crooksandliars--2020-12-23--Trump’s Deutsche Bank Crony Abruptly Resigns As Investigations Ramp Up

Of course , there could be a totally innocuous explanation , like Vrablic wants to spend some time with family .
But the circumstantial evidence looks pretty bad .
From The New York Times : The reasons for Ms. Vrablic ’ s abrupt resignation were not clear .
Deutsche Bank in August opened an internal review into a 2013 real estate transaction between Ms. Vrablic and a company owned in part by Jared Kushner , the son-in-law of Mr. Trump and a client of Ms. Vrablic ’ s .
Dominic Scalzi , a longtime colleague of Ms. Vrablic ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , will also leave the bank .
That real estate deal is a potential conflict of interest given Vrablic ’ s role as a lender .
Vrablic ’ s resignation also comes less than two weeks after reports that Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance is ramping up investigations into Trump ’ s finances .
“ Since the November election , his prosecutors have interviewed Deutsche Bank officials about the bank ’ s lending policies and procedures , and bank executives expect that prosecutors will summon employees to testify before a grand jury , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Trump was never too popular at Deutsche Bank , or at least , that ’ s what they ’ d like us to think now .
More from The Times : Ms. Vrablic and her boss championed the Trump relationship .
But it was polarizing inside the bank .
Some senior executives argued it was too risky to lend to Mr. Trump , given his history of not repaying loans , including in 2008 when he defaulted on a large loan from Deutsche Bank on his Chicago skyscraper .
Those concerns , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ relationship with Mr. Trump progressed .
As they sought more loans , Mr. Trump and his representatives provided Deutsche Bank with financial statements that appeared to substantially overstate the value of some of his company ’ s real estate and other assets , according to current and former bank executives , as well as congressional testimony last year from Mr. Trump ’ s former personal lawyer , Michael Cohen .
In November , Reuters reported that Deutsche Bank wanted to end its relationship with Trump after the election .

Of course, there could be a totally innocuous explanation, like Vrablic wants to spend some time with family. But the circumstantial evidence looks pretty bad. From The New York Times:
The reasons for Ms. Vrablic’s abrupt resignation were not clear. Deutsche Bank in August opened an internal review into a 2013 real estate transaction between Ms. Vrablic and a company owned in part by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of Mr. Trump and a client of Ms. Vrablic’s. Dominic Scalzi, a longtime colleague of Ms. Vrablic’s who played a role in that transaction, will also leave the bank.
That real estate deal is a potential conflict of interest given Vrablic’s role as a lender.
Vrablic’s resignation also comes less than two weeks after reports that Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance is ramping up investigations into Trump’s finances. “Since the November election, his prosecutors have interviewed Deutsche Bank officials about the bank’s lending policies and procedures, and bank executives expect that prosecutors will summon employees to testify before a grand jury,” The Times noted.
It looks like Trump was never too popular at Deutsche Bank, or at least, that’s what they’d like us to think now. More from The Times:
Ms. Vrablic and her boss championed the Trump relationship. But it was polarizing inside the bank. Some senior executives argued it was too risky to lend to Mr. Trump, given his history of not repaying loans, including in 2008 when he defaulted on a large loan from Deutsche Bank on his Chicago skyscraper. Those concerns, however, were overruled, and the relationship with Mr. Trump progressed. As they sought more loans, Mr. Trump and his representatives provided Deutsche Bank with financial statements that appeared to substantially overstate the value of some of his company’s real estate and other assets, according to current and former bank executives, as well as congressional testimony last year from Mr. Trump’s former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen.
In November, Reuters reported that Deutsche Bank wanted to end its relationship with Trump after the election.


crooksandliars--2020-12-23--Trump Issues A Slew Of Pardons, Including 4 Blackwater Murderers

With just 29 days to go in office , Donald Trump has decided it is time to start rewarding loyalists , friends and murderers .
How ?
With Presidential pardons , of course .
Here is the list : Disgraced Republican ex-Congressmen : Duncan Hunter and Chris Collins .
Duncan Hunter pleaded guilty in 2019 to one charge of misusing campaign funds and was due to begin and 11 month sentence next month .
Chris Collins pleaded guilty in 2019 to charges of making false statements to the FBI and to conspiring to commit securities fraud .
They were the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Another pardon went to former Congressman Steve Stockman .
He had pleaded guilty to counts of wire fraud , mail fraud and money laundering .
He also pardoned former campaign aide George Papadopoulos and Alex van der Zwaan , convicted as a part of the Russia investigation .
Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI .
Van der Zwaan pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to investigators .
Both served short sentences following the Mueller investigation .
By far the most gruesome and despicable pardons @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted of MURDERING over a dozen innocent Iraqi civilians - including 2 children aged 9 and 11 .
They were given lengthy prison sentences for their crimes , but Trump has decided that even murder is ok. Twitter was rightfully enraged , as was Chris Hayes , in the video above .
There is no bottom .
Trump will only get worse in the next 29 days .

With just 29 days to go in office, Donald Trump has decided it is time to start rewarding loyalists, friends and murderers. How? With Presidential pardons, of course.
Here is the list:
Disgraced Republican ex-Congressmen: Duncan Hunter and Chris Collins. Duncan Hunter pleaded guilty in 2019 to one charge of misusing campaign funds and was due to begin and 11 month sentence next month. Chris Collins pleaded guilty in 2019 to charges of making false statements to the FBI and to conspiring to commit securities fraud. They were the first two Congressmen to back Donald Trump.
Another pardon went to former Congressman Steve Stockman. He had pleaded guilty to counts of wire fraud, mail fraud and money laundering.
He also pardoned former campaign aide George Papadopoulos and Alex van der Zwaan, convicted as a part of the Russia investigation. Papadopoulos pleaded guilty to making false statements to the FBI. Van der Zwaan pleaded guilty to one count of making a false statement to investigators. Both served short sentences following the Mueller investigation.
Notice a pattern?
By far the most gruesome and despicable pardons go to 4 Blackwater mercenaries who were convicted of MURDERING over a dozen innocent Iraqi civilians - including 2 children aged 9 and 11. They were given lengthy prison sentences for their crimes, but Trump has decided that even murder is ok.
Twitter was rightfully enraged, as was Chris Hayes, in the video above.
The Mueller-related pardons are the *least* unjust and offensive of this batch. Crook GOP Congressmen get second place. War criminals who killed civilians are the worst of the whole group. — Elie Honig (@eliehonig) December 23, 2020
I suspect the stench of the pardon palooza will only grow more noxious. But we’re already off to a rancid start. — Dan Rather (@DanRather) December 23, 2020
What would Trump see that he could relate to in a group of corrupt politicians, human rights violators, war criminals and Russia colluders? He is who he pardons. — David Rothkopf (@djrothkopf) December 23, 2020
Waiting patiently for the pro-life party to condemn Trump's pardon of war criminals who massacred Iraqi civilians or do those lives not count? — Brian Tyler Cohen (@briantylercohen) December 23, 2020
Lie to cover up for the president? You get a pardon.
Corrupt politician who endorsed Trump? You get a pardon.
Murder innocent civilians? You get a pardon.
Elect a corrupt man as president?
You get a corrupt result. — Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) December 23, 2020
Trump really seems to like to pardon war criminals. — Molly Jong-Fast🏡 (@MollyJongFast) December 23, 2020
Ali Kinani was 9 years old when he was shot in the head by Blackwater guards on September 16, 2007 in Baghdad Iraq. @realDonaldTrump just pardoned his killers. I represented Ali’s and five other families in a civil lawsuit against Blackwater and Erik Prince for the killings. pic.twitter.com/B2dwbjU4Ub — A Damn Lawyer (@adamnlawyer) December 23, 2020
There is no bottom. Trump will only get worse in the next 29 days.


crooksandliars--2020-12-23--DERANGED: Donald Trump Threatens To Veto COVID Relief Bill

Just 24 hours after both chambers of Congress finally came together to pass another COVID relief bill , Donald Trump came out and said he plans to veto it ?
?
!
!
His own Treasury Secretary , Steve Mnuchin , was deeply involved in the negotiations .
The Republican party was the side holding up negotiations for over 6 months .
Now that it was finally passed , he has decided to block it .
Oh , and the Georgia elections are in 14 days - so this will definitely put another roadblock in Mitch McConnell 's path to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ What is rattling around in Donald Trump 's brain ?
He says it is because he wants more money going to Americans - but that can not be it , because Donald Trump only cares about Donald Trump .
Someone has clearly convinced him that there is something in the bill that hurts him ?
Russia ?
Who knows ?
Or is he just trying to blow everything up as the ultimate act of revenge against Mitch McConnell and the disloyal Republicans in Congress that have turned their backs on Trump ?
My @ @ @ @ @ @ @ does not care about how much pain he inflicts on the American people .
He has not even mentioned the over 320,000 dead from COVID since before the election .
His singular focus is on the election and how it was stolen from him .
He tweets nonstop about Governors and state legislatures that he feels owe him fealty and should be overturning their elections to benefit him and declare him the winner .
Even Republicans that have been Trump supporters since day 1 of MAGA are not safe from his wrath ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the MAGA bus 100 times since election day ) .
I actually agree that $ 600 is too low .
We deserve more - more money and more than a 2nd check , but let 's not pretend Trump gives a damn about that .
And hey , if this helps Democrats take back both Georgia Senate seats ?
That is just a bonus .

