Bloodless Coup

Big Politics Weekend

For the first time ever I have received two political robocalls on the same day. Guess something important is going down in DC.

For the record, one was lefty, urging your basic activism. The other was from Tony Perkins/the FRC. The latter was ostensibly as survey, the first question of which was - do you support President Obama's government takeover of health care. Needless to say, an answer in the affirmative ended their interest in your participation in the "survey."

It's Bracket Time

And sadly there really isn't a single team I want to pick to win the South regional.

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee

I have to say that seeing Alan Arkin leave Monica Bellucci for Blake Lively, and seeing Alan Arkin cuddling a naked Blake Lively, well, those were not things I anticipated laying eyes on this week. But it was nice to see Shirley Knight and Keanu Reeves in side roles.

Who Funds the American Future Fund?

Their ads against the president and "liberals" are all over my tv this weekend. And apparently that's happening all over the country. If I was a political journalist I might think it's my job to look up who's paying for that massive ad buy and not simply noting it's being done by a "conservative group."

The Awl Talks "Telephone"

I think that the new Lady Gaga video manages to find the tedious and dull side of derivative and grotesque. But even if it doesn't work for me, her work tends to be worth talking about, and a lengthy conversation on Telephone can be found here.

Alice

I didn't love Tim Burton's latest, but I thought it was largely likable. I wasn't a fan of the last 15 minutes or so, and pretty much everything about Anne Hathaway's performance was a disaster, but the new star was appealing, and even in the parts when it wasn't especially engaging it still looked great. So on the whole I guess it gets a "thumbs up."

Who Was the Best Secretary of Defense Evah?

Spencer Ackerman ranks 'em here. He ends up praising the man who is currently in the job.

New York, I Love You

This was much worse than Zombieland. It makes Paris Je T'Aime (which of course included several legiltimately good bits) look like a flawless masterpiece by comparison. Basically, it is a dud on almost every level.

Zombieland

That was disappointing. The ads were great, I heard good things, but I was less than impressed. Well, apart from the film's famous cameo. That was as good as advertised.

Candy Crowley Thinks Eric Massa Is As Big a Story as Afghanistan

Her career has featured more than its fair share of shameful and biased moments, but even by the low expectations I have for her work, this is extraordinary. Naturally being an enormous hack she's recently been promoted by CNN to anchor their Sunday morning "news" program.

Is Jan Crawford Suggesting the Supreme Court's Right Wing Is Petty and Tempermental?

As much as she might admire them and be friendly with their chums I don't think she's doing them any favors with this observation.

But at some point - and I'd say that point is now - the Obama Administration is working against its interests.

Because to me that seems to suggest that the Court will rule not on the basis of the law but on this basis of pique, no?

And yes, I did consider titling this post - "Leave John Roberts Alone!!!!"

Oscar Night Looks, 2010

Apparently they are handing out some awards in California. They are also putting on some fancy dresses at that shindig. So far I'd say the highlight of the night is the always fabulous Helen Mirren. As to the worst, Miley Cyrus looked, well, trashy and (expensively) cheap is the phrase that leaps to mind. Between her look and Kristen Stewart's decision to present an award while apparently asleep the producers' decision to put them on stage looks even worse than it did before tonight.

The September Issue

After watching this look at Vogue's most powerful I can say that I love Grace Coddington, and I still find Andre Leon Talley utterly ridiculous. This movie was a lot more fun than Valentino: The Last Emperor.

There's Shameless and Then There's ... This

Apparently the governor was in town last weekend.

Speaking of receptions, Manchin will be the guest of honor this Sunday when he receives the 2010 Milan Puskar award for public service at the Waterfront Place Hotel in Morgantown.

What can one say to that?

"The Rahm Rift"

First Read's analysis of The Rahm RIft doesn't cut to the chase, which is odd given that such sites are typically about little more than who's up, who's down horse-race politics. Either Rahm is incredibly stupid (doubtful), some Rahm allies are incredibly stupid (very possible), or some people are doing a bang-up job trying to get him replaced later this year.

More broadly of course it's generally helpful to policymaking when White House staffers aren't all on the same page (remember the dissent-less Bush White?), though public spats of this sort are something else. And, as we are so often reminded, Dana Milbank's a tool.