Post-Debate Hysteria
The Sturm und Drang now in full swing among the professional pundit class is hilarious. Yes, the President phoned in a tepid performance. Yes, Mr. Romney managed to exceed the very low expectations America has of him. What is also true is that an incumbent President losing the first debate to his challenger is more the norm than groundbreaking news (see also 1984, 1992, 2004). Ask President Mondale and President Kerry how dispositive that is. So while Republican surrogates have at long last something to gloat about and left leaning pundits are having difficulty controlling their bodily functions on national…
Bell’s Firm Got $1 Million+ from BP
Well, well, well. Ask not for whom Mr. Bell shills – he shills for BP. We practically needed the jaws of life to pry the truth out of candidate Bob Bell, but it has finally been liberated from the mangled wreck of his financial “disclosure” forms. If you remember from the other day, Mr. Bell decided first that he didn’t want to tell us who gave his engineering firm money. Then APOC told him he had to not only disclose who, but how much. Then he disclosed who, but NOT how much. Apparently it became more uncomfortable for Mr. Bell…
Exclusive from Greg Palast -The Debates: What the hell happened?
Exclusive to TheMudflats.net from Greg Palast, author of Billionaires & Ballot Bandits: How to Steal an Election in 9 Easy Steps please listen to my discussion with Shannyn Moore on her radio show from last night. What the hell happened? Did Barack have a fight with Michelle? Was it nicotine withdrawal? Do really rich guys just scare you, Mr. Obama? Dear Mr. President: As a journalist I don’t take partisan sides, but I do take America’s side. And as Commander-in-Chief, you simply cannot fall asleep in the saddle. I mean Commander-in-Chief in the Class War. The war of the billionaires against the rest…
Debate Live Blog: The Mudkettle
Here were go, people. The most recent posts are at the top, you can sound off in the comments, and refresh your browser if this doesn’t auto-update. Let’s do this! 19:00 (AK) Jeanne: Thanks, Jim! Great fun. My take is that Romney exceeded expectations, and may have won on style, but Obama undoubtedly won on facts. We’ll see what comes out of all this in the next couple days. When all you have to do is “sound like a nice guy” and don’t much care about factiness, it’s easy to make a good first impression. And hey… We were promised…
Mudflats/Stonekettle Live Debate Blogging!
It’s time for rock ’em sock ’em politics in the form of the first presidential debate of this election cycle. Are you looking for a little company tonight? Someone to snuggle up to while catching the Obama/Romney show? Well, may I offer two somebodies in the form of myself, and Mudflats contributor Jim Wright, who is also the proprietor of his own blog Stonekettle Station. We’ve been sharpening our wits to a fine ninja-sword-like edge, and we’re ready to take them both on. You can too. Just be right here at 5:00pm Alaska time (6pm Pacific, 9pm Eastern). There…
Oh, the drama: predictions of “Obama’s America”
Iran has nuked Israel, the Boy Scouts have been disbanded, and the guns of loyal American patriots have been confiscated. Thus, back in 2008, forecast the right-wing evangelical group Focus on the Family the state of America in the present day. In keeping with the apocalyptic Tea Party hyperbole that confuses “tyranny” with losing an election, it can fairly be said that those with their hair thus on fire have a poor track record as fortune tellers. Instead of unionized ACORN thugs kicking down the doors of God-fearing freedom lovers and seizing their guns on behalf of Eric Holder, President…
Church Chat! Get out and Vote, Mat-Su!
. It’s a little more than a month until the general election in November, but for the Mat-Su Borough, election day is also tomorrow! I saw this message from Michelle Church and I asked her if I could repost it here. I hope all you Mat-Su folks remember to get out and vote tomorrow. The results will hinge on a very few votes, so turnout will make the difference. ************************************ The woman’s shoulders shook and her hands clenched. Her ragged voice broke as she testified to the Assembly about a land use conflict. I sat there in the audience chairs…
Oyster Roundup!
~Thick and fast they came at last, and more, and more, and more! Here are a half dozen quick, slurpable stories to say farewell to the week. *************************** Quote of the Week: “He makes Michelle Bachmann sound like a hippie.” -Sen. Claire McCaskill on Todd Akin Awesome New Website – Captain Zero v. Senate Heroes! The latest administration plan to give away $2 billion in no strings attached money to oil companies will eventually bankrupt the state of Alaska. The bipartisan state senate coalition has said no dice. Bipartisanship that puts Alaska first is the firewall. Herding …the…
Cracking Skulls & Playing Fair
I’m thinking about becoming a football fan. American football. I’m already a soccer fan. Frankly, football has always seemed a bit scattered to me. I prefer to watch it on mute. The sounds of helmets crashing reminds me of that “and next time I’m cracking skulls” line from “The Breakfast Club.” Which explains why I had no idea this game had the power to bring Americans together during such difficult and divisive times. We saw pure magic this week: Mitt Romney and Barack Obama in a Kumbaya moment. Both went on record saying the NFL needed to bring back their…
Sunday With Backbone! Be There!
Calling all red-blooded, blue-blooded, purple-blooded Alaskans! You are invited to stand up for your state! Join Alaskans with backbone and go door to door in targeted Senate races to help re-elect members of the Bipartisan Working Group. You’ll take walk sheets, and knock on doors for a couple hours. Backbone, Alaskans United, and the Putting Alaskans First Committee are canvassing for a Bipartisan Senate with Backbone! Sunday September 30th 1pm 3333 Denali Street, Anchorage RSVP to Zack Fields at zackfields@gmail.com or call 748-5034, or show up if you can!