It seems clear to me that the average RNC-going Romney/Ryan Repub only embraces non-whites when they have become rich and powerful.

The predominant narrative with the GOP is that we fixed racism in the 60s and we fixed sexism in the 70s and homophobia isn't a real problem because gay people shouldn't exist anyway, therefore anyone who is still on food stamps is just lazy because HERE LOOK AT THIS RICH REPUBLICAN BLACK PERSON.

Ten years ago, even five, I'd have bought that. I don't it reflects today's reality, where doubling down on the crazy seems to be paying off as often as not.

Yeah, that seems to be happening. Which is why it'd be great if Obama gets re-elected.

But it would probably still take 8 or 12 years of the Republicans not having the presidency to make them sane again.

In Laura Land Obama wins re-election by a comfortable margin, the economy rebounds in the next few years, we get out of the ongoing wars, and Dems in by a landslide in 2016 taking control of both houses so real legislative changes can take place. A few SCOTUS replacements during those years = bonus. Hey, no one ever accused me of being a pessimist.

Worried about Kat and hope to hear she gets some much needed relief soon.

What else did he do as Mass. governor?

Started running for President with two years left in his term.

therefore anyone who is still on food stamps is just lazy because HERE LOOK AT THIS RICH REPUBLICAN BLACK PERSON.

And don't forget, Mitt Romney's father came here from Mexico! And he did OK.

In Laura Land Obama wins re-election by a comfortable margin, the economy rebounds in the next few years, we get out of the ongoing wars, and Dems in by a landslide in 2016 taking control of both houses so real legislative changes can take place. A few SCOTUS replacements during those years = bonus. Hey, no one ever accused me of being a pessimist.

I am intrigued by your ideas and wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

Laugh all we may about Clint Eastwood's unscripted speech at the RNC but the crowd loved him. That's all that matters. They were chanting Make My Day! at the end, encouraging him to say it, and laughing with glee. They didn't give a dang what he talked about, and they thought the Invisible Obama schtick was hilarious.

I have to stop thinking and go to work now.

Started running for President with two years left in his term.

He also shafted the municipalities; I remember Nutty talking about it at one point. Something about how he cut the state budget (fiscal conservatism, woo!) -- by cutting state support for a lot of local programs like schools and libraries and so forth, so the towns had to raise local taxes to cover the shortfall.

While health care in MA has improved under Romneycare (including a significant drop in the number of teenagers having abortions!), the fiscal situations for towns and municipalities suffered. And then he just cut and run, leaving the local governments holding the bag.

That's one reason why Massachusetts residents don't like him, or so I recall. But Nora and Frank could probably say more.

He also shafted the municipalities; Nutty would know better. Something about how he cut the state budget (fiscal conservatism, woo!) -- by cutting state support for a lot of local programs like schools and libraries and so forth, so the towns had to raise local taxes to cover the shortfall.

I never felt any impact from that, but it sounds about Romney's speed. I remember he was good in a crisis (like when parts of the big dig started falling on people), but I also remember that he started making snide comments about MA when he was elsewhere, and he was still the Governor at that point.

Politics:

The thing is: there always have been and will be fringe groups in the US. There are also fringe elements of both major political parties in addition to fringe groups who act independently. What we don't have is strong leadership in the GOP to tamp down some of the extremism. The Democratic Party *now* is the Republican Party from the 1980s with some left-wing participants.

I'd like Congress to be a bit more left in social policy and fiscally (fiscal responsibility, but more funding for public education, etc.) but the Democrats cannot be in that role as long as the Repub platforms and public persona is so off the chain.

I don't agree with Andrew Sullivan. I think fiscal conservatives (true ones, not just those who are conservative except when it comes to the wealthy) will need to break off and form a new party. They have sold their souls to the ideological extremists. You have completely lost me when you advocate preventing people from voting - not to mention the racism, homophobia, xenophobia, and eagerness to go to war.