Yet another case of the left not getting it. Applebee's my ass. It's the freakin' Olive Garden that they should be talking about.

Sheesh.

Applebees sucks. It is all about Cracker Barrel. Hashbrown Casserole mmm damn good stuff. Black Eyed Pea is another good restaurant they do a great chicken fried chicken breast and squash casserole.

damn now i am hungry!

Dear Mr. Ace,

We have become aware of a massive transaction into your bank account from some fruit/insect place and have flagged your account for flagrant cash whoring. If you could please contact our regional office, we have some...questions...which we require your assistance on.

Agent Barry Jones, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Are these people insane? Are they *trying* to destroy their party? If not, they're a bunch of fricken' morons. Arrogant fricken' morons. I mean, let's be honest here. They wouldn't know sanity if it stripped naked, painted itself purple, and danced on their dining room table singing "I'm sanity". They are the ultimate in form over function. They're trying to make sane noises without actually being sane. As Howard Dean would say, "YEEEEEAAAGH!"

Sheesh. Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop taking amphetamines.

I can't wait to see Hilary and Schumer and Rangel eating in front of the cameras in that Applebee's in Times Square. I hope to see you in the shot, too, Ace.

W--

Damnit, I just added that joke!

Kinda sounds like they're talking about...TWO AMERICAS! Only the America they were ceaslessly pandering to before the election is now a bunch of uninformed rednecks who hang out at Applebee's.

Applebee's sucks, because a different server brings your food to you than takes your order. No accountability.

What, nobody eats at TGIF?

Mmmm...cheesesticks....mmmmm

Is it just me or is Applebees/Olive Garden/TGIF/Bennigans the same thing, just different wall paper?

There really ARE "Two Americas."

There's the America where politicians think voters care about restaurant chocie, and the America where they don't.

All this talk about appearance, "going right", and "being more accepting of moral values" are just dodge tactics from having to admit they're wrong.

Good lord. PLEASE keep Charlie Rangel away from the riblets. It'll be like something out of Peter Jackson's "Dead Alive."

I'm a red stater. I've never eaten at an Applebees. I guess I must've missed Karl Rove's marching orders.

Hell, I eat sushi. I guess I should be a raging Deaniac by this measure.

I grew up in the Midwest. I like visiting the hinterlands, I sympathize with the "flyover country" the cultural elites disdain.

That said, I'm a city boy. I *like* living in cities. I enjoy having everything I want, when I want it.

But just because I drink my coffee at Starbucks doesn't mean I'm gonna cut Al Qaeda any slack.

One aside: my brother lived a few blocks from Ground Zero. Every time I spoke to him about how crazy New York lefties were, we expressed abject disbelief at how these people could ignore, oh, THE BIG SMOKING HOLE IN THE GROUND right next door.

If the blue staters can ignore terrorists attacking their own neighborhood, I'm sure it's nothing at all to ignore flyover simplefolk eating at the Old Country Buffet.

Cheers,
Dave

Wait a minute. I thought this election was all about gay marriage.

Oh, God. Is Applebee's some sort of secret Middle-American chain of gay bars? That would explain why the waiter at that Applebee's in Indianapolis kept rubbing my shoulders, trying to sit on my lap, and calling me "Sailor."

This is easily the most funny thing I've read all day. The serious points being hammered home with menu pictures and hilarious digressions made me giggle like a little schoolgirl.

Besides, everybody knows Chili's steak fajitas is where it's at.

Oh, I don't know. I hope they keep going with this. I look forward to seeing Hillary Clinton stare at a plate of buffalo wings with a look of abject horror on her face.

Blanche Lincoln is the last person they should be asking for advice. She is the wife of a rich doctor and I doubt she has ever set foot in any of the restaurants mentioned. A few years back, she was in the House and didn't run for re-election because she needed to spend more time with her twin babies. Two years later, I guess her babies were fully grown because she ran for the Senate.

She should have won re-election easily (don't get me started about the people in this state.) She had a gazillion dollar warchest and her Republican opponent barely raised and spent $100,000. Most people did not even know that she had an opponent. She only won 56-44.

She portrays herself as a conservative, but she votes the party line the vast amjority of the time.

The liberals need to learn to sing the "Chili's Baby Back Ribs" to discover what truly lies in the hearts of us ignorant redneck Christian retards. Heck fire, even Paris has a Chili's.

I swear to the Almighty that Applebees is the single most worthless restaurant vis a vis reputation and price on the FUCKING PLANET.

sorry, had to vent.

My wife and I got a substantial gift certificate from relatives for crotchlebees ($50), so we figured we'd try it.

Worst. Meal. Ever.

Seriously. I live in a pretty blue state, though, so maybe the stanklebees here isn't as good as say, Poteau, Oklahoma.

Besides, for ignorant Christian retardation, everybody knows you must eat at a Cracker Barrel.

