The Hollywood Liberal

Conservative Pundits Reject Gingrich
Since Newt Gingrich leaped to the lead in many Republican presidential state polls, the nation’s most prominent right-leaning commentators have rendered a swift and caustic judgment against the former Speaker of the House. Gingrich “embodies almost everything disagreeable about modern Washington,” said George Will, who joined David Brooks, Ramesh Ponnaru, Charles Krauthammer and Peggy Noonan in warning against his nomination.

Late Late Night FDL: Jingle Bells
Andrea Bocelli and The Muppets — Jingle Bells.

Andrea Bocelli and The Muppets — Jingle Bells.

Grab your popcorn, put your feet up on the coffee table, and try to keep the spitballs off the screen please. This is Late Late Night FireDogLake, where off topic is the topic … so dive in. What’s on your mind?

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‘Left, Right & Center’: Europe Kicks the Can
This week, at a Brussels economic summit described as “make or break,” European leaders came together but drew the line at uniting. Meanwhile, back on this side of the Atlantic, conservatives mull Newt Gingrich’s presidential prospects and President Obama speechifies.

This week, at a Brussels economic summit described as “make or break,” European leaders came together but drew the line at uniting. Meanwhile, back on this side of the Atlantic, conservatives mull Newt Gingrich’s presidential prospects and President Obama speechifies.

Related Entries

• December 9, 2011 Britain Stands Alone After EU Veto
• December 9, 2011 Where Were You When They Crucified My Lord?

New European Treaty Won’t Solve Immediate Crisis
The agreement European leaders reached Thursday night was taken by some as a sign that the eurozone would avoid breakup. Not so fast. Economists, political…

Santorum Concerned Gay Marriage Will Be Taught In Schools
Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum said he is concerned about legalized gay marriage spilling over into lessons in the classroom, during a campaign stop in…

Chris Weigant: Friday Talking Points — The White Knight Is Talking Backwards…
Sadly, there was a swarm of Democrats behaving badly this week. There were so many, in fact, that we had to leave out a few minor ones (at the state level).

HUFFPOST FUNDRACE – Super PAC Oops
Oops… The pro-Mitt Romney super PAC accidentally leaked an anti-Newt Gingrich ad onto the web last night. The ad is a brutal take down of…

Fox News Trumpets Rick Perry’s “Dog Whistle” Accusing Obama Of Waging “War On Religion”

Fox News is amplifying a Rick Perry attack ad claiming that President Obama has launched a “war on religion” — a claim that Politico has called “one of the most audible dog whistles so far this cycle about President Obama.”

Perry Ad Accusing Obama Of Waging “War On Religion” Called A “Dog Whistle”

Politico: Perry Ad Has “One Of The Most Audible Dog Whistles So Far This Election Cycle About President Obama.” In an article headlined, “Rick Perry TV ad hits gays, President Obama ‘war on religion,’ “ Politico reported:

Rick Perry’s latest spot in his Iowa ad buy rotation is another faith-based appeal, but one that is openly critical of gay rights and that has one of the most audible dog whistles so far this cycle about President Obama.

In the spot, entitled “Strong,” Perry says, “I’m not ashamed to admit that I’m a Christian, but you don’t need to be in the pew every Sunday to know there’s something wrong in this country when gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school. As president, I’ll end Obama’s war on religion. And I’ll fight against liberal attacks on our religious heritage. Faith made America strong. It can make her strong again.”

The hit on gay rights has become a staple of Perry’s faith pitch, after getting a hard push yesterday, but the comment about Obama’s “war on religion” will rather easily be read as trying underscore the perception among some voters of the president as “different,” and a reminder of the false assertions that the Christian chief executive is really a Muslim. [Politico, 12/7/11]

Fox Helped Amplify Perry’s “Dog Whistle”

Bill O’Reilly: Perry “Hail Mary” Was “A Smart Move.” Bill O’Relly claimed that Perry was “turning to his Christianity” with the ad, calling the ad “emotional” and “a Hail Marry pass.” O’Reilly concluded that running the ad was “a smart move.” [Fox News, The O’Reilly Factor, 12/8/11]

Fox’s Hemmer: “Some Would Say” Perry’s Ad Is “Powerful.” During an interview with Perry on America’s Newsroom, host Bill Hemmer said: “You’re on the air already with a, some would say, a powerful ad that goes toward what you consider liberal attacks on religion in America.” [Fox News, America’s Newsroom, 12/8/11]

Tucker Carlson: The Obama Administration Hates “Traditional Christianity.” During a panel discussion reacting to Perry’s ad on Hannity, Daily Caller editor Tucker Carlson said, “That ad’s not right. There’s not a war on — they don’t hate religion. They hate traditional Christianity.” [Fox News, Hannity, 12/7/11]

