The pitiful panelette almost put itself to sleep tonight. Since the crowd seemed to be under a gag order, they had no fuel, and their "fact" based discussion was a snoozer for all.

Ever notice how every critic of Newt is not telling the truth? He doesn’t want to tell the truth tonight, but you can see it on his web site tomorrow. Mr. "I Was Not A Lobbyist" Gitt Rich reiterated his biggest whopper - he ordered republicans to vote yes to reprimand him in 1997. Really. Because the debate was in Florida, Newtie wants to overthrow Castro and won't take a stand on sugar subsidies.

Romney says his tax returns will have no surprises. He paid what he owed and not a penny more. Flip Flopper Mitt just can't find his niche - can't look like the smartest person on stage, can't be the most dynamic, and can't be a very effective attack dog. Even though he laid out some strong allegations on influence pedaling and poor leadership skills against Gingrich, his heart just wasn't into it. Romney keeps repeating his charge that President Obama is ignoring America's problems by playing ninety rounds of golf.

That's about 4 rounds a month. Surely scandalous.

Suits Santorum blames the bad economy on the oil price spike in 2008. Hope he realizes that was during President Bush's time. To save the environment, he wants to see pipelines replace tankers. Miss Liberty gets a headache picturing a pipeline over the ocean to the middle East.

The best part of the debate were some great tweets.

Looks like tea party darling Vicky Hartzler has gotten herself an opponent!

From the Cass County Democrat Missourian:

Hensley to Challenge Hartzler

Cass County Prosecuting Attorney Teresa Hensley is preparing to challenge Republican freshman U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler in November for her congressional seat.

"This country is facing difficult issues," Hensley said late Friday afternoon. "I want to be part of those discussions. I am forming a committee and will be making a formal announcement in the near future."

"I just love her to death as a candidate for this seat,” [Don Long, chairman of the Cass County Democratic Central Committee] said. “She's just the person to represent the working people of the 4th District, and not the special interests. We need someone who will fight to save Medicare and Social Security. Teresa is the consummate person to represent us in Washington.”

The Democratic political blog "Show Me Progress" posted a headline late in the day Jan. 19 proclaiming Hensley as the challenger to Hartzler in 2012. Underneath the headline, the blog posted an email it had received describing Hensley's accomplishments as the Cass County Prosecuting Attorney and her beliefs as they translate to Congress.

"Hensley will provide a strong independent voice for the middle class," the email read.

Emphasis added.

Fighting to protect Medicare and Social Security?  Fighting for Missouri's middle class?  SIGN ME UP.

When Dave Spence announced his campaign for governor, he promised to talk about "controversial but...badly needed [tax] reforms." The rhetoric on his now-scrubbed website suggested that his "controversial" tax platform might include Rex Sinquefield's disastrous Everything Tax proposal, but it now looks like he's running  away from the plan.

Last week on KSGF, Spence said he was "intrigued" by Rex's Everything Tax petitions, but refused to endorse.

HOST: One of the big areas that people do talk about when it comes to their own pocket book, and in turn the growth of this state, and there’s- I think probably it will be voted on by people, and that is the elimination of the state income tax and going to a state sales tax form instead. Where are you on that?

Everything you always thought about South Carolina is true. A state that considers itself the most conservative in the nation voted to make Newtie Gitt Rich the republican nominee for President of the United States. In a four way race with a few also and not runnings, the silver haired, silver tongued Newt took 40% of the vote. A state that takes it religious commitment seriously elected a compromising, ethically challenged, friend of Pelosi, mandate supporting, serial adulterer. He charmed them with his sly race baiting, media bashing, anti Mormon, and redemption messaging. The top four are still in, and look for Newt to wear out his welcome pretty darn quick.

Thank goodness South Carolina will vote soon. Time for the panelette to move on to another bizarre political environment in Florida. The audience at tonight 's debate sank to a new low - giving a standing ovation for infidelity. Newtie, when asked about his "open marriage" proposal, attacked the media in his usual bellicose manner, and had the audience with him every step of the way. Miss Liberty believes that anyone married to Newt would want a closed marriage. Newt closed in a closet, never to be seen.

Historian Newt's lecture on prosperity after World War II properly credited the GI Bill (a government program) for growth of the middle class. He also said taxes were lowered. He was a bit misleading. From 1944 until 1956, the top rate was over 90%. It stayed at 89% until 1964, when the top rate dropped to 76%. Of course, during the 1940s we were paying for WWII, something we apparently have forgotten how to do - put our wars on the books and pay for them with tax receipts, not credit cards. At any rate, even with these high tax rates, we saw tremendous growth and the development of a broad and prosperous middle class.

