palmerreport--2020-01-30--Adam Schiff just nailed it

Adam Schiff just nailed it

The racially-inspired venom that existed in America after the election of Barack Obama was dumbfounding to British observers .
The most extreme example I know of personally was from a British psychologist friend of mine who routinely went back to visit relations in Washington state .
( This was in the presumably more benign “ west of the mountains , ” not “ east of the mountains.
” ) She reported among her conservative friends and relatives a level of animosity toward the President that she had never encountered before , and was able to recollect and compare and contrast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bill Clinton .
Her professional opinion was that their extreme animosity could not be explained by political ideology alone and had the unmistakable overtones of virulent racism .
I had a hard time believing it at the time , particularly as I went to grade school in Tacoma and my memory of Washingtonians was that they were rational and politically above average in their sensibilities .
But then , I had been living in England since the first term of the George W. Bush administration and had no firsthand recent knowledge of how @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , racially speaking .
All that has changed since 2016 , of course , and I have been violently though reluctantly disabused of my naïveté .
I now see daily examples of how the Right , particularly the Religious Right , has been willingly self-deceived into a downward spiral of hatred .
My introduction to Barack Obama had been while living among the English who largely adored him , so this new hatred was a shock .
The marvelous tenure of political sanity that was Barack Obama ’ s serves as a useful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ know people are tired of the “ imagine if Obama did what Trump was doing ” sort of construction , but I find it useful .
I know that had Obama behaved like Trump , even a little , I would have turned my back on him too .
So comparing Republican ungenerous pettifoggery toward Obama with their lavishly laissez faire indulgence of Donald Trump is both instructive and galling .
The most masterful recent example of this was achieved by Adam Schiff .
When at the impeachment trial we were reminded of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking privately with Dmitry Medvedev to talk to him after the election about missile security when he would have “ more flexibility , ” Republicans tried to convince us that Obama was abusing power much as Trump was when speaking with Zelinsky .
Adam Schiff begged to differ .
In his brilliant rebuttal , Schiff said , “ Let ’ s use that analogy and let ’ s make it more comparable to today and see how you feel about this scenario .
President Obama on an open mic says to Medvedev , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t want me to send this military money to Ukraine ‘ cause they ’ re fighting and killing your people .
I want you to do me a favor though .
I want you to do an investigation of Mitt Romney .
And I want you to announce you ’ ve found dirt on Mitt Romney .
And if you ’ re willing to do that , quid pro quo , I won ’ t give Ukraine the money they need to fight you in the front line.
’ Do any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Obama would be impeached for that kind of misconduct ?
” I for one have no doubt of it .
And I ’ m sure I can hear it in my head as clearly as you can hear it in yours – the shrill , indignant outrage of Jim Jordan , Devin Nunes , Mitch McConnell , Lindsey Graham , et .
al.. Schiff continued , “ … And to say , ‘ well , yes , we condition aid all the time , ’ for legitimate reasons , yes !
For legitimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a state , ‘ hey , governor of a state , you should be shipping more toward your own disaster relief.
’ But if a president ’ s real motive , in depriving a state of disaster relief , is because that governor won ’ t get his attorney general to investigate his political rival , are we ready to say that the president can sacrifice the interests of the people of that state , or in the case of Medvedev the people of our country , because all quid pro quos @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are , the next president of the United States can ask for an investigation of you.
” Republicans must have some queasy notion that this Frankenstein ’ s monster they are trying to create will one day return to menace them .
Schiff continues , “ They can ask for help in the next election from any foreign power .
And the argument will be made , ‘ note [ that ] Donald Trump was acquitted for doing exactly the same thing therefore it must not be impeachable.
’ Now , bear in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election are always going to be in proximity to an election !
And if you say you can not hold a president accountable in an election year where they are trying to cheat in that election then you are giving them carte blanche.
” It is useful to point out to all those pearl-clutching Republicans that the very first impeachment was held in 1868 during – you guessed it – an election year !
The mighty Adam Schiff concludes , “ So not all quid pros are the same , some are legitimate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t need to be a mind reader to figure out which is which .
For one thing , you can ask John Bolton .
”

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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The racially-inspired venom that existed in America after the election of Barack Obama was dumbfounding to British observers. The most extreme example I know of personally was from a British psychologist friend of mine who routinely went back to visit relations in Washington state. (This was in the presumably more benign “west of the mountains,” not “east of the mountains.”) She reported among her conservative friends and relatives a level of animosity toward the President that she had never encountered before, and was able to recollect and compare and contrast it with their far milder dislike of Bill Clinton.
Her professional opinion was that their extreme animosity could not be explained by political ideology alone and had the unmistakable overtones of virulent racism. I had a hard time believing it at the time, particularly as I went to grade school in Tacoma and my memory of Washingtonians was that they were rational and politically above average in their sensibilities. But then, I had been living in England since the first term of the George W. Bush administration and had no firsthand recent knowledge of how truly repellent the American landscape had become, racially speaking.
All that has changed since 2016, of course, and I have been violently though reluctantly disabused of my naïveté. I now see daily examples of how the Right, particularly the Religious Right, has been willingly self-deceived into a downward spiral of hatred. My introduction to Barack Obama had been while living among the English who largely adored him, so this new hatred was a shock.
The marvelous tenure of political sanity that was Barack Obama’s serves as a useful foil for the current one. I know people are tired of the “imagine if Obama did what Trump was doing” sort of construction, but I find it useful. I know that had Obama behaved like Trump, even a little, I would have turned my back on him too.
So comparing Republican ungenerous pettifoggery toward Obama with their lavishly laissez faire indulgence of Donald Trump is both instructive and galling. The most masterful recent example of this was achieved by Adam Schiff. When at the impeachment trial we were reminded of Obama’s open mic gaffe while speaking privately with Dmitry Medvedev to talk to him after the election about missile security when he would have “more flexibility,” Republicans tried to convince us that Obama was abusing power much as Trump was when speaking with Zelinsky. Adam Schiff begged to differ.
In his brilliant rebuttal, Schiff said, “Let’s use that analogy and let’s make it more comparable to today and see how you feel about this scenario. President Obama on an open mic says to Medvedev, ‘Hey Medvedev, I know you don’t want me to send this military money to Ukraine ‘cause they’re fighting and killing your people. I want you to do me a favor though. I want you to do an investigation of Mitt Romney. And I want you to announce you’ve found dirt on Mitt Romney. And if you’re willing to do that, quid pro quo, I won’t give Ukraine the money they need to fight you in the front line.’ Do any of us have any question that Barack Obama would be impeached for that kind of misconduct?” I for one have no doubt of it. And I’m sure I can hear it in my head as clearly as you can hear it in yours – the shrill, indignant outrage of Jim Jordan, Devin Nunes, Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, et. al..
Schiff continued, “… And to say, ‘well, yes, we condition aid all the time,’ for legitimate reasons, yes! For legitimate reasons you might say to a governor of a state, ‘hey, governor of a state, you should be shipping more toward your own disaster relief.’ But if a president’s real motive, in depriving a state of disaster relief, is because that governor won’t get his attorney general to investigate his political rival, are we ready to say that the president can sacrifice the interests of the people of that state, or in the case of Medvedev the people of our country, because all quid pro quos are fine? … Because if we are, the next president of the United States can ask for an investigation of you.” Republicans must have some queasy notion that this Frankenstein’s monster they are trying to create will one day return to menace them.
Schiff continues, “They can ask for help in the next election from any foreign power. And the argument will be made, ‘note [that] Donald Trump was acquitted for doing exactly the same thing therefore it must not be impeachable.’ Now, bear in mind that efforts to cheat in an election are always going to be in proximity to an election! And if you say you cannot hold a president accountable in an election year where they are trying to cheat in that election then you are giving them carte blanche.” It is useful to point out to all those pearl-clutching Republicans that the very first impeachment was held in 1868 during – you guessed it – an election year!
The mighty Adam Schiff concludes, “So not all quid pros are the same, some are legitimate and some are corrupt and you don’t need to be a mind reader to figure out which is which. For one thing, you can ask John Bolton.”
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-30--Donald Trump’s wall just fell down

