Hot-Rodding Qatari Sheikh Flees the Country (VIDEO)

Good riddance.

At LAT, "Qatari sheikh at center of Beverly Hills speeding case flees the country."

While the Getting's Hot: Carly Fiorina, Rising to the Challenge: My Leadership Journey

She made mention of the themes in her book at last night's debate, but if you haven't read it you wouldn't pick up on them.

So, since she'll no doubt be dominating the news today, here's another plug for her book, at Amazon, Rising to the Challenge: My Leadership Journey.



IMAGE CREDIT: O.C. Register.

More blogging tonight.

Will Donald Trump's Poll Ratings Collapse After Second #GOPDebate?

Personally, I think Carly Fiorina won the debate, and I'm not the only one. See Mark Hemingway, at the Weekly Standard, "Carly Fiorina, The Anti-Hillary."

And while Fiorina's going to get some kind of bump in the polls, the $64 million question is whether Donald Trump's going to take a dive. Some folks thought he gave a fine performance, at WaPo, for example, "Fiorina emerges in GOP debate, but Trump still dominates conversation."

In any case, let's see if the polling trends I mentioned yesterday hold firm. See, "No 2012 Frontrunner Polling Collapse Problem for Donald Trump."

Fiorina's been in single digits so long I'm skeptical that her moment on the big stage, no matter how impressive it was, will launch her up into Trump's territory. If anything, Ben Carson will fade a little bit, with Fiorina picking up some of his supporters. But well see. We'll see.

BONUS: Still more at the New York Times, "Candidates Use Second GOP Debate to Taunt Donald Trump."

Here's Ryan Anderson's New Book on Homosexual Marriage

They got into the debate on homosexual marriage and religious freedom at last night's debate, as well as the ideological fidelity of Chief Justice John Roberts. (On Twitter, some folks pointed out that Ted Cruz was hypocritical.)

In any case, here's Ryan Anderson's book, at Amazon, Truth Overruled: The Future of Marriage and Religious Freedom.

I really disagreed with Mike Huckabee. Folks need to flesh out the distinctions between Kim Davis' obligations as a public servant and elected official vis-à-vis her rights and responsibilities under the First Amendment. It's a complicated question, because while she has rights to freedom of religion, as a public official she could be violating citizens' protections against state sponsorship of religion.

'Peg, it will come back to you...'

From yesterday morning's school drop-off time, at the Sound L.A.

Too Much Time On My Hands
Styx
8:46 AM

London Calling
The Clash
8:35 AM

Peg
Steely Dan & Tom Scott
8:16 AM

Immigrant Song
Led Zeppelin
8:01 AM

Jeremy Corbyn During Prime MInister's Question Time (VIDEO)

Britain's Telegraph UK requires a subscription after you've reached your monthly limit, so just scroll down the topic page for the "Labour Party" for stories on yesterday's question time in Parliament. Apparently, new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn used questions from the public while confronting Prime Minister David Cameron.

And see, "Jeremy Corbyn's day: From national anthem 'disloyalty' to 'brilliant' PMQs battle with David Cameron."



Also at Toronto's National Post, "New U.K. Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn refuses to sing national anthem, accused of disloyalty." And from Anne Perkins, at the Guardian UK, "The national anthem may stick in Corbyn’s craw, but it is his job to sing it."

More, at the Independent UK, "Jeremy Corbyn will have to kneel before the Queen and kiss her hand - despite wanting to abolish the monarchy."

Donald Trump on Carly Fiorina: 'I think she's got a beautiful face and she's a beautiful woman...' #CNNDebate

Ms. Fiorina looked spectacular last night, even regal.

She didn't go as hard at Trump as some media reports indicated she would, but she did get in a zinger.

Here's the video of the exchange. Trump praises her beauty, which I think was the right thing to do, even a bit classy, considering that Trump's not known for being classy. Watch, "Trump on Carly Fiorina: 'She's got a beautiful face ..."

3-Year-Old Xander Poore Donates $20.00 to Charity Fund for Fire Relief Effort (VIDEO)

It's was his birthday money.

At KCRA News 3 Sacramento, "3-year-old donates $20 to fire fund, melts everyone's heart."

Nina Agdal's New York Apartment

She a crazy hot-mess babe.

