DNC Chairmanship
The Democratic Party base may feel betrayed because the Bernie Sanders-back candidate, congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN), wasn't elected as DNC Chair, but in the practical sense and demographic sense, Tom Perez as DNC Chair makes more sense.
Chuck Todd outlined the decimation of the Democratic Party's influence in all levels of government, especially during the Obama years. That was on Debbie Wasserman Schultz's watch, who was a terrible party chair, at least partly because she was doing congressional and party double duty (and because she was prone to making political statements more than getting things done). Neither got the deserved attention and performance suffered... Hence, descriptions like 'decimated' and 'gutted.'
Democrats need Mr. Ellison, who is the deputy chair, in Congress and a full-time leader of the DNC. The mistake that Democrats would make is to let this disagreement linger - get over it, get together, and get on. Really, Trump isn't motivation enough?
Russia
The New York Times Helene Cooper clarified the two key points: 1) That when a new Russia story comes out that is when President Trump is at his most confrontational with the press, and 2) this is going to be a long drawn-out investigation and series of stories as things come to light.
Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) clearly said that Russia is not the friend of the United States, which matters. And his explanations about it being premature to appoint a special prosecutor are politically prudent, which is understandable so one gets the feeling that if this investigation turns south for the Trump Administration and they contact with Russia, the senator will be on the right side of it. The town hall meetings have had an effect on him. Senator Cotton did, after all, drop the dime as it were that his committee had a hearing with FBI Director James Comey about the Russia investigation.
Chief of Staff Reince Priebus made a mistake of inexperience when he spoke to the FBI about the Russia investigation, and he SHOULD NOT be given a pass. That contact was clearly violated the independence of the Justice Department, and its integrity. How many times does someone in the Trump Administration get a pass for violating ethics laws or breaking established rules before it's no longer tolerated by the party in control of Congress?
And Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) of all people called for the appointment of a special prosecutor which means the protesters and his narrow reelection win in his district have made him apprehensive about standing pat on his ideological stubbornness and that he'll roll the dice on this one.
One things for sure - certainly there is a there there.
Healthcare
Fmr. Speaker of the House John Boehner spoke the truth about the Affordable Care Act aka Obamacare and it sent Republicans rhetorically scrambling. The 'repeal and replace' is actually going to be an Obamacare repair but repackaged as the conservative solution.
Again, because of the town hall meetings, you can tell that's what Senator Cotton is wishing for. However, how it will really go is what Mr. Boehner outlined, but added to it will be a bit of pain inflicted on Americans with many losing coverage in the name of reeling in spending. Republicans are always inclined to do this, but they get away with it. So why not?
The only way it's not a political loser for Republicans is if they do it how the fmr. speaker said, but that not what they've been promising for the past 6 1/2 years. They promised repeal, not repair. And if they repeal, millions of people will lose their coverage. And Americans are wise to the rhetoric that when Speaker Paul Ryan says access to coverage that's not the same as actually getting covered.
Muhammad Ali Jr.
The son of the most famous athlete, perhaps ever, who is an American was stopped at the airport and questioned for two hours about how he got his name and whether or not he was a Muslim. The despicable consequence of despicable xenophobic executive orders. Frankly, this sucks.
Panel: Eliana Johnson, Politico; Helene Cooper, The New York Times; Gerald Seib, The Wall Street Journal; Ramesh Ponnuru, Bloomberg
Sunday, February 26, 2017
Sunday, February 19, 2017
2.12.17: Senior Policy Advisor Stephen Miller - Interview
Thought about this a lot...
Steven Miller is not a person we should want in the White House, hard stop.
Panel: Katty Kay, BBC America; Greta Van Susteren, NBC; Eugene Robinson, The Washington Post; fmr. North Carolina Govenor Pat McCrory
Steven Miller is not a person we should want in the White House, hard stop.
Panel: Katty Kay, BBC America; Greta Van Susteren, NBC; Eugene Robinson, The Washington Post; fmr. North Carolina Govenor Pat McCrory
Sunday, February 05, 2017
2.5.17: Giving Cover to President Trump
You have to keep in mind that democracy is messy and difficult. As I've said in this column before, democracy is advanced citizenry so under the Constitution executive orders met with protests is all part of the process. On today's MTP Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) said that this is how the system of divided government works.
Is the executive order unconstitutional? One court in Washington said that it was and it was upheld by another. However, some law scholars say that President Trump has the legal right to issue such an executive order on immigration from specific Muslim-majority countries.
Whether you think the executive order is immoral and goes against American values is something you decide for yourself.
What I have real issue with is this constant delegitimizing by Donald Trump of our institutions. President Trump referred to "this so-called judge" about the ruling, calling into question the legitimacy of the court. But also, the executive order delegitimizes our State, Homeland Security and Intelligence Departments by not showing trust in highly trained American personnel to do their jobs vetting visa applicants. These institutions are not infallible and should be held to account, but to completely denounce their integrity while trying to lead them tearing at the very fabric of the country.
The panel debated substance versus style in these first two weeks of the Trump Administration and the substance is debatable with the except of the immigration executive order, which is just unnecessary and punitive. But there is no question on the style, which has just been downright embarrassing for this country. The scorched earth rhetoric that comes from President Trump himself is amateurish at the least, dangerous at the most. And many Americans may like it... now. But as a long-term strategy, the Administration continues it to its peril. In your first two weeks on the job, you start arguments with two of the United States' best allies - Mexico and Australian.
Childish and uninformed tweets are not a good governing strategy. And this continued fellating of Vladimir Putin by Donald Trump is inexplicable. Vice President Mike Pence said that the president didn't make a moral equivalence of what America has done to what Vladimir Putin is doing now, but the president excusing of the war crimes that Mr. Putin has committed is frankly inexcusable.
