"Cool Jerk" - Human Sexual Response
- Well I turn 53 today -- what an utterly inconsequential number -- but I got an early brithday present from Scott Brown when he decided not to run for the Senate again. Now maybe Brown knows something we don't know and he would not be as formidable as I feared in a special election. Or maybe the prospect of running in 2031 and then again in 2014 after having run in 2010 and 2012 was unappealing -- and frankly who could blame him on that score. Standing for election four times in five years for the same seat would be a pretty unappetizing prospect for almost anyone. And in a state in which the sort of everyday forces arrayed against him meant each election was likely to be a pitched battle -- probably attracting national money as well -- I can see where taking a little time off and then running for governor -- something which historically has been easier going for Republicans in Massachusetts -- might be appealing. Finally, I think Brown probably understood that one more loss would likely consign him to the electoral scrap heap and although he led in the early polls, my sense is that someone like Ed Markey, once he consolidated his position, would likely be formidable.
Anyway, it made me happy as can be, both because I think each Senate seat is likely to prove crucial in 2014, and, because I really dislike Brown and am offended at the prospect of him occupying a Massachusetts Senate seat. It's just wrong.
- Speaking of 2014, I was also quite pleased to see Mark Begich polling well in Alaska. I have assumed that Begich was going to be quite vulnerable, running in a Republican state for a seat that he only won due to the extraordinary legal difficulties that Ted Stevens was facing and the fact that it was a Democratic wave year. His favorable rating of 48%, while not overwhelming, is pretty good in a right wing state. He crushes Joe Miller in a prospective match up by 20 points. I wonder if the grifter from Wasilla is thinking about this race. It seems to me that she needs to undertake some electoral activity in order to assure the gravy train keeps running.
- Chaka Khan? I feel for them.
- Always a sucker for demographic stories. This one on why Obama seems more liberated in his post-electoral victory mode.
- A good piece by Amanda on the gun in the home for safety delusion -- this time as it applies to women.
Okay, house cleaning to celebrate the birthday. It's too damn cold for other diversions right now. Will head out for a fine dinner at the unfashionable hour of six tonight. That way I won't miss the Matlock reruns.
What's going on with all of you?
