Christie was condemned for not knowing what his underlings were doing with regards to the lane closures..

Did you condemn Obama for the EXACT same thing, several times over??

No...

1) Chris Christie ordering the bridge closure. (I think this will be proven.)
2) Obama ordering the IRS to target the Tea Party. (No connection will be found.)
3) Obama ordering the DOJ to target Fox News. (No connection will be found.)

The problem is there is already a PLETHORA of connections that strongly suggest that Obama knew of and/or ordered the IRS and the DOJ...

You simply refuse to accept the evidence..

Which is why a bet like that won't work..

Even our SCOTUS bet was equivocal...

This would be a nightmare because we would never agree on what the definition of "is" is...

Your outlook is tainted by your ideology..

I have no ideology save that of common sense..

So, I doubt it would work..

Michale

Sure I have. I disagree with him on many issues. I condemn him for continued drone strikes. I've fought against his fast track on the TPP deal. I believed he should have implemented single payer or at least the public option.

I think what you're really saying is I don't say what you want me to say.

And why would I? I'd have to obsess about Obama day and night ranting constantly and blaming him for when the sun comes up in the morning and when it sets at night.

There's better things to do my friend.

Which bet?

Your choice.

1) Chris Christie ordering the bridge closure. (I think this will be proven.)
2) Obama ordering the IRS to target the Tea Party. (No connection will be found.)
3) Obama ordering the DOJ to target Fox News. (No connection will be found.)

Pick and we can figure out the details!

-David

ALL politicians are corrupt..

It's a job requirement... :D

BTW, didn't you just accuse liberals (w/o any evidence I might add) a couple comments ago of characterizing the entire Republican Party as corrupt because of the actions of one individual?

No... I accused YA'LL of characterizing the entire Republican Party as corrupt because of the actions of an individual..

And I have PLENTY of evidence to back up the claim. :D

Honestly, it's never about Obama until you make it about Obama, Michale. You bring him into every conversation and attack him.

That's because it is the best argument.. Of COURSE I am going to continue to bring him up..

Ya'all have never successfully disputed the claim.. :D

Now, if you just want to concede the point, then I won't have any argument, now would I?? :D

I'll defend Obama when he warrants defending.

But you NEVER condemn him when he warrants condemnation..

THAT is my entire point...

BTW, what about that bet?

Which bet???

Michale

So far you haven't taken me up on any offers. I'll even wear a Chris Christie shirt.

Do you need a "Ready for Hillary" shirt? :)

-David

Ok, Ronald Reagan ... :)

I am not defending Christie.. He's a politician. OF COURSE he's corrupt!

Well, I'm glad you're not defending Christie. I will withhold my judgment on other politicians until there is sufficient evidence.

BTW, didn't you just accuse liberals (w/o any evidence I might add) a couple comments ago of characterizing the entire Republican Party as corrupt because of the actions of one individual?

Now you're doing it for all politicians?

A little consistency puh-leez ...

I am asking why YOU keep defending Obama when the evidence is overwhelming that he is violating SO MANY tenets of Democratic Party "faith"?

Honestly, it's never about Obama until you make it about Obama, Michale. You bring him into every conversation and attack him.

You seem obsessed with the guy. Sorry you hate him so much. Or is it because you want people to vote Republican?

I'll defend Obama when he warrants defending.

-David

There you go again..

I am not defending Christie.. He's a politician. OF COURSE he's corrupt!!

I am asking why YOU keep defending Obama when the evidence is overwhelming that he is violating SO MANY tenets of Democratic Party "faith"??

Michale

Sure. I'd be willing to bet against either.

What's the bet?

-David

p.s. Is this an April Fool Day joke?

The difference is, when a Republican is corrupt, ya'all claim that it's indicative of the entire Party...

When a Democrat is corrupt, it's a one off. It's an aberration. The Democratic Party is still pure as the driven snow..

Why defend Christie, Michale?

I am not defending Christie..

