Quote Unquote: Get a Grip

Brookings Institution Senior Fellow Thomas E. Mann on the somewhat unlikely possibility of Michele Bachmann losing her congressional seat this Tuesday…

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"A Bachmann loss would help the Republican Party get a grip on reality and start on the path back from ideological zealotry to problem solving."

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Luckily for fans of insane conservative zealotry and political satire alike, that's really not a huge concern this time around.

Michele Bachmann Laughed at During Debate [VIDEO]

I'm gonna warn you: This video of Michele Bachmann being laughed at by a Minnesota audience while debating her congressional opponent Jim Graves is a little difficult to watch.

As a person who tries to be funny as a profession, it's a little painful for me to watch a career politician drawing bigger laughs that I'll probably ever earn…

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Fox News vs. Actual News, Part XCVIII

This may not be the most accurate depiction of MEA Weekend, an annual Minnesota tradition in which public schools close for two days to allow teachers to attend the Education Minnesota Professional Conference.

But liberal critics of Fox can't argue that they're just cherry-picking parts of the conference agenda. Not only will there be a session on how to present Islam in history and social studies classes, the gathering also includes workshops on algebra instruction, the original Islamic conspiracy.

Thanks for being ever vigilant, Fox News.

One of a Kind Candidate: Blong Yang, Hennepin County Commissioner District 2, Minneapolis, MN

Blong Yang. Blong Yang. Go on, keep saying it. Blong. It has such a nice feel on the mouth-parts. Bloooong. Names are the best! Except for Dustin and Madison.

Blong Yang is running for Hennepin County Commissioner District 2 outside of Minneapolis, and just look at his music video:

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Congressional Race Sadly Not Decided by Eating Contest

With many incumbents loath to share a stage with their challengers, when they can instead pummel them with direct mail and media buys, congressional debates organized by local media are going the way of the Dodo bird competitive congressional election. So it is in Minnesota's 3rd congressional district, where the incumbent and favorite for re-election Erik Paulsen, has refused to debate his Democratic opponent Brian Barnes.

Issue-oriented voters may be the losers here, but at least this race offers a window on to the future of American politics: future elections will be settled by reality-show themed competitions and eating contests, if creative pols like Barnes have anything to say about it…

"I grew up in 4H, and love the Minnesota State Fair. In addition to agriculture, fine arts, food and music, the Fair has a grand tradition of political debate. If Congressman Paulsen's views are too private to share with Minnesotans, we'll make it simple for him. I challenge him to a contest of cow milking, butter carving or corndog eating — he can take his pick."

Unfortunately, with the Fair ending yesterday, it doesn't appear that Paulsen took up the challenge, but with any luck, politicians will soon be stuffing pork into somewhere other than just their districts.

Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images News/Getty Images