The Other McCain

"One should either write ruthlessly what one believes to be the truth, or else shut up." — Arthur Koestler

They Don’t Pay Extra for Tears

Posted on | December 5, 2011 | 66 Comments

My 12-year-old son Jefferson with Herman Cain, July 17, 2011.

Journalism is a cynical racket and if you can’t dismiss tragedy and suffering with a sarcastic joke, you don’t belong in a newsroom.

Famine and wars, airplane crashes, disease, murder — horrible stuff happens to people every day, and your job is to turn it into that commodity called “news.” You’re not paid to give a damn about the human beings whose lives are blighted or destroyed by these disasters.

And most of the time, you don’t give a damn. Because you can’t, really.

You’d go nuts if you ever stopped to think — much less care — about the unspeakable misery involved in so much of what we call “news.”

Over the past several days, I’ve made a lot of phone calls and talked to a lot of people who joined me aboard that wild ride called the “Cain Train.” My thought was to write the definitive post-mortem on the campaign, to analyze this disaster based on all I’ve seen and heard over the past year. But I didn’t write that article, and there’s a reason why.

You see, it’s become a family tradition that, every year, Daddy takes his sons out to buy The Best Christmas Tree Ever. For all my personal and professional failures — “Not Good Enough for BlogCon” — I have an unbroken streak of success at doing this one thing. Every year, Daddy goes to get the tree and every year when I bring it home, the entire family agrees that this is The Best Christmas Tree Ever.

So about 7 p.m., instead of transcribing audio and doing that definitive analytical post-mortem on the Cain campaign I’d meant to write, my boys and I went off to find The Best Christmas Tree Ever. Of course, we succeeded, but while we were on our quest (with my 19-year-old son Bob at the wheel), I did manage to do a couple of interviews with my cell phone and handy digital recorder.

By the time we got back home, it was 9 o’clock — my wife said, “Wow! It really is The Best Christmas Tree Ever!” — and my American Spectator deadline was just three hours away. So I had to work fast and, after I started writing, the story took a detour that surprised even me:

Mike Rogers was on board what became known as the Cain Train even before the locomotive left the station. A computer systems engineer who lives in New Hampshire, Rogers first heard Herman Cain speak at an Americans for Prosperity conference in 2009, and immediately believed the Georgia businessman should be the next President of the United States. Rogers and his wife gave the maximum legal contribution to Cain’s presidential exploratory committee before the former Godfather’s Pizza CEO officially announced his Republican primary candidacy in May.
“I was sitting in the front row for the announcement in Atlanta,” Rogers said Sunday, a day after Cain returned home to Atlanta to announce that he would suspend his campaign, which had soared to the top of the GOP field in early October but was eventually derailed by accusations of sexual misconduct that the 65-year-old candidate has insisted are false and politically motivated. In announcing his exit from the campaign trail, Cain said he was moving from “Plan A” — winning the White House in 2012 — to “Plan B,” an issues-advocacy website, but Saturday was definitely the end of the dream that Rogers and thousands of other self-declared “Cainiacs” had dreamed for months.
“Plan B is just face-saving,” Rogers said. “Unless he’s able to clear his name and get back in, or clear his name and be picked as the [vice-presidential running mate] for somebody, essentially his best bet is to take his raised profile and get back on the radio, maybe a little bit of TV, and push his policies. But really, it’s not going to have the same force as being in the field shaping the debate.”
Unlike the TV talking heads, print pundits and late-night comedians who spent the past five weeks reporting, analyzing or mocking each new accusation against Cain, it’s not easy for true believers like Rogers to move on. The media immediately turned their attention to speculating about which of the remaining Republican candidates will benefit most from Cain’s painful encounter with the politics of personal destruction, while the dreamers awoke to life without a dream. . . . .

You really should read the whole thing. Some words you write with tears in your eyes, but they don’t pay extra for that. So I suppose I’ll be content with knowing I got The Best Christmas Tree Ever — again!

 





Category: Christmas, Election 2012, Herman Cain, Mrs. Other McCain

LIVE AT FIVE – 12.05.11

Posted on | December 5, 2011 | 2 Comments

— compiled by Wombat-socho


TOP NEWS
Senate Dems Prepare New Plan To Extend Payroll Tax Cut

Dingy Harry speaks to the press

Kent Conrad (D-SD) says plan is a compromise between failed GOP, Democrat plans

Putin, United Russia Suffer Election Blow
United Russia polls less than 50%

Romney Girds Loins for Gingrich
Insert temple garment joke here



POLITICS
DC Occupiers Busted For Permit Violation

NO BUILDING PERMIT, NO PEACE

DC police arrest Occupiers after they refuse to tear down structure erected without building permit

