Burkablog

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

If Romney loses …

…the reaction from the right wing of the Republican party is going to be a ferocious backlash of “We told you so.” The GOP decided to stick with the front-runner, Mitt Romney, as is its long-established habit, and while it is certainly too early to say that Romney is in trouble, recent polling, particularly in key states like Ohio and Virginia, does not look good.

The message of the right will be that Republicans have had successive failures with moderate, establishment candidates like Romney and McCain (you can throw George H. W. Bush in 1992 and Bob Dole in 1996 in there too) who do not energize the base, and that Republicans will not start winning again until they start nominating “real-deal” conservatives. The energy in the Republican party is with insurgent groups like the Ron Paulers and the Tea Party. The Republican field for 2016 is strong but it lacks social conservatives like Rick Santorum and Michele Bachmann. The door could even open for the likes of Sarah Palin and Rick Perry. The dilemma for R’s is that the social conservative message turns off the independents and the establishment Republicans.

The right’s message will emerge about one second after the networks call the race. The scenario works, of course, only if Obama wins.

Here’s what Rush Limbaugh had to say early in the campaign season about the Republican disdain for the party’s right wing:

The Republican establishment, for the most part, if they could, would simply excommunicate every social conservative Republican they could find. They’d kick ‘em out of the party, and they would gag ‘em.  They’d find a way to make sure they couldn’t speak.  That’s how much they hate ‘em, detest ‘em, are embarrassed by them.  And it’s based on one thing, primarily. It’s based on the fact that these establishment Republicans and others who don’t like the social conservatives are primarily, singularly worried about what people are going to think of them for being in the same party with the social conservatives.  It really is no more complicated than that.  I mean there are other things.  They think social conservatives lose elections.  They think social conservatives make the whole Republican Party a big target, like what’s going on now, this contraception business.

* * * *

Here are the odds for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination, from the Web site 2016 ELECTION.COM

Chris Christie 7/1

Mark Rubio 7/1

Sarah Palin 9/1

Paul Ryan 12/1

Rand Paul 15/1

Jeb Bush 18/1

Mike Huckabee 18/1

Eric Cantor 20/1

Bob McDonnell 25/1

John Kasich 38/1

John Thune 30/1

Jon Huntsman 30/1

Bobby Jindal 30/1

Rick Santorum 40/1

Tim Pawlenty 40/1

Tagged: ,

122 Responses to “If Romney loses …”


  1. Blue Dogs says:

    But what if Obama loses in November ?

    The right-wing whackos are gonna have to stomach Romney in the White House for 8 years.

    Reply »

    Whoa, Nellie! Reply:

    Romney’s not looking likely to win, maybe not even come as close to winning as Dole did. What the primaries demonstrated is true, the more people are around Mittens, the less they like him.

    So the right wing is going to be howling mad whatever happens. I suspect, however, that were Romney to win, the right wing expects to govern via Congress and Romney to merely smile and sign their bills like a good little CEO. Not vetoing the right wing agenda is all the right wing wants from a suspect, unreliable Republican president.

    Reply »

    Texian Politico Reply:

    Nellie, you are nuts! What states will Romney lose that Dole carried in ’96? Did you think about that statement at all before typing out of your ass? CO perhaps? There is no way Obama gets more electoral votes this time than Clinton did in ’96.

    Reply »

    paulburka Reply:

    No, Perry beats Romney in 2016. Don’t you know the game plan?

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    I truly believe Rick Perry and I will be voting for the same candidate for president this year: Gary Johnson!

    Reply »

    Blue Dogs Reply:

    Burka, will Perry be very stupid to launch a primary challenge to President Romney in 2016 ?

    Romney would destroy Perry into obscurity.

    Reply »

    Bernie Reply:

    Perry is in obscurity outside of this state. He is a non-factor.

    Anonymous Reply:

    Interesting take on the the Comptroller’s job.

    http://texasconservativepolitics.blogspot.com/

    Reply »


  2. anon says:

    Odds makers did not even bother listing Perry.

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    If you ever get a little down and you need a “picker upper” just watch Rick Perry’s speech to the Cornerstone Group in NH – the highlights.

    Seriously, this is some of the most uplifting comedy on the internet. I just wish Bill Hicks were alive to chip in with some commentary.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M4gz97Y9W8

    And as you watch this, remember Rick Perry has been the GOVERNOR of the great state of Texas for 12 years.

    Reply »

    Whoa, Nellie! Reply:

    Molly Ivins, where are you in our hour of need???

    Reply »

    Penelope Arriaga Reply:

    Molly Ivins isn’t dead. I saw her in Oil Can Harry’s the other night.

    Whoa, Nellie! Reply:

    That’s a strange oversight. You can see that he’s already running.

    Reply »

    FLPD Reply:

    I checked out the website, and in fact, Perry is on it. He’s at 500/1. Same as Donald Trump.

    Reply »

    paulburka Reply:

    That is correct. Perry is at 500/1. In fact, his chances are considerably better.

    Reply »


  3. Anonymous says:

    I don’t think this race is anywhere near over — paticularly based on some heavily democrat weighted polls. But it is closer than it should be gien the dismal record of Obama. If only Romney had picked Rubio instead of Ryan, this race would be over right now.

    Reply »

    Bernie Reply:

    Wrong. Republican are dying…social conservatives are a dead weight in a freedom loving country.

