Romney’s Day

Romney’s day. Hat tip to the Maddow Blog

Opponents Quickly Take Advantage Of Romney Campaign “Etch A Sketch” Admission Of Changing Positions

There is one thing which Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and Barack Obama probably all agree on–Mitt Romney is a pathological liar whose political career is based upon spending huge amounts of money to try to reshape reality. I don’t know if Mitt Romney is able to distinguish fact from fiction, but if even if he is, it is clear he doesn’t care about that distinction. This makes the Etch A Sketch gaffe especially harmful for Romney, as it reinforces the fact that Romney really does act as if facts are something he can change as easily as shaking an Etch A Sketch.

The DNC released the above web ad. I bet we will see more polished versions on television in the future.

Obama staffers have been tweeting about this–and there is no doubt it will feature big in a campaign which was already to be centered around Romney’s character.

Both Santorum and Gingrich (via David Weigel) brought out their own props to respond to Romney today (but it sure is Orwellian to see an authoritarian extremist such as Rick Santorum campaign in front of a Freedom banner).

Mitt Romney showed the ease with which he lies by claiming it is the campaign organization chart which will change as opposed to his positions.

Romney Plans Reset On Issues For General Election, Like Shaking an Etch A Sketch

It has become apparent with his constant lies while campaigning that Mitt Romney will say anything to get votes, telling more lies per minute than George Bush or even Richard Nixon. He thinks that he can spend huge amounts on advertising to spread whatever message he desires, constantly lying about his opponents (from both parties) while recreating his past whenever convenient. During the primary campaign, he has tried to claim he is to the right of Rick Santorum (which is quite difficult considering that there isn’t much room to the right of Santorum before you hit Nazis). His campaign believes that once they reach the general election they can push the cosmic reset button and start all over again, like shaking an Etch A Sketch. Romney Communications Director Eric Fehrnstrom had this to say on CNN (video above):

HOST: Is there a concern that Santorum and Gingrich might force the governor to tack so far to the right it would hurt him with moderate voters in the general election?

FEHRNSTROM: Well, I think you hit a reset button for the fall campaign. Everything changes. It’s almost like an Etch A Sketch. You can kind of shake it up and restart all of over again.

Wil Wheaton correctly tweeted the Romney strategy last night: “The Romney Plan: 1. Pander 2. Lie 3. Lie 4. Flip 5. Flop 6. Pander 7. Lose election. 8. Repeat in 4 years.”

As for Rick Santorum, could anything be more Orwellian than to see Rick Santorum, who might be the member of a major party most devoted to squashing individual liberty in America, standing in front of a Freedom banner last night?

Update: Opponents Quickly Take Advantage Of Romney Campaign “Etch A Sketch” Admission Of Changing Positions

Steven Moffat Announces New Companion And Information On Upcoming Season Of Doctor Who

Steven Moffat revealed a lot of information about the upcoming season of Doctor Who, including the announcement that Jenna-Louise Coleman will become the next companion. I provided some information about Coleman earlier today, just after the announcement. It was also announced that there will be five episodes with Amy and Rory in the fall of 2012, including one with Daleks. Amy and Rory will leave the series in a final encounter with the Weeping Angels in episode 5. From the report that not everyone gets out alive, along with Karen Gillan’s previous statements that she would like her exit to be final, I suspect this means the death of Amy, and possibly Rory. It is also conceivable that Amy might decide to leave the TARDIS following yet another, and this time permanent, death for Rory.

Jenna-Louise Coleman will first appear in the Christmas 2012 episode and begins filming in May. Eight episodes will subsequently air in the spring of 2013 to complete the season, with additional episodes later in the 50th anniversary season.

In describing the choice of Jenna-Louise Coleman to become the next companion, Steven Moffat replied to a question on what he could tell by saying, “It’s not the usual kind of story, it’s a very, very different way for the Doctor to meet his new friend, so absolutely nothing. Not even the name.” It is rumored that her character will not be from earth.

In the press release announcing the choice (full text below), Moffat also had this to say:

“It always seems impossible when you start casting these parts, but when we saw Matt and Jenna together, we knew we had our girl. She’s funny and clever and exactly mad enough to step on board the TARDIS.

“It’s not often the Doctor meets someone who can talk even faster than he does, but it’s about to happen. Jenna is going to lead him his merriest dance yet. And that’s all you’re getting for now. Who she’s playing, how the Doctor meets her, and even where he finds her, are all part of one of the biggest mysteries the Time Lord ever encounters. Even by the Doctor’s standards, this isn’t your usual boy meets girl.”

Matt Smith is signed with the show through 2013, with no decision made as to when he will leave the show. Moffat also said that the departure of Amy Pond does not necessarily mean the end for River Song.

Above is a the video of a BBC interview with Jenna-Louise Coleman following announcement that she will be joining cast of Doctor Who.

Following is a transcript of a press conference with Steven Moffat and Jenna-Louise Coleman from earlier today:

Steven Moffat (showrunner), what can you tell us about the character?
Moffat: “Absolutely nothing – you’re going to have to wait and see! It’s not the usual kind of story, it’s a very, very different way for the Doctor to meet his new friend, so [I can tell you] absolutely nothing. Not even the name.”

Jenna, how do you feel about being cast?
Coleman: “Beyond excited. Very excited – I want to get started already.”

When do you start shooting?
Coleman: “I believe it’s May time, [for] the Christmas special.”
Moffat: “That’ll be her first episode.”

Are you a fan of the show and do you have a favorite companion from the past?
Coleman: “I’m a huge fan of the show. It’s actually literally my grandma’s favorite show, so she is the most excited person in the world! I think my favorite companion is probably… it’s between Billie Piper and Karen Gillan, I think.

“I’ve got a lot of memories from the Billie Piper era, and obviously I’ve been watching quite a lot of the show recently as well.”

And aside from Matt, who’s your favorite Doctor?
“It’s probably David Tennant, because it’s the David Tennant and Billie Piper era that I remember the best. But it has to be Matt, of course!”

(more…)

Quote of the Day

“Romney did so well in Illinois he did a posthumous baptism on Santorum.” –Albert Brooks

Jenna-Louise Coleman To Play Next Companion On Doctor Who

Jenna-Louise Coleman has been chosen to play the next companion on Doctor Who after Karen Gillan leaves the TARDIS during the upcoming season. The BBC confirmed the story this morning after British tabloids ran stories on the choice. There are unconfirmed rumors that her character will not be from earth.

Coleman will make her first appearance in the 2012 Christmas episode.

“I want to get started already,” says Jenna. “I’m a huge fan of the show”.

“Matt Smith did my audition with me. It was fun and I felt like we were in it together.”

Steven Moffat said: “We saw a lot of brilliant actresses. But Jenna was the only person going faster than Matt – he had to keep up!”

On her favourite companion: “Between Billie Piper and Karen Gillan”

Coleman was born in Blackpool, Lancashire, England on April 27, 1986. She played the role of  lesbian Jasmine Thomas on an  ITV soap, Emmerdale in 2005. She joined the cast of the BBC’s Waterloo Road in 2009. Coleman had a small role in Captain America: The First Avenger and appears in an upcoming ITV mini-series Titanic (picture below). Coleman has been nominated twice for ‘Sexiest Female’ at the British Soap Awards

Steven Moffat had been tweeting about Sophia Myles, who previously appeared in the Doctor Who episode The Girl in the Fireplace, creating speculation that she would play the next companion. Perhaps she will have another role in the upcoming season. While her character did die, others (including Karen Gillan who appeared in The Fires of Pompeii prior to playing Amy Pond) have returned to the show in different roles.

Update: More news on the upcoming season

The BBC has confirmed rumours that Doctor Who Series 7 will be split over two years. They will only air six episodes in 2012.

“There will be 6 episodes this year, including the Xmas Special. Then 8 next year,” says the BBC.

Amy and Rory will leave after five episodes. Steven Moffat revealed: “Amy and Rory will leave in a final encounter with the Weeping Angels in episode 5.”

Adding: “Not everyone gets out alive. And I mean it this time!”

The Daleks have also been confirmed to appear in the Autumn run.