crooksandliars--2020-02-05--Scarborough Rips Media For Crediting Trump With Obama Recovery

I 've waited a long time to hear someone say this .
Surprisingly , it came from Joe Scarborough this morning .
Scarborough was ticked off about Trump 's bragging about the economy in his State of the Union address last night .
`` We are in the middle of an 11-year Obama economic recovery and all the lines are going like this , whether it 's job growth , whether it 's GDP .
It 's ridiculous .
Steve , we 've got you on so you can fact-check , show us your charts and let 's pick apart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ night to his supporters , because it makes me sad that he lies this way to people who support him and makes me sad that they are like , well , he is the president so he must be telling the truth , but he 's not .
He 's lying .
Tell us why , '' he said to Steve Rattner .
Saying Trump 's numbers made him feel like he was `` in a parallel universe , '' Rattner started with job growth .
`` He bragged a lot about the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see here , what we 're trying to show is that job growth under President Trump , which has been significant , was actually lower than job growth under President Obama over the same 35 months , the end of Obama 's term versus the beginning of Trump 's term .
The idea that there 's something unprecedented happening here is ridiculous . ''
`` Wait .
Wait .
Wait .
Hold on a second .
I 'm confused , '' Scarborough said .
`` You 're telling me that the gray that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ job growth under Barack Obama , his last three years in office , and the red is job growth under Donald Trump his last three years in office and actually Donald Trump is doing worse than Barack Obama .
Let 's forget about why Donald Trump lies .
We know he lies .
Why does n't the media report this more ?
Why do they let Donald Trump keep going -- this is the media that is actually cooking the books for Donald trump by looking at the Dow and looking at unemployment @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was going down in this direction under Barack Obama , why do they keep spreading this -- why does the media spread this lie that Donald Trump has somehow created the greatest economy when he 's doing worse than Barack Obama in job creation ? ''
`` You have to ask the media that , but under Obama there were 227,000 jobs a month created during this 35-month period , '' Rattner , a former Obama adviser , said .
`` Under Trump it was 191,000 .
So 227 went to 191 .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ by 1.2 % .
Obama lowered the unemployment rate by two full percentage points .
Any way you slice it , this is at best continuation of the Obama recovery , and at worst the slower version of the Obama recovery . ''
Then they turned to wages .
`` Indeed wages have been going up , as you can see by the blue line up at the top here , but when you adjust for inflation which is a really important thing to do because obviously what matters is what workers have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the day , which are these bottom lines here , you can see that , in fact , once again , real wages after adjustment for inflation rose slower under Trump than under Obama , '' Rattner said .
`` Under Obama they rose at an average of 1.1 % and under Trump they rose at an average of 0.6 % .
So you had faster growth in wages after adjusting for inflation under Obama than you had under Trump . ''
`` Okay .
So that 's a lie as well , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for inflation are actually worse under Donald Trump than they were under Barack Obama .
Again , not a surprise .
Just a surprise that the media keeps letting Donald Trump get away with this lie as they have for the past several years .
It 's just lazy .
They listen to what Donald Trump says , oh , yeah , wages are going -- no .
No . ''

I've waited a long time to hear someone say this. Surprisingly, it came from Joe Scarborough this morning.
Scarborough was ticked off about Trump's bragging about the economy in his State of the Union address last night.
"We are in the middle of an 11-year Obama economic recovery and all the lines are going like this, whether it's job growth, whether it's GDP. It's ridiculous. Steve, we've got you on so you can fact-check, show us your charts and let's pick apart the lies that the president said last night to his supporters, because it makes me sad that he lies this way to people who support him and makes me sad that they are like, well, he is the president so he must be telling the truth, but he's not. He's lying. Tell us why," he said to Steve Rattner.
Saying Trump's numbers made him feel like he was "in a parallel universe," Rattner started with job growth.
"He bragged a lot about the job growth, but as you can see here, what we're trying to show is that job growth under President Trump, which has been significant, was actually lower than job growth under President Obama over the same 35 months, the end of Obama's term versus the beginning of Trump's term. The idea that there's something unprecedented happening here is ridiculous."
"Wait. Wait. Wait. Hold on a second. I'm confused," Scarborough said.
"You're telling me that the gray that we are looking at right now is job growth under Barack Obama, his last three years in office, and the red is job growth under Donald Trump his last three years in office and actually Donald Trump is doing worse than Barack Obama. Let's forget about why Donald Trump lies. We know he lies. Why doesn't the media report this more? Why do they let Donald Trump keep going -- this is the media that is actually cooking the books for Donald trump by looking at the Dow and looking at unemployment, which, by the way, was going down in this direction under Barack Obama, why do they keep spreading this -- why does the media spread this lie that Donald Trump has somehow created the greatest economy when he's doing worse than Barack Obama in job creation?"
"You have to ask the media that, but under Obama there were 227,000 jobs a month created during this 35-month period," Rattner, a former Obama adviser, said.
"Under Trump it was 191,000. So 227 went to 191. Trump brags about lowering the unemployment rate by 1.2%. Obama lowered the unemployment rate by two full percentage points. Any way you slice it, this is at best continuation of the Obama recovery, and at worst the slower version of the Obama recovery."
Then they turned to wages.
"Indeed wages have been going up, as you can see by the blue line up at the top here, but when you adjust for inflation which is a really important thing to do because obviously what matters is what workers have in their pockets at the end of the day, which are these bottom lines here, you can see that, in fact, once again, real wages after adjustment for inflation rose slower under Trump than under Obama," Rattner said.
"Under Obama they rose at an average of 1.1% and under Trump they rose at an average of 0.6%. So you had faster growth in wages after adjusting for inflation under Obama than you had under Trump."
"Okay. So that's a lie as well," Scarborough said.
"Wages adjusted for inflation are actually worse under Donald Trump than they were under Barack Obama. Again, not a surprise. Just a surprise that the media keeps letting Donald Trump get away with this lie as they have for the past several years. It's just lazy. They listen to what Donald Trump says, oh, yeah, wages are going -- no. No."


crooksandliars--2020-02-06--Susan Collins Now Regrets Saying She 'Believes' Trump Learned His Lesson

Susan Collins ' pathetic explanation yesterday on why she would go on to vote for Trump 's acquittal , that she believed Trump had learned his lesson earned her scorn and derision so she changed her tune today to she `` hopes '' he 's learned his lesson .
Trump quickly put the kibosh on that bit of magical thinking when he went back to his standard reply that he 'd done nothing wrong , and that he made a `` perfect phone call . ''
Mix in the shitshow from the State of the Union and this does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As a reminder , here 's Collins in her own words ( emphasized ) , on Tuesday with Norah O'Donnell , before the catcalls started coming in about her extreme naïveté : Washington — Republican Senator Susan Collins announced Tuesday she will vote to acquit President Trump in his Senate trial , telling CBS News she believes the president has learned a `` pretty big lesson '' from impeachment and will be `` much more cautious '' about seeking foreign assistance in the future .
`` I believe that the president has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an exclusive interview with `` CBS Evening News '' anchor Norah O'Donnell on Tuesday , before a speech on the Senate floor about her decision .
`` The president has been impeached .
That 's a pretty big lesson . ''
.. `` He was impeached .
And there has been criticism by both Republican and Democratic senators of his call , '' Collins explained , referring to his July 25 call with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky , in which Mr. Trump asked for an investigation into former Vice President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he will be much more cautious in the future . ''

Susan Collins' pathetic explanation yesterday on why she would go on to vote for Trump's acquittal, that she believed Trump had learned his lesson earned her scorn and derision so she changed her tune today to she "hopes" he's learned his lesson.
Trump quickly put the kibosh on that bit of magical thinking when he went back to his standard reply that he'd done nothing wrong, and that he made a "perfect phone call." Mix in the shitshow from the State of the Union and this does not look like a guy filled with contrition.
As a reminder, here's Collins in her own words (emphasized), on Tuesday with Norah O'Donnell, before the catcalls started coming in about her extreme naïveté:
Source: CBS News
Washington — Republican Senator Susan Collins announced Tuesday she will vote to acquit President Trump in his Senate trial, telling CBS News she believes the president has learned a "pretty big lesson" from impeachment and will be "much more cautious" about seeking foreign assistance in the future. "I believe that the president has learned from this case," Collins said in an exclusive interview with "CBS Evening News" anchor Norah O'Donnell on Tuesday, before a speech on the Senate floor about her decision. "The president has been impeached. That's a pretty big lesson."
..
"He was impeached. And there has been criticism by both Republican and Democratic senators of his call," Collins explained, referring to his July 25 call with the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in which Mr. Trump asked for an investigation into former Vice President Joe Biden. "I believe that he will be much more cautious in the future."
Just spoke with Sen. Collins
She now says she probably shouldn't have said that she "believes" Pres. Trump has learned his lessons from the fallout from his dealings with Ukraine and #Impeachment
She now says a better word would have been "hopes"#mepolitics pic.twitter.com/k5pC3nrVsc — Gregg Lagerquist (@GreggWGME) February 5, 2020
weak, weak, weak..... — Jennifer Rubin (@JRubinBlogger) February 5, 2020
This is too perfect.@SenatorCollins now says she probably shouldn't have said she "believes" Trump will learn his lesson from impeachment
Instead, Collins tells reporter @GreggWGME that a better word would have been "hopes." https://t.co/krNn1Xv3kR
Which underscores this: https://t.co/XgZPXIakb2 — Greg Sargent (@ThePlumLineGS) February 5, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-02-06--Nancy Pelosi Drops Scathing Statement After 'Rogue President's' Acquittal By 'Cowardly' Senate

