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Wednesday, June 30, 2010 | 2:02 a.m.
Sharron Angle Clears the Air
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Sharron Angle Clears the ...
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Sharron Angle Clears the ...
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Sharron Angle Clears the ...
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Sharron Angle Clears the ...
I am not sure who that was I interviewed on “Face to Face” Tuesday evening, but it was not Sharron Angle.
At least not the Sharron Angle who existed before she was catapulted from relatively unknown former assemblywoman to perhaps the most famous Republican Senate nominee in the country (sorry, Rand Paul.)
This is a new, different Sharron Angle, one who actually says words you never thought she would say, such as: That she had gone too far.
Sharron Angle went too far? Next up in this race: Harry Reid says he wants to debate Angle every week on “Face to Face.”
It appears, though, that Angle, coincidentally after the national GOP paratroopers landed in her living room campaign, has decided that perhaps she has gone too far: Too far to the right for her new D.C. spinmeisters, too far to privatization for seniors now scared (thanks, Harry Reid, and liberal media), too far to arming the populace to “take out” Harry Reid, too far to win the most important Senate race in the country, one that will change the course of state and national history (is that too far?).
Angle clearly had been fed some scripted stuff – I can almost hear the conversations: “Sharron, get to know Paul Ryan’s oeuvre on entitlements” and “Get the debate challenge to Harry in there.”
So be it. She is no different than many unpolished political commodities before her who have been put into the hands of sophisticated image makers. I am sure Reidites wish their guy could be more scripted when he is in public forums.
But Tuesday night exposed the real danger for the new Sharron Angle. If she tries to be too different from the old Sharron Angle, she loses what many have liked about her and what they see as such a contrast with the Senate majority leader: She is so real, so sincere, so honest.
Thus the dilemma for the Angle campaign apparently has been solved: Better to be the softer, fuzzier Sharron Angle than the hard-edged, senior-scaring Sharron Angle.
For instance, no longer does she simply say privatize Social Security, or even just “personalize” it. She spent some time Tuesday evening trying to reassure seniors that she wasn’t out to take away their benefits. In fact, after saying for months there was no government role, she said there would be one for current beneficiaries.
What her handlers know is that this issue and a few others threaten to take the focus off what could still win the race for them: Reid.
The GOP nominee did not retreat from some positions, but there also was an intellectual incoherence difficult to resolve for the new or old Angle. For instance, she would have voted against extending unemployment checks because of a “spoiled citizenry” that is “afraid to go out and get a job” because of apparently cushy jobless benefits, so they should have their benefits cut to provide an incentive to get a job (even though there aren’t any) and only partially reinstated if they get a job to supplement their income.
That’s what she said – it’s online if you don’t believe me.
This, frankly, I cannot figure out. Nor could I fathom her insistence that separation of church and state is not in the Constitution – in 1995, she had told a legislative committee it was unconstitutional. That, too, was bizarre.
In some ways I admire the purity of her position on abortion – no exceptions, it’s life or it’s not. But that will be a difficult one, even for her new pros from back East, especially because their charge seems to be to dilute some of her purity.
So if Angle is indeed dealing with her new schizophrenia, making her a prime target, why won’t Reid debate her? My guess is he will, but only under the most favorable circumstances.
I know his people are worried that every time he opens his mouth, a war might be lost or a tourist might stink or a president might be a loser or, even worse, sound like a Negro. But he is the Senate majority leader, and glib or not, rhetorical odysseys or not, unpopular policies or not, he should share the stage with her once a month from now until November.
As Angle left the set, she looked back at me, mentioned debates again and lamented with her good-natured smile, “Reid will probably use some clips from your show in his next commercials.”
I think she’s right.
But commercials are easy, senator. I wonder if you’re willing to sit down with the new Sharron Angle. That would be something I’d love to see.
Jon Ralston’s column appears Sunday, Wednesday and Friday. Ralston can be reached at 870-7997 or at ralston@vegas.com.
