Deathmatch 2009: Kristol vs. Damon

Or: Putting Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Andrew Breibart at BigHollywood reports: After disparaging Bill Kristol in an interview in last Sunday’s Miami Herald, Matt Damon’s chickens are coming home to roost. And by “disparaging” I mean he called Mr. Kristol an idiot, not the best way to win friends and influence people — unless all you care about is approbation from the far left, which I guess actually does suit Mr. Damon.

As a result, Mr. Kristol, editor of the Weekly Standard, former New York Times columnist, and all-around heavy-hitter, has challenged young Mr. Damon to a duel!

Well, not exactly. But Kristol has agreed to debate Mr. Damon — and in Hollywood, Damon’s own home turf — for a $100,000 contribution to Mr. Damon’s favorite charity or carbon credit scam. Details are still being ironed out about format and actual subject matter, and it is not clear whether young Damon will accept the challenge, outclassed as he would be.

However, we must not forget that much has been made of the fact that Mr. Damon almost graduated from Harvard, before he dropped out to pursue the fame and money of an acting career.

”What we liked about Matt is that he’s Harvard educated, so he’s a very smart guy,” says Hal Weiner, who with his wife Marilyn produces Journey to the Planet Earth, the PBS series Damon has narrated for the past eight years and was working on last week.” [emphasis mine]

Sadly for Mr. Damon however, Mr. Kristol also attended Harvard, from which institute he did graduate. Magna cum laude. In only three years. Oh, and Mr. Kristol also holds a doctorate from Harvard. In Government.

So, young Damon: put up or shut up. I truly hope you accept Mr. Kristol’s challenge, and that we are all allowed to enjoy the spectacle of the affable Mr. Kristol taking you down several pegs in public. Does the phrase “shooting fish in a barrel” spring to mind?

In the immortal words of the taciturn Toby Ziegler, on hearing that Sam Seaborn is being bested in a debate, “Quick, Ginger, get the popcorn!”

H/T HotAir

Stoutcat

Obama as President, All Problems Solved

 

Full disclosure: I didn’t watch the debate. I knew it was going to be too painful. McCain needed a home run here, and from what I’ve read, that didn’t happen. (Hell, does it really matters what did happen? It’s all in the spin that the media puts on the sound bytes anyway.)

Mixed metaphors behind me (right), what does it matter? McCain didn’t heal the sick, and Obama didn’t drop kick a baby. Add to that that the evil Dubya’s (read that GOP’s) market is down 733, and well, it looks like the fat lady is putting on her brass bra. So be it.

But the horrible part to all this is that it reflects the citizenry’s terrible selfishness, petulance, ignorance, and lust to worship all things easy, shiny, and new. Finally, wrap all that in white America’s desperate desire to swim the warm waters of redemption for her original sin of slavery, and there you go.

• Oh… Obama is going to save us all a bunch of money. He’s got new, fresh ideas… Easy.
• Obama is polished, handsome, articulate… Shiny.
• And best of all, Obama means the end of GWB… New.
• Lastly, just vote for Barrack and your conscience is clear.

Who cares that Barack is little more than an “Upscale-Mall Candidate” – Someone new and hip who will make all our problems go away in a flash… Who cares that he has zip for experience, and a past that would make Richard Nixon blush? It really doesn’t matter.

No, America needs to go through this and get completely and utterly screwed. Just picture an America of Obama, Biden, Pelosi, Reid, Boxer, and Frank… That will fix all problems in a fresh New-Age sort of way, and absolve America of her past in the process.

Ummm…

Alan Speakman

Palin Awakens Sleeping Giant; McCain Energized For Home Stretch

 

Sarah Palin has been “the new kid on the block” since joining the campaign. Brought in for her spunk and willingness to take on any problem head-on was a stroke of genius. However, some idiot in the McCain campaign then decided they needed to “tone her down.” It didn’t work. The bump in the polls that came with her nomination speech quickly disappeared faster than our 401(k) plans. A week or so ago on this blog, I called for the return of Sarah Barracuda. I don’t know if the McCain campaign has discovered Grand Rants yet or not, but someone on the campaign got the message.

The result? The Barracuda is back! And in the past 24 hours, Palin has got the Obama campaign flummuxed. Palin is now putting Obama’s alignment with William Ayers under a magnifying glass illuminated by spotlights. She’s pointing out the obvious lies Obama has told over and over again about not being connected with Ayers. The Obama campaign is stumbling all over itself trying to find what new responses might stick against the wall. They are  having to resort to the race card, suggesting (through the left-wing media) tha Palin is racist. But the Ayers relationship is is now on the table and being discussed as it should be.

In short, the advantage Obama thought he had won by refusing to debate John McCain in “town-meeting” type debates is vanished. The gloves are off, and it’s the Barracuda that’s taken the first swipe. Take it to the bank (if it hasn’t been sold): it won’t be her last. It’s the best hope the McCain campaign has of stopping the momentum of the Obama campaign.

Perhaps the biggest benefit of Palin’s new aggressiveness: She seems to have awakened a sleeping giant and filled him with resolve. Look for a much more confrontational John McCain in tonight’s debate.

