I see racist people...

By GottaLaff

Look who's running for governor of Florida:

CPR chief Rick Scott was ousted as a hospital exec amid a 1990s fraud probe, and the memo will alarm pro-reform forces, because it shows that the anti-reform camp is beginning to sense that victory is within reach on their top goal: Killing the public option.

Oh, you already knew that? Did you know all this?

R Lynn's Wiki:

Richard Lynn "Rick" Scott (born 1953 in Bloomington, Illinois) announced his candidacy for Florida governor on April 13, 2010.^[1]

Scott is a healthcare industry executive and founder of Conservatives for Patients' Rights (CPR) which advertises against expanding the U.S. government's role in regulating the healthcare system but failed in its efforts to block healthcare reform.

Scott founded the Columbia Hospital Corporation in 1987. With Columbia HCA Chairman Thomas J. Frist, the brother of Senator Bill Frist, the company merged Columbia with Hospital Corporation of America in 1989 to form Columbia/HCA. Ten years later, Scott was ousted by the company's board of directors in the midst of the nation's biggest health care fraud scandal in which the company ultimately plead guilty to the nation's then largest Medicaid and Medicare fraud and paid a record fine of $1.7 billion dollars.^[2][3][4] In 2001, Scott co-founded the Solantic Corporation, which operates walk-in medical care centers. He also owns Continental Structural Plastics, North America's largest industrial composites molder. [...]

CPR opposes the broad outlines of President Obama's health-care plans, and has hired Creative Response Concepts, a public relations firm which previously worked with the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth.

Isn't he the bee's knees? The cat's pajamas?

The liver worst?

Now he can add "racial profiler" to his resume. Congratulations, Ricky Lynn, you've topped yourself:


H/t: LynCKos for the title and for alerting me to Scott's tweet.

Ned Lamont (D) Now Lead in Connecticut Governor Race

Not going to jinx it, but things are looking a wee bit good.

A new Rasmussen survey in Connecticut finds Ned Lamont (D) leading Thomas Foley (R) in the race for governor, 42% to 35%.

Dan Malloy (D), who is battling Lamont for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, also edges Foley, 38% to 35%.

Just a month ago, both Democrats were running behind Foley.

Tennessee Governor on Obama response to flood: I've “never seen this kind of response.”

By GottaLaff

President Obama is weak. President Obama is a terrorist. President Obama is a Muslim Marxist Kenyan. President Obama is clearly in over his head. President Obama isn't one of us. President Obama will not get health care passed. President Obama is ruining the country. It's President Obama's economy.

President Obama is slow to respond to disasters.

Wrong. Wrongwrongwrong, on all counts. Well, he is the president, that part is true. As for that snail's pace thing? Phil Bredesen, the governor of Tennessee, where all that horrific flooding is, would disagree:

“FEMA and the White House have been absolutely supportive,” he told reporters on a conference call.

Ding!

FEMA was quickly on the ground, and on Monday, “the president was on the phone with me before the sun came up,” he said.

Clang!

Bredesen, who has weathered his share of tornados and storms as a public official, said that he’s “never seen this kind of response.”

Ah-OOO-gah!

Dear Obama haters:

Please STFU.

Love, Laffy.

There is a God: Arpaio's A No-Go for Arizona Governor

By GottaLaff

From the Dep't. of I Am Now a Believer:

[Maricopa County Sheriff Joe] Arpaio -- whose jurisdiction includes Phoenix, the capital and population center of the heavily Hispanic border state -- announced Monday afternoon that he will not join the crowded Republican primary for governor, and will instead run for a sixth term in his current high-profile position.

Oh goody! He just increased Gov. Janet "Papers Please" Brewer's chances! Weeee!

Well at least this way, he can continue his pursuit of those who Breathe While Mexican, keep booking American citizens for imaginary crimes, and keep booking himself on Larry King Live. Why give all that up for a bigger residence and mandatory luncheons?

What a guy.

VIDEO: "This is Alabama. We speak English"

By GottaLaff

Yes, Tim, this is all about saving money. It has nothing to do with whites feeling threatened, or the transition from a white male Christian society to a more diverse one.

