Editors’ Blog - 2009
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.
09.23.09 | 8:55 am
Commando

Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-OK) is leading a special “truth squad” delegation to the UN Climate Change conference in Copenhagen to tell the foreigners Obama doesn’t know what he’s talking about. And they shouldn’t listen to other members of Congress saying the US is going to pass legislation.

09.23.09 | 9:35 am
Skepticism on Whack Polls

On that poll of extremisms, TPM Reader SR sends us this …

My specialty is survey research, and I think you are taking these results a little too seriously. People are petulant, truculent, and belligerent. A good portion those answering in these ridiculous ways, are just giving a middle finger to a politician that they hate, either Bush or Obama. I have seen this many times, and it highly correlates with strong partisans and ideologues. But that does not mean that they actually believe it. They just think it is funny to answer a poll question in a belligerent way.

I’ve actually had the same thought. And I would say on two different levels. Read More

09.23.09 | 9:56 am
Breaking

Fox says Paul Kirk, former DNC chief and longtime Kennedy friend, will get the interim appointment to Kennedy’s seat in the senate.

Late Update: Gov. Patrick’s (D) office no commented the report when we asked them about it.

09.23.09 | 10:02 am
Interesting Comparison

TPM Reader WB on Truthers and Birthers …

I’m sadly not at all surprised at those high 9/11 “truther” numbers among Democrats. I’ve had many conversations with friends and family who believe some variation of this nonsense (anywhere from “Bush let it happen” to “the the attacks were planned and executed at the highest levels of government, the planes didn’t cause the collapse, etc.”). It is tiring, but not altogether surprising because really traumatic national events like 9/11 or Presidential assassinations tend to lead to conspiracy theories. Pick any national trauma of similar magnitude and you will find a nexus of conspiracy theories floating around it (JFK, Pearl Harbor, etc.).

Read More

09.23.09 | 10:05 am
On the Down Shag

You may know John Guandolo as the former FBI agent hitting the right-wing lecture circuit warning of a secret Muslim cabal working to bring America under Sharia Law and the federal agents who are too wimpy to stop them. Now you can learn about the serial philandering that got him booted from the FBI and came close to scuttling the Rep. Bill Jefferson (D-LA) because Guandolo couldn’t keep his hands off one of the government’s key witnesses.

Given his extreme opposition to Sharia Law it is conceivable that Guandolo saw his turbo shagfest as a one-man rebellion against its oppressive strictures.

09.23.09 | 11:03 am
Open Government

Sen. Roberts (R-KS) pushes for health insurance lobbyists to get a 72 hour online review window on new health care bill.

09.23.09 | 11:30 am
Fox News Can’t Help Itself

The big news from the United Nations today? According to Fox News, it was Qaddafi praising President Obama as a “son” of Africa. Watch.

09.23.09 | 11:39 am
Guess He’s a No on Reform

Georgia congressman says US already has “soviet-style” health care system.

Only he’s a Democrat.

09.23.09 | 12:08 pm
Deep Thought

How will Obama answer for those ACORN women in Baltimore?

09.23.09 | 12:28 pm
Man of Steele

Steele statement on Obama: Why should we believe what he said at the UN.