There is in person voting fraud! Iowa woman pleads guilty to casting to two separate votes for Donald Trump.

Courtesy of CBS News:

A woman from Des Moines, Iowa, pleaded guilty to election misconduct for attempting to cast two separate ballots in the 2016 presidential election for then-Republican nominee Donald Trump. 

According to the Associated Press, Terri Lynn Rote, 57, entered her plea for the felony charge on June 27. Court documents state that lawyers affiliated with the case are recommending Rote face up to two years of probation with community service on the side. 

Rote told police why she tried to vote more than once. She was convinced her first vote for Mr. Trump would be manipulated and changed to a vote for then-Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton. According to her statement to the police, Rote believed Mr. Trump's claims about widespread election rigging. 

Sentencing is set for August 15. Rote was arrested in October at a satellite voting station when she attempted to cast the second ballot. According to police records reviewed by the Washington Post, Rote's first early-voting ballot was issued at the Polk County Election Office. 

In January, according to the Des Moines Register, Rote's defense attorney argued in a filing that she had "significant mental deficits" that should have prevented her from having to stand trial. 

Well of course she has "significant mental deficits," she voted for Donald Trump. Twice!

By the way Rote is one of only four confirmed cases of in person voter fraud identified during the 2016 election. The rest all voted for Trump as well, except the fourth who only changed mayoral votes on absentee ballots she was hire to open, not presidential votes.

Simply put there is NO evidence of widespread in person voter fraud, but what little evidence there is points to the only instances having benefited Donald Trump and NOT Hillary Clinton.

That is why Trump's attempts to prove otherwise with this phony election commission are simply bullshit.

Democratic challenger to Iowa Congressman Steve King drops out in the face of death threats.

Courtesy of The Des Moines Register:  

Kim Weaver is ending her campaign for Iowa's 4th Congressional District. 

In a Facebook post Saturday, Weaver, a Democrat, cited threats to her safety, financial security and her mother's ongoing health problems as reasons for her withdrawal. 

"Beginning during my 2016 campaign, I have received very alarming acts of intimidation, including death threats," Weaver said in the Facebook post. "While some may say enduring threats are just a part of running for office, my personal safety has increasingly become a concern." 

In an interview with the Des Moines Register on Saturday, Weaver added to that rationale, alleging that the state of Iowa's Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman, where she is an employee, saw its budget cut this year as "punishment" for her political candidacy. 


The office received a $164,000 cut this year — a 12 percent reduction from the previous year. 

"I'm feeling guilty that we lost this funding because I'm running for office," Weaver said, adding that she was prepared to take a "voluntary layoff" if the cut requires a staff reduction.

Death threats and dirty political tactics, just a further reminder that the Republicans will do ANYTHING to stay in power.

Weaver was challenging staunch conservative, and strident climate change denier, Steve King whose ardent support for Donald Trump may have put his reelection in jeopardy.

Perhaps that is why they took no chances, and worked to remove the threat early on before his Democratic challenger could attract significant support to take away his seat.

The ends justify the means, and for the Republicans the meaner the means, the better.

I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing.

Mocking religion? Always a good thing in my book.

Starting another new religion? NEVER a good thing.

I mean sure right now everybody understands that it's a parody and probably attend the services with their tongue firmly implanted in their cheek, but fifty to a hundred years down the line this could be the next tax exempt place of worship fighting to get their creation story taught in middle school science classes.

You know I bet those early Christians thought it was all for shits and giggles too.

But then the next thing you know you have some guy building a tax funded amusement park in Kentucky paying homage to a children's story about a giant boat.

Slippery slope my friends.

Four year old boy fatally shoots himself in the face with unattended firearm. But hey, that's the cost of freedom in America.

Courtesy of KWWL:

The Fayette County Sheriff's office confirms a four-year-old boy dies after accidentally shooting himself Friday. 

This happened at a home in Elgin. 

According to reports, the boy's mom and two children were visiting a friend at the Elgin home. 

The Fayette County Sheriff, Marty Fisher, says the four-year-old, as well as a younger child, were left inside while the mother and friend stepped outside. 

This is when the gun was fired. 

Locals in Elgin tell KWWL the boy's mother and friend did not have cell phones, forcing the mother to run and find help.

Don't have cell phones, but they have a gun. Priorities. 

As of this post there have been 269 children under the age of eleven killed or wounded by firearms so far this year.  There have been 6,309 deaths overall, and 12,955 injuries.

So how many home invasions have been stopped by guns again?

(H/T to Addicting Info.)

Yes it's time for yet another GOP debate.

I actually missed the fact that this was on tonight until about six hours ago.

Probably a case of cognitive dissonance on my part.

So I have a handful of predictions for tonight, because those of us covering these events are supposed to do that sort of thing.

Mine are rather simple.

After missing the last debate Trump is going to go out of his way to make a mark tonight so that the people of New Hampshire have him on their minds when they caucus next week. So expect plenty of  Trumpisms and insults.

Speaking of insults Trump is also going to punish Ted Cruz like a naughty puppy for beating him in Iowa.

EVERYBODY is going to go after Marco Rubio. Especially Chris Christie and Jeb Bush.

Unfortunately nobody can go after Carly Fiorina because apparently she has now been sent to the back of the bus and will not be on stage with the fellas.  (Come on, it's the GOP did anybody REALLY think that her candidacy was going to be taken seriously?)

But most important of all is that those of us who were blown away by last week's Democratic debate are going to be totally underwhelmed by the low blows, backstabbing, and cat-fighting which defines the GOP debates.

If that happens just do what I'm planning to do and imagine Hillary or Bernie eating these idiot's lunches for them. 

As always I will be on Twitter.

And I will also be back to update the post as events warrant.

Sarah Palin accuses Ted Cruz of being a "typical politician" and begs the Carson and Trump supporters to grab their pitchforks and torches and storm the "GOP machine."

Sarah Palin and Ted Cruz before Donald Trump bought her support.

Courtesy of the the Trump Tramp's Facebook page:  

Phony GOP Establishment Preaches "Do As I Say, Not As I Do" 

Dr. Ben Carson and Donald Trump are RIGHT for trying to get SOMEONE IN AUTHORITY to hear what We, the People are saying!  (I swear every time she says "We the people," I visualize it as being "We the people who have never read the Constitution.") The shenanigans in the bogus Iowa vote count tell you what the GOP machine is all about. It's sick. It rails against Obama's unethical practice of never holding his people accountable when they engage in obvious deception, yet must idolize the guy because they're doing the same thing he does. 

(I actually had NO idea what that last part meant.) 

No more politics as usual! These corrupt, unaccountable actions of typical politicians are why our Republic is in jeopardy. (She does know that this is HER party she's talking about, right?) Carson and Trump: you are right, and shame on these establishment shills and candidates for trying to sweep their deception under the rug. THIS is why the status quo has got to go. 

Carry the torch on this (You thought I was joking about the torches didn't you?), Carson and Trump supporters. Ignore the pundits telling us to sit down and shut up. Don't make our candidates do it alone. We, the People must be heard. 

- Sarah Palin

To be fair there really WERE voice mails sent out during the Iowa caucus that claimed Carson was shutting down this campaign. Whether or not that had any significant impact on the final tally is debatable.

Besides the voice mails may in fact ultimately have been accurate.

Courtesy of the Washington Post: 

Ben Carson, the famed neurosurgeon whose bid for the Republican presidential nomination has struggled to keep pace with rivals, will cut more than 50 staff positions Thursday as part of an overhaul and downsizing of his campaign. 

Salaries are being significantly reduced. Carson’s traveling entourage will shrink to only a handful of advisers. And instead of flying on private jets, Carson may soon return to commercial flights.

Of course the Carson campaign claims that they are staying in the race, but isn't that what ALL failing campaigns say before they close up shop?

Let's face it nothing that happened in Iowa is going to mean jack shit in determining who will be the GOP nominee.

The only people who seem upset about this thing in Iowa anymore is Sarah Palin and, believe it or not, Karl Rove.

According to his Twitter page it looks like Trump himself is moving on to more important things.

Taking a helicopter to New Hampshire, boarding now. Amazing activity planned. New UMASS poll, very nice! pic.twitter.com/xFvGE0dRlA

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 4, 2016

Actually I think the fact that Palin was assigned to continue beating this dead horse is an indication of how little value Trump places on her participation in his campaign.

Bernie Sanders has done the unthinkable in America. He is the first non-Christian to win delegates in Iowa.

Courtesy of Policy Mic: 

But while Sanders didn't win outright on Monday, the progressive populist did usher in an historic milestone. By winning even a single delegate in Iowa, Sanders, a secular Jew of Polish ancestry, has now won more delegates than any non-Christian presidential candidate in history. 

