And So it Goes in Shreveport

• What If Santorum Wins Big Tonight?
  
  
  It might be a big night for Rick Santorum or it might be a big bust - who knows!?
  
  Colorado, Missouri and Minnesota are all hosting election events tonight; no delegates on the table but lots of bragging rights.
  
  Some links for the wait:
  
  Google Politics has the maps and results - you can toggle between states on the upper right.
  
  Red State has a Live Coverage event going on.
  
  Allahpundit:
  
  

  No delegates at stake tonight, but this is probably Santorum’s last chance to breeze past Newt as the race’s designated Not Romney. Read Ed’s post on the latest PPP numbers if you missed it this morning: He’s up by 13 points in Missouri (where Gingrich isn’t on the ballot) and by nine in Minnesota. If he wins both easily, then he gets a bunch of positive media coverage this week and maybe a few more big-name conservative endorsements, which in turn could mean enough movement in the polls to put him on at least an equal footing with Gingrich. Once that happens, the pressure will shift to Newt to explain why he should stay in and divide the conservative vote on the strength of having won one state while Santorum should drop out after having won three. Is that enough to get Gingrich to quit? Why … no, but it’ll make an increasingly dull primary interesting again until Super Tuesday.

  
  The Washington Post also has live coverage and updates.
  
  USA Today is live-blogging.
  
  Predictions?
  
  
  Added:
  
  
  
  Why are they still voting for Cain, Huntsman, etc.?
  
  Protest votes?  Absentee votes?
  
  
  
  
• Sign Me Up For The Sweet Meteor of Death, Too
  
  I've been in a depressed funk over the GOP candidates.  Thus the light blogging, I guess.
  
  Via Hot Air, this is where I am too:
  
  

  Influential conservative blogger Erick Erickson said he would endorse the “sweet meteor of death” over any of the current GOP candidates, but would back the party’s eventual nominee in the general election against President Obama.

  
  Anybody but Obama.
  
  With the exception of Stacy McCain, I can't find anyone who is really enthusiastic about any of the candidates, for that matter.
  
  Allahpundit:
  

  Honestly, my core problem with the field is less their specific weaknesses than the fact that we failed to entice a top-tier star candidate into the field against a vulnerable incumbent whom conservatives despise. I can’t get past that. Like Erickson, I’ll vote for the eventual nominee, but I can’t bring myself to choose one over the others because the feeling that they’re not our best is ever present. Deep down, I don’t think any of them are equal to the fiscal challenges ahead. How can I have a preference?

  
  Ditto.
  
  
  
  
• Happy Birthday, Ronald Reagan
  
  
  
  SIGIS is remembering Ronald Reagan today.  He would be 101.
  
  Here are Ten Reagan Quotes from CSM.
  
  Marathon Pundit relives his Reagan centennial trip.
  
  The Patriot Post has several links for the occasion.
  
   Americans for Prosperity has an ad out for the occasion:
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Another "Perrybot" Response
  
  
  I was at work this morning when I saw Stacy McCain's bitch-slapping post to the "Perrybots" and I couldn't respond at the time because, well, I was at work. 
  
  Stacy, it seems, is aggrieved because Rick Perry's campaign burned through $20 million in his failed campaign.  Stacy, who was all for Herman Cain, by the way, is now on the Rick Santorum bandwagon; he seems to be harboring some resentment about his current candidate's cash raising status:
  
  

  Just ask yourselves, Perrybots, what might have been possible if some other candidate — any other candidate, perhaps one who could remember how to count to three – had an extra $20 million to spend here in Florida. But no, you spent months telling the rest of us that Rick Perry was The Only Conservative Who Could Beat Romney, an argument you didn’t hesitate to repeat as late as December, long after it was apparent that he wasn’t ready for prime time. And you still refuse to admit that you were misled, and helped mislead others, into jumping aboard that hopeless Bandwagon to Loserville.

  
  I'm quite fond of Stacy and I have great respect for his Shoe Leather Reporting; I link him often and have hit his tip jar several times, but he's dead wrong on this one.  Rick Perry had every bit as much right to run as did Rick Santorum, Jon Huntsman, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, or anyone else for that matter.  If he burned through $20 million then it was his to burn.  And the people had just as much right to support Perry as Stacy does his candidates of choice.
  
  Troglopundit refutes Stacy's logic:
  
  

  One need not be a “Perrybot” to see the logical fallacy McCain is making. To wit: “if Rick Perry hadn’t entered the race, somebody else would have gotten that $20 million.”