I am asking why YA'ALL defend Obama when he is, by the specified litmus test, 20 times WORSE than Christie??

THAT is the question ya'all never have an answer for..

Guy must be seriously worried though if he's spending that much money on pre-emptive whitewash. Any bets on whether it eventually comes out Christie ordered the closure?

Any bets on whether it eventually comes out that Obama ordered the IRS to go after conservatives?? That Obama ordered the DOJ to go after reporters??

That's the point ya'all never seem to grasp.

IT WORKS BOTH WAYS...

Ya'all won't admit that. Ya'all simply go after the Right and excuse the Left...

Michale

And herein lies a significant difference between liberals and conservatives.

We're against corruption period.

We don't make excuses. We don't spin. Get them out of there. Doesn't matter if they're Democrats or Republicans. Now as CW wrote, the Dem politicians in Sacramento think differently. But not those of us on the ground.

Why defend Christie, Michale? Loyalty? To a corrupt schmuck like him? C'mon. The guy spent $2 million after Bridgegate on an investigation conducted by his own handpicked lawyer which everyone knew would find that Christie wasn't guilty because Christie paid for it. In other words, Chris Christie found Chris Christie innocent. Using $2 million of his own money. Isn't that pretty much the definition of corruption?

Guy must be seriously worried though if he's spending that much money on pre-emptive whitewash. Any bets on whether it eventually comes out Christie ordered the closure?

Now there's a bet I'd be willing to take.

-David

Earlier this month, Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas argued liberals had successfully purged so-called squishy moderates from the Democratic Party's ranks—even if those same lawmakers had helped the party retain conservative-leaning Senate and House seats. From the middle, the centrist Democratic think tank Third Way has become more outspoken in criticizing progressive leaders, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, for advocating an agenda that will compromise the party's ability to attract moderate voters.
http://www.nationaljournal.com/politics/preparing-for-rough-midterms-democratic-groups-already-blaming-each-other-20140330

Well, things aren't all peachy keen wonderful in the Democratic Party either.. :D

Thereby once again, solidifying my claim that there really ain't much difference between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party...

Both stink...

Michale

I'm just sayin'... :D

Michale

The MOST Christie is guilty of is not knowing what his underlings were doing...

Obama commits that "crime" on a DAILY basis and no one here says 'boo'... :D

Jon Stewart says it best...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDfmUK833hc

:D

Michale

Lemme know when Chris Christie resigns :D

-David

Yea, the Democratic Party sucks, don't it?? :D

Michale

A friend of mine in SF posted something about how Ed Jew, a former district supervisor, commented at his trial that Yee taught him everything he knew.

http://sfist.com/2014/03/26/senator_leland_yee_arrested.php

-David

http://www.weeklystandard.com/sites/all/files/images/obamacare.preview.jpg

The utter incompetence of the Obama Administration is staggering....

They KNEW that there was going to be a last minute surge...

And they dropped the ball..

AGAIN....

Michale

If you want to revisit a previous issue, there has been new information... :D

http://www.chrisweigant.com/2014/03/18/science-wins-over-politics/

Michale

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bj4rk8jIEAA2-wQ.jpg

Obama don't care bout no stinkin' income equality!!

Michale

"In the dictionary, under 'redundant' it says, 'see redundant'."
-Robin Williams, LIVE AT THE MET

:D

Michale

JEEP = Just Entered Educational Processing

An old military term.. :D

In recent polling:

You have just hit upon my entire beef with polls..

Anyone can find any poll that supports ANY position they may want to put forth..

That's why I have always maintained that polls are really quite useless..

I simply use them to tweak the noses of Weigantians because they are all so fond of the polls that support their positions. :D

The simple fact is, the American people don't have a problem with healthcare reform..

They are simply on record as stating, over and over again for the last 4 years, that TWC/ACA is NOT their idea of reform.

It doesn't bring health insurance to the masses of uninsured, as intended, and it doesn't bring down the costs of healthcare, as intended.

