Don't Call It a Comeback....

Here's the Readout for today. I'll have more on this Palin/LL Cool J/Fox News story as it develops. Also, the White House is expanding its kitchen garden today...I still think there's something a little fishy about all those veggies...

Sarah Palin Meets LL Cool J (Seriously...)

Set your TiVo to record this tomorrow. On Thursday, April 1st, former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin will take her first stab at hosting when Fox News Premieres its Real American Stories series. Guests for the program include country singer Toby Keith, former GE Chariman and CEO, Jack Welch, and rapper/actor LL Cool J. This is NOT an April Fool’s Joke. Mediaite’s blogging, “The show will “focus on a range of stories including a Marine Medal of Honor recipient who gave his live to save his comrades.” But also there will be the celebrity guests – a very broad range of celebrity guests. Airing in place of On The Record with Greta Van Susteren, the prime time spot ensures a large audience. And depending on just how large, we could see a lot more of Palin hosting on Fox News.”

But LL is NOT happy with Fox News and the Gov."Fox lifted an old interview I gave in 2008 to someone else & are misrepresenting to the public in order to promote Sarah Palins Show. WOW," he tweeted. That's pretty lame. Fox was billing the 'celebrity guest' portion as either being LIVE or recently recorded--not old stock footage.

In the promo segment, LL says, "My family is very pro-American. My grandfather used to sit me in his lap, and we would watch all of the old World War II shows that used to come on, back in the day. I'm totally on it, totally into it, and I love it. My grandfather, even after we said grace, he would say, 'Chow!'" Don't mess with LL...Mama Said Knock You Out Roger Ailes!

This show is not to be missed. I will have all the updates and post-mortem on The Readout and LIVE on POTUS.

Or maybe it will sound something like this...

Gen. David Petraeus: You Can Call Him "Peaches"

Vanity Fair's May issue features a profile of U.S. General David Petraeus. They chronicle his early life, as an uncool kid who was a "decent pitcher" in Little League, to his high school time where kids called him "Peaches," all the way to his position today--the head of U.S. Central Command. But the biggest news to come out of the piece? General David Petraues is not running for President. During the photo shoot for the profile, the General thought he’d clear up any speculation around that issue. This is disappointing since I think we had the perfect campaign song for him:

Sarkozy's Fast Food Fondness

Americans are fascinated by food—which is quite noticeable when you look at our waistlines. We want to know who is eating what, when, where (and where I can get the same food for a better price). We even want to know what’s on the President’s daily menu. MSNBC’s “Daily Rundown” dutifully points out the White House soup of the day, everyday. But coming from the country that invented the fried Twinke, funnel cakes, and Turducken, it’s not surprise that Americans enjoy some good old “traditional” American fare.

Our European counterparts seem more accustomed to enjoying and savoring their food, but French President Nicholas Sarkozy enjoys a good burger as much as any (as Sarah Palin would put it) true blue American. On Tuesday, prior to stopping by the White House, President Sarkozy and his supermodel wife, Carla Bruni, stopped by DC’s very own Ben’s Chili Bowl for some half smokes and chili burgers. They were scheduled to have a private dinner at the White House with President Obama, but that didn’t stop the French couple from indulging in a quick, chili-covered lunch.

When Sarkozy came to the US in 2007 to discuss the Iraq war, President Bush buried the hatchet with some grilling at the Bush family estate. And the menu, for Kennebunkport, Maine lunch did not include “freedom fries.” "We're going to give him a hamburger or a hot dog, his choice,"President Bush said.

"Do you think he's bringing cheese?" Mr. Bush was asked.

"I think he's bringing goodwill," the President replied.

Perhaps burgers and dogs are simply a good way to express diplomacy? Maybe he was just trying to be polite. Or perhaps much like Former Preisdent Clinton, President Sarkozy’s got a weak spot for les pommes frites et le hamburger. The UK’s Times of London claims Sarkozy also has a penchant for chocolate.

And while his wife tried to impose her diet on the President to no avail, Carla Bruni is not without her own vices. “Carla is une bonne vivante. She loves beer. She smokes. She likes good food. But she obviously has an irreproachable constitution,” says her trainer Julie Imperiali. Carla Bruni is credited with bringing fitness to Sarko—who works out with Imperiali five or six times a week.

UPDATE: Yeas and Nays reports the Sarkozy's asked for seconds at Ben's. I guess they really enjoyed those half smokes.

