Non-Specifics Ain't Gonna Get It

This is a very rare time that I am going to agree with conservative Fox News (I know that is redundant to some people) commentator Bill O'Reilly. But, Republicans can't sit around and whine about so-called "Obamacare" and then sound like Scooby Doo when they talk about what they will replace it with if they gain power.

Fox News' Anchor Wallace Advises Romney On Strategy Against Obama

"Fair and balanced" Fox is the platform for anchor Chris "I'm Down With GOP" Wallace to offer leading GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney on the strategy he could use to defeat President Obama in November.

GOP Presidential Debate ... Meets The Peanuts!

Love this...

Right-Wing Audience Laughs At Comparison Of Obamas To Sanford And Son Characters, But Not Pleased With GOP Jokes

Reggie Brown, the man paid to impersonate President Barack Obama, was welcomed with open arms as he made fun of the Barack and Michelle Obama and at one point likened them to Fred Sanford and Aunt Esther Anderson fighting from the old Sanford and Son show (you know ... because black couples are supposed to fight, be loud and act obnoxiously ... black marriages are not supposed to stand the test of time and challenges). Apparently, it was funny to laugh at a black couple fighting, but it was not so funny to hear stereotype jokes of Mitt Romney, Tim Pawlenty and other jokes about GOP presidential candidates.

There were a few laughs with the Romney joke, but it clearly did not go over well with the right-wing audience and right-wing organizers.

Go on Reggie ... I guess you gotta get paid.

Simpson Calls Out Homophobia In Politics

This falls in the category of an "ouch" statement for the GOP as one of its own, Wyoming Sen. Alan Simpson, made some interesting statements on MSNBC as documented by Think Progress:

On MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews today, former Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY), co-chair of President Obama’s debt commission, railed against the social conservatives in the Republican party. He admonished male legislators for voting on abortion issues and “homophobes” like Rick Santorum who say “cruel, cruel things” about gays and lesbians:

SIMPSON: Who the hell is for abortion? I don’t know anybody running around with a sign that says, “Have an abortion! They’re wonderful!” They’re hideous, but they’re a deeply intimate and personal decision, andI don’t think men legislators should even vote on the issue.

Then you’ve got homosexuality, you’ve got Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. We have homophobes on our party. That’s disgusting to me. We’re all human beings. We’re all God’s children. Now if they’re going to get off on that stuff—Santorum has said some cruel things—cruel, cruel things—about homosexuals. Ask him about it; see if he attributes the cruelness of his remarks years ago. Foul.

Now if that’s the kind of guys that are going to be on my ticket, you know, it makes you sort out hard what Reagan said, you know, “Stick with your folks.” But, I’m not sticking with people who are homophobic, anti-women, moral values—while you’re diddling your secretary while you’re giving a speech on moral values? Come on, get off of it.

When Fox News Wins Democracy Loses ... A Message From Media Matters For America

Dear Sandy,

Glenn Beck and Fox News have had a toxic effect on the political process, and they're only going to push harder now.

Over the past two years, Fox has gone from a conservative-leaning news source to an active player in politics -- and things have taken an even darker turn as Beck's nightly show on Fox has brought right-wing extremism into the mainstream. Beck routinely launches outlandish attacks painting his progressive targets as part of a sinister conspiracy to intentionally destroy the country.

When advertisers sponsor Fox News, they're not just buying commercial airtime. They're making an affirmative investment in a political game -- one that puts dishonest smears, fearmongering, and vicious attacks ahead of accuracy. Money that goes to Fox funds Beck's conspiracy theories, baseless political attacks, and outright promotion of right-wing candidates for office.

Companies that are considering advertising on Fox need to keep that in mind, and they need to hear from you.

Give your tax-deductible donation today to help us fight Fox, Beck and conservative misinformation.

Every day, we at Media Matters for America monitor Fox News and its allies in the conservative media, researching claims, exposing violent rhetoric, debunking misinformation and preventing falsehoods from spreading unchallenged.

