Thursday, December 27, 2007
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Huckabee Apologizes For Bhutto Assassination
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Posted by:
Hugh Hewitt at
4:57 PM
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Sigh.
UPDATE: From Team Huckabee:
"Gov. Huckabee while speaking at a campaign event earlier this morning in Florida, intended to extend his deepest sympathies to the people of Pakistan when he used the word apologies. He is outraged and saddened by the attack and the loss of a world leader whose life he believes was a profile in courage."
I am certain it was an unintentional flub, but the problems with flubs about such serious matters is that they are, in the famous phrase about lies from Mark Twain, halfway around the world before truth has its boots on.
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He keeps getting critical lib endorsements like the NEA and the MSM--again, what is the difference between the Huckster and anti-Semitic Jimbo Magoo Carter. |
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Sodomy, illegal alliens, tax and spend increases, Jimmuh Carter-like naivete about Iran and the other dictators out there...so tell me, what is the difference between Huckster and Jimmuh...our worst President ever in this century? |
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Huckabee really needs to avoid the Holiday Inn Express.
Some Huckabee headlines headlines after his most recent stay.
USA Today article: Pakistan slip renews questions about Huckabee and foreign policy.
http://blogs.usatoday.com/onpolitics/2007/12/pakistan-slip- r.html
CNS news: Huckabee, like a front row student ready to show off...
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/12/28/politics/fromtheroa d/entry3652183.shtml
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2007/12/27/politics/fromtheroa d/entry3650191.shtml |
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Joe, if you are going to link to the question Hayes poses in that Weekly Standard piece, it seems disingenuous not to post the Romney campaign's response.
With many of the posters here, I wonder if I am casting pearls before swine, but I got some real empathy for Mitt Romney last night. I was helping my son say his prayers at night, and we asked for the blessing to help Mom to see the best way to care for her family. My oldest daughter then asked me in a worried voice having overheard our prayer if I was going blind because I asked God to help me see. Of course, I understood how the word see was meant, but my 7 year old daughter took it literally, and it upset her. Oh how I immediately felt for Mitt Romney and the way he has been beaten for using saw figuratively in a world where we tend toward literalism in everything. |
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That's what Romney said. Did he really mean that the surge's success was illusory, as his words suggested. Probably not. McCain jumped on the unfortunate wording like Huck is being jumped on now, but no one actually thought that Romney was claiming the surge was actually a failure that we were just disguising as a success.
People make unfortunate word choices all the time. Most of us aren’t having all our words recorded and parsed as Huckabee, Romney, etc. are. At some point, a common sense evaluation of the speaker’s intent has to be employed. Almost universally, we none of us truly think that Will Smith was praising Hitler, that Mitt Romney was denying the success of the surge, or that Mike Huckabee was confessing his complicity in the Bhutto murder.
This is a very boring leftist fixation, to pick out 100 verbal glitches out of thousands of hours of public speaking and label them The 100 Dumbest Things George Bush Ever Said or whatever. You can do the same thing with anyone – try Googling genius Al Gore’s dumbest remarks, for instance. The only difference is that most of us on the right are more interested in substance than style. Hugh doesn’t do himself any favors by harping on trivia like a typical leftist BDS sufferer. |
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Dennis M writes: Thursday, December, 27, 2007 9:03 PM
Presidents should not make verbal flubs!
I especially appreciate the current incumbent's flawless use of the English language.
Austrians, Australians, what's the difference
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haha well said Dennis M!
Only a nit picking dinwit like Huey would think this is significant.
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I suggest that since most of us here on this forum or any townhall forum are NOT from Iowa or NH , that we stop trying to depend on a Times, Des Moines Register poll and really a Concord poll in NH as if the grand total of 11 electoral votes nationally should elect our next Prez. After all, we always blast these liberal polls or have for the last 7 years. Why now go ga ga over the media's attempt to stampede up to vote for Huck or McCain? Now that foreign policy may come into play, and should, in succeeding primaries, perhaps the serious voters in the rest of the states will decide that a guy who will be a commander in chief instead of a populist who cries for change, or for something resembling Jumma Carter and has folksy statements is the better choice to face Hil or the Empty Suit. I will vote for the Pub nominee because no leftist Dem should ever be allowed in the WH to foul up our national security. Still, it does seem that Rudy, Fred, and perhaps John with then Mitt because he looks good will get a new breath of life. And Duncan should , as I have written about for a year, be our SECDEF and perhaps if we can push them, John Bolton as our SECSTATE. |
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I especially appreciate the current incumbent's flawless use of the English language.
