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Comments Posted By MurphTheSurf3

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Figuring Out The Far Right Republicans

Into the valley of death…..

i.e. a discussion about HP at PPOV….danger, will robinson, danger.

HP is like a huge convention hall. I find it useful to focus on a few conversations at a time. Frankly, if I were not a “political pundit” and had most of my posts put in a top of the comment page box (along with 10 to 20 others) and had the chance to really interact with others, I would find my time at HP far less satisfying than I do now.

HP is working at a number of ways to create more conversation but its size and moderation issues are roadblocks. A word about moderation…I have had my problems but have seen things change for the better in the last year. I can say more about this if you are interested but that is my experience.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On July 11, 2012 @ 10:59 am

Bourne…just left a comment for Sue that is also for you as your comment and hers spurred the thought.Take a look.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On July 11, 2012 @ 10:48 am

Sue…I was (and still largely am) an Eisenhower Republican. I can stay a lot more about that, but bit by bit the GOP has changed and not at all for the better.

Ike’s warning to beware the military industrial comples was just one of his many caveats about the dangers of corporate power. He, and the party and its platforms, in both of his runs for office, were strongly, strongly pro labor, small farm, public infrastructure development AND high taxes for those who benefited the most from the services provided by the public sector- oddly, for IKE and that generation of post-depression, post-WW II, patriotic GOP, that meant the rich and powerful THAT is why George Romney chose to NOT take all of the work-arounds in his tax returns and why he released 12 years of returns and said he would release any he was asked to release. He was one of the Greatest Generation and like many of that era, he, sadly, raised a very different son and very spoiled son.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On July 11, 2012 @ 10:47 am

Sue…wanted to be sure you saw my comment since it is several days after your excellent article. I have to confess that I spotted the origins of your list as a rundown of NSDAP thinking. Still it backs up my understanding of the contemporary GOP as a “fascist” party. One of the key elements of fascism in both Italy and Germany is the symbiotic relationship between corporate business and the corporate state. While preaching small and local government, what the GOP is endorsing is a highly invasive and universal governing ideal where the national and state governments are so intertwined that they move together. Look at the reaction to the Supreme Court Decision last week by the GOP governors. Lockstep with the GOP in the House and Senate. Just wanted to offer my kudos. A strong think piece.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On July 11, 2012 @ 10:33 am

Supreme Court Upholds Affordable Care Act

AD LIB….hey, hey, hey, hey, hey….I just found the time to read your excellent article and to run through the huge number of comments you got to it.

I wish I had the time to do this yesterday but between watching the news every chance I got, attending a roasting garden (I have 1500 square feet under burlap which requires putting up and taken down burlap screening twice a day and keeping the garden moist) and working with several important progressive groups to keep them from bolting from the McCaskill Campaign in a fit of pique over her decision not to go to the convention and to keep her Obama associations in a lower profile than they would like.

As to why Roberts did as he did….I have several thoughts….

1) I think the arguments presented and framed by the Conservatives, esp. Scalia, worried him. We saw them in the dissenting opinion signed by Anthony Kennedy, Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Antonin Scalia. I think the opinion was not one Roberts could defend.

2) I think Roberts recognized that forever and a day, a Supreme Court takes on the name of its Chief Justice. Roberts Court was looking none too good. The worst presidency since Hoover was his court’s gift to the nation, and then came Citizens United which (even if he does not think so, many do) is a blight upon the republic. So…I regard his immigration vote and his ACA vote as, at least in part, a vote to create a more balance legacy.

3) I also think he may have found the second level of argument presented by the Solicitor General (and the one that two of the appeals courts agreed with) that the mandate was a tax initiative and not a penalty made possible by the Commerce Clause, a compelling reason to find the act constitutional.

4) And, at long last, I wonder if he was finally honoring his pledge to be the fair umpire on the court, urging restraint, that he promised he would be during his confirmation hearing.

I very much enjoyed your critique of the reaction from the Right and the impact on the entire campaign. Much wisdom there.

See you tonight at Vox. I will bring the mojitos. Just in case you are not familiar with this wonderful drink….traditionally, a mojito is a cocktail that consists of five ingredients: white rum, sugar (traditionally sugar cane juice), lime juice, sparkling water and mint. Mmmmmmmmm.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 29, 2012 @ 5:46 pm

When the Chips Were Down, Mitt Romney Cut and Ran – To France

“I longed in many respects to actually be in Vietnam…it was frustrating not to feel like I was there as part of the troops that were fighting in Vietnam.” Romney, 2007

“It was not my desire to go off and serve in Vietnam, but nor did I take any actions to remove myself from the pool of young men who were eligible for the draft.” Romney, 1994

But Romeny did remove himself from the pool by applying for and receiving four draft deferments to keep him from being drafted.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 15, 2012 @ 5:24 pm

The Shape of the GOP Win in 2012? I Fear The Coup is Coming

Somehow I missed this post and so failed to respond to it.