Students And Veterans Link Up For Pearl Harbor’s 70th

Obama Pushes Cordray Appointment With Populist Message


Governor Cuomo Pushes New Taxes For The Wealthy, Stimulus Fund

Critics Accuse Sheriff Joe Arpaio Of Botching Sex Crime Cases

Oklahoma’s Senator Coburn Says He’d Have A Hard Time Backing Newt

CT Governor Orders Probe Into Possible Post-Irene Food Fraud



THE ECONOMY, STUPID
Leaders Piece Together Deal To Keep Euro Intact
Italy PM Monti Unveils Sweeping Austerity Program
Online Holiday Sales Hit Nearly $6 Billion For The Week
Oil Rises A Second Day On Iran Tension, Eurodebt Meetings
Average Gasoline Price Down Nine Cents Over Last Two Weeks
Apple Takes Blow In Battle With Samsung: Judge Rejects Injunction Request
Inside Carrier IQ-Gate
Dear FTC, Thanks For Not Saving Us From Facebook’s Privacy Changes
Slow Sales Dogged Volt Before Fires
We’re All Wasting Time Online



SPORTS
BCS Standings Ensure Alabama & LSU Will Meet Again

Rose Bowl reunion?

First rematch in bowl history and first all-SEC BCS championship

Marlins, Reyes Sign Six-Year $102 Million Deal

Penske To Determine Kurt Busch’s Future Today


Stephens-Howling Leads Cardinals To OT Win Over Cowboys

Packers Stay Unbeaten, Fell Giants At Finish

Tebow Takes To The Air As Broncos Trample Vikings

Phillies Sign Laynce Nix To Two-Year Deal



FAMOUS FOR BEING FAMOUS
Brooke Mueller Arrested For Coke Possession, Assault

Charlie Sheen's ex, Brooke Mueller

Assault and possession with intent to distribute, that is

Angelina Jolie Treats Her Kids To A Movie in NYC

Lindsay To Face Fate Worse Than Jail: Celebrity “Big Brother”

Mindy McCready & Son Found In Arkansas

Jessica Biel Loved Being Pregnant In “New Year’s Eve”

Ashton Kutcher Takes Off Wedding Ring And Kabbalah String


Kirsten Dunst: Who’ll Have Kids With Me?

Universal Studios Closes “Jaws” To Make Way For New Attraction

How Britney Spent Her 30th Birthday

Cheerios: Lady Gaga’s Naked O-Face Is O-Kay With Us



FOREIGNERS
Islamists Seek To Extend Gains In Egyptian Runoff Vote
Afghan Conference In Bonn As NATO Eyes Exits
Syria Faces New Sanctions As Arab League Deadline Passes
Iran Shoots Down US Surveillance Drone
Mysterious Explosions, Deaths Suggest Covert Offensive Against Iran
Thousands Evacuated After 1.8-ton WW2 Bomb Found In Koblenz; Defusing Successful
Croatia’s Conservatives Ousted
Center-Left Party Gets Surprise Win In Slovenia



BLOGS & STUFF
Lonely Conservative: Huckabee’s GOP Presidential Primary Forum (Video)
American Thinker: Iran Says It Shot Down US Drone
Just One Minute: Or Full Service DEA
Glenn Reynolds: The Higher Ed Bubble Is Bursting, So What Comes Next
Weasel Zippers: Woman Raped At Occupy Hartford Camp
George Will: Choking On Obamacare
Jawa Report: Religion Of Peace Influence Increases In UK


SOTD: Blue Jeans & A Rosary

Category: Live at Five

Sony 3D Blu-Ray Disc Player $108!

Posted on | December 4, 2011 | 15 Comments

Yesterday, one of our readers got that incredible bargain by shopping our Amazon Associates holiday specials, and I’m grateful to see that so many of y’all have taken advantage of the great deals this season.

Another reader bought a pair of Levi’s 501 jeans yesterday and last week, a reader scored a deluxe electric blanket. Everything you buy through our Amazon links pays me a small commission, at no cost to you.

We are proud to be your online home of Shameless Capitalism™ — an excellent American holiday tradition — and I hope you’re not one of those scummy “Occupy” protesters who hates capitalism and (“allegedly“*) commits sexual assault. Because if you haven’t shopped our amazing Amazon deals yet, I question your patriotism!

* “Allegedly” = a word neutral objective journalists use to describe criminal scum who are obviously guilty as hell.

