160) After months of #HardRight GOP obstruction, funding for #Ukraine is on the way.

This is a notable defeat for #Putin fan #DonaldTrump and a victory for those who believe defending democracy against Russian aggression is critical. Chalk one up for the #Biden administration.

101 #GOP members joined Democrats to pass the bill, what price they will pay for their #Trump defiance remains to be seen

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

https://www.npr.org/2024/04/20/1245993370/house-ukraine-israel-aid-bills

161) For those that wish to follow the #TrumpBribery trial, I suggest giving #TalkingPointsMemo Josh Kovensky's coverage a follow

#USPolitics #Politics #Trump #TrumpTrial

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/live-blog/trump-faces-sanction-hearing-over-allegations-he-violated-gag-order

162) The Southern #border will be a significant issue in #Election2024.

Up till #DonaldTrump's torpedoing of the bipartisan negotiated border bill led by Sen #JamesLankford (R), the issue of undocumented migration had been a potent campaign issue for the #GOP

Now the Issue is one Pres #Biden and the #Democrats can campaign on as outlined in this video featuring a Sec. #PeteButtigied apearance on #CNBC ⬇️

#Politics #USPolitics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LH0IOJXvz3A

163) I was disturbed by the willingness of #SCOTUS's conservative wing to trip over themselves worrying about the conduct of future Presidents rather than the criminal behavior of #Trump while in office.

Kate Riga of #TalkingPointsMemo puts it best

Full article => https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/trump-supreme-court-immunity

#USPolitics #Politics #Immunity

164) I’m more than a little skeptical of polling. The ability to find a representative sample in the age of caller ID is pretty questionable in my view

That said when a poll shows 31% of Anericans are concerned by the rise of #Fascism, I pay attention. That notion would have been absurd 10 years ago, but this is where we are and the fact that a significant tranche of Americans have realized the threat is good news for #democracy

https://www.npr.org/2024/05/01/1248249250/election-poll-trump-biden-voters

#USPolitics #Politics

165) Now there's a surprise!

I guess #Trump feels most confortable with an #AttorneyGeneral who has been impeached just like him

Yup #KenPaxton, a guy who jiust might make #MichaelCohen blush

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

https://www.texastribune.org/2024/05/20/donald-trump-ken-paxton-attorney-general

166) I continue to be an admirer of #PeteButtigieg and his razor sharp analysis of the political times we live in

Here he reminds us that the #GOP has no answers for many of the pressing issues Americans face. Rather than coming up with new proposals about how to move the country forward, that would require thinking, the #RepublicanParty has put all its eggs in the #CultureWars basket, doubling down on hate for minorities, immigrants and the #LGBTQ community
#USPolitics

https://youtu.be/HQMgeasXjLs?si=wXv_Dw2hAefCpVzY

167) How or why a “Unified Reich” video was posted on #DonaldTrump’s Truth Social, may remain unclear. An anonymous staffer has been conveniently blamed. Perplexing how that keeps happening

Was #Trump playing footsie with Neo Nazis or is this simply an example of a sloppy campaign consistent with the chaos experienced during the wannabe strongman’s occupation of the #WhiteHouse?

A #Fascist will do what #Fascists do

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/05/21/trump-unified-reich-truth-social/

168) Apparently #Libertarian folks aren't big fans of #Trump. His attempt to secure the support and nomination of #Libertarians at their national convention was met with a barrage of boos.

The Trump campaign, showing its usual organizational chops, failed to submit paperwork for the nomination ballot. A write-in vote failed abysmally in the first round of balloting

#DonaldTrump #USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8gkY1k-Fz0

169) The Blueprint poll reported on by Semaphore below focuses on young people and gathers data via an online poll and should be treated cautiously.

I’m not surprised by the poll sentiment. Since the Reagan era, the #GOP has sewed distrust in government and been aided and abetted by a #RightWing #NewsMedia ecoystem.

All this to insure #garchs lower their tax bill, if #democracy is sacrificed, so be it

https://www.semafor.com/article/05/28/2024/a-dying-empire-led-by-bad-people-poll-finds-young-voters-despairing-over-us-politics

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

170) #Trump’s support by the wealthy is in many respect far more disappointing than those #MAGA redcaps of modest means

Usually, the rich have had the benefit of a good education and should understand that democracy is at stake in #Election2024. I can only conclude that many wealthy types care more about promised tax reductions and deregulation than the obvious threat of #fascism

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-06-06/san-francisco-fetes-trump-on-post-conviction-fundraising-tour

#garchs #USPolitics #Politics

171) David French is a political columnist with whom I disagree on many issues

That said, this column is a disturbing account of how the political right has shifted so dramatically. The pulpit and pews of many “churches” are now dominated by voices of hatred, bigotry and #ChristianNationalism

#Trump #MAGA #Election2024 #fascism #USPolitics #Politics

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/09/opinion/presbyterian-church-evangelical-canceled.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=c-cb

173) Trumpists wanted voters to believe that a criminal conviction would make #Trump more popular. That appears to have been a failure.

While #GOP voters polled some months back asserted a conviction would give them pause in voting for a convicted felon, the pause has passed, and the #DonaldTrump cult is lining up for their #DearLeader.

The same however cannot be said for independents - see article below 👇

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4725329-trump-conviction-impact-independents

174) Does the rule of law apply to all Americans or is there a carve out for Presidents?

The #Biden campaign clearly has decided to make the #Trump conviction a key issue in #Election2024. It will not be the only issue, but for those that appreciate that American democracy is under threat, it will be by far, the most important issue

This ad does a good job in reminding people of what’s at stake

https://youtu.be/MOEMX6_A8MM?si=k2C19z-knxEPB8vP

#USPolitics #Politics

175) In an unsurprising development, some #billionaire types are lining up to support #Trump. These types care little for democracy and would likely opt for #authoritarianism should it yield a 1% tax cut

While #TimothyMellon is likely the largest donor/briber of #Election2024, I’m sure other types are lining up with their checkbooks to subvert America

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c9eed9g3vlyo.amp

#USPolitics #Politics

176) There are painful lessons from history when certain business types choose their narrow interests before democracy

This article 👇 written back in 2016 before #Trump was elected, warns of the dire consequences of the #authoritarian tilt of some businessesmen.

Might the world have avoided Hitler and his Nazis if it wasn’t for Krups?

https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/how-big-business-bailed-out-nazis

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics

177) Tomorrow night #JoeBiden faces off against #DonaldTrump in the first presidential debate of #Election2024

Given that American #democracy is on the line, it’s the most consequential debate of my lifetimes me

This #NYTimes lays out what each candidate must do to be considered successful.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/26/opinion/trump-biden-debate.html

#Trump #Biden #USPolitics #Politics

178) That was most depressing debate performance I’ve seen. I wish that it was otherwise. #JoeBiden is a good and decent man, but if he doest’t withdraw, #DonaldTrump will be the next President of the United States.

#Trump lied at an unprecedented clip. He’s a nut job but he will win this election unless #Biden withdraws

#Election2024 #democracy #USPolitics #Politics

179) I think the interest of #democracy and geopolitical stability would best be served if #JoeBiden withdrew from #Election2024.

We are fortunate that the #PresidentialDebate took place 4 months before Election Day and a change can certainly be made to insure that the country is saved from a reprise of the #Trump presidency.

Will #Biden drop out? I don’t know, but I think it would be wise

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-06-28/biden-allies-detail-democrats-private-reaction-after-debate-loss

#democracy #USPolitics #Politics

180) Was it a cold or jet lag which explained #JoeBiden’s disastrous performance at last week’s debate? The President was back from his travels for more than a week so jet lag does not seem plausible.

It might be that travel fatigue is more pronounced in an 80 year old but the inability to respond effectively or at all to #Trump raises questions about fitness for office and ability to win #Election2024

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-02/biden-to-meet-democratic-governors-as-he-looks-to-close-ranks

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics

181) I agree with @anneapplebaum
here. When I tuned into the debate last week it was with some trepidation. I hoped to see a feisty #JoeBiden take the inanity spouting felon to the woodshed.

Sadly age has diminished #Biden as it will all of us. I know what I saw and believe we must course correct.

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/07/replace-biden-strategic-plan/678884/

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics

182) Like many, I've been more than disappointed at the #NYTimes coverage of #Election2024.

Far too little attention has been paid to the abject unsuitability of a #DonaldTrump return to the #whitehouse

In the editorial below ⬇️, the Times lays out the peril of another #Trump presidency.

It cannot happen without the most dire consequences to democratic, geopolitical, and ecological stability.

#USPolitics #Politics #NotTrump

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/07/11/opinion/editorials/donald-trump-2024-unfit.html

183) The pressure on the #Biden campaign to withdraw from #Election2024 has cranked up further with reports that former president #Obama is now encouraging #POTUS to examine the viability of his candidacy.

Three weeks have passed since the Trump/Biden debate, and its becoming increasingly clear that #Democratic Party leaders and wealthy donors would prefer a withdrawal.

#USPolitics #Politics

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/18/obama-says-biden-must-consider-viability

184) Nancy Pelosi has been much discussed and speculated about lately. Now, she seems to be taking a more forceful position on the #Biden Withdraw movement.

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024 #JoeBiden

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/07/18/nancy-pelosi-biden-close-to-dropping-out/

185) As astonishing a moment as one is likely to see in #USPolitics during a lifetime. A nightmare for #Trump who is now the crazy old man left standing

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-07-21/biden-says-he-will-not-seek-reelection-aims-to-finish-term

#Biden #Politics #Election2024 #JoeBiden

186) There has been a palpable shift in political energy since #JoeBiden announced that he would no longer seek a 2nd term.

#Trump is still busy attacking #Biden; one has to wonder who is truly deranged, but no, #DonaldTrump has always been a deeply troubled man - just older and meaner now, as unlikely as that might seem.

@anneapplebaum gives her view on the transition ⬇️

#USPolitics #Politics #Election2024

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/07/trump-looks-older-and-more-deranged/679186/

187) I'm reminded that 24 or, in this case, 48 hours is a long time in #politics.

After the #GOP convention, there was talk of a resounding victory over a diminished, some said enfeebled, #JoeBiden.

To bad for the boosters of the #authoritarian viewpoint, who can't conceive of a leader surrendering power

The game has shifted, and the energy has changed, as detailed in the latest from @heathercoxrichardson.substack.com

#kamala #USPolitics

https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/july-22-2024

188) The attacks on #KamalaHarris will come hard and fast until the #GOP congeals and coalesces around a smear that satisfies them.

Rather than attempting to swat these attacks, the job is to define the #Trump campaign with the truth: #Narcissism, #Nastiness, #Negativity, Nativism.

They have no plan for our commonwealth, just a desire to loot and enrich cronies who find democracy inconvenient.

#USPolitics #Politics #USPol

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/morning-memo/racist-and-misogynistic-attacks-on-kamala-harris

189) #KamalaHarris with a sharp pointed piece which defines her campaign and the dangers of #Trump

I’m impressed

https://youtu.be/sHky_Xopyrw?si=EsxNHxPM1ZbIS8kB

#USPolitics #Politics #USPol #Election2024

190) Just leaving this here

#KamalaHarris #USPolitics #Politics #USPol #Election2024

191) #Trump appearance at #NABJ in Chicago produces a dumpster fire of #racism and disdain with a white man judging who is black

https://open.substack.com/pub/lizadonnelly/p/trump-questions-kamala-harris-heritage

#USPolitics #Politics #USPol #Election2024

192) Just leaving this here

#Trump #USPolitics #Politics #USPol #Election2024

193) @rbreich on the increased frequency of #Trump mental lapses.

Yesterday’s press conference at #maralago has added to the litany of misstatements resulting in increased scrutiny of #DonaldTrump’s mental health

https://open.substack.com/pub/robertreich/p/why-isnt-the-media-reporting-on-trumps

#USPolitics #Politics #USPol #Election2024

194) #Trump has lost control of #Election2024 tempo. He’s being dominated by #kamalaharris and his various debate maneuvers have come to naught.

#JoshMarshall of #TPM has a good take on #DonaldTrump’s debate capitulation

#USPolitics #Politics

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/kamala-dog-walked-trump-right-back-into-the-debate

195) Making a #DonaldTrump return to the #WhiteHouse unfathomable is a big part of the #KamalaHarris campaign.

One of the best techniques is to needle #Trump, provoking outlandish claims which cause voters to question his mental balance

Trump is particularly touchy about crowd sizes. Remember the madness of his inaugural crowd claims or the more recent bigger than #MLK claim at #maralago

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/08/10/harris-crowd-size-trump-rallies/

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics

196) A vote for the #harriswalz2024 is a vote for those that place community at the center of American life

@heathercoxrichardson.substack.com details the ugly history of #NeoLiberalism and those who have fought against #WealthConcentration and #ToxicIndividualism

https://open.substack.com/pub/heathercoxrichardson/p/august-11-2024

#Election2024 #USPolitics #Politics #USPol

197) #DonaldTrump got together with #ElonMusk on #TwitterX last night. Things did not go well as technical issues on the troubled #SocialMedia platform caused a 42 minute delay.

The rambling exchange between #Musk and #Trump persisted for 2 hours and many listeners remarked on Trump’s persistent slurring of words during the event

#USPol #USPolitics #Election2024

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/08/12/x-interview-elon-musk-donald-trump/74771640007

198) I'm looking forward to joining the #IrishAmericans for #HarrisWalz this evening at 8 PM EST. Please see the link below ⬇️

#USPolitics #USPol #Politics #KamalaHarris #Election2024

https://events.democrats.org/event/666161/

199) How should the #Musk - #Trump love-in last night on #TwitterX

#KamalaHarris campaign calls it out precisely for what it was: "self-obsessed rich guys who will sell out the middle class."

File this one under #ToxicNarcissism

#Election2024 #USPolitics #USPols #Politics

200) Why is the #KamalaHarris campaign working? Because it's sending clear directional signals about where she plans to take the country. Read the #JoshMarshall article below ⬇️

Meanwhile, the #GOP and #NewsMedia are grumbling about the lack of a detailed sitdown interview and policy specifics.

Marshall reminds us what campaigns are about - ensuring voters know where a candidate is taking a country.

#Election2024 #USPol #USPolitics #Politics

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/harriss-campaign-is-working-get-used-to-it/sharetoken/4937d0b5-ee7a-4af3-975b-22327a3a9b41