From the Pork Barrel: A Working Lunch

* The White House just tweeted this photo, in an obvious attempt to show voters that the President is so dedicated to his job that he's taking his meals in the Oval Office.

* Michele Bachmann unveils the liberal lamestream media's transparent scheme to win the health care battle by complimenting Anthony Kennedy for his dreamy transfixing eyes (or something not all that much less silly).

* While we're on the subject of Enquirer-esque revelations from Rep. Bachmann, have you heard about all those Muslim Brotherhood agents who have infiltrated in the DOJ, Homeland Security and NIA?

* A Politico reporter was suspended for making distasteful sensational remarks about a presidential candidate. Odd. Normally, they're given promotions.

* Don't forget to download our Election Companion App for iPhone and iPad and follow along as we liveblog Sen. Marco Rubio on this Sunday's very special episode of Meet the Press on NBC.

Tags: Anthony Kennedy, Barack Obama, Bo Obama, Department of Justice, Health Care, Homeland Security, Islam, Judiciary, Marco Rubio, Meet the Press, Michele Bachmann, NBC, NIA, Pork Barrel, Puppies!, Racism, Religion, Senate, Spying, Supreme Court

Justice Kennedy Seems About Ready to Kill the Individual Mandate

Health Care Reform's controversial individual mandate does appear to be on its last legs as the second day of the Supreme Court's historic hearing of Barack Obama's health care reform draws to a close.

And, once again, the four right-leaningest justices are all leaning one way and the four left-leaningest justices are all leaning the other way. So, it's looking like the final decision will , for the eleventy billionth time, fall upon Justice Kennedy…

If Justice Anthony M. Kennedy can locate a limiting principle in the federal government’s defense of the new individual health insurance mandate, or can think of one on his own, the mandate may well survive.

If he does, he may take Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr., and a majority along with him. But if he does not, the mandate is gone. That is where Tuesday’s argument wound up — with Kennedy, after first displaying a very deep skepticism, leaving the impression that he might yet be the mandate’s savior.

Sometimes I wonder why we even bother with the other eight justices. Why not just assume that we know how they're going to rule — because we can — and let them stay home and watch TV. Justice Kennedy will do the heavy lifting.

He always does.

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Tags: Anthony Kennedy, Health Care, Judiciary, Supreme Court

Vulture-Like Ideologues Circling Supreme Court Justices

Did you know that about a third of the current Supreme Court Justices are, like, really old? It's true. Three of them are going to turn 80 during the next presidential term. That means they're gonna die soon.

Which, obviously, is great news for somebody or other, depending upon who wins the general election in November…

The next president, whether it's Obama or a Republican, also has a reasonable shot at transforming the majority on the Supreme Court, because three justices representing the closely divided court's liberal and conservative wings, as well as its center, will turn 80 before the next presidential term ends.

The three justices are Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the leader of the court's liberal wing, conservative Antonin Scalia, and Anthony Kennedy, who leans conservative but on some issues provides a decisive vote for the liberals.

The next high court opening would cause a titanic confirmation fight if it would allow a Republican president to cement conservative control of the court by replacing Ginsburg or if Obama could give Democratic appointees a working majority for the first time in decades by replacing Scalia or Kennedy.

Obviously, it's a bit gauche to openly root for either the death or infirmament of a human being. That said, this narrow and extreme ideology is not going to push itself onto largely unwilling populace of the nation.

So, come on, Grim Reaper. Snap to it!

(via Think Progress)

Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Tags: Anthony Kennedy, Antonin Scalia, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Senior Citizens, Supreme Court