Category: Amazon

Quote Of The Day

Posted on | December 4, 2011 | 1 Comment

by Smitty

Dr. Tim’s Moment of Clarity:

The unemployed 26-year old in the hemp hat looking for sympathy might look instead for some inspiration from Jerome I. Case, who started his agricultural equipment business at the age of 21, miraculously without an iPhone 4s.
Mr. Case got rich by asking people what they want and making it for them. He did not get rich by telling people what he wanted and waiting for them to do something about it. If you want to declare war on your own poverty, memorize that.

In defense of Hemp Hat, the amount of government friction in the market was significantly lower Back When.

via Cuccinelli on FaceBook

Category: Wisconsin

Rule 5 Sunday: Truth

Posted on | December 4, 2011 | 13 Comments

— compiled by Wombat-socho


Gosh, what a week. Herman Cain suspends his campaign, my daughter arrives from SFO for a month’s TDY among the stone knives and bearskins of Amazon’s Virginia data centers, 0bama goes on vacation, and Rule 5 Sunday actually falls on a Sunday this week! What better way to start the post than with some celebratory pole dancing, courtesy of The Rio Norte Line? Oh, wait, that’s pole vaulting. How about this, then?

Elsewhere, The POH Diaries celebrate Bob’s megahit with Pippa Middleton, Randy’s Roundtable brings the midweek heat, and The Valley Of The Shadow shakes the tip jar with Kat Von D. Eye of Polyphemus is on Dana Delaney, Fishersville Mike reminds us that it’s almost (country) Christmas, and the Rio Norte Line adds Pixie Lott. Also, the enraging (to the Religion of Peace types, anyway) Veena Malik! Reaganite Republican continues his “Know Your Enemy” series with Miss North Korea 2011, Sora Chong. One shudders to think of her talent contest skills. On a related topic, Jake Finnegan’s Burkalesque Babe this week is Scarlett Johansson, cleverly concealed beneath the US flag burka.


El Opinador Compulsivo has Catrinel Menghia and her Fiat ad video, Essence of Alibi, Brazilian Babes, Theo(Spark)logy, vintage babe Hedy Lamarr, Milton Friedman quote #1, #2, and #3, and in a gesture of solidarity with the ladies, Nani Coleto, an Argentinian rugby player.


Proof Positive offers Amit Friedman, vintage babe Jerry Hall, Olivia de Haviland doing some retro Sex in Advertising. Related: Victoria’s Secret, Strippers Posing As Legal Aides, word of the day “Limber”, and the obligatory 49ers cheerleader.


Maggie’s Notebook this week has Santa’s Babies, Troglopundit asks what Danica Patrick and Marilyn Monroe have in common, Dustbury gets obscure with Danish singer Medina and NYC developer MaryAnne Gilmartin.


This week at The Camp of the Saints it was Maddalena Corvaglia, Rule 5 News, Jennifer Esposito, and salacious social activist Scarlett Johansson. Three Beers Later offered Yvonne Craig and Cote De Pablo.


Soylent Green’s Monday Motivationer was Cali Taylor, followed by some Canadian titillation, some prolix Humpday Hawtness (insert joke about too many words, not enough pictures here), some Vargas action, Brazilian body paint in lieu of corsets, topical reporting on the Egyptian elections, the delights of breakfast, and a PSA on the proper application of bling.


Finally, the DaleyGator’s Daleybabes: Ayanna Jordan, Asian Babe Friday, Jennifer Metcalfe, Justene Jaro, Ashley Greene, and Ola Amedola.

Category: Rule 5

SANTORUM SUNDAY EXPRESS: Exclusive Video From May 2011 At SFVRC

Posted on | December 4, 2011 | 15 Comments

by Smitty

The San Fernando Valley Republican Club invited Rick Santorum to speak prior to the initial GOP debate. Richard McEnroe, the esteemed vast right wing conspirator who blogs at Three Beers Later has honored this blog with the opportunity to preview the video of Rick Santorum’s speech, to maximize the audience reach.

“A Tea Party kinda guy, before there was a Tea Party”

These videos are useful to anyone interested in getting to know Rick Santorum more. Enjoying these videos while building up the post, I can state without reservation that Santorum ‘gets it’, without the baggage of Romney or Gingrich. I hope that Iowa turns into his campaign boomlet.

Santorum discusses rights, responsibility, the revolutionary nature of the REAL contract with America… and why the Progressives need to break that contract.

The White House views you as sheep.

How to bootstrap a stumbing economy… and who wants to stop us. The Boeing jobs Santorum alludes to may yet survive.

On his opponents, entitlements and how to fix both. These uncapped entitlements mean that we cannot know beforehand how much we will spend on them. The Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB*) is a new cap for Medicare.

Rick talks about races he’s won in the past and why he can win this one…

Santorum offers the base their shot at the media and the party and answers questions.

Thank you very much to Three Beers Later for recording and posting this.

