I think you underestimate midwesterners and maybe Iowans in particular. They are as well educated and worldly as any other group in this country. Therefore, I think your comments that this ad would not be understood by them are pointless. Huckabee is probably more easily able to connect with this region of the country since is of similar back ground, only a little further south.

Maybe you feel those who have attended such prestigious institutions as Iowa state wasted their money by not receiving "worldly" or well rounded educations.

I think the ad will be well received by most people regardless of the region in which they live.

Chuck Norris is an old 80s b-movie has-been who has spent the last 20 years hawking exercise equipment. Does anyone under the age of 35 even know this guy as anything other than "the guy who sells exercise equipment in info-mercials"?

This is just another case of an old, washed up white man speaking out in support of a Repub candidate. Those Repub candidates definitely know their base, don't they?

PG

Chris makes a good point that many Iowans won't get the reference to the Chuck Norris myth subculture, but I don't think they need to for this ad to help him. Looking at who he is hoping to beat (Guliani, Romney, and Thompson), Chuck Norris symbolizes what he is missing. A salt-of-the-earth tough guy who gets things done for the sake of law and order and what's right. Just appearing with Chuck Norris helps this image rub off on Huckabee and for that the ad is worth it. Also, don't underestimate the value of getting Iowans talking as it might provide the spark Huckabee has been looking for.

I can understand the skepticism concerning the ad. However, Mike Huckabee has certainly demonstrated that he possesses political acumen equal to a sixth sense. He really seems to know what will work. With comparatively no money, he has caught up with multi-millionaire and mega-spender Romney, all the while developing a grassroots following that any candidate would envy. Check out these state and national poll numbers: www.mike-huckabee.blogspot.com

frankly, I think Huckabee is the logical VP if Giuliani wins the nomination. Huck is likable, Rudy really is not. Huck would definitely be an outreach to the religious right and perhaps dampen the enthusiasm for a third party challenge.

Can't believe how fast and easy it was to become a junkie here. After reading all the Huck stuff posted, I am scaring myself imagining Rudy/Huck in "08. This couldn't really happen, could it?

I would tend to agree with Mark that the more egregious cases are not the rule. However, they have spawned a reflexive tendency on the part of insurance companies to pay people off. That results in crippling insurance premiums for business - especially small businesses who cannot well afford it.

I think the system needs reform - the trousers lawyer may have lost and made himself a laughing stock, but the court system allowed him to drag these proceedings out for an unconscionable period of time and the poor cleaner lost everything he had to pay the legal bills.

Truth- thanks for looking that up. It could prove interesting next summer!

There was a very short mention on network news, just before the McClellan story broke, that McCain was thinking about using Rove as his campaign advisor..... LOL.

Next plan.

http://whathappenedtomycountry.blogspot.com

bsimon, Mark, This is the latest I've heard on the status of GOP dates and delegates, as of November 9:

The AP: "The Republican Party said Thursday that it would deprive New Hampshire, Florida, South Carolina, Michigan and Wyoming of half their delegates to the national convention because they planned to hold their presidential nominating contests on dates earlier than the party's rules allow. The rules require the punishment of states that hold their nominating contests before Feb. 5. Iowa, which plans to hold Republican caucuses on Jan. 3, will not be penalized because the caucuses are technically not binding on convention delegates. For the same reason, Nevada, which plans to hold its caucuses on Jan. 19, will also not be penalized."

http://whathappenedtomycountry.blogspot.com

"Cofer Black, vice chairman of army-for-hire contractor, Blackwater USA, is Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's national security advisor.''

Oh that's even better than the crazy one. His national security advisor is a mercenary making zillions in Iraq. No conflict of interest there, no sirree.

Here's Huck's-- but no security advisor listed:

Sen. Robert "Bob" E. Clegg Jr., New Hampshire Senator

David Muldrow Beasley, former governor of South Carolina

John "Chip" Saltsman, campaign manager

Senior political advisor for former Sen. Bill Frist's VOLPAC, chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.

Alice Stewart, press secretary

J. French Hill, finance chairman, Chairman and CEO of Delta Trust & Banking Corp. He served as an assistant to President George H.W. Bush for economic policy.

Gov. Mike Rounds, chairman of the National Steering Committee

The governor of South Dakota since 2003 Dick Dresner, Consultant, Pollster

"I do not think the D Party will keep its word on Mich and FL."

Dean has been stubborn as party chair (or whatever his title is), I wonder if he would really crumble as easily as we might assume (I tend to agree that they would not penalize MI & FL)?

Mark in austin-i heard a few weeks ago, that the national gop halved the delegates of MI, as for the dems,who ever is the dem nominee, they will be seated anyway, not before crawling on broken glass to apologizing to the state for not campagining in the state

-back to my previous posting on what might happen in the primaries, for the dems:with the execption of Mi on jan 15 obama may run the table with hillary close behind him possibly forcing a obama/clinton ticket hopefully avoiding a worse case possiblity of hillary being at the top(a vp pick might motivate some red states to vote against them but not to the degree everyone thinks)

but on the gop side i belive that romney,Mike Huckabee and that libertarian guy will split the delegates and you may have your brokered convention.

'Chris Cillizza doesn't parse the polls. They parse themselves for him.'

you are so good at this proud!

'It is worth asking each candidate if s/he can make that pledge, and what resources each will put to the task. It would also be good to know who[m] each candidate relies upon as key advisers.'

Absolutely. I know Rudy's advisors and find them terrifying. Who is McCain's security advisor? Romney's I know, is a loon, a guy who says he's fine with torture, he'd be happy to stick a knife in somene's thigh.... ooookay, buddy, calm down.

Huck's I haven't been able to find yet. I'm really curious.

More of alex Jones. I cite this because one of Huck's supporters is Tim La Faye, author of the "left Behind' series about the Rapture, and he beleives this stuff too. Someone should ask Huck if he beleives we're in the End Times--it matters.

'Many Bible prophecies written thousands of years ago have been fulfilled in the past 100 years. Unknown by most people, even Bible-reading Christians, major end-time prophecies are being fulfilled today, including:

The One-World government
The One-World Religion.
The Ten-nation confederacy of Daniel and Revelation.
The Mark of the Beast or 666.

Finally, the technology now exists to create the Mark of the Beast of Revelation 13.

truth hunter-from your lips to god's ears(or possibly to congress)

ok to expand on what might happen in the early primaries. here's my prediction:Obama comes in first with 27%,Edwards at 22% and a suprising tie for 3rd with hillary and biden at 20% with the rest in single digits.

on the repubican side a suprise win for mike huckabee, with romney at a strong second and some libertaian guy's name we cant say on the fix at 3rd.

with that in mind, this sets up NH, for the dems:obama at 1st. hillary recovers somewhat,minus the inetiblity aura comes in second and edwards a distant 3rd. on the gop side Romney wins NH, McCain comes in second and that libertarian guy comes in 3rd.

Yesterday morning, off topic, I offered how funny I thought the Huck ad was. On topic, I still think it is very funny.

bsimon, I do not think the D Party will keep its word on Mich and FL. I do not remember what the status is for the Rs. Anyone?

Of course, it helps the Huckster...because (let's face it) most people are drooling imbeciles -- which is exactly what this ad is banking on.

It is all style and zero substance, exactly what the American people have been conditioned to expect (and crave) from their political "leaders."

