53) The #GOP state party has a lot of variables to consider should they opt to use #impeachment in attempting to remove Justice Protasiewic. There is no guiding ethical precedent for such an action
Excellent exchange between Ben Wikler, the #Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair and Josh Marshall of @tpm_rss_bot at the video š½ .
The #GOP seems to have found itself under increasing national scrutiny as this drama plays out. More to come!
54) A third party, #Election2024 candidate is a big concern for the #Biden re-election campaign.
What disturbs #Democrats sleep at night is that #NoLabels will put up a plausible #centrist candidate who will draw votes from #JoeBiden
In theory, more choice is better right? Not in America, and right wing #oligarch types understand this, it's why they're playing with the notion, and looking for a political patsy to do their bidding
#Politico has part of the story here:
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/30/trump-donor-no-labels-adviser-00113395
55) In a similar vein, to the prior post, #CornelWest's #GreenParty candidacy, poses a threat to #JoeBiden and while Iām an admirer of Professor West, it would be better if he joined forces with #Biden to defeat the existential threat to democracy that is #DonaldTrump
#BernieSanders understands what it is at stake in #Election2024
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/27/sanders-biden-cornel-west-00113123
56) Despair is setting in for the monied types who wanted a nonsense free candidate as an alternative to #DonaldTrump
As #Trump support continues to coalesce in the #GOP primary, oligarch checkbooks are shutting.
There are rumblings that #NikkiHaley might be an alternative but itās questionable those rumaors will manifest into a gusher of life giving campaign cash.
Politico has the story on the richiesā handwringing š½
58) #DonaldTrump and his companies ruled to have engaged in fraud. Specifically #Trump inflated his assets to borrow money from banks
The ruling was accompanied with an order which effectively cancelled the right of #Trump to business in #NewYork
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/09/26/trump-fraud-trial-inflate-net-worth-00118269
59) With the #UAWStrike almost 2 weeks old, #DonaldTrump went to #Michigan to posture as a supporter of American labor.
What did he do? He held his event in a non-unionized parts plant where he railed against #ElectricVehicles and environmentalists
#Trump does not care about #OrganizedLabor, the #environment and the #EV transition
Trump wants Americans to use 19th century fuel and 20th century tech in the 21st century. The #oilygarchy has no better advocate
60) Tomorrow, the Sunday politics talk shows will be filled with spinning about who blinked first on the threat of a government #Shutdown
Letās start here, #KevinMcCarthy blinked. #McCarthy understands that shutdowns are bad #politics and have yet to yield a positive result for the #GOP at the ballot box
Assuming the #Senate passes the bill, the next item in the immediate future is whether the #Speaker will face a vote to remove him by the #FreedomCaucus
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/09/30/congress/stopgap-passes-00119280
61) The #GovernmentShutdown is a creation of the #GOP. The #RepublicanParty only becomes interested in #BalancedBudgets when out of, or with limited power.
Inevitably, the GOPās onset of fiscal rectitude is accompanied by a desire to cut #spending which in turn will be used to reward the donor class with #TaxCuts. There is never any interest on the other side of the budgetary equation, namely raising taxes on the wealthy
This is the only governance idea the GOP has: #TaxCutsForTheRich
62) While a shutdown has been averted with stopgap funding, we get to do this all over again in November.
It is important to frame the chaos properly, shutdowns are a #GOP thing. A casual browse of history tells us that. This is part of a decades long #RepublicanParty effort to convince America that Washington is dysfunctional
So letās be clear, the GOP is the party of dysfunction. These budget fights are a feature not a flaw in their strategy.
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/09/30/congress/senate-votes-averts-shutdown-00119301
63) Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation explains the expense associated with a government #Shutdown threat.
#Buttigieg outlines the consequences of another similar action when the 45-day stopgap funding is used up
It's always a pleasure to listen to #PeteButtigieg who is articulate on the challanges of being in #government. He makes a refreshing diversion from the incoherence of what passes as political discourse on most TV coverage
65) The noose is tightening for #DonaldTrump as some of his co-conspirators start to plea out on their collective effort to subvert the presidential election in #Georgia.