Update: linked by Don Surber, with further Santorum thoughts.

* ‘Ipab’ may mean ‘Death Panel’ in Swahili; I’m not sure.

Category: California, Election 2012, Politics, Rick Santorum, Video

SANTORUM EXPRESS SUNDAY: Conservative Gets Unexpected Endorsement by Tea Party Blogger

Posted on | December 4, 2011 | 23 Comments

Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum unexpectedly got a New Media boost Sunday when a top Tea Party blogger endorsed the former Pennsylvania senator.

“Santorum shines bright enough above the others that I am not shy about picking him as my candidate of choice,” said Peter Ingemi, the blogger and talk radio host known as “Da Tech Guy.”

Long a supporter of Herman Cain, who suspended his campaign Saturday, Da Tech Guy’s endorsement praised Santorum’s determination: “Among the current candidates he is one of the few who have not had a surge of support, nevertheless he has not stopped working hard and campaigning all out.”

Although some pundits have predicted that Cain’s erstwhile supporters would switch their support to Newt Gingrich, the former House Speaker was crossed off the list of many Tea Party activists two years ago, when Gingrich backed liberal Republican Dede Scozzafava against conservative hero Doug Hoffman in a crucial New York special election. Hoffman got a coveted endorsement by former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and was also endorsed by former Texas Rep. Dick Armey, whose FreedomWorks organization has been a major supporter of the Tea Party movement. When Gingrich repeatedly appeared on TV to promote Scozzafava — denounced by many grassroots conservatives as a “RINO” (Republican In Name Only) — nationally syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin said: “Newt for 2012? No, thanks.”

Santorum “has been a forceful and unambiguous voice for both social and fiscal conservatism,” said Ingemi, a devout Catholic and outspoken pro-life activist, who noted that his values are shared by the candidate he endorsed: “Even more importantly he has been unafraid to express Catholic truth without concern for MSM’s sensibilities.”

Da Tech Guy’s endorsement, which immediately drew notice from Jazz Shaw at the popular Hot Air blog, was one of several unexpected items of good news for Santorum in recent days. On Thursday, Palin surprised many Fox News viewers when she singled out Santorum for praise during an interview with Sean Hannity. The same day, Santorum was endorsed by one of Iowa’s most prominent evangelical ministers.

Evidence of conservative resistance to Gingrich — including a denunciation of his political leadership by Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn — could mark a turning point in favor of Santorum’s campaign. Less than one month before the Jan. 3  Iowa caucuses, Santorum brings his “Faith, Family and Freedom Tour” to begin a three-day swing through the Hawkeye State today. The only GOP 2012 candidate to have visited all 99 of Iowa’s counties, the married father of seven has strong support among social conservatives, who are viewed as one of the state’s most important Republican constituencies.

The endorsement by Ingemi may add an extra boost for Santorum’s candidacy in New Hampshire. “Da Te Guy on Da Radio” is broadcast every Saturday on WCRN-AM, a 50,000-watt talk-radio station whose signal reaches much of the Granite State, including Manchester.

 





 

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Category: Catholics, Da Tech Guy, Election 2012, Iowa, Neutral Objective Journalism, Rick Santorum, Talk Radio, Tea Party

SANTORUM EXPRESS SUNDAY: Criticizes Newt Gingrich During Appearance on ABC’s ‘This Week’ UPDATE: Complete Video Added

Posted on | December 4, 2011 | 50 Comments

Current Republican presidential front-runner Newt Gingrich has put social issues in “the back of the bus,” his GOP rival Rick Santorum said Sunday in an appearance on ABC’s This Week.

Asked by host Christianne Amanapour about Gingrich’s stand on “social values,” Santorum said: “I think Newt has consistently put those in, let’s say, the back of the bus. He has never really been an advocate of pushing those issues. Newt is someone who likes to get issues that are 80 to 90 percent in the polls, and 80 percent in the polls are generally not necessarily conservative — strong conservative issues.”

Santorum touted his own record as he prepared to begin a three-day “Faith, Family and Freedom Tour” of Iowa, where social conservatives are a key constituency in the Republican caucuses, now less than a month away. (Full transcript below.)

“I think character is definitely an issue,” the former Pennsylvania senator said. “You know, I think they have to make a decision based upon the person’s entire record. And certainly character counts. And I think you look at — you know, I’ve been married 21 years, I have seven children, that’s a factor that people are going to look at and should look at when it comes to, you know, the person.”

While Santorum continues to lag in polls,  he has campaigned relentlessly in Iowa, visiting all 99 counties and building a solid grassroots operation in the Hawkeye State. Read more

Category: ABC, Election, Iowa, Republicans, Rick Santorum
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