palmerreport--2020-09-20--Everyone piles on after Chuck Grassley goes completely off the deep end

There are always arguments for and against term limits .
But when it comes to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley , he ’ s become a walking talking billboard for term limits .
Not that he was ever any good to begin with , but he stopped making any sense at all a few years ago , yet he keeps getting reelected based on name recognition and inertia .
Just how far gone is Grassley ?
Earlier today , he tweeted this : “ If u lost ur pet pidgin /it ’ s dead in front yard my Iowa farm JUST @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020/3089/AU2020/SHE ///LEFT LEG GREEN BAND NO PRINTED INFO .
Sorry for bad news ” No really , that ’ s what he tweeted .
You can find it here .
As a reminder , this is coming from a sitting United States Senator , during a pandemic , during raging wildfires , during a controversial Supreme Court nomination battle , during a Presidential election .
No offense to the pigeon ( we ’ re assuming that ’ s what he meant by “ pidgin ” ) , but come on .
Chuck Grassley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ completely incapable of focusing on the serious issues at hand .

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.
-----
-----
There are always arguments for and against term limits. But when it comes to Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, he’s become a walking talking billboard for term limits. Not that he was ever any good to begin with, but he stopped making any sense at all a few years ago, yet he keeps getting reelected based on name recognition and inertia.
Just how far gone is Grassley? Earlier today, he tweeted this: “If u lost ur pet pidgin /it’s dead in front yard my Iowa farm JUST DISCOVERED here r identifiers Right leg Blue 2020/3089/AU2020/SHE ///LEFT LEG GREEN BAND NO PRINTED INFO. Sorry for bad news”
No really, that’s what he tweeted. You can find it here. As a reminder, this is coming from a sitting United States Senator, during a pandemic, during raging wildfires, during a controversial Supreme Court nomination battle, during a Presidential election. No offense to the pigeon (we’re assuming that’s what he meant by “pidgin”), but come on. Chuck Grassley has become incoherent, illiterate, and completely incapable of focusing on the serious issues at hand.
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--2020-09-20--Now more than ever, we can win this fight

The death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg has come at a critical time .
We all know this .
Though Mitch McConnell has proven to be the amoral piece of rotting feces we all knew he was , he will still have a few hills to climb in order to get another conservative judge on the Supreme Court .
The first hill is convincing cowards like Susan Collins that voting for the new Justice won ’ t kill their political careers .
So , while McConnell diddles with these strands of limp spaghetti , he ’ s also running against the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in January 3rd , 2021 , and it ’ s a good bet he won ’ t have a Republican majority at that point .
He ’ s got to act quickly .
There are delay tactics the Dems can use over the hearings in order to drag out the proceedings .
If there were a cohesive majority of Republicans in the Senate , these delays could be overcome by the deadline .
But so much is at stake , so many are unsure of their position , it ’ s hard to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ But let ’ s go to worst case scenario .
They seat an arch conservative and immediately attack Roe v. Wade and Obamacare .
Take a deep breath .
Our country is first and foremost a democracy .
Your vote matters .
If these acts are so repugnant to the majority of voters , they will not stand .
Congress will up the number of judges ; Congress will reauthorize another version of Obamacare ; Congress will enact legislation in order for the people ’ s wishes to be fulfilled .
It can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way to the Supreme Court , but in the meantime , legislation stands .
Yes , this process will take time .
Lots of damage has been wrought .
But in the end , good people will act .
Right now , take comfort in the fact that most of America is full of good people and they will vote .
If there is one thing we can all take from the legacy of the great RBG , it ’ s to never take this powerful right for granted ever again .

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.
-----
-----
The death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg has come at a critical time. We all know this. Though Mitch McConnell has proven to be the amoral piece of rotting feces we all knew he was, he will still have a few hills to climb in order to get another conservative judge on the Supreme Court.
The first hill is convincing cowards like Susan Collins that voting for the new Justice won’t kill their political careers. So, while McConnell diddles with these strands of limp spaghetti, he’s also running against the clock. The new Senate gets sworn in January 3rd, 2021, and it’s a good bet he won’t have a Republican majority at that point. He’s got to act quickly.
There are delay tactics the Dems can use over the hearings in order to drag out the proceedings. If there were a cohesive majority of Republicans in the Senate, these delays could be overcome by the deadline. But so much is at stake, so many are unsure of their position, it’s hard to predict a slam dunk right now.
But let’s go to worst case scenario. They seat an arch conservative and immediately attack Roe v. Wade and Obamacare. Take a deep breath. Our country is first and foremost a democracy. Your vote matters. If these acts are so repugnant to the majority of voters, they will not stand. Congress will up the number of judges; Congress will reauthorize another version of Obamacare; Congress will enact legislation in order for the people’s wishes to be fulfilled. It can be contested time and time again all the way to the Supreme Court, but in the meantime, legislation stands.
Yes, this process will take time. Lots of damage has been wrought. But in the end, good people will act. Right now, take comfort in the fact that most of America is full of good people and they will vote. If there is one thing we can all take from the legacy of the great RBG, it’s to never take this powerful right for granted ever again.
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--2020-09-19--Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell have a bigger problem than you’d think

Mitch McConnell is trying to remain Senate Majority Leader .
Donald Trump is trying to avoid prison .
Up to now , these two goals have gone hand in hand .
All they ’ ve had to do is keep plugging along with the corrupt agenda that their wealthy conservative donors want them to install .
But with this Supreme Court seat now open , Trump and McConnell may be finding out that their goals are more incompatible than one would think .
McConnell cares more about remaining Majority Leader than he does about filling any one seat , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain in charge , he has to make sure that his actions don ’ t cost the Republicans the Senate majority .
With people like Collins and Murkowski already publicly hedging their bets , McConnell may not end up with enough votes to confirm a nominee before the election .
Then there ’ s Donald Trump , who is currently on a path to lose the election by a fairly wide margin , and who is on track to go to prison in New York if he does lose .
Trump cares only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ last minute scheme for winning the election .
He seems eager to roll the dice on nominating someone now , and hoping that doing so will make his numbers go up .
It ’ s actually more likely to make his numbers even worse , but with the hole he ’ s in , he ’ s reduced to taking low percentage shots .
Trump is so desperate to win , he ’ s willing to risk losing the Senate majority just to make it happen .
McConnell is so eager to keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ willing to risk losing the presidential election just to make it happen .
Considering only one of these two goals may now be possible , that ’ s a problem for them both .

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.
-----
-----
Mitch McConnell is trying to remain Senate Majority Leader. Donald Trump is trying to avoid prison. Up to now, these two goals have gone hand in hand. All they’ve had to do is keep plugging along with the corrupt agenda that their wealthy conservative donors want them to install.
But with this Supreme Court seat now open, Trump and McConnell may be finding out that their goals are more incompatible than one would think. McConnell cares more about remaining Majority Leader than he does about filling any one seat, or winning any one battle – and to remain in charge, he has to make sure that his actions don’t cost the Republicans the Senate majority. With people like Collins and Murkowski already publicly hedging their bets, McConnell may not end up with enough votes to confirm a nominee before the election.
Then there’s Donald Trump, who is currently on a path to lose the election by a fairly wide margin, and who is on track to go to prison in New York if he does lose. Trump cares only about one thing – finding a desperate last minute scheme for winning the election. He seems eager to roll the dice on nominating someone now, and hoping that doing so will make his numbers go up. It’s actually more likely to make his numbers even worse, but with the hole he’s in, he’s reduced to taking low percentage shots.
Trump is so desperate to win, he’s willing to risk losing the Senate majority just to make it happen. McConnell is so eager to keep the Senate majority, he’s willing to risk losing the presidential election just to make it happen. Considering only one of these two goals may now be possible, that’s a problem for them both.
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--2020-09-19--Susan Collins just made Mitch McConnell’s life a lot more difficult

Here ’ s the thing about Susan Collins : like nearly all other Republican Senators , she can ’ t ever be trusted .
And during the Kavanaugh debacle , we learned that Collins in particular is capable of an almost monstrous level of corruption in the name of trying to hang onto her Senate seat .
But when it comes to the public jockeying that plays out over something like a Supreme Court nomination , it ’ s not about who can be trusted to do the right thing .
We already know the Republican Senators are each going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for their own career path .
If necessary , they ’ ll sell out the country , they ’ ll sell out Trump , and they ’ ll even sell out their fellow Republican Senators in order to selfishly do whatever they think is best for them .
That brings us to the fact that Susan Collins just announced that she doesn ’ t think a Supreme Court nominee should be brought to a vote before the election , and that the seat should instead be filled by whoever wins the election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ left herself some wiggle room ; she ’ s not specifically vowing to vote “ no ” if a vote does happen .
And of course she can ’ t be trusted .
But this isn ’ t about trust ; it ’ s about leverage .
With this statement , Susan Collins just basically asked Mitch McConnell not to nominate anyone , for fear it ’ ll cost her whatever slim shot she has left at keeping her seat .
She ’ s making McConnell ’ s life a lot more difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now McConnell will have to face a barrage of questions about why he ’ s going against Collins .
But hey , every Republican jerk for himself .
Keep in mind that if four Republican Senators object to this process , it dies .
Lisa Murkowski stated less than a week ago that she would be opposed to filling a seat if it opened , so she ’ ll have a hard time backtracking from that .
And Mitt Romney , who still wants to run for President someday , could come out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be three objections , out of the four needed , right off the bat .
Susan Collins like to play things safe , and take credit in advance for things that she thinks are going to happen anyway .
Her decision to make this statement suggests that she thinks there ’ s a good chance no nominee will be confirmed , and she ’ s trying to take advantage of the situation .
Rather than wasting time debating whether Collins can be trusted ( she can ’ t ) , let ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ must be other GOP Senators who are also leaning against nominating someone , and let ’ s lean on them even more .