By ANY litmus test used, obamacare is a complete and utter failure..

The American people have spoken..

Furthermore, 59% want to either keep the law as it is or keep the law in place and work to improve it while only 18% want to repeal it and not replace it.

And yet, when that theory was put into actual practice (the FL Special Election) it went down in flames.

A well known and well liked Democrat against a third tier LOBBYIST Republican. In an area that Obama won both times.

And the Republican won. It's not rocket science to determine that it was the TWC/ACA stance that was the deciding factor..

Democrats, if they want to stand a snowball's chance in hell of holding onto their jobs, will have to run on something else besides obamacare if they want to keep their jobs.

Because all the evidence shows that TWC/ACA is a loser for them..

Incidentally, 214,000 people have not paid premiums to date - a drop in the ocean really. And the 6+ million sign-ups are 6+ million QHPs, not individuals.

I'de like to see your source for that. Because it's well documented that the back-end financials for the TrainWreckCare website aren't even in place yet.

So, no one knows HOW many people have paid anything..

Not saying you're wrong. Would just like to see the cite... :D

Michale

Thank you for the welcome, Michale. Incidentally, what is a "JEEP"? I don't believe I've come across the term before.

Ah yes, the PPACA, AKA ACA, AKA Obamacare.

In recent polling:

In favor of guaranteed issue - 70%

In favor of Medicaid expansion - 74%

In favor of eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for preventative services - 77%

In favor of subsidy assistance to individuals - 77%

In favor of closing the Medicare "donut-hole" - 79%

In favor of extension of dependent coverage - 80%

Furthermore, 59% want to either keep the law as it is or keep the law in place and work to improve it while only 18% want to repeal it and not replace it. As for Medicaid expansion, 40% didn't know this was an option in the ACA. Could it be that red states are deliberately not telling their constituents about this?

Republicans have been doing a questionable job in their anti-Obamacare campaign since 42% don't know ACA is the law of the land, 12% believe Congress repealed the law and 7% think Obamacare was overturned by the Supreme Court! Given the range of the uninformed and misinformed, it's a wonder that there have been as many sign-ups as there have!

Incidentally, 214,000 people have not paid premiums to date - a drop in the ocean really. And the 6+ million sign-ups are 6+ million QHPs, not individuals.

:-)

26% of Americans approve of obamacare. That is DOWN, WAY DOWN from 39%...

Get it? Ya'all keep saying "obamacare is getting better and better" yet more and more Americans are saying it's getting worser and worser...

That's what is so hilarious. Americans have NEVER approved of TrainWreckCare, NEVER wanted TWC, NOT ONE SINGLE TIME has EVER supported obamacare...

And yet, ya'all STILL think it's a winner??

What's the red line?? At what point do ya'all admit, "Yea, well, it's true. Michale was right all along. obamacare is a stinker..."

I mean, honestly. Do Democrats need a ton of bricks to fall on their heads to realize, "Yea, maybe TrainWreckCare isn't all that"

Michale

*standard Poll Caveats apply

Well, well, well.. We have a new JEEP here in Weigantia... :D

As you have been told...

"Welcome to the party, PAL!!!!!"
-John McClane, DIE HARD

Don't worry. You stick around long enough, you get used to it. :D

Welcome to Weigantia... :D

Michale

This might be a several part'er.. Fair warning..

Six million... and counting

Six million SIGN UPs..

It's a testament to the Obama Administration's incompetence that no one knows how many are actual insurance customers. How many have actually paid.

It's likely that less than HALF of those are actually insured..

Put another way.. If you have 20,000 people who have signed up for your party but NO ONE has RSVP'ed that they actually will be coming, you don't have squat...

Republicans want to take affordable health care away from you

Affordable?? Where?? I don't see ANY affordable health care anywhere...

Let's face it, people. TrainWreckCare is a loser for Democrats in 2014...

The special election in FL proved that beyond ANY doubt...

Democrats CAN'T run on the idea that obamacare is great and wonderful. They would be laughed out of the state..

