HARNESSING THE HATE

Ed Rendell is a Democrat … a meat and potatoes Democrat. He's been around for a long time … winning and sometimes losing elections in the rough-and-tumble of Pennsylvania politics. He's been D.A. and Mayor of Philadelphia, and two-term governor of the state. Recently, on MSNBC, he was part of a four person panel discussion

CHECK YOUR ANGER SCORE

In today's first post, I wrote about how hate and anger are greater motivators in politics than love. In view of that fact (let's suppose it is a fact), I thought it might be interesting to measure my own anger level and invite you to do likewise. Below is a list of eighteen names. On

IRRITANT

SEAN HANNITY is trying to paint President Obama as a hypocrite for calling out Rush Limbaugh for his three-day attack on Sandra Fluke, who expressed an opinion on contraception coverage in health care plans … while Obama allowed his campaign to accept a one million dollar contribution from Bill Maher, who had referred to Sarah Palin

SANTORUM VOTED FOR FREE ABORTIONS

Rick Santorum's strongest calling card in his effort to portray himself as the most consistent conservative in the race for the nomination is the perception that he opposes abortion in all circumstances. His campaign website states that he has "steadfastly opposed the federal funding of abortions."  Rick Santorum is lying.  The last time Santorum ran

IRRITANT

Newt Gingrich invited President Obama to come down to Mississippi to check out some natural gas drilling rigs. Poor Newt. The only people who come to his events these days are those who want to see his Secret Service detail.  Newt, who uses the one-word adjective "cheerful" to describe himself, is getting a little testy with

TIP OF THE HAT

To Martin O'Malley and Robert McDonnell, governors of Maryland and Virginia, respectively, who appeared on Meet the Press in a joint appearance. O'Malley is Chairman of the Democratic Governor's Association, and McDonnell, the Republican Governor's Association. The two had a good-natured, respectful, sometimes amusing discussion without either one getting all Santorum about anything. (One gets "Santorum" about

BEAR HUG OR BIG LIE

Before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu went into a three-hour meeting with President Barack Obama on Monday, they exchanged pleasantries in front of the press. Both parties had an interest in achieving a thaw in the personal chill that has characterized their earlier meetings. It would be good politics for both of them.  Netanyahu sought

WATCHING FOX TV: THE MAGIC SENTENCE

If you watch a bit of Fox in the 8pm to 11pm time slot, you will notice a number of phrases that recur when attacking President Obama…in other words, pretty much all the time. You can count on a healthy sampling of the following: Phrase:              Everybody knows    

IRRITANT

Joe Scarborough, MSNBC gasbag and cheap-shot artist, suggests Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Martin Dempsey is unfit for the job he holds because he called Iran a "rational actor" and refused to back down from that description in testimony before Congress. First, Demsey was using language almost identical to that used by former Israeli

TIP OF THE HAT

To General John Allen, top US commander in Afghanistan, for supporting President Obama's apology for the incident involving the accidental burning of some Korans. The General said:  "This is the central word of God for them. Why shouldn't we apologize? We didn't do it on purpose. But we should apologize."