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.
-----
-----
Here’s the thing about Susan Collins: like nearly all other Republican Senators, she can’t ever be trusted. And during the Kavanaugh debacle, we learned that Collins in particular is capable of an almost monstrous level of corruption in the name of trying to hang onto her Senate seat.
But when it comes to the public jockeying that plays out over something like a Supreme Court nomination, it’s not about who can be trusted to do the right thing. We already know the Republican Senators are each going to do whatever they think is best for their own career path. If necessary, they’ll sell out the country, they’ll sell out Trump, and they’ll even sell out their fellow Republican Senators in order to selfishly do whatever they think is best for them.
That brings us to the fact that Susan Collins just announced that she doesn’t think a Supreme Court nominee should be brought to a vote before the election, and that the seat should instead be filled by whoever wins the election. True to form, she’s left herself some wiggle room; she’s not specifically vowing to vote “no” if a vote does happen. And of course she can’t be trusted. But this isn’t about trust; it’s about leverage.
With this statement, Susan Collins just basically asked Mitch McConnell not to nominate anyone, for fear it’ll cost her whatever slim shot she has left at keeping her seat. She’s making McConnell’s life a lot more difficult by putting this out there, because now McConnell will have to face a barrage of questions about why he’s going against Collins. But hey, every Republican jerk for himself.
Keep in mind that if four Republican Senators object to this process, it dies. Lisa Murkowski stated less than a week ago that she would be opposed to filling a seat if it opened, so she’ll have a hard time backtracking from that. And Mitt Romney, who still wants to run for President someday, could come out in opposition as well. That would be three objections, out of the four needed, right off the bat.
Susan Collins like to play things safe, and take credit in advance for things that she thinks are going to happen anyway. Her decision to make this statement suggests that she thinks there’s a good chance no nominee will be confirmed, and she’s trying to take advantage of the situation. Rather than wasting time debating whether Collins can be trusted (she can’t), let’s take this as an indicator that there must be other GOP Senators who are also leaning against nominating someone, and let’s lean on them even more.
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--2020-09-19--Donald Trump is being abandoned and berated by his own people

Throughout this election cycle , a number of prominent longtime Republicans have come out in favor of Joe Biden , with former Governor John Kasich even speaking at the Democratic Convention back in August .
This isn ’ t too unusual .
After all , a number of conservatives , particularly those who spent their careers in national security endorsed Hillary Clinton four years ago and have come out in favor of Biden this time .
Over the last few days , however , we ’ ve seen a number of former Trump administration officials come out in support of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ staff from the Department of Homeland Security , then Mike Pence ’ s former aide and a former aide of Betsy DeVos is actively campaigning against him .
As dozens of staffers appeared to be turning away and lashing out against the administration , Palmer Report suspected there was something of a pattern going on – happening around the same time as an endless series of embarrassing leaks .
Now , the Republican Political Alliance for Integrity and Reform ( REPAIR ) , another prominent group fighting against Trump ’ s re-election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prominent backers is a top official currently working in the U.S. government , and that someone else , currently workin g in the administration is expected to resign in October and publicly denounce Donald Trump , though no other clues were given about the identity of either one .
You may wonder , not illogically , why either of these people waited so long to come forward , as things only spiraled further out of control .
There ’ s probably a good chance they ’ re acting selfishly - seeing how much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the administration while they can , but the timing is also important .
The worst stories coming out of the Trump administration about his treatment of refugees or of protesters are actually appealing to his base , because a lot of them wish they could behave just as badly with no repercussions .
Seeing an administration unravel before our eyes , as Trump is berated and abandoned by his own people , however , frames him as the one thing he doesn ’ t want to be : a weak and incompetent loser @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fence are likely to see it too .

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.
-----
-----
Throughout this election cycle, a number of prominent longtime Republicans have come out in favor of Joe Biden, with former Governor John Kasich even speaking at the Democratic Convention back in August. This isn’t too unusual. After all, a number of conservatives, particularly those who spent their careers in national security endorsed Hillary Clinton four years ago and have come out in favor of Biden this time. Over the last few days, however, we’ve seen a number of former Trump administration officials come out in support of Biden – first a former chief of staff from the Department of Homeland Security, then Mike Pence’s former aide and a former aide of Betsy DeVos is actively campaigning against him.
As dozens of staffers appeared to be turning away and lashing out against the administration, Palmer Report suspected there was something of a pattern going on – happening around the same time as an endless series of embarrassing leaks. Now, the Republican Political Alliance for Integrity and Reform (REPAIR), another prominent group fighting against Trump’s re-election, has revealed that one of its most prominent backers is a top official currently working in the U.S. government, and that someone else, currently working in the administration is expected to resign in October and publicly denounce Donald Trump, though no other clues were given about the identity of either one.
You may wonder, not illogically, why either of these people waited so long to come forward, as things only spiraled further out of control. There’s probably a good chance they’re acting selfishly – seeing how much more money they can milk out of the administration while they can, but the timing is also important. The worst stories coming out of the Trump administration about his treatment of refugees or of protesters are actually appealing to his base, because a lot of them wish they could behave just as badly with no repercussions.
Seeing an administration unravel before our eyes, as Trump is berated and abandoned by his own people, however, frames him as the one thing he doesn’t want to be: a weak and incompetent loser – and a number of those on the fence are likely to see it too.
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--2020-09-19--Defeating Mitch McConnell’s simplistic playbook

Mitch McConnell ’ s playbook is a simplistic one : he always announces that he has the votes , even @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s hoping we ’ ll conclude he ’ s won and we @ @ @ @ @ weakest GOP Senators .
We can only defeat McConnell by constantly calling his bluff .
@ @ @ @ @ GOP Senators and urge them not to confirm , remind them of this : McConnell @ @ @ @ @ ’ d protect her if she confirmed Kavanaugh , but now she ’ s losing @ @ @ @ @ blowout .
McConnell won ’ t protect them either .
– Recent Democratic Senate primary @ @ @ @ @ Kennedy are now both calling for Senate Democrats to expand the Supreme Court in 2021 @ @ @ @ @ Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s seat now .
This is a real thing , and @ @ @ @ @ momentum for it within the Democratic Party .
The key is that it requires winning @ @ @ @ @ with .

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.
-----
-----
Mitch McConnell’s playbook is a simplistic one: he always announces that he has the votes, even when he doesn’t. He’s hoping we’ll conclude he’s won and we’ll stop pressuring the weakest GOP Senators. We can only defeat McConnell by constantly calling his bluff.
– When you call on-the-fence GOP Senators and urge them not to confirm, remind them of this: McConnell promised Susan Collins that he’d protect her if she confirmed Kavanaugh, but now she’s losing her reelection bid in a blowout. McConnell won’t protect them either.
– Recent Democratic Senate primary rivals Ed Markey and Joe Kennedy are now both calling for Senate Democrats to expand the Supreme Court in 2021 if McConnell tries to fill Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s seat now. This is a real thing, and there appears to be real momentum for it within the Democratic Party. The key is that it requires winning a Senate majority to begin with.
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--2020-09-19--Jared Kushner, killer clown

Jared Kushner, killer clown

The Trump administration is the most corrupt in the nation ’ s history , with obstruction and collusion and other crimes aplenty .
One person who has top security clearance , despite major issues in his background , is Jared Kushner , son-in-law of Donald J. Trump .
Jared is not only not qualified to have any role in any organization of leadership , but he is also as hateful and devoid of empathy as his father-in-law .
According to Vanity Fair reporting , at one point in a White House meeting in March to discuss the coronavirus with various @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer their assistance , Kushner stated : “ Cuomo didn ’ t pound the phones hard enough to get PPE for his state… .
His people are going to suffer and that ’ s their problem.
” We have heard Trump speak about eliminating the blue states and if you did so , the numbers would look great .
Both of these statements are false , if you look at the data – two Republican states are in the top five , as would be expected- the biggest states in our nation have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if true , it is a callous way to address the majority of your population – expendable , without value , not worth saving .
Now , Trump is trying to come up with lies and distortion to sway voters to ignore the sickening destruction to this nation wrought by the Trump family and by his favorite son-in-law , Jared .
Things like the biggest aid package ever to Puerto Rico on the third anniversary of the devastating hurricane mask what Trump thinks about Democrats and people of color and others who are @ @ @ @

