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 #DonaldTrump’s 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 #Trump’s incipient #Fascism and thirst for retribution. There is no core to McCarthy, just an empty suit

#USPolitics

https://youtu.be/ClzkKXh9lxs?si=13PLgmdiMhLvKjhs

Kevin McCarthy: The exit interview

YouTube

86) Today we’ll witness the sad spectacle of President #Zelensky lobbying #MikeJohnson for #UkraineWar support.

That request will fall on deaf ears

Let’s 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

#USPolitics

https://thehill.com/newsletters/morning-report/4355200-zelensky-lobbies-speaker-for-ukraine-aid/

Morning Report — 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 stalemate…

The Hill

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

Republicans Sideline Zelensky With Border Demands, Imperiling Aid Package

The Ukrainian president delivered an urgent plea for more help for his country in its fight against Russia, only to be told by Republicans that his challenges were not their focus.

The New York Times

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 #RudyGiuliani’s personal finances are in poor shape. Bankruptcy looms as part of the final humiliation for #NYC’s 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

Biden campaign: Trump ‘parroted Adolf Hitler’ in remarks targeting immigrants

Trump ratcheted up his already inflammatory rhetoric on immigrants at a rally Saturday.

POLITICO

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

#Election2024 #USPolitics

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/19/us/politics/trump-immigrants-hitler-mein-kampf.html

Trump, Attacked for Echoing Hitler, Says He Never Read ‘Mein Kampf’

The former president’s comments on migrants have been widely criticized as racist and xenophobic.

The New York Times

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.

#USPolitics #Election2024

https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/19/colorado-disqualify-donald-trump-00132578

Colorado Supreme Court says Trump is ineligible to run again

It ruled that Trump engaged in an insurrection by stoking the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

POLITICO

92) In an unsurprising development, #RudyGiuliani has filed for bankruptcy and will spend the rest of his life in an endless appeal cycle as he tries to evade his legal debts etc

One wonders how a single individual can run up debts in excess of $100 - 500 million. While we know, he owes $148 on the #Georgia case, is that all that it is the bucket or is there more?

That said, filing will not protect him from collection on the judgement

#Jan6 #USPolitics #Election2024

https://www.reuters.com/legal/giuliani-seeks-bankruptcy-after-148-mln-judgment-defamation-case-filing-2023-12-21/

93) I’d suggest that it is a good idea to keep #DonaldTrump talking about Hitler comparisons

He’s made his bed with Nazi rhetoric, let’s keep him tucked in there and busy defending himself.

His attempts, to wriggle away and pretend he wasn’t referencing one of the most murdeous regimes of human history, just doesn’t pass the most elementary of sniff tests

#USPolitics #Election2024 #Fascism

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4373704-trump-im-not-a-student-of-hitler

Trump: ‘I’m not a student of Hitler’

Former President Trump on Friday said he is not a “student of Hitler” as he once again asserted immigrants were “poisoning the blood of our country,” a phrase critics have said is parroting the Nazi leader’s past remarks about Jews. Trump called into conservative radio host Hugh Hewitt’s show, where Hewitt pressed Trump multiple times…

The Hill

94) I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that the #SupremeCourt decided to avoid taking a position on #DonaldTrump’s assertion of extraordinary presidential immunity.

Likely they’re hoping that the case will be strung out past the election

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/scotus-rejects-jack-smiths-request-to-expedite-trump-appeal

#USPolitics #Election2024

SCOTUS Rejects Jack Smith’s Request To Expedite Trump Appeal

The Supreme Court denied a petition from Special Prosecutor Jack Smith to expedite Donald Trump's appeal of the presidential immunity issues in his Jan. 6 case. An order issued by the Supreme Court…

TPM – Talking Points Memo

95) What does #NikkiHaley’s flub of the most basic of #CivilWar questions tell us about the state of the #GOP?

Simply put, the #RepublicanParty is committed to pandering to #racism both overt and subterranean.

#Haley’s choice to avoid acknowledging slavery is the worst kind of pandering to retrograde types who would have us pretend that the disgusting, “peculiar institution” was not central to America’s great conflict

https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/12/28/nikki-haley-civil-war-slavery-history-00133281

#USPolitics #Election2024

Opinion | Why Was It So Hard for Nikki Haley to Say ‘Slavery’? History Has the Answer

The presidential candidate’s recent (and swiftly qualified) comments about the Civil War helped spread a myth that has warped American history for over a century.

