We Watched The GOP Debate So You Didn’t Have To

PLUS: Courts crack down on big polluters’ checkbooks...The War on Terror’s made things worse...If you were accidentally tortured by the U.S., the Supreme Court wants you to quit your whining...The British are all, like, “peace, we’re outta here...” and, finally, Wyclef was right: Just ‘coz she dances go-go, that don’t make her a ho, no. Today is October 10th, and this is Mic Check. You know you love us, xoxo.

Celebration Excuse

Making the short week shorter...

1967

The Outer Space Treaty, formally known as the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including the Moon and Other Celestial Bodies takes effect. It is the basis of international space law and the document that inspired a generation of international space lawyers.

1970

Celebrate Fijian independence!

1971

The London Bridge reopens in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. Contrary to what you might’ve heard from singing schoolchildren, it is, in fact, not falling down, falling down.

1973

Vice President Spiro Agnew resigns after being charged with federal income tax evasion. Wait. You can bring criminal charges against someone in the executive branch for illegal actions?

1979

Pac-Man hits arcades across Japan. Colorful ghosts everywhere turn blue in fear and scramble after Pac Man ingests the big dot.

Birthday, birthday paaaarty...

  • 1953: David Lee Roth, lead singer of recently reunited ‘80’s rockers, Van Halen
  • 1964: Jim Rome, outspoken host of the sports show that bears his name
  • 1969: Brett Favre, famed Green Bay Packers quarterback and recent NFL all-time touchdown passes record breaker
  • 1974: Dale Earnhardt Jr, the son and namesake of legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, and superstar in his own right

Daybook

STUMPIN’

Hillary Clinton fundraises in Boston, Mass.

CONGRESS

HOUSE

10 AM

(Select) Intelligence Committee meets to go over legislation to revise the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA)

Veterans Affairs Committee meets to discuss the findings of the Veterans’ Disability Benefits Commission

Science and Technology’s Research and Science Education Subcommittee holds a hearing on the National Science Board’s “Action Plan” for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education

10:30 AM

Education and Labor Committee discusses cases of child neglect and abuse at private, home daycares

SENATE

10:30 AM

Judiciary Committee meets to discuss northern border security

TV

TIVO…

  • Oprah: Nate’s Time Warp Decorating Rescue
  • The View: 30 Rock star, Tracy Morgan, and chef Alice Waters
  • Regis and Kelly: We Own the Night star Joaquin Phoenix, comedian Tyler Perry, and musical guest Taylor Swift
  • Ellen: Actress Kate Hudson, Pushing Daisies star Kristin Chenoweth

STAY UP FOR…

  • Letterman: Comedy Central star Stephen Colbert, We Own the Night star Eva Mendes, and musical guest Queens of the Stone Age
  • Leno: Comedian Dana Carvey, The Heartbreak Kid star Malin Akerman, and musical guest the Plain White T’s
  • Late Late Show: Actor Fred Willard, Boston Legal’s Saffron Burrows, and musical guest Modest Mouse
  • Conan: Comedian and 30 Rock star, Tracy Morgan, Into the Wild’s Emile Hirsch, author A.J. Jacobs
  • Last Call: Actress Leslie Bibb and musical guest Hurricane Chris
  • Kimmel: Ugly Betty’s America Ferrera, skateboarder Tony Hawk, and musical guest Datarock
  • Daily Show: Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney
  • Colbert Report: General Wesley Clark
 

Eavesdrop

STEAL THIS AUDIO: THE GOP DEBATE

  • Who: All of our conservative favorites: Former governor Mike Huckabee, America’s Mayor Rudy Giuliani, former governor Mitt Romney, Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Senator John McCain (R-AZ) and friends square off on the economy.
  • Why You Should Care: Because we’ve got the spoofs. From pimps and hos to the GOP’s britches to Mitt Romney’s stand up routines, we’ve got the clips cable news won’t be running. Take a listen.

THE AUDIO

  • Taxing debates. That Mitt Romney — not only is he well-coiffed, but he’s such a joker!
    Please log in to download this clip.
  • Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee is tired of paying taxes while pimps and hos are getting their paychecks under the table.
    Please log in to download this clip.
  • Speaking of Huckabee, he’s got some advice for the GOP: Get jobs back in America, or get ready to get your britches beat.
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  • And, finally, the slogan of the evening goes to Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS), who channeled Dr. Seuss while proclaiming that the American people have been “taxed to the max.” They also, may we add, want their green eggs and ham...Sam.
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Popularity Contest

It’s the Gossip Girl of news.

NYT: Aging and Gay, and Facing Prejudice in Twilight

WASHPO: Dragonfly or Insect Spy? Scientists at Work on Robobugs.

USAT: Lindsay Lohan to ’stay focused’ in Utah

LAT: Supreme Court won’t hear the appeal of apparent CIA victim

CBS: Man Jailed For Trying To Pass Off $1M Bill

NBC: Priest who declared love for woman removed

ABC: Argument Led to Wis. Deputy’s Rampage

CNN: Captor: Boy talked me out of killing him

FOX: With $16 Billion, Daughter of Former Bricklayer is China’s Richest Person

Masthead

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Mic Check is produced every weekday by Christy Harvey, Sara Langhinrichs and Nicole Murphy, and is a project of the Center for American Progress Action Fund. Read more about Mic Check.

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