Austrians, Australians, what's the difference? |
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The Shift in Momentum IS FOR PRESIDENT HUCKABEE in 2008
Mike Huckabee is presidential material and is alone able to defeat Hillary & Obama. I am now convinced that those wealthier donors to Romney's, Giuliani's, and Thompson's campaign have wasted their money and if they continue, are wasting their hard earned money on candidates who do not have voter appeal or substance. As a member of the younger generation, I will tell you point blank, Romney, Giuliani, and Thompson DO NOT connect with us.
ROMENY has run out of gas. He has been the worst investment money could buy. His persecution complex makes him so defensive, weepy and wimpy that he cracks under pressure. His fake, calculated tears make him look like a BIG WEENY before now Czar Putin in mother Russia and rest of the world. Romneys negative campaigning reveals his unprofessional desperation and that he is really an unkind angry old man. BOTH Romney's and Giuliani's flip flop past makes them a liability and not an asset for republicans in 2008.
Every time Huckabee is heard his approval amongst Republicans and Democrats increases even WITHOUT major financial support. He is the Republican's secret weapon in the 2008 election. Huckabee's proven leadership can help bring America together as a team.
Huckabee is the BEST candidate because he not only attracts republicans but also democrats to his side without compromising his principles. Both side support is needed to win this election in 2008 and he has it.
WHY HUCKABEE WINS THE NOMINATION and the PRESIDENCY
http://evolutionfacts.townhall.com
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Ok Ted, I'll attack on substance. It is hard to do in Romney's case, but he does have a one term record as governor. When running for that position, a mere 5 years ago, he ran as, in his words, "a progressive, moderate Republican." He promised to preserve abortion availability, to champion gay rights, and to cut taxes and spending. He started off great, fixing the budgetary mess in Mass. However, about 2 years into his term, he got eyes for a bigger prize: the US Presidency. The people of Mass paid the price for his ambition. He feigned indignation at gay marriage, while doing nothing to stop it, so that he could parade around the country telling everyone how depraved his state was. He spent less time on important duties for his CONSTITUENTS, the people of Mass (such as approving judges) than in flying all over the country to meet with potential backers. And he reversed his positions on a host of issues, conveniently in time to run for President: abortion, gay rights, gun control, immigration, and campaign finance, to name a few. He called the McCain-Kennedy approach to immigration "reasonable" then, of course now, he is attacking McCain up and down.
I could care less about his Dad and MLK, or the illegals who tend his lawn, except that they are issues which illuminate the hypocrisy of someone willing to say anything to gain office. He has no military experience, little government experience, and no core principles, save self-advancement. |
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...or maybe just maybe his is someone who speaks his mind and lets the chips fall where they may.
That "floating cross" was a bookcase for Pete's sake and when I first saw it I thought it was just part of a window pane...as an Evangelical I never thought it was some subliminal message to me to vote for Huck. |
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Huck's very calculated criticisms of the Bush admin, as well as his calculated appeals to Christian loyalties (floating crosses, et al) and populism, lead me to conclude it was intentional.
I try very hard in my daily life not to assign bad motives to anyone. Nevertheless, I can't help but suspect Huck wants to capitalize on Bush hatred.
He's about as slick as they come.. |
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If Huck wins the POTUS position we are in some deep trouble. There is almost no aspect of government that I would trust him with.
Mitt, John, and Rudy are only slightly better, but they still are terrible choices.
If you want a strong Conservative leading this country, then vote for Fred. Otherwise you are just voting for RINO's! |
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maybe I'm not being fair to the guy, but after the last President from Arkansas... I don't want another one!
Of course, if it's Huck against Hill, I'll vote for Huck. But I'd much prefer someone like Duncan Hunter (my first choice) and I'd be ok with Romney, Thompson or McCain... I have a hard time with Rudy because on the one hand, I think he'd be great on the war on terror and he'd also exercise fiscal discipline; however, I am pro-life. Again, if it's Rudy vs. Hill, I'll vote Rudy, but I hope the GOP can nominate a pro-life candidate who is also strong on the war on terror and who is a fiscal conservative. |
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When Al Gore ran for president, several pundits insisted that he needed to distance himself from the president of the broken zipper. It seems possible that, as Boomshak suggests, that Huckabee and indeed all the Republican candidates may be trying to distance themselves somewhat from President Bush. Afterall, many swing voters in this country feel that he IS responsible for the mess in Pakistan. People like my brother, who is a subscriber to that belief, might take it as a sign that Huckabee understands the situation in the ME and will take steps to improve it rather than make it worse.
