Palin Qualified to Be President? New Poll Says Emphatically "No"

After last week's most recent embarrassments at both the Tea Party Convention and on Fox News it appears that Sarah Palin has reinforced the perception that she is profoundly unqualified to be President of the United States. At the Tea Party Convention she was seen by a national television audience reading scribbled notes from the palm of her hand. This came shortly after criticizing President Obama for using a teleprompter and during a question and answer session for which she was prepared for in advance. It was stunning that she would bring up the worn out teleprompter criticism after President Obama's recent performance at the House Republican retreat where he outshined his hosts during a live national broadcast.

Shortly thereafter, Palin appeared on Fox News and floated the possibility that President Obama might "play the Iran war card" in an attempt to enhance his prospects for re-election in 2012. Even the interviewer seemed somewhat stunned at this bizarre notion. It was not a good week for Palin.

These incidents, combined with countless past blunders, seem to have solidified her lack of competence in the minds the American electorate. There is undoubtedly a relatively small but very enthusiastic group of supporters who remain fiercely loyal to Palin. But even that group appears to be shrinking. According to the most recent Washington Post/ABC News poll, 71% of Americans believe she is unqualified to be President of the United States and only 37% have a favorable opinion of Palin. A majority of Republicans also believe Palin is not qualified for the nation's highest office! Although she will continue to have a voice and some level of influence within the GOP, it is becoming more and more obvious that she has no chance of being elected in 2012.

New Poll Documents Bizarre Views Held By Many In Today's GOP

An astounding new poll conducted by Research 2000 (Daily Kos) highlights some of the absurd opinions about President Obama held by a LARGE portion of the current incarnation of the republican party. Therein lies the problem of today's political climate. In order to justify their opposition to President Obama these people consciously demonize the President. Rather than having the intellectual honesty to oppose his policies on their merits, these republicans act like a bunch of angry losers who have never come to terms with being defeated in November.

Instead of meeting President Obama halfway when he extends his hand they cut it off and eagerly spew forth the most preposterous claims, all while maintaining a straight face. To heck with the country, it is much more important to attempt to destroy the President at all costs. Take a look at some excerpts from this poll and try to understand what strange, alternate universe these respondents currently occupy.

1. Should Barack Obama be impeached?
Answer: 68% Yes or Not Sure
Based on what charge?? Absolutely unbelievable!!

2. Do you believe Barack Obama was born in the United States?
Answer: 58% No or Not Sure

3. Do you think Barack Obama is a socialist?
Answer: 79% Yes or Not Sure

4. Do you believe Barack Obama wants the terrorists to win?
Answer: 67% Yes or Not Sure
That's why Obama has dramatically stepped up strikes against terrorists.

5. Do you believe Barack Obama is a racist who hates white people?
Answer: 64% Yes or Not Sure

GOP Golden Boy O'Keefe Self Destructs With An Act of Criminal Stupidity

James O'Keefe, the hack right-wing "journalist" who made a name for himself in the ACORN tax/prostitution scandal, destroyed any shred of credibility he had by deciding to get involved in the "Louisiana Watergate" scandal. Although the tactics used in the attempted ACORN sting may very well have been illegal, it appears O'Keefe and his co-conspirators stepped in it big time with this bizarre stunt. Getting mixed-up in federal crimes was probably not the best next step in O'Keefe's "career." He may find it a little difficult to conduct his heavily-edited, gotcha sting operations from a cell in a federal prison.

I can't wait to see where this case leads. Does it stop with O'Keefe and his right-wing hit squad or does it go further? I notice that Fox News and the congressmen who passed a resolution praising O'Keefe are relatively silent on this incident. Fair and Balanced? I don't think so.

Louisiana Justice of the Peace Refuses Marriage License to Interracial Couple

Louisiana justice of the peace Keith Bardwell refused to issue a marriage license because the husband and wife are of different races. Really? In 2009? Yeah, it's true. Check it out here. Another gem of the deep south shines a light on his own stupidity. Just because he is against interracial marriage in no way entitles Mr.Bardwell to deny U.S. citizens to legally marry.

Forgive me for becoming weary of those on the right and religious fringe thinking they are doing God's work by refusing to carry out their jobs in a lawful and respectful manner. Bardwell reminds me of the pharmacists who refuse to dispense the "morning after" pill due to their personal religious beliefs. This country cannot function very effectively if every person in a position of power decides to carry out only those specific functions which do not conflict with their view of the world in any way.