Sanders emerged from Monday's caucuses with 21 delegates to Clinton's 22, according to projections from the Associated Press. 

Sanders isn't the first non-Christian to seek a major party's presidential nomination. Sen. Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania briefly sought the Republican nod in the 1996 cycle, and Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut ran on the Democratic side in 2004. Both men were Jewish. 

But in a country where more than 70% of the population still identifies as Christian, according to the Pew Research Center, no non-Christian has come as close to the presidency as Sanders has.

Well you would think as a proud Atheist I would have picked up on this immediately, but I guess I was too tired and distracted that day to catch it. 

I still have serious doubts about a Sanders presidency, but there is no denying that he is having a very powerful, and ultimately positive impact on politics in this country.

Sarah Palin unleashes both barrels at Ted Cruz, and his surrogate Rep. Steve King.

From the Facebook page of Donald Trump's trumpeting strumpet:

Dirty Politics: Witnessing Firsthand It's Always Heartbreaking, Never Surprising 

Thank heavens Donald Trump opened so many eyes to the lies, corruption and total lack of accountability that come so naturally to the permanent political class. And Sen. Ted Cruz was spot on when he once noted that "millions of Americans are asking for accountability and truth." Which is why it's so curious - and saddens us - this lack of accountability with the lies of Cruz's own campaign. 

(Oh yeah, I can only imagine how much lying must upset Sarah Palin.)

Cruz's campaign chairman, U.S. Representative Steve King, is lying, and good for Dr. Ben Carson for calling this out. King, who's previously asked for and received my endorsement, time and resources to support his own election, is still lying about my altruistic support of Mr. Trump ("Altruistic" support? Sure, we buy that.), and he's refused to provide any evidence to the contrary. And, this U.S. Congressman actually lied to his own constituents on behalf of Cruz, regarding a good man, Dr. Carson. He told voters Carson was dropping out of the Presidential race immediately before the Iowa caucus, causing a relative uproar inside the process, so the word would spread and he could rack up more votes for his candidate, Cruz. That's a dirty trick. Dr. Carson deserved better. The voters deserved better! 

(See that? That there is grade A word salad folks. The best that Donald Trump's money can buy. I'm sorry I meant have altruistically given to him.)

Where is the accountability for these political actions? Very sad; typical Washington tactics. THIS is why "the status quo has got to go.

Palin then adds a quote from Ben Carson, which I tried to post here but I kept dozing off halfway through it. (One thing you can say about Palin, she might be all kinds of crazy but at least you don't find yourself waking up in a puddle of drool and your face plastered to your keyboard.)

We've had eight years of a reckless President, accountable to no one, pushing this country to the brink. (The brink of success thank you very much.)Why would we ever take a risk repeating that? We are never going to turn this country around if we keep electing "more of the same." (Wait! So Ted Cruz is "more of the same?") Just like conservatives have been preaching in opposition to Obama's political tactics for years: actions speak louder than words. 

The Cruz Campaign's actions to destroy a good man's efforts to serve are no different than Obama's practice of not holding anyone accountable. Typical politics. Typical politicians. 

Damn! Palin cut to the bone with this one.

The idea that Ted Cruz is "more of the same," and comparing him to President Obama is just about the nastiest thing you can say to a Tea Party obstructionist like Ted Cruz. (I have to imagine that Obama is not exactly digging the comparison either.)

Of course this is much like the Twitter rant that Trump went on right below this post, so it would seem to the lay person that this was coordinated.

And the fact that Palin took to her last remaining media outlet to come to Trump's defense, yet again, kind of reinforces the allegations made by Steve King that got her so riled up in the first place.

After all what was it Todd once said?

"What's in it for us?"

One thing that is NOT in it for Palin are more followers, as her current followers are beyond pissed off at her attacks against Cruz. 

So if you ever wondered how Donald Trump would deal with defeat, wonder no more. Not well, not well at all.

Ted Cruz didn't win Iowa, he stole it. That is why all of the polls were so wrong and why he got far more votes than anticipated. Bad!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016

During primetime of the Iowa Caucus, Cruz put out a release that @RealBenCarson was quitting the race, and to caucus (or vote) for Cruz.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016

Many people voted for Cruz over Carson because of this Cruz fraud. Also, Cruz sent out a VOTER VIOLATION certificate to thousands of voters.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016

Based on the fraud committed by Senator Ted Cruz during the Iowa Caucus, either a new election should take place or Cruz results nullified.

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 3, 2016

Holy crap!

Hey look, I think that Cruz's tactics were sleazy and underhanded as well.

But so are Donald Trump's.

Let's face it from this point forward things are only going to get a whole lot sleazier and a whole lot nastier. 

New Rule: Sarah Palin should NEVER be allowed to teach young children ANYTHING!

Look who @TheBrodyFile found at Des Moines airport? @SarahPalinUSA holds press avail with kids!Love it. #CBNNews pic.twitter.com/Gmt5TrySoz

— David Brody (@TheBrodyFile) February 2, 2016

"All the resources that God created for us, for mankind's responsible use, we can do it safely and responsibly because we hired the right people."

I am not sure what the original question was exactly, but I am confident that Sarah Palin made all those kids dumber by answering it.

Palin was so proud of her teachable moment, that she also mentioned it on Facebook:

Willow and I find it nice to be stuck in Des Moines airport with great kids like this Santa Monica class that traveled to the Iowa caucus on a field trip. (Preferable to some media jackals weather-delayed in here, too. I asked a few of them to take lessons from these 6th graders.) Such polite students, asking the best questions about our political system! Told them it was the best interview of the week! 

Of course it was the "best interview of the week." The children's understanding of politics is probably only a few years ahead of Palin's instead of decades like most journalists.

All you need to know about Ted Cruz was summed up in Iowa by his supporter Phil Robertson.

Courtesy of Think Progress:  

“Don’t you understand that when a fellow like me looks at the landscape and sees the depravity, the perversion — redefining marriage and telling us that marriage is not between a man and a woman? Come on Iowa! It’s nonsense. It is evil. It’s wicked,” Robertson told the crowd. 

“It’s sinful. They want us to swallow it, you say. We have to run this bunch out of Washington, D.C. We have to rid the earth of them. Get them out of there. Ted Cruz loves God.” 

When Cruz appeared on stage, he reflected praise back at Robertson. “What an extraordinary human being,” the candidate said, claiming that “God makes every one of us unique, but some are uniquer than others.” 

“What a voice Phil has to speak out for the love of Jesus,” Cruz added. “What a joyful, cheerful, unapologetic voice of truth Phil Robertson is.”

Oh yeah, he's "uniquer" alright. 

If "uniquer" is another word for intolerant bible thumping asshole that is.

Essentially this is how Cruz won Iowa. By surrounded himself with religious fanatics, homophobes, and anti-government anarchists who think that Cruz is going to single handedly destroy the government and introduce some kind of hyper Christian theocracy that will hand the country back to them on a silver platter.

The fact that it worked should send a chill down ALL of our spines.

According to Gawker Ted Cruz's wife is disgusted by Iowans. Wait, SHE'S disgusted?

Courtesy of Gawker:  

“Heidi has repeatedly been complaining about how disgusting the voters and whole scene in Iowa is,” our source told Gawker. “She says everyone smokes cigarettes, eats horribly, and wants to hug and touch her all the time. She said that she has to go back to the hotel and take a shower multiple times a day due to this environment.” 

According to Heidi’s Twitter, meanwhile, meeting all those Iowans has been “so wonderful.”

So wonderful to meet so many Iowans today! #CruzinToCaucus pic.twitter.com/397GX6ahUt

— Heidi Cruz (@heidiscruz) January 9, 2016

Oh yeah she REALLY looks like she enjoys meeting these people.

Personally I would think that anybody who allowed Ted Cruz to touch their naughty bits would have a rather high tolerance for disgusting.

Though to be fair Heidi HAS had a long time to become immune to Ted's special brand ofick.

Remember it was only back in 2005 that police found her by the side of the road with her head buried in her hands. 

I guess after eleven years you can learn to tolerate anything.

So just hang in there Iowa, someday Heidi Cruz will be able to handle you without having to fight her gag reflex.

Sadly the same cannot be said for the rest of us when it comes to her husband.

So it appears that Hillary Clinton did indeed win the Iowa caucus. But only by the slimmest margin ever!

Courtesy of the Iowa Democratic Party:

IDP Chair Dr. Andy McGuire released the following statement on tonight’s 2016 Iowa Democratic Precinct Caucuses: 

“Tonight we saw an historically close Iowa Democratic Caucus that featured one of our strongest turnouts ever and passion and energy from Democrats all across our state. 

“After a year where Iowans took the time to see candidates, ask them thoughtful questions, and became volunteers and leaders themselves, tonight 171,109 Iowa Democrats came together with their neighbors to engage in a spirited discussion on the future of our country. We saw passionate, engaged Iowans turn out in all 99 counties, and for the first time ever, the IDP ran both a Tele-Caucus and satellite caucus locations, fulfilling our promise to expand participation and improve on an already incredible process. 

“The results tonight are the closest in Iowa Democratic caucus history. Hillary Clinton has been awarded 699.57 state delegate equivalents, Bernie Sanders has been awarded 695.49 state delegate equivalents, Martin O’Malley has been awarded 7.68 state delegate equivalents and uncommitted has been awarded .46 state delegate equivalents. We still have outstanding results in one precinct (Des Moines—42), which is worth 2.28 state delegate equivalents. We will report that final precinct when we have confirmed those results with the chair.

Okay so essentially, according to the Iowa Democratic party, there are not enough outstanding results to move the needle far enough to give Sanders the victory.

That's good to know because last night I went to bed unsure as to who exactly should be taking a victory lap.

In fact when Hillary gave what was essentially a victory speech, I was a little put off and thought it was arrogant.

However as it turned out she was right, so hat's off to her for having better information than the rest of us.

Of course before she takes any victory laps it must be noted that several of the counties that the Clinton campaign "won" were decided by a coin toss.

Personally I have less confidence that Hills can win in New Hampshire, however if she pulls it off, even with margins as slim as the ones in Iowa, that could start her inevitable surge to the nomination.

Despite being "schlonged" by the Palin curse in Iowa it appears that Donald Trump has not yet learned his lesson. Update!

Courtesy of the Trump Rump Kisser-in-Chief's Facebook page:

Tonight = America wins, the permanent political class does not, and that is good! To restore Constitutional government the status quo has got to go; the Iowa caucus proves many Americans feel the same. The top three candidates, fueled by our independent, grassroots tea party movement, take 70% of the vote in this unique Iowa caucus. Now this healthy, hearty competition moves to NH, SC and beyond. Those of us proud to be on Team Trump thank Iowa supporters and look forward to forging ahead to make America great again with the candidate proving a record of success and strength that is so needed. The tangible Commonsense Conservative solutions requiring a doer, not a talker, will restore American exceptionalism. Onward and upward, America!

Oh so now she is officially on "Team Trump" is she?

Personally I think this is her official job.

As it turned out one Bernie Sanders supporter made an interesting observation about Palin's participation with Team Trump: 

I spotted Trump’s highest-profile surrogate, Sarah Palin, in Terminal A at the Minneapolis airport Sunday, waiting for Flight 3651 to Des Moines, a short flight on a very, very un-Trump-like plane. 

There were no first class seats. Cramped, not much legroom. Only water was served, and the seat belts weren’t coated in gold — more likely germs. Two seats across, maybe 20 rows. Cattle, compared with riding in Trump style.

Wow, seems kind of odd that a member of "Team Trump" has to schlepp herself across the country in a glorified cattle car while the rest of the team flies in style on Trump's private plane.

Don'tcha think?

As for Trump there is increasing evidence that his campaign is nothing more than a long con on the American people.

This courtesy of Salon: 

According to the report, Trump was approached two years ago by GOP operatives who wanted him to run for governor of New York. To their surprise, he declined but added that they would be useful when he ran for president. “I’m going to walk away with it and win outright,” Trump told the group, “I’m going to get in and all the polls are going to go crazy. I’m going to suck all the oxygen out of the room. I know how to work the media in a way that that they will never take the lights off of me.” 

Trump knew all along that his celebrity and media savvy were sufficient to support his campaign. Although they didn’t believe him, Trump told the Republicans in that room in 2013 that he would dominate the race without spending much on paid advertising. From the report: 

“’You can’t run for president on earned media,’ one attendee recalled telling Trump. The billionaire looked up, and paused for a long moment. ‘I think you’re wrong,’ Trump said. ‘Are you going to do all those little events at the Pizza Ranches?” another person asked, referring to the Iowa fast food franchises that are a staple of presidential campaign stops. ‘Maybe a little,’ Trump replied. ‘But it’s really about the power of the mass audience.’” 

Trump was right. The ability to control the narrative, to dominate the coverage, is all it takes. Trump’s amorality coupled with his gift for self-promotion has turned the Republican presidential race on its head. He’s made the race about him, and anytime he isn’t the main story, he lurches back into the headlines with an outrageous comment about women or Muslims or Mexicans or disabled people – anything to win the news cycle.

Well now it all makes sense.

Why wouldn't a phony grifter have the queen of phony grifters around to help him pull a fast one on the media and voters of this country?

Of course the answer to that question is because she is a politically poisonous albatross who destroys everything she touches.

Of course in this case that might not be a bad thing.

Update: Just in case anybody wants to argue that Palin is probably with Trump on his private plane now, and that the first flight was an anomaly.

Sarah Palin at Des Moines International Airport. Trump's plane was full, apparently. pic.twitter.com/ImhqMh6Qb8

— Brendan Bordelon (@BrendanBordelon) February 2, 2016

Nope. 

Iowa caucus open thread. Update!

Places! Places! We start in 5 minutes!#Decision2016 #Iowa pic.twitter.com/zlFSoxw274

— Maddow Blog (@MaddowBlog) February 1, 2016

This is where I will have the old TV machine tuned tonight.

I have to say that after a day like today I am a little politic'd out.

And WAY over-served on Palin stupidity for one day.

I would usually push myself away from the smorgasbord and call it a day, but I know I have a job to do and I do so try to meet my obligations.

So let's watch as these spoiled rotten Iowans eat up the media attention while giving us the first indication as to how this upcoming election might go.

(And yes I realize that Iowa has a very hit and miss record for picking eventual nominees.)

 Here is Palin and Willow, looking frumpy next to the exotic Ivanka and Melania, watching a Trump rally in Cedar Rapids.

Update: You can watch live updates by clicking here.

Large crowds are being observed and pundits have predicted that will help Sanders and Trump.

Update 2: Does not get much tighter than this.

Halfway there! 51% is in. #IowaCaucus #FeelTheBern https://t.co/eqjQ7SVx64 pic.twitter.com/Pk63bGTR9g

— GrassrootsForSanders (@GRForSanders) February 2, 2016

Update 3: Cruz is the projected winner on the GOP side.

Update 4: Word is that Martin O'Malley is planning to suspend his campaign, as is Mike Huckabee.

Two down. One from each side.

If this isn't the perfect metaphor for how people feel about Ted Cruz I don't know what its.

"Ow Ow Ow!" - #TedCruz tries to get a hug from his daughter on campaign trail - @BBCNewsnight @maitlis #IowaCaucus pic.twitter.com/KZljWuYgAU

— VaraBBC (@VaraBBC) January 31, 2016

As others have pointed out this might just be due to a tired and cranky child who has had a long day.

Or it could be that Ted Cruz's children despise him.

You decide.

So is Bernie Sanders running against President Obama's record?

Sanders closing with Cornel West and embracing idea of Buyer's Remorse with @POTUS. Be honest then Senator - run firmly against Obama record

— David Plouffe (@davidplouffe) January 31, 2016

As I am sure many of you know David Plouffe was Obama's campaign manager in 2008, so he might be a little oversensitive here.

However I must add that Sanders has made a couple of remarks about the President, including talk about doing away with Obamacare and replacing it with some version of single payer, that have caused me some concern.

After all running against the record of President Obama is the job of the Republican candidates, not the Democratic candidates. 

And I will say this as well, if this race on the Left evolves into a contest between a candidate who embraces and promises to protect the gains made by this President, and a candidate who is underwhelmed and wants to upend the progress made by this President, I think that second candidate is going to find themselves facing quite a lot of backlash.

Hillary Clinton says that single payer health care will "never, ever come to pass."

Courtesy of CBS News: 

Just a few days before the Iowa caucuses, Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton stressed to voters in Des Moines just how unfeasible she considers her opponent Bernie Sanders' plan to pursue a single-payer health care system. 

"I want you to understand why I am fighting so hard for the Affordable Care Act," she said at Grand View University after hearing from a woman who spoke about her daughter receiving cancer treatment thanks to the health care law. "I don't want it repealed, I don't want us to be thrown back into a terrible, terrible national debate. I don't want us to end up in gridlock. People can't wait!" 

