Bye-Bye Brownback

Sen. Sam Brownback expected to drop out of presidential race tomorrow. Quick: Name which party he belongs to! His next political step: running for governor of Kansas in 2010.

See Dave Weigel back in April begin charting the collapse of everything that was interesting or encouraging about Brownback. And while he puts his campaign to sleep, whispering lovingly in its ear, remember that he opposes your right to make that same choice to check out minus government interference, as Jacob Sullum wrote back in 2006.

Comments

Taktix® | October 18, 2007, 10:28am | #

At first, I saw this and thought, "Sweet, more debate time for Ron Paul."

Then I realized that if Paul and Giuliani were the only remaining candidates, they still would only give Dr. Paul about 5 minutes of airtime.

Although, it would make for a fun drinking game to drink every time Rudy says 9-11.

mk | October 18, 2007, 10:44am | #

Taktix,

Any attempt at a drinking game of that sort would cause death by alcohol poisoning before the debate was half over.

Taktix® | October 18, 2007, 10:46am | #

Any attempt at a drinking game of that sort would cause death by alcohol poisoning before the debate was half over.

If Giuliani's the GOP candidate, I'll be happy with the poisoning...

J sub D | October 18, 2007, 10:52am | #

Here's a fun thought experiment. Suppose that when Brownback announced he was quitting, nobody reported it. The media just stopped reporting about him, period. Would anyone other than his immediate family notice?

Warren | October 18, 2007, 10:53am | #

Next

Reinmoose | October 18, 2007, 10:54am | #

Wait, who?

Johnnyb | October 18, 2007, 10:56am | #

Better be careful having fun with Guiliani he's got the chief of the Texas fun police on his side now. Yep, thats right Mr. 39% himself Rick Perry. The Republican Govenor of a very Red State that had 61% of the people vote AGAINST him. Be afraid! Be very afraid!

Guiliani wins and Rick Perry will sell all of America's highways to Spanish Corporation in secret under the table deals just like he did Texas.

Taktix® | October 18, 2007, 10:58am | #

"Spanish Corporation" kinda sounds like "President Brownback"

Episiarch | October 18, 2007, 10:58am | #

Looks like Brownback's presidential ambitions have taken it in the browneye.

VM | October 18, 2007, 11:00am | #

Brownback was broke.

Syloson of Samos | October 18, 2007, 11:12am | #

Brian Doherty,

The assisted-suicide issue is a bit like the medical marijuana debate. While they are important to discuss they don't specifically address the larger issues that they are part of.

kcjerith | October 18, 2007, 11:20am | #

Sweet, Brownback is out of the race and is going to run for governor....wait....I live in Kansas.....FUCK!!! damit. Hmmm...I wonder how much a house is in Missouri

thoreau | October 18, 2007, 11:21am | #

VM-

I want a "Broke Brownback" joke, but I can't quite figure out how to make it work.

Taktix® | October 18, 2007, 11:22am | #

Broke Brownback Mountain?

*ducks*

Mr. X | October 18, 2007, 11:26am | #

Maybe he can do a joint press conference with Duncan Hunter.

VM | October 18, 2007, 11:30am | #

Doktor T, Taktix:

exactly in that direction. Actually, Taktix, instead of "duck" you should have "kneel/bob" (also the names of the two office interns, Niel and Bob)...

Mr. X: SCOTLAND YARD is after you (sorry. gaming joke)

Darel99 | October 18, 2007, 11:36am | #

Let me make this very clear.... I didn't like Sam but I respect the fact he got in ring. America is waking up to Ron Paul and we know the talent he offers in the Ring.....

BakedPenguin | October 18, 2007, 11:48am | #

VM, Taktix, etal -

Wouldn't the joke work better if he decided to keep running? "America, I cain't quit you..."

lunchstealer | October 18, 2007, 11:53am | #

Something about Pat Roberts saying "You are too much for me Sam, you sonofawhoreson bitch! I wish I knew how to quit you."

Craig | October 18, 2007, 11:53am | #

Brownback had one good idea -- the "alternative maximum tax" he talked about on occasion, capping individual income taxes at some level. Unfortunately, he never really got a chance to explain it to a national audience.

If you're keeping score at home, the fringe candidate, long-shot, also-ran, extreme, little known outside his own district Congressman from Texas (who simultaneously raises most of his Congressional campaign funds outside his district), has now outlasted:

A popular midwestern governor and former cabinet member (Tommy Thompson),

A former Virginia governor and head of the Republican National Committee with expertise in homeland security (Jim Gilmore)

and

A leading socially conservative Senator (Sam Brownback)

On his way to outlasting:

A California Congressman who was the head of a powerful committee and one of the leading Establishment voices against illegal immigration and for border security (Duncan Hunter)

and

A Colorado Congressman whose name is synonymous with the single hottest grassroots issue among the Republican base, illegal immigration (Tom Tancredo).

