The Fox Primary

[boutons_deux]

One Question for Each Republican Candidate in Tomorrow's Debate

The clowns have piled into the car. Here's a personalized question for each of them.

Good old Tom Friedman has a question he'd like to askthe various Republican candidates tomorrow night.

"As part of a 1982 transportation bill, President Ronald Reagan agreed to boost the then 4-cent-a-gallon gasoline tax to 9 cents, saying, 'When we first built our highways, we paid for them with a gas tax,' adding, 'It was a fair concept then, and it is today.'

Do you believe Reagan was right then, and would you agree to raise the gasoline tax by 5 cents a gallon today so we can pay for our highway bill, which is now stalled in Congress over funding?"

Silly Tom Friedman. The answer to your question will be, "Overtaxed! Socialism! Benghazi! I Am Reagan and I disagree with earlier Me."

However, Friedman's heart is in the right place, so we'll help him out. The staff of the shebeen has developed personalized questions for each of the 10 candidates in tomorrow night's Main Event. (The unfortunate souls in the JV contest all will be asked the same question: "Are you in it for the money?") Here we are.


Jeb (!) Bush: In 2003, you intervened in a private family matter in contravention of a state law that had been enacted several years earlier. How many life-and-death decisions are you preparing to make for individual American families after you are president?"

Scott Walker: Why do so many of the people who work for your campaigns wind up in jail?

Chris Christie: Do you still believe that so many people in New Jersey won't vote for you for president because they want you to remain governor? If so, have you sought professional help?

Marco Rubio: Whatever happened to that immigration-reform bill of yours? Is it buried in the backyard, under a rake?

Mike Huckabee: Please explain, in detail, how an arms deal with Iran is similar to the doors of a crematorium?

John Kasich: Please explain, in detail, how a Balanced Budget Amendment would have allowed the United States to win World War II. Please show your work.

Ben Carson: Please explain, in detail, how is the Affordable Care Act like slavery—specifically, illustrate the similarities between the Middle Passage and a Bronze-level plan.

Rand Paul: How long have you been afflicted with invisibility and is it a chronic condition?

Ted Cruz: What if I want sausages with my waffles instead?

Donald Trump: Dude, seriously?

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics...-first-debate/

[boutons_deux]

7 Genuinely Tough Questions For The First GOP Debate That Fox News Probably Won’t Ask


1. Many of you predicted that Obamacare would have a devastating impact on the American job market and continue to refer to Obamacare as a “job killer.” How do you explain the historic job growth under Obamacare?

In 2011, Republicans passed the “Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act.” Since the passage of Obamacare in March 2010, however, there have been 64 straight months of consecutive job growth — and all-time record — adding nearly 13 million jobs to the economy.

2. Do you support paid maternity leave?

Out of 185 major countries, the United States is one of just three that does not offer new mothers paid leave. The other two are Oman and Papua New Guinea.

CREDIT: THINKPROGRESS

3. There are no guns allowed in the arena tonight. Do you support that policy?

Many of the candidates oppose “gun free zones” in places like schools and military bases, arguing that allowing people to carry guns will enable them to protect themselves against “bad guys.” But candidates recognize the importance of “gun-free zones” in their own lives. Trump, for example, does not allow guns on his hotels and golf courses. Quicken Arena, where the Republican debate is being held, also does not allow guns.

4. What lessons have you drawn from the disastrous consequences of the Iraq war and how does that impact your view of the Iran deal?

Many of the people opposed to the Iran deal supported the Iraq war. (Many of the candidates areadvised by architects of the Iraq war.) The arguments the candidates are using to justify their opposition to the Iran deal are very similar to those used to justify war in Iraq.

5. You have said you admire Ronald Reagan. But Reagan granted legal status to millions of undo ented immigrants. Why is your approach so different than Reagan?

In 1986, Ronald Reagan signed legislation that created a pathway to citizenship for 3 million undo ented immigrants.

