Wednesday, November 9, 2011

T-Rav's Sockpuppet Theater Presents: Motor City Mayhem

In honor of tonight's debate (CNBC 8:00 PM EST), I'm putting off my CommentaramaFilms article for today. Instead, here are some pre-debate thoughts.


Thought One: Who will be first to raise the harassment issue against Cain? Frankly, it’s a horrible move. Sure, the establishment types will love you and Karl Rove will give you a big sloppy wet one, but raise that issue at your peril. I’m betting they wait for the moderators to do their dirty work. Or it will be Santorum. . . he lacks judgment.

Thought Two: When the sexual harassment allegations come up, how will Cain handle it? How would you? My guess is he will dismiss it by saying we should be discussing “what matters to the country.” In other words, do we care more about how we will remake the government or whether or not Cain asked out a couple women 14 years ago?

Thought Three: Will Mitt Romney say anything memorable? I honestly don’t dislike the guy, but I just can’t remember anything he says. It’s like listening to an insurance salesman. When his lips stop moving, you either sign or you don’t. That’s Romney.

Thought Four: Will Newt move to push Cain out of the way? Newt has been rising in polls lately and has moved into solid third place. If Cain stumbles, he seems to be the next conservative on deck. But I’d say it’s a little early to make a move. Newt needs to see if this harassment thing destroys Cain. If it does, then he just needs to keep courting Cain people and wait for them to jump ship. If it doesn’t, then he needs to make a move before Cain gains an insurmountable lead.

Thought Five: How many candidates will be killed in drive-bys tonight? This debate is happening in Detroit after all. The over/under is three.

Thought Six: Call me crazy, but I think this is finally the debate where Bachmann tells us how many kids she has.

Thought Seven: Ron Paul. Hmm. Will we get crazy Ron Paul telling us we can solve the Iranian problem by just being their friends? Or will we get very bright and insightful Ron Paul explaining where Washington has gone off the rails? Probably a little of both. Still, despite the crazy, I’m honestly glad he’s there because when he’s brilliant, he is brilliant and he’s worth hearing.

Thought Eight: We should be thankful the crowd won’t be repeating everything that gets said. . . like the OWS zombies in Atlanta.

Thought Nine: Let me ask a serious question about Beaker. Let’s assume that (non-gay) marriage is good for people and good for the economy. Thus, as Beaker says, we should promote (non-gay) marriage. But how do we do that? Beaker hasn’t told us how he plans to work this (non-gay) miracle which no one anywhere in the (non-gay) world has managed to achieve. So what is his secret plan?

Thought Ten: Can you name five good things to come out of Detroit?

Feel free to add your own thoughts or questions. . .

251 comments:

  1. "How many candidates will get killed in drive-bys tonight? This is Detroit after all. The over/under is three."

    You pick the three.

    Like Andrew, I'll be back in a bit. I have a paper I'm trying to burn through so my evening's totally free.

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  2. Romney sounds like an insurance salesman? This coming from a lawyer? Are you some kind of pot or something? Just remember this, sonny . . . without the insurance community, the logoed golf ball industry would lay in ruin. ;)

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  3. Addendum to Thought Six - And that she is a "experienced tax attorney".

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  4. Just a note - I feel a lot like Beaker when I listen to these debates...

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  5. I have to go explain statistics homework to slow people instead of watching the debate... I'm not quite sure which I'd rather experience... although the debate doesn't require any driving, the homework people are appreciative of my efforts. I guess I'll read up on the theater when I get home and look forward to the recap...

    OH! Maybe I'll get home early enough to experience both!!!! ;)

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  6. Jed, My apologies to insurance salesmen everywhere! :)


    Bev, Nice addendum! I wouldn't be surprised if she told us that too... at least twice.


    rlaWTX, Good luck! Sounds like a fun night. :(

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  7. rla, get back here in time for the debate! You can do it! ;-)

    Unfortunately, Andrew stole all my pre-debate questions, so I just have a couple:

    1. As he's experienced a slight rise in the polls lately, is there a possibility Perry could suddenly break out into...second-tier status?

    2. Can they please let Rick Santorum finish?

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  8. T-Rav, I almost included your second question, but I didn't want to steal your thunder!

    On Perry... no. He's toast.

    I think the order right now for conservatives is (1) Cain, (2) Gingrich, (3) maybe Bachmann, (4) draft someone new, (5) ignore election.

