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25 Feb 2009 10:49

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U.S.: Admit it, you’re curious about this Bobby Jindal guy

  • We were too, which is why we read Esquire. Louisiana Gov. Jindal seemed to come out of nowhere this week to become the Figure Sarah Palin Should Have Been for the Republicans, with his response to Barack Obama’s speech cementing his face in the American consciousness. If you’re wondering who this dude is, check out this Esquire article from October, which goes into detail about the things that shaped his personality and beliefs. The religious stuff admittedly weirded us out, tho. source

24 Feb 2009 22:42

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U.S.: Bobby Jindal’s got a big-time southern accent

And a folksy way of talking. And a big problem with the stimulus plan. source

24 Feb 2009 10:02

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U.S.: Obama to whiny governors: Stop being so whiny

  • If we agree on 90 percent of this stuff, and we’re spending all our time on television arguing about 1, 2, 3 percent of the spending in this thing … that starts sounding more like politics.
  • Barack Obama • On the stimulus package, parts of which may lead to states picking up the bill down the road. Some Republican governors have complained about this (somewhat loudly). Some of the complaining governors are potential 2012 Republican presidential candidates. • source

17 Feb 2009 21:29

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U.S.: Which state economy is doing the worst? Easy. California.

  • Many, many problems California can’t get a state budget passed, they have a deficit of $41 billion, their governor is a former actor who doesn’t have any support in the state legislature, they’re laying off a bunch of people, and they have the worst credit of any state in the nation. Should we go on, guys? source
  • Many, many problems California can’t get a state budget passed, they have a deficit of $41 billion, their governor is a former actor who doesn’t have any support in the state legislature, they’re laying off a bunch of people, and they have the worst credit of any state in the nation. Should we go on, guys?
  • The budget crisis The California state legislature has been going at their budget for days, attempting to get a bill onto to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk. They keep getting distracted – today, they randomly honored Hudson Bay hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger. Um, can’t Sully wait for a couple days? source
  • Many, many problems California can’t get a state budget passed, they have a deficit of $41 billion, their governor is a former actor who doesn’t have any support in the state legislature, they’re laying off a bunch of people, and they have the worst credit of any state in the nation. Should we go on, guys?
  • The budget crisis The California state legislature has been going at their budget for days, attempting to get a bill onto to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s desk. They keep getting distracted – today, they randomly honored Hudson Bay hero pilot Chesley Sullenberger. Um, can’t Sully wait for a couple days?
  • And one jerk … … is trying to attach a bunch of unrelated junk to the budget bill, which is making things even more complicated than they already are. Republican State Senator Abel Maldonado is pushing for an open primary system, which Democrats don’t like. Dude, your economy’s about to implode! source

30 Jan 2009 16:21

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U.S.: Finally! A new Republican National Committee chair is elected

It only took six rounds, but Michael Steele is the first African-American RNC leader. source

30 Jan 2009 15:06

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U.S.: Who won the RNC chairman job? Nobody.

  • There was no majority victor. The guy who got the closest was former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, who got 51 votes, but you need 85 to lead the Republican Party. The guy who’s currently the chair, Mike Duncan, only got 44, and as Bush’s handpicked choice during an era where George W. Bush was incredibly unpopular, he might have the stink on him which prevents him from keeping his job. They’ve already gone through three rounds of balloting. Maybe the fourth time’s the charm. source

30 Jan 2009 08:57

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U.S.: New RNC chair sought. Must make us look good in front of Obama.

  • In disarray right now After a pretty hefty loss in November, led by Barack Obama and some pretty significant Democratic coattails, that whole “Republican Revolution” thing from the 1990s is a long-forgotten memory. So today, the party chooses new leadership to get them back on track. source
  • In disarray right now After a pretty hefty loss in November, led by Barack Obama and some pretty significant Democratic coattails, that whole “Republican Revolution” thing from the 1990s is a long-forgotten memory. So today, the party chooses new leadership to get them back on track.
  • In contention Mike Duncan, the current leader, could get re-elected, but he has a lot of competition. That competition includes former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, ex-Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson and Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis. source
  • In disarray right now After a pretty hefty loss in November, led by Barack Obama and some pretty significant Democratic coattails, that whole “Republican Revolution” thing from the 1990s is a long-forgotten memory. So today, the party chooses new leadership to get them back on track.
  • In contention Mike Duncan, the current leader, could get re-elected, but he has a lot of competition. That competition includes former Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, ex-Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele, South Carolina GOP Chairman Katon Dawson and Michigan GOP Chairman Saul Anuzis.
  • Chip’s an idiot Ex-Tennessee GOP Chairman Chip Saltsman was also on that list, but he dropped out on Thursday. Admittedly, he was a longshot: He lost a lot of support after he sent a holiday CD out to Republican leadership that included a comedy song called “Barack the Magic Negro.” *forehead slap* source
 

18 Jan 2009 09:34

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U.S.: George W. Bush’s redemption: A library and think-tank?

  • I think he is stung by the reaction to him. Nobody else is going to make the case for him right now, so he wants to make it.
  • Bruce Buchanan • professor of government at University of Texas at Austin, on George W. Bush’s plans to build a presidential library, museum and think-tank for himself on the campus of Southern Methodist University. The plan has seen skepticism from academics, as well as SMU students and faculty, who say that Bush is attempting to use the center to rewrite his legacy. • source

12 Jan 2009 13:41

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U.S.: Another republican senator retires

  • George Voinovich of Ohio to peace out. Voinovich will step down after the 2010 election, noting that, despite his desire to serve his country, he wants to spend more time with his family. He’s the fourth republican to say they’re stepping down at the end of their term. A number of names are cropping up to replace Voinovich in the U.S. Senate, most unlikely being Joe the Plumber. Isn’t it bad enough that Joe’s a war correspondent? source

05 Jan 2009 22:47

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U.S.: Did someone say “Bush dynasty”?

  • I’d like to see him run. I’d like to see him be president some day.
  • George H.W. Bush • on the desire to see his other son, Jeb, run for the Oval Office. • source