Logical, aye?

Your evaluation of McCaskill is right on the mark but she has a D behind her name and that is still better than anyone with a R.

Of course I am writing this after Dismal Tues in Wi. Looking at your paragraph re. how things were going on 6/1 – the reports from the streets.

I had someone tell me that Dems tend to stand in a circle facing inward and alternately holding hands, folding arms and raising fists. The GOP tend to stand in a circle facing outward and alternately lock arms, push outward or kick hard.

It is an apt image.

Once thing I learning on Tuesday from several of my friends there is that the money not only buys media it also provides the tools for a strong ground game. Arms locked and facing outward.

Yes, it is the last stand until the entire system implodes, as in Greece right now. The rich can be smart but they are not wise and do not see beyond their own bank accounts.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 7, 2012 @ 3:19 pm

Polls have become better and better at predicting outcomes. Scary, I think.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 7, 2012 @ 2:42 pm

Well, we all did what we could….I think we need a whole new game plan.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 7, 2012 @ 2:32 pm

Not a thing here I disagree with. And everything here I agree with.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 7, 2012 @ 2:30 pm

Blue dogs who are tepid and lean right.

Fire dogs who are ablaze and veer left.

Can they be brought to “heel” by the leadership? Is there any chance they will understand that the viability of the entire party is now at stake?

GOP discipline has a real value.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 7, 2012 @ 2:28 pm

Sally T….well I am catching up on responses and two days after Wisconsin turned out just as the polls predicted and as a result of the power of Big Money.

I think Citizens United has upset the apple cart at all levels including at the national party levels. I think that caution has become the watchword because all of the formulas are out the window….money is driving every race now (and it was money that created the GOP ground game in WI too).

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 7, 2012 @ 2:26 pm

I am what the national phone bank calls a “special”. I get lists of “influencers” who the organizers really want to keep happy and engaged. For some the call is just a verbal pat on the back, for others it’s a way to alert the coordinators of a need or problem and for a few it’s a chance to talk out some issue. I only do about 5 calls an hour. Tomorrow it will be all regular calls.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 4, 2012 @ 6:13 pm

For being new here I must say you are a natural..the Planet seems to fit your operational preference….real and honest conversation about serious matters. Keep on coming back please.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 4, 2012 @ 6:07 pm

Read my response to foodchain – we seem to have the same impression of the Dems in Wi.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 4, 2012 @ 6:05 pm

Another perspective. The Dem leadership weighed in very heavily to the midterm elections in 2010 and got burned by the rank and file of the party who either did not turn out or who displayed an impatient petulance that Obama and the Dems had not worked miracles. It undermined their credibility at a very high level. So they are being very cautious…and a friend who is in the core of the WI Dem party….said they were not anxious to have a ton of out of state celebs- this is a WI thing and their read was that outsiders was a GOP gimmick they did not want to be associated with. What they did want was the money….and they finally got that.

So it is a mixed bag.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 4, 2012 @ 6:03 pm

All true AL…remember though that the legislature is not scheduled to back in session until 2013 so the victory in the senate will be largely symbolic. We need to bounce the guy himself OR so wound him that he has to call the legislature back into session for support or a distraction. If he ends up in legal trouble the distraction might well be a necessity. You are correct there are many ways for this to be messy.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 4, 2012 @ 5:57 pm

I admit, if he survives it, I suspect it will be very close and he will be wounded. AND, he will be governing without the legislature because he dare not call it back into session as I am very confident the Dems will take control of it. The Senaate would then move to to undo or limit some of what he has done. If he is dogged by accusations of impropriety or worse law breaking, his administration would be hobbled.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 4, 2012 @ 5:54 pm

That scenario has been on mind as well. I add to it, if the Dems fall short it will demonstrate how close we can come and still lose. The ground game can triumph over the money game and win or lose that will be a lesson to be learned.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 4, 2012 @ 5:50 pm

On my third day of phone banking for the Recall, Ad Lib. It is going to be close but your response here is the bugle call. CHARGE!

