*snicker* sure they are. *snort*

look: they'll do nothing of the kind. they've put forth nothing new. all they offer is lockstep opposition to an extremely popular president. they are bereft of ideas and leadership. in fact, if anything, what we'll witness is an epic struggle for the soul of the party between the extreme religio-palinist wing and the more moderate gingerich-led conservative wing. it'll be interesting, for sure - but it'll take a decade or more for them to regain what they lost in '06 and '08.

The gospel according to this guy.

FlashHarry: *snicker* sure they are. *snort*

Done in one.

/tip your waitresses, folks

What an absolutely atrocious article. A combination of "we screwed up SO bad it's impossible for people to hate us more than this" and "wharrgarbl."

I swear to god, they source their author pics from uglypeople.com. I mean, it's amazing.

Senescent Dawn: What an absolutely atrocious article. A combination of "we screwed up SO bad it's impossible for people to hate us more than this" and "wharrgarbl."

Seriously. When one of your points in favor is 'how much lower can Republicans go?', then I'm not sure any celebration is in order.

Yup, they will come roaring back, having learned absolutely nothing from the beating they deserved in 2008. They are going to be so confused when they have less than 40 people in the Senate.

pwhp_67

It is the most surreal meta-humor that I find that graphic ridiculously funny.

1) Start working extra hard with the Dems
2) Lose religious right/fundies
3) Push for equality of all people/minorities
4) Listen to Ron Paul
5) Take Fox News off the air
6) Come up with actual plans for things
7) Daily waterboarding(s) of Michelle Bachmann

/just a dreamer

rjShadow: 1) Start working extra hard with the Dems
2) Lose religious right/fundies
3) Push for equality of all people/minorities
4) Listen to Ron Paul
5) Take Fox News off the air
6) Come up with actual plans for things
7) Daily waterboarding(s) of Michelle Bachmann

You and I know they won't do a single one of those.

1) Historically, no matter how badly the minority party sucks, Americans are dumb and they quickly forget how badly the minority party sucks. Thank God Americans have the attention span of a fruit fly, or else we'd never win another election. So we've got that going for us, which is nice.

2) The GOP is starting to pull it together. No, seriously. Stop laughing. It's not funny. Stop making fun of me. You're such an asshole...[sob]

3) We're going to do our best to try to spin the horrific economy as primarily the fault of the Democrats, even though we were the ones that pushed for more and more deregulation over the years. Even if the economy is doing remarkably better, we're going to do our best to downplay the good news in an effort to get back in power so we can fark things up all over again.

4) How much lower can Republicans go? Seriously. Look at the incredibly stupid things we've done over the past eight years. There is a theoretical finite limit to how badly a political party can suck, and we're pretty sure we are at that lowest point. Sure, sure, every week we keep coming up with new ways to prove how inept we are, like the retarded teleprompter rebuttal and the biggest joke of an "alternative budget plan" but really...NOTHING COULD BE DUMBER THAN THAT. We can only get better from here, so cheer up!

5) The Mighty Albatross (aka "George Bush") has been removed from our necks, and let's keep our fingers crossed that the Democrats don't bring him up in 2010. They wouldn't do that to us, would they? It's not like we railed on and on about Clinton after he left office two years after the fact, right? Plus, we've got Dick Cheney out there shooting his stupid mouth off, reminding everyone what a giant failure the last Republican administration was, so that's definitely taking the heat off of George. Or something like that.

6) Barack Obama is not going to be on the ballot, so he cannot kick our asses all over again. At least, I don't think he could. Right? Please God...anything but that.

7) We'll smear the living crap out of Barack Obama and the Democrats. That worked GREAT in 2008, and it will work EVEN BETTER in 2010! Voters cannot get enough of smear tactics, that much is certain!

#1 -- This, while statistically true, doesn't guarantee future results.

#2 -- Republicans are "pulling it together" only in the sense of their opposition to Obama. On pretty much everything else, they are still fractured. No star leader is on the horizon.