She added, "People who have health emergencies can't wait for us to have a theoretical debate about some better idea that will never, ever come to pass."

You ever take a shot to the solar plexus, which knocks all of the air out of your lungs and makes it hard to take a breath?

Yeah, well that is how I reacted to hearing this.

I pride myself on being somewhat of a pragmatist these days, but I am sometimes a starry eyed pragmatist and I have long hoped that we were indeed moving toward a single payer system in this country.

If that dream is indeed dead, and Hillary Clinton SHOULD the person who would know best about that, then I am going to need a couple of days to mourn that loss.

What do you guys think?

Is it possible that Obamacare, with several more tweaks down the line, really the best we can hope for?

Sarah Palin headed to Iowa, because I guess things are just not crazy enough there yet. Update!

Courtesy of Trump's trashiest trailer tart's Facebook page:  

Shooting Straight (Obligatory gun metaphor. Check!)in Iowa RV's... We Wish 

In Minnesota this morn, headed to Iowa, catching CNN's Jake Tapper's tit-for-tat on airport screens - don't know how he stays so patient with politicians repeating poll-tested rehearsed memes in place of answers to his questions; he's got the patience of Job! (There goes the old irony meter again!)

Respecting all candidates gutsy enough to run, of course, but Tapper's Rubio/Cruz conventional exchanges in their comfy campaign RV's today make us appreciate worthy rogue candidate(s) even more with their refreshingly unscripted interviews. Thank Trump for that. (Thank "Trump" for that? Nice to see that Trump has now replaced "God" in her vernacular.) Those Rubio/Cruz hits prove RV's can be better tools to extract truthful conversation the way we use ours - hauling gear to hunting grounds to shoot dinner. (Second obligatory gun reference. Double check!) Out there headed to the wilds inherently includes letting hair down and conversing free and heartfelt. (Conversing "free and heartfelt?") Reporters - try that next time! For voters' edification, see if the guys can shoot straight in that kind of setting. (And there's number three. Check!)

Catching the next leg from Alaska that lands me at NBC's Iowa doorstep, I look forward to guesting on their Today Show tomorrow morn! (By the way Iowans here's a helpful hint from an Alaskan. If you sprinkle your property with pages torn out of a dictionary or encyclopedia it can ward off batshit crazy half term quitter evil spirits. They are repelled by information and facts.)

- Sarah Palin

I know that earlier some of you hypothesized that Palin would probably just be "phoning it in" for her Today Show interview from up here in Alaska.

But I guess she done showed you, now din't she?

So once again I think it is pretty clear that Trump is dangling something fairly enticing to get Palin out of bed and flying all the way out to Iowa just to give his massive ego a couple of strokes on morning television.

Gee, I wonder what it is?

Update: Yep flying commercial now.

Just snapping selfies with Sarah Palin. Flew from MSP to DSM with her- I had the better seat! She said "I really like your backpack."

A photo posted by @hwt06 on Jan 31, 2016 at 10:24am PST

How the not so mighty have fallen.

Highly respected pollster finds Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton leading among likely Iowa caucus goers.

Courtesy of Vox: 

The Iowa poll the political world has been eagerly awaiting is finally here — and it has great news for Donald Trump. 

On Saturday evening, Bloomberg Politics and the Des Moines Register released the results of their final Iowa caucus poll, which is conducted by by widely-respected pollster Ann Selzer and has been extremely accurate in recent years. 

For the Republican race, the poll found Trump in first among likely caucusgoers with 28 percent, Ted Cruz in second with 23 percent, and Marco Rubio in third with 15 percent. Ben Carson is in fourth with 10 percent, and no other candidate gets more than 5 percent support. 

On the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton is ahead with 45 percent among likely caucusgoers, followed by Bernie Sanders with 42 percent. Martin O'Malley is very far back, with just 3 percent.

According to Politico Selzer is the go to pollster in Iowa:

The poll, conducted by legendary Iowa pollster J. Ann Selzer, has long been influential and accurate: Selzer’s surveys predicted victories by Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee in 2008, and foresaw Rick Santorum’s late surge in 2012.

Apparently the poll also demonstrated a slight surge for Trump, with no negative impact resulting from his skipping of the last Fox News debate, and a more secure hold on supporters for Hillary.

Well the caucuses are tomorrow, so I guess we will see how accurate these poll results are after the numbers come in.