Speaker of the House , Nancy Pelosi , put out a statement shortly after Donald Trump was acquitted by the Republican led Senate , an outcome that was utterly predictable and yet still totally heartbreaking .
Starting with a reference to the founding fathers and a straight up dig at Mitch McConnell , the architect of evil : Making it clear that the American people want Trump removed .
Period .
And also the amazing fact that Trump was the first President* to actually have a member of his own party vote to convict him ( Mitt Romney ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support of a majority of the American people – a first in our nation ’ s history .
And now he is the first President in history to face a bipartisan vote to convict him in the Senate .
A full 75 percent of Americans and many members of the GOP Senate believe the President ’ s behavior is wrong .
But the Senate chose instead to ignore the facts , the will of the American people and their duty to the Constitution . ''
Obviously , Trump and his cronies will boast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is not the truth .
He did n't have a real trial , so it is really more of a sham than an acquittal , and he certainly has n't been exonerated .
Oh , and there is that silly issue of witnesses and documents .
You know , *evidence* : '' Even without additional witnesses and documents in the Senate trial , our House Managers laid out an overwhelming , compelling and incriminating case about President Trump ’ s scheme to corrupt the 2020 elections and proved his guilt .
The President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not refute the facts of the case .
Instead , they argued that the American people have no right to stop the President from using the power of his office to cheat in our elections .
They argued that if the President thinks that his re-election is good for the country , he can use any means necessary to win , with no accountability or consequences . ''
And this fun reminder that no matter the outcome of the Senate `` sham trial '' , Trump will forever be impeached .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ calling out the Republicans for betraying the Constitution : '' Sadly , because of the Republican Senate ’ s betrayal of the Constitution , the President remains an ongoing threat to American democracy , with his insistence that he is above the law and that he can corrupt the elections if he wants to .
The House will continue to protect and defend the checks and balances in the Constitution that safeguard our Republic , both in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion .
Democrats will continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nancy Pelosi is right .
The Republicans betrayed the Constitution , the will of their supporters and the Founding Fathers .
They put their own personal careers and the fear of a mean tweet ahead of what is best for the country .
They turned a blind eye to abuse of power , corruption and true evil in the hopes that they will get reelected or be accepted into MAGA lobbying or a FOX News job one day .
Pathetic , thy name is Senate Republicans ( except Mitt Romney , who put @ @ @ @ @

Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, put out a statement shortly after Donald Trump was acquitted by the Republican led Senate, an outcome that was utterly predictable and yet still totally heartbreaking.
Starting with a reference to the founding fathers and a straight up dig at Mitch McConnell, the architect of evil:
“Today, the President and Senate Republicans have normalized lawlessness and rejected the system of checks and balances of our Constitution. Our Founders put safeguards in the Constitution to protect against a rogue president. They never imagined that they would at the same time have a rogue leader in the Senate who would cowardly abandon his duty to uphold the Constitution."
Making it clear that the American people want Trump removed. Period. And also the amazing fact that Trump was the first President* to actually have a member of his own party vote to convict him (Mitt Romney):
"President Trump was impeached with the support of a majority of the American people – a first in our nation’s history. And now he is the first President in history to face a bipartisan vote to convict him in the Senate. A full 75 percent of Americans and many members of the GOP Senate believe the President’s behavior is wrong. But the Senate chose instead to ignore the facts, the will of the American people and their duty to the Constitution."
Obviously, Trump and his cronies will boast that he was acquitted. But that is not the truth. He didn't have a real trial, so it is really more of a sham than an acquittal, and he certainly hasn't been exonerated.
"The President will boast that he has been acquitted. There can be no acquittal without a trial, and there is no trial without witnesses, documents and evidence. By suppressing the evidence and rejecting the most basic elements of a fair judicial process, the Republican Senate made themselves willing accomplices to the President’s cover-up."
Oh, and there is that silly issue of witnesses and documents. You know, *evidence*:
"Even without additional witnesses and documents in the Senate trial, our House Managers laid out an overwhelming, compelling and incriminating case about President Trump’s scheme to corrupt the 2020 elections and proved his guilt. The President’s legal team could not and did not refute the facts of the case. Instead, they argued that the American people have no right to stop the President from using the power of his office to cheat in our elections. They argued that if the President thinks that his re-election is good for the country, he can use any means necessary to win, with no accountability or consequences."
And this fun reminder that no matter the outcome of the Senate "sham trial", Trump will forever be impeached.
"In December, the House defended democracy by passing two articles of impeachment to hold the President accountable for abusing his office for his own personal, political gain at the expense of our national security and the integrity of our elections. The President has been impeached forever."
And the last dig of the knife - calling out the Republicans for betraying the Constitution:
"Sadly, because of the Republican Senate’s betrayal of the Constitution, the President remains an ongoing threat to American democracy, with his insistence that he is above the law and that he can corrupt the elections if he wants to. The House will continue to protect and defend the checks and balances in the Constitution that safeguard our Republic, both in the courts of law and in the court of public opinion. Democrats will continue to defend our democracy For The People.”
Nancy Pelosi is right. The Republicans betrayed the Constitution, the will of their supporters and the Founding Fathers. They put their own personal careers and the fear of a mean tweet ahead of what is best for the country. They turned a blind eye to abuse of power, corruption and true evil in the hopes that they will get reelected or be accepted into MAGA lobbying or a FOX News job one day.
Pathetic, thy name is Senate Republicans (except Mitt Romney, who put country over party).


crooksandliars--2020-02-06--Al Franken Calls Out Trump On Pre-Existing Conditions

Nancy Pelosi does not hold back in this statement following the totally expected acquittal of the most guilty President* of @ @ @

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crooksandliars--2020-02-06--Cartoon: Acquittal Is Served!

Cartoon: Acquittal Is Served!

“ Impeachment is gon na fade away ” by the election , McConnell declared .
“ It will all be @ @ @ @ @ , in the early part of the year .
We all know how this is @ @ @ @ @


crooksandliars--2020-02-06--Judge Napolitano: Trump Was Guilty As Sin

While Trump surrogates lie to the press and claim Trump did nothing wrong whatsoever , Judge Andrew Napolitano , Fox News ' Senior Legal Analyst writes that Senate Republicans shirked their duty and acquitted Trump without bothering to weigh any evidence highlighted by them refusing to call a single witness .
But the search for the truth requires witnesses , and when the command from Senate Republican leaders came down that there shall be no witnesses , the truth-telling mission of Trump 's trial was radically transformed into a steamroller of political power .
Trump 's solicitation of assistance for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by holding up the release of $ 391 million in military aid to the same foreign government .
These funds were congressionally appropriated and ordered to be paid by legislation that Trump had signed into law .
Federal law prohibits such solicitation as criminal and prohibits government officials from seeking personal favors in return for performing their governmental duties .
The latter is bribery .
The evidence that Trump did this is overwhelming and beyond a reasonable doubt , and no one with firsthand knowledge denied it .
Napolitano then explained how new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans ( 24 newly uncovered emails and John Bolton 's testimony ) was as shameful as Trump 's behavior .
The second signal event was shameful .
It was the 51 to 49 Senate vote to bar witnesses and documents from the trial .
Is n't it odd that a president who clamors for exoneration , who claimed loud and long that he committed no crime and did no wrong , who insisted that his request to the Ukrainian president to seek dirt on Biden in return for American financial assistance was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his own party to block testimony adverse to him – rather than hear it , cross-examine it , challenge it and thereby obtain the exoneration on the merits that he seeks ?
Do innocent people behave this way ?
They do not .

While Trump surrogates lie to the press and claim Trump did nothing wrong whatsoever, Judge Andrew Napolitano, Fox News' Senior Legal Analyst writes that Senate Republicans shirked their duty and acquitted Trump without bothering to weigh any evidence highlighted by them refusing to call a single witness.
But the search for the truth requires witnesses, and when the command from Senate Republican leaders came down that there shall be no witnesses, the truth-telling mission of Trump's trial was radically transformed into a steamroller of political power.
Judge Nap outlined the entire case:
Trump's solicitation of assistance for his reelection campaign from a foreign government by holding up the release of $391 million in military aid to the same foreign government. These funds were congressionally appropriated and ordered to be paid by legislation that Trump had signed into law. Federal law prohibits such solicitation as criminal and prohibits government officials from seeking personal favors in return for performing their governmental duties. The latter is bribery. The evidence that Trump did this is overwhelming and beyond a reasonable doubt, and no one with firsthand knowledge denied it.
Napolitano then explained how new evidence against Trump was buried by Senate Republicans (24 newly uncovered emails and John Bolton's testimony) was as shameful as Trump's behavior.
The second signal event was shameful. It was the 51 to 49 Senate vote to bar witnesses and documents from the trial. Isn't it odd that a president who clamors for exoneration, who claimed loud and long that he committed no crime and did no wrong, who insisted that his request to the Ukrainian president to seek dirt on Biden in return for American financial assistance was "perfect," would command the members of his own party to block testimony adverse to him – rather than hear it, cross-examine it, challenge it and thereby obtain the exoneration on the merits that he seeks? Do innocent people behave this way?
They do not.


crooksandliars--2020-02-06--Speaker Pelosi Shredded Trump's 'State Of His Mind' Address In Weekly Presser

