Craig Crawford's Trail Mix

Florida..............81 degrees.

Ioway................Snow axle deep to a ferris wheel.

No Contest.

My bet is, that Rudi already knows he has no chance in NH, and there are alot more retired New Yorkers in Florida than NH. Hell, there are probably more retired New Yorkers in Florida than the entire population of New Hampshire.

So what is better? Joking with your New York pals about those hicks in Cow Hampshire & Iowa or getting massive headaches dealing with those loggers & farmers. Tha's easy.

Besides, Rudi never did wear a plaid shirt like Lamar what's his name did. I sure wish he had, it would have been great in Esquires Dubious Acheivement Awards.

Craigster.... Sorry about the Surgery - And I think Rudy will need something drastic to keep Florida. Huckster will fade and Mitt will come on strong......

So Can I buy you dinner at 52?

Craig, good luck with the surgery --- I think you'll be glad you got this taken care of....81 degrees in Florida! Dang. It's cold this morning in Tennessee!

Craig

Good luck with the surgery. Hope for a speedy recovery.

To me one of the big probems with NBC msgop
is the reporters want to be the news instead of reporting on it. As a result they often focus on ridiculous small points

Fatuous militarist Jack Jacobs just called Dr. Ron Paul a crackpot...this from the guy who suggested the British sailors should have fought to the death instead of being captured by Iran....what an ass

Not sure what the proper send-off is for ankle surgery. Break a leg doesn't seem quite right.

Why was it just the Dems who agreed not to campaign in Florida before Iowa & NH had their say?

Ah, this is better...Godspeed, Craig, Godspeed.

yep.....i tuned in to see Ron Paul......I used to like Schuster but now that interview of Dr Paul shows him to be quite the fatuous twit.

craig
a bit of unsolicited medical advice
men who smoke are at a greater risk for
osteoporosis (even if you have recently stopped)

http://www.nytimes.com/specials/women/warchive/960904_1269.html

Smoke what? Is Brian in danger? double jeopardy?

Off to work...
Prediction from the Red Dot Ping Pong...

Mitt's stock will rise as the socialist spending habits of Huckster hit the press and the conservatives think about the pocket book.

ping
not pot

"I used to like Schuster but now that interview of Dr Paul shows him to be quite the fatuous twit"

Agreed, Sturge....Schuster has been such a disappointment. Sometimes I think that when people get a longer time on the air, they feel compelled to fill it with, uh, hot air.

And speaking of fatuous twits....I generally can't stand Mickey Kaus...and here's one reason: He's talking about campaign surrogates....unlike Craig, who says he refuses to let his feelings about campaign workers affect his reporting....see what Mickey had to say:

"It's not a complicated dynamic! I remember feeling that way about Joe Biden's 1988 staffers when I worked at Newsweek. I internally resolved to screw them to the maximum reasonable extent if the opportunity ever arose. ... "

As far as I'm concerned, that statement should get him kicked out of the press club.

Kaud, goatboy, is responsible for trying to spread rumors about candidates. He was a big pimp for the phony Kerry affair rumors and is trying to do it again this year. He is kaushactacular

Sturg,
Yeah Schuster needs to take a pill. That "interview" with Ron Paul was just awful.

KGC,
You characterization of the talking heads on MSNBC is spot-on.

Whoa! Benazir Bhutto has been killed in Pakistan.

and i got thru with jacobs when I saw him explaining to imus how he "rages" at other drivers when he's driving......what a drivelist.....

"what a drivelist....."
brilliant

Giles, Goatboy.....ha.....what a book.......

Mitt Romney just announced that he once marched with Benazir Bhutto

(I apologize in advance for such snarkiness)

Benazir Bhutto -

Another Bush/Rice Diplomatic achievement

Compare and contrast the courage of Bhutto with
Shrub --another goat boy

This assination is a good example of the need for an American president that canperform on the wolrd stage. My first elimination is Hukabee.

By JAKE TAPPER
Aug. 1, 2007
In a strikingly bold speech about terrorism Wednesday, Democratic presidential candidate Illinois Sen. Barack Obama called not only for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, but a redeployment of troops into Afghanistan and even Pakistan — with or without the permission of Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf.

Giulliani and Obama statements. It will be interesting to see how many of the candidates come out before Bush who is so far "on his ranch".

Correction just Giulliani so far.

