John Ensign took in 50-- count 'em 50-- dollars last quarter

By GottaLaff

John Ensign had one donor last quarter. But at least he gave twice:

Sen. John Ensign's re-election campaign took in just $50 in contributions, from one contributor, during the first quarter of 2010, according to FEC reports.

What does that say about the donor? We know what it says about Ensign's future.

The GOP has been awfully quiet about his little antics. They've also been quiet about what's in store for him, if anything. And remember Doug Hampton, Ensign's former top aide? And Dougie's wife, who had the affair with Ensign? And Ensign lining up lobbying work for Mrs. Hampton's husband? All those various and sundry allegations and nefarious activities?

They've been awfully subdued about all that, too.

And now John Ensign's war chest is subdued.

Silence is not

VIDEO: Tony Perkins: 'If You Can't Run A Party, You Can't Run A Country'

By GottaLaff

Yesterday I posted about the Family Research Council urging donors to withhold donations to the RNC. Ouch.

Here's some video to buttress that. Watch Tony Perkins saying how much he likes Michael Steele, and it is the RNC that has to deal with all the suckitude:

AUDIO: RNC fake "census" mailer provides phone sex number by mistake

By GottaLaff

(Click on image to enlarge; via)

This is barely audible, and awfully ickworthy. Listen at your own risk:



Can these people do nothing right? And why do their little mishaps always involve sexcapades, even inadvertent ones? The RNC gives new meaning to Murphy's Law:

The Republican National Committee sent a fundraising mail piece earlier this month with a return number that leads to a phone-sex line offering "live, one-on-one talk with a nasty girl who will do anything you want for just $2.99 per minute."

Oops, that was supposed to be a 202 area code! But a Minnesota resident called the 800 number to complain about using a fake census form to entice donations. Surprise! Cringe Factor: 100.

It's not nice to deceive voters, RNC. When will they ever learn?

Not to mention, donations will likely suffer. Who wants to give money to the so-called Family Values party when they can't seem to adhere to their own standards?

But the Minnesotan was instead directed to a second toll-free number that greets callers as "sexy guy" before offering them the chance to talk with "real local students, housewives and working girls from all over the country."

The caller then sent the form to his Democratic congressman, who let the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in on it.

The RNC won't reveal how many mailers went out. But, hey, check phone records to see if there was an uptick in calls to Miss XXX. That should provide a rough idea... then check to see who called back.

Oh, but I kid...

That's all for now. Stay tuned for the next episode of How the RNC Rolls. But first, hide the kids.

Family Research Council: Stop RNC Donations

By GottaLaff

Blow. Back:

In the wake of the expense scandal at the Republican National Committee, the Family Research Council urged supporters to stop donating to the RNC "and instead contribute to its own coffers or to candidates with like-minded goals," CNN reports. [...]

Earlier, we noted big Republican donors are already bypassing the RNC.

When Tony Perkins isn't happy, the money goes bye-bye. And we all know it's al-l-l about the money.

Via the Family Research Council site:

The Republican National Committee (RNC) is at the center of another controversy, this one regarding nearly $2,000.00 spent at a bondage-themed strip club outside of Los Angeles. Information about the $1,946.00 dollar expenditure at Voyeur West Hollywood became public when the RNC released its most recent financial disclosure report. The public controversy over the expenditure led to the firing of the staffer yesterday who had incurred the expense. This latest incident is another indication to me that the RNC is completely tone-deaf to the values and concerns of a large number of people from whom they seek financial support. [...]

I've hinted at this before, but now I am saying it--don't give money to the RNC. If you want to put money into the political process, and I encourage you to do so, give directly to candidates who you know reflect your values. Better yet, become a member of FRC Action and learn about the benefits it offers, including participating in the FRC Action PAC which can support candidates who will advance faith, family and freedom!

The RNC has an owie. Who's gonna kiss it now?

CA Republican Erik Brown return RNC money; RNC cultivated young donors at Voyeurs

By GottaLaff


Michael Steele is toast. His sexcapades at the bondage-themed Voyeur club (that features topless dancers simulating sex acts), where he blew nearly two grand to hang with the who's who of voyeuritude, is getting blowback. (Fun with words!)