Somewhere along the line, John McCain forgot rule number one in politics: Nice Guys Finish Last.  He’s been the candidate eqivalent of Winnie The Pooh. Even when he criticized Obama, it was with the soft voice of a gentleman who might as well have been whispering across the dinner table.  The result? He’s been coming across as an impotent old man in search of a bran muffin.

That John McCain underwent surgery last night for a spinal transplant. The surgery was performed by Dr. Sarah Barracuda. The operation was a success. The patient is fine. He’s up and walking around. And he’s already served notice today that he has a new theme song: “No More Mr. Nice Guy.”  Since yesterday, McCain has demonstrated his new aggressiveness. And why not? There are so many Obama misrepresentations (the politiclly correct term for lies) to choose from.

Tonight will most likely be “do or die” time for the McCain Campaign. There isn’t enough time left to recover from a poor performance. Like the Red Sox, McCain needs an aggressive late-inning performance. Nothing less will do. But it must be followed up daily with aggressive questioning aimed directly at Obama. If he does this, the spotlight shifts to Obama’s questionable ethics. We all know that Obama will respond by trying to link McCain with some scandal, but that’s the beauty of this tactic: McCain can honestly account for his actions (which will exhonerate him). Obama will have to resort to his usual evasive non-answers. But this is about the time the Undecided voters start to listen. And they won’t settle for the Obama two-step.

Gerry

Overheard at Obama Campaign HQ

 

Joe: Hey, Barry, didja see how I skunked Palin last night?

Obama: Joe, give me a break!

Joe: Man, I dazzled her with my rhetoric, I blinded her with statistics…

Obama: Joe…

Biden: …I overwhelmed her with my insde-Washington knowledge…

Obama: Joe!

Joe: I astonished her…

Obama: JOE!

Joe: Wha? And Gwen was great, what a doll she was. Even though she’s absolutlely non-partisan, she kept giving me the last word, can you believe it? Think maybe she has the hots for me?

Obama: JOE! You messed up. You made a lot of mistakes. You even screwed up on that constitutional comment–the Veep is always the President of the Senate, not just when there’s a tie vote, you should know that.

Joe: Yeah, yeah, I just forgot–but nobody cares about that stuff. Hey, and didja hear how I worked in that little bit about Cheney is the most dangerous vice president thing? I thought that was nice and nuance-y, didn’t you?

Obama: Okay, yeah, that was a nice touch. But you also told the audience that I didn’t say I’d sit down with Ahmedinijad without existing pre-conditions. Listen, I worked hard to walk myself back from that one a long time ago, and now you brought tons of attention to it by telling them I DIDN’T SAY IT! You should have just glossed over it and gone on to the next rehearsed talking point!

Joe: Okay, yeah, sorry about that, Barry, you’re right. I’ll remember that next time. Man, what a night I had last night! The audience loved me! And that Palin gal? Man, I sure dazed and confused her–she wouldn’t even look at me, she kept talkin’ to the camera like a dummy. Everybody knows that you’re supposed to look at the moderator–Chris Matthews says anyone who doesn’t is a dolt! “Dolt.’ What a funny word that is. Dolt. Dolt…

Obama: …Joe, d’you feel okay? You’re looking a little peaked today.

Joe: Nah, I’m great. tip-top, never better! I’m on top of the world today! I beat that Palin gal like a gong, I…

O: Joe. JOE!

Joe: Huh?

O: Joe, seriously, you look a little pale. Why don’t you take a few days off and relax for a while. Maybe even check in with your doctor, I mean, with my doctor, and make sure everything’s okay, health-wise. Know what I mean?

Joe: Oh sure, sure, Barry, if that’s what you what.

Obama; Yes, Joe, I think that would be a good idea. Why don’t you go give him a call right now.

Joe: Sure thing, Barry.

Obama: And on your way out, will you have my secretary get Hillary on the phone for me? Thanks Joe. See ya.

Stoutcat

Post-Debate Pondering

Well, the debate is over, and by most accounts, there were no major gaffes by either side, and the moderator was, well, if not moderate, then at least not blatantly in the tank for Biden.

I think the real question on everyone’s minds now is… what will the Clintons be saying about this tomorrow? *shudder*

Stoutcat

Mad As Hell #5: Bring On The Barracuda!

 

We are fast approaching what many are calling the most important election this country has ever held.  Some say it’s our last chance to save the greatest country this planet has ever seen. Others are saying, “The world waits to see what America” does in the election.

Our economy teeters on the brink of disaster and no matter which solution we choose, we’re in deep squishy brown stuff. And yes, much of the world’s economy is tied to us. The wrong choice of action could send the world economy over the precipice.

This is not the time for a sacrifice fly. This is the time for the double steal. The hit and run. And this is most definitely not the time to slide into home plate and hope we’re safe. This is the time to steam around third base and barrel into the catcher so hard, he lands in the dugout.