Sink proved that Dems can't run on obamacare is flawed and it needs to be fixed.. Sink ran on THAT and lost. Not only that, but lost to a third-tier LOBBYIST, fer chreest's sake!! The ONLY thing lower than a Lobbyist on the scumbag scale is a politician...

The ONLY way that Democrats have a chance in hell is to run on the GET RID OF TRAINWRECKCARE platform..

Of course, Dems are too enslaved by their Party ideology to do that...

Which is why 2014 will make 2010 look like a fun family picnic by comparison..

As Obama himself said.

Democrats are gonna get clobbered...

The yes-or-no vote it deserves

This is my biggest beef with Democrats... Well, an Republicans to..

For god's sake, be consistent!!!

If Dems want a UP OR DOWN VOTE then they should want it on EVERYTHING.. Not just the things that suit their agenda...

Hypocrisy, thy name is Democratic Party

War On Women polling update

What does Bill Clinton say to Hillary after sex??

"Be home in 20 minutes, dear."

That takes care of the "War On Women" BS... :D

Biden is really growing on me. Having a planet somewhat kinda named after him is pretty kewl, I must admit.. :D

Michale

I'm going to be figuring out how to work Planet Biden into a Huff Post comment!

Speaking of David Bowie - I always thought he sang "They're coming to take me away" but he didn't - someone called Napolean XIV sang it. Anyway, I thought it would be an excellent McConnelling song:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnzHtm1jhL4&feature=kp&noredirect=1

To CW -

I actually sent an email to the DNC one day, maybe three weeks ago, to suggest that they commission a poll of post-ACA sign-ups only (it even included suggested questions to ask - I really thought about this... okay, it was admittedly about 3am at the time but even so...)with the last question asking them if they'd be prepared to volunteer to be in an ad. I never heard back from them :-(

I'm thinking of writing them another suggesting a slogan this time - "Vote Democrat and put the U back in USA!" Yeah, I'm out to annoy them now!

I hope you like the blog. It was originally written in 2011 I think and published in 2 or 3 different places online. I updated it recently for my new blog.

PS Love the pussy cat!

Mopshell (which is a family nickname from my childhood if anyone was wondering!)

First off, welcome to the site!

Your first comment was held for moderation, but from now on you should be able to post comments and have them appear here instantly.

As long as, that is, you don't post multiple links per comment -- multi-link comments are always held for moderation automatically, to cut down on comment spam.

But you will notice (if my HuffPost comment doesn't get approved) that we have no word-counts here, so feel free to let us know what you think in full.

As for my writings, this is indeed the place to find them. Oh, sure, I appear on HuffPost on a M/W/F schedule (and on other sites on other schedules), but getting featured is always hit or miss there. Here, you'll find a column every weekday, rain or shine.

And, as an added bonus, our favorite conservative/contrarian commenter is about, in fact, to welcome you with a "welcome to the party" quote. Michale? That's your cue...

Heh.

AS for "former Republican voter" comments, I have been seeing them for the past five years or so, but as you mentioned, they do seem to be picking up in recent years. As the GOP moves further and further from the mainstream, more and more people are going to be abandoning them. Look for changes in the percentage of voters who identify themselves as "Republican" versus "independent," that's my barometer.

AS for Ocare, check out that chart link in the article above, the stats are updated weekly, and he is the only one I've found who counts ALL the categories concerned. The real number to watch is the percentage of Americans covered vs. not insured. The uninsured percent has been dropping for months, and if it continues to do so, it will put the lie to GOP propaganda to the contrary.

2) I've been wondering where all the "Obamacare helped me and my family" ads are... maybe they'll appear later in the election cycle, because there certainly are a lot of candidates for this type of advertising.

5) Good point on the follow-through by Pelosi on the Senate issues. Just had to say that.

7) I admit I wrote this before reading the second flub story. Poor McConnell... heh...

I will check your blog out and try to decipher Ozzie politics, as your commentary here has been top-rate!