Angle put the boob in the boob tube. She was almost incoherent. It was obvious that she hasn't given much thought to many of the issues. Like Palin, she is sound bite driven and doesn't go any deeper into the understanding of issues.
Sharron Angle vs Harry Reid in debate?
I'D BUY THAT FOR A DOLLAR!
I don't think she came off well at all and she certainly did not rehabilitate herself. She free float talks like Palin does. Thoughts seem to be swirling around in her head and come out of her mouth disjointedly and in no coherent order.
Sharron Angle: Separation of Church & State is Not Constitutional http://bit.ly/9igge1
I was a bit disappointed when Jon was talking over Angle at one point when I really wanted to hear how she handled a question, but overall it wasn't as bad as I expected. Maybe I missed it, but I had been hoping to hear something about immigration.
I detest her views on the separation of Church and State with regard to legislating morality, but those will never get any traction in today's Congress.
There is no doubt I will need to hold my nose when it comes time to vote, but I think Angle's votes on spending and Yucca are wotth it when compared to Reid's and I doubt her other views can ever be in play.
I admire Ralston for his journalistic skills. If only he could solve the dilemma of our having no good candidate for whom to vote.
I don't know if I can bring myself to vote for Reid just as a no vote for Angle. I'm tired of playing that game.
Ralston, if there are things that we who are not immersed in politics are unlikely to know about Reid - the little, nitty-gritty actions we don't necessarily pay attention to - and that make him worth voting for, please let us know between now and November.
P.S. How do I get to segment 3?
Oops, never mind, found the segment. Right there, duh.
Thank you for so simply and articulately pointing out the massive hypocrisy of anti-abortion rhetoric from those who constantly tell us that we need less government and also are pro-kill when it comes to the (flawed) judicial system.
@ Gunowners4Obama here's a short list of why we should vote to re-elect Harry Reid:
1.) The Senate Majority Leader position - he's the most powerful U. S. Senator in the hisotry of Nevada and it's worth your time to do a little research on what this position actually does and how much power it wields!
2.) Harry Reid is the Senior Senator from Nevada - do you know what position Sharon Angle would start out at? #100 last place on the back bench - and the current Nevada Junior Senator, John Ensign, would rise to the Senior Senator from Nevada position (at least, until he's fully investigated and idicted)!
3.) Harry Reid has done more for ALL Nevadans than the entire Nevada Republican Party combined!
Now, that's enough reasons to vote for Harry Reid THREE times in November - GO HARRY!
Does Angle's "pro-life" position cover the sin of Onanism? Those "little tadpoles" want to know.
Why did Jesus turn water into wine if alcohol is bad?
Ooops, I forgot to mention one more reason for Gunowners4Obama to vote for Harry Reid -
Guess who was the driving force behind getting the new Olympic quality Clark County Shooters Park opened? Yep, Harry Reid and the Outdoor Democratic Caucus (strongly supported by our Democratic Veterans)!
BTW: All Military and Veterans get to shoot free all day at the Clark County Shooting Park this July 4th - THANKS HARRY!
@ Mred, In answer to your question: "Why did Jesus turn water into wine?" My Answer: Because God had not yet revealed the formula for Beer, Rum, Whiskey or Vodka?
WOW, that ugly republican smirk says it all.
Angle is George Bush,all over again, only worse.
Rape is GOD'S WILL?
Don't let this crazy woman anywhere near Nevada.
Fascinating that the RJ didn't cover this interview. Are they starting to distance themselves from this nut job?
Babbling, smirking and grinning does not represent Nevada.
Maybe lock and load should find another cause besides rescuing Nevadans from the evils of alcohol, the shame of social security and the scourge of wasted money on health care for the aging.
Perhaps she could 'second amendment remedy' the economy as well.
How embarrassing!! No wonder many mainstream Republicans have endorsed and will be voting for Reid.
And, the bigger tragedy is, tons of money has been funneled into her campaign that could have been used for better purposes, and that's just this one tea party candidate. I think of the millions that have been wasted on all of the others. For what???? Do they have more money than the good sense of a goose??? Apparently!!
