The Next Wave in Cultural Politics
You’d think some of these Republican candidates were trying to spin a Right to Rape movement out of “Right to Life”?!? And question the support behind them.
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| The Daily Show with Jon Stewart | Mon – Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Republican Candidate Said What About Rape Now? | ||||
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Mitt Romney picks a plan
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Leading in to this month’s Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has selected Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan as his money running mate. The party is now lining up the stars to rally their base and set a path for the future. Ryan has what Romney needs: a future in Republican politics and a plan. But it may not be Romney’s plan..or so he says. Ryan chairs the House Budget Committee which puts government spending and cuts on the debate agenda. He’s vetted, but not fully scrutinzed. His narrative hasn’t been written yet. Ryan’s acceptance speech begins that process.
Ryan’s youth will make a striking contrast to Vice President Joe Biden in the vice presidential debates when the subject becomes social security and medicare. Can Biden’s compassion topple Ryan’s laser ultra conservative ideological focus. Do Americans still vote by their wallets or values? Has the conversation about the Hispanic vote ended (Sorry Mark Rubio)? Or is their a Cruz missle about to be fired from Texas?
Ryan’s budget “The Path to Prosperity: Restoring America’s Promise” is now back on the newsstand.
The Set Up or… “Is the media bored with Mitt Romney already?”
It appears the media is already bored with fmr Massachusetts Governor and presidential candidate Mitt Romney. They want to wrap this up after SC and move on. The media was bored with Obama the day after he was elected. Anyone remember how pundits were already picking horses for the 2012 race no less than 24 hours after the new first family walked out on the stage in Chicago. 2008 seems so last week. And why so much focus on the #2 guy? When has 2 become as important as being #1. I hated being #2 even when my pre-K class lined up according to height.
E-bert and I are tossing this ball back and forth. The ball is former Florida Governor Jeb Bush, son and brother of presidents.
What Laura Bush said
Several news outlets are circulating a story from former First Lady Laura Bush’s remarks at an event in Sarasota saying she and her husband, President George W. Bush, hoped Jeb would run in 2012. This started with the Florida-Herald Tribune (at least from my end); it’s now on CBS News, the Guardian, the Daily News, Houston Chronicle and Huffington Post sites. This is also running alongside another story that Jeb Bush will endorse Mitt Romney at the end of the month. Two Jeb Bush trains running. But one must keep in mind, there are certain members of the Bush family and their political friends who don’t just blurt things out.
E-bert’s got the ball. He says, check out the photograph BuzzFeed attached to the story about the endorsement. You have Jeb about to shake hands with President Obama. The sign behind him is for the White House summit “Winning the Future.” This is a story about Jeb Bush endorsing Mitt Romney. But where’s Mitt in this picture? Shouldn’t this story about an endorsement include a photo of the person being endorsed? Hmmm.
We’re now chuckling at the caption on the CBS News site:
Bush, who speaks Spanish and is married to a woman born in Mexico, has been active in trying to bring Hispanic voters – a crucial and growing vowing bloc that usually supports Democrats – to the Republican Party. Earlier this year, he said Republicans should not just run for president by attacking President Obama.
Is this a fishing expedition? In 2000, a (fluent) Spanish-speaking candidate married to a woman “born in Mexico” or Mexican American wouldn’t have a prayer. But we have President Obama, or as the media likes to spin it – the age of “post-racial America.” You have to say “hmmm.”
Republican establishment strategies bring it down to one simple goal (cue Charlie Sheen) – winning. A Jeb Bush endorsement is key for Florida (remember 2000?). Hardcore Democrats or Democrat leaning voters have hardcore memories for better and worse. Independents live in the moment (financially speaking). In “The Sting” the backroom gang used “The Wire,” a set up con so old no one would remember it. It’s been 4 years since 8 years of Bush. People will remember “The Wire” as a HBO series.
The RNC convention is taking place in Tampa, Florida. South Carolina primaries are up next. Media’s talking about Steven Colbert’s run in the primaries. Power struggles continue within the party. Long odds for a photo finish. And still too soon to tell.
Predictions
There’s red meat in Iowa. The Republican Iowa Caucuses. Any predictions? There’s plenty of them. Who will pull out an upset? Is this blog ready to take notice? Nope. Too soon to tell. Party establishment operatives are still at working removing tea party fat. New Hampshire, South Carolina, Florida. Conservatism? Rare, medium, or well done? The U.S. map becomes a carving station for the Republican party ticket. Will there be political blood on the floor in Tampa come August?
It’s January and I’m starting to feel a draft.
Ebert adds some flavor to the predictions for 2012
[E-]BERT’S PICKS FOR 2012
1. Jeb Bush drafted to be the Republican presidential candidate. Romney on ticket as VP.
2, The media starts talking about the American Elect third-party movement.
3. Hillary Clinton replaces Biden on the Democratic ticket.
4. San Francisco wins the SuperBowl.
5. Hawks cool the Heat in the playoffs.
6. New N.B.A. stars – Durant and Curry.
7. The Prince comes to the Washington Nationals.
8. A major earthquake hits the US
9. The governor is forced to “Walk” in Wisconsin.
10. Lady Gaga kicks off everything tonight.
If at first you don’t secede….
Source Reuters/Jonathan Ernst
Texas Governor Rick Perry officially announced his bid for President today in Charleston, SC, the first state to secede from the Union right after Lincoln’s election — I’m talking about 1860. Has this Texan who wooed secessionist hearts decided being part of the union isn’t so bad afterall? Will he revoke Juneteenth?
Another Texan. Is this the “back to normal” Republicans have been waiting and holding hostages for? The latest Fred Thompson moment? A shiny new Tea Party character for the press? (How will Sarah top this?).
This former Democrat has wrapped himself in born-again Republican cloth among many other things. For some reason I can’t stop thinking of Elmer Gantry. I need to catch up on my Sinclair Lewis. “Onward Christian Soldiers.”