[bluejacket]

Oh it's underway, that's what started this whole shebang. Romney called his donors and asked them not to commit to Jeb yet. If Mitt doesn't run, my second choice would surprise people but I'm not sold yet on any of them.

Who is your second choice?

[Purple Haize]

I could see the final nomination coming down between Cruz and Romney (just like Romney/Santorum in 2012). Jeb won't stand a chance, especially with the conservative media already starting the bash session. How is he going to justify is stance on Common Core? Conservatives like myself are going to no longer give in to our moral views on elections. If the American people vote in Hilary or another lib, let them continue to lie in the bed they've made. With that being said, I wold love to see Jindal be the main guy.

I think you did a good jon listing Jeb's issues but you also or got his illegal immigration stance

I liked Mitt's speech last night. He seems more willing to open up about his personal accomplishments which will be a huge positive. I'm thinking this time he will run the race people wish he'd ran last time.

Jindal is my dark horse. I think he can bring both sides together but don't know if he has enough fire power

[jbock13]

Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney are the same. Heck, I'd call them Jebney.

Personally, I'd be happy with Scott Walker. Proven economic excellence.

[Purple Haize]

Jeb Bush and Mitt Romney are the same. Heck, I'd call them Jebney.

Personally, I'd be happy with Scott Walker. Proven economic excellence.

Same how? Immigration? No. Common Core? No. Tax Code? No Rich guys from prominent families? Yes. Governors? Yes. Self made millions? No.

[jbock13]

Jebney is for immigration. Romney isn't for lower taxes either. I'm so sick of Barack Obama Republicans. I'm getting to the point where it doesn't matter anymore, especially when 215 Reepublicans just voted to keep John Boehner.

[Purple Haize]

Jebney is for immigration. Romney isn't for lower taxes either. I'm so sick of Barack Obama Republicans. I'm getting to the point where it doesn't matter anymore, especially when 215 Reepublicans just voted to keep John Boehner.

Do you have any specifics to back up your claims? Jeb and Mitt are on different sides on the illegal immigration debate. And to compare him to Obama is just inaccurate. As for Boehner, if the loyal opposition would have gotten their act together instead of trying to throw something together last minute willy nilly, then maybe there would have been a different Speaker.

Here is a nice primer
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/romney-vs ... 00400.html

[jbock13]

I'd love to believe that, but that's simply not the truth. It's no coincidence that they got to one vote from forcing a second ballot. It was in the works all along. You get the 29 vote for whoever they want, as long as you had number to be a majority.

[Purple Haize]

I'd love to believe that, but that's simply not the truth. It's no coincidence that they got to one vote from forcing a second ballot. It was in the works all along. You get the 29 vote for whoever they want, as long as you had number to be a majority.

I'll see if I can dig up the Timeline but the effort to unseat Boehner was haphazard at best. Compare it to Newt's ousting in 98(?). That was coordinated, clandestine and settled before the vote. Seeing how close it was this time with the shoddy organization shows how easily it COULD have been done. The biggest difference was there was no clear cut alternative. There were 5 votes I believe for other specific candidates and a lot of Present votes. Imagine if there had been a viable alternative. There wasn't Basically, it was better the Devil I know than the Devil I dont.
Personally, I'd have liked to see Trey Gowdy, but that's just me.

[bluejacket]

The Republicans in the House have no clue what they are doing.

The Republican opposition to Boehner was clearly disorganized and the vote showed it. There were viable options to rally behind, but they did not. Leading a revolt is risky business; it might ultimately be successful, but at least make a strong showing and rally behind one alternative candidate. Fragmented votes show how weak the opposition is. If the insurgency could not agree to support one of the alternatives (which they did not), then they should not have gone against Boehner in the first place.

Boehner compounded the problem by being excessively vengeful against Republican opponents. There are plenty of reasons to punish the rebels, but demonstrating mercy would have been better option. By aggressively punishing the Republican opposition, Boehner is solidifying a small, but devoted, core of opposition within his own party and apparently willfully ignorant of this. (http://www.politico.com/story/2015/01/b ... z3PEsPznz1)

[jbock13]

As history has shown repeatedly, if you attempt to take out the King, you'd better do it, or the King will punish you.

Ironically our government increasingly feels like an oligarchy anymore.

[Purple Haize]

As history has shown repeatedly, if you attempt to take out the King, you'd better do it, or the King will punish you.

Ironically our government increasingly feels like an oligarchy anymore.

If that were true, how did first the House then the Senate switch parties? And don't say both Parties are the same.

[thepostman]

Essentially they are. Except during campaign season.

[Purple Haize]

Essentially they are. Except during campaign season.

That's a great talk radio line but there are solid differences.
The perception comes, IMO, from people who have some sort of Conservative Idealogical Purity test. When looked at through those lenses will never find anyone adequate enough to fit their needs.

