January 12, 2012

As If He Knows, Cain Says Perry ‘Not Deep’

January 12, 2012 Buck Banks

He wasn’t deep on any of the issues.

— Herman Cain, in an interview with Don Imus, explaining why Rick Perry’s presidential campaign hasn’t fared very well.

McCain Laments Creation of Super PACs

January 12, 2012 Buck Banks

I predict to you that there will be huge scandals associated with this huge flood of money.

— Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), quoted by the AP, noting that the Supreme Court ruling that led to formation of super PACs was “one of the worst decisions I have ever seen.”

McCain Flip-Flops on Attacking Romney

January 12, 2012 Buck Banks

These attacks on, quote, Bain Capital is really kind of anathema to everything that we believe in.

— Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), quoted by CBS News, this morning about attacks on Mitt Romney’s track record in business.

As head of his investment company he presided over the acquisition of companies that laid off thousands of workers.

— McCain, quoted by the New York Times, taking a different view four years ago.

Gingrich Goes Negative on Mitt – And Reveals His Own Shortcomings

January 12, 2012January 12, 2012 Trish

Yes, this video put together by the Newt Gingrich team does show a greatest hits list of Romney bloopers (although there are more that didn’t make this cut, such as when he pretended to be goosed by waitresses in a diner, or when he claimed in front of unemployed people to understand their plight because he is unemployed too, or more, more, more). But the most revealing line in it, to me, is the premise underlying it: that Romney will never win in a debate with the presumably much smarter and better spoken Obama — and that this is what matters most.

I think Gingrich honestly believes that governing is all about what words you choose and the mental abstractions you amuse yourself and those listening in awe with. There is no sound more lovely to Gingrich than that of his own voice, but a president needs traits other than pontification and bloviation. He, or one day, she, needs judgment and sanity and a willingness to be, as we so often think of Obama when the subject of Congress comes up, the adult in the room. Million dollar credit lines at Tiffany and trophy wives and egos that don’t fit through the door equip someone to be president no better than does constantly saying stupid things in public.

So yeah, Mitt’s an idiot. But Gingrich doesn’t even get why he’s no upgrade.

Americans Say Standard of Living Improving

January 12, 2012 Buck Banks

31

Measure of Gallup’s Standard of Living Index in December, the highest since June and up slightly from the 30 of December 2010. Fifty-five percent of upper-income and 47% of lower- and middle-income Americans said their standard of living was “getting better” in December.

Day: January 12, 2012

As If He Knows, Cain Says Perry ‘Not Deep’

He wasn’t deep on any of the issues.

— Herman Cain, in an interview with Don Imus, explaining why Rick Perry’s presidential campaign hasn’t fared very well.

McCain Laments Creation of Super PACs

I predict to you that there will be huge scandals associated with this huge flood of money.

— Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), quoted by the AP, noting that the Supreme Court ruling that led to formation of super PACs was “one of the worst decisions I have ever seen.”

McCain Flip-Flops on Attacking Romney

These attacks on, quote, Bain Capital is really kind of anathema to everything that we believe in.

— Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), quoted by CBS News, this morning about attacks on Mitt Romney’s track record in business.

As head of his investment company he presided over the acquisition of companies that laid off thousands of workers.

— McCain, quoted by the New York Times, taking a different view four years ago.

Gingrich Goes Negative on Mitt – And Reveals His Own Shortcomings

Americans Say Standard of Living Improving

31

Measure of Gallup’s Standard of Living Index in December, the highest since June and up slightly from the 30 of December 2010. Fifty-five percent of upper-income and 47% of lower- and middle-income Americans said their standard of living was “getting better” in December.

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

A new Fox News Poll finds 71% of voters think the Trump administration lacks a clear strategy for ending the Iran War, including 95% of Democrats, 83% of independents, and 43% of Republicans. Sixty percent say U.S. military action against Iran was the wrong decision, while just 37% say it was right.

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.