Sad story, that unfortunately has a political component to it.

People are asking, "Will this damage Mike Huckabee?"

It's actually worse than a "Willie Horton" moment, as I have heard some people describe it, since then Governor Dukakis backed the program as a whole that allowed for Horton's release, where Huckabee specifically signed papers freeing this guy over the objections of basically everyone else involved because he knew better than all of them. I highly doubt Huckabee thought the guy would get out and commit murder, but nonetheless he still disregarded the advice of virtually all others.

(And this is not the first time this has happened to Huckabee. Remember? This was an issue when he ran for the GOP nomination in 2008).

In typical Huckabee fashion, he tried to shift the blame onto others. Nice try. I don't think this clown had much of a chance in 2012, but this makes his road a lot tougher, if not impossible. I am not sure what the market in a primary for a pro-higher tax, pro-illegal immigration, and pro pardoning murderers candidate will be. Probably not good.

Can the Browns just get it done already and trade for Troy Smith (or sign him if he will be a free agent, which I think he might be) in the offseason? He is wasting away behind the overrated Joe Flacco in Baltimore and is better than anything Cleveland currently has.

NFL Week 12 / College Week 13

Bob Turkley, KPR IT Director, 22-22 (25-23)
Cleveland* (+14) at Cincinnati
New England at New Orleans* (-3) Monday Night
Kansas City at San Diego* (-13)
Miami *(-3) at Buffalo

TheCampaignJunkie, 28-16: CLE (+14), NE (+3), MIN (-11), MIA (-3) (30-18)
Mike D, 27-17: CIN (-14), NO (-3), MIN (-11), GB (-12) (30-18)
SmittyPop, 25-18-1: CIN (-14), NE (+3), DEN (+4.5), GB (-12) (27-20-1)
BJ, 25-19: CLE (+14), NE (+3), DEN (+4.5), IND (-3) (28-20)
KCook, 19-25: CIN (-14), NE (+3), BUF (+3), DAL (-13.5) (20-28)


College (now 37-29)
KPR 35 - CampaignJunkie 27

Utah at BYU: TCJ, BYU; KPR, BYU
Notre Dame at Stanford: TCJ: STAN, KPR: ND
Florida State at Florida: TCJ: FSU; KPR: FLA
Missouri vs. Kansas: TCJ: MIZZ; KPR: KU

Upset Specials
TCJ: Auburn over Alabama
KPR: Mexico State over San Jose State

Oh.

I guess that census worker in Kentucky killed himself for insurance purposes and wasn't killed by a right wing mob. Still a sad story obviously, but the whole concept that some poor, white Republicans in a low income Kentucky county killed a census worker just because he showed up at their houses never seemed to make any sense. I decided it would be better just to wait until the investigation was concluded to say anything.

Apology to right wing "nut cases" is coming soon right? Well I am sure the right made him so upset he had to kill himself.

Giuliani for Senate? I'll believe it when I see it. Early polls show Giuliani up by a good amount, but it would be a close race between him and appointed senator Kirsten Gillibrand. Rudy doesn't really seem like the senator type to me, so we'll see.

In North Dakota, the bi-annual attempt to lure Republican Governor John Hoeven into a Senate race is on again. Every year he supposedly thinks about it, then doesn't run. In a hypothetical matchup against Byron Dorgan, Hoeven leads by almost 20%. I would think Kent Conrad would be the easier ND senator to beat, but it all depends on the cycle....and 2010 slowly but surely is looking better and better. The GOP is going to break through in North Dakota on a federal level at some point...it is absurd that Democrats hold all three statewide elected positions (2 Senate, 1 House). Might as well be in 2010.

If both these guys actually ran.......coupled with the other candidates we've recruited and specific Democratic weaknesses in certain states.....sleepless nights would start at the DSCC. Much like the storm the NRSC saw brewing in late 2005 / 2007. Really, if just Hoeven would finally run, that would be a huge get.

A couple leftover thoughts from this weekend's local football action.

1). I admit I felt bad for Michigan fans. Not the coaches or players, but the fans. I know what it is like to have that feeling of despair against your arch rival. I could relate when they kept showing close ups of people in the stands. Tough times.

