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As we noted yesterday, a new poll shows former Secretary of State Clinton holding double digit leads over all of her Republican opponents, which means that their all-out puffery (aided by the "mainstream" media) on email-ghazi has come to nothing.  However, rather than discourage them, you can expect an ever-intensifying campaign to "get Hillary" using any faux scandal or "controversy" that they can sell to low-information voters via a compliant media.

(cartoon:  Jim Morin, Miami Herald, via Gocomics.com)

Colbert on Republican Fear of Hillary Clinton

Stephen Colbert has a wonderful take on the Republicans' fear of a Hillary Clinton candidacy, particularly after reviewing the comparative likability of Republican sociopathic dimbulbs hopefuls ("Oh my God.  We've gotta hit her hard.").

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Sunday Morning Reading - Domestic Politics Edition

Today's key word is "normal."

Here's the Miami Herald's Leonard Pitts on Hillary Clinton and the "new normal:"

It is, of course, way too early to be taking polls seriously. But perhaps an observer can nevertheless be forgiven for being heartened at the prospect of a Clinton campaign, much less a Clinton victory. Either would send a much-needed message to those who are still waiting for America to get back to normal.

You know the definition of “normal,” right? A world wherein straight, white Christian men still call all the shots. That world has been under assault for the last 50 years, and the pressure has only increased in the last 10 as gay people roll back restrictions of their human rights, as a black man with an exotic name makes an improbable ascent to the presidency, as a woman positions herself to make the same climb.  (our emphasis)

The once great Washington Post's Bezos Bugle's retired managing editor Robert Kaiser has words for both Republicans and Democrats in his farewell to the Washington scene.  Here's part of his take on the Republican/ New Confederate/ Stupid Party and their "normal" that radicalizes politics today:

But the most consequential political development in my time has been the transformation of the Grand Old Party. When I was young, we had Republicans who liked to govern, resisted political orthodoxy, made strong friendships with Democrats and took principled positions on difficult issues. We have forgotten that Lyndon B. Johnson’s civil rights bills, perhaps the most important legislation passed in my decades in Washington, were possible only because of Senate Republicans such as Dirksen of Illinois, Hugh Scott of Pennsylvania and Jacob Javits of New York. The idea that Javits and Barry Goldwater were both Republicans in the same Senate is, by today’s standards, astounding. 

Now the anti-government right wing dominates the GOP. Vigilantes from the Club for Growth and Heritage Action campaign to eliminate every Republican in Congress who toys with moderation or considers collaborating with Democrats. The vigilantes’ key allies are members of “the base,” the party activists who make up perhaps 10 to 15 percent of the country’s population but can control the Republican nominating process. The base consists principally of white evangelical Christians who, the pollsters tell us, fear that their America is disappearing. Of course they are right; it has probably disappeared already. Their America would not have elected a black president. (our emphasis)

As always, please take some time to read both pieces in their entirety.

Run, Hillary, Run

We loved reading this posting at Daily Kos, which describes Rethuglican anxiety at the thought of having to run against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in 2016.  She's one of the most admired women in the U.S. -- and the world for that matter -- and the Rethuglicans know they don't have anyone near her stature and experience.  Sen. Marco "Glug Glug" Rubio?  He's floundering around on an immigration bill and has to walk a tightrope between the corporate powers in the party and the tea bagger radicals.  Sen. "Ayn" Rand Paul?  Once the public hears his nutty ideas about virtually everything, he's a goner.  Governor Chris "Kris Krispykreme" Christie?  Yeah, he'll bring in the women's vote with his calm and soothing manner, not that he'll make it through the Rethug primaries.

The Rethugs are facing a dwindling roster of credible candidates, to match their declining popularity, as they continue to embrace fringe policies.  Taking on a figure like Hillary Clinton would be a bridge too far.