I have some advice if you are a pharmacist who feels compelled to deny women a legal drug or a justice of the peace who just cannot bring himself to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple. Find another line of work! Or better yet, do not enter these professions in the first place. I hope that the couple denied a license in Louisiana decide to proceed with their complaint to the U.S. Department of Justice. In addition, I hope the ACLU is successful in their pleading to the Louisiana Supreme Court which requests that Mr. Bardwell be removed from office.

GOP Fringe At The Tipping Point?

Has the tipping point been reached in this country? Has one of our major political parties crossed the line into a bizarre realm where the fringe elements have become mainstream? Is it possible that otherwise intelligent, moderate voices within the GOP lack the courage or good sense to distance themselves from the fringe which is now completely unchecked and out-of-control? Unfortunately, the answer to all of these questions appears to be YES!

Birthers. Deathers. Those who feel comfortable comparing President Obama to Hitler, Nazis, socialists, and Marxists now seem to be in control of the Republican party. People who speak about "death panels" and a "government takeover" of healthcare have free reign within the new GOP. Those Republicans who do nothing to criticize or distance themselves from these fact-free zealots are just as guilty as the zealots themselves.

The warning signs were there months ago when powerful politicians cowered at the feet of Rush Limbaugh rather than face his wrath. Then the tea parties provided a forum for those who could not accept Barack Obama as our President to pop the cork on a big old bottle of "crazy" combined with an large helping of "hate speech." It culminated more recently with Glenn Beck branding President Obama a racist, Joe Wilson calling the President of the United States a 'Liar" on the floor of the House of Representatives, and people carrying signs with the classy slogan "Bury Obamacare with Kennedy." Is there no limit to what is now acceptable behavior within the Republican party? How is this going to end? Will it end? Or will the leaders within the GOP continue to lend support with their deafening silence to the growing fringe who now feel empowered to spew their misinformation, hate, disrespect without being challenged.

Frank Rich Nails It Again - A Must Read About Conservatives Stoking The Fires of Irrational Hate

I have been very clear about my opinion of the Bill O'Reillys, Rush Limbaughs, and Glenn Becks of the world in terms of their irresponsible use of inflammatory language as they carelessly fan the flames of hatred in this country. What makes it all the more despicable is that they try to stoke the fire over the most preposterous, false "issues" (Obama is a socialist-Nazi-terrorist, wants to take your guns away, is not a U.S. citizen, etc., etc.).

I include Dick Cheney and Liz Cheney in this group. Dick Cheney says that Obama is making the U.S. less safe, but is unable to provide any evidence to support this careless charge. His daughter Liz Cheney implies that Obama is un-American because he does not cite "American exceptionalism" during his overseas trips, even though there is videotape of President Obama using those exact words! New York Times columnist Frank Rich sums it all up very eloquently in this must-read editorial. Here is one excerpt:

What is this fury about? In his scant 145 days in office, the new president has not remotely matched the Bush record in deficit creation. Nor has he repealed the right to bear arms or exacerbated the wars he inherited. He has tried more than his predecessor ever did to reach across the aisle. But none of that seems to matter. A sizable minority of Americans is irrationally fearful of the fast-moving generational, cultural and racial turnover Obama embodies — indeed, of the 21st century itself. That minority is now getting angrier in inverse relationship to his popularity with the vast majority of the country.

CBS Golf Analyst and Local Mayor Make Dangerous Statements About Democratic Leaders

In the April 2009 issue of D Magazine CBS Sports golf analyst David Feherty made the following statement:

"From my own experience visiting the troops in the Middle East, I can tell you this, though: despite how the conflict has been portrayed by our glorious media,if you gave any U.S. soldier a gun with two bullets in it, and he found himself in an elevator with Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Osama bin Laden, there's agood chance that Nancy Pelosi would get shot twice, and Harry Reid and bin Laden would be strangled to death."

I'm getting tired of this kind of talk by the idiots on the fringe. It reminds me of the comments made during the "Tax Day Tea Protest" near me in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The mayor of a small city near Fort Walton Beach (Mary Esther, FL) said the following:

"I believe that Barack Obama and Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid are more dangerous to the future of this country than Osama Bin Laden.." See my You Tube clip of the event here - his comments are at the 2:45 mark

I defend anybody's right to criticize the President or Congressional leaders. That is what this country is all about, but I have no tolerance for the kind of comments I've highlighted above. I consider them to be beyond irresponsible. After all, Osama Bin Laden has a $25 million bounty on his head. What are we supposed to infer if Obama, Reid , and Pelosi are "more dangerous" than Osama Bin Laden? Enough is enough.

Crazy Lady Destroys Obama Sign - Owner Calls Cops!

I wondered how this guy had enough control not to smack down this right-wing wacko, but then I found out he is in a wheelchair. God I hope Obama wins and these people move to some communist country where they will feel right at home with their belief system.