Antonin Scalia: "There is no right to secede"

By GottaLaff

Thank you, Markos, thank you... for linking to this:

(click on image to enlarge)

The Tea Tantrumers and Ricky the Seceder will be so disappointed

Poll-itics: GOP party brand is in worse shape than any opposition party in recent memory

By GottaLaff

Maybe a few more of those oh-so-successful tea parties will help:

Keep up the good work, Rushpublics:

The overall finding is simple -- the GOP's standing relative to the Democrats on both measures is worse than any opposition party in the sample. For instance, the Pew data show that the Republicans are currently viewed more negatively than any minority party in the previous four midterms in terms of both net favorables and the difference in net favorables between parties [...]

In short, there's no question that the GOP party brand is in worse shape than any opposition party in recent memory. The question, however, is whether this difference in party valence will (a) persist through next November and (b) translate into fewer GOP House seats at the polls, especially once we account for the generic Congressional ballot, which should (in principle) take much of this difference into account (see Alan Abramowitz's model, for instance). Those questions remain to be addressed.

H/t: DAKGirl

Poll-itics: Republicans Losing Across All Demographic Groups

By GottaLaff

Rushpublics lose all over the place... except with churchgoers:

The decline in Republican Party affiliation among Americans in recent years is well documented, but a Gallup analysis now shows that this movement away from the GOP has occurred among nearly every major demographic subgroup. Since the first year of George W. Bush's presidency in 2001, the Republican Party has maintained its support only among frequent churchgoers, with conservatives and senior citizens showing minimal decline.

So far in 2009, aggregated poll data show the divide on party identification is 53% Democratic and 39% Republican -- a marked change from 2001, when the parties were evenly matched.

Everlasting GOPstoppers

By GottaLaff

Via Taegan, candy for the soul:

First Read: "Could the Republican Party have gotten off to a rougher start in the Obama era? It's hard to think so. Even with Bush and Cheney no longer heading the party, the GOP finds its favorability ratings at or near all-time lows. Despite their enthusiasm for their unified opposition to Obama (on the stimulus, the budget), they're blamed more for the lack of bipartisanship in DC. While starting out with all the advantages in NY-20, they still found a way to lose that race. Despite the initial positive reaction to his victory as RNC chair, Michael Steele's reign has been, shall we say, not good. And holding on to 41 votes in the Senate, they enabled a Republican who proved he could win in the increasingly blue state of Pennsylvania to switch parties, giving Dems the prospect of a filibuster-proof majority."

"Yes, Obama is popular right now. And, yes, the GOP is still paying for the sins of Bush and Cheney. But what has to disappoint Republicans right now is that most of their recent problems have been self-inflicted. And to top all of this off, an effort to re-brand the party ends up causing an internal fissure between one of the party's supposed rising stars, Eric Cantor, and many of the leading conservative voices, including Rush Limbaugh. Never mind the silly debate over whether Reagan should be used as an icon or not. The issue of Reagan reminds us of the Kennedy-obsession Democrats had for decades. One could argue it took the Democrats nearly 30 years to kick the Kennedy habit (maybe longer). So, this Reagan issue may take the Republicans another 10 years to get over."

"The suspense is terrible... I hope it'll last"

Eric Cantor: 'We've got a lot to learn' from Obama

By GottaLaff

The GOP is capable of learning? Who knew:

House Minority Whip Eric Cantor tells CNN's John King that the GOP still has a lot to learn from President Obama.

He just won today's award for Understatement of the Year:

"President Obama is a great communicator. We understand that," he said in an interview that aired on CNN's State of the Union Sunday. "He's also been very adept at adopting the technology of today to access the youth vote and the younger population of this country. That's the future, and I believe we've got a lot to learn. The Republican Party can't keep doing things the way it always has in terms of technology."

Ohhh, that Clever Cantor. He can't fool me. This is all part of that whole Rushpublic Rebranding effort isn't it? Nearly got that one right by me. I better keep my peepers open, 'cause he's one sly fox.

One new GOP face who seems to disagree with Cantor's point of view: Meghan McCain, whose father John McCain is involved with the NCNA effort.

"Simply embracing technology isn't going to fix our problem," the 24-year-old told a gay Republican group last month. "Republicans using Twitter and Facebook isn't going to miraculously make people think we're cool again. Breaking free from obsolete positions and providing real solutions that don't divide our nation further will."