It had to be especially galling for Michigan fans to look around and see how much red was in the stadium on Saturday. Using a conservative estimate, it appeared at least 1/3 of the people there were Ohio State fans. In years past, really up until 2005, there was the red Ohio State section and then a few scattered red dots throughout Michigan Stadium. That was it. When I went in 2001, there were probably 150 other OSU fans there outside of the specific Ohio State section. At least 35,000 people there were in red Saturday......and again, that might be way undershooting it.

And it doesn't feel great to bash an 18 year old quarterback, but I watched 11 high school football games this year, and I never saw a pass as bad as Forcier's last pick. To say he played terrible would be a compliment to him.

2.) Browns. What can you say. The national media is blasting Mangini for the timeout at the end of the game, but if he hadn't taken a timeout and the Lions had scored, it'd be the same, "Why did he waste a timeout and not use it?" Nonetheless, Browns had their chances and simply didn't get it done. The defense made Matthew Stafford, who I never saw throw a good pass ever at the University of Georgia, look like a Pro Bowler. Tough call there at the end of the game - who ever gets called for interference on a Hail Mary? - but upon seeing the replays, it looked correct.

3.) This Saturday at the University of Akron: Glenville vs. Massillon in the D1 State Semifinal. That should be a good game. Survivor takes on the Elder - Hillard Davidson winner.

NFL Week 11

Bob Turkley, KPR IT Director, 20-20, 22-22

STANDINGS CORRECTED

Cleveland* (+3.5) at Detroit
Tennessee at Houston* (-4.5), Monday Night
Indianapolis at Baltimore* (+1.5)
San Francisco* (+6.5) at Green Bay

Best of the Rest

Mike D (25-15): DET (-3.5), TENN (+4.5), PIT (-11), MIN (-10.5) 27-17
CampaignJunkie (24-16): CLE (+3.5), TENN (+4.5), IND (-1.5), NO (-10.5) 28-16
SmittyPop (23-16-1): DET (-3.5), TENN (+4.5), BAL (+1.5), PHI (-3) 25-18-1
BJ (23-17): CLE (+3.5) HOU (-4.5), TB (+10.5), IND (-1.5) 25-19
KCook (18-22): DET (-3.5), HOU (-4.5), CIN (-8.5), WSH (+11) 19-25

Unlike a lot of people out there, I am not going to stress over tonight's vote to open debate on health care in the Senate. It would be stunning if they didn't get to 60 just to start talking about it. As someone who believes in the exchange of ideas, I have no problem with the debate. No one should. This is America. Let us hear from both sides, pros and cons.

Looking at it from a political prism, that fact that the Nelsons, Landrieus, Lincolns et al even waiver on voting yes on having the debate is a horrible sign for the Democrats....whether they are doing for political posturing to play back home or actually expressing real reservations. Remember, this isn't the final vote on the bill.......just to even discuss it. They don't even feel comfortable coming out with a quick yes for a debate. IMO, there is no real political damage in voting to continue a debate. The GOP can try and make it an issue, but it won't stick. I almost feel like Democrats are acting like they don't know if they can get 60 tonight just so when they do that they can claim a huge victory.....when it really should be assumed they can do it in the first place. It's entirely possible they could even get a couple Repubs now but not for the final bill.

The GOP shouldn't fear the debate. As it stands, this health care overhaul has 56 votes. Tops. For passage Democrats are going to need all of their own - every one of them - plus the above mentioned - plus Evan Bayh (?), Mark Pryor (push comes to shove probably yes) and Joe Lieberman (a stated no). It could happen, but my guess they will all go one way as a block (minus the $100 nillion lady, she's almost backed herself into having to vote yes now). They could all swing the Democrats way at the end, but it's doubtful. Highly doubtful. From the Democrat leadership perspective, they need to make it so they can buy (or however they need to do it) the votes of the majority of those listed, then single out the last 1-2 holdouts and can tell them the fate is in their hands and hope for the best (while applying extreme pressure). The so called Democrat moderates now actually face a test where people back home will be paying attention and push will come to shove. For instance, Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas will lose her 2010 reelection bid - that is a 99.9999% guarantee - if she votes yes on a final bill. She might still lose if she votes no (due to some Democrat support drying out), but her fate won't be sealed. Voting yes tomorrow and no on a final bill makes her look reasonable to the only people that matter to her - the voters of her state. Sorry to single you out Senator Lincoln, but you are the one example I chose. In writing, right here, I will say that if Blanche Lincoln votes yes on a final health care bill and it passes and she wins in 2010 then I will never write another blog post again because my commentary would be so far off it wouldn't be worth my time or your time.