A California-based political consultant who charged the Republican National Committee nearly $2,000 for a night out at Voyeur - a risque West Hollywood nightclub now at center of the latest controversy surrounding RNC chairman Michael Steele - will return the money to the party, a committee spokesman told CNN Monday.

Erik Brown, president of the Orange County-based Dynamic Marketing, Inc., was re-imbursed in February for $1,946.25 worth of charges at the nightclub, according to the RNC's latest filing with the Federal Election Commission. [...]

Brown's firm, which also has an office in Washington, D.C., has done direct mail and consulting work for GOP candidates in California including Assemblyman Chuck DeVore, now a candidate for Senate, and Steve Poizner, the state Insurance Commissioner now running for governor.

Erik and Mikey are bff. Well, they're at least f:

In October, Brown tweeted: "Enjoying the football game with RNC Chairman Michael Steele. (Eagles vs Redskins at FedEx Field)."

Brown closed his Twitter account after the Voyeur story broke. His Gen Next page was also scrubbed. Sadly, I accidentally closed my tab while it was still up. But luckily, Democratic Underground copied the text and his photo (click on images to enlarge):

Erik Brown is Chief Executive Officer of DMI, Dynamic Marketing Inc. a direct marketing/media production company with offices in California and Washington DC. DMI provides services for corporations, political campaigns, issue advocacy groups, fundraising professionals, and various private concerns. Recipients of the prestigious AAPC Pollie Award in 2008, DMI’s portfolio includes work for notable candidates as well as a several prominent elected officials and public policy organizations.

A graduate of the University of California Irvine with a degree in Political Science, Erik has been an active member of The National Honor Society, Young Republicans, Friends of the NRA, Claremont Institute, and the Sheriff's Advisory Council. Apart from a passion for politics and a driving commitment to advocate on behalf of founding principles, Erik is a sportsman and a mentor to young athletes. As an ice hockey coach for over 12 years, his teams have won acclaim as State, District, and National Champions.

Erik is married to Alison Brown, a graduate of Chapman University and an MBA student at UCI’s Merage School of business. Alison has served as President of the Illuminating Engineers Society of Southern California, a mainstay of her industry. A former director of the Sunday school, Alison and Erik reside in Las Flores, California and are actively involved in the ministries of their local church.

Here's what is there now:

But wait! There's more!

What exactly was going on at that little Voyeurpalooza?

A $1,946.25 bar tab at a bondage-themed Hollywood nightclub financed by the RNC was part of a night of cultivating young Republican donors [...]

The California blog Red County reported that the outing at Voyeur West Hollywood was an after-party for a number of young Republicans who attended a Young Eagles event that night at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Those would be the same under-40s who are pallin' around with Blackwater for a fundraiser in April. I wrote about that earlier here.

The Party of No is morphing into the Party Party.

H/t: Windy City Watch, Gr8RDH

Michael Steele spent $1946.25 watching "half-naked ladies simulating oral sex on each other"

By GottaLaff

This is how Michael Steele rolls!

Presenting the face-- the chair-- of the RNC:

[...] Michael Steele considered buying a private plane, because he spends so much time flying to nightclubs and Hawaii, but he decided not to. Instead he found many other creative ways to waste money.

Once on the ground, FEC filings suggest, Steele travels in style. A February RNC trip to California, for example, included a $9,099 stop at the Beverly Hills Hotel, $6,596 dropped at the nearby Four Seasons, and $1,620.71 spent [update: the amount is actually $1,946.25] at Voyeur West Hollywood, a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless women dancers imitating lesbian sex.

Now, Voyeur is not really a "strip club" so much as a terrible-sounding nightclub with bottle service, long lines, Lindsay Lohan, and, yes, half-naked ladies simulating oral sex on each other.

Hey, whatever floats your... floaties. Or maybe he went invested because he needed someone, or something, to inflate them again.... on his party's dime.

