No, it’s not a debate. That would be coarse. It’s actually a series of speed dates conversations between Mike Huckabee and some of the surviving GOP candidates. And we’re holding a Cartoon Cavalcade/Open Thread because it’s only 5pm in Sandy Eggo, so what the hell.

We can’t just look at embarrassing ‘debates’ conducted by fools for the benefit of scoundrels. Let’s see some embarrassing lip-synching instead. It makes a lot more sense than Cain ever did.

The location is the 42nd Street Studios. Just about the only game in town to rehearse big musicals. Yes, boys and girls, those are indeed the lights of Manhattan.

Herman Cain! will be announcing his intentions in a few minutes. Let’s tune in!

Selected reader reviews for “Microwave for One”, a 1987 cookbook by Sonia Allison.

Michael Pemulis:

It used to be that I got home from work and the only thing I’d want to put in my mouth was the cold barrel of my grandfather’s shotgun. Then I discovered Sonia Allison’s Chicken Tetrazzini, and now there are two things.

Chef in Trainng:

I’ve never been a culinary master, so to speak — Mary was always the chef in our family. Apparently her new husband David also knows his way around the kitchen.

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“Donald Trump is pairing up with Newsmax, the conservative magazine and news Web site, to moderate a presidential debate in Des Moines on Dec. 27.” [NYT]

Robin Haraway, Millington, TN:

“Sir, I firmly believe that you were sent to our nation through Divine Providence and I believe that you are the man to preserve our Republic for our children. Remember, you have overcome many adversities in your life. You have pulled yourself up by your bootstraps through sheer determination and honesty. You were delivered from cancer. My prayers are for strength and guidance for you and your beautiful family this weekend.”

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For the past couple of years, President Obama has chided the GOP for seeking to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and working class. In seeking to reduce the deficit through cuts to social programs alone, while leaving the tax rates of the richest Americans untouched (or even lowered), the GOP has shown a naked allegiance to the wealthiest Americans and a willlingness to inflict untold pain on all the rest.

Well it would appear that the GOP has heard the President’s complaints and has responded by offering compromise legislation that asks both poor and rich alike to sacrifice in the name of balancing the budget. Faced with mounting criticism of their refusal to back an extension of the payroll tax cut that affects mostly working Americans, the GOP has offered up a plan to pay for the cut while not adding further to the nation’s deficit. Federal workers, almost all of them middle income earners, will see their pay frozen through 2015, while 10% of them will lose their jobs altogether. The rich will also share in the pain, with millionaries and billionaires excluded from collecting food stamps and unemployment benefits. Yeah… let me repeat that last part: millionaires and billionaires are being asked to share in the pain by giving up their right to collect food stamps and unemployment benefits…. not, it doesn’t get any better the second time you say it. Read more »