We've had success in making sure others in the press know that Fox is a player in politics, not an observer. We need your help to keep up that fight and get the message out to potential Fox advertisers. Unless it hits them right in the bottom line, Fox News has made it clear it won't rein in Beck and other serial misinformers.

You can be part of that fight.

Give your tax-deductible donation today to help us fight Fox, Beck and conservative misinformation.

Thank you for your support.

David Brock
Founder and CEO
Media Matters for America

Morris Admits He Is Working For The GOP Through Fox News

Here is Dick Morris, a Fox News analyst, admitting what we already knew: He is working for the GOP and doing it for the love of the party and probably for the hatred of President Obama.

From the October 20 edition of Fox News Channel's The O'Reilly Factor:

Carl Paladino Is A Chilling Reminder Of Far-Right Extremism Gone Mainstream

We've seen an increase in extremism coming from the far right since the election of Barack Obama as president of the United States.

Those on the far right have just gone nuts in an obsession to attack President Obama and anyone even remotely leaning to the left.

Honestly, the extremism from the right is so extreme that we have seen an emergence of fringe politicians who even a few years ago would have been laughed out of races. Not anymore, these extreme candidates are finding a home in the GOP.

One prime example is Carl Paladino, a Republican candidate for governor of New York.

Here is an excerpt from a report from Media Matters for America. I would advise you to go to MMA's Web site and check out all of the craziness coming from this man.

Here is a tease:

New York GOP gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino recently said he didn't want children "brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid and successful option" as "getting married and raising a family." Right-wing pundits have since defended his remarks, calling his comments "dead on the money," "defensible," and "[not] bad at all."

How does a man like this get even remotely close to being governor of New York? It's crazy.

Can't Blame It On Bush, But You Can Give Him Credit For Good Things

This is a quote from Sen. John McCain after a State of the Union address from President Barack Obama as documented by the Republican public relations firm, Fox News:

Sen John McCain, R-Ariz., countering a stinging political attack by President Obama on Monday that Republicans, led by President George W. Bush, are to blame for the recession having driven America's economic car into the proverbial ditch, told reporters Tuesday, "George Bush looks like a piker compared to what has taken place since President Obama has come into the presidency. He can keep 'B.I.O.B.' no matter what it is, 'Blame it on Bush' - he can keep that up. The American people are going to hold him accountable this November, not an administration that went out of power more than a year ago."

Blame it on Bush, said McCain, one of the leading B.I.O.B. whiners. You see, Republicans feel it's wrong to blame all the "bad" things (soaring deficits, war in Iraq, war in Afghanistan, a horrible economy, a damaged reputation for the United States, etc.) started during the previous administration on the former president.

On the other hand, McCain sees it differently when something is considered to have gone "well" that Bush started.

In John McCain's world, it's OK to celebrate President Bush's "accomplishments" from his eight years, but it's wrong to criticize him for the problems created during that same period.

You can't have it both ways Sen. McCain.

Megyn Kelly Lacks Any Professionalism

Megyn Kelly, the right wing anchor for Fox News network, has a long history of emotional instability and a complete disregard for professionalism.

What this means is ... she fits in well at Fox News (the public relations firm of the Republican Party).

But, in the wake of her atrocious, unprofessional and irrational behavior during a recent interview, I must concur with the opinion expressed here by News Hounds:

I’ll say it now and I’ll say it unless and until she comes out and apologizes for acting as a race-baiting shill for the GOP, Megyn Kelly should be fired. As for Powers, I award her Best in Show. Not just for standing up to Kelly but for confronting the race-baiting agenda of her employer. She should not be the only one.

You can contact the show at Kelly@foxnews.com. I can’t find contact information for Kirsten Powers that’s new but I’m awarding her Best in Show.

Kelly is a disgrace to our airwaves and each day she is on her true colors show. She is a total partisan masquerading as fair and balanced. Actually, she is not even doing a good job masquerading anymore. The mask is off and she is proving to be a far-right advocate.

Fox News would have to have standards and integrity to fire Megyn Kelly. So, don't expect it to happen.

Chilling Poll Speaks To Increasing Xenophobia In The U.S.