POLITICO

96) Sadly we are faced with yet another bad mob movie sequel for 2024

A brilliant set of portraits of America’s most loathsome family from the wonderful #AnnTelnaes

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/11/03/ann-telnaes-cartoon-trump-family-legal-issues/

#USPolitics #Election2024 #Cartoon #DonaldTrump #Trump

Portrait of a family

Ann Telnaes cartoon on the legal issues surrounding the Trump family

The Washington Post
Cartoon: Disqualified voters

A cartoon by Clay Jones.

Daily Kos

98) Can anyone say skinflint #billionaire?

Amusing to hear on #NPR this morning, that #Trump had raised a whole $10,000 on behalf of #Jan6 rioters

The former narcissist-in-chief, is not known for going out of his way to aid supporters who have done his bidding

https://www.npr.org/2024/01/04/1218672628/the-trump-campaign-embraces-jan-6-rioters-with-money-and-pardon-promises

#USPolitics #Election2024 #Trump

99) Feb 8 is now a big date on the #Trump calendar

#SCOTUS has decided to hear the #Colorado ballot exclusion case and whether the 14th ammendment excludes #DonaldTrump from running for President

The Colorado #GOP primary is scheduled for Mar 5

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/05/us/trump-supreme-court-colorado-ballot.html

Supreme Court to Decide Whether Trump Is Eligible for Colorado Ballot

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled last month that the former president could not appear on the state’s Republican primary ballot because he had engaged in insurrection.

The New York Times

100) Good speech from #Biden yesterday. Delivered with plenty of passion.

Great idea to launch his re-election campaign on the day before this ugly anniversary that is #Jan6th.

It framed the stakes effectively for the election and dominated the news media yesterday and this morning

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/05/biden-democracy-speech-00134118

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

Biden blasts Trump as a ‘despicable’ danger to democracy

Invoking Jan. 6, the president provided his strongest takedown to date of his predecessor.

POLITICO

101) This should not be a surprise to any casual observer of #Trump.

Cruelty is a feature of his personna and a function of unresolved childhood development difficulties.

Mocking the challenges, limitations and difficulties of others, soothes Trumps deeply unacknowledged psychological problems

Clearly #Biden’s Valley Forge speech hit hard, the Pavlovian response was predictable from Trump’s stunted psyche

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/01/06/trump-biden-stutter

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

Trump mocks Biden over stutter

Trump falsely said that Biden had stumbled over the word ‘democracy’ during a speech, and mocked him for a speech impediment.

The Washington Post

101) Good piece on #Biden and his drive to retain electoral success in the PA, MI and WI #SwingStates

Article makes the point that #POTUS has crafted a populist industrial policy which diverges from that of his Democratic predecessors

What say you, do you agree?

🔑 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-01-08/will-trump-s-or-biden-s-brand-of-populism-convince-voters-in-the-2024-election

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

Will Trump’s or Biden’s Brand of Populism Convince Voters in the 2024 Election?

Whichever version wins in November will have lasting effects on the country, according to an exclusive excerpt from The Rebels .

Bloomberg

102) What does it mean to be an #evangelical Christian in America today?

Church attendance is declining. Does that mean that cultural identity as an EC has become more important than doctrinal matters?

How has #DonaldTrump and his dubious adherence to Christianity persuaded ECs to support his candidacy?

Is a sense of persecution more important than #abortion?

Good profile piece at #NYT ⬇️

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/08/us/politics/donald-trump-evangelicals-iowa.html

Donald Trump Is Connecting With a Different Type of Evangelical Voter

They are not just the churchgoing, conservative activists who once dominated the G.O.P.

The New York Times

103) A big moment in #DonaldTrump’s #jan6th legal travails

At stake is whether #Trump has presidential immunity. Should the court rule against the former President, he will likely request a ruling from a full panel of the DC Circuit Court

Trump’s strategy is to slow down the legal process hoping that electoral victory will enable him to avoid prosecution

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/09/trump-returns-to-court-in-pivotal-immunity-showdown-00134445

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

Trump returns to court in pivotal immunity showdown

The outcome of the immunity appeal could determine whether Trump stands trial on federal charges of election interference.

POLITICO

104) Disappointing, but not surprising to see such lame legislation being proposed to counter the use of AI in political advertising. Far more can be done then requiring a disclosure of the use of #AI in political ads

I’d suggest the unapproved use of a person’s voice or likeness to create fake video or audio, should be prohibited

Will #Election2024 be a barrage of AI enhanced untruths being blasted at us?

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/11/us/ai-election-ads-state-legislators.htm

#USPolitics #Politics

105) A reminder of how divorced from reality #Trumpism is from facts.

