crooksandliars--2020-03-11--Republican Senator Kills Emergency Paid Sick Leave Bill

Senator Lamar Alexander just screeched the brakes on Senator Patty Murray 's effort to get an emergency paid sick leave bill onto the floor of the Senate , according to HuffPost .
Murray tried to get the bill straight to the Senate floor , bypassing the health committee , noting that many people who don ’ t have paid leave through their jobs will inevitably miss work due to being sick or quarantined in the coming weeks .
Guaranteed paid leave was important both for public health and the good of the broader economy , she argued .
“ For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , truck drivers , service industry workers ― they may not have an option to take a day off without losing their pay or losing their job , ” Murray said .
“ That ’ s not a choice we should be asking anyone to make in the United States in the 21st century.
” While agreeing that paid sick leave is a good idea , Senator Alexander balked at the idea of a mandate for employers to provide it , arguing that the feds should pay for it , once again socializing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Employees are struggling , our employers are struggling , and it ’ s not a cure for the coronavirus to put a big new expensive federal mandate on employers who are struggling in the middle of this matter , ” Alexander argued .
Here 's an idea : Give them a tax credit next year for it .
But we do n't have time to have some grand ideological discussion about whether or not low-paid employees should get paid sick leave .
This virus is highly contagious and containment will rely upon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Honestly , these people fail to see the forest for the trees .
It 's infuriating .

Senator Lamar Alexander just screeched the brakes on Senator Patty Murray's effort to get an emergency paid sick leave bill onto the floor of the Senate, according to HuffPost.
Murray tried to get the bill straight to the Senate floor, bypassing the health committee, noting that many people who don’t have paid leave through their jobs will inevitably miss work due to being sick or quarantined in the coming weeks. Guaranteed paid leave was important both for public health and the good of the broader economy, she argued.
“For many of our workers ― restaurant workers, truck drivers, service industry workers ― they may not have an option to take a day off without losing their pay or losing their job,” Murray said. “That’s not a choice we should be asking anyone to make in the United States in the 21st century.”
While agreeing that paid sick leave is a good idea, Senator Alexander balked at the idea of a mandate for employers to provide it, arguing that the feds should pay for it, once again socializing corporate America's risk of loss.
“Employees are struggling, our employers are struggling, and it’s not a cure for the coronavirus to put a big new expensive federal mandate on employers who are struggling in the middle of this matter,” Alexander argued.
Here's an idea: Give them a tax credit next year for it. But we don't have time to have some grand ideological discussion about whether or not low-paid employees should get paid sick leave. This virus is highly contagious and containment will rely upon everyone following best practices and self-quarantine.
Honestly, these people fail to see the forest for the trees. It's infuriating.


crooksandliars--2020-03-10--Seth Meyers Takes 'A Closer Look' At Trump's Pandemic Of Lies

Seth Meyers absolutely torched Trump 's inept and narcissistic response to what is now considered the coronavirus pandemic .
First Meyers brought down Trump 's ridiculous claim about , you know , DYING AMERICANS being good for the economy and the stock market by highlighting yesterday 's horrible day on Wall Street : `` The drop was so bad , the red arrow on the TV screen grew legs and ran away . ''
Making fun of the bumbling lazy moron-in-chief 's dress seems like low hanging fruit , but , well , here we are because he has damn-well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ] he most powerful man in the world was visiting CDC headquarters in Atlanta on Friday in a hat and windbreaker looking not like a man steady at the helm of a crisis , but like a hung-over little-league umpire . ''
It just reflects the seriousness with which he regards the global health crisis when he 's wearing a campaign baseball hat to be briefed by the medical experts at the CDC .
Not to put too fine a point on it , he made sure he told them he got his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ else ?
Fox News .
( JAZZ HANDS ) Meyers finished with the bizarre-but-not-by-Trump-standards lie that he has a natural ability for this medical , sciencey crap because his uncle , Dr. John Trump `` taught at MIT for , I think , like a record number of years '' and was `` a super genius . ''
To which Meyers responded : So you think you know about science because your uncle was a doctor ?
People don ’ t just automatically know what their uncles know .
Otherwise we would all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ song .

Seth Meyers absolutely torched Trump's inept and narcissistic response to what is now considered the coronavirus pandemic. First Meyers brought down Trump's ridiculous claim about, you know, DYING AMERICANS being good for the economy and the stock market by highlighting yesterday's horrible day on Wall Street: "The drop was so bad, the red arrow on the TV screen grew legs and ran away."
Making fun of the bumbling lazy moron-in-chief's dress seems like low hanging fruit, but, well, here we are because he has damn-well earned it. "...[T]he most powerful man in the world was visiting CDC headquarters in Atlanta on Friday in a hat and windbreaker looking not like a man steady at the helm of a crisis, but like a hung-over little-league umpire." It just reflects the seriousness with which he regards the global health crisis when he's wearing a campaign baseball hat to be briefed by the medical experts at the CDC. Not to put too fine a point on it, he made sure he told them he got his numbers about the virus from, where else? Fox News. (JAZZ HANDS)
Meyers finished with the bizarre-but-not-by-Trump-standards lie that he has a natural ability for this medical, sciencey crap because his uncle, Dr. John Trump "taught at MIT for, I think, like a record number of years" and was "a super genius." To which Meyers responded:
So you think you know about science because your uncle was a doctor? People don’t just automatically know what their uncles know. Otherwise we would all know the lyrics to every Steely Dan song.


crooksandliars--2020-03-11--Pelosi Pushes For Vote Tomorrow On Dems' Coronavirus Relief Bill

House Democrats held a meeting this morning to get out in front of Trump on a coronavirus relief bill and make sure their priorities are included , MSNBC reporter Leigh Anne Caldwell said .
`` It 's to ensure that people who are n't receiving any income because of coronavirus get relief and that those who are food insecure also get some relief , '' she said .
What 's that translating to in a draft bill in the House of Representatives , including sick leave for people who either have to be quarantined because of coronavirus or who actually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an extension of unemployment insurance and an extension of food stamps and aid for kids who get free and reduced lunches at school , but ca n't go to school because their schools are closed . ''
What 's not included , she said , is Trump 's proposal for a payroll tax cut .
`` That has fallen flat on Capitol Hill among Democrats and even some Republicans are saying if people are not working , then a payroll tax cut does no good .
So what also is not included in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything else that the president is wanting but we do know that Speaker Pelosi and Secretary Mnuchin spoke moments ago and Pelosi wants a vote on this bill tomorrow before they leave town for a week . ''

House Democrats held a meeting this morning to get out in front of Trump on a coronavirus relief bill and make sure their priorities are included, MSNBC reporter Leigh Anne Caldwell said.
"It's to ensure that people who aren't receiving any income because of coronavirus get relief and that those who are food insecure also get some relief," she said.
What's that translating to in a draft bill in the House of Representatives, including sick leave for people who either have to be quarantined because of coronavirus or who actually have the virus. Other things, an extension of unemployment insurance and an extension of food stamps and aid for kids who get free and reduced lunches at school, but can't go to school because their schools are closed."
What's not included, she said, is Trump's proposal for a payroll tax cut. "That has fallen flat on Capitol Hill among Democrats and even some Republicans are saying if people are not working, then a payroll tax cut does no good. So what also is not included in the House bill at this point is anything else that the president is wanting but we do know that Speaker Pelosi and Secretary Mnuchin spoke moments ago and Pelosi wants a vote on this bill tomorrow before they leave town for a week."


crooksandliars--2020-03-11--Sarah Huckabee Sanders Tells Fox News: Biden Is 'Extremely Liberal'

Now that Joe Biden is in the lead for the Democratic party presidential nomination , he 's the one who is `` too liberal '' to be elected .
Really .
You can always bet that Trump sycophants will be out there lying for Donald as much as they can , but it 's even worse now after his disastrous COVID-19 press conferences and lack of response to the virus .
Sarah Huckabee Sanders , the last Trump press secretary to actually give a White House press briefing joined Trump 's Fox and Friends state-sponsored morning show and -- without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden is extremely liberal .
Too liberal , if you can imagine that .
Co-hosts Steve Doocy greeted her and then asked , `` When you look at Biden do better than Hillary , in Michigan , and knowing that he is basically going to be the nominee , does that trouble you ? ''
She called attacked him and then made these remarks , `` But anybody who has been listening to him state his policy positions knows he is extremely liberal and would make an even more dangerous and terrible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most moderate Democratic presidential candidates out there and far from being a progressive , but conservatives never veer off their usual playbook of lies .
All basic Democratic party positions are now considered dangerous for America by the right-wingers , including fighting climate change and believing in science , defending women 's and LGBTQ rights , raising the minimum wage , paid sick leave , the expansion of healthcare that covers all Americans , including pre-existing conditions , etc ...
In other words , any policies that actually help the American people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rich .
If Mike Bloomberg was in the lead for the Democratic nomination right now , Fox News would claim him as being too liberal while conveniently forgetting that he was a Republican mayor of New York City for three consecutive terms .
And then Sarah exposed what a crackpot she is by trying to brag that Trump won his own presidential primaries last night impressively while basically running unopposed .
Sarah Huckabee Sanders said , `` Last night while Joe Biden was still fighting it out with Bernie Sanders , Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an incumbent in Michigan , in Missouri , in Mississippi , and that was before all of the votes even came in . ''
On Super Tuesday , Democratic voter turnout surged on Super Tuesday , exceeding 2016 levels in at least a dozen states and setting an all-time record in one of them .
And yesterday , the vote totals were staggering .
Democratic voting numbers are dwarfing 2016 .

