Year-End Nominations Are Now Open
For the next two Fridays we will present our annual year-end awards, as usual. Last year, I opened the nomination field up to readers to see who you would consider for each award category, and I got some excellent suggestions, so I thought I'd do the same this time around, too.
It certainly has been an interesting year (in the "may you live in interesting times" curse sense of the word), so I'm sure everyone has their own ideas about who deserves an award this time around the sun. So think back over the last 12 months and let me know who you'd consider worthy of any of the following award categories. You can also look back to last year's columns (Part 1 and Part 2) to see who won the last time around.
Here are the categories for Part 1:
Biggest Winner of 2016
Biggest Loser of 2016
Best Politician
Worst Politician
Most Defining Political Moment
Turncoat Of The Year
Most Boring
Most Charismatic
Bummest Rap
Fairest Rap
Best Comeback
Most Original Thinker
Most Stagnant Thinker
Best Photo Op
Worst Photo Op
Enough Already!
Worst Lie
Capitalist Of The Year
Honorable Mention
Person Of The Year
And here is the list of categories for Part 2:
Destined For Political Stardom
Destined For Political Oblivion
Best Political Theater
Worst Political Theater
Worst Political Scandal
Most Underreported Story
Most Overreported Story
Biggest Government Waste
Best Government Dollar Spent
Boldest Political Tactic
Best Idea
Worst Idea
Sorry To See You Go
15 Minutes Of Fame
Best Spin
Most Honest Person
Most Overrated
Most Underrated
The final category is not an award, but rather a chance to make predictions about the year to come. What do you think will happen in 2018? Here's your chance to predict it in advance!
So take a moment or two to review the whole year (not just the past few months), and see who you can come up with for any or all of these categories. And then join us for the next two Fridays to see who gets the nod....
-- Chris Weigant
Follow Chris on Twitter: @ChrisWeigant
Biggest Winner: Vladimir Putin
Biggest Loser: USA
Most Defining Political Moment: The Women's March
Don, you are SUCH a downer. I'm going to have to think up a new name for you ...
I'm still without email, in case anyone cares.
If there were a category for most predictable nominations it would be tough to pick a winner between Paula and me.
Word... :D
531
I'm still without email, in case anyone cares.
No wonder I haven't gotten any responses.. :D
Whaa happened???
532
Most Fleeting Political Idea
Better jobs, better deal, better pizza
When I said at the time what a lame joke it was, turned out I was dead on ballz accurate...
533
Biggest Winner: Donald Trump
Biggest Loser: Donald Trump
Sorry to See You Go: Al Franken
Most Boring: Mitch McConnell
Worst Political Theater: Disney Hall of Presidents ;)
Best Spin: Russian Orphans
Sorry to see you go: Glaciers
Best Government Dollar Spent: Medicare Silver Sneakers Gym Memberships
Worst Idea: Clean Coal
Best Idea: Heat the White House With Plenty of Clean Coal, Including All Fire Places.
15 Minutes of Fame: Anthony Scaramucci
Worst Idea: OneDemand (I shop local!)
Worst Photo Op http://2.media.collegehumor.cvcdn.com/91/88/de7132b11bef832f8a1c58ffb52320b2-2.jpg
Liz,
You wonder why things have gotten so bad around here???
Worst Idea: OneDemand (I shop local!)
Look no further than TS... :^/
The problem with politics is a universal problem. Often when people complain about a problem they are looking for sympathy instead of a solution.
And that's the problem in a nutshell..
Big Money in politics is universally decried by both Partys...
But *ONLY* as it applies to the other Party...
Big Money in one's OWN Party is perfectly acceptable..
I second TS on nominating One Demand as the Worst Idea. I encourage all commenters to urge CW to give One Demand this "award".
hehehehe
I see what you did there. :D
540
Most Defining Political Moment: Orrin Hatch bribes Bob Corker in Tax Heist of 2017.
Second Most Defining: Blotus lets Puerto Rico wither away.
Turncoat of the Year: Tie between Blotus and Paul-the-Liar-Ryan
Bummest Rap: Al Franken (who is worth 10x every stinking Republican traitor in Congress.
Biggest Gov waste: Secret service and transporation cost so that Blotus can golf nearly every weekend and take bribes from lobbyists and Russia.
Fairest Rap: Orrin Hatch bribed Bob Corker, and Bob Corker took the bribe.
Most Defining Political Moment: Orrin Hatch bribes Bob Corker in Tax Heist of 2017.
Of course, you didn't mind when Odumbo used bribes to pass the abortion that was OdumboCare...
Second Most Defining: Blotus lets Puerto Rico wither away.
What happened to PR in the aftermath of the hurricane was solely and unequivocally the fault of the incompetence of the Dumbocrat-style leadership....
Bummest Rap: Al Franken (who is worth 10x every stinking Republican traitor in Congress.
Yer own Dumbocrats forced Franken out.. Funny how ya don't want to mention that..
Biggest Gov waste: Secret service and transporation cost so that Blotus can golf nearly every weekend and take bribes from lobbyists and Russia.
As to Odumbo golfing nearly every weekend while he was running this country into the ground..
You didn't have a problem with Presidents who golf when a -D is doing it...
Fairest Rap: Orrin Hatch bribed Bob Corker, and Bob Corker took the bribe.
Corn Husker Kickback.. Louisiana Purchase....
Want to talk about those bribes??
Of course you don't because you don't CARE when there are bribes.. You just don't like it when Republicans do it...
543
Michale-
How did you figure that out?
You must be a super-genius, too! :D
I have my moments... :D
544
Fairest Rap:
Clintons being kicked to the curb by some in the Democrat Party....
Interesting to note...
Hillary is the de-facto leader of the Dumbocrat Party and her approval numbers are LOWER than President Trump's... :D
I can understand why Paula blocks me..
Facts are painful things... :D
545
President Trump,
Trump administration finds success in bringing home Americans detained abroad
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2017/12/20/trump-administration-finds-success-in-bringing-home-americans-detained-abroad.html
Making DON'T MESS WITH THE U.S. a thing again...
Shrill hysterical cries of "TRUMP DIDN'T DO THAT!!! THAT WAS ALL OBAMA!!!" in 3.....2.....1......
546
Best Photo: Blotus' poor turnout for inauguration next to Obama's HUGE turnout.
Worst lie: that Blotus is a populist.
Enough Already!: Stories about deplorables in which pundits try to claim Trumpers voted Trump because of economic anxiety instead of because they are brainwashed nazi bootlicking Putin-loving idiots,
Sorry to see you go: our democracy.
Most underrated: the depth of Republican hollow, dishonest, self-interested cowardice, duplicity and failure to uphold the standards they took oaths to defend.
Destined for political oblivion (and historical shame): the GOP.
Most Overreported Story: The lie that Republicans care about the deficit.
What if Al Franken unresigns?
http://theweek.com/articles/744089/what-al-franken-unresigns/
What did I tell you...
Forcing FrakIt to resign had NOTHING to do with "zero tolerance" or sexual assaults or anything..
It was PURE UNADULTERATED political maneuvering...
Dumbocrats are PERFECTLY OK with sexual harassments and sexual assaults... Until such time as it becomes politically inconvenient..
Then... and ONLY then... do they deploy the "Zero Tolerance" bullshit...
547
Destined for political oblivion (and historical shame): the GOP.
FUnny.. You said the EXACT SAME THING before the 2016 elections.. :D
You need to stop confusing "predictions" with "wishful thinking"... :D
548
As I told my brother yesterday, Franken should say, "I'll agree to resign if, and only if, Trump also resigns." There were more accusers against Trump, with more serious accusations, so fair is fair.
