Month: September 2008

A nice riposte:

Kristol had the pleasure of Palin’s company on a Weekly Standard cruise last year and is clearly smitten. But I’d wonder about the shelf-life of Palin’s efficacy as an attack dog, especially now that the American people have come to see her as the incredible – as in not credible – vice presidential choice that she is. What Kristol is really saying here is that he wants Steve Schmidt to stop scripting substantive answers to questions for Palin, since that’s clearly beyond her capabilities, and resume scripting attacks for her.

When they have nothing left, these people attack. Right now, they’ve never been so cornered. So expect the worst.

The LAT has a handy graphic:

My instinctive response upon hearing that the bailout failed was relief. I know the dangers of a meltdown. But I also know the dangers of perpetuating the toxic combination of denial and debt that has characterized the last eight years.

He’s been on a roll. This captures my view (except Jim has the expertise to back it up):

the (now modified) Paulson proposal is the worst possible course of action, other than any available alternative.

I’m actually curious as to what the markets will really do if this bailout fails to pass the Congress. I think there’s as much queasiness about this shit sandwich passing as about its failing. And now we’ll find out, won’t we?

From NRO, a new low:

Yesterday, I met a friend for lunch, and the first thing she did was hand me something from The New York Times Magazine. She said, “Charles Murray is your brother. You are kindred spirits.” The clip was a Q&A with Murray, and my friend pointed me to a particular Q: “What do you think of Sarah Palin?” Murray answered, “I’m in love. Truly and deeply in love.” The questioner went on to say, “She attended five colleges in six years.” Murray said, “So what?” The man is a paragon of judgment.

And I totally understand why. Here’s the Roll Call: Democrats backed the bailout by 140 – 95 votes, or roughly 60 – 40. Republicans opposed it by 133 to 65, or 67 – 33.

A reader writes:

I am appalled by the McCain-Palin campaign for what they have allowed to happen to the second woman in history on a national party ticket. The indignities to women everywhere continue to mount. The campaign, rather than speaking out against them as one would hope and expect, is remaining silent or even promoting them!

Media outlets have taken disgusting liberties in discussing Palin in ways that male politicians never experience. The Los Angeles Times style section ran an article and photos that highlighted Palin’s great legs. Maxim just named her the 2nd hottest politician. Foreign dignitaries called her gorgeous, and asked for hugs in addition to handshakes while she stood like a smiling Barbie doll at the UN.

Now, mommy and daddy have rushed to her rescue to say that Sarah really is a good girl who can accomplish anything to which she sets her mind.  I remember having conversations like this with my parents—when I was 15!

Are they going to kiss her boo boo and make it better if Thursday night does not go her way?

Palin is the Barbie doll attached to the front of a truck. The sexism behind her pick and the sexism behind the campaign’s use of her is mind-boggling. But she said yes. It’s her sexism too.

After weighing expert opinion, Hilzoy grudgingly supported the bailout. I wonder how she feels now.

Marc reports the news. When trying to gage how pissed the markets are, David Leonhardt says don’t be fooled by the Dow. He recommends looking at the S.& P. 500 Index which "roughly describes the performance of mutual funds owned by millions of people." It’s tanking.

The final coda to the Bush years: the socialist bailout of capitalism … fails.

Ben Smith adds context to Howard Kurtz’s reporting:

A source familiar with CBS News’ plans clarified that this is part of the "Vice Presidential Questions" series with Biden and Palin. The recorded segments are scheduled to air Wednesday and Thursday before the vice presidential debate. (The series is based on the Presidential Questions series, in which Couric asks the candidates the same set of questions on wide range of topics from policy to character to leadership.)

No word on the content.