Michael Steele Makes It Rain

The video mashup was inevitable, but thanks to KatieHalper for actually taking the time to mix the clips. If you haven't heard about the RNC spending donor money at a bondage-themed S&M club in West Hollywood, read more here. If you're already familiar with the story, enjoy the video:

*Warning: For those of you who aren't aware, this song is about strippers...

C-Span Callers Gone Wild

We here at POTUS are partners with C-Span and as much as I respect them as an unbiased news organization, they get prank called all the time. This caller sounds identical to someone who called in this past April, hysterical that his prayers might have accidentally killed Sen. Jim Inhofe. The man also sounds idential to someone who called in asking New York Times columnist David Brooks to help bring down Obama. I'm starting a fund to get C-Span caller ID...or at least *69!!

Levi Johnston's Alaska

Anything Sarah can do, Levi can do better?

via Radar Online:
Levi Johnston is shopping his new TV show in an RV, RadarOnline.com has learned exclusively.

The man/child who nearly made it to the White House as the unwed Baby Daddy of the Vice President’s daughter is bringing his unique style to Hollywood, trying to sell his TV show by pulling up to meetings with cable networks in an RV/Party bus.
Stunt or just keeping it real, you decide.
But either way Levi has meetings scheduled for Monday and is pitching an Alaska-based reality show. A source close to the situation tells RadarOnline.com the show is currently titled Levin Johnston’s Last Frontier and will show him riding on pimped out snow machines with jet fuel in them.”
Jet fuel? That sounds like something Sarah Palin might want to sneak into the gas tank considering Levi’s confrontational approach to the former Alaska governor plus the fact that he’s behind on child support to Sarah’s daughter Bristol.
But if Levi sells this show he could pay his child support bills and more. The show will also feature Levi hunting, hanging with his pals and is described by one source as “sort of an Entourage on ice.”
Sarah has sold her own reality show and Levi told RadarOnline.com this weekend that his show will be far better.
His pitch to cable networks will include positioning Levi as “one of the world’s most famous teenagers” and will show parts of his life including “business opportunities, strange offers, appearances and…lots and lots of women.”

The best part of this story? The fact that Johnston's shopping around his show in an RV/party bus...party on Levi, party on...

Obama's Basketball Challenge

Somewhere Sen. Scott Brown is sulking that's he's become that kid who's always picked last for the team...

We're going to see the President hoop it up with the CBS Early Show later this week. The Prez is taking on Early Show host Harry Smith and CBS hoops analyst Clark Kellog on the White House blacktop:

This Thursday, CBS "Early Show" co-anchor Harry Smith will go one-on-one with Pres. Barack Obama in a court-side interview. Then, Smith and his CBS Sports colleague NCAA basketball analyst Clark Kellogg will shoot hoops with Obama on the White House basketball court.

Smith's interview and clips from the game will air on The Early Show Friday. Kellogg's interview with the President, and the game, will air Saturday afternoon and evening during CBS's coverage of the Final Four.

CBS' is the second network news interview Pres. Obama will do this week. He's talking to NBC's Matt Lauer for an interview that will air Tuesday morning on "Today."

Perhaps Sen. Scott Brown can be the President's number two on the court. I doubt that though--Sen. Brown voted against the President's health care legislation.

Today's Readout

Today's segment made me realize that I watch ENTIRELY too much televison and with Sarah Palin's Alaska documentary, President Obama's upcoming basketball game, and Levi Johnston's proposed reality show, it's only going to get worse from here...

Build a Turtle Fence!

The Gregory Brothers and Auto-Tune the News is back with #10!

More Fun with the VP's F-Bomb

Because I can't get enough of the Vice President's gaffe-tastic slip up on Tuesday, here's Jimmy Fallon's "School House Rock" version of the BFD.

Yes We Can vs. Hell No!

Life After People (and the White House)

The First Dog Bo Obama, is a star in his own right but the History Channel recently explored what would happen if Bo was left to his own devices in the White House. History’s “Life After People” is a show that explores what would happen to the world’s bridges, buildings, and yes dogs, after people cease to exist. In an episode that aired earlier this month, the show examined what would happen to the White House if everyone suddenly disappeared and what would happen to the first pet. But not to worry, the writers painted a pretty rosy life for Bo post-Obama. They say, “he starts clamming on the Chesapeake Bay and living on seafood. I can’t give it all away – you’ll have to tune in to find out.”