And for Mike Pence to say that we should only look forward when it comes to relations with Russia, knowing what he and his Republican colleagues know - simply giving cover to the president - is intellectually dishonest. I understand that he really has no choice and must defend the administration, but that doesn't preclude pointing out this dishonesty. The vice president said that the president communicates in a 'unique way,' which really translates as irresponsible and not presidential. And this bullying tone is going to alienate key allies around the world very quickly, as we've already seen with the two aforementioned countries. Needless to say, I found VP Pence's performance today very unconvincing and not at all reassuring.
News flash: Contrary to what the vice president said, the immigration executive order was not well thought out and hastily done due to the fact that the Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly, was never even consulted.
I agree with Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) that this Russia business with Mr. Trump requires stark light brought upon it. Mr. Trump has never been transparent when it comes to his business ties and this should be a concern of every American. The problem for Nancy Pelosi is that she's a bad messenger. In fact, that's the general problem for the Democratic Party - the policies are better for the middle class but the messaging is terrible and that's because of the messengers themselves. May be Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) isn't ready to be the minority leader in the House, but he's the right messenger for the Democratic Party right now.
Panel: Andrea Mitchell, NBC News; Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute; Alex Castellanos, Republican strategist; Tavis Smiley, PBS
Is the executive order unconstitutional? One court in Washington said that it was and it was upheld by another. However, some law scholars say that President Trump has the legal right to issue such an executive order on immigration from specific Muslim-majority countries.
Whether you think the executive order is immoral and goes against American values is something you decide for yourself.
What I have real issue with is this constant delegitimizing by Donald Trump of our institutions. President Trump referred to "this so-called judge" about the ruling, calling into question the legitimacy of the court. But also, the executive order delegitimizes our State, Homeland Security and Intelligence Departments by not showing trust in highly trained American personnel to do their jobs vetting visa applicants. These institutions are not infallible and should be held to account, but to completely denounce their integrity while trying to lead them tearing at the very fabric of the country.
The panel debated substance versus style in these first two weeks of the Trump Administration and the substance is debatable with the except of the immigration executive order, which is just unnecessary and punitive. But there is no question on the style, which has just been downright embarrassing for this country. The scorched earth rhetoric that comes from President Trump himself is amateurish at the least, dangerous at the most. And many Americans may like it... now. But as a long-term strategy, the Administration continues it to its peril. In your first two weeks on the job, you start arguments with two of the United States' best allies - Mexico and Australian.
Childish and uninformed tweets are not a good governing strategy. And this continued fellating of Vladimir Putin by Donald Trump is inexplicable. Vice President Mike Pence said that the president didn't make a moral equivalence of what America has done to what Vladimir Putin is doing now, but the president excusing of the war crimes that Mr. Putin has committed is frankly inexcusable.
And for Mike Pence to say that we should only look forward when it comes to relations with Russia, knowing what he and his Republican colleagues know - simply giving cover to the president - is intellectually dishonest. I understand that he really has no choice and must defend the administration, but that doesn't preclude pointing out this dishonesty. The vice president said that the president communicates in a 'unique way,' which really translates as irresponsible and not presidential. And this bullying tone is going to alienate key allies around the world very quickly, as we've already seen with the two aforementioned countries. Needless to say, I found VP Pence's performance today very unconvincing and not at all reassuring.
News flash: Contrary to what the vice president said, the immigration executive order was not well thought out and hastily done due to the fact that the Secretary of Homeland Security, John Kelly, was never even consulted.
I agree with Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) that this Russia business with Mr. Trump requires stark light brought upon it. Mr. Trump has never been transparent when it comes to his business ties and this should be a concern of every American. The problem for Nancy Pelosi is that she's a bad messenger. In fact, that's the general problem for the Democratic Party - the policies are better for the middle class but the messaging is terrible and that's because of the messengers themselves. May be Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH) isn't ready to be the minority leader in the House, but he's the right messenger for the Democratic Party right now.
Panel: Andrea Mitchell, NBC News; Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute; Alex Castellanos, Republican strategist; Tavis Smiley, PBS
Sunday, January 29, 2017
1.29.17: Q: Where Are We? A: President Trump's America
President Trump's executive order on Friday banning the issuance of visas and other immigration benefits from seven Muslim countries - Yemen, Sudan, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Libya - caused spontaneous demonstrations at international airports across the country.
The executive order doesn't exclude green card holders, which is an I-551 visa giving you the right to travel freely to and from The United States.
From the executive order...
(source: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/text-of-trump-executive-order-nation-ban-refugees/)
I hereby proclaim that the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of aliens from countries referred to in section 217(a)(12) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1187(a)(12), would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and I hereby suspend entry into the United States, as immigrants and nonimmigrants, of such persons for 90 days from the date of this order (excluding those foreign nationals traveling on diplomatic visas, North Atlantic Treaty Organization visas, C-2 visas for travel to the United Nations, and G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 visas).
The green card visa is not included in the exemption, which hence denies people their rights. That's why White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus was very careful to say "moving forward" it would not affect green card holders, but right now anyone outside of those exemptions is supposed to be turned back.
Is what President Trump doing lawful? Yes. Is it antithetic to American values? I'd say, "most certainly," and I'd add that it is counter productive to what Mr. Priebus said the executive order was designed to do, which was keep the American people safe. It actually puts us at greater risk. And to top it off, the president has said that in these countries, we'll give religious preference to Christians and other minority religions.
But as The Wall Street Journal's Kimberley Strassel pointed out, President Trump is fulfilling campaign promises.