Fox News rehashes the conservative propaganda playbook.
Now that Joe Biden is in the lead for the Democratic party presidential nomination, he's the one who is "too liberal" to be elected. Really.
You can always bet that Trump sycophants will be out there lying for Donald as much as they can, but it's even worse now after his disastrous COVID-19 press conferences and lack of response to the virus.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders, the last Trump press secretary to actually give a White House press briefing joined Trump's Fox and Friends state-sponsored morning show and -- without blinking an eye -- claimed former VP Joe Biden is extremely liberal. Too liberal, if you can imagine that.
Co-hosts Steve Doocy greeted her and then asked, "When you look at Biden do better than Hillary, in Michigan, and knowing that he is basically going to be the nominee, does that trouble you?"
She called attacked him and then made these remarks, "But anybody who has been listening to him state his policy positions knows he is extremely liberal and would make an even more dangerous and terrible president."
Biden is one of the most moderate Democratic presidential candidates out there and far from being a progressive, but conservatives never veer off their usual playbook of lies.
All basic Democratic party positions are now considered dangerous for America by the right-wingers, including fighting climate change and believing in science, defending women's and LGBTQ rights, raising the minimum wage, paid sick leave, the expansion of healthcare that covers all Americans, including pre-existing conditions, etc...
In other words, any policies that actually help the American people and not just the 1% of the rich.
If Mike Bloomberg was in the lead for the Democratic nomination right now, Fox News would claim him as being too liberal while conveniently forgetting that he was a Republican mayor of New York City for three consecutive terms.
And then Sarah exposed what a crackpot she is by trying to brag that Trump won his own presidential primaries last night impressively while basically running unopposed.
Sarah Huckabee Sanders said, "Last night while Joe Biden was still fighting it out with Bernie Sanders, Donald Trump was putting up historic wins for an incumbent in Michigan, in Missouri, in Mississippi, and that was before all of the votes even came in."
Huh? Saddam Hussein and Vladimir Putin numbers Sarah? Wow.
On Super Tuesday, Democratic voter turnout surged on Super Tuesday, exceeding 2016 levels in at least a dozen states and setting an all-time record in one of them.
And yesterday, the vote totals were staggering. Democratic voting numbers are dwarfing 2016.


crooksandliars--2020-03-11--Trump Too Triggered By Pelosi To Negotiate With Her On Economic Stimulus Deal

After accusing Democrats of falsely hyping the coronavirus to hurt him , Donald Trump is now in need of Democratic votes for an economic stimulus package for the country .
Indeed , GOP Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday the Senate would simply step aside and let House Speaker Nancy Pelosi negotiate a deal directly with the White House .
Unfortunately , Trump , master deal maker and negotiator savant , wo n't be involved in those talks , instead Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin will take the lead .
According to NBC reporter Eamon Javers , Trump feels too personally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pelosi to get in a room with her and pound out a plan to help the country weather the coronavirus .
`` It does n't seem like that would end well , '' Javers said of the thinking of White House aides about trying to get Trump and Pelosi together .
`` What the White House would say is , that 's Pelosi 's fault , '' Javers explained , `` because she ripped up his speech , she 's been tough on him , she impeached him and therefore the president has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a room with her . ''
So to review : Trump blamed Democrats for stoking concerns over the coronavirus ; the stock market crashed because the coronavirus is a real thing ; now Trump needs Democrats to dig himself out of a hole after he promised the virus was a nothingburger ; but Trump 's a little too fragile and spiteful to sit across the table from Pelosi in order to make a deal to help steer the nation through this global public health crisis .
That does n't sound like someone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that sounds like someone who should be having a pretty epic time out until such time as he can play nice again with the other children .

After accusing Democrats of falsely hyping the coronavirus to hurt him, Donald Trump is now in need of Democratic votes for an economic stimulus package for the country. Indeed, GOP Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Tuesday the Senate would simply step aside and let House Speaker Nancy Pelosi negotiate a deal directly with the White House.
Unfortunately, Trump, master deal maker and negotiator savant, won't be involved in those talks, instead Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin will take the lead. According to NBC reporter Eamon Javers, Trump feels too personally wounded by impeachment and other interactions with Pelosi to get in a room with her and pound out a plan to help the country weather the coronavirus. "It doesn't seem like that would end well," Javers said of the thinking of White House aides about trying to get Trump and Pelosi together.
"What the White House would say is, that's Pelosi's fault," Javers explained, "because she ripped up his speech, she's been tough on him, she impeached him and therefore the president has every right to not want to be in a room with her."
So to review: Trump blamed Democrats for stoking concerns over the coronavirus; the stock market crashed because the coronavirus is a real thing; now Trump needs Democrats to dig himself out of a hole after he promised the virus was a nothingburger; but Trump's a little too fragile and spiteful to sit across the table from Pelosi in order to make a deal to help steer the nation through this global public health crisis.
That doesn't sound like someone who should be running the country, that sounds like someone who should be having a pretty epic time out until such time as he can play nice again with the other children.
Published with permission of Daily Kos


crooksandliars--2020-03-30--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Lawyers , Guns & Money : Trump ’ s blue state payback over Coronavirus was foreseen by the woman who @ @ @ @ @ More Mister Nice Blog : Media reveal their own enthusiasm gap as Biden jumps to @ @ @ @ @ Blue Virginia : Jerry Falwell Jr. ’ s mess at Liberty University is too big @ @ @ @ @ clean up .
Speaking of which , your quote of the day : `` Had @ @ @ @ @ over again , we would look at the consequences of catastrophic success - being so @ @ @ @ @ enemy that should have surrendered or been done in escaped and lived to fight another @ @ @ @ @ W. Bush , on the invasion of Iraq , August 2004 . )
Guest blogging @ @ @ @ @ this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives .
Send your tips , recommendations , comments @ @ @ @ @ crooksandliars DOT com .

Lawyers, Guns & Money: Trump’s blue state payback over Coronavirus was foreseen by the woman who knew too much.
No More Mister Nice Blog: Media reveal their own enthusiasm gap as Biden jumps to 9-point lead over Trump.
Mad Kane: An ode to irrational numbers.
Blue Virginia: Jerry Falwell Jr.’s mess at Liberty University is too big for his pool boy to clean up.
Speaking of which, your quote of the day:
"Had we had to do it over again, we would look at the consequences of catastrophic success - being so successful so fast that an enemy that should have surrendered or been done in escaped and lived to fight another day." (George W. Bush, on the invasion of Iraq, August 2004.)
Guest blogging Mike's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives. Send your tips, recommendations, comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com.