    Reply »


  4. Texian Politico says:

    There is a new poll out that has Romney up by 5 in VA and the RCP avg in VA is Romney at 47.3 and Obama at 46.5. The bounce from the convention has faded for Obama, too. Rasmussen has a new poll today of likely voters that has it as 46-45 Obama and 48-47 Romney when leaners are added in. All of the data and metrics for Obama are bad (unemployment, job growth, right way/wrong way poll, enthusiasm of supporters, etc.) and he’s hoping to somehow eke this thing out. I think reality will catch up with him over the next 30-40 days, especially as undecided voters watch the debates and realize that Romney isn’t the villain Obama has made him out to be.

    Reply »

    houtopia Reply:

    Wonder if those VA polls include former GOP Congressman Virgil Goode, who has qualified for the ballot there with the Constitution Party? Goode will likely cook Romney’s goose in VA.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    Texian,

    Gravis is an R firm which oversampled Republicans in the VA poll. No way Romney wins VA with former southside VA congressman Virgil Goode on the ballot on the Constitutional Party line. Romney will get killed in the DC market, and will lose Richmond and Norfolk markets as well. He will do well in Roanoke/SW/Shenandoah.

    Reply »


  5. Texian Politico says:

    How did Romney disrespect the Ron Paulers? Sen. Rand Paul has endorsed him and spoke at the RNC. It’s a well known fact that Romney and Ron Paul get along well on a personal level. I think you see proof of that with Paul saying he will not be endorsing anyone for president this time. In 2008 he backed Chuck Baldwin of the Constitutional Party.

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    1) By changing the rules so that Ron Paul could not get nominated and thus a 15 minute speech. They changed it from 5 states to 8.

    2) By other rule changes that gutted the grassroots when it comes to delegate selection in 2016.

    3) More importantly than those Mitt Romney is a big government Republican – all for the endless warfare/welfare state. If Romney and the GOP want to treat the Ron Paulers like red headed step kids, that is there perogative.

    One thing is for sure they will be getting NONE of the small, but critical, Ron Paul vote.

    Intrade – Obama 62% chance of re-elect. Mittens down to 38%. Intrade usually a lot more reliable than polls.

    https://www.intrade.com/v4/markets/contract/?contractId=743474

    Reply »


  6. John Johnson says:

    After the raids on our embassies in Egypt and Lybia, I believe that Romney is going to get a big jump. Did you see the tweets the Egyptian embassy and State Department issued as the walls of the embassy were being breeched and our flag torn down? More appeasement and apologies. Our president is a charlatan. He’s an actor playing president. Martin Sheen could do better.

    Reply »

    Alan Reply:

    The tweets were sent before those events took place, JJ.

    Reply »

    Vernon Reply:

    JJ,

    Are you referring to the unauthorized statement sent from the embassy before the attacks in an attempt to calm the situation outside their front door; the same statement which both the Administration and State Dept have since disavowed?

    The statement in question is hardly an apology worthy of such outrage. It’s not well-worded, but it’s not an apology.

    If you believe the sentence “We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others,” is an apology for free speech and you’re using it to denounce the president during a crisis where four Americans were murdered …you’re needlessly preoccupied with hating Obama.

    Not to mention, your campaign is exercising very poor judgment if it’s releasing political attacks before knowing all the facts surrounding the foreign policy event… big facts like ‘four dead Americans’. It looks bad when you try to score political points by capitalizing on American deaths.

    Plus, I really don’t see how Obama is personally responsible for one person’s unauthorized statement.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    The apologies are just an extension of what Obama has been projecting since he took office. Bows, curtsies and head dips. We bad; we sorry.

    The gun running is not Holder’s fault; this era of appeasement is not Obama’s fault. There is no buck stops here in this administration. This will end up being Bush’s fault. More to follow. There’s a stench in the air.

    Reply »

    Vernon Reply:

    What apologies are you talking about? When did they take place? Who were they directed to?

    Who is Obama appeasing that he shouldn’t be?

    I ask these questions because it sounds like you’re making some very broad and unfounded generalizations.

    To me it sounds like middle school rumors where some girl gets the undeserved label of ‘slut’. Every kid believes it because they heard other kids say it. So, of course, she must be a slut.

    But when you try pinning someone down for evidence, no one’s got anything other than “Zach said he found a note some 8th grader dropped. But in the note, the guy was bragging about how he and Kristi did all this stuff at a party…Besides everyone knows she is.”

    Ausowl Reply:

    Any links for the “we bad we sorry” line? Any?

    John Johnson Reply:

    Your last sentence pretty well sums it all up for me, Vern. Denial. Finger pointing backwards. No accountability. More of the same. No line in the sand. A wishy-washing foreign policy. A be careful of what you wish for outcome to changes in Libya and Egypt.

    Reply »

    Vernon Reply:

    Wait, please tell me how Obama is directly and personally responsible for an unauthorized statement to which he soon disavowed.

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    Mitt Romney yet again made a complete fool out of himself attacking Obama over the Libyan tragedy.

    It reminds of about 6 weeks ago when the Dewhurst campaign dyed their hair red, put on the flack jackets and started shooting up the GOP theater with a bunch of ridiculous charges about/attacks on Ted Cruz.

    That is how a LOSER behaves. If you take the phrase MITT ROMNEY SUCKS it makes a perfect anagram for ROMNEY LOSE 2012 MIGHTILY.

    Try it.