Joe Lieberman has said multiple times there is no way he is going for a bill with the public option. I highly doubt he is going to go back on his word. For all the glee on the left about the current intra-party fighting on the right, their own 2006 civil war could end up being their downfall on this vote. Then the joke would be on them. And that would be funny. I don't think Lieberman really gives a damn if he is the lone Democrat (or senator who caucuses with them I should say) holdout. The scenario where they lost Lieberman but reeled in Collins / Snowe is highly unlikely. Possible, yes. But it is looking more and more every day like they are pretty much in the no category.

So in summary, my plea to fellow Republicans is if/when they get 60 tomorrow, don't freak out. This isn't like the House vote. Prepare for them to get it. And if they don't, well, then......

One positive out of this, pass or fail: We don't have to worry ourselves with keeping last term Senator Arlen Specter happy.

(This also assumes that all recently elected Democrats who ran as "moderates" are not and will vote for the final bill. People like Alaska's Mark Begich for one. However, if people like Begich and Kay Hagan and Jon Tester see the vote going down in flames, they very well could jump ship like rats knowing they too someday will have to face reelection in their generally conservative states.) A lot of factors at play here. But as is the case always on every piece of legislation, senators from both sides of the aisle (probably about 85-90 of them) vote in their best political interest and not what they think is best for the country. I am willing to bet a few Republicans would vote yes if they didn't know it would be a guaranteed career ender. Same with Democrats; I bet a few of their confirmed yes votes are only doing so out of party loyalty but would vote no in a secret ballot. That is shameful all around.

*And this doesn't even take into account the scenario of what people like our own Sherrod Brown would do if a final bill has no public option. There are many like him....would they actually vote no on the final bill if there is no public option? I suspect they would not, and then try and come back for more later after an initial bill is passed, but it is another angle to consider. Probably some sleepless nights for Harry Reid....and not just because of his own reelect chances.

Additionally, where you think I drone on about Norm Coleman in Minnesota, Ted Stevens in Alaska, changing appointment / vacancy laws in Massachusetts, etc., this is why I do it. Because in cases like this, every single vote may be the deciding one. 1 out of 100 is not insignificant.

I was kind of busy when the whole "stimulus money being sent to fake congressional districts to create fake jobs" news came out. What a total embarrassment for the administration and their 18 million dollar Recovery.gov website. Well, so is the stimulus as a whole. And stimulus czar Joe Biden too.

Other things I missed while focusing on Ohio State and the Browns.

- Guantanamo won't be closed by the one year deadline. No surprise, everyone knew that was a promise that couldn't and wouldn't be kept. But it made many people feel good when it was made, so that was important. Obviously this is one false Obama promise where it is a good thing that it won't be kept.

- I don't even know where to start on the KSM trial in New York thing. Where would I? I don't have the time right now. Eric Holder was an embarrassment yesterday before the Senate. Those Republicans that gave him the benefit of the doubt in confirmation must be feeling good.

- Cap and trade won't be brought up in the Senate until "sometime in spring." That means it isn't happening at all. They aren't going for that and health care. Nancy Pelosi forced a vote in the House on some of her vulnerable members for something that isn't going to see the light of day in the Senate.

- And of course most importantly, my fantasy football season started the slow circle around the drain as the Dolphins' Ronnie Brown was put on IR. Major blow for my already slumping team.

College Football Week 12 (and other OSU stuff)

First off, don't forget Ohio State vs. North Carolina tonight at 9 on ESPN2. Really, really good early season college basketball game. CNNSI had a good piece yesterday on OSU's Evan Turner. Ohio State and UNC have played a few times over the last decade plus...and I believe the last time Ohio State won was the 1992 Regional Semifinal....the last win before the worst loss ever.

