Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Whenever political consultant Mike Murphy joins the podcast, the sparks fly. This week is no exception as the man who coined the term "Bachmann-Schmachmann" takes no prisoners as he defends David Brooks, explains why Bachmann probably can't win, and gives a master class in how to parse campaign finance reports, all with his trademark style and humor. You may not agree with him, but you will not be bored.
P.S. We had some intermittent audio issues this week due to the bane of all podcasts: lousy hotel WiFi. We apologize in advance.
Get your hot links, get `em right here:
- No, we are not going to re-print the entire "man from Nantucket" limerick. That's why Google was invented.
- Here's a shot of John Kerry on his bike. Not exactly Dukakis on the tank, but close.
- Our man in Nantucket (not to be confused with the man from Nantucket) Rob Long snapped these photos of the Tea Party signs on July 4th.
- A $1.50 sounded awfully low for a cup of coffee in season in a tony resort town. So we called The Bean coffee shop on Nantucket and was told that a large latte goes for $4.25 a pop there. Bottom line: Ricochet is too cheap.
- The phrase "live at Budokan" is a reference to Cheap Trick's hit album released in 1979, featuring the single Surrender. Hear it the way James first experienced it by purchasing the cassette from Amazon, which you can pick up (used) for a penny.
- The much discussed column by David Brooks may be read here. Rob's post on Ricochet is here. Mollie Hemingway took umbrage with Mr. Brooks as well. Ricochet guest contributor Meghan Clyne kinda, sorta defended Brooks. Clearly, she didn't read the memo.
- Those bloop noises? That's Mike Murphy calling us on Skype. Mike, don't call us, we'll call you.
- Steve Allen was indeed the first host of The Tonight Show. Even though he died in 2000, he's got his own website, although it looks like it hasn't been updated since he passed away. Check out this video of Jerry Lee Lewis' TV debut on Allen's show. Incredible.
- Since Murphy is now writing for Time we thought it was fitting to link to this piece from 1981 reporting on budget battle Reagan undertook while he was recuperating from the assassination attempt on his life.
- Rob is correct: it is indeed being reported that Boehner and Obama are talking. And not just about lining up a putt.
- We're this close to having some Bachmann-Smachmann t-shirts printed up. The problem is, we'd probably have to share the dough with Murphy and Bachmann.
- Like it or not, in the age of Google, presidential candidates simply cannot make easily checked gaffes. It has nothing to do with the media. just ask Brit Hume. P.S. Editing your candidate's Wikipedia page to make her look like he or she was correct is creepy and Orwellian.
- Political strategist Ed Rollins is currently the guy charged with making sure Michelle Bachmann deosn't makes any more gaffes. Given some of his past clients, he should have a pretty good handle on how to do that.
- Mike did a great analysis on how to parse campaign financial reports. It's a must read.
- This year, The Ames Straw Poll is on August 13th at Iowa State University. Perhaps we should host a live chat that night with Murphy.
- The Washington Generals never win. Ever (OK, once in 1971). But they do have their own website and they appear to be hiring.
- The complete Murphy Time oeuvre is here. His piece on how Obama could overcome a weak economy through demographics is here. His post on Pawlenty's struggles is here and the "giggling" Pataki post may be read here. Finally, follow Mike's musings on Twitter. We do (nice shades, dude).
- Yes, it's true: Murphy will be doing a podcast for us on the election starting sometime in August. Really looking forward to that one.
- Give it up for Ricochet member Cas Balicki for his post Is It Time to Introduce a National Sales/Value-added Tax in the U.S.? He wins a copy of this week's Encounter Books Pick of The Week. Watch your email, Cas.
- No, Claire did not write a post about a legendary stripper, she wrote a post about buying roses from Gypsies.
- The "fast and furious" ATF arms for criminals story just keeps getting weirder and weirder. We'll see how high up it goes.
Music from this week's episode:
- Hallogallo by Nue!
- Michelle by The Beatles
The direct link to this week's episode (great for mobile devices!). But be like Mikey and subscribe. Don't use iTunes? Visit our Feedburner page for a number of other subscription options.
The Ricochet Podcast is proudly sponsored by Encounter Books. This week's featured title is Three Felonies a Day: How the Feds Target the Innocent by Harvey Silverglate. Available in all formats at EncounterBooks.com.
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Comments :
Dec '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Mike Murphy is really being a Halperin in this podcast.
Apr '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
I normally dive into the podcasts as soon as they are released, but I'll be skipping this one. I don't care for Mike Murphy at all.
