Michele Bachmann exits 2014 race

Confession: I'm a Minnesotan, but I've never paid much attention to Sixth District Representative Michele Bachmann. Come to think of it, I'm in sync with DNC member and fellow Minnesotan Rick Stafford's Facebook response to the news that Bachmann is dropping out of the 2014 race: "It's a great day in Minnesota! The sun is out. Bachman announces her retirement from spreading falsehoods! — feeling happy."

The editorial board of the Minneapolis Star Tribune explores further what Bachmann's exit means for the state of Minnesota:

Republican Rep. Michele Bachmann announced her 2014 exit from Congress with a political grace too seldom seen in the seven years she has controversially served Minnesota’s Sixth District in Washington, D.C.

Wednesday’s surprise release of a video in which the Tea Party firebrand said she will not seek a fifth term was classic Bachmann, with its flattering lighting, tightly controlled message and impeccable predawn timing designed to maximize morning news headlines and, by extension, energize her personal brand.

But the broader timing, to Bachmann’s credit, also benefits her political party and, more important, the voters in her Republican stronghold of a district. They now have an opportunity to elect a more effective and credible representative.

Coming well more than a year before the 2014 election, Bachmann’s announcement gives the GOP ample time to find and fund a strong new candidate — one capable not only of winning next year but of leveraging this solidly Republican seat to become a forceful advocate for constituents and a next-generation national leader for the party.

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Barack Obama as the Drone Ranger...

The editors of Mad Magazine think it's a shame that Obama is talking about scaling back his use of drones:

Courtesy of madmagazine.com.

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The efforts of a frenzied few to undermine "the most accomplished woman in a lifetime"

Courtesy of Peter Daou.com.

The mushrooming support for Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election has been stirring up increasing frenzy among her few remaining irrational adversaries. Peter Daou has done the rest of us a favor by providing a reader's guide to ant-Hillary themes. Daou writes:

Over the years, the chasm between the real Hillary Clinton and the unseemly caricature portrayed during two decades of personal attacks has been all too familiar to those who know her. Distinct from legitimate policy criticisms, these attacks have served as lazy shortcuts to undermine one of the most accomplished women of our lifetime.

Now, as the floodgates open on 2016 speculation, and despite her high standing in public polls, commentary about Hillary Clinton is following predictable patterns. Several pervasive anti-Hillary themes are being dusted off for yet another political cycle; these are carefully-crafted and patently false talking points designed to dehumanize and demean her. Many of the themes are rooted in the sexism that permeates our culture.

During the 2008 campaign, under withering fire for allegedly being, among other things, too ambitious, too polarizing, and willing to “say or do anything to win,” Hillary refused to play into stereotypes. She told her staff, “I don’t want to succeed because I’m a woman, I want to succeed because I’m the best at what I do.” Whatever she chooses to do in the future, as a former advisor and current supporter, I sincerely hope she is judged based on her actions, not on other people’s inventions. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of anti-Hillary themes so that readers, viewers and listeners recognize them for what they are.

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Yes, Madam President!

Emily's List has got it right; America appears to be ready for a woman president. But it sure has taken the country long enough to get there, and I'm wondering if the electorate is even yet aware that women represent 51 percent of the population.

Stephanie Schriock, president of EMILY's List, which is dedicated to electing pro-choice Democratic women to office, writes:

(CNN) -- In 2012 the American people sent a message. They elected more women than ever to Congress, shattering glass ceilings across the nation and making it clear that this is a country that is ready for women's leadership.

It's happening because voters know female leaders have the right priorities. They've fought for policies like the Violence Against Women Act and equal pay for equal work. Female leaders are the reason we have laws that ended gender discrimination in education.

But even though we know women's leadership has helped create so much progress, there is still a "men only" sign on the door to the Oval Office.

Across the country, Americans know it's time to change that. It's time to capitalize on the demand for women's leadership, harness the energy and ignite a movement that will put a woman in the White House.

2016 poll: If Clinton doesn't run, then who?

Today, EMILY's List is launching a campaign to make that a reality. Our community of 2 million women and men across the country has worked to elect women to offices up and down the ballot.

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