#3 -- I'll agree that if the economy is still crappy at the 2010 mid-term elections, that will probably hurt the Democrats more than the GOP.

#4 -- "How much worse can things get?" are famous last words

#5 -- OK fine that's one positive.

#6 -- Obama might as well be on the ballot, he's the primary figure for the Democrats. They will sink or swim with him.

#7 -- His "radicalism" will cause GOP voters to come out strong I think, but they would come out strong during this midterm election no matter what policies he enacted.

Very unlikely. Americans tend to vote on their pocketbooks, and unless there is some major economic disaster, the economy is going to be back on the upswing by the time of the 2010 election.

The first things that the Republicans need to do is figure out who the hell they are, and who their leader actually is.

John Hawkins runs Right Wing News (www.rightwingnews.com), Conservative Grapevine (www.conservativegrapevine.com), Right Wing Video (http://www.rightwingvideo.com) and writes a weekly column for Townhall.

There ya go.

FTA: "In other words, even if the economy improves by mid-2010 and the media trumpets it to the skies, the public still may be skeptical -- and the Democrats would be sure to get the blame."

Oh, you ASSHOLES.

And anyway: ninja, please. The GOP has shot itself in the foot so many times that it's tap-dancing on bloody stumps. So they'd better get used to their hard-earned biatch-seat status.

With the very real risk of the Democrats being an uncontested majority and Republicans utterly unfit to be the sensible opposition party, maybe this is the time for intelligent conservative independents to make their move.

Enough already with hiding in the shadows and tacitly approving of the Republicans because it's more important to you not to ever agree with the libruls... step up and be the one voice of reason the country needs.

Heh. Just kidding, keep attacking the libs instead. Obama is the only real threat to your way of life.

Code_Archeologist: Very unlikely. Americans tend to vote on their pocketbooks, and unless there is some major economic disaster, the economy is going to be back on the upswing by the time of the 2010 election.

I'm of the opinion that enough people vote based on things like purple heart bandaids, terrorist fist bumps and a candidates hair that trying to predict an election based off anything substantive is a lost cause.

Maybe they should start now, they could use the time to develop a conscience.

This guy is a hack.

1.) His arguments are nothing more than inane talking points.
2.) Look at his picture. He looks fat.
3.) All the articles he writes are in list format.

Code_Archeologist: Very unlikely. Americans tend to vote on their pocketbooks, and unless there is some major economic disaster, the economy is going to be back on the upswing by the time of the 2010 election.

What do you think these bailouts and stimulus are? They didn't work for Bush, I have a hard time seeing how they are going to work for Obama.

Right, because the biggest problem the Republicans face right now is that they aren't tan enough.

Oh, wait...

And here's a brilliant example of the Republicans "roaring back" thanks to Eric Cantor's Howling Commandos.

Mentat: Right, because the biggest problem the Republicans face right now is that they aren't tan enough.

Oh, wait...

Even though Obama has been in office for less than ninety days, a lot of people who pulled the lever for him are probably already wishing there were more Republicans in office to help keep him from governing like such a Hugo Chavez wannabe.

Yeah, I guess that is reflected in his all-time high approval ratings.

You guys really, really suck.

/#2 actually made me LOL.

I'm very excited for this thread.

The 15 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2010:



Top 6 most likely flips are GOP to Dem. You're screwed, GOP.

Lionel Mandrake: Yeah, I guess that is reflected in his all-time high approval ratings.

You guys really, really suck.

/#2 actually made me LOL.

All-time high? It's been going down...



Too bad it's only going down among Republicans.



Here's a hint right-wing: no one cares about your name-calling. Try to do something for once.

DamnYankees: The 15 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2010:



Top 6 most likely flips are GOP to Dem. You're screwed, GOP.

yeah, and the photo-finish in the NY-20 doesn't bode well for the GOP either.

Crosshair: Code_Archeologist: Very unlikely. Americans tend to vote on their pocketbooks, and unless there is some major economic disaster, the economy is going to be back on the upswing by the time of the 2010 election.

What do you think these bailouts and stimulus are? They didn't work for Bush, I have a hard time seeing how they are going to work for Obama.

That is because Bush did not apply the stimulus funds appropriately to investments that would see positive amortization
on the investment. He just tossed money at the consumers and told them to get to spending.

DamnYankees: Top 6 most likely flips are GOP to Dem. You're screwed, GOP.

When you look at the names, it's even worse. Lots of the open seats are powerful Republicans retiring (e.g. Kit Bond), while most of the Dems are high-ranking incumbents (Barbara Boxer, Harry Ried, Russ Feingold, Evan Bayh, Chuck Shumer, Patrick Leahey). Of those, Dodd is probably the most vulnerable. Roland Burris is out but the seat will probably stay in Democratic hands. Arlen Specter is a dead man walking, David Vitter is crapping his pampers nobody knows what monkey wrench Palin is going to throw into the Alaska race. The calculus just is not good for the Republicans.

Mentat: DamnYankees: Top 6 most likely flips are GOP to Dem. You're screwed, GOP.

When you look at the names, it's even worse. Lots of the open seats are powerful Republicans retiring (e.g. Kit Bond), while most of the Dems are high-ranking incumbents (Barbara Boxer, Harry Ried, Russ Feingold, Evan Bayh, Chuck Shumer, Patrick Leahey). Of those, Dodd is probably the most vulnerable. Roland Burris is out but the seat will probably stay in Democratic hands. Arlen Specter is a dead man walking, David Vitter is crapping his pampers nobody knows what monkey wrench Palin is going to throw into the Alaska race. The calculus just is not good for the Republicans.

dodd looks like a liability anyway. better to lose him and still have a supermajority.

They haven't learned their lessons at all yet. Until they do they will continue to fail. Just like they should. Would love to see them turn into a party that actually cares about the average citizen instead of just claiming to. They won't but I would still love to see it.

Mentat: When you look at the names, it's even worse. Lots of the open seats are powerful Republicans retiring (e.g. Kit Bond), while most of the Dems are high-ranking incumbents (Barbara Boxer, Harry Ried, Russ Feingold, Evan Bayh, Chuck Shumer, Patrick Leahey). Of those, Dodd is probably the most vulnerable. Roland Burris is out but the seat will probably stay in Democratic hands. Arlen Specter is a dead man walking, David Vitter is crapping his pampers nobody knows what monkey wrench Palin is going to throw into the Alaska race. The calculus just is not good for the Republicans.

And I would be farm from saddened if Dodd and Reid lost their seats.

Mentat: Arlen Specter is a dead man walking

It depends. He might be able to hang on if he manages to win the primary (which isn't looking all that likely). Of course, the GOP being dumb enough to primary him out is one of their problems, as there are 0 other GOPers who can win that seat.

Neeek: Mentat: Arlen Specter is a dead man walking

It depends. He might be able to hang on if he manages to win the primary (which isn't looking all that likely). Of course, the GOP being dumb enough to primary him out is one of their problems, as there are 0 other GOPers who can win that seat.

don't tell me - there's a primary challenge from a palinesque wingnut?

The Republicans need to do this:

Tell Rush Limbaugh to shut the hell up.

Tell Ann Coulter to shut the hell up.

Tell Bill O'Reilly to shut the hell up.

Tell Michelle Malkin to shut the hell up.

Tell Fox News to shut the hell up.

Tell (insert conservative pundit's name here) to shut the hell up.


These people have turned politics into a hate-fest and people are sick of it.

FlashHarry: don't tell me - there's a primary challenge from a palinesque wingnut?

Pat Toomey. Book it. Done.