Just 24 hours after both chambers of Congress finally came together to pass another COVID relief bill, Donald Trump came out and said he plans to veto it??!! His own Treasury Secretary, Steve Mnuchin, was deeply involved in the negotiations. The Republican party was the side holding up negotiations for over 6 months. Now that it was finally passed, he has decided to block it. Oh, and the Georgia elections are in 14 days - so this will definitely put another roadblock in Mitch McConnell's path to winning those 2 seats.
Why? What is rattling around in Donald Trump's brain? He says it is because he wants more money going to Americans - but that cannot be it, because Donald Trump only cares about Donald Trump. Someone has clearly convinced him that there is something in the bill that hurts him? Russia? Who knows?
Or is he just trying to blow everything up as the ultimate act of revenge against Mitch McConnell and the disloyal Republicans in Congress that have turned their backs on Trump? My guess is it is revenge. Trump does not care about how much pain he inflicts on the American people. He has not even mentioned the over 320,000 dead from COVID since before the election. His singular focus is on the election and how it was stolen from him. He tweets nonstop about Governors and state legislatures that he feels owe him fealty and should be overturning their elections to benefit him and declare him the winner. Even Republicans that have been Trump supporters since day 1 of MAGA are not safe from his wrath (Governor Kemp has been run over by the MAGA bus 100 times since election day).
Twitter responded to this insanity:
Trump threatens to veto the Covid relief bill and then concludes by saying of the next administration, “maybe that administration will be me.” Deranged. pic.twitter.com/iNuUB9JXpm — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) December 23, 2020
Trump’s gonna veto Covid relief
bye-bye Georgia https://t.co/9HpGsVr23S — Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) December 23, 2020
I say veto but of course he’s a madman so who knows
make no mistake tho, him attacking Covid bill is a FU to McConnell and GOP — Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) December 23, 2020
I actually agree that $600 is too low. We deserve more - more money and more than a 2nd check, but let's not pretend Trump gives a damn about that. And hey, if this helps Democrats take back both Georgia Senate seats? That is just a bonus.


crooksandliars--2020-12-22--Joe Biden's Holiday Address Had Plenty Of Fireworks Aimed At Trump On Cybersecurity

It 's comforting to know that the Left-Wing Media ( in air-quotes ) is just as tough on Joe Biden as it is on Donald Trump .
Joe Biden delivered a holiday speech congratulating Congress on passing a COVID relief bill , acknowledging that there are dark days ahead before things get better , but also embracing the hope embodied in the vaccines we 're beginning to see given to frontline medical workers , that will soon be branching out across the nation .
He promised to do more on stimulus checks , and for the economic suffering of Americans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he moved to the massive cyberattack against our country last week .
Biden not only called for bipartisanship in handling the response , he excoriated Trump for his lack of one , and reminded us that he has STILL not been briefed on the attack .
Biden laid out in detail ways Trump set us up for the attack to happen in the first place , and lay blame squarely at his feet .
Foreign actors have been working on this breach since at least last year , setting the landscape to compromise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from our world-class tech sector , from private businesses , and from United States government agencies .
And the truth is that the Trump Administration failed to prioritize cyber security .
From eliminating and/or downgrading cyber coordinators at both the White House and the State Department , to firing his Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency , to President Trump ’ s irrational downplaying of the seriousness of this attack .
It certainly fits Russia ’ s long history of reckless and disruptive cyber activities .
But the Trump Administration needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assault happened on Donald Trump ’ s watch .
It is still his responsibility as president to defend American interests for the next four weeks , but rest assured that even if he does not take this seriously , I will .
After he closed , he took questions , and it 's too bad the media was as insipid as Biden was strong .
The questions were downright insulting .
Mike Memoli asked him if his team 's discussion of an Attorney General pick was influenced by the Justice Department 's ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigation into Hunter Biden .
Biden answered , `` No .
No .
I can guarantee you I 'm going to do what I said .
The attorney general of the United States of America is not the president 's lawyer .
I will appoint someone who I expect to enforce the law , as the law is written , NOT guided by me . ''
Jeff Zeleny asked Biden if he thought he was going to have a `` Honeymoon '' with Congress once he takes office .
Biden answered quickly , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gon na be a honeymoon at all , I think it 's a nightmare that everyone 's going through and they all say it 's got ta end .
It 's not a honeymoon .
They 're not doing me a favor . ''
He went on to ask Zeleny if he thought the only ones suffering were Democrats .
Republicans are suffering too , and they 're letting their representatives in Congress know it .
Then he said , `` There 's a different team in town . ''
But the worst @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Bloomberg News .
She asked if Biden was concerned about Trump `` lingering '' around after the inauguration , declaring a run for the 2024 presidency , and topped it off with the brilliant , `` Would YOU consider filing for re-election early next year to show that you 're not gon na be a lame duck ? ''
Half-way through her question President-elect Biden was hanging his head and chuckling audibly , and when she finished he said sharply , `` I 'm not gon na be a lame duck .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Yamiche Alcindor was last , to at least end with some measure of class , intellect , and professionalism .
But as Biden walked off , Pete Doocy from Fox News had to go and be a d*ckwad and ask if he thought the Hunter Biden story was Russian disinformation .
Well , you know our man was n't about to let that go unanswered .
Here 's the video of THAT exchange .

It's comforting to know that the Left-Wing Media (in air-quotes) is just as tough on Joe Biden as it is on Donald Trump.
Snort.
Joe Biden delivered a holiday speech congratulating Congress on passing a COVID relief bill, acknowledging that there are dark days ahead before things get better, but also embracing the hope embodied in the vaccines we're beginning to see given to frontline medical workers, that will soon be branching out across the nation. He promised to do more on stimulus checks, and for the economic suffering of Americans who've taken the hit.
Then he moved to the massive cyberattack against our country last week. Biden not only called for bipartisanship in handling the response, he excoriated Trump for his lack of one, and reminded us that he has STILL not been briefed on the attack.
Biden laid out in detail ways Trump set us up for the attack to happen in the first place, and lay blame squarely at his feet.
Foreign actors have been working on this breach since at least last year, setting the landscape to compromise our systems, scraping up sensitive information from our world-class tech sector, from private businesses, and from United States government agencies. And the truth is that the Trump Administration failed to prioritize cyber security. From eliminating and/or downgrading cyber coordinators at both the White House and the State Department, to firing his Director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, to President Trump’s irrational downplaying of the seriousness of this attack. [....] It certainly fits Russia’s long history of reckless and disruptive cyber activities. But the Trump Administration needs to make an official attribution. This assault happened on Donald Trump’s watch. It is still his responsibility as president to defend American interests for the next four weeks, but rest assured that even if he does not take this seriously, I will.
DAMN.
After he closed, he took questions, and it's too bad the media was as insipid as Biden was strong. The questions were downright insulting.
Mike Memoli asked him if his team's discussion of an Attorney General pick was influenced by the Justice Department's (led by corrupt autocrat Bill Barr) investigation into Hunter Biden. Biden answered, "No. No. I can guarantee you I'm going to do what I said. The attorney general of the United States of America is not the president's lawyer. I will appoint someone who I expect to enforce the law, as the law is written, NOT guided by me."
Jeff Zeleny asked Biden if he thought he was going to have a "Honeymoon" with Congress once he takes office. Biden answered quickly, "I don't think there's gonna be a honeymoon at all, I think it's a nightmare that everyone's going through and they all say it's gotta end. It's not a honeymoon. They're not doing me a favor." He went on to ask Zeleny if he thought the only ones suffering were Democrats. Republicans are suffering too, and they're letting their representatives in Congress know it. Then he said, "There's a different team in town."
But the worst question had to come from Jennifer Epstein of Bloomberg News. She asked if Biden was concerned about Trump "lingering" around after the inauguration, declaring a run for the 2024 presidency, and topped it off with the brilliant, "Would YOU consider filing for re-election early next year to show that you're not gonna be a lame duck?"
Half-way through her question President-elect Biden was hanging his head and chuckling audibly, and when she finished he said sharply, "I'm not gonna be a lame duck. Just watch me."
Thank god Yamiche Alcindor was last, to at least end with some measure of class, intellect, and professionalism. But as Biden walked off, Pete Doocy from Fox News had to go and be a d*ckwad and ask if he thought the Hunter Biden story was Russian disinformation. Well, you know our man wasn't about to let that go unanswered.
Here's the video of THAT exchange.


crooksandliars--2020-12-22--Trump Was Right! Voter Irregularities Found In Two States

Holy smokes !
It looks like Diaper Don was correct with his complaints of faulty election results in at least two states .
But he probably does n't really want to draw too much attention to them .
In Delaware County , Pennsylvania , , there was a confirmed incident of voter fraud : In the weeks leading up to the presidential election , Elizabeth Bartman and Elizabeth Weihman registered to vote as Republicans in Nether Providence Township , Delaware County officials said Monday .
There was one problem : Both women had been dead for several years .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , now faces two felony counts of perjury , as well as one count of unlawful voting for successfully casting an absentee ballot for President Donald Trump in the name of Elizabeth Bartman , his long-dead mother .
Bartman was arraigned Friday and released on $ 100,000 unsecured bail .
His lawyer , Samuel Stretton , said the 70-year-old takes full responsibility for the crimes , and will cooperate with investigators “ In his political frustration , he chose to do something stupid , ” Stretton said .
“ And for that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his deceased mother 's driver 's license to register her to vote absentee and successfully cast a ballot for Trump in her name .
He tried to do the same thing for his dead mother-in-law .
But in that incident , he used her Social Security number , which triggered an alert in the state 's system .
Even though Bartman signed a letter confirming that she was alive , he never tried to vote for her .
It should be noted that the prosecuting DA emphasized this was an isolated incident and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said Bartman admitted to casting the illegal ballot to “ further the campaign of Donald Trump.
” But the top prosecutor cautioned that Bartman ’ s arrest was an isolated incident , and not an indication of larger voting problems in the county .
“ For all the conspiracy theorists out there , this case today does not represent widespread voter fraud , ” Stollsteimer said .
“ This case was evidence that one person committed voter fraud by casting an improper and illegal ballot.
” In Wisconsin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to overturn the election results .
Among these conspiracies : Voters were able to exploit the use of absentee ballots by falsely claiming to be indefinitely disabled and not having to show a photo ID to register .
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel crunched the numbers and found that the counties where such activity took place were all counties that went to Trump : More Wisconsin voters were allowed to vote absentee without showing photo identification in counties Donald Trump won than in counties that backed Joe Biden , a new analysis shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state 's photo ID requirement for nearly a decade , but the practice is under fresh scrutiny by Republican lawmakers after a surge in the number of such ballots cast during the coronavirus pandemic — the target of President Donald Trump 's efforts to overturn the state 's election results .
A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel review shows 123,357 voters in the 58 counties Trump carried claimed to be indefinitely confined on the basis of age , physical illness or disability , which allowed them to avoid the photo identification requirement .
In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 21,000-vote victory , 92,356 voters listed themselves as indefinitely confined .
Republican state lawmakers are still jumping on these accusations , even though they have no proof of their veracity to further oppress voters ' rights .
Some of the things they want to do is severely curtail the use of absentee ballots and early in-person voting and the outright banning of ballot drop boxes , all because too many people use them .
But even though one could argue that Diaper Don was technically correct in saying that there are voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ really want to push the issue and make Biden 's margin of victory even more bigly ?