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  9. So, Andrew, you don't think Romney has any chance at all? ;-)

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  10. Joel, LOL! No, that's not what I meant. That the list for people I think conservatives will go through (in order) to find a challenger to Romney.

    In truth, I think still think the race is between Cain and Romney with Romney currently holding a slight lead. I don't think any of the other conservatives can take down Romney -- barring a surprise entry.

    My point is that Perry is finished. He flamed out and will not be given a second chance. Just like if this sex scandal brings Cain down, he won't get a second change either.

    I think Bachmann could get a second chance because she didn't flame out -- she just faded away. And Newt gets a second chance because his problems were rather technical and thus aren't memorable. But Perry's problems were visceral. He's toast.

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  11. P.S. Jed, "the logoed golf ball industry would lay in ruin" -- I'm still laughing about that! :)

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  12. Andrew, perfect list! And thanks for keeping a question for me! ;-)

    I think your order of options there is spot on. What does it say about the state of affairs that Newt has become my very close second option? Maybe that just says more about me.

    As for that "draft someone new" bit: I have seen a couple of stories today saying, in effect, "Second look at Jon Huntsman?" No. God, no.

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  13. Here's a story that I find very disappointing from Tim Carney at the Washington Examiner (LINK). I normally think he's a solid journalist with limited ideological bias in any direction. But this story highlights some amazing flaws in Carney's thinking.

    First, he assumes that Cain is lying because his denial is "overbroad". After all, everyone has been "inappropriate" with someone, he says. Really? That's false.

    And the fact that five people have made allegations must mean he's guilty. False.

    Then he says Cain's denial isn't specific enough because he hasn't actually denied anything. Huh? That's false. Also, Tim just complained about him denying everything.

    Then he says whether Cain did anything wrong on not, it shows poor judgment to issue a broad denial of everything.

    So let's get this straight. (1) He is presumed guilty because we're all guilty of something. (2) five liars = truth. (3) His denial is all encompassing and too firm... he should be more squishy and legalistic. (4) But he hasn't actually denied anything, because denying everything is really denying nothing. (5) He shows a lack of judgment because he didn't act like a sniveling worm and hyper-parse everything.


    Well, I hate to say this Tim, but five of my friends say you eat your own excrement. Why haven't you denied that to my satisfaction yet? And when I say "my satisfaction" I mean in a way that I can't possibly parse to show that you are trying to wiggle your way out. What are you hiding Mr. Carney?

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  14. T-Rav, I've seen a couple establishment types saying to look at Huntsman. That's pretty laughable. I'd rather draft Hillary.


    That said, don't be shocked if the usual suspects start slobbering over Christie again this week or next.

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  15. Here's an interesting story about Bailek. CBS's Bill Kurtis, who is no friend of conservatives, said that Bailek had "a history" at CBS (where she worked in 2006-2007) and he thinks if she and Cain were in a car together, then she would have been the aggressor.


    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/veteran-anchor-bill-kurtis-says-bialek-was-former-cbs-employee-with-a-track-record-hers-and-cains-roles-may-even-have-been-reversed-in-car/

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  16. DUQ, I heard that yesterday, don't remember where. Or maybe it was this morning. Whatever.

    I know you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, blah blah blah, but Bialek just looks like a hussy/golddigger. The facts should be considered in an impartial manner, of course, but beyond that, I would judge her story with extreme prejudice.

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  17. Hey, I am trying to find the live debate on computer. Does anyone have an url?

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  18. Joel, I'm still looking because, wouldn't you know, I don't get CNBC on my cable provider. Idiots keep dropping the ball on my Internet, and of course...

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  19. http://www.rentadrone.tv/cnbc-live-stream/

    I don't know how to make a link, but I think that should work if you copy and paste.

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  20. Tam, Yep, that works.

    I can't believe CNBC isn't streaming this themselves. So much for any claim they are net-savvy.

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  21. Tam, you're a lifesaver! I've been trying to run something down for the past 15 minutes; you have to subscribe to cnbc.com to get the live feed, and that means "pay." FAIL.

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  22. Okay, I've got my pizza, I've got my soda, I've (finally) got my livestream, I'm all set.

    Final thoughts: The two people I'm watching are Cain and Gingrich, in that order. I want to see how Cain responds to the crap hitting the fan, and if the answer to that is "not well," then I want to see if Newt performs well enough that I can support him as a frontrunner. Practically everyone else can go away at this point, as far as I'm concerned.