I'm not saying I like it, but if you're trolling for swing votes, you gotta play the game. And, Huckabee is up in the primary polls since his "mistaken apology." It's just something to note. I hate dishonest politicians myself, but it is a political fact that even honest men become dishonest when they run for political office -- else they often don't win. Some people just insist upon being treated like they're stupid. As my daughter would say, they aren't thinking too hard. |
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It looks like these are the new poll results from the L.A. Times!
Huckabee 37%
Romney 23%
McCain 11%
Thompson 11%
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la ... &cset=true
In Iowa, the poll found that the Republican race has been scrambled by the steep rise of former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, the conservative Baptist minister who has opened a lead of 37% to 23% over Romney. For months, Romney had enjoyed a solid lead.
The poll, under the supervision of Times Poll Director Susan Pinkus, was conducted Dec. 20 to 23 and Dec. 26 in telephone interviews with 2,145 registered voters in Iowa and 1,279 in New Hampshire. The margin of sampling error among Democratic primary and caucus voters in both states was plus or minus 4 percentage points; for Republican caucus voters in Iowa it was 6 points; for Republican voters in New Hampshire it was 5 points.
Read 'em and weep. John McCain wasn't kidding when he said Plastic Mitt was in a tailspin.
I wonder if he "saw" this coming? |
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If Plastic Mitt had said it, he would be covered because he could come up with some archaic English expression from the 1600s that showed he simply "saw" the apology in his mind, but actually meant to say "sorry" in the present or some such thing and Hug would say it was the greatest statement ever made.
How about Mitt apologizing for consistently breaking the 11th Commandment, or should that be sorry? Seems like a "sorry" situation to me.
Here’s a sample of December headlines:
* “Romney Attacks McCain Tax Votes” (The Associated Press, 12/23/07)
* “Huckabee Defends Record On Crime Romney, Thompson Attack Him Over Meth Law, Pardons, Commutations” (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 12/21/07)
* “Romney Attacks, But Huckabee Turns Other Cheek” (Orlando Sentinel, 12/20/07)
* “Romney Attacks Huckabee On Many Fronts” (Knight Ridder, 12/19/07)
* “Romney Ad Attacks Huckabee As Soft On Crime” (CNN.com, 12/18/07)
* “Romney Camp Is On The Attack. Daily.” (The [Columbia, SC] State, 12/16/07)
* “Romney Attacks On Immigration; Ads Criticize Huckabee As Favoring Benefits For Illegal Immigrants” (Charlotte Observer, 12/12/07)
* “Romney on the Attack; Huckabee Fights Back” (International Wire, 12/12/07)
* “Now trailing in Iowa, Romney attacks Huckabee” (Sacramento Bee, 12/12/07)
* “Romney on the Attack” (CNN, 12/11/07)
* “Romney Attacks Huckabee” (Fox News Network, 12/11/07)
* “Romney Runs Campaign’s Inaugural TV Attack Ad” (Los Angeles Times, 12/11/07)
* “In New Ad, Romney Attacks Huckabee on Immigration” (The New York Times, 12/11/07)
* “Romney Fires Off First Attack Ad, Targeting Fellow Republican Presidential Hopeful Huckabee” (The Salt Lake Tribune, 12/11/07)
* “Arkansan Defends His Record Against Attacks From Romney” (The Washington Times, 12/3/07)
I love his family values. |
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When asked during the debates whther we should remain in Iraq he answered:
"We we are the ones that messed things up, so we should stay and fix it".
Then he referred to Bush's "bunker mentality" and "go-it-alone" diplomacy.
It makes snese that he should then "apologize on behalf of the America People" for the assasination, after all, WE CAUSED THE MESS OVER THERE.
Get it people. She was assasinated because WE disrupted the region therefore WE must apologize. |
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Duh,
The Hucksters are coming in here and saying, "hey, it's normal to say you are sorry when someone dies".
Ok nimrods, he didn't say "we are sorry", he said "we apologize".
