PunditGuy

Fournier writes:

Newt Gingrich is taking steps toward a potential presidential bid in 2008 with a book criticizing President Bush’s policies on Iraq and a tour of early campaign states.

The former House speaker who led Republicans to power a decade ago said he soon will visit Iowa and New Hampshire to promote his book, try to influence public policy and keep his political options alive.

“Anything seems possible,” including a White House race, Gingrich told The Associated Press.

Believe for a moment that Newt wins the primaries and finds his running mate to be Hillary Clinton. I can’t help but think that Newt has too much baggage to survive the campaign trail. Or maybe Hillary’s baggage would cancel his out? Perhaps.

History tells me that there are few second acts in politics. I don’t think I’ll be blogging about Newt on the stump.

New tsunami disaster death toll figure released today.

Lighter than normal posts today. We had a major snow storm yesterday (major for our area anyway) with northeast winds up to 50 mph, so today we attempt to bring things back to normal (shoveling, clearing, etc.)  I’ll be checking in later this evening.

Chrenkoff’s bizarre tsunami quotes, part 2.

(What? You missed part 1?)

Via AP:

Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., wipes away a tear as she announces with Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, that they will object to the certification of Ohio’s electoral votes during a joint session of Congress today Thursday, Jan. 6, 2005. It would be only the second time since 1877 that the House and Senate were forced into separate meetings to consider electoral votes.

And then, they certified Bush .

Of a Green kind.

Hewitt on the death of CNN’s Crossfire:

Crossfire was lousy because Begala is unwatchable, yes, but also because they never bothered to figure out that the audience wants a real debate, not a contrived shouting match more fit for Saturday Night Live skits than prime time, or even late afternoon.

More, from Jarvis.

Still More: CableNewser has video of Tucker Carlson’s last Crossfire broadcast.

Via SFGate:

Raising the gavel with a grin, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter opened his first hearing Thursday by allowing more criticism of the Bush administration than his predecessor and by questioning some of the Patriot Act’s police powers.

With his changes, questions and comments, Specter proclaimed his independence and said he expected the same from Alberto Gonzales, President Bush’s nominee to be attorney general.

Didn’t I say that this guy needs to be watched like a hawk? (Sigh) I guess we reap what we sow.

At least tonight I do. They have outdone themselves by putting together a comprehensive online presentation of the Tsunami disaster. Tracking the monster wave and it’s hour by hour destruction, the site adds photos, simulations and provides a lesson on plate movements.

Bravo New York Times.

Now, tomorrow I’ll go back to hating you.

That’s the rumor anyway. Get the details here, and as usual, here too.

UPDATE: Delay?