First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

the Pajama Pundit — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:34:49 GMT

But when the conversation turned to Sarah Palin -- who holds a press conference here today and then gives remarks on the future of the party -- there was almost dead silence. No one seemed to quite have an opinion of the woman who, as some polls showed, was the second biggest drag on the McCain ticket after Bush.
*******************************************************

That tid-bit is EXTREMELY revealing. 'If you can't say anything nice about someone, don't say anything at all.' Wow.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

pat huntington ny — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:35:36 GMT

While an ambitious goal - turning Texas Blue - it seems as though the cost would be too much. Obama's strategy worked - it gave us NC, VA, Iowa, CO, NM, FL, OH, Indiana...lets stick with that plan.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

BJ, CA — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:37:58 GMT

Still Palin' around with seperatist MSM..
Somebody should an amorph PS of A.G.P ..to see what she could look like in 4 and 8 years...

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:38:37 GMT

All this soul-searching by the GOP, and yet not a note of contrition for what they've done to the country, putting our future in true jeapardy like they've done.

In fact, forget contrition - I'd just like to see a hint they even understand the situation they've created.

What's got me ranting this morning is a guy on CNBC - the first I've seen - talking about the nation's AAA credit rating, and the probability we're set to lose it. I've thought for years that very news story would be the beginning of the end for the U.S.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Broke in Florida — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:39:17 GMT

No comment, talk to my attorney.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Pat, Boston, MA — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:40:05 GMT

Here it is a mere 9 days since our thrilling election victory, and yet the one who gets the most coverage by the press is Sarah Palin (the second half of the losing ticket by the way). Well, I think I figured out why we are all inundated with the Sarah Palin sightings here.

This is payback from the First Read guys for having to be the victims of some pretty impatient/nervous Obama supporters during the presidential campaign, which meant they were themselves inundated with questions/comments/accusations.

Such as:

- Why don't you write about all the nasty rumors about McCain/Clinton that other web sites/newspapers write about?
- We know you're all McCain or Clinton supporters.
- You're all Republicans.
- Why don’t you post my “breaking news” negative stories about McCain/Clinton.
- Why didn’t you post my story about Hillary? I didn’t use any foul language.
- Your wife worked for McCain.
- You don't write enough good stories about Obama compared to all the good stories you write about McCain/Clinton.
- Why do you run McCain/Clinton's ads here free of charge.
- Why do you only show polls favorable to McCain/Clinton.
- You have ruined this sight!

lol!!!!

Be patient. Sarah will be going back to her upper 49th state soon. We should all send her a book. To read.

If you want to really lighten up you day, take a trip through the internets if you can. The far right wing is not taking their loss well. Their comments are so nasty and completely out of touch with reality. Reading them will make you literally laugh out loud just by their sheer ignorance. I guess they really believe this time that the end is near because the Democrats won.

January 20, 2009. Little do they know, - it’s only just begun.

Cheers.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Sandy Burglery — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:40:08 GMT

For the Republicnas not being in any position of power, you sure talk about them a lot.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

thats a fact jack — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:41:45 GMT

silly sarah keeps saying if God opens a door for her, well apparantly God wants her in Alaska if the election is any indication of God's will, silly sarah would certainly have claimed it was God's will if she had been elected, so go home to alaska and keep a close watch on those pesky russians.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Chuck, NY — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:42:35 GMT

Did I or did I not say the DNC and future campaigns should go after Texas and Arizona? We cannot ignore the size and numbers of these 2 states.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

MSierra, SF — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:42:46 GMT

'...In Alaska, after tallying about 60,000 early and absentee ballots yesterday, Mark Begich (D) now leads incumbent Sen. Ted Stevens (R) by 814 votes....'

This is BIG !!
Begich WINS ????!!!

All we need now is Al Franken !!

