Election Central Morning Roundup
George W. Bush: The President Who Cries?
It seems President Bush has at least one thing in common with his constituents. In interviews for Robert Draper's new book, Dead Certain, the President said that he has often wept during his administration's tenure. "I've got God's shoulder to cry on," he told the author. "And I cry a lot. I do a lot of crying in this job. I'll bet I've shed more tears than you can count, as president."
Richardson Attributes Iowa Caucus To God
Bill Richardson made an intriguing declaration to an Iowa crowd: "Iowa, for good reason, for constitutional reasons, for reasons related to the Lord, should be the first caucus and primary." One wonders exactly which clause in the Constitution specifies this — and furthermore, when God made such a pronouncement, as well.
Bush Teases At Future Troop Reductions
During his surprise visit yesterday to an air base in Iraq's Anbar province, President Bush said the surge was going so well that he hinted at possible troop reductions in the future: "General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker tell me if the kind of success we are now seeing continues, it will be possible to maintain the same level of security with fewer American forces."
Gay Blogger Mike Rogers: I'm Not Finished
Blogger Mike Rogers, a gay rights activist who forcibly outs anti-gay politicians who are themselves gay, says he's not stopping after his work against Larry Craig. "If you're a closeted Democrat or Republican and you don't bash gays or vote against gay rights to gain political points, I won't out you," said Rogers. However, some gay rights activists object to the practice of outing. "To many of us, coming out is a process, a very personal journey dictated by the individual," said Mark Agrast, a former aide to the late Congressman Gerry Studds (D-MA).
Today: Special Election Primary In Massachusetts
Today is primary day in a special election for the House seat of former Congressman Marty Meehan (D-MA), who resigned to become chancellor of the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. Five Democrats and two Republicans are running for the seat, with the frontrunner widely considered to be Niki Tsongas, widow of the late Senator Paul Tsongas (D). The district is heavily Democratic, so expect the Dem primary winner to be favored in the general election.
Freshman Dem Sestak Hemorrhaging Staffers
Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA), the retired Navy admiral who defeated incumbent Curt Weldon in 2006, is quickly gaining a reputation for being tough on his staff. According to public records, thirteen have quit this year, leaving an office in which aides are expected to work seven days a week and often fourteen hours a day. Sestak said of the resignations that "Some had other opportunities, some were not the perfect fit," but acknowledged "I have asked a lot of my staff.”
Romney Mocks Thompson's Hamlet Act
During a New Hampshire campaign stop yesterday, Mitt Romney joked with reporters about Fred Thompson's entry into the race, expected to finally happen Wednesday night. "Well, I guess the only comment I'd make to Fred Thompson would be: Why the hurry? Why not take a little longer to think this over?" Romney said. "From my standpoint, if he wants to wait until January or February, that would be ideal."
Comments (22)
Blue in IA wrote on September 4, 2007 9:45 AM:God wants Iowa first?
I guess that's something that you need a long resume and extensive diplomatic experience to come up with -- a compliment so dumb it makes everyone else uncomfortable. Or maybe he really is running for the Republican nomination...
Why is this man still in the race?
Richard L. Adlof wrote on September 4, 2007 9:50 AM:Drunks often have huge emotional swings including crying jags . . . Is anyone surprised that Bush43 cries when his god reminds him that he is a failure?
Old 33 wrote on September 4, 2007 10:00 AM:Richardson is just taking the Field of Dreams line about "Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa" to it's logical conclusion.
Richard L. Adlof wrote on September 4, 2007 10:14 AM:Regarding Fred Thompson, the real question is:
How will Law & Order deal with the loss of Arthur Branch?
Will he quit office so he can bang D-list actresses and pole dancers after he divorces OR will he just lose the next election?
Will the character's demise parallel his?
Madorsky wrote on September 4, 2007 10:15 AM:I'm not A Richardson supporter, but I thought it was clear he was joking, and I actually thought the joke was pretty funny.
IAMike wrote on September 4, 2007 10:21 AM:They've got the sense of that quote from Field of Dreams wrong.
"Is this heaven? No, it's____"
Fill in the blank with the opposite of "heaven"
BTW, isn't this the same delusion the current occupant of the White House is suffering from?
Eric Kleefeld wrote on September 4, 2007 10:32 AM:Madorsky:
I'm not A Richardson supporter, but I thought it was clear he was joking, and I actually thought the joke was pretty funny."
