crooksandliars--2020-09-09--Outrages Du Jour: Stories That Shouldn't Disappear

It 's a lot to take in this morning , yet in the bigger picture , these are n't even major stories : Per @ JulesHolman : `` Julian Assange 's lawyer , Jennifer Robinson , says she will be giving evidence in his 4-week extradition trial that the Trump administration offered Assange a pardon if he agreed to say Russia was n't involved in leaking of Democratic National Committee emails . ''
PIRO : We are back with a FOX NEWS ALERT — BREAKING just moments ago , President Trump nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These nominations are FAKE .
The @ NobelPrize Committee never announces nominations.https : //t.co/9SwZJDqHo1 pic.twitter.com/XQlh6sIkqG It 's almost as if the campaign was being run by a man in mental decline ... 🤔 GOP strategists ‘ alarmed ’ by Trump ’ s campaign ’ s focus on Fox News ads instead of swing states : report | Raw Story https : //t.co/d2zJNBT7BJ via rawstory Trump on Kamala Harris : Nobody likes her .
She could never be the first woman president .
That would be an insult to our country pic.twitter.com/x08kESAjoY Wow .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ office to a three-time cancer survivor looking for help getting health insurance : “ Sounds like something you ’ re going to have to figure out.
” Sadly , that ’ s an accurate summary of the GOP health care plan .
pic.twitter.com/Kjh2GVDxWy Now give yourself a hug .
You 'll probably need it .

Wow.
The message from Sen. Thom Tillis’ office to a three-time cancer survivor looking for help getting health insurance:
“Sounds like something you’re going to have to figure out.”
Sadly, that’s an accurate summary of the GOP health care plan. pic.twitter.com/Kjh2GVDxWy
— Tim Hogan (@timjhogan) September 8, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--DOJ Files To Defend Trump Against E. Jean Carroll Defamation Case

Yet again , Bill Barr proves that he is the perfect Attorney General and personal attorney for Donald Trump , this time trying to make taxpayers foot the bill for Trump 's defense against defamation allegations filed by author and advice columnist E. Jean Carroll , who alleges that Trump raped her two decades ago .
Bloomberg is reporting that the DOJ , which is supposed to be an unbiased , non-politicized justice seeking department , is trying to take over Trump 's defense , effectively pitting itself against an American citizen .
And the taxpayers would be paying for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effectively delay the suit , potentially until after the election in 8 short weeks .
Trump was due to give a deposition and provide a DNA sample to compare to DNA left on a dress Carroll was wearing at the time of the attack .
Obviously , Trump wants to avoid doing either of those things , as all innocent men do .
Bloomberg reports that in the court filing , the DOJ said that - are you ready for this - that Trump was `` acting within the scope of his job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carroll .
They also asked to move the court to Manhattan *federal court* from New York State Court .
So they want the case to be Federal ( where Barr can oversee it and , most likely , kill it ) versus State Court , where Barr has no jurisdiction and Trump could be indicted while in office .
It is pretty clear why the DOJ wants to take over the case now .
To catch and kill it before any damning evidence is collected - DNA or testimony in the form of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump ( and Bill Barr ) are effectively saying that Donald Trump 's defamation of a woman who credibly accused him of rape is part of his job and therefore the taxpayers need to pay his legal defense bills to defend himself against these allegations made by an American citizen in order to prevent him from being deposed or providing DNA that could exonerate him .

Yet again, Bill Barr proves that he is the perfect Attorney General and personal attorney for Donald Trump, this time trying to make taxpayers foot the bill for Trump's defense against defamation allegations filed by author and advice columnist E. Jean Carroll, who alleges that Trump raped her two decades ago. Bloomberg is reporting that the DOJ, which is supposed to be an unbiased, non-politicized justice seeking department, is trying to take over Trump's defense, effectively pitting itself against an American citizen. And the taxpayers would be paying for this defense.
This latest move would effectively delay the suit, potentially until after the election in 8 short weeks. Trump was due to give a deposition and provide a DNA sample to compare to DNA left on a dress Carroll was wearing at the time of the attack. Obviously, Trump wants to avoid doing either of those things, as all innocent men do.
Bloomberg reports that in the court filing, the DOJ said that - are you ready for this - that Trump was "acting within the scope of his job as President" when he allegedly defamed Carroll. They also asked to move the court to Manhattan *federal court* from New York State Court. So they want the case to be Federal (where Barr can oversee it and, most likely, kill it) versus State Court, where Barr has no jurisdiction and Trump could be indicted while in office.
Carroll said in a statement:
“Today’s actions demonstrate that Trump will do everything possible, including using the full powers of the federal government, to block discovery from going forward in my case before the upcoming election to try to prevent a jury from ever deciding which one of us is lying."
It is pretty clear why the DOJ wants to take over the case now. To catch and kill it before any damning evidence is collected - DNA or testimony in the form of a deposition.
Carroll's lawyer also put out a blunt statement:
“Trump’s effort to wield the power of the U.S. government to evade responsibility for his private misconduct is without precedent, and shows even more starkly how far he is willing to go to prevent the truth from coming out."
The full statement:
Here is Robbie Kaplan's reply. She is the greatest attorney in America! pic.twitter.com/tgLBPK5vf2 — E. Jean Carroll (@ejeancarroll) September 8, 2020
Twitter erupted:
This is, putting it mildly, an insane position for DOJ. They are doing everything they can to appear to be Trump’s personal law firm. Its the opposite of the way the Department of Justice is supposed to behave. https://t.co/4Ma3ZhmDLe — Neal Katyal (@neal_katyal) September 8, 2020
So now Barr has decided (1) that Trump somehow was acting *in his official capacity as president* when he called E. Jean Carroll a liar for accusing him of sexual assault, and (2) taxpayers should foot the bill for Trump’s defense.
Another utter debasement of DOJ by Barr. — Elie Honig (@eliehonig) September 8, 2020
👀 Wut? He really does not want to handover that DNA sample
“In a court filing Tuesday, the Justice Department said Trump was acting ‘within the scope’ of his job as president when he said Carroll lied about the incident, prompting her lawsuit.”https://t.co/EsBFmS9pwg — Jennifer Taub (@jentaub) September 8, 2020
Rather than offer to vindicate himself through the science of DNA, President Trump has instead sought DOJ intervention to defend him in E. Jean Carroll’s New York State Defamation Law Suit. https://t.co/Tehqb42mpn — Joseph A. Bondy (@josephabondy) September 9, 2020
Why won’t Trump submit his DNA in a rape investigation? Why is the DOJ acting as his defense? Guilty. — Tim Hannan (@TimHannan) September 9, 2020
The DOJ's argument in the Carroll case is that Trump is absolutely immune b/c he was acting within the scope of his employment when he called Caroll a liar and therefore the US is the real defendant.Looking forward to discussing this outlandish argument on @chrislhayes at 8:20 PM — Harry Litman (@harrylitman) September 8, 2020
So to summarize, Donald Trump (and Bill Barr) are effectively saying that Donald Trump's defamation of a woman who credibly accused him of rape is part of his job and therefore the taxpayers need to pay his legal defense bills to defend himself against these allegations made by an American citizen in order to prevent him from being deposed or providing DNA that could exonerate him.


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--Kristi Noem Throws Hissy Fit Over Report Finding Sturgis To Be A 'Superspreader' Event

Andrew Friedson , Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Colorado , noted that their study found just 3000 of the cases were in South Dakota , meaning that the state derived all of the economic benefit from the Sturgis motorcyle rally , while not having to deal with the exorbitant health care costs , estimated by them to be over $ 12 billion .
( See our previous post on the study . )
No wonder South Dakota 's Governor got so pissy today .
If the study 's numbers are born out , then they pretty much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who gave the rest of the country a very unwelcome gift by letting the Sturgis rally go ahead in the midst of a pandemic .
A new study reports that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally may be linked to more than 250,000 COVID-19 cases across the country , but state health officials countered that the study has yet to be peer-reviewed and Gov .
Kristi Noem said the study is `` grossly misleading . ''
Noem said the study is built on `` incredibly faulty assumptions that do not reflect the actual facts and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` This report is n't science ; it 's fiction , '' Noem said in a statement .
`` Under the guise of academic research , this report is nothing short of an attack on those who exercised their personal freedom to attend Sturgis . ''
Researchers from the Center for Health Economics and Policy Studies at San Diego State University attributed more than 250,000 coronavirus cases to the event by reviewing anonymous cell phone data .
They also estimated the rally generated $ 12.2 billion in public health costs .
One of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tweeted Tuesday that people had accused him and co-authors of having a political agenda in their research .
Kristi Noem 's appearance on Laura Ingraham 's Fox News show , Aug 5 .
Noem defending her decision not to impose any lockdown in South Dakota , or take any measures against the Sturgis motorcyle rally .
Friedson had n't responded to Noem 's shrill tweets , but he did tweet these out earlier today .
`` We go where the evidence leads us '' being pretty much anathema to Trump or his @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Andrew Friedson, Associate Professor of Economics at the University of Colorado, noted that their study found just 3000 of the cases were in South Dakota, meaning that the state derived all of the economic benefit from the Sturgis motorcyle rally, while not having to deal with the problems and the exorbitant health care costs, estimated by them to be over $12 billion. ( See our previous post on the study.)
No wonder South Dakota's Governor got so pissy today. If the study's numbers are born out, then they pretty much paint Kristi Noem as an irresponsible jackass who gave the rest of the United States a very unwelcome gift by letting the Sturgis rally go ahead in the midst of a pandemic.
As for Noem's assertion that their study isn't "science", I'll just note that her educational background is that she finally received her BA in political science in 2012, about twenty years after dropping out to take over the family farm. She also won South Dakota's coveted Snow Queen beauty pagent while in high school, a win she credits with helping her later in politics.
Source: Rapid City Journal
A new study reports that the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally may be linked to more than 250,000 COVID-19 cases across the country, but state health officials countered that the study has yet to be peer-reviewed and Gov. Kristi Noem said the study is "grossly misleading." Noem said the study is built on "incredibly faulty assumptions that do not reflect the actual facts and data here in South Dakota." "This report isn't science; it's fiction," Noem said in a statement. "Under the guise of academic research, this report is nothing short of an attack on those who exercised their personal freedom to attend Sturgis." Researchers from the Center for Health Economics and Policy Studies at San Diego State University attributed more than 250,000 coronavirus cases to the event by reviewing anonymous cell phone data. They also estimated the rally generated $12.2 billion in public health costs. One of the paper's researchers, Andrew Friedson, tweeted Tuesday that people had accused him and co-authors of having a political agenda in their research.
Kristi Noem's appearance on Laura Ingraham's Fox News show, Aug 5. Noem defending her decision not to impose any lockdown in South Dakota, or take any measures against the Sturgis motorcyle rally.
Noem's tantrum of tweets:
This report isn't science. It's fiction.
Under the guise of academic research, it's nothing short of an attack on those who exercised their personal freedom to attend Sturgis. (THREAD 1/) https://t.co/3zkmabJV2y — Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) September 8, 2020
Predictably, some in the media breathlessly report on this non-peer reviewed model, built on incredibly faulty assumptions that do not reflect the actual facts and data. (2/) — Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) September 8, 2020
At one point, academic modeling also told us that South Dakota would have 10,000 COVID patients in the hospital at our peak. Today, we have less than 70.
I look forward to good journalists, credible academics, and honest citizens repudiating this nonsense. (3/3) — Governor Kristi Noem (@govkristinoem) September 8, 2020
Friedson hadn't responded to Noem's shrill tweets, but he did tweet these out earlier today. "We go where the evidence leads us" being pretty much anathema to Trump or his willing dupes, like Kristi Noem.
On a related note, a lot of people (or maybe bots?) have accused my co-authors and I of having a political agenda with this paper. I would encourage anyone with this take to see our respective research records. — Andrew Friedson (@FriedsonAndrew) September 8, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--Rachel Maddow Interview With Michael Cohen About 'Disloyal' Book Has Bombshells