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

A. Greenspan, NY — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:43:40 GMT

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

LB, Virginia — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:44:16 GMT

Are they bringing the Alaskan votes in by secure dog sled? Hopefully they will elect the Begich guy and not the felon. At least that will keep Palin in Alaska and we won't have to hear her baying for awhile.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Tex Mex — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:45:22 GMT

The Republicans should just relax, take a vacation, and just wait two years. After the Democrats screw things up all by themselves, they'll be shoe-ins next time around.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:46:40 GMT

“We've been reviewing the books, and the DNC went into considerable debt to secure victory for Barack and Joe,” Plouffe said.
------------------------------------------------------
This is why Howard Dean will get paid before Hillary (and rightly so, in my opinion). The DNC went all-in to fund the ground game for the Obama-Biden campaign, and it worked. By encouraging donations for the debt retirement, the campaign is acknowledging the enormous contribution the DNC made toward the victory.

Is it so difficult to see why this effort should be funded before Hillary's? Why on earth should the Penn/Ickes/McAuiffe debacle that attempted to destroy the Obama family get priority?

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

REAL AMERICANS FOR CHANGE — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:46:53 GMT

Palin is bad for real America. Real America being everyone in all 50 states who matter and aren't patholigical liars like Palin.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

sbv creswell, oregon — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:48:35 GMT

as a democrat, it is not my place to tell the gop what they should do; however, as an american my first suggestion would be to marginalized those like tommy frank - who was so misguided on the iraqi war, sarah palin who is definitely opportunistic and unprepared and william kristol whose far right ideology will not win them many votes. also, it is refreshing to see, even after the missteps of this past election, the writers of first read are sill taking criticism and spin as the cw; come on guys, i know you are smarter and more analytical than this. for the most part, you have mis-read now president elect obama all along; and unless i am completely off the mark (and i may be) hold onto your hats, it is going to be a surprising ride!

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Nashville_fan — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:50:17 GMT

Sarah Palin is starting to remind me of those reality show contestants who think they are really great singers or dancers, who go out and audition against some of the most talented competition in the world, and through it all fail to see the CHASM between their talent level and what is actually required.

If the media treated Sarah Palin seriously and asked her to address all the contradictions/lies she has told over the past few months - her "media tour" would be mercifully cut short.

Sadly, however, the media is using Sarah Palin the same way a cat uses a mouse just before he eats it, and I for one have grown tired of the game.

Sarah Palin was not qualified to be Vice President this time, and she won't be qualified to be President in 4 more years, and no amount of "door plowing" is gonna change that dontcha know.

*winky wink*

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Eric, Salinas, CA — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:50:21 GMT

Yep lots of fear but not much self loathing as the decrepit party of liars and thieves never blames themselves for their misfortunes. Nope they just blame the Democrats for everything wrong and their clueless crowd of evangelical christian lunatic fringers will belive their feel good lies because they are too stupid to want to know the truth.

With 23% of the texans being complete fools who think Obama is a Muslim texas will never be a smart True Blue state. I ran into one of these foul idiots here in CA yesterday and it's sad that so many just will not believe truth but cling to their religion and guns while ignoring truth.

I sure hope Begich wins. I expect the Wasilla Hillbilly to go slithering back to Alaska to oversee the final votes counted to ensure that her Felon Mentor wins so she can get that seat from him. So pathetic how Coleman is now being so despicable in whining about the vote recount. Had he been behind by that slight margin her sure never would have declined the automatic recount.

Will someone shut that clueless with up. Just saw her again on MSNBC tv and switched the channel.

Yes We Did!

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

FULL MOON — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:50:27 GMT

Most Texans are idiots. They'd approve of John Dillinger if he was president.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Ron Indiana — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:50:38 GMT

It is amazing how pundits miss the obvious...The republicans who voted in the primaries picked John McCain. The people knew he did not know how to use a blackberry, do email, get on the internet. But they picked him.

Now think a minute...What does that tell you? Quick answer...Conservatives are stuck in the past. They don't like change...They like POWER. In two years they will improve their technology, but not to the level that Plouffe has perfected it. Their candidates, except for Palin are still old, thought not as old as McCain. What is the bottom line to my ramblings. The republican party must figure out what to do with the evangelical right-wing nuts. That is a major problem. To move to the center is to alienate them. To stay right wing is to lose the center. Heads, I win: Tails, you lose.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

obama volunteer now giving free advice — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:51:03 GMT

If Obama manages to do a good job for the next 4 years, the ONLY way GOP will be competitive in 2012 is if they nominate that pro-choice guy from PA. Tom Ridge?

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:51:36 GMT

The depth of political greed going on in Miami is a joke America. These "do it yourselfers," as long as someone else is picking up the tab. Are only thinking about how they can "save face," and find other political tactics to manipulate America. They are carrying on like it is not their fault that as a whole party they all failed their country. It is interesting to watch these truely pathetic individuals make fools out of themselves.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Nashville_fan — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:55:17 GMT

lol

Nice attempt to revive the "Hillary's debt" story First Read, but sadly nobody cares. :)

We are all trying to retire our own debt, and nobody is holding a fundraiser for us, so you'll forgive us if we don't lose any sleep fretting about the super rich and well connected at this time.

Mercy.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Eric, Salinas, CA — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:55:42 GMT

Barack Obama is like a one man economic stimulus package. I am so laughing at how many are now making a quick buck off of his popularity with a slew of Obama products. I read one story about his face being done in nanofibers so small you need a really strong optical or electron microscope to see the picture. I have a feeling the DNC will pay off it's debt pretty quickly selling Obama t-shirts. Eat your hearts out decrepit repugnant ones as you don't have anyone who has the star power of Barack.

Change is measured in how many incompetent "Tyrant" Bush appointees get replaced by anyone not a repugnant one. We have to expect that the Clinton administration, the last Democratic one is going to provide many old faces back in new jobs. Come on FR this is a total nonstory.

Yes We Did!

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Gail, TN — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:57:47 GMT

Where is the problem with appointing experienced people, "Clintonistas" or otherwise, to positions in the Obama administration? Do we really want all of those positions filled by people new to the ways of Washington?

Have you changed over the last 8-10 years? Have your views evolved over time? Have you gained more experience in your chosen field? Of course, all of us have. We must also realize that appointees from the former Clinton administration probably have, too. There's been a lot of water under the bridge in the last decade. Give these folks a chance before (1) labeling them "Clintonistas" and (2) treating "familiarity" like it is a bad word.

Here's a thought about Gov. Palin...and I may be the only person in America who thinks this way...I hope to see her become a part of the Obama administration in some way. I think she is still learning and impressionable and can be persuaded to the Democratic way of thinking. Just food for thought, after listening to some of her interviews this week.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

LB, Virginia — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 14:57:48 GMT

That was a press conference?

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Eric, Salinas, CA — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:00:26 GMT

Thanks First Read for continuing to provide us with the best forum for posting reader comments! Keep the great articles coming so we don't have to suffer from CDD - Campaign Deficit Disorder. Thanks to all the Obama supporters for posting so many great reader comments!

Well I wonder what new verbal gaffe the Gift that keeps on Gabbing will commit today? She's like a gaffe a minute as she keeps her ignorant mouth open in front of cameras before she ever has any clue what to say. What a clueless waste of time Fox did with that idiot Greta being all creepy wasting so much time interviewing the one person who is not worth listening to. No wonder Fox is going down the tubes as more of their clueless audience gets a clue and starts watching MSNBC!

Yes We Did!

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Pat in New England — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:02:33 GMT

Texans are the greatest people around. You can't believe anything Full Moon's imposter says.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Clara Kansas City, MO — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:04:44 GMT

This political season has been an incredible ride. First Read has done a pretty good job. I think we've had more than a fair amount of 'celebrity' articles.

I am happy to contribute a little bit to the DNC. I split my monthly donation to Obama with the DNC in June, July and August - to make sure the Convention was properly funded (not sure about the ROI on those Greek columns,...ha). And, as the 'good' Democrat that I am, I even sent a nominal amount to Hillary. It pained me to do it; but she had been phenomenal from the convention on.

This whole counting/recounting/recanvassing has my head spinning. We still don't have an answer here in Missouri; but our Sec of State has to certify on Tuesday. It is bizarre. There is something fundamentally wrong with our elections, as a nation. I just don't understand how I can use my ATM card Internationally and it is NEVER wrong; but we can't figure out how to elect government officials in a timely, accurate fashion?

She who will remain nameless is truly the gift that keeps on giving. 'nuff said. Interesting about the new GOP modified Golden Rule appears to be in 'place'.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Michelle Zee — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:05:33 GMT

Wow, Palin is the gift that keeps on giving!

If people didn't vote for her this year, what makes her think in 4 years she has a chance? Amazing!

Watching Sanford (R) South Carolina, he makes it clear, Palin is not and will not be a spotlight in the party.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Adam - Austin — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:05:39 GMT

Can someone explain how Obama's campaign raised millions of dollars, and apparently had plenty left over, but yet the DNC is in debt?
If the campaign does have money leftover, where does it go?

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Dottie Swarthmore PA — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:09:47 GMT

Why does every TV station that has an interview with Sarah Palin call the interview an exclusive? If you see one interview you have seen them all. The questions are always the same and the answers are always as stupid. When is this woman going to go back to Alaska and get out of our face? One can only hope it will be soon.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Pat huntington NY — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:11:02 GMT

It's funny, FR, and other extreme wing blogs, want to talk about everything, but what Obama won on, the economy. Since BHOs win last week, the market has collapsed about 20%. Some no-load liberal commentator said before the election that "The market won't tank because it's already factored in a Obama victory." I guess they were wrong.
A. Greenspan, NY (Sent Thursday, November 13, 2008 9:43 AM)

-------------
the market is continuously tanking because of bad jobs reports and retail sales, and new facts that have emerged, such as the imminent US Auto industry bankruptcy. Amazing! People like you are already blaming the economy on Obama, and he's not even president! The stock market has in fact bottomed out...its in a bottom out range where you will see good days followed by bad days followed by good days followed by bad days etc....with the market fluctuating all within a given range. It will be like this for some time to come. I suggest you get a clue on the economy.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Datton Casket — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:12:27 GMT

If you think health care is expensive now, watch how mush it costs when it's free.

"Choking smokers, don't you think the joker laughs at you? HoHoHo HeHeHe HaHaHa"

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Ron, Asheville, NC — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:12:57 GMT

Sarah Palin For President 2012 website www.palin4pres2012.com

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Pacheck, Huntington Beach, Ca. — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:13:15 GMT

Sara Palin is and always was a joke. It was because the repubs. completly distroyed the entire U.S. government and they new that their chance of winning was pretty much zip, they got Palin because nobody else would run. The reason she is getting so much press is because that is all they will show. it has nothing to do with what the public wants or needs to see. It's a long way to January 20th. when the monster is gone.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Sharon Walker, Folsom, CA — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:14:13 GMT

Dear Friends:
Ready for the daily nose dive of the stock market?
It is an Olympian style high dive. The worst to come following January you will see! When the flood gates of H E L L O ! start to cry as the nation runs out of unemployment and no one has cut the imports from China and others. But hey the street is nice and quiet and cold! Sleeping in your car!

Make a difference like the African Satan in the Illinois Jr Senate. Wear a tuxedo to apply! Bite your lip till it bleeds when the take over comes!

What good is he? The IDES of March is Coming!
Oh Happy Thanksgiving in case you forgot it's on it's way. Some Latino wanted this message out there they are afraid the Millitant Black take over.

Freedom of speech and satire! Shakespear! Which play told of the harsh economics? Does the University students in England know?

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

jesse St.Paul Minnesota — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:16:41 GMT

Why won't you let the guy do things the way he wants, not the way you want him to.Who where the Obama supporters that told you that they would help out Hillary?Did they give you all the time lines on that?It's been a whole week,should Obama have taken time for fundraising?

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Mrs J - Illinois — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:17:48 GMT

Governor Palin still seeks the limelight and the American press has that, her greatest desire, to her.

Isn't it time that we concentrate on the issues of this nation and attempt to solve these serious problems that face us.

Governor Palin has had her fifteen minutes of fame - and not it's time for her to concentrate on more important things in her life. She has a state to run, a family to oversee, a special needs infant that needs her care. We need to concentrate of problems at hand.

The nation has spoken. We don't want Governor Palin - we want Barack Obama! We don't want the information on Governor Palin. We thank her for her service, but we want President-elect Obama!!!! The country made that very clear on November 4, 2008.

It's time to go home, Governor Palin! It's time for you to play the hand that life has dealt you! Leave us in peace.

Thankful for Obama - and still believe "YES, we can!"

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Eileen, Portland, Maine — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:24:14 GMT

Just a thought for the GOP. They could consider treating the American people with a little respect. They could start with occasional honesty.
The Republicans have become the party of style over substance. They only seem to care about how things look, how things seem, how they can manipulate people to perceive things the way they want them to.

I guess they know that if they were ever honest with us and people really understood their motivations and what they were up to, it would be difficult for them to get any votes at all.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

bill edwards — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:26:18 GMT

Florida Gov. Crist is a far more likely prospect for being the GOP standard bearer in 2012 than Palin (SarahSixPack.com). Her flame will burn out in the coming months as hard right pundits and pols recognize that she simply cannot be sold to the broad electorate -- she's too dim witted and unpolished, and she's tainted by this last campaign. However, it will still be uphill for any GOP’er trying to knock off an incumbent Obama (ObamaAgain2012.com!)

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

sharon walker, folsom, CA — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:31:17 GMT

Dear Friends:
By the time Christmas is over or day after the new year you can start searching the obituaries for a new job. One gone! Oh ! Did he have a job! Jr!
Run for it!

Sign of the times to come! Happy New Year! Celebrate how ever you can. Wear a tuxedo! take it off the one in the coffin desperates are doing all kinds of things. The hurst take it for the grocercies! Write off the expense.

AMen. AMen. AMen.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

muffler — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:32:17 GMT

The 21st Century just passed them by. The conservatives have always copied the creative talents of the progressive and secular realms and it's usually a poor rendition. They are so stuck in the past that to use Obama's own words "It's like these guys take pride in being ignorant". No words could be truer.. The just don't get it.. and that is why they wanted to limit it. Net Neutrality is a must!

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

newdayDawning — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:32:55 GMT

I am listening to Sarah Palin on MSNBC. She is positively incoherent. Would someone please inform this stupid, insular woman that her 15 minutes are OVER?

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Lily — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:33:41 GMT

So here we are, still trashing Palin as much as before the election, reporting the negatives before double checking, attacking her family while Obama's are off limits, including his illegal aunt.
Did I miss the story on how Obama's campaign will not be audited, even though Mickey and Minnie Mouse contributed heavily. Sam old politics, but time to turn away from MSNBC for unbiased reporting. I was a democrat, but even I can't take it any more. And what does all of this hate and bashing on the boards really say about all of us?

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

No Palin in '12, Guaranteed — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:36:48 GMT

The only reason that Palin is still in the news, and a draw to the GOPers, is because she's mildly attractive. She's a cute face amidst all the grey-haired white guys on Capitol Hall and it's appealing to them. If she were an unattractive woman who lost the election for McCain, we wouldn't be talking about her: she would have been shamed into oblivion. (If she were a male, Palin would have been *completely* forgotten about by now.) Palin's a matchstick that has already been struck - she flamed out at the RNC speech; now, we're just waiting to get our fingertips singed before we blow out what remains of her flame.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Nancy Scroggins, Texas — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:40:16 GMT

Full Moon~ I resent your comment. Texas is no different than any place else. We have our share of idiots but there are smart people who live here too. And alot of us voted for Obama/Biden.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

skott daltonic — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:41:37 GMT

the obama campaign DID send out emails asking for donations to hillary's debt after the primary.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Sharon, Lexington, KY — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:43:21 GMT

Words escape me to describe the need of the press to put this woman in our faces every day! Don't you realize that in your push to keep ratings you are alienating most of America with your continued interviews of this woman! If you really want to keep viewers tuned in...stop focusing on Palin!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

waukone, WI — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:49:57 GMT

Please all democrates - when you are polled about what republican would you vote for in 2012 please say Palin. I so want to see the video of her speaking to the AIP (Alaskan Independence Party - sayiing keep up the good work) and then there is the video where she is being blessed by a Christian witch doctor and I'm sure there will be more.

Pretty Please

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

John B, Des Moines, IA — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 15:58:40 GMT

"It's funny, FR, and other extreme wing blogs, want to talk about everything, but what Obama won on, the economy." OK, let's talk about that. 30 years of Laissez-Faire, Republican economic orthodoxy has thoroughly destroyed our economy, threatens the livelihoods of millions of Americans to an extent not seen since the Great Depression, and probably assures us of troubled prospects for the next ten years. Free Trade Republicans have claimed for years that "decoupling" caused by emerging global competition would assure that the rest of the world could survive an American downturn and help pull the US out of it sooner. Instead the GOP has dug us a hole so deep we're pulling the rest of the world in after us. Deregulation was supposed to assure an unending stream of wealth that would pull us all out of poverty. Instead we've proved that markets controlled by greed generate an unending stream of financial bubbles, each of which makes us weaker than we were before. The status of Barack Obama as President Elect changes none of that. Once he actually assumes the White House the hard work of rebuilding our economy can begin. THIS is why the GOP and conservatives in general find themselves out in the cold. A conference in Miami with pretty speeches and finger pointing won't change that.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Marc, Chappaqua, NY — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:01:36 GMT

"Still, there had been hints during the summer from some Obama folks that they'd be a more effective surrogate fundraiser for Clinton's debt retirement post-election if Obama won. Well?"

This is absolutely ridiculous. The Clintons are multi-millionaires living in one of the richest communities in America. To even hint that somehow, the American people should help them with their debt has to be a joke.
I like Bill & Hil....but come on. Someone has been drinking the Kool-aid again. Let them eat the loss, not the American people who are already struggling to just put food on the table.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Jeff Gollin — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:05:07 GMT

Seems to me that the MSM is valiantly trying to fill a close-to-empty hard news vacuum with a lot of Palin, GOP-2012 and Obama Cabinet Speculation content to go with legitimate coverage of the economic meltdown and possible future fixes.

The question of "How can there be change if all you're doing is appointing Clinton people" is bogus for two reasons: (1) most of the experienced Democrats available (who are still young enough to have their real teeth) worked in the Clinton administration and (2) the transition team isn't the cabinet or permanent staff. Other than Rahm Emmanuel, who else from Clinton Land has actually been appointed?

My biggest concern is that our economy won't bottom out during the transition period because Paulson (a Wall Streeter) is struggling for answers. While it's no slam dunk that the Obama economic brain trust has all the answers either, I'd still feel more confident if a bunch of smart guys with a broader background in economics were running the ship - the remaining 67 days seem like an eternity.

Meanwhile, possibly the only successful path for the GOP might be to (a) be less mean, (b) be more inclusive, (c) be less narrow minded, (d)be more pragmatic/less ideological and basically become a "good guy, loyal opposition" whose role should be to offer better ideas for governing and for solving peoples' problems.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

C in Maryland — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:05:42 GMT

First Read writes "But when the conversation turned to Sarah Palin -- who holds a press conference here today and then gives remarks on the future of the party -- there was almost dead silence." To which I say touche - this was quite telling. No one cares about Sarah Palin including her own party so stop reporting on her and that joke of a press conference she made at the RGA.

First thoughts: Fear and self-loathing

Rodney Hopper, Waxahachie, TX — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 16:11:35 GMT

Oh, First Read, don't count Texas out yet.

You forgot to mention that Texas State Republicans have lost State House and State Senate seats in two straight cycles and that Obama's loss to McCain was closer than many so called 'swing states'.

By 2012, we'll also have fairer districts. Democrats already have a more motivated base and a growing organization of ground troops and volunteers.

We've also got a few long serving Republicans looking at retiring from Congress, so I'd say Texas's blue, or at least purple, days are coming sooner than you think.

Look no farther than the turnaround that took place this year in Tarrant County.

http://www.rodneyhopper.com