Thinking Right

By Shark Sammich

January 16, 2008 8:23 AM | Link to this

I am delighted that Mitt’s still in this, spending goo-gobs of money to trash his fellow Goopers.

This is a great moment for democracy.

By Camus

January 16, 2008 8:26 AM | Link to this

Feel the Rudy-mentum! He almost broke 3 percent!

So, Michigan was make or break for Mitt, and NH was make or break for St John, and next SC is make or break for Thompson, then Florida is make or break for Rudy, and so ad infinitum (when is Ron Paul’s make or break?)…when will this long national nightmare end?

By Craig

January 16, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

Hey this is great - perhaps five Republican winners of the first five primaries? Hopefully they will all trash each other for the next several months.

By jbmlaw

January 16, 2008 8:33 AM | Link to this

Good morning all. I confess my surprise this morning: I really thought McCain would win, courtesy of democrats voting in the republican primary. However, I also did not believe this was the do-or-die event for Mitt, as promoted by the media. As a “Friend of Fred” I am pleased to see republican voters not particularly stampeded into any particular corners so early in the season. My guy needs to do well in South Carolina, and Rudy needs to have a good day in Florida. The morning of February 6 will be the first chance to do some serious analysis on the republican side.

I fully agree with Glenn’s late post yesterday – Huckabee continues to show some strength, and I am near the point where I feel a need to speak against him. He is the only viable republican candidate against whom I have any serious reservations.

By Shark Sammich

January 16, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

Jbm, when you write of Huck that “He is the only viable republican candidate against whom I have any serious reservations” — is it because you’re fearful that he might stop clapping for the Tax Cut Fairy?

(I assume everyone knows happens to the Tax Cut Fairy when you stop clapping, right?)

Or is it because Huck is a Babble literalist who thinks the Earth is 6000 years old, biological evolution is fiction, and wives should cheerfully submit to their husbands?

By OneForTheRoad

January 16, 2008 8:47 AM | Link to this

I wonder who Jim’s rootin’ for in this race? Could it be the one with the most financial staying power or the one that best represents the Republican philosophy. What would that philosophy be anyway? Maybe Romney will pick Ron Paul for his running mate in order to give the appearance of a conservative presidency. In a more idyllic world, perhaps we would have Ron Paul and Hillary Clinton swapping roles as commander-in-chief versus Senate President every other day. Well, maybe not idyllic but definitely not boring. That might also be a great way to make politics more interesting to the masses — like Roller Derby without the punches. Sign me up, Dish Network.

By Jeff

January 16, 2008 8:48 AM | Link to this

jbm:

Hate to tell you this, dear friend (well, not really - about the hating to tell you this part):

Dr. Ron Paul beat out Freddy Boy AGAIN.

He even managed to CLEANLY beat Rudy. (New Hampshire was a tie.)

So when is the media going to start picking up on the Revolution?????

Dr. Ron Paul truly is the ONLY ‘Hope for America’.

By JP

January 16, 2008 9:08 AM | Link to this

I love that Paul beat both Thompson and Giuliani, 2 of the Fox/Hannity/Rush-approved candidates.

This is one of those days I believe there may actually BE hope for America!

By Smart Alec

January 16, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

Note to Jeff at 8:48 a.m.:

The guy who finishes FIFTH in a presidential race doesn’t get sworn into office in January, 2009.

Is that enough “revolution” for you? Enjoy your Kool Aid, dear friend.

By ron

January 16, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this

It is the economy,stupid.In Michigan they need jobs.Romney figured that out.Isn’t he smart?

My reservations about Huckabee are to numerous to mention,but they start at the religious level and spiral upward.

By Jeff

January 16, 2008 9:14 AM | Link to this

SmartAlec:

Dr. Paul is getting more and more votes in every primary.

Even though the mainstream media is giving him less and less attention.

This is the second, maybe third time (I honestly don’t remember the Iowa results) that Dr. Paul has BEATEN OR TIED the man that at one point was the Republican FRONT RUNNER.

Does he still have a lot of ground to cover? Undoubtedly.

But I still see it happening.

By Mid-South Philosopher

January 16, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

Good morning, Jim,

No real surprise in Michigan. A “tip of the topper” to Mitt. Now, on to South Carolina.

On another matter:

The corporatist movement in the United States, the greatest threat to American economic liberty since communism, was granted a boon yesterday by the Supreme Court decision in STONERIDGE INVESTMENT PARTNERS, LLC v. SCIENTIFIC-ATLANTA, INC., ET AL.

In this decision, the Supreme Court held that a company which helps another wrong, cheat or defraud others out of something of value cannot be civilly liable unless the injured party actually used the information provided by the accessory company in making the decisions which led to the injury. If you want the particulars of the case, see the citation above.

While the decision is galling, it, like a lot of others issue by the Court, regardless of how much we may disagree with its results, is constitutionally correct. The answer, of course, is to get the “rump” Congress to deal with the issue, but that isn’t going to happen because too many Republican and Democratic members of that august body are corporatists, themselves, or beholden to corporatist donors and lobbyists.

Of course, the Securities and Exchange Commission could punish the erring company for false behavior, but, so long as the corporatist president, George W. Bush, is in office, this will not happen.

In deciding who should be the next President of the United States, voters should worry about both “military” and “economic” national security. Georgie Bush has been quite successful on the first, but a gross, gross failure on the second!

By Curious Observer

January 16, 2008 9:18 AM | Link to this

A brokered Republican convention, featuring—surprise!—old Newt’s emergence as the compromise choice on the 10th ballot after neither Huckleberry, Mitt, McOld, Fred, nor Rudy shows a willingness to bow out in favor of a rival. A liberal can dream, can’t he?

Of course, the Ron Paul nutjobs will cry foul and wonder why nobody sees the blindingly obvious truth that he is the most qualified candidate. Poor Jeff will be embittered for the rest of his miserable life.

On the Democratic side, it will be Hillary after February 5. She is too strong in California and New York to be overtaken.

