11.20.09 -- 7:36PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)

Rockin' the DeREG, YO!

Meet right-wing rapper (aka, "conservative hip-hop artist") Hi Caliber, the toast of the Tea Party circuit who recently appeared in the FreedomWorks-produced video "Patriotic People."

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 7:18PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (33)

All About the 60

A Senate Democratic Chief of Staff chimes in ...

There is a lot of misplaced anger coming from many of our fellow progressives about Senate Democrats (which often is just shortened to "The Democrats") inability to pass a robust healthcare reform bill, climate change, etc.

Read more »

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 6:33PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (0)

'Conservative Hip Hop Artist'

Christina Bellantoni catches up with Hi Caliber. Whatever you do, don't call him a Republican rapper.

--David Kurtz

11.20.09 -- 6:31PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)

Special Saturday Coverage

We'll have Brian Beutler on the Hill tomorrow as the full Senate takes up the health care reform bill. This is the first big procedural hurdle: 60 votes to end debate on the motion to bring the bill to the Senate floor. The debate starts at 10 a.m. ET, with the vote expected around 8 p.m. ET. Here's a preview of what to look for. We'll be here through the day with coverage, so as you prep your Thanksgiving feasts you can check in on the latest.

--David Kurtz

11.20.09 -- 5:46PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (1)

Roguely Going Where No Man Has Gone Before

Sarah Palin's roguely interview with Bill O'Reilly condensed to a merciful 200 seconds.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 5:24PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (41)

Don't Get It

Khalid Sheik Mohammed

"I'm just worried he's going to win this argument for months before he gets executed."

This is Chris Matthews from a few moments ago on Hardball, worrying about the propaganda victories he fears KSM will win spouting jihadist propaganda while on trial in New York City.

As I've said in earlier posts, I simply do not get this. And this from Chris Matthews who's had an improving record of political sanity of late. First, federal trials give defendants precious little opportunity for free-form court room lectures or speeches to the cameras that don't even exist in federal court. I guess I'm in denial about what a propaganda coup the Moussaoui trial was for al Qaeda.

But what do we have to fear? We're going to lose this argument? Really? Why am I so alone in having confidence in this country and what it stands for?

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 5:12PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)

The Big Guns

Swift Boat PR firm is representing Gerald Walpin, the fired IG battling the Obama administration over his involuntary ouster.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 5:07PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (33)

Missed Opportunity

Dems should have let President Bush create universal health care when he was in office.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 4:55PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (4)

Quick Turnaround

John McCain just announced that we can succeed in Afghanistan in a mere 12 to 18 months, if only President Obama would get off his butt and send the 40,000 soldiers.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 4:11PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (4)

Oy ... Really Dragging It Out

Sen. Landrieu (D-LA) says she's still undecided on voting for cloture but will decide tonight and put out a statement tomorrow morning.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 4:08PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (7)

Beware Rubio

Not the first Dem I've heard say this. This from TPM Reader EF ...

What you say about Palin is certainly true in general, but her likely endorsee in FL - Marco Rubio - is one of the only Republicans in the country right now who really worried me as a Democrat. He's young, telegenic, polished, Latino in a too-white party, a father of four married to a former Dolphins cheerleader, and politically talented enough to rise to Speaker of the state House before he was term-limited out. Granted, his conservatism is of the '01-'05 W. Bush vintage, but he worries me as much as any Republican in the country this side of John Thune (which says as much about the Republicans as it does about Rubio, but still). If I had to bet my life savings on who would be the Republican VP nominee in 2016, I'd definitely take Rubio.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 3:21PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (4)

Don't Miss a Beat

New developments keep popping through the day in the senate health care bill debate. Check out this page to see all our health care reform debate updates over the course of the day.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 3:16PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (12)

Kingfish

I think as long as Sarah Palin remains the King-maker in GOP primary battles across the country, the Dems have something to be happy about.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 3:13PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (2)

Blade Resharpened

Defunct Washington Blade relaunches as D.C. Agenda.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 2:12PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (9)

Don't You Dare TOUCH My Leverage!

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) must have really gotten under Sen. Blanche Lincoln's skin when he told reporters this morning that the Arkansas senator has made up her mind on tomorrow's procedural vote on health care reform because he's already issued a statement walking it back.

--David Kurtz

11.20.09 -- 12:25PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (7)

Pack The Pies But Leave Gravy Home

Thanksgiving travel tips from the TSA.

--David Kurtz

11.20.09 -- 12:16PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (12)

Closing in on the Initial 60

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE) announces that he will vote with Dems on cloture to bring health care reform to the Senate floor.

--David Kurtz

11.20.09 -- 12:11PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (9)

Almost as Good as Letterman

Encouraging mass-casualty terror attacks because the clean up will create a lot of make-work jobs?

One of the four ways Republicans say Obama is going to get you killed.

--Josh Marshall

11.20.09 -- 12:03PM // RECOMMEND RECOMMEND (4)

Glad We Got That Cleared Up

Senate ethics committee admonishes Sen. Roland Burris over his "inconsistent, incomplete and misleading" testimony about his dealings with Illinois' then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

--David Kurtz