Every time we think we have met Zero F*cks To Give Nancy Pelosi , she tightens up her game and takes us to the next level .
Exhibit A : this morning 's press conference .
She spent the beginning absolutely destroying Comrade Trump 's State of the Union lies as they related to the actual real president who preceded him : President Barack Obama .
She knows how much Trump just loves comparing himself to Obama , so she thought she 'd help out by making sure the press and everyone knew the truth about how he measured up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Very , very poorly . )
As always , Speaker Pelosi had the numbers at the tips of her fingers to prove that , as she said , what Trump inherited was not even close to a mess — it was momentum .
Inevitably , though , questions turned to her badass move after Trump 's State of the Union address : tearing up his speech on national TV .
Because God knows , with a sure-to-be-rigged election coming up , Trump being acquitted of impeachment charges , vengeance on his mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Supreme Court set to take up reproductive rights , Wuhan virus , Trump opening up protected land to drilling , separating toddlers from their terrified parents at the border , not vaccinating them and letting them die in freezing cages , the REAL news is that a lady-person did something `` rude '' to a big powerful manly penis-haver on the teevee .
Reporter : You often counsel your members to be dignified in their responses .
Did you step on that message by tearing up the -- SPEAKER PELOSI : No , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ did not .
I tore up a manifesto of mistruths .
It 's very hard for us to get you to talk about the issues that we are working on , HR3 , infrastructure and the rest .
He misrepresented all of that .
It was necessary to get the attention of the American people to say this is not true .
And this is how it affects you .
And I do n't need any lessons from anybody , especially president of the United States , about dignity .
Dignity .
Is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more years ! ''
in the House of Representatives ?
It 's just unheard of .
Is it unheard of for the president to insult people there who do n't share his view , as well as to misrepresent , present falsehoods , some would use the word lie , I do n't like to use the word lie , about what he is saying .
So , no , I think it was completely , entirely appropriate , and considering some of the other exuberances within me , the courteous thing to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Bad B*tch way of saying , `` Considering I should have wiped my ass with that speech , tearing it up was pretty mild . ''
Dignity ?
You want to talk to her about DIGNITY and Trump ?
Then she squashed the notion that she will need to invite him back next year , and spanked the media for focusing on HER behavior , instead of the grotesque behavior on the parts of Trump and the GOP that prompted her reaction .
Reporter : Does it give you pause ( inaudible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ State of the Union address ... SPEAKER PELOSI : Next year we will have a new President of the United States .
That is an absolute imperative for our country , for our Constitution , for the land that we love from sea to shining sea , which he degrades almost every day but several times a week , for who we are as a people , a nation of immigrants , unless you 're blessed to be born a Native American , whom he denigrates , and our values , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ degrades the environment , denigrates who we are as a people , and undervalues who we are as a great country , that is a good country where people care about each other and where there 's a sense of community .
It 's appalling the things that he says .
And then you say to me tearing up his falsehoods , is n't THAT the wrong message ?
No , it is n't .
It 's just I have tried to be gracious with him , I 'm always dignified , I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to my exuberances , as I said .
But we will not allow any president to use that Capitol , that chamber of the House of Representatives , of the People 's House as a backdrop for him .
Now , all presidents have guests .
That was not what State of the Union .
That was his state of mind .
We wanted a State of the Union .
Where are we , where are we going , and the rest .
Not , `` Let me just show you how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ let me say how I can give a medal of honor . ''
Do it in your own office .
We do n't come in your office and do Congressional business .
Why are you doing that here ?
Quite frankly , when he started talking about someone with stage four cancer , I thought he was -- I do n't know what stage John Lewis 's cancer is at , when he started talking about someone with cancer , we thought he was going to talk about John Lewis , a hero @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So in any event , I feel very liberated .
I feel very liberated .
I feel that I 've extended every possible courtesy , I 've shown every level of respect , I say to my members all the time there 's no such thing as an eternal animosity .
There are eternal friendships , but you never know on what cause you may come together with somebody you may have perceived as your foe right now .
Everybody is a possible ally in whatever comes next .
E pluribus unum .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we be , or how different we be .
They want us always to remember we were one and they , our founders , had their differences , as do we .
So , again , I extended a hand of friendship to him , to welcome him as the president of the United States , to the People 's House .
It was also an act of kindness , because he looked to me like he was a little sedated .
He looked that way last year , too .
He did @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was that .
That meant nothing to me .
That had nothing to do with my tearing up , that came much later in ... you know , I 'm a speed reader .
I just went right through that thing .
I knew what was coming .
When I saw the compilation of falsehoods but when I heard , like .
the first quarter or third , then I started to think , there has to be something that clearly indicates to the American people that this is not the truth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his speech , he 's shredding the Constitution in his conduct .
I shredded his `` State of his Mind '' address .
Thank you all very much .
DAYUM , NANCY !
`` It was also an act of kindness , because he looked to me like he was a little sedated ... '' She is soooo smooth .
Is this the Baltimore/San Francisco version of `` Bless his heart ? ''
If this is Nancy Pelosi liberated , we are here for it .
Tell us how it is , Speaker @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about Trump , yet .

Every time we think we have met Zero F*cks To Give Nancy Pelosi, she tightens up her game and takes us to the next level. Exhibit A: this morning's press conference. She spent the beginning absolutely destroying Comrade Trump's State of the Union lies as they related to the actual real president who preceded him: President Barack Obama. She knows how much Trump just loves comparing himself to Obama, so she thought she'd help out by making sure the press and everyone knew the truth about how he measured up. (SPOILER: It's poorly. Very, very poorly.) As always, Speaker Pelosi had the numbers at the tips of her fingers to prove that, as she said, what Trump inherited was not even close to a mess — it was momentum.
Inevitably, though, questions turned to her badass move after Trump's Nuremberg rally State of the Union address: tearing up his speech on national TV. Because God knows, with a sure-to-be-rigged election coming up, Trump being acquitted of impeachment charges, vengeance on his mind, the Constitution in tatters, the Supreme Court set to take up reproductive rights, Wuhan virus, Trump opening up protected land to drilling, separating toddlers from their terrified parents at the border, not vaccinating them and letting them die in freezing cages, the REAL news is that a lady-person did something "rude" to a big powerful manly penis-haver on the teevee.
Not today, reporters. Not today.
Reporter: You often counsel your members to be dignified in their responses. Did you step on that message by tearing up the -- SPEAKER PELOSI: No, I did not. No, I did not. I tore up a manifesto of mistruths. It's very hard for us to get you to talk about the issues that we are working on, HR3, infrastructure and the rest. He misrepresented all of that. It was necessary to get the attention of the American people to say this is not true. And this is how it affects you. And I don't need any lessons from anybody, especially president of the United States, about dignity. Dignity. Is it okay to start saying "Four more years!" in the House of Representatives? It's just unheard of. Is it unheard of for the president to insult people there who don't share his view, as well as to misrepresent, present falsehoods, some would use the word lie, I don't like to use the word lie, about what he is saying. So, no, I think it was completely, entirely appropriate, and considering some of the other exuberances within me, the courteous thing to do.
That last sentence was just the Bad B*tch way of saying, "Considering I should have wiped my ass with that speech, tearing it up was pretty mild."
Dignity? You want to talk to her about DIGNITY and Trump?
Then she squashed the notion that she will need to invite him back next year, and spanked the media for focusing on HER behavior, instead of the grotesque behavior on the parts of Trump and the GOP that prompted her reaction.
Reporter: Does it give you pause (inaudible) to invite him back for another State of the Union address... SPEAKER PELOSI: Next year we will have a new President of the United States. That is an absolute imperative for our country, for our Constitution, for the land that we love from sea to shining sea, which he degrades almost every day but several times a week, for who we are as a people, a nation of immigrants, unless you're blessed to be born a Native American, whom he denigrates, and our values, which he just is disloyal to the Constitution, degrades the environment, denigrates who we are as a people, and undervalues who we are as a great country, that is a good country where people care about each other and where there's a sense of community. It's appalling the things that he says. And then you say to me tearing up his falsehoods, isn't THAT the wrong message? No, it isn't. It's just I have tried to be gracious with him, I'm always dignified, I thought that was a very dignified act compared to my exuberances, as I said. But we will not allow any president to use that Capitol, that chamber of the House of Representatives, of the People's House as a backdrop for him. Now, all presidents have guests. That was not what State of the Union. That was his state of mind. We wanted a State of the Union. Where are we, where are we going, and the rest. Not, "Let me just show you how many guests I can draw, and let me say how I can give a medal of honor." Do it in your own office. We don't come in your office and do Congressional business. Why are you doing that here? Quite frankly, when he started talking about someone with stage four cancer, I thought he was -- I don't know what stage John Lewis's cancer is at, when he started talking about someone with cancer, we thought he was going to talk about John Lewis, a hero in our country. Come on. So in any event, I feel very liberated. I feel very liberated. I feel that I've extended every possible courtesy, I've shown every level of respect, I say to my members all the time there's no such thing as an eternal animosity. There are eternal friendships, but you never know on what cause you may come together with somebody you may have perceived as your foe right now. Everybody is a possible ally in whatever comes next. E pluribus unum. From many, one. How many we be, or how different we be. They want us always to remember we were one and they, our founders, had their differences, as do we. So, again, I extended a hand of friendship to him, to welcome him as the president of the United States, to the People's House. It was also an act of kindness, because he looked to me like he was a little sedated. He looked that way last year, too. He didn't want to shake hands. That was that. That meant nothing to me. That had nothing to do with my tearing up, that came much later in...you know, I'm a speed reader. I just went right through that thing. I knew what was coming. When I saw the compilation of falsehoods but when I heard, like. the first quarter or third, then I started to think, there has to be something that clearly indicates to the American people that this is not the truth. And he has shredded the truth in his speech, he's shredding the Constitution in his conduct. I shredded his "State of his Mind" address. Thank you all very much.
DAYUM, NANCY! "It was also an act of kindness, because he looked to me like he was a little sedated..." She is soooo smooth. Is this the Baltimore/San Francisco version of "Bless his heart?" If this is Nancy Pelosi liberated, we are here for it. Tell us how it is, Speaker Pelosi, you haven't been wrong about Trump, yet.


crooksandliars--2020-02-06--Profiles In Greed: John Bolton Said No To Written Statement

Adam Schiff made news on Rachel Maddow 's show Wednesday when he noted a refusal by John Bolton to provide @ @ @ @ @ Senate Impeachment trial .
House managers had asked Bolton to provide testimony in this way @ @ @ @ @ the Senate was going to vote against witnesses and documents .
Bolton , who had @ @ @ @ @ before the Senate , refused the House managers ' request .
He should be subpoenaed @ @ @ @ @ advance if he does n't comply .
ADAM SCHIFF : I can tell you that @ @ @ @ @ to hear witnesses — after they voted to be the first impeachment trial in history @ @ @ @ @ approach John Bolton ’ s counsel and asked if Mr. Bolton would be willing to @ @ @ @ @ , describing what he observed in terms of the president ’ s Ukraine misconduct , @ @ @ @ @ , for whatever reason , he apparently was willing to testify before the Senate but @ @ @ @ @ intent on saving it for his book .