Holy smokes! It looks like Diaper Don was correct with his complaints of faulty election results in at least two states. But he probably doesn't really want to draw too much attention to them.
In Delaware County, Pennsylvania,, there was a confirmed incident of voter fraud: In the weeks leading up to the presidential election, Elizabeth Bartman and Elizabeth Weihman registered to vote as Republicans in Nether Providence Township, Delaware County officials said Monday. There was one problem: Both women had been dead for several years. The man behind those applications, Bruce Bartman, now faces two felony counts of perjury, as well as one count of unlawful voting for successfully casting an absentee ballot for President Donald Trump in the name of Elizabeth Bartman, his long-dead mother. Bartman was arraigned Friday and released on $100,000 unsecured bail. His lawyer, Samuel Stretton, said the 70-year-old takes full responsibility for the crimes, and will cooperate with investigators “In his political frustration, he chose to do something stupid,” Stretton said. “And for that he is very sorry.”.
Bartman used his deceased mother's driver's license to register her to vote absentee and successfully cast a ballot for Trump in her name. He tried to do the same thing for his dead mother-in-law. But in that incident, he used her Social Security number, which triggered an alert in the state's system. Even though Bartman signed a letter confirming that she was alive, he never tried to vote for her.
It should be noted that the prosecuting DA emphasized this was an isolated incident and not part of a larger conspiracy:
District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said Bartman admitted to casting the illegal ballot to “further the campaign of Donald Trump.” But the top prosecutor cautioned that Bartman’s arrest was an isolated incident, and not an indication of larger voting problems in the county. “For all the conspiracy theorists out there, this case today does not represent widespread voter fraud,” Stollsteimer said. “This case was evidence that one person committed voter fraud by casting an improper and illegal ballot.”
In Wisconsin, Trump offered myriad conspiracy theories in his effort to overturn the election results. Among these conspiracies: Voters were able to exploit the use of absentee ballots by falsely claiming to be indefinitely disabled and not having to show a photo ID to register.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel crunched the numbers and found that the counties where such activity took place were all counties that went to Trump:
More Wisconsin voters were allowed to vote absentee without showing photo identification in counties Donald Trump won than in counties that backed Joe Biden, a new analysis shows. Some Wisconsin voters have bypassed the state's photo ID requirement for nearly a decade, but the practice is under fresh scrutiny by Republican lawmakers after a surge in the number of such ballots cast during the coronavirus pandemic — the target of President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn the state's election results. A Milwaukee Journal Sentinel review shows 123,357 voters in the 58 counties Trump carried claimed to be indefinitely confined on the basis of age, physical illness or disability, which allowed them to avoid the photo identification requirement. In the 14 counties Biden won en route to a 21,000-vote victory, 92,356 voters listed themselves as indefinitely confined.
Republican state lawmakers are still jumping on these accusations, even though they have no proof of their veracity to further oppress voters' rights. Some of the things they want to do is severely curtail the use of absentee ballots and early in-person voting and the outright banning of ballot drop boxes, all because too many people use them.
But even though one could argue that Diaper Don was technically correct in saying that there are voting irregularities and voter fraud, does he really want to push the issue and make Biden's margin of victory even more bigly?


crooksandliars--2020-12-22--WH Virus Coordinator Deborah Birx Retiring After Her Unfortunate Thanksgiving Episode

Birx said that the overwhelming criticism of her blatant hypocrisy has been very hard on her family , so she 's calling it quits .
And you know you 've screwed up royally when Fox News lambastes you and starts comparing you to 'Democrat ' politicians .
Dr. Deborah Birx , coordinator of the White House coronavirus response , said Tuesday she plans to retire , but is willing to first help President-elect Joe Biden ’ s team with its coronavirus response as needed .
Birx , in an interview with the news site Newsy , did not give a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I will be helpful in any role that people think I can be helpful in , and then I will retire , ” Birx told the news outlet .
Birx and White House officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment .
Her comments came just days after The Associated Press reported that she traveled out of state for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was urging Americans to forgo holiday travel .
Birx acknowledged in a statement on Sunday that she went to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ family members .
She insisted the purpose of the roughly 50-hour visit was to deal with the winterization of the property before a potential sale — something she says she previously hadn ’ t had time to do because of her busy schedule .
“ I did not go to Delaware for the purpose of celebrating Thanksgiving , ” Birx said in her statement , adding that her family shared a meal together while in Delaware .

Birx said that the overwhelming criticism of her blatant hypocrisy has been very hard on her family, so she's calling it quits. And you know you've screwed up royally when Fox News lambastes you and starts comparing you to 'Democrat' politicians.
Source: Associated Press
Dr. Deborah Birx, coordinator of the White House coronavirus response, said Tuesday she plans to retire, but is willing to first help President-elect Joe Biden’s team with its coronavirus response as needed.
Birx, in an interview with the news site Newsy, did not give a specific timetable on her plans.
“I will be helpful in any role that people think I can be helpful in, and then I will retire,” Birx told the news outlet.
Birx and White House officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Her comments came just days after The Associated Press reported that she traveled out of state for the Thanksgiving holiday weekend even as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was urging Americans to forgo holiday travel.
Birx acknowledged in a statement on Sunday that she went to her Delaware property and was accompanied by family members. She insisted the purpose of the roughly 50-hour visit was to deal with the winterization of the property before a potential sale — something she says she previously hadn’t had time to do because of her busy schedule.
“I did not go to Delaware for the purpose of celebrating Thanksgiving,” Birx said in her statement, adding that her family shared a meal together while in Delaware.


crooksandliars--2020-12-22--Rand Paul Rants About COVID Relief Payments: 'Why Not $2000?'

Senator Rand Paul rose up in rebellion against his own party Tuesday , objecting to the idea of helping people with their bills with a pittance of a payment to help with the pain of a pandemic they did n't cause .
`` If free money was the answer ... if money really did grow on trees , why not give more free money ? ''
Rand mused .
`` Why not give it out all the time ?
Why stop at $ 600 a person ?
Why not $ 1,000 ?
Why not $ 2,000 ? ''
`` Maybe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Everybody-Gets-A-Guaranteed-Income Caucus ? ''
he snarked .
`` Why not $ 20,000 a year for everybody , why not $ 30,000 ?
If we can print out money with impunity , why not do it ? ''
Why not indeed .
He should talk to Andrew Yang about that .
Let 's never forget that Rand Paul is the son of racist crackpot Ron Paul , and did n't have any problem whatsoever with the Treasury printing free money for billionaires and corporations for the past 3 years .
Oh , and here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hoping to hold her billions while denying people even $ 600 .

Senator Rand Paul rose up in rebellion against his own party Tuesday, objecting to the idea of helping people with their bills with a pittance of a payment to help with the pain of a pandemic they didn't cause.
"If free money was the answer... if money really did grow on trees, why not give more free money?" Rand mused. "Why not give it out all the time? Why stop at $600 a person? Why not $1,000? Why not $2,000?"
"Maybe these new Free-Money Republicans should join the Everybody-Gets-A-Guaranteed-Income Caucus?" he snarked. "Why not $20,000 a year for everybody, why not $30,000? If we can print out money with impunity, why not do it?"
Why not indeed. He should talk to Andrew Yang about that. Let's never forget that Rand Paul is the son of racist crackpot Ron Paul, and didn't have any problem whatsoever with the Treasury printing free money for billionaires and corporations for the past 3 years.
Twitter had thoughts.
What Rand Paul actually means, "We only have free money for billionaires... but that shit, baby? We got that all day long! Whooooo Hooooooo!!!!" https://t.co/4aUtYI62l5 — Mark Greene (@RemakingManhood) December 22, 2020
Good thing we got that important race horse tax deduction in there then, isn't it? — Blue Robot (@_tinrobot) December 22, 2020
I'm going to change my name to JetBlue or American Airlines. That way, I can get billions of dollars without the obnoxious hand-wringing that regular people get in exchange for relative table scraps. — Jim Miele (Ex-GOP) (@mielewealth) December 22, 2020
Yes, @RandPaul only thinks free money should go to corporations and billionaires. He’lol ballon the deficit for a corporate tax cut, but not for the people he represents. — DawnJohnson (@DawnSenate47) December 22, 2020
My, but aren’t you a proud little peacock. — Travis York (@Travexas) December 22, 2020
Oh, and here we have another Rand Paul Racist Republican hoping to hold her billions while denying people even $600.


crooksandliars--2020-12-22--Mitch McConnell Insists $600 Relief Checks Are Not 'Too Little, Too Late'

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell ( R-KY ) on Monday pushed back against criticism after he failed for months to pass a COVID-19 relief bill .
During an interview with McConnell on Fox News , host Dana Perino noted that Republicans have been blamed for refusing to hold a Senate vote on a relief bill that had been passed in the House .
For his part , McConnell claimed that he has been a proponent of a relief bill since July .
`` We tried to pass -- we started advocating for that in July , '' the Kentucky Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
`` I think what held it up is that [ Democrats ] did not want to do anything before the presidential election , '' he opined .
`` I think they felt that would disadvantage the president .
But look , we finally got it done . ''
Perino pointed out that many Americans felt like the bill , which includes $ 600 checks for many people , would be `` too little , too late . ''
`` It 's not too little , too late , '' McConnell objected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exactly what the country needs right now .
If after the new administration comes in they want to advocate more , we 'll take a look at it based upon conditions in the country at that time . ''

