One of the most annoying commentators on the right Republican, b/c he consistently engages in pseudo analytical analysis (I’ll give an example below), and worse makes ridiculous claims:

“However, I have doubts about President Barack Obama. I have been deeply concerned since March, 2008 that he lacked the proper perspective, experience, and temperament to be President. I hope and pray that my fears will ultimately be found to be incorrect, but they have only grown since his Inauguration. I also wish the Democrats in Congress had chosen their party leaders in Congress in a way that reflected the diversity of their caucus – which is undoubtedly the party’s greatest electoral strength – rather than dole out the leadership positions to the most senior, and most liberal members of the caucus.”

Jay Cost’s Biography as written by himself

Consider this for a few moments — if someone is so certain about “proper perspective, experience and temperament,” shouldn’t they do a better job of articulating what level of these three items they would find acceptable — if only to make it clear what their threshold would be. In my opinion, rather than simply say I disagree with the individual b/c I disagree with their world view and thus the choices they will make, folks like Jay Cost will create an arbitrary threshold — moving the goal posts based on their affinity for a candidate.

So, on to todays helping of B.S. by Mr. Jay Cost: Obama the Polarizer

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/horseraceblog/2010/05/obama_the_polarizer.html

[...]

White House Correspondents’ Association dinner President Barack Obama killed – it, poking fun at the press, the cable media and even himself.  Obama even went after the notorious White House gate-crashers and former competitors John McCain and Sarah Palin.

The National Enquirer is at it again trying to expose politicians cheating on their wives, and this time attempting to catch President Barack Obama. The Enquirer has been right with both Tiger Woods and John Edwards: yet, people only tend to remember the “correct calls” and forget stories such as the National Enquirer’s story about Sarah Palin Lover

However, after reading through the actual story, you see a “huge nothing burger.” It’s a perfect example of how the media uses the presence of ‘some people say” to write a story based on very little evidence. In this case the Enquirer is relying on unnamed political operatives who are offering 1 million dollars cash money.

Lots of people and particularly politicians cheat, that’s believable.

So, in the meantime enjoy the wild ride.

Here is the money quote from the National Enquirer:

While Baker has insisted in the past that “nothing happened” between them, reports reveal that top anti-Obama operatives are offering more than $1 million to witnesses to reveal what they know about the alleged hush-hush affair.

Among those being offered money is a limo driver who says in 2004 that he took Vera to a secret hotel rendezvous in where Obama was staying.

[ Emphasis added National Enquirer]

Which of course says absolutely nothing about the context, given Obama and company have literally dozens of interviews with people who work in the administration.

And who can forget this guy, who had a sworn deposition from a limo driver who swore he was Obama’s gay lover: Larry Sinclair.

We’re looking forward to hearing more proof.

Unfortunately the biggest loser on the Republican side of the health care debate things is Mitt Romney. In many ways, Romney is to blame by trumpeting his deal in MA as a signature achievement of his term as Governor. During the health care debates Romney had the ability to distinguish his plan from the Federal plan by virtue of the public option. However, now that the public option has been discarded, Romney has only a very nuanced argument about Federalism to distinguish the two plans.

As Greg Sargent at theplumline puts it:

Romney’s line, in a nutshell: Imposing the individual mandate on the state level is rooted in conservative principles of individual responsibility. Imposing it on the Federal level represents a frightening government takeover that conservatives everywhere should resist.

I don’t think that’s going to work in a Republican primary with Robert Gibbs literally bear-hugging RomneyCare with statements like this:

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters Monday that the health care overhaul passed by the House Sunday night was similar to the state-based reform plan enacted in Massachusetts in 2006.

The president’s spokesman joked, unprompted: “I’m sure Gov. Romney hates every time I say that.”

The former Massachusetts governor and possible 2012 candidate called for the repeal of the federal health care bill Monday, calling it an “unconscionable abuse of power.”

But Democrats have consistently pointed to the Massachusetts plan Romney signed into law as a forerunner for national legislation. And twisting the knife further, Gibbs argued that the major difference between the two plans is that the White House proposal attempts to tackle health care costs.

“Massachusetts didn’t do that, and it took them a while to get to that curve,” Gibbs said.

h/t politico.com

It’s pretty rare that we will post a full e-mail from Organizing for America or any other political organization; however, in light of the pile-on by Tavis Smiley I think this is especially warranted, if only as a rebuttal to the pointless, ridiculous and nonplussed accusations by Mr. Smiley.

Friend –

For the first time in our nation’s history, Congress has passed comprehensive health care reform. America waited a hundred years and fought for decades to reach this moment. Tonight, thanks to you, we are finally here.

Consider the staggering scope of what you have just accomplished:

Because of you, every American will finally be guaranteed high quality, affordable health care coverage.

Every American will be covered under the toughest patient protections in history. Arbitrary premium hikes, insurance cancellations, and discrimination against pre-existing conditions will now be gone forever.

And we’ll finally start reducing the cost of care — creating millions of jobs, preventing families and businesses from plunging into bankruptcy, and removing over a trillion dollars of debt from the backs of our children.

But the victory that matters most tonight goes beyond the laws and far past the numbers.

It is the peace of mind enjoyed by every American, no longer one injury or illness away from catastrophe.

It is the workers and entrepreneurs who are now freed to pursue their slice of the American dream without fear of losing coverage or facing a crippling bill.

And it is the immeasurable joy of families in every part of this great nation, living happier, healthier lives together because they can finally receive the vital care they need.

This is what change looks like.

My gratitude tonight is profound. I am thankful for those in past generations whose heroic efforts brought this great goal within reach for our times. I am thankful for the members of Congress whose months of effort and brave votes made it possible to take this final step. But most of all, I am thankful for you.

This day is not the end of this journey. Much hard work remains, and we have a solemn responsibility to do it right. But we can face that work together with the confidence of those who have moved mountains.

Our journey began three years ago, driven by a shared belief that fundamental change is indeed still possible. We have worked hard together every day since to deliver on that belief.

We have shared moments of tremendous hope, and we’ve faced setbacks and doubt. We have all been forced to ask if our politics had simply become too polarized and too short-sighted to meet the pressing challenges of our time. This struggle became a test of whether the American people could still rally together when the cause was right — and actually create the change we believe in.

Tonight, thanks to your mighty efforts, the answer is indisputable: Yes we can.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Health care passes after 18 months of debate and a night full of intense struggle.

Check out 44 do his speechifying thing!

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

I woke up this morning with the anticipation of watching part of the “Negro Superbowl” on C-SPAN featuring Tavis Smiley and his band of friends.  Interesting panel discussions that I could moderately consider, and perhaps squeeze a few articles out.

However… Because of the critical health care debate and expected vote this weekend on health care reform, C-SPAN will cover the debates live on Capitol Hill this weekend.

My guess is the Almighty Tavis Smiley appointed(?) leader of the “black agenda” is upset at being bumped for historic legislation?