Democratic Congresswoman Among 12 Shot in Arizona

It wasn't a fundraiser.

And he was home in time to watch the service on TV.

Tempest in a tea pot -- fomented to score political points.

 

This thread has gone on for 67 pages because one side of the aisle thinks that speculation that turned out to be waaaaaaaaaay off needs to be defended. I'm betting my speculation is a lot closer to the truth. Heck, it could be off by a galaxy and still be closer to the truth.

 

Actually, if I remember correctly Bush was criticized severely by members of the left-wing because he had the audacity to finish reading a book to 5th graders for ten minutes before getting up to deal with things and Rudy Guiliani got all the credit for being a pillar of strength during that time.

 

If he continues to use it to gain political advantage, I'll criticize him as harshly as anyone.

Cyburn already wants to use it as an excuse to cut the security line at the airport and Peter King and others have made silly proposals based loosely on this tragedy.

Until Obama suggests something like this, or uses it to gin up an electoral base, or demonize political opponents, I'll give him a pass.

 

His public response was hailed.

His approval ratings bounce was widely reported.

His private handling of the events was fair game. As will be Obama's.

 

"Talking heads noticed his absence, and criticized him after Obama's speech ended, and Democratic aides piled on in anonymous quotes to Politico and the Daily Caller. But the narrative taking hold -- that Boehner rejected a ride on Air Force One in order to attend an RNC event -- is more complicated than the soundbites."

 

If you haven't noticed, the staff of 24-hour news networks are chock full of fucking idiots.

Sometimes, I will go for days or weeks on end without reading news anywhere other than the NYT, Time, and other mainstream print outlets.

Then I'll flip on "The Daily Show" or something and find out about some manufactured cable news controversy that apparently is the biggest story in America at the moment. And it will not have even punctured my orbit.

 

Points accepted. I definitely believe you think it was. Millions others on your side didn't, though.

That's why I think you're by far the most honorable liberal I think I've ever encountered in my 13-or-so years of political debate on the internet. And I mean that sincerely, Dick. I really appreciate your contributions.

 

He went to a fundraiser, didn't he? It might not have been the primary reason he didn't go to Tucson, but he did go to a fundraiser. If you don't want to be accused of blowing off a memorial to go to a fundraiser, then, you know, don't go to the fundraiser at all.

 

Peter King?

 

I graciously accept the back-handed compliment

 

I watched John Harris ( Editor of Politico) this a.m. and he was candid in saying the Democrats in House were pushing Boehner story at every turn.