There is only one candidate whose electoral success depends upon the American people deciding to actually think (for the first time in many, many elections). But, I'll bet you a Ron Paul platinum dollar that the public continues to reject the call to reason. More bread and circus? Yeah, they'll vote for that.

Are Michigan (and Forida?) still slated to lose delegates in penalty for moving their primaries? If one or more convention is brokered, moving the primaries forward 'to have more influence on the process' could end up looking really, really stupid...

Chris Cillizza doesn't parse the polls. They parse themselves for him.

jayamills, I don't believe Iowa will change its January 3 date. Don't know what NH will do but wouldn't imagine holding their primary during the Holidays is the answer.

Perhaps it time for direct elections...one man, one vote... and no electoral college. If we would have had that in 2000 we wouldn't have been hit with the Bush years.

http://whathappenedtomycountry.blogspot.com

Chris Cilizza can divide by zero

oh shi-

Chris Cillizza doesn't feed The Fix, he feeds on The Junkies.

drindl, We could receive Alex Jones on Access Cable, if not through our fillings, and he maintains a billboard. I have avoided the pleasure, although I am told he is very entertaining. My fillings are no longer metallic.

proud, if McCain is elected, the 9-11 reforms will be implemented by his Administration.

It is worth asking each candidate if s/he can make that pledge, and what resources each will put to the task. It would also be good to know who[m] each candidate relies upon as key advisers.

jaymils -- I think you'e referring to Fair Tax w/Huckabee, who wants to kill the IrS and institute a national sales tax, VAT, like they have in France - horrors!

well add Michigan to the list of early states in january. so i guess iowa and NH is going to be in late december and early january.

State primary back on, court rules

November 21, 2007

By DAWSON BELL

FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

Michigan's Jan. 15 presidential primary is a go again.

Overturning a pair of lower court rulings, a majority of the state Supreme Court Wednesday morning found the law setting the primary date and granting exclusive access to voter lists from it to the Democratic and Republican parties was not unconstitutional.

The 4-3 decision, after a string of setbacks for the seemingly star-crossed election, means the vote can be held as planned. State elections officials had said they needed to know the primary's fate by noon today to have time to prepare and deliver absentee ballots.

The court majority said reserving lists of voters (sorted by which primary ballot is chosen at the polls) to the two parties was within the authority of the Legislature and governor when they approved the primary bill last summer.

Dissenting justices agreed with an Ingham County judge and the state Court of Appeals that information generated by a government-run election was public property and could not be transferred to private interests without a two-thirds vote of the Legislature.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071121/NEWS06/71121024/1048/SPORTS

If I were McCain and wanted to appeal to centrist, I would run away from some of these folks...

'Melvin A. Goodman, senior fellow at the Center for International Policy and former CIA division chief, told the Washington Post that James Woolsey is a dangerous individual. "Woolsey was a disaster as CIA director in the 1990s and is now running around this country calling for a World War IV to deal with the Islamic problem'

'The Iran-Contra Affair involved running arms to Iran in order to get money to support the Contra Guerilla fighters in Nicaragua.
McFarlane was serving as an assistant to Secretary of State Alexander Haig, in 1981, when he authored "Taking the War to Nicaragua" and led the Restricted Inter-Agency Group (RIG) which formulated and carried out the administration's Central America policies. Later, as National Security Adviser, McFarlane urged Reagan to negotiate an arms deal with Iranian intermediaries against the advice of Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and Secretary of State George Shultz.

In May 1986, after his retirement, he acted as an envoy for two planeloads of weapons parts delivered to the Iranians. When the first planeload failed to win Iranian cooperation or the release of any hostages, McFarlane refused to deliver the second plane and returned to the US where he advised the president to quit. When news of the secret mission was published in the Lebanese weekly Al Shiraa complete with unflattering details and confirmation from top Iranian officials, Chief of Staff Donald Regan attempted to spin the story.

McFarlane refused to speak to the press but was rattled by Regan's accusation that he had been the sole official behind the weapons transfers. McFarlane quickly shot off an email to Poindexter threatening a libel suit and warning that he "wouldn't tolerate lies from Don Regan."

'He has three sons, all of whom are named Lawrence Eagleburger, though they have different middle names.'

Although to commend him, Eagleburger said bush should be impeached if he attack Iran.

Haig is crazy as a loon and Kissinger, well there was thing called Vietnam...

Mark... I heard about the Plame case still being open from an interview conducted yesterday with John Dean by Chris Matthews on Hardball.

On lawyers, am quite impressed with the ones in Pakistan who risked all to fight Musharraf's suspension of the constitution and other emergency measures.

http://whathappenedtomycountry.blogspot.com

JD-sorry i didnt respond back yesterday, i had to get back to work and all, but i still belive that there may be a snowball effect in iowa. in fact a few posters in here a few weeks back predicted if hillary came in 3rd it would be all over. a second place will just kill the "ineviblity" meme outright. but a brokered convention? its only going to appeal to us fix-ers(sorry im not feeling fixistas)

also since your the flat tax expert do you have any books to recommend to a neophyte on that? i saw huck's intervew on fox news sunday, and he mentioned it a few times. he came across as personable,and likeable, for a second i thought they were interviewing a democrat(at one point i thought he was going to pull of the huck mask and revealed that he was bill clinton in disguise)

P.S. Chuck Norris doesnt go hunting, Chuck Norris goes KILLING

To all you sayers of nay in re: Tom Kean's endorsement, allow me to remind you that this is but one of the stellar endorsements from a very distinguished group of national security experts who agree that John McCain would be the best Commander in Chief based on character, trust, and national security.

Thomas H. Kean, 9/11 Commission Chairman and former governor of New Jersey

George P. Shultz
Former Secretary of State

Lawrence S. Eagleburger
Former Secretary of State R.

James Woolsey Jr.
Former Director of Central Intelligence

Henry A. Kissinger
Former Secretary of State

John F. Lehman Jr.
Former Secretary of the Navy

James R. Schlesinger
Former Director of Central Intelligence

Alexander M. Haig Jr.
Former Secretary of State

Robert C. McFarlane
Former National Security Advisor

And, don't forget, it was McCain himself who called for the 9/11 Commission in the first place, and had the cojones to stand up and require a full accounting of the nation's preparedness and response to the worst terrorist attack ever on American soil.

Sorry to clarify Alex Jones supports Ron Paul. Oh, I've done it now! Here they come!

I agree with you proud, I respect Kean, but tho I admire McCain, I can't say I know what McCain has done to make us 'less vulnerable to attacks, because we aren't.

But here's an endorsement you'll enjoy, a guy named Alex Jones, apparently a radio jock in Austin. Know him, Mark?

'SALE!! Alex Jones' new book, 911: Descent into Tryanny. This is Jones' first book and those ordering now will be getting a first edition. Descent into Tyranny is a brutal exposé documenting the New World Order crime syndicate's involvement in the September 11th attacks.

The book reveals how the controlled press is spinning and whitewashing the 911 story.

Jones covers the cashless society control grid, implantable microchip propaganda, the fact that Posse Comitatus had already been disolved decades ago, the US government concentration camp plan, the FBI and FEMA training police that the Founding Fathers and Christians are "terrorists," the global elite's goal to dumb down and kill off 80% of the world population, eugenics and much, much more...'

