Quote of the Day

"Study: lack of social interaction reduces lifespan. See? I *told* you all these Tea Party rallies were good for us."

Fred Thompson, actor and Republican presidential candidate.

Judging by the amount of misspelled signs, I don't think too much studying is the Tea Party's problem.



Sen. Lindsay Graham summed up what is wrong with the Tea Party.

"The problem with the Tea Party, I think it’s just unsustainable because they can never come up with a coherent vision for governing the country. It will die out."

The Tea Party cannot govern because they have no understanding of policy. That would require studying. Spell-checking also would not hurt.

Brian Williams Ask Obama the Gay Marriage Question

"I think gays and lesbians have a friend in the White House because I've consistently committed myself to civil unions, making sure that they have to visit each other in hospitals, that they are able to access benefits, that they have a whole host of legal rights that they currently do not have. I don't think it makes sense for the federal government to get in the business of determining what marriage is. That isn't traditionally the federal government's role."

NBC News anchor Brian Williams asked, "Do gays and lesbian couples who wish to marry have a friend in the White House?"

President Obama gave his unenthusiastic support for civil unions. Obama sounds like George W. Bush when asked about environmental issues.

"I think gays and lesbians have a friend in the White House because I've consistently committed myself to civil unions, making sure that they have to visit each other in hospitals, that they are able to access benefits, that they have a whole host of legal rights that they currently do not have. I don't think it makes sense for the federal government to get in the business of determining what marriage is. That isn't traditionally the federal government's role."

Who knew Obama was a Federalist? Does Obama hang out with Fred Thompson? The latter's position on gay marriage sound much like Obama's.

WALLACE: Gay rights.

THOMPSON: Gay rights? I think that we ought to be a tolerant nation. I think we ought to be tolerant people. But we shouldn't set up special categories for anybody.

And I'm for the rights of everybody, including gays, but not any special rights.

WALLACE: So, gay marriage? You're against.

THOMPSON: Yes. You know, marriage is between a man and a woman, and I don't believe judges ought to come along and change that.

Obama is using federalism to argue against gay marriage. No one takes federalism seriously. The progressive movement is going to keep hounding Obama on the gay marriage question and "Don't Ask, Don't Rell." The President can't duck it.

Blast From (This) Presidential Campaign Past

Can't you smell the Aqua Velva?

A Moment In Fred

I made fun of Adam Putnam becoming co-Chairman of Fred Thompson's Florida campaign. Thompson dropped out before Florida. Putnam is very disappointed.

"I am disappointed," Putnam said. "His campaign never caught on and there was a sense that his moment had passed him by. I supported him because I knew that he had the character, the credentials and the ability to be president."

Adam, Thompson is so lazy, he didn't even bother holding a press conference to announce dropping out. Thompson sent out an email. There is a difference between the moment passing by and taking a long nap.

Quote of the Day

"Fred Thompson can't be back. He hasn't been anywhere."

John Ellis

Adam Putnam Hearts Fred Thompson

I have to laugh that Adam Putnam is still actively cheerleading for FRed Thompson. I knew Putnam was politically tone deaf, but this is ridiculous. Adam, your candidate doesn't even care if he wins. Nice time to endorse Thompson and be the co-chair of his Florida campaign. It is bad when Putnam has to tell the media that Thompson will not drop out before Florida.

"This is an election season very much in flux," Putnam said. "People wrote John McCain off last summer, and he's the champion of New Hampshire. People wrote off Fred Thompson before Iowa and he placed a strong third." With Michigan up next, followed by S.C., Putnam said "absolutely" Thompson will not exit the race before Florida.

Thompson could not even be bothered to be in New Hampshire the day of the primary. That screams burning desire to be President.

Here is the Florida elected Republicans jumping on the Fred Express.

Jeff Miller co-chairman
State Senator Paula Dockery (R-Lakeland)
Speaker Pro-Tempore Marty Bowen (R-Haines City)
State Representative Larry Cretul (R-Ocala)
State Representative Clay Ford (R-Gulf Breeze)
State Representative Aaron Bean (R-Fernandina Beach)
State Representative Denise Grimsley (R-Lake Placid)
State Representative Doug Holder (R-Sarasota)
State Representative Carlos Lopez-Cantera (R-Miami)
State Representative Seth McKeel (R-Lakeland)
State Representative Mitch Needleman (R-Melbourne)
State Representative Bryan Nelson (R-Apopka)
State Representative Stephen Precourt (R-Orlando)
State Representative Garrett Richter (R-Naples)
State Representative Dennis Ross (R-Lakeland)

Iowa Caucus

To continue the back and forth that goes on between Pushing Rope and Creative Loafing, I break down the importantance of the Iowa caucas. Wayne Garcia is suffering caucas and Florida Gators burn-out.