Y'know, they realize there's a "cultural gulf" problem here, but, becuase of who they are, the liberal elite can't help but widen it further in trying to bridge it.

I think the Applebee's guy looks at a 'Rich Country Club Republican' and tells himself the RCCR doesn't eat there because the RCCR says to himself "I'm Rich! Why should I eat that crap." The gulf is basically one of income and food preference.

But the Applebees guy looks at the 'Liberal Elite' and knows the LE guy doesn't eat there because the LE guy believes that doing so makes some sort of statement of one's personal worth. Some black mark on their personhood.

Seriously, John Kerry eating at an Applebee's is something like an anthropologist eating monkey brains or termite paste with the natives, and he belives that by doing so with a smile, he can communicate to his lessers that their ways are every bit as valid and good as the ways of modern man.

At least with Bill Clinton, if he dropped into an Applebee's, you knew he did it cause he was a fat slob who liked the food. He didn't need to rush out to tell the reporters that he loved it to prove something.

This all reminds me of "The Bachelor," when that Firestone heir dinged the hottest blonde (scientific fact - review the video) because she said her favorite resaurant was The Olive Garden. To that wine making effete, it spoke as to some flaw deep in her soul.

Follow the money. Check the quote from Doug Sosnik:

"I don’t know how many politicians in town that are leaders of our party who voluntarily go to Applebee’s, unless it’s for work."

Note he doesn't use the word "eat", he says "go to". This is just a code-phrase for "put the stock in your private portfolio". The phrase "for work" implies institutional investors and mutual funds, who BTW own 84% of Applebee's International Inc.

APPB is up 2.75% for the day. It's trading at over 25, quite the jump from it's low-point of below 23 at the begining of November.

It's all some secret plot by evil capitalists, I tell you!

Ray,

Was that the Ann Coulter look-alike with the tig-o-bitties? My wife had that on last night while I was pulling together my hunting supplies and I actually watched the show a bit, just to see her.

If the DNC is going to start sending the tour buses out to Applebees, there had better be some menu changes.

I suggest:

New! The Applebees Hot Steamin' Open Faced Shit Sandwich

This whole "eat at Applebee's" thing is fun to mock, but in reality it's a pretty bad sign for the Democrats. It's not a sign that liberals are trying to reach out to the suburban and rural middle-class voters who rejected them, but that liberals have absolutely no freakin' idea what makes such voters tick.

They may figure it out eventually and start offering policy proposals to pull those voters into the Democratic party, but this is a pretty bad start.

Plus, I really don't like Applebee's all that much. I prefer the Chocolate Grill here in Maine. Good food, good beer selection - how could you ask for more?

Ok, so where does the Cheescake Factory fit on the spectrum?
I figure its Red State because no self flagellating liberal would dare to indulge in any of the gut-busting entrees, to say nothing of the deserts. "I'll have the New York Ceesecake, cofee, and a side of defibrilation please."

Cheesecake Factory? Yuck.

They're the ones with the Jones Soda Thanksgiving Suprise of martini menus.

Hobgoblin:

Naw. The Firestone one was from a few seasons ago. But let me tell you, that blonde was ridiculous. The others, very attractive women in any other setting, looked like gorgons next to her.

Ummm... who is this woman? Can I get a name? Can I get a URL?

Her name was Amber. Insane hottie. Couldn't find a picture all that quick. Take my word for it though. Ri-cock-u-lous.

Sean M., that was you?

Ace, whatever, these are the best I could find.

http://abc.go.com/primetime/bachelor/images/gallery/ep607/gallery.html?photo=3

http://abc.go.com/primetime/bachelor/images/gallery/ep607/gallery.html?photo=5 (one on the left)

http://abc.go.com/primetime/bachelor/images/gallery/ep606/gallery.html?photo=14 (with the cheesedick)

Hobgoblin:

She's not bad, but Amber was better. Sort of had a Monica Potter thing going on. Monica Potter run through a hotness amplifier. Longer, blonder hair...

Ya know, I should read these things a bit closer.

DOUG SOSNIK?!? I knew Doug. I worked with him (well, kinda near him, but I've actually met him) back when I was a White House intern (no kneepad jokes, please).

Seemed like a nice enough guy. Little did I know he had such a sweet tooth for chain food.

Of course, I always figured he had disdain for middle America. I mean, let's be honest-- he was a Clinton political wonk.

"Mister President, eat at McDonald's, the regular joes love it when you do that!"
"But. . . but. . . I just really like the fries."
"That's what we call a bonus, sir!"

Cheers,
Dave

P.S. True story thrown in just for fun: turning a corner in a hallway at the Old Executive Office Building, I nearly flattened George Stephanopolous. I mean, full-on laid out. I'm 5' 10" and, uh, a lot of pounds (I prefer "husky"), and he's about as big as a Keebler elf. After watching how bad his ABC show is, I wish I had taken him out completely. But that's just me.

Oh, and everyone made fun of how he parked his crappy Honda CRX on West Exec Avenue, with a dent from his DUI in Georgetown, and lots of empty fast food bags in the backseat. But that's not important right now, and I can only gossip once a month per my Clintonista disclosure agreement.

Just goes to show that the Democrats can't get past symbolism over substance. It's like the post convention visit to Wendy's by the Kerry-Edwards bus where Theresa asked, "What's chili?" They made a show of buying stuff there but their real meal was prepared by a chef.

If this is the best they can come up with, then Zell Miller was right when he declared that the Democrats are "A National Party No More." They simply don't get it and are too arrogant to try to find out.

She's okay. I kinda liked the first one, the one on the first Bachelor. The one who one.

I know every guy was supposed to be all for her competitor, whoever that was (Trista?), but not me.

Ray,

This one?

http://abc.go.com/primetime/specials/bachelor/bios/Amber.html

never seen her, but a quick GIS shows she looks a little , shall we say, cukoo?

or this one?

http://abc.go.com/primetime/bachelor/bios/amber.html

(you could show a movie on that noggin)

I smell a premise here for a new show, like the Simple Life: Nancy Pelosi has to live with--hmmm---Hobgoblin, you mentioned Poteau, Oklahoma, which is a nice town. So a family of commercial hog farmers near Poteau. She'll learn to drive the tractor, sing "I Saw the Light", and drink Bud at a cockfight. And she will forge a soul-deep bond of respect with these yeomen of the soil, these mysterious middle Americans, these Gorillas in the Mist...

None of whom will vote for her party, of course. but it will be so much fun to watch them try.

Yes, yes. Applebee's. Where the soul of The People is housed. Of course.

I would pay to see Lawrence O'Donnell in Denny's at 3:00 AM on a weekend.

What? Are you people crazy? Or is "Red Robin" a local chain here in Colorado?

I mean, anyone who will give me a 1/2 pound burger (with the little wax-paper sleeve to avoid dripping on my shirt), a "monster" (double cheeseburger of that patty size), or a "royal" (cheeseburger, add a fried egg) is perfect in my book.

On the other hand, ordering a "monster royal" (2 1/2 pound patties, cheese, and an egg) is superb. If only my heart didn't feel like stopping every time I have that...

Add a Crown & Coke and "endless basket of fries" and I'm happy. :)

Ray Midge Makes a good point. What about Clinton? He's famous for being hooked on McDonald's, so what does that make him? At least Applebee's is a restaurant.

I have one word for all of you: Friendly's.

mmmmm... friendly's. Fribbles. Burgers.

mmmmm....

Hobgoblin:

The first Amber (http://abc.go.com/primetime/specials/bachelor/bios/Amber.html).
Quite the saucy minx.

Last week the kids came home and we went to cracker barrel. this weekend i am meeting them at applebees. what does this say about me?
should i see a shrink? I was born in Los Angeles, went to Hollywood High,UCLA and now live in Alabama.
Yes, we wear shoes here. yes, the roads are paved.
here's what they dont get. i live in north alabama, home of the u.s space and rocket center, the scud missle, warner von braun, nasa, and listed in the top 10 places to live in america.
A GREAT PLACE TO RAISE KIDS. Good jobs, good schools, good people. this state went 62% for bush. In other words...NORMAL...
That's what they dont get. most of us are just
normal people.

t

The above-mentioned 'Rich Country Club Republican' probably thinks Applebee's is just fine as a place to take his underlings after a project is finished. More likely, he knows a local chain, where top management can get to any location and back home in a day. The Chancery, in southeast Wisconsin is one such. Same schtick as Applebee's, but with quality and attention to detail. Cheddar's in Rockford IL, is a single location doing the same thing. I saw people in mighty fine suits discussing business over lunch there.

My mother, a parlor pinko of the old school, was proud of the fact that never in her life did she set foot in a McDonald's.

Ace, love it!! Too funny. But, I have to get with the program -because I hate Applebee's (and all those joints.) I usually eat "undercover" .... you know, I go to the classy places with interesting food ... but I PRETEND I'm a Democrat. Really, it's the only way they'll serve you.

The Democrats think they lost the election because they don't go to retaurants that aren't listed in Zagats? Are these people crazy?

By the way, Applebees sucks. Terrible food topped with terrible service.

Bunch o' fake red staters if you ask me. Never eaten at Applebee's? Go back to your spidey holes.

(Personally I go for a western omelet at Denny's with a large glass of recently frozen orange juice.)

Olive Garden? I'll bet any genuine red staters can't pronounce any of the words on their menu correctly.

(nice pictures)

Insane. Everyone who's anyone knows the hardest-core red-staters dine at Waffle House. MMMM. make mine smothered.

“We can’t figure out a better way to sell to those people — we’ve got to be more like them.”