As I told my brother yesterday, Franken should say, "I'll agree to resign if, and only if, Trump also resigns." There were more accusers against Trump, with more serious accusations, so fair is fair.
Trump's accusers were politically motivated, as evidenced by the FACT that they disappeared when it was politically advisable and re-appeared under the same conditions...
There were no political motivations for Franken's accusers.
This is fact that no amount of Party slavery can erase..
549
Most Overrated: General Kelly
Second most overrated: Bernie Sanders, who's done nothing in particular for the resistance. He introduced a single payer bill everyone knew would go nowhere for the time being, and he's done some speeches making obvious points about the perfidy of republican criminal acts. All well and good. But in terms of "leading a revolution!" - he isn't and hasn't.
Not saying he's terrible. Just saying he's overrated.
Program Note Interlude -
OK, just updated the pledge drive graphic, after some donations trickled in recently...
We've still got a ways to go to clear our costs for next year, and no, the GOP tax bill isn't going to help CW.com, so we've still got to pay the bills and keep the lights on in 2018...
Do I have to bust out the kittens again? Do I?
"Why oh why haven't you donated yet?"
Heh. Sorry for the hard-sell, we now return you to your previously scheduled comment thread. And (for those who have managed to stay on topic), thanks for all the great suggestions so far!
:-)
-CW
Biggest Winner of 2017: Obamacare
Biggest Loser of 2017: Republican credibility on policy
Best Politician: Cory Booker
Worst Politician: Roy Moore
Most Defining Political Moment: When 'Repeal & Replace Obamacare' finally died
Turncoat Of The Year: John Kelly
Most Boring: Nancy Pelosi
Most Charismatic: Bernie Sanders
Bummest Rap: Al Franken
Fairest Rap: Roy Moore
Best Comeback: Doug Jones
Most Original Thinker:
Most Stagnant Thinker: Paul Ryan
Best Photo Op:
Worst Photo Op: Inauguration - empty fields
Enough Already!: Obamacare is a disaster
Worst Lie: Tax cut will raise Trump's taxes
Capitalist Of The Year: Jeff Bezos
Honorable Mention: Gavin Newsome
Person Of The Year: Xi Jinping
Okay Last comment of the year...
Holidays to be spent OCONUS :(
Most Boring - Ted Cruz
Most Charismatic - Trump. Like it our not he certainly galvanized the nation across fault lines.
Enough Already - Fake News...
Most Underreported Story - Trumps failure to drain the swamp
Biggest Government Waste - Private airline flights for cabinet officials or the money spent on Pruits security and office. I am torn.
Best Government Dollar Spent - medicare and Social security...but mostly Medicare, the most efficent insurance system in the country.
15 Minutes Of Fame - Scaramuchi- or is that to low hanging?
happy hanakwanzmas all....be safe and happy. See you in the new year.
Biggest Winner of 2017: Obamacare
Really? Didn't the Republicans just effectively kill it?
@CW
still waiting for puppies.
JL
Really? Didn't the Republicans just effectively kill it?
That they did...
Biggest Winner of 2017: Obamacare
Really? Didn't the Republicans just effectively kill it?
Not in CA ... but it was the increase in popularity I was alluding to.
Plus, if somebody evil kills something that is regarded as a winner, it usually isn't a big plus for the murderer.
Why not in CA?
I mean, without the individual mandate, won't insurance premiums skyrocket, even in CA?
I mean, without the individual mandate, won't insurance premiums skyrocket, even in CA?
Yep.. The mandate was the ONLY thing that made TrainWreckCare at least SEEM viable..
Without the mandate, TrainWreckCare won't last a year...
Neil is simply spinning...
He still thinks TrainWreckCare is a winner, which it NEVER was...
It's a huge lose for the Democrat Party and will be going down in flames just in time for the mid terms..
553
neilm wrote:
[ Permalink ]
[ Wednesday, December 20th, 2017 at 20:53 PST ]
Neil is speechless!!!! :D
563
It's a huge lose for the Democrat Party and will be going down in flames just in time for the mid terms..