Big F***ing Deal

Michelle Obama on the Simpsons

If instead of watching the debate in the House on Sunday you opted to watch a new episode of the Simpson’s you still weren’t able to completely escape politics. A cartoon character of First Lady, Michelle Obama dropped by Springfield Elementary school to give Lisa a pep talk in the episode. The Huffington Post is blogging, “Obama made a dramatic entrance at Springfield Elementary, much to the delight of male characters Nelson Muntz and Groundskeeper Willie. But she was there to give an inspirational speech to Lisa, who had been ostracized for being a high achiever.” The FLOTUS cameo was voiced by actress Angela Bassett.

Rahm meets Samberg

White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel had a special guest drop by the White House yesterday. SNL cast member (and Rahm impersonator) Andy Samberg got a tour of the West Wing. Asked whether Samberg would have a face to face with Emanuel, a White House aide said he didn’t know with whom the funnyman would be meeting. Columnist Maureen Dowd saw Samberg dining at Blue Duck Tavern over the weekend and helped arrange the visit. The Daily Caller’s blogging, “We can’t think of any reason why he would come to the White House just hours after Democrats passed the health-care bill, unless, of course, Rahm Emanuel is finally relaxed enough to see Samberg’s impression of him up close.

Buzz Lightyear, Dancing with the Stars

Season ten of “Dancing With the Stars” kicked off last night. Last season we watched former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay shimmy and shake, but this season it’s space legend Buzz Aldrin that I’ll be watching. Speakeasy’s blogging, “[He] was so goofily endearing that no one seemed to mind his 14/30 score — or the fact that most of his routine consisted of him just standing while his partner orbited him.” After watching the performance last night, I’m not sure how long his dancing skills will keep him in the competition, but judging from the applause he got, he’s an early fan favorite.

MTV Shows

Pete on the Street

I'm very happy to announce POTUS host Pete Dominick 's CNN segment, "Pete on the Street," debuted last night on "John King, USA." For those of you who missed it, check out his segment on social media.

Today's Readout

Sen. Scott Brown isn’t letting up on that two-on-two basketball challenge he issued to President Obama.As yet another reminder, Brown sent Obama a basketball signed by the Boston College women’s team — on which the senator’s daughter Ayla plays. Obama has yet to accept the challenge. Also, Anderson Cooper was on Jeopardy last night...and it was brutal.

Your Daily Dose of Fine Literary News

Hustler publisher Larry Flynt is teaming up with Columbia University’s David Eisenback to write about book about presidential hanky-panky. “One Nation Under Sex: How the Private Lives of Presidents and First Ladies Shaped America,” is due out in 2011 from Palgrave books. “It’s not just a book about who slept with whom,” says Flynt’s agent, Andrew Stuart. “It’s a much larger and sweeping account of how the sex lives of American presidents have had a tangible effect on American policy and history.”

The race for the top spot on Amazon’s best-selling non-fiction book list just got dirty. Authors of the book, Rework , were thrilled, but not satisfied, that their book is currently in the #4 spot on the list. So, in brainstorming ways to publicize their irreverent career guide, they turned to the author of the book above them on the list and asked themselves, “What would Karl Rove do?” Create an attack ad against the book of course. Can you still call it swiftboating if you’re talking about a book?

Irony: Hunter, Edwards Contemplate the Void

The couple was spotted on Wednesday in NYC

Via Gawker:

John Edwards and Rielle Hunter on line, appropriately enough, for Contemplating the Void at the Guggenheim at around 1pm today. They looked sporty and well-matched. Nobody seemed to be noticing them.

This sighting backs up the spine-shivering Enquirer report that Edwards proposed to Hunter. But FYI, the whole "nobody noticing them" thing was the new Tino Sehgal performance art piece. It's called What We Wish Would Happen Regarding John Edwards and Rielle Hunter In Real Life.

Tea Party Madness

Via AJC and the Colombus Dispatch:

Health care debate brings out the best in America … or not

Demonstrators on both sides of the health care debate gathered Tuesday outside the district office of U.S. Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy, a Democrat from Ohio. The video below was shot by the Columbus Dispatch. Kilroy initially voted in favor of the bill, but has not yet taken a position regarding the Senate version.

Pay particular attention to the part beginning at .53 minutes. The sign held by the older man on the ground reads “Got Parkinson’s? I do and you might. Thanks for your help.”

Obama's 2010 Bracket

Today's Readout

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! Here's today's Readout (a little early, I know). We start off our segment with a wee bit of a man making a lot of BIG news today.

