The Price of Lying

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One of the longstanding themes of this blog is the astonishing mendacity of the Republican Party, how out of balance that mendacity is within the current political discourse (I mean, damn, we expect politicians to lie, but these guys never stop) and the media's complicity in laundering those lies. This cycle, there has been some effort to point out the lies, misstatements and inconsistencies -- at least in reporting on the results of factchecking organizations or giving your own factcheckers a highlighted role in a reporting package. Lies aren't often named as such -- you get lots of euphemisms, especially from the fact checking organizations who don't want to be seen using the apparently more emotionally charged word -- lie. I wondered if the cumulative effects of the factchecking, a tough primary which featured Republicans calling each other liars, Democratic efforts to sow doubts and Rmoney's persistently low ratings for honesty were starting to take a toll when I saw this piece from TPM on Tuesday

The Polling Report [10.12.12]

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Florida and Colorado move to the red column today, and it takes the President's electoral college vote number down to the lowest point since before the summer. But no worries, since the statewide polling has now caught up to the Romney debate bounce reflected in the national polls earlier in the week. Now we get to see how Vice President Biden's performance last night and how President Obama's second debate affect the race. Here is the map:

The Vice Presidential Debate Live Blog.

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Join us this evening for our now functioning live blog for real time reactions to the Thrilla in the Villa. Mr. Congressman Congressy Congress Representative Paul Ryan and Vice President Joe Biden. To join the live blog, click on the word "Liveblog" in the horizontal menu at the top right of the page near the dateline. For the instructionally challenged, here is a picture of what you are supposed to click on. Once you get to the Liveblog login page, type in a user name and leave the password line blank, and click Login. And there you go.

Del Dems File FEC Complaint against Pires while Pires follows the Rzewnicki Strategy.

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The Delaware Democratic Party today filed a formal complaint with the FEC against Independent Senate candidate and all around crazy man Alex Pires, and his campaign committee. The Dems allege that on numerous occasions Pires has improperly used the staff and resources (financial and otherwise) of several of Pires-owned local bars, restaurants and nightclubs downstate. Further the complaint alleges that Pires has not followed the disclaimer requirements regarding campaign advertisements and materials, which provide to the public information as to which organization or candidate is responsible for the material. In response to this complaint, take a look at this amazing and self destructive statement from Alex Pires:
"(1) Mr. Carper beat his first wife, (2) Mr. Carper beat his second wife, and (3) Mr. Carper repeatedly lies about his military record- Mr. Carper has never set foot in Vietnam, was not and is not a Vietnam Vet, yet brags about having done three tours in Vietnam. In retaliation, he complains to the FEC that I gave three older ladies pieces of chicken from Jimmy's Grill- the best chicken in Delaware."
Old time politicos in this state will remember this "Carper beats his wife" tactic from the failed campaign of a once rising GOP star named Janet Rzewnicki, the State Treasurer at the time she ran against Governor Carper in 1996. It failed then and destroyed her career for a simple reason: it was not true. May it now destroy and bankrupt Alex Pires.