By chuck

January 16, 2008 9:43 AM | Link to this

Camus,

Ron Paul’s make-or-break moment was the day he decided to run. He could not be elected national dog catcher. He is a whiny little lunatic fringer who couldn’t run a town, much less the greatest country in the world.

Jeff, maybe you should take a nap. That hot January sun must be frying your brain. Hey, maybe you could start a Paul/Perot ‘08 bandwagon. BTW you astute political observer, could it be that he’s getting “more and more votes” because the overall total of eligible voters and voters actually voting has gone up in each primary/caucus? His PERCENTAGE has actually gone DOWN in each race:

Iowa 10%

Newhampshire 8%

Michigan 6%

I dont’ think this is a sign of a “revolution”.

By Camus

January 16, 2008 9:45 AM | Link to this

Observer - The NY polling actually shows Obama doing very well. This one remains up in the air. I am sorry to see HRC and Obama backing off their savagery towards each other, as I was hoping they would leave an opening for my man Edwards. Alas.

Mid-South - I could not agree more with your comments on the Stoneridge case. This court seems to be making it up as they go along. The reasoning is inexplicable with their claim that “aiding and abetting” is not enough to establish culpability in the criminal action. Does this mean that aiding and abetting an escaped prisoner is no longer a crime? How about the partner in a heist gone bad, with a dead victim the result? Perhaps only the guy who pulls the trigger is culpable, as the other guy was only aiding and abetting. This is crap jurisprudence at its very worst.

Jeff - Agreed that your man Paul is doing much better than Rudy 911 and Frederick of Hollywood, but that does not say much. It seems no matter how much money your boy raises, he barely breaks double-digits at best. There is no wide ranging support for the man.

Anyway, look for Mitt and St John to savage each other in SC. They clearly do not like each other at all. McCain is already catching a swift-boating treatment there. And don’t be surprised when Rev Huckleberry shows very well among the Christianists. My tea leaves say to forget Fred and Rudy; their sell be date has come and gone.

By ComedyCentralGOP

January 16, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

It is hilarious to watch the Republican nomination process. The only ELECTABLE candidate that you have in the entire race is John McCain. THe Dems will absolutely destroy any of your other interest group idols.

By Poll Results

January 16, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

Point of order, shark. The absence of clapping only affects Tinky Winky, I think it lets him stay gay or something, no that’s wrong, it’s Tinkerbell who drank the koolaid before she invested, so clapping would keep her from suing Peter Pan for her stock losses. The supreme court ruled that the accomplices didn’t actually lie directly to the investors. (That’s like saying the getaway car driver didn’t actually point a gun and shoot the teller so he’s not guilty).

This is just Another example of Bush-era corruption. The supreme court should resign. All of them. Lets let Obama pick the next nine. We need to clean the USA out. There’s nothing but corrupt greedy evil monsters in power, and everyone knows it. Only Obama can change it.

Obama: Yeah, he’s why they shot Lincoln. Dont let Lincoln die in vain.

Vote Obama in 08. (paid for by the people, for the people and of the people)

By chuck

January 16, 2008 9:50 AM | Link to this

BTW Jeff, Fred Thompson has 3 times as many delegates at this point as Paul who has only picked up 2. Hey, here’s some good news for you. Paul has 2 times as many as Rudy. You go Dr. Ron.

By TruthBeTold

January 16, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

You nitwit nativists and xenophobes on the righteous right have insured several generations of Republican political defeats. Congratulations guys. You did what no Democrat could have ever done to the Republiscum party. Keep up the good work all you Woo-ten Klansmen!

By Profit

January 16, 2008 10:00 AM | Link to this

Yeah, I can support Romney, as long as McCain, the Huckster, Guiliwhoppie, and Traitor Joe Lieberswine are not on the ticket. Hmmm, who would be a good vp for Romney? Well, if the Hag steals the dummycrat nomination from Obama, I suggest that offering the Republican VP spot to Obama would be a stroke of genius.

By My Dear Sam

January 16, 2008 10:03 AM | Link to this

Frodo, I’m frightened!

By Dusty

January 16, 2008 10:04 AM | Link to this

It’s like party time here..all the suitors signing the prom cards of the most attractive prospects!(It happens in those old fashioned stories.) And this is an old fashioned game called choosing the candidates. BUT…there are so many from which to choose! And all the pretties have a blemish!

Oh well, Mitt won his home state. So, what’s new? Who’s next and who’s on first etc..??

Looks like I may have to “write in” my candidate at the proper time. That, of course, is Robert Gates, our Sec. of Defense who is brilliant, pragmatic, honest and an intellectual who can call a “spade a spade”. Nobody has mentioned him and he’s probably not interested, but he would make a great president.

Hey….I like to dream and none of the prospects are dreamboats.

By deegee

January 16, 2008 10:05 AM | Link to this

chuck, how do you figure that Paul has 2 delegates? The site below shows 0.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21660914/

By Camus

January 16, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

Glenn,

To be fair to Rudy, he did garner more votes than Kucinich. He also gave Tancredo and Duncan Hunter a sound thrashing. Sadly, Ron Paul and his mixed bag’o’nutz beat America’s Mayor by better than 2-1. Ah, but there is always Florida.

Sarcasm aside, Rudy fans…how well does Rudy have to do in Florida to gain viability?

Money quote of the day, from Rush “Scrip” Limbaugh, on McCain and Huckleberry: “I’m here to tell you, if either of these two guys get the nomination, it’s going to destroy the Republican Party, it’s going to change it forever, be the end of it.”

It is so adorable when the wingnuts eat their own.

By Profit

January 16, 2008 10:11 AM | Link to this

No one ever signed Dusty’s prom card, at least no one of the male persuasion. Having flashbacks, Dusty, to sitting alone in the corner at the prom, watching the guys you had a crush on dance with prettier girls?

By Camus

January 16, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

Actually, the GOP cannibalism is not adorable at all. Check out this swiftboating of McCain. It is really ugly.

Reports indicate that none of the other GOP candidates have condemned this. Rather, several have instead attacked McCain for going negative.