Adam Schiff made news on Rachel Maddow's show Wednesday when he noted a refusal by John Bolton to provide a written affidavit to the Senate Impeachment trial.
House managers had asked Bolton to provide testimony in this way when it became clear that the Senate was going to vote against witnesses and documents.
Bolton, who had earlier indicated he WOULD testify before the Senate, refused the House managers' request.
He should be subpoenaed and fined his entire book advance if he doesn't comply.
ADAM SCHIFF: I can tell you that after the Senate voted not to hear witnesses — after they voted to be the first impeachment trial in history without witnesses, we did approach John Bolton’s counsel and asked if Mr. Bolton would be willing to submit an affidavit under oath, describing what he observed in terms of the president’s Ukraine misconduct, and he refused. So, for whatever reason, he apparently was willing to testify before the Senate but apart from that, seems intent on saving it for his book.
John Bolton didn't just fail to fulfill his duty as a public servant and an American. He hung these brave witnesses out to dry. https://t.co/31c30XlH99 — Walter Shaub (@waltshaub) February 5, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-02-06--Trump Rejects That Whole 'Love Your Enemies' Thing At Prayer Breakfast

It was , as we all could have predicted , a train wreck .
Donald Trump arrived at the National @ @ @ @ @ a newspaper with the large headline `` ACQUITTED '' , and it went downhill from @ @ @ @ @ host with the message `` love your enemies '' which is from JESUS in the @ @ @ @ @ , Trump said he `` did n't agree with it . ''
AND he used @ @ @ @ @ to attack Romney and Pelosi for using faith arguments .
Because they 're ENEMIES , @ @ @ @ @ with `` love your enemies . ''
We at C & L remember in 2018 @ @ @ @ @ FULL of Russians .
Really .

It was, as we all could have predicted, a train wreck.
speaking at the National Prayer Breakfast is a president who believes that marriage is a sacred institution between a man and a woman and a another woman after that and then another woman after that and also a paid-off porn actress and some other women both willing and unwilling — Jeff Tiedrich (@itsJeffTiedrich) February 6, 2020
Donald Trump arrived at the National Prayer Breakfast and held up a newspaper with the large headline "ACQUITTED", and it went downhill from there.
Admonished by a host with the message "love your enemies" which is from JESUS in the BIBLE, by the way, Trump said he "didn't agree with it."
AND he used the issue of 'prayer' to attack Romney and Pelosi for using faith arguments. Because they're ENEMIES, and he doesn't agree with "love your enemies."
Trump just walked into the National Prayer Breakfast & didn’t bow in submission to God, but held up papers saying acquital & flaunted his supposed glory & victory. What’s worse, preachers & many other attendees applauded him. pic.twitter.com/MWPH63EjXy — Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II (@RevDrBarber) February 6, 2020
Trump, “my family, our country and your president have been put through a great ordeal by some very corrupt people” — Tom LoBianco (@tomlobianco) February 6, 2020
I've studied the National Prayer Breakfast a good bit, and I can't say how bizarre it is for a president to use the moment -- traditionally one devoted to bipartisanship and unity -- to strike such a petty, vindictive tone at the event. pic.twitter.com/bFJN1PmUoi — Kevin M. Kruse (@KevinMKruse) February 6, 2020
I'm not a theologian but I can't help but feel that bragging about employment numbers during a speech to a prayer breakfast misses the point pic.twitter.com/c4aoHnaWIf — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) February 6, 2020
Reminder: the ‘National Prayer Breakfast’ is a haven for foreign influence, including Putin’s top religious oligarchs who rub elbows with political elites, and is run by ‘The Family’ Christofascist cult that is linked to former Nazis. This is all normalized.#Netflix #TheFamily — Alexandra Chalupa (@AlexandraChalup) February 6, 2020
We at C&L remember in 2018 when the Prayer Breakfast was FULL of Russians. Really.


crooksandliars--2020-02-06--Trump Jr. Rages At Mitt Romney, Calls Him A 'Pussy'

Donald Trump Jr. lashed out at Sen. Mitt Romney on Wednesday after the Utah Republican announced he would vote to @ @ @ @ @ trial .
The president ’ s son made the remarks after Romney announced his decision @ @ @ @ @ “ Mitt Romney is forever bitter that he will never be POTUS , ” the @ @ @ @ @ on Twitter .
“ He was too weak to beat the Democrats then so he @ @ @ @ @ ” “ He ’ s now officially a member of the resistance & should be @ @ @ @ @ , ” he added .
UPDATE : Not to mention this bit of class from @ @ @

Donald Trump Jr. lashed out at Sen. Mitt Romney on Wednesday after the Utah Republican announced he would vote to convict in the Senate impeachment trial.
The president’s son made the remarks after Romney announced his decision on the Senate floor.
“Mitt Romney is forever bitter that he will never be POTUS,” the president’s son wrote on Twitter. “He was too weak to beat the Democrats then so he’s joining them now.”
“He’s now officially a member of the resistance & should be expelled from the @GOP,” he added.
Mitt Romney is forever bitter that he will never be POTUS. He was too weak to beat the Democrats then so he’s joining them now.
He’s now officially a member of the resistance & should be expelled from the @GOP. — Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 5, 2020
UPDATE: Not to mention this bit of class from Don Jr.


crooksandliars--2020-02-06--Jim Jordan Sputters While FBI Director Smirks

The House Judiciary Committee held a oversight hearing today during which FBI Director Christopher Wray was asked to testify about a number of topics .
One of the most contentious , though , centered Wray 's response to Inspector General Horowitz 's report about the opening of probe that ended with the Mueller Report .
Chief among the aggrieved it should be no surprise , was our favorite speed-yeller and molester-enabler , Gym Jordan of Ohio .
Jordan took issue with Director Wray 's phrasing that the IG report contained `` constructive criticism that will make us stronger . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough for Jordan 's taste .
JORDAN : Constructive criticism is when your grade school teacher tells you to study more for the spelling test .
Constructive criticism is when one of my colleagues says , `` Hey , Jim you should have asked your questions different in a hearing , that 's constructive criti — here 's what Mr. Horowitz said , here 's what the Inspector General said , `` So many basic fundamental errors were made by three separate hand-picked teams on one of the most sensitive FBI investigations that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FBI . ''
His lecturing of/to/at Director Wray went on for more than three full minutes , at the end of which he even acknowledged that Wray had agreed the mistakes were unacceptable and they would do their best to fix their errors .
Yet , he still wanted , well , no one really knew what it was Jordan wanted , and Wray basically said as much when Jordan finally came up for air .
Director Wray looked at him for a full seven seconds before turning on his microphone and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is there a question ? ''
And it STILL took Jordan three more sentences to land on a question to ask him , and it was one of the dumbest questions anyone conducting oversight can ask the person they 're keeping tabs on .
`` Are you taking this seriously enough , Director Wray ? ''
Something tells me that example of constructive criticism Jordan used — about his colleagues saying he should have asked his questions differently ?
— that probably happens a LOT .
Like , how does anyone answer that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Wray to pop a piece of gum in his mouth and put his feet up on the desk and say , `` Nope !
I never take anything you traitorous GOP sh*theads say to me seriously !
When 's happy hour ? ''
Of course , that 's not what he said .
DIR .
WRAY : I think I have demonstrated unambiguously that I take this very seriously .
At the same time that the letter that you read occurred , I communicated in no uncertain terms to my leadership team @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I consider the Inspector General 's report described conduct that I consider unacceptable .
Unacceptable and unrepresentative of who we are as an institution .
Here 's some constructive criticism for Mr. Jordan .
He would have learned so much more if he had simply asked , `` What are you doing , specifically , to implement the constructive criticism you took from the IG report ? ''
and actually allowed Wray to answer .
You know , had a conversation .
Gathered information from the people he is supposed to be overseeing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gathering information .
He 's interesting in kissing the Orange Abomination 's ass , being loud and seeming tough .
Got ta kiss that ring .

