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04 Apr 2011 15:25

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Politics, U.S.: Jon Huntsman prefers the Foo Fighters to smoking weed

  • Very few [Mormons] straddled in between, but Jon was very good at being in between– he was faithful to his faith from everything I can see– but he also would go out and hang with guys, and maybe not partake in things… I never saw him inhale.
  • Eric Malmquist, former bass player for “Wizard” • Talking about his memories of then bandmate Jon Huntsman. Huntsman was the keyboard player for the band, of which there are sadly no known recordings. Supposedly, long after they had broken up and each gone their separate ways, former drummer Howard Sharp got a page on his medical beeper, as he’d turned to a career in medicine years before. When he hurriedly returned the call, it was Huntsman on the line: “It’s not a medical emergency but it’s a rock and roll emergency. The Foo Fighters are coming to town and we have got to get tickets.” We admit, we like Huntsman a bit more after hearing this, his glaring misuse of an emergency medical pager notwithstanding.  source

28 Mar 2011 14:15

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Politics: President Herman Cain will not appoint Muslims

  • Gimme extra cheese, anchovies, and bigotry on that: Not many political observers have given Godfather’s Pizza founder Herman Cain a shot at taking the GOP nomination for President (though it’s a credit to his initiative that he’s actually, you know, officially running). As it turns out, anybody who has a problem with religious litmus tests for federal appointments should be pleased about that. Cain’s silly justification, that he’s worried about the spread of Sharia in America, is a sad example of either earnest prejudice, or the lowest breed of political pandering. source

24 Mar 2011 13:12

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Politics: Donald Trump thinks Obama fears the birth certificate

  • Donald Trump behaving like a slippery politico already: It’s been a big week in terms of assessing the political strategies of Republican billionaire Donald Trump, namely that he isn’t so hot at lying on his feet, and he likes pandering to birthers (a belief he’s got to be too smart to earnestly hold). Following his clumsy, easily dispelled claim that he knowingly rented land to Muammar Gaddafi then didn’t let him use it (or “screwing” him, to use his parlance) with an eye towards donating the money to charity, he decided to go back to birtherism, claiming on The View that “there’s something on that birth certificate he doesn’t like.” Keep on swinging, Donald! source

17 Mar 2011 15:01

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Politics: Donald Trump blows the dog whistle long and loud

  • When you interview people, if ever I got the nomination, if I ever decide to run, you may go back and interview people from my kindergarten. They’ll remember me. Nobody ever comes forward. Nobody knows who he his until later in his life. It’s very strange. The whole thing is very strange.
  • Donald Trump • About Barack Obama, in an interview with ABC news. On the heels of his Comedy Central roast, which he ended with an awkwardly obvious political self-promotion, Trump is now using dog whistle rhetoric to appeal to people who doubt the legitimacy of the President (the birthers, basically). This is, as it happens, not uncommon in the realm of Republican politics at this time- Mike Huckabee, however he might like to deny it, was doing precisely the same thing when he claimed Obama had a Kenyan upbringing. So, an early sign that Donald Trump knows how to pander to those racked with distrust and conspiracy theories. source

16 Mar 2011 22:40

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Politics: Comebacks: Sharron Angle to run for open House seat in 2012

  • She’s back! After losing an election to one of the most unpopular politicians in the country, in the biggest election year for her party since 1994, Sharron “Second Amendment Remedies” Angle has announced that she’ll be running for the House of Representatives in 2012. She may have a shot at winning this time, so long as she doesn’t do something silly, like suggest that Hispanic students are actually Hispanics in disguise. source

09 Mar 2011 15:29

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Politics: The Obama administration tries to doom Jon Huntsman with praise

  • The things he did on behalf of this administration and the closeness in which he worked with the President, is much appreciated. And I’m sure he’ll talk about that in the primaries.
  • White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley • Referring to the Jon Huntsman, the U.S. Ambassador to China who is quietly positioning himself for a presidential run in 2012. Say what you will about the political acumen of the Obama administration, but their strategy to de-fang a potential Huntsman candidacy is clear and somewhat amusing; heap so much praise on the man for the work he did with the President that Republican primary voters won’t trust him. Obama strategist David Plouffe once identified Huntsman as the Republican he felt most threatened by in 2012, so it comes as little surprise that they’re seeking to nip his run in the bud. source

07 Mar 2011 14:41

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Politics: Senator John Ensign to call it a career

  • John Ensign, signing off: The Nevada Senator is expected to announce he won’t seek reelection in 2012, opting instead to retire from public life. Ensign, 52, would face a winnable but nonetheless taxing battle to retain his seat in light of the ethics investigation against him, stemming from his extramarital affair with the wife of one of his top political aides. Ensign is one of Congress’ members of “The Family,” the secretive, moralistic Evangelical organization that operates out of the “C Street” house in Washington, which made his marital infidelity seem especially hypocritical and irritating to his detractors. (thanks pantslessprogressive) source
 

02 Mar 2011 22:17

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Politics: New Jersey’s Chris Christie: The King of Modesty

  • I already know I could win. That’s not the issue.
  • NJ Governor Chris Christie • On what is (or isn’t) holding him back from running for President. He’s been hounded by the Republican establishment to run for prez in 2012, but has steadfastly refused to, claiming that he’s not ready for the job. For a politician to admit that they’re not ready to be President – whether or not they think they could win – is a very modest thing indeed. source

28 Feb 2011 23:23

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Politics: Mike Huckabee throws cold water on conservatives’ dreams

  • The people that are sitting around saying, ‘[Obama]’s definitely going to be a one-term president. It’s going to be easy to take him out,’ they’re obviously political illiterates – political idiots, let me be blunt.
  • Mike Huckabee • On President Obama’s re-election prospects.  source

22 Feb 2011 12:51

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U.S.: The Republican Presidential field narrows as in-or-out time nears

  • NO Senator John Thune will not run for President in 2012 source
  • » The Republican field thins: The handsome young Senator from South Dakota (who was arguably the most President-y looking Republican) has decided he’ll return to his present job in 2012, serving his second term. It’s wholly likely Thune simply saw the writing on the wall as to his own electability, but will the Presidency be an easy grab for any challenger? This comes in concert with Mike Huckabee’s recent remark that Obama will be “tough to beat” in 2012, as well as voicing happiness with his current job at Fox News, leading some to think the former governor may sit this one out as well. Right now Mitt Romney is rubbing his hands together knowingly as he enjoys a celebratory cupcake.