#Brexit has proven to be a train wreck yet Donald #Trump is parading #NigelFarage around the #IowaCaucus as some kind of hero

🔑 https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-14/trump-with-nigel-farage-in-tow-pleads-for-votes-in-iowa-caucus

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics

Iowa Caucus 2024: Donald Trump With Nigel Farage in Tow Pleads for Votes

Donald Trump pleaded with his Iowa Republican supporters to brave the frigid weather Monday and turn out in droves to gift him a dominant victory in the state’s caucus and push him closer to a rematch with Joe Biden for the White House.

Bloomberg

106)This chart is likely making the #Biden campaign smile.

Despite #GOP purveyors of of economic doom and gloom, Americans are realizing that the #economy is improving.

It's taken a while for this story to break through, but the steady reduction of #inflation and strong #JobGrowth numbers eventually swamp #RightWing propaganda

The James Carville adage applies: "It's the economy stupid" and the economy is looking better

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024 #Bidenomics

107) #Trump mental confusion makes another appearance on the campaign trail.

Apparently #NikkiHaley and #NancyPelosi have melded into one person.

Heck both their names begin with “N” and they’re also members of the ever growing enemy list, why not roll em up together in one big ball of hatred?

https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2024/01/20/donald-trump-appears-to-confuse-haley-with-pelosi-cnntmwk-vpx.cnn

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

108) Good piece from HCR on the Far Right’s attack on American institutions

What is missing from is a theory on what effort the attack serves. Can’t say we look to Trump for a rational explanation. The man has little space for such thinking being incapable of understanding of his own mind and rarely controlled impulses

This is a not criticism of the piece, more pointing to the impound developing a narrative for persuadable voters

https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/january-20-2024

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

January 20, 2024

Last night at a rally in New Hampshire, former president Trump repeatedly confused former South Carolina governor Nikki Haley, who is running against him for the Republican presidential nomination, with Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), the former speaker of the House.

Letters from an American

109) The inevitable has happened and a little earlier than expected.

The #DeSantis campaign is no more and the chastened Governor of #Florida is now genuflecting and tugging his forelock before #DonaldTrump

Apparently, a suposedly gussied up version of #Trumpism doesn't fly. That notion has been cast upon the ash heap of history. It is either #Fascism #Trump style or nothing else for the majority of the #GOP faithful

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/01/21/ron-desantis-drops-out/

Ron DeSantis ends presidential campaign, endorses Trump

The Florida governor’s once promising bid came to an end Sunday.

The Washington Post

110) As the #GOP primary race draws to a close before it has barely started, the only question left is, can #NikkiHaley make any kind of dint in #Trump's dominance of the #Republican Party.

We'll know on Tuesday when the #NewHampshire primary takes place. Unless former Governor Haley is within an ass’s roar of Trump, that will be curtains for the #Republican primary

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/01/20/new-hampshire-primary-independents-haley-trump/

New Hampshire’s independents could drive Republican primary outcome

Independent voters, who can cast a ballot in either party’s primary, are seen as key to the outcome in Tuesday’s GOP contest. But their political leanings are complex.

The Washington Post

111) After today’s #NewHampshire primary, we’ll likely see the end of #NikkiHaley’s quest for the presidency

While Ms. Haley might be a more palatable than the #facist candidate known as #Trump, her campaign shone a bright light on the absurd historical fact avoidance engaged in by many #GOP types

https://open.substack.com/pub/davidpepper/p/cartoon-tuesday-nik-haley-history

#Republican #Primary #Republican #USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

Cartoon Tuesday: “Nik Haley History White Out”

Continuing A Too-Long Tradition of Censoring Our Past

Pepperspectives

112) Today’s parlor game features the punditry class yammering about whether #NikkiHaley will remain in the #GOP Primary race following an 11% defeat by #DonaldTrump in #NewHampshire

While Governor Haley outperformed expectations, many polls had her down >20%, a route to victory is minuscule with the exception of judicial rulings derailing #Trump

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/01/24/trump-5-takeaways-new-hampshire-00137511

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

Trump's New Hampshire win had some bright red warning signs

After New Hampshire, the primary will turn to the courts.

POLITICO
Fox News and guest imply Taylor Swift is a part of a psy-op campaign to 'swing voters'

YouTube

114) The #Trump #Republican Party is not in the business of solutions, unless a positive outcome can be claimed to the exclusion all others.

Come to think of it, the #GOP is not in the business of possitivity, their activities might be better described as being deeply invested in the cultivation of fear and anger, particularly directed at people with darker skin

#MittRomney is calling it correctly:

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/romney-trump-immigration-border-senate

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024 #Migration

Romney: Trump Killing Immigration Deal To Keep Using Border Against Biden ‘Appalling’

Romney, armed with the candor of a politician nearing the end of his career, on Thursday denounced Trump’s efforts to wave Republican senators off an immigration deal so the former president can keep using the border as a cudgel against Biden.

