Even the Republicans hate on the Republicans on that Olbermann show.

Go to about 4:15 on the video. Apparently the "liberal media" is finally wearing off on Ol' Pat Buchanan.
As much as it physically pains me to type this...well played, Pat.

The Post Where I Actually DEFEND Chris Matthews. Woah.

Full transcript here.

I know everyone's favorite hobby is to knee-jerk hate on Chris Matthews. And I understand the urge, I really do - but let's get some perspective. He often says stupid things, sometimes he's just over the top and ridiculous and sometimes he says things that offend. He's a smart person who says some stupid things sometimes. I don't know about you all, but I know plenty of people who fit that description - many of them are my friends.

Compared to the broader mainstream media spectrum, he's hardly the worst offender. Take a look at anybody on Fox news or Rush Limbaugh, etc.
Maybe because he's on MSNBC instead of Fox he's held to a higher standard. Maybe we expect more from him because of his resume, I don't know.

All I'm trying to say is that, though he may be a total blowhard, I don't find him to be a bad person...which is more than I can say for some others in his industry.

I do think the apology was sincere. I also don't think he'll be turning into Charlie Rose anytime soon - he is who he is and his show is what it is. But as ill-advised as his words sometimes are, I don't they are driven by malice.

Cookie Politics

K: Okay, in one sentence, tell me when we'll know who won the Iowa caucus.

M: Hopefully by 11pm or so?

K: Okay, so tonight.

M: Yes. The Caucuses/Cauci/ALL TEH IOWANS CAUCUS EXCEPT PEOPLE WHO WORK NIGHTS starts at 6:30pm Iowa time. Then there will be some absurdity and eventually, they will announce a winner.

K: The process seems ridiculous. What with the luring people away with cookies and all.

M: It is totally ridiculous. And the sweet temptation of cookies makes it very hard to predict.

K: Because if it were you, despite your staunch support of Obama, if you'd been standing in like a group for ten hours holding hands or whatever the fuck they do and your blood sugar was low, you'd be hard-pressed to resist the temptation of an Edwards supporter promising you a delicious chocolate chunk cookie.

M: I would bring my own cookies so as to avoid such temptations. BOOYAH.

K: You're already smarter than most politicians. I mean, football players who make millions of dollars totally play hard in the Super Bowl so they can get free hats and t-shirts. Campaign volunteers make no money and can often be persuaded by the siren song of cookies.

M: Fuck. Now I really want cookies.

K: See? If I had cookies to offer you and asked you to do me a favor in return, it'd probably work. Obviously I should run for office. This is an especially good idea since I am part robot and not subject to the cookie weaknesses of mere mortals.

M: Whatever, dude. Some lobbyists from like, Wisconsin or Maryland could own your ass with offers of cheese or crabcakes.

K: You must think I have absolutely no willpower.

M: All I'm saying is that you'd sell out the American people for some gourmet cheeses in a heartbeat.

K: Well, shit, man, the American people need to take care of themselves. Girlfriend needs her Gruyere.

Oh, snap.

I've been saying that a lot lately, it seems. Here's why I'm saying it today:



As they say here on the internet... PWN3D!!11!!1
Check the smile right before he says it - perfect. He doesn't usually truck with these one liners and sound bites, which is why his debate performances are often forgettable, but this was a great zinger that remained perfectly polite while diffusing her rude little interruption and it was funny to boot. Well played, Barack. Well played indeed.

In related news - the Bill Shaheen, the Clinton campaign co-chair for NH who implied yesteday that Obama may have been a drug dealer in his past "resigned" today. Hillary privately apologized to Barack at Reagan National Airport and the campaign maintains that the Clinton campaign co-chair does not speak for Senator Clinton or her campaign campaign on this issue and the statement was not authorized or condoned. Meanwhile, some Clinton staffers got caught "sock-puppeting" at BlueHampshire. You stay classy, Clinton Campaign.