    John Johnson Reply:

    Vernon…you’re right. I have lost all form of objectivity when it comes to our sitting president. I need to be honest, not only with you, but myself. I am a total skeptic. I’m as bad, if not worse than the Birther’s. I hate the guy.

    Information on almost anyone is readily available if you dig deep enough or if you ask them. Not so with Obama. He is an enigma.

    Who paid for school at Columbia? At Harvard? How did he end up in Chicago? How did he acquire such wealth in such a short period of time? What about grant money paid to the hospital Michelle was working for and the $300,000+ salary she was paid afterward. Was it a fulltime job? Was this very important job filled after she left? These are just some of the questions that remain unanswered. Why? Why no 60 Minutes asking him about how his education was financed? Why are Romney’s tax returns so much more important.

    I have become “one of them”. I can’t help myself. I have always been a pretty good judge of character, because I have been around a bunch of characters.

    Obama is a fraud.

    There…I’ve said it.

    Vernon Reply:

    I can understand your skepticism. I’m guilty of it too at times.

    When GWB was president, I remember wanting to believe any accusation or insinuation about him no matter how outlandish.

    To my benefit, my rational side would quickly take over and discredit the nonsense, but the desire to believe the worst was always there.

    It’s interesting how we all want to believe the best when it comes to those with whom we most agree, but we so eager to believe the worst when it comes to those with whom we disagree.

    I also understand how being around ‘characters’ can affect you. It’s like old cops who think everyone’s lying to them…because they spent so much time listening to people lying to them.

    BTW – I don’t think you’re “one of them.” As I see it, the differences are “they” aren’t honest with themselves and they care about honest dialogue. You’ve proved that both conditions don’t apply to you.

    Blue Reply:

    It was an official statement from a diplomatic post placed on their website. That’s about as “official” as it gets.

    Reply »

    Vernon Reply:

    Correction: 2nd to last line should read “…and they care DON’T about honest dialogue.”

    Reply »


  7. John Johnson says:

    If Romeny would announce that as President he would do all in his power to swtich large trucks to natural gas in the shortest period of time possible, thereby doing away with the U.S. needing to purchase any petroleum product from the Middle East, he can win. Once accomplished all Navy would be removed from the Persian Gulf, all military personel brought home from Afghanistan, and all overseas bases in the region shut down. We would no longer have need to prop up phoney regimes nor dump billions into black holes. We could use clandestine activities and drones to counteract aggressive behavior toward the U.S. There would be no reason for us to ever send young men and women over to that part of the world again. We have everything we need to do the job right here at home, and the hardware can be controlled from right here also. He would win bigtime.

    Reply »

    Ausowl Reply:

    Good idea re large trucks and natural gas. Wouldn’t help TXDOT’s coffers much, but good idea nevertheless.

    Reply »


  8. JohnBernardBooks says:

    No matter how bad the media tries to paint Romney he ain’t as bad as President Amateur as the dems call him.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    JBB, Mittens is gonna lose as bad as Dewhurst did. And then you won’t be able to do a thing about it. NOTHING. Obama will never have to face the voters ever again.

    Reply »


  9. Shawky Sandberg says:

    We now know where Morrow will be on Oct 26th – loudy haranguing Robert Caro during the Q&A session at the Texas Book Festival on why he didn’t tell the truth about LBJ killing JFK. I’m sure everyone in the audience will be delighted by that spectacle.

    Texas Book Festival announces 2012 authors
    By Charles Ealy | Wednesday, September 12, 2012, 11:53 AM

    Some of the biggest names in literary fiction and nonfiction, including Lyndon Johnson biographer Robert Caro and “Wild” author Cheryl Strayed, will be headed to this year’s Texas Book Festival at the Capitol Oct. 27-28.

    The lineup of more than 250 people includes acclaimed short story writer Junot Díaz, actor and author Tony Danza, singer and author Jewel and Texas State University teacher and author Tim O’Brien.

    Caro, Danza and Strayed will be the speakers at the First Edition Literary Gala on Oct. 26 at the AT&T Conference Center on the University of Texas campus.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    And you are hawking this here because…???

    Reply »

    paulburka Reply:

    More material for trash. Not going to re-litigate the Kennedy Assassination here.

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    …only the biggest event in Texas and national politics in the past 50 years, except for 9/11

    And the Texas political elite (both parties), academics, editorial pages, and most history and political science departments have pushed the hilarious “lone nutter” fantasy for decades.

    Reply »

    WUSRPH Reply:

    I think Paul is right…Morrow has told us all we ever needed to know about the killing of JFK. It is time he moved on to some other “secret conspiracies” in American History…
    He could look into whether there Sam Houston was behind of a conspiracy to kill my cousin, William Henry Harrison, because Harrison would not support annexing Texas and John Tyler would. Alternatively, how about how “Wall Street” had Harding killed because Silent Cal would be better “for the bidness climate”. A real conspiracy believer like Morrow can certainly did up just as much “truth” (sic) about those deaths as he has about the death of Kennedy.

    John Johnson Reply:

    Paul, how does this “sending to trash ” stuff work? You post that a comment is more material for trash yet nothing is ever removed. Is this the way it is supposed to work. Seems like an empty threat like my wife directs toward our two big dogs.

    Reply »

    Texian Politico Reply:

    Burka may be afraid of Morrow because Morrow is about 6’5″ and is a close-talker.

    paulburka Reply:

    Try to be a grownup in your comments.

    paulburka Reply:

    Posts are removed all the time, especially Mr. Morrow’s. I can click on trash and the post is gone. Of course, I can get it out of trash, but who would want to?

    hooah! Reply:

    Thank you for your active moderation, Paul.

