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Chuck Todd, NBC Political Director

Mark Murray, NBC Deputy Political Director

Domenico Montanaro, NBC News Political Reporter



GOP watch: Cheney, Steele, Palin

Posted: Wednesday, May 13, 2009 9:16 AM by Mark Murray
Filed Under:

The New York Times’ Nagourney wonders if the GOP has become too negative. “A party that has over the years been the home of a series of optimistic figures in American politics — from Ronald Reagan to Jack Kemp, who died last week, to (at times) George W. Bush — is increasingly coming across as downbeat or angry. And it is something that has Republicans increasingly worried.”

Dick Cheney was back on FOX yesterday criticizing the Obama administration on torture, Guantanamo, and auto bailouts. He even implied that Israel would be within its rights to bomb Iran and endorsed Jeb Bush for President -- though not necessarily for 2012.

The AP's Hurst on Cheney's appearances: "One thing is certain: Glee among Democrats who are only too happy to see Cheney and Limbaugh -- given their narrow appeal -- flood into the Republican leadership vacuum."

Speaking of leadership... "A member of the Republican National Committee told me Tuesday that when the RNC meets in an extraordinary special session next week, it will approve a resolution rebranding Democrats as the 'Democrat Socialist Party,'" Politico's Simon writes. "When I asked if such a resolution would force RNC Chairman Michael Steele to use that label when talking about Democrats in all his speeches and press releases, the RNC member replied: 'Who cares?' Which pretty much sums up the attitude some members of the RNC have toward their chairman these days." Wow. First of all, never mind Steele's limited influence among his own members, but what about taking such a far-right branding stance, using a term -- "Socialist" -- that has already been tried and hasn't stuck so far?

And there's this: "You knew it was coming: Sarah Palin is ready to tell her side, agreeing to publish a memoir with HarperCollins. The book comes out in Spring 2010 -- the year she is up for re-election," the New York Daily News writes.

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Dick Cheney was back on FOX yesterday criticizing the Obama administration on torture, Guantanamo, and auto bailouts. He even implied that Israel would be within its rights to bomb Iran and endorsed Jeb Bush for President -- though not necessarily for 2012.

The AP's Hurst on Cheney's appearances: "One thing is certain: Glee among Democrats who are only too happy to see Cheney and Limbaugh -- given their narrow appeal -- flood into the Republican leadership vacuum."

-----------------------------------

By all means, keep on talking, Dick!

You're not exactly sure when Nancy Pelosi was briefed on "enhanced interrogation techniques" (see also: torture) or what she was told?  Why not?  Isn't that something you should know?

Just keep talking...the more you do, the more you throw your party into reverse.
You knew it was coming: Sarah Palin is ready to tell her side, agreeing to publish a memoir with HarperCollins. The book comes out in Spring 2010 -- the year she is up for re-election," the New York Daily ==============================================
So in other words, she had someone conjure up an acceptable series of events that she hopes will vindicate her and improve her poll numbers. And the right wingers will come out in droves to buy it.  
The Dick, the Brother from the Heezie, the Gorilla from Wasilla, what a fine bunch of characters they are!!  It's a joke. Of course Palin is going to write a book, cash in on the money.  Her political career is pretty much done.  Michael Steele is their token.  Darth Cheney is a wackjob.  I'm getting tired of seeing Cheney try to justify his corrupt mind.  
I wish someone would tell him to STFU.  Keith doing a WTF show on him!!!
Enjoyed Spitzer on Rachel last night, very informative.
Cheney is as relevant to the general public as molding bread.
Amazing that this is actually coming from the RNC, not just some fringe right-wing group.  Wow.  They are desperate.  I think the last election drove them around the bend.  They know they blew the last 8 years, know they lost the election because of their own lack of leadership.  Now they are driving even more folks away.  Thank God enough voters woke up to send them packing!
Cheney, Steele, Palin--the evil three--hear no evil, see no evil, do lots of evil. Miss California and Donald Trump are right in the same level as those three. Ms. California is blaming everybody but herself for taking her clothes off "who does she think she is FOOLING?--she blamed the photographer, the pagent judges, EVEN THE WIND. I wonder what she gave Donald in return for letting her keep her crown?? Maybe some sex, like a bl*w j*b Maybe?
Man what a fool War Criminal Cheney is to keep flapping his lying gums about his shameful torture but then he's worried about going to jail and being properly shamed before the world.  He has no goals other than to protect himself, he has no interest in serving the country and never did.  It's funny because he's taken the media off onto the torture tangent and now look at how the Democrats are on the attack and the repugnant ones are on defense defending War Criminals Bush and Cheney, after trying to run away from them months ago.  He's the Democrat's best weapon and he's inflicting self inflicted wounds upon the Evil Elephant Party.