[thepostman]

Or just someone who is frustrated with years of the same crap being spewed. I am glad you're happy with them. I also never listen to talk radio and in fact will quite openly admit I haven't followed politics much the past couple of years. So maybe you're right but I have my doubts.

[Purple Haize]

Or just someone who is frustrated with years of the same crap being spewed. I am glad you're happy with them. I also never listen to talk radio and in fact will quite openly admit I haven't followed politics much the past couple of years. So maybe you're right but I have my doubts.

Well to be fair to you, you have been locked in a secret underground location for years !
I guess I'm just part of the 'Get stuff done' crowd as opposed to the 'Ideaology' crowd. However, I prefer the starting point to be from the Right and negotiate from there as opposed to starting in the Middle and moving from there. I think Romney will start from the right. But I share your frustration with people **cough cough a Boehner cough cough** who start in the Middle and end up left. I certainly don't like people who start from the left!

[bluejacket]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/2 ... 05176.html

[adam42381]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/01/2 ... 05176.html

Nicely done.

[LUminary]

Never knew that about "Cat Scratch Fever." I'm either inattentive or naive, or both. It was years before I realized the deal with "Puff the Magic Dragon."

[adam42381]

I'm pretty sure the Puff the Magic Dragon thing is an urban legend. Cat Scratch Fever couldn't be more obvious:

Well, I don't know where they come from but they sure do come
I hope they comin' for me
And I don't know how they do it but they sure do it good
I hope they're doin' it for free

They give me cat scratch fever
Cat scratch fever

Well, the first time that I got it I was just ten years old
I got it from some kitty next door
An' I went to see the doctor and he gave me the cure
I think I got it some more

They give me cat scratch fever
Cat scratch fever
I got a bad scratch fever
The cat scratch fever

It's nothin' dangerous
I feel no pain
I've got the choo-choo train
You know you got it when you, you're going insane
It makes a grown man cry, cry, oh won't you make my bed

Well, I make the pussy purr with the stroke of my hand
They know they gettin' it from me
They know just where to go when they need their lovin' man
They know I'm doin' it for free

I give them cat scratch fever
Cat scratch fever
They got a bad scratch fever
The cat scratch fever

Cat scratch fever
Cat scratch fever
Cat scratch fever
Cat scratch fever

Cat scratch fever
Cat scratch fever

[Purple Haize]

[youtube]

[/youtube]

Valtrex anyone?

[jbock13]

Haize, if there is a difference between the parties, then why do the Republicans keep signing off on every spending bill that Obama proposes? Boehner has the power to stop these things. Unless, he actually agrees with Obama.

I know there are good Republicans who will fight Obama but they're just about 10 in number. The rest seem to either support Obama or give indirect cover to him (such repeal but replace Obamacare with Obamacare lite), like Jebney would do.

And the new Republican Senate wants to raise your gas taxes. So do elections actually matter anymore?

[Purple Haize]

Haize, if there is a difference between the parties, then why do the Republicans keep signing off on every spending bill that Obama proposes? Boehner has the power to stop these things. Unless, he actually agrees with Obama.

I know there are good Republicans who will fight Obama but they're just about 10 in number. The rest seem to either support Obama or give indirect cover to him (such repeal but replace Obamacare with Obamacare lite), like Jebney would do.

And the new Republican Senate wants to raise your gas taxes. So do elections actually matter anymore?

They really haven't had too much of a choice. The 'Cromulus' bill the Congress passed was before the new members joined. I really hope they call Obama's bluff on these vetoe threats. As for Obamacare, it is going to be replaced with something. It will never go back to the way it was before. I like the approach of whittling away at it a piece at a time. This will force Obama to defend and veto the most putrid parts of the bill that most people don't lke.
The gas tax lost plenty of steam right out of the gate and will stay that way. Not sure what can be done about Obama's Executive orders or negotiating with Iran. I did like the move to invite BeBe to speak to Congress without consulting Obama.

[bluejacket]

They really haven't had too much of a choice. The 'Cromulus' bill the Congress passed was before the new members joined. I really hope they call Obama's bluff on these vetoe threats. As for Obamacare, it is going to be replaced with something. It will never go back to the way it was before. I like the approach of whittling away at it a piece at a time. This will force Obama to defend and veto the most putrid parts of the bill that most people don't lke.
The gas tax lost plenty of steam right out of the gate and will stay that way. Not sure what can be done about Obama's Executive orders or negotiating with Iran. I did like the move to invite BeBe to speak to Congress without consulting Obama.

The Affordable Care Act will probably be replaced with something else, but I very much doubt that it will be whittled away.

Boehner should have consulted with the President before inviting Netanyahu.

[ATrain]

The most important question: who will give me a raise in addition to my step increases?

I kid, of course. Although the 1% raise Obama gave is nice...

[Purple Haize]

I'm sad