The threat of the presentation of facts in a court of law does wonderful things to concentrate the mind. š
With both #Chesebro and #SidneyPowell taking a plea, I expect they will be required to testify to #Trumpās instructions as he attempted to subvert the election
66) Meanwhile over in the #HouseofRepresentatives, #GOP dysfunction is on full display as #JimJordanās effort to accede to the #SpeakerOfTheHouse implodes
Given the #Republican Partyās dedication to the elimination of government, itās not a surprise that they canāt implement anything approaching party discipline. The party with each passing month has become profoundly undemocratic
#UsSPolitics #Democracy #HouseSpeaker #houseGOP
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/10/20/congress/jordan-fails-again-00122706
67) For those with a deeper interest in the American political scene, this 3-parter #podcast from @ProPublica and #OnTheMedia, should be required listening.
In the past few years the impact of a multiple decade effort to swing the courts dramatically to the right of public concensus, is obvious to all but the somnolent
The series documents how one man, Leonard Leo, became and is an important player in the radicalization of the judiciary
https://www.propublica.org/article/we-dont-talk-about-leonard-podcast
68) #DonaldTrump and #RudyGiuliani must be feeling increasingly queasy as #JennaEllis, a third #Trump attorney, has now copped a deal rather than face legal jeopardy at the hands of #FaniWillis in #Georgia
It's not a good situation for a defendent when many subbordinated in the decision tree opt to avoid going down with the ship. I supose the big question is whether #Rudy will odp to plea out as well?
#Politico has the details š½
69) Meanwhile over in the #House we have the latest candidate for #speaker in the form of #TomEmmer of #Minnesota's 6th district.
There are plenty of cracks in plain sight and hard core #Trumpist types cite Emmer's vote to certify the presidential election on #Jan6 as being problematic.
He is rumored to be too liberal for the #FarRight types who are not appeased by his support for lawsuits which would have nullfied #SwingState votes
#Politics #USPolitics #HouseOfReps
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/10/24/congress/banks-00123253
70) And just like that, #TomEmmer's candidacy ends as he is branded a #RINO by #DonaldTrump.
The chaos will continue, much to the delight of the #HardRight of the #GOP who are uninterested in governing and more engaged by theatrical media appearence.
This is what it means to support #Trump's #Republican Party. It has been remade in his image, increasing populated with chaos monkies
71) The news flow appears to be quickening on multiple fronts, If #Meadows is now testifying against #DonaldTrump, there will be little place for the former president to hide
#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024
https://abcnews.go.com/US/chief-staff-mark-meadows-granted-immunity-tells-special/story?id=104231281
72) Next up in the #HouseSpeaker derby is Mike Johnson from #Louisianaās 4th. Johnson, a lawyer, ticks the box from a #DonaldTrump fealty POV, having defended the former president during the impeachment trials
The #HardRight will support his opposition to financial support for the #UkraineWar
He is a #ChristianRight #SocialConservative, opposing #GayMarriage, #Abortion etc
#USPolitics #SpeakerOfTheHouse #Speaker #GOP
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/10/24/congress/next-up-mike-johnson-00123404
73) One drama has ended with the election of Mike Johnson. The question is whether he will be able to manage his fractious caucus and legislate
Where will Johnson stand on the #Ukraine War funding effort? Initially he was supportive of the war, now like make of his party, he is making reluctance noises. Will things change now that he has the #Speaker's gavel?
#Politics #USPolitics #HouseofReps #Congress
https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2023/10/25/congress/johnson-takes-it-00123512
74) Much has been made of #JoeBidenās verbal gaffes and supposed age related confusion in the #NewsMedia
Given #DonaldTrumpās rambling, non sequitor style of speaking, he appears to have been given a free pass
Today, the #NYTimes decided to call attention to Trumpās recent confusions
#Politics #USPolitics #Election2024
š https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/30/us/politics/trump-biden-age.html
75) File this one under remedial geographic education needed for presidential candidate
In 1976, Gerald Ford got slated for an absurd statement on the nature of of Soviet influence in Eastern Block countries. The response was appropriate. Expectations for a president should be higher.
Yet when #DonaldTrump gaffes on the location of #Hungary, it is mostly unnoticed.