Donald Trump’s wall just fell down

It ’ s been more than three years , and Donald Trump still hasn ’ t built his border wall .
He hasn ’ t even come close .
And he certainly hasn ’ t gotten Mexico – or anyone , really – to pay for it .
Trump has illegally stolen funds from a few places , and he ’ s used that money to replace a few miles of existing border fences with new border fences , so he can pretend he ’ s building a “ wall.
” Now his fake wall just fell down – literally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fittingly apt image to describe that abject failure that is Donald Trump ’ s illegitimate presidency , portions of Trump ’ s new border barrier fell down yesterday .
This sounds like something straight out of the Onion , but it ’ s definitely real .
The culprit ?
CNN says that Trump ’ s glorified fence was done in by “ high winds.
” We ’ ve already seen widespread documentation of people cutting through Donald Trump ’ s border barrier with tools that can be bought at any hardware store .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s barrier with ladders .
Now we know that no equipment is even needed .
You just have to wait for a strong wind to come along and knock down the barrier… fence… thing with slats… whatever it is , and then you can just walk right through .
Donald Trump has wasted so much time and effort to build such a small stretch of fence , that ’ s so far removed from being a wall , and so thoroughly not being paid for by Mexico , all you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a chunk of his precious fence-type-thing just fell down .
Actually , it ’ s probably not funny .
CNN says no one was injured by this calamity .
But this suggests that Trump ’ s rushed and half-baked fence swap-out project is inherently unsafe .
Next time it falls down , it could hurt innocent people .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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It’s been more than three years, and Donald Trump still hasn’t built his border wall. He hasn’t even come close. And he certainly hasn’t gotten Mexico – or anyone, really – to pay for it. Trump has illegally stolen funds from a few places, and he’s used that money to replace a few miles of existing border fences with new border fences, so he can pretend he’s building a “wall.” Now his fake wall just fell down – literally.
In what might be the most fittingly apt image to describe that abject failure that is Donald Trump’s illegitimate presidency, portions of Trump’s new border barrier fell down yesterday. This sounds like something straight out of the Onion, but it’s definitely real. The culprit? CNN says that Trump’s glorified fence was done in by “high winds.”
We’ve already seen widespread documentation of people cutting through Donald Trump’s border barrier with tools that can be bought at any hardware store. We’ve seen people climb over Trump’s barrier with ladders. Now we know that no equipment is even needed. You just have to wait for a strong wind to come along and knock down the barrier… fence… thing with slats… whatever it is, and then you can just walk right through.
Donald Trump has wasted so much time and effort to build such a small stretch of fence, that’s so far removed from being a wall, and so thoroughly not being paid for by Mexico, all you can do is laugh at the fact that a chunk of his precious fence-type-thing just fell down. Actually, it’s probably not funny. CNN says no one was injured by this calamity. But this suggests that Trump’s rushed and half-baked fence swap-out project is inherently unsafe. Next time it falls down, it could hurt innocent people.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-30--The Republican rats are eating each other

Among the many Republicans who managed to make fools of themselves during Donald Trump ’ s impeachment , Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia managed to stand out as one of the dumbest , with demented claims like Democrats are in love with terrorists , and that the impeachment wasn ’ t really happening even while the House Democrats were in the middle of an inquiry .
He brazenly defended Donald Trump at his own expense in the hope that Georgia ’ s Republican Governor Brian Kemp would appoint him to fill the seat of outgoing Sen. Johnny Isakson , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ That didn ’ t happen and Kemp decided to appoint Kelly Loeffler instead , a long-time backer of the Republican Party who of course has more to offer the state ’ s party than a numbskull like Collins ever would .
Now , Collins is making headlines once again , as he ’ s filed to run in a primary for Loeffler ’ s seat , much to the annoyance of the National Republican Senatorial Committee , who really wishes he ’ d run for the House again .
“ The shortsightedness in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ selfishness will hurt David Perdue , Kelly Loeffler , and President Trump , ” said the NRSC ’ s executive director Kevin McLaughlin in a statement .
Georgia has become something of a swing state with shifting demographics , particularly in the Atlanta area , where Democrats picked up congressional seats in 2018 .
Stacey Abrams also came within striking distance of the governorship that same year .
Collins may or may not be successful in getting the senate nomination , but it ’ s a test that Georgia Republicans really don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time : which of their candidates is more loyal to Donald Trump .
We ’ re also not quite sure who Trump would back in such a primary – if Collins ’ obvious attempts to suck up will do him any favors , but one thing is certain : Republicans are much less united than they want us to believe .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Among the many Republicans who managed to make fools of themselves during Donald Trump’s impeachment, Rep. Doug Collins of Georgia managed to stand out as one of the dumbest, with demented claims like Democrats are in love with terrorists, and that the impeachment wasn’t really happening even while the House Democrats were in the middle of an inquiry. He brazenly defended Donald Trump at his own expense in the hope that Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp would appoint him to fill the seat of outgoing Sen. Johnny Isakson, who retired before his term was up.
That didn’t happen and Kemp decided to appoint Kelly Loeffler instead, a long-time backer of the Republican Party who of course has more to offer the state’s party than a numbskull like Collins ever would. Now, Collins is making headlines once again, as he’s filed to run in a primary for Loeffler’s seat, much to the annoyance of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, who really wishes he’d run for the House again.
“The shortsightedness in this decision is stunning. Doug Collins’ selfishness will hurt David Perdue, Kelly Loeffler, and President Trump,”said the NRSC’s executive director Kevin McLaughlin in a statement. Georgia has become something of a swing state with shifting demographics, particularly in the Atlanta area, where Democrats picked up congressional seats in 2018. Stacey Abrams also came within striking distance of the governorship that same year.
Collins may or may not be successful in getting the senate nomination, but it’s a test that Georgia Republicans really don’t want to have at this time: which of their candidates is more loyal to Donald Trump. We’re also not quite sure who Trump would back in such a primary – if Collins’ obvious attempts to suck up will do him any favors, but one thing is certain: Republicans are much less united than they want us to believe.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-30--The whole truth about Joe Biden