:-)

LizM -

I just want to hear David Bowie work "Planet Biden" into a song, personally...

:-)

-CW

TNO, eh? I think I've seen that band! :)

Seriously, this has reminded me of one my very favourite Canadian rock bands, PRISM; and, for your entertainment pleasure this evening, enjoy this version of Spaceship Superstar ...

I'm pretty sure it would be a hit on Planet Biden, too. You know, I could get used to tapping that out ... :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSyYqD9v_wo

So much to comment on this week!

Hobby Lobby: I found a very interesting item this week regarding this case - basically, their case requires the court to decide whether a corporation has sincere religious beliefs that would be compromised by having its health plan cover the contraception that it has covered for years, long before the ACA (yes, true!), because it believes that contraception causes abortions, even when it has been proved that it doesn't.

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/03/hobby-lobby-supreme-court-obamacare

Unemployment extension: Yesterday I noted at least four Huff Post comments from Republican supporters bemoaning the further delay in unemployment benefits - two declared she was now a former Republican supporter; one that she was on the brink of becoming 'former' if Rand and Boehner both blocked the extension (interesting that she chose those two in particular) and the other two asking everyone to write to their local Republican member to urge them to support an extension. Time will tell if this is just steam or real smoke...

Poor Steve Grossman! Yes he did deserve Most Impressive while the Californian Democrats deserve the collective dis-Honorable mention! Way to go to give the party a real bad rep, guys.

Talking Points:
1)Obamacare numbers: an interesting issue came to light 2-3 weeks ago regarding these figures. It seems that the pre-ACA number of some 40 million uninsured counts individuals. Okay, that seems reasonable. However, the new insured figures count policies which may have one or more people covered in the household, including all children below the age of 26. The Census Bureau reports that, dating from its most recent census, the number of people in households across the country averages out to 2.6. Therefore, a more accurate estimate of the number of people who are now covered should be multiplied by that average - 6 million x 2.6 = 15.6 million. With 10.5 million unable to be covered because their state refused the Medicaid expansion, this leaves some 13.9 million, some of which are covered by Medicaid in those states with the expansion program. Of course, the 6 million policy figure is still the most meaningful in terms of how well the program will do financially. Ain't statistics fun!

2)Now this is clever ad-campaigning. I hope all other Democrats take note and follow their lead. I'm also wondering why there is yet to be a poll taken of those who have signed up for insurance since ACA was implemented. A poll of uninsured was published this week - so why not the insured? It's bound to discover a great many people who are very happy - figures the Democrats could really use.

3)& 4) Yes I've been following the "Discharge!" story. I'm thinking that Obama set up the GOP nicely for this blow by urging Congress to deal with immigration reform and giving them plenty of time to do so before Pelosi dropped this in their laps. Great timing too - especially following on the heels of the US Hispanic Chamber of Congress meeting with Paul Ryan saying, "To me, it's not a question of if we fix our broken immigration laws, it's really a question of when." Pelosi is offering an opportunity for that "when" being sooner rather than later!

5)Very clever move by Reid and the Senate Democrats! What's more, Pelosi can follow up each of their votes with her rallying cry of "Discharge!" - perfect synchronization of strategy.

6)I saw this poll this week. Those positive figures will certainly have a bearing on public opinion of the HL case.

7)In the wake of McConnelling comes the basketball flub - McConnell is having a rough time of it and it's funny!

This is great! I'm so glad I thought to look for your blog and register. It's improved my Saturday enormously!

I also have a blog and wrote recently about the Australian attitude to politics and compulsory voting. You can find it here if you care to:

http://mopshelle.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/australiana-101-political-landscape.html

I knew you'd like today's Biden news.

:-)

I still call them "Xena" and "Gabby," personally. Oh, and "Trans-Neptunian Objects" would be a GREAT name for a rock band, don't you think?

Heh.

-CW

So, help me out here ... does having a planet named after him help or hurt Biden's chances in the 2016 presidential race?