  I dunno what’s in that pile, but it smells.
  
  Short answer: no, neither Rick Santorum, nor Herman Cain, nor Michelle Bachmann, nor Thaddeus McCotter would have received that $20 million. A small proportion of it, perhaps. I’m speculating, but it seems likely that other candidates would also have received some of it. Therefore whatever financial impact this fictional Perrylessness might have had would be distributive in nature, and thus zero.

  
  Perry had several large contributors who were likely donating for the sole reason that they liked Perry and his record of success in Texas.   Heck, I even donated to Perry (not millions!) but I haven't donated to anyone else as of yet.  In this little microcosm, my small donation would not have ended up going to Santorum even if Perry had never run in the first place.  I'd have kept it.
  
  The fisking of Stacy continues with Wyblog:
  
  

  Hey, Stacy McCain is a kick-ass gonzo journalist and all. He Knows Things. I'm just a random Polack from New Jersey. But it occurs to me that Rick Perry, a guy who's actually won elections and governed from conservative principles,might have gotten more traction if a certain gonzo journalist hadn't taken a flyer on the likes of Herman Cain, and in the process misled a whole lotta other folks into buying a one-way ticket on the 9-9-9 Restraining Order Express. Cain wanted to be president alright, just not President of the UnitedStates. More like president of Hooters, if you get my drift. 

  
  How much cash did Herman Cain suck out of the Santorum coffers?   How much early traction could Santorum have gained had Stacy not been on the Cain Train?
  
  Adrienne chimes in:
  
  

  Well, who's sucking up oxygen now? 
  
  Michelle Malkin has thrown her support behind Santorum.  I understand her reasons.  I like Santorum, too.  But I also believe that he is not going to be the nominee.  Neither is Ron Paul.
  

  I think that in the end the only one making any sense here is Smitty:
  
  

  The candidates all suck: get over it. 

  
  Amen.
  
  Remember, when Perry got into the race he was viewed by many as the savior from this stinkin' field of RINOs we have now; he'd never lost an election and had a track record (while not perfect) of conservatism and job creation in Texas.  Why was it wrong to support that, pray tell?
  
  It was much easier to support that than to support a guy who lost a re-election bid in his own state.
  
  As it is, the process is working.  We don't like the candidates, but it's working.  Perry faltered and he failed.  I hate it, but it is the way it goes.  Newt says he's staying in.  Mitt is staying in. 
  
  Krauthammer sees Missouri as Santorum's chance to make a stand (February 7):
  
  

  I think [he's] staying in. I think the real sleeper event could be in Missouri. Missouri doesn’t have any delegates. It’s only a beauty contest. But Gingrich isn’t on the ballot. I think for Santorum, this is his great opportunity. He’d be essentially one-on-one with Romney.

  
  If polls are to be believed, Republicans need to stop eating their own and start focusing on Obama.  As it is right now, we're handing him four more years.
  
  None of our candidates are perfect.  In fact, Smitty is right - they stink.  All of 'em.  But in the end, blaming the "Perrybots" and continuing the blame game won't win back The Oval. 
  
  Truth is, there's no real conservative in this race and in the end we're going to have to do the same thing we did in 2008.  Hold your nose and vote. 
  
  Let's just hope we don't get the same result.
  
  
  
  
• Charlie Crist Thinks Obama is Doing "What's Right for the Country"
  
  In case you had any lingering doubts about Charlie Crist's true colors:
  
  

  In a rare television interview, former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, who left the Republican Party during his unsuccessful 2010 U.S. Senate bid, told Chuck Todd on “The Daily Rundown” that he’d consider voting for President Obama in November.
  
  “Consider? Sure, I would consider that,” said Crist. “I really think he’s sincere and genuine. I think we have a lot time, a lot of issues to talk about, but I think, in his heart, he’s trying to do what’s right for the country overall.”
  

  More at Not One Red Cent!
  
  
  (H/T:  The Corner)
  
  
  
  
• A Message for Mitt and Newt
  
  Dear Republican contenders: 
  
  Please start going after Obama and not each other.
  
  Via Legal Insurrection, Obama is trouncing both of you:
  
  

  In potential Election 2012 matchups, it’s President Obama 47% and Romney 42%. However, if Gingrich is his Republican opponent, the president holds a double-digit lead, 50% to 37% (see tracking history).

  
  Thanks,
  Pat
  xoxoxoxo
  
  
  
  
• "Printer! Printer!"
  
  Do you need to smile today?  This is adorable.
  
  
  
  (H/T:  Josh)
  
  
  
  
• Full Metal Jacket Reach Around: The Perfect Weekend Edition
  
  
  The camellias are starting to bloom but it's clear that mine have suffered from the drought last summer.  I spent a little time this afternoon pruning dead wood from my camellia bush and now I'm hoping it makes a comeback this summer.
  
  But when the camellias start to bloom I know spring is not too far behind.
  
  Mr. SIGIS and I had a busy Saturday and a lazy Sunday which is just about a perfect weekend.
  
  Saturday I hit up a couple of estate sales early in the day then we headed over to Minden for the kickoff of Mardi Gras with their German Fasching celebration.  We had a grand time catching beads and watching the infamous Milly Rose dancing in Main Street along with the parade (video below).
  
  My shopping treasures this weekend include this pretty jadeite vase (left).  I also picked up an old "depression era" green water bottle.  I remember we always had one of these in our refrigerator when I was growing up and it just reminded me of my childhood so I bought it.  I also bought an old Kosmos Brenner brass oil lamp.  And finally, Milly gave me a beautiful depression glass pink serving tray which I adore.  So as far as treasures go, it was a great weekend!
  
  Today we've moved at a slower pace.  I did some much needed housework, went to my mom's and took care of her, then Steve and I took the rest of the day off.  We sat on the deck in the sun, drank a beer, and watched the dogs play and visited with our neighbor for a bit.
  
  I'm disgusted with the Republican race right now.  Like Pundette, though, I'm "bitterly clinging" to Rick Santorum as long as I can.  Deep inside I'm just enraged at the ignorant establishment at the head of the Republican party who has put us right back in the same mess we were facing in 2008.  I can't even verbalize just yet how pissed off I am at the state of things.
  
  Elsewhere:
  
  The Other McCain is still filing great "on the road" coverage of the campaign - this time from Florida.
  
  Speaking of the bone-headed Republican establishment, Sister Toldjah wonders if they're out to get Allen West.
  
  Legal Insurrection points out the "scorched earth" tactics of the Romney campaign.  It's not pretty, folks.  Not a bit.
  
  Saberpoint likes Santorum and calls the Republican fisticuffs between Newt and Mittens "vicious, self-destructive, personal and bitter."
  
  American Power thinks Sarah Palin is endorsing Newt (video at the link).  I'm actually surprised; I'd have thought her to be more of a Santorum kind of gal.
  
  Doug Ross checks out Occuy DC (with photos). 
  
  Wyblog posts on the mandatory contraceptive edict.
  
  Herman Cain has endorsed Newt.
  
  Global warming is out; Cycle 25 is IN.
  
  Be sure to check out The State of Our Disunion at Political Clown Parade.
  
  Mark Levin is very concerned about Romney's character.
  
  Dan Riehl has analysis of Levin's comments.
  
  All in all, this campaign has gone somewhere very ugly.  It doesn't do any good to think about what could have been at this point but there's a lot of that going on inside my head.  It does seem as if Mitt and Newt are eating each other alive and quite possibly Rick Santorum will be the last man standing.
  
  Oh well.  Much will be made of the Florida primary and let the chips fall where they may.  ABO in 2012.
  
  Here's Milly Rose dancing in the streets:
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Loose Thoughts
  
  
  
  
  If you're looking for debate coverage you might head on over to Legal Insurrection or The Other McCain.   I.Just.Can't.  Meh.
  
  I've been busy at work and real life.  I tried to watch the State of the Union, got three minutes in, and had to bail.  When Obama starts spewing crap about "fairness and equity" and how the "rich" should give "their fair share" I start seeing spiders and creepy crawling things in my head and my head starts to spin.  I had to turn it off.
  
  Speaking of SOTU, what did you think of Michelle's dress?  I thought it was ill fitting but I'm no fashionista.  You'll usually find me in blue jeans and a sweatshirt.  I liked the color and I even liked the brooch, but I thought the straps crossing above the boobs looked weird.  I didn't think it was tailored well for her.  I've read some blogs that criticized her for dressing as if she was going to a cocktail party rather than a SOTU speech but that part doesn't bother me.  I just didn't think the dress fit well.  It's not exactly "for the common man," either, at an estimated $2,400.  Not a Target dress.
  
  Let them eat arugula.
  
  Charles Krauthammer has some thoughts on the SOTU:
  
  

  It sounded like the Clinton years with their presidentially proclaimed initiatives on midnight basketball and school uniforms. These are the marks of a shrunken presidency, thoroughly flummoxed by high unemployment, economic stagnation, crushing debt — and a glaring absence of ideas.

  Of course, this being Obama, there was a reach for grandeur. Hope and change are long gone. It's now equality and fairness. That certainly is a large idea. Lenin and Mao went pretty far with it. As did Clement Attlee and his social-democratic counterparts in postwar Europe.

  As for the Republicans, I'm sick of Newt and Romney going after each other.  When are we going to go after the incumbent, eh?  At this point I'd be just fine if they ate each other alive and Santorum came out on top.  
  
  Surfing the links I see that Bride of Rove is struggling with some of the same issues.
  
  Pundette is expecting Newt Fatigue to hit at any time.
  
  As for me, tomorrow is Friday.  Centenary College will commemorate the 67th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz with a 12 hour loop screening of the testimony of local Holocaust survivors Rose and Louis Van Thyn.  I'm going straight from work to see both of them.  If you're around here I'd encourage you to go.
  
  Speaking of the Holocaust, heck out this stunning poll (H/T: Mike).
  
  Steve and I are headed to Minden on Saturday for the kickoff of Mardi Gras season; the Fasching Carnivale and parade will be the highlight of the day, plus some shopping with Milly Rose!
  
  Oh, and I'm going to test drive a Jeep when we go, too!  Yay!
  
  Out.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• McDonald's: NOT Lovin' It
  
  
  Let me tell you about my experience at McDonald's today.  And before I do, I bet you have one to match or better it.
  
  4:00 this afternoon.
  
  I drive up to a local McDonald's franchise.  The drive-thru is seven cars deep but I'm worn out, long day, and figure it will be an opportunity to check my email while I wait.
  
  Eventually I am second in line at the order window.  The car in front of me sits for, oh, maybe 7 minutes before pulling up.  This is a long time at a drive-thru window.  But when he advances, I pull up and stop at the window.  And wait.
  
  Wait.
  
  Wait.
  
  "Hellooooo?" I said.  "Anybody there?"
  
  Wait.
  
  Wait.
  
  "Is this thing working?"
  
  Nothing.
  
  "Hello?"
  
  Nothing.
  
  So I pull to the side. "What the hell," I think.  Why not.  I go .... inside.
  
  It gets good here.  When I walk inside there are five people at the counter and four are pissed off.  On the other side of the counter there are two employees and one of them is bitching out a customer.
  
  "Excuse ME, MA'AM, but would you like a REBATE?  WHAT can I do for you NOW?!  I'm SORRY if you not happy with your ORDER but WHAT do you want ME to do about it?  MA'AM?!"
  
  And this employee is wagging her head back and forth, hands on hips and using the most sarcastic tone you can imagine.  The customer is a middle aged woman with a child who looked to be about 7 or 8.
  
  Meanwhile, another customer has a half unwrapped burger in her hand and is hopping from one foot to the other waiting to get her issue settled; another customer is standing at the counter, "Am I going to get my order?  I have to be at work!  If it's not coming, I've got to go....".
  
  A manager finally walks up.
  
  "What's the trouble here?"  She attempts to sort things out.  She sends Miss Sarcastic back to the window (which is why she was not there to take my order) and attempts to restore order.
  
  This does not last long because as the woman with the child attempts to explain what's wrong with her order to the manager, Miss Sarcastic comes back from the window with that head wagging thing again and this time she's pointing her finger.
  
  If this girl worked for me she would have been fired on the spot.  The manager, clearly frustrated, sends her back to the window.
  
  Finally my order comes out (woman with child is still waiting for her plain hamburger, and woman that needs to get to work is still waiting).
  
  My order is wrong.  It's missing one of the two sandwiches.  I give it back to the manager.
  
  Woman with child gives up and takes her order the way it came and explains to her child that they'll just scrape off the offending ingredients.  Woman who has to go to work is still waiting.  More customers have stacked up behind us all.  Meanwhile, Miss Sarcastic is working the window.
  
  My order comes out a second time and it is still wrong but I don't have the heart to send it back.  I just take it and leave.  As I go, I notice that cars are stacked up twelve deep in the drive-thru.
  
  So tell me why McDonald's is posting record profits? 
  
  Where's the civility?  The customer service?  The "home-training?"
  
  So when The Teenager feels the need for fast food, I'll route him to Burger King or Wendy's from now on.
  
  Got a similar story?
  
  
  
  

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