Professor Warren, who lost China?

Mark Halperin really is a douchebag.

Elizabeth Warren is a wonderful candidate.

Juvenilia

David, I strongly disagree with your analysis.

“What he said was obviously stupid and tasteless, and he exercised poor judgment,” Mr. Axelrod told The Washington Post. “I think he’d be the first to acknowledge that. I strongy disagree with his analysis. But I’ve known him for decades. He’s a decent person and a good journalist. I’m sure that no one regrets this more than he does.”

No, Mr. Axelrod, he's a dick (though, one benefit of this incident is that we now know that the pejorative "dick" is fit to print in the New York Times).

Halperin's a dick, not because he shouldn't be allowed to insult the president, as Jonathan Chait complains, but because he's a hack and an apologist for Republicans. He's a dick because, in the face of a reality that exposes Republicans as the extortionists and economic saboteurs they are, he called the president "a dick" because the president called his friends on it.

No, Halperin shouldn't have been suspended for using juvenile language on "Morning Joe." He shouldn't be suspended for not showing enough deference to the president. He should be suspended for demanding the president show more deference to Republicans. Or maybe to the WH press corps. Which, in Halperin's case, is pretty much the same thing.

Lovable l'il guy

I believe Josh Marshall would call this riding on the tire swing.

In recent days, McCain has attempted to move away from his campaign's controversial negative tone, and instead present his genuine optimistic persona and inspire Americans with leadership and good humor during these uncertain times. While still in the midst of this mid-course correction, it may be risky for McCain to strike Obama forcefully in such a high profile forum.

To make matters even worse for McCain, this final session is focused on domestic policy, an area in which he is considered vulnerable. And for all the public interest and media focus on the debates, it is unlikely the last go-round could have a truly game-changing effect.

McCain's best bet is to ignore all the advice he is getting about what he needs to accomplish and how he should comport himself: don't try to be all things to all strategists. Instead, he should say what he truly believes about his own proposals, about Obama's qualifications, and about the challenges the country faces, without an over-crafted strategy. His debate performances have improved, and he is always his most likeable, and most formidable when he uses his head and speaks from the heart. To paraphrase the wise old song, dignity is just another word for nothing left to lose. McCain might lose the election, but he doesn't have to lose his reputation in the process.

Hacktastic Halperin.

Pussies

Mark Halperin's little "slip of the tongue" makes it pretty clear that the EM ESS EM, whom Halperin so hackstatically represents, thinks Obama's the Democratic nominee. Calling him "a pussy (supposedly quoting Edwards, though I find that hard to believe)," is, of course, par for the course. The leading Democratic candidate can expect to be made to appear effeminate by the campaign press, unless it's a she, in which case they'll butch her up.

Congratulations, Barak! You've arrived.

h/t C/L.