At Sports Illustrated, from 2013, "SI Swimsuit model Nina Agdal's New York apartment."

PREVIOUSLY: "Nina Agdal on Instagram!"

Substance Made a Comeback in Second #GOPDebate

Following-up from earlier, "Donald Trump Goes Quiet When #GOPDebate Turns to Substantive Issues."

At WSJ, "Candidates fielded questions ranging from immigration and national security to the economy":

Very substantive #GOPDebate. #CNNDebate.

— Donald Douglas (@AmPowerBlog) September 17, 2015

Attitude met substance on a California debate stage Wednesday night. And if substance didn’t win, it at least made a comeback.

For two months, the Republican presidential race has been dominated by Donald Trump, whose approach has been to boast about his leadership style—“I’m a winner, I’ll negotiate great deals”—while skirting past detailed policy discussions.

The remainder of the field was left fuming, talking about Mr. Trump and seeing media coverage flow his way. What they weren’t doing was talking about their agendas.

That changed in the debate at the Reagan presidential library in California. While many of the questions posed by the CNN moderators began with a recitation of comments Mr. Trump has made, which left him still at the center of the conversation, his competitors managed to launch a conversation that, for the first time in weeks, got beyond the Trump orbit.

Sen. Marco Rubio got limited face time but made the most of it, explaining, for example, why he wouldn’t support President Barack Obama when he proposed limited airstrikes against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s troops: “If the United States military is going to be engaged by a commander-in-chief, it should only be engaged in an endeavor to win. And we’re not going to authorize use of force if you’re not put in a position where they can win.”

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush got his first chance on a debate stage to explain his immigration plan in detail and talk about judicial appointments. Ohio Gov. John Kasich got to explain his record in Ohio, as well as his determination to run an upbeat campaign that will give people “a sense of unity” in which he won’t attack others. Retired surgeon Ben Carson got to explain his health plan. Sen. Ted Cruz got multiple chances to strike a tough tone on Iran.

Indeed, the other candidates seemed to relish the chance to not talk about Mr. Trump. And, after having endured his criticisms of their records, energy, styles and even appearances, to begin striking back. Mr. Bush asked Mr. Trump to apologize to his Mexican-born wife for saying she influenced his thinking on immigration. (Mr. Trump declined.)

Still more.

Carly Fiorina Speaks Truth to the Depravity of Drug Abuse at #CNNDebate (VIDEO)

Watch, at CNN, "Carly Fiorina gets personal discussing drugs."

BONUS: ICYMI, Ed Gogek's new book, Marijuana Debunked: A Handbook for Parents, Pundits, and Politicians Who Want to Know the Case Against Legalization.

Jackie Johnson's Forecast for Thursday

From last night, at CBS News 2 Los Angeles.

It's going to be a nice day.

Best Donald Trump Zingers at #CNNDebate

At CNN, "Best Trump zingers of the CNN Republican debate."

Donald Trump Goes Quiet When #GOPDebate Turns to Substantive Issues

Funny thing is, this is exactly what my wife was saying during the debate.

At the O.C. Register, "Trump turns quieter once GOP debate turns substantive":

SIMI VALLEY, Calif. – Amid the back-and-forth bickering over Donald Trump, the Republican presidential contest took a substantive and serious turn in Wednesday’s prime-time debate, with candidates wrangling over immigration, gay marriage and foreign affairs.

The policy shift quieted Trump, the brash billionaire who has roiled the GOP field, for long stretches during the debate that stretched past three hours and it appeared to come as a relief to other candidates who have struggled to break through.

Carly Fiorina, the only woman in the GOP field, was one of the main benefactors, launching an emotional plea for defunding Planned Parenthood, touting her experience in business and taking aim at Trump for derogatory comments he made about her appearance. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who came into the debate facing questions about whether he had the grit to take on Trump, also engaged directly with the real estate mogul while still trying to fulfill his promise to run a joyful campaign.

In one exchange that typified the broader battle within the Republican Party, Bush and Trump clashed over the influence of big-money donors who have helped the former governor raise more than $100 million. Trump, who is largely financing his own campaign, said of campaign contributors: “I understand the game, I’ve been on the other side my entire life and they have a lot of control over our politicians.”

At another point, Bush pressed Trump to apologize for comments he has made about Bush’s Mexican-born wife. Trump refused and called Bush “weak on immigration.”

