crooksandliars--2020-11-12--Steve Schmidt Explains Why The GOP Will Still Be Held Hostage To Trump

I thought this conversation was notable more for what it did n't say .
Stephanie Ruhle and Steve Schmidt are talking about Republicans being afraid of Trump , but they do n't dig into the weeds -- which is , they are literally afraid of being killed by Trump 's rabid minions !
They are afraid , not just for their jobs , but for their lives .
And no one talks about it .
That 's what people like Jim Clyburn mean when they say Trump 's behavior is like Hitler 's during his rise to power : Brownshirts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is what I do not get .
They say they 're afraid of Trump because he 's so powerful .
But no one made that argument about Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
She won more than 65 million votes .
Trump won more than 70 million votes .
How is he a kingmaker and she was a loser ? ''
Ruhle asked .
`` Because Hillary Clinton was the Democratic nominee .
She was the head of a political party .
Trump is the head of a cult of personality .
They are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Democratic party had a platform that talked about the issues and policies that the party would stand for .
In 2020 , there was no Republican platform , '' Schmidt said .
`` It was an oath of obedience and loyalty to Donald Trump .
And so what this is fundamentally about is the Georgia special elections , because they are terrified that Trump will take retribution and basically say 'screw you ' to Mitch McConnell and to the Senate majority .
So even Senator Lankford , who on the one hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , by saying the president-elect should have intelligence briefings -- not a very high bar to step over , but then he says , well , whatever the result of the election may be .
We know the results of the election .
Joe Biden has won a commanding victory , the largest since FDR 's in 1932 . ''
Ruhle asked why Republicans needed Trump -- `` a big loser '' -- to win in Georgia .
`` He 's a loser , but he 's a loser who got about 70 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He talked about how the GOP `` sold their soul to the devil '' and predicted with a new media company , Trump would be around for a long time .
`` And every day , for the next years , Trump is going to act like he 's going to be a candidate in 2024 .
And that 's just the reality of it .
Donald Trump intends to keep his grip on the Republican party , and Republicans are going to have to figure out how to deal with it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He 's going to continue to drive the information flow across the vast propaganda networks that have supported and surrounded him .
He 'll be a tremendously pernicious force in this country for a long time to come . ''
Ruhle asked , `` Could n't this be an opportunity for the Republican party to say , let 's be moderate again ? ''
`` They 're not going to because they remain terrified of him .
And they need that Trump voter , so they believe , for example , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replied .
`` So we have four senators , to their credit , who have acknowledged reality .
Right ?
But no senators at this moment have taken to the floor of the Senate to decry the illiberalism of this .
The undemocratic nature of this .
You know , at the end of the day , it is cuckoo , but the party has been cuckoo for years and it 's going to get more cuckoo .
There are more Qanon members in the Republican conference in the House of Representatives than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ party is going to get more cuckoo over the next four years , right ?
The election result has nothing to do with making the Republican party less cuckoo .
It had everything to do with making the country less cuckoo because the cuckoo people are no longer going to be running the country .
They 're done .
They 're out .
They wo n't be in charge January 20th .
but of course they 're still here and you see that playing out every day .
`` You 'll see that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ''

I thought this conversation was notable more for what it didn't say. Stephanie Ruhle and Steve Schmidt are talking about Republicans being afraid of Trump, but they don't dig into the weeds -- which is, they are literally afraid of being killed by Trump's rabid minions! They are afraid, not just for their jobs, but for their lives. And no one talks about it. That's what people like Jim Clyburn mean when they say Trump's behavior is like Hitler's during his rise to power: Brownshirts. People like this.
"This is what I do not get. They say they're afraid of Trump because he's so powerful. But no one made that argument about Hillary Clinton in 2016. She won more than 65 million votes. Trump won more than 70 million votes. How is he a kingmaker and she was a loser?" Ruhle asked.
"Because Hillary Clinton was the Democratic nominee. She was the head of a political party. Trump is the head of a cult of personality. They are very different things. In 2016, the Democratic party had a platform that talked about the issues and policies that the party would stand for. In 2020, there was no Republican platform," Schmidt said.
"It was an oath of obedience and loyalty to Donald Trump. And so what this is fundamentally about is the Georgia special elections, because they are terrified that Trump will take retribution and basically say 'screw you' to Mitch McConnell and to the Senate majority. So even Senator Lankford, who on the one hand is being modestly responsible, I suppose, by saying the president-elect should have intelligence briefings -- not a very high bar to step over, but then he says, well, whatever the result of the election may be. We know the results of the election. Joe Biden has won a commanding victory, the largest since FDR's in 1932."
Ruhle asked why Republicans needed Trump -- "a big loser" -- to win in Georgia.
"He's a loser, but he's a loser who got about 70 million votes," Schmidt said.
He talked about how the GOP "sold their soul to the devil" and predicted with a new media company, Trump would be around for a long time.
"And every day, for the next years, Trump is going to act like he's going to be a candidate in 2024. And that's just the reality of it. Donald Trump intends to keep his grip on the Republican party, and Republicans are going to have to figure out how to deal with it. He's going to continue to tweet. He's going to continue to drive the information flow across the vast propaganda networks that have supported and surrounded him. He'll be a tremendously pernicious force in this country for a long time to come."
Ruhle asked, "Couldn't this be an opportunity for the Republican party to say, let's be moderate again?"
(HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Good one, Stephanie!)
"They're not going to because they remain terrified of him. And they need that Trump voter, so they believe, for example, in the Georgia special election," Schmidt replied.
"So we have four senators, to their credit, who have acknowledged reality. Right? But no senators at this moment have taken to the floor of the Senate to decry the illiberalism of this. The undemocratic nature of this. You know, at the end of the day, it is cuckoo, but the party has been cuckoo for years and it's going to get more cuckoo. There are more Qanon members in the Republican conference in the House of Representatives than there are minorities.
"And the party is going to get more cuckoo over the next four years, right? The election result has nothing to do with making the Republican party less cuckoo. It had everything to do with making the country less cuckoo because the cuckoo people are no longer going to be running the country. They're done. They're out. They won't be in charge January 20th. but of course they're still here and you see that playing out every day.
"You'll see that play out every day for years."


crooksandliars--2020-11-13--Justice Alito Makes Shocking, Petulant Speech To The Federalist Society

I 'll start by pointing out that many years ago , one of my friends worked for the presiding judge of the 3rd Circuit here in Philadelphia ( who was himself on the shortlist for the Supreme Court ) .
Sam Alito also served on the 3rd Circuit at this time .
And while my friend was very discreet and was never unprofessional , she did tell me something after after her boss died : Namely , that he referred to Alito as `` the right wing assh*le . ''
And last night , Justice Alito , appointed by George @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , finally let his freak flag fly .
In a virtual speech to the extremist Federalist Society Lawyers Convention last night , he violated every unwritten norm about how a judge is supposed to comport themselves .
( Of course , under conservative leadership , the Supreme Court exempted itself from the same judicial code of content that applies to every other federal judge . )
Via Slate : The Federalist Society , a well-funded network of conservative attorneys , has come under unusual scrutiny after Donald Trump elevated scores of its members @ @ @ @ @ @ @ insist that it is a mere debate club , a nonpartisan forum for the exchange of legal ideas .
But Alito abandoned any pretense of impartiality in his speech , a grievance-laden tirade against Democrats , the progressive movement , and the United States ’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Alito ’ s targets included COVID-related restrictions , same-sex marriage , abortion , Plan B , the contraceptive mandate , LGBTQ non-discrimination laws , and five sitting Democratic senators .
Ironically , Alito began his pre-recorded address by condemning an effort by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ federal judges from being members of the Federalist Society .
He then praised , by name , the four judges who spearheaded a successful effort to defeat the ban—or , as Alito put it , who “ stood up to an attempt to hobble the debate that the Federalist Society fosters.
” Alito warned that law school students who are members of the Federalist Society tell him they “ face harassment and retaliation if they say anything that departs from the law school orthodoxy.
” And then he told us what he really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alito was throwing a tantrum , just like Donald Trump does .
And in doing so , he proved the very point he argues against : Democrats need to reform the Supreme Court so that a small handful of extreme ideologues ca n't have outsize influence over anything that offends them on a personal level .
Here 's the entire speech , remarkable in its menacing petulance and sense of white male conservative entitlement .

I'll start by pointing out that many years ago, one of my friends worked for the presiding judge of the 3rd Circuit here in Philadelphia (who was himself on the shortlist for the Supreme Court). Sam Alito also served on the 3rd Circuit at this time. And while my friend was very discreet and was never unprofessional, she did tell me something after after her boss died: Namely, that he referred to Alito as "the right wing assh*le."
And last night, Justice Alito, appointed by George H. W. Bush to the U.S. Supreme Court, finally let his freak flag fly.
In a virtual speech to the extremist Federalist Society Lawyers Convention last night, he violated every unwritten norm about how a judge is supposed to comport themselves. (Of course, under conservative leadership, the Supreme Court exempted itself from the same judicial code of content that applies to every other federal judge.) Via Slate:
The Federalist Society, a well-funded network of conservative attorneys, has come under unusual scrutiny after Donald Trump elevated scores of its members to the federal judiciary. Its leaders insist that it is a mere debate club, a nonpartisan forum for the exchange of legal ideas. But Alito abandoned any pretense of impartiality in his speech, a grievance-laden tirade against Democrats, the progressive movement, and the United States’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Alito’s targets included COVID-related restrictions, same-sex marriage, abortion, Plan B, the contraceptive mandate, LGBTQ non-discrimination laws, and five sitting Democratic senators. Ironically, Alito began his pre-recorded address by condemning an effort by the U.S. Judicial Conference to forbid federal judges from being members of the Federalist Society. He then praised, by name, the four judges who spearheaded a successful effort to defeat the ban—or, as Alito put it, who “stood up to an attempt to hobble the debate that the Federalist Society fosters.” Alito warned that law school students who are members of the Federalist Society tell him they “face harassment and retaliation if they say anything that departs from the law school orthodoxy.”
And then he told us what he really thinks.
Here is Justice Alito complaining that the Supreme Court’s same-sex marriage decision has crushed the free speech of anti-LGBTQ advocates. pic.twitter.com/0eH9QsxMTU — Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) November 13, 2020
Probably the strangest aspect of Alito’s speech, other than his attack on COVID restrictions, was his claim that people who oppose same-sex marriage get called “bigots” and this somehow threatens freedom of speech. But how?! Public criticism is not censorship! He knows this! — Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) November 13, 2020
Alito is done.
That was easily the most political speech I’ve ever seen delivered by a Supreme Court justice. Wow. Same-sex marriage, guns, abortion, contraception, persecution of the Federalist Society ... he really squeezed it all in there. Yikes. — Mark Joseph Stern (@mjs_DC) November 13, 2020
In his own way, Alito was throwing a tantrum, just like Donald Trump does.
And in doing so, he proved the very point he argues against: Democrats need to reform the Supreme Court so that a small handful of extreme ideologues can't have outsize influence over anything that offends them on a personal level.
Here's the entire speech, remarkable in its menacing petulance and sense of white male conservative entitlement.


crooksandliars--2020-11-13--Jared And Ivanka Forced To Pull Their Kids Out Of Hebrew School After Parents Complain

Jared and Ivanka 's stupid decisions are now negatively affecting their children .
Shocker .
News broke that they had to pull their kids ( aka , were asked to stop sending them ) out of their new school , the Melvin Berman Hebrew Academy in recent days .
They had JUST transferred to that school a few weeks prior , reportedly on October 19th .
The school did confirm the reporting , saying : “ They withdrew from the school . ''
Their initial reasoning for transferring to Hebrew Academy was because there were in-person classes .
Obviously they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids at all , hence their choices to not mask up or stay away from large events where others are unmasked , so it is not shocking that not only would they send their kids to in school settings , but that they would also potentially expose the other kids and their families .
Because the only people that matter to Ivanka and Jared are Ivanka and Jared .
Numerous parents report that the withdrawal came after parents `` raised concerns '' about exposure and risk to other kids at the school .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ expects parents to follow the same guidelines off campus .
The school actually put out a document explaining the policy : “ Students and families are expected to adhere to any and all social distancing guidelines and mask requirements while not on campus to minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19 as well as reducing the risk of exposing employees and/or MILTON ’ s students to COVID-19 .
To help reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure at the School , the School asks all families to limit their attendance at large public or private @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to those where social distancing can be maintained and guidance regarding masks is followed .
Families and students should avoid hosting or attending large gatherings where proper social distancing measures are not feasible.
” And they thought Jared and Ivanka would comply with that ?
Seriously ?
Apparently the breaking point was the swearing in ceremony for Amy Coney Barrett , which led to at least a dozen infections and one confirmed death .
A mother at the school expressed it pretty bluntly : “ There was concern for the safety of children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents were violating public health recommendations . ''
Oh , and there was another issue where Ivanka and Jared would not tell the school if they had been around Donald Trump in the days leading up to , or during , his COVID infection .
That is a HUGE problem .
Remember , they did not quarantine afterwards .
The school did attempt to work out a plan with Ivanka and Jared , it was reported .
But they refused to agree to any changes or follow the requests outlined , so the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids are not welcome because you are selfish a-holes .

Jared and Ivanka's stupid decisions are now negatively affecting their children. Shocker. News broke that they had to pull their kids (aka, were asked to stop sending them) out of their new school, the Melvin Berman Hebrew Academy in recent days. They had JUST transferred to that school a few weeks prior, reportedly on October 19th.
The school did confirm the reporting, saying: “They withdrew from the school."
Their initial reasoning for transferring to Hebrew Academy was because there were in-person classes. Obviously they cannot be bothered with protecting their kids at all, hence their choices to not mask up or stay away from large events where others are unmasked, so it is not shocking that not only would they send their kids to in school settings, but that they would also potentially expose the other kids and their families. Because the only people that matter to Ivanka and Jared are Ivanka and Jared.
Numerous parents report that the withdrawal came after parents "raised concerns" about exposure and risk to other kids at the school. The school itself follows CDC guidelines and expects parents to follow the same guidelines off campus.
The school actually put out a document explaining the policy:
“Students and families are expected to adhere to any and all social distancing guidelines and mask requirements while not on campus to minimize the risk of contracting COVID-19 as well as reducing the risk of exposing employees and/or MILTON’s students to COVID-19. To help reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure at the School, the School asks all families to limit their attendance at large public or private gatherings, events, and other activities to those where social distancing can be maintained and guidance regarding masks is followed. Families and students should avoid hosting or attending large gatherings where proper social distancing measures are not feasible.”
HA HA HA HA HA.
And they thought Jared and Ivanka would comply with that? Seriously?
Apparently the breaking point was the swearing in ceremony for Amy Coney Barrett, which led to at least a dozen infections and one confirmed death.
A mother at the school expressed it pretty bluntly:
“There was concern for the safety of children because it was very clear the Kushner parents were violating public health recommendations."
Oh, and there was another issue where Ivanka and Jared would not tell the school if they had been around Donald Trump in the days leading up to, or during, his COVID infection. That is a HUGE problem. Remember, they did not quarantine afterwards.
The school did attempt to work out a plan with Ivanka and Jared, it was reported. But they refused to agree to any changes or follow the requests outlined, so the decision was made for them: your kids are not welcome because you are selfish a-holes.


crooksandliars--2020-11-13--Shocker! Much Of Trump’s ‘Election Defense Fund’ Goes Right Into His Pocket

Those who donated $ 8,000 or less to Trump ’ s “ official election defense fund ” and didn ’ t read the fine print may be surprised to learn that none of that money went to challenging the election and much of it added lining to Trump ’ s pockets .
The emailed solicitations send supporters to an “ Official Election Defense Fund ” website that asks them to sign up for recurring donations to “ protect the results and keep fighting even after Election Day.
” The fine print makes clear most of the money will go to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the money goes to “ Save America , ” a Trump leadership PAC , or political action committee , set up on Monday , and the Republican National Committee ( RNC ) .
Under Federal Election Commission rules , both groups have broad leeway in how they can use the funds .
… Leadership PACs such as Save America are often set up by prominent political figures to spend money on other candidates , while also paying for personal expenses , such as travel and hotel stays .
… Scrolling down the page @ @ @ @ @ @ @ print , which shows that donations are split between “ Save America , ” which gets 60 % of the money , and the RNC , which gets the other 40 % .
None of the money flows to Trump ’ s official “ recount ” committee fund until Trump ’ s Save America share reaches the legal contribution limit of $ 5,000 , according to the disclosures .
In other words , while Trump misleads donors into thinking they ’ re helping him fight to stay in office , they ’ re @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and/or “ personal expenses.
” Reuters reported that Trump ’ s campaign “ burned through $ 1.4 billion of the $ 1.6 billion raised over the past two years.
” According to Reuters , the email solicitations originally disclosed that much of the “ Official Election Defense Fund ” donations would go to paying down campaign debt .
But that changed after Trump ’ s campaign treasurer formed the Save America political action committee on Monday .
“ Unlike campaign funds , which have tight controls on how they can be spent , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few restrictions , ” Reuters noted .
Or to put it another way , once the PAC was formed , the Trump campaign felt free to pull more wool over its donors ’ eyes .

Those who donated $8,000 or less to Trump’s “official election defense fund” and didn’t read the fine print may be surprised to learn that none of that money went to challenging the election and much of it added lining to Trump’s pockets.
Reuters has the scoop:
The emailed solicitations send supporters to an “Official Election Defense Fund” website that asks them to sign up for recurring donations to “protect the results and keep fighting even after Election Day.” The fine print makes clear most of the money will go to other priorities. A large portion of the money goes to “Save America,” a Trump leadership PAC, or political action committee, set up on Monday, and the Republican National Committee (RNC). Under Federal Election Commission rules, both groups have broad leeway in how they can use the funds.
… Leadership PACs such as Save America are often set up by prominent political figures to spend money on other candidates, while also paying for personal expenses, such as travel and hotel stays.
… Scrolling down the page would take a donor to the fine print, which shows that donations are split between “Save America,” which gets 60% of the money, and the RNC, which gets the other 40%. None of the money flows to Trump’s official “recount” committee fund until Trump’s Save America share reaches the legal contribution limit of $5,000, according to the disclosures.
In other words, while Trump misleads donors into thinking they’re helping him fight to stay in office, they’re really helping him repay his campaign debt and/or “personal expenses.” Reuters reported that Trump’s campaign “burned through $1.4 billion of the $1.6 billion raised over the past two years.”
According to Reuters, the email solicitations originally disclosed that much of the “Official Election Defense Fund” donations would go to paying down campaign debt. But that changed after Trump’s campaign treasurer formed the Save America political action committee on Monday. “Unlike campaign funds, which have tight controls on how they can be spent, leadership PACs such as Save America carry few restrictions,” Reuters noted.
Or to put it another way, once the PAC was formed, the Trump campaign felt free to pull more wool over its donors’ eyes.


crooksandliars--2020-11-13--Kelly Loeffler Buys Private Jet With Taxpayer Money

Last February , a Loeffler aide told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Kelly Loeffler paid for the jet `` out of her own pocket '' but recent disclosures show that was a lie .
An individual can not write-off purchases of a jet , only companies can .
And with her jet the ownership is vague at best , a shell company , TVPX Aircraft Solutions , seems to have been created for the sole purpose of getting Loeffler a jet on the taxpayer 's dime .
Really American put out this internet ad today to make people more aware of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ again in January .
Sen. Kelly Loeffler , a Georgia Republican now seeking to hold her seat in a crucial runoff election , has been hopping between campaign stops in a multimillion-dollar private jet that she and her husband bought soon after Gov .
Brian Kemp appointed her to the Senate last December .
Despite her campaign 's claims that she uses the plane to `` save taxpayer money , '' Loeffler , a former asset management executive , may well now have joined the `` frenzy '' of Wall Street money managers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump 's 2017 tax bill that turns private jets into flying tax shelters .
Embedded in that bill is a provision that permits a company to write off the full price of a new or used airplane against the company 's earnings .
It is not clear how much Loeffler paid for the jet , a 2010 Bombardier Challenger 300 that she has used for campaign travel , but an online listing asks $ 9.7 million for the same model and year .
Loeffler 's federal financial disclosures put the value in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 million , and indicate that the plane is jointly owned by Loeffler and her husband , Jeffrey Sprecher , chair of the New York Stock Exchange .

Last February, a Loeffler aide told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Kelly Loeffler paid for the jet "out of her own pocket" but recent disclosures show that was a lie. An individual cannot write-off purchases of a jet, only companies can. And with her jet the ownership is vague at best, a shell company, TVPX Aircraft Solutions, seems to have been created for the sole purpose of getting Loeffler a jet on the taxpayer's dime.
Really American put out this internet ad today to make people more aware of Loeffler's shenaningans as Georgians go to the polls again in January.
Source: Alternet
Sen. Kelly Loeffler, a Georgia Republican now seeking to hold her seat in a crucial runoff election, has been hopping between campaign stops in a multimillion-dollar private jet that she and her husband bought soon after Gov. Brian Kemp appointed her to the Senate last December. Despite her campaign's claims that she uses the plane to "save taxpayer money," Loeffler, a former asset management executive, may well now have joined the "frenzy" of Wall Street money managers who leapt at a loophole in President Trump's 2017 tax bill that turns private jets into flying tax shelters. Embedded in that bill is a provision that permits a company to write off the full price of a new or used airplane against the company's earnings. It is not clear how much Loeffler paid for the jet, a 2010 Bombardier Challenger 300 that she has used for campaign travel, but an online listing asks $9.7 million for the same model and year. Loeffler's federal financial disclosures put the value in the range of $5 million to $25 million, and indicate that the plane is jointly owned by Loeffler and her husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, chair of the New York Stock Exchange.


crooksandliars--2020-11-13--Pathetic Peter Navarro Claims He's Preparing For A Trump Second Term

I ca n't wait for the day to write that Peter Navarro will no longer be on my teevee carnival barking for a presidential administration or set foot in the White House in an official capacity again .
The Trump official now calls himself a social scientist because he embarrassed himself so much while defending Trump joined Maria Bartiromo on FOX Business and made these asinine remarks .
“ We 're moving forward here at the White House under the assumption that there will be a second Trump term , ” he said smugly .
Navarro then claimed they only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly what happened .
And then he called the election an `` immaculate deception.
” He 's a liar , a fraud , and the worst of the worst when it comes to stroking Trump 's ego and lying to the American people .
And soon to be gone as well Kayleigh `` Hatch act violator '' McEnany , also quipped on FOX Business that Trump will attend the inauguration , but not to do what a normal person would do .
“ The president will attend his own inauguration , he would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' McEnany said .

I can't wait for the day to write that Peter Navarro will no longer be on my teevee carnival barking for a presidential administration or set foot in the White House in an official capacity again.
The Trump official now calls himself a social scientist because he embarrassed himself so much while defending Trump joined Maria Bartiromo on FOX Business and made these asinine remarks.
“We're moving forward here at the White House under the assumption that there will be a second Trump term,” he said smugly.
Navarro then claimed they only want verifiable ballots counted, which is exactly what happened.
And then he called the election an "immaculate deception.”
He's a liar, a fraud, and the worst of the worst when it comes to stroking Trump's ego and lying to the American people.
And soon to be gone as well Kayleigh "Hatch act violator" McEnany, also quipped on FOX Business that Trump will attend the inauguration, but not to do what a normal person would do.
“The president will attend his own inauguration, he would have to be there in fact," McEnany said.


crooksandliars--2020-11-13--Chuck Grassley Jumps Ship:  Joe Biden Should Receive Classified Briefings

Sen. Chuck Grassley ( R-IA ) on Thursday said that he believes President-elect Joe Biden should have access to classified @ @ @ @ @ prepare to take office .
The remarks were first reported by CNN ’ s Manu @ @ @ @ @ think – especially on classified briefings – the answer is yes , ” Grassley said @ @ @ @ @ contested 2000 election as a model for how the Trump administration should proceed in officially @ @ @ @ @ team .
The senator stuck to his answer after being reminded that the shortened transition @ @ @ @ @ contributed to the lack of preparation for the Sept. 11 , 2001 terrorist attacks .
@ @ @ @ @ Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma also said that he would take action if Biden was @ @ @ @ @ briefings by Friday .

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-IA) on Thursday said that he believes President-elect Joe Biden should have access to classified briefings to allow him to prepare to take office.
The remarks were first reported by CNN’s Manu Raju.
“I would think – especially on classified briefings – the answer is yes,” Grassley said.
Grassley pointed to the contested 2000 election as a model for how the Trump administration should proceed in officially recognizing Biden’s transition team.
The senator stuck to his answer after being reminded that the shortened transition time in 2000 may have contributed to the lack of preparation for the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Earlier this week, Republican Sen. James Lankford of Oklahoma also said that he would take action if Biden was not given access to classified briefings by Friday.
Read Raju’s tweets below.
New - Sen. Chuck Grassley, who is the most senior Republican in the Senate, told me that President-elect Joe Biden should have access to classified briefings to prepare for the transition.
“I would think - especially on classified briefings - the answer is yes,” Grassley said. — Manu Raju (@mkraju) November 12, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-11-13--FINALLY: Georgia Called For Joe Biden

FINALLY: Georgia Called For Joe Biden

All hail Stacey Abrams and the Black women of Georgia and other states who organized and worked so hard to turn Georgia blue .
At long last , the networks have called the race for Joe Biden , who leads in the state by 14,129 votes .
That number will not change in a recount , but they 're doing one anyway .
All of the networks and major newspapers have now called the race for Biden with the exception of NBC News , who is calling Joe Biden the `` apparent winner '' as if there is some magical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ votes .
Without question , this shift in Georgia is because Stacey Abrams did n't just get mad after the 2018 election was stolen , she got even .
She organized and registered voters and mobilized them to vote .
All credit goes to her , LaTosha Brown , and other Black women who supported them .
This bodes quite well for Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock .
Organizing and voter registration is underway for that effort now .
If you feel led to give , Blue America is raising funds for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of bucks since it 's the only way we 're going to consign Mitch McConnell to the minority bin .
As a footnote , the networks also called North Carolina for Trump .
But it is n't enough .
He loses .

All hail Stacey Abrams and the Black women of Georgia and other states who organized and worked so hard to turn Georgia blue. At long last, the networks have called the race for Joe Biden, who leads in the state by 14,129 votes. That number will not change in a recount, but they're doing one anyway.
All of the networks and major newspapers have now called the race for Biden with the exception of NBC News, who is calling Joe Biden the "apparent winner" as if there is some magical potion that will evaporate all of those votes.
Without question, this shift in Georgia is because Stacey Abrams didn't just get mad after the 2018 election was stolen, she got even. She organized and registered voters and mobilized them to vote. All credit goes to her, LaTosha Brown, and other Black women who supported them.
This bodes quite well for Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock. Organizing and voter registration is underway for that effort now. If you feel led to give, Blue America is raising funds for them. Consider tossing them a couple of bucks since it's the only way we're going to consign Mitch McConnell to the minority bin.
As a footnote, the networks also called North Carolina for Trump. But it isn't enough. He loses.


crooksandliars--2020-11-13--What Democratic Unity Would Look Like

What Democratic Unity Would Look Like

As we watch Donald Trump flail and his sycophants fade into irrelevance , it ’ s good to begin thinking about what Democrats might accomplish if the different factions decide to work together and get things done .
After all the sturm und drang , Trump has lost , and we now have to deliver whether we have total control of Congress or not , so that we can build stronger majorities in the 2022 midterms .
There is plenty we can do regardless of whether we win those two Georgia Senate seats , but it sure would be a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GOP from stonewalling progressive legislation .
I believe those two races will rise or fall together there , and I believe right now that we will win .
The entire progressive movement will do whatever we can to help .
Whatever Stacey Abrams wants in terms of support , she should get , as it is her and her network of allies ’ efforts that have gotten us this far .
Democratic Unity That Gets Something Done Today , though , I want to spend a moment envisioning what Democrats might be able @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for change together .
First , I want to talk about what the kind of unity that actually gets shit done looks like .
True unity is not the absence of vigorous debate on policy or on political strategy .
What it is instead is having all those debates play out in the legislative and governing process , and then bringing everyone together through mutual respect and a willingness to work out our differences , so that we actually pass legislation .
It is also working with the Biden administration to enact new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tangible difference in people ’ s lives .
We can have vigorous debates without backbiting ... Let me pause here a moment to talk about the fighting that is already going on .
Centrist Democrats like Abigail Spanberger and Kurt Schrader -- before the election had even been called for Biden , before we knew the final results on a lot of House races and those two Senate races , before we had a chance to really dig into the data -- immediately began attacking progressives for everything that went wrong in an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ presidency and kept the House .
AOC fired back quickly in an interview in the NYT , where she talked about the work she had done supporting swing district colleagues , all of whom won their races , and where she pointed out that the losing candidates often had a deficit of investment in digital organizing .
Thankfully , proving what a smart and strategic person she is , Con .
Ocasio-Cortez followed up with this great statement in The Hill , which I agree with 100 % : I am more on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of her argument -- progressive groups and activists did more to turnout the voters we needed in this election than anyone else -- but more importantly , her unity perspective should prevail .
The internal finger-pointing ( as opposed to the healthy issues debate mentioned above ) should stop , at least right now when we don ’ t even have good data to analyze the results .
In any case , can ’ t we all just acknowledge that Republicans are going to call us all socialists no matter what ?
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on any ill-advised slogan some activists throw out in a demonstration , or simply just make stuff up about us ?
There is plenty of time for analysis , positioning , and debates on where the party should go , primary fights , etc .
down the road .
What we should be focused on right now instead is figuring out what we can accomplish together that would make working people in this country believe in the Democratic Party again .
I know COVID and short-term economic relief is top of the agenda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m guessing McConnell will finally agree to some kind of relief package around December 11 , when the government shutdown will happen without getting an agreement done .
McConnell won ’ t agree to very much , but at least some recovery money will be moving after that deal is struck .
After we do the early work on COVID and economic relief , the first big economic issue we should focus on is a big ‘ Buy America ’ infrastructure package .
I know it doesn ’ t sound very sexy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things for Democrats to love in a well-crafted infrastructure package : • It will be very difficult politically for McConnell to block it .
Infrastructure bills have a long history of being bipartisan , and Trump promised repeatedly ( without ever doing anything to move it ) that he would make it a priority and invest a trillion dollars into it .
You add to that the fact that Republican senators are going to like spending money on things like roads , bridges , and airports in their states .
It will put @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to block it .
• You can put a lot of things to mitigate the climate crisis in an infrastructure package .
Weatherizing and insulating all government buildings , and converting many of them to green sources of energy .
Starting the conversion of military bases and equipment to being more carbon neutral .
Changing government procurement and contracting policies to prioritize the greener companies .
Adding more mass transit services .
Government spending can drive the conversion to solar and wind in a very big way .
• An infrastructure package can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and not just new jobs .
Making sure all jobs are prevailing wage is a big thing .
Putting teeth into the Buy America provisions of government contracting is another thing that Joe Biden has already promised .
Rebuilding schools that are falling apart is a priority for teachers .
Here ’ s another major example : if there were language in the bill , or in an accompanying executive order by the president , that all government contractors had to make it easier for unions to organize to get those contracts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the labor movement -- and it would be really important if McConnell ends up blocking the confirmation of new National Labor Relations Board commissioners .
• An infrastructure bill can be a big plus for racial justice as well .
You can structure it to make sure minority-owned businesses get a lot of the contracts , and you can make investments in the schools , roads , and bridges that will be the most important to helping communities of color .
Putting Mitch McConnell in a tough political box and doing great @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and racial justice at the same time would be a powerful opening bid on getting something big done for the American people .
And it would be a great way to build Democratic Party unity , bringing together labor , environmentalists , and communities of color , and providing aid to some sectors of the business community as well .
There are two other areas where we can put McConnell in a box as well : criminal justice and immigration reform .
Both have long histories of bipartisan support .
Trump bragged extensively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ during his term .
George W Bush , John McCain , Lindsey Graham , and Marco Rubio have all made efforts at getting immigration reform passed in the last two years .
DACA can be revived with an executive order on January 20 , but pushing for major new bills in those areas will be a great way to show Biden wants to deliver on behalf of the multi-racial coalition that won him his presidency .
Both issues should be things that the entire Democratic Party can get behind .
Finally , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ block so much of Biden ’ s agenda , the new president should go into overdrive in signing a whole new set of aggressive executive orders .
If McConnell wants to play hardball on appointments , fine .
Biden can still govern via laws already passed that keep the opposition party from stopping appointments .
But even more importantly , Biden should call McConnell ’ s bluff and raise him .
The American Prospect published a brilliant set of executive order ideas in its Day One Agenda article , which were good ideas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but now are the best ways to govern .
Forcing government contractors to allow easier union organizing is a great example : if McConnell wants to play games in terms of Biden ’ s ability to help the labor movement , there are big things he can do through executive orders .
Delivering for the American People Will Deliver Us More Power There ’ s an important political point here .
Midterm elections are , even more than the election we just went through , all about turnout .
We have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and we won ’ t have Trump around to do that anymore .
But we will have Mitch McConnell , whether as Majority Leader or as a huge barrier on everything in a 50-50 Senate .
Joe Biden is a centrist who likes to reach across the aisle in a bipartisan fashion .
He is an honorable man for wanting to reach out and give the Republicans a chance to do the right thing .
But Mitch McConnell is not going to be conciliatory , and we should harbor no illusions that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ faith on anything .
Biden must stand up to McConnell , face him down on some issues , and govern aggressively in spite of McConnell ’ s attempts , which we know are coming , to block just about everything we want to do .
Biden ’ s executive orders can do a great deal for working people , a great deal for our voters , and for all voters ; and they will show him to be a leader ready to take big actions no matter what McConnell tries to do to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going into 2022 is far more appealing than letting McConnell decide what Biden will do as president .
Watering down the Democratic agenda to appease Republicans looks like weak sauce to American voters and signals that the establishment is still in control of the government .
We have to position our party as the fighters for the people .
Joe Biden will be such a relief to see as president .
Decency , empathy , humanity , integrity -- shit , the COMPETENCY -- versus the hot mess of a president we just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to see Biden in the role instead of Trump .
But there has to be more than that : he has to show that he can be a president who delivers tangible benefits to the American people , whether McConnell tries to stand in the way or not .

As we watch Donald Trump flail and his sycophants fade into irrelevance, it’s good to begin thinking about what Democrats might accomplish if the different factions decide to work together and get things done. After all the sturm und drang, Trump has lost, and we now have to deliver whether we have total control of Congress or not, so that we can build stronger majorities in the 2022 midterms.
There is plenty we can do regardless of whether we win those two Georgia Senate seats, but it sure would be a gamechanger to win them to prevent the GOP from stonewalling progressive legislation. I believe those two races will rise or fall together there, and I believe right now that we will win. The entire progressive movement will do whatever we can to help. Whatever Stacey Abrams wants in terms of support, she should get, as it is her and her network of allies’ efforts that have gotten us this far.
Democratic Unity That Gets Something Done
Today, though, I want to spend a moment envisioning what Democrats might be able to do if we united and pushed for change together.
First, I want to talk about what the kind of unity that actually gets shit done looks like. True unity is not the absence of vigorous debate on policy or on political strategy. What it is instead is having all those debates play out in the legislative and governing process, and then bringing everyone together through mutual respect and a willingness to work out our differences, so that we actually pass legislation. It is also working with the Biden administration to enact new executive orders and regulations that make a tangible difference in people’s lives.
We can have vigorous debates without backbiting... Let me pause here a moment to talk about the fighting that is already going on. Centrist Democrats like Abigail Spanberger and Kurt Schrader -- before the election had even been called for Biden, before we knew the final results on a lot of House races and those two Senate races, before we had a chance to really dig into the data -- immediately began attacking progressives for everything that went wrong in an election where we had just won the presidency and kept the House. AOC fired back quickly in an interview in the NYT, where she talked about the work she had done supporting swing district colleagues, all of whom won their races, and where she pointed out that the losing candidates often had a deficit of investment in digital organizing. Thankfully, proving what a smart and strategic person she is, Con. Ocasio-Cortez followed up with this great statement in The Hill, which I agree with 100%:
There are, at least in the House caucus, very deep divisions within the party, and I believe that we need to really come together and not allow Republican narratives to tear us apart... [With a slimmer Democratic majority] it’s going to be more important than ever for us to work together and not fight each other.
I am more on AOC’s side on the specifics of her argument -- progressive groups and activists did more to turnout the voters we needed in this election than anyone else -- but more importantly, her unity perspective should prevail. The internal finger-pointing (as opposed to the healthy issues debate mentioned above) should stop, at least right now when we don’t even have good data to analyze the results. In any case, can’t we all just acknowledge that Republicans are going to call us all socialists no matter what? That to hurt Democrats, they might seize on any ill-advised slogan some activists throw out in a demonstration, or simply just make stuff up about us? There is plenty of time for analysis, positioning, and debates on where the party should go, primary fights, etc. down the road.
The Democratic Economic Agenda
What we should be focused on right now instead is figuring out what we can accomplish together that would make working people in this country believe in the Democratic Party again.
I know COVID and short-term economic relief is top of the agenda, as it should be. I’m guessing McConnell will finally agree to some kind of relief package around December 11, when the government shutdown will happen without getting an agreement done. McConnell won’t agree to very much, but at least some recovery money will be moving after that deal is struck.
After we do the early work on COVID and economic relief, the first big economic issue we should focus on is a big ‘Buy America’ infrastructure package. I know it doesn’t sound very sexy, but there are a lot of things for Democrats to love in a well-crafted infrastructure package:
It will be very difficult politically for McConnell to block it. Infrastructure bills have a long history of being bipartisan, and Trump promised repeatedly (without ever doing anything to move it) that he would make it a priority and invest a trillion dollars into it. You add to that the fact that Republican senators are going to like spending money on things like roads, bridges, and airports in their states. It will put McConnell in a hell of a box to block it.
You can put a lot of things to mitigate the climate crisis in an infrastructure package. Weatherizing and insulating all government buildings, and converting many of them to green sources of energy. Starting the conversion of military bases and equipment to being more carbon neutral. Changing government procurement and contracting policies to prioritize the greener companies. Adding more mass transit services. Government spending can drive the conversion to solar and wind in a very big way.
An infrastructure package can deliver a lot for the labor movement, and not just new jobs. Making sure all jobs are prevailing wage is a big thing. Putting teeth into the Buy America provisions of government contracting is another thing that Joe Biden has already promised. Rebuilding schools that are falling apart is a priority for teachers. Here’s another major example: if there were language in the bill, or in an accompanying executive order by the president, that all government contractors had to make it easier for unions to organize to get those contracts, it would be a major boon to the labor movement -- and it would be really important if McConnell ends up blocking the confirmation of new National Labor Relations Board commissioners.
An infrastructure bill can be a big plus for racial justice as well. You can structure it to make sure minority-owned businesses get a lot of the contracts, and you can make investments in the schools, roads, and bridges that will be the most important to helping communities of color.
Putting Mitch McConnell in a tough political box and doing great things for climate change, labor, and racial justice at the same time would be a powerful opening bid on getting something big done for the American people. And it would be a great way to build Democratic Party unity, bringing together labor, environmentalists, and communities of color, and providing aid to some sectors of the business community as well.
There are two other areas where we can put McConnell in a box as well: criminal justice and immigration reform. Both have long histories of bipartisan support. Trump bragged extensively about the modest criminal justice bill passed during his term. George W Bush, John McCain, Lindsey Graham, and Marco Rubio have all made efforts at getting immigration reform passed in the last two years. DACA can be revived with an executive order on January 20, but pushing for major new bills in those areas will be a great way to show Biden wants to deliver on behalf of the multi-racial coalition that won him his presidency. Both issues should be things that the entire Democratic Party can get behind.
Finally, I would argue that with McConnell threatening to block so much of Biden’s agenda, the new president should go into overdrive in signing a whole new set of aggressive executive orders. If McConnell wants to play hardball on appointments, fine. Biden can still govern via laws already passed that keep the opposition party from stopping appointments. But even more importantly, Biden should call McConnell’s bluff and raise him. The American Prospect published a brilliant set of executive order ideas in its Day One Agenda article, which were good ideas even if we had won the Senate, but now are the best ways to govern. Forcing government contractors to allow easier union organizing is a great example: if McConnell wants to play games in terms of Biden’s ability to help the labor movement, there are big things he can do through executive orders.
Delivering for the American People Will Deliver Us More Power
There’s an important political point here. Midterm elections are, even more than the election we just went through, all about turnout. We have to energize and motivate Democratic voters to vote, and we won’t have Trump around to do that anymore. But we will have Mitch McConnell, whether as Majority Leader or as a huge barrier on everything in a 50-50 Senate.
Joe Biden is a centrist who likes to reach across the aisle in a bipartisan fashion. He is an honorable man for wanting to reach out and give the Republicans a chance to do the right thing. But Mitch McConnell is not going to be conciliatory, and we should harbor no illusions that he will work with us in good faith on anything. Biden must stand up to McConnell, face him down on some issues, and govern aggressively in spite of McConnell’s attempts, which we know are coming, to block just about everything we want to do. Biden’s executive orders can do a great deal for working people, a great deal for our voters, and for all voters; and they will show him to be a leader ready to take big actions no matter what McConnell tries to do to block us.
Such a political dynamic going into 2022 is far more appealing than letting McConnell decide what Biden will do as president. Watering down the Democratic agenda to appease Republicans looks like weak sauce to American voters and signals that the establishment is still in control of the government. We have to position our party as the fighters for the people.
Joe Biden will be such a relief to see as president. Decency, empathy, humanity, integrity -- shit, the COMPETENCY -- versus the hot mess of a president we just had. It will be a delight to see Biden in the role instead of Trump. But there has to be more than that: he has to show that he can be a president who delivers tangible benefits to the American people, whether McConnell tries to stand in the way or not.


crooksandliars--2020-11-13--Trump's Upside-Down View On Election 2020

A beaten , battered , and depressed Donald Trump who has been hiding from public view after his humiliating loss to Joe Biden ... now tweets ( yeah ) that his administration gave America the most secure election security of all time .
Twitter has taken to a red font to deny Trump 's claims .
Then in the next breath , Trump claims that the most secure election in the history of the United States was rigged by the Democrats .
This is like last week where in one state Trumpists chanted `` stop the count '' and in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' I mean ... the jokes write themselves with the Trump administration .
But these jokes are costly for the American people .
And now , the question is n't who has Covid in the Trump administration , but who does n't have the virus .
Cory Lewandowski just tested positive and a new report says 130 Secret Service agents are stricken by the pandemic Vice President Mike Pence is nowhere to be found .
Our country just broke another record of infections via COVID with no end in sight .
Trump has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hiding while his `` COVID Task Force '' has been silent on the national stage .
Americans are getting sick and dying .
And instead of being a man , Trump calms himself down by firing people defending our national security .

A beaten, battered, and depressed Donald Trump who has been hiding from public view after his humiliating loss to Joe Biden... now tweets (yeah) that his administration gave America the most secure election security of all time.
Twitter has taken to a red font to deny Trump's claims.
For years the Dems have been preaching how unsafe and rigged our elections have been. Now they are saying what a wonderful job the Trump Administration did in making 2020 the most secure election ever. Actually this is true, except for what the Democrats did. Rigged Election! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 13, 2020
Then in the next breath, Trump claims that the most secure election in the history of the United States was rigged by the Democrats.
This is like last week where in one state Trumpists chanted "stop the count" and in another chanted "count the votes."
I mean...the jokes write themselves with the Trump administration.
But these jokes are costly for the American people.
And now, the question isn't who has Covid in the Trump administration, but who doesn't have the virus. Cory Lewandowski just tested positive and a new report says 130 Secret Service agents are stricken by the pandemic
Vice President Mike Pence is nowhere to be found.
Our country just broke another record of infections via COVID with no end in sight.
Daily cases soar above 160,000, just eight days after the country had its first 100,000-case day. New York City may close public schools starting Monday as its seven-day average positivity rate rises.
Trump has done nothing about COVID and is in hiding while his "COVID Task Force" has been silent on the national stage.
Americans are getting sick and dying. And instead of being a man, Trump calms himself down by firing people defending our national security.
Make it stop.
Remember four years ago when people called 306 a landslide, a blowout, a historic mandate, and urged everyone to stop being sore losers? I do. — Michael McFaul (@McFaul) November 13, 2020
R wins are mandates. D wins are "occasions to reach across the aisle," or some such BS. — Bruce Padget (@AnotherBruce) November 13, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-11-13--Oops.  Boris Johnson Calls Trump 'Former President'; Praises Biden

Discussion in the British Parliament about the American election ?
Do tell .
PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON : One of the many merits of the excellent conversation I had yesterday with President-elect Joe Biden was that we both strongly agreed on the need , once again , for the United Kingdom and the United States to stand together , to stick up for our values around the world , to stick up for human rights , to stick up for global free trade , to stick up for NATO , Mr. Speaker , and to work together in the fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I may say , to have that conversation , and I look forward to many more .
LABOUR MP ANGELA EAGLE : And do you have any advice for his erstwhile best friend , President Trump , whose continuing refusal to accept the result is both embarrassing for him and dangerous for American democracy ?
JOHNSON : I had and have a good relationship with the previous president , and I do not resile from that .
It 's the duty of all British prime ministers to have a good relationship with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ delighted to find the many areas in which the incoming Biden-Harris administration is able to make common cause with us .
In particular , it was extremely exciting to talk to President-elect Biden about what he wants to do with the COP26 summit next year .

Discussion in the British Parliament about the American election? Do tell.
PRIME MINISTER BORIS JOHNSON: One of the many merits of the excellent conversation I had yesterday with President-elect Joe Biden was that we both strongly agreed on the need, once again, for the United Kingdom and the United States to stand together, to stick up for our values around the world, to stick up for human rights, to stick up for global free trade, to stick up for NATO, Mr. Speaker, and to work together in the fight against climate change. It was refreshing, I may say, to have that conversation, and I look forward to many more.
LABOUR MP ANGELA EAGLE: And do you have any advice for his erstwhile best friend, President Trump, whose continuing refusal to accept the result is both embarrassing for him and dangerous for American democracy?
JOHNSON: I had and have a good relationship with the previous president, and I do not resile from that. It's the duty of all British prime ministers to have a good relationship with the White House. But I'm delighted to find the many areas in which the incoming Biden-Harris administration is able to make common cause with us. In particular, it was extremely exciting to talk to President-elect Biden about what he wants to do with the COP26 summit next year.


crooksandliars--2020-11-13--Friday News Dump: Biden Wins Arizona Again, And Other News

Ron Johnson , chair of Senate Homeland Security , to pool on Biden Intel briefings '' In general , from @ @ @ @ @ intelligence briefings are really not worth a whole hell of a lot . ''
Q @ @ @ @ @ ?
Johnson : `` Based on what we see in the SCIF , they do @ @ @ @ @ ''

You'll never guess what happened last night! Joe Biden was declared the winner in Arizona again and received their 11 electoral votes (just like he did last week when Fox News declared him the winner, but whatever).
Breaking News: Joe Biden won Arizona, holding a narrow lead there after over a week of counting. The state hadn’t voted for a Democrat for president since 1996. https://t.co/2nfcG8jFnU — The New York Times (@nytimes) November 13, 2020
Biden is now up to 50.8% of the popular vote, topping Reagan’s 50.7% in 1980. This is the highest percentage for a challenger since FDR in 1932 pic.twitter.com/pRDpuxaSwZ — 4 Seasons Total Landscaper (@markgongloff) November 10, 2020
Now that Arizona and Nevada have finally been called for Biden pic.twitter.com/Za974pA9SS — Nathan McDermott (@natemcdermott) November 13, 2020
With Biden's win Arizona, he's now flipped four states Trump won in 2016.
According to CNN's numbers, of the two states remaining, Biden is leading Trump by 14,149 votes (or 0.3%) in Georgia while Trump is leading Biden by 71,399 votes (or 1.3%) in North Carolina. pic.twitter.com/D64jWeACnr — Nathan McDermott (@natemcdermott) November 13, 2020
- What’s especially striking is the scope of Biden’s win as a challenger to a sitting president. Already surpassed Reagan’s 1980 % in the race with Carter, Biden’s gets a higher % of the vote than any rival to an incumbent since FDR upended Hoover in 1932. https://t.co/9J4P84u9E9 — Halvor Ravn Holøyen🇵🇸 (@Cuervo3) November 12, 2020
Here's the KFile supercut we just aired of Trump campaign and White House officials attacking Democrats as "sore losers" "cry babies," trying "delegitimize" Trump through "unsubstantiated" recounts that are "based on no evidence" in 2016. pic.twitter.com/eZUhHalIfZ — andrew kaczynski🤔 (@KFILE) November 12, 2020
THREAD: With the clear projection of AZ for Biden last night, it's time for the media—and nation's leaders—to dramatically change their tone about Trump's refusal to accept Biden as the president-elect. This isn't him being in denial anymore; he's hoping to overturn an election. — Garrett M. Graff (@vermontgmg) November 13, 2020
New: Philadelphia just reported 4.4k newly counted ballots...
Biden 4,056 (91%)
Trump 342 (8%)
Biden's statewide PA lead just surpassed 60k. — Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) November 13, 2020
****************************
Maria Paiz, a nurse in New Mexico, describes leading a team that has treated coronavirus patients for 8 months: “It’s been very difficult ... I don’t know how this is going to affect everyone’s mental health years down the line.” pic.twitter.com/YipruVglt4 — MSNBC (@MSNBC) November 13, 2020
Many have become numb to pandemic statistics
Healthcare workers, though, must face the reality that there are now MORE PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED THAN AT ANY TIME in 2020, 40% more than 2 weeks ago
Some are working 36 hrs straight
The 3rd wave may break ushttps://t.co/SiyTPKOkBJ — C. Michael Gibson MD (@CMichaelGibson) November 13, 2020
If Republican governors don't want to follow basic federal health guidelines in the midst of a deadly pandemic, fine. Then let's ban the residents of those states from traveling to other states.https://t.co/z8tjv3XXv8 — Keith Boykin (@keithboykin) November 13, 2020
Boy Scouts cancel Saturday's door-to-door visits for 'Scouting For Food' because of pandemic https://t.co/qWbU8qDPR2 — St. Louis Post-Dispatch (@stltoday) November 13, 2020
Rand Paul: COVID-19 survivors should "throw away their masks, go to restaurants, live again" https://t.co/hiL2n4grYY pic.twitter.com/KXGaXMVxyf — The Hill (@thehill) November 13, 2020
When you look around the world & see America leading world in Covid deaths, losing a trade war with China, more Americans out of work than any Nov in history, remember that Trump filled government with the cast-offs, freaks, failures & nuts no one else would let near power. https://t.co/D77jhzTtaZ — stuart stevens (@stuartpstevens) November 13, 2020
We’re past the point of no return on global warming, scientists warn. https://t.co/dbNnGtvAfu — OneZero (@ozm) November 12, 2020
As Trump wrestles with defeat, pardons loom for allies -- and himself - CNNPolitics https://t.co/QggmTIu3cz — Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) November 13, 2020
Jonathan Turley falsely claims Dominion voting machines in Michigan switched "thousands" of Trump votes to Biden votes. Dominion machines were only used in one MI county that had problems, all of which were human error, and none of which affected results. https://t.co/qXLuifcfM6 pic.twitter.com/Xz7A6O5Ct9 — Bobby Lewis (@revrrlewis) November 13, 2020
There's a renewed push to get Chad Wolf confirmed as Homeland Security secretary — a position in which he's been serving in an acting capacity for a year — before Inauguration Day, according to two sources familiar with the discussions. https://t.co/00OB23w28F — CNN (@CNN) November 13, 2020
An international team of political scientists has quantified the GOP's slide towards authoritarianism. Hard to tell if the shift began in the late 90s or the mid-00s.https://t.co/MlMeLfg9n2 pic.twitter.com/bHuQtZTeoQ — Noah Smith 🐇 (@Noahpinion) November 12, 2020
Laziest man in America https://t.co/X8HwINxEKA — Ron Fournier (@ron_fournier) November 13, 2020
Oh?? So what you’re saying is that police do know how to disable an intoxicated and deranged man trying to escape from them while endangering others around him and posing a life threatening risk... without shooting and killing him? https://t.co/HpIgf6j6BA — Ayman Mohyeldin (@AymanM) November 12, 2020
NEW: @AOC told me Biden's new chief of staff @RonaldKlain is a "unifying pick" and someone willing to be a "listener." https://t.co/F2E0GMR47k — Hunter Walker (@hunterw) November 13, 2020
Senator Elect Tommy Tuberville from Alabama believes that WW2 was fought to free Europe from socialism. pic.twitter.com/pUaYhfXCxy — Jason Stanley (@jasonintrator) November 13, 2020
Democratic Senate candidate Raphael Warnock was arrested in 2002 for obstructing justice because... he insisted minors have a lawyer or a parent present when being questioned by police.
Investigators later apologized.https://t.co/q8qr0e1Mm7 — Chris McDaniel (@csmcdaniel) November 12, 2020
ICYMI: Florida Democrats tell DeSantis to rescind job offer to COVID conspiracy theorist. The governor's spokesman's reaction? “No comment. That will be my response in perpetuity." https://t.co/i44D5gwoKS w/ @conarck — Nicholas Nehamas 🏝 (@NickNehamas) November 13, 2020
Top contender for Biden Defense chief would be historic pick https://t.co/VY5m5xICpV pic.twitter.com/773ANf3Y8O — The Hill (@thehill) November 13, 2020
This is the only good coup-related thing I've read and I demand a similar @pareene blog about the second-biggest topic in the country right now: meat responsehttps://t.co/Zp9bEq9n58 pic.twitter.com/dA0r8x0J0G — Veronica de Souza (@HeyVeronica) November 13, 2020
Today's Headlines: Biden's pandemic-economy game plan https://t.co/PMIW7JaU08 — Los Angeles Times (@latimes) November 13, 2020
kayleigh mcenany, prop comic. these are 4 completely different media appearances from the last 2 days with her fake "affidavits" claiming the election was stolen.
it wasn't. trump lost. biden won. pic.twitter.com/vDYgDBI1bF — Oliver Willis (@owillis) November 13, 2020
"I will not be voting for Nancy Pelosi" -- @RepSlotkin https://t.co/sDwua5Lro1 — Bill Scher (@billscher) November 13, 2020
Ron Johnson, chair of Senate Homeland Security, to pool on Biden Intel briefings
"In general, from what I've seen, intelligence briefings are really not worth a whole hell of a lot."
Q - What do you mean?
Johnson: "Based on what we see in the SCIF, they don't have much value." — Michael McAuliff (@mmcauliff) November 12, 2020
DEPT. OF 'I WAS SO HAPPY LAST WEEK, WHAT HAPPENED?'
'
There, there!
I can only hope that one day I’ll be as calm as this pic.twitter.com/wMqBuCBIBl — CAPYBARA MAN (@CAPYBARA_MAN) November 10, 2020
this dog looks so proud of himself pic.twitter.com/sZNEUthnAd — Humor And Animals (@humorandanimals) November 12, 2020
This is the Twitter content I’m here for... pic.twitter.com/nrNVuvnGbc — Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) November 11, 2020
if i move slowly, maybe he won't see me
(jukin copyright management) pic.twitter.com/OTtkoMsvqz — Humor And Animals (@humorandanimals) November 5, 2020
Nothing to see here. Just a lil bunny having a snack snack pic.twitter.com/JwX8sGNT4i — Nature and Animals (@_NatureAnimals) November 12, 2020
For 15 years Sweden thought Russian submarines were invading its waters, but it turned out to be fish farts.
(Thread, sources here: https://t.co/j1NL7Tnqvt) pic.twitter.com/kWELtQkq08 — James Felton (@JimMFelton) November 13, 2020
Finally, this one's for the outgoing tenant of the Oval Office:


crooksandliars--2020-11-13--Olivia Nuzzi: Reality Show President Is Dragging It Out For The Series Finale

Olivia Nuzzi was on CNN with John Berman this morning to talk about her piece in New York Magazine that looks inside the post-defeat Trump White House .
`` One Trump insider told reporter Olivia Nuzzi , quote , 'He wants to lose , he 's out of money , he 's worried about being arrested , he 's worried about being assassinated , ' they said .
'It has n't been a great experience for him .
He liked showing people around the White House , but the actual day-to-day business of being president , it 's been pretty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now is Olivia Nuzzi .
This is one heck of an article and a few amazing quotes that have drawn so much attention .
In that one quote we read , there 's like six things that I want to dive into there .
'He wants to lose . '
What does that mean ? ''
Berman asked .
Nuzzi said this is something his friends and allies have speculated about for a long time .
`` That he 's not happy as president , that even though he might like the status @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't actually enjoy the job .
He does n't enjoy performing typical presidential duties .
He finds it rather boring .
And that he does n't really want to keep on doing this .
And often during the campaign , when he would give a particularly lackluster performance at a rally , say , or if he seemed to be in particularly bad spirits , this is something that White House staffers and campaign staffers and people outside of the formal Trump apparatus would speculate about . ''
Berman asked about her statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially in light of CNN 's Jamie Gangel reporting that Trump has been asking whether he can pardon himself .
`` But obviously , if he is no longer in office , he has new legal threats and there is a new possibility that he could be investigated , forced to hand over documents that so far he 's been able to avoid doing .
He 's kind of used the office of the presidency as a shield , legally , to protect himself , '' Berman said .
He talked about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` So if he does want to lose , as you 're being told , then what 's he doing ?
Then why has n't he , if not conceded , then at least not impeded the Biden transition ?
And this is something that I 've been fixated on , why has he not said a word out loud in public for eight days ? ''
Berman asked .
Nuzzi said one of the quotes that not getting as much attention is one insider who said , in this person 's view @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing , but he 's not okay with quitting . ''
She said she could imagine that the president views admitting the defeat as `` somehow different , as somehow more shameful than the act of losing the election itself .
And this is a guy from reality TV .
He understands high drama , and this is the series finale .
And maybe he wants to drag it out a bit and have these legal battles that his heart 's not really in , because he wants to drag out the drama @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the United States .
it 's not quite the same if he is no longer , if he is the outgoing president . ''
He asked about her statement that Trump staffers are `` counting down the days from freedom . ''
`` Well , people know that there will be life after Trump , '' she said .
`` That life is long and it 's certainly long in Washington .
And that they need to kind of go on a bit of a reputational recovery tour .
And I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I think there 's just this class of kind of anti-professional operatives in the White House , and in this White House , they 're certainly anti-professional , who want to maintain their status , want to maintain their relationships with the people that perhaps they 've attacked publicly , during this administration .
And they want to have jobs when this is all over .
`` And now , you know , we 're starting to hear about White House officials looking for new jobs and , you know , the impression @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president knows that it 's over and is preparing for it to be over , but the president just is n't ready yet to admit that . ''

Olivia Nuzzi was on CNN with John Berman this morning to talk about her piece in New York Magazine that looks inside the post-defeat Trump White House.
"One Trump insider told reporter Olivia Nuzzi, quote, 'He wants to lose, he's out of money, he's worried about being arrested, he's worried about being assassinated,' they said. 'It hasn't been a great experience for him. He liked showing people around the White House, but the actual day-to-day business of being president, it's been pretty unpleasant for him.' Joining us now is Olivia Nuzzi. This is one heck of an article and a few amazing quotes that have drawn so much attention. In that one quote we read, there's like six things that I want to dive into there. 'He wants to lose.' What does that mean?" Berman asked.
Nuzzi said this is something his friends and allies have speculated about for a long time.
"That he's not happy as president, that even though he might like the status that being president provides, he doesn't actually enjoy the job. He doesn't enjoy performing typical presidential duties. He finds it rather boring. And that he doesn't really want to keep on doing this. And often during the campaign, when he would give a particularly lackluster performance at a rally, say, or if he seemed to be in particularly bad spirits, this is something that White House staffers and campaign staffers and people outside of the formal Trump apparatus would speculate about."
Berman asked about her statement that Trump worries about being arrested, especially in light of CNN's Jamie Gangel reporting that Trump has been asking whether he can pardon himself.
"But obviously, if he is no longer in office, he has new legal threats and there is a new possibility that he could be investigated, forced to hand over documents that so far he's been able to avoid doing. He's kind of used the office of the presidency as a shield, legally, to protect himself," Berman said.
He talked about the pending investigations in New York state.
"So if he does want to lose, as you're being told, then what's he doing? Then why hasn't he, if not conceded, then at least not impeded the Biden transition? And this is something that I've been fixated on, why has he not said a word out loud in public for eight days?" Berman asked.
Nuzzi said one of the quotes that not getting as much attention is one insider who said, in this person's view, "The president is okay with losing, but he's not okay with quitting."
She said she could imagine that the president views admitting the defeat as "somehow different, as somehow more shameful than the act of losing the election itself. And this is a guy from reality TV. He understands high drama, and this is the series finale. And maybe he wants to drag it out a bit and have these legal battles that his heart's not really in, because he wants to drag out the drama that he can only really create as president of the United States. it's not quite the same if he is no longer, if he is the outgoing president."
He asked about her statement that Trump staffers are "counting down the days from freedom."
"Well, people know that there will be life after Trump," she said.
"That life is long and it's certainly long in Washington. And that they need to kind of go on a bit of a reputational recovery tour. And I don't think it's surprising. I think there's just this class of kind of anti-professional operatives in the White House, and in this White House, they're certainly anti-professional, who want to maintain their status, want to maintain their relationships with the people that perhaps they've attacked publicly, during this administration. And they want to have jobs when this is all over.
"And now, you know, we're starting to hear about White House officials looking for new jobs and, you know, the impression seems to be that everyone around the president knows that it's over and is preparing for it to be over, but the president just isn't ready yet to admit that."


crooksandliars--2020-11-14--Proud Boys’ Post-Election Crackup Offers Revealing Glimpse Of Their Deep White Nationalist Nature

Internecine warfare is a natural state for right-wing extremists ; they are , after all , uniformly paranoid , suspicious , confrontational , and narcissistic ( not to mention deeply unpleasant ) people .
The proto-fascist street-brawling Proud Boys have never been an exception , as observers in Portland well know from the days when they and members of their far-right colleagues in Patriot Prayer were threatening to kill each other .
Their latest internal dustup , however—in which an early cofounder of the group dubiously claims to have fired their current national leader while embracing an explicitly racist approach—is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ claims are mostly toothless grandstanding , the episode lays bare how the Proud Boys ’ disavowals of white nationalism are really just a risible burlesque .
Kyle Chapman , a Bay Area commercial diver who gained national notoriety in 2017 as “ Based Stickman ” after he brought homemade weapons and armor to an alt-right protest in Berkeley , California , created an uproar within the ranks of Proud Boys by announcing this weekend that he intended to “ resume ” the group ’ s leadership reins because their current chairman , Enrique @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the group .
Chapman posted the notification on the right-wing platform Parler , fueled apparently by an incident in which Tarrio claimed to have stopped a stabbing of Proud Boys in Washington , D.C. , though video did not bear out his claims : Enrique Tarrio with the Proud Boys in Portland in August 2019 .
Image from : David Neiwert photo Though they were designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center ( SPLC ) in 2018 , the Proud Boys have been adamant that they are not a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ favorite piece of evidence to bolster this claim is to trot out Tarrio , an African-Cuban man who became the group ’ s chairman after founder Gavin McInnes resigned in November 2018 and was replaced by a national board with Tarrio at its head .
Tarrio himself likes to tell reporters that the Proud Boys have `` longstanding regulations prohibiting racist , white supremacist or violent activity , '' and `` I denounce white supremacy .
I denounce anti-Semitism .
I denounce racism .
I denounce fascism .
I denounce communism and any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of their race , religion , culture , tone of skin . ''
He denies that the Proud Boys are white supremacists by saying : `` I 'm pretty brown , I 'm Cuban .
There 's nothing white supremacist about me . ''
McInnes has sued the SPLC over the hate group designation and claimed that “ we are not an extremist group and we do not have ties with white nationalists , ” the latter of whom , he told The Guardian , “ don ’ t exist.
” However @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that McInnes describes as being the core of the Proud Boys—what he calls “ Western chauvinism ” —is just a public relations-friendly reformulation of the “ white genocide ” myth that animates modern white nationalism .
`` I love being white and I think it 's something to be very proud of .
I do n't want our culture diluted .
We need to close the borders now and let everyone assimilate to a Western , white , English-speaking way of life , ” McInnes has said .
Kyle Chapman , his onetime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then some .
Chapman first made a name for himself at a “ March 4 Trump ” in Berkeley on March 4 , 2017 , by coming to the event prepared for battle with homemade implements : a shield adorned with an American flag , football-style padding and a helmet , and a long wooden sign post he wielded like a baseball bat .
A video of Chapman breaking the post over the head of an antifascist protester that day went viral and gave birth to his nickname .
Chapman was charged with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he eventually plea-bargained down to a single charge and five years ’ probation .
Kyle Chapman , in helmet and goggles , with Identity Evropa founder Nathan Damigo , center in blue shirt , at the Proud Boys event in Berkeley , California , on April 15 , 2017 .
Image from : David Neiwert photo His next big moment , however , was also the Proud Boys ’ inaugural event : the April 15 , 2017 , “ free speech ” rally they dubbed “ the Next Battle of Berkeley ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for white nationalist groups such as Identity Evropa and the Rise Above Movement , the leaders of which were all present .
McInnes was so impressed that he promptly anointed Chapman a leader of the Proud Boys and placed him in charge of organizing what he considered the group ’ s “ tactical defensive arm , ” dubbed the Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights ( FOAK ) .
Chapman described FOAK as a “ fraternal organization , ” a Proud Boys affiliate chapter , “ with its own bylaws , constitution , rituals and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensuing months and years , nothing ever came of the FOAK project , mainly because Chapman wound up facing multiple charges arising from a variety of violent incidents : for hitting a Texas man over the head with a barstool , for fighting a person in Berkeley while filming a promotional video , for operating a vehicle off-road .
Chapman speaking at a Patriot Prayer event in Portland , Oregon , in June 2017 .
Image from : David Neiwert photo After McInnes left the Proud Boys , Chapman mostly became an afterthought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protest scene , skipping out on such major Proud Boys gatherings as their August 2019 march in Portland .
His only notable involvement was with the white nationalists who organized Boston “ Straight Pride Parade ” in June 2019 , lending his name and image to promoting the event .
However , even in his time as a leader of the Proud Boys , he made pronouncements that belied the group ’ s disavowals of white nationalism , such as his speech at a July 2017 gathering in Sacramento : Over time , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tropes as “ white genocide ” and expressions of simple bigotry ( including against feminists and women ) became even more pronounced .
And in his Nov. 9 Proud Boys “ coup ” announcement , the mask came off entirely .
Chapman announced that the organization would embrace its underlying white nationalist ethos by rebranding itself as the “ Proud Goys ” —a reference to the alt-right belief that Jews secretly control the world ’ s politics and media in order to oppress non-Jewish “ goyim.
” He added , “ The coup @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a nakedly racist rant : We will no longer cuck to the left by anointing token negros as our leaders .
We will no longer allow homosexuals or other “ undesirables ” into our ranks .
We recognize that the West was built by the White Race alone and we owe nothing to any other race .
Proud Goy members will pay homage to the White men who gave their lives to build our civilization : White men who provided their intellect inventing the modern world , spreading enlightenment , and providing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
... We will boldly address the issues of White Genocide , the failures of multiculturalism , and the right for White men and women to have their own countries where White interests are written into law and part of the body politic .
We will no longer stand by as Whites are murdered in the streets because of the color of their skin .
… Tarrio responded sharply on Parler , saying he had earned the group ’ s chairmanship and calling Chapman a “ grifter.
” Chapman retorted : “ All @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you anymore n -- -- r. Go back to diverting medical supplies with the rest of the slimy Cubans in Miami ” —a reference to Tarrio ’ s own previous conviction , 15 years ago , for participating in a scheme to sell stolen medical equipment , for which he spent 16 months in federal prison .
The coup , such as it was , seems so far to have been restricted strictly to Chapman and a few of his cohorts .
Tarrio told Kelly Weill of The Daily Beast he thought Chapman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hasn ’ t been part of the organization in probably two years , ” Tarrio said .
“ Obviously he still probably has friends .
“ I ’ ve never had an issue with Kyle , ” he added .
“ I think he went on a drunken rant that night , and he thought it was funny to put the things he did on his channel , then he said it was a joke .
Which regardless of whether it was a joke or not , I think it was stupid.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ denied that it was a joke , and moreover was joined in the call to depose Tarrio by another openly white supremacist Proud Boy , Jovi Val .
These incidents exposing the Proud Boys ’ bigoted and hateful white underbelly aren ’ t merely accidental .
It ’ s who they really are , and always have been .

Internecine warfare is a natural state for right-wing extremists; they are, after all, uniformly paranoid, suspicious, confrontational, and narcissistic (not to mention deeply unpleasant) people. The proto-fascist street-brawling Proud Boys have never been an exception, as observers in Portland well know from the days when they and members of their far-right colleagues in Patriot Prayer were threatening to kill each other.
Their latest internal dustup, however—in which an early cofounder of the group dubiously claims to have fired their current national leader while embracing an explicitly racist approach—is more revealing than most. Although the claims are mostly toothless grandstanding, the episode lays bare how the Proud Boys’ disavowals of white nationalism are really just a risible burlesque.
Kyle Chapman, a Bay Area commercial diver who gained national notoriety in 2017 as “Based Stickman” after he brought homemade weapons and armor to an alt-right protest in Berkeley, California, created an uproar within the ranks of Proud Boys by announcing this weekend that he intended to “resume” the group’s leadership reins because their current chairman, Enrique Tarrio of Florida, had disgraced himself and the group.
Chapman posted the notification on the right-wing platform Parler, fueled apparently by an incident in which Tarrio claimed to have stopped a stabbing of Proud Boys in Washington, D.C., though video did not bear out his claims:
Due to the recent failure of Proud Boy Chairman Enrique Tarrio to conduct himself with honor and courage on the battlefield, it has been decided that I Kyle Chapman reassume my post as President of Proud Boys effective immediately. We will no longer cuck to the left by appointing token negroes as our leaders. We will no longer allow homosexuals or other ‘undesirables’ into our ranks. We will confront the Zionist criminals who wish to destroy our civilization.
Enrique Tarrio with the Proud Boys in Portland in August 2019. Credit: David Neiwert photo
Though they were designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) in 2018, the Proud Boys have been adamant that they are not a white nationalist or racist organization. Their favorite piece of evidence to bolster this claim is to trot out Tarrio, an African-Cuban man who became the group’s chairman after founder Gavin McInnes resigned in November 2018 and was replaced by a national board with Tarrio at its head.
Tarrio himself likes to tell reporters that the Proud Boys have "longstanding regulations prohibiting racist, white supremacist or violent activity," and "I denounce white supremacy. I denounce anti-Semitism. I denounce racism. I denounce fascism. I denounce communism and any other -ism that is prejudice towards people because of their race, religion, culture, tone of skin." He denies that the Proud Boys are white supremacists by saying: "I'm pretty brown, I'm Cuban. There's nothing white supremacist about me."
McInnes has sued the SPLC over the hate group designation and claimed that “we are not an extremist group and we do not have ties with white nationalists,” the latter of whom, he told The Guardian, “don’t exist.” However, the reality is that the ethos that McInnes describes as being the core of the Proud Boys—what he calls “Western chauvinism”—is just a public relations-friendly reformulation of the “white genocide” myth that animates modern white nationalism.
"I love being white and I think it's something to be very proud of. I don't want our culture diluted. We need to close the borders now and let everyone assimilate to a Western, white, English-speaking way of life,” McInnes has said. Kyle Chapman, his onetime cohort, fully agrees to this day—and then some.
Chapman first made a name for himself at a “March 4 Trump” in Berkeley on March 4, 2017, by coming to the event prepared for battle with homemade implements: a shield adorned with an American flag, football-style padding and a helmet, and a long wooden sign post he wielded like a baseball bat. A video of Chapman breaking the post over the head of an antifascist protester that day went viral and gave birth to his nickname. Chapman was charged with multiple counts of felony assault, which he eventually plea-bargained down to a single charge and five years’ probation.
Kyle Chapman, in helmet and goggles, with Identity Evropa founder Nathan Damigo, center in blue shirt, at the Proud Boys event in Berkeley, California, on April 15, 2017. Credit: David Neiwert photo
His next big moment, however, was also the Proud Boys’ inaugural event: the April 15, 2017, “free speech” rally they dubbed “the Next Battle of Berkeley” and which proved to be a seminal moment for white nationalist groups such as Identity Evropa and the Rise Above Movement, the leaders of which were all present.
McInnes was so impressed that he promptly anointed Chapman a leader of the Proud Boys and placed him in charge of organizing what he considered the group’s “tactical defensive arm,” dubbed the Fraternal Order of Alt-Knights (FOAK). Chapman described FOAK as a “fraternal organization,” a Proud Boys affiliate chapter, “with its own bylaws, constitution, rituals and vetting processes.”
However, over the ensuing months and years, nothing ever came of the FOAK project, mainly because Chapman wound up facing multiple charges arising from a variety of violent incidents: for hitting a Texas man over the head with a barstool, for fighting a person in Berkeley while filming a promotional video, for operating a vehicle off-road.
Chapman speaking at a Patriot Prayer event in Portland, Oregon, in June 2017. Credit: David Neiwert photo
After McInnes left the Proud Boys, Chapman mostly became an afterthought. He largely disappeared from the alt-right protest scene, skipping out on such major Proud Boys gatherings as their August 2019 march in Portland. His only notable involvement was with the white nationalists who organized Boston “Straight Pride Parade” in June 2019, lending his name and image to promoting the event.
However, even in his time as a leader of the Proud Boys, he made pronouncements that belied the group’s disavowals of white nationalism, such as his speech at a July 2017 gathering in Sacramento:
I am not afraid to speak out about the atrocities that whites and people of European descent face not only here in this country but in Western nations across the world. The war against whites, and Europeans and Western society is very real and it’s time we all started talking about it and stopped worrying about political correctness and optics.
Over time, his public references to such white nationalist tropes as “white genocide” and expressions of simple bigotry (including against feminists and women) became even more pronounced. And in his Nov. 9 Proud Boys “coup” announcement, the mask came off entirely.
Chapman announced that the organization would embrace its underlying white nationalist ethos by rebranding itself as the “Proud Goys”—a reference to the alt-right belief that Jews secretly control the world’s politics and media in order to oppress non-Jewish “goyim.” He added, “The coup is complete,” and then launched into a nakedly racist rant:
We will no longer cuck to the left by anointing token negros as our leaders. We will no longer allow homosexuals or other “undesirables” into our ranks. We recognize that the West was built by the White Race alone and we owe nothing to any other race. Proud Goy members will pay homage to the White men who gave their lives to build our civilization: White men who provided their intellect inventing the modern world, spreading enlightenment, and providing the framework for lesser civilizations to thrive. ... We will boldly address the issues of White Genocide, the failures of multiculturalism, and the right for White men and women to have their own countries where White interests are written into law and part of the body politic. We will no longer stand by as Whites are murdered in the streets because of the color of their skin. …
Tarrio responded sharply on Parler, saying he had earned the group’s chairmanship and calling Chapman a “grifter.” Chapman retorted: “All you do is grift. Nobody respects you anymore n----r. Go back to diverting medical supplies with the rest of the slimy Cubans in Miami”—a reference to Tarrio’s own previous conviction, 15 years ago, for participating in a scheme to sell stolen medical equipment, for which he spent 16 months in federal prison.
The coup, such as it was, seems so far to have been restricted strictly to Chapman and a few of his cohorts. Tarrio told Kelly Weill of The Daily Beast he thought Chapman was drunk or kidding. “He hasn’t been part of the organization in probably two years,” Tarrio said. “Obviously he still probably has friends.
“I’ve never had an issue with Kyle,” he added. “I think he went on a drunken rant that night, and he thought it was funny to put the things he did on his channel, then he said it was a joke. Which regardless of whether it was a joke or not, I think it was stupid.”
Chapman, as Weill reports, later denied that it was a joke, and moreover was joined in the call to depose Tarrio by another openly white supremacist Proud Boy, Jovi Val.
These incidents exposing the Proud Boys’ bigoted and hateful white underbelly aren’t merely accidental. It’s who they really are, and always have been.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.