(Mike Luckovich via GoComics.com)
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Via Dave Weigel, it’s been a hard three years for the Guys Who Know A Guy:
WASHINGTON — A top Republican lobbying shop lost major business over the past few years because clients thought “Obama was going to be dictator,” and only firms closely aligned with the administration would have access, Ed Rogers, the head of BGR Group, said in a deposition taken in January.
“There was a spike in people thinking that Obama was going to be dictator and to get a fair hearing, which is all you’re ever really going to get or all you literally want, you had to be close to the Obama administration. We were not,” Rogers testified.
“Well, was that just a perception or is that reality?” he was asked.
“It’s a perception more than anything. Washington is becoming a town of what you know, not who you know,” Rogers said.
My emphasis. May the power of “what you know, not who you know” remain long ascendant.
Apart from savoring other peoples’ enjoyment of their just desserts, what’s on the agenda for the start of the weekend?
Baud
It’s good to know the king.
srv
packing, maybe booz later
Nicole
Handicapping the Kentucky Derby. But, as it’s the Kentucky Derby, I’d probably get the same result if I just drew names out of a hat.
beltane
So it wasn’t just the teabaggers but even the Republican insiders who bought into that Obama=Hitler thing. Maybe Republicans are so corrupt because they’re all too stupid to be anything else.
gex
Thing is, anyone can know things. Only good ole boys know the good ole boys. And that probably makes him very, very sad. Poor old white man. I feel your pain.
lamh35
so Robmey’s whole “braketing” strategy where the campaign stalks POTUS where ever he goes just doesn’t make sense to me. It can’t be their long term strategy right, that’s too stupid.
So their plans to “surround the campaign bus” are they trying to create a confrontation ore something or just being stupid.
It seems like such a juvenille things to do. I get that it allegedly worked for the GOP primary, but this is HS, not Elementary school. Ain’t it time for Robmey and nem to graduate to the adult program?
MikeJ
Frankly I wouldn’t mind a little more denial of access . When Republicans are in the White House, only republicans can get hired in lobbying shops. When Democrats are in charge, it’s open to anybody.
It would be nice to spread the high paying jobs around a bit.
Mark S.
Oh Christ, what bullshit. And these dumbasses who probably think the world is 6,000 years old still raised 15 fucking million dollars last year.
Keith
I wanted a followup question to that last part: “And how do you feel about that?”
Cathyx
I’m not having dessert tonight, thank you.
Elizabelle
That cartoon made me laugh.
jeffreyw
Mmm… taco night
Ken
Weeding a perennial bed, and hoping they spread faster so I won’t have to do as much next year. It helps that the European ginger and columbine are doing well.
MikeJ
Got some cod, doing fish ‘n chips. And I haven’t decided yet, but I may have a second martini.
jl
More facty evidence that superficial racial features reflect deep and profound differences between different populations:
Mysterious origin of Solomon Islands’ dark-skinned blonds revealed
‘ Researchers have discovered a single gene that caused inhabitants of the Solomon Islands to have the unique combination of very dark skin and very blond hair.
On Thursday, the journal Science reported that a single gene mutation is responsible for the unique pairing. Perhaps most interesting, the findings debunk theories that residents of the Solomon Islands got their blond hair from intermarrying with European explorers.
“[T]he human characteristic of blond hair arose independently in equatorial Oceania,” study researcher Eimear Kenny said in a statement. “That’s quite unexpected and fascinating.” ‘
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/sideshow/mysterious-origin-solomon-islands-dark-skinned-blondes-revealed-175030129.html
I’ve read that there may be only two or three dozen genes at most that produce racial features we use to ID each other as being part of this or that racial or ethnic group. But I have never read that they knew the genetic map of those features in more detail.
Cathyx
@MikeJ: I think you should.
Jay C
And why can I not help but think that this observation was delivered in a low, hushed tone of horror, with a barely-suppressed shudder…?
Zagloba
Apparently there’s a new biography of Obama coming out. Politico‘s already concern-trolling about how it’ll peel off Obama voters who’ve swallowed his life story until now.
In other news, I’m leaving in half an hour for a weekend incommunicado in the Smokies. (Would have left earlier, except Ms. Zagloba’s flight doesn’t get in till late.) Commence electronic shutdown sequence… now!
ETA: coming out, not out yet.
beltane
The President has a new “Made in the USA” coffee mug out featuring his portrait on one side and an image of his birth certificate on the other: http://store.barackobama.com/made-in-the-usa-mug.html
I think I will have to buy it.
the Conster
I will never understand the thinking of that “tan” lady in New Jersey who looks like she’s chocolate covered. WTF? She’s gotta be a wingnut too.
beltane
@the Conster: John Boehner should be very happy he has at least one fan out there.
amk
@lamh35: Looks like clime act is the newest campaign stratergist for mehmney. “Let’s go troll obama campaign events. I’ve been so successful at that in BJ”.
SiubhanDuinne
@Cathyx:
MikeJ: I agree with Cathyx
Mark S.
@jl:
From the article:
Which doesn’t have much to do with genetics. But I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that color, whether skin, color, feathers, etc., isn’t that different genetically.
Yutsano
@MikeJ: Beer batter?
And why the waffling on the second drink? It’s Friday!
Linda Featheringill
So far, I’ve enjoyed the Republican ads, although I suppose that might change. The way they portray Obama is kind of cute.
On the Why Does Obama Take All the Credit ad, I think they were trying to show him as surly and threatening but I saw macho and proud.
Citizen_X
DICTATORSHIP!
the Conster
@beltane:
Not for long if melanoma has anything to say about it.
Omnes Omnibus
@Nicole: Pick the horse with the most booze related name. Or a different one.
jl
@the Conster:
I will with hold judgment on her politics, but I could not believe the picture when I first saw it.
As I get older, the skin damage is starting to show from walking around in the sun as a kid from dawn to dusk on the farm in the sun, often without an adequate hat.
I am swarthy, and no one else in the family with far worse exposure has ever had a serious problem. But wish I had known better, or my family had known better back then.
urlhix
Opening day at the Lexington Farmers Market in the morning. Come out early if you want some kale or tomato plants. I’m this close to having zucchini. Another day or two, at best. Did someone say something about global warming?
beltane
@Linda Featheringill: My mother used to read me Aesops Fables every night, including the one with the fox and the sour grapes. I guess the Republicans never heard of that one or they’d realize the fox is not a particularly sympathetic character.
Arclite
Lukovich is the Charlie Pierce of political comics.
grandpa john
@Zagloba: Does that mean that you are going to spend the weekend at LeConte Lodge? certainly you won’t be spending it in Gatlinburg
Anya
@Zagloba: So, Obama is not the bi-racial child of a father from Kenya and a mother from Kansas?
Yutsano
@Omnes Omnibus: My mom always cheers for the dapple gray, if one is running. Otherwise she looks at prior records and jockeys. Then bets the long shot just to drive me crazy. :)
Cathyx
@SiubhanDuinne: @Yutsano: I think he is too busy having a second in order to respond to us.
Anya
@Linda Featheringill: The “Obama is Cool” ad also showed him in a favorite light. I think the Romney campaign is run by trolls.
jl
@Zagloba:
From following your link:
” Still, if a lot of prospective voters, who do have their doubts about him, actually read it when it comes out, they’ll find a portrait of a very ambitious but very shrewd, cautious, thoughtful and intuitive guy. I ”
Uh oh! BOMBSHELL!
That is worth a three siren six blazing fires flash emergency breaking news flash alert on Drudge.
Edit: I have already a few heard news ‘analysis’ spots on the new biography. I assume those would be the best parts, But not sure. The stories I have heard so far are so boringly normal, it is spooky. Like listening to some of my slightly boozed up friends relate about some minor ‘life episodes’ from college years.
Edit: Guess I said spooky because rare to hear such boring inconsequential stuff in the media.
David Koch
From PPP:
looks like the only state Obama will lose from his 2008 victory column is Indiana, while he may gain Arizona, Montana, and Missouri. There’s also an outside chance at picking up Georgia (which he’s already visited twice this year).
David Koch
From PPP:
looks like the only state Obama will lose from his 2008 victory column is Indiana, while he may gain Arizona, Montana, and Missouri. There’s also an outside chance at picking up Georgia (which he’s already visited twice this year).
0
David Koch
only 36% of Virgina supports Transvaginal Bob McDonnell
Dems lead congressional ballot in VA 47-38
Cantor’s approval rating underwater in VA 27-41
gay marriage is just a matter of time in VA: under 30 support 58-42, over 65 oppose 58-27
beltane
@David Koch: Is Eric Cantor approval rating for real or are you just kidding us, because 27% is too perfect to be real.
jl
@David Koch:
27?
Not that again?
Zagloba
@grandpa john: Ye gods no. Cades Cove… much less trafficked, we hope.
grandpa john
@David Koch: RCP yesterday moved PA and NV from tossup to leans Obama moving his current EV count on their map to 253, current averages have Obama leading in OH,VA,FL,and NC and I think IA
David Koch
@beltane: no joke, the numbers are fresh from PPP
mclaren
You mean “just deserts,” Anne. Just desserts is something delicious you eat after the main course.
grandpa john
@Zagloba: Never camped there but have driven through there several times. MY favorite spot to go and just relax for a day or a few hours is at the other end ,Greenbriar which is up the Pigeon River on the road going toward I-40. MY Mother went to school with girls that live in the glades area and in Pigeon Forge. When I was young we used to visit often in the area. I remember when Pigeon Forge was a post office, the old mill and a couple of stores And Gatlinburg wasn’t a whole lot larger
David Koch
Campaign kicks off tomorrow with Obama making first campaign rallies of the year in Ohio (1:30 PM) and Virgina (4:45 PM).
MikeJ
@Yutsano:
I even got imported beer, all the way from San Francisco. Anchor Steam.
My grandmother always wanted to go to the derby and bet $100 (the largest amount she could conceive betting) on the long shot. And my mother talks about it every year.
SiubhanDuinne
@Cathyx:
:-)
The Republic of Stupidity
Hmmm… I think I see the problem…
Perhaps they were shooting for ‘K.G.&B’. as part of their rebrand, in honor of the upcoming dictatorship… but the person in charge was a little lysdexic…
And there you are… income down by 25%… all because of a stinkin’ vowel or two…
tybee
@David Koch:
don’t tease me.
ruemara
I had a pretty nice phone interview with a company in San Antonio. I wasn’t aware they make transdimensional calls between CA and TX. I wonder if they speak english there, and if the gravity is the same. Really, I’d be surprised if I got the IRL interview request, but I’m remaining open.
Mino
@David Koch: And richly deserved. I wonder if Orange Julius is donating to his challenger?
Northern Virginian ladies will not forget the humiliation.
Now, Wisconsin, you know what you need to do. Can you imagine a House without Ryan and Cantor?
Mino
@MikeJ: I had a friend with a bet on Canonero II in the 1971 Derby. He paid $19.40 .
Linda Featheringill
@ruemara:
San ‘Tone is nice. Pretty little city.
mainmati
Republican lobbyists are deeply, profoundly, retarded and live in their own world.
Evolving Deep Southerner
@mclaren: You’re full of shit. Anne had it right. It is “What evil shits get at the end of an undeserved meal.” Don’t be a pedant unless you know what you’re talking about.
JCT
@Zagloba: We’ve camped there several times in the past few years. Every time we end up extending our vacation because we don’t want to leave….
Try a drag yourself up for a very early bike ride or walk in the cove — the mist is something to behold.
Mnemosyne
@Anya:
I’m guessing that there’s going to be some very groundbreaking, stop-the-presses kind of news, like that Obama became interested in politics when he was in college! And that he wanted to run for president someday!
Nicole
@Omnes Omnibus: I approve of your handicapping method! I may modify it to “Pick the horse with the name that when you say it aloud, it sounds like you’ve already had a few mint julips.”.
Dullahan!
Nicole
@Yutsano: Your mom is going to have to make some hard choices tomorrow. More than one grey.
Mike G
I can see why a party founded on privilege, parochialism and the exaltation of willful ignorance would be distressed by this turn of events.
Yutsano
@Nicole: I’ll have to call her in the morning. And giggle. Although the fallback is the grey with the longest odds. We’ll see though. She actually is a decent horse evaluator.
Nicole
@Yutsano: If there’s another open thread tomorrow, tell me who she likes. Of the two Greys, I think Creative Cause has the better chance, but there have been rumors of a foot problem this week. The other, Hansen, is a terrific horse (and gorgeous), I just don’t think the pace will set up well for him.