2) The GOP is starting to pull it together

Clearly(p): Republicans didn't fare as well in the poll. 63% of Americans feel the President is more likely to make the right decisions about the economy than the Republicans in Congress. Only 20% of Americans believe the Republicans in Congress is more likely to make the correct decisions.

Congressional Republicans got the lowest approval rating in 25 years with only 31% of respondents giving a favorable review of the GOP.

You know, you guys are never going to turn this around unless you join the real world. The first step is admitting you have a problem. I rather enjoy seeing you flail, but if you sink any lower I'm worried that Glenn Beck is going to start openly advocating the President's assassination, and Michele Bachmann is going to start handing out free guns for people willing to "rise up."

So for god's sake, take a few days or weeks to stare deeply into the mirror and ask yourself how you can really start to rebuild your party actively, rather that screaming about fascism and re-education camps. Do it for the country you purport to love.

DamnYankees: "The 15 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2010:"

Florida is doubtful. If Gov. Charlie Crist (R-but sane) wants it, it's his. If he doesn't run it WILL go DEM.

DamnYankees: Top 6 most likely flips are GOP to Dem. You're screwed, GOP.

Chris Dodd's seat flipping? Oh please please please

/crosses fingers

FireBreathingLiberal: DamnYankees: "The 15 Senate seats most likely to flip in 2010:"

Florida is doubtful. If Gov. Charlie Crist (R-but sane) wants it, it's his. If he doesn't run it WILL go DEM.

He would have to resign the Governor's seat to run for the Senate seat... I think he is looking towards President in 2012 or 2016.

KaponoFor3: Chris Dodd's seat flipping? Oh please please please

/crosses fingers

Hey man. Want to go to that other thread and answer those economic questions you left in the air?

DamnYankees: Hey man. Want to go to that other thread and answer those economic questions you left in the air?

They are far too complex to answer in a thread (and while at work). If you want to e-mail me the questions (fark login at gmail) I'll hit you back with some answers.

FlashHarry: don't tell me - there's a primary challenge from a palinesque wingnut?

Steele has talked about it, specifically with regards to the stimulus vote:

"My retribution is the retribution of the voters in their states," he said. "They're going to have to go through a primary in which they're going to have to explain to those Republican voters in that primary their vote."

"That is something I'll talk to the state parties about, and we'll follow their lead," Steele said of supporting Republican primary challengers.

"My responsibility is to follow the lead of the state parties, to get their advice, what their intent is. Those senators are going to have to account to those voters there. And we'll work with the state party and we'll follow their lead," he added.

"It's just like anything. When the state party says, 'We're going to endorse a candidate and support that candidate,' the RNC is behind them. When the state party says, 'We have a problem with that candidate,' so does the RNC."

PA also has a sore loser law, so Specter would not be allowed to pull a Lieberman by losing the primary and running as an independent.

KaponoFor3: They are far too complex to answer in a thread (and while at work). If you want to e-mail me the questions (fark login at gmail) I'll hit you back with some answers.

Nah. I'll wait for the next econ thread and just post them there. Or if you want you can answer them in email and we can post your answers in the next thread. No reason any of it should be secret.

I laughed so hard I actually coughed.

/I also enjoyed the veiled racism guilt- where he implied people only voted for Obama because it was historic.

KaponoFor3: Chris Dodd's seat flipping? Oh please please please

/crosses fingers

KaponoFor3 : Chris Dodd :: GaryPDX : Nancy Pelosi

DamnYankees: Nah. I'll wait for the next econ thread and just post them there. Or if you want you can answer them in email and we can post your answers in the next thread. No reason any of it should be secret.

Fair enough, but most of the time I spend on threads is while at work, and some of the questions you asked would require page long type responses. If you want to cut/paste my responses from e-mail, then that's up to you.

cousin-merle: KaponoFor3 : Chris Dodd :: GaryPDX : Nancy Pelosi

Not even close, I don't know if there is anyone I hate so much that could even come close to GaryPDX's hate of Pelosi.