Wonder if the MSM will play this up as much as the Clinton-Obama race/gender battle?

By OneForTheRoad

January 16, 2008 10:18 AM | Link to this

Ann Coulter and Bill Clinton shall have child. This child shall mature and be referred to as the chosen one — the one chosen to lead a fair and balanced nation. Internal strife shall become commonplace. Indecision will be the order of the day. Foul mouths shall dominate the two-faced conversations. All that is left will once again be right with the nation.

By Profit

January 16, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

Hey, there is a picture of Dusty at the top of this page, in the ad, waiving her finger. Take a look…..

By Eric

January 16, 2008 10:22 AM | Link to this

Nothing scares me more in this race than what Rev. Huckabee has said that he wants to do to our Constitution by changing it to “Conform with God’s standards”.

The Constitution has successfully and definitively stated the role of religion in our country for past 219 years, I don’t see the need to change anything in the Constitution now.

Taking the treasured document that defines what America is and what it is to be an American and making it subject to Rev. Huckabee’s “editorial review” is far scarrier than anything Bin Laden or al-Qaeda has thrown our way.

If it comes down to Huck vs. Hitlary, I am sorely afraid that my vote will be across party lines.

Come on Mitt! Actually, I would vote for Newt if that were an option…

By Dusty

January 16, 2008 10:23 AM | Link to this

Dear Profit aka PoFo,

I never played in storybook prom games but you sound like a cross-eyed character who couldn’t dance. You know. Kinda like the guy who couldnt’ get anybody to laugh at his jokes.

Keep trying, buddy. You’ll get a chuckle one of these days.

By Poll Results

January 16, 2008 10:24 AM | Link to this

Point of order, Camus: Huckabee and Romney have a “born on” date, like a budlight.

Beer hats for Obama.

By My Dear Sam

January 16, 2008 10:25 AM | Link to this

Profit,

That was a mean thing to say about Dusty, and I tend to disagree. I’ll bet she was pretty-ish in her youth, at least symmetrical enough that no one made fun of her appearance. This would account for her acute delusions of superiority and entitlement (“Support me I am woman”) in the face of having little common sense, no depth of comprehension whatsoever, and a personality that would make a train take a dirt road. Most prized possession: Picture of herself in wedding dress — proof of superiority and favoritism from God.

By Redneck Convert

January 16, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

Well, I’m downright ashamed of the people that are ganging up on Sister Dusty. Calling her ugly and such. She can’t help it if her face looks like a clinched fist. People are born the way they look.

I’m disgusted this Mormon won last night. And the Rev. Huckabee, the only True Christian in the bunch, finished 3rd. I would be down this a.m., but I know the good rednecks in SC will vote big for him. You will see. The South will vote big for the Rev. Huckabee. By the time its all over we will have the 10 Commandments up all over the place and kids will be saying prayers to Jesus in schools and women will have to have their kids and we will put a stop to this gay marriage. The war will go on, weather the libruls like it or not.

I guess Fla. is after SC, but that ain’t really a Southren state so its vote don’t count. Bunch of Cubans and Jews and Northreners. Let them vote for this womanizer Giuliani if they want to. The godly South will see that the Rev. Huckabee gets elected.

By Dusty

January 16, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this

Thank you, Profit aka PoFo @ 10:21

Jim Wooten is smiling at the top of my page. You going to tell us next about the pink elephants you see on a regular basis?

By Profit

January 16, 2008 10:29 AM | Link to this

The jokes on you Dusty, PoFo and I know the truth.

By Jeff

January 16, 2008 10:31 AM | Link to this

Well, Huck’s “Change the Constitution” stance is certainly interesting. DEAD WRONG, but interesting.

How about SUPPORTING THE CONSTITUTION as is???

Only ONE candidate does.

Dr. Ron Paul.

By Eric

January 16, 2008 10:32 AM | Link to this

BTW, anybody get the “Republican Cencus” in the mail this week? What a joke and waste of paper. I believe it is a thinly-veiled solicitation for donations, but if you want donations, just come out and ask for them.

I wish I had it in front of me, but it looks like an 8 year old wrote the questions, posing questions somewhat similar to…

Do you support President Bush’s successful plan for blahblahblah instead of the liberal Democrat’s evil and dastardly plan to overturn blahblahblah?

Do you want to promote President Bush’s plan of blahblahblah instead of allowing the liberal Democrats to implement their overbudgeted and overtaxed Clinton-esque plan for blahblahblah?

Come on! I hate it that the RNC treats me like I’m 12 years old…the best part is the end!

O Yes, I want to support the RNC with my generous donation of $__

O Yes, I want to support the RNC with $11 to cover the cost of tallying this important survey.

O No, I will not contribute anything so that the liberal Democrats can take control the next election!

Give me a break…

By BS Aplenty

January 16, 2008 10:39 AM | Link to this

Run, Newt, run. Run, Newt, run (no, Newt doesn’t have the “runs” - I thought I’d foreclose that comment before it arose).

Proven leader, thinker and conservative. Personal life’s no worse than Rudy - I’d vote for him.

Bumper sticker seen on I-75N this morning causing me to squirt coffee out of my nose:

“I’d rather go hunting with Dick Cheney, than driving with Ted Kennedy”

By Profit

January 16, 2008 10:41 AM | Link to this

The ads above Jim’s column change, but a photo of Dusty does indeed appear. Watch for it…….It is so life like and accurate

By Dusty

January 16, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

I am so glad that RedNeck has shown up today. I meant to tell him that the hospital has some extra bedpans that he can have as backup for his outhouse behind the trailer.

The poor fellow has been having so many “accidents” that I would like to help him. His “condition” is embarrassing.

Didn’t mean to get off subject here but with RedNeck it’s ASAP. All that beer drinking does it.

By Profit

January 16, 2008 10:47 AM | Link to this

Fat Boy Newt has no chance of ever again holding political office - he screwedup the Republican revolution in the mid 90’s - We trusted his promises, gave him power, and he fizzled out like the dud he is…Ask any of his wives, current and former, Newt is a dud.