Seriously, several of these candiadates are fucked if they don’t finish in second place. Dennis Kucinich, Mike Gravel and Duncan Hunter are dead men walking. Alan Keyes isn’t on the ballot and we probably won’t see him again. (You should run his campaign, Wayne.) Obama and Edwards will end up as the first and second caucas choices. Huckabee and Romney for the Republicans. Iowan just don’t feel Fred Thompson’s sex appeal and straight male Washington pundits.

Thompson and Giuliani are good as gone. The former was banking on South Carolina and Florida and the latter Florida, then carry their (laugh) momentum into Super Tuesday. Their campaigns are train wrecks. Shaggate killed Giuliani and Thompson is the laziest and dumbest presidential candidate of my lifetime. Athur Branch refuses to campaign when a Tennessee game is on. (Side note: how about them Gators!)

McCain might pull off New Hampshire.Huckabee are Romeny wins changes New Hampshire. John Kerry was polling in fourth in New Hampshire and Iowa saved him. The Swift Boated One won NH.

Iowa does matter. Say it with feeling, Wayne.

Clinton, Obama and Edwards will be battling each other after Super Tuesday. Edwards money will get thin, but he is in better shape than the Republicans. Ron Paul can run to the very end. He had the best GOP fundraising quarter and runs a bare-bones campaign.

Side note: Biden and Kucinich are telling their caucas voters to go with Obama as their second choice.

Write A Caption

Fred Thompson Supports Florida Gay Marriage Ban

Fred Thompson comes out in support of the Florida ballot amendment banning gay marriage.

I applaud the work of Florida Coalition to Protect Marriage. Their efforts will give the people of Florida a voice on this very important subject. I strongly believe in the time honored principle of marriage being a union between one man and one woman, the foundation of any civilized society. Florida’s Marriage Amendment will have my support in 2008. As President, I will appoint judges who apply the law, not make it up from the bench. We should not be held subject to judicially created social policy, and I will use the bully pulpit of the Presidency to defend the institution of marriage.

Thompson is going into pander overdrive after saying the state and federal government should not have intervened in the Terri Schiavo medical case. If Thompson really wants to win he should avoid flip flopping, firing campaign staff and pretending he actually gives a shit if he wins.

Nadine Smith of Equality Florida urges urges voters to sign the Pledge to Vote "NO" petition and join the Fairness to All Families Facebook group.

The good news is 60 percent approval is difficult. Civil rights groups and lefty activists can mount a good campaign to defeat the ballot amendment. Opposition to the gay marriage ban helped Democratic turnout for Jim Webb. It's time the Left used wedge issues against the GOP. Republicans certainly aren't going to run on the economy.

Pam Spaulding has a lengthy blog post on the ballot amendment.

The Fire of Fred Thompson Part 4

The Republicans wanted an aqua velva smelling knight on a white horse to ride to the rescue. Now they want him to get back on the horse and ride out of town.

The Fire of Fred Thompson Part 3

House Republicans whom have endorsed Fred Thompson are anonymously conceding the candidate's defeat.

“I think he’s kind of done a belly flop,” said an estranged Thompson backer who indicated he will not pull his public support before the “Super Tuesday” primaries. “We’ll just wait till after Feb. 5 because I think he’s going to get beat.”

Other congressional Republicans are taking a hands-off approach to working with the Thompson campaign.

“I’ve kind of pulled back. I’m not not supporting him, but I’m not doing anything,” said a third lawmaker.

It's time for Thompson to work that Aqua Velva mojo.

Latest Florida Mason-Dixon Poll

The latest Mason-Dixon poll has the top tier Republican presidential candidates beating Hillary Clinton in the Florida general ection.

Giuliani - 50
Clinton - 43

Romney - 46
Clinton - 45

Thompson - 48
Clinton - 44

The poll shows one in five voters will not vote for a Democrat because of the candidate boycott and the DNC stripping Florida of delegates. Ouch.

Fred Thompson's Brand New Terri Schiavo Position

Fred Thompson previously said that the state government, with the exception the court system, should not wade into end of life matters.

“It should be decided by the family. The federal government and the state government, too, except for the court system, ought to stay out of those matters as far as I’m concerned.”

Thompson then changed his position on This Week with George Stephanopoulos. The key issue is Thompson won the National Right to Life Committee endorsement. The Admiral is changing his position to court Christian Right voters.

Stephanopoulos: (O'Steen) said you clarified that issue for him and you may be doing so publicly. What did you say to them to privately that you haven't said publically? In public, you've said this should be an issue for families and the courts but not for state and federal government.

Thompson: Well, what I said (to them) was ultimately if the families can't get together the first recourse needs to be the state government. What we talked about in a little more detail is the different kinds of end-of-life issues.

Christian conservative leader James Dobson cast doubt on Thompson's credentials. Dobson is considered the current kingmaker of the evangelical wing of the Republican Party.

"(Thompson's) underestimating how much of the Republican party is fueled by a bunch of busybodies that just know that they are the final moral arbiters on other people’s lives," wrote Amanda Marcotte. "And they don’t need to be bothered with things like facts or understanding before declaring other people unfit to make the most private decisions about their lives. In other words, he’s toast."

Thompson needs to get in the good graces of the Christian Right and fast. He is singing a new tune , but still can not be bothered to learn the details of Schiavo's medical condition.

Stephanopoulos: But there wasn't any question in the Schiavo case.

Thompson: No. Ah ah, that's my point. As I understand it she would have probably lived longer.

Stephanopoulos: But they did an autopsy, she was brain dead.

Thompson: Well (sigh) I didn't know that. At the time that was all kicking around and everybody was asking my opinion based on what was in the newspaper. I am just telling you what I think about the things in general.

Thompson is utterly unserious about end of life issues. He changed his position lacking a fundamental understanding of Schiavo's medical condition. Thompson admitted not knowing if allowing state and federal intervention into end of life cases would change laws. It's mindboggling for a former lawmaker and lawyer to make such a statement.

Quote of the Night

"Fred (Thompson) will never rush to war, because Fred doesn't rush to anything."

Karen Hanretty, Fred Thompson spokeswoman speaking at the National Press Club.

Under the Bus

Phillip Martin has previous arrests for drug sales of marijuana and cocaine. This is troubling news for the Fred Thompson campaign. Martin is the campaign co-chairman. On Meet the Press, Thompson left open the possibility that Martin would resign from the campaign. Thompson said he would not throw Martin under the bus.

Martin meet bus. Bus meet Martin.

The campaign has issued this statement form Martin: "I have decided to resign my position as Chair of 'First Day Founders' of 'The Friends of Fred Thompson.' The focus of this campaign should be on Fred Thompson's positions on the issues and his outstanding leadership ability, not on mistakes I made some 24 years ago. I deeply regret any embarrassment this has caused."

This was the best thing for the Thompson campaign to do. The only problem is don't have Thompson say on national television say he isn't going to throw Martin under the bus, then proceed to do said act. The media thought Martin was going to stay on the campaign.

Thompson's Friends In Low Places

Fred Thompson campaign co-chairman is Philip Martin. Nothing unusual about that. Except for Martin's history as a drug smuggler.

Martin pleaded guilty to the sale of 11 pounds of marijuana in 1979, but the court withheld judgment pending completion of his probation. In 1983, he was charged with violating probation and multiple counts of bookmaking, cocaine trafficking and conspiracy. He pleaded no contest to the cocaine-trafficking and conspiracy charges, and was continued on probation, the newspaper said.

Thompson downplayed the past conviction. "Nobody’s made any accusations that he’s done anything illegal with regard to our campaign," said the Admiral. It's nice to know Thompson is setting a high ethically bar.

Hollywood Fred said he would not "throw my friend under the bus." He did leave open the possibility that Martin might leave the campaign. What Thompson is implying is he will ask Martin to throw himself under the bus. That makes things so less messy.

Thompson's Strategy: Lose Iowa and New Hampshire

Fred Thompson has a fascinating campaign strategy. He is going to blow off Iowa and New Hampshire. He is banking on South Carolina to pull him through. This is a disasterous strategy. No candidate, in recent history, has received his party's nomination without winning 2 out of 3. He is setting himself up for defeat.

If Thompson is banking on South Carolina then he should spend more time in the state. He has only been there twice since entering the race. Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney have campaigned more aggressively and had a head start putting their staff in the state. Thompson laments that he can't campaign more because he has to raise money. If he didn't wait so long to enter he wouldn't have this problem.