TPM – Talking Points Memo

115) What needs to be done this election year when #democracy is under threat?

The need to organize and take action is imperative. A good place to start is getting involved with @indivisibleteam which has groups all across America gearing up to persuade the persuadable

Visit their site and signup for your local group => https://www.indivisible.org

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

Homepage

Indivisible
Cartoon: Swifty Bowl

A cartoon by Clay Jones.

Daily Kos

116) I've been thinking a lot about the structural issues that plague Western democracies. My particular focus is on #USPolitics as I live in #NYC and am staring down the barrel of a nasty presidential election

Job 1 is to make sure #Trump is not relected.

Job 2 is to reduced the malaign influence of extreme wealth on democracy - this is a #Garch" problem which I go into on this #podcast episode. More to come in the next few weeks

https://www.nuttyinnyc.com/13-garchs-aint-good

#Politics #Oligarchs #Election2024

13: Garchs Ain't Good

I call then Garchs - types who have unconscionable wealth, wiling to subvert democracy to accumulate more. The word oligarch is used by academics, but th…

Nutty In NYC

117) The #RightWing media sphere is going all sorts of bonkers with #TaylorSwift conspiracy theories

If takes a special type of paranoia to suggest that #SuperBowlLVIII is rigged. Apparently a #KansasCityChiefs victory featuring the pop star’s boyfriend #TravisKelce’s will be used to announce a #Biden endorsement

Madness, but that’s where we’re at

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/taylor-swift-targeted-conspiracies-chiefs-super-bowl-1234955940

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

Right-Wingers Say Super Bowl Is Rigged So Taylor Swift Can Endorse Biden

Right-wing conspiracy theorists are claiming the NFL Super Bowl has been rigged to facilitate a Taylor Swift endorsement of Joe Biden.

Rolling Stone

118) a good piece here from Todd Belton on #RagePolitics and why it works for #Trump particular during the primary season when polarized and partisan #FarRight voters are at their most influential

Trumpist voters crave binary and simple messaging. They abhor notions of uncertainty. General election voters are more accepting of the laws of probability where outcomes are not certain. Call it grown up thinking

https://open.substack.com/pub/thinkbigpicture/p/trump-2024-campaign-rage-conservatives

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

The Roots Of Trump's 2024 Campaign Of Rage

Donald Trump is winning over MAGA primary voters with his brand of rage politics, but it will be a much harder sell in November

The Big Picture

119) The good news on the #Bidenomics economy has been coming for months. Most voters are not regular traders of economic news, the stuff is too dry and subtle for most

Eventually the flood of good economic registers and is it continues, as recognition slowly takes hold. Yesterdays impressive job numbers will have registered favorably with more voters and #Trump claims of a poor #economy are becoming increasingly less credible

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/02/trump-and-his-allies-adjust-their-messaging-on-the-economy-as-it-steadily-improves-00139447

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

Biden’s economy keeps messing up Trump’s message

“You can’t blame the president when policies go wrong, and then say he’s not responsible if things are going right.”

POLITICO

120) To the surprise of no one, the House #GOP and #MikeJohnson are not the slightest bit interested in doing a deal on #border #migration. They’re busily engaged in forelock tugging mode before Dear Leader aka #Trump and his master, Czar #Putin

#Republican politics are only about one thing, tax breaks for the #garchs in #Russia, #America, and all other geographies

Want to fix something for the other 99.9%. Look elsewhere

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-05/trump-house-gop-leaders-reject-senate-border-ukraine-aid-deal

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

Trump, House Republican Leaders Reject Senate Border-Ukraine Aid Deal

Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump and House Republican leaders denounced a bipartisan Senate deal to impose new US border restrictions and unlock billions of dollars in Ukraine aid, endangering its prospects for passage.

Bloomberg

121) Throughout his life #DonaldTrump, has fought legal actions directed at him through frivolous appeals and delaying tactics

The big question now is whether the absurdity of the total presidential immunity appeal process will resolve for #Jan6 insurrection trial to take place before #Election2024?

Will the #SupremeCourt accept the appeal or will other strategems be deployed to delay the case beyond the election?

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/06/trump-criminal-immunity-supreme-court-00140027

#USPolitics #Politics

Trump’s last chance to stave off election-subversion trial: The Supreme Court

Here are three scenarios for how the Supreme Court could handle Trump’s imminent appeal.