    Bausch Reply:

    Hmmmm….who to believe–respected two time Pulitzer Prize winning author who has done decades of meticulous primary research, or nut-job conspiracy theorist who’s research consists of hanging out at strip clubs with drug-addled hookers? I’m torn.

    Reply »

    Spiro Eagleton Reply:

    Looks like the Morrow vs. Caro debate at the Texas Book Festival will be far more entertaining than anything we see between Obama and Romney.

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    I think I will skip it. Didn’t know about it until today. I might go if Laura Bush would do a reading from “The Immaculate Deception: Bush Crime Family Exposed” by Russell Bowen which is a very good book. Bowen is a retired Brigadier General in the US Army and who worked in intelligence for a long time.

    http://www.amazon.com/The-Immaculate-Deception-Family-Exposed/dp/0922356807/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347484028&sr=8-1&keywords=immaculate+deception+russell+bowen

    paulburka Reply:

    It would help if readers paid less attention to Mr. Morrow instead of encouraging him.

    Reply »


  10. paulburka says:

    No more stuff about the Bushes being a “very dirty CIA family. Off to trash with that.

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    GHW Bush has been CIA since the late 50′s or early 60′s. GHW Bush was a recruiter for the Bay of Pigs invasion. I am friends of one of the sons of the CIA operatives who was around at that time. Bush in fact was giving out “Phantom” rings to the anti-Castro Cuban recruits. Google “the Phantom rings.”

    This is long before Bush was head of CIA in 1976 (and later had CIA HQ building named for him).

    The US failure at the Bay of Pigs, JFK’s refusal to send in Navy, the subsequent Cuban Missile Crisis and JFK’s refusal to invade then… these were very big reasons for the JFK assassination. (Along with the impending political execution of Lyndon Johnson.)

    Not Vietnam policy. But that fact JFK would not invade Cuba. Gen. Curtis LeMay was directly calling JFK an appeaser worthy of Neville Chamberlain. And that was the attitude of the Texas oil men, military intelligence & I am sure LBJ self.

    Here is a good article on GHW Bush: http://jfkmurdersolved.com/bush.htm

    Reply »

    Mobert Rorrow Reply:

    Tony Danza is a very dirty CIA family, Paul. Haven’t you heard?

    Reply »


  11. Pat says:

    2012 needed to be another Goldwater moment for the GOP: had the right succeeded in nominating, in Romney’s words, a “severe conservative” like Rick Santorum, the Republican Party would have been whooped at the polls and been forced to turn towards the center in the aftermath. Of course, this is not what happened. Instead, if Romney loses, we’ll see a repeat of 2009-10: another sharp move to the right, with crank, 19th-century ideas like the gold standard, restricted access to contraception, and restricted voting rights taking center stage. This is a recipe for political oblivion. 2010 and 2012′s laser-like focus on working-class and geriatric whites cannot work in 2016–that’s just demographics. By failing to nominate Santorum, Republicans delayed an inevitable reckoning with the far right, that will, in the medium term, allow Democrats to win a lot of elections and implement a lot of policies that Republicans disfavor.

    Reply »

    Texian Politico Reply:

    We need the gold standard. Fiat money eventually always collapses.

    Reply »

    Pat Reply:

    Haha. That’s why the Euro is perpetually about to collapse, right?

    Relatedly, up is down.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    And in 2016, thats four more years of Demographic shift toward the Dems. See, JBB is too busy trolling on this blog to have babies (and I’m sure there are other reasons for his lack of progeny), so every year the old, angry guy is getting replaced by a more diverse population. Like Momma hates the Alamo Julian Castro. So when I see posts like that, I just laugh and laugh. Double down on the hate guys, you’re doing my work for me.

    Reply »


  12. Robert says:

    As a conservative Republican and former GOP county chairman, I’ll say this: I’m far more worried about the future, and present, of the country than who does what in the Republican Party at this point. The problems we find ourselves in transcend Party-positioning.

    Reply »


  13. JohnBernardBooks says:

    Democrats want to talk about anything except the state of the economy, jobs and Obama’s poor foreign policy. I don’t blame them. The landslide is coming in Nov.

    Reply »


  14. José says:

    And which 2012 GOP presidential contender, pray tell, does the Tea Party crowd think would be busting Obama’s chops right now?

    Romney’s still in the race because he’s the only Republican who gets a second look from the all-important moderate independents. Do you really think that any middle-of-the-road voter would seriously consider pulling the lever for Bachmann? Or Cain? Naw…

    Reply »

    Texas Tornado Reply:

    Amen, bro!

    Reply »


  15. SZ in SA says:

    Romney hurt himself badly today and for no particularly good reason. He tried to jump hard on a foreign policy crisis and blame Obama – but he did it before he had all the facts. Then when he had the facts, he was too stupid to walk it back. Its that simple. The fanatical right won’t care – they only care that he’s not Obama. Everyone else (i.e. rational thinkers) will see this for the politically crass and foolish move that it was. Burka should change the headline to read “When” rather than “If.”

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    Romney, just pitiful. So desperate, so incompetent. And to actually lose to Obama, one would have to be a magician to pull that one off.

    It must be the magic underwear that gives him superhuman abilities to offend the most voters in the fewest amount of time. Remember the England tour?