6. Many of you attended a recent gathering by the Koch brothers, who say they are opposed to corporate welfare. Would you commit to eliminating all government subsidies and tax breaks to the fossil fuel industry as President?

The Koch brothers, who are spending millions to influence this election, claim to oppose corporate welfare. The fossil fuel industry receives at least $4.7 billion in direct production tax breaks and billions more in indirect support.

7. Does the government spend too much on women’s health?

Jeb Bush recently said that though we might be spending too much on “women’s health,” before quickly backtracking. But Bush and the rest of the candidates support defunding Planned Parenthood, one of the largest providers of women’s health services.

?http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/08/06/3688670/7-genuinely-tough-questions-for-the-first-gop-debate-that-fox-news-probably-wont-ask/

[boutons_deux]

[boutons_deux]

Psychologists Urge People With Low Self-Esteem to Watch G.O.P. Debate




MINNESOTA — Psychologists at the University of Minnesota have issued a research study recommending that people suffering from low self-esteem watch Thursday night’s nationally televised Republican debate.

The recommendation came after the psychologists spent weeks showing research subjects video clips of the debate’s potential participants and observed striking improvements in the subjects’ overall morale and sense of worth.



“We interviewed the volunteers before we exposed them to the Republican candidates and afterward,” said psychologist Davis Logsdon. “The e in their self-esteem was off the charts.”

Of the candidates who most improved the research subjects’ sense of self, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, Texas Senator Ted Cruz, and former Florida Governor Jeb Bush were found to be consistently helpful, but the most marked increase in self-esteem levels came after the subjects were exposed to Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker.

According to the data, people who viewed Walker for approximately three minutes reported feeling better “right away” about their intelligence, knowledge, and prospects for obtaining high-status employment that they had previously considered well beyond their reach.

“After watching Governor Walker, a substantial number of the subjects literally could not remember why they had ever felt bad about themselves,” Logsdon said.

In addition to recommending that low self-esteem-sufferers watch the debate, Logsdon is advising them to D.V.R. the entire two hours. “You never know when you might need it again,” he said.

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/psychologists-urge-people-with-low-self-esteem-to-watch-g-o-p-debate?mbid=nl_Borowitz%20(33)&cndid=&mbid=nl_Boro witz%20(33)&CNDID=&spMailingID=7964713&spUserID=Mj czNzc0Njk0NDAS1&spJobID=740781411&spReportId=NzQwN zgxNDExS0

[boutons_deux]

#DebateQuestionsWeWantToHear


Scott Wooledge @Clarknt67

A black guy rolls past a stop sign. Another black guy jaywalks. Who should the police execute first and why?


MATTY ICE @MattyIceAZ

Can each of you tell the audience about your college experience? Scott -- you are exempt from this question.


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Barracks O'Bama @P0TUS

#DebateQuestionsWeWantToHear Is Lindsey Graham prettier than Megyn Kelly? Discuss.


Barbara I @Barbara102006

Are you the father of Bristol Palin's baby?


Nick @angry_eyebrowz

If you had a soul, how much would you sell it for?



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Elizabeth West @Limeylizzie

#DebateQuestionsWeWantToHear Can you point out where the part that shuts down legitimate rape is located?



Top Conservative Cat @TeaPartyCat

#DebateQuestionsWeWantToHear Would you resurrect Reagan and build a time machine to stop Hitler if it meant raising tax



MATTY ICE @MattyIceAZ

If Rick Perry were here, would he remember the three branches of government? #DebateQuestionsWeWantToHear





Ian F. Hood @IanFHood

#DebateQuestionsWeWantToHearWhat is the difference between a fact and what you said?



Ashley @ItsMeAshleyWee

On a scale from Paris Hilton to Kim Kardashian, what is your lack of intelligence level?



Scott Wooledge @Clarknt67

Who wants to take a selfie with a Christian family values anti-gay activist?



PoliticalGroove @PoliticalGroove

What's an acceptable number of mass shootings per year?


darksidedeb @darksidedeb

Why isn't 11 pronounced onety-one? #DebateQuestionsWeWantToHear



Namaste, Ish @Namaste_Ish

Which of the Koch brothers is a more gentle lover?