POLITICO

122) Some have posited that #Election2024 will be the first #AI #Election

Looks like a certain #Texas based corporation by the name of Life Corporation and its owner Walter Monk can expect to experience some deep law enforecement scrutiny for deceptively impersonating Pres #JoeBiden's voice

Hopefuly this will pursued agressively to dissaude other dirty trick types

#USPolitics #Politics

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/06/us/politics/biden-robocall-new-hampshire.html

Texas Company Was Behind Voter Robocalls That Impersonated Biden, N.H. Says

The state attorney general said the calls, which used a voice that sounded like President Biden’s to discourage voting, originated with a company called Life Corporation.

The New York Times

123) Excellent piece from #HCR on the #NewsMedia, Pres #Biden is losing it campaign. Required reading for thoughtful types

Let’s be clear, there is a perverse incentive faced by many for-profit #journalism outfits. A close race, increases clicks, reads, views, listens.

The owners of many of these corporations are also likely fond of billionaire friendly tax policies that #Trump will support

https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/february-9-2024

#Election2024 #JoeBiden #USPolitics #Politics

February 9, 2024

Yesterday, Special Counsel Robert Hur, appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in January 2023 to investigate President Joe Biden’s handling of classified documents before he was president, released his report. It begins: “We conclude that no criminal charges are warranted in this matter. We would reach the same conclusion even if Department of Justice policy did not foreclose criminal charges against a sitting president.” The Department of Justice closed a similar case against former Vice President Mike Pence on June 1, 2023, days before Pence announced his presidential bid, with a brief, one-page letter.

Letters from an American

124) As sure as day follows night, #Trump dusts off his #Putin loving playbook

Just par for the course for a man who has more contempt than understanding of the world order established through the sacrifice of the greatest generation 80 years ago

As #NancyPelosi said of #DonaldTrump back in 2019 :

“With him, all roads lead to Putin”

🔑 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/11/us/politics/trump-nato.html

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics

Favoring Foes Over Friends, Trump Threatens to Upend International Order

Former President Donald J. Trump suggested that he would incite Russia to attack “delinquent” U.S. allies, foreshadowing potentially far-reaching changes in the world order if he wins the White House again.

The New York Times

125) It’s more than troubling that #NikkiHaley has to advise voters that #Trump’s anti-NATO #Putin hugging utterances are a problem

Why #DonaldTrump is so quick to to embrace the geopolitical goal’s of #Russia’s arch murderer is a matter of speculation

Maybe it’s #Kompromat, maybe if a love of #petrogarch oil money or just #autocracy fan boy stuff

Whatever, it’s hugely dangerous to world peace

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-12/haley-says-trump-mistaken-to-side-with-thug-putin-over-nato

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics

Nikki Haley Says Trump Mistaken to Side with ‘Thug’ Putin Over NATO

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley said it was a mistake for former President Donald Trump to say he would abandon NATO members to a Russian incursion if the allies failed to meet defense-spending commitments.

Bloomberg

126) Sometimes i agree with even the most obnoxious of Republicans

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics #GOP

https://youtu.be/lsww1Nu01gc?si=9plmBl_L58OEJ8mA

Rep. Chip Roy Attacks Republican Colleagues for Political Inaction

YouTube

127) There is more blood on the hands of #VladimirPutin with the death of #Aleksei Navalny today in a remote Russian prison

Sadly #Putin’s regime of enablers is not confined to #Russia. Far too many #GOP types are obediently following #Trump’s autocratic loving “leadership” and betraying #Ukraine by withholding financial support for the #UkraineRussiaWar

An ugly day for freedom and democracy. RIP #Navalny

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/16/world/europe/aleksei-navalny-dead-russia.html

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics

Aleksei Navalny, Putin Critic, Dies in Prison, Russian Authorities Say

The opposition leader, who was poisoned in 2020, had spent months in isolation.

The New York Times

128) I'm rarely aligned with #MikePence. Frankly his #politics are pretty much diametrically oppoed to mine.

However today we're in agreement, on the this saddest of days ,when a brave man has died far from friends and family in a Russian penal colony

Those #GOP politicians that equivocate and waffle when it comes to supporting #Ukraine in #Congress are aiding and abetting #Putin. #Democracy and geopolitical stability are at stake

#Navalny #USPolitics

https://thehill.com/policy/international/4472262-pence-gop-putin-apologists-navalny-death

Pence says no room in GOP for Putin ‘apologists’ after reported Navalny death

Former Vice President Mike Pence said Friday is no room in the Republican party for “apologists” for President Vladimir Putin after Russian authorities reported the death of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Pence issued a strong rebuke of the Russian leader in a series of posts on X, formerly known as Twitter. “Putin is a…

The Hill

129) Cash is getting a little tight in #Trump world. Apparently inflating one’s net worth to the size of a bull frog is not a winning business strategy.