    Go to intrade and find the Romney contract: http://www.intrade.com

    Reply »

    retrocon Reply:

    When Morrow brings up the phrase “magic underwear” he lets everyone know where he’s coming from. And thus even for the uninitiated, it becomes clear how much stock can be put in his charges of pitiful, desperate, and incompetent.

    Given Romney’s history as a successful businessman, as successful chair of the Winter Olympics, and as a Governor that actually got things accomplished in an environment where the legislature was at least 3/4ths from the opposing party, It sounds more like Romney’s real problem is that he’s pushing uphill against incompetent and bigoted voters.

    Reply »


  16. The People's Elbow says:

    To Mr. Burka’s actual point… In the closing days of the 2008 election when the writing was on the wall, a Democratic operative opined to me that the result of the McCain thumping would be that the Far Right would interpret the election result as a rejection of “moderate” politics and nominate a very conservative presidential candidate in 2012. Basically, it is the same contention Burka is making here towards 2016.

    I think we can argue as to how “conservative” Romney is, but relative to the candidates he defeated (eg. Santorum, Bachman, Paul, Perry, etc) he would likely be considered the more moderate. And I think conservatives would agree that the primary did not result in the most conservative candidate being nominated.

    The point is that I think such conclusions about a swing to the right are not founded in any historical data and are dubious.

    Reply »


  17. emptyk says:

    In hopes of trying to encourage sanity on this blog, here is the actual statement from the US Embassy in Cairo that Romney opposed.

    http://egypt.usembassy.gov/pr091112.html

    U.S. Embassy Condemns Religious Incitement
    September 11, 2012

    The Embassy of the United States in Cairo condemns the continuing efforts by misguided individuals to hurt the religious feelings of Muslims – as we condemn efforts to offend believers of all religions. Today, the 11th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Americans are honoring our patriots and those who serve our nation as the fitting response to the enemies of democracy. Respect for religious beliefs is a cornerstone of American democracy. We firmly reject the actions by those who abuse the universal right of free speech to hurt the religious beliefs of others

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    It’s a sissy statement made at the time to appease the mob. It basically says, “We agree with you. Those bad people should not be talking poorly about your religious icon. Please leave us alone”, and those stupid people decipher it as “These Americans are a bunch of wusses. We can have our way with them.”

    Reply »

    Blue Reply:

    Exactly, Anonymous.

    Reply »

    paulburka Reply:

    “Sissy statement?” Total nonsense. The whole purpose of diplomatic language is to use words carefully so as not to incite the emotions. The statement is a classic example of the careful use of diplomatic syntax.

    Reply »


  18. emptyk says:

    Remind me one more time who Romney is trying to get elected President?
    Maybe this is why Ryan bought TV time today in Wisconsin for his congressional reelection campaign.

    Reply »


  19. JohnBernardBooks says:

    Thank God(republicans can still say that) that Mitt Romney spoke up for our american values.
    President Amateur has no foreign policy skills so says Hillary. Doncha know she’s counting the days until she can bail.

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    It is 3 o’clock in the morning. A call comes in.

    Do you know where your husband is, Madame President?

    Reply »


  20. The Mustache That Dare Not Speak Its Name says:

    For what it’s worth, Obama went up on Intrade today, up around 3% for the day and at 62.9% to win, as of a few minutes ago. Interesting.

    Reply »


  21. anita says:

    Can someone tell me why in the world Rick Perry would issue a statement on the Libya attack, especially one so crass and undignified?

    Are there any adults left in his operation?

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    Well, sometimes when guys have sugar in their pants, they have to act *real tough and macho*, to compensate for that and camouflage who they really are. Think of a composite of Richard Simmons and Yosemite Sam.

    There is a book called the “Pink Swastika” that might give some good insight into Rick Perry. It is a favorite of his friends like Brian Fischer over at the American Family Association in Mississippi.

    http://www.amazon.com/The-Pink-Swastika-Scott-Lively/dp/0964760975/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347507921&sr=8-1&keywords=pink+swastika

    Reply »

    Texian Politico Reply:

    Burka lets Morrow own this blog. There is no doubt about it.

    Reply »

    paulburka Reply:

    I don’t let Morrow own this blog. As long as he sticks to appropriate topics, he is as free to comment as anyone else. When he starts raving about the Bushes and LBJ and the Kennedy Assassination, I am going to send his comments to trash.


  22. WUSRPH says:

    Romney’s behavior reminds me of George Will’s comment about the GOP contenders, especially Mitt, when Rush the Magnificent was attacking some college girl as being a slut and so forth…..Will’s comment was: “They all want to bomb Iran but they are afraid to confront Rush..”….

    However, it was not a mistake by Romney. It was deliberate. He knows most folks will not know what really happened but will hear that magic word “apologize” and that will hurt Obama. After all, it does not have to be true if he helps get you elected.

    Anyone see in the NY Times and a new book where the Bush folks were told in the “morning briefing” by the CIA as early as May of 2011 that there was a cell of bad guys connected to Osama already inside the U.S. who planned to kill a bunch of folks…and the message was repeated several times but Ms. Rice and company failed to pay any attention. It got so bad that later in the summer the intelligence analysts who were trying to get Bush’s attention discussed all asking for transfers because they KNEW something very, very bad was going to happen and that they would be blamed….

    Ms. Rice and George apparently lived by the motto that “the buck stops way, way, way over there”.