It would seem that the Paul campaign is actually very uniting, in that it brings together the wiggiest tinfoil hatters from the way way far left and right in one big global, trilateral commission masonic black helicopter conspiracy.

proud: except for the fact that outside New Jersey and the tiny world of political junkies the name Tom Kean means absolutely nothing.

proud, I wrote the other day that I would want Tom Kean's endorsement whether or not it got me a single vote. There are not enough Pat Robertsons and kung fu actors in the world to equal one Tom Kean.

As far as R endorsements go, Huckabee may have to settle for one from a b-movie and tv actor/internet phenom/late-night tv joke, but his rival for the nomination, John McCain, this week was endorsed by Tom Kean, Co-Chairman of the 9/11 Commission.

Few people know as much about the NYC's and the country's response to 9/11 as Tom Kean, who said the following:

"To the extent that we've been less vulnerable to attacks that we suffered on 9/11, it's in a large part due to the extraordinary leadership of John McCain,"

Methinks this is a far more muscular endorsement.

LV, steele took my name in vain!

You may recall drindl posting about MH's "Willie Horton" moment. All governors except GWB have had them, it appears.

No pardons, no paroles, no Willie Hortons.

Mark -- the Dems are all over the Pentagon's taking money from war heros...

'Freshman Democratic Rep. Jason Altmire gets pissed, introduces legislation that would reverse such a ridiculous policy.'

steele -- we here wander wherever we choose. you need to learn a little about posting. If I hadn't read like the entire Bible as a kid and recognized your cite, I wouldn't have known what you were talking about.

But sorry, I don't use the Bible as a source for choosing politicians, altho i agree with the sentiment 'A house divided against itself cannot stand.'

However, that doesn't give me much to go on. and Chuck Norris as VP is not gonna bring us all together...

Huckabee fans: Here's some good anti-Mitty info to pass along. Check out what happened when a Mitty-appointed judge let a scumbag out of jail on PR.

http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1046148&format=comments&cnum=3

"perhaps we should consult "the" authoritative source here... look up Mark 3:25 and memorize it."


I don't see a post from Mark at 3:25. To what day and/or thread do you refer?

[/end tongue-in-cheek]

For what it is worth, the DC cleaners' case
involved no Plaintiff's attorney, only a lawyer representing and making a fool of himself and ultimately being fired from his job as a magistrate for DC.

But the case is a poster child for justice
run amok.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/19/AR2007091902173.html

The only quibble I have with JimD's post is
based on my knowledge that the publicity for unjust results far exceeds the statistical reality. I would not argue that more than 4 of 5 cases are correctly resolved, but I would argue that the unfair to the Def. cases are no more numerous than the unfair to the Pl. cases.

I would love to see a system that reached, say, 95 correct results in 100. And there are ways to move in that direction.
------------------------------
Unfortunately, the age of the computer has so vastly changed the scenery that the struggle over discovery now makes virtually all commercial litigation unaffordable to the small business owner - and that is the
problem that the Fed and most state court systems are struggling with, right this red hot minute.

Golly, I don't know how we wandered off on 'lawyers', but concerning the subject of this TV ad and the overall political campaign, perhaps we should consult "the" authoritative source here to determine how we should be evaluating the candidates, then acting as responsible citizens and voters. Many people claim to have a copy of this authoritative source readily available for reference, so if you can root around a bit and find your copy somewhere in your home or office, look up Mark 3:25 and memorize it.

Oh the other point I wanted to make Mark, was that this war is so unpopular that the DOD is having to pay $30,000 to people to enlist -- and they're still not reaching their quotas.

JimD and bsimon -- very good points. and yikes! the payout for the tobacco case-- you're right. thanks for the info. there must be some way to rebalance the system, so that the genuinely injured are properly compensated and the frivolous suits punished..

'A lot of us while growing up watched Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, the Lone Ranger & Tonto, Sky King, the Cisco Kid & Pancho, 'Hoppy' and other heroes. Their values sure weren't distorted or screwed up; that's why our's aren't either ! How about this ?? Mike Huckabee for President (and chief manager of our foreign policy) and Chuck Norris for Vice President (and chief manager of our domestic policy) ?! '

jeezus i hope this was satire... let's just send some old copies of Sky King to al Queda and all our problems will be solved..

"as far as unscrupulous negligent businesses that cause grevious injury--they ought to pay through the nose, the only way to keep them, or others, from doing it again. there is the deterrent effect. and how do you put a valuation on children's lives?"

I agree that unscrupulous negligent business should pay through the nose. However, responsible businesses and doctors are also paying through the nose. For every horrible injury that resulted from negligence I can cite a frivolous suit that cost businesses millions.

Look at the infamous trousers lawsuit in DC. The cleaner won his case but went out of business. In a fair system, that suit would have been laughed out of court. How about the lawn mower manufacturer that paid millions because someone had a heart attack pulling the cord to start it?

Do you realize that there is not a single peer reviewed scientific study that proves that breast implants cause any disease? That didn't stop the courts from awarding plaintiffs hundreds of millions from the manufacturer. Certainly there were probably some bad implants and perhaps botched procedures, but there was no scientific proof that the implants themselves caused disease.

The other issue is the slew of absurd victimization lawsuits. My biggest complaint are the "McDonald's made me fat" suits. Give me a break, do we have to operate under the assumption that all consumers have the IQ of a large rock? The kid ate three meals a day for a year or so at McDonald's and the parents are "shocked, shocked," that the kid got fat.

There are law firms that had people buy a few shares of dozens of high tech stocks so they could get standing in a class action suit if the stocks tanked. Some of these class action suits are little better than legalized extortion.

Late tea break.

Colin and I had a day-long discussion about plaintiffs' attorneys with JimD many months ago and, suffice to say, Colin and I would both prefer that all attorneys were ethical [we think that most are]and that the law were perfect, rather than merely better than what other societies have established for dispute resolution. We made suggestions.

Truth, I had no idea that the Plaime case was still open. If you are correct, Scott McClellan should be getting a follow-up visit from the FBI for TG.

drindl, the KDKA story was a doozy. Apparently many enlistment contracts demand
that the enlistee serve out the time to entitle the enlistee to the bonus. But this is the same Administration that says it will look after its vets, and I believe that Congress received informal reassurnce from DOD that this would not occur. I cannot cite anything off-hand, but obviously, wounded in combat vets should not be docked their signing bonuses. Cruel and unusual, indeed.

Perhaps I mis-spoke. In an attempt not to exaggerate, I claimed tens of millions. A quick search produced a claimed "$445 million in attorneys fees and costs paid to Ciresi's law firm". It would take a lot of hours to earn such a sum via normal billing rates.

mark_in_austin,
Great post on your sister law student in preparation for Thanksgiving. There are a lot of different avenues that I could go down off of that but I think i'll just leave it at "Thanks" and Happy Thanksgiving to all.

The Chuck Norris endorsement was funny haha, a good way to get attention in a noisy crowded field, but Chuck Norris + Ric "Nature Boy" Flair = cartoon candidacy.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/20/wrestler-ric-flair-supporting-mike-huckabee/

"as far as unscrupulous negligent businesses that cause grevious injury--they ought to pay through the nose, the only way to keep them, or others, from doing it again. there is the deterrent effect. and how do you put a valuation on children's lives?"

Certainly powerful negative sanctions are motivators for businesses to obey the law. The question was about trial lawyers though. Should the plaintiffs' attorneys live in the lap of luxury because they successfully brought a case against deep-pocketed big business? Another MN example: Noted trial lawyer Mike Ciresi (now a candidate for the Senate) won a huge case against Big Tobacco on behalf of the state. He and his firm made millions of dollars - I think tens of millions - on that case. The alleged 'damage' suffered in that case was by MN taxpayers; why is a portion - a not insignificant portion - going to the attorneys who presented the arguments to the court? I have no problem with appropriate compensation commensurate with their skills and abilities - certainly the billing rates for top attorneys are far beyond what I command as a custom software developer & I live a comfortable life. But should those attorneys also get a bonus based on a percentage of billion-dollar awards against large corporations? At what point is it obscene & inappropriate? And, as Jim D noted, there're all the frivolous lawsuits too.

Claudia/Drindl... The way to change your post name is set up an "account" with your email provider as : Drindl@____ (your provider). Then, reregister with WP using that email address and presto, you have your name back. I don't use my new Truth_Hunter address, just set it up for use on the Fix.

Huckabee is scary religious right regardless of his catchy commercials. If he starts inching toward the top tier, the exposure of his flat-earth dominionism won't seem quite so aw-shucks cute.

I think McClellan's explosive allegations will have legs... but not until his book is published next April when it could possibly affect the elections by exposing the coverup of impeachable GOP offenses....

Of course, Fitzgerald has never closed the Plame investigation.... so who knows, it could explode sooner... and louder. I doubt Fitzgerald is someone who likes to be widely lied to.

http://whathappenedtomycountry.blogspot.com

Beautiful satire here in this ad !! But it goes farther than that. It represents the underlying strength of the beliefs of the people around this country who just do their daily work, pay their taxes, and CAN'T BELIEVE what's happening in this nation today. A lot of us while growing up watched Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, the Lone Ranger & Tonto, Sky King, the Cisco Kid & Pancho, 'Hoppy' and other heroes. Their values sure weren't distorted or screwed up; that's why our's aren't either ! How about this ?? Mike Huckabee for President (and chief manager of our foreign policy) and Chuck Norris for Vice President (and chief manager of our domestic policy) ?! We just 'might' get this crazy mess straightened out yet, if we can all handle our narcissistic selfishness and terrible lack of personal accountability as citizens of this country.

I'm a liberal Democrat, and I like Huckbee a lot. Not just for his humor either. He has a great record on education, and better positions on climate change than many of the Democratic presidential aspirants. Don't forget that Jimmy Carter is another southern Baptist. The kind of people who tend to read and write on this board don't tend to be from the South -- but I am, and I can tell you down south, Baptists are considered religious moderates--not nearly as conservative in the main as many non-denominational Christian evangelicals and Pentecostals. In fact, the two main dominations in many southern states are Catholic and Baptist (for most of my youth, I thought those were the ONLY 2 religions), and both count a lot of liberals and moderates among their ranks.

'He refreshes his Fix webpage by blinking.' -- funny, proud.

well, I see what you mean, Jim. But like I said, there are just as many corrupt CEO's who cost the economy just as much, and sell products that harm people, too. I don't see why lawyers are so much worse than them. but from your perspective i can understand. just saw yours, too, bsimon.

all good points, but as far as unscrupulous negligent businesses that cause grevious injury--they ought to pay through the nose, the only way to keep them, or others, from doing it again. there is the deterrent effect. and how do you put a valuation on children's lives? that's why we have judges, and why the Consitution gives us the right to the courts to seek redress for our grievances.sure there's abuse and corruption but that's true of all human endeavors.

--this is a WaPo poll I just found, that I think is interesting. Random, both Ds and Rs, considering what most of the candidates are running on, vs. what people actually care about. only 5% worried about terrorism as their main issue..many more concerned about Irag, the economy, and health care, none of which republicans are addressing in any way, shape or form.and iran doesn't even make one percent.

3. Thinking ahead to the November 2008 presidential election, what is the single most important issue in your choice for president?

11/1/07 9/7/07
Iraq/War in Iraq 29 35
Terrorism/National
security 5 6
Economy/Jobs 14 11
Education 2 1
Environment 2 1
Health care 13 13
Ethics/Honesty/
Corruption in
government 4 6
Immigration/Illegal
immigration 5 5
Abortion 1 1
Morals/Family
values 3 2
Federal budget
deficit 1 1
Housing/Mortgages * *
Global warming * *
Social Security 2 1
Foreign policy 2 1
Iran/Situation
in Iran * 0
Taxes 1 1

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll_110407.html?sid=ST2007110500212

bokonon writes "Chris Cillizza's chin only looks like a chin. It's really another fist."

I think he may be on to something here. Junkies unite! Just for fun, we could make up our own set of Chris Cillizza Facts.

e.g. Chris Cillizza doesn't go on the internet, he has every internet site stored in his memory. He refreshes his Fix webpage by blinking.

"' I am not fond of trial lawyers. ' Why is this?"

I think 'trial lawyers' is shorthand for 'plaintiffs lawers' and has become a code term for 'ambulance chaser'. The problem, like anywhere else, is that while a valid service is being performed by some - if not most - of the members of the group, the actions of a few - perhaps many - are reflecting poorly on the remainder.

These folks talk about how they're fighting for the little guy - and many times they are; here in MN a young girl had part of her digestive tract sucked out of her body by a pool drain this year - a cover wasn't in place or something & she somehow sat on the drain and - well you can imagine the rest in all its horrible, gruesome detail. That child will likely be suffering from her injuries for her entire life. One or more trial lawyers will be suing one or more parties for liability. Who is liable, and to what degree? A 'good' trial lawyer will 'win' large awards from the pool owner (or their insurance company), the pool installer and the drain manufacturer, at a minimum. The 'better' the trial lawer is, the larger those awards - and punitive damages will be. At what point is justice served? When the girls medical bills are paid? When the punitive damages are sufficient for her & her family to never have to work again? How much does this lawyer deserve for his efforts? Should he be compensated merely for his time - at a reasonable billable rate - or should he get a cut of 'the take'? If the lawyer makes enough where HE doesn't have to work another day in his life - does that mean justice has been done? If you imagine how the unscrupulous might abuse such situations, you will understand why people become unfond of trial lawyers.

I'm sorry to kkeep posting so much, but this just sends the outrage meter over the top... whomever you are, whatever your political affiliation, this is not a partisan issue, simply an obscenity.

'PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
The U.S. Military is demanding that thousands of wounded service personnel give back signing bonuses because they are unable to serve out their commitments.

To get people to sign up, the military gives enlistment bonuses up to $30,000 in some cases.

Now men and women who have lost arms, legs, eyesight, hearing and can no longer serve are being ordered to pay some of that money back.'

http://kdka.com/kdkainvestigators/military.signing.bonuses.2.571660.html

claudia

I have two siblings who are lawyers. My grandfather and an uncle were lawyers. Mark is a fine person. I am not condemning all lawyers - just the "ambulance chasers".

