you but the media" Ames Straw Poll. I mean the only two to beat him were Michele Bachmann (I believe purely based on her corndog eating skills by the way), and Ron Paul who seems to ALWAYS place high in the early polling of the most wingnutty members of the GOP right before the more sober minds realize he might actually become their candidate and yank him of stage with a giant hook.

Hell he beat the eventual nominee, Mitt Romney, by FOUR places, you would think that might give him a boost of confidence going forward, but I guess losing to two of the most batshit crazy candidates in the field put the overall impact of this Iowa poll on the final nomination process into perspective for ole T-Paw.

I have to say that for me personally it is a shame, because right up until this morning I had a hell of a time differentiating between Pawlenty and Santorum. But as of right now I know that Pawlenty is NOT the guy who believes that a woman who has been raped should carry her rapist's child to term. 

Okay folks time to get out your crystal balls and let's see who YOU think will be the next potential loser to Obama in 2012 to come to their senses.

Here are the Iowa Straw Poll results. Try to act excited.

Courtesy of the LA Times:

1. Congresswoman Michele Bachmann (4823, 28.55%) 

2. Congressman Ron Paul (4671, 27.65%) 

3. Governor Tim Pawlenty (2293, 13.57%) 

4. Senator Rick Santorum (1657, 9.81%) 

5. Herman Cain (1456, 8.62%) 

6. Governor Rick Perry (718, 3.62%) write-in 

7. Governor Mitt Romney (567, 3.36%) 

8. Speaker Newt Gingrich (385, 2.28%) 

9. Governor Jon Huntsman (69, 0.41%) 

10. Congressman Thad McCotter (35, 0.21%) 

Well Michele Bachmann won which should come as no surprise to ANYONE. She is the flavor of the moment and she is a fellow Iowan, which gives her an advantage.

And that was BEFORE everybody watched her eat her corndog.

I have to say that I am somewhat surprised that Tim Pawlenty and Rick Santorum (Or as I call them Dweedle dipshit and Dweedle Dumbass), came in third and fourth, right after Ron Paul's second place showing.

I find it amazing that the press gives this stupid poll so much attention when the top five winners don't even have a snowball's chance in hell of getting the nomination.  

What I think might be somewhat newsworthy is that Rick Perry, who was not an official name on the poll and only declared his candidacy this morning, was able to win a sixth place position as a WRITE IN. That should really cause the eventual nominee Mitt Romney some sleepless nights.

All of this media attention these candidates are getting must be driving Palin CRAZY, I wonder what she could possibly do to get them to look in her direction?  

 
Of course, what was I thinking?

Talking Points Memo has a MUST SEE highlight reel of the Republican debate from last night.

Just in case you thought I exaggerated with my earlier post.

By the way I just have to say I that I think Bachmann won the debate when she reminded the panel that SHE introduced the "Lightbulb Freedom of Choice Act."  I mean seriously, which one of THEM has done anything even remotely as important?

(I know a lot of you have asked me to post the bit from the Daily Show about this Ames poll, and I will later, but I really thought that this video was actually funnier and more entertaining. Which is especially humorous because this bunch of nincompoops actually thought they were convincing Americans that they could be President.)

"I'm the worst possible choice for this country! No, I am! I hate this country! I hate it more!" Last night's GOP debate in a nutshell.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I was only able to watch a little of this three ring circus, because I have a doctor's note that excuses me from watching too much Fox news since it dramatically impairs my ability to engage in rational thought.

However what I did see was MORE than enough to convince me that we need to work our little progressive asses off to make sure that President Obama gets reelected, and that not ONE of this simple minded douchebags should be allowed anywhere near the White House!

Seriously I don't care HOW disappointed you are in this President, or how frustrated you are that he did not wave his magic negro wand and solve all of the nation's problems like you convinced yourself he would, from what I saw last night he is this country's only hope of not ending up looking like a real life version of a "Mad Max" movie.