Jamie,
Be patient. Condi's still on the treadmill

Jamie
the Obama statement is from august

I heard condi offered to play piano at the funeral

I will be seeing Edwards today, Bill Clinton tomorrow, Biden and Richardson also in town tomorrow. Fun to be an Iowan now except for the predicted snow storm tonite, Bill had to cancell last Sunday because of weather, so hopefully can make it this time. I will try to get reaction from John and Bill on the assasination. Not sure how many questions they will take.

Unfortunately the timing doesn't work to make all 3 appearances on Friday. Noon for Richardson, 12:30 for Biden and 1:30 for President Clinton. All at different locations.

KGC

That's why I changed to just Giuliani. Of course, the statement when I first read it struck me as very short sighted so let's see what Obama comes up with now.

Scarborough being Joe (just before I turned to CNN for news) stated without any evidence purely based on opinion announced that this "strengthened" Hillary.

He may be correct but it is another example of more made up news from MSNBC

iowarick - We look forward to your views.

Any suggestions for questions anyone?

iowarick

There are severe tensions between India and Pakistan with both countries possessing nuclear weapons. Pakistan has a large militant Muslim population, many with ties to Al Qaeda. How would the candidate with the players in the region to stabilize after this assassination?

mornin' all.

Just got back to the office after a week in FL - Craig's home town. The weather there is definitely better than here, but the weather here is definitely better than in IA. Craig, best of luck withthe surgery - have taken a (or is it an? I can never remember) hiatus from political websites while visiting your hometown, so I'm not sure what you're having to have done - hope it's not screws, plates, etc.

So sorry to hear the news about Benazir Bhutto - is it just me, or for the past 7 years have we made our bed almost exclusively with dictatorships in the name of fighting the GWOT? I guess the right finds the right. I wonder what it would be like to align ourselves with countries that believe in having free citizens? Just like we may never know how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop, we may never know.

iowarick -- you should have a great couple of days - give everyone our warmest regards - uhh, maybe warmest isn't exactly the right adjective...

So is everyone enjoying the Huckleberry hunting footage? What a f*#@ing joke.

iowarick-
In light of the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, what plans do you have to strengthen our ties with countries that practice democracy instead of killing the opposition's prominent leaders?

BBC America is carrying live coverage from Britain on cable or you can watch live on the net at

http://news.bbc.co.uk/

Pogo,

Well George has said that dictatorships are much easier to govern. He likes to keep things simple.

I'd love to hear what Biden, Richardson, McCain and Dodd have to say about the situation in Pakistan. Actually I'd like to hear what each of the candidates have to say, but these guys have the most foreign policy experience.

dnd

That's why I questioned Scarborough's knee jerk "benefit Hillary" remarks. I would think that Biden would be the most experienced on this particular issue.

BTW, the commentary postings at BBC are fascinating since they come from all over the world

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3985&edition=2&ttl=20071227152104

White House statement (they are opposed to assassination)

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/27/us.pakistan.ap/index.html

yes it would be nice to hear what candidates have to say instead of what pundits think will happened based on their lack of knowledge and understanding of the region.

Jack Jacobs doesn know anymore than Fry about Pakistan.

Jamie,
Didn't Biden express his concern about Pakistan during the debates? I guess he knew what he was talking about.

jamie, of course George would say that - none of that messy go to the Supreme Court to get elected shit. btw, my kudos to congress for keeping enough folks in town to convene during the holidays and keep preznit chucklehead from appointing anyone to the federal bench in an interim appointment.

hahahahaha - now this is what a would be president should be saying, dontcha think?

http://www.kgan.com/template/inews_wire/wires.regional.ia/2c30d8c1-www.kgan.com.shtml

What a chicken sh*t. Is Hillary now She Who Must Not Be Named to the Repug also rans?

dnd,

I do believe Biden mentioned Pakistan. Anyone familiar with British history since WWII with even a passing knowledge of the tensions between India and Pakistan and the social divisions between Hindu and Muslim not to mention Democracy vs Dictatorships, would know how precarious the conditions were.

This is one more tragic example of how unsettled Bush activities in Iraq have made the middle east and now reaching into the whole subcontinent.

It's what happens when you give little boys dangerous toys

Craig.... good luck with your surgery.....
maybe we should hold a seance to excoriate the ghost of Mr. Magoo..... :0}

Pogo.... welcome back from your vacation....

dnd.... yeah... I remember Biden bringing up Pakistan during a debate when the topic was Iran..... too bad his chances at the Dem nominee are a snowball's chance in hell.... I think he'd make an excellent president....

when I clicked on huffingintonpost this morning and saw the headline about the assassination of Bhutto, my first thought was "oh f**k.... this is going to be very bad".....

Iowarick
Thanks for the offer. I would like a Katrina question.
What would they do to speed the building of replacement housing and what kind of a program to help people return to NO.

Iowarick,

Take advantage of the opportunity to hear Richardson and President Clinton, but please, please, please, consider caucusing for Biden. Iowa has the chance to set the tone, and the country needs his experience and good sense.

I am certainly considering Biden. It will be interesting to see who is viable in my caucus. Joe has been to town at least 3 times so far, and we are only 8,000 people. I think there will be a large turnout for the causus. I think the college kids are back for J-term on the 3rd, so that will affect turnout.

thanks renee - it's good to be back. OK, that's a lie, it was good to be away. I really don't like near freezing temps with rain. Looks like you guys have been getting some weather up there - how much is on the ground your way now?

Pogo.....
about a foot...... but it was easily twice that amount until we had a major rain storm this past Sunday night.....

we seem to be stuck in a weather pattern that brings storms every 3-4 days.....

it sucks..... I have to admit that even I am dreaming of Florida this winter.....

sturge, I really, really didn't like "Giles, Goatboy".

Benazir Bhutto horrible, but I knew it would happen sooner or later when she returned to Pakistan.

tt

Congress conditioned it's recent funding for Pakistan on the condition the Sec'y of State can certify they are promoting democracy

Popcorn please!

sounds wonderful, rr. brings back memories.

kc, maybe she'll start with a little Mozart.

iowarick, looking forward to your up close & personal views.

I can't think of one question. I draw a complete blank. Jamie's question is good.

tt

rr, empathy here. There's only so much snow a ski slope needs.

tt

Pogo
So do you think the Hucksters dined on chicken fried pheasant? excuse me the oven fried version that is...
he's gotta stay on that diet.

As I said before, and let me say it again, what in God's name makes shooting something a good photo op?

Rhetorical, of course.

tt

kc, I imagine so - although the footage aI saw just showed him knowingly holding the shotgun and petting the dog. But you're right about the diet - and looks like the cafe trail has begun to take it's toll. His jowls are filling in nicely.

The Democrats definitely have a strong list of candidates and I think Craig hit on Biden's problem yesterday when he said of Iowans, "They think long and hard about picking the candidate deemed best equipped to beat the other side in a tough general election campaign -- even if they find someone else more likable or closer to their own views on the issues."

The second-tier candidates are in the second tier because they've raised less money. It's the people of Iowa and New Hampshire, who can give the country a chance to take a second look at a long shot, who deserves that second look.

I won't say my guy's name again, but we're suffering through 8 years of a guy, who called himself a uniter, not a divider. Let's see if we can't find a leader this time.

iowarick, my question would be how will they work to provide opportunity to all americans and not hand outs.

Regarding
What is the difference between Andrew that devisated South Florida and I think many more individual homes based on a greater population vs New Orleans.
How come you do not hear about Mississippi?
Will they continue to drive socialist values?

tt, in Iowa, God and Guns still sells. 250,000 hunters visit there for 3 1/2 million hunting trips per year. I assume those numbers include Iowans and out of staters as well.

EdVB, go ahead, say Biden's name again - I only wish he had the mo' to beat Rudi or Huckleberry. He'd make a good pres.

Ping, good to see you about. Great questions - except the last, snarky one. The insurance companies learned their lessons from Andrew and the other big 'canes that came before Katrina. You don't hear about Mississippi and AL because fewer people were displaced and the media doesn't give a crap about widely dispersed rednecks who lost their homes on the coast and moved inland. Problem's the same, just more spread out. (Remember, I have defended these guys, so don't assume too much about the origin of my comment).

NEW THREAD -- off to surgery now

pogo,
Allow me to disagree. MS has received a bunch of aid due to Haley Barbour's political connections. And Trent Lott has property in Pascagoula. You hear less about Gulfport, and almost nothing about Bay St. Louis or Waveland, which were ground zero for Katrina, which still are wiped out. And they weren't populated by hick rednecks. Those people worked at the Stennis Space Center.