America: You're Fired!

[n2doc]

Posted By: Will Durst | April 02 2011 at 10:26 PM

I want to know. You want to know. The whole world wants to know. What's the deal with the surprising retiring Republicans? Not age- related retiring as in shawl on the lap watching the 3rd DVD of the 5th season of Matlock with a glass of tepid tea on the side table. Retiring as in coy, reticent, withdrawn. Obviously, we are not speaking of those pesky majority members of the House- demure as an over- caffeinated grizzly on roller skates gallivanting down a fashion runway and yes, that means you Kate Moss.

This discussion specifically concerns the 2012 GOP presidential candidates or more precisely, lack thereof. That is not to say they aren't busy. Like the haunted topiary maze in "The Shining" the usual suspects can occasionally be spied skulking on the edge of your peripheral vision. Floating trial balloons with fingers in the air to see which way the wind blows. Dipping toes in the water to ascertain the temperature of shark- infested waters. Running position papers up flagpoles to determine which focus groups salute. Waiting for the other shoe to drop while creeping around barefoot playing the Crying Game.

Normally by this time in an election cycle, running against a vulnerable incumbent in a sluggish economy, you'd have about 80 gazillion candidates and their brothers scrambling down and dirty in the mud biting each other's knees for supremacy in the all important money scrum. This year, not so much. A variation on the old 60s bumper sticker: "What if they threw an election and nobody came?"

The situation has become so dire, NBC canceled a May 2nd GOP Presidential debate due to lack of interest. Not by the viewing audience. That's a given. The network's predicament was a lack of participants. A game of political chicken with everybody waiting for someone else to cluck first. And these are some mean mother cluckers.



http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/durst/detail?entry_id=86263

[OHdem10]

1. Just a thought--Even the Republicans running are not that strong

as candidates. Heck, this country is such bad shape
who is crazy enough to run. It is better to let
Obama try to fix what he can and take the fallout.
If Republicans are completely in charge, WH and
Congress they would take the fall.

It is much better for Republicans to have a Democratic
President to blame everything on and they as usual
slink by never being charged with the downfall of this
country.

[xchrom]

2. The 'tea bagger' movement got out ahead of the

Personalities.

Now none of those assholes have enough charisma to get ahead of the 'movement'.

Or David Koch hasn't called The One.

[GeorgeGist]

3. I think the Masters of the Universe decided ...

that Obama is the 'best' of both worlds.

[starroute]

4. Or else it's that they're all on the Fox News payroll and don't want to give it up

The ones who aren't working for Fox probably have their own reasons for wanting to avoid financial scrutiny.

It's one thing to be the party of "everybody should be rich," but when your own potential candidates start to take that too seriously, you can wind up with a shortage of any who will actually take the plunge.

[AndyTiedye]

5. They All Have Shows on FAUX NEWS!

They're running alright, just not officially.

They want to continue to benefit from all that FREE airtime
so they will delay their formal announcements as long as possible.

They would have to give up their shows when they announce.

[monmouth]

6. Except Mitt and I think he will prevail. After all, it is his turn, right?...n/t