Thursday, August 4, 2011

Catch of the Day

Goes to Jonathan Chait, for reading Tim Pawlenty's floundering around on climate -- what Chait calls his
"Galileo Moment." Featuring this priceless quote from the Minnesota Mediocrity (you like it? I don't, but I'm still looking for something):
There’s lots of layers to it. But at least as to any potential man-made contribution to it, it’s fair to say the science is in dispute. There’s a lot of people who say the majority of the scientists think this way. And there’s a minority that way. And you count the number of scientists versus the quality of scientists and the like. But I think it’s fair to say that, as to whether and how much – if any – is attributable to human behavior, there’s dispute and controversy over it.
That's just wonderful.

Anyway, Chait's kicker is terrific:
He is such a soulless hack. But this is the state of the Republican Party now. No doubt Pawlenty tells himself he must pretend not to believe in climate science or else the nomination may go to somebody who genuinely disbelieves climate science.
And you know what -- that's probably exactly what Pawlenty thinks. And what's more, he's right! I'd much rather have someone in the White House who has fairly sensible basic beliefs but is willing to pretend she doesn't than to have someone who honestly and sincerely believes all sorts of nonsense. Much less someone who believes all sorts of nonsense and also honestly and sincerely believes that he is on a mission from God to enact all of it.

As far as the Minnesota Meh is concerned (like that better? I'm still not there), I've continued to be optimistic about his prospects, and I suppose I still am, but it would be nice to get at least a little evidence confirming that he's still a contender. Intrade has him at 2.1% right now, so I'm still a buy -- c'mon, he's below Ron Paul and basically tied with Rudy Giuliani. After all, the logic of it is still the same: someone has to win, and there are really only two plausible candidates ahead of him, and it's not difficult to picture scenarios in which both Romney and Perry wind up losing.

(I want to balance it with a word for being acceptable to all but the choice of none that has positive connotations, but I can't think of a good one).

16 comments:

  1. This, Jonathan:
    "I'd much rather have someone in the White House who has fairly sensible basic beliefs but is willing to pretend she doesn't than to have someone who honestly and sincerely believes all sorts of nonsense. Much less someone who believes all sorts of nonsense and also honestly and sincerely believes that he is on a mission from God to enact all of it."

    Thank you.

    The Republicans have turned into the party of Oz. Either you believe in the Wizard, or you pay no attention to the man behind the curtain, but they offer no alternative; it's either Wizard or traveling snake-oil salesman.

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  2. I like Minnesota Meh.

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  3. Minnesota Meatloaf. Everybody likes it but nobody's that excited about it.

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  4. Isn't there a snooze test that candidates need to pass? I understand that it is still very early, as this cycle is going, but it seems like they just can't pump air into the guy.

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  5. how about ensign timmy?
    as in those red shirted extras who would beam down with kirk, spock et al to a dangerous mysterious planet in the original star trek episodes, and end up getting killed before the first comercial break. Sounds like tim's campaign to me. That or as a play on Humphrey's "Happy Warrior" personam as the "bland warrior."

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  6. The Milquetoast from Minnesota.

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  7. How about Tim Paw.....


    Sorry, I fell asleep.

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  8. "someone has to win, and there are really only two plausible candidates ahead of him, and it's not difficult to picture scenarios in which both Romney and Perry wind up losing."

    That's pretty much how McCain got the nomination.

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  9. "Minnesota Meh" is quite good, but you could shorten it to "Minny Meh" and thereby sneak in an Austin Powers reference.

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  10. How about "Minny Mouse"?

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