Trial lawyer is shorthand for the ones you see on TV telling people they should sue someone with money. As a small businessman I am constantly seeing customers trying to sue for things that are basically their own fault. A friend owns a fast food restaurant. A customer became sick to her stomach about an hour after eating there.
She ate two sandwiches, fries and a side salad around 2:30 PM after not eating all day. She claimed "food poisoning" - although food poisoning takes about 24 hours to hit. Her lawyer claimed in a letter that she was "diagnosed" with food poisoning but would forget the whole thing for $40,000. The proof of the "diagnosis" was the sign-in sheet from the doctor's office that asked the patient to list their complaint. (This was a few years ago before the stricter medical privacy laws took effect). The customer wrote 'food poisoning', the doctor said she had the stomach flu.

Edwards won some multi-million dollar malpractice cases on pure emotionalism despite absolutely no medical evidence that actual malpractice occurred. You would be amazed at how many medical malpractice claims are paid despite there being not a single shred of credible medical proof of malpractice. Ridiculous civil suits against businesses abound - I'm sure you've heard about the McDonald's made me fat lawsuits, the million dollar award to a Mercedes owner because the dealer didn't tell him that the car had been repainted and many other ridiculous awards. Our out of control civil tort system is estimated to cost consumers billions of dollars each year.

"fixistas".

Ok. Too late to nip this one in the bud; but perhaps not too late for eradication by other means. If we come here for a 'fix' we are not 'fixistas' we are Junkies. The term fixistas implies some kind of follower of the fix, which I think - no offense to Chris - none of us are. But Chris does provide something we need, that fix, that cures what ails the junkie; temporary though that solace may be.

Junkies unite!

JimD -- ' I am not fond of trial lawyers. ' Why is this? I hear it so often and I don't understand. Is not Mark a trial lawyer and a fine person, if we are to judge by what we know? I know several folks who are lawyers, many of whom work hard, for free, for good causes in my community. So I don't understand this reaction.

Sure there are scummy ones, but there are, I'm quite sure, just as many, if not a lot more, scummy CEO's-- I've met quite a few -- and I NEVER hear anyone criticize Mitt Romney for being a CEO, as if the term itself were a curse. Indeed, quite the opposite.

Where does this stereotype come from? This is drindl by the way, can't figure out how to change my screen name. How was Europe?

Mark,

Biden certainly is attracting a lot of support from the "fixistas". I am also afraid it is too little, too late and, of course, the press is only interested in the "Big Three". I think the three frontrunners are seriously flawed. Obama needs more seasoning. Edwards is simply unacceptable to me - his policies would be a disaster for our economy and, of course, I am not fond of trial lawyers. Hillary is one of the most divisive figures in the country. As Biden said, (I paraphrase) there is not a single serious problem in our country that has a 51% solution.

The Republicans are also flawed. I do not like Giuliani and I find his approach to national security and foreign policy as ludicrously simplistic. I cannot support Huckabee, as much as I like him personally, given his extreme religious right positions. Thompson is a joke. I could support McCain, with some misgivings, depending on the opponent, especially if the opponent is Edwards. I could be a lot more comfortable with Romney if he hadn't made that sudden lurch to the far right to run for president.

How lucky your friend was to know such a good man, Mark. I do respect you. As to Biden, yes, what a pity the media has decided he is invisible. He continues to grow in my esteem, as Jane Austen would say:

'Many were surprised by the President's comments, and Sen. Joseph Biden said that "If the president sees Musharraf as democratic, he must be wearing the same glasses he had on when he looked in Vladimir Putin's soul."

and Happy Thanksgiving to all..

'President Bush pardoned two turkeys yesterday (somebody said they should be named "Scooter" and "Libby," writes the WP's Dana Milbank) '

jimD -

Did you notice how many posters here joined in praising Biden after the last D debate?

It indicated to me that many more people are finally paying attention.

It may be too late - the press largely ignored anyone but the three poll leaders
as if nothing had happened.

Andy and all, Happy and safe TG.
-----------------------------------
Drindl, I agree with you so completely that I almost added to my story:

how fortunate she was to have friends who cared,
and a local adoption center that gave prenatal care at enough of a discount that I could afford it,
and a rental structure in Austin
that made her rent affordable for my other two friends,
and steak at $.89/lb.,
and on and on.
It is very different for the poor, the uneducated, the rape or incest victim - and in my first year as a prosecutor I saw many of them. Complex problem and I would not consider the rape/incest victim's abortion "elective" the way it was for my friend.

None of those discomfiting comparisons made
the fear my friend felt less real, of course.

'Also remember that this holiday is supposed to be about two groups of VERY different groups of people coming together to celebrate the greatness and abundance of this beautiful land. '

I remember that my people came together with the white man and shared their food, and then the white man systematically exterminated most of them. The whole thing is a farce.

But hey, I'm into the 'let's all hold hands and sing kumbaya for a day', I'm a liberal. I even manage to smile and not throttle my brother-in-law when he starts ranting about the 'liberal media' -- most of the time.

Have a good one, Andy.

'The husband of a Saudi rape victim sentenced to 200 lashes and six months in prison said his wife is "a crushed human being," and blamed one judge with a personal vendetta -- and not the Saudi judicial system -- for treating her as a criminal.

The case has angered members of Saudi Arabia's Shiite community. The convicted men, who were given light sentences are Sunni Muslims, the dominant community in the oil-rich Gulf state.

The case, which has sparked media scrutiny of the Saudi legal system, has drawn a strong reaction from Washington where State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said U.S. officials had "expressed astonishment" at the sentence, though not directly to Saudi officials. 'The Saudis have been important allies in the War on Terror,' he said.'

Yet another woman-hating fundamentalist sect that we cozy up to. Whose princes your president holds hands with and kisses. And really, since the Saudis harbored the terrorists who perpetrated 9/11, I'd really like to know how they've helped in the so-called war on terra?

o rational person could possibly resist the sirens call of a Chuck Norris endorsement. Over at "League of Profits" headquarters, they are already pilfering the petty cash drawers as the minions of 'Caine, Grandpa Dozy, Cadaver Man and the Master Merchandizer realize that if they are ever going to cash out for their "political activism", it's going to have to be now. Their tears form rivers as they stuff tens and twenties into the pockets of their Brooks Brothers suits. The bitter realization, that if they had made it to Assistant Director of Consumer Protection, those could have been hundred and thousand dollar bills, only driving them to sell the office furniture and computers on E-Bay. Oh the injustice!
I can literally hear the cries of despair emanating from their leaders Fortresses of Solitude (hold on...no, that's just a trash truck backing up...).
But wait!!! Who has come to save the day! It's the Anti-Math Maven, and his hordes of greed driven supporters! Impervious to Algebra, intoxicated on the pipe dream of a perpetual free lunch, they rush the polling booths and brave the flying fists of uncounted marshal arts neophytes to cast a vote for their own wallets!! Indeed, the power of avarice can heal a nation!!!
The battle for the nomination will test the metal of all who participate, and well it should be, my friends, for victory will only gain you further tribulation.
That's right, for lurking out their in the shadowy miasma of the general election is a foe so dark and powerful that normal republicans fear to say it's name.
The Hilla-monsters gaping maw has already swallowed the 'pubber heroes of old.
Newt? Barely a snack for the fiendish two headed beast. Henry Hyde, who bravely tried to lop off one of the abominations heads with a crooked SP and a blue dress, gone my friends, no more to diddle the House secretarial pool. It is evil and it is hungry and it is coming after whoever wins the nomination. It does not fear Chuck Norris, indeed, rumor has it that Jett Li is right now training in Middle Kingdom for the moment the beast wins the Democratic nomination. As a faithful minion of the abominations ancient ally, he will whup Chucks hind-parts in the first televised debate. On cue, the unwashed masses of the democratic base will roll out into the bright clean exurban bastions of republicanism and the ensuing battle will decide the future of profits for the next four years!!

