Category: Yglesias Award Nominee

Chait finally says what needs to be said about those “binders” fixating Piers Morgan.

"I am committed to conservatism: I am more conservative on social issues than is the norm in the Pacific Northwest. I believe interpretations of our Constitution should preserve the original intent of our Founding Fathers. And my worldview is grounded in Catholic faith tradition. It is for these reasons that I support Washington’s gay marriage law. Although gay marriage is usually perceived as a liberal position, I actually see this law as being consistent with conservatism, especially when viewed within its root: 'to save, guard, protect,'" – Kent Hickey, president of Seattle Prep, the city's Jesuit high school since 1891.

(Hat tip: Dan Savage)

"Mitt's window to turn the economic debate around is [Wednesday.] And his alleged supporters just shit on it. An abysmally selfish and stupid event," – Alex Castellanos, on the racist Drudge-Hannity-Carlson gambit.

"I am endorsing Amendment 64 not despite my conservative beliefs, but because of them. Throughout my career in public policy and in public office, I have fought to reform or eliminate wasteful and ineffective government programs. There is no government program or policy I can think of that has failed in such a unique way as marijuana prohibition," – former congressman Tom Tancredo (R-CO)

“Now that [the ending of Don't Ask, Don't Tell is] done, we should not reverse it. I think that would be a step in the wrong direction because people have already disclosed themselves. I think this issue is past us. It’s done. And I think we need to move on," – Paul Ryan.

“This week I called [the Romney campaign] incompetent, but only because I was being polite. I really meant “rolling calamity.” A lot of people weighed in, in I suppose expected ways: “Glad you said this,” “Mad you said this.” But, some surprises. No one that I know of defended the campaign or argued “you’re missing some of its quiet excellence,” – Peggy Noonan.

"The logic of Romney’s fundraising has seemed, for some time, slightly crazy. He’s raising money so he can pile it in at the end, with ads. But at the end will they make much difference? Obama is said to have used a lot of his money early on, to paint a portrait of Romney as Thurston Howell III, as David Brooks put it. That was a gamble on Obama’s part: spend it now, pull ahead in the battlegrounds, once we pull ahead more money will come in because money follows winners, not losers.

If I’m seeing things right, that strategy is paying off. Romney’s staff used to brag they had a lower burn rate, they were saving it up. For what? For the moment when Americans would rather poke out their eyeballs and stomp on the goo than listen to another ad?" – Peggy Noonan.