Thanks, Trink. I had the same reaction. It's reassuring to learn I'm not the only one. Yes, I understand there has been a zombie craze going on for several years now. What I don't understand is why. I'm on the verge of geezerhood myself, so my opinion counts for less and less these days. But even so, I must say I have never understood pop culture's fascination with the grotesque and gross -- even when I was a young whippersnapper.

I'm genuinely surprised only one person has endorsed Paul Erickson's detestation of "Feliz Navidad."  Of course, there's an awful lot of awfulness to choose from, but still...  Could there possibly be a more annoying, repetitive, grinding and unimaginative song?  The same six words, over and over and over and over and over and over and over... AAAAARGH, for the love of mercy, Jose, will you JUST SHUT UP?

Whoa, whoa, whoa!  This is not what you think.  A "vote card" is not the same as a ballot.  Every voter in St. Lucie County cast two "vote cards." Here in Palm Beach County I cast three "vote cards" (actually large sheets like the ones you see in the picture you posted) because we had long ballot spread out over five pages. 

Look on the second link you posted -- the statement from the St. Lucie County Elections Supervisor.  The first two pages show the number of "vote cards," that is, the number of pieces of paper.  Scroll down to page 3 and you'll see the actual number of voters ("items" -- wow, that should make voters feel important, huh?).  

There may have been fraud. But this isn't it. If we make a big deal of St. Lucie County's excessive "turnout," we'll end up with egg on our faces.

The only question here is why would the Elections Supervisor count "vote cards" and use that number to compute "turnout"?  The answer to that is simple:  She's an idiot paper shuffler who doesn't stop to think if what she reports makes sense.  In other words, a Democrat.

Like everyone else, I find this extremely fishy.  And like everyone else, I have a theory:  What if...

1)  Petraeus refused to cover up for whoever was responsible for turning down the Benghazi heroes' requests for air support.   (Remember the CIA news release said "no one in the CIA chain of command" turned them down.)

2) Facing a congressional subpoena, he told the administration he wouldn't lie, and wouldn't stonewall.  He'd resign first.

3) Someone (?) in the administration said: "No, you don't.  Because we know your secret, Gen. Philanderer.  And if you don't play ball, or you resign in protest, we'll leak it to the press.  You'll have zero credibility."

4) Petraeus, remembering his tactics, takes the bullet out of their gun: He confesses the affair before they can leak it, and resigns -- not over Benghazi but over the affair.  He is now free to speak the truth -- what more can they do to him?  And, since he did the "honorable" thing and confessed, he still has a little credibility left.

Pure speculation on my part.  But it does answer the big questions: "Why resign over it?" and "Why now?"  Waddaya think?

... So what's the solution?  Obviously we need intelligent candidates who think straight. But that's not enough.  They absolutely must be witty, charming, and able to convey that "they care."  Outside of Pat Sajak, who else comes to mind?

Plus, they must be willing to fight back ferociously and as viciously as necessary, the instant someone tries to malign them.

Rubio might be able to do that.  Any others?

Pensworth and others here are dead on accurate -- and the headline of this post says it all.  One of the many mistakes we on the right make is we believe that we can win elections -- or even win political arguments -- by using logic and common sense.  After all, we think, how could anyone disagree with the obvious observation that centralized, statist control invariably makes things worse, not better?  It's so obvious.  History and our own eyes tell us so, right?

But if you've ever tried using logic with most liberals you know how pointless that is.  We forget that the electorate these days is composed primarily of a bunch of sheep.  I know that sounds like just arrogant grousing, but face facts:  Ask any random group of adults about the latest episode of Survivor or American Idol, and you'd get hours of informed discussion.  Ask them about Benghazi and they'll ask you what show he's on. 

The Dems know this.  We keep thinking we'll win the war of ideas.  But the Dems aren't even fighting that war, except on a few talk shows.  They're fighting the war of celebrity charm...

Another great post, as always!  You captured the experience perweckly... er, perfectly.

I don't mean to veer off topic (well, I sorta do, but I'm new here...) but I'm sure a lot of us are wondering if you have a reaction to Joe Biden's jawdropping behavior at Andrews AFB when speaking to the father of Tyrone Woods.  I seem to recall you met Biden once and were inclined to cut him some slack because he had demonstrated considerable sensitivity to military families.  Does his behavior at Andrews square with your recollection of the man?  Any idea what was going through his head? 

I posted an opinion of my own about this on a thread over on the Member Feed started by "flownover," but since you actually met the man, I think a lot of Ricochet would be interested in your reading of it.

Again, sorry if I veered off topic.  Maybe you could start a new post on it or jump onto "flownover's" thread? 

Best of  wuck wif the dental wuhk. 

I wish someone (perhaps a Denver TV reporter?) would ask Joe Biden this question: 

"Mr. Vice President, you have often referred to the great tragedy of your life -- losing your wife and young child in a car accident many years ago.   I'm sure none of us fully appreciate how horrible that must have been for you. 

"Thinking back on that terrible time, imagine how you would have felt if -- while you were standing beside her casket in your deepest moment of grief -- someone had walked up to you and said, 'Wow, Joe, she had a great rack, didn't she?' 

"How would you have answered that question?"

Frankly, I'd give my own left cue ball for the chance to ask him that myself.