• 48% of Americans and 0% of Lipton executives feel that American taxes are just fine they way they are. [AMERICAblog]
• There’s a new book in the works called Bo, America’s Commander-in-Leash. Meghan McCain is not at all involved in its publication but will still probably received a high six-figure advance. [The Caucus]
• An atheist, who has bravely come out as a former infant, has just succeeded in removing his name from the Church of England’s records as having been baptized. [Telegraph via Andrew Sullivan]
• Guess who is just rolling in money these days? Democratic Governors, who, despite being Democratic Governors, have raised $5.3 million in three months of a non-election year. [CNN Political Ticker]
• Meet GOProud, which is exactly what you’d think it’d be, except even gayer. And Reaganier. [Top of the Ticket]

Oral Roberts University is like one of those super-Christian schools, so whenever there’s even a vague rumor or allegation about sexual misconduct among its leadership, we’re obligated to spread it, spread it more and continue spreading it forever and always long past its expiration date. And then if it turns out we missed a certain corner, we will add a second coat of spreading it. Onward! MORE »

• Following news of Roberts‘ involvement in 1996 gay rights case, the White House “immediately sought to reassure [his] conservative backers. . . but it appeared that not all of them had been convinced.” Limbaugh: “There’s no question the people on the right are going to say: ‘Wait a minute. Wait a minute! The guy is doing pro bono work and helping gay activists?’” [NYT, LAT]
• Roberts‘ private practice work did not always jibe with conservative agenda, yet “some activists on both sides remain secure in their conviction that he is an emphatic conservative who will move the high court to the right.” Kristol: “I don’t think this is serious. Most conservatives are very pleased.” [WP]
• Bush and company plan major push for Roberts during dead of August. [WT]
• Novak told by CNN to “take some time off” after on-air scuffle with Carville. [WP, NYT]
• Deficit forecast worsens: “legislation passed by Congress this year will add $35 billion to next year’s budget deficit and $115 billion through 2010.” [USAT]
• Rehnquist briefly hospitalized for fever. [WP, NYT]
• Death toll rises in Iraq: 18 U.S. troops died on Wednesday. Bush: “We will stay on the offense against these people.” [WP, WT]

MORE »

We’re sure Hotline didn’t mean anything by it, but we know the first thing that came to mind this morning upon reading these two items in a row:

• SCOTUS nominee John Roberts “conceded” he should have said he was registered to lobby on behalf of the cosmetics industry in the questionnaire he submitted to the Senate (Newsday). MORE »

The Advocate today drew attention to the testimony of Karl Rove aide Israel Hernandez before the Plame investigation grand jury on Friday. Naturally, the buzz is about the ever-tightening noose around Rove and what that means for the president who promised to “restore honor and integrity to the office.” And The Advocate would like us to know that Hernandez is a big gay. MORE »

• A bird in the Bush? MORE »

We’re going to have to take issue with this:

It is JUST like the one time when That Wonkete accused Our President George W. Bush of being a homosexual because of the way he was holding his hand in a “nelly” way…what if Our Soldiers who are fighting so bravely out there find out what Wonkette is saying and think that is true!!? Well what if they believed her and stopped following orders from Our President because he is a gay!? If even one service man (or woman just so you know I’m not so called SEXIST!!) dies because of those things that Wonkette and dems have been saying then that is ONE TOO MANY.

First of all, we think the brave men (and women!) of the armed forces would probably still fight even if the President were gay. (Some of them might even fight a little harder.) Second: We didn’t accuse George Bush of being gay because he holds his hand in a “nelly way.” MORE »

We’re sort of thrilled that our joking about John Roberts being gay has been officially elevated to a “whisper campaign” intended to bring him down. Does that mean we can take credit for ruining the Kerry-Edwards ticket, too? We’re sure John Kerry would appreciate some help in shouldering the blame. MORE »

• Discover the official Log Cabin Republican liquor store and club house. [DCSOB] MORE »

Rush Limbaugh, showing his usual tact and bringing back his favorite image, comments on Ken Mehlman’s speech to the NAACP:

He’s going to go down there and basically apologize for what has come to be known as the Southern Strategy, popularized in the Nixon administration. He’s going to go down there and apologize for it. In the midst of all of this, in the midst of all that’s going on, once again, Republicans are going to go bend over and grab the ankles.

This might be the first time that we’ve ever heard an apology for exploitative racism compared to ass-fucking, but we hope it’s not the last. Next on the Rush Limbaugh show: Affirmative action is like a rim job! MORE »

Raw Story is reporting that the director of communications for vocal homophobe Senator Rick Santorum is a big gay. A big black gay. And sort of hot-looking! Again, we are confused by the strategy of outing gay Republicans. Given the Senator’s reputation as a priggish thug, this is the best thing to happen to him since his strong anti-bestiality stance got him the entire Pennsylvania goat vote. It’s not like hiring a homosexual makes Santorum a hypocrite, either. He’s never demanded they be banned from the workplace, he just thinks they’re going to hell. MORE »