Flip Flopper Romney will be releasing his tax return. Sometime. He once again spoke of his humble beginnings, saying he didn't inherit money from his father, that he made it on his own. I guess name, zip code, education, and connections didn't help. Romney might have had the best zinger of the evening - revered Ronald Reagan only mentioned Newt once in his diary, and he wasn't very complimentary.

Missouri democrats are firing yet another salvo in the fight against Dave Spence and his refusal to pay back the $40 million his bank took in bailout funds and then refused to pay back.  Check it:

MDP Launches New Website and Online Ad Campaign Calling on Dave Spence to Come Clean About Bank Bailout

The Missouri Democratic Party today launched a new website and online ad campaign calling on David Spence to come clean about his role in Reliance Bancshares’ refusal to repay the taxpayers its $40 million bailout. The website, www.SpencesBankBailout.com, includes information about Spence’s role on the board of directors at Reliance and allows Missourians to sign a petition calling on Spence to come clean about his role in the bank’s decision not to repay its bailout.

I'm sure Steelman is just trying to rally her base, or whatever.

"For far too long, we’ve seen jobs leave our country, and now it’s not just China with whom we must compete, it’s the 22 states that have instituted free-market principles by passing Right to Work legislation,” said Steelman. “Missouri employers and workers deserve a competitive economic landscape."

"Those close to Kinder say they haven't ruled out a go at the
governor's mansion in 2016..."

This 1989 Post-Dispatch article in Dave Spence's new campaign video...

Includes this completely false claim: "1980 graduate of the College of Business and Public Administration, University of Missouri-Columbia"

I'm sure this is just another staff error for which his 2012 campaign staff must take the blame, and Spence had nothing to do with the Post-Dispatch's reporting of bogus information.   

Charles Jaco lets 'er rip: "It's a darn good thing there's almost no unemployment in Missouri that our schools are the nations best, our roads are in superb shape and none of our children live in poverty. Because, if none of that were true, you'd have to wonder why the Missouri legislature is wasting its time on nonsense. But since things are perfect, I guess they can get away with it."

The panelette gathering on Monday in Myrtle Beach showed a totally schizophrenic audience, cheering against itself several times. Miss Liberty was reminded of the old joke that says South Carolina, too small to be a Republic, too big to be an insane asylum. 

Kicking off this three event South Carolina extravaganza was a forum sponsored by former Governor Huckabee. The debate was a yawner, but there was an interesting rule: they were barred from attacking or even mentioning each other. Of course, Newtie violated the rule in his quest to attack Romney at every opportunity. Ambassador/Governor Huntsman, who doesn’t really want to be a Republican, was so downhearted after the forum that he withdrew from the race and rallied behind Flip Flopper Romney, who he previously called unelectable.

Monday night’s Fox (we misinform, you stay ignorant) debate was pretty lively, but not enlightening. Will Romney release his tax returns -he might in April, if he’s the nominee. But, again, he might not. Romney managed to dodge on most questions, carefully using his talking points. No big ideas, no real vision except for making sure we have such a strong military that no one will want to antagonize us. Guess he missed the part about us spending more than the rest of the world combined on defense. It’s pretty clear that we are the strongest. It’s also pretty clear that terrorists aren’t deterred by our strength, which is why we need to be smarter not stronger. Cranky Ron Paul gets it, and made the point several times, and in typical South Carolina fashion, was both cheered and booed. Killing was the main component of foreign policy for everyone but Paul.

The GOP senate wannabes had a debate recently. Actually, I take that back. TWO of the THREE GOP senate wannabes had a debate recently since John Brunner chickened out of the debate, apparently scared to answer the questions Missourians have. This, of course, after agreeing to debates, even calling for debates, and then backing out. Bwwaaaaaak bwak bwak bwak bwaaaaaaaak. But I digress...

Sarah Steelman and Todd Akin both managed to show up, but their answers were downright frightening, particularly regarding Obamacare. Both were asked what should happen to a 28 year old man who has the ability to purchase health insurance but decides not to - these sorts of folks are often referred to as the "Young Invincibles" - and is then diagnosed with cancer.

Both Steelman and Akin both demonstrated a complete lack of understanding of what Obamacare actually does, like ensuring that insurance companies must justify rate hikes, prohibiting annual or lifetime limits on needed care, ending denials based on preexisting conditions, and many, many others policies. Of course, as was to be expected, both Steelman and Akin rolled out the fear mongering, repeatedly debunked, tea party talking points which boil down to guvment health care is baaaaaaaaaad which, really, is best left to expert fear-mongerer in chief, Ed Martin.

But back to the debate, Steelman talks about affordability and accessibility as if Obamacare doesn't address either - which it does - and talks about door knocking business people. Indulge me here for a minute: when I go door knocking for candidates or issues, I don't door knock business people, I door knock in neighborhoods where families and my neighbors live. What in the world is Steelman doing door knocking and only talking to business people? Does she ever have conversations with a working Missourian who's boss, maybe a small business owner, has now been able to provide his employees with healthcare coverage because of the small business tax credits made available by Obamcare? Has Steelman had a conversation with the mother down the road who now has access to healthcare that she was previously denied because she had a breast cancer scare but now that insurance companies are prohibited from denying healthcare for preexisting conditions she can now rest easy knowing that she can get the care she needs and watch her children grow up? Or does she only talk with business people? Just curious.

Anyway, let's debunk the "let's-sell-insurance-across-state-lines" idea right here and now. Better yet, I'll let Ezra Klein of the Washington Post do it:

Selling insurance across state lines: A terrible, no good, very bad health-care idea

Insurance is currently regulated by states. California, for instance, says all insurers have to cover treatments for lead poisoning, while other states let insurers decide whether to cover lead poisoning, and leaves lead poisoning coverage -- or its absence -- as a surprise for customers who find that they have lead poisoning. Here's a list (pdf) of which states mandate which treatments.

A nice montage of Jon Hunstman's previous statements on Mitt Romney, released today by the DNC in response to news that Huntsman is endorsing Romney. 

"Let us rise up tonight with a greater readiness. Let us stand with a greater determination. And let us move on in these powerful days, these days of challenge to make America what it ought to be. We have an opportunity to make America a better nation."

Two Sunday editorials are out regarding Dave Spence's massive fail in lying about his education background to voters.  From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Dave Spence finds it's a bit hot in the kitchen

We don't understand why Republican gubernatorial candidate Dave Spence, a successful St. Louis businessman, would mislead the public about the true nature of his college degree, as the Post-Dispatch's Jake Wagman reported this week. Mr. Spence has been boasting of a degree in economics. Yes, but it's home economics from what Mizzou now grandly calls its College of Human Environmental Sciences.

But that's hardly the worst of it for Spence.  His campaign gets raked over the coals by the Jefferson City Tribune:

Troubling Campaign Oversight

Dave Spence, a Republican candidate for governor, did not receive a degree in economics from the University of Missouri School of Business, despite a previous posting on his website and a flier distributed in December.

The flier, obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, reads: “After high school, Dave attended University of Missouri-Columbia School of Business and earned a degree in Economics.”

The information is only partially accurate, which is a polite way of saying it is false. Spence earned a bachelor of science degree in home economics from the Columbia campus, but not its business school.[...]

If it was deliberate, voters deserve to be troubled by a disingenuous portrayal. They also have ample reason to be offended if someone attempted to put one over on them.

In this day and age, fact checking is comprehensive and thorough in political races — particularly at the level of our state’s chief executive.

An error of this magnitude is inexcusable.

Emphasis added.

Bill Randles, Dave Spence's rival in the GOP primary for governor, was on KSGF's Nick Reed show this Thursday.  During Randles' interview, the conversation turned to Spence's problems with the truth.  

"This is not a good first introduction," Reed said. "I mean yesterday I was saying it's ok to be hated.  But when you're laughed at, that's pretty bad. I mean in terms of your viability with people."

Here's a partial transcript: 

REED: So you've got this opponent, Dave Spence, he's from the St. Louis area, and he's kind of been joked about the last few days I guess is the way to put it. He has on- he's a business guy and one of the things that- and I don't know him but he's had on his website is that he majored in economics. Is that what it was? And then someone found out, well home economics, which they're saying "well, it's something else really." Home economics make it sound like it’s not as important as it is and its not- it's still up on the website, I think as of this morning, or last night it was. What do you- do you know Dave Spence personally, I don't know him.

RANDLES: I have visited a few times with him on the phone, but apart from that I don't know him.

REED: So how did you find out about- I mean this is one of those things, I don't think to most people its major, but I think it's- the first introduction a lot of Missourians are going to have to this guy is this. And this is not a good first introduction. I mean yesterday I was saying it's ok to be hated, but when you're laughed at, that's pretty bad. I mean in terms of your viability with people.

"The jury is still out on evolution.”

Rep. Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville)

ABC News: Candidate Hides the ‘Home’ in Home Economics Degree