By GayGreyGeek

January 16, 2008 10:48 AM | Link to this

Profit @ 10:41 - The current ad I’m getting is for Ed Voyles Honda. Does that mean that Dusty is really an SUV?

By ron

January 16, 2008 10:49 AM | Link to this

Why are we still spouting aboutDr.Ron 6% Paul?At what point do we give up on these people?

Dusty,I never met a girl that wasn’t pretty.Except Rosie and Ann Coulter.

By DawgBite

January 16, 2008 10:52 AM | Link to this

Beer drinking is something that has been good to you Dusty. How else would fat, ugly women like you ever get laid?

By Dusty

January 16, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this

Profit aka PoFo@10:29

Dispense with the flattery. You want one of RedNeck’s bedpans. Just ask.

Now, back to Mitt and company. Anything new? Ron Paul pugilists still hanging on?

BS@ 10:29

That was a good one. Hadn’t seen that bumper sticker.

By Eric

January 16, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

Redneck Convert,

Our country would be better run if people were more concerned with which candidate is capable of leading the entire populus of our country the best instead of “who agrees with me”.

I know that your outlook on life must be the best because you say it is, but perhaps the job of President is better suited for the job of running our country instead of defining what our “national religion” should be.

“The South will vote big for the Rev. Huckabee.” — you are probably right. The South has never been big on voting with their brains, just with what they think their bibles tell them to do.

“I’m disgusted this Mormon won last night.” — Since when are Mormons not qualified to define economic policy or run our military?

“kids will be saying prayers to Jesus in schools ” — I hope they do! In their PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

Mandating prayer to Jesus in publisc schools is certainly not representative of the views of every American, not supported by the Constitution, nor does it have an academic base. That is why we build churches my friend :)

…and this type of thinking is why I will not be voting for the Reverend Huckabee.

By Dusty

January 16, 2008 10:58 AM | Link to this

Gay Grey Geek,@ 10:48

Heyyy ..you’re insulting my Cavalier. I only buy American built cars and they run so well. Don’t use much gasoline either.

But thanks for reminding me. I need to get the oil changed.

PS..Don’t mind PoFo. He sees lotsa strange things. Those “substances” etc etc etc…

By Captain Freedom

January 16, 2008 10:59 AM | Link to this

THE Captain has looked at the top of the blog and sees two pictures…one reveals the parched rictus of Wooten’s smile, while the ad at the top shows a small lizard.

THE Captain objects to those who would compare Sister Dusty’s homely appearance to the creatures in these images. It is marginally unfair to Wooten and a downright insult to the lizard.

Alan Keyes ‘08. It is the Right Thing to do. He’s just as crazy as Ron Paul and he has the Mandingo mojo to counteract Obama.

By BS Aplenty

January 16, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

Trenchant analysis on Newt there, Profit. I guess I’ll just have to change my mind.

bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha

By OneForTheRoad

January 16, 2008 11:00 AM | Link to this

Bloomberg will stay out of the running as long as he thinks that the race will not include Huckabee.

Huckabee could make it if he pre-announced Ron Paul as his running mate. Ron Paul supporters could then have a little faith. Maybe that was a lot of faith. Maybe too much faith.

Romney/Paul Paul/Romney McCain/Paul Paul/McCain Romney/McCain McCain/Romney Thompson/Paul Paul/Thompson Thompson/Romney Romney/Thompson Thompson/McCain McCain/Thompson Bloomberg/Paul Paul/Bloomberg Bloomberg/Romney Romney/Bloomberg Bloomberg/McCain McCain/Bloomberg Bloomberg/Thompson Thompson/Bloomberg

Did I leave out anyone with a chance. Nope. Doesn’t look like it. Good thing too. Otherwise, I’d have to pull out the factorials to cover all the bases. Besides, even the GOP candidates don’t have enough money to cover all those commercials and campaign workers.

By Heywood Jablome

January 16, 2008 11:03 AM | Link to this

Ron, At least one person found Coulter attractive, at least from a certain angle.

By Analchord

January 16, 2008 11:09 AM | Link to this

Dusty, stfu. You’re 50% right when you try to guess who an alias ID is. A monkey could do that…oh, yeah, nevermind.

Profit, stfu. You stink2, mon. You’re as much fun as an all night dentist. (Burt Reynolds)

You know, you horrid trolls ruin every blog in cyberspace. We are in the middle of the most important election in four years and I’ve got to waste my time slaying a bunch of trolls?

I warned everyone of you about myspacing this blog. Facebook yourselves. You’d all be so welcome in the fun chat rooms over at myspace or facebook. Honest. You’d laugh and blog and chat and you’d find that you’re home. Why, they even have classes on how to duct tape tin foil to a hat. (dusty’s big secret). Ask yourself Y would you even want to be on this boring blog where you’re just making fools of yourselves with your naive and uninformed statements about politics. Now we’ve all been real patient with you, and we’ve been nice. The least you can do is show a little respect for the pros and beat it.

By OneForTheRoad

January 16, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this

Oops. I left out Paul/McCartney. The word is that the walrus will not be played backward while Paul is in the audience. He never could carry a tune anyway.

By Dusty

January 16, 2008 11:21 AM | Link to this

Oh my goodness, the Captain has arrived @10:59. I see that he has a bit of a problem concerning respect for women. Therefore I kindly refer him to the Woman to Woman blog where these learned ladies will straighten him out.

They are currently discussing the problems of “maternal profiling” which would tie in with the Captain’s overpowering Oedipus Complex problem. Sad indeed.

I’m sure this is a subject of interest to many of you gentlemen. Please feel free to accept help when it is needed.

By OneForTheRoad

January 16, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

Obama and Clinton need to mend some fences and settle things once and for all: Obama/Clinton or Clinton/Obama.

By chuck

January 16, 2008 11:31 AM | Link to this

deegee. According to this website, Paul got two in Iowa

http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/candidates/#302

By deegee

January 16, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

One more reason why the liar in chief will be lucky to get an invitation to the republican national convention. Maybe John McCain will pose for a picture with him but I doubt it. Pathetic.

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/01/16/africa/rebuild.php

By Diogenes

January 16, 2008 11:33 AM | Link to this

Good moring, Jim,

Thank you for your astute analysis of the Republican train wreck. Wouldn’t you draw the conclusion that with three different winners thus far the Republican Party has no idea what it stands for or where it is going? None of the candidates wants to stand close to the Republican disaster in the White House, but they are wearing the same team uniform, all trying to find signals which interest the voting public without identifying themselves with those low approval ratings. Thank you for your observations.

By Profit

January 16, 2008 11:35 AM | Link to this

You can only hope the Tata Nano is in your future Dusty: “The Indian government is actively promoting car ownership. It hopes to QUADRUPLE automotive sales by 2016.

Tata’s Nano is going to make driving very affordable in India … But in light of the new, super-cheap Nano, India will likely hit and exceed those sales targets a lot faster!

Look, India’s economy is growing at a staggering 9% for the third year in a row. At this rate, a lot more people will be catapulted into the middle class a lot sooner than planned.

Plus, India is one of the few countries in the world where a population boom means the population is getting younger. Young people tend to spend more and save less. Result — if current trends hold, consumer spending could quadruple by 2025 to $1.5 trillion.

India’s middle class — those with annual disposable incomes between $4,380 and $21,890 in current dollars — will increase more than tenfold to 583 million by 2025, according to experts. Quite a lot of those people are going to have no problem affording cars like the new Nano!

In the process, India’s demand for fuel should surge. The country already imports more than 70% of its oil, and its gasoline demand is already growing at 7% year over year.

Do you think gasoline prices are expensive now? Just wait until 583 million Indians start filling their roads with cheap cars! Of course …

Chinese Drivers Aren’t Exactly Sitting on their Hands, Either!

India is the second-fastest growing auto market … and China is the fastest! The country is already putting 14,000 new cars on the road EVERY DAY.

No wonder China’s demand for oil rose from 5.6 million barrels per day in 2003 to a whopping 7.6 million in 2007! What’s more, China’s oil demand will increase another 5.7% this year, according to the International Energy Agency.

And just wait until they start flooding their own market with cheap cars!

China and India will cause a huge spike in oil consumption! The cheapest car in China sells for twice the Nano’s sticker price. But you can bet Beijing will either come up with its own ultra-cheap “people’s car” or import them from India.

Bottom line: The Indians and Chinese are going to create huge demand for oil as they take up driving.

And their car-razy obsession is being repeated across all the emerging markets, turning pain at the pump into panic. Just last year, we saw fuel riots in Pakistan, China, and across parts of Africa … while last week, Iran erupted in riots over fuel. Mobs attacked government buildings and called their leaders “thieves and murderers.” Clearly, the world is getting thirstier and thirstier for fuel, but … Where Is All the Oil Going to Come from?”

By getalife

January 16, 2008 11:39 AM | Link to this

Dems voted for Romney so he could stay in the race and the gop would spend more money.

The big surprise in last night was tweety praising Clinton for her amazing leadership.

She asked Obama to join her to fight w’s long term insanity on Iraq and get Congressional approval.

Obama agreed. That ladies and gentlemen is leadership.

They said she played the fear card on being attacked again but it will happen again probably right after she takes office like Brown.

The scariest part of that debate was the economy. w is begging the Saudis for oil (she called that pathetic and bashed w and cheney for this) and the banks are begging the Saudis to bail out their terrible mortgage gamble. China said no.

By Glenn

January 16, 2008 11:45 AM | Link to this

Diogenes,

Were you not an inveterate and determined seeker, you’d have found, by now, that one might just as easily conclude that the GOP has a very deep bench indeed, and cannot lose either of three ways.

By Profit

January 16, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this

Better hope for a Tata Nano dusty:

“Where Is All the Oil Going to Come from?

Unfortunately, the supply side of the oil chain is suffering a crisis of its own.

I’ve been pounding the table about the looming disaster in Mexico’s Cantarell oil field, one of the biggest oil fields in the world. But the news there just gets worse and worse!

If current trends continue, Mexico, one of America’s biggest suppliers of imported oil, will become an oil importer in just eight years.

Mexico’s oil production fell 8.2% in November from the same period a year earlier. At the root of this is a three-year, 40% decline at Cantarell.

Mexico’s state-owned oil company, Pemex, is trying to reverse the ugly trend by investing $2.4 billion into Cantarell this year alone. Pemex says this should slow the decline to half of last year’s pace.

That’s still bad news!

Instead of a decrease of 400,000 barrels a day, Pemex hopes Cantarell will lose just 200,000 barrels of daily output by year’s end. Beyond that, Cantarell’s production should continue to decline 10% a year.

Pemex hoped to compensate for the decline by boosting production at its other oil fields. But the company admits that production at its next biggest field, Ku-Maloob-Zaap, also ranked in the world’s top 20 fields, will start its own decline in 2011.

Another massive field, Chicontepec, will need more than 15,000 wells to develop properly. In its entire existence since 1938, Pemex has drilled only 23,000 wells.

WARNING: I can’t over-emphasize the seriousness of this. There are only four oil fields in the world that produce more than one million barrels per day — Cantarell is one of them. It currently produces 1 of every 50 barrels of oil on the world market.

And it could suffer a “catastrophic” collapse — if sea water encroaches too far on the pillar of oil and gas in Cantarell, production could fall off a cliff.

That would have devastating repercussions at America’s gas pumps and beyond. Worse yet …

The Problems Don’t Stop in Mexico … Or Anywhere Else, for that Matter!

On Monday, Qatar’s Energy Minister Abdullah al-Attiyah said OPEC had no control over prices. “OPEC (members) are only oil producers, they are not fixing prices. They can’t control the market forces,” al-Attiyah told reporters.

He is only the latest OPEC oil minister to say that. If you had a product that sold for over $100 a barrel, wouldn’t you pump as much of it as you could?

