And now, America, what you've all been waiting to hear!" shouted the Junior Senator from the state of Illinois, as an American-flag-decorated curtain dropped behind Mr. Obama, immediately followed by the familiar opening drum beats and funk synthesizer chords of Astley's 1987 hit single, "Never Gonna Give You Up.

Burge/Goldstien ’08 in the cross–hairs of Accountable America:

I'm sure much of this information would be of extreme interest to your employer __TYPEPAD TIPJAR___, don't you think? A word to the wise: If I were you, I would think twice the next time __JOHNSON COUNTY GOP POTLUCK_ calls asking for another __$20, 3 BEAN SALAD, 24 PACK OF LEINENKUGEL___. Because who knows what other humiliating information we might have on you and your family by then, and how it might accidentally slip out in emails and press releases.

Fear the form letter. FEAR!

For those of you who wanted to know more about them people on the dollar bills and how long people were in “Washington”:

$2 bill -- Thomas Jefferson: Jefferson was a busy fellow, the president whose federal service came closest to meeting the ironic claim of Robert Gibbs that Obama referred only to the "decades in Washington" that " all those other presidents on the dollar bills" boasted before their presidential elections.

Jefferson was chosen as a delegate to the Second Continental Congress (one year), the Congress of the Confederation (one year), served as Secretary of State under George Washington for four years, and served as John Adams' vice president for four years.

Total time served in "Washington" prior to his election: ten years. Still a bit shy of "decades," though.

More red meat for the sock puppets, I say.

You know who else targeted members of their own party?
Yep. The Nazis.

Andy Naselli on overly–analytical people:

Man A: She says she’s just not ready to sleep with someone unless they’re committed to a long-term relationship.
Man B: Oh, my. She’s really being too analytical. You know, you’re a good guy. She’s going to lose you if she’s not careful.
A: She keeps wanting to talk about the “direction” we’re going. I’m just not ready for conversations like that. I think she’s being too introspective. She’s just over-analyzing this. I really don’t see us being in a long-term relationship.
B: Yeah, that’s why I never dated her. I mean, she’s really beautiful and everything, but she does seem to analyze everything too much. If someone’s been single for eight years, there must be a reason.

I’m trying to save the planet; I’m trying to save the planet. I will not have this debate trivialized by their excuse for their failed policy.

Judging from the local drive time radio shows,  we bitter, religious pistol-packers here in flyover country remembered only two things from Obama's Berlin visit: the phrase "citizen of the world" and Obama's failure to visit wounded troops at Landstuhl and Ramstein.

Stunningly, bashes Obama:

"Both Ways Barack," the attack ad from conservative group Let Freedom Ring, takes aim at presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama for what it calls a history of trying to take opposing positions on the same issue.

“…Republicans Say It Was Okay“:

Attitudes about the cover differ sharply by party. Nearly two-thirds of Republicans who saw the cover say it was okay for the magazine to publish it, 65% of Democrats disagree.

Partisan reactions? Really?

Jay Tea:

If you're deeply troubled by the economic costs of NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement, then Obama has your back. He said, repeatedly, that it should be re-negotiated, at the least.

But if you think that overall, NAFTA has been good for the American economy, and we shouldn't mess with it unless we're very careful, that's good -- Senator Obama is on your side.

Tammy Erickson on my generation and employment

Villainous Company:

Kerry: widely mocked for speaking French

House majority leader Tom DeLay, Republican of Texas, is reported to have started a meeting by saying, "Good morning, or as John Kerry would say, `Bonjour.' "

Obama: widely mocked for wanting other people to speak French

You know, it's embarrassing when Europeans come over here, they all speak English, they speak French, they speak German. And then we go over to Europe, and all we can say [is], "Merci beaucoup."

Jack Shafer with the understatement of the day

That's not "change." That's "failure we can do without."

So really he was just here to make a showing for the Americans back home that he is their candidate for President. I think that if you are going to make an effort to come all the way over here you would thank those that are providing the freedom that they are providing for you.

For balance, a picture of said cheerleaders.

The same people who claim that Thomas Jefferson spoke for all of the founders of the United States must, by that same logic, say that George W. Bush speaks for all of the United States today.