These are the scariest bunch of lunatics I have seen gathered on one stage since I watched patients at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute put on their version of a "Midsummer Night's Dream." (Not bad really.  I especially enjoyed the part where the actor playing Puck forgot his lines and kept asking if anybody in the audience had a copy of Shakespeare with them.)

Hearing these slack jawed candy asses claim that they would NOT raise taxes even if they were promised ten spending cuts for each tax hike made my frontal lobe scream for mercy.

I know these people are smarter than that (except for Michele Bachmann who is only about six brain cells away from having to have a cork stuck to the end of her fork) and yet they refuse to stand up to Grover Norquist and the Teabaggers, and tell the voters the truth about what it will take to fix this nation's economy.  That was a shameful display.

There were a FEW glimmers of intelligence, such as Jon Huntsman saying that he would repeal NCLB, but for the most part this appeared to a contest to see who could act like the most ignorant man on the stage.

In fact these wannabe leaders of the free world had dumbed themselves down to such a degree that having Sarah "all you need is common sense" Palin and Rick "I can't figure it out so let's pray for a solution"Perry join them onstage might actually have RAISED the combined Intelligence Quotient.

Yeah, it was THAT bad! 

Now if you will excuse me I have to write a check to the Barack Obama reelection campaign.

Why Ron Paul would make a crappy president

Look at the way he raised his son, Rand.http://www.bloggehttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifr.com/img/blank.gif


Ron is also known as "Dr. No"

He would not have ordered the killing of Osama Bin Laden

He is anti-choice

His followers are crazy. Believe me I know one of them.

Palin-bot sues Nevada DMV for not allowing him to display his ignorance on his license plates.

From the Daily Mail:

A Nevada man has filed suit against the state's Department of Motor Vehicles after multiple requests for personalised licence plates supporting Republican Sarah Palin were rejected.

James Linlor, of Douglas County, claims his rights were violated when the state refused to issue a series of license plates supporting the former Alaska governor, branding them 'inappropriate' in nature.

According to the claim, 'GOPALIN' was among several requests rejected, while the agency approved others including 'GO OBAMA' and 'DMOCRAT'.

According to court documents filed on Friday in U.S. District Court, Mr Linlor filed for the personalised licence plate 'GOPALIN' in 2009 and 2010. Both, he says, were rejected, reports the Las Vegas Sun.
In June, 2010, his requests for 'PALIN,' 'PALIN12' and 'PALIN16' were denied.

The DMV’s Special Plates Committee, which reviews applications, stated the applications were 'vulgar or obscene or expressing superiority of political affiliation.'

Well at this point I have to side with the Nevada DMV, I mean clearly this vanity plate choice would fall into the "vulgar or obscene" category. I guess the reason could be that last one, but nah.

After all it is not like there is a clear demonstration of bias on the part of the Nevada DMV.

I'm sorry, WHICH license plate submissions did they okay?

Mr Linlor says he later discovered the DMV had issued other politicly-motivated license plates, including 'GOGREEN,' 'DMOCRAT,' 'AL GORE,' 'KERRY,' 'EDWARDS,' 'DEAN,' 'HILLARY' and 'RONPAUL,' while requests for 'REPBLCN' and 'BUSH,' were rejected.

Testing the system, Mr Linlor said he applied for a 'GO OBAMA' plate, which was approved. 

Oh.  They actually issued an "EDWARDS" and a "RONPAUL?"

Well that sort of changes things now doesn't it?


As much as it pains me to say, I do believe this gentleman has a very definite legal point and he should in fact be allowed to put "IMBCIL," I'm sorry I mean "GOPALIN" on his license plate. As ridiculous, and ill informed as that decision might be, it does appear to be unfair to reject HIS request while allowing other Nevada residents to put THEIR political idols on the license plates which adorn their vehicles.


After all, his decision could have been much, much worse.

Leah Burton explains truth behind the Dominionists view of Israel and how that relates to our current GOP candidates.