The whole truth about Joe Biden

If you wait long enough sooner or later a study will show up that supports ( or at least , appears to support ) any belief anyone may have no matter how preposterous that belief may be .
For example , the so-called French Paradox , the notion that drinking red wine would lead to a decrease in heart disease , gained traction in the 1990s .
This intelligence led to an inevitable glut on the red wine market and a general bacchanalia .
After all , more is better , yes ?
That the connection has been largely discredited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the damage has already been done .
Such a phenomenon is a species of something called bias-confirmation , and it ’ s a thing we all need to be in ceaseless vigilance against .
We are understandably a bit too hasty to believe things that support our prejudices without undertaking appropriate due diligence .
As if it ’ s not hard enough by itself , such a habit of circumspection is seldom rewarded .
I can attest to this from experience .
My goal is to resist bias confirmation , and in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I am at my most successful .
If , for example , I appear to always be on the side of the Democratic Party , it ’ s because the Democratic Party is usually right , not because I give the Party a rubber stamp in all things .
I prefer to be on the side of truth , and that sometimes means I have to concede things that are not always in the Party ’ s favor .
I am therefore frequently in trouble with the self-anointed commissars of orthodoxy .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be found among Republicans .
Give them ninety nine pieces of evidence that indicate their cherished president is guilty of corruption and it ’ s the hundredth piece , the one that seems to spuriously clear him , that they will hold up in angry triumph .
Indeed , sometimes they don ’ t even feel the need to do that much .
An investigation by itself can be enough .
Hillary Clinton was investigated eleven times for her role in the Benghazi massacre and she was cleared eleven times .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sufficient for Republicans , and “ Benghazi !
” is still shouted out as an unjust mortification against her .
This is why we need to be different .
This is why we can not yield to bias confirmation .
Our willingness to admit when we are wrong is what makes us better than Republicans .
This is why most Americans are not Republicans , and the fact that Republicans are in power is due , not to their popularity , but to their willingness to cheat and break the law .
We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than they are .
This is why we need to admit that Hunter Biden ’ s elevation to the board of directors of Barisma was wrong , and it was wrong because of how it appeared .
We need to avoid both wrongdoing and the appearance of wrongdoing .
It should have never happened , and it would never have happened had he not been the son of the Vice President of the United States .
But that is all that was wrong about it , nothing more .
Republicans , who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than that .
Had they had equivalent rectitude all they would have needed to do was to expose nepotism .
One sideways glance at Ivanka , Donald Jr and Eric would have put a hasty end to that .
Even Republicans knew that .
So they unleashed a disinformation campaign so shallow and transparently weak that it could only be supported by the rabid bias confirmation of Trump ’ s low-information , drooling base of cretins .
It was , in the words of Orwell , believed by that base “ passionately , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track down , denounce and vaporize anyone who should ” suggest otherwise .
The truth of the Biden matter is really quite simple and can be summarized easily .
As Vice President , Joe Biden was instrumental in getting Ukrainian special prosecutor Viktor Shokin fired for corruption .
Shokin was a prosecutor in name only and took money from would-be targets of prosecution in exchange for not prosecuting them .
Biden told the then president of Ukraine , Petro Poroshenko , that his country would not receive any further foreign aid until Shokin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will of the American state department and U.S. Foreign policy , the will of the European Union , the will of the International Monetary Fund and the will of anti-corruption activists inside Ukraine .
It was all above board , done out in the open and the right thing to do .
Accordingly , Shokin was fired .
None of this worked in the favor of Biden ’ s son Hunter , quite the opposite .
It wasn ’ t that Shokin was investigating Burisma , as the Republicans would have you believe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t investigating Burisma ( and other companies and persons ) that got him fired .
So the whole notion that Biden was helping his son is a complete , shameful lie .
But because such lies can only be exposed by explanations that are too long for the pathetic attention spans of Trump ’ s low-information base , they work .
The lawyers for Trump ’ s impeachment defense know this and , having no integrity themselves , are happy to cynically give oxygen to such lies .
What ’ s more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sinister purpose for the Trump pirate ship .
Not only does it distract attention away from the real criminal , Donald Trump , it discredits the Biden candidacy and falsely plants in the mind of the voter the suspicion that maybe there really is something rotten with this whole Burisma business after all .
This is the sad state that the world of lies , corruption and intrinsic dishonesty in politics has brought us to .
And it will never , ever go away until the corrupting influence of money is done away @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to give money of any denomination to a political campaign , and all campaigns are uniformly financed through the government , will such nonsense ever cease .
Both political parties are guilty of allowing this absurd inequity to continue .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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If you wait long enough sooner or later a study will show up that supports (or at least, appears to support) any belief anyone may have no matter how preposterous that belief may be. For example, the so-called French Paradox, the notion that drinking red wine would lead to a decrease in heart disease, gained traction in the 1990s. This intelligence led to an inevitable glut on the red wine market and a general bacchanalia. After all, more is better, yes? That the connection has been largely discredited is not so widely known, and the damage has already been done.
Such a phenomenon is a species of something called bias-confirmation, and it’s a thing we all need to be in ceaseless vigilance against. We are understandably a bit too hasty to believe things that support our prejudices without undertaking appropriate due diligence.
As if it’s not hard enough by itself, such a habit of circumspection is seldom rewarded. I can attest to this from experience. My goal is to resist bias confirmation, and in this I am at my most unpopular when I am at my most successful. If, for example, I appear to always be on the side of the Democratic Party, it’s because the Democratic Party is usually right, not because I give the Party a rubber stamp in all things. I prefer to be on the side of truth, and that sometimes means I have to concede things that are not always in the Party’s favor. I am therefore frequently in trouble with the self-anointed commissars of orthodoxy.
But the richest field for bias confirmation can be found among Republicans. Give them ninety nine pieces of evidence that indicate their cherished president is guilty of corruption and it’s the hundredth piece, the one that seems to spuriously clear him, that they will hold up in angry triumph. Indeed, sometimes they don’t even feel the need to do that much. An investigation by itself can be enough. Hillary Clinton was investigated eleven times for her role in the Benghazi massacre and she was cleared eleven times. But the mere fact that she was investigated is sufficient for Republicans, and “Benghazi!” is still shouted out as an unjust mortification against her.
This is why we need to be different. This is why we cannot yield to bias confirmation. Our willingness to admit when we are wrong is what makes us better than Republicans. This is why most Americans are not Republicans, and the fact that Republicans are in power is due, not to their popularity, but to their willingness to cheat and break the law. We stand above Republicans because we are better than they are.
This is why we need to admit that Hunter Biden’s elevation to the board of directors of Barisma was wrong, and it was wrong because of how it appeared. We need to avoid both wrongdoing and the appearance of wrongdoing. It should have never happened, and it would never have happened had he not been the son of the Vice President of the United States.
But that is all that was wrong about it, nothing more. Republicans, who are inveterate cheaters and liars, needed more than that. Had they had equivalent rectitude all they would have needed to do was to expose nepotism. One sideways glance at Ivanka, Donald Jr and Eric would have put a hasty end to that. Even Republicans knew that. So they unleashed a disinformation campaign so shallow and transparently weak that it could only be supported by the rabid bias confirmation of Trump’s low-information, drooling base of cretins. It was, in the words of Orwell, believed by that base “passionately, fanatically, with a furious desire to track down, denounce and vaporize anyone who should” suggest otherwise.
The truth of the Biden matter is really quite simple and can be summarized easily. As Vice President, Joe Biden was instrumental in getting Ukrainian special prosecutor Viktor Shokin fired for corruption. Shokin was a prosecutor in name only and took money from would-be targets of prosecution in exchange for not prosecuting them. Biden told the then president of Ukraine, Petro Poroshenko, that his country would not receive any further foreign aid until Shokin was gone. Biden was doing the will of the American state department and U.S. Foreign policy, the will of the European Union, the will of the International Monetary Fund and the will of anti-corruption activists inside Ukraine. It was all above board, done out in the open and the right thing to do. Accordingly, Shokin was fired.
None of this worked in the favor of Biden’s son Hunter, quite the opposite. It wasn’t that Shokin was investigating Burisma, as the Republicans would have you believe, it’s that he wasn’t investigating Burisma (and other companies and persons) that got him fired. So the whole notion that Biden was helping his son is a complete, shameful lie.
But because such lies can only be exposed by explanations that are too long for the pathetic attention spans of Trump’s low-information base, they work. The lawyers for Trump’s impeachment defense know this and, having no integrity themselves, are happy to cynically give oxygen to such lies.
What’s more, the Biden boondoggle serves a dual sinister purpose for the Trump pirate ship. Not only does it distract attention away from the real criminal, Donald Trump, it discredits the Biden candidacy and falsely plants in the mind of the voter the suspicion that maybe there really is something rotten with this whole Burisma business after all.
This is the sad state that the world of lies, corruption and intrinsic dishonesty in politics has brought us to. And it will never, ever go away until the corrupting influence of money is done away with. Only when it becomes illegal to give money of any denomination to a political campaign, and all campaigns are uniformly financed through the government, will such nonsense ever cease. Both political parties are guilty of allowing this absurd inequity to continue.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-01-30--The moment of truth has arrived

The moment of truth has arrived

Over the past couple days we ’ ve seen Republican Senators in total disarray as they ’ ve attempted to figure out what to do about the new revelations from John Bolton ’ s book , along with Bolton ’ s desire to testify in the Senate impeachment trial .
At various points Mitch McConnell has leaked that he does and does not have the votes , as he attempts to keep the situation from getting away from him .
The thing is , certain vulnerable Republican Senators can ’ t win no matter how this goes .
If they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get punished in 2020 by Donald Trump ’ s base .
If they don ’ t have Bolton testify , they ’ ll get punished in 2020 by mainstream voters .
They ’ re just trying to figure out a way to vote that ’ ll cause them the least trouble when it comes to their reelection bids .
Yesterday we saw GOP Senator Cory Gardner rather loudly announce that he ’ s not planning to vote to call witnesses , in a rather obvious attempt at taking the public ’ s temperature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to stick with that position .
Mitt Romney seems intent on only voting for witnesses if there are enough votes for it to happen .
Collins and Murkowski are… you know what ?
Who cares at this point .
It ’ s up to the Republican Senators to pick their poison now .
If they don ’ t let John Bolton testify , the House can simply open hearings next week and have Bolton testify , thus making the GOP Senators look terrible for having tried to keep Bolton silent .
Bolton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fails , he might simply hop on television and “ testify ” that way .
One way or another , the public will soon hear John Bolton – and surely others – spelling out the full extent of Donald Trump ’ s crimes .
This is the moment of truth for Republican Senators , but only insomuch as they have to decide whether to give Bolton a platform , or cower in the corner while some other entity gives Bolton a platform .
It ’ s really up to them .
They have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rest of us will get on with the process of dismantling Trump and making sure he ’ s not a viable candidate in 2020 .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Over the past couple days we’ve seen Republican Senators in total disarray as they’ve attempted to figure out what to do about the new revelations from John Bolton’s book, along with Bolton’s desire to testify in the Senate impeachment trial. At various points Mitch McConnell has leaked that he does and does not have the votes, as he attempts to keep the situation from getting away from him.
The thing is, certain vulnerable Republican Senators can’t win no matter how this goes. If they have Bolton testify, they’ll get punished in 2020 by Donald Trump’s base. If they don’t have Bolton testify, they’ll get punished in 2020 by mainstream voters. They’re just trying to figure out a way to vote that’ll cause them the least trouble when it comes to their reelection bids.
Yesterday we saw GOP Senator Cory Gardner rather loudly announce that he’s not planning to vote to call witnesses, in a rather obvious attempt at taking the public’s temperature, so he could decide whether or not to stick with that position. Mitt Romney seems intent on only voting for witnesses if there are enough votes for it to happen. Collins and Murkowski are… you know what? Who cares at this point.
It’s up to the Republican Senators to pick their poison now. If they don’t let John Bolton testify, the House can simply open hearings next week and have Bolton testify, thus making the GOP Senators look terrible for having tried to keep Bolton silent. Bolton is also signaling that if all else fails, he might simply hop on television and “testify” that way.
One way or another, the public will soon hear John Bolton – and surely others – spelling out the full extent of Donald Trump’s crimes. This is the moment of truth for Republican Senators, but only insomuch as they have to decide whether to give Bolton a platform, or cower in the corner while some other entity gives Bolton a platform. It’s really up to them. They have to make their decision. Then the rest of us will get on with the process of dismantling Trump and making sure he’s not a viable candidate in 2020.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-02-05--Speaker Nancy Pelosi explains why she ripped up her copy of Donald Trump’s speech

