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- It was only a matter of time before the Republican leadership in Congress -- Mitch McConnell specifically -- voiced support for hearings on birthright citizenship, established by the 14th Amendment. John McCain, forever loyal to the party line, commented, "I support the concept of holding hearings." Funny a party so committed to an "originalist" Constitution would be so keen on adding frivolous amendments to it.
- It is shocking that pundits so casually propose going to war with Iran for no good reason after the experience of Iraq. "But Mori, Iran is developing nuclear weapons! Nuclear!" Let's revisit the Madman Theory of Nuclear Deterrence. Basically, the idea is we must prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons because once they acquire them, they will use them. In the real world, Iran's leaders know that if they used nuclear weapons offensively, the United States would destroy them, but they nevertheless feel as though they need a nuclear deterrent against their regional rivals.
- It's easy enough to point out that Mike Pence is distant from the world of ideas, but it's not as if other Republicans are brimming with innovative ideas for rescuing the economy. In fact, a big deal gets made when alleged wonks like Paul Ryan manage to clear a very low bar for policy seriousness. And shouldn't that be the story? That the GOP is so uninterested in governing that the best they can do is put forward a guy who can only sound serious?
- Remainders: Tracking polls are volatile beasts; Sharron Angle vows to ensure no business gets done in the Senate if she's elected; according to Michael Barone, the Ownership Society is absolutely thriving in our Vibrant Economy; bad economic times are a great opportunity to stigmatize homosexuals; and Rand Paul is an ignorant, ignorant man.
-- Mori Dinauer