Here are some commenters' reviews of the club, via Yelp:

[...] There are topless "dancers" acting out S&M scenes throughout the night on one of the side stages, there's a half-naked girl hanging from a net across the ceiling and at one point I walked to the bathroom and pretty much just stopped dead in my tracks to watch two girls simulating oral sex in a glass case.

Really understated elegance here.

Also, Lindsay Lohan was at our table at one point.

***

As good as it gets in terms of places to be in LA. I can say this place is full of nothing but incredily attractive women, rich guys, and celebrities. Voyeur is very very exclusive and unless your a 8 or above ladies or willing to get bottle service ( 2 bottles =$1,100) fellas, be prepared to be turned away. I think this is one of the hottest places that I've been to in my many years in LA. The half naked models and topless dancers alone is worth the price of admission.

***

The layout of the club is terrible, and decor is not that inspiring... but Naked chicks + live porn + celebs. What more could a girl ask for?? A+ in my book. Beware of the ladies hanging above you in nets - they whip the occasional unsuspecting drunkie. Scared the bejeezus out of me. Also beware if you're ugly you won't get in.

[Note: Edited for accuracy; some text removed]

Family values are alive and well in the Rushpublic party. So is hypocrisy.

And they fired David Frum for simply opining about that hip, good-looking, sexy, jet-setting party that Steele represents. Go figure.

Voyeur Club photo via Yelp

Quickie: You talkin' to US about scandals, GOP? I've got LISTS

By GottaLaff

Today's Quickie:

So the Rushpublics wanna play rough? They think Tickle Me Massa and Charlie Rangel are a big deal? Really?

You wanna see a Big Deal, GOP? Here's your Big Deal:

Republican Offenders.

Republican Sex Scandals Dwarf Those of Democrats.

Republican Sex Offenders.

And just for good measure, the endless Bush Scandals List.

Now that's what I call a great Quickie.

VIDEO: CNN's Rick Sanchez ambushes Ensign on sex scandal

By GottaLaff

Gotcha:



Aww, someone had to answer actual questions from an actual Tee Vee Machine questioner with actual Tee Vee Machine questions? Unheard of!

Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) does his first CNN interview expecting to discuss terrorism but gets grilled on his sex scandal instead. It's must-watch video.

"Sir, that's an illegality." Why, it most certainly is.

Wait. What? Confrontation? Attempts to get the truth? On a "news" program? Other than on The Rachel Maddow Show?

Of course, that doesn't mean Sanchez got answers... but kudos!

S&Mer Jetton Tried to Ban Gay "Deviate Sexual Intercourse"

By GottaLaff

The hypocrisy is jaw-dropping, but not surprising. Yesterday I posted about Former Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton (R), who "was charged with felony assault that allegedly happened during an S&M session gone wrong".

Look out kiddies, Rod (amusing name, considering the circumstances) has it out for "deviant" Teh Gay Love!

Safe word alert level: Red (green apparently didn't work).

Here's the latest:

Rod Jetton (R), the Missouri power broker who is accused of assault in a S&M encounter gone bad, apparently fought to ban "deviate sexual intercourse" in his state -- at least when it involved same sex couples, TPM reports.

Now, the Kansas City Star reports Jetton "will be leaving politics to deal with false allegations and spend time with his family," according to a statement issued by his lawyer.

I wonder if his family wants to spend time with him.

Those wascal Wushpublics, they're America's best constant source of Family Values debauchery!

Former Republican MO House Speaker charged with felony assault, allegedly during S&M session

By GottaLaff

Ooo lala, another Rushpublic Sexcapade. Are you listening, Cliff Schecter?

Former Missouri House Speaker Rod Jetton (R) "was charged with felony assault that allegedly happened during an S&M session gone wrong," reports the Riverfront Times.

I can only imagine what would have happened if it had gone right. No, on second thought...

Reports say Jetton told the woman to use the safe words "green balloons" to make him stop but she was apparently drugged, fading in-and-out of consciousness and unresponsive.

Maybe if she'd chosen a better safe word? Like, oh I dunno, "Stop!!!!"