crooksandliars--2020-03-30--Larry Kudlow Should Burn In Hell

Larry Kudlow Should Burn In Hell

Donald Trump 's scumbag White House economic counsel director joined ABC News ' This Week on Sunday to make believe he did n't mislead and lie to all the American people when weeks ago he told everybody that the coronavirus was contained .
Larry Kudlow was doing his usual lie-filled television appearance when he told guest host Martha Raddatz that the economy will be back on track within weeks and not months .
Raddatz was obviously skeptical with this charlatan .
`` You say weeks and not months , but how can you be sure this economic tragedy wo n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ guarantee that people will have jobs to return to , '' she said .
`` I do n't see how it could be just weeks . ''
`` Well , listen .
I say that weeks .
It could be four weeks .
It could be eight weeks .
I say that hopefully and I say that prayerfully , '' he preened .
`` That 's what some of the science experts are telling us .
I do n't know if they 'll be right . ''
Now he 's trying to shift @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and not his lying economic voodoo mysticism .
He filibustered a bit and said this about the recovery , `` I ca n't guarantee it , ca n't wave a magic wand , I wish I could . ''
He told Martha he 's just a plain old optimist junkie .
You can tell I 'm furious at this bastard .
I rarely ever use expletives but they are called for now when sane reasoning falls by the wayside .
He told Martha nobody expected this thing to come down `` as far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it did . ''
Yes , if he was watching only Fox News .
That lie was too big for Raddatz and she cut him off .
`` Mr. Kudlow , I want to stop you right there -- it was also just a month ago you told CNBC that you thought the virus was contained in the country even though doctors were warning otherwise -- `` She continued , `` You also downplayed the threat of a long long lasting economic tragedy .
You have since said that was based on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ should people trust you this morning with your prediction . ''
“ I ’ m as good as the facts are , ” Kudlow replied .
“ And at the time I made the statement , the facts were [ that the virus was ] contained , the president had just put the travel restrictions on China .
And a lot of people agreed with me .
A lot of people felt that the flu was worse than this virus , ” Kudlow whined .
“ But as soon as the facts changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said .
You lying piece of shit .
The entire world knew this virus was not contained as well as our own medical experts but you lied anyway to all the faces of the American people .
And now you are trying to blame the scientists for your own lies .
His statements and actions like that of Trump have put millions of people at risk and death .
Martha should have followed up with all our medical people saying just the opposite and in fact were screaming that this was @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Donald Trump's scumbag White House economic counsel director joined ABC News' This Week on Sunday to make believe he didn't mislead and lie to all the American people when weeks ago he told everybody that the coronavirus was contained.
Larry Kudlow was doing his usual lie-filled television appearance when he told guest host Martha Raddatz that the economy will be back on track within weeks and not months.
Raddatz was obviously skeptical with this charlatan. "You say weeks and not months, but how can you be sure this economic tragedy won't be long term if there is no guarantee that people will have jobs to return to," she said. "I don't see how it could be just weeks."
"Well, listen. I say that weeks. It could be four weeks. It could be eight weeks. I say that hopefully and I say that prayerfully," he preened. "That's what some of the science experts are telling us. I don't know if they'll be right."
Now he's trying to shift his economic predictions on to the scientists and not his lying economic voodoo mysticism.
He filibustered a bit and said this about the recovery, "I can't guarantee it, can't wave a magic wand, I wish I could."
He told Martha he's just a plain old optimist junkie.
F*ck You Larry.
You can tell I'm furious at this bastard. I rarely ever use expletives but they are called for now when sane reasoning falls by the wayside.
He told Martha nobody expected this thing to come down "as far and hard and widespread as it did but it did."
Yes, if he was watching only Fox News.
That lie was too big for Raddatz and she cut him off.
"Mr. Kudlow, I want to stop you right there -- it was also just a month ago you told CNBC that you thought the virus was contained in the country even though doctors were warning otherwise -- "
She continued, "You also downplayed the threat of a long long lasting economic tragedy. You have since said that was based on facts at the time. But why should people trust you this morning with your prediction."
“I’m as good as the facts are,” Kudlow replied.
You motherf****ing liar.
“And at the time I made the statement, the facts were [that the virus was] contained, the president had just put the travel restrictions on China. And a lot of people agreed with me. A lot of people felt that the flu was worse than this virus,” Kudlow whined.
“But as soon as the facts changed, we changed our whole posture,” he said.
You lying piece of shit. The entire world knew this virus was not contained as well as our own medical experts but you lied anyway to all the faces of the American people. And now you are trying to blame the scientists for your own lies.
His statements and actions like that of Trump have put millions of people at risk and death.
Martha should have followed up with all our medical people saying just the opposite and in fact were screaming that this was 10 times worse than the flu.


crooksandliars--2020-03-30--Coronavirus III: John Oliver Updates From The Front Lines

John Oliver is that trustworthy voice we need right now .
`` Now , a lot has happened in the last two weeks and I 'll start with arguably the least important development , '' he said .
`` The last time we spoke , I mentioned the work done by a very informative Tik-Tok hamster .
Well , I 'm thrilled to tell you it seems the hamster saw it .
A hamster just genuinely offered more useful public health advice in one 12-second TikTok then the president has in multiple addresses to the nation .
`` It might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ getting to me that is genuinely heartwarming to experience even a connection like that right now -- and by the way , I 'd love to say that I would vote for that hamster for president but given that their average life expectancy is just three years I 'm really gon na have to wait to find out who its VP pick is , '' he joked .
But of course , the show is more than jokes .
He features a new collection of `` Italian mayors yelling at people who violate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which are always amusing .
But he also talks about Trump 's insane idea to `` reopen the country '' by Easter .
He talks about how impossible it seems to be to get Americans to just stay home , and he rips into the conservative pundits who urged people to die to save their grandchildren from national debt .
`` You get that the coronavirus is not the Hunger Games , right ?
You ca n't volunteer yourself as tribute and what you 're doing is actually much darker , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ volunteering others , including people of all ages with health conditions to die and even if these guys are okay with letting the coronavirus kill as many people as it feels like so that the economies protected which again really there are -- and I can not believe I have to say this -- significant drawbacks to hundreds of thousands of people dying .
Hospitals would be completely overwhelmed , which means people suffering from things that are n't the coronavirus also would n't be able to get the treatment that they need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ -- which , to put this in the only terms that they seem to care about , also tanks the economy . ''
Just watch the whole thing .
It 's more informative than every Trump press conference put together .

John Oliver is that trustworthy voice we need right now.
"Now, a lot has happened in the last two weeks and I'll start with arguably the least important development," he said.
"The last time we spoke, I mentioned the work done by a very informative Tik-Tok hamster. Well, I'm thrilled to tell you it seems the hamster saw it. A hamster just genuinely offered more useful public health advice in one 12-second TikTok then the president has in multiple addresses to the nation.
"It might show just how much the isolation is getting to me that is genuinely heartwarming to experience even a connection like that right now -- and by the way, I'd love to say that I would vote for that hamster for president but given that their average life expectancy is just three years I'm really gonna have to wait to find out who its VP pick is," he joked.
But of course, the show is more than jokes. He features a new collection of "Italian mayors yelling at people who violate the stay at home orders" videos, which are always amusing. But he also talks about Trump's insane idea to "reopen the country" by Easter.
He talks about how impossible it seems to be to get Americans to just stay home, and he rips into the conservative pundits who urged people to die to save their grandchildren from national debt.
"You get that the coronavirus is not the Hunger Games, right? You can't volunteer yourself as tribute and what you're doing is actually much darker," he said.
"You are actively volunteering others, including people of all ages with health conditions to die and even if these guys are okay with letting the coronavirus kill as many people as it feels like so that the economies protected which again really there are -- and I cannot believe I have to say this -- significant drawbacks to hundreds of thousands of people dying. Hospitals would be completely overwhelmed, which means people suffering from things that aren't the coronavirus also wouldn't be able to get the treatment that they need, leading to even more people dying -- which, to put this in the only terms that they seem to care about, also tanks the economy."
Just watch the whole thing. It's more informative than every Trump press conference put together.


crooksandliars--2020-03-30--Why Trump Is Preempting Your Local News Every Day

Joy Reid yesterday pointed out that `` every single ad from Joe Biden 's campaign has the same clips in it , all the ads from the Lincoln Foundation .
They 're coming out over and over and over , replaying his words .
`` Is it not true that he can not stop that reality from hitting people when they 're seeing the A block in their local news being the death of a nurse or doctor or grandmother ?
It 's going to be hard to stop the reality , even in broadcast in local ? ''
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ i 'd like to bring up the fact he 's having these coronavirus task force press briefings right at the time local news is playing its biggest shows , between 5:00 and 6:00 , '' Carole Simpson said .
`` And he is preempting -- all these shows are being preempted .
My daughter is a medical correspondent for WBZ here in Boston and she has been preparing stories all day long .
And then the president comes on and it knocks off the local news .
They stay on till 7 pm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ losing money because they ca n't run the commercials that were bought for that time period .
And the local folks that are expecting their local news on are getting Trump , Trump , Trump the whole time .
So I think it 's -- he is trying to override by taking -- hogging this air time that is so critical to the local stations and to the local people that i just wonder if he 's going to be hurt by them . ''
`` I think a lot of people had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ try to hit the close of the stock market , but you 're -- it 's a good point , Carol , that he 's overriding the local news so that people ca n't get the information that they need . ''
All you need to know what he 's up to is to read his tweets yesterday , crowing that his ratings `` were bigger than the finale of The Bachelor . ''
I just have to wonder : Who are these people who are watching him ?
He 's not that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me switch to Netflix faster than the sound of the Orange Cheeto 's self-aggrandizing voice .

Joy Reid yesterday pointed out that "every single ad from Joe Biden's campaign has the same clips in it, all the ads from the Lincoln Foundation. They're coming out over and over and over, replaying his words.
"Is it not true that he cannot stop that reality from hitting people when they're seeing the A block in their local news being the death of a nurse or doctor or grandmother? It's going to be hard to stop the reality, even in broadcast in local?"
"I understand, but, Joy, i'd like to bring up the fact he's having these coronavirus task force press briefings right at the time local news is playing its biggest shows, between 5:00 and 6:00," Carole Simpson said.
"And he is preempting -- all these shows are being preempted. My daughter is a medical correspondent for WBZ here in Boston and she has been preparing stories all day long. And then the president comes on and it knocks off the local news. They stay on till 7 pm. So, the local stations are losing money because they can't run the commercials that were bought for that time period. And the local folks that are expecting their local news on are getting Trump, Trump, Trump the whole time. So I think it's -- he is trying to override by taking -- hogging this air time that is so critical to the local stations and to the local people that i just wonder if he's going to be hurt by them."
"That's a very good point," Reid responded.
"I think a lot of people had been thinking he was timing these to try to hit the close of the stock market, but you're -- it's a good point, Carol, that he's overriding the local news so that people can't get the information that they need."
All you need to know what he's up to is to read his tweets yesterday, crowing that his ratings "were bigger than the finale of The Bachelor." I just have to wonder: Who are these people who are watching him? He's not that popular, and I know nothing makes me switch to Netflix faster than the sound of the Orange Cheeto's self-aggrandizing voice.


crooksandliars--2020-05-07--Shorter Trump: 'Happy Nurses Day, You're Wrong, Be Quiet'

On top of everything else and his utter failure in this crisis , Donald Trump is a jerk .
In an Oval Office ceremony designed to HONOR NURSES on National Nurses Day , Donald Trump got huffy when one of the nurses attending mentioned that , yeah , PPE is important and she needs more of it .
CNN : '' I think [ availability of PPE is ] sporadic , '' answered Sophia L. Thomas , president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners .
`` I mean , I talk to my colleagues around the country .
Certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ PPE is not ideal , but this is an unprecedented time . ''
`` The infection control measures that we learned back when we went to school , one gown and one mask for one patient per day -- this is a different time , '' she said , adding that she has been reusing a single N95 mask for `` a few weeks now . ''
`` PPE has been sporadic , but it 's been manageable .
And we do what we have to do , '' Thomas said .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adapt and do whatever we can do for our patients to get the job done and the care provided , and that 's what we will continue to do as Covid-19 continues . ''
President Sudafed could n't handle a woman having the microphone for that long and being more fact-based and eloquent than he .
`` Sporadic for you but not sporadic for a lot of other people , '' he said .
She did not make him EAT her used N95 mask .
More 's the pity .

On top of everything else and his utter failure in this crisis, Donald Trump is a jerk.
In an Oval Office ceremony designed to HONOR NURSES on National Nurses Day, Donald Trump got huffy when one of the nurses attending mentioned that, yeah, PPE is important and she needs more of it. CNN:
"I think [availability of PPE is] sporadic," answered Sophia L. Thomas, president of the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. "I mean, I talk to my colleagues around the country. Certainly there are pockets around the country where PPE is not ideal, but this is an unprecedented time." "The infection control measures that we learned back when we went to school, one gown and one mask for one patient per day -- this is a different time," she said, adding that she has been reusing a single N95 mask for "a few weeks now." "PPE has been sporadic, but it's been manageable. And we do what we have to do," Thomas said. "We are nurses and we learn to adapt and do whatever we can do for our patients to get the job done and the care provided, and that's what we will continue to do as Covid-19 continues."
President Sudafed couldn't handle a woman having the microphone for that long and being more fact-based and eloquent than he.
"Sporadic for you but not sporadic for a lot of other people," he said.
She did not make him EAT her used N95 mask. More's the pity.


crooksandliars--2020-05-07--COVER UP: Trump Tries To Shelve CDC Reopening Guidelines

He does understand when his buddies from the US Chamber of Commerce want zero liability and no OSHA protection for workers during the pandemic .
Trump also does n't understand the iron-clad rule of Monty Python and `` The Life of Brian '' : indicate to people that they ca n't or should n't have something , and they 'll fight like mad to get that very thing .
[ When the Monty Python movie `` Life of Brian '' was banned as blasphemous , it 's audience grew a hundredfold . ]
And now the so-called Trump White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on how the nation should re-open safely and with a minimum amount of DEATH as the COVID pandemic continues .
It 's trending this morning on Twitter , the report has been leaked , and CNN International spent two segments on it so far .
The Associated Press has an exclusive on the report .
And ... the Associated Press has posted the entire report on that thing called the internet .
How 's that working out for you , Donnie ?
HALA GORANI , CNN : President Trump will not be adopting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The 17-page document had been compiled at the request of a member of the president 's own coronavirus task force .
Nick Valencia is in Atlanta , the home of the CDC .
In fact .
Nick , this draft document has been under intense scrutiny over the last week or so at the White House .
The White House appears not to be willing to follow these guidelines .
What is this draft document suggest should be done in order to mitigate the negative effects of the pandemic on public health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the focus of intense debate over the course of the last week and according to a senior CDC official it has to do with the debate between the medical and economic advisers to the president .
Specifically over recommendations on businesses .
According to the senior CDC official , officials for the Department of Labor felt that the CDC recommendations that were drafted left the businesses here in America too vulnerable for -- to be sued by workers who may contract the virus at the workplace .
Also , point of contention , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Human -- HHS here , in the United States , felt that they -- the recommendations were unfairly targeting faith-based organizations , churches , you know , this 17-page draft document we reported it last we can on CNN and it gives recommendations , again , not specific mandatory guidelines , but public health , sound public health advice from medical professionals who spent endless hours gathering this data on the request of the White House task force .
And really quick , ticking through some of the stuff we have , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over this document for the last week : • guidelines for schools , spacing desks six feet apart , • canceling nonessential assemblies and churches , asking them to limit large gatherings .
But really according to the CDC source , they feel in their opinion a lot of this has to do over business recommendations and the liability that American businesses may have with these draft documents .
There was a pivot late last night as the White House made it very clear to the CDC they were not going to implement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is doing now because they feel as though this is very sound public health advice that should be used , they 're trying to go towards state agencies to get these recommendations implemented at the state level , but the White House pushing back saying , really that they were too specific and they ca n't be applied across the nation .
Hala ?
GORANI : What do the centers -- what does the CDC believe the impact , the effect will be of not following these guidelines on the overall death toll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the US ?
VALENCIA : Simply put , they 're very frank , essentially saying their interpretation is that the White House is telling Americans not only do they have to be okay with workers getting sick , but with American workers dying just so they could have products like meat products .
There has been a lot of meetings recently between CEOs from meat plants , what they 're doing , there is an agency here under the Department of Labor called OSHA , which is essentially federal inspectors that go into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being implemented .
OSHA for whatever reason has said they are not going to enforce or make these businesses in America enforce CDC recommendations .
There is a lot of frustration , anger , this is not surprising , though , to the officials I 've been talking to over the course of the last eight weeks .
There has been a lot of friction between the CDC and the White House , we heard from White House officials saying they have problems with some of the work output at the CDC @ @ @ @ @ @ @ involved in these matters saying that at this point , they 're used to dealing with the White House that asks them to do things and then chaos ensues .
They 're giving a very stark and sort of ominous warning that people will die if these recommendations are n't adhered to .
GORANI : Thanks very much .
Nick Valencia with the view from the CDC .

Donald Trump doesn't understand things like "alarmed civil servants," and "media back-channels."
He does understand when his buddies from the US Chamber of Commerce want zero liability and no OSHA protection for workers during the pandemic.
But here's another thing.
Trump also doesn't understand the iron-clad rule of Monty Python and "The Life of Brian": indicate to people that they can't or shouldn't have something, and they'll fight like mad to get that very thing.
[When the Monty Python movie "Life of Brian" was banned as blasphemous, it's audience grew a hundredfold.]
And now the so-called Trump White House has tried to shelve a seventeen-page report on how the nation should re-open safely and with a minimum amount of DEATH as the COVID pandemic continues.
It's trending this morning on Twitter, the report has been leaked, and CNN International spent two segments on it so far.
The Associated Press has an exclusive on the report.
It was supposed to be published last Friday, but agency scientists were told the guidance “would never see the light of day,” according to a CDC official. The official was not authorized to talk to reporters and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.
And... the Associated Press has posted the entire report on that thing called the internet.
How's that working out for you, Donnie?


crooksandliars--2020-05-07--The Bigoted, Conspiratorial Rants Of Rudy Giuliani’s Radio Show