As the contest lasted deep into the night, the candidates were polled on such matters as their choices for a woman to be depicted on the $10 bill and what their Secret Service code names would be if elected president. Bush drew the biggest applause when he picked “Eveready,” then turned to Trump to note it was a “high-energy” name — a nod to Trump’s criticism of Bush as a low-energy candidate. They smiled and slapped hands at that.

Trump’s unexpected rise and surprising durability is seen as a reflection of voters’ frustration with Washington and career politicians. As the son and brother of presidents, Bush more than any other candidate is seen as a representative of the status quo...

More.

Evelyn Taft's Got Your Wonderful Wednesday Forecast

Here's some lovely Evelyn Taft eye-candy to hold you over while I watch the GOP debate.

I'll have all your hot take updates a little later.

Exclusive Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Intimates Video from Kate Upton's Rookie Shoot in the Philippines

Some afternoon Kate Upton Rule 5.

Watch, at Sports Illustrated, "Exclusive: Kate Upton's HOT Shower (VIDEO)."

CNN Moves Prime-Time GOP Debate to 8 p.m.

Well, the "undercard" is lame. They should get rid of it.

At Politico, "The shift shortens the window between the main event and undercard debate:

CNN has moved its primetime Sept. 16 Republican debate from 9 p.m. EDT to 8 p.m., eliminating the long gap between its main event and the earlier forum for second-tier candidates, the network told campaigns in a conference call Tuesday afternoon.

A CNN spokesperson confirmed the time change.

The earlier debate with candidates who polled at least 1 percent in three national polls will start at 6 p.m. EDT, ending at 7:45 p.m.

According to sources who were on the call, candidates will not give opening and closing statements though they will have a 15- to 20-second window to introduce themselves. Candidates will also have one minute to respond to questions and 30-second rebuttals, if their name is invoked by another candidate.

CNN anchor Jake Tapper, as moderator, will ask the majority of questions, supplemented by questions from CNN Chief Political Correspondent Dana Bash and conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt...

Ho hum.

Let's just get on with the main event. I guess Carly Fiorina's gonna rip Donald Trump a new one!

Poll: Sixty-Eight Percent of California Democrats Want Free Healthcare for Illegal Alien Criminals!

Well, here's some fodder for tonight's debate, from the home state electorate.

Migrant crisis? What migrant crisis? Democrats will take in everybody and give them luxury Cadillac health benefits on the public's dime. Must be nice to live in the left's Utopian never-never land, heh.

At the Los Angeles Times, "California voters sharply disagree on low-cost healthcare for immigrants":

California has adopted a series of laws in recent years to help people in the country illegally, and polls show broad support for a pathway to citizenship for the estimated 2 million such immigrants living in the state.

But it's a different story when it comes to providing them healthcare benefits.

California voters are sharply divided over whether free or low-cost health insurance should be granted to those who reside in the state without legal status, according to a new USC Dornsife/Los Angeles Times poll.

The poll found that about 48% of voters believed that immigrants who live here illegally should be eligible to receive free or low-cost health insurance through Medi-Cal or a similar program. A statistically equal 47% said the group should not be eligible, while about 6% said they didn't know or refused to answer the question.

Backing for the benefit is split along ethnic lines, with 69% of Latino voters but only 39% of white voters responding that the group should be eligible. And it had an ideological cast as well: 68% of Democrats supported eligibility, yet only 19% of Republicans agreed.

Opposition was most passionate among supporters of Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, 90% of whom opposed eligibility. Opposition among backers of other candidates ranked substantially lower.

Support has been growing for years among Californians for new immigration policies that would offer a path to citizenship for those in the country illegally. But Californians have remained somewhat conflicted, as the poll underscored, when it comes to offering costly services to those immigrants before they attain legal status.

Immigrant rights activists have pushed a proposal to provide state-funded healthcare for people who reside in California without legal status. They came close to succeeding this summer, but lawmakers scaled back the proposal after cost estimates ran into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Instead, legislators set aside $40 million in the most recent state budget to provide Medi-Cal coverage to children younger than 19 years old, regardless of legal status.

The responses might have been different if the question had focused on only children who are in the country illegally, said Drew Lieberman of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research, a Democratic firm that conducted the poll with the Republican firm American Viewpoint...