Reading a recent blog entry, regarding Arizona's extremist anti-immigration law, on Think Progress was nothing short of disturbing.

Here is a brief excerpt:

A new NYT/CBS poll shows that “the public broadly agrees that the Arizona law will result in racial profiling, overburden local and state law enforcement agencies, and decrease illegal immigrants’ willingness to report crimes for fear of deportation.” Nevertheless, a slim majority of Americans still supports it ...

This is a sad state of affairs, but shows the paranoia of people who see the demographics of the country changing ... the browning of America.

Sean Hannity Salutes "Tim McVeigh Wannabes" ... GOPers Cheer

Stunning ... I honestly was hoping it was an April Fools joke. But it sounds as if this is real.

Check out News Hounds for some follow up:
http://www.newshounds.us/2010/04/01/hannity_boasts_about_tea_parties_and_tim_mcveigh_wannabes_opposing_democrats.php

A Sure Sign Your Political Party Is Going To Be In Trouble

Republicans continue to fail to adapt to the changing demographics our nation is headed for in the next 30 to 50 years. The United States of America is not going to be majority white forever. The Hispanic population is growing and people of color are decades away from becoming a majority. That is quite frightening to a lot of people (some of which are expressing their anger through the most inflammatory anti-immigration rhetoric).

Those changing demographics could leave Republicans in trouble if they're party doesn't diversify and become more attractive to people of color.

You know you're in trouble when Dick Armey comes across as the voice of reason. But, compared to an obnoxious extremist like Tom Tancredo, even Armey is a voice of reason.

From Think Progress:

Former Republican House leader Dick Armey said staunch anti-immigration opponents such as Rep. Tom Tancredo are destructive to Republicans — and are alienating a “natural” constituency that could help the party win elections. “Who in the Republican Party was the genius that said that now that we have identified the fastest-growing voting demographic in America, let’s go out and alienate them?” Armey said, referencing Hispanics, during a luncheon in Washington at the National Press Club.

“When I was the majority leader, I saw to it that Tom Tancredo did not get on the stage because I saw how destructive he was,” Armey said of the Colorado congressman and 2008 Republican presidential candidate known for his opposition to illegal immigration. [...]

More Hate-Driven Republican Reaction Over U.S. Losing The Olympics

Here is a “Republican strategist” named Rich Galen making fun of the United States of American failing to win the right to host the 2016 Olympics.

“Other than people who like to cheer, ‘We’re No. 4! We’re No. 4!’ I don’t know how this is anything but really embarrassing,” Republican strategist Rich Galen said, adding that Obama’s failed pitch will probably be the joke on Capitol Hill for weeks to come.

“Given the last two months starting with the August recess and all of the issues that surrounded that, I think that the White House staff, the senior staff needs to get together somewhere and figure out how they are going to fix this, because they are in a deep slump,” he said.

Here is House Minority Leader John Boehner (to Politico) taking a cheap shot at President Obama who was trying to bring the Olympics to the United States of America.

“Listen, I think it’s a great idea to promote Chicago, but he’s the president of the United States, not the mayor of Chicago. And the problems we have here at home affect all Americans, and that’s where his attention ought to be.”

Where is the pride in America from these Republicans and why the hate for Chicago all of a sudden?

Minority Leader Boehner should know that Chicago is not a foreign country. It is in the United States of America. President Obama is president of the United States of America.

We know there are plenty of problems here … maybe Republicans should have worked harder during the last eight years to take care of them when they had the White House and maybe the GOP should cooperate a little to finally get health care taken care of.

This president has enough energy to take on a lot of tasks.

President Obama was a great ambassador for this country (fighting to rebuild bridges destroyed during the cowboy-diplomacy era) and all of us should have been behind him.

Some of us were not and you have to wonder what the real reason for that truly is.

Is Unleashing Such Hate A Path To Violence

I spotted this from a blog posted by Crooks and Liars regarding idiotic comments made by nuts on the far right comparing President Obama to Hitler and likening the Democrats to the Nazis. This is from a segment of Rachel Maddow’s MSNBC evening show (as she interviewed author Franklin Schaeffer.