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  23. T-Rav, I'm watching Huntsman.... he's my man.

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  24. Yay me! Happy to help. I would bet in Cain's favor of handling this well, based on evidence from his presser.

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  25. Vote for me, I'm bland and liberal, and it takes a lot of courage to be bland and liberal in the Republican Party!

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  26. You did it, Tam! In your honor, I shall shoot a kitten.

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  27. Former Pennsylvania Senator and former Muppet, Rick Santorum!

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  28. Jim used to sleep in his car and now pimps books that give really bad advice.

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  29. Cain said caboose. SEXUAL HARASSMENT!!!!

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  30. this is a bad feed for me...is it just me, or do you guys have problems with it too?

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  31. Europe is capable of taking care of their own problems. Good answer by Romney.

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  32. Tam, I'm watching TV, so I can't say.

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  33. Why in the world does anyone let Cramer moderate a debate? He's a clown at best.

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  34. Wait a second! Is that guy asking a question or just telling him he is stupid?

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  35. Tam, it's a bad feed. I'm trying to find a better site.

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  36. I have problems. It cuts in and out every few seconds.

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  37. What kind of a word is "metastasy"? Isn't that some kind of cancer thing?

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  38. Joel, Cramer is a yeller he assaults people... that's his schtik.

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  39. I am a smug bastard. No... I mean it. I'm proud of being smug. Smug smug smug smug.

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  40. Governor Romney, we should give everyone a question, but we're just so dazzled by your hair we'll give you another.

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  41. These are horrible questions. He drones on and on and I have no idea what he's asking before it's all over.

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  42. Interesting, no one is asking Cain about the bimbos. Well, maybe later.

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  43. Perry says, "if you are too big to fail, then you are too big."

    What does that mean?

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  44. Hey, they finally get a question to Mr. Third Place.

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  45. That's the most coherent Bachmann has ever been on economics.

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  46. So Santorum is fine with picking winners and loser industry wide... like the buggy whip industry.

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  47. Ugh. I did NOT save the day after all. I can't watch that feed, it is way to inconsistent for me. I'm still looking for another one.

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  48. Uh, Rick, I think it was you who suggested a trade war with China.

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  49. Tam, it's kinda working for me now, it's just cutting in and out badly.

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  50. Good for Romney... very bad for CNBC!

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  51. So, it sounds like there are some great lines being thrown out there. Too bad my livestream keeps stopping and then jumping ahead.

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  52. Coordinator lost on that last exchange. :-)

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  53. What does that have to do with support for OWS jerk?

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  54. Huntsman -- no more bailouts... but doesn't say what he will do instead.

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  55. Romney good response: profit is good. It lets you grow the business and hire people.

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  56. Seriously, what kind of idiot question is: "Can a company both be profitable and create jobs?"

    Duh.

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  57. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT?!?! DO YOU?!!?

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  58. Gingrich scores: "it's sad that the media doesn't report acturately how the economy works."

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  59. Okay, so I can't tell very well, but it sounds like someone just torched all the moderators.

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  60. Well, I'll give Santorum credit, he does get one part of the problem right. An actual energy policy would help a whole lot.

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  61. Santorum is a fool. And of course he blasts "Republicans" for not helping poor people. F-you Rick.

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  62. And there's the crux of liberalism: No matter what, we make sure the government has enough money.

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  63. Herman Cain is the farthest right of all those people. At least he talks that way.

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  64. Romney doesn't even flinch at idea he's supporting progressive taxes.

    "I want to help the people who are hurt the most. So I focus my taxes on them."

    Uh.... that's class war.

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  65. That was actually a good point by the moderator (john something) -- Romney is accepting the premise of the Democratic argument.

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  66. Even my 23 foster kids!

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  67. My plan is to have no taxes! End the Fed!

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  68. Maria's really a dipsh*t tonight. If you shut down government agencies, where do those jobs go?

    They go find real jobs.

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  69. Quiet, sockpuppet. That wasn't such a bad answer.

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  70. Paul actually is talking a LOT of sense here -- old people are getting hurt to help the banks.

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  71. Once again, the media are horrible. The Republicans need to stop playing this game.

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  72. We're so clever, making sure our livestream keeps breaking down. It's the same technology we're using on Santelli's microphone.

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  73. We're so clever, making sure our livestream keeps breaking down. It's the same technology we're using on Santelli's microphone.

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  74. So nice, you say it twice!