Hey Dems, it's the land of milk and honey!

Free healthcare for the entire world! Come on people now, just flood our freakin' borders!

More.

Republican Candidates Must Win Support of Disaffected Americans

At WSJ, "GOP Candidates Must Win Over Dissatisfied Voters":

SIMI VALLEY, Calif.—Whether or not Donald Trump remains the frontrunner for the GOP presidential nomination, his supporters will be a potent political force that other candidates must confront.

The billionaire real-estate developer’s unexpected rise—and surprisingly durable popularity—is pointing to a surly mood among GOP voters that is not going away soon.

Mr. Trump’s detractors have spent weeks trying to devise the best line of attack to dethrone him. Now, some of his rivals are turning their attention to addressing the voters whose anger, frustration and mistrust of politicians seems to have elevated him to the top.

Jeb Bush recently described himself, as governor of Florida a decade ago, as a “disrupter” who upended the status quo in Tallahassee. Sen. Marco Rubio, reaching for ordinary-guy authenticity, is airing ads with “unedited” footage of him driving around Miami. Sen. Ted Cruz amplified his own anti-establishment message by inviting Mr. Trump to join him at a protest rally on the Capitol lawn.

“I don’t think there’s ever been a time when Washington has been more out of touch with the lives of everyday people than it is right now,” Mr. Rubio said in Iowa last weekend. “Both parties quite frankly are to blame. People want leaders who know what life is like in the real world.”

Wednesday night’s televised CNN debate will give GOP candidates another chance to attack Mr. Trump, empathize with his supporters, or both. Their calculations could carry big consequences down the road: If the party’s nominee moves too far to the right on issues such as immigration or bashes Washington with too much gusto, the GOP could lose general-election support from minorities and swing voters who are less hostile to government.

In the six weeks since the first GOP primary debate, there has been growing evidence of deep voter disaffection with Washington and the political establishment. In the shifting polls since then, candidates with the most experience have tended to lose ground while the least experienced candidates have surged.

According to polling averages compiled by Real Clear Politics, the candidates drawing more support are Messrs. Trump and Cruz, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson and former Hewlett-Packard executive Carly Fiorina. Those who have lost ground include Messrs. Bush, Paul, and Rubio, as well as Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee.
“I like that Trump is throwing things out there,” said Gaige Gill, a social studies teacher in Mapleton, Iowa, as he waited to catch a glimpse of the real estate mogul at a tailgate party at Iowa State University last weekend. “I don’t know if that makes him a good president.”

The stiffest challenge to Mr. Trump’s dominance now is from Mr. Carson, another political amateur. In the latest New York Times/CBS poll, Republicans who favored those two candidates alone accounted for half of those surveyed...

No 2012 Frontrunner Polling Collapse Problem for Donald Trump

Well, this explains it.

At WSJ, "Donald Trump’s Enduring Lead Shows 2016 Not a 2012 Replay":

Ever since Donald Trump gained altitude as a presidential candidate, experienced political hands have predicted that his balloon would soon pop.

As evidence, they cite the 2012 primary. Republicans flirted with a rotating cast of candidates from outside the political mainstream before settling on Mitt Romney, a member of the party’s establishment wing.

But polling now says that a different story is unfolding this time around.

The Republican electorate seems much more unsettled than in 2012, suggesting a more difficult path for this cycle’s set of establishment candidates. Three polling measures show how different the 2016 cycle is from 2012.

To being with, Donald Trump has spent more days leading the Republican presidential field than did any of Romney’s challengers in 2012.

That’s one sign of how strong the hunger is among Republicans this year for a nontraditional candidate. Here’s another: Neither the first- nor the second-place spot in national polls is held by an establishment candidate.

he top two slots belong to Mr. Trump and retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson. Jeb Bush is a fairly distant third in the Real Clear Politics average of polls.

In 2012, Mr. Romney faced repeated challenges from competitors, but throughout the campaign he was never lower than second in the RCP average. There was a distinct pattern to the 2012 numbers, with Mr. Romney in either first place or in second, with a new competitor rising or falling around him. That dynamic so far isn’t being repeated this year.

A third trend that marks 2016 as different from the last campaign: Establishment candidates have fallen to single-digit support in national polls...

Still more. And click through for the graphics.