It's a huge loss for anyone who needs healthcare. Which is, ah, everyone.
It's a huge loss for anyone who needs healthcare. Which is, ah, everyone.
Growing pains...
Forcing people to buy something they may or may not use is Un-American...
568
Neil is speechless!!!! :D
:)
I was trying to embed an image in a comment like CW did of the kitten in comment 28 - but it was an epic fail.
Forcing people to buy something they may or may not use is Un-American...
Really, then why am I forced to buy a pile of military equipment that is way beyond our needs to defend our nation?
Forcing people to buy something they may or may not use is Un-American...
Unfortunately, ignorance is very American.
Really, then why am I forced to buy a pile of military equipment that is way beyond our needs to defend our nation?
For example...?????
Unfortunately, ignorance is very American.
Funny how it is only when yer chosen candidates lose.. :D
Isn't it possible that other factors are in play?? :D
I was trying to embed an image in a comment like CW did of the kitten in comment 28 - but it was an epic fail.
Yea, I have given up on figuring out that.. It appears it's only of the gods.. :D
Isn't it possible that other factors are in play?? :D
You mean, besides ignorance? Well, how about denial and stubbornness and an chronic unwillingness to learn.
All very American traits ...
You mean, besides ignorance? Well, how about denial and stubbornness and an chronic unwillingness to learn.
Yes, but we're past the Obama Administration now... :D
All very American traits ...
Yes, they are.. But, as I said, that's in the past.. Hopefully we will never be cursed with a Democrat government again... :D
I'll be happy enough to see the day when you understand the concept of healthcare.
I'll be happy enough to see the day when you understand the concept of healthcare.
I understand the concept of healthcare..
It's NOT a right...
Care to elaborate on that, Michale?
If healthcare isn't a right, then what is it?
I am not sure what you are asking, Liz...
Gun ownership is a right...
Freedom of speech is a right..
Freedom of (and FROM) religion is a right..
Getting a boob job is not a right.. Although, sometimes I wish it was... If you catch my meaning.. :D
594
So, Michale, you are unable to tell me what you think healthcare is and who should have it?
So, Michale, you are unable to tell me what you think healthcare is and who should have it?
That's like asking me what the sky is... Unless you can give me some context, I am unable to answer..
As to who should have it???
Again, it's a non-sequitor question..
Let me ask YOU a question..
Why do you think that everyone should have health care???
Well, you say healthcare is not a right.
Fair enough.
But, that implies that not everyone in America should expect to receive healthcare, for whatever reason, because it's not guaranteed that everyone should have healthcare.
Embedded in most of your arguments against Obamacare or, I would assume, any government run healthcare system, is that not everyone NEEDS healthcare and why then should they have to buy something that they don't need or want ...
That, to me, highlights a fundamental misunderstanding of what healthcare is and who should have it.
If you want to live in a thriving and healthy society, then you must understand that anyone who is alive needs healthcare and that all Americans should have healthcare - at least basic healthcare.
In other words, basic healthcare ( we can define basic another time) is essential to maintain the health of a person, community and country.
When millions of people in a country such as the United States do not have healthcare because they believe they don't need it or because they can't afford it, then you have a country that will not be able to achieve its full potential in terms of greatness.
Why do you think that everyone should have health care???
Everyone should have healthcare in order to maintain their health and to protect their health from outside, uncontrollable sources of ill-health and to treat conditions that render their health below optimum levels and to ensure that their remaining days on this earth are as bearable as possible ...
Why would anyone NOT need healthcare?
But, that implies that not everyone in America should expect to receive healthcare, for whatever reason, because it's not guaranteed that everyone should have healthcare.
Replace "healthcare" with "happiness" and you'll understand where I am coming from...
Thanks for nothing, Michale.
I tried.. :D
Next time, try harder.