Try actually reading the news next time. |
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What!?! CBS, the news service that is trying to get Huckabee elected? What!?! CNN? The one that wants to hurt Romney by helping Huckabee, which strangley has shown the "apology" nonsense about five times in 15 minutes?!?
These are the little things that makes those with Media Derangement Syndrome look completely ridiculous. |
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go give speeches full time so he doesn't have to fleece churches to pay his mortgage. I heard he working on a religious work out tape with crosses instead of barbells. Good bye Huckster we hardly knew ye.If this isn't enough you Huck huggers should check this outhttp://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/12/27/politics/main3650914.shtml
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Well, maybe not the love.
I don't know for sure, but when you are leading in the first state and the voting begins in a week, shouldn't you be a tad bit more circumspect and careful with the statements you make concerning unfolding world events? Especially tragic and consequential ones?
Huck not only apologized, but his official, after-the-blunder-fix-it statement was also completely ridiculous. He went on a ramble about how great our democracy is, and said nothing about the larger picture of terrorism and the peril Pakistan faces, and how it has potential to impact America, as well.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Huck personally for making absolutely sure, beyond any shadow of doubt, that we know what an idiot he actually is.
Thanks Huck!
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I am so tired of people taking things out of context--If people would actually do their research and read what Huckabee actually said instead of just being sheep, we might have an intelligent conversation. This is from Mike Huckabee:
"I am deeply troubled by the news accounts this morning of Pakistani opposition leader and former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto’s assassination in a suicide attack. This is devastating news for the people of Pakistan, and my prayers go out to them as we follow developments regarding this dire situation.
The terrible violence surrounding Pakistan’s upcoming election stands in stark contrast to the peaceful transition of power that we embrace in our country through our Constitution. On this sad day, we are reminded that while our democracy has flaws, it stands as a shining beacon of hope for nations and people around the world who seek peace and opportunity through self-government.
Benazir Bhutto's assasination should also stand as a stark reminder for those who doubt the nature of our enemy.
I believe that we are currently engaged in a world war. Radical Islamic fascists have declared war on our country and our way of life. They have sworn to annihilate each of us who believe in a free society, all in the name of a perversion of religion and an impersonal god. We go to great extremes to save lives, they go to great extremes to take them. This war is not a conventional war, and these terrorists are not a conventional enemy. We must fight the war on terror with the intensity and single-mindedness that it deserves." |
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I know that Huckabee misspoke here, something Romney knows a thing or two about, but I hope at some point we won't be afraid to ask if it was really prudent to push so hard to get Bhutto back in Pakistan. I know such a question will immediately raise howls of "Blame America! Blame America!" but if a stable Pakistan is in our best interests, and it is, how on earth was Bhutto ever going to help bring and then sustain stability? |
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"Sigh."
Big whip-di-doo.
Get a life.
I say "sigh" also, for crying outloud. |
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This is the direct quote:
With about 150 supporters crowded around a podium set up on the tarmac of Orlando Executive airport (and about 20 Ron Paul supporters waving signs outside) Mike Huckabee strode out to the strains of “Right Now” by Van Halen and immediately addressed the Bhutto situation, expressing “our sincere concern and apologies for what has happened in Pakistan.”
He APOLOGIZED for the assassination. What a moron. He's just another Jimmy Carter who knows how to line his pockets in the tradition of Arkansas governors. Could we NOW move on beyond McCain, Giuliani, and now Huckabee? |
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To understand the situation in Pakistan you have to look at it this way: Brer Fox is at a family barbeque when Brer Rabbit shows up. Now most of Brer Fox's family speaks to Brer Rabbit, but Brer Fox doesn't. So Brer Fox is mad that his family speaks to Brer Rabbit. Then everyone stops talking and the BBQ chicken gets burnt.
Seriously, Huckabee is not the guy. There is no talking to the terrorist extremists. They don't like freedom or modernity. It has nothing to do with money or with broken down relations. It certainly has nothing to do with Holiday Inn. This is serious stuff and we need someone who knows it. Not someone who jokes around his lack of experience. |
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"Happily, when it comes to diplomacy and foreign affairs, it's seldom important to express oneself precisely."
"We begin bombing in five minutes." (R. Reagan)
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Happily, when it comes to diplomacy and foreign affairs, it's seldom important to express oneself precisely.