Welcome to Scapegoat, USA.

Via The Maddow Blog:

In this advertisement, Tim speaks out on the issue of English only. Alabama offers drivers license tests in 12 languages. As Governor, he will push to have the test given in only one language, English.

It gets more disgusting:

On his website, James includes a category called "Common Sense for Crime and Public Safety." It starts with crystal meth and spouse abuse and ends with the prisons' revolving doors, and in between: "Enforce Alabama's Constitutional Amendment declaring English as the state's official language."

That's right. If you can't quite get the hang of Alabama's wannabe official, only acceptable language, then you are a violent druggie. If you're here to work hard and find a good life for yourself, you must be shooting up and throwing your significant other against walls. English-speaking white people never do stuff like that.

And the sad part is, there are voters out there who lap this up the way this guy laps up Tancredoisms.

Welcome to Election Season 2010.

Jerry Brown takes the lead in California

By GottaLaff

A hopeful sign for my state:

A new Rasmussen survey in California finds Jerry Brown (D) taking a 6-point lead in the gubernatorial race over Meg Whitman (R), 44% to 38%.

A month ago the two candidates were tied at 40%.

So Meggy's Money isn't necessarily the answer?

Following last weekend’s Democratic Convention in California, the party’s newly nominated gubernatorial candidate Jerry Brown has gained little ground, but support for his top Republican opponent, former eBay CEO Meg Whitman, has fallen off slightly.

Yes, it's early, and she's sunk millions into her campaign already and adding more as we speak,while Brown is only just getting out there.

This is not who I want as the face of California:


Ahnold's bad enough.

Carl Paladino, NY Tea Party gov. candidate, doesn't even try to hide racism, porn

By GottaLaff

The next time a Tea Tantrumer refuses to acknowledge the flagrant racism that has become more rampant and more frequently displayed for the world to see, send them to this post.

The indignant response to accusations of same are laughable, especially in light of the very NSFW illustrations of outright racism and porn that you will see here, at wnymedia.net.

Every one of these was originally sent by or forwarded by Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino. WNYMedia.net has confirmed their authenticity through several sources and different means. They’re real. [...]

It is the political culture wrought by Sarah Palin. A reflexive defensiveness to criticism from the opposition on even the most obvious of hypocrisies, malevolence or provable falsehoods.

It’s why Carl Paladino is morphing into Carl Palin-dino, New York State’s own tea party fringe opportunist. However, people who are just being introduced to Carl Paladino now know he’s the kind of guy who enjoys videos of woman copulating with horses and sending racist emails which would make David Duke blush.

I won't post a screen grab. If you have the stomach for it, and you are not at work, you can go see for yourself.

Family Values party? I don't think so. Patriotic? Hardly. Offensive? Disgusting? Despicable? Hypocritical? We have a winner.

[Carl] Paladino purports to be the values candidate, but what will values voters say when they discover that he enjoys sending hardcore pornographic and racist emails around town?

Or rather, a loser.

H/t: Balloon Juice

Virginia Governor McDonnell suddenly gets wind of slavery

By GottaLaff

Shorter McDonnell: Wait, what? There was slavery in Real America? Why didn't anyone fill me in?

Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) apologized late Wednesday for failing to include slavery in his proclamation declaring April as Confederate History Month.

The full text of his statement is here.

See, he just forgot, see. Who wouldn't? It's not like it was a major part of American history or anything. In fact, the Texas Board of Education is probably voting to strike slavery from all future history books as we speak.

BET co-founder Sheila Johnson, who co-chaired McDonnell's Inaugural Committee this year:

"The complete omission of slavery from an official government document, which purports to be a call for Virginians to 'understand' and 'study' their history, is both academically flawed and personally offensive" [...]

Back in 2009, Johnson's decision to endorse McDonnell over the Democratic gubernatorial nominee in Virginia, Creigh Deeds, was touted by McDonnell's campaign as a showcase of his ability to "bring people together."

He did bring people together. It was just a different group than expected.