Ralston: "Thus the dilemma for the Angle campaign apparently has been solved: Better to be the softer, fuzzier Sharron Angle than the hard-edged, senior-scaring Sharron Angle."
***
Creepy Sharron is the head-spinning, demon possessed Rosemary's Baby of this election cycle. Don't be surprised if her frightening face is made into a Halloween mask that's guaranteed to scare the beejeebees out of both children and adults.
poor elephants.
Even my Black Forest Grandfather Clock responds to the Sharron Angle candidacy with simple, yet defining accuracy: "...cuckoo...cuckoo."
"I want the government out of your lives!"
Well, unless of course you're a woman and those are your medical records!
Nevada is in the bottom five in education and health care.
Sharron Angle thinks the race to the bottom is right up her alley.
Dubya Angle did not know that Medicare was crated by the government.
Dubya Angle did not know that bonds are considered assets.
Dubya Angle shows no concern for the unemployed.
Bubya Angle believes that women have no rights and should be completely sub-servient to her husband.
Dubya Angle does not believe that two parents should work just to get by.
Dubya Angle is willing to cut the benefits of her 87 year old father who is a veteran.
Dubya Angle does not feel that it is part of her job to seek jobs for Nevada citizens.
Dubya Angle wants to ban alcohol.
Dubya Angle does not believe in the separation of the church and state.
Dubya Angle thinks that her lack of knowledge and intellect is an asset.
You are probably correct, dipstick. But this is very early in season. I would suspect that Angle isn't going to be all that active in stopping Reid until 2 months or so before the election so she can maximize her impact on Reid.
It's ironic in some ways. It was Reid who got the primary date changed, presumably for his benefit since he knew he was in for a fight and wanted the maximum time to bring his warchest to bear. That could very well backfire on him as people get tired of the mud flying around and a late push by Angle could be effective. How much so remains to be seen.
Oh yeah, so we are to assume that King Harry is a constitutional scholar, unlike Ms. Angle.
Well, here is Ole Pinky in all his glory
Paying income tax in America is Voluntary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7mRSI8yW...
On a right wing radio show, that claims to be a NEWS SHOW, she said that she was against abortion even in the case of the life of the mother and that sperm banks are holding children hostage.
Angle is the most radical, right-wing, nut-case
to ever run for the Senate.
The crazy teabaggers back her.
You would have the I.Q. of a nat to vote for
her.
If this is the best that the republicans have,
their party is finished. THANK GOD.
Remember, not too long ago crazy Angle said, "I AM the Tea Party."
In other words, there isn't another politician in America, not even Rand Paul, who is more bats&*% crazy than Angle. Congratulations to all her proud supporters.
Jon, I am disappointed that you did not ask Ms. Angle what happened to all of those Social Security checks that her sainted Granddaddy refused to take. Did he send them back to the government? Did he donate them to the charity of his choice? Did he give them to his beloved granddaughter? Sure would have been an interesting question to ask.
This interview is another case in point about Republicants saying whatever it takes to get elected and doing whatever the Republicant party tells them after words. If Sharron Angle is a conservative as "Bush" was, everybody better grab your ankles and prepare for the worst. Now is just not the time to get rid of Senator Reid, he is definitely the better of the two.
I saw this in a bar and had to read captions. SO I did not get the full flavor of this interview. OMG. It just confirms why this woman should never get elected.
The national media is really hammering Angle over her interview. At least the country, if not enough Nevadans, recognize a crazy when they see her. Even the Tea Party has decided to postpone its convention in Las Vegas because it's too hot here in July. Really? We do have air conditioning here, Tea Partiers. I suspect they have bacome disenchanted with their former darling, who was being highlighted as a speaker at the event. We now have Sharron Angle to thank for making Nevada the joke of this election season.
Harry Reid was the driving force behind changing the date of the primary, presumably so he would have maximum effect from his $25M warchest and subjecting us to 3 extra months of this.
That alone is more than enough reason to not like Reid. And let's not forget the PUMAs in the crowd. They won't have any love for Harry as he was the deciding factor for convincing Obama to run and displace Hillary. (Do the Democrats even remember who she is?)
Go ahead and knock Angle all you want for now. I want to see what happens in October when the real campagin kicks in and Harry has had plenty of time to make people sick of the constant barrage of mud.
I would like to express my sincerest appreciation to the TeaBaggers whose money and support gave us the dippy Sharron Angle as the Republican standard bearer here in Nevada.
Frankly, I was worried that we might lose Senator Reid. But that was before the Chicken Lady shot herself in the foot and the Loony Tune lady passed her by.
So thank you, TeaBaggers, from the bottom of my heart.
StanG,
I agree. Once the nutty Teabaggers took control of the GOP there was a big sigh of relief because they make the bumbling, idiotic GOPers look like geniuses in comparison.
Angle, Rand Paul, the defeat of Bennett in Utah. You just gotta love those zany baggers!
First John Ralston, thanks for having Sharron reveal herself, even after being washed and watered down. In spite of all her newest GOP handlers and her word spinning she remains extreme and frightening, especially to seniors.
Even the most uninformed could see Sharron for what she is.... out of touch with mainstream Amercia and a threat to our state, nation and our grandchildren.
Harry Reid may not be the most popular or charismatic choice, but when put up against Sharron, he becomes the better choice.
Harry Reid won't have to go negative. All he needs to do is play back Sharron's own words. That should be enough to convince any informed, fair - minded and thinking person.
It would be too much to expect his detractors from researching his record of achievements and his continued fight to help all Nevadans during these tough times. Throughout our history our national politics has always produced a lunatic fringe. For the most part, the American electorate has followed a common sense approach in guiding this nation's future. I continue to believe we will see it in November 2010.
Debates between Harry and Sharron should be a sell out. Please continue to call for them.
I wanted to watch the whole show before commenting. Well, now that I have, I must say that Sharron Angle is the embodiment of every parody of right-wingers I've ever seen, except for the fact that she's serious.
You guys really can't hate Harry Reid THIS much ...
Thank You GOP for giving us a senator who had an affair and had his parents pay off the husband. Thank you GOP for giving us a governor who will be or should be indited for perjury, corruption,spousal abuse,jury tampering, etc etc. Thank You GOP for funding our schools so well that we rank last in high school graduation rates and 48th overall. And a VERY big THANK YOU for making Nevada the envy of every good ole boy in South Carolina(the nations former leader in whacko politics) by giving us a senatorial candidate whose beliefs were such an embarrassment that the GOP pulled her website down after her election to hide them. Black helicopters, fluoride communist conspiracy's, second amendment solutions, hiding from the press like Palin, (they can't answer simple questions anyway, so no harm there) she has it all! Thank You GOP for making me so proud of being a Nevadan, that I'm taking a vacation in South Carolina-just to show off !
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One of the central challenges in this fluoridation debate is that the United States claim to have one of the most advanced scientific countries in the world, yet we're still engaging in a practice that is questionable at best, and extremely harmful at worst. Dr Mercola is teaming up with the Fluoride Action Network to eradicate fluoridation in the US and Canada. Join Us.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articl...
Modern science indicates that ingesting fluoride does not reduce tooth decay but does expose the entire population to fluoride's scientifically proven adverse health effects. See http://www.FluorideAction.Net/health
I live in Frau Angle's former assembly district (#26) and have seen her use this strategy, displayed in the Ralston interview, to win elections. She will downplay her christo-fascist views on social issues while promoting some sort of tax reduction or "pro-business" proposal while attacking the opposition.
While in the assembly, she supported some sort of cap on property tax increases (i.e. Prop 13 spinoff), which was popular with the middle and upper middle class homeowners in her district. These same homeowner voters wouldn't have supported her views on social issues. She also benefitted from running in a solidly Republican district with only nominal opposition. Even still, she would make negative, inflammatory and misleading statements about opponents in elections where she was going to win anyway.
