The Culture That Is Washington DC
“Every paragraph is terrifying.”
One recent arrival says word has gotten out to new graduates that Washington is where the work is. “It’s a place where a liberal-arts major can still get a job,” she says, “because you don’t need a particular skill.”
Doesn’t that just say it all? Particularly when it comes to the president.
Questions For The President
While meeting with Conservative Jewish leaders earlier this week you stated that you probably know more about Judaism than any other president because you read about it.
How much have you read about Catholicism?
Any light reading about Poland — particularly during World War II?
What other subjects do you probably know more about than any other president?
Are there any bounds to this guy’s ego?
More Space Property Rights Discussion
Over at Open Market, I respond to criticism from Eric Dawson.
Paralyzed Rats
But I fear a new generation of bipedal rats.
Jewish Democrats
…are not liberals.
Very few people who call themselves “liberals” today are really liberals. Which is why I refuse to apply that word to them.
America Has Returned To Space
My thoughts on the implications of Dragon’s successful flight, over at PJMedia.
An Idiot Judge In Maryland
Should be removed from the bench.
The Space-Policy Cavalry To The Rescue
Well, OK, not the cavalry, but the teddy bears (or dogs, or whatever the heck they are), have decided to forgive me and help out with fundraising for the Kickstarter project, which has raised only a third of the needed funds. Go to the link to click on the video (on the image of the ISS).
The 2012 Romney Campaign
…isn’t the 2008 McCain campaign.
The 2012 Obama campaign seems to be run by Wile E. Axelrod, Sooper Genius. But wait! Wasn’t he involved in 2008, too?
I have never bought into the prevailing media myth, which is part of the media myth about Obama in general, that the 2008 campaign was brilliant, or even competent. Obama beat Hillary not because he had a great campaign, but because a lot of Dems were looking for an alternative to the “inevitable” Hillary, and they could avoid not being a sexist by not voting for her by being not a racist by voting for him (race trumps gender among Democrats). He won in the general, again not because there was anything good about his campaign, but because:
- The media refused to properly vet him, being too busy going through dumpsters in Wasilla to dig into things in Chicago (or even just to bother to read Chicago newspapers)
- Many found him charismatic (I never did)
- He turned out the youth vote in record numbers (unlikely to repeat this year)
- Everyone was tired of Republicans (the apathy expressed by the base still hadn’t recovered from 2006, because Bush was still president)
- There was no conservative enthusiasm for McCain
- McCain was an awful candidate
- McCain (or his campaign staff) ran an awful campaign, insufficiently aggressive, and actively sabotaging his only real asset — Sarah Palin, and last but not least
- Everyone was excited about the first black president, and proving that they weren’t racist
Few of those factors will apply this year. He’s no longer this inspirational charismatic cipher, but a failed president. They got voting for a black guy out of their system four years ago, and no longer feel a need to do it again to prove they’re not a racist (fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me). And in particular, the Romney campaign is going to take the gloves off (as they showed in the primaries). Not to mention that we’re heading into another downturn going into the election. I think that Obama’s toast.