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    It is a fact that under Republican leadership our nation suffered its most bloody and disastrous, both in death tolls and economic damage,terroristic attack in American history.

    The Republicans have proven they are incompetent to protect US national security.

    [Disclaimer: I voted for GWB #41 in 2000 and 2004 and I gave $1,000 to his campaign. The GWB Library still makes constant appeals to me for money.]

    If you want to get slaughtered by the terrorists in the streets of NYC, just vote Republican.

    Am I being a little unfair? Oh, no more so than a desperate Mitt Romney this week.

    Reply »

    Indiana Pearl Reply:

    May 2011? It was early in 2009.

    Reply »


  23. WUSRPH says:

    Of course, that was May of 2001…not 2011..I have got to learn how to type.

    As to what happens if Mitt loses…with all the real, real haters out there I am afraid that the Secret Service is going to have six times the level of protection for the President…

    Reply »


  24. Robert Morrow says:

    Been watching FOX tonight with Sean Hannity and Michelle Malkin. The hysterical rhetoric, fuming rage and self-righteous frustration over the events in the Middle East…

    reminds me of the rhetoric of the American right wing/military/CIA/oil men over the issue of Cuba in 1961-1963..

    just before they put a bullet in JFK’s head.

    Reply »


  25. retrocon says:

    I’m not sure I even understand the reason anyone is fantasizing about what happens if Romney loses. Looking at the breakdown of the sampling done in the polls, and given the nature of the polls historically (like having Carter ahead of Reagan by more than a few points even as close as October) should be sufficient evidence that it’s a little premature to be writing Romney off.

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    Is Mitt Romney acting like Ronald Reagan? It should be a close election with Obama winning about 4 critical swing states by 1-3 points. Romney has constructed an invisible bulletproof glass barrier over his head.

    Actually, it may not even be close. It might be a blow out for Obama. Check out this web page – it updates every state based on the latest polls:

    http://electoral-vote.com/

    Reply »

    paulburka Reply:

    I’m not writing Romney off. Too many states are too close to call.

    Reply »


  26. JohnBernardBooks says:

    “Actually, it may not even be close. It might be a blow out for Obama”
    Thankfully Paul gives Robert unfettered access along wuth the keys to his blog, we need the laughs.

    Reply »


  27. John Johnson says:

    I’m convinced that Robert has compromising pictures of Paul or is holding something else over his head. Paul slaps his hand, Robert laughs and doubles down, like he’s daring him to actually remove posts or block him altogether.

    The tone of this blog has changed and I’ve morphed right along with it. This site is not as good as it once was. Many good, solid, regular posters are gone. I think it is because the Master exercises no control. There are no rules. Anything goes. Would you go DKR Stadium every Saturday if you knew there was going to be a riot? If you knew Robert Morrow was going to be sitting next to you?

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    The reality, John Johnson, is this. Some of our highest elected officials – at the very highest at the presidential level, including some form Texas, are criminals and even murderers.

    They beat up people, hire private detectives to terrify political opponents, engage deeply in CIA sponsored drug running, even murder people. So, in other words they don’t “play fair,” aren’t highminded, don’t respect democracy.

    And some of them, and their descendents, are still on the national stage today. And when I talked about them, expose them, I document it with books, sources and web links.

    You can decide for yourself if you think these sources, books and web links are credible.

    There is one that will teach you a lot: google “Chip Tatum Pegasus” and start reading.

    Reply »


  28. Sparky Polastri says:

    Morrow has turned this blog into a joke and Burka has done nothing to stop it. I’ve read this blog long enough to know the following -

    - Morrow lives in a large, expensive house in West Austin, but has no job or visible means of support.
    -Morrow spends a lot of time and money in strip clubs and with hookers.
    -Some say Morrow lives on mommy and daddy’s money.
    -Morrow is a devout Ron Paulian.
    -Morrow beleives LBJ killed JFK, George H.W. Bush is a pedophile, and the Bushes and Clintons push coocaine through the CIA.
    -Morrow lived in his parent’s basement for a period of time.
    -Morrow is very tall and gets in the face of people when he talks to them (much like his hated LBJ.)
    -Burka has let Morrow run wild on the comments section of this blog to the point that many regular readers and commenters are now gone.

    Reply »

    emptyk Reply:

    Don’t know about where he lives,who he dates or how tall he is, but Morrow and a couple of other pathological types have hijacked the blog and Burka needs a moderator.
    Abuse of free speech, like pornography, is hard to define, but it is obvious when you see it.

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    You would do well in China or in a Cambodian re-education camp. “Free speech” is great… unless you don’t like what you hear.

    Reply »


  29. JohnBernardBooks says:

    The purpose of this blog is to give the bored state workers something to do.

    Reply »

    Dan C Reply:

    Which agency did Perry appoint you to?

    Reply »


  30. paulburka says:

    Robert: NO MORE POSTS ON THE JFK ASSASSINATION. THE NEXT ONE WILL BE YOUR LAST.

    Reply »

    John Johnson Reply:

    But Perry, the Bush’s and others are still open game? Seems a bit strange that only goofy, unproven statements about JFK will not be permitted. How about allowing posts citing pertinent historical data and outlawing all rumor, hearsay and innuendo that is not related to the thread? If you don’t have the time, hire Eileen Smith back and let her audit for you and do her own thing again.

    Reply »


  31. Robert Morrow says:

    They scream. They shout. They holler. They lay on the ground as their bodies start flopping & twitching; their heads fly around in circles like Linda Blair in the Exorcist as they projectile vomit.