Senator Tim Kaine's (D-VA) rhetoric seemed a bit over the top, or did it? He said it wasn't a coincidence that the executive order of visas and a Holocaust Remembrance statement from the White House that didn't mention Jews were issued on the same day. Actually, I think it was a coincidence that they were issued on the same day but not that they had the same sentiment, which plays right into Steve Bannon's reputation and track-record - anti-Semitic and xenophobic.
It wasn't an accident that Donald Trump used the phrase "America First" in his inauguration speech, widely concluded that Mr. Bannon had a hand in writing it. That was the name of the American movement in the 30's that was opposed to involvement in WWII and advocated staying neutral between Britain and France vs. the Nazis.
And speaking of Nazis, here's the White House Statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day:
The executive order doesn't exclude green card holders, which is an I-551 visa giving you the right to travel freely to and from The United States.
From the executive order...
(source: http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/28/politics/text-of-trump-executive-order-nation-ban-refugees/)
I hereby proclaim that the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of aliens from countries referred to in section 217(a)(12) of the INA, 8 U.S.C. 1187(a)(12), would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and I hereby suspend entry into the United States, as immigrants and nonimmigrants, of such persons for 90 days from the date of this order (excluding those foreign nationals traveling on diplomatic visas, North Atlantic Treaty Organization visas, C-2 visas for travel to the United Nations, and G-1, G-2, G-3, and G-4 visas).
The green card visa is not included in the exemption, which hence denies people their rights. That's why White House Chief of Staff Reince Priebus was very careful to say "moving forward" it would not affect green card holders, but right now anyone outside of those exemptions is supposed to be turned back.
Is what President Trump doing lawful? Yes. Is it antithetic to American values? I'd say, "most certainly," and I'd add that it is counter productive to what Mr. Priebus said the executive order was designed to do, which was keep the American people safe. It actually puts us at greater risk. And to top it off, the president has said that in these countries, we'll give religious preference to Christians and other minority religions.
But as The Wall Street Journal's Kimberley Strassel pointed out, President Trump is fulfilling campaign promises.
Senator Tim Kaine's (D-VA) rhetoric seemed a bit over the top, or did it? He said it wasn't a coincidence that the executive order of visas and a Holocaust Remembrance statement from the White House that didn't mention Jews were issued on the same day. Actually, I think it was a coincidence that they were issued on the same day but not that they had the same sentiment, which plays right into Steve Bannon's reputation and track-record - anti-Semitic and xenophobic.
It wasn't an accident that Donald Trump used the phrase "America First" in his inauguration speech, widely concluded that Mr. Bannon had a hand in writing it. That was the name of the American movement in the 30's that was opposed to involvement in WWII and advocated staying neutral between Britain and France vs. the Nazis.
And speaking of Nazis, here's the White House Statement on Holocaust Remembrance Day:
“It is with a heavy heart and somber mind that we remember and honor the victims, survivors, heroes of the Holocaust. It is impossible to fully fathom the depravity and horror inflicted on innocent people by Nazi terror.
“Yet, we know that in the darkest hours of humanity, light shines the brightest. As we remember those who died, we are deeply grateful to those who risked their lives to save the innocent.
“In the name of the perished, I pledge to do everything in my power throughout my Presidency, and my life, to ensure that the forces of evil never again defeat the powers of good. Together, we will make love and tolerance prevalent throughout the world.”
And don't forget the major diplomatic rift we now have with Mexico, which is squarely the president's doing, but yet completely unnecessary. There's also a whiff of suspicion about the fact that not included in the executive order travel ban are any majority Muslim countries where the Trump Organization has business ties.
Mr. Priebus with regard to the executive order - "apologize for nothing here," and on not mentioning Jews in the Holocaust Remembrance statement, "no regrets." Not to mention the fact that he couldn't even bring himself to say during the interview (to clean this up) that Jews were killed during the Holocaust, saying insufficiently that "Jews suffered." Suffered.
The New York Times's Thomas Friedman assessed that the executive order wasn't thought out enough, but it doesn't seem like it. It leaves one to alarmingly ask, "Where the hell are we?"
Panel: Kimberley Strassel, The Wall Street Journal; Doris Kearns Godwin, presidential historian; Thomas Friedman, The New York Times; Michael Steele, former RNC Chair
And don't forget the major diplomatic rift we now have with Mexico, which is squarely the president's doing, but yet completely unnecessary. There's also a whiff of suspicion about the fact that not included in the executive order travel ban are any majority Muslim countries where the Trump Organization has business ties.
Mr. Priebus with regard to the executive order - "apologize for nothing here," and on not mentioning Jews in the Holocaust Remembrance statement, "no regrets." Not to mention the fact that he couldn't even bring himself to say during the interview (to clean this up) that Jews were killed during the Holocaust, saying insufficiently that "Jews suffered." Suffered.
The New York Times's Thomas Friedman assessed that the executive order wasn't thought out enough, but it doesn't seem like it. It leaves one to alarmingly ask, "Where the hell are we?"
Panel: Kimberley Strassel, The Wall Street Journal; Doris Kearns Godwin, presidential historian; Thomas Friedman, The New York Times; Michael Steele, former RNC Chair
Sunday, January 22, 2017
1.22.17: KellyAnne Conway Should Just Stop - Alternative Facts are Falsehoods
With all due respect to KellyAnne Conway, reciting that Donald Trump won the election over and over again has gotten old due to the childish nature of how it is used as a counter argument to every question from the press.
If she and White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, and their boss the president are upset at their treatment from the press on the first day, then "too damn bad," as they say because this isn't going to get any easier especially if Mr. Spicer intends to continue with giving 'alternative facts' as Ms. Conway outlined what he said.
Alternative facts? Alternative facts are, indeed, falsehoods. Ms. Conway's admission of the press secretary using alternative facts is as stupid as it is stunning.
