Stoopid

Politico's Ben Smith:

The Republican National Committee plans to raise money this election cycle through an aggressive campaign capitalizing on "fear" of President Barack Obama and a promise to "save the country from trending toward socialism."

The strategy was detailed in a confidential party fundraising presentation, obtained by POLITICO, which also outlines how “ego-driven” wealthy donors can be tapped with offers of access and "tchochkes."

The fringe and the mainstream have become one.

Check out the full presentation here.

Friday afternoon, House Speaker Ron Richard (R-Joplin) told the Post-Dispatch's Tony Messenger that he wanted to be on "the short list" of GOP candidates for governor in 2016.  And then at some point in the next 24 hours, Richard decided -- or was persuaded -- that we shouldn't believe what he'd stated the day before. 

It's not hard to see why some of his colleagues at the MOGOP's Lincoln Days celebration were freaked out by Richard's statements.  Implicit in his 2016 dreams, of course, is the assumption that Peter Kinder will not survive his 2012 campaign for governor. 

The Chairman of the Republican Party totally understands what it's like to struggle through a rough economy.  Regarding President Obama’s long-stated plan to let income tax rates return to higher levels for families making more than $250,000 a year, Steele said: 

"Trust me, after taxes, a million dollars is not a lot of money." 

I don't know 'bout you, but banking a million dollars in one year seems like a lot of money to me.

Two questions about this story regarding Kit Bond's irresponsible hold on the nomination of Martha Johnson to lead the General Services Administration.

First, is it any wonder that people are frustrated with the pettiness in the U.S. Senate?

Second, does Bond's staff ever say, "You know, maybe this quote is just a little over-the-top?" Case in point:

“Now I feel no joy in holding up this nominee, but the hostage I am concerned about is not the one looking for a D.C. job. … The hostages I am worried about are the 1,000 people working in a dump in Kansas City at the mercy of an agency that refuses to act to remedy a problem they acknowledge exists.”

Really?  They're "hostages"?

A visual representation of the responses to one question the new Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll noted earlier today.

I'm at a complete loss here. What in the world is this tweet from Missourinet reporter Steve Walsh supposed to mean? 

Is it the position of Missourinet and Steve Walsh that only members of the "American Left" "buy into global warming"?  And either way, what does a mass murdering terrorist have to do with it? 

Despite the best efforts of "the liberal media and the far left," Rep. Marilyn Ruestman (R-Joplin) still has the "freedom of speech" to say "Merry Christmas!" and the freedom "to celebrate its true meaning."

It's a good thing The Turner Report brought this to our attention -- Ruestman's freedoms must be squashed!

The Post-Dispatch: "If the GOP doesn't want to be branded the "Party of Stupid," it could stand to nominate more people who can speak eloquently on complicated policy matters."

I think that's what Glenn Beck is saying here:

Words fail me.

There are a lot of pages in the health reform bill from Democratic leaders in the House. That means it's terrible.

Blaine Luetkemeyer says everything Glenn Beck spews "must be true because nobody's refuting it." Speaking this weekend to the 12,000 2,000 people at the Quincy, IL Tea Party:

I'm at a loss for words...

This is rich:

Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder, a Republican, had originally criticized the speech and its suggested lesson plans as "steps never before seen by any presidency in the realm of government intervention." But he said his concerns eased after some of the lesson plans were changed.

"It was perfectly innocuous and a praiseworthy message," he said Tuesday.

So much for "usurp[ing] the authority of our local school boards and school administrators." And the "clear infringement on the rights of our students and those of Missouri parents."

And all it took to turn his outrage to praise, Kinder says, was a minor change to an accompanying lesson plan.

Right.

Oh, the humanity.

Peter Kinder needs to put a stop to this. For the sake of the children.

For those individuals so outraged with the idea of Barack Obama "indoctrinating" children to work hard and stay in school that they feel compelled to keep their kiddos at home, be advised that there's a whole bunch of subversive agents conspiring with the White House to support education and make it "cool."

I do not understand the inner workings of the tea partier's mind.