MADDOW: Do you think that calling the president a Nazi, calling the president Hitler, is an implicit call for politically-motivated violence?

SCHAEFFER: Yes I do. In fact, this rings a big bell with me, because my dad, who was a right-wing evangelical leader, wrote a book called A Christian Manifesto — it sold over a million copies. And in that book he compared anyone who was pro-abortion to the Nazi Germans, and he said that using violence or force to overthrow Nazi Germany would have been appropriate for Christians, including the assassination of Hitler. He compared the Supreme Court’s actions on abortion to that. And that has been a note that has been following the right wing movement that my father and I helped start in an evangelical context all the way.

So what’s really being said here is two messages. There is the message to the predominantly white, middle-aged crowds of people screaming at these meetings, trying to shut them down, but there’s also a coded message to what I would call the loony tunes — the fruit loops on the side. It’s really like playing Russian Roulette — you put a cartridge in the chamber, you spin, and once in awhile it goes off.

And we saw that happen with Dr. Tiller, we’ve seen it happen numerous times with the violence against political leaders, whether it’s Martin Luther King or whoever it might be. We have a history of being a well-armed, violent country. And so really, I think that these calls are incredibly irresponsible.

The good news is that it shows a desperation. The far right knows they have lost, they’ve lost the hearts and minds of most American people, for instance, who want health care. But they also know that they have a large group of people who are not well-informed, who listen to only their own sources, who buy the lies — for instance, all this nonsense about euthanasia being mandatory, and all the rest of it. And these people can be energized to go out and do really dreadful things.

And we’ve seen it in front of abortion clinics, I’m afraid we’re going to see it with some of our political leaders. And the Glenn Becks of this world literally are responsible for unleashing what I regard as an anti-democratic, anti-American movement in this country. It is trying to shut down legitimate debate, and replace it with straight-out intimidation.

The talk has become very dangerous, and the good people on the right need to step forward, listen to conscience and tone it down.

Persuasiveness comes not necessarily from who talks the loudest, but who talks smartest.

Republican Nuts Still Doubt President Obama’s Citizenship

Need more evidence of how nutty some on the far right of the political spectrum have become with their obsessive hatred of Barack Obama, our president?

Has any president in the history of the United States of America had his citizenship questioned as much as Barack Obama has – in spite of overwhelming evidence of his being born in Hawaii?

Huffington Post:

Less than half of Republicans believe that Barack Obama was born in the United States of America, a new public opinion poll finds.

Only 42 percent of Republican respondents in a Research 2000 survey, conducted for the liberal website Daily Kos, said they thought Obama was a natural born citizen; 28 percent said they did not believe Obama was born in the United States; 30 percent said they were not sure.

The responses, which were gathered after several prominent conservative media personalities fed suspicion that Obama was unconstitutionally holding office, show the extent to which the conspiracy has taken hold in the GOP.

That only a plurality of Republicans were willing to acknowledge the president was born in America is nothing short of astounding, considering the preponderance of evidence that confirms his Hawaiian birth.

This is so sad, but hardly a surprise. The far-right extremists have hijacked a once-great party and turned it into a crude caricature.

Check out the article’s later portion to see, from a geographical standpoint, where the birthers are most obsessed and extreme.

irst Lady For Going Out On A Date

News Hounds is reporting on the attacks against President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama going out on a date in New York.

Here is an excerpt:

The biggest headline on Foxnews.com tonight, bigger than General Motors’ looming bankruptcy and bigger than Obama’s health plan was the GOP “scrutiny” of the Obamas’ date night last night (5/30/09). Fox helpfully spelled out that scrutiny for its readers in the subtitle to the article: President, first lady’s NYC date night draws criticism from GOP, who question the night of entertainment during a recession and while automakers struggle to survive. The same story was repeated on GretaWire, too.

News Hounds:
http://www.newshounds.us/2009/05/31/in_synch_with_gop_fox_attacks_obamas_date_night.php