I find it interesting that the GOP leaders in northern Nevada, such as Vucanovich, Raggio, Heller, Sandoval and Gibbons haven't publically endorsed her. Dawn Gibbons has endorsed Harry Reid. She has been the gadfly and something of an embarassment to the GOP. She has made enough written and recorded inflammatory remarks, distortions, lies and christo-fascist b.s. that the Reid attack ads will almost write themselves with her material.
I find it funny that almost every topic Ralston hits on Angle for, he could point to Reid and fault him for the exact same thing.
But we know Ralston would never try to point out Harry Reid's lies, back stepping, back stabbing, cheating, changing his own history and of course his famous name calling. T
hat would take too long and be too embarrassing for the Reid campaign to have air publicly.
Contain The Damage: Voting for Angle would mean one more vote to make sure Obummer is a one term, lame duck, teleprompter reading president. Thats the real hope and change we can live with
thevegastourist@ You are too stupid for words to describe. Good luck with your teabagging self, Dude, you need all the help you can get.
Angles backers are as crazy as she is.
I really could care less if Sharron Angle steps too far back or too far forward. With all her whacked out beliefs based on circa 1800s unwavering horse-with-blinders politics, it would be better if she stepped...out of the way.
All the DB's in LV on one post? Look at the polls. People are sick of people like HR that hate the USA as at was founded.
Dear Sharron Angle and Tea Party,
What's the plan for applying those 2nd Amendment remedies?
Are you "people" planning to conduct targeted assassinations of Americans to trigger a full-scale take back of your country - like Charlie Manson & Friends? ...
Or, do you "people" plan on conducting mass murders of the American "citizenry" - Darfur-style?
I'm still voting for Angle. Go ahead and bash away. Harry is a crook and a thief.
tonaren,
Care to cite credible sources for your assertions about Senator Reid?
Sane people know you can't but go ahead and continue to be foolish.
Sharron Angle lacks credibility and can't be trusted. Sharron Angle does want to eliminate Social Security, not that there's anything wrong with that. Sharron has shady ties to a far right religious group which she was a member for 6 years and to several members of the Scientology cult. The Lowden campaign pointed out Sharron Angle's advocacy for a controversial program that would have provided money for prison massages as part of a rehabilitation program that was backed by Scientology. Sharron Angle has never demonstrated the characteristics of a fiscal conservative having on multiple occasions voted for pay raises for herself. When you peel back the layers you find one old recycled big spender, not a Tea Party disciple but an imposter.
That is the real Sharron Angle. I have heard her speak again and again and she is the same every time. Ralston is just too busy kissing the back of his own hand and Reid's butt to notice.
I heard Angle speak too, Skier. She said, in essence, that if a woman gets raped, she must bear the child of the rapist "Because that's God's plan for her". And you support this idiot. You must be as much of a wild-eyed radical doofuss as she is, Dude.
Harry Reid has worked very hard on behalf of Nevada, but the rightwing media have tried to convince voters otherwise.
At the moment, Nevada gets preferential treatment by the Senate Majority leader. Sharron Angle would be just another rubberstamp Republican with no power.
Do the majority of Nevada voters really want to elect this ignorant woman who would eliminate Social Security and Medicare; truck in tons of nuclear waste to Nevada; and force raped young girls to bear the children of their rapists because it's God's will?
Have you ever met Sharron Angle in person, one on one??
You can always tell a liberal by their off color language, inunendos and downright untruths.
Keep stcking your head in the sand, it only exposes your most vulnerable side.
Republicans always hate the truth.
Because of the internet, they can't lie and
hide the truth anymore.
Was Obama prepared and ready to be President? I highly doubt it. Sharron will do just fine. She has the sincerity and leadership skills that Harry Reid never had.
She's a total and complete idiot.
What kind of medications are you on?
Substitute "Angle" with: "Clinton" or "Reid" or "Pelosi" or "Obama" and there would be ZERO backlash, this I promise you.
Unfortunately there is no tolerance for disagreeing with the liberals who were the ORIGINAL "Party of NO" for 8 solid years.
Harry is a liar, and has proven himself to be as dumb as Joe Biden when he opens his mouth.
Give Sharron a chance. I think she represents what most Nevadans really want, which is a conservative representative.
Union members, please look at Sharron and consider her, don't be "useful idiots" and vote for Harry just because somebody tells you to, he hasn't done the unions here any favors.
Scott.......
Do you not understand that conservatives are the
MINORITY in Nevada?
Anyone against labor unions are anti- American
worker.
Vegas-Geek: It is boring to hear inbred neo-cons like yourself try to make "liberal" an insult. I wear the term as a badge of honor, won in the successful battles for: ending slavery (albeit under a Liberal Republican president), suffrage for women and blacks, created Social Security and Medicare, ended segregation, passed the Civil Rights and the Voting Rights Acts and every profound piece on environmental legislation we have. And the redundant Conservative response to every one of these programs? To oppose them with Chicken Little-like consistency therefor earning the title of "The Party of No". You live in a delusional bubble which makes it all the easier to display your ilk in a museum, as remnants of the new Dark Ages.
Obama and Reid are destroying our economy.
Obama is destroying our national economy while Reid is destroying our local economy.
REID=OBAMA
I'm voting for Sharron Angle
superman...........
You're on the wrong side of life.
You greedy republicans ruined our economy.
Anti-union, anti-worker republicans.
Sharron Angle is against everything we
Americans need.
Obama and Reid are fixing your mess.
The only way to save Nevada's economy and bring back jobs are to vote Reid out.
Reid like Obama wants illegals to come here to Nevada and take our jobs away after the election.
REID=OBAMA
Members of Republicans for Reid, not even all Republicans are falling for her insane philosophies!
http://www.harryreid.com/ee/index.php/re......
Quite an impressive list...
Can you believe how Senator Reid Voted on Illegal Immigration: doe's this sound like a Man who cares about his country?
Voted NO on declaring English as the official language of the US government. (Jun 2007)
Voted NO on protecting middle-income taxpayers from a national energy tax. (Apr 2009)
Voted YES on eliminating the "Y" nonimmigrant guestworker program. (May 2007)
Voted NO on building a fence along the Mexican border. (Sep 2006)
Voted YES on continuing federal funds for declared "sanctuary cities". (Mar 2008)
Voted YES on Bush Administration Energy Policy. (Jul 2003)
Voted NO on tax incentives for energy production and conservation. (Jun 2008)
Voted NO on requiring full Senate debate and vote on cap-and-trade. (Apr 2009)
Voted YES on $2 billion more for Cash for Clunkers program. (Aug 2009)
Voted YES on enlarging NATO to include Eastern Europe. (May 2002)
Voted YES on Congressional pay raise. (Jul 2009)
Voted NO on requiring photo ID to vote in federal elections. (Jul 2007)
Voted YES on allowing some lobbyist gifts to Congress. (Mar 2006)
Voted NO on establishing the Senate Office of Public Integrity. (Mar 2006)
Voted NO on banning more types of Congressional gifts. (Jul 1995)
Reject photo ID requirements for voting. (Sep 2005)
Voted NO on more penalties for gun & drug violations. (May 1999)
Voted YES on maintaining current law: guns sold without trigger locks. (Jul 1998)
Voted NO on allowing tribal Indians to opt out of federal healthcare. (Feb 2008)
Voted YES on blocking medical savings acounts. (Apr 1996)
Voted YES on comprehensive immigration reform. (Jun 2007)
Voted YES on allowing illegal aliens to participate in Social Security. (May 2006)
Voted YES on giving Guest Workers a path to citizenship. (May 2006)
Voted YES on visas for skilled workers. (May 1998)
Voted NO on limit welfare for immigrants. (Jun 1997)
Rated 0% by USBC, indicating an open-border stance. (Dec 2006)