This would explain why so many people left the campaign. No serious political consultant would tell Thompson to run a presidential campaign this way. There his also his stance against government intervention of end of life issues that is bound to offend the Christian Right. Thompson is self-destructing.

The bright side for Thompson, if his candidacy fails, is he can land a role in the Curly Sue sequel.

Fred Thompson on the Power of the Presidency

Fred Thompson surprised me with his stance on end of life issues. Now he says he disagrees with Dick Cheney about the power of the presidency.

"No, I think the constitution in times of war, especially, is very definitive about that," he said. "The president is the commander in chief, but the Congress has the power of the budget. The power of the purse. So everything has to go through that prism. So it’s divided power in the constitution. Our founding fathers divided that up. Divided it up at the federal level, the idea being that things like Watergate should be made very difficult to happen. So no one branch of the government can misuse power."

Thompson described checks and balances as "a constant tug and pull. Controversy and differences of opinion over legitimate national security concerns is not a bad thing. Every branch needs to stand up for itself. And I saw that as, in effect, an attorney for the executive branch, and then as a legislator."

Thompson said he sides with the Bush administration in its struggle with Congress over "issues of surveillance," but he suggested in some of the cases on detainees that have been ruled upon by the Supreme Court he sides with the Congress.

I don't think Thompson would make a good President. I am happy to see a conservative have respect for the checks and balances in the Constitution.

Fred Thompson News

Another supporter has jumped Admiral Fred Thompson's ship. This time it's Dan Hughes. He saw the the sinking USS John McCain as more promising. Hughes was the chirman of Thompson's New Hampshire's campaign. Hughes told The Hill that Thompson is writing off New Hampshire.

“It looks like their campaign was probably going to be a page out of the George Bush campaign, where you lose New Hampshire and concentrate on South Carolina,” Hughes told The Hill. “I don’t want to be a token chairman for a token campaign.”

Thompson has not even filed to run in the state. He also seems to be bothered by the state's tradition of voters asking candidates pesky policy questions.

Dean Spiliotes of NHPoliticalCapital.com said Thompson's strategy is to focus on winning South Carolina and Florida. The Admiral is sucking big time ass in the latter. Bush fundraisers already picked a candidate by the time Thompson announced his candidacy. Only Zachariah Zachariah has hosted a Thompson fundraiser. Thompson's horrible performance at the Florida Republican Party convention has scared potential supporters away.

Thompson explains his Orlando performance.

''The proof's in the pudding,'' said the only presidential contender to make two extended campaign swings through Florida.

''I do what I feel like I'm comfortable with and what the occasion calls for,'' Thompson added. ``I'm doing it in the way I feel like I ought to do it, and people are just going to have to get used to it.''

Thompson is innovating modern campaigning with a strategy of writing off key states, horrible fundraising, terrible speaking skills and constantly firing staffers. I can't fault him on his originality.

Fred Thompson on End of Life Issues

Many people (myself included) do not see Fred Thompson speaking passionately about anything. He spoke with great conviction about how the government should have stayed out of the decision to take the brain dead Terri Schiavo off the feeding tube.

Citing his own personal experience with the death of his adult daughter in 2001, Thompson said the question is “an intensely personal thing with me,” and added, “It should be decided by the family. The federal government and the state government, too, except for the court system, ought to stay out of those matters as far as I’m concerned.”

Thompson was faced with with the decision with the same difficult decision. His daughter Elizabeth Thompson Panici died from an accidental overdose.

"I was at that bedside and I had to make those decisions with the rest of my family," Thompson said" "And I will assure you one thing, no matter which decision you make, you will never know whether or not you made the right decision."

This statement will hurt his damaged reputation with the Christian Right. It says much about how the Republican Party has become fed up with having to pander to people like James Dobson. Dick Armey described James Dobson as a man "you can‘t make that man happy." Armey said Dobson should have the courage to run for public office and stop abusing Republican candidates.

2008 will be a pivotal year for the Christian Right. I will be more than happy if it diminishes their political influence. Supporting the Iraq war, intolerance towards gays and saying that global warming is nonsense illustrate how angry these people are. They are all Old Testament fire and brimestone. Amanda Marcotte sums up what Thompson's stance does for his presidential hopes.

He’s underestimating how much of the Republican party is fueled by a bunch of busybodies that just know that they are the final moral arbiters on other people’s lives, and they don’t need to be bothered with things like facts or understanding before declaring other people unfit to make the most private decisions about their lives. In other words, he’s toast.

I concur.