memeorandum: Some Democrats are beginning to question the party's shifting strategies … (The Hill)

7:40 PM ET, October 17, 2010

Top Items:

BUCK COMPARES HOMOSEXUALITY TO ALCOHOLISM.... Ken Buck has already made quite a name for himself as Colorado's right-wing Senate candidate. From extremist positions on the issues to inexplicable professional misjudgments, the Republican nominee stands out — but not in a good way.

Discussion: Balloon Juice

Shane D'Aprile / The Hill:

Ken Buck calls homosexuality ‘a choice’ — Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Republican Ken Buck sparred over government spending, deficits and the policies of President Obama Sunday, but the meeting between the two candidates on NBC's “Meet the Press” was untimely dominated by Buck's answer to a question on homosexuality.

Discussion: Don Surber, The Politico and Towleroad News #gay

Hotline On Call:

Buck Stumbles in Debate, Opens Door For Bennet — Republican Ken Buck was on the defensive against Sen. Michael Bennet (D) during Sunday's “Meet the Press” Colorado Senate debate, stumbling at several points on both economic and social issues. — At one point, Buck opened the door …

Discussion: Crooks and Liars and Raw Story

Igor Volsky / Wonk Room:

Colorado Senate Candidate Says Being Gay Is A Choice, Compares It To Alcoholism — This morning, during a Colorado Senate debate hosted by Meet The Press, Republican candidate Ken Buck said that being gay is a choice and compared it to alcoholism: … Watch it:

Discussion: Zandar Versus The Stupid, Denver Post, AMERICAblog Gay and Outside the Beltway

The Huffington Post:
Colorado Senate Debate: Ken Buck Compares Being Gay To Alcoholism (VIDEO)

Discussion: msnbc.com

Joshua Miller / ABCNEWS:

Meghan McCain: Christine O'Donnell ‘Seen as Nutjob’ — O'Donnell ‘Making Mockery of Running for Public Office,’ John McCain's Daughter Says — This morning on a fiery “This Week” roundtable, four powerhouse guests tackled the influence of the Tea Party on the GOP.

Discussion: Crooks and Liars, Michelle Malkin, American Power and Gateway Pundit

Gschwarzcnn / CNN:
TRENDING: Meghan McCain sounds off on O'Donnell

Discussion: Raw Story, Riehl World View and Gawker

Sean J. Miller / Ballot Box:
Coons on O'Donnell: 'I'm not sure why she's running' for Senate

Discussion: CNN

Blue Texan / Firedoglake:

All Together, Now: The Tea Party Isn't About Economic Insecurity — In his op-ed today, the normally razor sharp Frank Rich makes the same mistake I keep seeing over and over from the chattering classes. … Meh. — Anyone who thinks the Teabaggers' unhinged “anger and bitterness” …

Discussion: American Power, Booman Tribune, Zandar Versus The Stupid, Liberal Values, Economist's View and Los Angeles Times

Frank Rich / New York Times:
The Rage Won't End on Election Day

Discussion: The Moderate Voice, Daily Kos and Prairie Weather

flemingandhayes.com:

Barney Frank's Boyfriend Heckles Sean Bielat — Upon exiting the most recent debate with Barney Frank, located at WGBH studios in Boston, MA, Republican Congressional candidate, Sean Bielat, gets heckled by a Barney Frank “supporter” while talking to the media.

Discussion: Michelle Malkin, Scared Monkeys, Left Coast Rebel, iOwnTheWorld.com, Gateway Pundit, Mediaite, RedState and GayPatriot

Larry O'Connor / Breitbart.tv:
Barney Frank's Significant Other Heckles GOP Opponent

Discussion: Weasel Zippers and Riehl World View

The Hill:

Some Democrats are beginning to question the party's shifting strategies in the closing weeks of the campaign, particular its recent focus on groups who are spending millions on behalf of Republicans. — These veteran party strategists are raising doubts as to whether the attacks on the U.S. Chamber …

Discussion: The Politico, CNN, Taylor Marsh and The Caucus

Scott Wilson / Washington Post:
Obama may be on his own if he wants big changes

Discussion: Pat Dollard

Shane D'Aprile / The Hill:
Gibbs: 'Don't ask, don't tell' will end under Obama administration

Discussion: The Politico and CNN

The Hill:

Democrats have raised $1 million from foreign-affiliated PACs — Democratic leaders in the House and Senate criticizing GOP groups for allegedly funneling foreign money into campaign ads have seen their party raise more than $1 million from political action committees affiliated with foreign companies.

Discussion: Weasel Zippers, Pajamas Media and JammieWearingFool

Tom Maguire / JustOneMinute:

Be Afraid, Be Very... Never Mind, You Already Are — Bitterly clinging to his pop psychology, First Sociologist Barack Obama regales a Democratic fundraising event with his latest insight into the minds of the Great Unwashed: — WEST NEWTON, Mass. - President Barack Obama said Americans' …

Discussion: Pundit & Pundette

Carol E. Lee / The Politico:
President Obama: ‘Fear and frustration’ drive voters

Discussion: Michelle Malkin, Associated Press, Pajamas Media, QC Examiner, RedState, Flopping Aces, iOwnTheWorld.com, Beltway Confidential, Stop The ACLU, Don Surber, Power Line, Weasel Zippers and CNN

Prohb / CBS News:

Nancy Pelosi Fires Back — The Woman Speaker Targeted by the GOP Does Not Believe Democrats Will Lose Control of the House … Speaker Nancy Pelosi is all business. Whether it's on her morning walk along the Potomac . . . “This is where you think about stuff?” Braver asked.

Discussion: Pajamas Media

Teresa Dixon Murray / Plain Dealer:

Mortgage foreclosure uproar sweeps up Northeast Ohioans — CLEVELAND, Ohio — Michael and Pamella Negrea have never been late on a mortgage payment in the 15 years they've owned their home in Eastlake. But they've been foreclosed on three times. — Martin and Kirsten Davis, meanwhile …

Glenn Greenwald / Salon:

How propaganda is disseminated: WikiLeaks Edition — This is how the U.S. government and American media jointly disseminate propaganda: in the immediate wake of some newsworthy War on Terror event, U.S. Government officials (usually anonymous) make wild and reckless — though unverifiable — claims.

Discussion: CNN, Outside the Beltway, Comments from Left Field, Unqualified Offerings, CBS News and The Daily Beast

Maureen Dowd / New York Times:

Playing All the Angles — As I sat above the Hoover Dam under the broiling sun, I was getting jittery. — There was Gov. Jan Brewer of Arizona, speaking at the dedication of a bridge linking Arizona and Nevada 890 feet above the Colorado River. — As the politicians droned …

Discussion: Commentary, National Review, Left Coast Rebel, The Anchoress, Althouse, American Thinker, About.com US Liberal Politics, NewsBusters.org blogs, Mediaite, JustOneMinute, Libertarian Republican, Riehl World View and Prairie Weather

Jonathan Martin / The Politico:

Sarah Palin personifies GOP divide — ANAHEIM, Calif. - There were 19 Republicans sitting on stage behind Sarah Palin when she rallied GOP activists here Saturday, but none was named Meg Whitman or Carly Fiorina. — And just as the Republican candidates for governor and Senate …

Discussion: The Right Scoop, CNN, American Power, Mother Jones and Outside the Beltway