    All because I expose some incredibly ugly & damaging information about our highest – and I do mean highest, such as presidential – figures.

    Jeb Bush is (unfortunately) a presidential contender in 2016. Are we supposed to just ignore what he was doing in Iran-contra, no matter how well documented it is from various intelligence related sources?

    His son, George P. Bush, is in the on-deck circle for Texas elective office. Are we supposed to just ignore the track record of his family; pretend it all does not exist?

    If you notice, I document what I say. Am I not allowed to express an opinion on a political blog?? You people can’t handle “opinions” in a democracy?

    I think Burka is far, far too protective of the Bushes. There is a lot of dirt of them that needs to be exposed. In fact it has been exposed, are we supposed to just stick our head in paper sacks & ignore it?

    Pete Brewton, a former Texas journalist for the Houston Chronicle, wrote a book called “The Mafia, CIA and George Bush” in 1992. Brewton is now a professor in west Texas.

    Now why do you think Pete Brewton put all those words together in one little bunch: Bushes, CIA & Mafia? Because when Pete Brewton, who spent years investigating the S&L (crime) crisis he found the Bushes, the CIA and the mafia all over it and all intertwined.

    Over and over and over again Brewton documents these connections: Bushes, CIA and mafia. This book is a classic on the intertwining of Texas politics and the mafia.

    On pp. 207-208 it also goes over the testimony of CIA pilot Heinrich Rupp who flew Reagan campaign members over to Paris to make a dirty deal with the Iranians not to release the hostages in 1980.

    In 2009, Adm. Bobby Ray Inman confirmed to me in an interview that he had “no doubt” that Reagan campaign had done such a deal. Inman, the #2 at CIA under Reagan, was very open about this and he fingered William Casey while letting GHW Bush off the hook for this.

    I remember when David Armstrong, formerly of the Texas Observor and the Daily Texan, was running those Heinrich Rupp/Richard Brenneke articles in the 1988-1990 time period. I was reading them when I was in grad school.

    And that is just the tip of the iceberg of what GHW Bush, Jeb Bush (and probably GWB) have been up to. For decades.

    Ross Perot hated old man Bush. And that is why he ran in 1992, just to sink GHW Bush for many of the things I talk about. Ross Perot was completely aware of the CIA drug running of the 1980′s and GHW Bush’s involvment in this. (Too bad Clinton was too).

    So we can’t talk about this? An important chunk of modern American history is verboten because some people like JJ scream & holler? Cry like little babies? Don’t want to hear the truth?

    My reply to all you people who are having your little hysterical, unhinged little fits is: read “The Mafia, CIA and George Bush” by Pete Brewton (1992). I have it right next to my keyboard as I type.

    The front cover of the book reads “The book Simon & Schuster signed up but wouldn’t publish!” Then it says “The Mafia, CIA & George Bush” with subtitles “Corruption, greed and abuse of power in the nation’s highest office: The untold story of America’s Greatest Financial Debacle”

    Then it goes on for 418 pages documenting this to the hilt. Here is the web link where you can buy it for $5 off Amazon:

    http://www.amazon.com/The-Mafia-CIA-George-Bush/dp/1561712035/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347548817&sr=8-1&keywords=bush+cia+mafia

    Reply »

    Spiro Eagleton Reply:

    Burka, it’s probably time you exercised some control over your blog and deal with Mr. Morrow’s continued hijacking of it. Thank you.

    Reply »


  32. Evan Smith's Manhood Coach says:

    Amen to that sparky & emptyk’s comments. I know Burka had been reluctant to get people to register and regulate comments but Morrow has run off good people from this blog who had great things to say and question.

    Please Burka take back control of your Blog’s comments. Morrow has made you a laughing stock.

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    You folks do realize you can scroll past his comments, right?

    Reply »


  33. Robert Morrow says:

    Yet another vote for censorship over the free exchange of ideas. “Evan Smith’s Manhood Coach” -

    Question, if you are such a “manhood” coach then why don’t you post under your real name? What kind of “manhood” is that. In fact, I am one of the very *few* people on Burkablog who does post under his real name.

    That means I attached my name to my comments and take responsibity for them. Unlike you, for example… and sparky & emptyk & John Johnson (I assume with a name like that).

    One reason Burka allows his blog to be 95% anonymous comments is because it allows politicos to “speak their mind” and drop some information that they would otherwise have to not say.

    I support that – even though the vast majority of you posters are cowards who are afraid to stand up for what you think. Unlike me.

    Reply »


  34. Anonymous says:

    Tick, toc. Tic, toc.

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    Yep – yet another *anonymous* vote for censorship…

    Have about a vote for putting your *names* on your posts?

    Reply »

    Anonymous Reply:

    Tic toc. Tic toc.

    Reply »

    Spiro Eagleton Reply:

    Morrow, it’s NOT YOUR BLOG! It belongs to Burka and Texas Monthly. This has nothing to do with your 1st Amendement rights. I would have thought as a libertarian that you of all people would understand that the 1st Amendment is about government not controlling free speech. There is no such protection in someone else’s private property, as this blog happens to be.

    Reply »

    Tom Barry Reply:

    What Spiro said +++++


  35. Robert Morrow says:

    Correct. There is no right to free speech on someone else’s blog. I understand that.

    I also understand ITS’S NOT YOUR BLOG EITHER!