If all the Evil Elephants have is to rebrand the Democratic Party falsely then they have big problems.  Ofcourse we can see they have no new ideas to help get our country out of the mess they created do they?  A pathetic attempt by a pathetic party of liars to rebrand themselves as the Republic Facist Party.

It's funny how steele has turned into the Joe Biden of the Republic party as he keeps shooting his arrogant ignorant mouth off and has to keep apologizing for his clueless comments.  He really should shut up but we Democrats love his terminal case of foot in mouth disease.  I loved Chris Matthew's quip the other day about how the repugnant one's tent has become a pup tent, yeah a white pup tent.

What a waste of paper to have the Wasilla Hillbilly write a book, or rather have one writen for her.  I wonder who'll she'll get to read it to her?

Impeach Palin!
Muzzle Steele!
LOL.... Gop is done.  You must change with the times.
Maureen Dowd must-read column on blow-hard Cheney--

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/13/opinion/13dowd.html?ref=opinion
Pelosi reportedly was told by her intelligence aide in 2003 that waterboarding was used on an Al Qaeda terrorist, directly contradicting her account on the technique's use.
Where does the RNC get the idea they have the right to rebrand the Democrat party at all?
Desperate and lashing out the once grand old party is getting lower and lower. It is sad to see a once formidable and likable political faction stoop so low. Cheney, Limbaugh, Palin, & to some extent, Steele are the poster children for the crumbling that is happening to the Republican party. If the moderates or progressives don't get a grip on the party there won't be a Republican party by 2016. The uber right side will probably go to the Libertarian party and the others will stay with the Democrats, independant for awhile longer or form a new party (maybe reform the American Liberty Party). This would make the third time in US history that the right leaning party will totally crumble and a new, more liberal, form of conservativism will form a new party. First we had the Federalists, then the Whigs and then the Republicans. What could be next?
A great threesome here with Palin at the helm, doing things that lib women only dream of. Stop the envy. It's not working.

Hillary is lost in her Sec. of State position, having to re-inforce Obama's agenda, which she debated AGAINST when she ran against him for the nomination.

Pelosi is the liar that keeps right on lying. She's in over her pretty little head.

And Wanda Sykes is not the poster child for "black is beautiful."
"A member of the Republican National Committee told me Tuesday that when the RNC meets in an extraordinary special session next week, it will approve a resolution rebranding Democrats as the 'Democrat Socialist Party,'"

Wow, I see the poor loser children are still in charge of the RNC.  School yard name calling?  And they want to be taken seriously?
>>>The AP's Hurst on Cheney's appearances: "One thing is certain: Glee among Democrats who are only too happy to see Cheney and Limbaugh -- given their narrow appeal -- flood into the Republican leadership vacuum."
==========
For you righies who always ask why we always mention Limpballs, this is exactly the reason.  As long as people like him and Cheney and the rest of the clown college that represents what's become of the Republican party are front and center in the spotlight, America will see the Generally Obsolete and Pathetic party for what it is.  A group of old white guys desperately clinging to what little power they have left.

>>>Speaking of leadership... "A member of the Republican National Committee told me Tuesday that when the RNC meets in an extraordinary special session next week, it will approve a resolution rebranding Democrats as the 'Democrat Socialist Party,'"
==========
Yeah, and keep your petty childish issues and namecalling in the spotlight as well.  Seriously, who here remembers "FREEDOM FRIES"?

>>>"You knew it was coming: Sarah Palin is ready to tell her side, agreeing to publish a memoir with HarperCollins. The book comes out in Spring 2010 -- the year she is up for re-election,"
==========
Ok, so now we'll have the answers to the following questions.

- How many newspapers HAVE you read?
- Do you finally "get back to us" on what Supreme Court decisions with which you dissagree besides Roe v. Wade?
- Is Levi really Bristol's baby-daddy?
- Is Todd really your baby-daddy?
- WTF was up between you and Joe the Plumber anyway (laying some pipe, perhaps)?
- Does your book teach us how to rid ourselves of Witchcraft?
- Who's idea was Saturday Nigh Live?
- Is there any male member of your family with a name consisting of more than one sylable (Trip, Track, Todd)?
- Troopergate?
- and finally...What about that thanksgiving turkey that was slaughtered on camera (the one you pardoned)?

Palindrones may now swoop down to defend their mistress?

http://jawillie.blog.com
That's ok, that should give the DNC the green light to start calling the GOP the "Republican Fascist Party"

nanny nanny poo poo
I'm a fiscal conservative.  I no longer call myself a Republican.  They left me behind with most of the general population with their radical ideas.  They also left me behind when they only supported the richest people in this country and left everyone else out to dry.  "Nation of Whiners my butt"  I don't really see any reason to call the Democrats the term socialist but if name calling and a general lack of intelligence are what the Republican party thinks will make them strong by all means go ahead and do this.  I also don't need a book to know Sarah Palin's side of anything.  I saw her on CBS news with Katie Couric.  That was enough to know the Women is not qualified for any kind of national seat.  
Dick Cheney's personal fortune increased 8 fold during his vice-presidency.  The only thing I see about cheney's reign is American soldiers dead and maimed at tax-payer expense in order for him to be a multi-millionaire.  

I abhor anything related to or resembling cheney, which means the entire republican philosophy or rather lack of.

Dick Cheney's personal fortune increased 8 fold during his vice-presidency.  The only thing I see about cheney's reign is American soldiers dead and maimed at tax-payer expense in order for him to be a multi-millionaire.  

I abhor anything related to or resembling cheney, which means the entire republican philosophy or rather lack of.

The Republicans need to rebrand their own party and call it the Greedy Obstructionist Party.  They need to spend more time on figuring out why they are becoming a endangered species.  Instead of going back in time, they need to get with the 21st century, and include more moderates in their party.  They are cutting off their noses to spite their face.  
My guess on Cheney is if he's going down he intends to take as many with him as he can.As the info come out he will be tall tale telling,mixing his brand of scare words,all kinds of mobo jumbo about memos that will show we were saved because he approved water boarding.Plain and simple what he is trying to do.Re-write history,in his mind he thinks people are that ignorant,that we all fell for his lies before,we will fall again.Not happening Dead Eye,you had a chance to crawl back under the rock you live under but nooooooo you had to run your mouth and try your Karl Rove scare tactics,Maybe Rush thinks your the bomb,but he's has about as much creds as you Dick,and about as un-popular as Shooter.
Wow. First of all, never mind Steele's limited influence among his own members, but what about taking such a far-right branding stance, using a term -- "Socialist" -- that has already been tried and hasn't stuck so far?

All power and MONEY is being sucked out of the states into NY and DC. Sounds like a good description to me.
Golly-gosh.  Palin writing a book?  I didn't even know she had a first language.
The Republican Party is indeed in trouble.  Our message has become tiresome to many. Our messengers come across as strident to many.  And we're simplistically labeled as the party of 'no' when we're really the party of growth and opportunity.