Yesterday on "America's #1 sports website," Foxsports.com, former PD writer Bruce Hooley trashed the Ohio State - Michigan rivalry. Hooley's basic argument is that Michigan dominated the late 80s and early 90s and Ohio State has ruled this decade so the rivalry is dead. I think I speak for almost all Ohio State fans in saying that even though we weren't winning very often in the 90s, it was still by far the biggest game of the year. Whether Michigan fans feel the same way now, I don't know. I'd go as far as saying that I personally would trade every single win over Michigan since the tie in 1992 if we could have won just one of 1993, 1995, or 1996. Just one of them. It meant alot more because I was a kid then, or at least younger.

Thought about my pick for this weekend. Ohio State is clearly better, and by a lot. Michigan's last home game, potential last game of the year, another senior class there that hasn't beat OSU, etc. I don't see them rolling over like last year. In the end, Ohio State is too good, and they win by making it a 2 score game early in the 4th. Ohio State 29 Michigan 13.

Lets play out the string in the college football picks.

College Picks, Week 12
KPR leads, 33-25 over The Campaign Junkie

LSU at Ole Miss: TCJ: LSU, KPR: LSU
Connecticut at Notre Dame: TCJ: ND, KPR: ND
Purdue at Indiana: TCJ: PUR, KPR: IU
Penn State at Michigan State: TCJ: MSU, KPR: PSU

Bonus Game:
Ohio State at Michigan: TCJ: OSU, KPR: OSU

Upset Specials:
TCJ: Minnesota over Iowa
KPR: Kent State over Temple

Updated, Score the same margin, now 35-27

Well I did watch the game Monday night. From opening kickoff to Quinn's consecutive long passes 10 yards out of bounds to wrap up the game. It was pretty bad. They have no running game and no passing game. That makes it difficult to score. Even at 0-0 at the half, you knew the defense or special teams would have to score if they were to win - the offense didn't even threaten for a field goal. When you look back, the defense did it's job - and more - really only gave up a touchdown and a field goal. That should be good enough to win in the NFL. Unless you are the Rams, Lions, or Browns.

On a related note, Pat McManamon of the ABJ has been all over Mangini since the preseason....and this scathing piece is probably his harshest to date. If you've been reading his stuff, you have to believe it is something personal, i.e. some incident happened between the two. I've never seen anything like this before. In my eyes, the team has been bad (remember the last 5-6 games of last season?) and is probably actually no worse than last year...and no one could coach this team right now and be a success. That said, looking ahead at the schedule, they have a chance to win 2 more after this weekend at Detroit (Detroit favored by 3.5)...at Kansas City and home against Oakland in Weeks 15 and 16 respectively. That might be it. And they would actually end with the same record as last season, 4-12...which would also result in the same 1-7 mark at home. The team doesn't help, clearly, but the Browns have absolutely no home field advantage.

Obviously I am still sticking with Mangini for NFL Coach of the Year in 2011 when the Browns win the AFC North.

Additionally, I just remembered that I wanted to mention that I never liked Jon Gruden the coach. But I do like Jon Gruden the announcer. He is approx. 1050X better than Tony Kornheiser was. Hopefully he sticks around MNF for a few more years.

Here's a nice milestone for America.

Technically, the debt hit the new high yesterday, but it was posted on the Treasury Department website just after 3:00 p.m. ET today. The exact calculation of the debt is a 16-digit tongue-twister and red-ink tsunami: $12,031,299,186,290.07.

This latest milestone in the ever-rising journey of the National Debt comes less than eight months after it hit $11 trillion for the first time. The latest high-point is not unexpected, considering the federal deficit for the just-ended 2009 fiscal year hit an all-time high at $1.42-trillion – more than triple the previous year’s record high.

The article goes on to state the debt could reach $14 trillion by the end of the fiscal year......and $24.5 trillion by 2019.

Now obviously this is not all the fault of Obama and his administration and his mostly compliant Congress, but that tandem certainly isn't helping (best case) and is making the situation worse (hard to argue otherwise). Of course, the Bush Administration didn't help out here either.

But in the face of these numbers, seems like the perfect time to add a new health care entitlement.