Go Mike! |
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detest hughs blind defense of mitt, and thus his rush to condemn anyone else, i have to agree on this one. that was a stupid choice of words by a presidential candidate. not real bright there huckster. what do we have to apologize for? |
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As for Governor Huckabee he is a fine man and may develop into a great leader in time. But America doesn’t need another President with training wheels. As for criticism of Governor Romney why waist the space. His is in a tailspin and having his staff arrange for hunting trips with Governor Huckabee if they can find any small vermin in Iowa.
The events of today show us why we need a real leader who has the background and courage to lead America in a very dangerous world. If we are lucky once in a generation we have that chance and this year is one of those times with Senator John McCain. There will be more days like today, and I for one will sleep better with John McCain in the White House.
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For the "conservitives" who vote for Huck or Paul.
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This isn't just about democracy and how Americans take for granted their ability to vote, as Huckabee suggested in his statement on the assination. As Andy McCarthy has pointed out in NRO, a large portion (45% plus) of Pakistanis are not with us, and support Bin Laden. In other words, if given a vote, they'd vote radical and keep on killing.
What we see is that this is a war of ideas as much as of finances and geopolitical control.
Yet to persuade and promote himself as the next leader of the free world, Huckabee continues to play the only three notes he knows: his narrow evangelical bona fides, his slick but meaningless retorts, and duck hunting.
And on only these three qualifications, and no collateral evidence of a rigorous education or a penchant for exceptional analysis, Huckabee now asks us to set him loose to prevent and solve the pending storm?
A very tough sell for Huckabee. But coming from Hope, he probably believes himself to be every bit the salesman that Bill Clinton was before him.
After all, Huckabee may not know anything about Pakistan, but he did stay in a Holiday Inn last night, and he knows how to shoot pheasants. Small comfort as we move into the next era of the world and America’s history.
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Expressing “our sincere concern and apologies for what has happened in Pakistan” (as Huckabee did) is not the same as saying "sorry for your loss". It implies that we are somehow responsible.
I'm no fan of Mitt, but this is clearly a major screw-up. His going on to talk about ongoing martial law in Pakistan when that was lifted a couple of weeks ago underscores Huck's disconnect from foreign policy.
I'm all for Huck's pro-life position and what appears to be his level-headedness on other non-economic social issues. Outside of those areas, though, he's not only the worst GOP candidate in this election, he's the worst I can remember going back into the sixties.
Ideal robo-candidate:
Huck's social values;
Fred's bellicosity to our enemies;
Giuliani's tax proposal;
McCain's teflon;
Mitt's cash; and
Ron Paul's position on public education. |
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...there is ABSOLUTELY NO CRITICISM OF ROMNEY. Have you noticed, it's all peripheral or all style etc.
First it was Mormonism, now its being plastic.
All of these criticisms of Romney NEVER NEVER address anything substantive in which there is disagreement. |
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"Hugh, you want to parse words almost as much as your hero, Plastic Mittman."
"Parse words?" Let's look at Huckabee's *actual statement*, shall we?
“our sincere concern and apologies for what has happened in Pakistan.”
Is it "quite normal" to *apologize* when someone dies?
Funny how "subtle nuances" of speech or minor errors are acceptable for Huckabee but cardinal sins for Romney, eh bobrocky? |
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not apologies. A president must get his words right at critical times.
Heckuva job, Brownie! |
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Good grief, Hugh. It was in inartfully worded expression of condolence, that's all.
Now go grasp at the next straw why don't you? |
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Hugh Hewitt is not to be trusted.
He has drank the Romeny koolaid.
So invested, he can no longer see the truth and hear the error of his own voice.
Hewitt is a vile person.
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When you say sorry when someone dies it is expressing sorrow not apology. It is simply a mistake in use of words, but it conveys the wrong sentiment. We should give Huckabee a break, but it was the wrong word choice. Mitt won't be cut a break for his poor word choice, but Huck will. |
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It is quite normal to say you're sorry when someone dies. It's often the first thing we say upon hearing bad news. Hugh, you want to parse words almost as much as your hero, Plastic Mittman. Sheesh. I apologize for your rude behavior of late. |
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How befuddled must you be to get the idea of apology and sympathy confused?
This day's events only emphasize that we need someone who has a clue as to what is going on in the world without getting tongue-tied...
Giuliani and McCain I am sure about..
Romney, Thompson, and Hunter are OK too, but the rest?
God help us! |
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