Carl the Barber

Last week, in the midst of the Massa media blitz, Florida Governor and Senate candidate Charlie Crist took to the airwaves to criticize his primary opponent, Marco Rubio for his frivolous spending on haircuts and possibly back waxing? The St. Petersburg Times’ Adam Smith recently went to visit Crist’s barber, Carl Troupe. He writes, “There's a new sign on the wall: "Back Waxes $130. Three blocks south." Troupe said other customers worried he had hiked his price after reading about Charlie Crist boasting about his $11 hair cut. Nope. It's still $10, and Crist gives one dollar tip. "So people are giving me $12 and saying, "I tip more than the governor," " laughed Troupe.

March Madness at the White House

According to President Obama’s bracket, there’s a 50 percent chance the national champion will come from Kansas. He has Kansas and Kansas State, along with Kentucky and Villanova, in his men’s Final Four. For the second year, Obama filled out a bracket on ESPN. The segment was taped Tuesday at the White House on Tuesday. We'll find out later this morning who his winning pick is. Last year, the President was spot on when he picked North Carolina to go all the way.

For the first time, Obama filled out a women’s bracket. His women’s Final Four: Connecticut, Notre Dame, Stanford and Tennessee.

Rielle has Regrets

If you listened to the Morning Briefing yesterday, you would have heard Tim Farley mention that John Edward’s mistress, Rielle Hunter, spoke to GQ about her affair with the then presidential hopeful. Apparently Ms. Hunter is now having regrets—not about the article, but the photos that went along with it. According to Barbara Walters, who said she got a call from Hunter on Monday, she cried for two hours after she saw them and thought they were "repulsive." Walters went on to explain, "She said she trusted Mark Seliger, whom she said is a brilliant photographer and she went with the flow." Of all the photos Seliger took, Hunter told Walters she never imagined GQ would run more than, say, one sexy one. And as with every photoshoot GQ does, there’s a behind the scenes video to top it off.

UPDATE: It seems as if GQ has now taken down the video of the photoshoot.

"Too Big to Fail" The Movie

There’s been talk on the internet that HBO is going to make a movie out of Andrew Ross Sorkin's book "Too Big to Fail." So the Reliable Source has started compiling their dream cast and I must say, it’s not half bad. First up, Fed Chair Ben Bernanke. The Post suggests actor Stanley Tucci. They write, “No idea if the Oscar nominee is actually in line to play Ben Bernanke -- just our helpful suggestion." Some other casting ideas for the Washington roles include Ed Harris as Hank Paulson, Lyle Lovett as Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, and John Ratzenberger (aka Cliff Clavin) as Senator Chris Dodd. The Reliable Source says yes they will get him a proper hairpiece to play the chairman of the Senate Banking Committee.

This casting selection is my favorite...by far...

Rep. Barney Frank as portrayed by Mike Myers

Heidi Montag is Concerned About your Credit Card Rates

The latest video from Funny or Die takes the crusade for a Consumer Financial Protection Agency to a whole new, level. Last week, the comedy site debuted a web video that quickly went viral; featuring a reunion of the past and present Presidents from Saturday Night Live. Somehow director Ron Howard, also behind the presidential reunion, convinced MTV reality star Heidi Montag to make a video using her own plastic surgery as a metaphor for the trap of credit cards on the average consumer. After going on about the ills of fame and credit-card debt, she hops in the tub and urges viewers to call their Senators. I guess Ron Howard is hoping legislators laugh their way to a consumer protection agency.

There's a special thanks to Congressional Oversight Panel Chair, Elizabeth Warren, who inspired Howard to start with the videos.

Heidi Montag Says No to Plastic from Heidi Montag

Today's Readout

In today's Readout: My favorite former Governor competing for charity. I mean, the man really is just like Gandhi. And that new Carly Fiorina ad where Sen. Boxer's head swells to the size of a zeppelin...(I think I like the demon sheep better).

Rod Blagojevich: Celebrity Apprentice

Last night was the premiere episode of the Celebrity Apprentice and former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich made his triumphant return to television(?). (The guy's been all over the place for random comments he's made over the past few months). The first episode broke the celebrity contestants into two teams—men versus women. The Gov was paired up with Poison lead singer Brett Michaels, wrestler Bill Goldberg, comedian Sinbad, and a few others. The task? To open a diner in the middle of Manhattan. For the most part, everyone got their hands dirty even Blagojevich, who served as sous chef and waiter.

They probably should have had him wear a hair net instead of that little diner hat. I can't stand finding hair in my food.