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Give it a shot, Doc. Our hosts push back pretty hard on Mike, and the result is (IMO) a informative and entertaining conversation.
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
How about doing up some Murphy-Schmurphy t-shirts, too?
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Yeah, I'm struggling with a case of Rino Retch at the thought of hearing anything the ever "erudite" and "highly-knowledgable" Murphy has to say about an actual conservative like Bachmann or anyone else. May have to skip this one.
Sep '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Why are we seeking the political advice of someone that hedges his finances on the expectation that congress will do the right thing?
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Even for those who aren't fans of Mike Murphy's: do yourself a favor and listen. It's worth the price of admission for Lileks' Budokan joke and Peter's hilarious revelation of the special "Murphy Discount" at Encounter Books.
May '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
First time I've ever wanted to put my fist through a plate glass window listening to a Ricochet podcast.
I don't know what's worse, listening to Mike Murphy denigrate conservatism and the Tea Parties, or the hosts making little effort in their defense. Having to hear plaudits for David Brooks was enough to make me turn it off.
It was insane for Bachman to oppose TARP? Why is it insane to oppose using one private citizen's money to pay for another's bad risk taking?
Sep '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Okay, is that really Mike Murphy or just Mike Murphy playing Mike Murphy? He sounds like he's frosting the frosting on this podcast.
Aug '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
P.S. Editing your candidate's Wikipedia page to make her look like he or she was correct is creepy and Orwellian.
Even if she is Sarah Palin?
Mar '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
There are advantages to having Mike Murphy on the Ricochet podcast.
Rob Long finally has somebody that he can call a squish.
But...Jon Huntsman? Jon Huntsman? If Jon Huntsman is the answer, I'm going to need somebody to repeat the question.
Dec '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Squishy Blue RINO: P.S. Editing your candidate's Wikipedia page to make her look like he or she was correct is creepy and Orwellian.
Even if she is Sarah Palin? · Jul 7 at 8:29pm
Who knows who actually did it.
I do wish you would warn us before linking a crazy man's website, though.
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
What is depressing, and perhaps we can have Mike Murphy address the the topic in future is the question of demographics he mentioned in passing during the podcast.
James, Rob, and Peter, please accept my humble thanks for the book and especially the kind words.
Mar '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Why is the podcast giving so much time to this Murphy character? Is Carville and Begala not answering your calls?
Adding Murphy to a Ricochet podcast reminds me of something I heard Mark Steyn say "It's a good basic axiom that if you take a quart of ice cream and a quart of dog poop and mix 'em together the result will taste more like the latter than the former." http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1345074/posts
I like ice cream; I like Ricochet podcasts; I don't like...
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Cas: a pleasure!
Everyone else who might be dissuaded from listening by the comments on the episode: I understand the frustrations, but A) it was a rich, heaping, Lucullian buffet of disputable assertions, and you can't argue every point; B) even if you disagree, his positions and statements are illustrative of a branch of the party, and C) it held to the Ricochet model of Civil and Spirited Debate. I think the hosts made their opinions clear without getting out the studded clubs.
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Oh, we can totally handle demographics. Mickey Kaus's idea of an enforcement bill, with an amnesty bill several years later, is probably what will happen. If we had real enforcement, I think we would have bipartisan support for amnesty within a few years, once Americans were sure the federal government was going to go through with enforcement.
Besides, I think Democrats are going to have their own nativist backlash. Our immigration and border security policy is fundamentally insane. That isn't going to go away by itself.
Jun '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
All I want to hear from Murphy is whether he advised Meg Whitman not to put too much of her own money on the losing campaign that she wasted her time (and ours) on. What a debacle to lose so badly. Is Murphy to blame? Did he at least try to talk her out of spending so much money. Did he even have a whiff of the disaster he was involved in?Tea Party people have nothing to learn from the stupid Republican hacks who were involved in this election.
Ditto Carly Fiorina's absolutely absurd candidacy.
May '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Hotel wifi? I recommend Sprint Hotspot if you've got Sprint service and a capable smartphone.
Mar '11
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
Mike: I agree with about 80% of what you said and appreciate the humor as always.
Looking forward to the inside baseball view podcast also!
Oct '10
Re: Ricochet Podcast #76: Bachmann-Schmachmann
A little bit of Mr Murphy sure goes a long way. His inside baseball podcast will no doubt be interesting in a 'sick fascination' kind of way (although I hope they edit out his more gratuitous sneers). But when the boys get him on the general podcast they really need to be more prepared in their pushing back.