I just wanted to ad the fact that Huckabee has commercials up is a sign that he is going to make his move now. My prediction of him passing Romney by turkey day is off it seems by 4 polling points. Oh well.

I wanted to wish all of you regulars, mark, Drindl, Judge, JD, etc. a Happy Thanksgiving. Also remember that this holiday is supposed to be about two groups of VERY different groups of people coming together to celebrate the greatness and abundance of this beautiful land. There is plenty for everyone if we can learn how to share a little bit better. Safe travels.

'Nine days after registering his presidential exploratory committee last November, Rudolph Giuliani appeared in Singapore to help a Las Vegas developer make a pitch for a $3.5 billion casino resort.

Though the bid ultimately failed, it drew Giuliani into a complex partnership with the family of a controversial Hong Kong billionaire who has ties to the regime of North Korea's Kim Jong Il and has been linked to international organized crime by the U.S. government.'

Talk about skeletons, talk about a guy who will do anything for money... you really want this kind of slime for your president?

'In a stunning development, wealthy businessman Andrew Saul (R) is making calls to inform supporters and GOP insiders that he is dropping his candidacy in New York's 19th District. Saul was widely regarded as a strong Republican recruit to take on freshman Democratic Cong. John Hall (D). Saul's ability to self-finance and the Republican-tilt of the district made it a top GOP target. But now, his exit from the race leaves Republicans looking for a credible challenger.'

Here's a bit of good news. My very own candidate, whom I worked hard to elect, wrote phone scripts, made calls for, in what had been a strongly R district, is now unchallenged. The 'tilt' of the district, due to strong opposition to the Iraq occupation, has gone D, and the Rs are struggling to find a replacement to beat him. They won't.

"I also thought Huck kicked Chuck's ass in the acting department. He's got so much charisma, he makes Chuck Norris look like he's been carved out of wood." posted by gollings

Chuck Norris always seems like he's been carved out of wood. Saying Huckabee is a better actor is damning with faint praise.

Seriously, I see that Huckabee has pulled almost even with Romney in Iowa propelled by heavy support from the religious right. Huckabee is probably the most likable person among the major candidates of either party. Should he continue to gain momentum it probably dooms Fred Thompson's candidacy. Had Thompson entered several months earlier he might have garnered a lot of that support.

Should Huckabee win Iowa, or be declared the "moral" victor by coming very close, it will be interesting to see what happens in New Hampshire. If McCain loses there he is probably done. If Romney is not first or is first by a narrow margin, it will make it difficult for him to compete on Mega-Tuesday. Romney needs to come out of Iowa and New Hampshire as a winner to get the momentum to compete with Giuliani in the big states. If the first few are inconclusive as far as establishing a front runner, Giuliani has a much better chance of holding his big lead in the big states.

A Huckabee win in Iowa coupled with a a better than expected showing in New Hampshire will make him a serious contender. He should then be able to attract enough funding to mount a major campaign. Romney has the money and the organization to hang on in the race even after bad showings in Iowa and New Hampshire. However, a lot of his support will bleed away if he loses the expectations game. He then becomes more vulnerable to the flip-flopping charges and nascent anti-Mormon prejudice. Romney's best chance is probably a two man race with Giuliani.

Huckabee is a real threat to Romney since he gives the "true conservatives" an alternative. They don't trust McCain and Thompson has been a real dud of a candidate. A three man race of Huckabee, Romney and Giuliani probably results in a Giuliani victory. I would not be surprised to see Giuliani then choose Huckabee as his running mate. Giuliani would need a running mate that could appease the religious right and minimize the threat of a third party challenge from that quarter. It will probably happen anyway, but Huckabee as the VP candidate would cut into support for the third party.

'who share your emotional revulsion for elective abortion.'

And what if this young woman had not had you for friends? What if she was not a middle class law student? What if she had been poor, and could not get a job because she was pregnant? What woud she do then, die on the street?

I get really tired of hearing about this kind of stuff from middle class or well off individual who have no clue about real hardship.

You all speak of pregnancy if it was always the result of consensual sex between adults and every pregnancy was normal. It isn't and they aren't. A great many young women are seduced by older men or outright raped--often by relatives. Pregnancy is complicated and often enough goes horribly, horribly wrong. Some fetuses lack brains, or other organs, as I mentioned, which happened to a young woman I knew. A healthy, clean living young woman. No reason for it. But it happened.It would have to be kept alive, on machines, for it's entire short life, if that's living. Some fetuses have two heads, or are Siamese twins, joined at the brain. Tell me, is this God's will?

Who will decide? I say it's no one else's goddam business except the family. Let the government and all the judgemental busybodies butt out.

Chris,

Love the blog and have the widget on mine.
But I have to say I was disappointed with your doubt that Midwesterners would 'get' the iconic Chuck Norris humor.

Funny thing about the Internet, it's not just on the coasts. We here in flyover country have computers, too!

Funny ad. Not sure it moves voters, but younger voters especially will appreciate the pop cultural reference.

http://www.dailytakes.com

'So if all the insiders wanted to "out" her, they really did not actually do it, did they?

Where can this go?'

It's not going to go anywhere, Mark, despite the fact that the Vice President committed treason quite purposefully, with malice aforethought. He systematically sought to exact revenge on Joe Wilson for exposng Cheney's lies and efforts to create false evidence for a war which would hugely benefit his employer Halliburtion [and himself, as a major stockholder].

He exposed the most important covert agent in our worldwide anti-nuclear proliferation network and thereby also exposed who knows how many other agents to grave danger, even death. I would say 'during wartime' but apparntly we will be 'at war' permanently, so the words no longer have any meaning.

dave, AggieMike, and perhaps roo - When I was in law school, a female law student friend of ours became pregnant by a graduate psych student, who suddenly wanted nothing to do with her. 3 of us supported her through her pregnancy and made steak dinner for her every night.

She hid out for a semester in a duplex in north Austin where the other 2 guys lived across the hall - we picked it for remoteness. They paid her rent. We kept her a "secret". Two of us became licensed the semester she hid out, and thus earned actual paychecks.

I paid for the delivery at The Home of the Holy Infancy. The nuns were surprised that I was not the father. The boy weighed in at 12 lbs. [all that steak] and was adopted.

The young woman lawyer paid me back every cent when I came back from the Navy, totally unrequested by me. I suspect she reimbursed my other two friends for the rent, too. Never asked.

20 years later the father called my law office from Canada where he lived since his PhD, looking for "his" child to provide a donor match for a later offspring of his.

We found the young man as a happy honor student at A&M [1987]. He bore no resentment; happy to try, but he was not a donor match. Sadly, his birth mother, our friend, could not bear to be involved in any of this.

Both of my other two friends who supported her in 1967 are dead now. But the three of us, and our sister law student, were among the many who share your emotional revulsion for elective abortion.

'President Bush yesterday offered his strongest support of embattled Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf, saying the general "hasn't crossed the line" and "truly is somebody who believes in democracy."