Courtesy of Politicususa:

So, my fellow moderates, now it is time for us to acquaint ourselves with our very own homegrown version of radical Christian fundamentalists. Do not confuse them with the majority of Christians in America who are mainline Christians. Mainline Christians are those who actually follow the teachings of Christ that promote kindness, compassion and love thy neighbor; don’t judge lest ye be judged; let them know you by your good deeds; and it will be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. THOSE Christians.

Christian Dominionists on the other hand believe that we are in the End Times and that they must proactively make the way for the 2nd coming of Christ. They ignore passages from the Bible written that Jesus said “you will not know the day, the hour…I will come like a thief in the night”. Instead they have a laundry list of duties that they must implement before Christ can return. Some of these include fulfilling the Great Commission (Matthew 28: 16-20 ) which they interpret to mean that they are to go forth and aggressively hound the people of the world into conversion, “harvesting as many souls” as possible. (Their words not mine).

Additionally, they are to prepare Israel for the return of all the Jews from around the globe – hence their pro-Israel rhetoric and schizophrenic “love the country – not the Jew” policies. (We have all witnessed how they apply that, the “love the sinner – not the sin” when they try to mask their homophobia). So, in order to have room for all these Jews who they see making their way to Israel soon, as was pointed out by Sarah Palin, there is no land to spare! Palestine just doesn’t fit into this plan, so negotiating a two-State solution is just out of the question.

It makes no difference that they discriminate horribly against the Jews otherwise, calling them “Jesus-killer”, “anti-Christian”, “the Yiddish are coming!”, and a plethora of hate-filled name-calling all in the name of God. Remember, they love the country – they are just not so fond of the inhabitants

Among the current Republicans running for President almost ALL of them are, either embracing dominionist views, or are full blown dominionists themselves.

These include Rick Perry, Tim Pawlenty, Michele Bachmann, Rick Santorum, Herman Cain, and Newt Gingrich (Though I really think Newt is faking it.)

Sarah Palin, who has not yet declared and probably never will, is DEFINITELY a dominionist!  In fact that may be the ONLY authentic thing about her.

I would suggest that Mitt Romeny, Jon Huntsman, and Ron Paul do NOT embrace the dominionist beliefs, which is why ultimately it will be VERY difficult for either of them to get the Evangelical support they desperately need in order to have any chance in the general election. (McCain overcame that obstacle by plucking Sarah Palin out of the wilds of Wasilla and unleashing her like a pestilence throughout the rest of America.)

By the way Leah Burton is my go to expert on all things dominionist or fundamentalist in nature.  She is one of the most well respected experts in the country and we have had several long and fascinating discussions on numerous topics in the past.  To learn more about her work, I suggest that you visit her site God's Own Party.

Debate? I don't need no stinking debates!

Courtesy of The State Column:

Sarah Palin, a former Alaska Gov. and reality TV star, turned down an invitation today to the New Hampshire primary debate on June 13. In her place, seven declared or soon-to-be declared candidates for the Republican presidential nomination will take to the stage for a debate hosted by CNN’s John King. The debate will feature Ron Paul, Michele Bachmann, Tim Pawlenty, Herman Cain, Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum. Although Santorum and Bachmann have not yet declared their candidacy, they are expected to do so soon.

An invitation to the debate was given to Mitch Daniels, Rudy Giuliani, Mike Huckabee, Jon Huntsman, Palin and Donald Trump. However, Huckabee, Daniels, and Trump have already dropped out of the 2012 presidential race and will not be attending the debate. Palin, who is currently on her “One Nation” bus tour, turned down the invitation to the debate. In response to the invitation, Palin said: “That’s quite soon. So, no I don’t think I’m going to be there. Thank you for asking though,” reports WMUR.

"No I don’t think I’m going to be there."  I think that just about sums it up, don't you?

We can all disagree about whether Palin will run, or not run, and how long she will stay in if she decides the former, but what is NOT up for discussion is whether or not she will debate.

She will not!

In fact, she cannot!  The ONLY way she can maintain her quickly dissolving facade of competence is to stay as far away from those actually qualified for the job of President as humanly possible.

Getting on a stage with all of them would be the end of her scam, and she knows it.

Titties, Toes And Tater-Tot Tuesday