Kaus For Senate

Since we’re on the subject of the race for Senator Barbara Boxer’s seat, Slate's political blogger Mickey Kaus has officially thrown his hat in the ring. He took to his blog and HuffPo to explain his decision to run. He writes, “I have no special beef with the incumbent, Senator Boxer. She is a state-of-the-art Democrat. But to be "state-of-the-art" in our party is not such a good thing anymore. I am a lifelong Democrat. But on those issues, and others, what has become the party's dogma--what you have to say and think if you want to run for office as an anointed Democrat--no longer passes the test of common sense.” But the big question remains. Will the Venice based blogger be able to continue blogging for Slate as a candidate? I'm guessing not.

From the Campaign that Brought You "Demon Sheep"

May I present to you the Boxer Blimp!

Senate candidate Carly Fiorina has finally released a follow up to her strange, but viral Demon Sheep web video. Ben Smith over at Politico's blogging, “Undaunted — actually, it seems, encouraged — by the mockery and attention that greeted their strange attack on Tom Campbell as an evil sheep, Carly Fiorina's Senate campaign is releasing an 8-minute Hindenburg of an attack on Barbara Boxer, whom the Republican nominee will face in November.” The ad shows Senator Boxer morphing into a blimp, destroying the Capitol dome, and looming over the Los Angeles skyline. Not quite as entertaining as the original Demon Sheep ad, but still funny.

Your New President

Welcome to the White House Mr. Carter

















Pics from Jay-Z, Beyonce, and Trey Songz from their visit to the White House earlier this week.

A Presidential Reunion

I'd like to know how much it cost to make this video...

Funny or Die's Presidential Reunion from Will Ferrell

Palin vs Romney: Who Was Funnier?

Readout Blind Item

via BlindGossip – Party crashers aren’t the only ones creating stress at the White House. A certain celebrity was scheduled to attend a function at the White House, but ran into a snafu when a standard security check was performed on her. It turns out that the age on her driver’s license didn’t match up to the background check. She gave them a big song and a dance about how the mix up occurred, but eventually had to admit her real age in order to gain admission for future events. We don’t know which made her actor husband more upset: the fact that she was singled out for a mild interrogation, or that fact that his wife has lied to him all along about her age. While she is unquestionably beautiful, she is quite a few years older than he thought she was.

You Down with OTP?

During the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), I talked about conservative rapper Hi Caliber and wondered if there was anyone else in the conservative rap game. Well, it looks like this thing is catching on because now there’s a new group and a new video on the web calling President Obama an OTP or One Term President. The group is called the Wolverines and frontman, Molotov Mitchell, is a writer for World Net Daily. Other members of the group include the MZA, Constitution Kate, and DJ Dolce.

And it’s more than just a song, they have a website. They write, “Our goal is OTP bumper stickers on cars across the country. If you see one, tap on your horn, wave or give them a thumbs up! Help make this the symbol of discontent in the United States.”

I had to post this video because it's just so fantastically awful! Please watch the whole thing:

Today's Readout

In case you missed my segment with Louise Schiavone, here it is!

I Am Spartacus

A few weeks ago, the blogs reported that former President Bill Clinton and democratic strategist James Carville were heading a hush-hush effort to counteract the Tea Party Movement. Andrew Brietbart’s blogging “Big Government has learned that Clintonistas are plotting a 'push/pull' strategy. They plan to identify 7-8 national figures active in the tea party movement and engage in deep opposition research on them. If possible, they will identify one or two they can perhaps ‘turn’, either with money or threats, to create a mole in the movement.” Well that might be easier said than done now. A number of videos of people claiming to be the party’s leader have popped up on the web site, I Am the Tea Party Leader. The Tea Party Patriots have created the web site, encouraging more people to make these videos and share them on the internet.

For those of you unfamiliar with the reference (like me)

Dancing with the Stars (and Galaxies)

If you weren’t watching ABC's "The Bachelor" last night, you probably missed the lineup for Season 10 of "Dancing with the Stars." (Gasp! Horror!) It’s a pretty standard collection of B-list celebrities: Nicole Scherzinger, Pamela Anderson, Sharon Doherty, Kate Gosselin. And NO Tom DeLay will not reprise his role as a two-steppin’ Texan. However, there was one guest that caught my attention--80 year old astronaut moonwalker Col. Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin. Apparently, rumors circulated that Aldrin was to be joined by fellow astronaut Neil Armstrong—but that proved to be untrue. Aldrin did an interview with Zap2It:

"Living on Air Force retirement and Social Security, I'm forced to go out and sing for my supper quite a bit," Aldrin admits in explaining his "Dancing" decision to Zap2it. "Most of the astronauts are in the business of marketing memorabilia and autographs. It's not like a football player being paid millions and millions, and it's a shame that somebody who has gone to the moon has to do that."

I may end up watching this season for just this reason.

Desiree Speaks

Of course she would do an interview now that she's stepping aside as Social Secretary. I'm a bit disappointed that Ms. Rogers still doesn't take the blame and instead defers (heavily) to the Secret Service:

Rogers said she didn't know anything about the gate-crashers -- who she said left before dinner -- until the next day.

"It was brought to my attention the next morning when the Secret Service came to my office to apologize, and I said, 'What are you guys talking about?'" she said. "They knew immediately who the woman (Michaele Salahi) was."

The full article's here

Because Oil's Always Political

"Drill for that Grill!"

via Business Insider:

Cash Money Records co-founders, Birdman and Ronald "Slim" Williams are trying their hands in another business venture outside the music world. They're now expanding their portfolios into the oil business.

The New Orleans-bred brothers have launched an independent oil and gas company called Bronald Oil & Gas.

Via the company's mission station on their website, BronaldOil.com, they say their initial focus is the "exploration, production and development of oil and gas reserves from conventional and unconventional formations."

Bronald, a combination of the brother's first names, say they have begun the process of acquiring leases "covering areas with historical production and the opportunity for re-entry drilling as well as new drilling opportunities."

Readout Blind Item

I'm categorizing this as a blind item because I can't verify the the truthiness of this story (aka I don't want to get myself in trouble).

Blind Gossip – Which members of Congress make regular, secret visits to Cuba as guests of Fidel Castro, flying in from nearby islands? Their passports aren’t stamped, so no one’s the wiser...

Today on the Press Pool...

Louise Schiavone jumps into the pool for Joe Mathieu today. If you haven't already, check her out on POTUS and right here at the Readout!

Dialing...

Did President Obama offer Tiger Woods advice?

The January cover of Golf Digest featuring a picture of President Obama and Tiger Woods with the caption "10 Things Tiger Could Teach Obama" was lousy timing to say the least. But according to Mediaite, now the magazine thinks it’s on to something--suggesting that the president called Tiger during the blizzard of bad press to offer words of encouragement? They write, “According to the April edition of GD, both Barack Obama and former president Bill Clinton called Tiger to offer reassurance and guidance. Is it true? The POTUS camp says no, according to ABC’s Jake Tapper via Twitter, although the wording in the article is vague enough to imply that the President’s camp made the phone call, but did not speak to Tiger directly. The Golf Digest passage read, “President Obama also made a personal call to offer encouragement. So did Bill Clinton, whose experience might be particularly instructive.”

The Real World: House of Representatives

"The Real World" may have finally come to DC with its most recent season, but now a Real World veteran is hoping to make it to the Nation's Capital. MTV Real World alum, Sean Duffy, is looking to throw his hat into the Congressional ring. A member of the ’97 Real World Boston cast, Duffy is running for office in Wisconsin’s 7th District again Congressman David Obey. Politics Daily is blogging, “under normal circumstances, 37-year-old Duffy wouldn't have much of a chance. But in the post-Scott Brown world, conservatives are allowing themselves to think that in 2010, virtually anything is possible." Duffy also has gotten the Sarah Palin stamp of approval. Duffy is the district attorney for Ashland County, where he has been elected four times. He's also a lumberjack and a three-time 90-foot speed climb champion, an accomplished log-roller and ESPN commentator.Rep. Obey may want to think about learning how to roll some logs if he's going to compete.

Coffee Anyone?

Welcome to the Coffee Party:

If you haven’t heard, there’s a movement growing online meant to be the answer to the Tea Party Movement. Welcome to the Coffee Party—yes, I’m being serious. So how did this coffee party begin? Facebook of course. Annabel Park boiled down her frustrations with the government and tea party activism into a status update, which turned into a fan page with upwards of 38,000 Facebook fans (as of 12:15pm 3/1). The Washington Post says, “The ideas aren't exactly fresh -- Tea Party chapters view themselves as civil, inclusive and fueled by collective will -- but the Coffee Party is percolating in at least 30 states.” The Atlantic says the group is touting a pro-federal government, anti-obstructionist platform and “The Coffee Party doesn't just think Tea Partiers are unhelpful. The party thinks they're a threat to the democratic process.” Let the beverage war begin.