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) on Monday pushed back against criticism after he failed for months to pass a COVID-19 relief bill.
During an interview with McConnell on Fox News, host Dana Perino noted that Republicans have been blamed for refusing to hold a Senate vote on a relief bill that had been passed in the House.
For his part, McConnell claimed that he has been a proponent of a relief bill since July.
"We tried to pass -- we started advocating for that in July," the Kentucky Republican insisted. "The talks were unproductive."
"I think what held it up is that [Democrats] did not want to do anything before the presidential election," he opined. "I think they felt that would disadvantage the president. But look, we finally got it done."
Perino pointed out that many Americans felt like the bill, which includes $600 checks for many people, would be "too little, too late."
"It's not too little, too late," McConnell objected. "It's directly targeted at exactly what the country needs right now. If after the new administration comes in they want to advocate more, we'll take a look at it based upon conditions in the country at that time."


crooksandliars--2020-12-22--Keith Olbermann Names Names In Sedition Plot; Matt Gaetz Takes It Personally

Keith Olbermann used his YouTube channel to list the names of people hanging out in the White House , plotting @ @ @ @ @ results of the 2020 election .
Matt Gaetz was on the list .
Matt retweeted @ @ @ @ @ thing .
See , Matt says he is just `` debating . ''
But what @ @ @ @ @ plotters are really doing , at best , is sowing distrust in the sacred institutions @ @ @ @ @ , and the peaceful transfer of power .
There is no `` debate '' that @ @ @ @ @ voters behind him , Matt .
While you ’ re at it , maybe also @ @ @ @ @ not the earth the flat .
Dude , it ’ s been investigated over and @ @ @ @ @ get over it .
It ’ s astonishing that this con man is the one @ @ @ @ @ sell out America for .

Keith Olbermann used his YouTube channel to list the names of people hanging out in the White House, plotting with Trump to overturn the results of the 2020 election.
Matt Gaetz was on the list. Matt retweeted Keith and Cavuto'ed the whole thing.
We want to debate fraud.
They want to prosecute those who call for a debate.
And they call us the crazies. https://t.co/nqqgz8so0M — Matt Gaetz (@mattgaetz) December 22, 2020
See, Matt says he is just "debating."
But what he and his fellow coup plotters are really doing, at best, is sowing distrust in the sacred institutions of voting, election results, and the peaceful transfer of power.
There is no "debate" that Biden won with 80 million voters behind him, Matt.
Sorry, Matt. Elections aren’t like drunk driving charges - your rich dad can’t just get them overturned — Mike Drucker (@MikeDrucker) December 22, 2020
"debate" is Cavuto-ing. He's "just asking the question" if it's okay to de-legitimize the most secure election in US History. — Frances Langum 🧶 #BidenHarris2020 (@bluegal) December 22, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-12-24--AOC Calls Trump's Bluff With One Page Amendment To Increase Relief Payments To $2,000

Trump 's many feuds with allies and rivals alike , in this case Mitch McConnell , may finally result in something positive for American people in desperate need .
Forget all the lies and insanity of his latest poutrage video on the COVID relief and Omnibus bill that Congress passed , because the truth is McConnell and Republicans in the Senate refused to engage on COVID relief until they felt heat in Georgia .
But the fact that Trump is calling on Republicans to send Americans a $ 2,000 check in large part to screw with the Senate Majority Leader @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is awesome .
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib jumped on it immediately .
it 's about time one of his petty grievances helps somebody other than himself or his loyalists .
It could affect the outcome in Georgia 's runoffs , too .
Cowardly Trump did not engage in any of the stimulus negotiations or coronavirus relief discussions since he 's abdicated his responsibility as president since he lost the November 3rd presidential election , so he waited until both houses of Congress left on recess to make his big pronouncements .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as hating the American people .
I agree with my friend David Dayen via The Prospect : Much to my delight in seeing that political instincts in the Democratic Party aren ’ t totally dead , about 10 minutes later , Nancy Pelosi suggested the same thing , saying she would offer unanimous consent to amend the bill .
Reps. Rashida Tlaib ( D-MI ) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez ( D-NY ) even wrote the amendment .
( I gave it a name : the $ 2,000 Does Offer Long-Lasting Available Relief or $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Chuck Schumer got on board as well .
Joe Biden hasn ’ t said anything , but he was on the record for seeking more money when he became president .
So the Democratic leadership beat him to it , and called Trump ’ s bluff .
It was McConnell who put the 900 Billion dollar cap on the package no matter who much poutrage you hear from idiots in the Senate like Marsha Blackburn about giving people free money , socialism and whatnot .
Trump may not sign the bill anyway @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just to f**k with President-elect Joe Biden which would be another catastrophic disaster for the American people .
As Duncan Black says , `` Make it happen , or if it does n't happen make sure people understand why it did n't happen . ''
Hint : it 's those f*cking Republicans

Trump's many feuds with allies and rivals alike, in this case Mitch McConnell, may finally result in something positive for American people in desperate need.
Forget all the lies and insanity of his latest poutrage video on the COVID relief and Omnibus bill that Congress passed, because the truth is McConnell and Republicans in the Senate refused to engage on COVID relief until they felt heat in Georgia.
But the fact that Trump is calling on Republicans to send Americans a $2,000 check in large part to screw with the Senate Majority Leader for not overthrowing the election for him is awesome.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib jumped on it immediately.
Let’s do it. @RashidaTlaib and I already co-wrote the COVID amendment for $2,000 checks, so it’s ready to go.
Glad to see the President is willing to support our legislation.
We can pass $2k checks this week if the Senate GOP agrees to stand down. https://t.co/GprwrUPali pic.twitter.com/nFFs1ExqCK — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) December 23, 2020
it's about time one of his petty grievances helps somebody other than himself or his loyalists. It could affect the outcome in Georgia's runoffs, too.
Cowardly Trump did not engage in any of the stimulus negotiations or coronavirus relief discussions since he's abdicated his responsibility as president since he lost the November 3rd presidential election, so he waited until both houses of Congress left on recess to make his big pronouncements.
But they still characterize McConnell and the GOP as hating the American people.
I agree with my friend David Dayen via The Prospect:
Much to my delight in seeing that political instincts in the Democratic Party aren’t totally dead, about 10 minutes later, Nancy Pelosi suggested the same thing, saying she would offer unanimous consent to amend the bill. Reps. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) even wrote the amendment. (I gave it a name: the $2,000 Does Offer Long-Lasting Available Relief or $2,000 DOLLAR, Act.) Eventually, Chuck Schumer got on board as well. Joe Biden hasn’t said anything, but he was on the record for seeking more money when he became president. So the Democratic leadership beat him to it, and called Trump’s bluff.
It was McConnell who put the 900 Billion dollar cap on the package no matter who much poutrage you hear from idiots in the Senate like Marsha Blackburn about giving people free money, socialism and whatnot.
Trump may not sign the bill anyway, choosing a pocket veto instead, just to f**k with President-elect Joe Biden which would be another catastrophic disaster for the American people.
As Duncan Black says, "Make it happen, or if it doesn't happen make sure people understand why it didn't happen." Hint: it's those f*cking Republicans


crooksandliars--2020-12-23--Pastor Who Urged 'Faith Over Fear!!' Loses Both Parents To Covid-19

As a God-fearing man , Pastor Todd Dunn should beg his redeemer for forgiveness for the role he played in his parents deaths .
But he wo n't .
They never do .
Pastor Todd Dunn had been urging “ Faith over fear !
” since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March .
Just before Thanksgiving , he posted a message on Facebook dismissing precautionary measures advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep wearing masks and avoid gatherings with family members who don ’ t live in the same house .
“ I ’ m not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like the CDC requests and we are traveling so we ’ ll take our chances , ” Dunn ’ s Facebook post read .
“ And to top it off we are huggers so there you go !
There will be no social distancing CDC .
Faith over fear !
!
” A few weeks later , both of Dunn ’ s parents were dead after entering the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms .
Charles and Shirley Dunn died within hours of one another at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a video of Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul criticizing Dr. Anthony Fauci , the nation ’ s top infectious disease expert .
Dunn wrote : “ While we know people have suffered due to this virus , I have precious members in my congregation whose ’ livelihoods have been greatly affected by this shutdown .
At some point we must have faith and trust in God Who is in control whether you believe it or not and the Bible tells us that “ Without Faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him.
” I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m for America !
!
`` And just before the election , his posts took on increasingly dark political tones .
As early voting started in the fall , Dunn ’ s Facebook messages took on a strongly partisan tone as it related to the pandemic .
On Oct. 7 , he posted “ The Left is using this virus situation to methodically keep us in our place and to keep churches from assembling .
...
If you are struggling with voting for an individual because of their background then for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform .
I truly believe God is in control but we need to do our part !
!
”

As a God-fearing man, Pastor Todd Dunn should beg his redeemer for forgiveness for the role he played in his parents deaths. But he won't. They never do.
Source: Dallas News
Pastor Todd Dunn had been urging “Faith over fear!” since the COVID-19 pandemic started in March. Just before Thanksgiving, he posted a message on Facebook dismissing precautionary measures advised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to keep wearing masks and avoid gatherings with family members who don’t live in the same house. “I’m not wearing a mask when around my family like the CDC requests and we are traveling so we’ll take our chances,” Dunn’s Facebook post read. “And to top it off we are huggers so there you go! There will be no social distancing CDC. Faith over fear!!” A few weeks later, both of Dunn’s parents were dead after entering the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms. Charles and Shirley Dunn died within hours of one another at Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital in Fort Worth.
Several months ago,
In May, Dunn posted on Facebook a video of Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul criticizing Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease expert. Dunn wrote: “While we know people have suffered due to this virus, I have precious members in my congregation whose’ livelihoods have been greatly affected by this shutdown. At some point we must have faith and trust in God Who is in control whether you believe it or not and the Bible tells us that “Without Faith it is IMPOSSIBLE to please Him.” I’m not against anyone here, I’m for America!! "
And just before the election, his posts took on increasingly dark political tones.
As early voting started in the fall, Dunn’s Facebook messages took on a strongly partisan tone as it related to the pandemic. On Oct. 7, he posted “The Left is using this virus situation to methodically keep us in our place and to keep churches from assembling. ... If you are struggling with voting for an individual because of their background then for the love of God please vote for the platform. I truly believe God is in control but we need to do our part!!”
Welp—Pastor who told parishioners not to fear pandemic—parents then die of COVID after Thanksgiving.
🔥“I’m not wearing a mask—There will be no social distancing CDC. Faith over fear!”
➡A few weeks later, both parents died of #COVID19 in Fort Worth 🏥.
https://t.co/NqsRSp4ri5 pic.twitter.com/5lEQhSuB2L — Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) December 23, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-12-23--Giuliani Blames Biden's 'Secret Police' After Trump Justice Department Considers Warrant For His Ema

Giuliani Blames Biden's 'Secret Police' After Trump Justice Department Considers Warrant For His Emails

Rudy Giuliani , an attorney for President Donald Trump , on Tuesday accused President-elect Joe Biden of using `` secret police '' to investigate him .
NBC News first reported this week that federal prosecutors for the Southern District of New York have considered issuing a warrant for Giuliani 's emails as part of a probe into his dealings in Ukraine .
The Wall Street Journal previously reported that prosecutors are also interested in Giuliani 's bank records .
In a tweet on Tuesday , Giuliani suggested that Biden was behind the effort to prosecute him .
`` I 'm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vindictive government list , '' Giuliani wrote .
`` Sounds like the DOJ anti-Trumpers ca n't wait for Biden to make DOJ the GOVERNMENT Secret Police like they were under Obama . ''
`` They want to seize my emails , '' he added .
`` Attorney-Client privilege.
? ''
`` This concession by Rudy Giuliani that POTUS-elect Joe Biden will be taking office soon is overdue , but it should be noted that outgoing President Trump remains in power until Jan. 20 , '' court reporter Adam Klasfeld pointed out .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yesterday , during the lame duck session . ''

Rudy Giuliani, an attorney for President Donald Trump, on Tuesday accused President-elect Joe Biden of using "secret police" to investigate him.
NBC News first reported this week that federal prosecutors for the Southern District of New York have considered issuing a warrant for Giuliani's emails as part of a probe into his dealings in Ukraine. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that prosecutors are also interested in Giuliani's bank records.
In a tweet on Tuesday, Giuliani suggested that Biden was behind the effort to prosecute him.
"I'm proud to be number one on Biden Vindictive government list," Giuliani wrote. "Sounds like the DOJ anti-Trumpers can't wait for Biden to make DOJ the GOVERNMENT Secret Police like they were under Obama."
"They want to seize my emails," he added. "Attorney-Client privilege.?"
I’m proud to be number one on Biden Vindictive government list.
Sounds like the DOJ anti-Trumpers can't wait for Biden to make DOJ the GOVERNMENT Secret Police like they were under Obama.
They want to seize my emails.
No reason
No wrongdoing
Attorney-Client privilege.? — Rudy W. Giuliani (@RudyGiuliani) December 22, 2020
Giuliani's tweet seemed to acknowledge Biden's win.
"This concession by Rudy Giuliani that POTUS-elect Joe Biden will be taking office soon is overdue, but it should be noted that outgoing President Trump remains in power until Jan. 20," court reporter Adam Klasfeld pointed out. "The news he's railing about broke yesterday, during the lame duck session."


crooksandliars--2020-12-23--Nicolle Wallace Skins Chris Christie Alive Over Claims Of Standing Up To Trump

You got ta love when Chris Christie gets booked on MSNBC to brag about surviving his COVID-19 experience , and how right he was to wear masks way back in March , and call for sports to be cancelled .
Oh , golly gee , about catching the COVID , he only let his guard down about wearing a mask for a few days at the White House !
How was he to KNOW ?
No one is allowed INTO the White House until their test comes back negative !
Just kidding .
I hate it .
With one exception @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it on Nicolle Wallace 's show , because then she says sh*t like , `` Well , I think a lot of people would warned you if you 're going to let your guard down , doing it at Trump 's petri dish was not the smart place to do it . ''
On Nicolle Wallace 's show , when he tries to act he was so prescient to warn Trump not to hire Michael Flynn way back in 2016 , and puff himself up about how NOT AFRAID OF DONALD TRUMP he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who I am ! ''
she cuts him right the hell down to size by reminding him , WALLACE : I do n't remember you coming out and forcefully pushing back against Donald Trump 's comments on the Access Hollywood tape .
You did n't defend him , but you did n't withdraw your support .
I did n't hear you after he called African nations bleep-hole nations .
I did n't hear you distance yourself from this president at any point until the target for his ire and lawlessness was the democracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four years .
Are you simply making a political calculation that you could clean the Trump stink off you faster than Marco Rubio or some of your other competitors ?
In response to that lethal question , Christie shrugged and said , basically , Nah , because I stood up for Christopher Wray , and Jeff Sessions .
Oh , so he only stands up for white guys .
Women and Black people can go fck themselves as far as Christie is concerned .
Oh , and you know what else Christie said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he voted for Donald Trump in 2016 .
Got that ?
Christie said he would rather put the country through everything it has been through these last four years , including 320,000 COVID-19 deaths — that in the VERY NEXT QUESTION he admits Trump is largely responsible for !
—than have voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 .
Yeah , Nicolle Wallace can have any guest on that she wants , as far as I 'm concerned she lets them get away with exactly NOTHING , and in so doing , she gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ EXACTLY who they are .

You gotta love when Chris Christie gets booked on MSNBC to brag about surviving his COVID-19 experience, and how right he was to wear masks way back in March, and call for sports to be cancelled. Oh, golly gee, about catching the COVID, he only let his guard down about wearing a mask for a few days at the White House! How was he to KNOW? No one is allowed INTO the White House until their test comes back negative! Just kidding. I hate it.
With one exception. I love it when he does it on Nicolle Wallace's show, because then she says sh*t like, "Well, I think a lot of people would warned you if you're going to let your guard down, doing it at Trump's petri dish was not the smart place to do it."
On Nicolle Wallace's show, when he tries to act he was so prescient to warn Trump not to hire Michael Flynn way back in 2016, and puff himself up about how NOT AFRAID OF DONALD TRUMP he is, because "nothing can change who I am!" she cuts him right the hell down to size by reminding him,
WALLACE: I don't remember you coming out and forcefully pushing back against Donald Trump's comments on the Access Hollywood tape. You didn't defend him, but you didn't withdraw your support. I didn't hear you after he called African nations bleep-hole nations. I didn't hear you distance yourself from this president at any point until the target for his ire and lawlessness was the democracy you haven't ruled out leading in four years. Are you simply making a political calculation that you could clean the Trump stink off you faster than Marco Rubio or some of your other competitors?
In response to that lethal question, Christie shrugged and said, basically, Nah, because I stood up for Christopher Wray, and Jeff Sessions. Oh, so he only stands up for white guys. Women and Black people can go fck themselves as far as Christie is concerned.
Oh, and you know what else Christie said next? That he wasn't sorry he voted for Donald Trump in 2016. Got that? Christie said he would rather put the country through everything it has been through these last four years, including 320,000 COVID-19 deaths — that in the VERY NEXT QUESTION he admits Trump is largely responsible for! —than have voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016.
Yeah, Nicolle Wallace can have any guest on that she wants, as far as I'm concerned she lets them get away with exactly NOTHING, and in so doing, she gets them to show us exactly, but EXACTLY who they are.


crooksandliars--2020-12-23--Obama Book Offers Key Insight About How Laws Really Get Made

Amid all the attention on former President Barack Obama ’ s new book , what may not have shown up in the reviews is mention of a two-page summary that , for legislative scholars like me , includes what may be the shortest and perhaps best description of how legislatures really work , even for political scientists .
Based on his time as an Illinois state senator from 1997 to 2004 , the brief passage crystallizes the inner workings of the legislative process .
As a scholar who has observed and studied state legislatures and Congress for almost 50 years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autobiographies by former members of Congress , former U.S. senators and former state legislators – all of whom offer lessons about what goes on in their respective chambers .
But none is so succinct as Obama ’ s .
One of the first legislative memoirs I read , in about 1972 , was “ Congress : The Sapless Branch , ” written a decade earlier by Joseph Clark , who then represented my home state , Pennsylvania , in the U.S. Senate .
I became fascinated with the idea of legislators evaluating their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make them work better .
Most legislator autobiographies are heavy on personal journeys , describing why and how they ran for office , what happened during the campaign and their legislative successes once elected .
These sorts of books include former U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri ’ s 2015 “ Plenty Ladylike ” and Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky ’ s 2016 “ The Long Game.
” They pay little attention to the performance of the legislature or the wider political system – though McConnell does note the contrast between politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ making a point and making a difference.
” There are exceptions to this .
For instance , in Philip J.
Rock ’ s memoir , published after his 2016 death , “ Nobody Calls Just to Say Hello , ” the longtime Illinois Senate president carefully explains how at least a dozen important decisions came about .
In his 750-page book , Obama ’ s legislative insight comes early , on pages 33 and 34 .
Obama recounts an early speech opposing tax breaks to corporations using facts and figures that he felt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Senate President Pate Philip came over to his desk : Obama went on to describe his view of politics in Springfield as “ a series of transactions mostly hidden from view , legislators weighing the competing pressures of various interests with the dispassion of bazaar merchants , all the while keeping a careful eye on the handful of ideological hot buttons – guns , abortion , taxes – that might generate heat from their base.
” Obama explained that it wasn ’ t that legislators “ didn ’ t know the difference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just didn ’ t matter .
What everyone in Springfield understood was that 90 percent of the time voters back home weren ’ t paying attention .
A complicated but worthy compromise , bucking party orthodoxy to support an innovative idea – that could cost you a key endorsement , a big financial backer , a leadership post , or even an election.
” In that passage , Obama describes the central weakness of representative democracy : Nice-looking political institutions don ’ t work the way they seem , partly because organized special @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more importantly , because “ 90 percent of the time voters back home weren ’ t paying attention.
” Legislators respond to people and interests they see and hear .
Usually that means other politicians , lobbyists and their staffs .
Without an attentive public , the public interest loses out .
We all know better than we live His account reinforces a truth I first struggled with in 1981 while interviewing an Indiana legislator for my dissertation .
I asked him if he looked for information to better understand legislative proposals .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t help but think that you think that our problem is that we don ’ t know what we should be doing here .
It ’ s just like in farming , I already know how to farm better than I farm.
” People already know the facts of how to live healthier , work more effectively and save more money .
And politicians largely know how to address what the public actually needs .
It is motivation and discipline that are often the obstacles , not a lack of knowledge .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ understanding pieces of the legislative process .
But they , and lawmakers ’ own reflections , seldom so clearly reveal – as Obama captures – how legislators understand it .
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license .
Read the original article .

David Webber, University of Missouri-Columbia
Amid all the attention on former President Barack Obama’s new book, what may not have shown up in the reviews is mention of a two-page summary that, for legislative scholars like me, includes what may be the shortest and perhaps best description of how legislatures really work, even for political scientists.
Based on his time as an Illinois state senator from 1997 to 2004, the brief passage crystallizes the inner workings of the legislative process. As a scholar who has observed and studied state legislatures and Congress for almost 50 years, I know there are hundreds of autobiographies by former members of Congress, former U.S. senators and former state legislators – all of whom offer lessons about what goes on in their respective chambers.
But none is so succinct as Obama’s.
Legions of accounts
One of the first legislative memoirs I read, in about 1972, was “Congress: The Sapless Branch,” written a decade earlier by Joseph Clark, who then represented my home state, Pennsylvania, in the U.S. Senate. I became fascinated with the idea of legislators evaluating their own institutions – and even proposing reforms to make them work better.
Most legislator autobiographies are heavy on personal journeys, describing why and how they ran for office, what happened during the campaign and their legislative successes once elected. These sorts of books include former U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri’s 2015 “Plenty Ladylike” and Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky’s 2016 “The Long Game.” They pay little attention to the performance of the legislature or the wider political system – though McConnell does note the contrast between politics and reality, the difference between “making a point and making a difference.”
There are exceptions to this. For instance, in Philip J. Rock’s memoir, published after his 2016 death, “Nobody Calls Just to Say Hello,” the longtime Illinois Senate president carefully explains how at least a dozen important decisions came about.
Obama’s experience
In his 750-page book, Obama’s legislative insight comes early, on pages 33 and 34. Obama recounts an early speech opposing tax breaks to corporations using facts and figures that he felt certain were convincing. When he finished, Senate President Pate Philip came over to his desk:
“That was a hell of a speech,” he said, chewing on an unlit cigar. “Made some good points.” Then he added: “Might have even changed a lot of minds,” he said. “But you didn’t change any votes.” With that he signaled to the presiding officer and watched with satisfaction as the green lights signifying “aye” lit up the board.
Obama went on to describe his view of politics in Springfield
as “a series of transactions mostly hidden from view, legislators weighing the competing pressures of various interests with the dispassion of bazaar merchants, all the while keeping a careful eye on the handful of ideological hot buttons – guns, abortion, taxes – that might generate heat from their base.”
Obama explained that it wasn’t that legislators “didn’t know the difference between good and bad policy. It just didn’t matter. What everyone in Springfield understood was that 90 percent of the time voters back home weren’t paying attention. A complicated but worthy compromise, bucking party orthodoxy to support an innovative idea – that could cost you a key endorsement, a big financial backer, a leadership post, or even an election.”
In that passage, Obama describes the central weakness of representative democracy: Nice-looking political institutions don’t work the way they seem, partly because organized special interests keep them that way, and more importantly, because “90 percent of the time voters back home weren’t paying attention.”
Legislators respond to people and interests they see and hear. Usually that means other politicians, lobbyists and their staffs. Without an attentive public, the public interest loses out.
We all know better than we live
His account reinforces a truth I first struggled with in 1981 while interviewing an Indiana legislator for my dissertation. I asked him if he looked for information to better understand legislative proposals. He told me, “I can’t help but think that you think that our problem is that we don’t know what we should be doing here. It’s just like in farming, I already know how to farm better than I farm.”
People already know the facts of how to live healthier, work more effectively and save more money. And politicians largely know how to address what the public actually needs. It is motivation and discipline that are often the obstacles, not a lack of knowledge.
Academic books and articles are useful for understanding pieces of the legislative process. But they, and lawmakers’ own reflections, seldom so clearly reveal – as Obama captures – how legislators understand it.
David Webber, Associate Professor Emeritus of Political Science, University of Missouri-Columbia
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.


crooksandliars--2020-12-23--Happy Festivus! Which Awful People Will Trump Pardon Next?

So we 've seen who Trump named in his first wave of lame-duck pardons , including the Blackwater war criminals responsible for the Nisour Square massacre of 14 civilians , figures in the Mueller investigation , three convicted Republican congressmen , and two Border Patrol agents who shot an unarmed suspect .
Bill Kristol has a theory that Trump was saving the really controversial pardons until after Bill Barr was gone ( today is Barr 's last day . )
More controversial than shooting Iraqi children ?
Eek .
Let 's put on our thinking caps and look at the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enabler and facilitator for the late Jeffrey Epstein .
Since everyone believes Epstein ( and thus Maxwell ) had dirt on Trump , this one seems like a no-brainer .
• Marcy Wheeler thinks convicted child rapist George Nader is likely .
While he is a CHILD RAPIST , Trump will be more concerned about Nader lying to protect the discussions between Russia , Saudi Arabia , and United Arab Emirates during the transition .
( As she points out , if he also pardons Ghislaine Maxwell , this would be very much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a given that he will pardon Don Jr. , Eric , Ivanka Trump , and Jared Kushner for their numerous alleged tax crimes , fraud , and making millions off the presidency -- especially Ivanka , who worked in the White House .
( Probably not Tiffany , since as far as we know , she does n't actually do anything . )
• Rudy Giuliani seems likely .
But his alleged crimes will linger on if he 's still criming , as also seems likely .
The SDNY investigation is federal , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crimes that have n't been charged .
But that still leaves the state of NY , and Trump just might decide not to bother .
• I would be very surprised if he did n't pardon Julian Assange , for obvious reasons of self-interest .
We do n't know exactly what Assange did on Trump 's behalf , but we have a general idea .
• Trump deputy campaign manager Rick Gates seems like a long shot , because he cooperated with investigators .
But did he hold something back that Trump will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
Yeah , I could see this one being the one that would make Bill Barr resign .
• Reality Winner is a long shot , but I could see Trump doing it to stick it to Obama , whose administration prosecuted her .
I 'd be okay with that , she was more of a hero than a traitor .
Who did I miss ?
Leave your predictions in the comments .

So we've seen who Trump named in his first wave of lame-duck pardons, including the Blackwater war criminals responsible for the Nisour Square massacre of 14 civilians, figures in the Mueller investigation, three convicted Republican congressmen, and two Border Patrol agents who shot an unarmed suspect.
Bill Kristol has a theory that Trump was saving the really controversial pardons until after Bill Barr was gone (today is Barr's last day.)
Ahead:
Dec. 24: AG Barr gone. Pardons on Xmas Eve & after. Attempts to get DOJ to take actions Barr resisted.
Dec. 28: Government shutdown due, in midst of pandemic & coup attempt.
Jan. 6: Congress meets to count EC votes. March on Washington by Trump supporters?
Happy holidays! — Bill Kristol (@BillKristol) December 23, 2020
More controversial than shooting Iraqi children? Eek. Let's put on our thinking caps and look at the possibilities:
Ghislaine Maxwell, famous enabler and facilitator for the late Jeffrey Epstein. Since everyone believes Epstein (and thus Maxwell) had dirt on Trump, this one seems like a no-brainer.
Marcy Wheeler thinks convicted child rapist George Nader is likely. While he is a CHILD RAPIST , Trump will be more concerned about Nader lying to protect the discussions between Russia, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates during the transition. (As she points out, if he also pardons Ghislaine Maxwell, this would be very much on brand.)
is likely. While he is a , Trump will be more concerned about Nader lying to protect the discussions between Russia, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates during the transition. (As she points out, if he also pardons Ghislaine Maxwell, this would be very much on brand.)
It's a given that he will pardon Don Jr., Eric, Ivanka Trump, and Jared Kushner for their numerous alleged tax crimes, fraud, and making millions off the presidency -- especially Ivanka, who worked in the White House. (Probably not Tiffany, since as far as we know, she doesn't actually do anything.)
Rudy Giuliani seems likely. But his alleged crimes will linger on if he's still criming, as also seems likely. The SDNY investigation is federal, and Trump can pardon him for federal crimes that haven't been charged. But that still leaves the state of NY, and Trump just might decide not to bother.
I would be very surprised if he didn't pardon Julian Assange, for obvious reasons of self-interest. We don't know exactly what Assange did on Trump's behalf, but we have a general idea.
Trump deputy campaign manager Rick Gates seems like a long shot, because he cooperated with investigators. But did he hold something back that Trump will reward him for?
Edward Snowden? Yeah, I could see this one being the one that would make Bill Barr resign.
Reality Winner is a long shot, but I could see Trump doing it to stick it to Obama, whose administration prosecuted her. I'd be okay with that, she was more of a hero than a traitor.
Who did I miss? Leave your predictions in the comments.


crooksandliars--2020-12-23--Trump Hints At Veto For Relief Package, Claims He Wants $2K Relief Checks