In fact, OPEC members cheat on their quotas when they can. I think they’re going flat-out. I believe we have hit Peak Oil. In other words, I think the world is close to producing as much oil as it can. From here, production should go downhill, and prices should go way, way up.

U.S. crude oil stockpiles have been declining steadily since June and are at a three-year-low. At the same time, the price of oil is near an all-time high. It’s the simple law of supply and demand — and that squeeze is getting worse …

According to the EIA, global oil demand will average 87.8 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2008, which equals 1,016 barrels per second — a sonic boom of energy use!

I think oil prices could go higher — a lot higher — without seriously derailing our economy. Heck, we were told that $50 oil would cause the economy to collapse … then $60 oil … then $70 oil. Now we’re near $100 for a barrel of oil, and the economy, while wobbling, keeps sputtering along.

Meanwhile, about 3.5% of U.S. household budgets now goes to gasoline and fuel costs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. While that’s up from 3% in the fourth quarter of 2006, it’s down from 5.2% in 1981, when oil prices, adjusted for inflation, were about where they are today.

Translation: Americans can afford higher prices.

That’s not to say prices can’t zig and zag — but the general trend should be up. Way, way up. “

By Apocalypse

January 16, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Feb 5th: Georgia Leadership Committee:

As another example of the strong organization Barack Obama already has up and running in the February 5th voting states, today the campaign is proud to announce the Georgia Leadership Committee which includes over 100 national and local elected officials, such as mayors and state legislators. The Committee also includes faith, community, civic and business leaders who have pledged their support for Barack Obama for President, and Congressmen Sanford Bishop and Hank Johnson will serve as Obama’s Georgia Campaign Co-Chairs.

From Jan. 11’s release:

Barack Obama said, “I am honored to have the support of these leaders. Together, they’ll help us unite the American people and bring change we can believe in. Each of the members of our leadership committee has touched the lives of Georgia’s communities in their own unique ways and I’m proud to stand with them as we work to restore a politics of hope in our country.”

Rep. Bishop said, “Senator Obama represents a movement that is empowering all Americans – young and old; black and white; immigrant and native-born; male and female; urban and rural. He truly understands the needs of Georgians, as well as our values – God, country, family, and work. I am honored to serve as co-chair among a dynamic group of Georgia leaders who I believe will propel the campaign to victory on Feb. 5 and beyond.”

Rep. Johnson said, “More and more Georgians are choosing to embrace Senator Obama and his message of hope. I couldn’t be more optimistic about what will happen here on February 5th and I am proud that Georgia will have a significant hand in making Senator Obama the Democratic Party’s nominee.”

There has been incredible growing momentum in Georgia since the campaign opened it’s first office in Atlanta in November, and more recently another office in Savannah.

By Glenn

January 16, 2008 11:52 AM | Link to this

Did I just say “either” of “three”, O great one? Yikes. Trapped in my own cliche. I meant that the GOP can’t lose, in any of three ways: McCain, Romney or, after Florida, Giuliani.

[Rudy 08]

By Dusty

January 16, 2008 11:54 AM | Link to this

deegee @11:33

George W. Bush is not running for a third term so you can cut out the anti-Bush stuff. Your own link explained the differences in reports but you don’t mention them. Same old liberal pick and choose procedure.

Maybe you should explain the “problems” that hound all the Democratic tryouts for President. That is more interesting than trying to degrade a President who has faced and managed more difficulties than most presidents before him. Bush did it and I am so thankful we didn’t have Gore or Kerry. Just the thought of that is painful.

By getalife

January 16, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this

Rudy and Fredlost to Ron Paul last night.

The Dems proposed good plans last night but to pay for them there needs to be an end to Iraqi welfare.

You can say I am a con on Iraqi welfare.

By Profit

January 16, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

If McClown and traitor joe win, you better suit those rug rats up as GI Joe, cause they will be off invading the world for the greater glory of AmeriKa and Israel. Not that I care, my kids are grown and out of the draft age group, and I have no grand brats, yet. Looky at the bright side, all those hot 18-26 year old babes will need a little male companionship while the male rug rates are off fighting for cancerface and traitorboy! Come to pappa…..

By Dusty

January 16, 2008 12:03 PM | Link to this

Dear Glenn,

I have to leave now but I wanted to tell you that I read with pleasure your piece posted yesterday. Reading such well written thoughts on the goodness of our country was a real joy. Thank you for your support of all the fine things that make America.

See ya’ later….

By Heywood Jablome

January 16, 2008 12:04 PM | Link to this

Dusty finds thought painful. Big surprise.

Dusty!

—Heywood Jablome

By OneForTheRoad

January 16, 2008 12:17 PM | Link to this

We don’t need no steeeeenking oil. All we need is the PooPoo car by FartsRUs, Inc. — the more you eat, the farther you can go. Now isn’t that the perfect solution for an obese nation. Convert all those gas stations into McDonalds stations.

By GayGreyGeek

January 16, 2008 12:24 PM | Link to this

OFTR @ 12:17 - I thought that most McDonalds were gas stations?

By OneForTheRoad

January 16, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

GGG, Mooooooooooooo.

By deegee

January 16, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

Dusty, the point is that the White House is still manipulating data and purposely deceiving the American people for political gain. See below:

“Rick Barton, co-director of the post-conflict reconstruction project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, said all measures of economic progress in Iraq were difficult to pin down precisely. But he said the United States, taking those difficulties into account, should have been wary of touting progress before the facts were clear.

“The data in these places is hugely unreliable to begin with, primarily because nobody gets out in the field to see what’s going on,” Barton said. “But what is probably troubling is that when you know this, you shouldn’t be using this to create wrong impressions or false impressions and pretending that you know what’s going on.”“

By Profit

January 16, 2008 1:15 PM | Link to this

I can see Mr.Romney’s speach announcing his choice for running mate: “Mr. Barak Obama was cheated out of the Democratic Party nomination for president by the National Party officials: I cannot let that stand: Therefore I have offered to be Mr. Obama’s running mate on the Republican party ticket for the 2008 election for president. Mr. Obama has graciously accepted my offer, and will grace the Republican ticket as the vice presidential candidate. I thank you Mr. Obama, and America thanks you.”