Bush spoke nearly three weeks after Musharraf declared emergency rule, sacked members of the Supreme Court and began a roundup of journalists, lawyers and human rights activists. Musharraf's government yesterday released about 3,000 political prisoners, although 2,000 remain in custody, according to the Interior Ministry.'

So what can I say to this except be very afraid, people. Your president thinks declaring a police state and rounding up and imprisoning thousands of innocent citizens doen't 'cross the line' and somehow is 'democracy.' So I'm sure he would feel perfectly free to do the same thing here.

Chuck Norris got his drivers license at the age of 16. Seconds.

Chuck Norris' first job was as a paperboy. There were no survivors.

What many people don't know is Chuck Norris is the founder of Planned Parenthood. Not even unborn children can escape his wrath.

Anyone interested in a funny (but it really happened) column about what Huckabee is really like face-to-face should try:
http://goupstate.us/index.php/lanefiller/2007/11/02/title_14

It is a sad day when an endorsement from Chuck Norris makes the news, and an endorsement from Barry Goldwater Jr. does not.

This week, Barry Goldwater Jr., the former congressman and son of the founder of modern conservatism, endorsed Ron Paul. The senior Goldwater was Paul's political inspiration. If you call yourself a conservative, you should think of endorsing him as well.

The ad has high production values but is low on substance. Style but no substance just what many couch potatoes go for.

The former governor actually has a questionable ethical background with many potential skeletons in his closet:

http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2007/11/13/huckabee/

Will any of the main stream media like the WP ever get around to writing about Huckabee's troubled past as a politician?
Nah, they will just ignore it because Hucabee gives good sound bites. Substance over style not in a million years in America.

I don't quite understand the compulsion of this latest generation of "journalists" to attempt an analysis of pure, mindless, dreck, and by doing so, somehow legitimizing it.

How does someone who is still virtually unknown benefit from this commercial? I would think Huckabee would do better talking about his record or stance on issues.

I didn't know the website and I thought the ad was funny.

I also thought Huck kicked Chuck's ass in the acting department. He's got so much charisma, he makes Chuck Norris look like he's been carved out of wood.

It's great to know that a lucrative career in Hollywood awaits Mike Huckabee after his presidential run is toast. Seriously, the man is charming.

femalenick : Ron Paul is no republican? Are you kidding me? You make me sick.

A man who has been endorsed by Ronald Reagan (and led his Texas delegation), Barry Goldwater Jr, Robert Novak, Pat Buchanan, et.c is no republican? Why, cause he's anti-war? Because he doesn't believe in the income tax? Because he believes in states' rights?

Man, what happen to my party. You guys don't even know what a Republican is, it's quite sad. Yet the liberal Rudy is def. a Republican - sigh, what has happen indeed.

How would like that every drug deal or illegal activity in the United States to be taxed! All Illegal's will pay taxes day one! All foreigners who spend money in United States will pay for our Medicare, social security, medical benefits, and to support our defense instead of taxing our income. An influx of companies will return home base to United States and when you pick up a product from Wal-Mart it will again say made in USA.

"In god we trust" won't be changed to "America goes to the dust". He a real candidate and if you are old enough to vote step up and be serious enough about your future to admit this is a moment to take action for your economic wellbeing and your guard your life from being victim of Nuclear attack.

For Ron Paul supporters Mike Huckabee ideas of getting rid of IRS are similar except he won't let Iran send a nuke through your bedroom window in the next five years. You couldn't ignore the Nazi's and you can not ignore Islamic fascism intent on destroying our lives. Grow up people die in this world and people are gathering in dark places that don't want you to breathe. Vote for a Pastor that carries a big stick that's Mike Huckabee!

Would you rather have Hillary who is the biggest political criminal in our nation's history? She is like poison ivy anything that surrounds her goes to jail, dies, gets in trouble for finances, or leaves upset and let down after few years.

Vote for Mike to end IRS and put our values first!

bsimon, thanx for the polling cite earlier, and, yes, I agree with you too about Rove confirming the leak. But it is a done deal now. There will not be another prosecution.

Mark & bsimon: All these high level people must have know to leak this type of information was tantamount to treason in the eyes of many. The circumstance in which the leak occured, no matter how "Inadvertent" appears to have been planned by a number of top WH officials, and Mark, When the new Admin. takes over in 09, I just can't imagine a good AG is not going to look into this further, unless GW pardons a whole bunch of folks before he leaves office,and that brings another question as to whether he can pardon himself along with others.

I think it's a pretty decent ad. It's something that is going to get a lot of attention, which is exactly what Mike needs right now. Also, in addition to it showcasing his sense of humor, it makes him look strong; he's basically talking about his stances on illegal immigration and gun rights. In the debates, he comes off as being charming and maybe even a bit soft, so alligning himself with an icon of the martial arts world is a smart move.

But I don't get where you're coming from when you ask if the people of Iowa will understand the humor. What are you saying?

"Armitage was the apparently inadvertent source of the Plaime revelation, right?

So if all the insiders wanted to "out" her, they really did not actually do it, did they?"

Seems to me like beating the dead horse is pointless.

But... Seems to me like Armitage 'inadvertently' leaking does not clear others of wrongdoing, particularly if they are unaware of prior leaks. And, given that the Armitage leak was (allegedly) inadvertent, how could others have known about it? If you are legally bound to keep a secret, and someone you think should not know the secret asks you about details, is it legal to respond "Yeah, I heard that too" or are you compelled to maintain the secret? Particularly during wartime...

Chris Cillizza:

Instead of showing cute videos, why isn't the WaPo reporting on Huck's record as governor, asking him real questions, and making him defend his policies?

How about using your access to ask Huck this question:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5Dp7FaKIJo

How about a "Serious Week", in which the WaPo would ignore gaffesscandalhorseracehumor and concentrate on the candidates' policies, the downsides of those policies, and how those policies differ from their past actions?

Well, Lyle, I agree with your sentiment and it bothers me too. I just don't think it is going anywhere.

Mark: What bothers me about this is the apparent conspiring of several top WH officials to get back at Joe wilson for exposing lies of this Administration,and using his wife {V. Plame], who by all accounts, was a covert CIA agent. No one will ever know how just to what extent this has cost, in lives, networks, and/or our ability to get others to work for the US Govt. in such a role.

lyle, What can be extrapolated from a teaser to a tell-all book?

Armitage was the apparently inadvertent source of the Plaime revelation, right?

So if all the insiders wanted to "out" her, they really did not actually do it, did they?

Where can this go?

bokonon13: I refered to this [Scott McClellan story] on the other site and supriseingly there have been no comments as of yet. A whole bunch of pardons will be done just before GW leaves office, and I am almost sure that leaking a covert CIA agent in time of war is about as bad as any crime currently on the books.

Femalenick: yes, that is He Who Must Not Be Named. You should see the discussion over at the Fact Checker (http://blog.washingtonpost.com/fact-checker/2007/11/four_pinocchios_for_ron_paul.html#comments ). Truly, His supporters have cornered the market on delusion. Dennis (pan to his wife!) Kucinich seems boringly rational in comparison.

sorry, this is off-topic, but I thought it deserved noticing.

courtesy of former Press Secretary Scott McClellan's upcoming back, on Iraq:

"The most powerful leader in the world had called upon me to speak on his behalf and help restore credibility he lost amid the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. So I stood at the White house briefing room podium in front of the glare of the klieg lights for the better part of two weeks and publicly exonerated two of the senior-most aides in the White House: Karl Rove and Scooter Libby.

