“I’m a threat because I’m the guy that got off their 21st century plantation and they cannot afford to have a strong voice such as mine out there reverberating and resonating across this country. And even more so, they’re not used to anyone that says, ‘I’m going to fight back against you.'”

Meet Washington’s new odd couple: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, fiery chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, and Tea Party hero and political newcomer Rep. Allen West.

Their long-simmering feud turned them into the poster children for inside-the-Beltway partisanship almost overnight this week after West fired off an angry, widely circulated email to Wasserman Schultz for criticizing his stance on Medicare during a spending debate.

***

“I have deliberately chosen a path requiring the help of many because that’s the way to win and, more importantly, that’s the way to get these mighty things done after the election.”

Buddy Roemer formally launched his presidential campaign on Thursday, trying to cast himself as a viable reform candidate instead of the quintessential long shot.

The former Louisiana governor detailed his “Free to Lead” campaign theme: he’s promising to limit contributions he accepts to $100 per person, swear off PAC dollars and target the influence of Big Money on politics.

***

“Forty-two years ago yesterday, America captured the world’s imagination by putting a man on the moon, highlighting an era of excellence in space exploration. Unfortunately, with the final landing of the Shuttle Atlantis and no indication of plans for future missions, this administration has set a significantly different milestone by shutting down our nation’s legacy of leadership in human spaceflight and exploration, leaving American astronauts with no alternative but to hitchhike into space.”

With the final mission having been completed this week, Americans are now reflecting on the 30-year history of the space shuttle era and the future of space exploration. This has many Americans, like Texas Governor and possible Presidential candidate, Rick Perry up in arms.

***

“I’m also unemployed.”

Sarah Palin continues to remain popular among Republicans, many of whom would vote for her as president, according to a Washington Post/ABC News poll released Thursday. The former Alaska governor who has yet to announce whether she will run for president trails former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney by a mere eight points among voters who leaned Republican.

One area that Palin beat Romney in the poll was on the question “Which candidate best understands the problems of people like you.”

***

“We believe that involving the Security Council in a regular review of the issue of climate change will not bring any added value whatsoever and will merely lead to further increased politicization of this issue and increased disagreements between countries.”

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice this week issued a blistering rebuke of Russia, China and other countries that blocked the Security Council from adopting a statement linking the threat of climate change to international peace and security.

Moscow’s ambassador was “skeptical” about efforts to have the council address climate change, Russian envoy Alexander Pankin said, according to Reuters.

***
“Susie has served the campaign well and was vital in getting it off the ground in such a short time-frame. In just under three months, Governor Huntsman has returned from China, launched a campaign and created a strong infrastructure in the three early primary states. He’s built important relationships with donors, as well as political, policy and grassroots leaders that other candidates have been courting for half a decade.”

Former Utah governor Jon Huntsman’s (R) presidential campaign manager, Susie Wiles, is resigning and will be replaced by communications director Matt David, according to the campaign.

***
“Obama was a nice guy and America did something they like to do and that is trust a likable guy, well spoken guy, handsome guy, and well meaning guy, but it turns out he’s clueless about handling the sophisticated economics stuff.”

Mitt Romney was back in New York City Tuesday evening trying to reel in more cash for his campaign, holding top dollar events at The Pierre and the Mandarin Oriental hotels at events hosted by a banking exec and a banking heir.

So what does Romney say to these big money donors to make them fork over their cash and convince them he’s going to be the one to face off against President Obama in the general election?

***

Some Thursday night music for you. It seems a good theme for the “relationship” between Allen West and Debbie Wasserman-Schultz as described in the top line. (“Quote” lyrics follow video below) It’s a song by The Mountain Goats called “No Children.”

I hope that our few remaining friends
Give up on trying to save us
I hope we come out with a fail-safe plot
To piss off the dumb few that forgave us

I hope the fences we mended
Fall down beneath their own weight
And I hope we hang on past the last exit
I hope it’s already too late

And I hope the junkyard a few blocks from here
Someday burns down
And I hope the rising black smoke carries me far away
And I never come back to this town again in my life

I hope I lie
And tell everyone you were a good wife
And I hope you die
I hope we both die

I hope I cut myself shaving tomorrow
I hope it bleeds all day long
Our friends say it’s darkest before the sun rises
We’re pretty sure they’re all wrong

I hope it stays dark forever
I hope the worst isn’t over
And I hope you blink before I do
And I hope I never get sober

And I hope when you think of me years down the line
You can’t find one good thing to say
And I’d hope that if I found the strength to walk out
You’d stay the hell out of my way

I am drowning
There is no sign of land
You are coming down with me
Hand in unlovable hand

And I hope you die
I hope we both die