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 4, 2012 @ 12:01 am

By the way….glad you have moved out of the shadows here….lurking is fun but joining in is funner! Hah!

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 3, 2012 @ 11:59 pm

Walker is in trouble. How much?….a six figure legal defense fund is a sure sign that he is worried that the threat against him is real. Of course, these things can drag out for years and even if he were indicted his resignation could be stalled for a considerable period of time. His Lt. Gov would take office, another GOP in cast in his image.

As to the Senate….the victory will be symbolic. The Senate does not meet again this year unless the governor calls it into session or both Houses agree to convene. Since the Assembly remains under the control of the GOP that will not happen.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 3, 2012 @ 11:57 pm

OPTIMISTIC YOU.
PESSIMISTIC ME.

I regard the money issue as a game changer.

I have little confidence in the vast majority of American voters to discern truth from lies.

I judge that the day before yesterday is about as far back in history as most voters want to and/or are capable of going.

In 2010 all three of these factors were at play and we got half a dozen GOP state governments, and a GOP House.

Base on this, I believe worse is coming.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 1, 2012 @ 3:51 pm

I find the entire environment poisonous and the ones drinking the hemlock are voters who are falling for the right wing campaign and are not being served by the left.

Clinton’s remarks….not sure about those yet but they sure sound like an effort to distance himself (and therefore, maybe Hillary) from Obama.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 1, 2012 @ 2:10 pm

AdLib…I truly hope that you are correct about all of this, but my direct experience is telling me that the Power of Dumb, the Force of Fear and the Money Behemoth are making it unlikely that Dem arguments will win out.

How will this change in the next six months?

If it does not change we will have a GOP President, House and Senate and even more state governments in GOP hands I see the writing on the wall.

An informed electorate would smell the rats at work. An electorate committed to seeking out the truth would spot the lies.

We do not have an informed electorate.

So….

I accept there is some “coming home” among Repubs in Romney’s numbers.

We will see if the block the vote efforts have really been stalled. I expect appeals up the line to the Supreme Court which cannot be counted on to preserve the constitution- the majority agenda has changed.

McCaskill’s plight will be multiplied again and again. Money is driving their victory.

WI. hope you are correct, but I am hearing bad things from the ground game- a sort of “let’s not be too hasty” sentiment is taking hold.

As to gas…it is a good example at how bad at propaganda our side is and how sad the middle of the road and left leaning media are. They should be ballooning this story instead they bury it.

I admire your conviction. I just can’t buy into it.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 1, 2012 @ 2:07 pm

My concerns are for trends at all levels.

I think that the GOP is seeking to lock in votes very early via the money rich media campaign, the harassment of those who are not their voters, a legislative agenda that robs Obama and the Dems of any win, and at the same time screws the economy while revving up their base even further.

I will gladly eat my words on this, but my personal experiences in the last few weeks are endorsing indirect experiences via reading and blogging.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 1, 2012 @ 12:46 pm

I agree with you, but the IF is huge.

Seeing through to the truth requires a level of commitment very few are willing to make….there is the apathy. Consumed by life’s day to day concerns, confused by the complexity of the economical cycle, legislative process, and global affairs, and distracted by….distractions (from silly news stories, to endless satellite tv, to numerous amusements of choice)….many disengage, or accept whatever “truth” comes their way that reinforces their world view, provides hope against their fears…

It has little to do with objective facts….voter choices are highly subjective. The GOP stands ready to manipulate the voter with that most effective of tools….tons of money.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 1, 2012 @ 7:15 am

The truth seems to be unimportant in all of this. Getting to it requires a commitment which few seem to want to make so they accept that which fits their world view. Of course what Priebus is saying is true BECAUSE the Dems must have stolen the last election (Acorn, you know) since the country elected a nonAMerican socialist.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 1, 2012 @ 7:01 am

See my response to Bito.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 1, 2012 @ 6:56 am

Priebus trotted out a GOP mantra….why? Well maybe he is worried or maybe he is reinforcing the message: the Dems are fundamentally corrupt.

It works. The GOP is very good at turning the message back on the Dems and having it stick.

Last night I saw a GOP operative being hammered with the facts (states’ attorney reports, final findings of election fraud commissions, the AG report from the Bush administration about voter fraud) and he sat there so cool, so collected defending Priebus’ statement.

Their base buys it and sells it….ours….well the polls are showing what ours is doing….not much.

» Posted By MurphTheSurf3 On June 1, 2012 @ 6:56 am