Rachel Maddow 's interview with Michael Cohen about his book 'Disloyal ' has bombshells about Trump , Trump 's business , and Putin .
Former fixer Michael Cohen did the president 's dirty work for years , and his stories do not disappoint !
Here are a few ( of the many ) highlights from Maddow 's exclusive interview with Michael Cohen : '' Trump never thought he was going to win this election , he actually did not want to win this election ... this was a branding deal .
That 's all that the presidential campaign started out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in order to expand worldwide . ''
`` I want to be clear to you and to the viewers and everybody : Nothing happens without Mr. Trump 's approval at the Trump Organization .
To the same extent , nothing happens without President Trump 's approval .
He micromanaged everything . ''
`` If he loses , there 's still the time between the election and the time that the next president would take office .
During that time , my suspicion is that he will resign as president , he will allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will have Mike Pence pardon him . ''
A few other nuggets of gold from the interview : • Cohen speaks to Jerry Falwell and his wife on a regular basis .
They are legit friends • On Trump 's orders , Cohen smeared Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Ted Cruz in the National Enquirer • Fox News anchor Sean Hannity sucked up to Donald Trump in a BIG way • Trump is obsessed with and hates Obama , he 's what Trump wishes he could be ( see video above ) Finally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Trump 's head and that he absolutely wants to be President for life '' .
YIKES !
Michael Cohen is believable and he comes across as a sympathetic witness .
The former fixer seems at peace and looks ten years younger .
Ed .
Note : If you missed the show , you can download the podcast of the entire interview at Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app .

Rachel Maddow's interview with Michael Cohen about his book 'Disloyal' has bombshells about Trump, Trump's business, and Putin. Former fixer Michael Cohen did the president's dirty work for years, and his stories do not disappoint! Here are a few (of the many) highlights from Maddow's exclusive interview with Michael Cohen:
"Trump never thought he was going to win this election, he actually did not want to win this election ... this was a branding deal. That's all that the presidential campaign started out as, this was a branding opportunity in order to expand worldwide."
"I want to be clear to you and to the viewers and everybody: Nothing happens without Mr. Trump's approval at the Trump Organization. To the same extent, nothing happens without President Trump's approval. He micromanaged everything."
"If he loses, there's still the time between the election and the time that the next president would take office. During that time, my suspicion is that he will resign as president, he will allow Mike Pence to take over and he will have Mike Pence pardon him."
A few other nuggets of gold from the interview:
Cohen speaks to Jerry Falwell and his wife on a regular basis. They are legit friends
On Trump's orders, Cohen smeared Senator Marco Rubio and Senator Ted Cruz in the National Enquirer
Fox News anchor Sean Hannity sucked up to Donald Trump in a BIG way
Trump is obsessed with and hates Obama, he's what Trump wishes he could be (see video above)
Finally, Cohen says the power has gone to Trump's head and that he absolutely wants to be President for life". YIKES!
Michael Cohen is believable and he comes across as a sympathetic witness. The former fixer seems at peace and looks ten years younger.
Ed. Note: If you missed the show, you can download the podcast of the entire interview at Apple Podcasts or via your favorite podcast app.


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--Shocked CNN Host Asks Sen. Kennedy: 'As A Human Being, How Can You Be Okay With This?'

Let 's be clear : No one should buy Trump 's excuses that he downplayed the virus because he did n't want to `` spark a panic . ''
This man specifically uses fear and panic as a campaign tactic every single day , and if it benefited him politically to do so , he would have gladly sparked a panic .
It just did n't benefit him .
This is why I really have a serious problem with automatons like Senator John Kennedy rolling onto CNN 's air and stonewalling before defending the indefensible .
I am not the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appalled that he would n't actually react to the very real fact that Donald Trump lied to save himself at the expense of millions .
The economic expense , the human cost , the way our lives will be forever changed -- these are a consequence of Donald Trump 's greed and ambition , but for Senator John Kennedy , they 're just not that big of a deal .
Ahead of the clip above , he stonewalled her by claiming he does n't pay attention to `` gotcha books '' in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Finally , Pamela Brown ran out of patience with him .
`` Okay .
Senator , let me just -- I let you talk .
I wanted to hear what you had to say .
But the bottom line is he told Bob Woodward privately that this was a deadly virus and that it was airborne , '' she reminded him .
`` Did n't the public , did n't the citizens in your home state of Louisiana deserve to know that as well so that they could change their behavior appropriately to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the same nonsense .
`` Let me say a word about this infatuation in Washington with who said what to whom , '' he began .
`` I learned pretty quickly -- '' '' No , senator , I 'm sorry .
I 'm not going to let you do this , '' she cut in .
`` I understand there is so much politics right now , we 're two months away from an election .
But this is life and death .
You had 5,000 people that have died in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are reluctant , as you are now to ever criticize this president , '' she noted before dropping the key question .
`` But as a human being , how can you be okay with this ? ''
Oh Pamela , you 're assuming he 's a human being .
See above where the robot Kennedy repeats the same garbage again and again .
Kennedy 's answer to her was to say that actions speak louder than words , so Brown tried again .
`` The president knew in February , we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this was airborne .
And yet he went on to hold six rallies packed with people that were not wearing masks .
And he called the coronavirus the Democrats ' hoax .
Those were actions he took .
And he had the knowledge .
That 's okay with you ?
, '' she pressed .
His lame reply : `` Well , you 're going to have to talk to the President and Mr .
Woodward . ''
Classic dodge coming up next .
No transcript , he ca n't possibly comment because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he has n't seen the transcript !
So she plays the tape .
And confronts him again .
And gets the same tired talking point about panic , a talking point that is utter bullshit because Trump uses panic and fear every .
damn .
day .
Fear of antifa .
Fear of Black people in the suburbs .
Fear that the markets will crash if he 's not elected .
Fear of literally everything .
Donald Trump is responsible for all of this , and any senator who denies that or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as he .
Trump knew and they 're covering for him .

Let's be clear: No one should buy Trump's excuses that he downplayed the virus because he didn't want to "spark a panic." This man specifically uses fear and panic as a campaign tactic every single day, and if it benefited him politically to do so, he would have gladly sparked a panic. It just didn't benefit him.
This is why I really have a serious problem with automatons like Senator John Kennedy rolling onto CNN's air and stonewalling before defending the indefensible. I am not the only one. Host Pamela Brown was appalled that he wouldn't actually react to the very real fact that Donald Trump lied to save himself at the expense of millions. The economic expense, the human cost, the way our lives will be forever changed -- these are a consequence of Donald Trump's greed and ambition, but for Senator John Kennedy, they're just not that big of a deal.
Ahead of the clip above, he stonewalled her by claiming he doesn't pay attention to "gotcha books" in a robotic voice devoid of all humanity.
.@SenJohnKennedy “These gotcha books don’t really interest me that much.”@PamelaBrownCNN: “He’s on the record.”
Kennedy: “These gotcha books don’t really interest me that much.”
Brown: “He did 18 interviews.”
Kennedy: “These gotcha books don’t really interest me that much.” — Eli Stokols (@EliStokols) September 9, 2020
Finally, Pamela Brown ran out of patience with him.
"Okay. Senator, let me just -- I let you talk. I wanted to hear what you had to say. But the bottom line is he told Bob Woodward privately that this was a deadly virus and that it was airborne," she reminded him. "Didn't the public, didn't the citizens in your home state of Louisiana deserve to know that as well so that they could change their behavior appropriately to protect themselves?"
Kennedy came back with the same nonsense. "Let me say a word about this infatuation in Washington with who said what to whom," he began. "I learned pretty quickly--"
"No, senator, I'm sorry. I'm not going to let you do this," she cut in. "I understand there is so much politics right now, we're two months away from an election. But this is life and death. You had 5,000 people that have died in Louisiana from coronavirus."
"Republicans are reluctant, as you are now to ever criticize this president," she noted before dropping the key question. "But as a human being, how can you be okay with this?"
Oh Pamela, you're assuming he's a human being. See above where the robot Kennedy repeats the same garbage again and again.
Kennedy's answer to her was to say that actions speak louder than words, so Brown tried again.
"The president knew in February, we have him on tape telling Bob Woodward that this was airborne. And yet he went on to hold six rallies packed with people that were not wearing masks. And he called the coronavirus the Democrats' hoax. Those were actions he took. And he had the knowledge. That's okay with you?," she pressed.
His lame reply: "Well, you're going to have to talk to the President and Mr. Woodward."
Classic dodge coming up next. No transcript, he can't possibly comment because no transcript! Never mind the recordings, he hasn't seen the transcript!
So she plays the tape. And confronts him again. And gets the same tired talking point about panic, a talking point that is utter bullshit because Trump uses panic and fear every. damn. day. Fear of antifa. Fear of Black people in the suburbs. Fear that the markets will crash if he's not elected. Fear of literally everything.
Donald Trump is responsible for all of this, and any senator who denies that or tries to soften it is as guilty as he.
Trump knew and they're covering for him.