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  75. Dear CNBC, you stink and you've picked some surprisingly bad moderators here. I had given Maria more credit than this.

    I guess you can fake knowing something about business......

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  76. Hey guys. I'm still here! Don't think I'm such a bad reporter now, do you?

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  77. I hate these gotcha questions.

    Candidate X says blah blah... Candidate Y, is Candidate X right?

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  78. No, that's a terrible idea. Banks profiting is evil, and we must tear down the evil corporations. We are the 99%!

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  79. Hey, never say never...

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  80. Liesman: "the economy sucks, isn't that your fault"?


    Never heard of Obama, nope.

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  81. Naming names...frank-dodd! I like that.

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  82. Letting the markets work. Why, what a novel idea. The government should try that sometime.

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  83. Perry has his angry face on tonight.

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  84. "Do you agree we should let people die? Answer the question now! Answer me!"

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  85. let the foreclosure process happen faster...YES!!! EAT YOUR PEAS!!!

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  86. That was a sleazy question to Gingrich.

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  87. What did I do for that money? I tried to stop them from doing something stupid. You should try the same.

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  88. Okay, if anyone's still having trouble, I FINALLY found a good site.

    http://cvinetwork.com/?p=32

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  89. This is an excellent point. Massive regulation does not control big business, it drives out small business. Good on Cain.

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  90. Good answer Herm! Privatize Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac!

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  91. T-Rav, YOU saved the day! My kitty better watch out. Oh wait...I'm not the kitty killer.

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  92. Translation: All my colleagues on the stage here are dumber than I am. Because I know Chinese.

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  93. I agree with that actually. Damn you Huntsman.

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  94. Don't worry Tam. I don't kill cats, I just shoot them in the face. And I usually just go after the strays.

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  95. Paul -- Get the government out of the business... turn it over to the patient and the doctor relationship.

    100% right.

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  96. If Cain or Gingrich says, "I would implement the proposals of CommentaramaCare," I will endorse them and stick to it.

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  97. Yep...market forces, get govt. out. Period.

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  98. Send it back to the states doesn't really help. Government needs to get out.

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  99. Excuse me?! I was upgraded to Evil Queen long ago! You sexist, condescending son of a...

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  100. "My colleagues have done a terrific job of answering an absurd question!!"


    + 1 million points! :)

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  101. I kind of really like Newt these days. Here come the claws...I hate that woman.

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  102. Hey, isn't that kinda close to CommentaramaCare? I wasn't actually expecting that to happen.

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  103. Look tomorrow for the Usual Suspects claiming Cain shouldn't have called her that. He isn't being Presidential. Another reason for us not to vote for him.

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  104. Tam, I'm getting the same way.


    T-Rav, That was pretty close to CommentaramaCare! :)

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  105. For the record, I had a very funny and very dirty sockpuppet involving Maria in mind, but it might have gotten me in trouble. So no.

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  106. No one is consistent but me!!!!

    I LOVE ME!!! I LOVE ME!!!

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  107. Free health care for Muppets! Mee-mee-mee-mee-mee!

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  108. T-Rav, I've had a few nasty words ready for her too that I didn't hint "publish."

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  109. His lips are moving... and I just don't care.

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  110. Dunder-Mifflin ScrantonNovember 9, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    That guy made a bigger mess of this town than Michael Scott did.

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  111. Why is Santorum smiling like an ASS when Romney said "markets work"?

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  112. Every time I hear Mitty, I get the feeling that his voice has been trained.

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  113. Is Perry still there? I haven't heard in a while.

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  114. Somebody smack Ron, he seems to be stuck in a loop.

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  115. Yes, dude, we know that was a joke. Not a good joke, but a joke nonetheless. Much like your moderating skills.

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  116. Because, Andrew, that's all he knows how to do.

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  117. The Twitter messages rolling at the bottom of the screen are interesting. Looks like a 50/50 partisan split. Or not.

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  118. So, I guess now they're letting Santelli out? Could they just not let him on the scene for the first hour?

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  119. Why do you have to put put aside party to fix the country? That's the same establishment crap that got us in this mess.

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  120. EVERYONE LOVES ME!!!

    I LOVE ME!!!

    I HAVE ENEMIES LIKE THE WALL STREET JOURNAL!!!!

    I'M SO POPULIST PEOPLE LOVE ME!!!

    (gays excluded)

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  121. Wait, why is Santorum suddenly getting so much attention? And why are his answers so dumb?