The #Engoron ruling requires the posting of a bond or actual cash within 30 days.

Given the former president’s has filched much of the cash from those foolish enough to donate his collection of PACs, I imagine his current crop of attorneys must be wondering if they’ll be paid

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/16/nyregion/trump-civil-fraud-trial-ruling.html

#politics #USPolitics

Trump Ordered to Pay $355 Million in NY Civil Fraud Trial Ruling

The ruling in Donald J. Trump’s civil fraud case could cost him all his available cash. The judge said that the former president’s “complete lack of contrition” bordered on pathological.

The New York Times

130) Central to #Trumpist politics is the stoking and packaging of fear which produces and reinforces a radicalized #FarRight.

Few produce fear based #TV better than #Sinclair broadcasting and that fear and its ugly stepchildren, anger and revenge, are the fuel for #Trump’s election campaign. Nothing else is being offered beyond vengeance

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/02/16/sinclair-broadcasting-conservative-media-trump

#politics #USPolitics #Election2024

Sinclair’s recipe for TV news: Crime, homelessness, illegal drugs

The local news powerhouse, whose chairman recently bought the Baltimore Sun, focuses on fear in broadcasts that often align with Donald Trump’s view of cities.

The Washington Post

131) I've watched this scene before from the #WestWing. It still speaks powerfully to me especially when I hear some awful unctous biblical reference to justify something reprehensible

The #Bible is filled with contradictions and peculiarities and for politicians, who like to use"Tthe Good Book" as justification, #Shakespeare in the Merchant of Venice reminds us that "The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose" likely based on his reading of Luke 4:9-13

#Politics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77lEqpAz1KM

Classic 'West Wing' Scene Resurfaces After Mike Johnson Says He's A 'Bible-Believing Christian'

YouTube

132) The tortured #GOP efforts to conflate #HunterBiden's troubles into a Joe #Biden corruption story continues to be confronted by embarassing realities and truths

Sadly the smear, rather than the truth, aided and abetted by the velocity of #SociaMedia and a variety of #GOP useful idiots continues their contribution to the deterioration of American #democracy

There will be no shameful admissions nor acknowledgement of error. This is the #RepublicanParty

#Politics

https://apnews.com/article/hunter-biden-burisma-fbi-informant-lying-6969656f6012780a23a4b8841ce2689b

FBI informant charged with lying about the Biden's ties to Ukrainian business

An FBI informant has been charged with lying to authorities about a multimillion-dollar bribery scheme between President Joe Biden, his son Hunter and a Ukrainian energy company. The claim is central to a Republican impeachment inquiry in Congress. Prosecutors say Alexander Smirnov falsely told FBI agents in June 2020 that executives associated with the Ukrainian energy company Burisma paid Hunter and Joe Biden $5 million each in 2015 or 2016. The allegations became a flashpoint in Congress over the summer as Republicans demanded the FBI release the unredacted form documenting the allegations as they pursued investigations of President Biden and his family. An attorney for Smirnov declined to comment on the allegations.

AP News

133) I watched the #Oscar nominated “20 Days in Mariupol” last night. It is not for the faint of heart.

It depicts the horror of the #RussiaUkraineWar and its devastating impact on civilian populations

Should be required viewing for #GOP types withholding their support for #Ukraine and think geopolitical stability is to be sacrificed on the altar of #Trump’s slavish fanboy love of #Putin

https://youtu.be/gvAyykRvPBo?si=2flYASDckj-t3BWo

20 Days in Mariupol (full documentary) | FRONTLINE + @AssociatedPress

YouTube

134) Nobody was surprised by the outcome of the #SouthCarolina primary.

The word “trounce” is being used by the #NewsMedia in describing #Trump’s victory, but 40% of #SC’s voters preferred #NikkiHaley which in #RedState land ain’t exactly a glowing endorsement

Will these disgruntled voters show up for #DonaldTrump in November? What does that presage for Independent voters?

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/24/south-carolina-takeaways-trump-haley-00143177

Hidden in Trump's big South Carolina win: A not-so-small problem for him in November

Trump drew closer to the nomination but showed signs of potential weakness.