They should think about making MegMac chair of the Rushpbulic Rebranding Rehab effort. But MegMac, come on... "cool again"? The GOP never has been and never will be "cool". Nothing on earth will ever make Rushpublics cool, especially with spokescretins like Dork and Dorkier.

Gingrich insult rankles RNC members

Oh, the schadenfruedey goodness.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – Several members of the Republican National Committee are miffed at Newt Gingrich for claiming that they’re a small bunch of egomaniacs who need to be coddled by the party chairman.

“Newt needs to take a breath,” New Jersey committeeman David Norcross told CNN.

Gingrich made the assertion on C-SPAN Thursday when asked about a new resolution put forth by some veteran members — including Norcross and RNC Treasurer Randy Pullen of Arizona — that would limit chairman Michael Steele’s ability to control how the committee spends its money.

(snip)

Defending Steele’s tumultuous start, Gingrich said the chairman might be under fire from some in the committee because he “probably has not yet learned the art of massaging the egos of RNC members.”

Tennessee GOP chairwoman Robin Smith objected to that suggestion, saying that “RNC members, on the whole, are committed individuals who sincerely work for the best of our party.”

“Forming circular firing squads only gives aid to the Democrats who are doing quite nicely in undercutting the public trust in our government,” Smith said.

Ada Fisher, committeewoman from North Carolina, said RNC members are not “as ego driven as some professional politicians and pundits would like to believe.”

"Yet another blow to an already-bruised GOP"

By GottaLaff

Awww, someone get them a nice big bright red band-aid decorated with superhero cartoons:

First Read: "Although the late Friday concession, as well as the nearly four weeks of overtime, might have lessened the sting, let's make no mistake: The Republicans' loss in NY-20 was yet another blow to an already-bruised GOP. It had the registration advantage, it had the better-known candidate, and it was expected to benefit from a Republican base fired up after the first several weeks of the Obama administration... The GOP now controls just three out of New York's 29 congressional seats, and it doesn't have a single congressman from New England. This is the lowest level the GOP has been in New York State -- ever. It's stunning."

Owies! Maybe they could try these, appropriately porkish:

Perry says "secede", TX House votes to wipe out his budget; Vets win

By GottaLaff

I love it when the good guys score a win:

House members virtually wiped out Gov. Rick Perry's office budget Friday in order to help veterans and the mentally ill.

With little debate, the House on a voice vote approved erasing 96 percent of the nearly $24 million that budget writers had recommended for Perry's office operation over the next two years.

Some Democrats cast the House's move as a rebuke of the governor's recent comments about Texas seceding from the Union.

"That's the headline: 'Two days after governor says we ought to secede, House zeroes out the governor's budget,' " said Appropriations Committee vice chairman Richard Raymond, D-Laredo. [...]

"At the end of the day, the governor will be fully funded," said House GOP caucus chairman Larry Taylor of Friendswood.

In that case, I hope the Nation of Texas accepts U.S. dollars.

Poll: Obama earns nation's trust

There seems to be a theme in all these polls that the Republicans would be wise to acknowledge.

Three months into his presidency, Barack Obama stands out as perhaps the most trusted figure in American politics.

In a new Public Strategies Inc./POLITICO national survey of 1,000 registered voters, Obama outdistances figures on both the left and the right in earning the public’s trust, with two-thirds of respondents saying they trust the president “to identify the right solutions to the problems we face as a nation.”

Of those who said they trust the president, 31 percent said they trust him “a great deal.” An additional 35 percent said they have “some” trust that Obama will find the correct solution. Thirty-one percent said they trust Obama either “not very much” or “not at all.”

Voters were asked the same question of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), Republican Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, former Massachusetts Republican Gov. Mitt Romney, conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh and the two major political parties. Among those choices, only the Democratic Party was trusted to find the right solutions by a majority of voters, 52 percent to 40 percent. Forty percent of those surveyed said they trusted the Republican Party, compared with 54 percent who did not trust the GOP.

Only 26 percent said they trust Pelosi, the lowest total in the group. Palin attracted the highest percentage of those who did not trust her at all to identify the right solutions, topping Pelosi 33 percent to 32 percent. Romney got a mixed reaction, with 38 percent of voters saying they trust him and 39 percent saying they don’t.

Palin, Huckabee, Gingrich, and Romney Not Enough for Republican Base

By GottaLaff

More, more, more! They're insatiable, them Rushpublics!