Just before Donald Trump gave his State of the Union address tonight , he refused to shake hands with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi .
Immediately after the speech was over , Pelosi took her printed copy of the speech and promptly began ripping it to pieces .
Why did she do it ?
What was her intended statement , beyond the obvious ?
It turns out you don ’ t have to wonder , because Speaker Pelosi ended up leaving no doubt .
After the whole thing was over , Fox News asked her why she ripped up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ Because it was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives.
” That says it all , doesn ’ t it ?
Donald Trump speech was a bunch of lying , toxic garbage .
The speech belongs in the garbage , though we ’ re sure Nancy Pelosi made a point of recycling the paper afterward .
In any case , Pelosi is making clear that she ’ s willing to bait Trump into playing by her rules .
If tonight ’ s prevailing narrative is that he refused to shake @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speech , then it ’ ll mean the things Trump tried to advance in his speech won ’ t get covered .
And she doesn ’ t have to care if she looks presidential , because she ’ s not running for president .
Advantage Pelosi .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Just before Donald Trump gave his State of the Union address tonight, he refused to shake hands with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Immediately after the speech was over, Pelosi took her printed copy of the speech and promptly began ripping it to pieces. Why did she do it? What was her intended statement, beyond the obvious?
It turns out you don’t have to wonder, because Speaker Pelosi ended up leaving no doubt. After the whole thing was over, Fox News asked her why she ripped up the speech. Pelosi’s response: “Because it was the courteous thing to do considering the alternatives.”
That says it all, doesn’t it? Donald Trump speech was a bunch of lying, toxic garbage. The speech belongs in the garbage, though we’re sure Nancy Pelosi made a point of recycling the paper afterward. In any case, Pelosi is making clear that she’s willing to bait Trump into playing by her rules.
If tonight’s prevailing narrative is that he refused to shake her hand and she ripped up his speech, then it’ll mean the things Trump tried to advance in his speech won’t get covered. And she doesn’t have to care if she looks presidential, because she’s not running for president. Advantage Pelosi.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-02-05--Nancy Pelosi just ripped Donald Trump’s speech to pieces

Just before delivering his State of the Union address , Donald Trump apparently decided that the best way for him to look “ Presidential ” was to refuse to shake Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ’ s outstretched hand .
He then gave a bumbling , ridiculous , lie-filled , and ineffective speech that won ’ t get him anywhere .
When it was over , it was Pelosi ’ s turn to make a statement .
When Donald Trump was done speaking , Nancy Pelosi promptly ripped his speech to pieces .
We don ’ t mean that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump ’ s speech and literally began ripping each sheet into pieces while the cameras were watching .
Watch below : It was a perfect metaphor for how worthless Donald Trump ’ s speech was .
On a more substantive note , Speaker Pelosi tweeted this : “ Don ’ t be distracted .
He did it once .
And he will continue to cheat in the elections .
He abused his power once .
And he ’ s planning on doing it again .
For Trump and Republicans in Washington , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
”

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Just before delivering his State of the Union address, Donald Trump apparently decided that the best way for him to look “Presidential” was to refuse to shake Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s outstretched hand. He then gave a bumbling, ridiculous, lie-filled, and ineffective speech that won’t get him anywhere. When it was over, it was Pelosi’s turn to make a statement.
When Donald Trump was done speaking, Nancy Pelosi promptly ripped his speech to pieces. We don’t mean that metaphorically. Pelosi took her printed copy of Trump’s speech and literally began ripping each sheet into pieces while the cameras were watching. Watch below:
Speaker Pelosi just ripped the president's speech in half. #SOTU pic.twitter.com/AMeAyJ6Ty8 — 11th Hour (@11thHour) February 5, 2020
It was a perfect metaphor for how worthless Donald Trump’s speech was. On a more substantive note, Speaker Pelosi tweeted this: “Don’t be distracted. He did it once. And he will continue to cheat in the elections. He abused his power once. And he’s planning on doing it again. For Trump and Republicans in Washington, it’s State Of The Coverup.”
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palmerreport--2020-02-05--Donald Trump just gave away that he’s got nothing for 2020

Much of the mainstream media has already decided that this is Doomsday Week .
Various pundits are trying to take advantage of the public ’ s vulnerable mindset in the wake of Donald Trump ’ s sham impeachment acquittal , by trying to convince everyone that Trump is now somehow magically winning .
After all , there are few better ratings ploys than trying to scare people into staying tuned in .
The thing is , Donald Trump apparently didn ’ t get the memo .
In the days since it became clear that witnesses wouldn ’ t be called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump hasn ’ t been in a mood to celebrate .
Instead he ’ s been in a sullen mood , giving away his frustrations on Twitter , and leaking imaginary revenge plots to the media that he can ’ t possibly carry out .
In other words , Trump doesn ’ t see any real hope for 2020 , and isn ’ t even interested in playing the part .
This was confirmed a thousand times over when he decided to use his State of the Union address to give the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most divisive and despised men in America , Rush Limbaugh .
Donald Trump ’ s idiot base might be impressed by this kind of “ Screw you America ” move .
But Trump ’ s base alone isn ’ t even close to being large enough to put him over the top in 2020 by itself .
Trump needs to expand his support , by finding a way to win over people who neither love him nor hate him .
Instead , by giving a prestigious award to a piece of human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably costing himself votes .
He ’ s got nothing .
If we work hard and work smart , we ’ ll beat him in November .
It ’ s as simple as that .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Much of the mainstream media has already decided that this is Doomsday Week. Various pundits are trying to take advantage of the public’s vulnerable mindset in the wake of Donald Trump’s sham impeachment acquittal, by trying to convince everyone that Trump is now somehow magically winning. After all, there are few better ratings ploys than trying to scare people into staying tuned in.
The thing is, Donald Trump apparently didn’t get the memo. In the days since it became clear that witnesses wouldn’t be called before the Republican Senate corruptly acquits him, Trump hasn’t been in a mood to celebrate. Instead he’s been in a sullen mood, giving away his frustrations on Twitter, and leaking imaginary revenge plots to the media that he can’t possibly carry out.
In other words, Trump doesn’t see any real hope for 2020, and isn’t even interested in playing the part. This was confirmed a thousand times over when he decided to use his State of the Union address to give the Presidential Medal of Freedom to one of the most divisive and despised men in America, Rush Limbaugh.
Donald Trump’s idiot base might be impressed by this kind of “Screw you America” move. But Trump’s base alone isn’t even close to being large enough to put him over the top in 2020 by itself. Trump needs to expand his support, by finding a way to win over people who neither love him nor hate him. Instead, by giving a prestigious award to a piece of human excrement like Limbaugh, he’s probably costing himself votes. He’s got nothing. If we work hard and work smart, we’ll beat him in November. It’s as simple as that.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-02-05--Donald Trump just made a huge mistake with Nancy Pelosi

It ’ s been a few days since the Republican Senate made clear that it would corruptly acquit Donald Trump in his sham impeachment trial without even calling a single witness .
Trump has spent that time acting not like someone who is gearing up to try to win in 2020 , but instead like a bitter loser who fears what might go wrong for him next .
Heading into his State of the Union address tonight , Donald Trump ’ s smart move would have been to simply try to act like a President .
After all , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ November if he wants any chance of winning .
But Trump blew that opportunity immediately .
After stepping up to the podium , Donald Trump exchanged some papers with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi .
Then she reached out to shake his hand , but he ignored her and turned away .
Oops .
Trump ’ s team may end up arguing that Trump simply didn ’ t see Pelosi ’ s attempt at shaking hands with him .
But that won ’ t resonate , and instead one of the prevailing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be that Trump made the very un-Presidential move of snubbing the Speaker .
This is the last thing Donald Trump needed right now .
Sure , his deranged base will love it .
But his base isn ’ t nearly large enough to get him reelected on its own .
Trump needed to use tonight to win over people who don ’ t like him all that much but don ’ t hate him .
Instead he acted like a dick , and it ’ ll drown out any attempts he might make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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It’s been a few days since the Republican Senate made clear that it would corruptly acquit Donald Trump in his sham impeachment trial without even calling a single witness. Trump has spent that time acting not like someone who is gearing up to try to win in 2020, but instead like a bitter loser who fears what might go wrong for him next.
Heading into his State of the Union address tonight, Donald Trump’s smart move would have been to simply try to act like a President. After all, he has to win over new supporters before November if he wants any chance of winning. But Trump blew that opportunity immediately.
After stepping up to the podium, Donald Trump exchanged some papers with Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Then she reached out to shake his hand, but he ignored her and turned away. Oops.
Trump’s team may end up arguing that Trump simply didn’t see Pelosi’s attempt at shaking hands with him. But that won’t resonate, and instead one of the prevailing narratives coming out of the SOTU will be that Trump made the very un-Presidential move of snubbing the Speaker.
This is the last thing Donald Trump needed right now. Sure, his deranged base will love it. But his base isn’t nearly large enough to get him reelected on its own. Trump needed to use tonight to win over people who don’t like him all that much but don’t hate him. Instead he acted like a dick, and it’ll drown out any attempts he might make in his speech at broadening his support.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-02-05--That James Carville performance on MSNBC just now was… something

James Carville wants you to know that he isn ’ t happy .
In fact it ’ s difficult to recall the last time a guest commentator on MSNBC was this clear about how much he didn ’ t want to be there .
But Carville , decked out in an ill fitting college football hat , dished out a whole lot of blunt talk – and some of it is really important right now .
Carville pointed out in this era , winning is the only moral imperative , because it ’ s the only way to stop Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Winning is what matters , because when you win you have the power to change things , but when you lose you have nothing more than talking points .
Carville seems to think that just about everything in the Democratic primary race is wrong right now .
One of the key points he made is that the Democratic Party is running the risk of becoming the equivalent of the Labour Party in the UK , which is currently built around the cult of personality of liberal purist Jeremy Corbyn , and distinctly unable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of broad support .
In other words , he ’ s joining a number of other smart political operatives in pointing out that if Bernie Sanders is the nominee , he ’ ll lose .
But hey , Carville doesn ’ t like what ’ s going on with most of the other candidates either .
He has great respect for Elizabeth Warren , but he pointed out that her popularity started to fall off when she started chasing after Bernie ’ s “ left tail ” with pie in the sky policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen .
James Carville also seems to have a personal grudge against Joe Biden , as Carville ’ s rationale about why Biden shouldn ’ t have run didn ’ t hold much logical water .
Carville also has it out for DNC Chair Tom Perez , as so many others currently do .
But Carville seems to think that Perez is blowing it by trying too hard to bend over for the Bernie brigade , at the expense of the candidates who can win .
This is in contrast to the Bernie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on their latest nonsensical conspiracy theories .
Carville isn ’ t right about everything – but people should be listening to his perspective .

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James Carville wants you to know that he isn’t happy. In fact it’s difficult to recall the last time a guest commentator on MSNBC was this clear about how much he didn’t want to be there. But Carville, decked out in an ill fitting college football hat, dished out a whole lot of blunt talk – and some of it is really important right now.
Carville pointed out in this era, winning is the only moral imperative, because it’s the only way to stop Donald Trump from doing any more damage. Winning is what matters, because when you win you have the power to change things, but when you lose you have nothing more than talking points.
Carville seems to think that just about everything in the Democratic primary race is wrong right now. One of the key points he made is that the Democratic Party is running the risk of becoming the equivalent of the Labour Party in the UK, which is currently built around the cult of personality of liberal purist Jeremy Corbyn, and distinctly unable to win elections due to the lack of broad support. In other words, he’s joining a number of other smart political operatives in pointing out that if Bernie Sanders is the nominee, he’ll lose.
But hey, Carville doesn’t like what’s going on with most of the other candidates either. He has great respect for Elizabeth Warren, but he pointed out that her popularity started to fall off when she started chasing after Bernie’s “left tail” with pie in the sky policy proposals that are obviously never going to happen.
James Carville also seems to have a personal grudge against Joe Biden, as Carville’s rationale about why Biden shouldn’t have run didn’t hold much logical water. Carville also has it out for DNC Chair Tom Perez, as so many others currently do. But Carville seems to think that Perez is blowing it by trying too hard to bend over for the Bernie brigade, at the expense of the candidates who can win. This is in contrast to the Bernie fans, who want Perez fired based on their latest nonsensical conspiracy theories. Carville isn’t right about everything – but people should be listening to his perspective.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-02-05--What it really means that Pete Buttigieg is currently leading in the Iowa results

When Pete Buttigieg declared victory in almost exact words last night in the Iowa caucus , it raised a lot of eyebrows .
Was he saying that he knew he ’ d finished in first place , based on what his campaign observers saw at the precincts ?
Or was he merely asserting that he ’ d finished a lot higher than the polls had predicted ?
The first batch of Iowa caucus results came in this evening , and maybe Pete was truly onto something .
With 62 % of the precincts reporting , Pete is slightly in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and maybe he won ’ t .
Steve Kornacki ’ s statistical jujitsu on MSNBC is a reminder of just how complex it is to try to determine a winner by taking the partial current results and combining them with the overall demographic and recent historical trends in the precincts that haven ’ t reported .
But what if Pete Buttigieg does win Iowa ?
Or for that matter , what if he finishes a close second in the state , after he was expected to be closer to a rounding error ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ pointing out that Iowa and New Hampshire don ’ t tell us much about who ’ s going to be the nominee .
Bill Clinton lost Iowa by around seventy percentage points ( not a typo ) , but went on to win the nomination .
There are plenty of other similar examples .
So no , Pete ’ s unexpectedly strong showing doesn ’ t tell us that he ’ s now the frontrunner , or that he necessarily has any better chance of being the nominee than he did when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key point here , though .
Pete Buttigieg ’ s Iowa results were way higher than what the polls predicted .
We don ’ t know if this is because the Iowa polls were simply wrong about Pete , or if this is simply a fluke of the asinine and semi-random caucus format .
But if Pete did legitimately outperform his Iowa polls by this much , it raises questions about whether his polls might also be way off in other states .
Pete is polling at 5 % in South Carolina , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black voters .
If he gets 15 % there , for example , that could mean that he ’ s set to outperform on Super Tuesday .
I don ’ t put too much stock into the theory that because Pete Buttigieg will get positive media coverage from his strong Iowa showing this week , it ’ ll change things much in the upcoming states .
Are we supposed to believe that some people in South Carolina are going to suddenly change their votes based on how some people in Iowa voted ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s that we have to allow for the possibility that Pete ’ s early state polling numbers have been wrong all along .
But we won ’ t know that for awhile yet .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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When Pete Buttigieg declared victory in almost exact words last night in the Iowa caucus, it raised a lot of eyebrows. Was he saying that he knew he’d finished in first place, based on what his campaign observers saw at the precincts? Or was he merely asserting that he’d finished a lot higher than the polls had predicted?
The first batch of Iowa caucus results came in this evening, and maybe Pete was truly onto something. With 62% of the precincts reporting, Pete is slightly in the lead. Maybe he’ll win and maybe he won’t. Steve Kornacki’s statistical jujitsu on MSNBC is a reminder of just how complex it is to try to determine a winner by taking the partial current results and combining them with the overall demographic and recent historical trends in the precincts that haven’t reported.
But what if Pete Buttigieg does win Iowa? Or for that matter, what if he finishes a close second in the state, after he was expected to be closer to a rounding error? I’ve spent the past week pointing out that Iowa and New Hampshire don’t tell us much about who’s going to be the nominee. Bill Clinton lost Iowa by around seventy percentage points (not a typo), but went on to win the nomination. There are plenty of other similar examples. So no, Pete’s unexpectedly strong showing doesn’t tell us that he’s now the frontrunner, or that he necessarily has any better chance of being the nominee than he did when the week began.
There’s a key point here, though. Pete Buttigieg’s Iowa results were way higher than what the polls predicted. We don’t know if this is because the Iowa polls were simply wrong about Pete, or if this is simply a fluke of the asinine and semi-random caucus format. But if Pete did legitimately outperform his Iowa polls by this much, it raises questions about whether his polls might also be way off in other states. Pete is polling at 5% in South Carolina, where the Democratic primary is dominated by black voters. If he gets 15% there, for example, that could mean that he’s set to outperform on Super Tuesday.
I don’t put too much stock into the theory that because Pete Buttigieg will get positive media coverage from his strong Iowa showing this week, it’ll change things much in the upcoming states. Are we supposed to believe that some people in South Carolina are going to suddenly change their votes based on how some people in Iowa voted? If there’s any takeaway here, it’s that we have to allow for the possibility that Pete’s early state polling numbers have been wrong all along. But we won’t know that for awhile yet.
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palmerreport--2020-02-06--Donald Trump just made history – and not the kind he’ll be happy about

The corrupt Republican Senate voted to acquit Donald Trump today , but after having called no witnesses , there ’ s no way this can be called a “ trial ” – and no trial effectively means no acquittal .
But we always knew these clowns were going to acquit Trump anyway , and impeaching wasn ’ t about that .
It was about taking the correct action against a criminal .
The thing is , Trump actually did suffer a historic blow today that ’ s unique to him .
When Republican Senator Mitt Romney voted to convict and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t result in anywhere close to enough votes to remove Trump , of course .
But as numerous people have pointed out across social media today , Romney did become the first Senator to ever vote for the removal of a president from his own party .
This matters , and not just because it ’ s humiliating for Donald Trump .
It means this is the first formal bipartisan Senate confirmation a of president ’ s guilt in United States history .
Until today , Senators from both parties had never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ when Andrew Johnson was impeached .
Not when Bill Clinton was impeached , either .
Of course Richard Nixon would almost surely have received votes for removal from both parties .
In fact he would have received enough votes to actually remove him , but he resigned first .
Trump should take a lesson and resign now .
Of course Nixon was only facing federal criminal charges when he resigned , and Ford pardoned him on those .
Unfortunately for Trump , he ’ s also facing state level criminal charges in New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Once Trump is no longer president , he ’ ll be arrested – meaning he ’ ll make even more history .

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The corrupt Republican Senate voted to acquit Donald Trump today, but after having called no witnesses, there’s no way this can be called a “trial” – and no trial effectively means no acquittal. But we always knew these clowns were going to acquit Trump anyway, and impeaching wasn’t about that. It was about taking the correct action against a criminal. The thing is, Trump actually did suffer a historic blow today that’s unique to him.
When Republican Senator Mitt Romney voted to convict and remove Donald Trump today, it didn’t result in anywhere close to enough votes to remove Trump, of course. But as numerous people have pointed out across social media today, Romney did become the first Senator to ever vote for the removal of a president from his own party.
This matters, and not just because it’s humiliating for Donald Trump. It means this is the first formal bipartisan Senate confirmation a of president’s guilt in United States history. Until today, Senators from both parties had never voted to remove a president. Not when Andrew Johnson was impeached. Not when Bill Clinton was impeached, either.
Of course Richard Nixon would almost surely have received votes for removal from both parties. In fact he would have received enough votes to actually remove him, but he resigned first. Trump should take a lesson and resign now. Of course Nixon was only facing federal criminal charges when he resigned, and Ford pardoned him on those. Unfortunately for Trump, he’s also facing state level criminal charges in New York, which no president can pardon. Once Trump is no longer president, he’ll be arrested – meaning he’ll make even more history.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-02-05--It’s time for Democrats to get nasty

It’s time for Democrats to get nasty

After Nancy Pelosi tore up Donald Trump ’ s speech in the three separate bundles that she tossed on the Speaker ’ s podium with the same insouciance that Donald Trump tore up the United States Constitution , the reaction of feigned outrage from the pearl-clutching Republicans was predictable .
Newt Gingrich , for example , tweeted : As a veteran of 84 ethics charges and the first Speaker of the House of Representatives in American history to be disciplined by his peers , Gingrich has been given a rare opportunity to demonstrate just how truly definitive Repbulican hypocrisy can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resigned his speakership in disgrace after enduring a huge loss in prestige thanks to his headlong pursuit of the impeachment of Bill Clinton .
( Gingrich is quite the champion of impeachment when the target has a “ D ” next to his name . )
Anyway , my instinctive reaction when I saw the Speaker tear up Trump ’ s speech was that it was ill-advised .
Whenever my instincts come into conflict with Nancy Pelosi ’ s it is I , as I soon realized , who is usually wrong , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When asked why she tore it up she said , it was “ the courteous thing to do given the alternative.
” The alternative , of course , was to throw the thing in Trump ’ s face .
Even so , tearing it up was nasty and it ’ s time for Democrats to get nasty .
How do I know this ?
Nancy Pelosi says so , that ’ s how .
I ’ m not saying it ’ s time to get illegal .
We on the left have traditionally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are , after all , so good at it .
No , what I mean here is it ’ s time to take the gloves of civility off and start hitting back , to stop politely letting these criminals get away with their crimes and start loudly protesting it through words and gestures , like tearing up speeches , shouting down lies and demanding an end to the farcical rule of this Republican pirate ship .
It ’ s time to call Donald Trump what he is and keep repeating it until it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Trump ’ s low-information drooling tribe of monotooth cretins : Trump is a child-raping criminal , a liar , a buffoon , a traitor , an admirer of foreign dictators and a man who wants to win at everyone ’ s expense .
He isn ’ t just a bad president , he is evil , indolent , incompetent and stupid .
And he ’ s very dangerous .
We need to stop speaking about the “ president ” in polite terms of the politically conforming past and recognize this malignancy in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a peril that threatens our very continued existence as a species .
Nancy Pelosi has signaled at last that she has had it with this man .
The United States Senate is about to imbue Donald Trump with the Congressional fiat to break the law at will and cheat in the next election with impunity .
The time for polite discourse is at an end .
This is now total war .

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After Nancy Pelosi tore up Donald Trump’s speech in the three separate bundles that she tossed on the Speaker’s podium with the same insouciance that Donald Trump tore up the United States Constitution, the reaction of feigned outrage from the pearl-clutching Republicans was predictable. Newt Gingrich, for example, tweeted:
As Speaker of the House for four State of the Unions by a President of the other party I am disgusted and insulted by the viciously partisan action of Nancy Pelosi tearing up the speech. She isn’t clever or cute her childishness insults our American traditions -should be censured.
As a veteran of 84 ethics charges and the first Speaker of the House of Representatives in American history to be disciplined by his peers, Gingrich has been given a rare opportunity to demonstrate just how truly definitive Repbulican hypocrisy can get. It was he who eventually resigned his speakership in disgrace after enduring a huge loss in prestige thanks to his headlong pursuit of the impeachment of Bill Clinton. (Gingrich is quite the champion of impeachment when the target has a “D” next to his name.)
Anyway, my instinctive reaction when I saw the Speaker tear up Trump’s speech was that it was ill-advised. Whenever my instincts come into conflict with Nancy Pelosi’s it is I, as I soon realized, who is usually wrong, and this time was no exception. When asked why she tore it up she said, it was “the courteous thing to do given the alternative.” The alternative, of course, was to throw the thing in Trump’s face. Even so, tearing it up was nasty and it’s time for Democrats to get nasty. How do I know this? Nancy Pelosi says so, that’s how.
I’m not saying it’s time to get illegal. We on the left have traditionally ceded lawbreaking to the Republicans. They are, after all, so good at it. No, what I mean here is it’s time to take the gloves of civility off and start hitting back, to stop politely letting these criminals get away with their crimes and start loudly protesting it through words and gestures, like tearing up speeches, shouting down lies and demanding an end to the farcical rule of this Republican pirate ship.
It’s time to call Donald Trump what he is and keep repeating it until it penetrates the dimly-lit, thick-skulled mental midgetry of Trump’s low-information drooling tribe of monotooth cretins: Trump is a child-raping criminal, a liar, a buffoon, a traitor, an admirer of foreign dictators and a man who wants to win at everyone’s expense. He isn’t just a bad president, he is evil, indolent, incompetent and stupid. And he’s very dangerous. We need to stop speaking about the “president” in polite terms of the politically conforming past and recognize this malignancy in the Oval Office for what it is, a peril that threatens our very continued existence as a species.
Nancy Pelosi has signaled at last that she has had it with this man. The United States Senate is about to imbue Donald Trump with the Congressional fiat to break the law at will and cheat in the next election with impunity. The time for polite discourse is at an end. This is now total war.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-02-05--Donald Trump’s supporters go completely off the deep end as Mitt Romney votes to convict and remove

Donald Trump’s supporters go completely off the deep end as Mitt Romney votes to convict and remove Trump

Republican Senator Mitt Romney has confirmed he ’ s voting to convict and remove Donald Trump .
While Trump is still going to be acquitted , the move has nonetheless sent shockwaves across the political landscape .
Trump just lost his chance to go into 2020 bragging that impeachment was a solely partisan endeavor .
Democrats get to campaign on the premise that Senators from both parties admitted Trump is a corrupt crook .
Trump ’ s base has gone completely berserk accordingly .
As we speak , the hashtag # RecallRomney is trending on Twitter .
Donald Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get a movement underway to force a recall election in Utah , which would remove Romney from his Senate seat .
The trouble is that none of the people pushing this notion have bothered to do their homework , as there ’ s no legal or constitutional process in place for a recall vote against a Senator .
In other words , as per usual , Trump supporters have no idea what they ’ re talking about and are too lazy to bother learning .
For that matter , Romney is more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so he wouldn ’ t be recalled for this even if such a thing were possible .
The Senate itself can expel Mitt Romney by a two-thirds vote , but that ’ s obviously not going to happen either .
The worst that can happen to Romney is that Donald Trump will start tweeting mean things about him , and some Trump-loyal Republican Party donors will cut him off .
But Romney doesn ’ t have to run for Senate reelection for another five years anyway , and by then the political landscape @ @ @ @ @

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Republican Senator Mitt Romney has confirmed he’s voting to convict and remove Donald Trump. While Trump is still going to be acquitted, the move has nonetheless sent shockwaves across the political landscape. Trump just lost his chance to go into 2020 bragging that impeachment was a solely partisan endeavor. Democrats get to campaign on the premise that Senators from both parties admitted Trump is a corrupt crook. Trump’s base has gone completely berserk accordingly.
As we speak, the hashtag #RecallRomney is trending on Twitter. Donald Trump’s supporters around the nation are trying to get a movement underway to force a recall election in Utah, which would remove Romney from his Senate seat. The trouble is that none of the people pushing this notion have bothered to do their homework, as there’s no legal or constitutional process in place for a recall vote against a Senator.
In other words, as per usual, Trump supporters have no idea what they’re talking about and are too lazy to bother learning. For that matter, Romney is more popular in Utah than Trump is, so he wouldn’t be recalled for this even if such a thing were possible.
The Senate itself can expel Mitt Romney by a two-thirds vote, but that’s obviously not going to happen either. The worst that can happen to Romney is that Donald Trump will start tweeting mean things about him, and some Trump-loyal Republican Party donors will cut him off. But Romney doesn’t have to run for Senate reelection for another five years anyway, and by then the political landscape will look very different.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-02-05--The real reason Mitt Romney is voting to convict and remove Donald Trump

Republican Senator Mitt Romney announced today that he ’ s voting to convict and remove Donald Trump .
He ’ ll very likely be the only Republican Senator to do so , meaning Trump will still be acquitted .
But this is nonetheless a big deal , both in terms of GOP dynamics and in terms of the 2020 election .
So why is Romney really doing it ?
The reality is that Mitt Romney is in something of a unique position among Republican Senators .
He ’ s from a state that likes him more than it likes Donald @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have to run for reelection for another five years anyway .
By that time Trump will be out of the picture , and Trump ’ s political movement will have lost momentum .
In other words , Romney is about as safe as can be .
He ’ ll face major blowback from the Trump-loyal faction of the GOP ( which at this point is most of what ’ s left of the GOP ) , but his seat isn ’ t at risk .
That said , the safer move for Romney @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acquit , along with all of his Republican colleagues .
He says his conscience wouldn ’ t allow him to do that .
You can each decide for yourselves if you think Romney really is doing this out of conscience .
But there ’ s another factor to consider .
Romney clearly still has his eyes on the presidency .
If Donald Trump loses in 2020 and the resulting vacuum leaves the GOP in freefall and trying to figure out how to regroup , Mitt Romney surely sees himself as the party savior @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president in 2024 .
By voting to convict , Romney is preventing Trump from being able to brag in 2020 that his party unanimously acquitted him .
The Democrats will be able to campaign in 2020 on the premise that Trump is such a criminal , there was a nominally bipartisan vote to remove him from office .
In other words , regardless of what role Mitt Romney ’ s conscience may or may not have played in his vote today , the reality is that he just hurt Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s worth noting that Romney made a point of emphasizing today that Joe and Hunter Biden didn ’ t commit any crimes .
Romney is actively trying to make life easier for the Democrats in 2020 ( Trump will try to hit the Democratic nominee with the fake Biden scandal whether the nominee is Biden or not ) .
So with this vote , Romney is doing a lot to help make sure Trump loses in 2020 – if perhaps only because he wants a clear path to run for president in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that if Trump were to win in 2020 , he ’ d still have control of the Republican Party infrastructure heading into 2024 , and he could change the rules to prevent Romney from having a shot at the nomination .
In other words , Romney is putting his chips down on the premise that his vote to convict will help ensure Trump loses in November .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Republican Senator Mitt Romney announced today that he’s voting to convict and remove Donald Trump. He’ll very likely be the only Republican Senator to do so, meaning Trump will still be acquitted. But this is nonetheless a big deal, both in terms of GOP dynamics and in terms of the 2020 election. So why is Romney really doing it?
The reality is that Mitt Romney is in something of a unique position among Republican Senators. He’s from a state that likes him more than it likes Donald Trump – and he doesn’t have to run for reelection for another five years anyway. By that time Trump will be out of the picture, and Trump’s political movement will have lost momentum. In other words, Romney is about as safe as can be. He’ll face major blowback from the Trump-loyal faction of the GOP (which at this point is most of what’s left of the GOP), but his seat isn’t at risk.
That said, the safer move for Romney would have been to quietly vote to acquit, along with all of his Republican colleagues. He says his conscience wouldn’t allow him to do that. You can each decide for yourselves if you think Romney really is doing this out of conscience. But there’s another factor to consider. Romney clearly still has his eyes on the presidency.
If Donald Trump loses in 2020 and the resulting vacuum leaves the GOP in freefall and trying to figure out how to regroup, Mitt Romney surely sees himself as the party savior and the de facto Republican nominee for president in 2024. By voting to convict, Romney is preventing Trump from being able to brag in 2020 that his party unanimously acquitted him. The Democrats will be able to campaign in 2020 on the premise that Trump is such a criminal, there was a nominally bipartisan vote to remove him from office.
In other words, regardless of what role Mitt Romney’s conscience may or may not have played in his vote today, the reality is that he just hurt Donald Trump’s already-weak 2020 prospects even further. It’s worth noting that Romney made a point of emphasizing today that Joe and Hunter Biden didn’t commit any crimes. Romney is actively trying to make life easier for the Democrats in 2020 (Trump will try to hit the Democratic nominee with the fake Biden scandal whether the nominee is Biden or not).
So with this vote, Romney is doing a lot to help make sure Trump loses in 2020 – if perhaps only because he wants a clear path to run for president in 2024. It’s worth considering that if Trump were to win in 2020, he’d still have control of the Republican Party infrastructure heading into 2024, and he could change the rules to prevent Romney from having a shot at the nomination. In other words, Romney is putting his chips down on the premise that his vote to convict will help ensure Trump loses in November.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-02-05--Donald Trump has a problem and he’s trying to cover it up

With the Iowa caucus being shown for what it is – largely an outdated presidential primary tradition that celebrates voter suppression – we don ’ t know for sure who the Democratic winner is , how much they ’ ll win by , and how much it will ultimately matter in the coming races .
For the Republicans , however , it was always rather obvious that Donald Trump would win the Iowa caucus in 2020 , even though he lost the first Iowa caucus he ran in back in 2016 , and still managed to clinch the nomination back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pundits were predicting his loss in Iowa meant it was over for him and he ’ d be out of the race .
Of course , the fact that Trump overwhelmingly won the Republican caucus was a bit of much needed good news for him so he took to Twitter to gloat .
It wasn ’ t enough to have a big win ( over 97 % of the vote ) .
He had to brag that it was an historic victory , even though it actually wasn ’ t .
In 2012 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost 99 % of support in the Iowa caucus when he sought reelection .
Trump , however , has two remaining primary opponents – Bill Weld and Joe Walsh – who finished with just over 1 % of support each .
Defeating a presidential incumbent in a primary election is largely impossible .
But it goes to show that even with all of the suppression the Republicans are doing to their own primary to ensure Trump keeps the nomination , two opponents who aren ’ t all that well known outside of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a largely rural state , in a region Trump depends upon heavily for re-election .
These are facts he ’ s desperately trying to bury .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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With the Iowa caucus being shown for what it is – largely an outdated presidential primary tradition that celebrates voter suppression – we don’t know for sure who the Democratic winner is, how much they’ll win by, and how much it will ultimately matter in the coming races. For the Republicans, however, it was always rather obvious that Donald Trump would win the Iowa caucus in 2020, even though he lost the first Iowa caucus he ran in back in 2016, and still managed to clinch the nomination back then. And yes, back then pundits were predicting his loss in Iowa meant it was over for him and he’d be out of the race.
Of course, the fact that Trump overwhelmingly won the Republican caucus was a bit of much needed good news for him so he took to Twitter to gloat. It wasn’t enough to have a big win (over 97% of the vote). He had to brag that it was an historic victory, even though it actually wasn’t. In 2012, President Obama managed to pull off almost 99% of support in the Iowa caucus when he sought reelection.
Trump, however, has two remaining primary opponents – Bill Weld and Joe Walsh – who finished with just over 1% of support each. Defeating a presidential incumbent in a primary election is largely impossible. But it goes to show that even with all of the suppression the Republicans are doing to their own primary to ensure Trump keeps the nomination, two opponents who aren’t all that well known outside of their own states can still garner some support in a largely rural state, in a region Trump depends upon heavily for re-election. These are facts he’s desperately trying to bury.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


Told you so

Once the Republican Senate made its decision not to allow any witnesses to testify against Donald Trump in his sham impeachment trial , Palmer Report pointed out that this meant Bolton would all but certainly end up soon testifying to the House instead .
Sure enough , it turns out that ’ s what is indeed happening .
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler is telling CNN today that the House will “ likely ” subpoena John Bolton to publicly testify before the committee .
He ’ s not providing the specific date yet .
But today ’ s timing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the Senate is preparing to acquit Trump without even holding a real trial , House is officially letting it be known that it ’ s calling the crucial witness that the Senate refused to call .
It also sends an unmistakable signal that the House is just getting started in exposing Trump ’ s crimes .
This raises the question of why the House didn ’ t subpoena John Bolton to testify back when it was holding House impeachment hearings .
In hindsight it ’ s pretty obvious that Bolton wasn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and that subpoenaing him would merely have resulted in a months-long court battle that would have stalled out the impeachment process .
But now that Bolton ’ s new book is available for preorder , he ’ s clearly going to want to promote it – and testifying on television is a huge free marketing opportunity .
Donald Trump will surely announce that he ’ s going to magically “ block ” John Bolton from testifying to the House , but that ’ s not a real thing .
Trump can ask the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from testifying , but no judge will go for it , and Bolton will testify on whatever date he ’ s supposed to .
Trump has only succeeded in preventing witnesses from testifying who didn ’ t want to testify to begin with .
Bolton clearly wants to testify , meaning Trump can ’ t stop him .
We told you this was coming .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Once the Republican Senate made its decision not to allow any witnesses to testify against Donald Trump in his sham impeachment trial, Palmer Report pointed out that this meant Bolton would all but certainly end up soon testifying to the House instead. Sure enough, it turns out that’s what is indeed happening.
House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerry Nadler is telling CNN today that the House will “likely” subpoena John Bolton to publicly testify before the committee. He’s not providing the specific date yet. But today’s timing is interesting. On the same day that the Senate is preparing to acquit Trump without even holding a real trial, House is officially letting it be known that it’s calling the crucial witness that the Senate refused to call. It also sends an unmistakable signal that the House is just getting started in exposing Trump’s crimes.
This raises the question of why the House didn’t subpoena John Bolton to testify back when it was holding House impeachment hearings. In hindsight it’s pretty obvious that Bolton wasn’t willing to testify back then, and that subpoenaing him would merely have resulted in a months-long court battle that would have stalled out the impeachment process. But now that Bolton’s new book is available for preorder, he’s clearly going to want to promote it – and testifying on television is a huge free marketing opportunity.
Donald Trump will surely announce that he’s going to magically “block” John Bolton from testifying to the House, but that’s not a real thing. Trump can ask the court for an emergency injunction preventing Bolton from testifying, but no judge will go for it, and Bolton will testify on whatever date he’s supposed to. Trump has only succeeded in preventing witnesses from testifying who didn’t want to testify to begin with. Bolton clearly wants to testify, meaning Trump can’t stop him. We told you this was coming.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


palmerreport--2020-02-05--Palmer Report editorial note

Palmer Report editorial note

So we ’ re having a bit of a week .
From the start of the impeachment process we ’ ve known that the Republican Senate would end up corruptly acquitting Donald Trump , but now we have to stomach watching it happen .
We ’ ve been waiting months for voting to get underway in the Democratic primary process , and the Iowa caucus was such a calamity , we ’ re still not sure who won – even as we realize the state is too non-representative of the party ’ s diversity to have gone first anyway .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ been a fun one .
But I ’ ll tell you something .
I think our resolve might be stronger than ever .
Earlier this week I got tired of so many media pundits trying to take advantage of our vulnerable mindset this week by trying to convince us that the sky is falling and Trump is magically winning .
So I started calling out every instance of this hysteria and fatalism that I encountered .
I was afraid I ’ d get a lot out pushback from Resistance members who have simply @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up .
Instead I saw something else .
The more I ’ ve pushed against the fatalism this week , both on the Palmer Report website and on social media , the more people have gotten on board .
This shouldn ’ t be a popularity contest , but Palmer Report ’ s numbers have gone up this week , not down .
This suggests that Resistance members have had it – they ’ ve had it with the fatalism , and the the idea that we somehow can ’ t win .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We ’ ve helped expose various Trump criminal scandals that have landed some of his top henchmen in prison , leaving him shorthanded for whatever corrupt schemes he ’ s plotting next .
We won the midterms overwhelmingly .
We impeached Trump .
We ’ ve fought the good fight well enough that Trump is saddled with an upside down approval rating that leaves him facing a very difficult 2020 road .
We ’ ve done all of this not by sitting around and insisting that the worst possible case scenario is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the best case scenarios .
We ’ ve only won some of the battles we ’ ve fought , but that ’ s left America far better off than if we hadn ’ t bothered to fight any of them .
So hello to the new people who have stumbled across Palmer Report this week .
If you ask the people who have been around for awhile , they ’ ll tell you that my analysis and predictions are sometimes the precise opposite of what you ’ re hearing from every other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the instances where I tend to be proven the most accurate .
Thanks to all of you longtime readers who have stuck it out and are still fighting for the soul of this country .
This week is a grinder – but now more than ever , we ’ re still winning this fight .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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So we’re having a bit of a week. From the start of the impeachment process we’ve known that the Republican Senate would end up corruptly acquitting Donald Trump, but now we have to stomach watching it happen. We’ve been waiting months for voting to get underway in the Democratic primary process, and the Iowa caucus was such a calamity, we’re still not sure who won – even as we realize the state is too non-representative of the party’s diversity to have gone first anyway. So yeah, it hasn’t been a fun one.
But I’ll tell you something. I think our resolve might be stronger than ever. Earlier this week I got tired of so many media pundits trying to take advantage of our vulnerable mindset this week by trying to convince us that the sky is falling and Trump is magically winning. So I started calling out every instance of this hysteria and fatalism that I encountered. I was afraid I’d get a lot out pushback from Resistance members who have simply had it and are ready to give up. Instead I saw something else.
The more I’ve pushed against the fatalism this week, both on the Palmer Report website and on social media, the more people have gotten on board. This shouldn’t be a popularity contest, but Palmer Report’s numbers have gone up this week, not down. This suggests that Resistance members have had it – they’ve had it with the fatalism, and the the idea that we somehow can’t win.
We won the fight to save Obamacare. We’ve helped expose various Trump criminal scandals that have landed some of his top henchmen in prison, leaving him shorthanded for whatever corrupt schemes he’s plotting next. We won the midterms overwhelmingly. We impeached Trump. We’ve fought the good fight well enough that Trump is saddled with an upside down approval rating that leaves him facing a very difficult 2020 road. We’ve done all of this not by sitting around and insisting that the worst possible case scenario is going to happen, but by fighting for the best case scenarios. We’ve only won some of the battles we’ve fought, but that’s left America far better off than if we hadn’t bothered to fight any of them.
So hello to the new people who have stumbled across Palmer Report this week. If you ask the people who have been around for awhile, they’ll tell you that my analysis and predictions are sometimes the precise opposite of what you’re hearing from every other pundit out there, but those are the instances where I tend to be proven the most accurate. Thanks to all of you longtime readers who have stuck it out and are still fighting for the soul of this country. This week is a grinder – but now more than ever, we’re still winning this fight.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.


Advantage Pelosi

People are going nuts over Nancy Pelosi literally ripping Trump ’ s speech to pieces .
CNN even had the nerve to call Pelosi ’ s action “ aggressively rude.
” Well , when you ’ re dealing with an aggressively rude , obnoxious , and crass president , the best way to get his attention is to speak his language .
The Democrats have fought hard to bring an out-of-control “ president ” to task .
He is aided and abetted by a Republican senate that cares only for what they want and nothing for the country they pretend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , complaining about Pelosi , but had Trump not acted like the petulant child that he is and decided to shake her hand , this likely would not have happened .
Pelosi ’ s office issued the following statement : “ The manifesto of mistruths presented in page after page of the address tonight should be a call to action for everyone who expects truth from the President and policies worthy of his office and the American people.
” No surprise that Trump ’ s buddies have the amazing ability to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now want to criticize Pelosi .
Some of their quotes are unbelievable .
Sean Hannity said that Pelosi ripping up the speech was “ one of the most classless things ever done in the history of the State of the Union.
” Wrong , Hannity .
Everything Trump does is classless , including his never-ending stream of lies to the American public .
According to CNN , Speaker Pelosi told Democrats in a closed-door meeting that Trump ’ s speech was a “ disgrace ” and that “ he shredded the truth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s be honest : When has Trump told the truth about anything ?
He certainly couldn ’ t miss an opportunity to lie with a large audience , and in fact , most assumed he would lie .
The audacity of Trump to give the Medal of Freedom to Rush Limbaugh of all people was the proverbial icing on the cake for Nancy .
She had enough , and you can ’ t really blame her .
This medal has been awarded to people like Rosa Parks , T.S .
Eliot , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ Connor — people who brought joy to our lives or who stood up when they weren ’ t supposed to stand up .
To give this high award to someone like Limbaugh is a slap in the face to the remaining recipients .
Pelosi likened Trump ’ s stunt to a “ reality show ” and “ campaign speech , ” according to CNN .
Trump loves anything that allows him to fan the flames of his racist , hateful rhetoric and behaviors .
He is a true embarrassment .
His White @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweet out the ridiculous , grammatically incorrect statement that “ Speaker Pelosi just ripped up : One of our last surviving Tuskegee Airmen .
The survival of a child born at 21 weeks .
The mourning families of Rocky Jones and Kayla Mueller .
A service member ’ s reunion with his family .
That ’ s her legacy.
” As if anyone in that White House gives one hoot about any of the people they named .
If they cared so much about the Tuskegee Airmen , why wasn ’ t Charles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his legacy is more deserving of such an honor than hatemongering talk-show host Rush Limbaugh .
This is all a show for Trump , and his ratings are failing .
Let ’ s take him off the air in November .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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People are going nuts over Nancy Pelosi literally ripping Trump’s speech to pieces. CNN even had the nerve to call Pelosi’s action “aggressively rude.” Well, when you’re dealing with an aggressively rude, obnoxious, and crass president, the best way to get his attention is to speak his language.
The Democrats have fought hard to bring an out-of-control “president” to task. He is aided and abetted by a Republican senate that cares only for what they want and nothing for the country they pretend to serve. They are now, of course, complaining about Pelosi, but had Trump not acted like the petulant child that he is and decided to shake her hand, this likely would not have happened. Pelosi’s office issued the following statement: “The manifesto of mistruths presented in page after page of the address tonight should be a call to action for everyone who expects truth from the President and policies worthy of his office and the American people.”
No surprise that Trump’s buddies have the amazing ability to ignore his constant barrage of lies and now want to criticize Pelosi. Some of their quotes are unbelievable. Sean Hannity said that Pelosi ripping up the speech was “one of the most classless things ever done in the history of the State of the Union.” Wrong, Hannity. Everything Trump does is classless, including his never-ending stream of lies to the American public.
According to CNN, Speaker Pelosi told Democrats in a closed-door meeting that Trump’s speech was a “disgrace” and that “he shredded the truth, so I shredded his speech.” Let’s be honest: When has Trump told the truth about anything? He certainly couldn’t miss an opportunity to lie with a large audience, and in fact, most assumed he would lie. The audacity of Trump to give the Medal of Freedom to Rush Limbaugh of all people was the proverbial icing on the cake for Nancy. She had enough, and you can’t really blame her. This medal has been awarded to people like Rosa Parks, T.S. Eliot, Duke Ellington, and Sandra Day O’Connor — people who brought joy to our lives or who stood up when they weren’t supposed to stand up. To give this high award to someone like Limbaugh is a slap in the face to the remaining recipients. Pelosi likened Trump’s stunt to a “reality show” and “campaign speech,” according to CNN.
Trump loves anything that allows him to fan the flames of his racist, hateful rhetoric and behaviors. He is a true embarrassment. His White House Twitter account had the audacity to tweet out the ridiculous, grammatically incorrect statement that “Speaker Pelosi just ripped up: One of our last surviving Tuskegee Airmen. The survival of a child born at 21 weeks. The mourning families of Rocky Jones and Kayla Mueller. A service member’s reunion with his family. That’s her legacy.” As if anyone in that White House gives one hoot about any of the people they named. If they cared so much about the Tuskegee Airmen, why wasn’t Charles McGee given the medal? Certainly, his legacy is more deserving of such an honor than hatemongering talk-show host Rush Limbaugh. This is all a show for Trump, and his ratings are failing. Let’s take him off the air in November.
Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support our 2024 efforts by donating now or sign up for our free mailing list.