POLITICO

135) Some interesting data from the #SouthCarolina exit poll conducted by the @washingtonpost

When it comes to voters motivated primarily by concerns over temperament (16% of the total), 95% voted for #NikkiHaley

36% of #SC #GOP voters indicate that #Trump criminal conviction woukd render him unfit the presidency

https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2024/02/24/south-carolina-exit-polls/

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

How different groups voted in the South Carolina primary, according to exit polls

See how different groups voted for a presidential nominee during the South Carolina primary by reviewing data from the network exit poll conducted by Edison Research.

The Washington Post

136) it seems that the #SupremeCourt has decided to slow-walk #DonaldTrump’s date with justice.

What tortured reasoning is behind the court’s reasoning in taking a case deciding whether Trump’s expectation of eternal presidential immunity remains to be seen.

The certainty that #Trump will face trial on #Jan6 charges prior to the #Election2024 is now in serious doubt. It’s up to voters to end Trump’s drive for autocracy

#Politics #USPolitics
https://www.npr.org/2024/02/29/1235017841/supreme-court-trump-immunity-hearing

137) Like many folks who abhor #DonaldTrump, I was disappointed that the #SupremeCourt decided to take Trump’s presidential immunity case.

The notion that #POTUS is immune from prosecution in a republic which champions the rule of law is patently absurd.

But this blog post makes the case that rather than slow walking multiple #Trump cases, it may ultimately speed things up

Worth a read 👇

https://blog.stephaniejones.com

#Jan6 #Election2024 #Politics #USPolitics

Stephanie Says

What is she saying NOW?

Stephanie Says

138) For months I’ve read a variety of news stories positing alternatives to the #Biden vs #Trump match up. My political calculus leaned heavily in favor of the that likelihood

It is not that I would have wished otherwise. The persistence of #DonaldTrump in American political life is sad testimony to the degradation of #USPolitics

Despite #JoeBiden’s political successes, I wish he was 10 years younger, but he is not and he will have my unqualified support

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/06/us/politics/trump-biden-rematch-election.html

#Politics

With Haley’s Departure, the Rematch Between Biden and Trump Is Now Set

The contest that many Americans had long hoped to avoid — the 2024 sequel of Biden vs. Trump — is now an inescapable reality.

The New York Times

139) Clearly I’m late realizing there is a term for the odd voice used by Senator #KatieBritt of #Alabama in her state of the union response.

I was trying to put my finger on the tone which seemed to vacillate between someone fearful of an off camera kidnapper and a fervent supporter of #Torquemada

With thanks to #JessPiper for introducing #BabyFundieVoice to my vocabulary.

Now, if only I could unhear Senator Britt

https://open.substack.com/pub/jesspiper/p/the-fundie-baby-voice

#USPolitics #JoeBiden #Politics

The Fundie Baby Voice

As soon as Senator Katie Britt started speaking, I knew exactly who she is. She is so many of the pastor's wives and Sunday School teachers I knew growing up in an Evangelical church. Be sweet. Obey.

The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper

140) Of course #KatieBritt Senator from #Alabama has now been caught in a lie about the awful sex trafficking story she recounted in her #SOTU response

The case she describes did not happen in the USA and did not happen during the #Biden administration. Apparently the case dates back to Bush II 2004 - 2008

The #Trumpist #GOP modus operandi: fear mongering, lying and BSing is all they have

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/09/us/politics/katie-britt-republican-response-sotu-border.html

#USPolitics #JoeBiden #Politics

Questions Arise About Katie Britt’s State of the Union Response

The Alabama senator used a story about sex trafficking to criticize the Biden administration’s border policies. But the events occurred in Mexico years ago.

The New York Times

141) Sometimes one has to step back, take a moment, and laugh.

The madhouse that is American #politics reached a whole new pitch with Senator #KatieBritt’s #SOTU response

Unsurprisingly the junior Senator from #Alabama provided rich fodder for #SNL delivered pitch perfect #ScarlettJohanson

https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2024/03/saturday-night-live-scarlett-johansson-katie-britt/677709/

#Alabama #GOP #USPolitics

Scarlett Johansson’s Pitch-Perfect Impersonation on 'SNL'

The actor surprised and delighted on last night’s <em>SNL</em> with her impression of Senator Katie Britt.

The Atlantic

142) Sometimes a single panel #cartoon does more to capture an important truism than a 1,000 words.

Will the #SupremeCourt act as a guardian of American #democracy or will they provide #Trump with an #autocracy imprimatur?

#politics #USPolitics #Election2024

https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/3/9/2228532/-Cartoon-Royal-court

Cartoon: Royal court

The Royal Supreme might crown its king, Donald the First, by continuing to help delay his numerous trials, and by ruling in his favor regarding Presidential immunity. Trump has told us openly that he wants to be a dictator. Vote accordingly.