ProPublica is a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative newsroom .
Sign up for The Big Story newsletter to receive stories like this one in your inbox .
Presidential lawyer and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has largely fallen out of the public eye since his starring role in President Donald Trump ’ s impeachment .
But Giuliani hasn ’ t gone silent .
Instead , he ’ s in his home , doing a call-in radio show and a podcast — “ Common Sense ” — during which he has repeatedly gone on bigoted rants about China and its government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” he said on his April 28 radio show .
“ They ’ re amoral in the sense that human life means something in Western civilization , it means a lot .
Human life doesn ’ t mean the same thing to them.
” Giuliani has also speculated that the spread of the coronavirus may be a plot by the Chinese government .
For example , Giuliani has raised the possibility that China purposely released the virus from a biological lab in Wuhan .
“ We have to say accidentally , ” Giuliani @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ But I don ’ t think as responsible investigators we can rule out that it wasn ’ t done deliberately.
” Experts say there ’ s no public evidence the virus came from the lab .
Amid a reported White House push , U.S. intelligence agencies have said they are investigating the origins of the virus .
Giuliani is also fixated on the idea that the Chinese government sent sick people overseas .
In an April 27 episode of his podcast , he said that China allowed “ over a million people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the United States , to England to France to Italy to Germany.
” He added , “ I hope the people there have the same reaction we have to the value of human life and the loss of human life.
” “ When they found out about this terrible virus that escaped , assuming they didn ’ t do it on purpose , ” Giuliani said a day later on his radio show , “ they were going to make sure the West suffered as much if not more than they did and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s not a big assumption to make .
And there isn ’ t a contrary explanation.
” The New York Times found that thousands , not millions , of people flew internationally out of Wuhan .
Asked about his comments , Giuliani did not respond .
The comments by Giuliani have come as discrimination against Asian Americans has spiked .
And they reinforce the White House ’ s emerging push to blame China for the pandemic .
Giuliani has said he ’ s spoken to the president a number of times @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Giuliani said he was sure the virus came from the Wuhan lab , Trump said he has evidence of the same .
( The president declined to give the evidence , saying it ’ s secret . )
Giuliani appears to have found a receptive wider audience too .
An advertising executive at 77 WABC , which airs Giuliani ’ s radio show , said “ feedback has been amazing ” and online listening has “ skyrocketed.
” The station ’ s parent company , Red Apple Media , did not respond to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 23 radio show , Giuliani interviewed Gordon Chang , a conservative pundit who frequently predicts the collapse of the Chinese government .
Chang said if China released the virus accidentally — for which , again , there ’ s no evidence — it then decided to create a global pandemic .
“ I think what Xi Jinping did was he decided he was going to spread the virus so that he would level the playing field so that China would not be in such a hole , ” Chang said , referring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wow , ” Giuliani responded .
“ So he saw an opportunity , if that theory is correct , and it wasn ’ t a bioweapon to start with , he saw an opportunity that was sort of accidentally presented to him , and then he took advantage of it .
It was opportunistic.
” Chang acknowledged , “ We can ’ t know what was in Xi Jinping ’ s mind for sure.
” But then he went on , “ It looks more like they were deliberate and malicious and that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crime against all of humanity.
” Giuliani ended the interview by inviting Chang to be a guest on his other show , the podcast .
Giuliani has also said he ’ d use his access to help guests on his show move ahead with exploratory treatments .
Talking with one pharmaceutical executive on his show in late March , Giuliani told his guest , “ I ’ ll use whatever my yelling and screaming can do to do it faster , to help you.
” As the Times reported , the executive ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Food and Drug Administration soon after .
( The FDA has said the application was subject to “ internal scientific review.
” And Giuliani has said he has no business connection to the company . )
“ I don ’ t lobby the government , ” Giuliani emailed in response to a request for comment .
“ I do hope , however , that they and others are successful.
” Giuliani appears to have strong feelings about the government ’ s process for approving drugs .
In an April 23 broadcast , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , called in to report on his “ informal study ” of the patients who have used a drug cocktail that includes hydroxychloroquine — the anti-malaria drug that Trump long has touted .
Giuliani was excited when Mark reported that none of his patients had been hospitalized : “ Why doesn ’ t this count with all these geniuses in Washington ?
The double blind study and the triple blind study and this study and that study , we don ’ t have time for that , we ’ ve got to go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ !
” In fact , the FDA has warned against widespread use of the drug , noting that it can cause heart problems .
The discussions with his listeners , though , often come back to China .
One caller to Giuliani ’ s radio show , identifying himself as “ George from Bay Ridge , ” went on a rant against Chinese people , likening them to serial killers with “ no conscience ” who are attempting to take over businesses all over the world .
Giuliani responded , “ George , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this for a long time.
” He added : “ It almost reminds me of the Mafia .
You know , they say , if you do business with America it ’ s one thing .
If you do business with China you don ’ t realize , all of a sudden you start owing them too much and they believe they own you .
”

Stay up to date with email updates about WNYC and ProPublica’s investigations into the president’s business practices. This story was co-published with WNYC.
Presidential lawyer and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has largely fallen out of the public eye since his starring role in President Donald Trump’s impeachment. But Giuliani hasn’t gone silent.
Instead, he’s in his home, doing a call-in radio show and a podcast — “Common Sense” — during which he has repeatedly gone on bigoted rants about China and its government.
“They have no morals,” he said on his April 28 radio show. “They’re amoral in the sense that human life means something in Western civilization, it means a lot. Human life doesn’t mean the same thing to them.”
Help Us Continue Reporting on COVID-19 Are you a public health worker or front-line medical provider? Do you work for or with a government agency involved in the effort to protect the public? Have you or your family personally been affected? Show us what we should be covering or serve as an expert to make sure we’re on track. Note: If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19, such as difficulty breathing or bluish lips, get medical attention immediately. The CDC has more information on what to do if you are sick.
Giuliani has also speculated that the spread of the coronavirus may be a plot by the Chinese government.
For example, Giuliani has raised the possibility that China purposely released the virus from a biological lab in Wuhan. “We have to say accidentally,” Giuliani said in a recent radio broadcast. “But I don’t think as responsible investigators we can rule out that it wasn’t done deliberately.”
Experts say there’s no public evidence the virus came from the lab. Amid a reported White House push, U.S. intelligence agencies have said they are investigating the origins of the virus.
Giuliani is also fixated on the idea that the Chinese government sent sick people overseas. In an April 27 episode of his podcast, he said that China allowed “over a million people from Wuhan travel to us, to the United States, to England to France to Italy to Germany.” He added, “I hope the people there have the same reaction we have to the value of human life and the loss of human life.”
“When they found out about this terrible virus that escaped, assuming they didn’t do it on purpose,” Giuliani said a day later on his radio show, “they were going to make sure the West suffered as much if not more than they did and jumped on top of an opportunity, it’s not a big assumption to make. And there isn’t a contrary explanation.”
The New York Times found that thousands, not millions, of people flew internationally out of Wuhan.
Asked about his comments, Giuliani did not respond.
The comments by Giuliani have come as discrimination against Asian Americans has spiked. And they reinforce the White House’s emerging push to blame China for the pandemic.
Giuliani has said he’s spoken to the president a number of times about the coronavirus. Two days after Giuliani said he was sure the virus came from the Wuhan lab, Trump said he has evidence of the same. (The president declined to give the evidence, saying it’s secret.)
Get Our Top Investigations Subscribe to the Big Story newsletter.
Giuliani appears to have found a receptive wider audience too. An advertising executive at 77 WABC, which airs Giuliani’s radio show, said “feedback has been amazing” and online listening has “skyrocketed.”
The station’s parent company, Red Apple Media, did not respond to a request for comment.
In an April 23 radio show, Giuliani interviewed Gordon Chang, a conservative pundit who frequently predicts the collapse of the Chinese government. Chang said if China released the virus accidentally — for which, again, there’s no evidence — it then decided to create a global pandemic. “I think what Xi Jinping did was he decided he was going to spread the virus so that he would level the playing field so that China would not be in such a hole,” Chang said, referring to China’s president.
“Wow,” Giuliani responded. “So he saw an opportunity, if that theory is correct, and it wasn’t a bioweapon to start with, he saw an opportunity that was sort of accidentally presented to him, and then he took advantage of it. It was opportunistic.”
Chang acknowledged, “We can’t know what was in Xi Jinping’s mind for sure.” But then he went on, “It looks more like they were deliberate and malicious and that means Mr. Mayor ... this is a crime against all of humanity.”
Giuliani ended the interview by inviting Chang to be a guest on his other show, the podcast.
Giuliani has also said he’d use his access to help guests on his show move ahead with exploratory treatments. Talking with one pharmaceutical executive on his show in late March, Giuliani told his guest, “I’ll use whatever my yelling and screaming can do to do it faster, to help you.”
As the Times reported, the executive’s company received initial trial approval from the Food and Drug Administration soon after. (The FDA has said the application was subject to “internal scientific review.” And Giuliani has said he has no business connection to the company.)
Read More How Jared Kushner Is Tackling the White House’s Coronavirus Response — Without Any Evident Experience The president’s son-in-law and adviser has added the emergency-response supply chain to his extensive list of duties. He views himself as a disrupter — but that’s not always a good thing.
“I don’t lobby the government,” Giuliani emailed in response to a request for comment. “I do hope, however, that they and others are successful.”
Giuliani appears to have strong feelings about the government’s process for approving drugs.
In an April 23 broadcast, Mark, a pharmacist from New Jersey, called in to report on his “informal study” of the patients who have used a drug cocktail that includes hydroxychloroquine — the anti-malaria drug that Trump long has touted.
Giuliani was excited when Mark reported that none of his patients had been hospitalized: “Why doesn’t this count with all these geniuses in Washington? The double blind study and the triple blind study and this study and that study, we don’t have time for that, we’ve got to go to people like Mark in New Jersey!”
In fact, the FDA has warned against widespread use of the drug, noting that it can cause heart problems.
The discussions with his listeners, though, often come back to China.
One caller to Giuliani’s radio show, identifying himself as “George from Bay Ridge,” went on a rant against Chinese people, likening them to serial killers with “no conscience” who are attempting to take over businesses all over the world.
Giuliani responded, “George, I’ve been getting complaints about this for a long time.” He added: “It almost reminds me of the Mafia. You know, they say, if you do business with America it’s one thing. If you do business with China you don’t realize, all of a sudden you start owing them too much and they believe they own you.”
Help Us Continue Reporting on COVID-19 Are you a public health worker or front-line medical provider? Do you work for or with a government agency involved in the effort to protect the public? Have you or your family personally been affected? Show us what we should be covering or serve as an expert to make sure we’re on track. This form requires JavaScript to complete. Powered by CityBase.


crooksandliars--2020-04-01--Mike's Blog Round Up

Mike's Blog Round Up

Off the Charts : Social Security recipients shouldn ’ t have to file a tax return to get their stimulus @ @ @ @ @ : Phoenix and Tucson mayors ask GOP Governor Doug Ducey to remove golf courses and @ @ @ @ @ list of “ essential services.
” Zandar Vs .
The Stupid : Coronavirus is taking @ @ @ @ @ the Yum Brands stores .
Informed Comment : One-third of the doctors in the United @ @ @ @ @ Speaking of which , your quote of the day : `` Legal immigrants enrich our @ @ @ @ @ in countless ways . ''
( Donald Trump , February 5 , 2019 . )
@ @ @ @ @ Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives .
Send your tips , recommendations @ @ @ @ @ mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com .