Up next:

A popular Arkansas governor and the last hope of social conservatives (Mike Huckabee),

and

The best known US Senator, adoringly referred to in the media as a maverick and a genuine American hero (John McCain).

VM | October 18, 2007, 11:54am | #

LARRY! Craig would have a cameo, sorta like Alfred H. - a passer by, winding a clock. whatever. But a cameo.

lunchstealer | October 18, 2007, 11:54am | #

"Well, why don't you? Why don't you just let me be? It's because of you Pat, that I'm like this! I'm nothin'... I'm nowhere... Get the fuck off me! I can't stand being like this no more, Pat."

cheech | October 18, 2007, 11:57am | #

Maybe he can do a joint press conference with Duncan Hunter.

Was he pro pot too?

Larry N. Martin | October 18, 2007, 12:02pm | #

Where'd the title come from? McLaughlin?

VM | October 18, 2007, 12:53pm | #

"Would anyone other than his immediate family notice?"

well, hopefully, someone would, cuz how could we laugh at the salty ham tears of a child?

emerson | October 18, 2007, 1:20pm | #

Sam Brownback: the man who, when asked "Paper or plastic?" at the grocery store, could answer with something about abortion.

Jared | October 18, 2007, 1:40pm | #

Oh poor Sam Brokeback.

ItsHappening | October 18, 2007, 1:46pm | #

For those who might like more info:
(0. Ron Paul: A New Hope) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FG2PUZoukfA
(1. National Threat) http://www.ronpaulnation.com/tv.html#controller_general_david_walker
(2. True cost of gas) http://www.terrarossa.com/?p=225
(3. America: Freedom to Fascism) http://www.freedomtofascism.com
(4. The Secret Government…) http://bullnotbull.blogspot.com/2007/01/secret-government-bill-moyers.html
(5. Truth about Giuliani) http://www.rudy-urbanlegend.com/
(6. CIA drug dealing) http://youtube.com/watch?v=1l31x-IIK4E
(7. Civil Liberties Lost) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8QwTKKSvR8&mode=related&search=
(8. Money Masters) http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-515319560256183936
(9. Iraq War: Legal or Illegal) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Khut8xbXK8&mode=related&search=

Book list from Ron Paul recommended reading for Giuliani:
- Imperial Hubris by Michael Scheuer
- Dying to Win, by Robert Pape
- Blowback, by Chalmers Johnson
- 9/11 Commission Report
- 1984, by George Orwell
- The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy by John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt

http://ronpaulregistry.com/2.0
Be counted!

Chris S | October 18, 2007, 1:51pm | #

Another warmonger falls. Next.

PC | October 18, 2007, 2:34pm | #

You have to admit, Rudy's wordplay with 9/11 is pretty clever. All you have to do is replace the phrase "lying for political expediency" with 9/11.

Brandybuck | October 18, 2007, 3:10pm | #

What? Brownback was running for president? Why didn't anyone tell me?

lunchstealer | October 18, 2007, 4:45pm | #

Why didn't anyone tell me?

Well, because Rudy was at 9/11, while Mitt has hair, and Ron Paul can actually think, but chooses to think about the gold standard, and really we're just all waiting to fall in the Huckabocalypse.

chancelikely | October 18, 2007, 11:20pm | #

"Sam Brownback and the Huckabocalypse" would be a good name for a band.

Brian Frank | October 19, 2007, 1:42am | #

I’m sorry to hear about Sam Brownback dropping out of the race. It definitely reduces the chance of us getting a President who is an honest, God-fearing man determined to fight for the unborn.



However, all hope is not lost. There is still Hope for America . That hope can become a reality if you join me in the Ron Paul Revolution! Dr. Paul is an OB/GYN who has delivered over 4,000 babies and also sponsored the Sanctity of Life bill which would outlaw abortions immediately.



Dr. Paul is a devout Christian, a fact that is often overlooked. In his words: “I have never been one who is comfortable talking about my faith in the political arena. In fact, the pandering that typically occurs in the election season I find to be distasteful. But for those who have asked, I freely confess that Jesus Christ is my personal Savior, and that I seek His guidance in all that I do. I know, as you do, that our freedoms come not from man, but from God. My record of public service reflects my reverence for the Natural Rights with which we have been endowed by a loving Creator.”



He is also known as the “Champion of the Constitution” because he never votes for any bill that is unconstitutional, and that includes any kind of gun control. Best of all, he also wants to abolish the IRS, which has proven to be an enemy of the church.



I strongly urge you to join the ranks of thousands who are fed up with party politics and want a man of integrity in the White House. Please join me in supporting Ron Paul for President.

Robert | October 19, 2007, 8:05pm | #

Today a libertarian friend referred me to one of those figure-out-who-to-vote-for sites. His automated pick came out as Tancredo. Mine came out as Brownback, a good 10 points ahead of a pack consisting of Paul, McCain, and Tancredo.