It's no surprise that lots of Republicans are laying the groundwork for the 2012 White House campaign against President Obama. There's Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Mike Huckabee, and Sarah Palin, to name a few. But here's the rub: None of them are exciting the Republican rank and file, which is casting around for somebody different. "Nobody is there yet," a long-time Republican senator says. Palin's too new, Huckabee too churchy, Romney hasn't played his economy card with a good alternative to Obama's budget or bailouts, and Gingrich is too broad with his proposals.

We'd have described them all a little differently, but okay. Let your thoughts run away with adjectival abandon. Mine just did.

DNC Web Ad: Who's Driving The Bus?

Via Oliver.

Headline of the Day

Thank you Mr Kofinis!!

Memo to the Republican Party: Time for an Ideological Vasectomy

Republicans Looking for Bottom

I'd be more than happy to show them a bottom...

"Four months after John McCain's sweeping defeat, senior Republicans are coming to grips with the fact that the party is still -- in stock market terms -- looking for the bottom," Politico reports.

"Republicans this week are processing two sobering new polls that found the party's support reduced to a slim one-quarter of Americans. In the absence of a popular elected leader, its most visible figure is a polarizing radio host. Its strategic powerhouse is a still-divisive former House speaker forced from power 15 years ago."

GOP to Michael Steele: Quiet About Rush Limbaugh or You're Fired

By GottaLaff

Michael Steele's on-again-off-again-on-again romance with Rush Limbaugh is rocking the rightie boat. TPM says:

According to US News, Republican insiders are getting concerned that Michael Steele may be too big a moron to remain RNC Chairman.

Did that pique your interest?

Apology to Rush Limbaugh aside, new Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is coming under fire from his own GOP troops to shut up and focus on his job of organizing the party and raising money, not fighting with his own political kind. Several Republican advisers to Congress and the previous Bush administration told Whispers that they are worried that the war of words is fracturing the party when it should be healing the division between conservatives and moderates in the wake of the 2008 election.

"What is amazing is that Steele was elected because of his communications skills, and it is those skills that are damaging the Republican Party. Before people begin to completely judge him as worthless, Steele needs to focus and knuckle down on building a strong foundation at RNC so we can begin rebuilding our majority," says a top GOP strategist who has worked for House and Senate Republican leaders. "If his implosion continues, RNC members are likely to call a special session to dump him for an effective chairman. There is not much patience for failure." [...]

Of concern: For no reason, he is dividing the GOP between conservatives who like Limbaugh and moderates who don't and jeopardizing future fundraising efforts, his key responsibility. "The general sentiment of the conference is that Steele needs to step back and get a handle on his role in the party," says an influential congressional aide. Namely, advisers want him to stay out of the media and focus instead on hiring his staff and revamping the RNC. [...]

Officials are concerned that Steele either doesn't understand his responsibilities or has an inflated vision of his role. "At this point, it is as if he has a fundamental misunderstanding of the job description. An RNC chairman who attacks Republicans and insults conservative icons is about as counterproductive as any Democrat could hope for," says the adviser.

Hey Michael, the Republican party's just not that into you.

L-Word loses its sting

It never scared me before. Via Taegan-

The New York Times notes "that 'socialist' has supplanted 'liberal' as the go-to slur among much of a conservative world confronting a one-two-three punch of bank bailouts, budget blowouts and stimulus bills. Right-leaning bloggers and talk radio hosts are wearing out the brickbat. Senate and House Republicans have been tripping over their podiums to invoke it. The S-bomb has become as surefire a red-meat line at conservative gatherings as 'Clinton' was in the 1990s and 'Pelosi' is today."

Cartoon of the Day

Via.

GOP Island

Just found it in a DKos diary and had to share.

GOP govs raise money off Jindal speech

Okay, I have to admit that I've been enjoying the utter meltdown of the GOP, whether it's Steele and Bachman trying to bring the hip or JTP and Cliff Kincaid shoving the worst of the intertubes into Republican politics. BUT, this stuff is just jarringly disturbing, as if they really, really have no clue whatsoever.

The Republican Governors Association liked Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's (R) Tuesday night speech enough to feature it in a new fundraising campaign — despite the criticism it received from both sides of the aisle.

Open your Gmail account and you might see a banner ad for a sponsored link reading simply, "Bobby Jindal's Response," referring to Jindal's speech after President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress. The link goes to TheGOPComeback.com, a new site the RGA launched this week to tout the party's governors as the foundation for the GOP's long march back to prosperity.