Dana Millbank
Kathleen Parker
Kaveh Afrasiabi
“I hope Arlen Specter's party change outrages you,” - Michael Steele
Quite a furor yesterday, over the North American strains of swine flu. We had the hog variety sweeping up from Mexico, and we had the Pennsylvania strain sweeping across Congress. Every time I check the news, the reported cases in the US have gone up. At this rate, I shudder to think how many will have contracted it in two weeks. Thankfully, it doesn't seem to be as strong as it is in Mexico, yet one 23 month old child has died from it in Texas... I worry what might happen to someone like my sister, who is a cancer survivor and has a depressed immune system, and we don't have a good vaccine developed for it yet... This was the first year I got a flu shot, and I've been catching everything that's been drifting through town...
As for the Pennsylvania strain, it has caused a lot of concern among conservative Congressmen, TPM reports that: "Mitch McConnell (Ky.) forgot all about the swine flu as he gave a news conference denouncing Specter and "the threat to the country presented by this defection."
What does it all mean, I hear you ask. Is this signaling the end of the Republican Party? Dry rub or wet? Remember Vick's Vaporub? According to Jeffrey C. Stewart, Professor of Black Studies writes in Politico: "First, the Swine Flu epidemic started spreading, making Obama's investment in local government in the Stimulus Bill seem sensible, given that the American public always looks to government for help in a crisis. Second, there is Specter's defection to the "big tent" party; and now this--Governor Sarah Palin's announcement that she, indeed, now, after further reflection, is going to accept most of the money intended for her state in the Stimulus Bill, despite earlier saying she would not accept such monies because of the "strings attached." Democrats might be thinking that this all signals the tide is turning. It really just signals that reason has returned to American politics." Oh, thank God, even my Sarah has floated back down to earth...
The Christian Science Monitor is reporting on how improbable it might be, but Obama really has a good reputation in Iran, and its President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad isn't above using his influence to help him win re-election this June: "Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has chosen the Farsi phrase Ma Mitavanim, or “We Can,” as his campaign slogan ahead of Iran’s June 12 elections.
Did he copy the phrase from President Obama? Who knows for sure. But it brings to mind the fictional McDowell’s restaurant in Eddy Murphy’s classic 1988 comedy “Coming to America.” You know. The one that sells “Big Micks” and has the “Golden Arcs.”
On the one hand, you can’t blame Ahmadinejad for choosing the winning slogan. But isn’t this the same guy who responded to Obama’s friendly offer to end 30 years of hostility with a cool suggestion that Obama first apologize for all the “crimes” that the US has commited against Iran?
Did he copy the phrase from President Obama? Who knows for sure. But it brings to mind the fictional McDowell’s restaurant in Eddy Murphy’s classic 1988 comedy “Coming to America.” You know. The one that sells “Big Micks” and has the “Golden Arcs.”
On the one hand, you can’t blame Ahmadinejad for choosing the winning slogan. But isn’t this the same guy who responded to Obama’s friendly offer to end 30 years of hostility with a cool suggestion that Obama first apologize for all the “crimes” that the US has commited against Iran?
Of course, Obama may have borrowed the slogan from Mexican-American civil rights leader César Chávez, who popularized the “Sí, se puede” (”Yes, it can be done”) chant in the early 1970s.In fact, it’s quite possible that ancient Greeks running for office used a similar catchphrase..."
Our friend Michael Steele just can't get no respect. First, he had to issue some kind of response to Arlen Spector's defection from the Republican Party, from Politico: "Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele urged Republicans on Wednesday to channel their anger over Sen. Arlen Specter’s party change toward defeating “Democrat candidates.”
“I hope Arlen Specter's party change outrages you,” Steele wrote in a fundraising email. “Specter claimed it was philosophical—and pointed his finger of blame at Republicans all over America for his defection to the Democrats. He told us all to go jump in the lake today.”
“I'm sorry, but I don't believe a word he said. Some will use Specter's defection as an excuse to fold the tent and give up. I believe that you are not one of those people. When Benedict Arnold defected to the British, George Washington didn't fold the tent and give up either.”
Then the web site Senate Guru gave him his own 100 day evaluation: "Countless media outlets are paying close attention to the benchmark of President Obama's 100th day in office. Not as many are focusing on the first 100 days of Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele.
Steele was elected Chair of the RNC on Friday, January 30, ten days after President Obama was sworn in. The 100 day mark will be on May 9. While it's 10 days early, I thought today would be a good time to reflect on the highlights of RNC Chair Michael Steele's first 100 days.
January 30 (Day 1): Michael Steele is elected RNC Chair.
February 4 (Day 6): Steele makes his first visit to New York's 20th Congressional district to help Republican nominee Jim Tedisco in the upcoming special election. Steele subsequently boasts that a Tedisco victory would be a "credible repudiation" of President Obama and the Democratic Congress. The race is thought to be an easy pick-up for Republicans given that the GOP enjoys a 70,000+ voter advantage over Democrats in the district.
February 9 (Day 11): Steele refers to President Obama's economic stimulus bill disparagingly as "bling bling." The ensuing laughter is at Steele rather than with Steele.
February 19 (Day 21): The Washington Times runs an interview with Steele in which Steele commits to an "off the hook" PR effort aimed at younger voters by applying conservative principles to "urban-suburban hip-hop settings." The laughter at Steele continues.
February 23 (Day 25): Steele makes clear that he is open to withholding RNC funds from the re-election campaigns of the three Republican Senators who voted in support of President Obama's economic stimulus bill, perhaps making them feel no longer welcome in the Republican Party.
February 25 (Day 27): Steele sends "slum love" to Republican Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.
March 1 (Day 31): Steele belittles conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh as "ugly," "incendiary," and just "an entertainer."
March 2 (Day 32): Steele promptly apologizes to Limbaugh for his comments, illustrating who truly runs the Republican Party.
March 10 (Day 40): Rumors emerge that Steele may face a no-confidence vote before the Republican National Committee.
March 25 (Day 55): In an interview with CNN, Steele insists that "there is a rationale, there's a logic behind" his mistakes and gaffes.
April 24 (Day 85): Republican Jim Tedisco concedes defeat in the NY-20 special election that Steele earlier boasted would be a "credible repudiation" of President Obama and the Democratic Congress.
April 28 (Day 89): Senator Arlen Specter announces that he will defect from the Republican Party and join the Democratic Party.
May 9 (Day 100): ???
In less than 100 days, Steele led the GOP to defeat in what should have been an easy pick-up in a House special election, lost a Senator to a Party switch, became the subject of no-confidence vote rumors, embarrassed himself over and over again, and convinced America that Rush Limbaugh controls the Republican Party. I'll give Steele considerable credit - one must keep extremely busy to fit that many "strategic" gaffes into less than 100 days."
Steele was elected Chair of the RNC on Friday, January 30, ten days after President Obama was sworn in. The 100 day mark will be on May 9. While it's 10 days early, I thought today would be a good time to reflect on the highlights of RNC Chair Michael Steele's first 100 days.
January 30 (Day 1): Michael Steele is elected RNC Chair.
February 4 (Day 6): Steele makes his first visit to New York's 20th Congressional district to help Republican nominee Jim Tedisco in the upcoming special election. Steele subsequently boasts that a Tedisco victory would be a "credible repudiation" of President Obama and the Democratic Congress. The race is thought to be an easy pick-up for Republicans given that the GOP enjoys a 70,000+ voter advantage over Democrats in the district.
February 9 (Day 11): Steele refers to President Obama's economic stimulus bill disparagingly as "bling bling." The ensuing laughter is at Steele rather than with Steele.
February 19 (Day 21): The Washington Times runs an interview with Steele in which Steele commits to an "off the hook" PR effort aimed at younger voters by applying conservative principles to "urban-suburban hip-hop settings." The laughter at Steele continues.
February 23 (Day 25): Steele makes clear that he is open to withholding RNC funds from the re-election campaigns of the three Republican Senators who voted in support of President Obama's economic stimulus bill, perhaps making them feel no longer welcome in the Republican Party.
February 25 (Day 27): Steele sends "slum love" to Republican Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal.
March 1 (Day 31): Steele belittles conservative radio personality Rush Limbaugh as "ugly," "incendiary," and just "an entertainer."
March 2 (Day 32): Steele promptly apologizes to Limbaugh for his comments, illustrating who truly runs the Republican Party.
March 10 (Day 40): Rumors emerge that Steele may face a no-confidence vote before the Republican National Committee.
March 25 (Day 55): In an interview with CNN, Steele insists that "there is a rationale, there's a logic behind" his mistakes and gaffes.
April 24 (Day 85): Republican Jim Tedisco concedes defeat in the NY-20 special election that Steele earlier boasted would be a "credible repudiation" of President Obama and the Democratic Congress.