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--Claire McCaskill Tells Nicolle Wallace: 'This Guy Is Too DUMB To Lead This Country!'

Claire McCaskill joined Nicolle Wallace and John Heilemann to react to the today 's news of Bob Woodward 's new book , cataloguing 18 interviews and at least as many hours of tape recordings .
In it , Trump admits to many things he does n't realize are unflattering or , you know , outright admissions of criminal negligent homicide .
No , this dude thinks he 's impressing Woodward , and says these things knowing he 's being recorded .
Revelations include everything from the fact that he is on tape saying he intentionally downplayed the seriousness and contagiousness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jung Un calling him `` Excellency . ''
McCASKILL : I was going to say , I wanted to follow up on what John just said .
I would , you know , think about this for a minute .
Let 's dwell on this for a second .
He 's obviously never READ a Woodward book .
He does n't understand what Woodward books ARE and so , is , that 's strike one .
Strike two , is he sits for 18 interviews , okay ?
Who in their right mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , within the year , sits for 18 interviews with a journalist ?
This is not a smart thing to do .
McCASKILL : This is beyond folly .
This is the ultimate stupidity .
He is SO stupid , and he knows — he did the last interview like month ago !
He did the last interview a month ago , so when is the book coming out ?
The book is coming out within two months of his election .
With tapes !
18 hours of tapes !
Hours and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the stupidest president that 's ever held the office .
Forget about , for a minute , for all of his followers , forget about the integrity issue .
Forget about the character issue .
This guy 's too DUMB to lead this country because this was really , really stupid .

Claire McCaskill joined Nicolle Wallace and John Heilemann to react to the today's news of Bob Woodward's new book, cataloguing 18 interviews and at least as many hours of tape recordings. In it, Trump admits to many things he doesn't realize are unflattering or, you know, outright admissions of criminal negligent homicide. No, this dude thinks he's impressing Woodward, and says these things knowing he's being recorded. Revelations include everything from the fact that he is on tape saying he intentionally downplayed the seriousness and contagiousness of COVID-19 to his preening about Kim Jung Un calling him "Excellency."
McCASKILL: I was going to say, I wanted to follow up on what John just said. I would, you know, think about this for a minute. Let's dwell on this for a second. He's obviously never READ a Woodward book. He doesn't understand what Woodward books ARE and so, is, that's strike one.
Strike two, is he sits for 18 interviews, okay? Who in their right mind who's running for office in a year, within the year, sits for 18 interviews with a journalist? This is not a smart thing to do.
HEILEMANN: With anyone.
McCASKILL: This is beyond folly. This is the ultimate stupidity. He is SO stupid, and he knows — he did the last interview like month ago! He did the last interview a month ago, so when is the book coming out? The book is coming out within two months of his election. With tapes! 18 hours of tapes! Hours and hours of tapes! So this president is the stupidest president that's ever held the office. Forget about, for a minute, for all of his followers, forget about the integrity issue. Forget about the character issue. This guy's too DUMB to lead this country because this was really, really stupid.


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--Carl Bernstein: Woodward Has ‘Smoking Gun’ Of Trump’s 'Homicidal Negligence'

What Bernstein called Trump ’ s “ homicidal negligence ” is only one of the many revelations in Woodward ’ s book , “ Rage , ” demonstrating Trump ’ s despicableness and unfitness for office .
But lulling the public into a false sense of security about a grave threat to their health ( and thus needlessly causing deaths ) is by far the worst .
On CNN Wednesday , Bernstein suggested Trump should go straight to jail .
BERNSTEIN : We are listening to the president of the United States , on tape , deliberately undermining the security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ States , the health and wellbeing of the people of the United States , and he 's doing this knowingly , in real time .
It is the smoking gun of his negligence .
… We listen to him cover up this grave national emergency .
This is one of the great presidential felonies of all time , maybe the greatest presidential felony .
And we have the smoking gun tape of the president committing the felony .
Bernstein called out Republicans for their complicity , too .
And he called on them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the book we all know is coming from the White House .
BERNSTEIN : At this point if the Republican leadership , McConnell , McCarthy , and others try to contradict this obvious , grave dereliction of duty by the president of the United States that is captured on tape , they , too , are responsible for what has happened here .
Look , let 's talk about what this really is .
This is a kind of homicidal negligence .
Thousands and thousands and thousands of people have lost their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re-election interest , as we hear on the tapes and see throughout Bob 's book , that he is putting his own narrow presidential re-election efforts in front of the safety , health , and wellbeing of the people of the United States .
… It 's a dereliction of duty , recorded as no other dereliction of duty has been , even more so than the Nixon tapes in this instance .
So it 's going to be very hard to see how this can not be addressed by Republicans in particular @ @ @ @ @ @ @ United States .
The last time this happened , during the end of Nixon 's presidency , the Republican leadership ... went to the White House and told Nixon he had to resign .
And the facts here are even graver than in Watergate .
Sadly , Republicans are doing nothing of the sort , at least so far .
CNN ’ s Manu Raju has a long list of Senate Republicans defending Trump or dodging questions .
The defenders include Thom Tillis , Lindsey Graham , and Ron Johnson .
Majority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McSally and Susan Collins were too cowardly to respond at all .

What Bernstein called Trump’s “homicidal negligence” is only one of the many revelations in Woodward’s book, “Rage,” demonstrating Trump’s despicableness and unfitness for office. But lulling the public into a false sense of security about a grave threat to their health (and thus needlessly causing deaths) is by far the worst.
On CNN Wednesday, Bernstein suggested Trump should go straight to jail.
BERNSTEIN: We are listening to the president of the United States, on tape, deliberately undermining the security -- the national security of the United States, the health and wellbeing of the people of the United States, and he's doing this knowingly, in real time. It is the smoking gun of his negligence. … We listen to him cover up this grave national emergency. This is one of the great presidential felonies of all time, maybe the greatest presidential felony. And we have the smoking gun tape of the president committing the felony.
Bernstein called out Republicans for their complicity, too. And he called on them to counter the “full assault” on the book we all know is coming from the White House.
BERNSTEIN: At this point if the Republican leadership, McConnell, McCarthy, and others try to contradict this obvious, grave dereliction of duty by the president of the United States that is captured on tape, they, too, are responsible for what has happened here. Look, let's talk about what this really is. This is a kind of homicidal negligence. Thousands and thousands and thousands of people have lost their lives because the president put his own re-election interest, as we hear on the tapes and see throughout Bob's book, that he is putting his own narrow presidential re-election efforts in front of the safety, health, and wellbeing of the people of the United States. … It's a dereliction of duty, recorded as no other dereliction of duty has been, even more so than the Nixon tapes in this instance. So it's going to be very hard to see how this cannot be addressed by Republicans in particular and their candidate for president of the United States. The last time this happened, during the end of Nixon's presidency, the Republican leadership ... went to the White House and told Nixon he had to resign. And the facts here are even graver than in Watergate.
Sadly, Republicans are doing nothing of the sort, at least so far. CNN’s Manu Raju has a long list of Senate Republicans defending Trump or dodging questions. The defenders include Thom Tillis, Lindsey Graham, and Ron Johnson. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Joni Ernst, Martha McSally and Susan Collins were too cowardly to respond at all.


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--'Perfection Is Not Possible': Karl Rove Spins Trump Lies On Fox News

Fox News contributor Karl Rove on Wednesday tried to put the best spin possible on audio tapes that proved President Donald Trump lied to the American people about the coronavirus pandemic .
In an appearance on Fox News , Rove reacted to the tapes from veteran journalist Bob Woodward , in which Trump speaks about the pandemic and says he “ wanted to always play it down.
” “ The American people didn ’ t have a shot at getting the real truth , ” Fox News host Harris Faulkner told Rove .
“ We weren ’ t going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weren ’ t going to get it from China , and it looks like we got some sort of watered-down version of it from President Trump.
” “ Well , that ’ s one way of looking at it , ” Rove replied dismissively .
“ Maybe you can make the argument that he should have said masks and social distancing earlier as a result of that , particularly if he knew that it was aerosol borne.
” “ But again , we expect perfection from people in places where perfection is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ strategist added .
“ And in dealing with pandemics is a place in particular where the unknowns are large and difficult to deal with.
” Rove argued that Trump “ could have sparked a panic ” if he revealed the true nature of COVID-19 .
“ Any president in dealing with a situation like this is going to look back and say , ‘ There are things I would have done differently , ’ but when it gets injected into a partisan environment like we are in the last 55 days of a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this is going to be partisan screaming and shouting , ” he opined .
“ These are not easy situations to deal with and to require perfection of anybody in this — whether it ’ s Joe Biden or Donald Trump — I think is unfair .
”

Fox News contributor Karl Rove on Wednesday tried to put the best spin possible on audio tapes that proved President Donald Trump lied to the American people about the coronavirus pandemic.
In an appearance on Fox News, Rove reacted to the tapes from veteran journalist Bob Woodward, in which Trump speaks about the pandemic and says he “wanted to always play it down.”
“The American people didn’t have a shot at getting the real truth,” Fox News host Harris Faulkner told Rove. “We weren’t going to get it from the W.H.O., we weren’t going to get it from China, and it looks like we got some sort of watered-down version of it from President Trump.”
“Well, that’s one way of looking at it,” Rove replied dismissively. “Maybe you can make the argument that he should have said masks and social distancing earlier as a result of that, particularly if he knew that it was aerosol borne.”
“But again, we expect perfection from people in places where perfection is not possible,” the former White House strategist added. “And in dealing with pandemics is a place in particular where the unknowns are large and difficult to deal with.”
Rove argued that Trump “could have sparked a panic” if he revealed the true nature of COVID-19.
“Any president in dealing with a situation like this is going to look back and say, ‘There are things I would have done differently,’ but when it gets injected into a partisan environment like we are in the last 55 days of a presidential election, I think a lot of this is going to be partisan screaming and shouting,” he opined. “These are not easy situations to deal with and to require perfection of anybody in this — whether it’s Joe Biden or Donald Trump — I think is unfair.”


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--Lordy, There Are Tapes! Bob Woodward's Got Trump Admitting To Lying To Public About COVID-19 And Mor

Lordy, There Are Tapes! Bob Woodward's Got Trump Admitting To Lying To Public About COVID-19 And More

We all knew Trump is okay with people dying , and even getting killed if it benefits him politically and financially , but somehow it still shocks the senses to hear it in his own voice on tape .
Bob Woodward provides such tapes as his book chronicling his interviews with Donald Trump over the last few years , Rage , has been released .
Robert Costa broke the news today that Donald Trump knew as far back as February 2020 that COVID-19 was much worse than the flu , was spread through droplets in the air ( airborne ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as adults .
Yet we have on record his lies continually downplaying and refuting those very dangers — contradicting them directly !
Calling those facts 'hoaxes ! ''
He told Woodward he only wanted to avoid panicking the people , but we all know he really wanted to avoid shutting down the nation economically , because the illusion of a strong economy is the only thing he had going for him in the upcoming election .
So , he pretended there was no NEED to shut down schools and businesses for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) a short time , in order to get the virus under control .
“ This will be the biggest national security threat you face in your presidency , ” national security adviser Robert C. O ’ Brien told Trump , according to a new book by Washington Post associate editor Bob Woodward .
“ This is going to be the roughest thing you face.
” Matthew Pottinger , the deputy national security adviser , agreed .
He told the president that after reaching contacts in China , it was evident that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the flu pandemic of 1918 , which killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide .
Ten days later , Trump called Woodward and revealed that he thought the situation was far more dire than what he had been saying publicly .
“ You just breathe the air and that ’ s how it ’ s passed , ” Trump said in a Feb. 7 call .
“ And so that ’ s a very tricky one .
That ’ s a very delicate one .
It ’ s also more deadly than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is deadly stuff , ” the president repeated for emphasis .
In addition to the COVID lies he astonishingly admits to ( why is he telling these things to Woodward , knowing he is being recorded ? )
Trump makes a number of other statements to Woodward , thinking these are things that the author/journalist will find impressive .
Among them : • Trump laughs and tells Woodward he has `` drunk the Kool-aid '' when Woodward suggests that they both might be privileged and asks if they ought to try to understand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now .
• Trump privately called President Barack Obama `` Barack Hussein , '' but not to his face , so as to be `` very nice . ''
He also told Woodward that Korean President Kim Jung Un thought Pres .
Obama was an `` *sshole . ''
• He claims the CIA `` knows nothing '' about how to handle North Korea , and that he `` gave up nothing '' in negotiations with Kim Jung Un .
• Trump told Woodward about U.S. weapons that no one has ever seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Woodward writes that anonymous people later confirmed that the U.S. military had a secret new weapons system , but they would not provide details , and that the sources were surprised Trump had disclosed it .
• He told Peter Navarro , “ Not to mention my fucking generals are a bunch of pussies .
They care more about their alliances than they do about trade deals . ''
General James Mattis was so troubled by what he saw in Trump 's leadership , he told Dan Coats that they may have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him .
Even George W. Bush refused to attempt to counsel Trump , knowing Trump would not understand , or would spin his words into something he did n't say .
When Bush The Younger comes off as the savvy , prudent one , you know we 're in trouble .

Lordy, there are tapes.
We all knew Trump is okay with people dying, and even getting killed if it benefits him politically and financially, but somehow it still shocks the senses to hear it in his own voice on tape. Bob Woodward provides such tapes as his book chronicling his interviews with Donald Trump over the last few years, Rage, has been released.
Robert Costa broke the news today that Donald Trump knew as far back as February 2020 that COVID-19 was much worse than the flu, was spread through droplets in the air (airborne), and affected young people and children as well as adults. Yet we have on record his lies continually downplaying and refuting those very dangers — contradicting them directly! Calling those facts 'hoaxes!"
He told Woodward he only wanted to avoid panicking the people, but we all know he really wanted to avoid shutting down the nation economically, because the illusion of a strong economy is the only thing he had going for him in the upcoming election. So, he pretended there was no NEED to shut down schools and businesses for (what, at this point seems) a short time, in order to get the virus under control.
“This will be the biggest national security threat you face in your presidency,” national security adviser Robert C. O’Brien told Trump, according to a new book by Washington Post associate editor Bob Woodward. “This is going to be the roughest thing you face.” Matthew Pottinger, the deputy national security adviser, agreed. He told the president that after reaching contacts in China, it was evident that the world faced a health emergency on par with the flu pandemic of 1918, which killed an estimated 50 million people worldwide. Ten days later, Trump called Woodward and revealed that he thought the situation was far more dire than what he had been saying publicly. “You just breathe the air and that’s how it’s passed,” Trump said in a Feb. 7 call. “And so that’s a very tricky one. That’s a very delicate one. It’s also more deadly than even your strenuous flu.” “This is deadly stuff,” the president repeated for emphasis.
In addition to the COVID lies he astonishingly admits to (why is he telling these things to Woodward, knowing he is being recorded?) Trump makes a number of other statements to Woodward, thinking these are things that the author/journalist will find impressive. Among them:
Trump laughs and tells Woodward he has "drunk the Kool-aid" when Woodward suggests that they both might be privileged and asks if they ought to try to understand the pain Black people are expressing right now.
Trump privately called President Barack Obama "Barack Hussein," but not to his face, so as to be "very nice." He also told Woodward that Korean President Kim Jung Un thought Pres. Obama was an "*sshole."
He claims the CIA "knows nothing" about how to handle North Korea, and that he "gave up nothing" in negotiations with Kim Jung Un.
Trump told Woodward about U.S. weapons that no one has ever seen or heard about ever, anywhere!
Woodward writes that anonymous people later confirmed that the U.S. military had a secret new weapons system, but they would not provide details, and that the sources were surprised Trump had disclosed it.
He told Peter Navarro, “Not to mention my fucking generals are a bunch of pussies. They care more about their alliances than they do about trade deals."
General James Mattis was so troubled by what he saw in Trump's leadership, he told Dan Coats that they may have to take "collective action" to stop him.
Mattis quietly went to Washington National Cathedral to pray about his concern for the nation’s fate under Trump’s command and, according to Woodward, told Coats, “There may come a time when we have to take collective action” since Trump is “dangerous. He’s unfit.”
Even George W. Bush refused to attempt to counsel Trump, knowing Trump would not understand, or would spin his words into something he didn't say. When Bush The Younger comes off as the savvy, prudent one, you know we're in trouble.
Buckle up.


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--Nancy Pelosi Calls For Trump's Family To Stage An Intervention After Woodward Revelations

Speaker of the House , Nancy Pelosi , joined Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC minutes after the CNN story came out with details - and video - of Donald Trump speaking with Bob Woodward for his new book , Fear .
The clips show that Trump knew in late January just how dangerous and deadly COVID really was - and that he chose to hide this from the public because he did not want to hurt his re-election .
He LIED for his own self gain .
And he said this while being recorded - recordings he agreed to !
How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
?
Deep fake ?
A Trump impersonator ?
Here is Pelosi 's reaction , and she does not hold back : MITCHELL : Madam Speaker , I well remember that day , June 6 , 2019 , when , try as I might , you refused to say anything at all that was critical of the president in front of the American cemetery , which is hallowed ground .
I know you have to go but one more thing , this is courtesy of CNN , this is tape of a conversation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 19 , where the president can be heard saying that he always wanted to play down the threat of the coronavirus when he was first warned about it initially on January 28th by his National Security Adviser .
Let me play this very brief segment for you and get your reaction .
TRUMP : I wanted to always play it down .
I still like playing it down .
TRUMP : Because I do n't want to create a panic .
MITCHELL : So the president 's explanation is that he was trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not want people to panic .
Your comment about that ?
That was taped on March 19 .
PELOSI : The fact is that the coronavirus and the threat that it was is a reality .
A president should face that reality .
The way to avoid a panic is to show leadership , to say this is what the challenge is , we 're going to use the best scientific evidence that is available to us to contain it , we are going to make sure that we can stop the spread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a panic , not ignoring it and then finding out that a hundred -- and then later saying , well , the a couple of hundred thousand people , that goes with it , that 's not that many compared to how many die of the flu in a few years or whatever .
So I think that what he said there connotes two things .
One , his weakness .
He did n't know how to cope with a challenge to our country .
Secondly , his disdain and denial for science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ could have contained this early on .
But bigger than all of that , bigger than all of that , was his total disregard for the impact on individual families in our country .
Imagine losing a loved one to a virus that did n't even -- they did n't even know about seven or eight months ago , the end of last year .
And to have a president use that as an excuse .
What he was actually saying is , I do n't want anybody to think anything like this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 'm not going to call any more attention to it , it 's a hoax , we expect a miracle , it 's going to go away magically .
Something 's very wrong with this .
And it can be captured in the statement that the president made about that .
I do n't know -- I mean , again , I just do n't know why there is n't some kind of intervention by those who are surrounding him professionally , or any goodwill on the part of his own family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we have to have an intervention for the good of our father , Donald Trump , and for the good of our country .
But it 's all the more reason why we have to remove every obstacle to participation in the vote , because as you see , they 're carrying this crusade , this mission that they have , that identifies with dictators and thugs , and again , as I 've said over and over again , Putin , his friend .
He 's Putin 's puppet , all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Putin have on him personally , politically , professionally , financially ?
We 'll find out when we see his tax returns .
But this is really sad .
It makes us wonder how we ever would be so competitive in races between Democrats and Republicans who just had a difference of opinion as to the role of government when we see how distorted the presidency can be .
I 'm really excited about Biden , I think he 's going to be a great president .
I never saw any hatred coming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president .
But he 's always projecting his negative attitudes onto other people .
But it wo n't be long , in eight weeks we 'll be celebrating the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris , a Democratic Senate , and a Democratic House of Representatives .
A cornerstone of what we do is to have bipartisan transparency in what we do so the public can make its own judgment about us , and when we do so , to do so as a result of a free and fair election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he says .
Again , we do n't agonize , we organize .
And that 's what we intend to do .

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, joined Andrea Mitchell on MSNBC minutes after the CNN story came out with details - and video - of Donald Trump speaking with Bob Woodward for his new book, Fear. The clips show that Trump knew in late January just how dangerous and deadly COVID really was - and that he chose to hide this from the public because he did not want to hurt his re-election. He LIED for his own self gain. And he said this while being recorded - recordings he agreed to! How can the White House spin this??? Deep fake? A Trump impersonator?
Here is Pelosi's reaction, and she does not hold back:
MITCHELL: Madam Speaker, I well remember that day, June 6, 2019, when, try as I might, you refused to say anything at all that was critical of the president in front of the American cemetery, which is hallowed ground. I know you have to go but one more thing, this is courtesy of CNN, this is tape of a conversation that I believe took place on March 19, where the president can be heard saying that he always wanted to play down the threat of the coronavirus when he was first warned about it initially on January 28th by his National Security Adviser. Let me play this very brief segment for you and get your reaction.
(clip)
TRUMP: I wanted to always play it down. I still like playing it down.
WOODWARD: Yes, sir.
TRUMP: Because I don't want to create a panic.
(end clip)
MITCHELL: So the president's explanation is that he was trying to play it down because he did not want people to panic. Your comment about that? That was taped on March 19.
PELOSI: The fact is that the coronavirus and the threat that it was is a reality. A president should face that reality. The way to avoid a panic is to show leadership, to say this is what the challenge is, we're going to use the best scientific evidence that is available to us to contain it, we are going to make sure that we can stop the spread of it. That is what stops a panic, not ignoring it and then finding out that a hundred -- and then later saying, well, the a couple of hundred thousand people, that goes with it, that's not that many compared to how many die of the flu in a few years or whatever.
So I think that what he said there connotes two things. One, his weakness. He didn't know how to cope with a challenge to our country. Secondly, his disdain and denial for science, which has the answers. We could have contained this early on. But bigger than all of that, bigger than all of that, was his total disregard for the impact on individual families in our country. Imagine losing a loved one to a virus that didn't even -- they didn't even know about seven or eight months ago, the end of last year. And to have a president use that as an excuse. What he was actually saying is, I don't want anybody to think anything like this happened on my watch, so I'm not going to call any more attention to it, it's a hoax, we expect a miracle, it's going to go away magically. Something's very wrong with this. And it can be captured in the statement that the president made about that.
I don't know -- I mean, again, I just don't know why there isn't some kind of intervention by those who are surrounding him professionally, or any goodwill on the part of his own family, to say something is very wrong here, we have to have an intervention for the good of our father, Donald Trump, and for the good of our country.
But it's all the more reason why we have to remove every obstacle to participation in the vote, because as you see, they're carrying this crusade, this mission that they have, that identifies with dictators and thugs, and again, as I've said over and over again, Putin, his friend. He's Putin's puppet, all roads lead to Putin. What does Putin have on him personally, politically, professionally, financially? We'll find out when we see his tax returns. But this is really sad. It makes us wonder how we ever would be so competitive in races between Democrats and Republicans who just had a difference of opinion as to the role of government when we see how distorted the presidency can be.
I'm really excited about Biden, I think he's going to be a great president. I never saw any hatred coming from Kamala Harris and neither did the president. But he's always projecting his negative attitudes onto other people. But it won't be long, in eight weeks we'll be celebrating the election of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, a Democratic Senate, and a Democratic House of Representatives. A cornerstone of what we do is to have bipartisan transparency in what we do so the public can make its own judgment about us, and when we do so, to do so as a result of a free and fair election, not to be frightened by anything that he says. Again, we don't agonize, we organize. And that's what we intend to do.


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--Kayleigh McEnany Lies After Revelation Trump Purposefully Downplayed Severity Of COVID19

After the news came out about Bob Woodward 's recordings with Donald Trump where he admitted to purposely downplaying the severity of the coronavirus to the American people , Trump 's press secretary disregarded and lied to cover up his terrible crime on all of us .
During a White House press briefing moments ago a reporter asked , `` Why Trump bears no responsibility for almost 200,000 deaths when he downplayed the virus initially and knew how deadly and contagious it was ? ''
McEnany replied , `` The president never downplayed the virus . ''
`` The president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the joke of the day as far as I 'm concerned .
Trump 's press secretary tried to claim he was exuding the American spirit when faced with a challenge .
I mean , my God .
What a perverted view of American exceptionalism .
His own cabinet members have said he viewed the virus in terms of how it would effect his re-election chances .
It 's well documented that Trump delayed taking action for almost 2 months , while holding rallies and golfing which allowed the virus to spread to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country which resulted in massive infections and deaths .
And the deaths and infections keep mounting while Trump continues to fiddle and lie .
Here 's more of her insanity .

After the news came out about Bob Woodward's recordings with Donald Trump where he admitted to purposely downplaying the severity of the coronavirus to the American people, Trump's press secretary disregarded and lied to cover up his terrible crime on all of us.
During a White House press briefing moments ago a reporter asked, "Why Trump bears no responsibility for almost 200,000 deaths when he downplayed the virus initially and knew how deadly and contagious it was?"
McEnany replied, "The president never downplayed the virus."
"The president expressed calm," she said which is the joke of the day as far as I'm concerned.
She's a bald-faced liar.
Trump's press secretary tried to claim he was exuding the American spirit when faced with a challenge.
I mean, my God. What a perverted view of American exceptionalism.
His own cabinet members have said he viewed the virus in terms of how it would effect his re-election chances.
It's well documented that Trump delayed taking action for almost 2 months, while holding rallies and golfing which allowed the virus to spread to Los Angeles and New York and the country which resulted in massive infections and deaths.
And the deaths and infections keep mounting while Trump continues to fiddle and lie.
Here's more of her insanity.
"One day [coronavirus] will go away. That's a fact" -- it's also a fact we're all gonna die but that doesn't mean we should just ignore public health threats pic.twitter.com/77DYySGUlU — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) September 9, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--Joe Biden Speaks In Michigan On His 'Made In America' Plan

Join us to watch the livestream of Joe Biden talking to workers in Michigan about his plans for building back @ @ @ @ @ destroyed with his anti-worker offshoring policies , his closing of plants , his tanking of @ @ @ @ @ broken promises to workers .
Here are his plans to `` Buy American and Make @ @ @ @ @ First , Biden and Harris will fix our tax code so that it promotes a @ @ @ @ @ future , establishing a Biden Offshoring Tax Penalty and a Biden “ Made in America @ @ @ @ @ closing the Trump Offshoring Loopholes .
Second , Biden will sign a series of executive @ @ @ @ @ as President to ensure the federal government is delivering on its obligation to use taxpayer @ @ @ @ @ and support American supply chains .
And he has actual plans to put into action @ @ @ @ @ .
Imagine that !
UPDATE : Here are his remarks as prepared for delivery

Join us to watch the livestream of Joe Biden talking to workers in Michigan about his plans for building back the economy that Trump has destroyed with his anti-worker offshoring policies, his closing of plants, his tanking of the economy, and his broken promises to workers.
Here are his plans to "Buy American and Make it In America."
First, Biden and Harris will fix our tax code so that it promotes a “Made in America” future, establishing a Biden Offshoring Tax Penalty and a Biden “Made in America” Tax Credit, and closing the Trump Offshoring Loopholes. Second, Biden will sign a series of executive actions in his first week as President to ensure the federal government is delivering on its obligation to use taxpayer dollars to Buy American products and support American supply chains.
And he has actual plans to put into action to make these things happen. Imagine that!
UPDATE: Here are his remarks as prepared for delivery


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--Joy Reid:  'Supine Republicans' Let 'Mini Putin' Trump Become King

Joy Reid 's response to the Michael Cohen interview is exactly on target : JOY ANN REID : I too was told by people that Donald Trump did not intend to win .
He intended simply to market himself and grow his business around the world , absolutely .
But then he won .
And I think probably the scariest parts of what Michael Cohen said to Rachel Maddow in this interview was the beginning and the end part .
At the end part , he says Donald Trump looks to someone like Putin or someone like Mohammed Bin Salman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ himself .
Now that he 's won , he 's like , I might as well just live like the other oligarchs that Putin controls .
If I 'm just another one of the oligarchs and if they report up to Putin and can become rich and they can have power and they can have endless money , why ca n't I ?
Donald Trump looks to be Junior Putin now .
He is an oligarch in training , a dictator in training because now that he 's felt the power , now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unchecked power that unfortunately a weak , supine Republican Party , which unfortunately controls one-half of the Congress , has let him unleash on the country , right ?
They 've let him act as king .
And now that he 's felt what it 's like to be king , he does n't want to leave .
Now he thinks maybe I will do 10 or 20 or 13 more -- however many I can get because , number one , it will keep me out of jail if you 're thinking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I can keep the money rolling in and maybe really benefit and get a pardon when it 's over .
And the beginning part of that interview was when Rachel opened by asking , 'why are you the one who 's suffering here ?
, And the reason he 's suffering is there 's a bigger , badder , much more wicked Michael Cohen in business now , and his name is Bill Barr .
Bill Barr , who we just found out tonight has had the Justice Department intervene in a civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Carroll , who has accused this president of rape .
Now the Justice Department , the taxpayer-funded Justice Department is involved ?
Michael Cohen was out of jail , and he got snatched back and thrown back behind bars and was told by US Marshals , sign this thing to give away your right to free speech .
Give it away .
Give away your rights or you 're going back to jail .
That 's terrifying because now that Donald Trump thinks he 's the king , he 's trying to act @ @ @ @ @ @ @ power because of Bill Barr and the Republican Party to at least try to do it .

Joy Reid's response to the Michael Cohen interview is exactly on target:
JOY ANN REID: I too was told by people that Donald Trump did not intend to win. He intended simply to market himself and grow his business around the world, absolutely. But then he won. And I think probably the scariest parts of what Michael Cohen said to Rachel Maddow in this interview was the beginning and the end part. At the end part, he says Donald Trump looks to someone like Putin or someone like Mohammed Bin Salman, and he sees a future for himself. Now that he's won, he's like, I might as well just live like the other oligarchs that Putin controls. If I'm just another one of the oligarchs and if they report up to Putin and can become rich and they can have power and they can have endless money, why can't I?
Donald Trump looks to be Junior Putin now. He is an oligarch in training, a dictator in training because now that he's felt the power, now that he's begun to enjoy the unchecked power that unfortunately a weak, supine Republican Party, which unfortunately controls one-half of the Congress, has let him unleash on the country, right? They've let him act as king.
And now that he's felt what it's like to be king, he doesn't want to leave. Now he thinks maybe I will do 10 or 20 or 13 more -- however many I can get because, number one, it will keep me out of jail if you're thinking like him. And number two, I can keep the money rolling in and maybe really benefit and get a pardon when it's over.
And the beginning part of that interview was when Rachel opened by asking, 'why are you the one who's suffering here?, And the reason he's suffering is there's a bigger, badder, much more wicked Michael Cohen in business now, and his name is Bill Barr. Bill Barr, who we just found out tonight has had the Justice Department intervene in a civil lawsuit of a woman named E. Jean Carroll, who has accused this president of rape. Now the Justice Department, the taxpayer-funded Justice Department is involved? Michael Cohen was out of jail, and he got snatched back and thrown back behind bars and was told by US Marshals, sign this thing to give away your right to free speech. Give it away. Give away your rights or you're going back to jail. That's terrifying because now that Donald Trump thinks he's the king, he's trying to act as king, and he has the power because of Bill Barr and the Republican Party to at least try to do it.


crooksandliars--2020-09-09--Donald Trump Junior Defends Kyle Rittenhouse: 'We All Do Stupid Things At 17'

During an interview on `` Extra TV , '' Trump Junior denigrated the Black Lives Matter movement , gave a lame excuse why his father did n't talk to the Blake family in Kenosha , and then equivocated the murder of two people to dumb things teenagers do .
Rachel Lindsay offered many softball questions to Junior to try to get him a sound like a decent person , but all he did was bloviate like a narcissistic jackass .
An idiotic talking point from Trump and his minions is that Joe Biden refuses the say 'law and order ' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ say `` law and order '' about the murders and maiming of Black Americans by police ?
I mean why would anyone say 'law and order ' in a time of civil rights protests ?
Racism .
Lindsay asked why , after the Trump administration came to Kenosha , they have n't condemned the deadly vigilante actions of Rittenhouse , who crossed state lines with a long gun and committed murder to attack BLM .
The son of Narcissus said , `` We ’ re waiting for due process .
We ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He continued , `` If I put myself in Kyle Rittenhouse -- maybe I shouldn ’ t have been there .
He ’ s a young kid .
I don ’ t want 17 year olds kids running around the streets with AR-15s .
Maybe I wouldn ’ t have put myself in that situation , who knows ?
We all do stupid things at 17 . ''
Lindsay shocked , jumped in and said , `` I think it 's a little beyond stupid . ''
Junior spread his arms and replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Stupid is when you look like an ass on national television defending a murderer of protesters .
Since when does anybody from the Trump administration , including family or their media surrogates , ever wait for `` due process '' before going on the attack against anybody , especially those they consider political rivals ?

During an interview on "Extra TV," Trump Junior denigrated the Black Lives Matter movement, gave a lame excuse why his father didn't talk to the Blake family in Kenosha, and then equivocated the murder of two people to dumb things teenagers do.
Rachel Lindsay offered many softball questions to Junior to try to get him a sound like a decent person, but all he did was bloviate like a narcissistic jackass.
An idiotic talking point from Trump and his minions is that Joe Biden refuses the say 'law and order' about the protesters, Maybe Trump should say "law and order" about the murders and maiming of Black Americans by police?
I mean why would anyone say 'law and order' in a time of civil rights protests? Racism.
Lindsay asked why, after the Trump administration came to Kenosha, they haven't condemned the deadly vigilante actions of Rittenhouse, who crossed state lines with a long gun and committed murder to attack BLM.
The son of Narcissus said, "We’re waiting for due process. We’re not jumping to a conclusion."
He continued, "If I put myself in Kyle Rittenhouse -- maybe I shouldn’t have been there. He’s a young kid. I don’t want 17 year olds kids running around the streets with AR-15s. Maybe I wouldn’t have put myself in that situation, who knows? We all do stupid things at 17."
Lindsay shocked, jumped in and said, "I think it's a little beyond stupid."
Junior spread his arms and replied, "Really stupid, fine."
No f**kface. Not stupid.
Stupid is when you look like an ass on national television defending a murderer of protesters.
Since when does anybody from the Trump administration, including family or their media surrogates, ever wait for "due process" before going on the attack against anybody, especially those they consider political rivals?


crooksandliars--2020-09-10--Trump Not Doing Debate Prep This Time, Because No One Can Teach Him Anything

Does this surprise anyone ?
Of course not .
He may have that animal cunning , but he 's also stupid and lazy .
Via NBC News : WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has not held a single mock debate session , and has no plans to stage a formal practice round , as he readies for his first faceoff with Joe Biden in less than three weeks , according to multiple people familiar with the discussions .
The president has dismissed the typical debate preparations he participated in four years ago , joking to aides and allies that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he was born .
His ability to fire back at an opponent in real time , he ’ s argued , “ isn ’ t something you have to practice.
” Instead , Trump has so far chosen to prepare through informal discussions with key allies and with briefings from top officials in his administration on various topics that are likely to come up , these people said .
“ It ’ s not the traditional , ‘ we need Chris Christie to fill in and play Hillary Clinton ’ like we did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president ’ s allies said , referring to the former New Jersey governor who has helped Trump prepare in the past .

Does this surprise anyone? Of course not. He may have that animal cunning, but he's also stupid and lazy. Via NBC News:
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump has not held a single mock debate session, and has no plans to stage a formal practice round, as he readies for his first faceoff with Joe Biden in less than three weeks, according to multiple people familiar with the discussions.
The president has dismissed the typical debate preparations he participated in four years ago, joking to aides and allies that he’s been preparing for debates since he was born. His ability to fire back at an opponent in real time, he’s argued, “isn’t something you have to practice.”
Instead, Trump has so far chosen to prepare through informal discussions with key allies and with briefings from top officials in his administration on various topics that are likely to come up, these people said.
“It’s not the traditional, ‘we need Chris Christie to fill in and play Hillary Clinton’ like we did four years ago,” one of the president’s allies said, referring to the former New Jersey governor who has helped Trump prepare in the past.


crooksandliars--2020-09-10--Oh, Come On. The Only Thing Trump Cared About 'Panicking' Was The Stock Market

Our librul media never fails to disappoint .
We all know Trump was n't actually trying to project `` strength '' and leadership by downplaying the virus threat , or to keep the country from panicking .
He just wanted to keep the stock market from tanking , because he knew the economy was his only strength in his campaign for reelection .
But because this compulsive liar moved his lips and said those words to a reporter , we 're supposed to take him at his word ?
He OBVIOUSLY did n't care about the people affected by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ written before , they were mostly poor and mostly people of color .
Not Republicans .
So he wrote them off .
He cared about getting reelected , and he cared about the stock market .
People were sacrificed to the gods of Wall Street .
Let 's stop pretending that he cares about human beings .
He never did , and he 's not going to start now .
And the press damn well needs to stop acting as if his word meant anything .
It 's bad enough we have a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we do n't need a credulous press to reinforce it .

Our librul media never fails to disappoint.
We all know Trump wasn't actually trying to project "strength" and leadership by downplaying the virus threat, or to keep the country from panicking. He just wanted to keep the stock market from tanking, because he knew the economy was his only strength in his campaign for reelection.
But because this compulsive liar moved his lips and said those words to a reporter, we're supposed to take him at his word?
Q: "Did you mislead the public?"
President Trump: "Well, I think if you said in order to reduce panic, perhaps that's so. The fact is, I'm a cheerleader for this country. I love our country and I don't want people to be frightened. I don't want to create panic." pic.twitter.com/NNbnkPz346 — CSPAN (@cspan) September 9, 2020
He didn’t want people to panic?? What exactly would have been “panicky” about mobilizing the defense production act to mobilize mass testing? How about asking all to mask? Getting PPE to first responders? HE KNEW THIS WAS NEEDED. Instead, Trump lied and SO MANY people died. — Mika Brzezinski (@morningmika) September 9, 2020
He OBVIOUSLY didn't care about the people affected by the virus -- because, as I've written before, they were mostly poor and mostly people of color. Not Republicans. So he wrote them off.
He cared about getting reelected, and he cared about the stock market. People were sacrificed to the gods of Wall Street. Let's stop pretending that he cares about human beings. He never did, and he's not going to start now.
And the press damn well needs to stop acting as if his word meant anything. It's bad enough we have a president who's gaslighting the nation -- we don't need a credulous press to reinforce it.


crooksandliars--2020-09-10--Racist Far-Right Norwegian Anti-Immigration Crank Nominates Trump For Nobel Peace Prize

... President Trump has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize .
The nomination submitted by Christian Tybring-Gjedde , a member of the Norwegian Parliament , lauded Trump for his efforts toward resolving protracted conflicts worldwide ... .
Tybring-Gjedde , in his nomination letter to the Nobel Committee , said the Trump administration has played a key role in the establishment of relations between Israel and the UAE ... .
Also cited in the letter was the president ’ s “ key role in facilitating contact between conflicting parties and ... creating new dynamics in other protracted conflicts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ India and Pakistan , and the conflict between North and South Korea , as well as dealing with the nuclear capabilities of North Korea.
” Tybring-Gjedde , further , praised Trump for withdrawing a large number of troops from the Middle East ... .
This is not Trump ’ s first such nomination , as Tybring-Gjedde submitted one along with another Norwegian official in 2018 following the U.S. president ’ s Singapore summit with Kim Jong Un .
Tybring-Gedde went on to say , in `` an exclusive interview '' with Fox News @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Peace Prize in recent years have done much less than Donald Trump .
For example , Barack Obama did nothing.
” Tybring-Gjedde is the former head of Norway 's Progress Party -- the party of Anders Breivik , who in 2011 killed 77 people in a car bombing outside the prime minister 's residence and a shooting attack at a camp for young members of the left-leaning Labor Party .
The Breivik massacre did not inspire Tybring-Gjedde to reconsider his Islamophobia .
Tybring-Gjedde has been one of Norway 's most outspoken critics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has refused to moderate his rhetoric following the twin terror attacks mounted by far-right Anders Breivik in 2011 .
`` What was wrong with Norwegian culture , since you are determined to replace it with something you call multiculturalism ? ''
he wrote in Dreams from Disneyland , a strongly worded article in Aftenposten .
`` It is Labor who are forcing culturally Norwegian people to escape many of Oslo 's boroughs , leaving enclaves where Muslim simplicity , dogmatism and intolerance make increasingly fertile ground [ for terrorism ] . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Oslo , refused to renounce the phrase `` creeping Islamization '' , which was used by party leader Siv Jensen in 2009 .
`` Creeping or not , it is Islamization that I totally renounce , '' Tybring-Gjedde said .
`` If it is the phrase 'creeping islamisation ' that they do not like , we can call it 'adaptation to Islamic culture based on Sharia law . '
Maybe those are words that will make it more acceptable for the Christian Democrats to talk to us . ''
He has compared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ robe .
Tybring-Gjedde is also a climate change denier .
In 2016 , Per-Willy Amundsen was named Norway 's minister of justice .
Amundsen had previously `` declared climate change a ruse to implement socialist policies and [ said ] it is 'madness to spend billions on a hypothesis that the warming is man-made . '
He [ had ] also expressed rigidly anti-Islamic and anti-immigration views . ''
When his appointment was criticized by Liberal Party leader Trine Skei Grande , Tybring-Gjedde responded , He has also said , `` I do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Trump is n't Tybring-Gjedde 's first Nobel nominee .
In 2006 , he nominated Muslim-bashing filmmaker Ayaan Hirsi Ali for the Peace Prize .
I think it 's safe to say that Trump wo n't win the prize , this year or ever .
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog

Fox News reports:
... President Trump has been nominated for the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize. The nomination submitted by Christian Tybring-Gjedde, a member of the Norwegian Parliament, lauded Trump for his efforts toward resolving protracted conflicts worldwide.... Tybring-Gjedde, in his nomination letter to the Nobel Committee, said the Trump administration has played a key role in the establishment of relations between Israel and the UAE.... Also cited in the letter was the president’s “key role in facilitating contact between conflicting parties and ... creating new dynamics in other protracted conflicts, such as the Kashmir border dispute between India and Pakistan, and the conflict between North and South Korea, as well as dealing with the nuclear capabilities of North Korea.” Tybring-Gjedde, further, praised Trump for withdrawing a large number of troops from the Middle East.... This is not Trump’s first such nomination, as Tybring-Gjedde submitted one along with another Norwegian official in 2018 following the U.S. president’s Singapore summit with Kim Jong Un.
Tybring-Gedde went on to say, in "an exclusive interview" with Fox News, "The people who have received the Peace Prize in recent years have done much less than Donald Trump. For example, Barack Obama did nothing.”
Tybring-Gjedde is the former head of Norway's Progress Party -- the party of Anders Breivik, who in 2011 killed 77 people in a car bombing outside the prime minister's residence and a shooting attack at a camp for young members of the left-leaning Labor Party. The Breivik massacre did not inspire Tybring-Gjedde to reconsider his Islamophobia.
Tybring-Gjedde has been one of Norway's most outspoken critics of multiculturalism and Islamic fundamentalism.... he has refused to moderate his rhetoric following the twin terror attacks mounted by far-right Anders Breivik in 2011. "What was wrong with Norwegian culture, since you are determined to replace it with something you call multiculturalism?" he wrote in Dreams from Disneyland, a strongly worded article in Aftenposten. "It is Labor who are forcing culturally Norwegian people to escape many of Oslo's boroughs, leaving enclaves where Muslim simplicity, dogmatism and intolerance make increasingly fertile ground [for terrorism]."
More:
Christian Tybring-Gjedde, who heads the party in Oslo, refused to renounce the phrase "creeping Islamization", which was used by party leader Siv Jensen in 2009. "Creeping or not, it is Islamization that I totally renounce," Tybring-Gjedde said. "If it is the phrase 'creeping islamisation' that they do not like, we can call it 'adaptation to Islamic culture based on Sharia law.' Maybe those are words that will make it more acceptable for the Christian Democrats to talk to us."
He has compared the hijab to a Ku Klux Klan robe.
Tybring-Gjedde is also a climate change denier. In 2016, Per-Willy Amundsen was named Norway's minister of justice. Amundsen had previously "declared climate change a ruse to implement socialist policies and [said] it is 'madness to spend billions on a hypothesis that the warming is man-made.' He [had] also expressed rigidly anti-Islamic and anti-immigration views." When his appointment was criticized by Liberal Party leader Trine Skei Grande, Tybring-Gjedde responded,
“Grande’s statements violate our democratic tradition. She has become a climate inquisitor. Either you confess you to her believe in climate change or otherwise you are considered infidels.”
He has also said, "I don't believe in the climate hysteria."
Trump isn't Tybring-Gjedde's first Nobel nominee. In 2006, he nominated Muslim-bashing filmmaker Ayaan Hirsi Ali for the Peace Prize.
I think it's safe to say that Trump won't win the prize, this year or ever.
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-09-10--Joe Lieberman Cuts Ad For Susan Collins In Maine

The sort of ad one sees when a candidate wants to appeal to independents and democrats who 've suddenly deserted Susan Collins and her Trump-lovin ' ways in favor of the much more palatable Sara Gideon .
The joke 's on Collins though if she thinks that resuscitating Joe Lieberman is going to change her fortunes .
It wo n't .
And what sort of asshole says stuff like this in an endorsement for freakin ' Susan Collins : `` I 'm a lifelong Democrat but I put my country first . ''
Joe Lieberman , that 's who .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S senator and the 2000 Democratic vice presidential candidate , endorsed Sen. Susan Collins , R-Maine , on Wednesday .
Lieberman is also appearing in an ad for Collins as she faces perhaps the toughest race of her career .
`` I 'm a lifelong Democrat but I put my country first , always .
That 's why I 'm supporting Susan Collins for Senate , '' Lieberman , a Democrat turned independent , said in the ad , which is paid for by the Republican Jewish Coalition .
RJC is spending $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platforms , aimed at persuading women voters in Maine , according to the group 's spokesman Neil Strauss .
Lieberman called Collins `` a fighter for women 's issues '' in the ad .
Lieberman 's relationship with Democrats turned frosty after his strong support for the Iraq war — and he was defeated in a 2006 primary for his Connecticut seat .
He ran that year as an independent and won .
In 2008 , he endorsed Collins for re-election and backed Republican Sen. John McCain 's presidential bid .
He left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ easily won her past election challenges , but her brand has suffered at home due to her support of many of President Trump 's initiatives .
She currently trails Democrat Sara Gideon , the speaker of Maine 's state house , by 4.5 points in the RealClearPolitics polling average .

This is the sort of ad one sees when a candidate wants to appeal to independents and Democrats who've suddenly deserted Susan Collins and her Trump-lovin' ways in favor of the much more palatable Sara Gideon. The joke's on Collins though if she thinks that resuscitating Joe Lieberman is going to change her fortunes. It won't.
And what sort of asshole says stuff like this in an endorsement for freakin' Susan Collins: "I'm a lifelong Democrat but I put my country first." Joe Lieberman, that's who.
Source: NBC News
WASHINGTON — Joe Lieberman, a former U.S senator and the 2000 Democratic vice presidential candidate, endorsed Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, on Wednesday. Lieberman is also appearing in an ad for Collins as she faces perhaps the toughest race of her career. "I'm a lifelong Democrat but I put my country first, always. That's why I'm supporting Susan Collins for Senate," Lieberman, a Democrat turned independent, said in the ad, which is paid for by the Republican Jewish Coalition. RJC is spending $400,000 to run the ad on digital platforms, aimed at persuading women voters in Maine, according to the group's spokesman Neil Strauss. Lieberman called Collins "a fighter for women's issues" in the ad. Lieberman's relationship with Democrats turned frosty after his strong support for the Iraq war — and he was defeated in a 2006 primary for his Connecticut seat. He ran that year as an independent and won. In 2008, he endorsed Collins for re-election and backed Republican Sen. John McCain's presidential bid. He left the Senate in 2013. Collins has easily won her past election challenges, but her brand has suffered at home due to her support of many of President Trump's initiatives. She currently trails Democrat Sara Gideon, the speaker of Maine's state house, by 4.5 points in the RealClearPolitics polling average.
Joe Lieberman, we salute you.
via GIPHY


crooksandliars--2020-09-10--Melania's Rose Garden Renovations Already Need Emergency Repairs

Remember those awful renovations Melania Trump did at the White House Rose Garden in late August in preparation for her current husband 's White House MAGA Rally RNC Speech ?
Welp , it looks like Rick Wilson 's hashtag strikes again because ETTD is true - the damn renovations are already in need of emergency repairs - just 2 weeks later !
!
!
CNN is reporting that they are already having `` issues with water drainage '' and `` some minor complications with updated construction . ''
Oh and new sod is being laid because there are so many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues before Melania stuck her grubby little hands all over the perfectly manicured garden .
The White House swears that the repairs will not cost the taxpayers , but will instead come out of the Trump campaign coffers - which is filled with donations from , you guessed it , taxpayers .
We do not know how much this re-do will cost , but knowing how bad Donald Trump is at negotiating deals , I fully expect him to pay about 5 times the normal amount .
In addition to damages to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ damage to the South Lawn due to the Republican National Convention events , which saw hundreds of guests trample all over the grass and sit in chairs that dug holes all over the lawn .
Now there is an extensive plan to replace the sod .
The large tent and stage built also did damage that will need to be repaired # ETTD .