Democrats Gain in Ohio

Little by little we'll fight our way back. Wonder how much of this was from actually doing something instead of vacillating? Via Taegan-

A new Quinnipiac poll finds that Democrats are having a mini-surge in Ohio and now lead in both the U.S. Senate and Governor's races.

In the Senate race, Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher (D) leads Rob Portman (R) 41% to 37%, reversing a three point Portman lead in February. Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner (D) also edges Portman, 38% to 37%, reversing a five point Portman lead.

In the gubernatorial race, Gov. Ted Strickland (D) leading challenger John Kasich (R), 43% to 38%.

Meg Whitman spent $249 a minute for her lead in the polls

By GottaLaff

Meg Whitman, in her quest to become governor has spent $358,439 a day, $14,935 an hour, $249 a minute.

No, I'm not exaggerating:

Whitman has injected $39 million of her own money into her race. She also has raised $1.1 million this year from independent sources, but she paid $531,269 to professional fundraisers, her filing shows -- a high ratio of expenses to fundraising, experts say. [...]

Derek Cressman, Western states regional director for Common Cause, a civic group, said wealthy candidates largely have the political arena to themselves.

"I do feel like our elections are now out of striking distance for regular people, and the only way you can run for office is to be personally wealthy yourself or be really well-connected to rich people," he said.

Read all about it here.

If one very wealthy person can buy herself a lead in the polls, imagine what all those SCOTUS Corps. can do.

Breaking- MSNBC confirms David Paterson will not run for Governor of New York

Hard to come back after you've become a laughing stock. Link when I get it.

Update-

Gov. David Paterson has decided not to seek election to a full term amid a roiling scandal over whether he and his troopers intimidated a woman who'd reported domestic violence against one of his top aides, The Post has learned.

Paterson has communicated to top advisers and supporters that he will pull the plug on his campaign today, multiple sources said -- confirming a Post report.

He's expected to make a statement between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Paterson, who took over the state's top spot when Eliot Spitzer resigned after it was disclosed that he had sex with a prostitute, is expected to say he won't resign.

AUDIO: Angie Coiro does radio spot to "level the playing field against Meg Whitman's millions"

By GottaLaff

My pal Angie Coiro, the host of the radio show on which I guest weekly, was asked to do a radio spot on behalf of those who would like to defeat Meg Whitman:

Did you know that Meg Whitman is prepared to spend $150 million of her own money to crown herself the next governor of California? Listen up and join us in the fight to keep her from getting the keys to yet another corner office.

Go Angie!

For video that goes into more detail, including footage for KTVU of Angie in the recording studio, go here.

Everyone out here in California is expecting Jerry Brown to be her opponent.

Meg Whitman has a ton of money, and wants to buy her way into office. We can't let that happen.

Ned Lamont's Big Announcement

By GottaLaff

An e-mail from Ned. Looks like someone is announcing, just as we had thought:

Friends,

Over the last few months, I've spoken with voters across Connecticut, sharing with you my vision for our future and listening to your thoughts on how we can work together to get our state back on track.

Four years ago, I was humbled to be joined by so many of you as I stood at the Old State House in Hartford to call for a new direction for our nation.

Today, it has become increasingly clear that we need a new direction in Connecticut.

I would be honored if you joined my family and me this coming Tuesday, February 16th at 11:00am at the Old State House in Hartford for a very special announcement.

When: Tuesday, February 16th, 11:00AM
Where: Old State House, 800 Main Street, Hartford, CT [Map] [Directions and Parking]

Immediately following the event, please join me and other supporters for a reception just down the block at City Steam, 942 Main Street, Hartford CT.

Please RSVP here.

Or RSVP on Facebook here.

I hope to see you at the Old State House on Tuesday as we stand up and begin to chart a new course for our great state,

Ned

H/t: Chris

Andrew Cuomo (D) "is ready to run for governor"

By GottaLaff

My cat could beat Paterson, based on what I've been reading:

The New York Daily News reports Andrew Cuomo (D) "is ready to run for governor" and will take on Gov. David Paterson (D) in the Democratic primary.