    So, yet, like a little fascist, who disagrees with someone else’s opinion, namely mine, you want to shut it up and wipe it. I.e. “censor” it. Not debate the facts and opinions that I offer, but censor and I think that is pretty pathetic of you.

    Like many other anonymous cowards who post all sorts of ridiculous stuff on Burkablog – such as the anonymous folks who were posting Julian Castro’s mom met her husband at a truck stop.

    Unlike many/most of the other posters here who regularly expell their methanous opinions, I often posts books, weblinks and cite documentation for practically everything I say. And the response from the shrieking *anonymous* – key word there anonymous Spiro Eagleton – crowd are unhinged demands for censorship.

    Maybe the problem isn’t that I have controversial opinions (which I document to the hilt), but that anonymous cowards, including anonymous fascist libertarians, are allowed to post on Burka blog.

    It would be a whole new world at Burka blog if everyone had to have a confirmed identity in order to post here.

    Reply »


  36. John Johnson says:

    I used my real name since day one, except when I want to post something real snarky, and I admit to doing that on occasion.

    People used to come here to post a comment on the thread’s subject and slight variations thereof. When Paul’s new threads grew further and further apart, the door was left wide open for “anything goes” and you came upon the scene with your slanderous, “he said, she said” b.s. It has not been the same since.

    You have a right to say what you want to. Thus far, Paul has given you the OK to do so to the dismay of a great many – who have rights, too. They can choose to blog elsewhere, like some, or they can hang in here hoping that Paul will man up and block your access …like most sites do those dealing in offensive, slanderous personal attacks.

    What I have suggested several times is that you start your own blog for people who share your same interests. Here’s a hint…there aren’t any to be found here.

    Reply »


  37. CloakRoomHooker says:

    I gave it to Robert Morrow up the ass with a strap on in the double tree hotel last week.

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    I loved it! We had to use a strap on because you were too coked up. I like the part where you were saying “Have you ever been fucked by a governor of Texas before?!!” as you slapped my ass and said “Yee Haw, I gonna be the Governor of the United States, too! Yee Haw, praise Jesus, Yee haw, Praise Jesus!”

    Reply »


  38. Richard Nelson says:

    Robert Morrow I thought all the real men in texas died at the Alamo.Don’t let them think you know too much,Their sheets are waiting to be picked up at the laundry.

    Reply »


  39. JohnBernardBooks says:

    Robert you stand up for your rights. Liberals believe free speech only runs one way.

    Reply »

    Bernie Reply:

    You, sir, are a prime example of your party and its thinking.

    Reply »


  40. GOP Realist says:

    Robert Morrow is a paranoid, delusional, joke that no one actually trusts or believes and is in reality of no consequence to Texas or politics.

    Let him continue to rant. Best thing about free speech is that it allows you to easily identify the nutballs like Morrow.

    He does clutter the blog a little too much, though.

    Reply »

    John Johnson Reply:

    Sorry. I disagree. Say this was a think tank club at a university. It became very popular, but one individual joined and began defecating in the middle of the room every time he arrived and would then began spouting his views on the mating habits of the common housefly, totally ignoring the pleas of others to clean up his act and get back on topic. The professor who set up the club was usually a no show and when he was there did nothing but direct weak warnings toward the culprit who totally ignored him. Members grew weary, not only with the oddball but also with the enabling professor who many perceived as being intimidated by him. The number of participants shrunk rapidly and the remaining group resembled a required study hall rather than an optional gathering of thoughtful people.

    Reply »

    Robert Morrow Reply:

    The bottom line, JJ, is you just don’t like what I say and you don’t respect free speech rights, although it is a privately owned blog where there are no free speech rights.

    Well, I don’t like what you say either, especially your Cambodian re-education camp mentality with respect to free speech.

    I don’t like your squishy moderate, establishment politics, but I am not calling for Dewhurst /Wendy Davis moderates to be banned from posting.

    One thing that would be interesting is the number page views that Burka blog gets; I can almost guarantee it is higher when I am posting.

    Another thing – if you really want to kill a blog, then start banning/wiping out people who have minority or “controversial” ideas. I’ve seen that happen a lot on FB when someone goes on an ideological jihad, blocks/bans the other side, then suddenly there really is no one left except a tiny “amen” chorus.

    Reply »

    John Johnson Reply:

    You are not allowed to yell the F word in the middle of a court room, or a city council meeting. You are not allowed to ramble incessantly at a townhall meeting about off topic issues. That’s what you do.

    Your posts on your political views and prognostications are interesting and insightful; your rants about seedy, controversial, off topic subjects are both offensive and unwelcome.

    You want everyone to be just as interested in rumor, innuendo and filth as you are. I gather from the number of people who have gone missing, and the ones who have stayed and commented, that most aren’t. You just can’t seem to understand this….so….just like a Sargent at Arms would do in congressional chambers or a police officer in a court room, Paul should be escorting you out.


  41. Bernie says:

    That is the scariest list of out of touch do0-nothings in the hisory of American politics.

    Reply »


  42. Justin Williams says:

    I was hoping that this discussion would be about Texas politics, now it is just childisg rants from a grown man.

    Reply »


  43. Tarry House says:

    The Politico list neglects to mention VIrginia governor Bob McDonnell as a 2016 R candidate. Keep an eye on him, presidential timbre for sure. Romney will surely lose, great that we Rs have great bench for 2016.

    Reply »

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