Full Version: Political Free Agents
This week marks the beginning of free agency in the NFL. Players will be leaving their old teams in hope of landing big money from other clubs looking for a hotshot wide receiver or lineman.
The Republicans I most wish were Democrats include Colin Powell, John McCain, Jack Kemp and Elizabeth Dole, to name a few.
Which got me to thinking--if I were a coach and I were looking for some talented players on my team who would I recruit from the America's Debate pool of posters? I'm a self-described Liberal and I've got some heavy hitters on my side, but who among the board's Conservatives, Moderates and Independents would I want on the team?
I'd offer a hefty signing bonus to these three free agents:
1. Belladonna: Nobody makes me work harder to check my facts and get my arguments straight than Belladonna. We probably would disagree that the sky is blue, but I know she's going to always show up and bring her "A" game.
2. Dontreadonme: A guy who comes ready to play and never gives less than 100 percent.
3. Conservpat: In another life maybe I could have reached him and made him Liberalpat. Oh well, maybe I can get him to vote for Kerry in November.
Who on this board or on "the other team" in politics do you wish you had on your side?
The Republicans I most wish were Democrats include Colin Powell, John McCain, Jack Kemp and Elizabeth Dole, to name a few.
Which got me to thinking--if I were a coach and I were looking for some talented players on my team who would I recruit from the America's Debate pool of posters? I'm a self-described Liberal and I've got some heavy hitters on my side, but who among the board's Conservatives, Moderates and Independents would I want on the team?
I'd offer a hefty signing bonus to these three free agents:
1. Belladonna: Nobody makes me work harder to check my facts and get my arguments straight than Belladonna. We probably would disagree that the sky is blue, but I know she's going to always show up and bring her "A" game.
2. Dontreadonme: A guy who comes ready to play and never gives less than 100 percent.
3. Conservpat: In another life maybe I could have reached him and made him Liberalpat. Oh well, maybe I can get him to vote for Kerry in November.
Who on this board or on "the other team" in politics do you wish you had on your side?
Well, I guess for me it would be
Amlord- a rare conservative that just doesn't quote Rush over and over, despite Rush's being wrong LOL- kind of reminds me of my Dad- a conservative that is a conservative and has an personal definition of conservative instead of just going with the current wave of calling oneself conservative because it is not liberal LOL
Hobbes- more because he is more libertarian, and therefore, usually more in touch of what is going on inside human nature, and instead of trying to control it through moral issues, tries to find the maximum amount of freedom for all with the minimum amount of external control.
Amlord- a rare conservative that just doesn't quote Rush over and over, despite Rush's being wrong LOL- kind of reminds me of my Dad- a conservative that is a conservative and has an personal definition of conservative instead of just going with the current wave of calling oneself conservative because it is not liberal LOL
Hobbes- more because he is more libertarian, and therefore, usually more in touch of what is going on inside human nature, and instead of trying to control it through moral issues, tries to find the maximum amount of freedom for all with the minimum amount of external control.
Moved to Casual conversation for obvious reasons...
Interesting question. In addition to the names listed, I guess I would go with Izdaari. We're not really exact opposites, of course, with agreement on a lot of issues, but her overall philosophy can probably be best described as conservative libertarianism. Well, whatever description might be used, certainly she is intelligent, well-informed, and always stays calm in any debate.
Belladonna, Amlord, Aquilla, Wertz, Izdaari
Actually I'd only need Wertz and Amlord to verbally beat any opponents senseless.
Of course "He who controls the Moderators controls the Universe" so Jaime and Mike to stifle any competition and allow me to reign unopposed.
Politically: McCain, Biden, Mario Cuomo, James Carville and Mary Matalin. Dick Morris and Karl Rove--I wanna WIN
Actually I'd only need Wertz and Amlord to verbally beat any opponents senseless.
Of course "He who controls the Moderators controls the Universe" so Jaime and Mike to stifle any competition and allow me to reign unopposed.
Politically: McCain, Biden, Mario Cuomo, James Carville and Mary Matalin. Dick Morris and Karl Rove--I wanna WIN
While not diametrically opposed on all things, I'd definitely want to recruit Hobbes, Beladonna, Dontreadonme, Izdaari, and Mrs. P - their posts are generally clear, strong, well-argued, and reasonable (unlike many of my own ). I'd also want Passion51 - not that he'd do my team many favors, but at least he'd be driving the opposition nuts for a change. 
Having Amlord on my side would probably constitute overkill...
). I'd also want Passion51 - not that he'd do my team many favors, but at least he'd be driving the opposition nuts for a change. Having Amlord on my side would probably constitute overkill...
Since I straddle the middle a lot, there isn't an "other side" for me (typical moderate's answer, huh?).
So here's who I'd want to draft to win any argument:
Antonin Scalia (with Clarence Thomas tagging along of course, even if I didn't want him) - better to have his scathing -- but literate and focused -- commentary directed at someone else.
Ex-Prez Bill Clinton and ex-VP Bob Dole - two sides of the same wonky coin, but I'd never be at a loss for facts.
Hillary Clinton - for the "fake-out" plays. The opposition would be so focused on her, the rest of the team could go out for breakfast, watch TV, then come back and still score... all on the same argument!
Steve Jobs - don't have any clue what his political views are, but every argument would be "insanely great" and what's so bad about that?
So here's who I'd want to draft to win any argument:
Antonin Scalia (with Clarence Thomas tagging along of course, even if I didn't want him) - better to have his scathing -- but literate and focused -- commentary directed at someone else.
Ex-Prez Bill Clinton and ex-VP Bob Dole - two sides of the same wonky coin, but I'd never be at a loss for facts.
Hillary Clinton - for the "fake-out" plays. The opposition would be so focused on her, the rest of the team could go out for breakfast, watch TV, then come back and still score... all on the same argument!
Steve Jobs - don't have any clue what his political views are, but every argument would be "insanely great" and what's so bad about that?
Here's my Liberal Fab Three for my Dream Team:
Wertz for his articulacy and overall intelligent posts.
Nighttimer for his persistance and his convictions to his ideals.
Eeyore for his objectivity, he's no Democrat Kool-Aid drinker, he thinks things over before making an opinion.
Honorable Mention:
Julian
Unabomber [Where are you?]
Platypus
That just doesn't have the pizazz as Conservpat, LibPat, eeeeew
.
CP
Wertz for his articulacy and overall intelligent posts.
Nighttimer for his persistance and his convictions to his ideals.
Eeyore for his objectivity, he's no Democrat Kool-Aid drinker, he thinks things over before making an opinion.
Honorable Mention:
Julian
Unabomber [Where are you?]
Platypus
QUOTE
In another life maybe I could have reached him and made him Liberalpat.
That just doesn't have the pizazz as Conservpat, LibPat, eeeeew
.QUOTE
Oh well, maybe I can get him to vote for Kerry in November.
CP
Always fun to consider my fellow members, never a dull moment 
The short list:
Wertz: Well thought-out posts, plenty of research, knows how to tick people off.
Wertz once said he defines paranoid as "having all the facts", I dare say that sentiment is what keeps us on opposite sides of the fence most of the time.
moif: The man will argue with me until I'm blue in the fingertips, we seem to have constructed a similiar list of philosophical priorites...
only to take opposite positions on all of them, ah well.
Doesn't back down, how else would I learn anything?
Eeyore: Concur with ConservPat's independent though notice, always great to be on the side of a fellow who'll give credit where it's due (the Enron prosecuters?! Thin ice Mister you know it's all a conspiracy...)
Victoria Silverwolf: Principled to the core! Always glad to have her backup.
Public figures:
Ralph Nader you are a funny man, "relax and rejoice"...
Jon Stewart: it's funny cuz' it's true...
Robert Reich: Is it me or does he sound staggeringly reasonable even as he touts the party line?
Al Sharpton. I get the idea that he cares for the black community, now if he would only listen for a second...
The short list:
Wertz: Well thought-out posts, plenty of research, knows how to tick people off.
Wertz once said he defines paranoid as "having all the facts", I dare say that sentiment is what keeps us on opposite sides of the fence most of the time.
moif: The man will argue with me until I'm blue in the fingertips, we seem to have constructed a similiar list of philosophical priorites...
only to take opposite positions on all of them, ah well.
Doesn't back down, how else would I learn anything?
Eeyore: Concur with ConservPat's independent though notice, always great to be on the side of a fellow who'll give credit where it's due (the Enron prosecuters?! Thin ice Mister you know it's all a conspiracy...)
Victoria Silverwolf: Principled to the core! Always glad to have her backup.
Public figures:
Ralph Nader you are a funny man, "relax and rejoice"...
Jon Stewart: it's funny cuz' it's true...
Robert Reich: Is it me or does he sound staggeringly reasonable even as he touts the party line?
Al Sharpton. I get the idea that he cares for the black community, now if he would only listen for a second...
I hesitate to put my list here for fear of offending those I left off, or even moreso, those I included..... 
From America's Debate I would choose the following for my team.....
Danya - Liberal as the dickens, but fair and insightful. I know I could always go to her with a question and get an honest answer.
Cube Jockey - Another fellow Californian, we don't always agree, but we want the same ends. Works for me and my team.
Christopher - No clue on where he stands on a lot of things, but dang! He does come up with some of the best thread ideas on AD. He's not from California like my other two team members are, but he's darn close to it and who knows what Arnold may do as far as annexation in the next couple of years.
On the national scene, I'd take Sam Nunn, Bob Kerrey, Joe Lieberman - all moderate Democrats, and I'll also pick Charlie Rangel. No clue why on Charlie other than he's a really fun guy and always livens things up!
Edited to add one supplement pick......
Susan Estrich. Not much agreement with her politically, but she's a good person.
From America's Debate I would choose the following for my team.....
Danya - Liberal as the dickens, but fair and insightful. I know I could always go to her with a question and get an honest answer.
Cube Jockey - Another fellow Californian, we don't always agree, but we want the same ends. Works for me and my team.
Christopher - No clue on where he stands on a lot of things, but dang! He does come up with some of the best thread ideas on AD. He's not from California like my other two team members are, but he's darn close to it and who knows what Arnold may do as far as annexation in the next couple of years.
On the national scene, I'd take Sam Nunn, Bob Kerrey, Joe Lieberman - all moderate Democrats, and I'll also pick Charlie Rangel. No clue why on Charlie other than he's a really fun guy and always livens things up!
Edited to add one supplement pick......
Susan Estrich. Not much agreement with her politically, but she's a good person.
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