April 28 (Day 89): Senator Arlen Specter announces that he will defect from the Republican Party and join the Democratic Party.
May 9 (Day 100): ???
In less than 100 days, Steele led the GOP to defeat in what should have been an easy pick-up in a House special election, lost a Senator to a Party switch, became the subject of no-confidence vote rumors, embarrassed himself over and over again, and convinced America that Rush Limbaugh controls the Republican Party. I'll give Steele considerable credit - one must keep extremely busy to fit that many "strategic" gaffes into less than 100 days."
Finally, to add indignity and shame, the RNC is now trying to limit his powers over the pursetrings. As the very conservative Washington Times reports: "A battle over control of the party's purse strings has erupted at the troubled Republican National Committee, with defenders of Chairman Michael S. Steele accusing dissident RNC members of trying to "embarrass and neuter" the party's new leader.
Randy Pullen, the RNC's elected treasurer, former RNC General Counsel David Norcross and three other former top RNC officers have presented Mr. Steele with a resolution, calling for a new set of checks and balances on the chairman's power to dole out money.
The powers include new controls on awarding contracts and spending money on outside legal and other services. The resolution prompted a top Steele supporter to issue a scathing attack against Mr. Pullen and his allies after they had asked Mr. Steele to support the "good governance" resolution at a special meeting of the full national committee set for next month. The party spent about $300 million in last year's elections.
"I urge you to reject this hostile attempt to embarrass and neuter the chairman of the RNC," Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus wrote in an e-mail to the 168-member national committee.
Mr. Pullen and his allies need signatures from RNC members from 16 states to force the resolution to the floor for a vote by the full party committee at the May 20 special meeting.
The funding fight comes on the heels of another open challenge to Mr. Steele's authority. Unhappy RNC conservatives secured the signatures to force the committee to convene next month's special meeting to vote on a resolution labeling Democrats as "socialists," despite the chairman's reservations about the political wisdom of the move.
Critics said the "socialist" resolution battle was a sign of Mr. Steele's rocky start as RNC chairman and his continuing struggle to assert control of the party's message since his election in January. So, the fascist conservatives are calling a special meeting to label liberals socialists? I gotta get some more jujubes and popcorn for this one...
Late night jokes:
"Great to be back. As you know, I was sick for two days last week. Had to go to the hospital after I ate a raw pig a friend brought back from Mexico." --Jay Leno
"But you learn a lot about the system. You know, like, people say, 'Oh, where do hospitals get the nerve to charge $10 for an aspirin?' See, this is why President Obama wants to do something about healthcare in this country. See, under his plan, hospital aspirin only costs a dollar maximum. Of course, there would be a $9 tax on it." --Jay Leno
"I wasn't that sick, but some people are, because of this swine flu, which has knocked the torture stuff right off the front page. You notice that? So, it's obvious who is spreading the swine flu. Dick Cheney." --Jay Leno
"Well, it's interesting. They call it swine flu because they think it originated either with pigs or an AIG executive." --Jay Leno
"Oh, on Friday, President Obama was taken to a secure location in the White House after a single engine plane strayed over White House air space. As a precaution, they took the President to a place in the White House nobody even knew existed -- Joe Biden's office." --Jay Leno
"Next month in Canada, former President George W. Bush and former President Bill Clinton will have a debate. They're gonna debate each other. The topic will be, 'which is better, getting in bed with big oil or big women?" --Jay Leno
"I tell you, the economy is so bad, third graders in China are being forced to get second jobs." --Jay Leno
"And the bad economy is hitting Nashville. Nashville's in bad shape. You know Big and Rich? Now down and out." --Jay Leno
"The economy is so bad, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez asked President Obama to give him the book back. He needs the money." --Jay Leno
"GM is phasing out Pontiac. You know what that means? Another $20 million bonus for the head of GM" --David Letterman
"We're getting close to President Obama's first 100 days in office, and he has had to deal with a lot of trouble, including a global financial crisis, pirates, and swine flu. Plus, Obama's got a live-in mother-in-law. I'm telling you, this guy cannot catch a break." --David Letterman
"I think this is a first for President Obama. This weekend he played golf. President Obama apparently, and at one point, and this happens, you know, you play golf, he got stuck really deep in a sand trap. Same thing happened to George Bush, and it's called Iraq." --David Letterman
"Now, here's the difference between President Obama and our previous Democratic president, President Clinton. President Obama enjoyed playing a round of golf. President Clinton just enjoyed playing around." --David Letterman
"I was surprised. Obama is a pretty good golfer. And he missed a couple of putts, or he would have broken 90. Could have broken 90. Missed a couple of putts. Speaking of a couple of putz, anybody hear anything of Bush and Cheney?" --David Letterman
"In a new interview, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad complained that President Obama hasn't been returning his messages. No offense Mahmoud, but maybe he's just not that into you." --Craig Ferguson
Randy Pullen, the RNC's elected treasurer, former RNC General Counsel David Norcross and three other former top RNC officers have presented Mr. Steele with a resolution, calling for a new set of checks and balances on the chairman's power to dole out money.
The powers include new controls on awarding contracts and spending money on outside legal and other services. The resolution prompted a top Steele supporter to issue a scathing attack against Mr. Pullen and his allies after they had asked Mr. Steele to support the "good governance" resolution at a special meeting of the full national committee set for next month. The party spent about $300 million in last year's elections.
"I urge you to reject this hostile attempt to embarrass and neuter the chairman of the RNC," Wisconsin Republican Party Chairman Reince Priebus wrote in an e-mail to the 168-member national committee.
Mr. Pullen and his allies need signatures from RNC members from 16 states to force the resolution to the floor for a vote by the full party committee at the May 20 special meeting.
The funding fight comes on the heels of another open challenge to Mr. Steele's authority. Unhappy RNC conservatives secured the signatures to force the committee to convene next month's special meeting to vote on a resolution labeling Democrats as "socialists," despite the chairman's reservations about the political wisdom of the move.
Critics said the "socialist" resolution battle was a sign of Mr. Steele's rocky start as RNC chairman and his continuing struggle to assert control of the party's message since his election in January. So, the fascist conservatives are calling a special meeting to label liberals socialists? I gotta get some more jujubes and popcorn for this one...
Late night jokes:
"Great to be back. As you know, I was sick for two days last week. Had to go to the hospital after I ate a raw pig a friend brought back from Mexico." --Jay Leno
"But you learn a lot about the system. You know, like, people say, 'Oh, where do hospitals get the nerve to charge $10 for an aspirin?' See, this is why President Obama wants to do something about healthcare in this country. See, under his plan, hospital aspirin only costs a dollar maximum. Of course, there would be a $9 tax on it." --Jay Leno
"I wasn't that sick, but some people are, because of this swine flu, which has knocked the torture stuff right off the front page. You notice that? So, it's obvious who is spreading the swine flu. Dick Cheney." --Jay Leno
"Well, it's interesting. They call it swine flu because they think it originated either with pigs or an AIG executive." --Jay Leno
"Oh, on Friday, President Obama was taken to a secure location in the White House after a single engine plane strayed over White House air space. As a precaution, they took the President to a place in the White House nobody even knew existed -- Joe Biden's office." --Jay Leno
"Next month in Canada, former President George W. Bush and former President Bill Clinton will have a debate. They're gonna debate each other. The topic will be, 'which is better, getting in bed with big oil or big women?" --Jay Leno
"I tell you, the economy is so bad, third graders in China are being forced to get second jobs." --Jay Leno
"And the bad economy is hitting Nashville. Nashville's in bad shape. You know Big and Rich? Now down and out." --Jay Leno
"The economy is so bad, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez asked President Obama to give him the book back. He needs the money." --Jay Leno
"GM is phasing out Pontiac. You know what that means? Another $20 million bonus for the head of GM" --David Letterman
"We're getting close to President Obama's first 100 days in office, and he has had to deal with a lot of trouble, including a global financial crisis, pirates, and swine flu. Plus, Obama's got a live-in mother-in-law. I'm telling you, this guy cannot catch a break." --David Letterman
"I think this is a first for President Obama. This weekend he played golf. President Obama apparently, and at one point, and this happens, you know, you play golf, he got stuck really deep in a sand trap. Same thing happened to George Bush, and it's called Iraq." --David Letterman
"Now, here's the difference between President Obama and our previous Democratic president, President Clinton. President Obama enjoyed playing a round of golf. President Clinton just enjoyed playing around." --David Letterman
"I was surprised. Obama is a pretty good golfer. And he missed a couple of putts, or he would have broken 90. Could have broken 90. Missed a couple of putts. Speaking of a couple of putz, anybody hear anything of Bush and Cheney?" --David Letterman
"In a new interview, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad complained that President Obama hasn't been returning his messages. No offense Mahmoud, but maybe he's just not that into you." --Craig Ferguson
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