If you’re a United States Senator and your house burns down, you don’t have to sleep out on the street. You have money, a staff, and wealthy friends. In other words, you have options.

So it’s pretty telling that when Senator Brownback’s condo caught fire back in 2000, he moved in with the manic, apocalyptic preacher Lou Engle. We know this thanks to a new video unearthed by Bruce Wilson.

Watch Engle explain – as only he can – how his pairing with Brownback came about:

In case you’re not familiar with Engle, he leads the IHOP – the International House of Prayer – which works to hasten the End Times. He’s also the founder (and voice-over talent) of militant, right-wing prayer rallies like this anti-Prop 8 event:

Miraculously, Brownback didn’t come to hate Engle after living with him for 7 months. In fact, the former roomies appeared together last week at the Family Research Council’s “PrayerCast” against healthcare reform. Who knows…maybe having Engle around makes Brownback feel reasonable?

[Bonus footage: watch Engle talk about the “hot blood” of Latinos and claim that his spittle is holy water]

Bradley Whitford: No More Dirty Tricks! Here's the RSVP page. The call starts at 4PM PST.

On Monday, September 24, from 4-5 p.m. PDT join Bradley Whitford of "The West Wing" fame, bloggers Jane Hamsher of FireDogLake.com and John Amato of CrooksandLiars.com, plus California pollster Ben Tulchin of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research for a special conference call hosted by Rick Jacobs of the Courage Campaign.

The pollsters aren't asking about them:

My New Hampshire phone rings (caller ID 000-000-0000 WTF?)and I pick it up out of curiosity. "This is (talking like a magpie so I haven't got a clue what the name of the company is) Research. Would you like to be part of a poll for the Democratic presidential primary candidate?" I agree and the woman rapidly reads the list of candidates. "Clinton, Obama, Edwards, Dodd, Biden and Richardson." I say, "Kucinich." The woman on the phone says "Who?" I say, "Kucinich. Dennis Kucinich." I hear coaching in the background - apparently the call is being monitored. "I'm sorry, but Dennis Kucinich is not on our list. Is there anyone on the list I gave you who you would vote for?"

So there you have it. Kucinich is down in the polls because he isn't included in the polls . . . and you can forget about Gravel, too.

Remembering David Halberstam

An important request for C&Lers: I have heard from a Code Pink member who went to Harry Reid's office to thank him for telling the truth about Iraq. His office told her that of the calls they've received, few have been positive. We're quick to condemn those who are trying to lie to us about what's going on. Let's let Harry Reid know we appreciate him speaking the truth. You can email his office or call (202) 224-3542.

With the "thumpin" the GOP just took in the '06 election, there are a lot of nice wingnut candidates waiting for the call to be anointed a new FOX NEWS analyst. I figure Santorum will be high on the list. He has a bunch of classified documents to throw into the mix to sweeten the pot. Who are your choices?

Quick notes:

I was on a conference call with Bill Clinton yesterday while a bunch of my blogger friends attended a meeting with him in NY. I still can't travel so I joined in via telephone. It was frustrating for me not to be able to hop on a plane and hang out with the gang, but it still was a blast. He was very funny and insightful on a host of topics which made the call sail along. He said he understands that blogging is important to the political process now and will continue a dialogue with us...

Jeralyn and John have pictures posted and some thoughts about the lunch. Barbara and mcjoan have written about it as well.

O'Reilly-FOX Security threatening callers

(O'Reilly threatened radio show caller with "a little visit" from "Fox security" for mentioning Olbermann's name on the air)
(Graphic by Monk)
I posted this yesterday and Media Matters picked it up. They have a full transcript posted of the call. Atrios linked as well.

O'REILLY: There ya go, Mike is -- he's a gone guy. You know, we have his -- we have your phone numbers, by the way. So, if you're listening, Mike, we have your phone number, and we're going to turn it over to Fox security, and you'll be getting a little visit.

O'REILLY: No, Maybe Mike is going to get into big trouble, because we're not going to play around. When you call us, ladies and gentleman, just so you know, we do have your phone number, and if you say anything untoward, obscene, or anything like that, Fox security then will contact your local authorities, and you will be held accountable. Fair?

Olbermann is supposed to respond tonight around 8:30 PM EST

Now from another caller:

I just received an urgent call to get this message out from the Cindy Sheehan camp. Anyone in distance of the Houston Astrodome get over there and adopt a family if you can. It's a humanitarian crisis of epic proportions. They need your help. The call is out. Let's do something to help these families.

Cindy came on to address Larry Northern, the man arrested for mowing down 500 memorial crosses near the encampment outside Bush's ranch in Crawford, TX. More on him here.

The call got cut off on my end, but I did manage to get in about fifty seconds of her. She was upset and didn't stay on much longer...

Download | play

On this most patriotic day of all, July 4th, The Baltimore Sun is trying to figure out the recruitment problems of the military.

We at OYE have firgured it out already and are doing our part to help. Eschaton joins the call and asks the fine YR's to do a little more than: " Operation Drink a Beer for the Troops, Operation Burn a Dixie Chick CD, or Operation Put a Yellow Ribbon on my SUV, supporting the United States Armed Forces." Mr. Atrios asks that you Email Mr. Taylor at nathan@yrnc2005.com for more details about how he is serving his country.