Said a source: "He will make an announcement at the end of March. And what he will say is that he intends to run for governor. ... He thinks there are a lot of problems in the state and he thinks he can help solve them."

Meow.

In the latest polls, Cuomo has a 64% job approval rating compared with Paterson's 31%. Cuomo also has $16 million in his war chest, while the governor has just $3 million.

In other news, Vice President Biden's son Beau will not make a run for U.S. Senate.

Norm Coleman not running for governor

By GottaLaff

Toker Norm probably wants to spend more time with his weed:

Former Minnesota Sen. Norm Coleman will not run for governor in 2010, the Republican announced Sunday on his Facebook page.

Coleman, who lost re-election to Democrat Al Franken in a close contest in 2008 that took six months to resolve, said it is the wrong time to launch a new campaign.

"This is not the right time for me and my family to conduct a campaign for Governor," Coleman wrote in the Facebook post. "The timing on this race is both a bit too soon and a bit too late."

It's never the right time for you, Normy. Why can't you understand that?

And I'm saying that a bit too politely and a bit too tastefully.

Told to TPC first-- Dems' choice for next CT governor: Ned Lamont

By GottaLaff

Back in November, Ned Lamont was making moves to make a run for governor.

My pal JFKFAN knows a thing or two about a thing or two, and then some, when it comes to Connecticut politics. Here's what he just tweeted me (first, I might add, so thank you JFKFAN!) about Not Joe Lieberman:

I have the inside scoop Ned Lamont is going to be the Dem choice for Gov in Ct, deal is cut..

Lamont Gov, Susan Bysiewicz A.G, Denise Merrill Sec. of the State, Blumenthal Senate...

This was a deal broke by Blumenthal, both have tons of cash, & GOP has a guy named Foley who also has, need millions for race...

looks like that is a pretty solid, due to CT campaign insiders I know..

I am certain that is what is going on, Ct has a glitch in campaign finance laws, he brings own money..

it came from my sources who are former DNC committeemen and big Union guys..

this came from my buddy [...] SEIU pol director & friend [...] who is a American Fed teachers pol director..& Nat commiteeman

Thanks for the scoop, JFKFAN! Go Lamont!

Video- Congressman Hoekstra Using Christmas Bomb Plot In Fundraising

What a scumbag. Vid via CSpanJunkie.

Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) Will Resign Early

By GottaLaff

Roll Call is subscription only, but here's the mini-scoop:

Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) told his supporters Friday afternoon that he is leaving Congress before his term ends to focus on his 2010 bid for governor.

See what Sarah the Quitter started? And they say she doesn't rub off on Democrats.

VIDEO- Hillary Clinton: "That rumor is dead"

By GottaLaff

I wish every public figure could be this definitive when asked a direct question:

Is Hillary Clinton going to make a run for the governor of New York anytime soon? No way, she tells George Stephanopoulos on This Week.

Ned Lamont enters governors race

By GottaLaff

Not Joe Lieberman is back. Best of luck, Mr. Lamont!

Ned Lamont, who took on U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman three years ago, has formed an “exploratory committee” to seek the Democratic nomination to challenge Gov. M. Jodi Rell in 2010. [...]

He’d be seeking the Democratic nomination for governor. [...]

He plans to talk not about controversial top Rell aide Lisa Moody, but about a new report about state finances from Moody’s Investor Services.

The strategy, and the issues focus, promise to differ markedly from Lamont’s Senate campaign in 2006.[...]

That year, Lamont ran as the “true” Democrat against conservative Democratic incumbent Joe Lieberman. Lamont was championed by anti-Iraq war, pro-public financing and pro-universal health care Democrats who have a disproportionate influence in primaries. [...]

This time, in the 2010 governor’s race, Lamont joins five other Democrats already “exploring” or actively mounting races.[...]

Lamont said he plans again to refuse donations in this race from government contractors and political action committees, or PACs, if he runs. [...]

He’s positioning himself as the one successful businessman in the race, “the one guy who has started a business and met a payroll,” in a state that hasn’t created jobs since 1990. The state ranks last (below Michigan) in job creation.

Much more here.

H/t: Chris