View image on Twitter

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Brett Banditelli @banditelli

#DebateQuestionsWeWantToHear What exactly is it, that you do here?

[boutons_deux]

Donald Trump’s Sickest Burns of His 2016 Rivals


As the carnival barker prepares to take the debate stage tonight, a look back at the insults he's already lobbed.

“I’d like to be civil,” Donald Trump said recently of his upcoming debate performance tonight, but as a top campaign aide to Ohio Gov. John Kasich recently tweeted, for his fellow Republican candidates, preparing for tonight’s debate with the notorious ham at center stage is like “a NASCAR driver mentally preparing for a race knowing one of the drivers will be drunk”:

Ahead of the first GOP debate, Salon takes a look at a few of the insults The Donald has hurled at his fellow Republicans:

Jeb Bush

“The last thing we need is another Bush,” Trump declared during January’s Iowa Freedom Summit, opening a months-long assault on his fellow Republicans — a campaign that has been particularly focused on the former Florida governor.

“How would you like him negotiating with the terrorists?” Trump asked at a rally months later, noting “it took him four days before he got his answer straight” on the 2003 Iraq invasion. Bush suffered an early campaign stumble when he was unable to answer a question on the wisdom of invading Iraq during a Fox News interview. Trump has repeatedly described Bush as “weak” on the campaign trail.

Trump’s Twitter account also retweeted an insult to Bush’s wife on July 4: “@RObHeilbron: realDonaldTrump #JebBush has to like the Mexican Illegals because of his wife.” The retweet was later deleted.

Marco Rubio
“Weak” appears to be a favorite phrase of Trump’s as he’s deployed the insult against Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as well.

“Rubio is weak on immigration and he’s weak on jobs,” Trump told the conservative Breitbart.com, adding, “We need someone who is going to make the country great again, and Rubio is not going to make the country great again.”

“I don’t even know how he could be running for office,” Trump said of Rubio during a campaign event. “We can’t put ourselves through this … He couldn’t answer ‘Is the Iraq war a good thing or a bad thing?'”

Scott Walker

“Finally, I can attack!” Trump recently told a fired-up crowd [4] in Iowa after a fundraiser for Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker called Trump a “DumbDumb.”

“Wisconsin’s doing terribly. It’s in turmoil. The roads are a disaster because they don’t have any money to rebuild them. They’re borrowing money like crazy. They projected a $1 billion surplus, and it turns out to be a deficit of $2.2 billion. The schools are a disaster. The hospitals and education was a disaster. And he was totally in favor of Common Core!”

And in a June interview with Bloomberg Politics [5] Trump said that Walker’s “got a lot of problems in Wisconsin. You know, Wisconsin’s got tremendous problems … the debt and the difficult problems that they have going on Wisconsin. Tremendous borrowings.”

John Kasich

Despite disavowing his campaign aide’s tweet alluding to Trump’s erratic campaign style, Gov. Kasich may not be able to fend off potential bombs lobbed by Trump tonight. Back in May, Trump attacked Kasich, one of the newest entrants into the race, for his “horrendous” record as a Lehman Brothers managing partner:

But hey, at least the Ohio governor made it to the debate stage in Cleveland, unlike some of his GOP rivals who’ve suffered some of Trump’s harshest stings.

Rick Perry

Perry was beat out for the last main stage debate spot by Kasich, so he won’t be able to call Trump a “cancer” to his face and he won’t be able to redeem his lackluster 2011 debate performance, but Trump may still make mention of the former Texas governor, who he once said “should be forced to take an IQ test before being allowed to enter the GOP debate”:

“Rick Perry failed at the border. Now he is critical of me. He needs a new pair of glasses to see the crimes committed by illegal immigrants,” Trump also tweeted:

“He put on glasses so people will think he’s smart. And it just doesn’t work! You know people can see through the glasses,” Trump exclaimed at a July 21 rally.

Lindsey Graham

A “stiff,” and a “beggar,” is how Trump has described Sen. Lindsey Graham after the South Carolina senator called Trump a “jackass” for his disparaging comments on Sen. John McCain’s war record.

The tycoon said of Graham’s prospects in the private sector, “He couldn’t get a job. Believe me. Couldn’t get a job.” Trump told a crowd at a retirement community in Graham’s home state of South Carolina. “He couldn’t do what you people did. You’re retired as and rich. He wouldn’t be rich; he’d be poor,” Trump joked before giving away Graham’s personal cellphone number onstage.

George Pataki

The former New York governor made a gamble to come out early against Trump’s comments comparing Mexican immigrants to criminals,urging fellow GOP candidates to condemn Trump’s comments [11] and challenging Trump to a debate [12] on immigration but he won’t be able to make his points directly to Trump tonight as Pataki’s been relegated to the “kiddie table,” failing to secure more than 1 percent support in national polls.

Carly Fiorina

The former host of reality TV show “The Apprentice” invoked his famous tag line “You’re fired” to deliver a scathing critique of Republican presidential candidate and former HP executive, Carly Fiorina: Fiorina “ran a company and she got viciously fired,” Trump told Florida Republicans in May. “She was walked out of there. And the stock went up seven points the day she got fired. That’s not a good sign.”

Trump also slammed Fiorina’s failed 2010 Senate campaign, in which she lost to Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer of California by 10 points. “She loses in a landslide. A landslide,” Trump boomed. “And now she says, ‘OK, now I’m going to run for president.’ Give me a break!”

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-pol...is-2016-rivals

[boutons_deux]

The 10 Biggest Lies and Cliches Spouted So Far by the Top 10 Republicans Debating Tonight


These charlatans, bullies, braggarts and right-wing hit-men are just getting warmed up.






As everyone knows, Fox News has picked 10 Republicans to appear on the main stage for the first "official" presidential debate on Thursday. (A secondary forum will be held for the others.)

This event will be a remarkable showcase of right-wing candidates, similar agendas, personal vanities and many falsehoods about their actual records and accomplishments.

What follows is a list of some of the biggest clichés and lies from the top 10 Republican contenders.

Bush: The cliché that Jeb Bush promotes is that he’s the "moderate" in the GOP field, but that is also his biggest lie. Just this week, he revealed how immoderate he is on women’s reproductive rights and health, saying the federal government is spending too much for gynecological-related medical services, which includes abortion. And Bush also keeps pedaling the line that he opposes ground troops to fight ISIS, but would send in more special forces and trainers—as if those soldiers have never been the harbinger of deploying more troops when war plans don’t work.

Carson: The cliché that Ben Carson keeps reciting is that Obamacare is one of the worst things federal government has ever forced on Americans. That’s always been a bizarre right-wing complaint, especially as Obamacare is built on the conservative embrace of the private health insurance industry. It’s also factually wrong, as evidenced by the 15-plus million people who have signedup for it. The optics of a retired African-American surgeon whcking Obama looks good on Fox News, but that’s just another ruse.

Rubio: The cliché that Marco Rubio keeps repeating is that he is a fresh face bringing new ideas and energy to the GOP, just as John F. Kennedy did for Democrats in 1960s. The big lie is that Rubio is a new Latino champion who breaks from past GOP policies. Even though his grandfather was an undo ented immigrant, Rubio has walked away from earlier immigration reforms and embraced the party's most draconian stances. He now opposesamnesty, the Dream Act, wants bigger border walls, and wants to require English proficiency for green cards.

Trump: Donald Trump may be running as the anti-politician, speaking with a brashness that sets him apart from the veiled rhetoric of other GOP candidates. But Trump’s speeches are filled with clichés, whether racist diatribes against Mexican immigrants or endless boasts about his business a en. The big lie coming from Trump goes beyond reducing the presidency to a negotiator-in-chief, but has to do with how he has had many failures in business. Not only is his offend-all-comers campaign style undermining his brand (as business partners tear up the contracts), but Trump’s past is filledwith shady deals and business flops.

Walker: Scott Walker is running with the claim that he, above all other Republicans, has the best record of fighting for right-wing values and winning over voters in a purple state, or at least one with a notable Democratic presence. The fighter cliché is tedious and one-domensional, as if being the biggest bully is the top qualification for office. The big lie is Walker’s tenure as governor has been anything but the success he claims. Wisconsin’s economy has lagged behind its neighbors, and his unprovoked political battles—from bashing union to restricting abortion—has left Wisconsin with its most polarized electorate in years.

Cruz: Ted Cruz’s presidential campaign is predicated on the libertartian conceit that America would be great again if politicians were truthful and government ensured the widest possible liberties for all citizens and businesses. The cliché that liberty heals all wounds and solves all problems is absurd. But the big lie is that candidate Cruz is a truth-teller, not a shameless provocateur, such saying the White House’s nuclear arms deal with Iran makes the administration “the leading financier of terrorism against America in the world.”

Huckabee: Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee’s leading claim to electoral fame, beside being an evangelical warrior in the White House, is that he knowsthe Clintons better than anyone—which makes him the best man to face Hillary. To start, it’s a cliché, and a bad one, to say that Hillary is a carbon copy of Bill. But the bigger cliché and lie is comes from the pages of pre-campaignbook, which divides America into two tribes—rural red necks and urban liberals—and then stereotypes and insults Americans who live on the coasts in a manner that’s echoes his rants on his former Fox TV show.

Christie. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie portrays himself as the candidate who’s least afraid to tell hard truths and make grown-up decisions. These clichés fill his speeches, where, as the Washington Post noted, Christie seems to recite every empty phrase in the campaign lexicon (“This isn’t about me,” “Is America better off now?” “Are we going forward or backward?”). But the big lie of Christie’s campaign is that he brings people and solutions together, when his record is filled with small-minded bullying, revenge-taking and taking ideological stances (like cancelling a commuter tunnel to New York City) that makes life harder for real people.

Paul. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is running as the GOP candidate least likely to do all the clichéd tasks required of contenders: such as show up at Iowa pork roasts or pander to single-issue summits. But despite Paul’s libertarian leanings, he has reversed course on many issues, to try to kickstart his campaign. Aid to Israel, curbing defense spending and overseas drone warfareare just three examples where he's flip-flopped, showing that Paul isn’t a libertarian purist, but a politician playing to cons uencies.

Kasich. Ohio Gov. John Kasich is the last candidate to officially announce. Heframed his candidacy in Reaganesque clichés of restoring the American dream, expanding the military, cutting domestic spending, and upholding traditional values. The big lie behind his faith-and-family pronouncements is that Kasich made untold millions between his stints in office by working for the failed Wall Street bank, Lehman Brothers, including helping to sell $500 million of bad debt to Ohio retirement funds. As governor, he cut social programs, environmental laws, public school spending, abortion and LGBT rights, penalized welfare recipients and gerrymandered legislative districts to ensure a GOP majority. In a field filled with charlatans, bullies and braggarts, Kasich is not another good old boy—he’s devious and dangerous right-wing hit man.

http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/10-biggest-lies-and-cliches-spouted-so-far-top-10-republicans-debating-tonight

[TheSanityAnnex]

pity post

[thunder]

pity post

[Splits]

7 Genuinely Tough Questions For The First GOP Debate That Fox News Probably Won’t Ask


1. Many of you predicted that Obamacare would have a devastating impact on the American job market and continue to refer to Obamacare as a “job killer.” How do you explain the historic job growth under Obamacare?

In 2011, Republicans passed the “Repealing the Job-Killing Health Care Law Act.” Since the passage of Obamacare in March 2010, however, there have been 64 straight months of consecutive job growth — and all-time record — adding nearly 13 million jobs to the economy.

2. Do you support paid maternity leave?

Out of 185 major countries, the United States is one of just three that does not offer new mothers paid leave. The other two are Oman and Papua New Guinea.

CREDIT: THINKPROGRESS

3. There are no guns allowed in the arena tonight. Do you support that policy?

Many of the candidates oppose “gun free zones” in places like schools and military bases, arguing that allowing people to carry guns will enable them to protect themselves against “bad guys.” But candidates recognize the importance of “gun-free zones” in their own lives. Trump, for example, does not allow guns on his hotels and golf courses. Quicken Arena, where the Republican debate is being held, also does not allow guns.

4. What lessons have you drawn from the disastrous consequences of the Iraq war and how does that impact your view of the Iran deal?

Many of the people opposed to the Iran deal supported the Iraq war. (Many of the candidates areadvised by architects of the Iraq war.) The arguments the candidates are using to justify their opposition to the Iran deal are very similar to those used to justify war in Iraq.

5. You have said you admire Ronald Reagan. But Reagan granted legal status to millions of undo ented immigrants. Why is your approach so different than Reagan?

In 1986, Ronald Reagan signed legislation that created a pathway to citizenship for 3 million undo ented immigrants.

6. Many of you attended a recent gathering by the Koch brothers, who say they are opposed to corporate welfare. Would you commit to eliminating all government subsidies and tax breaks to the fossil fuel industry as President?

The Koch brothers, who are spending millions to influence this election, claim to oppose corporate welfare. The fossil fuel industry receives at least $4.7 billion in direct production tax breaks and billions more in indirect support.

7. Does the government spend too much on women’s health?

Jeb Bush recently said that though we might be spending too much on “women’s health,” before quickly backtracking. But Bush and the rest of the candidates support defunding Planned Parenthood, one of the largest providers of women’s health services.

?http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/08/06/3688670/7-genuinely-tough-questions-for-the-first-gop-debate-that-fox-news-probably-wont-ask/

Dayum. Some epic truth bombs by TP

[Clipper Nation]

pity post

[boutons_deux]

Repug debates are ....


GUN-FREE ZONES!

The HYPOCRAZEE!

We want guns everywhere for everyone all the time, but not around us Repug assholes!

[CosmicCowboy]

Personally I think the debate will be entertaining as . I'm opening a bottle of good wine and kicking back for the show.

[CosmicCowboy]

BTW if you think Fox is gonna throw softballs like CNN does for Obama you will probably be very surprised.

They mugged the 5 oclock wanna be's.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/...ad-211978.html

[Splits]

What a ing clown show. The questions were so horrible. Not even softballs, just completely framed and teed up



"What two words would you use to describe Hilary Clinton?" What a hard-hitting question! And none of them can count to 2

[CosmicCowboy]

So what two words would you use?

[Splits]

So what two words would you use?

War monger

[CosmicCowboy]

doesn't suck





at least that is what Bill and Monica said.

[spurraider21]

booboo still trying to hide satirical links by making the font smaller

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics...-first-debate/

http://thinkprogress.org/election/2015/08/06/3688670/7-genuinely-tough-questions-for-the-first-gop-debate-that-fox-news-probably-wont-ask/

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/psychologists-urge-people-with-low-self-esteem-to-watch-g-o-p-debate?mbid=nl_Borowitz%20(33)&cndid=&mbid=nl_Boro witz%20(33)&CNDID=&spMailingID=7964713&spUserID=Mj czNzc0Njk0NDAS1&spJobID=740781411&spReportId=NzQwN zgxNDExS0

[TeyshaBlue]

. Moonbats on parade!

[Pelicans78]

I'm really looking forward to this dependent. I'm not a Republican, but I always lean more towards conservatism in general.

[JohnnyMarzetti]

Carly pulled no punches for sure.

[DMX7]

Did Rubio just make the first factual error? Amazon is the largest retailer in the world? Is it larger than Wal-mart?

[Clipper Nation]

Trump taking a wet on the PC crowd

[Spurminator]

Christ, the live audiences are the worst part of these debates.