Sources are saying that this might be the new 'point man' for the Obama Administration on the 'sequester' -- if, sources say, someone from the NYT/MSNBC/CBS/NBC/ABC complex doesn't swoop up first what one major news organization president called 'the ultimate, golden-throated, nuance-teller.'

There are times when you just have to shake your head at political hagiography and call, Bullshit!

A recent Vanity Fair piece, which is an excerpt from a new book by Ezekiel Emanuel, is one of those times: Ari, Ezekiel, and Rahm Emanuel's Upbringing: Their Tight Bond, Childhood Dustups, and Skirmishes with Racist Bullies.

An excerpt:

When the boys were children, [their mom] sent them off alone to spend summer days on Chicago's Foster Avenue Beach, which they reached through a tunnel beneath Lake Shore Drive. After a few days in the sun Ari and Rahm could pass for African-Americans, which led to the occasional dustup on a beach that was segregated in custom and practice. "Certain people--mostly white males between the ages of 10 and 15--made it their business to enforce the unwritten whites-only rule," Ezekiel writes. "When they called my brothers niggers and tried to bully us off the beach, we--naturally--refused to move. Instead, one of us would answer, 'You can't make me leave.'" If shouting didn't work, the Emanuel boys had no qualms about throwing punches. "We were city kids, not anti-war activists."

I'll soon be seeking funding for the upcoming documentary, Eyes on the Prize III: The Foster Avenue Beach Story: How the Emanuel Boys Fought Back.

The name of my production company will be The Chicago Turnip Truck Company & Pierogi Factory....

From a reader:

Here is what the press already has written about tonight's debate:

Last night at Hofstra University President Obama aggressively stated his case for re-election over his Republican opponent Mitt Romney. The President was forceful in his command of the issues and clearly reveled in the 'town hall' format which highlighted his ever buoyant likeability. The Obama campaign relished the performance of their leader and feels that they have the momentum back on their side coming into the closing weeks of the campaign. In Ohio and Pennsylvania today the President will be performing with ardent supporter and rock-and-roll icon Bruce Springsteen.

US News' Peter Roth:

The president, of course, has many things going for him?least of which is the overwhelming support he has among the political reporters and commentators covering the race. So, in order to save time and allow everyone to watch something other than the debate, here's an example of how the coverage is likely to go Wednesday night going into Thursday morning. The names have been changed to protect the guilty.

...

From the moment he crossed the stage to the podium at Wednesday night's debate in Denver, President Barack Obama took a commanding lead in his first face-to-face encounter with his opponent in the upcoming election, a lead he never relinquished.

So confident was the president that he seemed to be floating a foot or so off the ground, Barack Obama was bright, engaging, and well-versed in every possible nuance of every question asked by the moderator, PBS's Jim Lehrer. His opponent, in contrast, was nattily attired in an expensive outfit appropriate to his status as part of the 1 percent of the nation's wealthiest individuals but, on substance, was sorely lacking in his understanding of the issues facing America.

Read the whole piece.

In his latest column, John Kass suggests that the Repubs should move their party convention to Chicago in order to miss the hurricane threatening Tampa.

He writes:

Chicago is the perfect site for the convention because most locals have never seen a real Republican. They've seen former GOP governors like Jim Edgar and Jim Thompson, but they don't count. I'm talking about real Republicans.

Simply seeing one would amaze and perhaps even frighten city residents. Republican delegates could take turns sitting in a pen at Lincoln Park Zoo just to let Chicagoans see them up close.

"Ma? What's that, ma?" a kid might ask. "It looks like some guy in a suit talking in complete sentences. Does it bite?"

"No, dear," the mom might say. "Don't be afraid. That's just a Republican. We tamed them long ago. But I thought they were extinct."

Meanwhile, most Republicans haven't truly explored the rich and wondrous political history of Chicago. Oh, they act like they know about the city and its politics. They talk and talk about the Chicago Way -- so they must have read about it somewhere -- but have they ever really walked on it?

Just think of the places Republicans could visit. And Romney could even take them on a tour.

First stop would be along the bank of the Chicago River, where President Barack Obama was found as an infant, floating in that reed basket, to be raised by Chicago Democrats until he reached the age of miracles.

Read the whole piece.

Yet another classic from Iowahawk.

Do you expect any less?

After reading this story about members of the New York City Board of Health contemplating additional food bans in that city in the name of public health (movie-theater popcorn, milkshakes, and certain coffee drinks are being talked about), it has become apparent that this nation faces an out-of-control national epidemic of over-educated, 'progressive' idiots.

I think we need to consider banning them. However, since an outright ban might prove difficult -- due to the huge numbers of these fools -- perhaps we might consider other methods of dealing with this massive problem.

A method of identification for these common-sense sub-literates might be just what the doctor ordered.

Perhaps they should be required to wear dunce caps while in public and while carrying out their official duties. And large numbers of condoms should also be involved, and spermicide, lots of it. Lots and lots.

Remember, this proposal is all about making the country a better place.

Iowahawk.

From ReasonTV:

Columnist Froma Harrop has to be in on this, right?

Iowahawk does Camp Granada.

From the Austin American-Statesman:

Protesters said they expected more to join the demonstration this afternoon when a march was planned to Bank of America's downtown branch, where some planned to close their banking accounts to open new accounts at a local credit union.

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) was apparently unavailable for comment.

Iowahawk has always been, and will always be, good for you.

Austin (Rooters) -- A delayed firestorm has erupted after conservative radio talk-show host Neill Boortz seemingly joked on his show a few months ago that voters should have to "prove they have an IQ of at least 100" in order to vote.

Boortz's comments angered some critics, who contended that any legislation requiring a minimum IQ of 100 would "destroy the Democratic Party's coalition."

"It would render at least 70 percent of the party's base ineligible to vote," lamented one party insider, speaking on condition of anonymity.

"It would be a disaster for us. Who said you had to be smart to vote? I mean, come on, look at our party. Whaddya want? We're not about governing or leading, we're about seeing what we can pull over on the public. Such a requirement would kill us."

Other critics said a 100 IQ minimum voting requirement would trigger a Constitutional crisis.

"With a 100 IQ minimum, Nancy Pelosi can't vote. The entire House Progressive caucus can't vote. 75 percent of Senate Democrats can't vote," said one leading Democratic Party consultant, who also requested anonymity.

"If they can't vote because of this law, are they still eligible to serve in elective office? What about the nation's left-wing editorial board writers? They definitely won't be able to vote. Either will more than half the social science professors in the US. Imagine the unrest in Berkeley, in Austin, in Madison. What then?"

Iowahawk tweeks Shelley.