So what are our candidates for the Presidency doing during this crucial time? Well, let’s take a look:

• Barack Obama continues to phone it in (“Uh-uh-uh-uh-Call me if you need me. If you think I can do somehing to help, give me a call”).
• John McCain speaks with the passion and conviction of a man who hasn’t had a decent bowel movement in 3 years.
• Joe Biden goes through the motions on Autopilot, just wondering how quickly he’ll get himself in trouble (“Stand up Chuck, so people can see you!”).
• And it seems the GOP has had a “hands off!” approach to Sarah Palin since the big launch.

There’s no other way for me to put this: Wake the hell up! I don’t feel any confidence that any of you are really interested in this job any more!

In a brief exchange with Alan, I discovered he feels the same way.  Admittedly, this has been a long campaign. The longest in history. Maybe as events have unfolded over the past year, the severity of the country they would be inheriting as the next President or Vice-President has started to sink in. Perhaps in the darkness of their hotel rooms at night, it hits them: “What am I getting into? The economy! Oil! Russia! China! India! Pakistan! Iran! What the hell am I doing???”

My response: What the hell are you doing in the campaign if you aren’t prepared to give your all for this country? (Note to Barack Obama: That means in person, not by phone)

We know John McCain did it once before and, I am confident, could do it again. But where’s the spark?  Why do we have to phone Obama “if we think he can help?”

We’ll be right back with what I feel is the solution to getting the excitement back into the campaign, right after this important message about tonight’s debate (and the campaign in general)…

OK, we’re back… Now that we’re charged up and hoping to see some sort of life in this campaign, here’s what I think needs to happen to accomplish that goal:

Tonight, during the vice-Presidential debate, it’s time for the GOP to release the Barracuda! We’ve heard (and some of us have seen) what Sarah Palin can do , but since she was introduced to us, we’ve not had a chance to see any of the things the Barracuda does to kick ass and take names. Can she do it? I hope so. But tonight, it’s do or die. Either the Barracuda comes out a-chompin’ on Biden’s butt, and proves to us that at least one of the four candidates has got the passion to LEAD, or else we might as well join Hillary in making plans for four years from now and hope that too much change hasn’t run this country into the ground.

So heed the call, GOP. You’ve got a snarling, chomping, enthusiastic and dynamic young leader in that cage. RELEASE THE BARRACUDA TONIGHT! We need bold, dynamic, conscious leadership. If you provide it, we will vote.  If you can’t or won’t, then to paraphrase Lee Greenwood, “God Help The USA!”

Because… well, by now, you know the drill:

Get mad. Stay mad. Take that anger into the voting booth with you.

Gerry Ashley

Post-Debate-Blogging

 

Lots of folks are liveblogging the debate. I’m not going to do that, I’m just going to make a few notes to myself while watching:

It’s 9:48. I’m going to predict right now that the focus of the review of the debates is going to be “how many times did Senator McCain blink his eyes and how many times did he mumble while Jim Leher was speaking?

I hate to say it, but it’s little stuff like this that people see as a “weakness.” They’ll think he’s nervous. His audible, “uh-huhs” when Leher speaks and his non-stop blinking will be his “Richard Nixon 5 O’Clock Shadow.”

Incidentally, I blink a lot too. It shouldn’t be seen as a distraction, but it often is.

Obama must have an implant in his head, because he’s not stuttering and there’s no teleprompter.

I hope McCain takes advantage of an Obama screw up and NAILS him. So far he hasn’t.

Rating this debate will be difficult, but because Obama’s expectation were so low and McCain’s so high, I’m guessing the polls will have Obama as the winner of this debate unless something major happens in the balance of the debate. 

Obama is a smartass. But he’s looking and sounding far more confident than McCain who just stands there blinking his eyes and looking nervous. And that’s, unfortunately, what a lot of America’s dumbass soundbite eaters respond to.

To the educated, McCain makes more sense. By far. But it all depends on which group of Americans go to the polls. And Obama’s people are swarming the malls down here helping people register to vote.  Nobody here doing anything similar for McCain. Obama was trailing down here now looks like he’s gaining. Makes sense.

This is Idiot Central down here. McCain’s biggest hope is that these folks are also too dumb to find the voting polls (or able to figure out how to use them if they do find ‘em)..

Checking housing costs in Costa Rica. Gotta go.

Wow… Ever notice how a jet engine doesn’t give you instant response, but when it kicks in, it KICKS ASS?  It seemed to me that McCain took a bit of time to find his stride, but when he did, Obama didn’t get ANYTHING past him. 
 
And by the time Obama said, “Uh, I’ve got a bracelet too,… Representing, uh, uh, uh, uh, uh…  “  it was clear the McCain was spanking the big “O” without even having to raise his voice.
 
No surprise: NBC has Babbling Biden to review the debate.  An invitation was given to Palin but was declined. Bad move… It makes it look like they are still afraid to put her in front of the media. She’d better field dress Biden on Thursday.  Rudy’d doing a good job though.
 
In the end, McCain kept picking up points as the debate went on.  I’d have to say this was McCain by a comfortable margin. Now if he could just work on that blinking…

Gerry Ashley