This sad state of the Republican Party comes at a time when the ascendant Democrats are taking the country down a road that has turned sharply to the left.  Our lost credibility has given the Dems a free hand to move the country more towards the socialist European model, an approach that imperils the vibrancy of our economy as well as the vitality of our spirit.  And most troublesome is that this is almost certainly not the 'change' that Americans voted for in the last election.  I don't think most Americans truly understand the magnitude of the 'change' that is being pursued by the Obama administration, and the consequences of this 'change' for the future of America. Until the Republican party regroups and finds its voice again, we are destined to continue full speed down this leftward road.  Let's hope the general public comes to its senses sooner rather than later and votes to stop the 'change' they never signed on to.
So it is the GOP/RNC version of the. "Three Stoogies!" The "Gross Odd People" (GOP), and the "Really Not Competent" (RNC) are still the party of no. "Chump-Change-Cheney" is a war criminal and now this very evil individual is admitting it! The whole "Chump-Change-Cheney" episode is a political joke! Trying to now blame the Democrats in this whole torture business is a political tactic of "blame and shame." The only individuals that are to blame here. Are the sick monsters in the Bush-Cheney Government. The only the shame felt here should be put on Bush-Cheney.  The Bush-Cheney Government was very secretive, and told nothing to the Democrats. Their philosophy was very simple. Tell the Democrats nothing, and lie about everything else! Cheney has joyfully, and proudly boasted about ordering crimes against humanity! Now he gone out of his way too implicate "Brainless Bush." Then there is Mr. Steal. The Second Stooge of the GOP/RNC. This individual is not only ignorant, he is just very mentally disturbed. Nothing this "Lunatic Limbaugh" zombie has made sense, and he contiues to go further off the deep end everyday. The Third Stooge is "Puppet Palin" the political "puke" of politics. The "Dizzy Diva" is still bent on creating a "comic" book, which is her life. Remember my fellow Americans! Hey! Hey! Ho! Ho! The party of no has got to go!!
Does that mean we can rename the GOP the "Grand Old Party Who Can Only Say No and Kowtow to a Radio Host for their Agenda Because They Have No Real Leadership and No Clue"?
While I can hardly stand to see or hear Dick Cheney on TV; I feel he is the gift that keeps on giving to the Democratic Party!

This "Torture keeps us safe" bullsh.. may play well with right-wing morons; but doesn't appeal to most Americans who know that torture has been a war crime and part of our international treaties we signed decades ago.

Even the right-wing nut cases who approve of torture to brown, Islamic people would cry foul if such tactics were used against American soldiers.

I think deep down inside (or not so deep, really) the people who approve of torturing our enemies view these brown, Islamic people as "less than us" or inferior to us "True Blooded Americans"; as such view their lives are being worthless. (Much like we viewed the American Indians a few hundred years ago.)
[And there's this: "You knew it was coming: Sarah Palin is ready to tell her side, agreeing to publish a memoir with HarperCollins.]
--How much of the book will be her own words?
I'm often amused, often befuddled, by the people who contend that Cheney has no right to speak because he is no longer the Vice President.

Do none of you remember another former Vice President, a self described expert in his field, despite having taken ONE college level science course in which he received a 'D', making speeches and movies and getting awards?  Does the name Al Gore ring a bell?

And, please, don't defend him as 'just trying to protect the environment'.  He also founded a cable news network to counter the 'right wing bias' he finds on other news stations.  Oddly, he has been silent on one issue that ought to be of great concern to him-two of his reporters are being held in North Korea as 'spies'.

Our constitution protects our rights to speak-and that includes former vice presidents.  We don't have to like what they have to say-we do not have to agree with what they say-we don't even have to listen to what they have to say.

They retain the right to say what they will.

Don't like, respect, or have any regard for Cheney.  Please like, respect, and have regard for our First amendment rights.
How much mor irrevelant can this bunch get? Or better yet, how deeper can they dig the hole they are in now? As a former Republican I can only watch in wonder at how disjointed the party has become. This isn't a party in search of direction. To be in search of direction you must first have some idea where you want to go. They have no idea.

Every week is filled with Republican talking heads sniping at each other about how much more "conservative" they are than the other guy. I don't think any of them even know what the word means any longer. Talk about fiddling while Rome burns!
Gee, do you think she will submit travel reimbursement forms to the government for her book tour travel?

Anyone have a line on what the over/under is on the number of times the words "you betcha" appear in the book?
The Democrat Socialist Party?

The Republicans keep coming up with new and better ways of making themselves look childish.

I'm so glad we have an adult in the White House.
The Republican Party is out of ideas and out of favor with the electorate so expect they will try anyone and anything to turn this around. Michael Steele, Sarah Palin and last but not least Dick Cheney are "dream" faces for Democrats. Let them keep talking and making fools of themselves.

