This Is What Wins Front-Runner Status In The GOP

How did John McCain spend Super Bowl Sunday? Speaking at Sacred Heart University in Connecticut, of course:

FAIRFIELD - John McCain cast himself Sunday as heir to Ronald Reagan on domestic spending and a strict-constructionist on judicial nominations, messages intended to reassure conservatives less than 48 hours before the Super Tuesday primaries.
[...]

But he also focused on burnishing his credentials as a fiscal hawk, decrying what he called $35 billion in pork-barrel spending signed into law over the past two years by President Bush.

Who did McCain choose to have at his side while delivering his "fiscal hawk" message? Who else: CT Rep. Chris Shays and Sen. Joe Lieberman. As David Boaz notes, Lieberman is no conservative, fiscal or otherwise. Besides hawkishness and age, there's basically nothing Lieberman and McCain have in common. And Shays? Well, his wealthy CT district was a well-represented part of the 2008 additions to the DHS "Terror Risk" list. Each of the three CT cities added to the DHS list this year have some zip codes in Shays's district. And while it's true that the list is actually released by the executive branch, it's not farfetched to believe that Shays may have had some influence. He also serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security.

Was he any more credible regarding judicial nominations? Hard to tell... he didn't really say much:

"I am proud to have been part of a team that got Justice Roberts and Justice Alito appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court," McCain said. "I will appoint judges that strictly interpret the Constitution of the United States of America and not legislate from the bench."

CNN correspondent Dana Bash recently commented on TV that the quote from McCain was "essentially code" to appeal to conservatives. She's right in that it was a pander to conservatives... "strict-constructionist" and "not legislate from the bench" are classic GOP pandering lines. But it's not at all "code." Code, by definition, is that in which "symbols are assigned definite meanings." But there is no definite meaning here. Normal politics, absolutely. Bullshit pandering, you bet. But for fuck's sake, how about some clarification:

* What do you mean by "strict-constructionist?" Is this just a way to say "pro-life only" without saying "pro-life only?" Or do you mean "strict-constitutionalist?"

* Name three examples of "legislating from the bench." Explain how those decisions contradict the constitution. Next, explain how the constitution allows the federal government to prohibit or regulate abortion.

To be fair, I never hear any serious candidate answer these questions, not just McCain. But the point is that this guy has no idea what he will do if he is elected president, except stay in Iraq indefinitely. While McCain may be a fiscal conservative in some ways, he's obviously not a principled fiscal conservative. In other words, I cannot be confident in McCain to take the right side of any fiscal issue that may become the new hot button issue over the course of a 4 year presidency. If he wins, he might as well just flip a coin to choose his position on each new issue.

I Betcha' She Licks a Mean Asshole*

When beauty queen law-clerks go bad:

TUCSON, Ariz. - A law school student and former beauty queen who has posed for a racy calendar while brandishing a weapon has been accused of kidnapping, biting and threatening a former boyfriend with a handgun. [...]

In the Dec. 18 indictment, Fulbright is accused of holding and torturing her 24-year-old ex-boyfriend in early December with the help of three other men, including another man she had previously dated.

Authorities think the dispute began because the ex-boyfriend was believed to have stolen jewlery given to Fulbright by the former beau suspected of helping in the attack.

Fulbright invited the man to her apartment, then excused herself to shower, said police spokesman Sgt. Fabian Pacheco. Then two men showed up and bound him with plastic ties and duct tape, accused him of taking the jewelry, and threatened to shoot him with pistols, Pacheco said.

When Fulbright finished her shower, she allegedly bit the man on his forearm, right hand and ear, held a butcher knife to his head, and told him she was going to kill him.
Authorities said the man was taken to another home, where the assault continued, then took him back to Fulbright's house, where she guarded him with a gun.

The man finally managed to free a hand and grabbed the gun, which discharged but hit no one, authorities said. As their struggle spilled outside, the man screamed for help, then ran to a home down the block, while Fulbright returned to her apartment, Pacheo said.

Reminds me of a similar story involving me, a team of hookers, lots of meth, and a cage. But it was voluntary. And they were ugly. And possibly dudes...Come to think of it, it wasn't anything like the story...But boy was it fun. Expensive, but fun.

Story here. Thanks to Sean Higgins for link, who I'm sure is always appreciative to have his name associated with our posts.


*No title reference to explain...I just bet she licks a mean asshole.

Update: Added "Armed Women" Tag

The One Party I Don't Want To Be Invited To

Women Gathering At Homes For 'Taser' Parties
Events Called Tupperware Parties Of 2007

Groups of women are gathering at homes across America for Taser parties, where the guns are presented with wine and cheese, similar to earlier Tupperware parties.

Good to know. I'll be on the lookout for fraudulent invitations in my mailbox, inviting me to a "Topless Fun Time Party". Or else I'll end up like the guy who owes $3,000 in parking tickets and responds to the "Win a Free Boat" contest and ends up in a room full of cops instead. Only I'll find myself in a room full of angry women with tasers. It's a nightmare of mine. Some people fear heights and bugs; for me it's suburban housewives with stun guns.

Dems Stay at Caneel Bay, Piss Me Off

This Congressional junket really caught my eye. A bunch of Dems traveled to St. John, the most pristine and amazing of Caribbean islands, and stayed at the Caneel Bay resort. It caught my eye because I stayed there last year in a once-in-a-lifetime indulgence paid for with my own money, not taxpayers'. The resort used to be the estate of John Rockefeller and has more acres than it does guests. It also has seven pristine beaches and the room rates are north of $800/night.

So how did a bunch of Congressmen justify spending taxpayer money on such an obvious boondagle, including the expense of military planes to fly them there at a cost of $10,000 per flying hour?

[Miss. Rep. Bennie] Thompson’s office said he toured the Caribbean because he now chairs the Homeland Security Committee and wanted to see vacation hot spots to “examine border security and port security.” Three other members of the delegation also brought along their spouses.

At the Caneel Bay resort, where room rates reach $1,100 per night, the spokeswoman said Thompson and his wife paid the “government rate.” But, according to the reservations department, Caneel Bay doesn’t “offer any government rates.”

Jeezum crow, that is ridiculous. Caneel Bay is the type of place that most taxpayers can only dream of visiting. Even well-off people can hardly afford it. Btw, it is where Brangelina recently went for some relaxation. I guess US congressmen want to live the high life of Brangelina, only they can't pay for it and instead take our taxes.