Fox’s Eric Bolling: Perry Ad “Really Hits Home.” On The Five, co-host Eric Bolling said of Perry: “He’s going after Obama’s war on religion. It’s provocative, so we’re going to talk about it.” Later in the segment, Bolling praised the ad again, calling it “very effective.” He added: “This ad really hits home.” [Fox News, The Five, 12/7/11, via Nexis]

Fox’s Todd Starnes Used Perry Ad To Accuse Obama White House Of Routinely “Attacking The Christian Faith.” Fox News’ Todd Starnes claimed that in his ad, Perry “decided to address the big elephant in the pew as we head into 2012 — the Obama administration’s relationship with religion — specifically Christianity.” Starnes opined:

The evidence of his White House attacking the Christian faith, however, is plentiful. [FoxNews.com, 12/8/11]

FLASHBACK: Christian Leaders Condemn Attacks On Obama’s Faith

Christian Leaders: “The Personal Faith Of Our Leaders Should Not Be Up For Public Debate.” In an August 2010 letter, more than 70 Christian leaders “called on the media, public officials, and their fellow Christians to stand with them in opposing those who continue to insinuate that the President is a Muslim, not a Christian.” The signatories to the letter wrote:

As Christian leaders — whose primary responsibility is sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with our congregations, our communities, and our world — we are deeply troubled by the recent questioning of President Obama’s faith. We understand that these are contentious times, but the personal faith of our leaders should not be up for public debate.

President Obama has been unwavering in confessing Christ as Lord and has spoken often about the importance of his Christian faith. Many of the signees on this letter have prayed and worshipped with this President. We believe that questioning, and especially misrepresenting, the faith of a confessing believer goes too far. [Open Letter From National Church Leaders, 8/25/10, via Eleison Group]

Jon Stewart Lobs A ‘War On Christmas’ Bomb Back At Bill O’Reilly
Jon Stewart has long tracked the nation’s war on Christmas. And this year he declared war himself. “If there has been a war, Christmas is the aggressor nation,” Stewart said earlier this week. But Stewart has lost his humbug spirit….

Report: Air Force Dumped Ashes Of At Least 274 Troops In VA Landfill
The Air Force reportedly dumped the ashes of at least 274 U.S. troops in a landfill in Virginia before it ended the practice three years ago, according to records obtained by the Washington Post.

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Uncle Newtie’s Funhouse

How Goldman Sachs and Other Companies Exploit Port Truck Drivers — Occupy Protesters Plan to Shut Down West Coast Ports in Protest
Companies are profiting off the backs of port truck drivers, a class of exploited workers who are a crucial lynchpin in our economy.

Study: False Perceptions Fuel Anti-Migrant Sentiments
The rising tide of anti-migrant sentiment worldwide is caused primarily by the biased, polarised and negative debate on migration, according to a new study released here.

‘Pennies From Heaven’
When I joined Monitor Company (now Group) in the spring of 1992, the first party its directors, my new?colleagues,?invited me to was at Mitt Romney’s mansion in Belmont. Romney was at the time still with Bain Capital, but his political…

Obama in Kansas
I’m ready to wager that when the campaign of 2012 is all over, President Obama’s speech yesterday in Osawatomie, Kansas will be seen as the turning point that led to his victory in November 2012. Readers of this blog know…

Crony Capitalism in the Air
After trying to push it through as part of the debt ceiling debacle, then in the super committee, Republicans are now trying to attach spectrum auction provisions to the payroll tax holiday bill. Their bill is about as clear an…

Overwhelming Majority Of Coloradans Support Same-Sex Unions
A new PPP poll shows that 76 percent of Colorado voters support legal recognition of same-sex couples, including a plurality of 47 percent supporting for full marriage equality. Republicans in Colorado’s House defeated a civil unions bill last April, but advocates have said they plan to reintroduce the measure next year. With three out of […]

A new PPP poll shows that 76 percent of Colorado voters support legal recognition of same-sex couples, including a plurality of 47 percent supporting for full marriage equality. Republicans in Colorado’s House defeated a civil unions bill last April, but advocates have said they plan to reintroduce the measure next year. With three out of four constituents saying they support civil unions, Republican legislators will have a hard time opposing them while still claiming to represent the voters. (HT: LGBTQ Nation.)

Romney Hits Gingrich?s Ideas For Moon Colonies And Space Mirrors
Yesterday, New York Times columnist David Brooks dredged up some of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s more fanciful policy ideas. For example, Gingrich has called for building “a permanent lunar colony to exploit the Moon’s resources” and a “mirror system in space could provide the light equivalent of many full moons” for nighttime driving. Today, […]

Yesterday, New York Times columnist David Brooks dredged up some of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich’s more fanciful policy ideas. For example, Gingrich has called for building “a permanent lunar colony to exploit the Moon’s resources” and a “mirror system in space could provide the light equivalent of many full moons” for nighttime driving. Today, in an interview with the Des Moines Register Editorial Board, fellow GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney poked some fun at these science-fiction inspired ideas, as well as Gingrich’s embrace of child labor: