crooksandliars--2020-10-11--Eric Trump Whines About Joe Biden’s House When Confronted With Report On Trump Org’s Finances

When asked about the blockbuster New York Times reporting on his father 's taxes , self-dealing , and funneling millions from special interests and foreigners into his properties , Eric Trump deflected by ranting and raving about how much money his father has supposedly lost running for president and attacked Joe Biden for living in a mansion .
Trump made an appearance on ABC 's This Week , and was asked by host Jonathan Karl about the investigation , which found that `` 200 companies , special interest groups and foreign governments patronized Mr. Trump 's properties while reaping benefits @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After Karl went through some of the specifics in the article from members of Mar-a-Lago being offered ambassadorships , to companies being granted federal contracts worth billions , Karl asked Trump if he wanted a chance to respond to their reporting .
E. TRUMP : My response to that is we ’ ve lost a fortune .
My father has lost a fortune running for president .
He does n't care .
He doesn ’ t care .
He wanted to do what was right .
The last thing I can tell you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this job .
He wakes up in the morning and he has to fight you and he has to fight the entire media , and he has to fight the Democrats and he gets punched in the head every single day , and he wakes up and he fights for this country and he fights against the lunacy of the radical left .
After more deflection by Trump , Karl again tried to get him to respond to the substance of the reporting , only to have Trump repeat the line about how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then proceed to attack Joe Biden for living in a mansion , as though there 's something nefarious going on with Biden 's real estate investments .
E. TRUMP : You compare that to Joe Biden -- KARL : But back - -but back to this story .
How is it appropriate -- KARL : OK .
But answer the question , please .
Please .
E. TRUMP : Go Google Biden 's house right now , and tell me if you think that a person who ’ s been in government for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afford that mansion on the water in Wilmington , Delaware .
They tell you they ca n't .
Karl again attempted to get Trump to respond to the specifics in the NYT report , only to have Trump deflect this time by attacking the paper and calling it `` fake news , '' and pretending there 's nothing new in the reporting that was n't already revealed in Trump 's financial disclosures .
E. TRUMP : We have tens -- we 're a hospitality company .
We ’ ve got tens of millions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ single year .
`` The New York Times '' is absolute fake news .
All they want to do is take down my father .
And you know what 's really interesting about `` The New York Times '' -- I ’ m glad you mentioned them .
Every single day , every single day , starting literally the morning of the debate , they 've dropped some story that they 've been sitting on for literally the last six months or year or two years .
They ’ re to influence the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mean , you know , the media is gone in this country .
The media is gone in this country .
I mean , when I hear the tone of this conversation , it ’ s -- I mean , the media has become the activist arm for the Democratic Party .
Nothing is fair .
KARL : Eric , Eric , we ’ re asking -- we 're asking legitimate questions .
One last one , `` The New York Times '' report also said that the president owes some $ 400 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a right to know who he is indebted to ?
Who the president of the United States owes money to ?
Can you clarify that for us ?
E. TRUMP : Jon , in his financial disclosures .
You know exactly who the money is owed to .
That 's another Democratic talking point that you just -- you know exactly who the money is owed to .
My father -- E. TRUMP : -- is worth of billions of dollars .
And on a proportion of his net worth , my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low leverage .
In fact , `` The New York Times '' , if you want to bring them into this -- E. TRUMP : They came out and said that the other day .
if you own -- if you own buildings , if you own real estate , you -- you carry some debt .
That 's -- that 's what developers do .
That 's what business owners do , they carry some debt .
Now , as a proportion of his net worth , it 's incredibly low .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ there 's -- there 's nothing new about that .
E. TRUMP : And , by the way , it 's the same debt that he got elected on .
And it 's all fully disclosed in his financial disclosure forms with the United States government that you have access to .
KARL : All right , Eric -- Eric -- Eric , thank you for joining us .
I appreciate your time on this Sunday morning .
If there was really `` nothing new '' there , Trump would n't be calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

When asked about the blockbuster New York Times reporting on his father's taxes, self-dealing, and funneling millions from special interests and foreigners into his properties, Eric Trump deflected by ranting and raving about how much money his father has supposedly lost running for president and attacked Joe Biden for living in a mansion.
Trump made an appearance on ABC's This Week, and was asked by host Jonathan Karl about the investigation, which found that "200 companies, special interest groups and foreign governments patronized Mr. Trump's properties while reaping benefits from him and his administration."
After Karl went through some of the specifics in the article from members of Mar-a-Lago being offered ambassadorships, to companies being granted federal contracts worth billions, Karl asked Trump if he wanted a chance to respond to their reporting.
E. TRUMP: My response to that is we’ve lost a fortune. My father has lost a fortune running for president.
He doesn't care. He doesn’t care. He wanted to do what was right. The last thing I can tell you Donald Trump needs in the world is this job. He wakes up in the morning and he has to fight you and he has to fight the entire media, and he has to fight the Democrats and he gets punched in the head every single day, and he wakes up and he fights for this country and he fights against the lunacy of the radical left.
After more deflection by Trump, Karl again tried to get him to respond to the substance of the reporting, only to have Trump repeat the line about how much money he's lost, and then proceed to attack Joe Biden for living in a mansion, as though there's something nefarious going on with Biden's real estate investments.
E. TRUMP: You compare that to Joe Biden -- KARL: But back - -but back to this story. How is it appropriate -- E. TRUMP: Let me finish. KARL: OK. But answer the question, please. Please. E. TRUMP: Go Google Biden's house right now, and tell me if you think that a person who’s been in government for 47 years, 47 years, can afford that mansion on the water in Wilmington, Delaware. They tell you they can't.
Karl again attempted to get Trump to respond to the specifics in the NYT report, only to have Trump deflect this time by attacking the paper and calling it "fake news," and pretending there's nothing new in the reporting that wasn't already revealed in Trump's financial disclosures.
E. TRUMP: We have tens -- we're a hospitality company. We’ve got tens of millions of people staying at our properties every single year. "The New York Times" is absolute fake news. All they want to do is take down my father. And you know what's really interesting about "The New York Times" -- I’m glad you mentioned them. Every single day, every single day, starting literally the morning of the debate, they've dropped some story that they've been sitting on for literally the last six months or year or two years. They’re to influence the election. It's horrible. I mean, you know, the media is gone in this country. The media is gone in this country. I mean, when I hear the tone of this conversation, it’s -- I mean, the media has become the activist arm for the Democratic Party. Nothing is fair. KARL: Eric, Eric, we’re asking -- we're asking legitimate questions. One last one, "The New York Times" report also said that the president owes some $400 million. Don't the American people have a right to know who he is indebted to? Who the president of the United States owes money to? Can you clarify that for us? E. TRUMP: Jon, in his financial disclosures. You know exactly who the money is owed to. That's another Democratic talking point that you just -- you know exactly who the money is owed to. My father -- KARL: I don't -- E. TRUMP: -- is worth of billions of dollars. And on a proportion of his net worth, my father has very, very, very low leverage. In fact, "The New York Times", if you want to bring them into this -- KARL: Yes. E. TRUMP: They came out and said that the other day. if you own -- if you own buildings, if you own real estate, you -- you carry some debt. That's -- that's what developers do. That's what business owners do, they carry some debt. Now, as a proportion of his net worth, it's incredibly low. We have a phenomenal company. But there's -- there's nothing new about that. KARL: OK. E. TRUMP: And, by the way, it's the same debt that he got elected on. And it's all fully disclosed in his financial disclosure forms with the United States government that you have access to. KARL: All right, Eric -- Eric -- Eric, thank you for joining us. I appreciate your time on this Sunday morning. Thank you. E. TRUMP: Thank you.
If there was really "nothing new" there, Trump wouldn't be calling it a hit job on his father.


crooksandliars--2020-10-11--Ronna McDaniel Suggests '82% Of Americans' Make Over $400,000 — And Gets Buried On Twitter

Ronna Romney McDaniel , the chairperson of the Republican National Committee , on Sunday faced backlash after suggesting that `` @ @ @ @ @ make more than $ 400,000 per year .
In a tweet on Sunday , McDaniel @ @ @ @ @ from a conservative media group , which asserted that `` middle income earners '' will @ @ @ @ @ a Joe Biden presidency .
However , Biden has said that he will not raise @ @ @ @ @ than $ 400,0000 per year .
`` Joe Biden would raise taxes on 82 % @ @ @ @ @ can not afford it ! ''
McDaniel wrote .
Dozens of comments pointed out that @ @ @ @ @ over $ 400,000 per year .
Read some of the remarks below .

Ronna Romney McDaniel, the chairperson of the Republican National Committee, on Sunday faced backlash after suggesting that "82% of Americans" make more than $400,000 per year.
In a tweet on Sunday, McDaniel pointed to a video clip from a conservative media group, which asserted that "middle income earners" will see a tax increase under a Joe Biden presidency. However, Biden has said that he will not raise taxes on individuals making less than $400,0000 per year.
"Joe Biden would raise taxes on 82% of Americans, and we cannot afford it!" McDaniel wrote.
Joe Biden would raise taxes on 82% of Americans, and we cannot afford it! https://t.co/b81J9a3pjx — Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) October 11, 2020
Dozens of comments pointed out that most Americans do not make over $400,000 per year.
Read some of the remarks below.
Oh come on Ronna— get some rest.
Not now please — CB— (@ConservBlue2020) October 11, 2020
Fact Check: Still Not True. — Chidi® (@ChidiNwatu) October 11, 2020
No. FewI know make over $400,000 a year. And they are certainly not middle class. That is the top 1% of wage earners. At 2000 hours a year, that is $200 an hour. How many of you earn that???????????? — Margot Durkin (@mrsdurkinmuses) October 11, 2020
If 82% made OVER 400k, then we'd damn well better agree to have taxes raised, cause we'd be wallowing in abundance.
Oh wait, the super rich who make over that want to selfishly hoard wealth + refuse to pay their fair share back into the system that made them super rich? Got it. — Dear Nasty Reader, (@jk_steady) October 11, 2020
Wow. 82% of Americans earn more than $400,000 a year. I need to step up my game. — Sapient Hominid (@wedietz) October 11, 2020
I just checked, and only 2% of American families make $400,000 or more. https://t.co/byEZ8KJ7Nu — DevinNunesCowForCongress@🏡 (@se_kear) October 11, 2020
So 82% make over 400000...
Not! Just more lies and fear mongering — Democracylives🌊🌊🌊🇺🇸 (@time2healus) October 11, 2020
@jack this is disinformation and a lie. Taxes would be raised on those making $400,000 a year, which would make them 1% of the 1% and needs to be removed. I have reported it as should everyone else. — Tina Morphis #KHive #Humanist #ForthePeople (@TinaMorphis) October 11, 2020
So you're saying 82% of Americans make over $400,000 a year? Lay off the tangerine Tang, toots. You're out of your mind. #BidenHarrisLandslide — Lesley Abravanel🆘 (@lesleyabravanel) October 11, 2020
Getting Sick hasn't taught HER A THING.... — 🍷Zanetta🍷 (@therealzanetta) October 11, 2020
This is not even remotely true. — Ryan Kauffman (@RyanKauffman80) October 11, 2020
Also, it's not the whole income taxed more if you earn $400K. It's a bit more on the dollars ABOVE that. Your first 400K is still there for you to struggle by on, if you can. — Catriona McPherson (@CatrionaMcP) October 11, 2020
82% of the people @realDonaldTrump knows make more than $400k a year/ that DOES NOT mean that 82% of the American people do. @JoeBiden will raise takes only on the top 1% — Troy Chandler (@chandlertroyd) October 11, 2020
That’s not true, but go with it. I don’t really care if mine do as long as I get better value for them. 🤷🏼♂ — President Meowcho Man 2020 (@ImSassifrass) October 11, 2020
Yet another lie. — Eric Vale (@ericvale) October 11, 2020
You are a scumbag liar. Fuck all the way off. — The Hoarse Whisperer (@TheRealHoarse) October 11, 2020
You’re. Lying. You. Ghoul. — John Pavlovitz (@johnpavlovitz) October 11, 2020
Republicans think that 82% of Americans make over $400,000. That’s how far out of touch with Reality that they are. — Mrs. Krassenstein (@HKrassenstein) October 11, 2020
Only 1% of earners make 400K annually, that’s the group that would see a tax increase, so that means 99% will not see a tax increase. pic.twitter.com/tRMtzfXiQr — Auntie Nan 🇺🇸 🌊🐶🆘 (@SoltisNancy) October 11, 2020
Another lie! I make under $400K (way under!) and my taxes went up under trump. I'm excited for Joe's new tax plan! — JulieA (@JulieA77669619) October 11, 2020
If 82% of Americans were making over $400,000/year, we could absolutely all afford to pay more in taxes to make sure every last one of us has clean air and water, unfettered access to excellent health care, food, and education, and we could fully fund the arts! — Rachel Vail (@rachelvailbooks) October 11, 2020
you live in a dreamworld. if 82% of Americans made 400k or more, we would be doing awfully good. but we arent, and they dont — too much chaos "koolaid drinkers and next of kin" (@YayImNotaBot) October 11, 2020
Median household income was $68,703 in 2019 — lutzkalutzka (@lutzkalutzka) October 11, 2020
Reported for disinformation about an election. C'mon twitter, this is a Republican Party official with more than 800k followers! — MaryBeth Turner (@MBATurner) October 11, 2020
Fear is all they have left to peddle. — bradleyj31 (@bradleyj31) October 11, 2020
Ronna with the Rona.
You guys raised taxes for the rest of us when you gave businesses more tax cuts and eliminated our credits. — Final Frame (@JMAC8219) October 11, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-10-11--Trump Pretends Pelosi's 25th Amendment Commission Is Meant For Joe Biden

During another rambling interview on his favorite propaganda network where he told host Maria Bartiromo that he 's now `` immune '' to the coronavirus , Donald Trump was asked about Nancy Pelosi 's proposal for a commission to help determine the fitness of the president .
Trump , of course , responded by attempting to project his problems with mental acuity onto his opponent , Joe Biden .
Trump also made the ridiculous assertion that he 's going to get a lot of Sanders ' voters over the issue of trade .
BARTIROMO : Mr. President , I want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a second term , but first , I 've got to get your reaction to what Nancy Pelosi said this weekend .
She is questioning if those steroid treatments that you were on -- I know you 're not on them anymore -- are influencing your decision making , and on Friday she raised the idea of a presidential succession bill to alter the 25th Amendment process .
She wants congress to be able to take out a president if they deem he is unfit .
Here 's Nancy Pelosi this weekend .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
TRUMP : Well , I think she 's talking about Joe Biden because , to be honest with you , he 's the one that 's got the problem and , obviously , it 's obvious to anybody that watches him speak .
He 's the one that got ... that has the problem , and they want to put a super radical-left person in like kamala who 's worse than ... who 's further left than Bernie Sanders .
And , you know , that whole thing is breaking up now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they want .
All of a sudden they 're back into fracking and all the things that they talked about they would n't do , and now they 're saying they 're going to do them .
The left is very unhappy .
I 'm going to get a lot of people because of my great policies on trade .
They 're going to , just like last time , Bernie Sanders ' people are going to vote for me because of what I 've done on trade .
Because what I 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And we have a long way to go because frankly , they interrupted it with the impeachment hoax and various other things .
But , no , I think she 's talking -- and a lot of people think she 's talking about Joe Biden , getting him out .
And , frankly , you know , that 's , that 's the way I view it .
I certainly view it that way .
Trump then insisted that he 's `` not on any medication '' before basically doing an infomercial for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making me wonder just how much stock he 's got in the company or what other financial conflict of interests are going on with either Trump , his family or his donors .
As far as medication , I 'm not on any medication .
I 'm not on any medication .
And the medications that I took were standard , pretty much routine , other than the one which is the miracle , it 's the antibody stuff , which is incredible how it works .
And we 're going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waiting for the emergency use authorization .
And we 're going to be delivering that to hospitals all over the country to take care and , ultimately , all over the world , because it 's incredible .
Actually , what we have done , Maria , during this short period of time , six , seven months , in terms of labs and doctors and medicines and therapeutics , and not even talking about vaccines which are going to be phenomenal and coming out very soon .
What we 've done , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I got the FDA to approve things at levels of speed that nobody would have thought possible .
It could have taken years , and I got them to do it in weeks .
And they did the right thing , by the way .
But you 'll see that very soon with the vaccines , and you 'll also see it with the antibodies .
The antibodies have been fantastic .
If the reporting is to be believed , Trump 's treatment was anything but `` standard . ''
Experts described his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throwing the kitchen sink at him . ''
Trump is set to resume his campaign rallies this weekend , consequences and whether he 's still contagious or not be damned .

During another rambling interview on his favorite propaganda network where he told host Maria Bartiromo that he's now "immune" to the coronavirus, Donald Trump was asked about Nancy Pelosi's proposal for a commission to help determine the fitness of the president.
Trump, of course, responded by attempting to project his problems with mental acuity onto his opponent, Joe Biden. Trump also made the ridiculous assertion that he's going to get a lot of Sanders' voters over the issue of trade.
BARTIROMO: Mr. President, I want to ask you about a policy in a second term, but first, I've got to get your reaction to what Nancy Pelosi said this weekend. She is questioning if those steroid treatments that you were on -- I know you're not on them anymore -- are influencing your decision making, and on Friday she raised the idea of a presidential succession bill to alter the 25th Amendment process. She wants congress to be able to take out a president if they deem he is unfit. Here's Nancy Pelosi this weekend. I've got to get your reaction. [...] TRUMP: Well, I think she's talking about Joe Biden because, to be honest with you, he's the one that's got the problem and, obviously, it's obvious to anybody that watches him speak. He's the one that got... that has the problem, and they want to put a super radical-left person in like kamala who's worse than... who's further left than Bernie Sanders. And, you know, that whole thing is breaking up now because the left isn't getting what they want. All of a sudden they're back into fracking and all the things that they talked about they wouldn't do, and now they're saying they're going to do them. The left is very unhappy. I'm going to get a lot of people because of my great policies on trade. They're going to, just like last time, Bernie Sanders' people are going to vote for me because of what I've done on trade. Because what I've done on trade is a miracle. And we have a long way to go because frankly, they interrupted it with the impeachment hoax and various other things. But, no, I think she's talking -- and a lot of people think she's talking about Joe Biden, getting him out. And, frankly, you know, that's, that's the way I view it. I certainly view it that way.
Trump then insisted that he's "not on any medication" before basically doing an infomercial for the antibody treatment he was given, making me wonder just how much stock he's got in the company or what other financial conflict of interests are going on with either Trump, his family or his donors.
As far as medication, I'm not on any medication. I'm not on any medication. And the medications that I took were standard, pretty much routine, other than the one which is the miracle, it's the antibody stuff, which is incredible how it works. TRUMP: And we're going to be delivering that to hospitals. We're waiting for the emergency use authorization. And we're going to be delivering that to hospitals all over the country to take care and, ultimately, all over the world, because it's incredible. Actually, what we have done, Maria, during this short period of time, six, seven months, in terms of labs and doctors and medicines and therapeutics, and not even talking about vaccines which are going to be phenomenal and coming out very soon. What we've done, nobody else could have done. And I got the FDA to approve things at levels of speed that nobody would have thought possible. It could have taken years, and I got them to do it in weeks. And they did the right thing, by the way. But you'll see that very soon with the vaccines, and you'll also see it with the antibodies. The antibodies have been fantastic.
If the reporting is to be believed, Trump's treatment was anything but "standard." Experts described his treatment with several experimental drugs as "throwing the kitchen sink at him."
Trump is set to resume his campaign rallies this weekend, consequences and whether he's still contagious or not be damned.


crooksandliars--2020-10-11--Louisiana Senator Confused About Which Party Bernie Sanders Belongs To

Despite the fact that his own party is the one that 's moving further and further to the right and pushing for extremely unpopular proposals such as going after Social Security and our other social safety nets keeping our most vulnerable citizens afloat , refusing to address the issue of income inequality , allowing for the huge influx of dark money into political campaigns , and on and on , Republicans like Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy continue to try to paint Democrats as the ones catering to `` extremists '' with fearmongering appearances like the one above on Fox 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy was asked about Joe Biden 's refusal to say whether he would go along with increasing the number of judges on the Supreme Court , along with expanding the number of federal district and circuit judges .
Kennedy responded by playing the evil socialist boogeyman fearmongering card .
And Kennedy is also apparently is unaware of which party Sen. Bernie Sanders belongs to , making the ridiculous assertion that he 's the head of the Democratic party , a party he caucuses with but is not a member of .
BARTIROMO : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court and the potential stacking ?
Joe Biden will not say his stance on this , right ?
What are the implications ?
KENNEDY : I 'm not sure it matters what Mr. Biden wants , and here 's why I say that .
I believe that if the Democrats get control of the presidency , the Senate and the House , they will try to pack the court , not because of Mr. Biden , but because of Senator Sanders .
I think it 's clear to most Americans that Mr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prophet here is Senator Sanders .
Mr. Biden is the nominee , but with Bernie 's the head of the party , and he wants court packing .
And they want court packing because they see the United States Supreme Court as a mini-Congress .
In other words , Bernie supports open borders .
He knows that , at least right now , he ca n't , he ca n't open our borders to anybody who wants to come to America .
So he sees the United States Supreme Court as a place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ He thinks Supreme Court justices are politicians in robes .
I hate to break it to Kennedy , but there are a whole lot more members of Congress than just Sen. Sanders who would like to see some balance brought back to the courts after years of Republicans obstructing Obama 's nominations and allowing Trump to pack the courts full of unqualified wingnuts .
Bartiromo wrapped things up with reminder for everyone on the left as to why we really need to get Lindsey Graham out of the Senate .
BARTIROMO : Yes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you mentioned Bernie Sanders .
My sources have told me that if the Democrats win the Senate , Bernie Sanders will be the Chairman of the Budget Committee .
If the Republicans hold on , it will be Lindsey Graham running the Budget Committee .
That 's a very different budget .
That 's a very different budget .
Yes it would be .
Graham is happy to let his constituents rot in the middle of a pandemic rather than extend the relief they voted on earlier this year .
We really , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee next year .

Despite the fact that his own party is the one that's moving further and further to the right and pushing for extremely unpopular proposals such as going after Social Security and our other social safety nets keeping our most vulnerable citizens afloat, refusing to address the issue of income inequality, allowing for the huge influx of dark money into political campaigns, and on and on, Republicans like Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy continue to try to paint Democrats as the ones catering to "extremists" with fearmongering appearances like the one above on Fox's Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.
Kennedy was asked about Joe Biden's refusal to say whether he would go along with increasing the number of judges on the Supreme Court, along with expanding the number of federal district and circuit judges. Kennedy responded by playing the evil socialist boogeyman fearmongering card. And Kennedy is also apparently is unaware of which party Sen. Bernie Sanders belongs to, making the ridiculous assertion that he's the head of the Democratic party, a party he caucuses with but is not a member of.
BARTIROMO: What can you tell us about the Supreme Court and the potential stacking? Joe Biden will not say his stance on this, right? What are the implications? KENNEDY: I'm not sure it matters what Mr. Biden wants, and here's why I say that. I believe that if the Democrats get control of the presidency, the Senate and the House, they will try to pack the court, not because of Mr. Biden, but because of Senator Sanders. I think it's clear to most Americans that Mr. Biden is just a vessel. The prophet here is Senator Sanders. Mr. Biden is the nominee, but with Bernie's the head of the party, and he wants court packing. And they want court packing because they see the United States Supreme Court as a mini-Congress. In other words, Bernie supports open borders. He knows that, at least right now, he can't, he can't open our borders to anybody who wants to come to America. So he sees the United States Supreme Court as a place to go to get the votes. He thinks Supreme Court justices are politicians in robes.
I hate to break it to Kennedy, but there are a whole lot more members of Congress than just Sen. Sanders who would like to see some balance brought back to the courts after years of Republicans obstructing Obama's nominations and allowing Trump to pack the courts full of unqualified wingnuts.
Bartiromo wrapped things up with reminder for everyone on the left as to why we really need to get Lindsey Graham out of the Senate.
BARTIROMO: Yes. Well, by the way, you mentioned Bernie Sanders. My sources have told me that if the Democrats win the Senate, Bernie Sanders will be the Chairman of the Budget Committee. If the Republicans hold on, it will be Lindsey Graham running the Budget Committee. That's a very different budget. That's a very different budget.
Yes it would be. Graham is happy to let his constituents rot in the middle of a pandemic rather than extend the relief they voted on earlier this year. We really, really do not wanting him running that committee next year.


crooksandliars--2020-10-11--Dr. Anthony Fauci Slams Dishonestly Edited Trump Ad (Updated)

A new RNC ad uses the James O'Keefe school of video editing to make it appear that Dr. Fauci is endorsing Trump , and Dr. Fauci is not here for it .
The ad itself is awful .
It opens with a sicky-sweet voice saying , `` President Trump is recovering from the coronavirus , and so is America .
Together we rose to meet the challenge .
President Trump tackled the virus head on , as leaders should . ''
Sure , sure after demanding a cocktail of drugs he 's now hawking like a guy practicing for reverse @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and inaccessible to ordinary Americans , drugs which he or his family will probably turn a profit on when they 're approved for everyone .
But I digress .
The ad then cuts to Dr. Fauci , who says , `` I ca n't imagine that anybody could be doing more , '' making it look like Fauci is endorsing Trump for re-election .
Dr. Anthony Fauci was NOT having it .
Not at all .
He shot out a statement to CNN which read , `` In my nearly five decades of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ endorsed any political candidate .
The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials . ''
George Conway had already figured it out : And this is interesting : UPDATE : Trump plans to run the ad anyway And that prompted this observation :

A new RNC ad uses the James O'Keefe school of video editing to make it appear that Dr. Fauci is endorsing Trump, and Dr. Fauci is not here for it.
The ad itself is awful. It opens with a sicky-sweet voice saying, "President Trump is recovering from the coronavirus, and so is America. Together we rose to meet the challenge. President Trump tackled the virus head on, as leaders should."
Sure, sure after demanding a cocktail of drugs he's now hawking like a guy practicing for reverse mortgage ads, drugs which are experimental and inaccessible to ordinary Americans, drugs which he or his family will probably turn a profit on when they're approved for everyone. But I digress.
The ad then cuts to Dr. Fauci, who says, "I can't imagine that anybody could be doing more," making it look like Fauci is endorsing Trump for re-election.
Dr. Anthony Fauci was NOT having it. Not at all. He shot out a statement to CNN which read, "In my nearly five decades of public service, I have never publicly endorsed any political candidate. The comments attributed to me without my permission in the GOP campaign ad were taken out of context from a broad statement I made months ago about the efforts of federal public health officials."
George Conway had already figured it out:
I saw the ad twice during the first half of the Eagles-Steelers game. All I needed to hear to know Fauci was misleadingly taken out of context was the disclaimer at the end: "I'm Donald J. Trump and I approve this message." https://t.co/zrolMfjc79 — George Conway (@gtconway3d) October 11, 2020
And this is interesting:
BREAKING: The Trump Admin refused to let Dr Fauci do some interviews today, after Fauci said “we had a superspreader event at the White House.” — Scott Dworkin (@funder) October 11, 2020
UPDATE: Trump plans to run the ad anyway
A Trump campaign spokesperson told @NBCNews that the campaign will continue to run the ad, despite Dr. Fauci's objections. — MSNBC (@MSNBC) October 11, 2020
And that prompted this observation:


crooksandliars--2020-10-11--Sen. Durbin: Mitch McConnell Changed The Rules, Packed The Courts And 'They Brag About It'

Sen. Dick Durbin told Chuck Todd on Meet the Press that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell changed the rules after refusing to hold hearings for Judge Merrick Garland during the Obama Administration and has been packing the courts ever since .
Chuck Todd , playing the both sides game , asked if Democrats were going to pack the courts in retribution for the Barrett nomination if Joe Biden wins .
Hitting the nail on the head , Durbin replied , `` It 's a common question being asked because the American people have watched the Republicans packing the Court over the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And they brag about it . ''
Trump and Republicans brag about it .
That 's been a re-election selling point for Trump .
The religious right jumps for joy !
( Oh , how Jesus would be saddened by this behavior . )
`` They 've taken every vacancy and filled it , '' Durbin continued .
`` Did you know that they 've sent to us -- and we have approved only with their votes , I might add -- ten people who have been judged unanimously unqualified by the American @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many judicial nominees who came from Obama who were judged unanimously unqualified ?
None .
So , we are dealing with people on the Court , packed into the Court , with little or no qualification , who are going to be there for a long time .
So it 's understandable that Republicans raise the issue of Court packing . ''
Democratic voters remember Majority Leader McConnell 's refusal to even hold a hearing for the Merrick Garland nomination eight months before the general election while citing his own new rule for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell 's actions , Trump yells that in 2016 he won so f**k off .
And the GOP genuflects .
McConnell claimed as Majority leader that no Supreme Court vacancy should be filled during a year before a general election until the people had voted and whoever won the presidency would then fill the vacancy .
He even had the nerve to call it the `` Biden rule . ''
Now of course , since the shoe is on the other foot for Republicans , that rule is poppycock .
As usual it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rules , destroy decades of long traditions held within the Senate , pack all federal courts with unqualified people and then reverse themselves in the course of the same administration to fill a Supreme court vacancy less than two months before a general election , and then whine about the possibility of Democrats rebalancing and reforming the courts .
The unfortunate passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg has shown Majority Leader McConnell to be pure evil as he rushes to push through a Supreme Court nominee while COVID-19 ravages the White House and several @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Sen. Dick Durbin told Chuck Todd on Meet the Press that Majority Leader Mitch McConnell changed the rules after refusing to hold hearings for Judge Merrick Garland during the Obama Administration and has been packing the courts ever since.
Chuck Todd, playing the both sides game, asked if Democrats were going to pack the courts in retribution for the Barrett nomination if Joe Biden wins.
Hitting the nail on the head, Durbin replied, "It's a common question being asked because the American people have watched the Republicans packing the Court over the last three and a half years. And they brag about it."
Trump and Republicans brag about it. That's been a re-election selling point for Trump.
The religious right jumps for joy! (Oh, how Jesus would be saddened by this behavior.)
"They've taken every vacancy and filled it," Durbin continued. "Did you know that they've sent to us -- and we have approved only with their votes, I might add -- ten people who have been judged unanimously unqualified by the American Bar Association? Do you know how many judicial nominees who came from Obama who were judged unanimously unqualified? None. So, we are dealing with people on the Court, packed into the Court, with little or no qualification, who are going to be there for a long time. So it's understandable that Republicans raise the issue of Court packing."
Democratic voters remember Majority Leader McConnell's refusal to even hold a hearing for the Merrick Garland nomination eight months before the general election while citing his own new rule for doing so.
Now when asked about McConnell's actions, Trump yells that in 2016 he won so f**k off. And the GOP genuflects.
McConnell claimed as Majority leader that no Supreme Court vacancy should be filled during a year before a general election until the people had voted and whoever won the presidency would then fill the vacancy. He even had the nerve to call it the "Biden rule."
Now of course, since the shoe is on the other foot for Republicans, that rule is poppycock.
As usual it's okay for Republicans to break the rules, destroy decades of long traditions held within the Senate, pack all federal courts with unqualified people and then reverse themselves in the course of the same administration to fill a Supreme court vacancy less than two months before a general election, and then whine about the possibility of Democrats rebalancing and reforming the courts.
The unfortunate passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg has shown Majority Leader McConnell to be pure evil as he rushes to push through a Supreme Court nominee while COVID-19 ravages the White House and several members on the Senate Judiciary committee.


crooksandliars--2020-10-11--Trump Ends COVID Interview By Claiming He's Taking A 'Strong Look' At Existence Of UFOs

A Fox News interview with President Donald Trump ended on an odd note on Sunday after the host asked if @ @ @ @ @ unidentified flying objects ( UFOs ) .
The interview , which had largely focused on @ @ @ @ @ took a strange turn with just seconds to go .
`` I 've got to @ @ @ @ @ , '' Fox News host Maria Bartiromo announced .
`` Can you explain why the @ @ @ @ @ up a UFO task force ? ''
`` Mr. President , as we wrap up @ @ @ @ @ ? ''
she wondered .
`` Well , I 'm going to have to check @ @ @ @ @ replied .
`` I mean , I 've heard that .
I heard that two @ @ @ @ @ 'll check on that .
I 'll take a good strong look at that .
@ @ @ @ @ , Trump claimed that he is `` immune '' from COVID-19 for an unknown amount @ @ @

A Fox News interview with President Donald Trump ended on an odd note on Sunday after the host asked if the president was aware of unidentified flying objects (UFOs).
The interview, which had largely focused on Trump's COVID-19 diagnosis, took a strange turn with just seconds to go.
"I've got to ask you this final question," Fox News host Maria Bartiromo announced. "Can you explain why the Department of Defense has set up a UFO task force?"
"Mr. President, as we wrap up here, are there UFOs?" she wondered.
"Well, I'm going to have to check on that," Trump replied. "I mean, I've heard that. I heard that two days ago. So I'll check on that. I'll take a good strong look at that."
Earlier in the interview, Trump claimed that he is "immune" from COVID-19 for an unknown amount of time.


crooksandliars--2020-10-11--Larry Kudlow Makes It Clear The White House Only Cares About Rallies And The Economy, Not Saving Liv

Larry Kudlow Makes It Clear The White House Only Cares About Rallies And The Economy, Not Saving Lives

The White House does not care if you get COVID .
They do not care if you die from COVID .
They do not care if you pass COVID on to your kids , your parents , your coworkers or your friends .
The White House only cares about the economy and allowing Trump to hold rallies .
That is their only two priorities right now .
They have made it clear for months and they have zero plans to let up on those goals , even after Donald Trump himself contracted COVID just 9 days ago .
Jake Tapper @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to not be under the influence of anything today .
Good job , Larry !
Jake hammered Kudlow on the lack of social distancing at the BLEXIT event on Saturday and the continued focus on having more rallies .
Kudlow did not seem to care about the risks at all .
TAPPER : Hundreds of people not social distancing on the White House lawn yesterday but they were wearing masks .
I want you to listen to this .
The data speak for themselves .
We had a super spreader event in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ situation where people were crowded together and were not wearing masks so the data speak for themselves .
TAPPER : President Trump said he may have contracted the virus at big events at the White Hhouse .
but he is hitting the campaign trail now .
How is this not a risk to the health if not lives of your own supporters ?
KUDLOW : Well , look .
On that big do in the White House lawn , the operations people signed off on it .
I have great respect for Dr. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of mine .
I 'm not the medical scientist .
Here is what I know .
As you said at the top , today , Dr. Sean Conley or last night released a document that said the president is healthy , he has abided by the CDC , he is no longer contagious .
I think that fits the bill .
I have not seen the president in the last few days .
I have spoken to him on the phone .
A lot of people have been with him said he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has been smart again and he really is in healthy condition .
So it seems like the conditions are being met .
And he will go on ahead -- TAPPER : As somebody who likes you and wants you to live a long , long life , I hope you stay safe but I do n't know if the people at the White House are as concerned about people who work at the White House and Trump 's own supporters as I am .
It 's not safe to have big rallies .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what you said earlier .
That is very kind .
Look .
There will be masks at these rallies .
There will be social distancing at these rallies .
There will be appropriate testing .
A lot of these places you get tested on the way in .
Most of all we have to stick to the hygiene issues , washing your hands and face and so forth .
These things can be done .
We can do that and that is what the experts have said and why I wanted to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needs to see the light of day like 5,000 people are basically saying what I 'm saying .
I can he can go through with it .
You know his message .
TAPPER : We got to go , Larry .
KUDLOW : ... will survive this economy and he did it once and will do it a second time .
White House Election 2020 Goals : Fewer temper tantrums from Donald Trump , more rallies to make Trump happy , deny COVID risks , avoid prison , pretend the economy is doing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % of the country .

The White House does not care if you get COVID. They do not care if you die from COVID. They do not care if you pass COVID on to your kids, your parents, your coworkers or your friends.
The White House only cares about the economy and allowing Trump to hold rallies. That is their only two priorities right now. They have made it clear for months and they have zero plans to let up on those goals, even after Donald Trump himself contracted COVID just 9 days ago.
Jake Tapper interviewed Larry Kudlow, who actually appeared to not be under the influence of anything today. Good job, Larry! Jake hammered Kudlow on the lack of social distancing at the BLEXIT event on Saturday and the continued focus on having more rallies.
Kudlow did not seem to care about the risks at all.
TAPPER: Hundreds of people not social distancing on the White House lawn yesterday but they were wearing masks. I want you to listen to this. (Fauci clip) The data speak for themselves. We had a super spreader event in the White House and it was in a situation where people were crowded together and were not wearing masks so the data speak for themselves. (end clip) TAPPER: President Trump said he may have contracted the virus at big events at the White Hhouse. but he is hitting the campaign trail now. How is this not a risk to the health if not lives of your own supporters? KUDLOW: Well, look. On that big do in the White House lawn, the operations people signed off on it. I have great respect for Dr. Tony Fauci who is a longtime friend of mine. I'm not the medical scientist. Here is what I know. As you said at the top, today, Dr. Sean Conley or last night released a document that said the president is healthy, he has abided by the CDC, he is no longer contagious. I think that fits the bill. I have not seen the president in the last few days. I have spoken to him on the phone. A lot of people have been with him said he is fine, he is peppy, he has been smart again and he really is in healthy condition. So it seems like the conditions are being met. And he will go on ahead -- TAPPER: I'm concerned about his supporters' health. KUDLOW: I understand. TAPPER: As somebody who likes you and wants you to live a long, long life, I hope you stay safe but I don't know if the people at the White House are as concerned about people who work at the White House and Trump's own supporters as I am. It's not safe to have big rallies. KUDLOW: I appreciate it, Jake, what you said earlier. That is very kind. Look. There will be masks at these rallies. There will be social distancing at these rallies. There will be appropriate testing. A lot of these places you get tested on the way in. Most of all we have to stick to the hygiene issues, washing your hands and face and so forth. These things can be done. We can do that and that is what the experts have said and why I wanted to raise that great Barington compromise documents that needs to see the light of day like 5,000 people are basically saying what I'm saying. I can he can go through with it. You know his message. TAPPER: We got to go, Larry. KUDLOW: ...Abundance, optimism. low taxes and low regulations. TAPPER: I get it. KUDLOW: ...will survive this economy and he did it once and will do it a second time.
White House Election 2020 Goals: Fewer temper tantrums from Donald Trump, more rallies to make Trump happy, deny COVID risks, avoid prison, pretend the economy is doing great, ignore reality, gaslight 42% of the country.


crooksandliars--2020-10-11--'I'm Immune': Trump Claims He's Free From Coronavirus And Can't Get It Again 'Maybe For A Long Time'

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he is `` immune '' from COVID-19 and that it could last for @ @ @ @ @ `` It seems like I 'm immune so I can go way out of a @ @ @ @ @ Fox News host Maria Bartiromo .
`` Because you have to run a country , @ @ @ @ @ of a basement .
It looks like I 'm immune for , I do n't @ @ @ @ @ time , maybe a short time .
It could be a lifetime .
Nobody really @ @ @ @ @ immune . ''
`` So the president is in very good shape to fight the @ @ @ @ @ .

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he is "immune" from COVID-19 and that it could last for "a lifetime."
"It seems like I'm immune so I can go way out of a basement," Trump told Fox News host Maria Bartiromo. "Because you have to run a country, you have to get out of a basement. It looks like I'm immune for, I don't know, maybe a long time, maybe a short time. It could be a lifetime. Nobody really knows. But I'm immune."
"So the president is in very good shape to fight the battle," he said.


crooksandliars--2020-10-11--Eric Trump Claims Father Took 'Vaccine' After Getting COVID

Eric Trump on Sunday claimed that his father received a `` vaccine '' for COVID-19 after being infected with the virus .
The son of the president made the remarks on ABC 's This Week program .
`` Let me ask you , on your father 's condition , when he spoke to Rush Limbaugh , he suggested there was a moment , a time when he thought he might not make it , '' ABC 's Jonathan Karl told the younger Trump .
`` How bad did it get ? ''
`` Yeah , listen , that first day @ @ @ @ @ @ @ replied .
`` I can tell you as a son .
It 's never fun watching your father fly up to Walter Reed on Marine One , right ?
That 's a day that no son wants remember . ''
`` I spoke to him three times that next Saturday , and the guy sounded 100 % , '' he continued .
`` I 'll tell you , it was amazing .
It actually probably goes to speak to how good some of these vaccines are being created are . ''
Trump added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the vaccine front , no one could have done .
No one could have done ... My father literally started day one creating this vaccine .
He worked to push this vaccine and now my father just took it !
And you see how well he got over it and I think it 's an inspiration .
As Americans , we should be very proud of that . ''
`` Can you clarify that ? ''
Karl asked .
`` You say your father just took a vaccine ? ''
`` Meaning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Trump responded .
`` The medicines that he was taking . ''
`` I think it goes to show the power of medicine in this country and how far we 've come on COVID , '' Trump opined .
During a panel discussion later in the program , Karl pointed out that Eric Trump 's vaccine claims were `` obviously not true . ''

Eric Trump on Sunday claimed that his father received a "vaccine" for COVID-19 after being infected with the virus.
The son of the president made the remarks on ABC's This Week program.
"Let me ask you, on your father's condition, when he spoke to Rush Limbaugh, he suggested there was a moment, a time when he thought he might not make it," ABC's Jonathan Karl told the younger Trump. "How bad did it get?"
"Yeah, listen, that first day he got hit hard," Trump replied. "I can tell you as a son. It's never fun watching your father fly up to Walter Reed on Marine One, right? That's a day that no son wants remember."
"I spoke to him three times that next Saturday, and the guy sounded 100%," he continued. "I'll tell you, it was amazing. It actually probably goes to speak to how good some of these vaccines are being created are."
Trump added: "What my father's done on the vaccine front, no one could have done. No one could have done... My father literally started day one creating this vaccine. He worked to push this vaccine and now my father just took it! And you see how well he got over it and I think it's an inspiration. As Americans, we should be very proud of that."
"Can you clarify that?" Karl asked. "You say your father just took a vaccine?"
"Meaning, when he was in Walter Reed," Trump responded. "The medicines that he was taking."
"The therapeutics," Karl observed.
"I think it goes to show the power of medicine in this country and how far we've come on COVID," Trump opined.
During a panel discussion later in the program, Karl pointed out that Eric Trump's vaccine claims were "obviously not true."


crooksandliars--2020-10-12--New Lincoln Project Ad 'Transfer' Thanks Trump For Taking Off The Mask

This new Project Lincoln ad tells Trump what his legacy will be .
`` Thank you , Mr. President , @ @ @ @ @ .
`` Thank you for threatening America with violence when you lose .
Demanding only @ @ @ @ @ For trying to rig this election , and intimidate voters .
`` For embracing the @ @ @ @ @ admire .
For trying to use that tactics against the American people , thank you @ @ @ @ @ know exactly who and what you are .
`` Because we 're perfectly aware you @ @ @ @ @ you 're not trolling anybody .
The future you and your pet senators want is @ @ @ @ @ but your time is nearly up .
`` Your legacy and your place in history @ @ @ @ @ failure , a blight on our history .
`` Defeat is coming .
Accountability is @ @ @ @ @ . ''

This new Project Lincoln ad tells Trump what his legacy will be.
"Thank you, Mr. President, for taking off the mask.
"Thank you for threatening America with violence when you lose. Demanding only your votes are counted. For trying to rig this election, and intimidate voters.
"For embracing the tactics of the tyrants you admire. For trying to use that tactics against the American people, thank you for making sure every American know exactly who and what you are.
"Because we're perfectly aware you aren't joking, and you're not trolling anybody. The future you and your pet senators want is just as it appears, but your time is nearly up.
"Your legacy and your place in history awaits. A legacy of failure, a blight on our history.
"Defeat is coming. Accountability is coming. We are coming."


crooksandliars--2020-10-12--CNBC Delivers Another Hot Take On Why People Making $400,000 Are Barely Getting By

Joe Biden is promising to raise taxes only on families making $ 400,000 or more each year—the top 1.8 % of taxpayers .
Here to explain why that will really hit middle-class families is CNBC with the latest contribution to the “ why rich people are really barely making it ” genre .
No , really .
Experts say !
“ Based on the expenses , a $ 400,000 household income provides for a relatively middle-class lifestyle , ” one personal finance website guy claimed .
“ A middle-class lifestyle is defined as : owning a home , having two @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for college , going on modest vacations several weeks a year , and retiring in one ’ s early 60s.
” Ha ha ha , yeah , okay .
In other words : “ A middle-class lifestyle is defined as : a bunch of stuff out of reach for most people in this country who consider themselves middle-class , transferred to one of the 10 most expensive cities in the country .
Middle-class , I tell you !
” Let ’ s take a look at the sample budget provided for a family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expensive city .
These highly representative imaginary people end the year with just $ 34 left over after all their budgeted expenses—really a hand-to-mouth existence all provided courtesy of CNBC wanting to argue that Biden ’ s proposal to tax the rich is mean to the middle class .
So how does this family spend the $ 260,530 that ’ s left after taxes and $ 39,000 in 401 ( k ) contributions ?
( Because they have to be able to retire in their early 60s or they wo n't count as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re starting with a family of four , which is a perfectly reasonable family size , but let ’ s not forget that poor people are often judged for having “ more kids than they can afford.
” So this “ middle-class ” family in the top 2 % of earners is getting a pass on something that might be questioned if they were trying to scrape together a full-time schedule at McDonald ’ s .
Our allegedly middle-class family lives in a four-bedroom , two-bathroom house , which is a fairly standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the country—except that people who live in the most expensive metro areas typically recognize that they will need to sacrifice some of the space they would be able to afford out in the suburbs or in a smaller city .
If you say “ I need to live in New York City rather than in Short Hills , New Jersey ” or “ I need to live in Boston rather than Newton , ” you are making a choice .
If you continue that sentence with “ and I require four bedrooms for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making another choice .
Both of those choices cost money , which you have with $ 400,000 a year in household income , but you don ’ t then get to whine about how middle-class you are .
You ’ re a person in the top 2 % of earners who has made some expensive choices .
Expensive as in a $ 1.6 million mortgage on a $ 2 million house with $ 24,804 a year in property tax .
Moving along , our hypothetical family is paying more than $ 60,000 a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 7 AM to 6 PM and one child in preschool from 8:15 AM to 5 PM .
The article doesn ’ t say , but they are likely paying extra for the long day at daycare .
They are also putting $ 18,000 a year into a 529 plan to save for their children ’ s future educational expenses .
Again : choices .
They could arrange their work schedules so that they didn ’ t need the extended hours at daycare—if the preschool kid is only in school from 8:15 to 5 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would save some money .
They could cut their 529 contribution by half until the preschool kid was old enough to be in public school , a point at which their expenses will drop by $ 26,400 a year , unless of course the assumption is that the kids will go to private school , which would be another choice that these people are making—and one that many middle-class people can not afford to make , let alone in the most expensive cities in the country .
CNBC and their personal finance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand that this hypothetical middle-class family ’ s consumer decisions are all extremely middle-class .
They drive a Toyota Highlander , the poor dears , not a Range Rover or Lamborghini .
The freakin ’ agony , right ?
They buy their clothes at “ Gap not Gucci , ” which no , I ’ m sorry , they don ’ t .
The article is written as if there ’ s nothing in between the Gap and Gucci , and seriously , no urban-dwelling professional adults earning a combined $ 400,000 are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At the low end they may possibly be waiting for sales at Banana Republic , but give me a break with this Gap nonsense .
They spend $ 7,200 a year on three weeks of vacation—two staycations and one road trip—and $ 3,600 on entertainment , defined as “ Netflix , museums , zoo , w/e getaways.
” Apparently for this family weekend getaways do not fall into the vacation category , but given that Netflix plus family memberships at a zoo and a couple museums will run you about $ 600 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Our struggling family spends $ 1,800 a year on personal care products and gives $ 3,000 a year to charity .
And that , along with food and utilities and health insurance and life insurance and so on , is how this budget proving that a family in the top 2 % counts as members of the struggling middle class which can not afford to pay any more taxes at all , if you squint just right and ignore the choices involved in their budget .
The reality , of course , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ middle-class lifestyles through debt and an inability to save for the future , so providing a budget implying that people are really just barely getting by as they put $ 39,000 a year into retirement funds and $ 18,000 a year into 529 accounts for their kids is already a radical distance from many , many families ’ reality .
Doing so while budgeting for a $ 2 million , four-bed , two-bath house in one of the most expensive urban areas in the country rather than moving half an hour out into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 500,000 or more or sacrificing the fourth bedroom for a similar savings is … well , this whole exercise in the name of arguing against slightly more fair taxation is outrageously offensive .
This is a myth people write for themselves about why they deserve what almost no one else has .
This is the personal finance analysis of people for whom only people richer than themselves truly exist , who are always , no matter how much money they make , going to be looking at the income category above themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ something to try for anyone who feels middle-class at anywhere above , let ’ s say , the 89th percentile for income : Look below rather than above yourself , for a damn change , and embrace reality .
Yes , the ultra-rich are ultra-rich , and the distance between them and the rest of us is horrifying .
But if your rationale for claiming middle-class status is that you don ’ t live like the 0.1 % , you ’ ve let our twisted , unequal economy twist your judgment .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how to spend your $ 400,000 a year mean that you shouldn ’ t pay an extra 1 % in taxes , you ’ re just looking to justify a monstrous selfishness—and unfortunately , you ’ re finding plenty in our society to back you up in that .

Joe Biden is promising to raise taxes only on families making $400,000 or more each year—the top 1.8% of taxpayers. Here to explain why that will really hit middle-class families is CNBC with the latest contribution to the “why rich people are really barely making it” genre. No, really. Experts say!
“Based on the expenses, a $400,000 household income provides for a relatively middle-class lifestyle,” one personal finance website guy claimed. “A middle-class lifestyle is defined as: owning a home, having two kids, saving for retirement, saving for college, going on modest vacations several weeks a year, and retiring in one’s early 60s.” Ha ha ha, yeah, okay. In other words: “A middle-class lifestyle is defined as: a bunch of stuff out of reach for most people in this country who consider themselves middle-class, transferred to one of the 10 most expensive cities in the country. Middle-class, I tell you!”
Let’s take a look at the sample budget provided for a family with $400,000 in income in an expensive city. These highly representative imaginary people end the year with just $34 left over after all their budgeted expenses—really a hand-to-mouth existence all provided courtesy of CNBC wanting to argue that Biden’s proposal to tax the rich is mean to the middle class. So how does this family spend the $260,530 that’s left after taxes and $39,000 in 401(k) contributions? (Because they have to be able to retire in their early 60s or they won't count as middle-class, apparently.)
We’re starting with a family of four, which is a perfectly reasonable family size, but let’s not forget that poor people are often judged for having “more kids than they can afford.” So this “middle-class” family in the top 2% of earners is getting a pass on something that might be questioned if they were trying to scrape together a full-time schedule at McDonald’s.
Our allegedly middle-class family lives in a four-bedroom, two-bathroom house, which is a fairly standard size of house in many parts of the country—except that people who live in the most expensive metro areas typically recognize that they will need to sacrifice some of the space they would be able to afford out in the suburbs or in a smaller city. If you say “I need to live in New York City rather than in Short Hills, New Jersey” or “I need to live in Boston rather than Newton,” you are making a choice. If you continue that sentence with “and I require four bedrooms for my four-person family,” you are making another choice. Both of those choices cost money, which you have with $400,000 a year in household income, but you don’t then get to whine about how middle-class you are. You’re a person in the top 2% of earners who has made some expensive choices. Expensive as in a $1.6 million mortgage on a $2 million house with $24,804 a year in property tax.
Moving along, our hypothetical family is paying more than $60,000 a year for one child in daycare from 7 AM to 6 PM and one child in preschool from 8:15 AM to 5 PM. The article doesn’t say, but they are likely paying extra for the long day at daycare. They are also putting $18,000 a year into a 529 plan to save for their children’s future educational expenses. Again: choices. They could arrange their work schedules so that they didn’t need the extended hours at daycare—if the preschool kid is only in school from 8:15 to 5, that must be possible, and it would save some money. They could cut their 529 contribution by half until the preschool kid was old enough to be in public school, a point at which their expenses will drop by $26,400 a year, unless of course the assumption is that the kids will go to private school, which would be another choice that these people are making—and one that many middle-class people cannot afford to make, let alone in the most expensive cities in the country.
CNBC and their personal finance website guy want to be sure we understand that this hypothetical middle-class family’s consumer decisions are all extremely middle-class. They drive a Toyota Highlander, the poor dears, not a Range Rover or Lamborghini. The freakin’ agony, right? They buy their clothes at “Gap not Gucci,” which no, I’m sorry, they don’t. The article is written as if there’s nothing in between the Gap and Gucci, and seriously, no urban-dwelling professional adults earning a combined $400,000 are buying their work clothes at the Gap. At the low end they may possibly be waiting for sales at Banana Republic, but give me a break with this Gap nonsense.
They spend $7,200 a year on three weeks of vacation—two staycations and one road trip—and $3,600 on entertainment, defined as “Netflix, museums, zoo, w/e getaways.” Apparently for this family weekend getaways do not fall into the vacation category, but given that Netflix plus family memberships at a zoo and a couple museums will run you about $600, the weekend getaway budget is healthy.
Our struggling family spends $1,800 a year on personal care products and gives $3,000 a year to charity. And that, along with food and utilities and health insurance and life insurance and so on, is how this budget proving that a family in the top 2% counts as members of the struggling middle class which cannot afford to pay any more taxes at all, if you squint just right and ignore the choices involved in their budget.
The reality, of course, is that many American families maintain their middle-class lifestyles through debt and an inability to save for the future, so providing a budget implying that people are really just barely getting by as they put $39,000 a year into retirement funds and $18,000 a year into 529 accounts for their kids is already a radical distance from many, many families’ reality. Doing so while budgeting for a $2 million, four-bed, two-bath house in one of the most expensive urban areas in the country rather than moving half an hour out into the suburbs and cutting the mortgage by $500,000 or more or sacrificing the fourth bedroom for a similar savings is … well, this whole exercise in the name of arguing against slightly more fair taxation is outrageously offensive.
This is a myth people write for themselves about why they deserve what almost no one else has. This is the personal finance analysis of people for whom only people richer than themselves truly exist, who are always, no matter how much money they make, going to be looking at the income category above themselves and feeling bereft. Here’s something to try for anyone who feels middle-class at anywhere above, let’s say, the 89th percentile for income: Look below rather than above yourself, for a damn change, and embrace reality. Yes, the ultra-rich are ultra-rich, and the distance between them and the rest of us is horrifying. But if your rationale for claiming middle-class status is that you don’t live like the 0.1%, you’ve let our twisted, unequal economy twist your judgment. And if you think that your choices about how to spend your $400,000 a year mean that you shouldn’t pay an extra 1% in taxes, you’re just looking to justify a monstrous selfishness—and unfortunately, you’re finding plenty in our society to back you up in that.
Posted with permission from Daily Kos.


crooksandliars--2020-10-12--Julie And Mike-- The Key To Flipping Texas

Republicans have controlled Texas for too long and have grown comfortable enough to overlook arrogance and embrace corruption .
It 's time for them to be put out to pasture .
Many Texas voters -- particularly in the suburbs and exurbs around Dallas-Ft Worth , Houston , Austin and San Antonio -- are sick of Trump and giving up on his enablers .
And whether Biden wins the state 's 38 electoral votes or not , Texas is likely to flip as many as half a dozen congressional seats and possibly the state House as well .
Today , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we want to focus on the two most important congressional candidates running in Texas , Mike Siegel ( TX-10 ) and Julie Oliver ( TX-25 ) , each in a gerrymandered district carved out of Travis County ( Austin ) and meant to dilute the votes of Austin Democrats by including rural and suburban counties that were GOP safe zones when the districts were drawn .
Those `` safe zones '' are no longer safe , and both Siegel and Oliver made tremendous headway against the GOP incumbents in 2018 .
Each is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And each is polling so strongly that a reluctant DCCC -- never eager to endorse outright progressives in `` red '' districts -- was forced to add both Siegel and Oliver to their Red to Blue list this month .
This morning , Siegel told us how clearly he understands the stakes .
`` When I beat Michael McCaul on November 3 , '' he said , `` it will send shockwaves through the political establishment .
I 'm running hard on the Green New Deal , to create millions of jobs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of environmental racism .
And when I defeat one of the wealthiest members of Congress , a person who has more money personally invested in oil and gas than any person in the House or Senate , in a district specifically gerrymandered to protect him ( because his father-in-law is a media empire billionaire ) , and in a district that contains numerous fossil fuel concerns in the Houston `` oil patch '' -- that victory will make history .
It will help to dispel this idea that to flip a red seat @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It will show that progressive policies like the Green New Deal are winning issues BECAUSE they are bold , because they meet the scale of the crises we face .
This victory will be about more than one seat , it will be about the movement .
Siegel , a civil rights attorney and a life-long union guy , is all about solidarity .
He was quick to turn the conversation towards his neighbor and fellow-progressive .
`` And the same goes for my compatriot Julie Oliver .
She is probably the most @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to Medicare for All .
Because of her personal story and her family 's struggles with health care companies , and also because of her work as a lawyer with intricate knowledge of health insurance and spending , she is the perfect advocate for a national , comprehensive , single-payer healthcare system .
And her opponent is a caricature of a wealthy , bigoted , out-of-touch Texas Republican .
Who would you rather have as a representative , a grifting car salesman or a healthcare advocate and mom who is unafraid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who has fought for Medicare for All even when it was n't universally popular , and who continues to lead on the most important issue during a national health crisis ?
I 'll take Julie , thank you very much ! ''
He concluded that `` The two of us -- staunch progressives who have built powerful campaigns that are even winning support from the political establishment -- have the opportunity to change the narrative of Texas politics .
We can help usher in a new wave of progressivism in the South @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , 'As Texas goes , so does America . '
So let 's make that real -- and win in November ! ''
Please consider contributing what you can to both Mike Siegel and Julie Oliver by clicking on the Blue America 2020 Texas thermometer on the right .
Julie told us that `` As the mother of a kid with pre-existing conditions and as someone with 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry , I understand exactly how the healthcare industry has failed Texans , how we can fund it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our own Republican members of Congress worked to undermine care for millions of Americans .
Both Roger Williams and Mike 's Republican opponent Michael McCaul have voted more than 50 times to take healthcare from millions of Americans , including cancer patients , sick children , the elderly , and people with disabilities right here in Texas .
They 've voted at least ten times to end protections for people with pre-existing conditions , like the one my son has .
So for me -- just as it is for hundreds of thousands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthcare is threatened by our own Congressman -- this was deeply personal . ''
As much about solidarity as Siegel , she said that `` both Mike and I believe that real change is never top-down -- it is built and informed by Texas communities .
That is why both of us have run such organizing-first , grassroots campaigns , with an emphasis on coalition building , working in solidarity with communities that the political status quo has ignored for too long -- whether that 's blue collar Texans who have n't seen @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being priced out of their own communities due to the soaring costs of healthcare , tuition , and housing ; or the communities in Texas most severely impacted by climate change .
And the natural byproduct of actually showing up and listening to the people that Congress is supposed to serve -- not corporations , not DC elites -- is that we 're rooting out corruption and ending the era of pay-for-play politics .
Both Mike and I are political outsiders .
I 'm confident that neither of us can be arm-twisted behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ afraid to stand up to corrupt politicians and special interests .
For too long , career politicians like Roger Williams and Michael McCaul have taken advantage of hardworking families while they use their office to enrich themselves .
And it 's time for real , positive change for Texas . ''
Thanks for always doing what you can to help make this a better world ,

Republicans have controlled Texas for too long and have grown comfortable enough to overlook arrogance and embrace corruption. It's time for them to be put out to pasture.
Many Texas voters-- particularly in the suburbs and exurbs around Dallas-Ft Worth, Houston, Austin and San Antonio-- are sick of Trump and giving up on his enablers. And whether Biden wins the state's 38 electoral votes or not, Texas is likely to flip as many as half a dozen congressional seats and possibly the state House as well.
Today, as the election barrels towards a denouement, we want to focus on the two most important congressional candidates running in Texas, Mike Siegel (TX-10) and Julie Oliver (TX-25), each in a gerrymandered district carved out of Travis County (Austin) and meant to dilute the votes of Austin Democrats by including rural and suburban counties that were GOP safe zones when the districts were drawn. Those "safe zones" are no longer safe, and both Siegel and Oliver made tremendous headway against the GOP incumbents in 2018. Each is back to finish the job in November.
And each is polling so strongly that a reluctant DCCC-- never eager to endorse outright progressives in "red" districts-- was forced to add both Siegel and Oliver to their Red to Blue list this month. This morning, Siegel told us how clearly he understands the stakes. "When I beat Michael McCaul on November 3," he said, "it will send shockwaves through the political establishment. I'm running hard on the Green New Deal, to create millions of jobs while addressing climate change and the legacy of environmental racism. And when I defeat one of the wealthiest members of Congress, a person who has more money personally invested in oil and gas than any person in the House or Senate, in a district specifically gerrymandered to protect him (because his father-in-law is a media empire billionaire), and in a district that contains numerous fossil fuel concerns in the Houston "oil patch"-- that victory will make history.
It will help to dispel this idea that to flip a red seat you need to be 'moderate.' It will show that progressive policies like the Green New Deal are winning issues BECAUSE they are bold, because they meet the scale of the crises we face. This victory will be about more than one seat, it will be about the movement.
Siegel, a civil rights attorney and a life-long union guy, is all about solidarity. He was quick to turn the conversation towards his neighbor and fellow-progressive. "And the same goes for my compatriot Julie Oliver. She is probably the most articulate House challenger right now when it comes to Medicare for All. Because of her personal story and her family's struggles with health care companies, and also because of her work as a lawyer with intricate knowledge of health insurance and spending, she is the perfect advocate for a national, comprehensive, single-payer healthcare system. And her opponent is a caricature of a wealthy, bigoted, out-of-touch Texas Republican.
Who would you rather have as a representative, a grifting car salesman or a healthcare advocate and mom who is unafraid to knock every door in her 13-county district, who has fought for Medicare for All even when it wasn't universally popular, and who continues to lead on the most important issue during a national health crisis? I'll take Julie, thank you very much!"
He concluded that "The two of us-- staunch progressives who have built powerful campaigns that are even winning support from the political establishment-- have the opportunity to change the narrative of Texas politics. We can help usher in a new wave of progressivism in the South. As Bernie's recent town hall said, 'As Texas goes, so does America.' So let's make that real-- and win in November!"
Please consider contributing what you can to both Mike Siegel and Julie Oliver by clicking on the Blue America 2020 Texas thermometer on the right.
Julie told us that "As the mother of a kid with pre-existing conditions and as someone with 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry, I understand exactly how the healthcare industry has failed Texans, how we can fund it more equitably and responsibly, and how our own Republican members of Congress worked to undermine care for millions of Americans.
Both Roger Williams and Mike's Republican opponent Michael McCaul have voted more than 50 times to take healthcare from millions of Americans, including cancer patients, sick children, the elderly, and people with disabilities right here in Texas. They've voted at least ten times to end protections for people with pre-existing conditions, like the one my son has. So for me--just as it is for hundreds of thousands of people here in our district whose healthcare is threatened by our own Congressman--this was deeply personal." Credit: Stephen Stillman, Austin American Statesman
As much about solidarity as Siegel, she said that "both Mike and I believe that real change is never top-down-- it is built and informed by Texas communities. That is why both of us have run such organizing-first, grassroots campaigns, with an emphasis on coalition building, working in solidarity with communities that the political status quo has ignored for too long-- whether that's blue collar Texans who haven't seen a pay increase; those who are being priced out of their own communities due to the soaring costs of healthcare, tuition, and housing; or the communities in Texas most severely impacted by climate change.
And the natural byproduct of actually showing up and listening to the people that Congress is supposed to serve-- not corporations, not DC elites-- is that we're rooting out corruption and ending the era of pay-for-play politics. Both Mike and I are political outsiders. I'm confident that neither of us can be arm-twisted behind closed doors, and we're not afraid to stand up to corrupt politicians and special interests. For too long, career politicians like Roger Williams and Michael McCaul have taken advantage of hardworking families while they use their office to enrich themselves. And it's time for real, positive change for Texas."
Thanks for always doing what you can to help make this a better world,
Howie, for the entire Blue America team


crooksandliars--2020-10-12--These Internet Kitties Want YOU To VOTE!

Joe Biden just allocated $ 6 million ( at least ! )
on advertising in the Lone Star State .
@ @ @ @ @ potent sign to date that all of those polls showing that the battle for Texas @ @ @ @ @ must be taken seriously .
[ ... ]

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crooksandliars--2020-10-12--Should We Believe The Superman Story?

Should We Believe The Superman Story?

What The New York Times reports this Saturday is mind-boggling : In several phone calls last weekend from the presidential suite at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center , Mr. Trump shared an idea he was considering : When he left the hospital , he wanted to appear frail at first when people saw him , according to people with knowledge of the conversations .
But underneath his button-down dress shirt , he would wear a Superman T-shirt , which he would reveal as a symbol of strength when he ripped open the top layer .
He ultimately did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this true ?
Would Trump do this ?
Well , he did it on Twitter in February : Last November , Trump posted a photoshopped image of himself with the body of 'Rocky Balboa ' , the main protagonist of the Rocky film series .
The Rocky photo raised eyebrows as it came at the height of the impeachment inquiry against Trump ... .
Now , with the impeachment process over and with Trump being acquitted , the president seems to have fancied himself as another , arguably bigger superhero !
Late on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ video clip with photoshopped images of him as Superman .
The video starts with bites from an elderly woman speaking to a Fox News journalist .
The woman is quoted as saying , “ I think that we need to put a cape on his back , an ‘ s ’ on his chest and call him Superman ... No mortal man could take what he took for the last three years and two , he has done what he said he would do , and he ’ s still doing it .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ complete with orchestra music very similar to the theme music of the Superman movie series of the 1980s .

What The New York Times reports this Saturday is mind-boggling:
In several phone calls last weekend from the presidential suite at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Mr. Trump shared an idea he was considering: When he left the hospital, he wanted to appear frail at first when people saw him, according to people with knowledge of the conversations. But underneath his button-down dress shirt, he would wear a Superman T-shirt, which he would reveal as a symbol of strength when he ripped open the top layer. He ultimately did not go ahead with the stunt.
Is this true? Would Trump do this?
Well, he did it on Twitter in February:
Last November, Trump posted a photoshopped image of himself with the body of 'Rocky Balboa', the main protagonist of the Rocky film series.
The Rocky photo raised eyebrows as it came at the height of the impeachment inquiry against Trump.... Now, with the impeachment process over and with Trump being acquitted, the president seems to have fancied himself as another, arguably bigger superhero!
Late on Friday night, Trump posted a short video clip with photoshopped images of him as Superman. The video starts with bites from an elderly woman speaking to a Fox News journalist. The woman is quoted as saying, “I think that we need to put a cape on his back, an ‘s’ on his chest and call him Superman... No mortal man could take what he took for the last three years and two, he has done what he said he would do, and he’s still doing it."
Not surprisingly, the video is complete with orchestra music very similar to the theme music of the Superman movie series of the 1980s.


crooksandliars--2020-10-12--Elie Mystal Cuts Through GOP Lies About Amy Coney Barrett

Ari Melber had Elie Mystal on to talk about the Trump 's Handmaid 's Tale nominee to the Supreme Court , Amy Coney Barrett .
While the Republicans have lied to the American people about Barrett 's independence , the public can see through it .
Elie Mystal was having *none of it* and did n't hold back while on The Beat with Ari Melber .
MELBER : Right .
You 're making the point -- I 'll bring Elie in here , that it just depends how cynical people want to be about the courts .
It is true @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many things at near unanimous votes .
All sorts of technical things .
That are not always tied to the voting block of the -- the party of the appointment .
But Elie , people are concerned about the Obamacare one , not because it 's a strong argument , to Emily 's point .
Obamacare 's been upheld many times .
But because it could be a political grab that where you did n't have the votes last time with roberts , you might have it now .
MYSTAL : Look , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when RBG was still alive .
The Republicans who are telling you right now that the ACA is safe because the challenge is so thin are the same people who told us that that challenge was really thin when it came up to the lower court , where Republicans won .
And then when it went up to the fifth circuit where the Republicans won .
So while I agree legally it 's a dumb argument , being a dumb argument does not stop Republicans when they get it in their mind to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee , to act like they do n't know how Amy Coney Barrett is going to vote on the ACA , how they do n't know how she 's going to vote on issues of a woman 's right to choose is intellectually dishonest .
The only reason why she is being put forward as a nominee is because they are confident in her positions as opposed to the positions of say a John Roberts .
If the Republicans were confident that Roberts was with them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time , they would not be trying so hard to push forward a 6-3 majority on the court .
They would be happy with their 5-4 majority on the court .
MELBER : Right .
As you say , it 's about the results not padding the -- padding the voting block .
And it is -- it is a turning point , as we 've emphasized in our coverage .
Because this is the first time Trump is switching someone .
Not replacing , for example , Scalia with someone who is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the top , but , rather , a complete shift .
Lindsey Graham said something that , you know , surprising as it may be , Elie , I think we should take seriously and genuinely and not question his motives .
Just kidding .
It 's Lindsey Graham .
Take a look .
GRAHAM : Justice Ginsburg , she was confirmed 96-3 .
Now , those were days that have since passed .
I regret that .
I do n't know what happened between then and now .
I guess there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blame .
MELBER : Elie , your view of Lindsey Graham , the Chairman there mixing a bit of lamentation for partisanship with a sort of generalized ignorance as if he does n't know what 's happening in the committee he runs .
MYSTAL : I will tell you exactly what happened between then and now .
In 2016 , Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland and that committee refused to give him the hearing .
The hearing that we saw today , the respect that was given to Amy Coney Barrett today by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Republicans never gave to Merrick Garland .
If they had given him a hearing and voted him down , that would be one thing , but they did n't even give him a hearing and the reason why they did n't , they said , is because you should n't have a nominee put forward to be even considered after the primaries have started .
Now , as you just said in your last couple of segments , Ari , we are in the middle of an election that people are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is off the -- is off the charts , but this goes -- Graham 's statement and this goes to the general feeling of people watching the hearings of what was going on .
The Republicans spent all day as victims in search of an assailant , right ?
They kept worrying about attacks that were never coming from the Democrats .
The fact that the Democrats were n't making the attacks the Republicans worried about apparently did n't matter .
MYSTAL : They still have this , dare I say , persecution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their nominees .
I heard one of them say , I think it was Joni Ernst , talk about how Democrats always do this when Republicans nominate a woman to the Supreme Court .
Man , the Republicans have n't nominated a woman to the Supreme Court since 1981 .

Ari Melber had Elie Mystal on to talk about the Trump's Handmaid's Tale nominee to the Supreme Court, Amy Coney Barrett. While the Republicans have lied to the American people about Barrett's independence, the public can see through it. Elie Mystal was having *none of it* and didn't hold back while on The Beat with Ari Melber.
MELBER: Right. You're making the point -- I'll bring Elie in here, that it just depends how cynical people want to be about the courts. It is true that the Supreme Court does still resolve many things at near unanimous votes. All sorts of technical things. That are not always tied to the voting block of the -- the party of the appointment. But Elie, people are concerned about the Obamacare one, not because it's a strong argument, to Emily's point. Obamacare's been upheld many times. But because it could be a political grab that where you didn't have the votes last time with roberts, you might have it now.
MYSTAL: Look, the ACA was already in dangerous condition when RBG was still alive. The Republicans who are telling you right now that the ACA is safe because the challenge is so thin are the same people who told us that that challenge was really thin when it came up to the lower court, where Republicans won. And then when it went up to the fifth circuit where the Republicans won. So while I agree legally it's a dumb argument, being a dumb argument does not stop Republicans when they get it in their mind to do something. Right? So for the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee, to act like they don't know how Amy Coney Barrett is going to vote on the ACA, how they don't know how she's going to vote on issues of a woman's right to choose is intellectually dishonest. The only reason why she is being put forward as a nominee is because they are confident in her positions as opposed to the positions of say a John Roberts. If the Republicans were confident that Roberts was with them, as he is 80% of the time, they would not be trying so hard to push forward a 6-3 majority on the court. They would be happy with their 5-4 majority on the court.
MELBER: Right. As you say, it's about the results not padding the -- padding the voting block. And it is -- it is a turning point, as we've emphasized in our coverage. Because this is the first time Trump is switching someone. Not replacing, for example, Scalia with someone who is Scalia-ish or maybe a little extra Scalia on the top, but, rather, a complete shift. Lindsey Graham said something that, you know, surprising as it may be, Elie, I think we should take seriously and genuinely and not question his motives. Just kidding. It's Lindsey Graham. Take a look.
(CLIP)
GRAHAM: Justice Ginsburg, she was confirmed 96-3. Now, those were days that have since passed. I regret that. I don't know what happened between then and now. I guess there's -- we can all take some blame.
(END CLIP)
MELBER: Elie, your view of Lindsey Graham, the Chairman there mixing a bit of lamentation for partisanship with a sort of generalized ignorance as if he doesn't know what's happening in the committee he runs.
MYSTAL: I will tell you exactly what happened between then and now. In 2016, Barack Obama nominated Merrick Garland and that committee refused to give him the hearing. The hearing that we saw today, the respect that was given to Amy Coney Barrett today by listening to her talk is the respect that the Republicans never gave to Merrick Garland. If they had given him a hearing and voted him down, that would be one thing, but they didn't even give him a hearing and the reason why they didn't, they said, is because you shouldn't have a nominee put forward to be even considered after the primaries have started.
Now, as you just said in your last couple of segments, Ari, we are in the middle of an election that people are actually voting on. So the hypocrisy is off the -- is off the charts, but this goes -- Graham's statement and this goes to the general feeling of people watching the hearings of what was going on. The Republicans spent all day as victims in search of an assailant, right? They kept worrying about attacks that were never coming from the Democrats. The fact that the Democrats weren't making the attacks the Republicans worried about apparently didn't matter.
MELBER: Right.
MYSTAL: They still have this, dare I say, persecution complex about what's going to happen to their nominees. I heard one of them say, I think it was Joni Ernst, talk about how Democrats always do this when Republicans nominate a woman to the Supreme Court. Man, the Republicans haven't nominated a woman to the Supreme Court since 1981.


crooksandliars--2020-10-12--WEIRD: Trump Boards Air Force One Through Cargo Hold Instead Of Normal Stairs

Donald Trump decided to resume his MAGA Rallies , now renamed MAGA COVID SuperSpreader Rallies , on Monday .
Trump @ @ @ @ @ afternoon and , oddly , he boarded Air Force One via the cargo stairs , @ @ @ @ @ compartment of the plane .
Only 10 steps versus the regular 20 or 25 .
@ @ @ @ @ that while everyone else had a mask on , he did not .
He was @ @ @ @ @ hands and his typical orange face spackle .
Poor Donald could barely muster an 18 @ @ @ @ @ House on Saturday .
Now he ca n't manage the steps on Air Force One @

Donald Trump decided to resume his MAGA Rallies, now renamed MAGA COVID SuperSpreader Rallies, on Monday. Trump headed to Florida in the afternoon and, oddly, he boarded Air Force One via the cargo stairs, which lead to the cargo compartment of the plane. Only 10 steps versus the regular 20 or 25. Just odd.
Trump boards Air Force One en route to Florida for his first campaign rally since his COVID diagnosis. pic.twitter.com/LFEKzfgn3b — Jill Colvin (@colvinj) October 12, 2020
Also notice that while everyone else had a mask on, he did not. He was also sporting bandages on his hands and his typical orange face spackle.
.@realDonaldTrump boards Air Force One at Joint Base Andrews, Md, for a campaign rally in Orlando, Florida. pic.twitter.com/PbKvSYoahf — Doug Mills (@dougmillsnyt) October 12, 2020
Donald Trump claimed several days ago that he was no longer on any meds, but he very obviously has a bandaid on his hand where an IV would go https://t.co/O1uZfVZgOJ pic.twitter.com/ew2OYTkdfu — Kendall Brown (@kendallybrown) October 12, 2020
Twitter had theories:
While still positive.
Through a lower entry door because he can't walk up the ramp now. — Schenck (@Schenck) October 12, 2020
Wow! He can't walk up the big stairs on AF1. He's still deathly sick. It will be a quick speech tonight. His lungs are getting worse day by day. — Tam (@katwest987) October 12, 2020
Why is he boarding through the belly of the plane? Possible that he’s too weak to walk up a full set of stairs? — Brad Wollack (@BradWollack) October 12, 2020
Not very presidential to go in the lower entrance. I prefer presidents who use the main af1 entrance! — name. (@Tonelli2Nystrom) October 12, 2020
HE'S NOT WEARING A MASK?????? — WhatIfBarackOrHillarySaidIt 🌊😷🗳🏴☠ (@IfBarack) October 12, 2020
Still can't use the big boy stairs. — Patrick S. Tomlinson (@stealthygeek) October 12, 2020
Poor Donald could barely muster an 18 minute speech at the White House on Saturday. Now he can't manage the steps on Air Force One.