Off the Charts: Social Security recipients shouldn’t have to file a tax return to get their stimulus checks.
Blog for Arizona: Phoenix and Tucson mayors ask GOP Governor Doug Ducey to remove golf courses and beauty salons from Arizona's list of “essential services.”
Zandar Vs. The Stupid: Coronavirus is taking out 7,000 take-out locations from the Yum Brands stores.
Informed Comment: One-third of the doctors in the United States are foreign born.
Speaking of which, your quote of the day:
"Legal immigrants enrich our nation and strengthen our society in countless ways." (Donald Trump, February 5, 2019.)
Guest blogging Mike's Blog Round Up this week is Jon Perr from Perrspectives. Send your tips, recommendations, comments and angst to mbru AT crooksandliars DOT com.


crooksandliars--2020-04-01--There's One Thing That Matters To Trump More Than His Approval Rating

You think President Trump has had a poll bump ?
Trump 's uptick is tiny .
This is a poll bump : Gov .
Cuomo is getting high marks for his coronavirus response from typically hard-to-please New Yorkers , according to a Siena College poll released Monday .
A whopping 87 % of New Yorkers approve of the job the governor is doing to address COVID-19 outbreak in the Empire State , the poll found ... .
A plurality of voters from every corner of the the state approve of his handling of the crisis , including 95 % of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even 70 % of Republicans ... .
Cuomo has also seen his overall approval rating among New Yorkers soar from the mid-forties in February to 71 % in this past month .
By contrast , Trump is averaging 50.6 % approval for his handling of the coronavirus according to the Real Clear Politics average , and his job approval average is 47.3 % .
Do n't you think Trump would love numbers like Cuomo 's ?
Do n't you think he 'd love broad-based adulation ?
The template is right there for him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you 'd think he 'd follow it instinctively .
But he wo n't follow it , which means that something is more important to this raging egomaniac than ego gratification : Trump loves praise , but he has a compulsion to fight with people in ways that regularly cost him the opportunity to be praised .
This has been true throughout his presidency .
How many people have said that if Trump started his presidency pushing broadly popular proposals -- a big infrastructure bill , tax increases on the rich -- he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now and a shoo-in for reelection ?
It 's true , but he could n't do it .
In part it 's because he 'd thrown in his lot with the vicious partisans of the Republican Party , who would have been maximally resistant to such proposals .
But he could have worn them down , the same way he 's worn them down on trade .
He did n't want to .
When Trump discovered Fox News some years back , he discovered a world of permanent combat .
If you 're @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up every day and fight your enemies to the death , using the lowest , meanest tactics available to you .
Trump would rather fight than win by not fighting .
He loves to be loved , but he loves hating and hurting people even more .
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog

You think President Trump has had a poll bump? Trump's uptick is tiny. This is a poll bump:
Gov. Cuomo is getting high marks for his coronavirus response from typically hard-to-please New Yorkers, according to a Siena College poll released Monday. A whopping 87% of New Yorkers approve of the job the governor is doing to address COVID-19 outbreak in the Empire State, the poll found.... A plurality of voters from every corner of the the state approve of his handling of the crisis, including 95% of Democrats, 87% of independents and even 70% of Republicans.... Cuomo has also seen his overall approval rating among New Yorkers soar from the mid-forties in February to 71% in this past month.
By contrast, Trump is averaging 50.6% approval for his handling of the coronavirus according to the Real Clear Politics average, and his job approval average is 47.3%.
Don't you think Trump would love numbers like Cuomo's? Don't you think he'd love broad-based adulation? The template is right there for him to follow. Given his massive ego, you'd think he'd follow it instinctively.
But he won't follow it, which means that something is more important to this raging egomaniac than ego gratification:
Bullying people.
Trump loves praise, but he has a compulsion to fight with people in ways that regularly cost him the opportunity to be praised. This has been true throughout his presidency. How many people have said that if Trump started his presidency pushing broadly popular proposals -- a big infrastructure bill, tax increases on the rich -- he'd be riding high in the polls now and a shoo-in for reelection?
It's true, but he couldn't do it. In part it's because he'd thrown in his lot with the vicious partisans of the Republican Party, who would have been maximally resistant to such proposals. But he could have worn them down, the same way he's worn them down on trade.
He didn't want to. When Trump discovered Fox News some years back, he discovered a world of permanent combat. If you're a Fox News Republican, you get up every day and fight your enemies to the death, using the lowest, meanest tactics available to you.
For Trump, it's heaven.
Trump would rather fight than win by not fighting. He loves to be loved, but he loves hating and hurting people even more.
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-04-01--Devin Nunes: California Canceling School Year Is 'Way Overkill'

It 's time to call guys like Rep. Devin Nunes what they are , threats to public health .
Earlier , Nunes has previously contradicted the advice of public health experts by suggesting that Americans visit local restaurants with their families .
Rep. Devin Nunes said Tuesday that California 's decision to cancel the remainder of its school year was `` way overkill , '' again diminishing the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic in a primetime television appearance .
`` I mean , look , the schools were just canceled out here in California , which is , you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Republican , told Fox News host Laura Ingraham .
`` I mean , you know , it 's possible kids could 've went back to school in two weeks to four weeks , but they just canceled the rest of the schools . ''
Earlier Tuesday , California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond had acknowledged in a letter to school district officials that it appeared students `` will not be able to return to school campuses '' before April , citing the `` current safety concerns and needs for @ @ @ @ @

It's time to call guys like Rep. Devin Nunes what they are, threats to public health. Earlier, Nunes has previously contradicted the advice of public health experts by suggesting that Americans visit local restaurants with their families.
Idiot.
Source: Politico
Rep. Devin Nunes said Tuesday that California's decision to cancel the remainder of its school year was "way overkill," again diminishing the threat posed by the coronavirus pandemic in a primetime television appearance.
"I mean, look, the schools were just canceled out here in California, which is, you know, way overkill," Nunes, a Republican, told Fox News host Laura Ingraham. "I mean, you know, it's possible kids could've went back to school in two weeks to four weeks, but they just canceled the rest of the schools."
Earlier Tuesday, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond had acknowledged in a letter to school district officials that it appeared students "will not be able to return to school campuses" before April, citing the "current safety concerns and needs for ongoing social distancing."


crooksandliars--2020-04-01--Administration Decides Not To Allow Open Enrollment Period For Obamacare

That 's our Cheeto !
Because that $ 1200 check that most people will get is plenty generous enough to cover a $ 35,000 hospital bill from coronavirus AND pay your bills while you 're out of work , Trump and his brilliant inner circle have decided not to allow a special enrollment period for Obamacare .
Via Bloomberg News : The decision comes after the president said last week he was considering a special enrollment period to allow individuals to purchase insurance during the crisis -- a move that had been endorsed by America ’ s Health Insurance Plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Ultimately , however , the administration opted against a national mandate that would have mirrored steps that states like New York , California , Connecticut , and Maryland are taking .
In New York , people without insurance “ can apply within 60 days of losing coverage , ” according to the state website .
The White House official requested anonymity to describe an internal policy decision .
Trump has long opposed the Affordable Care Act , or Obamacare , and tried to repeal it early in his presidency .
But he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be “ doing a lot of different things on health insurance.
” He also responded to a question about expanding insurance subsidies or Medicaid checks by saying that many Americans would be receiving “ very big checks ” as part of the stimulus bill passed by Congress .
“ We ’ re taking care of our people , ” Trump said .
“ This is not their fault what happened , and we ’ re taking care .
”

That's our Cheeto! Because that $1200 check that most people will get is plenty generous enough to cover a $35,000 hospital bill from coronavirus AND pay your bills while you're out of work, Trump and his brilliant inner circle have decided not to allow a special enrollment period for Obamacare. Via Bloomberg News:
The decision comes after the president said last week he was considering a special enrollment period to allow individuals to purchase insurance during the crisis -- a move that had been endorsed by America’s Health Insurance Plans, the trade organization representing health insurers.
Ultimately, however, the administration opted against a national mandate that would have mirrored steps that states like New York, California, Connecticut, and Maryland are taking. In New York, people without insurance “can apply within 60 days of losing coverage,” according to the state website.
The White House official requested anonymity to describe an internal policy decision.
Trump has long opposed the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare, and tried to repeal it early in his presidency. But he said last week that the administration would be “doing a lot of different things on health insurance.” He also responded to a question about expanding insurance subsidies or Medicaid checks by saying that many Americans would be receiving “very big checks” as part of the stimulus bill passed by Congress.
“We’re taking care of our people,” Trump said. “This is not their fault what happened, and we’re taking care.”


crooksandliars--2020-04-01--Trump Tries To Blame 'Illegal' Impeachment For His Lame, Ineffective Pandemic Response

During today 's presidential dog and pony show Trump said his impeachment was `` illegal '' but it may have affected the way he responded to the pandemic threat initially .
Responding to a reporter 's question about Moscow Mitch 's ridiculous excuses for Trump , he agreed with the reporter .
`` I guess it probably did . ''
Republicans do love their talking points and they do stick to them as if they 're stuck in flypaper .
`` I mean , I got impeached .
I think I certainly devoted a little time to think about it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continued to golf and hold many campaign rallies before deciding to take the virus seriously .
After calling impeachment a hoax , he went on a lengthy rant about how illegal it was for him to be impeached .
“ They probably illegally impeached me , in the sense that if you look at the FBI today with what happened , the horrible — nobody cares about that anymore because all they ’ re thinking about is the virus , '' he ranted .
The only person that acted illegally was Trump and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minions like Rudy Giuliani and his shadow government Ukraine team were acting on Donald 's orders .
As I 've written earlier , his impeachment was over for five weeks and he still was calling COVID-19 a Democratic hoax .
And of course he praised himself .
“ I think I ’ m getting A-pluses for the way I handled myself during the phony impeachment , okay ?
It was a hoax , but certainly I guess I thought of it , and I think I probably acted — I don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had I not been impeached , '' he backtracked , proving he just ca n't be honest about anything at all .
Impeachment had nothing to do with his denial that the virus was anything to worry about , that he should plan ahead , that he should have paid attention to the pandemic manual the previous administration left him , that there was a vital role for the federal government to play in the pandemic response , and that he is an utter failure as a human being and as a leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is resign and let others handle this .

During today's presidential dog and pony show Trump said his impeachment was "illegal" but it may have affected the way he responded to the pandemic threat initially.
Responding to a reporter's question about Moscow Mitch's ridiculous excuses for Trump, he agreed with the reporter. "I guess it probably did."
Republicans do love their talking points and they do stick to them as if they're stuck in flypaper.
"I mean, I got impeached. I think I certainly devoted a little time to think about it," Trump said. He also continued to golf and hold many campaign rallies before deciding to take the virus seriously.
After calling impeachment a hoax, he went on a lengthy rant about how illegal it was for him to be impeached.
“They probably illegally impeached me, in the sense that if you look at the FBI today with what happened, the horrible — nobody cares about that anymore because all they’re thinking about is the virus," he ranted.
The only person that acted illegally was Trump and he was impeached for it. His minions like Rudy Giuliani and his shadow government Ukraine team were acting on Donald's orders.
As I've written earlier, his impeachment was over for five weeks and he still was calling COVID-19 a Democratic hoax.
And of course he praised himself.
“I think I’m getting A-pluses for the way I handled myself during the phony impeachment, okay? It was a hoax, but certainly I guess I thought of it, and I think I probably acted — I don’t think I would have done any better had I not been impeached," he backtracked, proving he just can't be honest about anything at all.
Impeachment had nothing to do with his denial that the virus was anything to worry about, that he should plan ahead, that he should have paid attention to the pandemic manual the previous administration left him, that there was a vital role for the federal government to play in the pandemic response, and that he is an utter failure as a human being and as a leader.
The best thing Trump could do is resign and let others handle this.


crooksandliars--2020-04-01--Pelosi Scorches McConnell's 'Admission' That Administration Cannot 'Handle The Job'

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell @ @ @ @ @ admitted that they “ can not handle the job ” by blaming impeachment for the @ @ @ @ @ reaction to COVID-19 .
“ I think that ’ s an admission that perhaps the @ @ @ @ @ can not handle the job , ” Pelosi told CNN ’ s Anderson Cooper .
@ @ @ @ @ situation in our country , and they should not try to hide behind an excuse @ @ @ @ @ take action.
” “ But it does admit that they did not take action , @ @ @ @

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) said on Wednesday that President Donald Trump and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) may have admitted that they “cannot handle the job” by blaming impeachment for the federal government’s slow reaction to COVID-19.
“I think that’s an admission that perhaps the president and the majority leader cannot handle the job,” Pelosi told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “We have a life-and-death situation in our country, and they should not try to hide behind an excuse for why they did not take action.”
“But it does admit that they did not take action,” she noted.


crooksandliars--2020-04-13--MSNBC Cuts Away After Trump Uses Pandemic Presser To Air Taxpayer Funded Propaganda Film

In a blatant dictator-like move , Trump aired a federal government-produced video that used taxpayer money to broadcast a full-on propaganda video during today 's supposed coronavirus briefing to prop up his presidency .
It was clips of politicians that were suffering under the strain of combating the virus .
Remember , Trump and his Fox News minions have been attacking almost every governor who defied Trump and demanded they suck up to him or else they would be refused federal resources to combat the deadly virus .
MSNBC aired some of it and then after realizing what it was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Melber said they would return to the briefing when it became an actual COVID-19 briefing .
After MSNBC cut away from this staged propaganda session , Melber said , `` We are cutting into what was not a White House coronavirus task force briefing . ''
`` We are going to avoid airing any more of this White House briefing until it returns to what it was supposed to be , which was the coronavirus task force providing medical information , '' he continued .
`` What we just saw I want to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the White House put out which suggests they are spending their precious time right now making videos that defend the president 's record and tenure rather than provide the much-needed medical information that was promised at these daily briefings . ''
Trump has turned the office of the United States presidency into a farcical and embarrassing institution like a smarmy dictatorship from a Banana Republic .

In a blatant dictator-like move, Trump aired a federal government-produced video that used taxpayer money to broadcast a full-on propaganda video during today's supposed coronavirus briefing to prop up his presidency.
It was clips of politicians that were suffering under the strain of combating the virus.
Remember, Trump and his Fox News minions have been attacking almost every governor who defied Trump and demanded they suck up to him or else they would be refused federal resources to combat the deadly virus.
MSNBC aired some of it and then after realizing what it was cut away from it and host Ari Melber said they would return to the briefing when it became an actual COVID-19 briefing.
After MSNBC cut away from this staged propaganda session, Melber said, "We are cutting into what was not a White House coronavirus task force briefing."
"We are going to avoid airing any more of this White House briefing until it returns to what it was supposed to be, which was the coronavirus task force providing medical information," he continued.
"What we just saw I want to be clear with you, a video the White House put out which suggests they are spending their precious time right now making videos that defend the president's record and tenure rather than provide the much-needed medical information that was promised at these daily briefings."
Trump has turned the office of the United States presidency into a farcical and embarrassing institution like a smarmy dictatorship from a Banana Republic.


crooksandliars--2020-04-13--Sarah Sanders Goes Full 'Alternative Facts' For Trump, Blames 'Liberal Media'

Self-admitted liar Sarah Huckabee Sanders spewed a load of BS about Donald Trump ’ s botched response to the coronavirus pandemic while Fox ’ s Steve Doocy teed up softballs for her .
On Thursday , Huckabee Sanders appeared on Fox & Friends , ostensibly to discuss Sen. Bernie Sanders suspending his campaign for the Democratic nomination .
She began by validating our prediction : that with Bernie Sanders out , Fox would just move the “ socialism ” label over to former Vice President Joe Biden , now the presumptive nominee .
Huckabee Sanders said accusingly that Biden “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s far-left extremist views.
” She also dubiously opined that “ there ’ s no question ” Americans will “ move towards Donald Trump ” in the election .
She continued with the lie that Trump has been “ taking strong actions that are saving lives and American jobs , ” when just the opposite is true .
“ There ’ s no wonder that the polls are all showing that people trust the president more to handle the coronavirus and the economy , ” Sanders continued lying .
“ They want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ career politician like Joe Biden , and they have that in Donald Trump.
” FACT CHECK : Most Americans do not trust Trump for accurate COVID-19 information .
Furthermore , in the RealClear Politics roundup of national polls from the last month , Biden is ahead or tied in all of them .
He ’ s also ahead in 12 of the 14 state polls listed ( Trump leads in Texas and Georgia ) .
Rather than challenge Sanders ’ misinformation , cohost Steve Doocy set up the opportunity for Sanders to draw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Biden is Skyping from his basement , and then you 've got the president every afternoon , like clockwork , in the five or six o ’ clock hour , he takes the podium and he gives America an update on what the administration is doing .
Sometimes it runs an hour , sometimes it runs two hours .
How effective is this ?
” Doocy “ asked.
” “ The liberal media is never going to give the president a fair shake , they ’ re just not .
So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which drives them even crazier than a normal day in the Trump White House , '' she said , `` and he ’ s speaking directly to the American people .
He ’ s providing them with information and updates that is crucial to everyday life right now in America and he ’ s showing what a leader looks like , and in contrast , you have Joe Biden hiding in his basement bunker who looks like he ’ s not even sure that he ’ s running for president some days.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefings are riddled with lies and he is so full of petty attacks , in the middle of a public health crisis , that even his allies want him to shut up .
But Trumpy lies are Sanders ’ specialty .
As NewsHounds has previously noted , she routinely lied to the public when she was Trump ’ s press secretary .
She admitted to lying when she was under oath to Mueller ’ s Russia investigators – then reverted to the same lie once she was out of danger of perjury charges @ @ @ @ @ @ @ word of challenge to anything she said and just nodded right along in agreement .

Self-admitted liar Sarah Huckabee Sanders spewed a load of BS about Donald Trump’s botched response to the coronavirus pandemic while Fox’s Steve Doocy teed up softballs for her.
On Thursday, Huckabee Sanders appeared on Fox & Friends, ostensibly to discuss Sen. Bernie Sanders suspending his campaign for the Democratic nomination. She began by validating our prediction: that with Bernie Sanders out, Fox would just move the “socialism” label over to former Vice President Joe Biden, now the presumptive nominee. Huckabee Sanders said accusingly that Biden “has already adopted a lot of Bernie’s far-left extremist views.” She also dubiously opined that “there’s no question” Americans will “move towards Donald Trump” in the election.
She continued with the lie that Trump has been “taking strong actions that are saving lives and American jobs,” when just the opposite is true.
“There’s no wonder that the polls are all showing that people trust the president more to handle the coronavirus and the economy,” Sanders continued lying.
“They want a strong leader, not a tired career politician like Joe Biden, and they have that in Donald Trump.”
FACT CHECK: Most Americans do not trust Trump for accurate COVID-19 information. Furthermore, in the RealClear Politics roundup of national polls from the last month, Biden is ahead or tied in all of them. He’s also ahead in 12 of the 14 state polls listed (Trump leads in Texas and Georgia).
Rather than challenge Sanders’ misinformation, cohost Steve Doocy set up the opportunity for Sanders to draw a Trump-friendly contrast with Biden. “Joe Biden is Skyping from his basement, and then you've got the president every afternoon, like clockwork, in the five or six o’clock hour, he takes the podium and he gives America an update on what the administration is doing. Sometimes it runs an hour, sometimes it runs two hours. How effective is this?” Doocy “asked.”
Surprise! Sander called it “very effective.”
“The liberal media is never going to give the president a fair shake, they’re just not. So, he’s going around them, which drives them even crazier than a normal day in the Trump White House," she said, "and he’s speaking directly to the American people. He’s providing them with information and updates that is crucial to everyday life right now in America and he’s showing what a leader looks like, and in contrast, you have Joe Biden hiding in his basement bunker who looks like he’s not even sure that he’s running for president some days.”
FACT CHECK: Trump’s press briefings are riddled with lies and he is so full of petty attacks, in the middle of a public health crisis, that even his allies want him to shut up.
But Trumpy lies are Sanders’ specialty. As NewsHounds has previously noted, she routinely lied to the public when she was Trump’s press secretary. She admitted to lying when she was under oath to Mueller’s Russia investigators – then reverted to the same lie once she was out of danger of perjury charges.
But Doocy, offered not a word of challenge to anything she said and just nodded right along in agreement.
Republished with permission from Newshounds.


crooksandliars--2020-04-14--Gov Cuomo On Trump's 'Total Authority' Comment: He 'Declared Himself King Trump'

New York State Gov .
Andrew Cuomo bashed Trump 's authoritarian comments yesterday on MSNBC 's Morning Joe , calling them `` frightening . ''
`` This wasn ’ t a bending of the constitution , what the president said last night , it was a breaking of the constitution.
” He continued , “ He basically declared himself King Trump , right ?
And all that annoying federal-state back-and-forth that our Founding Fathers went through , he just disregarded that and said ‘ total authority.
’ Then , we would 've had King George Washington.
” Cuomo explained that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put them in charge .
He told MSNBC that if we do this wrong you will see the number of infections increased dramatically , something Trump fails to take into account with his ridiculous notions of declaring the country ready for business May 1 .
And later in the interview Mika Brzezinski asked him if he watches Trump 's two-hour coronavirus press conferences and if there was any value to them .
Gov .
Cuomo replied , `` No , a governor should not watch that.
” “ There ’ s no value @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and offensive , and frankly , ignorant of the facts .
The president stood up and said , ‘ Forget the Constitution of the United States .
Forget the concept of federalism , ' he said .
Gov Cuomo continued , “ To hear a Republican stand up there , by the way , and argue big government and total authority of the Federal government is somewhat amusing .
If it wasn ’ t so serious , it could be funny , all of this .
It could be a comedy skit .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ s frightening .
This is the last place we should be , this crazy politics , this absurd positioning when we ’ re talking about life and death.
” Nothing is funny about this at all .
Trump 's briefings have become an embarrassment to this country .
Instead of informing , helping , and protecting Americans get through this pandemic , he 's hijacked the briefings , cockblocked the medical professionals , and tried to turn his live briefings into infomercials for his reelection campaign .
And he used taxpayer money to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also declaring himself a complete and total dictator .
And yet , almost every Republican politician has been mute over Trump 's attempted power grab .
They 're all complicit .

New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo bashed Trump's authoritarian comments yesterday on MSNBC's Morning Joe, calling them "frightening."
"This wasn’t a bending of the constitution, what the president said last night, it was a breaking of the constitution.”
He continued, “He basically declared himself King Trump, right? And all that annoying federal-state back-and-forth that our Founding Fathers went through, he just disregarded that and said ‘total authority.’ Then, we would've had King George Washington.”
Cuomo explained that the governors are in charge because Trump put them in charge. He told MSNBC that if we do this wrong you will see the number of infections increased dramatically, something Trump fails to take into account with his ridiculous notions of declaring the country ready for business May 1.
And later in the interview Mika Brzezinski asked him if he watches Trump's two-hour coronavirus press conferences and if there was any value to them.
Gov. Cuomo replied, "No, a governor should not watch that.”
“There’s no value in it. It is infuriating, and offensive, and frankly, ignorant of the facts. The president stood up and said, ‘Forget the Constitution of the United States. Forget the concept of federalism,' he said.
Gov Cuomo continued, “To hear a Republican stand up there, by the way, and argue big government and total authority of the Federal government is somewhat amusing. If it wasn’t so serious, it could be funny, all of this. It could be a comedy skit. It’s frightening. It’s frightening. This is the last place we should be, this crazy politics, this absurd positioning when we’re talking about life and death.”
Nothing is funny about this at all. Trump's briefings have become an embarrassment to this country.
Instead of informing, helping, and protecting Americans get through this pandemic, he's hijacked the briefings, cockblocked the medical professionals, and tried to turn his live briefings into infomercials for his reelection campaign.
And he used taxpayer money to fund it.
And now he's also declaring himself a complete and total dictator.
And yet, almost every Republican politician has been mute over Trump's attempted power grab. They're all complicit.


crooksandliars--2020-04-14--Evil Orange Clown Insists He Has Absolute Power Over The States

Mika Brzezinski updated us on a plan Northeast governors have made to coordinate the evental opening of the states after the pandemic shutdown .
`` Now , the governors made their announcements just hours after President Trump declared on Twitter that it is his decision to decide when to open up the states , adding that he is working closely with the states and that a decision will be made shortly .
Then came the president 's crazy coronavirus press briefing .
The longest and most combative to date , '' she said .
She noted he was `` even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ commented on the campaign video he used his free air time to plug .
`` I think he lifted part of that video from a Fox News show , actually , '' she said .
`` I think he worked with a friend at Fox to , like , come up with the idea and put together clips .
Some of them were taken out of context to back up his claim that he really was prepared for the pandemic .
Clearly , the record shows he was n't .
At times , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about his broad executive authority over the states . ''
`` Hold on .
Hold on .
Everything I learned in constitutional law was wrong , if you believe Donald Trump .
Everything .
This is n't -- this is a pre-existing condition , as David Remnick said .
We have the receipts .
Roll the tape . ''
TRUMP : Nobody knows the system better than me .
Which is why I alone can fix it .
STEPHEN MILLER : The powers of the president are very substantial and will not be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different place than when I took over .
When I took over the united states -- states .
When I took over the military , we did n't have ammunition .
When somebody is the president of the United States , the authority is total .
That 's the way it 's got to be .
`` Yeah .
whatever , '' an exasperated Scarborough said .
I never understood the whole phobia about evil clowns .
They 're just clowns !
But Trump has persuaded me to see the dark side of @ @ @ @

Mika Brzezinski updated us on a plan Northeast governors have made to coordinate the evental opening of the states after the pandemic shutdown.
"Now, the governors made their announcements just hours after President Trump declared on Twitter that it is his decision to decide when to open up the states, adding that he is working closely with the states and that a decision will be made shortly. Then came the president's crazy coronavirus press briefing. The longest and most combative to date," she said.
She noted he was "even more unmoored than usual," and commented on the campaign video he used his free air time to plug.
"I think he lifted part of that video from a Fox News show, actually," she said.
"I think he worked with a friend at Fox to, like, come up with the idea and put together clips. Some of them were taken out of context to back up his claim that he really was prepared for the pandemic. Clearly, the record shows he wasn't. At times, even pushed back. He also talked about his broad executive authority over the states."
After watching the clips, Scarborough interrupted.
"Hold on. Hold on. Everything I learned in constitutional law was wrong, if you believe Donald Trump. Everything. This isn't -- this is a pre-existing condition, as David Remnick said. We have the receipts. Roll the tape."
TRUMP: Nobody knows the system better than me. Which is why I alone can fix it.
STEPHEN MILLER: The powers of the president are very substantial and will not be questioned.
TRUMP: Iran is a different place than when I took over. When I took over the united states -- states. When I took over the military, we didn't have ammunition. When somebody is the president of the United States, the authority is total. That's the way it's got to be.
"Yeah. whatever," an exasperated Scarborough said.
I never understood the whole phobia about evil clowns. They're just clowns! But Trump has persuaded me to see the dark side of those painted faces.