Two new polls out today from pretty respected pollsters showing fairly different pictures of the public mind on the President and his signature legislation, Obamacare. Pew shows both back to pre-rollout levels, while Quinnipiac shows some continued drop and the President’s unpopularity dragging down Congressional Democrats.
Maybe John Cornyn doesn’t have that much to worry about? Last month the city Fire Marshal condemned primary challenger Rep. Steve Stockman’s campaign headquarters, which seemed to be set up like a sort of Tea Party commune, and ordered its emergency closure for various health and safety violations.
The Capitol state grounds in Tallahassee, Florida this year will have an official Festivus pole alongside the usual Christmas installation.
Just a few days ago a GOP flack was on my case about how John Cornyn had successfully avoided a Tea Party challenger, after I described how much he was still doing to play to the crazy to avoid just such a challenge. Now the Texas Monthly has published a November interview with Cornyn in which he complains that the Tea Party sets an “impossible standard” for Republicans to meet. And that’s come just hours after Rep. Steve Stockman (R-TX), perhaps one of the whackiest members of Congress, announced that he is challenging Cornyn.
Rubio complains Obama didn’t take Raul Castro to task for denying freedoms at Mandela memorial.
On Saturday we had our first annual TPM Holiday party at our New York City office (yes, War on Christmas, ‘natch). As part of the festivities we had an amazingly talented photographer, Victor Jeffreys, taking portraits. After the jump, an assortment of them and a chance to see up close and in their best light who writes, edits, publishes, designs and codes everything you see here each day. as well as a bunch of our friends.
Heritage Action bashes Ryan-Murray plan, greasing skids for January shutdown-o-rama.
NSA surveilled World of Warcraft virtual gaming world, even going to so far as to create elves, gnomes and supermodel characters in an effort to recruit informers.
Mark Halperin: If Hilary doesn’t run, I think John Kerry’s the guy. Watch.
Kentucky man places gun on toilet paper dispenser while relieving himself in seated position. Gun goes off.