I think this clip could just as easily be made into a pro-Romney ad as an anti-Romney ad. It's an argument for consumer choice. Few people oppose that. And those who do probably work at the DMV.

If he replaced "people" with "companies," then it would be an air-tight claim in terms of politics.

When Romney was responding to the contraceptive question, an idea came to me. While waiting to come on stage the candidates should appoint a timekeeper and just ignore the moderators. Whoever gets the first question just keeps talking and then passes to the person to his left. The moderators would have a meltdown. The candidates get to talk about what they want. The only problem is that they would have to display some restraint, but I think they could manage if only to annoy the media.

I apologize if this comment isn't precisely on topic.

Public Policy Polling is working on a SC poll to be released later this week or early next week.

I still like Rob Long's comment about the famously unexciting Mitt Romney.

Mitt Romney...He'll do.

I tried it again, but this time I tried to think of what an independent/disinterested voter might think and value. (Disinterested in foreign policy, increase taxes on the rich, keep social security/medicare the way it is, etc.) The result Huntsman 72, Romney 51.3, Obama 49.

1st: Huntsman, 2nd: Bachmann, Gingrich, Romney (tie)

I do not. Nobody in my family does. At the store in my small town in Oregon, it seems about 1 in 3 purchases are made with the "Oregon Trail Card."

I haven't done any research into this myself. However, from what I remember from the last campaign, he said he balanced the budget without raising taxes. Then someone pointed out that he raised fees. Then there was a debate about whether there is a big difference between taxes and fees. (For me, it would depend on the fees.) Then he made some adjustments to programs to make them less ridiculous. Like this homelessness program.

I remember when I was about twelve my family was visiting my grandmother (who was recovering from a hip replacement) and at some point my uncle said, "Oh mom, you're gonna live to a hundred." To which my grandmother shot back, "I sure hope not."  She said it with such conviction that it was kind of startling.

If I was the only person who was living that long, then no. I'd rather not see everyone I know die. But I don't think that's what you mean.

I've actually given this some thought, and at this point I've decided that after 60 I will let any illness with a less than 50% survival rate be my last.

Is there something wrong with the Empire?

I've though about that too. I recently watched a documentary in which Nixon is quoted saying to the aide of his opponent Jerry Voorhis, whom Nixon accused of being Communist, "Of course I know Jerry Voorhis isn't a communist, but I had to win. That's the thing you don't understand. The important thing is to win."

This, I think, sums up much of Romney's political persona. He is not interested in making a statement, he's only interested in winning. I personally find this trait somewhat comforting in a general election candidate.

I wonder if Romney was being sincere when he suggested the EPA as the third agency. It sounds like something Perry would favor abolishing and Romney suggested it below the level of a normal speaking voice. Maybe he was trying to friendly. Or, more plausibly, he was overwhelmed by the awkwardness of the moment.

Perry should have gone with it though, if only to give John Harwood a seizure. He could have "clarified" after the debate.

Excellent podcast! I've often thought that if Mitch Daniels (or pretty much anybody who is not currently running for president) had run Mitt Romney wouldn't even have a chance.

To answer your last question: Entertainment.

You mean Amy Goodman? She's an "independent journalist" and host of Democracy Now! which is a radio show with a television broadcast on Free Speech TV on the DISH network. Usual topics: corporate greed, war crimes in the Bush administration, etc. She has the ability to spout leftist nonsense while maintaining an aura of rationality. It's surprising she hasn't been hired by NPR.

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