2012 - Page 152 of 171

Accept the Exceptioners (for Trish)

February 16, 2012 Buck Banks

The right-wing exceptioners have a unified vision.
They see the world through a rose-colored prism.
When they look, they’re relieved
Because they still can believe
There exists such a thing as “American exceptionalism.”

Palin Ready to Step in as Candidate at Brokered Convention

February 16, 2012 Buck Banks

If one of the nominees, one of the GOPers, doesn’t get enough delegates, it could go to a brokered convention. If it does get to that, and someone said, ‘Governor, would you be interested,’ would you be interested? For one, I think that it could get to that… If it had to be closed up today, the whole nominating process, then we could be looking at a brokered convention… Nobody is quite there yet, so I think that months from now, if that is the case, all bets are off as to who it will be, willing to offer up themselves up in their name in service to their country.

— Sarah Palin, telling Fox Business that a brokered Republican presidential convention was a possibility and if it happened she “would do whatever I could to help.”

Is Gingrich the Least Popular Politician in America?

February 16, 2012 Buck Banks

63%

Of all Americans view Gingrich unfavorably, according to a CNN/Opinion Research poll, compared to just 25% who saw him in a positive light. And a new CBS News/New York Times poll shows a similar split: 54% view Gingrich unfavorably, compared to 16% who say they feel positively predisposed towards him.

Why Are College Students Listening to Karl Rove?

February 16, 2012 Buck Banks

It is going to be a very close, very hard fought race. But if you look at the numbers, it shouldn’t be close. No president’s ever been re-elected in the modern era with numbers this low a year out.

— Karl Rove, quoted by the Daily Orange, speaking to students at Syracuse University.

Right-Wing Author of ‘The Bell Curve’ Changes Mind, Now Supports Gay Marriage

February 16, 2012February 16, 2012 Jon Ponder

I’ve changed my mind on [marriage equality] … the fact is that my wife and I know many same-sex couples and they have great marriages.

– Charles Murray, coauthor of “The Bell Curve,” which critics said supported scientific racism, and whom Andrew Sullivan described today as “perhaps the most important conservative/libertarian thinker of the last two decades” and a leader of the “conservative intelligentsia.”

Yea Canadians! Boo Iranians!

February 16, 2012 Buck Banks

96%

Nearly all Americans have a favorable view of Canada — a record high for any foreign country Gallup has tested — followed closely by Australia. Iran ranks last, at 10% and China’s rating declined the most over the past year, from 47% to 41%.

Witness Panel for House Republicans’ Hearing on Contraceptives Is Men Only

February 16, 2012February 16, 2012 Jon Ponder

“What I want to know is, where are the women?” asked Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) shortly before she walked out of House oversight committee hearing on insurance coverage for contraceptives. “I look at this panel [of witnesses], and I don’t see one single individual representing the tens of millions of women across the country who want and need insurance coverage for basic preventive health care services, including family planning.”

Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa called five witnesses who opposed a rule floated and then quickly rescinded by the Obama administration last week that would have required church-owned businesses to cover the cost of contraceptives for their employees. All five Republican witnesses were men.

[…]

Norquist Wants a Rubber-Stamp President

February 15, 2012 Buck Banks

We just need a president to sign this stuff. We don’t need someone to think it up or design it. The leadership now for the modern conservative movement for the next 20 years will be coming out of the House and the Senate.

— Grover Norquist, quoted by David Frum, making the case that Mitt Romney would be an acceptable Republican nominee.

Santorum Confuses Sex with Contraception

February 15, 2012 Buck Banks

It’s not okay because it’s a license to do things in the sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.

— Rick Santorum, quoted by Time, on why he wants to fight the “dangers of contraception.”

Santorum Says Obama Admin Wants Female Catholic Priests

February 15, 2012 Buck Banks

— Sarah Palin, telling Fox Business that a brokered Republican presidential convention was a possibility and if it happened she “would do whatever I could to help.”

63%

It is going to be a very close, very hard fought race. But if you look at the numbers, it shouldn’t be close. No president’s ever been re-elected in the modern era with numbers this low a year out.

— Karl Rove, quoted by the Daily Orange, speaking to students at Syracuse University.

I’ve changed my mind on [marriage equality] … the fact is that my wife and I know many same-sex couples and they have great marriages.

– Charles Murray, coauthor of “The Bell Curve,” which critics said supported scientific racism, and whom Andrew Sullivan described today as “perhaps the most important conservative/libertarian thinker of the last two decades” and a leader of the “conservative intelligentsia.”

96%

Nearly all Americans have a favorable view of Canada — a record high for any foreign country Gallup has tested — followed closely by Australia. Iran ranks last, at 10% and China’s rating declined the most over the past year, from 47% to 41%.

We just need a president to sign this stuff. We don’t need someone to think it up or design it. The leadership now for the modern conservative movement for the next 20 years will be coming out of the House and the Senate.

— Grover Norquist, quoted by David Frum, making the case that Mitt Romney would be an acceptable Republican nominee.

It’s not okay because it’s a license to do things in the sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be.

— Rick Santorum, quoted by Time, on why he wants to fight the “dangers of contraception.”

Don’t you see how they see you? How they look down their nose at the average Americans. These elite snobs!

— Rick Santorum, quoted by the Idaho Statesman, arguing that the Obama administration thinks it can force the Catholic Church to hire women priests.

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%

$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.