So, It Looks Like Jeb Bush is Running for President

Image from source, Talking Points Memo

Really? We want to go to this well again, do we? Actually, I can't imagine that we do. Jeb Bush would have been a decent candidate in 2000, I suspect. But after George H.W. Bush (a middling president) and George W. Bush (a horrible disaster of a president), I just can't imagine there's a clamor for Jebbie. I'm sure the Karl Roves and Koch Brothers of the world would like it, mostly because he's not crazy on first blush. But the tea baggers won't like him for several reasons, including that he's not crazy enough.

What about the rest of America? There's a contingent that is put off by the idea of a latter-day Bush v. Clinton election, and they have a point. That's two dynasties right there. And though Hillary Clinton has not thrown her pantsuit into the ring just yet, she does have some baggage. Still, her husband was an above-average president, and even made Big Business some bucks. It would be a historical anomaly to be sure, if we had four presidencies from two families in the space of five office holders. It would be stranger still if we had three from one family in the last five. Particularly when the first two were no great shakes. Are we supposed to believe that "third time's the charm?"

I vote no. And though I will vote for Clinton should she run, in my heart of hearts it would be President Elizabeth Warren.

[Excerpt]

Jeb Bush To Release 250K Emails

Jeb Bush says he's releasing roughly 250,000 emails from his years as Florida's governor. The possible Republican presidential candidate also says he's working on an electronic book. He told a Florida television station during a Saturday interview that he'll release the emails ahead of the e-book next year. . .

Read more at: Talking Points Memo

Deal Reached in Syria Over Chemical Weapons

It would seem war has been averted. While things in the region could always relapse (it's a pattern), for now, we're not going into yet another battle. FOX "News" and the rest of Right Wing World will of course somehow make this a bad thing, since President Barack Obama is the guy occupying the Oval Office. But you know what, 'baggers? If you're going to give St. Ronnie Reagan the credit for single-handedly ending the Cold War, and bringing down the Berlin Wall (even though it happened under Poppy Bush, and even he didn't know it was going to happen), you're going to have to get comfortable with Obama getting credit for this one. Again, barring some other typical Middle-east dustup that throws things cattywompus. History won't care that you have an irrational hatred for the man.

[Excerpt]

U.S., Russia agree to framework on Syria chemical weapons



Russia and the United States announced Saturday that they have reached a groundbreaking deal on a framework to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons, after talks in Switzerland. . .

Read more at: CNN.com

Meanwhile, on Facebook: Enough with the Umbrella-gate

The moment I smelled the first whiff of "Umbrella-gate," I knew it was ridiculous. The more I saw about it, the more evident it was that this was nothing more than naked racism and/or full-blown Obama Derangement Syndrome. It's nothing short of ridiculous. Let this photo, currently floating around on Facebook, be the last word on it, all right? Okay then.

More on Olbermann & Maddow Being Called "Sick Puppies" by George H.W. Bush

This is likely the wind-down to this particular story, but I really enjoyed Richard Wolf's analysis of George H. W. Bush's call to stop the name calling by calling Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow "sick puppies."

Maddow Clip #3: Rachel & Keith Olbermann Respond to George H.W. Bush

After this post, we'll put away The Rachel Maddow Show clips. Rachel's been under the weather, and needs the rest anyway. But as promised in an earlier post, here is Rachel and Keith Olbermann's response to being singled out by George H. W. Bush for being "divisive." Project much, Mr. ex-President?

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

George H.W. Bush Decries Incivility by Being Uncivil

Image from source, CBS News

Ah, hypocrisy, thy name is Bush. But not W, HW. Yeah, that one. Unwilling to acknowledge his own role in starting the incivility in politics snowball down the hill (Willie Horton, Lee Atwater, Roger Ailes). . .wouldn't be prudent. No, he points his finger at "the cables," apparently meaning FOX "News" and MSNBC. Then he names some names, Keith Olbermann and Rachel Maddow. What, no Glenn Beck, Michelle Malkin, Ann Coulter, Sean Hannity, Bill Kristol, Charles Krauthammer, Bill O'Reilly, Laura Ingraham, Neil Cavuto, Brit Hume or Chris Wallace? Picking two of the only left-leaning cablers (only leaving out Big Ed Schultz)?

I used to be a Republican--hey, I voted for H.W.--so I can see myself on the other side of the divide. From there, I can sort of see Olbermann as a rabble-rouser I'd decry. But Rachel? No way. Too honest, too earnest, too funny. Anyway, here first is the story. I'll have another Rachel Maddow Show clip when it becomes available.

[Excerpt]

Elder Bush Decries Lack of Civility in Politics

. . .Referring to the tone of national discourse he said, "I don't like it. The cables (TV) have a lot to do with it." In the radio interview, Mr. Bush said the volume of criticism aimed at him when he was president was not as "day in and day out. . ."

Read more at: CBS News

George H.W. Bush ALSO Asked for Input from Kids

I'm sure that in the next day or so after President Obama addresses the school children, this bizarre controversy over it will dissipate. But it bears repeating that not only have other Presidents done similar speeches, they've also done the very things that the right wing is now so upset about. Watch.

Newsflash: George H.W. Bush Spoke to the School Children

The crazy idea of the President of the United States of America addressing the nation's school children still has people in a lather. But like every other ridiculous controversy this year, there is little thinking involved. As I posted earlier, Ronald Reagan, patron saint of the Republican Party not only addressed school kids, his really was a political message. George W. Bush was in a classroom on the morning of September 11, 2001, for goodness' sake, in one of his many embarrassing moments.

I'm not sure if Bill Clinton addressed kids in this way, but I wouldn't be surprised. One thing is for sure, George H.W. Bush did, and it's on his official Presidential Library web site. So, when you hear some wingnut say that this sort of thing is unheard of, link them to the following:

[Excerpt]

Remarks to Students and Faculty at Alice Deal Junior High School (1991-10-01)

Thank you, Ms. Mostoller, and thanks for allowing me to visit your classroom to talk to you and all these students, and millions more in classrooms all across the country. (Ed: emphasis mine).

You know, long before I became President I was a parent. I remember the times that my kids came up with a really tough question or a difficult decision. I tried my best never to shut them down with a quick ``no.'' I would simply say those three magic words that made that problem disappear: ``Ask your Mother.'' [Laughter]

Let me tell you why I've made the trip up from the White House to Alice Deal Junior High. I'm not here to teach a lesson. You already have a very good teacher. I'm not here to tell you what to do or what to think. Maybe you're accustomed to adults talking about you and at you; well, today, I'm here to talk to you and challenge you. Education matters, and what you do today, and what you don't do can change your future. . .

Read more at: George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Is John McCain an Elitist?

Image from source, Slog

Whaaat??? Don't I mean, "Is Barack Obama an Elitist?" After all, that was one of the--now many--common themes floated during this increasingly silly campaign season. But the case could be made far more easily for John McCain. After all, isn't he married to an ever-so-slightly older version of Paris Hilton?

A common argument from both sides of the political aisle is to say, "Could you just imagine if Candidate A had done what Candidate B just did? The other side would have a field day!" But let's play this game for a minute, all right?

[Excerpt]

Shoes.

Check the photographic evidence (Ferragamos in the applesauce aisle! Ferragamos in front of an oil pump! Ferragamos with the Dalai Lama!), and then check out this very good point from The Nation’s Christopher Hayes. . .

Read that point at: Slog