If you read the article and see it in context, it looks really weird. People walked away thinking it was strange, and this was in the context of saying how much he supports the caucus.
bob wrote on September 4, 2007 10:39 AM:Why is Richardson even at 10%? Must be those clever TV ads. He has been a particularly terrible candidate.
Maria wrote on September 4, 2007 11:05 AM:Richardson's certainly got a knack for putting his foot in his mouth. I don't care how experienced he is - after Bush, I've no more tolerance for it.
gonzone wrote on September 4, 2007 11:39 AM:So what's up with Sestak losing so many aides? Anyone got the inside scoop? Is he that hard to work for?
Anonymous wrote on September 4, 2007 11:54 AM:Remember when Muskie's political career was destroyed because he wept angry tears over rightwing attacks on his family?
Now we have an alleged president that weeps uncounted tears on God's shoulder because of the "burdens of office". You know, the one he wanted bad enough to lie, cheat, and steal for. Impeachment would be too good, too dignified for this stupid little boy.
DaveW wrote on September 4, 2007 11:55 AM:The anony above was me. God, I hate this "improved" comment system. Does TPM do impeachment?
NCSteve wrote on September 4, 2007 12:13 PM:Its one thing to be a candidate who's justly acquired a reputation for repeatedly unintentionally saying things that come off as kind of loopy or even gaffey. It's something else entirely to be a candidate with that reputation who is touting his considerable diplomatic experience. Makes one kind of wonder, was Richardson in the habit of doing this kind of stuff at the UN, or has he had some sort of cerebral accident since then? Have his campaigns for governor of N.M. been like this?
Madorsky wrote on September 4, 2007 12:38 PM:I did read the full article and I am aware that some folks didn't seem to get the joke. SO maybe it wasn't funny.
But I do think Richardson was attempting to poke fun at the exalted status with which Iowans regard their caucus, and was not attempting to insinuate that it has both a constitutional and divine mandate.
DaveW wrote on September 4, 2007 1:24 PM:Richardson has a dry, ironic sense of humor. That's what attracted me to him early on -- he's capable of subtle mockery of our ridiculous political process. That makes him too "intellectual" to make it through the media's Wall of Idiocy.
What America needs is not some guy that laughs at the system. What America needs is a prez that kills people then cries about it on God's shoulder. America should be recruiting its next Dear Leader among sociopathic 7th-graders.
kjoe wrote on September 4, 2007 1:47 PM:Is Obama still running?
I hope it is like what they are referring to in wikipedia about Thelonius Monk:
Monk's had an unorthodox approach to the piano, which combined a highly percussive attack with abrupt, dramatic use of silences and hesitations.
The Lord had a brief reference to the Iowa caucus on His website, but it's been scrubbed. I have the screen capture if anyone's interested.
Mike wrote on September 4, 2007 2:46 PM:As I understand it from folks who know him, Sestak has always been an a** to work for. It was the comment I heard most the night he was elected, at a hotel very close to the Pentagon among a military crowd. As an admiral, you can get away with asking 12-a-day, 7-days-a-week - in the Navy. It's very different on the outside and I'm sure Sestak's having a bit of trouble adjusting. Maybe repeatedly losing his staff will get the point across...
Carleton Wu wrote on September 4, 2007 2:58 PM:Reading the article (& knowing Richardson), it does sound like a joke. Maybe 7 years of GWB & too many "wait, he's kidding, right? Is he kidding?" moments have left us without an appreciation for the finer things.
[nb not a Richardson supporter at all. His Roe gaffe and 'favorite USSC justice' line were enough for me.]
Thanks for the report on Sestak there Mike, much appreciated.
MTM wrote on September 4, 2007 4:24 PM:I guess Richardson is referring to the real "forgotten" Eleventh commandment, "Thou shalt not have any other primaries or caucuses before Iowa."
Jane wrote on September 4, 2007 5:37 PM:Any inclination that has to be hidden leaves a politician subject to blackmail. Thus, I object to having politicians with secrets.
Larry Flynt's revelations about the sexual misbehavior of some of the Republican leadership helped blunt the impeachment. He was stopped in part because he was accused of blackmail because he set conditions for not using his information: if you stop attacking Clinton, I will not reveal your misdeeds.
The best approach is to simply reveal the information without discussing your reasoning.