Ms. Conway spoke defensively, so much so that she lost her cool, which clearly confirmed that she didn't have any adequate or acceptable answer to give Chuck Todd's single question of "What was the motivation of the press secretary to go out on his first day and state falsehoods? Why was that necessary?" It really is ridiculous, which Ms. Conway took offense to, and said that Mr. Todd was laughing at her. At this point, Ms. Conway played the victim, which is another tactic that she needs to stop. Ms. Conway works in the White House, the ultimate bully pulpit so he attempts to illicit sympathy for being attacked really shows weakness of the Administration's character.
One last thing about Ms. Conway's interview... She said that the mere presence of President Trump at CIA Headquarters shows that he has respect for the intelligence community. Right. This magnanimous gesture was really just the president covering his butt on the fact that he compared CIA staff to the Nazis a week ago in a tweet. And if the intelligence community thinks that Donald Trump has respect for them, sympathetic to the scope of dangerous work they do, then they're not very, well... Intelligent.
Suffice to say that I've lost my patience with KellyAnne Conway because she's incapable of answering a question in a non-defensive tone and to give an answer based in verifiable fact aside from one, that Donald Trump won the election.
Mr. Todd went hard at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) about holding up confirmations, like for the prospective new CIA Director Mike Pompeo, accusing the senator of playing politics, trying to give equal tough treatment to both sides. In this case it is unwarranted but Mr. Todd is hamstrung in taking this tact lest he be accused himself of favoring one side over another... again.
Even if Mr. Schumer is playing politics with the confirmations, so what. No president has ever visited CIA Headquarters on his first day and no CIA Director has ever been confirmed on the first day. The senate will vote Monday and Mr. Pompeo will be confirmed. Again, Ms. Conway lecturing anyone of delaying confirmations is disgusting Republican hypocrisy due to the fact that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blocked the confirmation hearing of Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court.
This isn't going to get any easier for the Trump Administration and nor should it. The administration has done this to itself. It's strange to me that the most powerful group of people in the world is incapable of collectively coming up with a single statement that is compassionate or magnanimous in tone. President Trump has yet to say one thing in terms of outreach to the millions of Americans who didn't vote for him. Hence, bigger crowds than anyone expected showed up for women's marches all over the world.
And one more time, though the panel was pretty inconsequential in terms of their impact today, I have to draw exception with something that the ultimate cynical enabler aka Hugh Hewlitt said about Donald Trump's inaugural speech. Mr. Hewlitt said that most memorable (important) line for him was that the president said he was going to destroy Islamic terrorism completely. First, that proclamation is incredible hyperbole. Never mind that Mr. Trump said the country is a disaster, "American carnage," is the term he used. Oh, and forget about the fact that he also used the phrase "America first," which is a phrase that isolationist Americans with Nazi sympathies like Charles Lindbergh used in the 30's to dissuade the public from helping England and France in WWII. In 16 minutes, Mr. Trump disheartened Americans and scared our allies around the world. Way to go. Mr. Hewlitt would say that he wouldn't have done it that way or that he's not defending it, before going on to defend it.
Panel: Kristen Welker, NBC News; Eliana Johnson, Politico; Hugh Hewlitt, Salem Radio Network; Chris Matthews, NBC News
One more thing...
Is Tom Barrack a member of the administration? Does he speak for the president?
If she and White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer, and their boss the president are upset at their treatment from the press on the first day, then "too damn bad," as they say because this isn't going to get any easier especially if Mr. Spicer intends to continue with giving 'alternative facts' as Ms. Conway outlined what he said.
Alternative facts? Alternative facts are, indeed, falsehoods. Ms. Conway's admission of the press secretary using alternative facts is as stupid as it is stunning.
Ms. Conway spoke defensively, so much so that she lost her cool, which clearly confirmed that she didn't have any adequate or acceptable answer to give Chuck Todd's single question of "What was the motivation of the press secretary to go out on his first day and state falsehoods? Why was that necessary?" It really is ridiculous, which Ms. Conway took offense to, and said that Mr. Todd was laughing at her. At this point, Ms. Conway played the victim, which is another tactic that she needs to stop. Ms. Conway works in the White House, the ultimate bully pulpit so he attempts to illicit sympathy for being attacked really shows weakness of the Administration's character.
One last thing about Ms. Conway's interview... She said that the mere presence of President Trump at CIA Headquarters shows that he has respect for the intelligence community. Right. This magnanimous gesture was really just the president covering his butt on the fact that he compared CIA staff to the Nazis a week ago in a tweet. And if the intelligence community thinks that Donald Trump has respect for them, sympathetic to the scope of dangerous work they do, then they're not very, well... Intelligent.
Suffice to say that I've lost my patience with KellyAnne Conway because she's incapable of answering a question in a non-defensive tone and to give an answer based in verifiable fact aside from one, that Donald Trump won the election.
Mr. Todd went hard at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) about holding up confirmations, like for the prospective new CIA Director Mike Pompeo, accusing the senator of playing politics, trying to give equal tough treatment to both sides. In this case it is unwarranted but Mr. Todd is hamstrung in taking this tact lest he be accused himself of favoring one side over another... again.
Even if Mr. Schumer is playing politics with the confirmations, so what. No president has ever visited CIA Headquarters on his first day and no CIA Director has ever been confirmed on the first day. The senate will vote Monday and Mr. Pompeo will be confirmed. Again, Ms. Conway lecturing anyone of delaying confirmations is disgusting Republican hypocrisy due to the fact that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) blocked the confirmation hearing of Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court.
This isn't going to get any easier for the Trump Administration and nor should it. The administration has done this to itself. It's strange to me that the most powerful group of people in the world is incapable of collectively coming up with a single statement that is compassionate or magnanimous in tone. President Trump has yet to say one thing in terms of outreach to the millions of Americans who didn't vote for him. Hence, bigger crowds than anyone expected showed up for women's marches all over the world.
And one more time, though the panel was pretty inconsequential in terms of their impact today, I have to draw exception with something that the ultimate cynical enabler aka Hugh Hewlitt said about Donald Trump's inaugural speech. Mr. Hewlitt said that most memorable (important) line for him was that the president said he was going to destroy Islamic terrorism completely. First, that proclamation is incredible hyperbole. Never mind that Mr. Trump said the country is a disaster, "American carnage," is the term he used. Oh, and forget about the fact that he also used the phrase "America first," which is a phrase that isolationist Americans with Nazi sympathies like Charles Lindbergh used in the 30's to dissuade the public from helping England and France in WWII. In 16 minutes, Mr. Trump disheartened Americans and scared our allies around the world. Way to go. Mr. Hewlitt would say that he wouldn't have done it that way or that he's not defending it, before going on to defend it.
Panel: Kristen Welker, NBC News; Eliana Johnson, Politico; Hugh Hewlitt, Salem Radio Network; Chris Matthews, NBC News
One more thing...
Is Tom Barrack a member of the administration? Does he speak for the president?
Sunday, January 15, 2017
1.15.17: [NOTES] John Lewis, Reince Priebus, Dianne Feinstein and The New Abnormal
John Lewis, Reince Priebus, Dianne Feinstein and The New Abnormal
Panel: Helene Cooper, The New York Times; Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute; Rich Lowry, The National Review, Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic Monthly
This Week:
Trump's nepotism hiring of son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Trump's 'bizarre' (Chuck Todd's word) news conference. Concede 'bizarre,' but it was definitely not presidential.
Inspector General opening an investigation into FBI Director James Comey's handling of Hillary Clinton's emails.
Senate Intelligence Committee opens investigation on Russia's interference in our election.
And then,
Congressman John Lewis (D-GA): Trump isn't legitimate. "I think the Russians participating in getting this man elected."
Finds the prospect of working with Donald Trump almost impossible.
The legitimate comment - understand that he said, but I would have advised against it.
John Lewis: Will never forget or forgive Donald Trump for saying Vladimir Putin is a better leader than Barack Obama.
A shameful statement from Trump, and yes, he did say that.
Trump's Reaction to Congressman Lewis's statement on 'legitimacy':
Your district is in horrible shape and crime infested. All talk talk talk, no action...
Again, not presidential - not even close.
Reince Priebus Interview
Mr. Priebus: It's shocking he, John Lewis as historic as he is, would question the legitimacy of the election. What he said was irresponsible.
About Michael Flynn talking to the Russian ambassador 5 times on the day new Russian sanctions kicked in...
He's the national security advisor and he talks to our countries' representatives everyday, it's part of his job. But, it's not his job, yet! So did the White House Chief of Staff on "Meet the Press" just acknowledge that Michael Flynn violated the Logan Act?
Trump and his methods of communication...
Rich Lowry: Welcome to the new abnormal.
Jeffrey Goldberg: Trump is easily trolled. What happens when someone like North Korea or China say something he doesn't like?
His response to John Lewis was not an appropriate action.
Danielle Pletka, on John Lewis comment: Russia doesn't necessarily want Trump, but they want people to question everything. John Lewis didn't mean to help that cause, but he's in effect helping that.
Helene Cooper: Twitter tantums are not the way a president should respond.
Danielle Pletka: This is what the American people chose.
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Interview
She regrets the president-elect's response [on John Lewis's comment] - not seeing the bigger picture.
Trump needs to step up and realize he represents the whole country.
Chuck Todd: Did Russia interfere with the election, and did it affect the outcome?
Senator Feinstein: Yes and yes. The aim was to bring down Hillary Clinton, a sophisticated two-year operation.
The senator is not ready to say that James Comey should be fired, yet.
The Wall Street Journal: Comey must resign.
Jeffrey Goldberg: Director Comey has united Republicans and Democrats - neither are happy with him.
Panel: Helene Cooper, The New York Times; Danielle Pletka, American Enterprise Institute; Rich Lowry, The National Review, Jeffrey Goldberg, The Atlantic Monthly
This Week:
Trump's nepotism hiring of son-in-law, Jared Kushner.
Trump's 'bizarre' (Chuck Todd's word) news conference. Concede 'bizarre,' but it was definitely not presidential.
Inspector General opening an investigation into FBI Director James Comey's handling of Hillary Clinton's emails.
Senate Intelligence Committee opens investigation on Russia's interference in our election.
And then,
Congressman John Lewis (D-GA): Trump isn't legitimate. "I think the Russians participating in getting this man elected."
Finds the prospect of working with Donald Trump almost impossible.
The legitimate comment - understand that he said, but I would have advised against it.
John Lewis: Will never forget or forgive Donald Trump for saying Vladimir Putin is a better leader than Barack Obama.
A shameful statement from Trump, and yes, he did say that.
Trump's Reaction to Congressman Lewis's statement on 'legitimacy':
Your district is in horrible shape and crime infested. All talk talk talk, no action...
Again, not presidential - not even close.
Reince Priebus Interview
Mr. Priebus: It's shocking he, John Lewis as historic as he is, would question the legitimacy of the election. What he said was irresponsible.
About Michael Flynn talking to the Russian ambassador 5 times on the day new Russian sanctions kicked in...
He's the national security advisor and he talks to our countries' representatives everyday, it's part of his job. But, it's not his job, yet! So did the White House Chief of Staff on "Meet the Press" just acknowledge that Michael Flynn violated the Logan Act?
Trump and his methods of communication...
Rich Lowry: Welcome to the new abnormal.
Jeffrey Goldberg: Trump is easily trolled. What happens when someone like North Korea or China say something he doesn't like?
His response to John Lewis was not an appropriate action.
Danielle Pletka, on John Lewis comment: Russia doesn't necessarily want Trump, but they want people to question everything. John Lewis didn't mean to help that cause, but he's in effect helping that.
Helene Cooper: Twitter tantums are not the way a president should respond.
Danielle Pletka: This is what the American people chose.
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) Interview
She regrets the president-elect's response [on John Lewis's comment] - not seeing the bigger picture.
Trump needs to step up and realize he represents the whole country.
Chuck Todd: Did Russia interfere with the election, and did it affect the outcome?
Senator Feinstein: Yes and yes. The aim was to bring down Hillary Clinton, a sophisticated two-year operation.
The senator is not ready to say that James Comey should be fired, yet.
The Wall Street Journal: Comey must resign.
Jeffrey Goldberg: Director Comey has united Republicans and Democrats - neither are happy with him.
Sunday, January 08, 2017
1.8.17: [NOTES] McCain, Graham, Conway, Carter - Russia and Obamacare
On the subject of Russian interference in our democracy:
Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) - Joint Interview
Senator McCain: I believe our intelligence officers
Senator Graham: If President-elect Trump is still skeptical that Russia tried to interfere with our elections after the briefing, that's deeply unnerving to me... If one party is compromised, we're all compromised... I want to give Donald Trump the opportunity for Russia to pay a price. I want more sanctions, more help for the Baltic states. If he's still unsure, that will shake me to my core.
KellyAnne Conway - counselor to the president-elect
Russia allegedly attempt to influence the election, but they did not succeed in embarrassing this country on the world stage. They did not succeed.
When Donald Trump is president, he will meet with his intelligence team and then decide what to do.
Andrea Mitchell, NBC News
It's the attempt itself.
It's not just cyber, but also the propaganda wars.
David Brooks, The New York Times
Steve Bannon, senior advisor to the president-elect, wants a new world order of national populists against Islam. [read: Alliance with Russia]
Rick Santelli, CNBC
The timing of these intelligence briefings and release of the findings are politically driven.
[Congressional] hearings are kabuki theater.
You [NBC political reports] chose sides during the election. Impugning the integrity of reporters at his own network. Andrea Mitchell takes exception to this.
Ash Carter, Secretary of Defense
It's an aggressive act against our democracy.
On Obamacare:
Repeal and Replace
Clips of Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Bob Corker (R-GA), Tom Cotton (R-AR) saying that it must be done simultaneously.
Rick Santelli
No problem with repeal, but a problem with the replace, because it will cost to much money.
Analogy of comparing healthcare to cars, each having components.
Andrea Mitchell
A silly analogy [a shot for questioning her integrity earlier in the show].
Prediction: repeal for certain, replace will leave a lot of people without coverage but with more "choice," and the replace will cost a lot of additional money.
Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC) - Joint Interview
Senator McCain: I believe our intelligence officers
Senator Graham: If President-elect Trump is still skeptical that Russia tried to interfere with our elections after the briefing, that's deeply unnerving to me... If one party is compromised, we're all compromised... I want to give Donald Trump the opportunity for Russia to pay a price. I want more sanctions, more help for the Baltic states. If he's still unsure, that will shake me to my core.
KellyAnne Conway - counselor to the president-elect
Russia allegedly attempt to influence the election, but they did not succeed in embarrassing this country on the world stage. They did not succeed.
When Donald Trump is president, he will meet with his intelligence team and then decide what to do.
Andrea Mitchell, NBC News
It's the attempt itself.
It's not just cyber, but also the propaganda wars.
David Brooks, The New York Times
Steve Bannon, senior advisor to the president-elect, wants a new world order of national populists against Islam. [read: Alliance with Russia]
Rick Santelli, CNBC
The timing of these intelligence briefings and release of the findings are politically driven.
[Congressional] hearings are kabuki theater.
You [NBC political reports] chose sides during the election. Impugning the integrity of reporters at his own network. Andrea Mitchell takes exception to this.
Ash Carter, Secretary of Defense
It's an aggressive act against our democracy.
On Obamacare:
Repeal and Replace
Clips of Senators Rand Paul (R-KY), Bob Corker (R-GA), Tom Cotton (R-AR) saying that it must be done simultaneously.
Rick Santelli
No problem with repeal, but a problem with the replace, because it will cost to much money.
Analogy of comparing healthcare to cars, each having components.
Andrea Mitchell
A silly analogy [a shot for questioning her integrity earlier in the show].
Prediction: repeal for certain, replace will leave a lot of people without coverage but with more "choice," and the replace will cost a lot of additional money.
Sunday, January 01, 2017
1.1.17: Whoa Is The Media in The Age of Trump/ (Sabbatical)
Only a dork who comments on "Meet The Press," wouldn't immediately raise his hands up and tune out when Mr. Todd introduced this week's program as a special examination of how the press should cover the news in the Age of Trump (capitalized because now it's an actual thing). Not exactly a ratings winner on New Year's Day and if Mr. Todd is in the studio by himself on what really isn't a slow news day given what happened in Instanbul last night (not mentioned), then just given everyone the day off.
Mr. Todd has focused on this very topic many times leading up to this point and it seems that he just doesn't know, asking as many people on-air as he can in an attempt to find out or passive aggressively trying to get everyone on the same page. The latter, I admit, is pretty dismissive, but more dismissively, one could say, "You what Mr. Todd - Media - get your act together and get over yourselves." But I wouldn't say that.
Hal Boedeker of the Orlando Sentinel said that journalists have to keep doing their jobs. In its simplicity, it's still the most insightful. He also pointed out that when you cite the specific press source, people take it more seriously. I think that Mr. Todd conflates what he does as a television political reporter with the established print media too much because they really are different animals, as it were. Editor-in-Chief of The Wall Street Journal, Gerard Baker, and the Executive Editor of The New York Times, Dean Baquet, showed complete faith in the journalistic mission. There is an obligation to the local community to disseminate information about the more practical matters in life - school and road closings, etc. - so there is that base-level trust. For political media, digitally and on-air, the audience is making values judgements. That local level of trust is one reason that makes the press the most likely of institutions to have the ability to regain public trust.
The other reason, and here is where the networks prove their profound relevance as well, is access to confidential sources with the government or administration.
Anyone who works for a government institution, to some degree still believes in the notion of the institution, no matter how ever 'seized upon' you think said institution is. There is also the believe in like institutions, a predisposition of trust to present the truth. People like that don't just go to anyone who will listen, not how it works. And when the stark reality of tragic events - a mass shooting or hurricane/flood - slap an administration in the face there's no shading the actions taken and how the American people react to to those actions.
Did the press completely screw up the coverage of the election and the national mood? Totally. Did they give Donald Trump a free pass on a lot of things - maybe, maybe not - but he definitely duped them all, on any given day.
If I had my two cents, I'd say to cut quickly through the bullsh*t, and stick aggressively to the substance. As noted on today's program, the press needs to find out more about Mr. Trump's businesses, no one even knows all of what he owns exactly. And more ominously, who or what government he's indebted to.
Panel: No panel, really.
A couple more things...
I want to take this opportunity on the very first day of the year to thank you for reading the column. We are, in fact, optimistic for the coming year of 2017 and I wish you all good health and fortune.
With the above said, I'm taking a sabbatical from writing the column for a couple of reasons. One, it has been a crazy and tiring election year and everyone needs a break to recharge. Plus there's still a lot of unsettled business to attend to: an inauguration, cabinet hearings, the first legislative priority out of the gate. I thought I'd wait until all the smoke clears to really have any inclination of how the future will come into focus. Plus, there's some other writing I'd like to focus on, the time for which is long overdue. How long a sabbatical exactly? Not sure, honestly.
In the meantime, I'll be active on twitter: @MTPOpinion
Thanks again.
Mr. Todd has focused on this very topic many times leading up to this point and it seems that he just doesn't know, asking as many people on-air as he can in an attempt to find out or passive aggressively trying to get everyone on the same page. The latter, I admit, is pretty dismissive, but more dismissively, one could say, "You what Mr. Todd - Media - get your act together and get over yourselves." But I wouldn't say that.
Hal Boedeker of the Orlando Sentinel said that journalists have to keep doing their jobs. In its simplicity, it's still the most insightful. He also pointed out that when you cite the specific press source, people take it more seriously. I think that Mr. Todd conflates what he does as a television political reporter with the established print media too much because they really are different animals, as it were. Editor-in-Chief of The Wall Street Journal, Gerard Baker, and the Executive Editor of The New York Times, Dean Baquet, showed complete faith in the journalistic mission. There is an obligation to the local community to disseminate information about the more practical matters in life - school and road closings, etc. - so there is that base-level trust. For political media, digitally and on-air, the audience is making values judgements. That local level of trust is one reason that makes the press the most likely of institutions to have the ability to regain public trust.
The other reason, and here is where the networks prove their profound relevance as well, is access to confidential sources with the government or administration.
Anyone who works for a government institution, to some degree still believes in the notion of the institution, no matter how ever 'seized upon' you think said institution is. There is also the believe in like institutions, a predisposition of trust to present the truth. People like that don't just go to anyone who will listen, not how it works. And when the stark reality of tragic events - a mass shooting or hurricane/flood - slap an administration in the face there's no shading the actions taken and how the American people react to to those actions.
Did the press completely screw up the coverage of the election and the national mood? Totally. Did they give Donald Trump a free pass on a lot of things - maybe, maybe not - but he definitely duped them all, on any given day.
If I had my two cents, I'd say to cut quickly through the bullsh*t, and stick aggressively to the substance. As noted on today's program, the press needs to find out more about Mr. Trump's businesses, no one even knows all of what he owns exactly. And more ominously, who or what government he's indebted to.
Panel: No panel, really.
A couple more things...
I want to take this opportunity on the very first day of the year to thank you for reading the column. We are, in fact, optimistic for the coming year of 2017 and I wish you all good health and fortune.
With the above said, I'm taking a sabbatical from writing the column for a couple of reasons. One, it has been a crazy and tiring election year and everyone needs a break to recharge. Plus there's still a lot of unsettled business to attend to: an inauguration, cabinet hearings, the first legislative priority out of the gate. I thought I'd wait until all the smoke clears to really have any inclination of how the future will come into focus. Plus, there's some other writing I'd like to focus on, the time for which is long overdue. How long a sabbatical exactly? Not sure, honestly.
In the meantime, I'll be active on twitter: @MTPOpinion
Thanks again.
Sunday, December 18, 2016
12.18.16: Looking In The Mirror / Russian Hacking a Test for Republicans
When you ruminate for a moment on the entire Russian hacking and interference of the U.S. election, it's a real challenge for Republicans officials because as it was happening they must have been feeling uneasy about what was happening but let it ride because they were also the beneficiaries. But now that the election is over, they have to do something about it, but these cyber attacks are inevitably turned toward them.
More on that in a minute, but first, Jeff Greenfield used the word "fantasy"in terms of the electoral college vote doing anything but confirming Donald Trump as president. Democrats have face facts and work through it.