By Analchord

January 16, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this

Why Change now? Look at this: 6 billion people earning $100,000 each makes for a $600 trillion global earnings tax base. Lets say that 99% of that money ends up in Cheney’s man-sized safe. Would that be right? Of course not. But listen: That’s the way the world is set up now. 10% of people are hoarding 70% of the assets. It’s not right. Change. That’s why. Cheney and his henchmen have pirated most of the trillion dollars we’ve spent in Iraq. Fact.

It’s Y we need change now.

Obama in ‘08. It’s what Robespierre would have wanted.

By OneForTheRoad

January 16, 2008 1:20 PM | Link to this

Profit @ 1:15,

That actually has more appeal than Clinton/Obama.

By j

January 16, 2008 1:22 PM | Link to this

It’s a tough decision for me, I’m still not sure who to vote for. I think it would be helpful if some of these candidates who don’t have a chance would drop out so more votes can go to more viable candidates. I believe Hunter and Paul should definitely drop out. Yeah yeah, I know all you Paul enthusiasts disagree and that’s fine. Just look at reality, he hasn’t come close to first in any of these state votes. He needs to check his ego and face reality. If Giuliani flubs Florida then he should drop out. If Thompson doesn’t win South Carolina or Florida he should drop out. That would make it only between Huckabee, Mitt, and John McCain, hence an easier decision for people. I very much disagree with McCain on many things he has done. I am wary about Huckabee because I read he believes we should give up the sovereingty of America and form a North American Union including Canada and Mexico, that really bothers me. Not to mention give illegals college education. I’m not voting for a Democrat for sure. Why would I vote for someone who will just take more money AWAY from me and redistribute it? Why should I work if I’m not being rewarded and instead penalized? Democrats believe they know better what to do with MY MONEY than me, who EARNED it. I want the government out of my house and out of my wallet. Think from a terrorists perspective, Barack Hussein Obama, a fellow muslim being president. How encouraging and uplifting for them.

By Profit

January 16, 2008 1:29 PM | Link to this

Thank you OneForTheRoad, I’ll drink to that, bottoms up!

By Heywood Jablome

January 16, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Wow, j @1:22…thanks for joining the discussion here. Your simpleton’s logic and dipsh!t reasoning are right at home on this blog.

—Heywood Jablome

By BS Aplenty

January 16, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this

j you’ll have to forgive our the lap-dog & resident liberal tool, “Wood-scraps” ‘Blome. He tends to over work his loves-to-talk-not-much-to-say routine.

j, your opinion sounded perfectly reasonable for a normal Georgia taxpayer.

Carry on at will.

By j

January 16, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

Wow, so we’re going to resort to name calling? I thought “hate speech, and intolerance” were not PC! Or does that only apply to people you disagree with? I will not shut up, freedom of speech baby. I never came on here attacking anyone. Grow up and have a mature adult discussion rather than having a 5 year old temper tantrum when someone says something you disagree with.

By Curious Observer

January 16, 2008 1:53 PM | Link to this

Gee, j @1:22 wants Hunter and Paul to drop out. Ditto for Giuliani if he loses Florida and Thompson if he doesn’t win either SC or FL. He says it will then be down to Huckabee, Romney, and McCain. He says he doesn’t like McCain and Huckabee and that he would never vote for a Democrat.

Hmmm, I wonder whom j will vote for. I just can’t figure it out. Hey, j, are you sure you’re not Dusty? Great minds and all that, you know.

By Heywood Jablome

January 16, 2008 1:54 PM | Link to this

Certainly, j sounds reasonable if one only wishes to set the standard for the average under-educated, knuckledragging Georgia taxpayer.

Let’s take some of j’s “reasoning” on for a spin, eh?

Think from a transvestites perspective, Rudy (girl’s name!), a fellow cross-dresser being president. How encouraging and uplifting for them.

f^kktard. too stupid to breathe.

Carry on at will, yahoos. and BS…

—Heywood, ah well, you know the rest, you’re an old pro at chowder gobbling

By Heywood Jablome

January 16, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this

No temper tantrum here, dimwit. Just a straight up response to your shallow powers of observation.

And no tolerance for your ill-bred simplemindedness. Learn to reason and write clearly, and you might get a reasoned reponse. Until then

—Heywood Jablome

By BS Aplenty

January 16, 2008 2:00 PM | Link to this

Now just quit it, Bi-Curious, you & Wood-scraps Jablome are sounding like bosom booty-buddies. Say it ain’t so.

I love freedom of speech. Perverts.

By Vandstra

January 16, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this

Do you think it really matters who gets elected?

We will still be in Iraq, we will stll have the same tax code and medical care. We will still have the same energy policy and immigration concerns. We will still have the same economy that fluctuates with the mood swings of the stock market.

Nobody in ‘08!

By My Dear Sam

January 16, 2008 2:05 PM | Link to this

Back to a reasonable discussion. J, on what basis do you presume Republicans stay out of your wallet? Where do you think your tax money goes NOW? Hint: same place your through-the-roof gas money goes — into the pockets of the friends of the Administration (people with whom you will never “have a beer”) via no-bid, unaudited contracts, crony giveaways and corporate tax subsidies. D’OH! These people tell you what you want to hear: that they believe in smaller government, small enough to spy on you in the bedroom (or public airport bathroom), but not big enough to solve the problems we pay taxes for them to solve in the first place. What current Republicans in power are actually balancing budgets, spending only what taxes they’ve collected, and cutting the corruption out of the government spending process? On what great leap of faith are you buying this load of hog hooey? Just curious.