Daily Kos

143) #Election2024 will be driven by turning out the base for both #Biden and #Trump respectively

While the #Trump fan base continues to be motivated, the support for #NikkiHaley during the #GOP primaries reveals fault lines which are being exploited by conservative #NeverTrump types

Cracking #Republican turnout is one of many factors which will yield a #JoeBiden win on Election Day

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/12/us/politics/republican-voters-against-trump.html

#politics #USPolitics

Republican Voters Against Trump Plans $50 Million Ad Campaign

The group, Republican Voters Against Trump, will run a series of homemade videos of Americans who voted for him in the past but say they can no longer do so in 2024.

The New York Times

@mnutty Q: How can you tell a Republican is lying?

A: Their lips are moving.

@marcas

Pretty difficult to argue with that 😜

@mnutty One would wish that you would provide a less socially irresponsible link. I stopped using the NY Times after their unquestioning support for the obvious and proven lies that started the Iraq War.

"Questions arise" is their typical empty headline: "questions arise" about pretty well any statement.

"Much of Britt's SOTU address proven false" would be accurate.

The job of newspapers isn't to print both sides, but to find out the truth.

Paywall free link: https://archive.is/cAavk

@TomSwirly

Opinions of the New York Times vary. I’m a subscriber and so make no apology. I recognize that may put me at odds with many posters on Mastodon, but diversity of viewpoint on #SocialMedia is likely healthy provided it is respectful

Because I subscribe and read the #NYT doesn’t mean I agree with everything published therein. In the spectrum of commercial #NewsMedia, it’s far better than most, which is a very low bar to hurdle

#Journalism

@mnutty

Which opinion are you referring to?

Factually, the Iraq War killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people, and the Times was a big part of it, and they apologized for it.

Then they went back on each change promised and finally got rid of their Public Editor, conveniently just four months into Trump.

It's one thing if your friend steals your car and totals it, but quite another if he uses it to force a school bus full of children off a bridge onto a hospital.

@mnutty I fantasize about this type of White House a lot.

@mnutty Aaron sorkin can write and Martin sheen can deliver.

I found myself alarmed as I rewatched much #westwing during trumps governance. Nothing had changed in those 20 years and nothing has changed since.

@mnutty all hail the unrestrained private sector. The way to deal with this is to tax, regulate & break up regional monopolies to force competition, so these pricks can’t spend their time playing propagandists

@voron

In the American news environment, with a modicum of effort, quality news is available.

My choices are PBS and NPR which are NOT ruled by profit imperatives which seem to generate the worst type of #NewsMedia

The problem is, #Sinclair’s production of cheap programming in #NewsDeserts locales, unless viewers are curious, alternatives are not readily available

#Journalism #Politics #USPolitics

@mnutty 🤔 so for the tens of millions of people who live in rural areas, may work on the road or out doors, etc. keep in touch via cell phone FB with friends & family, where talk radio etc cover local politics & farm reports tell me again?
No, the “well it’s available” is the same as saying drive by all the fast food places while working 2 jobs and make a tofu stir fry at home

@voron

I'm not suggesting that we shouldn't care about the dreck that #Sinclair puts out, that governing law should not be changed to avoid the awful role up a genericization of media outlets, I simply choose not to participate in for profit #newsmedia because with a very few exceptions, it's basically crap.

Trump Ordered to Pay $355 Million in NY Civil Fraud Trial Ruling

The ruling in Donald J. Trump’s civil fraud case could cost him all his available cash. The judge said that the former president’s “complete lack of contrition” bordered on pathological.

The New York Times
@mnutty The appearance of wealth is the goal. It's peacocking to attract a financial mate (bankers).

@aka_quant_noir

I think the “appearance of wealth” is likely an apt description for #Trump’s opaque finances

I recall when #Hillary debated him, she questioned whether there was really any there, there when it came to actual $$$

I remember the look of anger on Trump’s face when she raised the possibility that his fortune might be fictitious. Maybe far too close to the truth?

@mnutty At this point, any Trump attorney STILL WONDERING whether they will be paid deserves all they get.

@zakalwe

I believe some are requiring cash up front. There is of course the issue of reputational damage in representing a skeeze back, never mind the grinned of dealing with his tantrums

@mnutty Putin is Trump's sugar daddy. He has been funding the whole Trump "Organization" for over a decade.

@andytiedye

Yup o think that’s about right and of course there is MBS in Saudi. #Trump is rather fond of killer #petrogarch money

@mnutty Wow, bold move for NYT to actually imply Russia is a foe.