After Trump released his strange , lie-ridden hostage video last night , CNN 's John Berman asked White House correspondent John Harwood about Trump issuing `` a threat of the covid relief bill that he was supposed to sign .
What is the president doing here ? ''
White House correspondent John Harwood said he wondered if , having lost , Trump was `` choking psychologically on that defeat .
He ca n't handle it .
It is a blow to his ego and his reputation of the idea he 's a loser to Joe Biden .
He basically vacated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Harwood shared his theory that Trump , consciously or not , was trying to take other Republicans down with him .
`` You finally had both chambers of Congress coming together on a $ 900 billion compromise .
The president put out a statement , a videotape completely dishonest , and he read a bunch of provisions and said they were in the covid relief bill .
That 's false .
They 're in the omnibus spending bill which was attacked to the covid relief bill .
They move together to one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Congress had put these wasteful items in .
`` If he 's vetoing it , it is not impossible that Congress would alter the bill to his liking .
Congress may override the veto .
If he vetoes it , many Republicans and congressmen who were so scared of him may not vote to override of the veto of the bill that he just supported .
If he kills this bill , it would be a terrible blow to those candidates in Georgia who Mitch McConnell was trying to help with this bill @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asking about Republicans down ballot , he said all these Republicans won and I am the one who lost , that offended him .
`` He embarked on a course where he 's trying to take other Republicans down with him by criticizing the bill they just voted for . ''
He 's right .
If Trump blows up this omnibus spending bill ( and remember , this funds the entire government , not just the pandemic relief ) and leaves it for Joe Biden , it makes things almost impossible for Republican @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they 're running ads bragging about the $ 600 checks .
Oh well !
While it 's highly unlikely Republicans will agree to change the bill ( they probably have a veto-proof majority ) , Nancy Pelosi -- and other Democrats -- were quick to capitalize on Trump 's statement .
Meanwhile , Paul Krugman continues to push for more unemployment benefits instead :

After Trump released his strange, lie-ridden hostage video last night, CNN's John Berman asked White House correspondent John Harwood about Trump issuing "a threat of the covid relief bill that he was supposed to sign. What is the president doing here?"
White House correspondent John Harwood said he wondered if, having lost, Trump was "choking psychologically on that defeat. He can't handle it. It is a blow to his ego and his reputation of the idea he's a loser to Joe Biden. He basically vacated the Oval Office for most purposes."
Harwood shared his theory that Trump, consciously or not, was trying to take other Republicans down with him.
"You finally had both chambers of Congress coming together on a $900 billion compromise. The president put out a statement, a videotape completely dishonest, and he read a bunch of provisions and said they were in the covid relief bill. That's false. They're in the omnibus spending bill which was attacked to the covid relief bill. They move together to one piece of legislation. He was suggesting Congress had put these wasteful items in.
"If he's vetoing it, it is not impossible that Congress would alter the bill to his liking. Congress may override the veto. If he vetoes it, many Republicans and congressmen who were so scared of him may not vote to override of the veto of the bill that he just supported. If he kills this bill, it would be a terrible blow to those candidates in Georgia who Mitch McConnell was trying to help with this bill. The president, when he was asking about Republicans down ballot, he said all these Republicans won and I am the one who lost, that offended him.
"He embarked on a course where he's trying to take other Republicans down with him by criticizing the bill they just voted for."
He's right. If Trump blows up this omnibus spending bill (and remember, this funds the entire government, not just the pandemic relief) and leaves it for Joe Biden, it makes things almost impossible for Republican Senate candidates in Georgia -- especially since they're running ads bragging about the $600 checks. Oh well!
While it's highly unlikely Republicans will agree to change the bill (they probably have a veto-proof majority), Nancy Pelosi -- and other Democrats -- were quick to capitalize on Trump's statement.
Republicans repeatedly refused to say what amount the President wanted for direct checks. At last, the President has agreed to $2,000 — Democrats are ready to bring this to the Floor this week by unanimous consent. Let’s do it! https://t.co/Th4sztrpLV — Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) December 23, 2020
I’ve been calling for $2,000 checks since March. President Trump’s on board - so let’s get this done.
Is Mitch McConnell going to act or continue standing in the way of bigger stimulus checks for Americans?https://t.co/b4HETnszOc — Sherrod Brown (@SenSherrodBrown) December 23, 2020
AOC, Rashida Tlaib say legislation is ready after Trump, Pelosi call for $2,000 stimulus check https://t.co/KPxgdXw26A — Newsweek (@Newsweek) December 23, 2020
Meanwhile, Paul Krugman continues to push for more unemployment benefits instead:
Sigh. Aside from the fact that we have 27 more days of tantrums from this guy, it's depressing that everyone is fixated on the one-time checks instead of the unemployment benefits, which are much more crucial and expire much too soon https://t.co/jccKaWsogl — Paul Krugman (@paulkrugman) December 23, 2020


crooksandliars--2020-12-24--Crookie Lifetime Achievement Award:  Sarah Palin

Fun Fact : Sarah Palin won the very first Crookie Wingnut of the Year Award back in 2008. Who knew @ @ @ @ @ Mix-A-Lot 's `` Baby Got Back '' dressed as a pastel-skirted bear on The Masked @ @ @ @ @ she was revealed as the masked singer the same night that Donald Trump addressed the @ @ @ @ @ World Health Organization had named Covid-19 as a `` global pandemic '' ?
Matt Walsh @ @ @ @ @ soon .
John McCain was n't spinning in his grave already , he 'd have @ @ @ @ @ Palin .

Fun Fact: Sarah Palin won the very first Crookie Wingnut of the Year Award back in 2008.
Who knew that she would sing Sir Mix-A-Lot's "Baby Got Back" dressed as a pastel-skirted bear on The Masked Singer?
2020 knew.
The fact that she was revealed as the masked singer the same night that Donald Trump addressed the nation, announcing that the World Health Organization had named Covid-19 as a "global pandemic"? Matt Walsh spoke too soon, too soon.
The problem with the coronavirus is that it won’t destroy us quickly enough
pic.twitter.com/rVjK6nXHjx — Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) March 12, 2020
John McCain wasn't spinning in his grave already, he'd have to pinwheel it for Sarah Palin.
Have another Crookie, Sarah.


'Tis A Season

Trying to brag about how `` not afraid '' of Donald Trump he was , the Deadline White House host @ @ @ @ @ so brave , why did n't he say anything when the Access Hollywood tape came @ @

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crooksandliars--2020-12-24--House Lunatics Will Challenge The Electoral College Vote In Six States -- At Least

In case you had any doubts , CNN tells us that this is happening : Alabama GOP Rep. Mo Brooks and fellow House conservatives met privately on Monday with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence as the lawmakers prepared to mount a long-shot bid in January to overturn the Electoral College results that made Joe Biden the official winner of the election ... .
Pence 's involvement in the meeting is significant because he will preside over the joint session of Congress that would count the electoral votes that day .
I told you Pence would join Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sure , we all know he 's not crazy enough to win the 2024 Republican presidential nomination , even if no member of the Trump family runs , but for now he polls well when President Trump is n't included in the surveys .
If Pence fails to back this challenge , his chances instantly drop to zero .
Also , as Axios reports , Trump is very focused on whether Pence will die on the `` stolen election '' hill : A source who spoke to Trump said the president was complaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Project ad that claims that Pence is `` backing away '' from Trump .
This ad has clearly got inside Trump ’ s head , the source said .
Trump views Pence as not fighting hard enough for him — the same complaint he uses against virtually everybody who works for him and has been loyal to him .
Pence ’ s role on Jan. 6 has begun to loom large in Trump ’ s mind , according to people who ’ ve discussed the matter with him .
Trump would view Pence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the election result — as the ultimate betrayal .
More from the CNN story : '' At least '' ?
After Georgia , Arizona , Wisconsin , Pennsylvania , Nevada , and Michigan , all of which Biden won by less than 3 % , where else could they challenge the results ?
The next-closest states were Minnesota and New Hampshire -- but Biden won them both by 7 % .
It 's likely that the challengers wo n't go beyond those six states , but I have a long-shot prediction for an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ challenge : No , really .
After the 2016 election , Trump implied that the reason he lost the state ( by 30 points ) was fraud .
In September of this year , he suggested the same thing in an interview : There was this a couple of weeks after the election : “ New reports claim that the real results of the 2020 U.S. election were found on a computer server that was seized by the U.S. military in Frankfurt , Germany , ” an OAN personality said ... .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ congressional candidate shared an electoral map that ’ s allegedly based on this data from that server .
It shows a landslide victory for President Trump with a 410 electoral-college vote , including liberal strongholds California and Minnesota.
” Here is that “ recent tweet ” which constitutes one of the “ new reports.
” And , of course , the conspiracy theorists believe that Smartmatic helped steal the election for Biden .
Smartmatic actually had no involvement in the 2020 elections -- except for the fact that it helped Los Angeles County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do n't expect a challenge of the California results ( Trump lost by 29 this time ) , I wo n't be shocked if it happens , and I expect that at least one of the many speeches from the challengers will mention California ( which has , y'know , all those brown people voting ) .
So who 's likely to challenge ?
The CNN story tells us : Brooks said the meeting was attended by a `` double digit '' number of lawmakers , but he would n't say if senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other GOP lawmakers have also confirmed their attendance at the meeting , including Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar , who told CNN : `` We talked about a lot of things . ''
Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert , a staunch Trump defender , said this when asked if Trump urged him to object to the election results at the meeting : `` He did n't urge anything , he did n't need to , I 've been planning on objecting all along . ''
Rep. Jody Hice , a Georgia Republican who attended the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lead an objection to Georgia 's electors on Jan 6 . ''
Sources told CNN that other members were there , including Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan , a prominent ally of the President who has been urging him to continue the battle .
So it 'll be a big gang .
And I bet they 'll get at least one senator .
CNN : And this probably wo n't be resolved on January 6 .
There 's something to be said for empty , futile histrionics .
They build tribal loyalty .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This dog-and-pony show will be obnoxious , but I wish Democrats had tried some of this tantrum-throwing during the past few years of judicial confirmations .
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog

In case you had any doubts, CNN tells us that this is happening:
Alabama GOP Rep. Mo Brooks and fellow House conservatives met privately on Monday with President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence as the lawmakers prepared to mount a long-shot bid in January to overturn the Electoral College results that made Joe Biden the official winner of the election.... Pence's involvement in the meeting is significant because he will preside over the joint session of Congress that would count the electoral votes that day.
I told you Pence would join Trump in this. He has to. Sure, we all know he's not crazy enough to win the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, even if no member of the Trump family runs, but for now he polls well when President Trump isn't included in the surveys. If Pence fails to back this challenge, his chances instantly drop to zero.
Also, as Axios reports, Trump is very focused on whether Pence will die on the "stolen election" hill:
A source who spoke to Trump said the president was complaining about Pence and brought up a Lincoln Project ad that claims that Pence is "backing away" from Trump. This ad has clearly got inside Trump’s head, the source said. Trump views Pence as not fighting hard enough for him — the same complaint he uses against virtually everybody who works for him and has been loyal to him. Pence’s role on Jan. 6 has begun to loom large in Trump’s mind, according to people who’ve discussed the matter with him. Trump would view Pence performing his constitutional duty — and validating the election result — as the ultimate betrayal.
More from the CNN story:
Brooks told CNN on Monday night that they would seek to challenge the election in at least six battleground states....
"At least"? After Georgia, Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and Michigan, all of which Biden won by less than 3%, where else could they challenge the results? The next-closest states were Minnesota and New Hampshire -- but Biden won them both by 7%.
It's likely that the challengers won't go beyond those six states, but I have a long-shot prediction for an additional state where they might issue a challenge:
California.
No, really. After the 2016 election, Trump implied that the reason he lost the state (by 30 points) was fraud.
Serious voter fraud in Virginia, New Hampshire and California - so why isn't the media reporting on this? Serious bias - big problem! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 28, 2016
In September of this year, he suggested the same thing in an interview:
“I think I did win the popular vote in a true sense,” Trump told [Laura] Ingraham. “I think there was tremendous cheating in California. There was tremendous cheating in New York and other places.”
There was this a couple of weeks after the election: “New reports claim that the real results of the 2020 U.S. election were found on a computer server that was seized by the U.S. military in Frankfurt, Germany,” an OAN personality said.... “In a recent tweet, a Virginia congressional candidate shared an electoral map that’s allegedly based on this data from that server. It shows a landslide victory for President Trump with a 410 electoral-college vote, including liberal strongholds California and Minnesota.” Here is that “recent tweet” which constitutes one of the “new reports.”
The raw data in the server seized by the US military shows Trump won by a landslide 👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻 410!!!!https://t.co/Y7qP2PeIpf @realDonaldTrump @RudyGiuliani @DelRichAnderson @VA_GOP, VOID all results in landslide states and declare the R-candidates winners!! pic.twitter.com/5UpvHZDiEE — Manga Anantatmula for Congress (R/VA-11) (@Manga4Congress) November 14, 2020
And, of course, the conspiracy theorists believe that Smartmatic helped steal the election for Biden. Smartmatic actually had no involvement in the 2020 elections -- except for the fact that it helped Los Angeles County run its elections.
So while I don't expect a challenge of the California results (Trump lost by 29 this time), I won't be shocked if it happens, and I expect that at least one of the many speeches from the challengers will mention California (which has, y'know, all those brown people voting).
So who's likely to challenge? The CNN story tells us:
Brooks said the meeting was attended by a "double digit" number of lawmakers, but he wouldn't say if senators were part of the meeting.... Other GOP lawmakers have also confirmed their attendance at the meeting, including Arizona Rep. Paul Gosar, who told CNN: "We talked about a lot of things." Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert, a staunch Trump defender, said this when asked if Trump urged him to object to the election results at the meeting: "He didn't urge anything, he didn't need to, I've been planning on objecting all along." Rep. Jody Hice, a Georgia Republican who attended the meeting, tweeted: "I will lead an objection to Georgia's electors on Jan 6." Sources told CNN that other members were there, including Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, a prominent ally of the President who has been urging him to continue the battle.
Also:
I will stand with fellow Patriots on January 6th and OBJECT and REJECT fraudulent electoral ballots.
There’s too many abnormalities. Too much evidence of voter fraud.@realDonaldTrump fought for us. We will #FightForTrump!https://t.co/yarT6wiGdy — Marjorie Taylor Greene 🇺🇸 (@mtgreenee) December 22, 2020
GOP Congressman-Elect Madison Cawthorn Announces He Will Challenge Electoral College Votes via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/RXkVzziPIX — Jim Hoft (@gatewaypundit) December 22, 2020
So it'll be a big gang. And I bet they'll get at least one senator. CNN:
... several senators have not ruled out joining the effort, including Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Rand Paul of Kentucky. And Trump has heaped praise on Alabama's incoming senator, Tommy Tuberville, for signaling he'd object to the results. Another incoming senator, Kansas Rep. Roger Marshall, wouldn't say if he would join House conservatives' effort to contest a state's election results. Marshall was a signatory on the House GOP's amicus brief backing the Texas suit seeking to invalidate votes across several battleground states that the Supreme Court rejected earlier this month.
And this probably won't be resolved on January 6.
... if a House member and a senator object to six states' results, it would lead to at least 12 hours of debate, in addition to the time for casting votes on each of the motions, potentially prolonging the fight until the next day.
There's something to be said for empty, futile histrionics. They build tribal loyalty. They turn faits accomplis into permanent grievances. This dog-and-pony show will be obnoxious, but I wish Democrats had tried some of this tantrum-throwing during the past few years of judicial confirmations.
Posted with permission from No More Mr. Nice Blog


crooksandliars--2020-12-25--Crookie Award: Glass Ceiling-Breaker Kamala Harris

As we were mulling over the best and worst of 2020 for our Crookie awards , it occurred to us @ @ @ @ @ ago that media forgot that Donald Trump is a forever-impeached president , even if the @ @ @ @ @ a show trial with no witnesses or evidence .
This moment had to be one @ @ @ @ @ Senator Kamala Harris forced Chief Justice Roberts to read Trump 's Access Hollywood comments into @ @ @ @ @ in the Senate 's history .
Of course , VP-Elect Harris has shown us that @ @ @ @ @ firsts , whether it 's a moment in an impeachment trial or being the first @ @ @ @ @ to win on a national ticket .
VP-Elect Harris is our Glass Ceiling Breaker Good @ @ @ @ @ Now sit back and watch how she skillfully put Trump 's misogynistic moment into the @ @ @ @ @ ever .

As we were mulling over the best and worst of 2020 for our Crookie awards, it occurred to us that January was so long ago that media forgot that Donald Trump is a forever-impeached president, even if the Senate held nothing more than a show trial with no witnesses or evidence.
This moment had to be one of the best, when Senator Kamala Harris forced Chief Justice Roberts to read Trump's Access Hollywood comments into the record, a first in the Senate's history.
Of course, VP-Elect Harris has shown us that she is a woman of firsts, whether it's a moment in an impeachment trial or being the first Black and South Asian woman to win on a national ticket.
VP-Elect Harris is our Glass Ceiling Breaker Good Guy Crookie Award recipient. Now sit back and watch how she skillfully put Trump's misogynistic moment into the Congressional record for ever and ever.


crooksandliars--2020-12-24--Crookie Award: Governor Of Death's Waiting Room, Florida Man Ron DeSantis

Florida Man Ron DeSantis earns his designation as the dumbest and most evil governor every day for his attitude and @ @ @ @ @ .
From his claim that Florida is 'God 's waiting room ' for seniors to @ @ @ @ @ scientist Rebekah Jones , DeSantis has been unafraid to display a cold-hearted attitude toward the @ @ @ @ @ that , he gets the Crookie `` Governor of Death '' award .

Florida Man Ron DeSantis earns his designation as the dumbest and most evil governor every day for his attitude and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
From his claim that Florida is 'God's waiting room' for seniors to his mob-like raid on data scientist Rebekah Jones, DeSantis has been unafraid to display a cold-hearted attitude toward the people he governs.
For that, he gets the Crookie "Governor of Death" award.


crooksandliars--2020-12-24--Crookie Award: America's Dumbest Almost-Senator Tommy Tuberville

We thought Ron Johnson was the dumbest man in the Senate , but he has a serious rival in Alabama 's Senator-Elect , Tommy Tuberville .
President-unelect Trump has studied every play in the Coups-for-Dummies playbook : court challenges , pressure on Republican officials to overturn the election , even a half-baked plan for martial law from pardoned convict Michael Flynn .
But no luck .
This is like finding out your death-row appeal will be argued by Sidney Powell .
Tuberville — or “ Tubs , ” from his college football coaching days — is the Republican senator-elect from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to object to the election results in the Senate on Jan. 6 .
Trump exulted : “ Great senator.
” Problem is , Tubs , if he were a Democrat , is what Trump might call a “ low-IQ individual.
” In their wisdom , the voters of Alabama chose to replace Democrat Doug Jones , who prosecuted the Birmingham church bombing , with a man who recently announced his discovery that there are “ three branches of government , ” namely , “ the House , the Senate and the executive .
@

We thought Ron Johnson was the dumbest man in the Senate, but he has a serious rival in Alabama's Senator-Elect, Tommy Tuberville.
Dana Milbank writes:
President-unelect Trump has studied every play in the Coups-for-Dummies playbook: court challenges, pressure on Republican officials to overturn the election, even a half-baked plan for martial law from pardoned convict Michael Flynn. But no luck.
Now, Trump’s final hope rests with Tommy Tuberville.
This is like finding out your death-row appeal will be argued by Sidney Powell.
Tuberville — or “Tubs,” from his college football coaching days — is the Republican senator-elect from Alabama, and he’s proposing to object to the election results in the Senate on Jan. 6. Trump exulted: “Great senator.”
Problem is, Tubs, if he were a Democrat, is what Trump might call a “low-IQ individual.” In their wisdom, the voters of Alabama chose to replace Democrat Doug Jones, who prosecuted the Birmingham church bombing, with a man who recently announced his discovery that there are “three branches of government,” namely, “the House, the Senate and the executive.”