By j

January 16, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this

Have you ever looked at your paycheck? Are any taxes taken out? If you work, then money IS taken away from you. Would you rather have more money taken away from you or less? Gee, if less money is taken from you in taxes, then you can use that money for yourself and your family! How about that. What is it about that that you find offensive or that doesn’t make sense? How much taxes are enough? 20% of my pay? 30%? So who are you voting for? Deciding who will be the next leader of my country isn’t something I take lightly, neither does most other people. We think about it rather than jumping on any bandwagons, and we make up our own minds and do our own research rather than blindly going along with just whatever. You have to have more than charisma to be president.

By My Dear Sam

January 16, 2008 2:14 PM | Link to this

Raise your hand if you got raped via your natural gas bill here in Georgia a few Januaries ago.

This is an example of the slight-of-hand that is the Republican cry for “smaller government.” Let’s de-regulate the industry,” they said. “That way, competition will work to improve service and drive prices down. Everybody wins!” Remember? Anyone wanna explain to J and the others why that didn’t actually work that way when we opened our bills? C’mon, don’t be a hater, help him out here!

By Jackie

January 16, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this

Someone will win on the Repub side and they will face the onslaught of the voters in November. They should have their asbestos suits on because they are going to be toast. John McCain and Ron Paul are the only viable candidates for an election challenge. The right-wing coalition is beginning to fall apart with no glue to keep it together. As for the Michigan vote, the information shows less than 5% of the Dems participated in the “open” election, therefore, Romney won on the votes cast by the Repubs.

By Jackie

January 16, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

Another piece of the Dubya criminal conduct. “Official’s Role in CIA Tapes Destruction Eyed

Operations director says he had “implicit support” from CIA lawyers, officials to order destruction.”

By j

January 16, 2008 2:21 PM | Link to this

I look at people’s actions and past records. I do not believe every word a politician tells me, on either side. Why don’t you tell me who you’re voting for and your reasons? hm?

By ron

January 16, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Heywood— just got back and read your link.Ms.Coulter has such a case of the zactleys that I don’t see how the guy would have known.

By My Dear Sam

January 16, 2008 2:28 PM | Link to this

Hey J, Did you ever notice how your health insurance premiums go up every year whether you go to the doctor or not? Deductibles and prescription costs too! Isn’t that money out of your paycheck? How about your transportation, energy, and communication costs? Cable, phone, etc, always going up, right? Where’s the outrage there?

BTW, I share your outrage at tax dollars being used for dubious purposes instead of the necessities for which they are intended. Guilt here is on both parties, but right now, I think it’s appropriate to hold those in power responsible, don’t you? It’s a little more complex than saying “Dems want to redistribute my hard earned money to some lazy whatever…” That’s a sound bite, not a fact, and not a basis for decision making.

By Heywood Jablome

January 16, 2008 2:30 PM | Link to this

Damn. It falls to me to school j on some basics. So, allow me shoot a bukkake load on his face.

First, there is this:

Deciding who will be the next leader of my country isn’t something I take lightly, neither does most other people.

Sweet jumping jesus, man, is english your second language? I believe you intend to assert your seriousness here; if so, your abject failure to communicate undermines all hope of that aim. I am in a forgiving mood and will surmise that you were educated in Georgia public schools; hence, your total unfamiliarity with basic precepts of grammar. Still, you are a f^cktard.

Next, let’s take a look at Mr Independent Thinker:

We think about it rather than jumping on any bandwagons, and we make up our own minds and do our own research rather than blindly going along with just whatever.

Leaving aside the “whatever” at the end of the sentence that is evidence of a surpassed attention span, presumably j means that he does more than just listen to Rush and Sean. In fact, I am sure that j has other sources; his reference to Huckabee’s alleged plot to foment one-worldism through a forced alliance of Canada, Mexico and the US is evidence that j also listens to the real tin foil hat wingnuts. Bravo, j, for your thirst for knowledge. Given your upbringing, you are surely starved for some, though your powers of thought are so debased that you cannot discern between a steak and a sh!t sandwich.

Finally, after eliminating all GOP candidates from consideration except for Romney, j squeezes out the following mental terd:

You have to have more than charisma to be president.

No sh!t, Gomer. The current nutscratcher in chief proves that. But if charisma alone won’t get Romney over, what will? His remarkable intellectual consistency? His willingness to speak the truth no matter how many votes it may cost him? Or are you swayed by his broad shoulders and perfect hair? Or are you hoping for a draft-Newt miracle. He certainly lacks the charism you find troubling.

Thanks, j, for standing as s demonstration of the dangers of family members mating. I suggest a long session of autoasphyxia to correct your mental deficiencies. Sure, it is a radical solution, but yours is an extreme case.

Now wipe that stuff off your chin while Dear Sam schools you in a more polite manner than you deserve.

—Heywood Jablome

By OneForTheRoad

January 16, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

Wow! Some of you folks sound like the true knuckle dragging types. Pounding on a poster — j, that is — for trying to show some interest in politics. I’ll take an informed, educated voter any day over one armed with just their faith.

MyDearSam @ 2:14,

Dis-connected the direct connect to the natural (or unnatural) gas pipe with the latest house. Strictly electric with the heat pump. The only thing I didn’t do (due to added up front cost) was to go with the geothermal heat pump. High efficiency, less consumption. That’s the best short-term approach to fight high energy costs.

By Disgusted

January 16, 2008 2:40 PM | Link to this

Just a note to point out it isn’t nice to humiliate an 8th-grader like j. At least the kid is trying to think. A few more years of English class will polish him to the smoothness of Dubya.

By j

January 16, 2008 2:41 PM | Link to this

Jablome, maybe you should just be our next president since you have all the answers. If you do, you better solve all the problems of the western world. Get a life. You are a self righteous prick. Have a nice life on welfare and don’t look to me to fill your rice bowl.

By Heywood Jablome

January 16, 2008 2:50 PM | Link to this

Sorry j, I tire of beating the wife so I have to take it out on someone.

By jbmlaw

January 16, 2008 2:55 PM | Link to this

Dear Philosopher @ 9:18 and Camus @ 9:45, apologies for late response, full day today. Since Cardozo wrote Palsgraf 80 years go, we have required elements of foreseeability and reliance before we would