There was one problem. It was not true.

I had unknowingly passed along false information. And five of the highest ranking officials in the administration were involved in my doing so: Rove, Libby, the vice President, the President's chief of staff, and the President himself. "

It'll help him in Iowa and may help him in South Carolina (unsure about New Hampshire), but this could hurt him badly in the general election because Norris's reason for endorsing him was a shared disbelief in evolution. That stance will not help Huckabee win a single extra vote but will most likely cost him votes.

Hi Judge - you mean "Ron Paul?" Is he the one I shouldn't mention?

The guy cracks me up! In my mind, Ron Paul and Dennis Kucinich represent the extremes of a "leave me alone, no taxes" vs. "govt should take care of everything" scale. This very long primary season would have been extremely boring without those two being on their respective party stages.

Truly, Judge, he is The One Whose Name Must Not Be Spoken...

Arrgh! Femalenick don't mention that name or the unthinking hordes will descend upon us!

I think the ad will be amusing for those who already know of Huckabee's humor and puzzling for those who know nothing about him. So whether or not it works for him will depend on whom he's trying to reach.

I think his campaign should do a montage of some of the very funny comments he regularly makes juxtaposed against the issues he embraces, e.g., his support for the 2nd amendment followed by the comment about his hoping Cheney doesn't invite him hunting...his pro-life stance followed by the comment that some in his party think that life begins and ends in the womb (to fend off the "liberal attacks")...his commitment to having a healthier America, starting with him losing 100 lbs., and so on.

I cannot cast for a vote for Huckabee because I don't agree with him on issues too important to me. But I really like the guy. If a Republican had to win, he's the only one that wouldn't make me sick to my stomach. Once upon a time it would have been McCain that I wouldn't have minded if an R had to win.

And no - I like Ron Paul too, but that man is no Republican.

Good points, Chris, but I don't think you give Huckabee enough credit!

I think this ad is sheer political genius. It's so fun to watch that I (Dem-leaning) have downloaded it several times and recommended it to my friends. It makes Huckabee look not only fun but confident and PRESIDENTIAL as well... that was my gut reaction to the first few seconds. And with deadpan humor, Huckabee manages not to reveal any controversial political positions, without seeming mealy-mouthed about it.

Right now, Huckabee needs name recognition above all else. He seems to be the most honest, sincere, and likeable Republican, and I think that others feel the same way as they find out about him. This ad will get people talking about him, which is just what he needs!

As much as I like Huck, I wish he didn't do the ad.

If Rudy had done the ad it would be different.

When "long shot" folks make fun of themselves (IE, Gravel as a "potted plant") it reinforces their "long-shot"-ness.

I hope it turns out well for the Huckster.

I don't think Dennis is on board Huckabee's train - he's more of a Rudy guy (defend the borders and kill the terrorists, but keep religion out of the public square, pro-choice, etc).

But the ad is incredibly clever nonetheless, and again I disagree with CC here - there is nothing but upside with this; almost like an inside joke that all Iowans can feel 'in on'.

Boko - I have agreed to read "1984".

Chris Cillizza's chin only looks like a chin. It's really another fist.

Chris Cillizza's chin only looks like a chin. It's really another fist.

Jd -- is Dennis Miller a supporter, or is Huck just picking up and locking onto this cultural meme?

I've done several TV and radio spots dircted to businesses that were humorous -- doesn't take away from the seriousness of your product, but gets their attention.

This does the added job of Huckabee saying 'I'm one of you' to Norris/genre supporters, while still having Norris make serious policy claims about Huckabee.

And it will be viral, no question. It will go all over.

I think it's pretty clear that it helps Huckabee. The ad is inexpensive(only a $60k buy) and clearly VERY viral. I even saw it on Break.com. Haha.

It does a great job of introducing the candidate by using the humor that has gotten him this far. I'm sure we will very soon see more 'serious' ads that will better define his qualifications to be President.

Can't claim credit for it, Claudia, heard it on Dennis Miller's radio show (a show I encourage everyone to listen to, btw - he's a right-leaning moderate, unbelievably funny and articulate if you're into that dry sense of humor).

JD

PS They were going to release a Chuck Norris edition of Clue, but the answer always turns out to be "Chuck Norris. In The Library. With a Roundhouse Kick."

I heard this ad on the podcast, and all I could think was, I guess Huckabee's given up on actually winning the nomination and is just looking for a bizarre way to spend his campaign funds.

But, boy, will I take bizarre over the other ad on the podcast -- Mitt Romney's "family" ad. 'Cause you know how our number one issue right now is family-hating. And how the Democrats want to outlaw families.

If I had brought my A game for wit today, I would have a family/Chuck Norris joke, but I guess it's too close to the holidays.

Hey JD, you make that one up? Funny.

'm not saying he's not a decent human being, MikeB. and so is John McCain. I'm just saying that he's not a liberal, but a serious fundamentalist. And I think he beleives in what he says.

But here, is one of his financial supporters, a con artist who's made a ton off a violent series of books about the Rapture.. and a video game where you shoot anyone who doesn't convert to christianity.

http://www.timlahaye.com/

"Putting Chuck Norris in an ad doesn't help him make the argument that he is the best choice to take on the most important and difficult job in the world."

"Some might say the same about appearing on late night television to play the saxophone."

And eating corn dogs at the State Fair doesn't either, but candidates all do it.

This thread is weak. CC, please post something better.

Chris, I found you analysis slightly insulting (you imply that Iowans are a bunch of farming country bumpkins that won't get this ad).

Good thing I'm not from Iowa, or it'd be on.

JD

PS When Chuck Norris goes swimming, he doesn't get wet; the water gets Chuck Norris.

claudia, and I mean this repectfully, Huckabee is more of a liberal than Clinton. He is not some religious fruitcake. In Arkansas, look at his record!, his entire resume is of governing as a moderate. Now, you and I both happen to like Democratic candidates better (all but Clinton, who is more of a corrupt con artist with all of the political affiliation of a spider), we might not agree with most of his policies, but Mik Huckabee is a decent human being. For that matter, so is John McCain...although I have a hard time thinking of any issue I would agree with him on.

"Putting Chuck Norris in an ad doesn't help him make the argument that he is the best choice to take on the most important and difficult job in the world."


Some might say the same about appearing on late night television to play the saxophone.

I think it helps him. He is a seriously radical fundamentalist, who has the support of the dominionists and dispensationalists [if you don't know what that is, you should find out]. These are the people who support elevating Biblical law above the Consitution. They won't care about this ad--he's one of them, they trust him.

But it will get him noticed by the Budweiser/NASCAR crowd, who might have been wary of him as a goody two-shoes. It's disarming--as I have mentioned, I loved it -- and I am nowhere near him, policywise. That's why I think he's going to get traction with it.

You know, CC -- I'm usually about two days ahead of you with every story. What are you, a slacker?

Let's review the facts, Chris:
Republicans don't mind electing actors who co-starred with a chimpanzee in a movie. They also don't mind electing guys like Bush who apparently lack a brain.
Why in the world would they reject Mike Huckabee for one of the funniest political ads in a long time? Because the ad's clever in an ironic sort of way? Is the problem that the ad would be over their heads?