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1.) Libertarians for Gingrich? How about Birthers for Obama? — So far Libertarians for Gingrich seems to be a small organization, as in a team of one. TheDC’s Steven Nelson reports on former Republican congressman and Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr’s support of Newt Gingrich:
“If Gingrich is elected, Barr said he’d like him to pay more attention to civil liberties issues, weigh a move toward a flat tax and reconsider his foreign policy. Barr noted, however, that he hasn’t spoken with Gingrich about either the PATRIOT Act or the Defense of Marriage Act, landmark pieces of legislation that Barr opposes. ‘I would encourage Newt to take a harder and much more objective look … at the tremendous expansion in government surveillance power and data-mining power that was unleashed in the PATRIOT Act,’ said Barr.”
Yea, there may be a few quibbles libertarians would have with Gingrich. But they’ll just LOVE his moon colonization proposals. But in a world where libertarians for Gingrich is conceivable, what next? Keynesians for Paul? Snobs for Santorum? Birthers for Obama?
2.) The Media Mattered to Madoff’s mate — Media Matters received several hundred thousand dollars in donations from foundations that were invested with Ponzi-schemer Bernie Madoff. But the sugar daddy of one of those foundations may have been in cahoots with grand duke of financial villainy. TheDC’s Vince Coglianese and Jamie Weinstein (ME!) report:
“But Jeffry Picower was one of Madoff’s single largest beneficiaries, and many believe he was hardly an unwitting victim of the Madoff scheme. According to Rick Stone, an attorney representing a purported class of Madoff victims, Picower could even be seen as a more nefarious actor than Madoff. Picower was ‘a bigger fraudulent actor than Madoff himself because Madoff — at best estimate — he and his family, took $800 million out of the scheme,’ Stone told The Daily Caller. ‘And we know that Picower took at least $7 billion out of this scheme.’ Stone added that he believes ‘there was some understanding between the two of them that was based upon Picower’s control of Madoff.'”
What do they say about judging people by the company they keep? Does the same apply to organizations?
3.) Inhofe boasts of global womping — Sen. James Inhofe has called it: climate change skeptics are the winners of the global warming debate. TheDC’s Will Rahn reports:
“Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe, the ranking Republican member of the Environment and Public Works committee, told The Daily Caller on Monday that climate change skeptics have won the debate over global warming on Capitol Hill. ‘We’ve won the fight because there’s no way in the world they could pass through legislation a cap and trade bill,’ Inhofe said, referring to proposed laws that would limit carbon emissions. ‘It’s dead, gone, forever.'”
Just to be clear, “dead, gone, forever” is the exact opposite of “sign, sealed, delivered.” Reports that Steve Wonder has been hired by Inhofe to use those words in an anti-global warming ballad could not be confirmed by time of publication, but would be awesome.
4.) BREAKING: Republican governors don’t think Obama’s so swell — The leaders of the Republican Governors Association convened Monday and you won’t believe what they agreed upon? It turns out none of them are particularly enthralled with President Obama. Not a one even mentioned getting a thrill up their leg when he orates. TheDC’s Alexis Levinson reports:
“Louisiana Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal went even further, saying that Obama has failed as a president. ‘I went into the White House this morning thinking we need a conservative president in the White House,’ Jindal said. ‘I left today’s meeting continuing to believe that we need a conservative president in the White House.’ … ‘This has not been a competent presidency,’ he said simply.”
5.) Poll of the day — RealClearPolitics average of Michigan GOP presidential primary: Mitt Romney 37.3%, Rick Santorum 35.8%, Ron Paul 12.5%, Newt Gingrich 10.3%. The primary takes place today.
6.) BIRTHDAYS! — Liberal New York Times columnist Paul Krugman turns 59 (h/t no one because he can’t possibly have any friends); legendary comic Gilbert Gottfried turns 57 (h/t the Aristocrats); Pakistani cricketer Yasir Hameed turns 34; Princess Lalla Khadija of Morocco turns 5.