The House Judiciary Committee held a oversight hearing today during which FBI Director Christopher Wray was asked to testify about a number of topics. One of the most contentious, though, centered Wray's response to Inspector General Horowitz's report about the opening of probe that ended with the Mueller Report. Chief among the aggrieved it should be no surprise, was our favorite speed-yeller and molester-enabler, Gym Jordan of Ohio.
Jordan took issue with Director Wray's phrasing that the IG report contained "constructive criticism that will make us stronger." Well, that just wasn't self-flagellating enough for Jordan's taste.
JORDAN: Constructive criticism is when your grade school teacher tells you to study more for the spelling test. Constructive criticism is when one of my colleagues says, "Hey, Jim you should have asked your questions different in a hearing, that's constructive criti — here's what Mr. Horowitz said, here's what the Inspector General said, "So many basic fundamental errors were made by three separate hand-picked teams on one of the most sensitive FBI investigations that was briefed to the highest levels of the FBI."
His lecturing of/to/at Director Wray went on for more than three full minutes, at the end of which he even acknowledged that Wray had agreed the mistakes were unacceptable and they would do their best to fix their errors. Yet, he still wanted, well, no one really knew what it was Jordan wanted, and Wray basically said as much when Jordan finally came up for air.
Director Wray looked at him for a full seven seconds before turning on his microphone and asking, "I'm sorry, is there a question?"
Jordan answered, "There is."
Wray smirked, and asked, "What's the question?"
And it STILL took Jordan three more sentences to land on a question to ask him, and it was one of the dumbest questions anyone conducting oversight can ask the person they're keeping tabs on.
"Are you taking this seriously enough, Director Wray?"
Something tells me that example of constructive criticism Jordan used — about his colleagues saying he should have asked his questions differently? — that probably happens a LOT. Like, how does anyone answer that question? Part of me was dying for Wray to pop a piece of gum in his mouth and put his feet up on the desk and say, "Nope! I never take anything you traitorous GOP sh*theads say to me seriously! When's happy hour?"
Of course, that's not what he said.
DIR. WRAY: I think I have demonstrated unambiguously that I take this very seriously. At the same time that the letter that you read occurred, I communicated in no uncertain terms to my leadership team and to the entire FBI workforce that I consider the Inspector General's report described conduct that I consider unacceptable. Unacceptable and unrepresentative of who we are as an institution.
Here's some constructive criticism for Mr. Jordan. He would have learned so much more if he had simply asked, "What are you doing, specifically, to implement the constructive criticism you took from the IG report?" and actually allowed Wray to answer. You know, had a conversation. Gathered information from the people he is supposed to be overseeing. But Jordan isn't interested in gathering information. He's interesting in kissing the Orange Abomination's ass, being loud and seeming tough. Gotta kiss that ring.


crooksandliars--2020-02-06--Nancy Pelosi Press Conference For February 6

In her weekly press conference , the Speaker of the House demonstrated her newfound feeling of `` liberation '' from @ @ @ @ @ to show Trump respect .
Does that mean she 's done showing it ?


crooksandliars--2020-02-06--FBI Director Equates Homegrown Extremist Threat In U.S. To That Of ISIS

And instead of addressing the actual threat , Republicans on the Judiciary Committee stuck to their anti-Trump conspiracy theories .
Via CBS News : The FBI has elevated its assessment of the threat posed by racially motivated violent extremists in the U.S. to a `` national threat priority '' for fiscal year 2020 , FBI director Christopher Wray said Wednesday .
He said the FBI is placing the risk of violence from such groups `` on the same footing '' as threats posed to the country by foreign terrorist organizations such as ISIS and its sympathizers .
`` Not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's unrelenting , '' Wray said at an oversight hearing before the House Judiciary Committee .
Racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists , or domestic terrorists motivated by racial or religious hatred , make up a `` huge chunk '' of the FBI 's domestic terrorism investigations , Wray said in statements before the Senate Homeland Security Committee last November .
The majority of those attacks are `` fueled by some type of white supremacy , '' he said .
Wednesday , Wray said combating domestic terrorism and its `` close cousin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` top of the priority list '' for the FBI .

And instead of addressing the actual threat, Republicans on the Judiciary Committee stuck to their anti-Trump conspiracy theories. Via CBS News:
The FBI has elevated its assessment of the threat posed by racially motivated violent extremists in the U.S. to a "national threat priority" for fiscal year 2020, FBI director Christopher Wray said Wednesday. He said the FBI is placing the risk of violence from such groups "on the same footing" as threats posed to the country by foreign terrorist organizations such as ISIS and its sympathizers.
"Not only is the terror threat diverse — it's unrelenting," Wray said at an oversight hearing before the House Judiciary Committee.
Racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists, or domestic terrorists motivated by racial or religious hatred, make up a "huge chunk" of the FBI's domestic terrorism investigations, Wray said in statements before the Senate Homeland Security Committee last November. The majority of those attacks are "fueled by some type of white supremacy," he said.
Wednesday, Wray said combating domestic terrorism and its "close cousin," hate crimes, are at the "top of the priority list" for the FBI.


crooksandliars--2020-02-06--As Final Totals Arrive, Iowa Is Still A Horse Race With Bernie And Pete

If you can bear to watch Steve Kornacki , knock yourself out .
He drills down into the numbers and explains what will go into determining the winner as we now have 97 % of the returns .
I can tell you what did n't go into determining a winner : A DNC/Buttigieg conspiracy .
I know how much some people love their conspiracy theories ( I 'm still clinging to the one where E.T.s intervene before we blow up the world ) , but some of them are just idiotic .
A lot of the people are determined to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Conspiracies , but there 's no `` there '' there .
Here 's the deal .
After the 2016 election , Tom Perez put together something called the Unity Reform Commission as a way of addressing the concerns of the Sanders campaign .
During those negotiations , the Sanders people wanted Iowa to remain a caucus state ; the DNC wanted a real primary , with direct voting .
Why did the Sanders people want Iowa to remain a caucus state ?
Because Iowa is a white , rural state and they thought @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him momentum for the later primaries .
Makes sense !
I spent an hour on the phone last night with someone who ran one of the biggest caucuses in Maine , and she walked me through the intricacies of caucus math .
What was the big hurdle in adding up the results ?
One problem is that the Sanders people wanted raw data included .
Why ?
In a political campaign , it 's easier to find a way to spin the results with raw data .
Again , typical campaign thinking .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the candidates were out there trying to spin the results as favorable .
( Looking at you , Amy Klobuchar ! )
HOWEVER : It 's hard to reconcile the raw data with the final results .
One of the reasons ?
Although they 're not supposed to , some caucus goers do leave after the first round .
It 's been a long night , they 're tired -- and their candidate did n't get enough supporters to reach the viability threshold .
But when you 're adding up numbers and trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to account for all those missing caucus-goers .
And if you 're trying to avoid accusations of unfairness , you really want the numbers to be validated .
( And remember , there were new changes by the Unity commission . )
All the information is there -- on paper .
And after the 2012 fiasco in which Rick Santorum actually won the Iowa caucuses , but Mitt Romney was declared the winner , the state politicians try to be really cautious .
( Which takes longer . )
How can a candidate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but end up with fewer delegates than the runnerup -- which looks likely ?
Because the districts are weighted .
The Iowa Dems wanted to discourage big-money candidates who could parachute in and campaign only in high-population areas .
Those are the basics .
So no , we 're not shilling for the DNC when we tell you to stop with the conspiracy theories .
The Iowa caucuses are an arcane and complex affair at best -- which is why this was most likely the last one ever .
Finally , about that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ understand the insular , frat-boy network of Democratic campaign operatives .
They know each other , they boost each other , and in far too many cases , it 's a matter of failing upward . )
Arrogant white guys , not doing the work .
People who know each other , investing in the app and recommending the company to the state parties .
The app failed .
Sh*t happens .
It 's not pretty , but it 's not unusual .
And it 's not aimed at your candidate .
Let @ @ @ @ @

If you can bear to watch Steve Kornacki, knock yourself out. He drills down into the numbers and explains what will go into determining the winner as we now have 97% of the returns.
I can tell you what didn't go into determining a winner: A DNC/Buttigieg conspiracy.
I know how much some people love their conspiracy theories (I'm still clinging to the one where E.T.s intervene before we blow up the world), but some of them are just idiotic. A lot of the people are determined to believe the Unified Field Theory of Anti-Bernie Conspiracies, but there's no "there" there.
Here's the deal. After the 2016 election, Tom Perez put together something called the Unity Reform Commission as a way of addressing the concerns of the Sanders campaign. During those negotiations, the Sanders people wanted Iowa to remain a caucus state; the DNC wanted a real primary, with direct voting.
Why did the Sanders people want Iowa to remain a caucus state? Because Iowa is a white, rural state and they thought Bernie would do better there, giving him momentum for the later primaries. Makes sense!
I spent an hour on the phone last night with someone who ran one of the biggest caucuses in Maine, and she walked me through the intricacies of caucus math.
What was the big hurdle in adding up the results? One problem is that the Sanders people wanted raw data included. Why? In a political campaign, it's easier to find a way to spin the results with raw data. Again, typical campaign thinking. As we saw Monday night, all the candidates were out there trying to spin the results as favorable. (Looking at you, Amy Klobuchar!)
HOWEVER: It's hard to reconcile the raw data with the final results. One of the reasons? Although they're not supposed to, some caucus goers do leave after the first round. It's been a long night, they're tired -- and their candidate didn't get enough supporters to reach the viability threshold. But when you're adding up numbers and trying to verify the totals, you have to account for all those missing caucus-goers. And if you're trying to avoid accusations of unfairness, you really want the numbers to be validated. (And remember, there were new changes by the Unity commission.)
All the information is there -- on paper. And after the 2012 fiasco in which Rick Santorum actually won the Iowa caucuses, but Mitt Romney was declared the winner, the state politicians try to be really cautious. (Which takes longer.)
How can a candidate win the popular vote in Iowa, but end up with fewer delegates than the runnerup -- which looks likely? Because the districts are weighted. The Iowa Dems wanted to discourage big-money candidates who could parachute in and campaign only in high-population areas.
Those are the basics. So no, we're not shilling for the DNC when we tell you to stop with the conspiracy theories. The Iowa caucuses are an arcane and complex affair at best -- which is why this was most likely the last one ever.
Finally, about that app. (It helps if you understand the insular, frat-boy network of Democratic campaign operatives. They know each other, they boost each other, and in far too many cases, it's a matter of failing upward.) Arrogant white guys, not doing the work. People who know each other, investing in the app and recommending the company to the state parties. The app failed. Sh*t happens.
It's not pretty, but it's not unusual. And it's not aimed at your candidate. Let the flame wars begin!


crooksandliars--2020-02-07--'Backslidden Baptist' Scarborough Denounces Trump's Prayer Breakfast Performance

Many of us have a complicated relationship with Christianity -- or no relationship at all .
Raised in churches that were often rife with hypocrisy , we walked away .
But the higher nature of church teachings still inspire us , and like Joe Scarborough , I am disgusted by the craven unwillingness of evangelical leaders to call Trump to task on a spiritual basis .
Ever , about anything .
Scarborough was furious about Trump turning yesterday 's National Prayer Breakfast into a chance to attack his enemies .
He compared the modern evangelical movement unfavorably to the civil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
`` He could n't tell you the difference between the New and Old Testament , and yesterday he mocked the words of Jesus Christ .
Now listen , since Franklin Graham and Jerry Falwell Jr. , Robert Jefferies and all of these other so-called religious leaders are not telling those of you who were n't raised in the church why it was so grotesque for people at the National Prayer Breakfast and in the White House to be laughing at Donald Trump mocking the words of Jesus Christ , let a twice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Scarborough said , practically spitting .
`` Let me read you the words that the president of the United States at a national prayer breakfast was mocking yesterday .
And how sad .
Think about it .
How sad .
Not a single evangelical leader came out yesterday and stood up for the words in the gospel of Jesus Christ .
Taken from the Sermon on the Mount , '' he said , calling it the `` centerpiece of the gospels .
`` Jesus said this -- 'You have heard it said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but I tell you , love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you , and pray for those who persecute you , that you may be sons and daughters of your father in heaven .
If you love only those who love you , what reward will you get ?
And do not even evil men do that ?
And if you greet only your brothers , only your friends , what are you doing more than others ?
Do not even pagans do that ?
Be perfect , therefore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as your heavenly father is perfect .
`` It is the centerpiece , Jon Meacham , whether you were a believer or not , it is the centerpiece of the gospels of Jesus Christ to love your enemies , to forgive those who have persecuted you , and to show mercy and kindness and meekness .
That should be your goal , and yesterday at something called the National Prayer Breakfast , Donald Trump mocked the words of Jesus Christ , and he got applause for it .
`` I 'm marking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only in the history of this country , but in the history of the modern evangelical movement , because I heard nobody , nobody , that supported Donald Trump stand up for the words of Jesus Christ , and here I am , like I said , a guy who 's been divorced twice , a guy who 's a back-slidden Baptist , I 'm having to do this ?
`` Where are the religious leaders of the day to do this ?
Or to talk about the Good Samaritan ?
Or to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put children in cages ?
Or to talk about why it 's unChrist-like to reward the richest of the rich while hurting the poorest of the poor ?
`` Where are these men ? ''
The polling shows that at least some evangelicals have their doubts about supporting Donald Trump .
To have a national presence like Scarborough hammer away at Trump on a religious basis is a very good thing .

Many of us have a complicated relationship with Christianity -- or no relationship at all. Raised in churches that were often rife with hypocrisy, we walked away. But the higher nature of church teachings still inspire us, and like Joe Scarborough, I am disgusted by the craven unwillingness of evangelical leaders to call Trump to task on a spiritual basis. Ever, about anything.
Scarborough was furious about Trump turning yesterday's National Prayer Breakfast into a chance to attack his enemies. He compared the modern evangelical movement unfavorably to the civil rights leadership of churches in the Sixties.
"He couldn't tell you the difference between the New and Old Testament, and yesterday he mocked the words of Jesus Christ. Now listen, since Franklin Graham and Jerry Falwell Jr., Robert Jefferies and all of these other so-called religious leaders are not telling those of you who weren't raised in the church why it was so grotesque for people at the National Prayer Breakfast and in the White House to be laughing at Donald Trump mocking the words of Jesus Christ, let a twice divorced back-slidden Baptist tell you," Scarborough said, practically spitting.
"Let me read you the words that the president of the United States at a national prayer breakfast was mocking yesterday. And how sad. Think about it. How sad. Not a single evangelical leader came out yesterday and stood up for the words in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Taken from the Sermon on the Mount," he said, calling it the "centerpiece of the gospels.
"Jesus said this -- 'You have heard it said, love your friends and hate your enemies, but I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons and daughters of your father in heaven. If you love only those who love you, what reward will you get? And do not even evil men do that? And if you greet only your brothers, only your friends, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as Arthur Brooks was saying yesterday, as your heavenly father is perfect.
"It is the centerpiece, Jon Meacham, whether you were a believer or not, it is the centerpiece of the gospels of Jesus Christ to love your enemies, to forgive those who have persecuted you, and to show mercy and kindness and meekness. That should be your goal, and yesterday at something called the National Prayer Breakfast, Donald Trump mocked the words of Jesus Christ, and he got applause for it.
"I'm marking yesterday as a dark day, not only in the history of this country, but in the history of the modern evangelical movement, because I heard nobody, nobody, that supported Donald Trump stand up for the words of Jesus Christ, and here I am, like I said, a guy who's been divorced twice, a guy who's a back-slidden Baptist, I'm having to do this?
"Where are the religious leaders of the day to do this? Or to talk about the Good Samaritan? Or to talk about why it is unChrist-like to put children in cages? Or to talk about why it's unChrist-like to reward the richest of the rich while hurting the poorest of the poor?
"Where are these men?"
The polling shows that at least some evangelicals have their doubts about supporting Donald Trump. To have a national presence like Scarborough hammer away at Trump on a religious basis is a very good thing.


crooksandliars--2020-02-07--Mississippi Republicans Steal Millions From Welfare Programs

That old scheme – take from the poor and give to the rich .
Six fancy pants people were arrested in Mississippi for scamming what is suspected to be multi millions of dollars from state programs intended to help the poorest among us .
Two of those arrested were embezzling taxpayers ’ money to give it to Republican politicians .
Dr. Nancy New , owner and Director of the Mississippi Community Education Center ( MCEC ) and New Learning , Inc. and her son Zach New , Assistant Executive Director of MCEC , were helping Republicans run for the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ money they stole went to — Two others stole money from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund to send a third one to a high falutin ’ drug rehab center in California .
They said he was teaching a drug rehab program for youth in Mississippi while he was actually in California soaking up the sunshine at his own rehab center .
They took other millions for their personal use and the use of their personal businesses .
“ The Hinds County District Attorney ’ s Office looks forward to working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dedicated team to end public corruption in Mississippi , ” said Owens .
“ The misuse of government funds designed for families in need will not be tolerated by our office and those who break the law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.
” Owens worked at the Southern Poverty Law Center before being elected DA so I suspect he ’ s fully prepared to go hunting for bear .
Honey , these entitled people stole so much money that authorities are still tracking it all down .

That old scheme – take from the poor and give to the rich.
Six fancy pants people were arrested in Mississippi for scamming what is suspected to be multi millions of dollars from state programs intended to help the poorest among us.
Two of those arrested were embezzling taxpayers’ money to give it to Republican politicians.
Dr. Nancy New, owner and Director of the Mississippi Community Education Center (MCEC) and New Learning, Inc. and her son Zach New, Assistant Executive Director of MCEC, were helping Republicans run for the House and the Senate.
Some of the money they stole went to —
Nancy’s son, Zach, works at …. New Summit Schools.
Two others stole money from the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families fund to send a third one to a high falutin’ drug rehab center in California. They said he was teaching a drug rehab program for youth in Mississippi while he was actually in California soaking up the sunshine at his own rehab center.
They took other millions for their personal use and the use of their personal businesses.
The newly elected Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens said …
“The Hinds County District Attorney’s Office looks forward to working with the State Auditor Shad White and his dedicated team to end public corruption in Mississippi,” said Owens. “The misuse of government funds designed for families in need will not be tolerated by our office and those who break the law will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible.”
Owens worked at the Southern Poverty Law Center before being elected DA so I suspect he’s fully prepared to go hunting for bear.
Honey, these entitled people stole so much money that authorities are still tracking it all down.
Published with permission of JuanitaJean.com


crooksandliars--2020-02-07--#MattGaetzIsATool Trends Big-time After He Announces Ethics Complaint Against Pelosi

On Thursday morning , Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida announced that he had filed an ethics complaint against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for ripping up her copy of Donald Trump ’ s State of the Union speech .
It ’ s predictable and arguably exactly what Pelosi was expecting , with Gaetz saving network pundits from hours of bad takes on the actual contents of the speech .
Gaetz is acting out one of the many theatrical displays of fealty that Republican hacks will be performing for their fearful and corrupt leader .
It ’ s very on-brand for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hunt against a woman , wasting American taxpayer money , and not doing their actual jobs as legislators .
Gaetz is a special kind of craven , though , as he combines the condescension of Ted Cruz with the piss-poor intellect of Louie Gohmert .
This is a man who has in the past tried to intimidate witnesses and has had his own run-ins with the law , all issues of ethics .
After the announcement of the ethics complaint , # MattGaetzIsATool went viral on Twitter .
Because there is video of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tools ’ lives , here ’ s a reminder of the kind of hypocritical , two-inch-deep politician Matt Gaetz is .
And a moment with someone who served his country and actually believes in the oath he took to protect our country ’ s values and institutions :

On Thursday morning, Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida announced that he had filed an ethics complaint against House Speaker Nancy Pelosi for ripping up her copy of Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech. It’s predictable and arguably exactly what Pelosi was expecting, with Gaetz saving network pundits from hours of bad takes on the actual contents of the speech. Gaetz is acting out one of the many theatrical displays of fealty that Republican hacks will be performing for their fearful and corrupt leader. It’s very on-brand for the Republican Party: conducting a witch hunt against a woman, wasting American taxpayer money, and not doing their actual jobs as legislators.
Gaetz is a special kind of craven, though, as he combines the condescension of Ted Cruz with the piss-poor intellect of Louie Gohmert. This is a man who has in the past tried to intimidate witnesses and has had his own run-ins with the law, all issues of ethics.
After the announcement of the ethics complaint, #MattGaetzIsATool went viral on Twitter.
Because there is video of every hypocritical moment in these many Republican tools’ lives, here’s a reminder of the kind of hypocritical, two-inch-deep politician Matt Gaetz is.
"Let me say right here, right now. Absolutely Donald Trump should release his tax returns." GOP Rep Matt Gaetz #MattGaetzIsATool pic.twitter.com/WcQKygIwIu — Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 6, 2020
And a moment with someone who served his country and actually believes in the oath he took to protect our country’s values and institutions:
Watch GOP Rep Matt Gaetz get told to his face by a Veteran that he’s betraying his oath of office for defending Trump’s high crimes. #MattGaetzIsAToolpic.twitter.com/0jZSKkqiKb — Scott Dworkin (@funder) February 6, 2020
Who doesn’t like a good Trump bill-signing meme?


crooksandliars--2020-02-07--Lily-Livered Sycophant Tucker Carlson Rips Romney For 'Moral Preening'

Tucker Carlson – who ripped Donald Trump ’ s behavior toward Ukraine in print and then pretended otherwise on Fox News – is attacking Sen. Mitt Romney for daring to honor his oath of office and his conscience by voting to remove Donald Trump at the conclusion of his impeachment trial .
Yesterday , in the immediate aftermath of Romney ’ s vote , Fox News tried to dismiss it as “ a blip ” that “ will not really matter all that much.
” But Romney knew that it was only a matter of time before he ’ d @ @ @ @ @ @ @ abuse .
“ Does anyone seriously believe I would consent to these consequences other than from an inescapable conviction that my oath before God demanded it of me ?
” he said .
But , he concluded , “ I will tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability , believing that my country expected it of me.
” Tucker Carlson stepped up to the plate to smear Romney in the most hypocritical and childish way .
With his trademark frat boy “ humor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment was like the Titanic : “ Oh , pretty gripping !
” he snarked .
Before long , Carlson turned his ire on Romney .
For extra Fox-smearing value , Carlson skipped over Romney ’ s stirring and memorable words and began by likening him to a Democrat : CARLSON : A lone Republican , as you may have read , defected and joined the Democrats .
That senator shall go unnamed on this show , on the grounds that silly moral preening should not be rewarded with the publicity it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ethics lecture from a private equity guy ?
Next thing you know , some payday-loan sleazeball will be telling us we 're all going to hell .
We saw a graphic of Romney adorned with a French beret , mustache , and baguette above a headline that read : “ PIERRE DELECTO STRIKES AGAIN.
” ( Pierre Delecto is the name of Romney ’ s once-secret Twitter account . )
Ethics policeman Carlson took a gratuitous swipe at Al Sharpton , maybe just to let his white supremacist fan base know he hasn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impeachment trial .
CARLSON : It 's just too absurd , even for the ludicrous moment we 're living in .
We 'll take that seriously just as soon as we decide that Al Sharpton is a legitimate moral voice .
So enough of that .
What ’ s really too absurd is for a guy like Carlson to claim the moral high ground here ( or probably anywhere ) .
In print he blasted Trump ’ s phone call with the president of Ukraine , which was at the heart of Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ described the call as “ pretty over-the-top ” and warned Republicans who were trying to spin it that such behavior would lead to America becoming “ just another of the world ’ s many corrupt countries.
” The Fox News Carlson derided the issue as “ a phone call Donald Trump once made to some guy in Ukraine.
” In other words , Carlson had the chance to stand up for principle but didn ’ t .
Instead , he used middle-school-bully taunts to smear the guy who did .

Tucker Carlson – who ripped Donald Trump’s behavior toward Ukraine in print and then pretended otherwise on Fox News – is attacking Sen. Mitt Romney for daring to honor his oath of office and his conscience by voting to remove Donald Trump at the conclusion of his impeachment trial.
Yesterday, in the immediate aftermath of Romney’s vote, Fox News tried to dismiss it as “a blip” that “will not really matter all that much.” But Romney knew that it was only a matter of time before he’d face a torrent of right-wing backlash and abuse. “Does anyone seriously believe I would consent to these consequences other than from an inescapable conviction that my oath before God demanded it of me?” he said. But, he concluded, “I will tell my children and their children that I did my duty to the best of my ability, believing that my country expected it of me.”
Tucker Carlson stepped up to the plate to smear Romney in the most hypocritical and childish way.
With his trademark frat boy “humor” the 50 year-old Carlson sneered that impeachment was like the Titanic: “Oh, pretty gripping!” he snarked.
Before long, Carlson turned his ire on Romney. For extra Fox-smearing value, Carlson skipped over Romney’s stirring and memorable words and began by likening him to a Democrat:
CARLSON: A lone Republican, as you may have read, defected and joined the Democrats.
That senator shall go unnamed on this show, on the grounds that silly moral preening should not be rewarded with the publicity it is designed to garner. An overwrought, ethics lecture from a private equity guy? Next thing you know, some payday-loan sleazeball will be telling us we're all going to hell.
We saw a graphic of Romney adorned with a French beret, mustache, and baguette above a headline that read: “PIERRE DELECTO STRIKES AGAIN.”(Pierre Delecto is the name of Romney’s once-secret Twitter account.)
Ethics policeman Carlson took a gratuitous swipe at Al Sharpton, maybe just to let his white supremacist fan base know he hasn’t forgotten them during the race-neutral impeachment trial.
CARLSON: It's just too absurd, even for the ludicrous moment we're living in. We'll take that seriously just as soon as we decide that Al Sharpton is a legitimate moral voice. So enough of that.
What’s really too absurd is for a guy like Carlson to claim the moral high ground here (or probably anywhere). In print he blasted Trump’s phone call with the president of Ukraine, which was at the heart of Trump’s impeachment. There, Carlson described the call as “pretty over-the-top” and warned Republicans who were trying to spin it that such behavior would lead to America becoming “just another of the world’s many corrupt countries.” The Fox News Carlson derided the issue as “a phone call Donald Trump once made to some guy in Ukraine.”
In other words, Carlson had the chance to stand up for principle but didn’t. Instead, he used middle-school-bully taunts to smear the guy who did.
Published with permission of Newshounds.us


crooksandliars--2020-02-07--Ocasio-Cortez Testifies: There's A 'State Of Denial' About Poverty In US

Calling on her fellow lawmakers to pass legislation she put forward last year to better recognize—and move to eradicate—poverty in the United States , Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez testified before her own House committee Wednesday about the U.S. government 's willful failure to understand how many Americans are living in destitution .
Ocasio-Cortez joined several anti-poverty campaigners in testifying at a hearing regarding the effects of Trump administration policies on child poverty , hunger , homelessness , and healthcare .
The first-term New York Democrat argued that the government 's formula for calculating poverty—used long before President Donald Trump was in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financial devastation millions of Americans face .
`` The current level of the poverty line has simply been calculated by the price of minimum dietary requirements times three , '' Ocasio-Cortez said .
`` The current poverty line assumes that you have a spouse at home full-time , taking care of your children .
The current poverty line assumes that you do n't really have any significant healthcare costs .
All of this is wrong . ''
The failure to account for how many children are growing up without sufficient food , secure @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for basic needs—and the subsequent failure to provide sufficient welfare services—has left at least 40 million people in poverty , the congresswoman said .
`` We can not go another year with kids not getting food that they need—losing parents because they ca n't afford healthcare , '' said Ocasio-Cortez .
`` This is a moral wrong , and for children to lose their parents because they ca n't afford insulin or chemotherapy in what we proudly call the richest country in the world , is a moral injustice and a moral outrage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United Nations ' top expert on poverty issued a scathing report in 2018 , accusing the Trump administration of driving millions of Americans toward the point of `` ruination '' by cutting government assistance while lavishing the wealthiest people in the country with a $ 1.5 trillion tax cut .
`` We can not go another year with kids not getting food that they need—losing parents because they ca n't afford healthcare .
This is a moral wrong . ''
—Rep .
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-N.Y. ) The Oversight Committee 's hearing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it may change how inflation is calculated to even further reduce the number of Americans who are considered eligible for federal healthcare and housing assistance .
Ocasio-Cortez testified on the same day that the National Center for Homeless Education released a study showing that the number of public school students who are homeless has exploded by 15 % in just the past three years , reaching more than 1.5 million—the highest number in more than a decade .
`` America is in a state of denial about the level of poverty in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After testifying in the hearing , the congresswoman joined her colleagues on the committee in questioning the other witnesses and discussing her proposal for the Recognizing Poverty Act , which , she said , lawmakers would only oppose if they wish to continue covering up the truth about poverty and economic inequality in the United States .
`` It does n't even direct us to expand social programs .
We 're not even there yet , we 're just talking about recognizing poverty , and there 's resistance to doing that , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ believe that we do not want to recognize the level of poverty in this country because if we did , it would be a national scandal . ''
Should Ocasio-Cortez 's proposal pass , the congresswoman said , `` We will have to force ourselves to acknowledge that our systems have failed .
And that we are not doing enough by our own people in a democracy that is supposed to be by the people and for the people , to serve the people of the United States of America . ''

Calling on her fellow lawmakers to pass legislation she put forward last year to better recognize—and move to eradicate—poverty in the United States, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez testified before her own House committee Wednesday about the U.S. government's willful failure to understand how many Americans are living in destitution.
Ocasio-Cortez joined several anti-poverty campaigners in testifying at a hearing regarding the effects of Trump administration policies on child poverty, hunger, homelessness, and healthcare. The first-term New York Democrat argued that the government's formula for calculating poverty—used long before President Donald Trump was in office—makes it impossible to account for the financial devastation millions of Americans face.
"The current level of the poverty line has simply been calculated by the price of minimum dietary requirements times three," Ocasio-Cortez said. "The current poverty line assumes that you have a spouse at home full-time, taking care of your children. The current poverty line assumes that you don't really have any significant healthcare costs. All of this is wrong."
.@AOC: 40 million Americans live in what the government recognizes as poverty. That’s one in ten. pic.twitter.com/d3wrAuzIJW — Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) February 5, 2020
The failure to account for how many children are growing up without sufficient food, secure housing, and enough resources to pay for basic needs—and the subsequent failure to provide sufficient welfare services—has left at least 40 million people in poverty, the congresswoman said.
"We cannot go another year with kids not getting food that they need—losing parents because they can't afford healthcare," said Ocasio-Cortez. "This is a moral wrong, and for children to lose their parents because they can't afford insulin or chemotherapy in what we proudly call the richest country in the world, is a moral injustice and a moral outrage."
.@AOC testifying on the need to update the federal poverty line: "For children to lose their parents because they can’t afford insulin or chemotherapy, in what we proudly call the richest country in the world, is a moral injustice and a moral outrage." #ProtectKids pic.twitter.com/x63pMaWmmI — Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) February 5, 2020
As Common Dreams reported, the United Nations' top expert on poverty issued a scathing report in 2018, accusing the Trump administration of driving millions of Americans toward the point of "ruination" by cutting government assistance while lavishing the wealthiest people in the country with a $1.5 trillion tax cut.
"We cannot go another year with kids not getting food that they need—losing parents because they can't afford healthcare. This is a moral wrong."
—Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.)The Oversight Committee's hearing came eight months after the Trump administration said it may change how inflation is calculated to even further reduce the number of Americans who are considered eligible for federal healthcare and housing assistance.
Ocasio-Cortez testified on the same day that the National Center for Homeless Education released a study showing that the number of public school students who are homeless has exploded by 15% in just the past three years, reaching more than 1.5 million—the highest number in more than a decade.
"America is in a state of denial about the level of poverty in this country," Ocasio-Cortez said.
After testifying in the hearing, the congresswoman joined her colleagues on the committee in questioning the other witnesses and discussing her proposal for the Recognizing Poverty Act, which, she said, lawmakers would only oppose if they wish to continue covering up the truth about poverty and economic inequality in the United States.
"It doesn't even direct us to expand social programs. We're not even there yet, we're just talking about recognizing poverty, and there's resistance to doing that," Ocasio-Cortez said. "Why? I believe that we do not want to recognize the level of poverty in this country because if we did, it would be a national scandal."
.@AOC: We do not want to recognize the level of poverty in this county, because if we did, it would be a national scandal. And we would have to force ourselves to acknowledge that our systems have failed. #ProtectKids pic.twitter.com/a0h2zMNLM0 — Public Citizen (@Public_Citizen) February 5, 2020
Should Ocasio-Cortez's proposal pass, the congresswoman said, "We will have to force ourselves to acknowledge that our systems have failed. And that we are not doing enough by our own people in a democracy that is supposed to be by the people and for the people, to serve the people of the United States of America."
Republished from Common Dreams (Julia Conley, staff writer) under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 License.


crooksandliars--2020-02-07--Trump Being Trump Could Be Democrats' Secret Weapon

I do n't think it was a good idea for Nancy Pelosi to tear up her copy of the State of the Union address at the conclusion of the speech .
I know Trump refused to shake her hand before the speech began .
People on our side will say ( correctly ) that it 's wrong to get upset over torn paper when Trump tears families apart , or they 'll argue ( also correctly ) that Trump gets away with far more divisive acts .
But Pelosi is supposed to be the unflappable one in the room .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump playing his game , not hers .
The clip will show up in GOP campaign ads for the rest of the year .
But I 'm hoping this is the last bad moment in a bad week for Democrats -- or the second-last , after Trump 's acquittal today .
The Iowa caucuses were a debacle ( though no one will remember them in November , or even in a week ) , and Trump got a better-than-expected Gallup poll number ( though his job approval is still underwater ) .
Nevertheless @ @ @ @ @ @ @ peak Trump I was talking about on Sunday .
It 's possible that what we 're seeing from Trump right now is hubris .
There were outreach moments in last night 's State of the Union , but when you 're asking your wife to hang a medal around Rush Limbaugh 's neck on live TV , you 've decided that you do n't really need much more than the angry Republican base to get elected , and you do n't need to be particularly conciliatory even in an election year .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Trump is not at all interested in conciliation .
After impeachment , he wants to focus on vengeance , not statesmanlike words and deeds with broad appeal .
We know this from Vanity Fair 's Gabriel Sherman : And from Lloyd Grove of The Daily Beast , who wrote about Trump 's White House lunch with news anchors yesterday : Much to the disappointment of folks at CNN , nobody at the long table—who included NBC ’ s Lester Holt and Chuck Todd , ABC ’ s David Muir and George Stephanopoulos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Donnell and Margaret Brennan—bothered to ask why the president had gone out of his way to exclude the cable network run by Trump ’ s former friend Jeff Zucker .
Trump ... was sanguine about his participation in the fall presidential debates , saying , ” Yeah , I ’ ll do it , ” even though , he claimed , “ the debate commission is filled with a bunch of Never Trumpers.
” ... Trump ... promised that the White House will spare no effort in blocking his former national security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publication ... .
We 're told the assembled journalists described this as a `` chill '' Trump .
If that 's chill -- snubbing CNN , grumbling about the debate commission , boasting about his plans to engage in prior restraint of John Bolton 's book -- not-chill Trump is going to be even uglier than usual .
Maybe America is numb to all this by now .
Maybe America is lulled by low unemployment and a surging Dow .
But I have my doubts -- according to the Real Clear Politics average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ America is on the right track , while 55.5 % think it 's on the wrong track .
Across all polls , Trump 's job disapproval is 7.1 points higher than his job approval -- and if I 'm right , this is Trump at his peak of popularity .
If Trump plans to spend more time in the next year punishing John Bolton than trying to improve Americans ' lives ( though when has he ever really tried to do the latter ? )
, then his numbers are likely to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economy that has probably also peaked .
For weeks , the lead voices in the news have been people like Adam Schiff and Jay Sekulow .
Now it will be Trump again .
When Trump dominates the news cycle , we 're reminded of how obnoxious he is .
And he 's planning to be particularly obnoxious now .
Published with permission of No More Mr. Nice Blog

I don't think it was a good idea for Nancy Pelosi to tear up her copy of the State of the Union address at the conclusion of the speech. I know Trump refused to shake her hand before the speech began. People on our side will say (correctly) that it's wrong to get upset over torn paper when Trump tears families apart, or they'll argue (also correctly) that Trump gets away with far more divisive acts. But Pelosi is supposed to be the unflappable one in the room. Last night she was trying to beat Trump playing his game, not hers. The clip will show up in GOP campaign ads for the rest of the year.
But I'm hoping this is the last bad moment in a bad week for Democrats -- or the second-last, after Trump's acquittal today. The Iowa caucuses were a debacle (though no one will remember them in November, or even in a week), and Trump got a better-than-expected Gallup poll number (though his job approval is still underwater). Nevertheless, I think this is precisely the peak Trump I was talking about on Sunday. It's possible that what we're seeing from Trump right now is hubris.
There were outreach moments in last night's State of the Union, but when you're asking your wife to hang a medal around Rush Limbaugh's neck on live TV, you've decided that you don't really need much more than the angry Republican base to get elected, and you don't need to be particularly conciliatory even in an election year.
We know from quite a few news reports that Trump is not at all interested in conciliation. After impeachment, he wants to focus on vengeance, not statesmanlike words and deeds with broad appeal. We know this from Vanity Fair's Gabriel Sherman:
Republicans briefed on Trump’s thinking believe that the president is out for revenge against his adversaries. “It’s payback time,” a prominent Republican told me last week. “He has an enemies list that is growing by the day,” another source said. Names that came up in my conversations with Republicans included Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler, Mitt Romney, and John Bolton. “Trump’s playbook is simple: go after people who crossed him during impeachment.”
And from Lloyd Grove of The Daily Beast, who wrote about Trump's White House lunch with news anchors yesterday:
Much to the disappointment of folks at CNN, nobody at the long table—who included NBC’s Lester Holt and Chuck Todd, ABC’s David Muir and George Stephanopoulos, and CBS’s Norah O’Donnell and Margaret Brennan—bothered to ask why the president had gone out of his way to exclude the cable network run by Trump’s former friend Jeff Zucker. “MSDNC isn’t here as well,” Trump quipped.... Trump ... was sanguine about his participation in the fall presidential debates, saying, ”Yeah, I’ll do it,” even though, he claimed, “the debate commission is filled with a bunch of Never Trumpers.” ... Trump ... promised that the White House will spare no effort in blocking his former national security adviser John Bolton’s book from publication....
We're told the assembled journalists described this as a "chill" Trump. If that's chill -- snubbing CNN, grumbling about the debate commission, boasting about his plans to engage in prior restraint of John Bolton's book -- not-chill Trump is going to be even uglier than usual.
Maybe America is numb to all this by now. Maybe America is lulled by low unemployment and a surging Dow. But I have my doubts -- according to the Real Clear Politics average, only 39.3% of Americans think America is on the right track, while 55.5% think it's on the wrong track. Across all polls, Trump's job disapproval is 7.1 points higher than his job approval -- and if I'm right, this is Trump at his peak of popularity.
If Trump plans to spend more time in the next year punishing John Bolton than trying to improve Americans' lives (though when has he ever really tried to do the latter?), then his numbers are likely to go down, especially if coronavirus weakens an economy that has probably also peaked.
For weeks, the lead voices in the news have been people like Adam Schiff and Jay Sekulow. Now it will be Trump again. When Trump dominates the news cycle, we're reminded of how obnoxious he is. And he's planning to be particularly obnoxious now.
Published with permission of No More Mr. Nice Blog