KFVS-TV:

Jetton is accused of abusing the woman at her home in mid-November, a claim that Wilson first disputed Monday evening. A statement from Wilson reads: "Mr. Jetton was shocked and surprised when first advised of the allegation made against him. Now that a complaint is filed in court, Mr. Jetton's only comments are that he is not guilty, and will vigorously defend this allegation in court and not in the media."

Jetton is named in a complaint filed Monday in Scott County Circuit Court. In the complaint, prosecuting attorney Paul Boyd accuses Jetton of hitting the woman in the head and "choking her, resulting in unconsciousness and the loss of function of a part of her body." [...]

According to the affidavit, the woman remembers Jetton hitting her on the face very hard, then waking up and lying on the floor with Jetton choking her. She then recalled waking up and having sex with Jetton in the bedroom, then waking up the next morning with Jetton in her bed.

Rushpublic gone wrong. Very wrong. Welcome to the "Family Values" party.

Ew Factor: Through the roof.

VIDEO: Cliff Schecter talks Republican Sexcapades on Young Turks

By GottaLaff

Cliff Schecter is a very talented political analyst, Democratic consultant/strategist, and author (The Real McCain). He's also a good friend... so good, in fact, that he convinced me to co-edit this very blog with him and Paddy a couple of years ago.

He's been busy working on Very Important Things, so he had to leave The Political Carnival (he still pops in sometimes, as you may have noticed).



Cliff is back on the air with his Republican Sexcapades revelations, a series he did regularly for some time. It's so good to see him out there exposing the preposterousness of the so-called "Family Values" hypocrites. We need more like him.

VIDEO: Chuck Grassley Jokes About Having Sex With Kent Conrad’s Wife

By GottaLaff

This speaks for itself, loudly, clearly, and cringe-worthily:



UPDATE-- Clarification from Rachel Maddow:

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Larry Craig dropping appeals in sex sting, now with bonus video!

By GottaLaff

Just a quickie (no pun): MSNBC is reporting that Larry "I Love My Wife" Craig is dropping his appeal, mainly because the Supremes would have nothing to do with him (nor would anyone else).

Yes, Tappy McWideStance has finally called it quits. No happy endings (no pun) for him, but one more chance for a last, hard (no pun) look at one of my earlier video efforts, an attempt to capture the mood-o'-the-moment. Enjoy a peek back in time at Larry and all his shortcomings (no pun).

Gov. Crist, you may now kiss the bride

This gave me a hearty guffaw. The picture leaves itself up for multiple interpretations.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Gov. Charlie Crist became the first sitting Florida governor to wed in nearly 42 years, exchanging vows Friday at a ceremony attended by some 200 relatives, friends and celebrities.

The 52-year-old governor wed his 39-year-old bride, New York socialite Carole Rome, at First United Methodist Church, a short walk from Crist's rented condo in St. Petersburg. They met at a dinner in New York City in September 2007 and Crist proposed less than 10 months later with a sapphire engagement ring.

Crist kissed Rome briefly at the end of the ceremony — perhaps too briefly. She put her hands on his face and kissed him again. Afterward, the couple walked out of the church and addressed waiting reporters.

No charges expected against Mark Foley-- now with bonus "sex-clusive" snark video!

By GottaLaff

Remember the days of the Mark Foley scandal? Weren't they carefree compared to what we're faced with now?

Former U.S. Rep. Mark Foley isn't expected to face charges after a lengthy investigation into his lurid messages to underage congressional pages, two federal law enforcement officials told The Associated Press on Thursday. [...]

They said neither state nor federal charges were expected, although an FBI investigation has not been closed yet. [...]

Shortly after Foley's resignation, Roth announced Foley was gay and had been molested by a priest as a teenage altar boy. Foley also checked himself into an Arizona treatment facility for what his attorneys said was "alcoholism and other behavioral problems." [...]

Florida authorities had said their investigation was hampered because neither Foley nor the House would let its investigators examine his congressional computers.

It's sad, actually. However, this still calls for an oldie but goodie, one of my earliest efforts: