GINGRICH'S SIGNALS FROM SPACE

Newt Gingrich has promised a moon colony by end of his second term. He’s already up there. Clearly.

Don't get me wrong - there are many things that are endearing about Newt Gingrich (like his love of zoos). And, not so secretly, I'm really hoping he gets the Republican presidential nomination so that I can have the amusement of watching Gingrich versus Obama debates. It would be just the right excuse to get cable again that Comcast and Verizon have been waiting for.

I suppose, in a way, this promise to have a colony on the moon by the end of his second term could be one of those endearing things. It just seems to be so out of left field, or outer space if you prefer, when space travel and colonization doesn't really track on the national radar for this election cycle.

It's not that space exploration isn't important. It is, like any other science is. But, I'd really rather hear about some proposed economic policies instead. Hopefully, revamping NASA doesn't figure into that plan. Even NASA will tell Newt that's not a good idea right now.

--Statler, moderator

PRESIDENT OBAMA VERSUS THE BOO-HOO PARTY

I don’t know what the Republicans are complaining about. I really enjoyed Obama’s speech. I felt that it put out exactly the right message: he wants to continue to focus on job growth in sectors that don't use the environment as a punching bag, he wants to tax super-high earners who pay less than those of us who do the bulk of the work in this country, and while he's at it, he wants to make outsourcing a less lucrative option for corporations. No freebies.

What's not to like in that proposal? Well, unless you're Mr. or Ms. One Percenter, in which case, there's plenty to hate.

But, really, it's as though the Republicans don't know how to have an honest campaign season with honest facts. They have to moan and groan that the economy is terrible and isn't going to get any better unless we give corporations even more money. Can you say "special interests", Mr. Romney? Mr. Gingrich?

Take for example Mitch Daniels's comment that President Obama has only made the economy worse. This statement is totally untrue. Ask any nonpartisan economist.

At the height of the recession, the national unemployment rate surged to well over 9%, and it really looked like it was going to hit 10% before it crested. (This is still nothing compared to Greece, which is currently at 14%, I believe, so count your blessings.)

Now, the unemployment rate is at 8.5% and still falling. How is that a trend for the worse? It's the opposite, Mitch. In fact, if the Republicans hadn't blocked the bulk of the stimulus package that Obama proposed at the beginning of his term, the unemployment rate would be even lower right now.

In my opinion, the Republicans should stop their bellyaching and do their jobs. Pass Obama's jobs bill, extend the payroll tax for middle income workers, cut the tax loopholes that only benefit high earners that don't actually work, like Mitt Romney.

--Statler, moderator

PERRY GIVES ROMNEY THE OLD TWO-FINGERED SALUTE

Rick Perry dropped out of the GOP nomination race. Raise your hand if you’re surprised. Anyone?

Well, alright, maybe I am just a little surprised that he did it today. I thought he'd at least go through tonight's debate and the primary on Saturday.

Now, raise your hand if you're surprised that Perry didn't endorse Mitt Romney on his way out. Nope. No surprise there. I think he'd rather cut off a limb first.

How about if you're surprised he endorsed Newt Gingrich? Yeah, same here. I didn't see that one coming at all.

Granted, who else would he have endorsed? Rick Santorum? I don't think Rick Santorum is quite Perry's flavor. Ron Paul sure isn't, either. Honestly, though, I think I would have guessed that Scary Perry would have given everyone a "you don't know what you're missing" speech about himself before he'd endorse Romney, Santorum, Paul, or Gingrich.

I'm not sure if Rick Perry actually believes Gingrich has a snowball's chance in hell of winning the nomination and ultimately the presidency, or he just couldn't stomach the idea of endorsing anyone else, but still felt like he had to endorse someone.

One thing I will miss about Rick Perry's campaign, besides his gaffs, is how he seemed to drive The Washington Post's Jennifer Rubin absolutely nuts. It was like she hovered over keyboard each and every day, just waiting for Perry to say or do something else that she could foam at the mouth about. I always found that endlessly amusing.

I guess that party is over now.

--Statler, moderator