Michael Steele is trying to paint himself as "blacker" than President Obama with that fake hip-hop swagga and lingo. How pathetic! Barack Obama is not the President of Black America but President of the United States of America. Someone needs to school Steele on the difference.

Sarah Palin is trying so hard to remain relevant but she does not have a clue on how to start. Hear she is writing a memoir. What? Beauty Queen, Sports Reporter, Mayor of Wasilla, Governor of Alaska, VP candidate, mother of five children one of whom is special needs, grandmother of one. We know that she can shoot moose from a plane, see Rssia from her porch and is not very articulate in that she uses the word "also" as filler much too often. That does not a memoir make.

Dick Cheney is psychotic and a meglomaniac and that is why he chose Limbaugh over Colin Powell as a better Republican. Cheney chose himself as the VP candidate for the Bush/Cheney ticket in 2000. Can you say insane? He still thinks Iraq was responsible for 9/11 and ignores the fact that high-value detainees provided more intel before being waterboarded over 200 times.
Losers! The gifts that keep on giving.
Let's vote to re-brand the Republican party to the "Republican Lying, Elitist, Torturers Party with Rush Limpbag as Chairman, Insanity as court jester, and Billo the clown as secretary.
IS the GOP becoming too negative?  Hmmm.... let me see if I can remember any of the speeches at the convention in Minneapolis last year......Especially that one woman from up in Alaska.....Hmmmmmm.
FR:       "When asked if such a resolution would force RNC Chairman Michael Steele to use that label when... the RNC member replied: Who cares?
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
My Sentiments Exactly!!!
They can call us anything they want.  They will make themselves seem even more foolish than they already do.  
Let's vote to re-brand the Republican party to the "Republican Lying, Elitist, Torturers Party with Rush Limpbag as Chairman, Insanity as court jester, and Billo the clown as secretary. Drew, Cincinnati, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 11:19 AM)
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

You've never bothered to look up the elites in your own party have you?

Speaking of torture.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4CWk5LfoH0 h/t hotair

Knowing what I know now though I'd tell Schumer, nah New York isn't worth it. They're way too corrupt.
Cheney chose himself as the VP candidate for the Bush/Cheney ticket in 2000. Can you say insane? He still thinks Iraq was responsible for 9/11

Sheila, Pikesville, MD (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 11:11 AM)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Why do democrats keep telling this lie? They should rebrand you the EMO party.
"I'm often amused, often befuddled, by the people who contend that Cheney has no right to speak because he is no longer the Vice President."...........

no joe, no bo, nj (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 11:05 AM)

___________
You not paying attention, mo fo no bo joe.  We LIKE it when he keeps talking!!
A great threesome here with Palin at the helm, doing things that lib women only dream of. Stop the envy. It's not working.

Hillary is lost in her Sec. of State position, having to re-inforce Obama's agenda, which she debated AGAINST when she ran against him for the nomination.

Pelosi is the liar that keeps right on lying. She's in over her pretty little head.

And Wanda Sykes is not the poster child for "black is beautiful."
Bad Chihuahua (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 9:57 AM)
___________

It isn't envy of Palin, and no amount of rose colored glasses on your party will matter.

And you are not the poster child for another but partisan rhetoric.  Just say the same things day after day, no substance, no solutions.  Is it any wonder your party is crumbling all around you?

But please, continue.  The more you do "the same old" the lower your party's numbers go.

I swear, Chihuahua, at this point, you could set up a macro to post all your comments.  They are really the same tired posts day after day.

Your party isn't learning, so why should you, right?
Pelosi reportedly was told by her intelligence aide in 2003 that waterboarding was used on an Al Qaeda terrorist, directly contradicting her account on the technique's use.

Izzy Buffalo, NY (Sent Wednesday, May 13, 2009 9:44 AM)

And the source of this report is. If you are going to quote a report, give the source of the report, not what you heard Limbaugh say.
no joe, no bo, nj

Cheney has the wright to say what ever he wants, that's not a problem only your and the other 13 percent listen to him any way. But we have the right to point out his lies, witch is every time he opens his mouth.


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