Remember those awful renovations Melania Trump did at the White House Rose Garden in late August in preparation for her current husband's White House MAGA Rally RNC Speech? Welp, it looks like Rick Wilson's hashtag strikes again because ETTD is true - the damn renovations are already in need of emergency repairs - just 2 weeks later!!!
CNN is reporting that they are already having "issues with water drainage" and "some minor complications with updated construction." Oh and new sod is being laid because there are so many brown patches. None of these were issues before Melania stuck her grubby little hands all over the perfectly manicured garden.
The White House swears that the repairs will not cost the taxpayers, but will instead come out of the Trump campaign coffers - which is filled with donations from, you guessed it, taxpayers. We do not know how much this re-do will cost, but knowing how bad Donald Trump is at negotiating deals, I fully expect him to pay about 5 times the normal amount.
In addition to damages to the Rose Garden, there was also extensive damage to the South Lawn due to the Republican National Convention events, which saw hundreds of guests trample all over the grass and sit in chairs that dug holes all over the lawn. Now there is an extensive plan to replace the sod. The large tent and stage built also did damage that will need to be repaired #ETTD.
Is this a metaphor?
Twitter had comments:
Trumps’ multi-million-dollar cosmetic re-do of the White House Rose Garden is already messed up and getting a re-re-do because it was a vanity project rushed for TV by the game show host and his wife. #VoteThemOut https://t.co/9dRCCeaZWG — Christine Pelosi (@sfpelosi) September 8, 2020
Between the sunken Trump boats, the new rose garden needing drainage repairs and Trump ZOZO, the visual metaphors are starting to get ridiculous pic.twitter.com/HB6CmoT0Xe — Jennifer Boyd (@StilettoKitten) September 8, 2020
I guess @FLOTUS doesn't have that Landscape Architecture degree either . 🤣🤣🤣🤣 — Wilson ( that’s not my real name ) (@WillVolley) September 8, 2020
I assume the repairs are going to cost another $60 million? — Hamish Mitchell (@H_MitchellPhoto) September 8, 2020
Everything Trump Touches Dies, even gardens.


crooksandliars--2020-09-10--Joe Biden Blasts Trump: 'At Least We Know He Can Read'

We know Joe 's got the jokes , but he also has the anger , and he is having more and more opportunity to combine them .
The result is a pretty sharp and acerbic set of comebacks that make it hard for anyone — especially Trump — to frame the Democratic candidate as mentally addled .
Vice President Biden could barely contain his disgust when talking to Jake Tapper today about Trump 's pathetic excuses for having lied to the American people about the seriousness and contagiousness of COVID-19 .
Tapper played some of the tapes recorded and released @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what he knew as far back as January , and his intentional plan to downplay the virus publicly .
Tapper relayed to VP Biden that Trump said he downplayed it because `` leadership is about confidence . ''
That 's when Biden let loose .
BIDEN : Yeah , that 's why we have no confidence in his leadership .
Look , I saw what Columbia Medical School pointed out in March .
Had he acted one week earlier , there would be OVER 31,000 more people alive .
Two weeks earlier , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to die .
What did he do the whole time ?
He acknowledged you breathe it , it 's in the air , and he wo n't put on a mask .
He 's talking about , it 's ridiculous to put on a mask .
What do you need social distancing for ?
Why have any of these rules ?
It was all about making sure the stock market did n't come down , that his wealthy friends did n't lose any money , and that he could say that , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to do with him .
He waved a white flag , walked away .
He did n't do a damn thing .
Think about it .
Think about what he did not do .
It 's almost criminal .
Almost ?
And nice play on words , Mr. Vice President ... keep on going with your righteous angry self .
Then Tapper asked about the accounts of former defense secretary James Mattis and Dan Coats considering `` collective action '' against Trump , and their fears about Putin 's hold on him .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ outrage about Trump 's lies that resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans .
BIDEN : I think what has just stunned everyone around him how corrupt his thinking is .
I mean , think about this , remember he said under oath -- not under oath , I should n't say that , said to the American public , that he did n't get that briefing on how dangerous coronavirus was , he did n't get that from the intelligence committee , he never read the reports , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that .
He saw the reports .
He knew them in detail .
At least we know he can read .
Well , not so sure we can go quite THAT far , Mr. Vice President , but we know at least someone read it TO him .
Or drew it for him .
Regardless , the end result is that he KNEW , he LIED , and his actions resulted in thousands upon thousands of deaths .
Imagine a football stadium filled with 50,000 fans .
What Trump did is the equivalent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dome , and piping in poison gas until they all were dead .
All so that his friends could get richer .

We know Joe's got the jokes, but he also has the anger, and he is having more and more opportunity to combine them. The result is a pretty sharp and acerbic set of comebacks that make it hard for anyone — especially Trump — to frame the Democratic candidate as mentally addled.
Vice President Biden could barely contain his disgust when talking to Jake Tapper today about Trump's pathetic excuses for having lied to the American people about the seriousness and contagiousness of COVID-19. Tapper played some of the tapes recorded and released by Bob Woodward of Trump talking about what he knew as far back as January, and his intentional plan to downplay the virus publicly.
Tapper relayed to VP Biden that Trump said he downplayed it because "leadership is about confidence." That's when Biden let loose.
BIDEN: Yeah, that's why we have no confidence in his leadership. Look, I saw what Columbia Medical School pointed out in March. Had he acted one week earlier, there would be OVER 31,000 more people alive. Two weeks earlier, 50,000 still alive. This caused people to die. What did he do the whole time? He acknowledged you breathe it, it's in the air, and he won't put on a mask. He's talking about, it's ridiculous to put on a mask. What do you need social distancing for? Why have any of these rules? It was all about making sure the stock market didn't come down, that his wealthy friends didn't lose any money, and that he could say that, in fact, anything that happened had nothing to do with him. He waved a white flag, walked away. He didn't do a damn thing. Think about it. Think about what he did not do. It's almost criminal.
Almost? And nice play on words, Mr. Vice President...keep on going with your righteous angry self.
Then Tapper asked about the accounts of former defense secretary James Mattis and Dan Coats considering "collective action" against Trump, and their fears about Putin's hold on him. But Biden wasn't done with his outrage about Trump's lies that resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans.
BIDEN: I think what has just stunned everyone around him how corrupt his thinking is. I mean, think about this, remember he said under oath -- not under oath, I shouldn't say that, said to the American public, that he didn't get that briefing on how dangerous coronavirus was, he didn't get that from the intelligence committee, he never read the reports, he didn't have anything to do with that. He saw the reports. He knew them in detail. At least we know he can read.
Well, not so sure we can go quite THAT far, Mr. Vice President, but we know at least someone read it TO him. Or drew it for him. Regardless, the end result is that he KNEW, he LIED, and his actions resulted in thousands upon thousands of deaths.
Imagine a football stadium filled with 50,000 fans. What Trump did is the equivalent of barring the exits, closing the dome, and piping in poison gas until they all were dead. All so that his friends could get richer.


crooksandliars--2020-09-10--White House Reporter Asks Trump Point-Blank: 'Why Did You Lie To The American People?'

Donald Trump snapped and lied to reporter Jon Karl when he was asked why he lied to Americans in February during a press conference he called to distract and try to quell the anger and backlash from Wednesday 's revelations that he knew how deadly the coronavirus was and did n't tell anyone .
The presser itself was a bad mistake .
ABC News reporter Jon Karl asked a perfectly sane question : `` Why did you lie to the American people and why should we trust what you have to say ? ''
Here 's how you know that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ answer the question .
Instead he went after the question .
`` That 's a terrible question and the phraseology , '' Trump snapped .
`` I did n't lie .
What I said , we have to be calm , we ca n't be panicked . ''
Actually , no .
That 's not what he said .
So for clarity , on February 7th he outlined just how deadly the virus was , he held rallies , would n't wear a mask , would n't ask anyone to wear a mask @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus , by his own admission .
He said plainly on February 7 , `` This is deadly stuff . ''
He knew .
Realizing that his rambling was taking him nowhere , Donald then blamed Bob Woodward .
No , really , he did .
If Woodward thought it was bad , he told reporters , he would have reported it right then .
But he did n't so that means it was n't bad and Woodward did n't think it was bad .
Like the true narcissist he is , Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about anything .
He lies as easily as he breathes .
Instead of just admitting that the only entity Trump was worried about panicking was the stock market , he went off on what can only be described as a kid caught with drugs in his room trying to explain it away with some bullshit and fast talk .
How did he do that ?
By claiming lots of people have died of the flu , too !
He even pulled his yesman Scott Atlas out of the shadows to confirm that yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the flu .
But Atlas could n't produce a number comparable to the 191,000 who have died .
Trump , like the true conman that he is , turned back to Karl and once again castigated him for asking the question .
It 's good to see the White House press getting some backbone ahead of the election but what the hell took so long ?
UPDATE : Compare and contrast Trump 's lying ( and outcome ) to President Obama 's Ebola response :

Donald Trump snapped and lied to reporter Jon Karl when he was asked why he lied to Americans in February during a press conference he called to distract and try to quell the anger and backlash from Wednesday's revelations that he knew how deadly the coronavirus was and didn't tell anyone.
The presser itself was a bad mistake.
ABC News reporter Jon Karl asked a perfectly sane question: "Why did you lie to the American people and why should we trust what you have to say?"
Here's how you know that landed. Trump's response did not answer the question. Instead he went after the question. "That's a terrible question and the phraseology," Trump snapped. "I didn't lie. What I said, we have to be calm, we can't be panicked."
Actually, no. That's not what he said. So for clarity, on February 7th he outlined just how deadly the virus was, he held rallies, wouldn't wear a mask, wouldn't ask anyone to wear a mask, and downplayed the severity of the virus, by his own admission. He said plainly on February 7, "This is deadly stuff." He knew.
Realizing that his rambling was taking him nowhere, Donald then blamed Bob Woodward. No, really, he did. If Woodward thought it was bad, he told reporters, he would have reported it right then. But he didn't so that means it wasn't bad and Woodward didn't think it was bad.
Jon Ralston's tweet expresses my thoughts perfectly:
Just turned on the WH briefing and stunned to hear this repeated over and over again: President Woodward apparently let the country down by not going to the authorities when he learned what Trump really believed.
Terrible. — Jon Ralston (@RalstonReports) September 10, 2020
Like the true narcissist he is, Donald just cannot ever admit he lied about anything. He lies as easily as he breathes.
Instead of just admitting that the only entity Trump was worried about panicking was the stock market, he went off on what can only be described as a kid caught with drugs in his room trying to explain it away with some bullshit and fast talk. How did he do that? By claiming lots of people have died of the flu, too!
He even pulled his yesman Scott Atlas out of the shadows to confirm that yes, lots of people have died from the flu. But Atlas couldn't produce a number comparable to the 191,000 who have died.
Trump, like the true conman that he is, turned back to Karl and once again castigated him for asking the question.
It's good to see the White House press getting some backbone ahead of the election but what the hell took so long?
UPDATE: Compare and contrast Trump's lying (and outcome) to President Obama's Ebola response: