I'm not going to say it.

And to think McCain might have become President. Daily Kos reorts that his campaign auctioned off blackberrys and such. A Fox station in VA got one that had undeleted e-mails. Too bad it wasn't bought by someone else.

Loved The Onion story. If only...

It seems likely that the White House doesn't want to add "lost the US auto industry" to their list of "achievements," so they'll try to do enough prop them up and get 'em to survive into February or March. (As they did with the banking system.)

As much as they philosophically agree with the Senate GOP idea of union-busting and lowering wages for workers, they've really pushed the limits in terms of--er--"positive" achievements.

The downturn in oil prices will ravage most oil producing nations' economies, not just Iran's. Some take delight in bad news for Iran, but the bad news is the American economy has been ravaged by the deliberate and incompetent misallocation of its wealth, something that might have been avoided had Americans not been so foolish to support Supply Side economics and lower taxes for the rich. Crashing commodity prices based on falling world demand is hardly the Iranians or other producers fault.

WTF IS THIS ABOUT:

"...Democrats scuttle Auto bail out and blame Republicans. The vote failed 52-35 with 8 Democrats (the number needed to pass exactly) voting no or not voting. Lincoln, Biden, Kennedy, Kerry, Baucus, Tester, Reid and Wyden should be the ones y'all are pissed at...not us. Put down your rocks and take a good look at your own glass house!"
Posted by SFCWallace in reply to a comment from acamus at TPM election central morning roundup today.

Dems scuttled the bail out??? Amazing that they would go against anything Bush wanted but still...Kerry? Biden? Kennedy? Are they just not paying attention or just plain forgot to vote?

Republican senators who voted against helping the auto industry, against middle class economic interests:

Bob Bennett, R-UT
Richard Burr, R-NC
Saxby Chambliss, R-GA
Tom Coburn, R-OK
Norm Coleman, R-MN
Bob Corker, R-TN
John Ensign, R-NV
Chuck Grassley, R-IA
Judd Gregg, R-NH
Orrin Hatch, R-UT
Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-TX
Johnny Isakson, R-GA
John Kyl, R-AZ
Mel Martinez, R-FL
John McCain, R-AZ
Mitch McConnell, R-KY
Lisa Murkowski, R-AK
John Thune, R-SD

There are a lot of excellent reasons why Professional Scion Caroline Kennedy should not be appointed to a Senate seat - but her having endorsed the gut who just won the Presidency and has a great approval rating is not one of them.

Warren Terra: That is a very prevalent and potent reason being used. It's called resentment. They hate that she supported Obama, as did her Uncle early on.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What are your 'excellent reasons' that she shouldn't be appointed the Senate, btw? Who do you think would be better?

What's this I hear about no room at the White House Guest House for the Obamas? Are the Bushes actually asserting this and dissing them? If so, it will only boomerang in the long run.

Amazing that they would go against anything Bush wanted but still...Kerry? Biden? Kennedy? Are they just not paying attention or just plain forgot to vote?

I'm pretty sure Kennedy is still at home recovering from his brain surgery. I thought Biden had already resigned his seat since the governor of Delaware announced his replacement.

No excuse for Kerry, though.

Got to be an interesting story hiding in there...

On this date in 1899, this guy invented the golf tee.
Amazing.

"Congressional Republicans aren't happy about it."

get used to it, schmucks. (i hope.)

"Those concessions may not happen because Senate Republican and Democratic negotiators could not reach agreement on a third major issue: reducing employee labor and benefit costs of U.S. automakers to par with foreign competitors."

I fail to understand why the (southern) Republicans were so gung ho about reducing labor and benefit costs for U.S. automakers to be on par with the foreign competitors in their states. This is a bald attack on unions, period. The actual pay scale at the foreign car makers in Alabama and other southern states is actually already on par with the Big Three. And that's without those workers being unionized. The big difference are the legacy costs for retirees. And that's only because none of those companies have been operating in this country long enough to have incurred those kind of costs.

* The White House is moving forward with a rescue plan for the automakers. Congressional Republicans aren't happy about it. -- Steve Benen

That Hill article gave me a good laugh of the day. Corker's dismay reminded me of an old joke about a carter who was training his horse to stop eating. Every day, he'd whittle the horse's feed a bit more, and the horse kept on. But, the day before the horse was due for no feed at all, it went and died...

And, Thom Jeff, @ 18:06... It may be that the reason the White House is now talking about using TARP money for the bailout is that Bush wants to salvage *something* as his legacy. OTOH... It may also be that he (and Deadeye Dick) are simply pissed off and retaliating. They, both, made their case *for* the bailout, provided that the Dems caved in on several points -- which the Dems did. And then the Senate Repubs, feeling frisky, blew them a raspberry. So Bush decided to "show 'em" that it was the wrong way for them illustrate what "bushy tailed" meant...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vis Iran's caving economy. While it's true that other oil-producing countries will be adversely affected also (as Brojo, @18:06, points out), Iran's economic troubles are important *politically*. Ahmadinejad was having problems even before the collapse, mostly because of the undelivered pie-in-the-sky promises. But, then, for a while, it looked like he's recovered, at least somewhat. Now, he's likely to go back down, without much of a chance for recovery. And the elections are coming up (January? I think?)... With a bit of luck, Iran will be a secondary, rather than primary, problem on Obama's menu.

David Brooks has put up a psychotic Jeremiad on NYT, the highlight of which is that he consistently misspells the word "capitol".

What a crock of shi# that Mathews asserts:

Mac is back! His caption joyously reads as Mathews giggles...

Huh?

He then shows a clip on Letterman wherein McCain supposedly "channels" Blagojevich:

Channeled him?

Uh, no, Mathews.

That's a good imitation, because John McCain is only a heartbeat away from the likes of Blagojevich--did anyone at all consider this?

His history of angry outrages and threats clearly makes for the perfect natural imitation of the likes of Blagojevich.

Politics make me ill. "Mac is back?'

And what of his sidekick Michelle (last name?) who insisted today that McCain was so cool in refraining from exploiting the Wright connection.

Never mind that McCain remained silent as Palin asserted Obama palls around with terrorists, as Palin's crowd chanted "Kill him!", as McCain and Palin's crowd called Obama a traitor and when McCain asked "Who is the "REAL OBAMA"?, his crowd replied : 'Treason!'

McCain did not speak out against any of this (and this is just some of it--what about all the effigies, what about the monkeys toted inside the rallies...)

Yet now we forget all of that and say "Mac is Back"????

How can the media be so forgetful and so forgiving? How can they in good conscience re-write McCain's character--much as folks are doing with Bush?

Perhaps it is that they really just need the ratings, they need a good story. Perhpas they don't want to be "too negative". I don't know.

But I'm turning off my T.V. now, because it's clear that during this interim period, T.V. journalism (aside from Maddow and a few other shows) has declined considerably.

A Jesuit syllogism? Chris Mathews again, brings in that wonderful short fall of reporting verses condemning, and prosecuting over the air wave.

Actually all the characters, CNN, FOX, MSNBC are doing it now clowning around and laughing at the same time all the while condemning Blagojevich. Heck it was not too long ado O’Reilly called for the firing of some judge. Just saw, McCain doing the bleep, bleep, and bleep, it was funny and he got all those votes for being such a dope. Perhaps that is what is meant by the Ratio Studiorum. Or is that too much rum in the broad cast studio. The Ratio of 1589 was written in Rome about theology in life culture. Who made that wine, or rum?

It’s interesting at least Blagojevich had the sense to seek a priest on his own, something that does not appear too crazy, and does not appear in any civil conversations. . . Perhaps the Church now knows a whole lot of stuff…is this a blessing or a no… perhaps we should interview the priest? Why not does Blagojevich appear insane to the church? Or is the “anti of the game just� raised to a divine ratio?

Oops, or the, anti Jesus raised to the divine ratio? What does Chris Mathews really mean? And Mathews ask’s questions about Obama and Blagojevich? Perhaps Mathews needs psychiatric treatment for self grandiose syndrome. Chris is head of the Politics Fix making him go mad by this addiction.

joey - Direct your anger at Lincoln, Baucus and Tester, who voted no. Reid's vote was a procedural thing that would allow him to bring it back later on. As for the four who were not there to vote, I guarantee you that if they had been there for the vote, the Reps would have forced three more of their members to switch. As for Biden, I don't think he has resigned yet. He was listed as "non-voting", while Obama was simply omitted from the roll call.

voting republican is against one's economic interests on December 12, 2008 at 6:21

Even worse. This list is of Republicans who voted AGAINST the auto bailout, but also voted FOR the Wallstreet bailout (TARP). There were other Reps who voted against both.

No excuse for Kerry, though. -- Mnemosyne, @ 18:47

It appears he had a pretty god excuse, actually; he was out of the country (at the climate talks in Poznan). The Think Progress link (below) has an interesting list of Senators who voted "yes" for the bankers bailout but had sudden second thoughts on the Big3.

For me, that's even more interesting than just who voted against the Big3 bailout. One can be against bailouts on principle which, I suppose, is OK. But, to have voted for the fat-cat bailout and not for the people bailout requires much more of pretzel logic. So, the flips are interesting. And it seems that, although there were 8 Dems who either voted against or not voted on the Big3, only Baucus and Lincoln truly flipped (ie, Tester and Wyden voted against both bailouts, *consistently*)

http://thinkprogress.org/2008/12/12/20-flipped-on-auto/

Another belly-laugh, this time from Think Progress. In one of the earlier postings, there's this quote:

"Right-wing pundits and bloggers are calling for former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney to oversee the restructuring of the auto industry. “There can’t be too many folks who would be better qualified to be ‘Car Czar’ than Mitt Romney,� writes the National Review’s Jim Geraghty."

With Romney as the "car czar", could we look to Irish setter on the roof of every US-made car?

Hints are bubbling around in MSM that Rahm Emanuel shows up in tapes talking to Blago. Well, Team Obama needs to get out in front and say something like, of course he/staff talked to Blago. Blago was the Governor of Obama's State, and had the power to appoint a new Senator. What would people expect they do to a Governor, give him the silent treatment before problems were even announced? And then there's Blago going "Bleep them" about Obama's team for just showing "appreciation."

Not too many Americans are going to be worried about Iran's economic crisis.

John McCain is on the list of senators blocking the bailout?

Is this what he meant by challenging Obama's patriotism?

Patriotism is always is cheapshot used by GOP-
Lee Atwater's campaign strategies for the Bushes. This caused a lot of democrats to lose elections throughout the years.

Patriotism, huh?

Quote of the day: "The only way to tell when William Kristol is lying is when his horrible lipless skull is clapping up and down." -- Chris Kelly, Huffington Post

helping the auto industry, against middle class economic interests:

There are a lot more middle class outside the auto industry than in it. This bailout helps only a segment of the auto industry anyway, at the expense of the rest of the auto industry, and at the expense of the middle class.

If the government feels it has to spend money to help the middle class, it could invest in more fuel production facilities, to drive down the cost of fuel. That would help the middle class lots more than postponing the bankruptcy of GM, Ford and Chrysler.

that's not the only way. The money could be spent on factories to make Christmas tree ornaments; or factories to make light bulbs of full-spectrum LEDs; or factories to make computer monitors. There are probably worse uses for federal money than bailing out GM, Ford and Chrysler, but there are many, many ways that are better for the middle class.

from the Brooks article cited by Jassalasca Jape:

Why is it, some ask, that America is so slavishly following the same failed route earlier taken by the Japanese — from bank capitalization, to industrial bailouts to infrastructure spending?

It is not "psychotic" (JJ's term) to ask this question. It is "psychotic" to ignore it.

Again, people need to study up on Lee Atwater.

This guy was a master at smear campaigns.

This guy is behind the Bush & yes, Rove legacy.

To understand the GOP, you must understand Lee Atwater.

see associated press article "Greek Inspired Protests Spread Across Europe."

In Spain, protesters are saying, "reclaim the streets, burn the banks that robbed you."

We are going through same economic downturn, but we are not tearing up our country. I think we are more civilized.

Number of people who have pled guilty or been convicted in the Abramoff scandal: 15

Number of those 15 that are republicans: 15

type in website PolitcalMoneyLine.com (it will redirect to moneyline.cq.com)
this webshite gathers lobbying & campaign finance info, 527's PACs......

God Hannity, what a mature, clever comeback.

I heard that Detroit is looking for some new crash test dummies to replace the old ones, and all the Senate Republicans are at the top of the list..

In Lewis and Clark County Montana, over 70% of the working population work for government. State, city, county and Federal - Helena, the county seat, is where the UniBomber was indicted. Guv Tester's office is in walking distance of Lost Chance Gulch and the Federal building. If you work in the private sector, Wal-Mart leads the way for employment. To the north around Flathead Lake, retirees, often from California, just love paying minimum wage to workers, and, they love only paying two hours pay and not having to worry about paying a four hour show-up fee. Just rake that, hammer that, fix that toilet and here's a fiver per hour for your troubles. Retirees there remind me of comments from those types in Mexico as they say, "Oh, you can get great work for so little cost".

No wonder Baucus and Tester don't want unions in Montana.

Don't all you peckerwoods who are all tumescent over the possible demise of the UAW realize one basic thing? If the UAW ceases to exist, there will be no reason for these foreign car manufacturers to continue to pay competitive wages and benefits. The prospect of a pissed off workforce and the UAW lurking outside the gates of a VW (or a Honda, BMW etc.) factory helps keep management in line. Take away the UAW and you cracker auto workers will see unannounced layoffs, wage cuts,and, benefit cuts, for starters.
Non union workers owe the unions a great deal.

CaptJP: excellent point.

"It appears that at least $15 billion of wealth, much of which was concentrated in southern Florida and New York City, has gone to 'money heaven,'" he said.

Madoff sent money to heaven?

Good lord.

Ano: Sorry, not going trolling today. What I said. Hope you don't hurt yourself. One-sided, convoluted reasoning (which is a symptom of intolerance) can do that.

But no, I'm not much of a fan of authoritarianism. I prefer that people make up their own minds, based on available evidence and their conscience. That and the hard-won knowledge that just about anybody who refuses to be contradicted is lying to you.