What does that say about the #Newsmedia ecosystem in the United States?
https://www.politico.eu/article/us-donald-trump-hungary-orban-borders-russia-map-again/
76) One year from today, Americans will vote for the next President in #Election2024.
Itās virtually certain that #JoeBiden and #DonaldTrump will go face off again.
Today, the #NYTimes and #SiennaCollege published a battleground state poll containing sobering cross tabs for the #Biden campaign
A lot can happen in a year, but will Americans opt for the return of #Trump despite the multiple indictments faced by the former president?
77) Yesterday's polling results for the #DemocraticParty provided a relieving counterweight to the recent polling of next year's expected #Trump - #Biden showdown
Clearly it was a good night for the Democrats, but will the results of an off-year election carry forward to #Election2024?
Is polling conducted primarily by phone still a reliable indicator of public sentiment? In an age of caller id, who is answering these polling phone calls?
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/08/election-day-2023-results-takeaways-00126035
78) What will the impact be of #DonaldTrump's #VerminSpeech?
It seems to me that #Election2024 will be a campaign of thirds. One third of the country loves #Trump and another third loathes him.If both of these voting blocks turn out in force, they will cancel each other out.
That leaves the middle third who can swing either way. Will they be encouraged to fall in line on the back of increased hatre speech?
https://newrepublic.com/article/176877/trump-vermin-speech-nazi-language
79) Iām wary about tossing around the word #Fascist and drawing #Hitler comparisons when talking about #DonaldTrump. His Veteranās Day #VerminSpeech has removed any misgivings.
While #Trump has yet to achieve the level of power accrued by #AdolphHitler, itās clear that both he and his enablers intend to establish an authoritarian state where those who he does not like, or who oppose him will rightfully fear for their lives
Good piece ā¬ļø from NYMag
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2023/11/trump-vermin-hitler.html
80) In November 1923, Adolph Hitler attempted to seize power in what is now referred to as the Beer Hall Putsch. There are eerie similarities playing out in #USPolitics right now with #DonaldTrump going full #Fascist. Iām reminded of the #MarkTwain quote
āHistory Doesn't Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymesā
If youāre not familiar with Hitlerās 1923 abortive grab for power, hereās an excellent conversation with historian Mark Jones on the #DavidMcWilliams #podcast
Anti-semitism, inflation, threats to democracy, despotic leaders and fragile governments, if you thought it was today, its is - but hold on. Itās happened beforeā¦ This very month 100 years ago, German hyperinflation peaked, Adolf Hitler announced himself with a putsch and anti-semitism was rife. History is repeating itself, or is it? Join us on this epic journey back in time to see what we can learn and whether we can apply any historical remedies to todayās global problems. Join the gang! https://plus.acast.com/s/the-david-mcwilliams-podcast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
81) in a bizarre twist to the #Jan6 insurrection case, #DonaldTrumpās lawyers are now citing Russian election interference in 2016 as a reason for #Trumpās distrust of the 2020 election result
Trump has long denied, Russiaās efforts as a contributing factor in his 2016 election victory. Expecting factual consistency from the former president and his lawyers is not to be expected if a legal advantage is possible
Throughout the past seven years, Trump has cast the intelligence community as one of his main opponents. He's falsely accused the country's spooks of lying about him, trying to undermine hisā¦
82) There is nothing much left of the man known as #DonaldTrump, just a shell dreaming of revenge and the opportunity to vent his anger.
There are reasons for the way he is, it is sad to see somebody so broken. There is no joy in his life he is a pitiable creature
His Thanksgiving message ā¬ļø is just one example of how he can never miss an opportunity to rage
To build, joy is needed in the heart, to destroy utterly requires only rage
Former President Trump wished his supporters a happy Thanksgiving in a Truth Social post early Thursday while slamming New Yorkās attorney general, the judge overseeing his civil fraud case, President Biden and the āRadical Left Lunatics.ā āHappy Thanksgiving to ALL, including the Racist & Incompetent Attorney General of New York State, Letitia āPeekabooā James, whoā¦
83) Much of the ugly anger that currently swirls through #USPolitics is directed at the #LGBTQI community. A significant portion of that rage is based on an interpretation of Biblical verses translated into English.
What if that post war translation was wrong?
This is a #film that needs to be supported as it attacks religious bigotry at its root
84) Funding for the #UkraineWar is now tied up in the #Senate by the #GOP who want #border policy changes
Seems like the #RepublicanParty are now willing to sacrifice geopolitical stability unless they get their way on border priorities
85) Good piece featuring #KevinMcCarthy from the folks at #CBSSundayMorning.
Make sure you watch to the end where the former speaker is called out for kissing #DonaldTrumpās ring at Mar-A-Lago only weeks after condemning Trump for fomenting the attempted #Jan6 coup
Reporter Robert Costa does not pull any punches when he accuses McCarthy of ignoring #Trumpās incipient #Fascism and thirst for retribution. There is no core to McCarthy, just an empty suit
86) Today weāll witness the sad spectacle of President #Zelensky lobbying #MikeJohnson for #UkraineWar support.
That request will fall on deaf ears
Letās be clear what is going on here. It is not about budgetary prudence nor is it about the #SouthernBorder.
It is about what #Trump wants and #DonaldTrump loves #Putin. The continuation of European democracy is irrelevant to the Trumpist #GOP who care for nothing except for what #garchs desire
https://thehill.com/newsletters/morning-report/4355200-zelensky-lobbies-speaker-for-ukraine-aid/
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet President Biden today and make a personal appeal to senators and the Speaker in an effort to salvage U.S. support for additional military assistance this year. Zelensky and the Ukrainian military are simultaneously fighting Russia, working to keep European allies united behind a war seemingly caught in a stalemateā¦
87) Lets be clear here. the GOP congressional concern on the security of the #SouthernBorder is simply a convenient blocking deflection
Congressional #Republicans are busy tugging their forelocks before #DonaldTrump. Republican Senators don't care about geopolitical stability, they just want to keep #Trump happy who in turn wants to keep his friend #Putin happy, so no funding from the US for the #UkraineWar
#USPolitics #Politics #Ukraine #UkraineRussiaWar
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/12/us/politics/republicans-zelensky-border-ukraine-aid.html
88) Oh dear, file this one under when bad things happen to bad people.
Naturally this will be appealed and recent news articles indicate the #RudyGiulianiās personal finances are in poor shape. Bankruptcy looms as part of the final humiliation for #NYCās former mayor
https://www.npr.org/2023/12/15/1219048410/giuliani-defamation-trial-money-georgia-election-workers
#Republicans #DonaldTrump #Trump #USPolitics #Politics #Ukraine
89) Hard as it is to believe the word #Fascist is being used to describe the #GOP candidate for Preident. Even harder to belieft, that description is entirely apt.
I was reluctant to use the word until #DonaldTrump started trotting out his #vermin and #PoisoningTheBlood stump speech usages. The show is fitting all too well
We have a Fascist running for President, he deserves the moniker
#USPolitics #FarRight #Election2024
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/16/biden-trump-remarks-immigration-00132161
90) File this one under not surprising. I have my doubts as to whether #DonaldTrump has ever read any book
I'm guessing #StephenMiller has Mein Kampf committed to memory and whispered a Cliffs Notes version into #Donald's ear. I'm sure they both find it soothing
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/19/us/politics/trump-immigrants-hitler-mein-kampf.html
91) #DonaldTrump ruled ineligible to run for president in #Colorado. Clearly this is heading to the #SupremeCourt
I've seen some hairsplitting around the 14th ammedment which is the basis for this ruling. Specifically whether the oath taken by #Trump makes him subject to the provision. Interesting that the arguments don't focus on the notion of an insurrection on #Jan6.
https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/19/colorado-disqualify-donald-trump-00132578
Chatter might be entertaining, but it does not yield rulings
The arguments, Iām referring are those surrounding and preceding the ruling - the journalistic chatter.
There seems to have been a lot of focus on whether #Trump could escape the 14th amendment on the basis that his oath of office did not use the word āsupportā or that he is not considered to be an āofficerā
I figured the #RightWing would be attacking #Jan6 events as NOT being an insurrection, more a visitation of the Capitol š
Martin Nutty
Paxtian