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  122. "you collaborated with Ted Kennedy."

    Nice dig.

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  123. T-Rav, His answers are dumb because he's dumb and he's full of "santorum." (Google it.)

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  124. Romney does keep taking good shots on Obama.

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  125. What kind of a question is that? "Home games"??

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  126. Perry's answers tell us he's not prepared to deal with a genuine Democratic opposition. He needs to stay in Texas.

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  127. Please, no one do that. I don't want to be brought into contact with "santorum" again.

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  128. Somebody shoot him.... put him out of his misery.

    "Oops."

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  129. Um...someone tell me what the @#$% just happened???

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  130. Compare Cain with what he believes against Perry who can't remember what he's told he believes.

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  131. T-Rav, Perry just imploded in a BIG way.

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  132. I felt a tremor in the Force...as if millions of Perry-supporting blogs suddenly cried out in terror, and were suddenly silenced.

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  133. Newt the Brain.

    He is impressing me tonight.

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  134. T-Rav, +100 points on your Obi-Wan comment.

    That's a thread winner! :)

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  135. So yeah, that question I had a couple hours ago? About Perry maybe making a partial comeback tonight?

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA

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  136. This is a trick question. This whole idea that SS is separate from the other taxes is a fake way to hide the real problems.

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  137. Andrew, as is often the case in such incidents, I didn't WANT to post it, I HAD to post it. ;-)

    By the way, pertinent comment on another live blog: "Dear Perry supporters: Welcome to Team Newt."

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  138. I love Rick Santelli!

    I've watched him for years and he's a great guy. I would vote for him as President.

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  139. I would vote for him over several people on the stage right now. One or two in particular.

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  140. Huntsman's lips are moving and I hear words, but they just aren't making any sense to me.

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  141. I is a student. I made bad decisions. (hits bong)

    Can you make somebody else pay for my... like... stuff and stuff?

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  142. Hey Maria, why don't you check out our thread from the other day? Should tell you all you need to know. Just sayin'.

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  143. Once again Paul is right. Now please stop talking.

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  144. different question, same answer...get govt. out, privative, let markets work.

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  145. Average College StudentNovember 9, 2011 at 9:28 PM

    Hey guys, check out this old dude on the TV! Oh, I'm so hung over.

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  146. When Paul is smart, he is smart...

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  147. If we could combine Newt's brain with Paul's the new creature should rule the world.

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  148. That is true in every respect. I don't know College of the Ozarks myself, but it has a good reputation.

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  149. Sure Maria, kick me when I was down why don't ya.

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  150. It's too late, Rick. Go home and take the other Rick with you.

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  151. A random combination of words does not equal a sentence.

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  152. We should end the student loan program for everyone except illegals. Because I have a heart.

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  153. Rick... please stop. You are making a fool of yourself.

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  154. short answer--yes. Stop talking!

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  155. Well, I think we all know what to take away from this debate.

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  156. "We must use power and force and technology to make college into a supercosum of learning and stuff, so that it's there when people die and we don't have to pay for it, but end it now before it becomes a trustee that can control the boards of all schools. That's how we need to do what you said we should be thinking about and I wouldn't not do it either."

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  157. Isn't Wonkish a certified language? I swear I heard it tonight.

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  158. Wait, "Governor Schwarzenegger"?!?! What the...????

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  159. Joel, It should qualify and I think it's Huntsman's only language. Romney slips into it too.

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  160. Whoa, he is now talking about tariffs.

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  161. How do you crack down on China?

    "Nuke them from orbit."
    -- Ripley

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  162. Joel, I don't know about Wonkish, but I know we heard what Anti-Wonkish sounds like.

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  163. Hey, we hit a topic Maria actually understands.

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  164. Great idea! Ripley/Santelli 2012!

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  165. Newt is nailing the problem. Herman called it first though.

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  166. Gingrich actually makes a good point I keep meaning to write about. China is in trouble.

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  167. Snicker snicker snicker... what?

    Why is no one laughing at the joke I just made?

    Oh... someone else already said it.

    I sound like an idiot don't I?

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  168. I for one welcome our new Chinese overlords.

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  169. Romney slaps down Huntsman, and no one really cares...

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  170. Now that is an AWESOME Simpson's reference!!

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  171. Hey, Michelle, you just learned about that? Commentarama wrote about that over a year ago.

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  172. RINO-on-RINO violence! Ruh roh!

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