But here's two biggies that should be considered:
1. When Hillary Clinton lost the Democratic primary to Barack Obama in 2008, everyone knew she would be running in 2016 and like clockwork... too telegraphed. After two decades before that had Mrs. Clinton faced attacks and criticism and then her political opponents had 8 years to really focus on the target. The fact is that Mrs. Clinton, though a respected and effective public servant was a deeply flawed candidate, and she failed to come up with 89,000 votes that she needed in WI, MI and PA collectively. John Podesta had nothing adequate to say about the failure in Wisconsin, every panelist agreed on this. Mrs. Clinton should have been there at least ten times. It was a state that Democrats consistently won, yes, but symbolically it was also where the Republican power structure was based with both the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and RNC Chair Reince Priebus being from the state. Ultimately, the loss is on Secretary Clinton - hard, plain and true.
2. Judging from Chuck Todd's change in body language and tone of voice when talking about criticism of the press, he doesn't like it, for understandable reasons because it's on him. And by extension, the media complains about fake news and no agreed upon set of facts, which is scary because of how people will exploit. However, here's the thing - one could argue that fake news came to be when the networks decided to start profiting from news, which gave it an agenda - eyeballs, clicks, comments. Fox News covers political events differently than NBC covers those same events, different from CNN, and then the internet and ad words...
Donald Trump told Chuck Todd once that he got his information "from the shows" which was mocked on "the shows," but isn't that what they want? Ah...but not by our leaders. Well, as Donald Trump has now proven, you can not have it both ways.
Looking into the mirror sometimes can lead to profound insight.
But back to the "thinly-veiled cyber-espionage" as fmr. Sec. Robert Gates described the Russian cyber-attacks. The U.S. intelligence community and Mr. Gates himself confirm that Russian did interfere with our elections and worked against Hillary Clinton in favor of Donald Trump. Instead of eroding confidence in our intelligence agencies through twitter, Donald Trump should have said something to the effect that if that's the case, the Russians will still be sorry for interfering and that he didn't need their help anyway. Bravado a la Trump style but at least it would get everyone on the same page. Actually, everyone is on the same page except the president-elect, which is inexplicable.
What's also inexplicable is that Chairman of the Hillary Clinton campaign John Podesta's had his emails hacked and released on October 7th, got a call from the FBI on the 9th and hasn't heard from them since. Just another reason in a long line of them why FBI Director James Comey has to go.
Between the generals Mr. Trump has nominated for his cabinet and Senate Republicans with no love for Russia, hopefully there will be appropriate action taken in the form of an independent investigation - there has to be one. If we do as Senator Mitch McConnell suggested and do it solely through the intelligence committee, which he chairs then we'll essentially be giving Vladimir Putin as 'a pass' on his actions.
Panel: Katty Kay, BBC America; Yamiche Alcindor, The New York Times, Jeff Greenfield, Politico; Rick Santelli, CNBC
More on that in a minute, but first, Jeff Greenfield used the word "fantasy"in terms of the electoral college vote doing anything but confirming Donald Trump as president. Democrats have face facts and work through it.
But here's two biggies that should be considered:
1. When Hillary Clinton lost the Democratic primary to Barack Obama in 2008, everyone knew she would be running in 2016 and like clockwork... too telegraphed. After two decades before that had Mrs. Clinton faced attacks and criticism and then her political opponents had 8 years to really focus on the target. The fact is that Mrs. Clinton, though a respected and effective public servant was a deeply flawed candidate, and she failed to come up with 89,000 votes that she needed in WI, MI and PA collectively. John Podesta had nothing adequate to say about the failure in Wisconsin, every panelist agreed on this. Mrs. Clinton should have been there at least ten times. It was a state that Democrats consistently won, yes, but symbolically it was also where the Republican power structure was based with both the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and RNC Chair Reince Priebus being from the state. Ultimately, the loss is on Secretary Clinton - hard, plain and true.
2. Judging from Chuck Todd's change in body language and tone of voice when talking about criticism of the press, he doesn't like it, for understandable reasons because it's on him. And by extension, the media complains about fake news and no agreed upon set of facts, which is scary because of how people will exploit. However, here's the thing - one could argue that fake news came to be when the networks decided to start profiting from news, which gave it an agenda - eyeballs, clicks, comments. Fox News covers political events differently than NBC covers those same events, different from CNN, and then the internet and ad words...
Donald Trump told Chuck Todd once that he got his information "from the shows" which was mocked on "the shows," but isn't that what they want? Ah...but not by our leaders. Well, as Donald Trump has now proven, you can not have it both ways.
Looking into the mirror sometimes can lead to profound insight.
But back to the "thinly-veiled cyber-espionage" as fmr. Sec. Robert Gates described the Russian cyber-attacks. The U.S. intelligence community and Mr. Gates himself confirm that Russian did interfere with our elections and worked against Hillary Clinton in favor of Donald Trump. Instead of eroding confidence in our intelligence agencies through twitter, Donald Trump should have said something to the effect that if that's the case, the Russians will still be sorry for interfering and that he didn't need their help anyway. Bravado a la Trump style but at least it would get everyone on the same page. Actually, everyone is on the same page except the president-elect, which is inexplicable.
What's also inexplicable is that Chairman of the Hillary Clinton campaign John Podesta's had his emails hacked and released on October 7th, got a call from the FBI on the 9th and hasn't heard from them since. Just another reason in a long line of them why FBI Director James Comey has to go.
Between the generals Mr. Trump has nominated for his cabinet and Senate Republicans with no love for Russia, hopefully there will be appropriate action taken in the form of an independent investigation - there has to be one. If we do as Senator Mitch McConnell suggested and do it solely through the intelligence committee, which he chairs then we'll essentially be giving Vladimir Putin as 'a pass' on his actions.
Panel: Katty Kay, BBC America; Yamiche Alcindor, The New York Times, Jeff Greenfield, Politico; Rick Santelli, CNBC
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