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.
-----
-----
The Trump administration is the most corrupt in the nation’s history, with obstruction and collusion and other crimes aplenty. One person who has top security clearance, despite major issues in his background, is Jared Kushner, son-in-law of Donald J. Trump. Jared is not only not qualified to have any role in any organization of leadership, but he is also as hateful and devoid of empathy as his father-in-law.
According to Vanity Fair reporting, at one point in a White House meeting in March to discuss the coronavirus with various business leaders from Silicon Valley there to offer their assistance, Kushner stated: “Cuomo didn’t pound the phones hard enough to get PPE for his state…. His people are going to suffer and that’s their problem.”
We have heard Trump speak about eliminating the blue states and if you did so, the numbers would look great. Both of these statements are false, if you look at the data – two Republican states are in the top five, as would be expected- the biggest states in our nation have the highest death rates. But even if true, it is a callous way to address the majority of your population – expendable, without value, not worth saving.
Now, Trump is trying to come up with lies and distortion to sway voters to ignore the sickening destruction to this nation wrought by the Trump family and by his favorite son-in-law, Jared. Things like the biggest aid package ever to Puerto Rico on the third anniversary of the devastating hurricane mask what Trump thinks about Democrats and people of color and others who are not his followers.
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--2020-09-19--Donald Trump’s lawyers have their hands full

Donald Trump ’ s lawyers are busy these days .
While one team of Trump lawyers are working tirelessly in the Supreme Court to deny millions of Americans healthcare during a global pandemic , another team of Trump lawyers are trying to prevent E. Jean Carroll from getting Trump ’ s DNA in order to stop her from proving that Trump raped her .
Meanwhile another team of Trump lawyers are saying Trump “ denies in the strongest possible terms ” having sexually assaulted model Amy Dorris .
Dorris recently alleged that Trump assaulted her outside the bathroom in Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Open tennis tournament in New York on 5 September , 1997 .
Like I said .
Trump ’ s lawyers are busy .
Meanwhile , Olivia Troye , a former senior official on the White House coronavirus task force , recently said Trump called his own supporters “ disgusting people ” with whom he no longer had to shake hands thanks to the pandemic .
“ Maybe this COVID thing is a good thing .
I don ’ t like shaking hands with people , I don ’ t have to shake hands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ quoted Trump as saying .
“ Those ‘ disgusting people ’ are the same people that he claims to care about , ” Troye added .
Meanwhile , having noticed that Joe Biden is gaining ground among Puerto Rican Florida voters , Trump just offered Puerto Rico an enormous multi-billion dollar bribe , excuse me , I meant “ aid package.
” This comes a whopping three years after the island was devastated by hurricane Maria .
Trump , who is president of the United States last time I checked , blames the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When Maria hit , not only was Trump president , he had a Republican majority in the House and Senate , too .
Meanwhile , after calling American heroes who died in wars defending their country “ losers ” and “ suckers , ” Trump continues to ignore Vladimir Putin ’ s bounty on the heads of US soldiers in Afghanistan .
Meanwhile , as immigrant children separated from their parents are still being held in concentration camps across America , their mothers are undergoing forced hysterectomies in order to prevent them from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ continues to repudiate the need of Americans to wear masks .
Despite the death of his friend and supporter Herman Cain , who contracted a lethal case of coronavirus at Trump ’ s Tulsa rally , Trump continues to conduct Nuremberg-style rallies .
Participants at these rallies are encouraged to cram together indoors .
Few wear masks .
None are required to .
Meanwhile , Donald Trump has announced that a coronavirus vaccine is “ essentially ready.
” A rollout of the vaccine will begin in October , Trump says .
No such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a vaccine is possible , it won ’ t be ready , “ essentially ” or otherwise , for at least a year , probably more , possibly never .
Trump is lying to the American people so they will vote for him in November .
Many of his supporters are dumb enough to believe him .
Meanwhile , as 203,171 Americans lie dead from coronavirus as I write this , Trump continues to crow about how many lives he “ saved ” by placing a limited travel restriction on China .
Back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , watches television , golfs and does anything except work to alleviate the suffering caused by a disease that is claiming a thousand American lives a day .
And so on .
I know , it ’ s hard to believe that a guy who would steal from a children ’ s cancer charity , cheat on his pregnant wife with a porn star , devastate dozens of venerable family businesses by refusing to pay them for expensive work , mock a disabled reporter , refer to a torchlight parade of Nazi zealots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call Black Lives Matter “ hate speech , ” would ever do such terrible things as I have enumerated above .
Hard to believe , huh ?
But who knows , maybe a guy who thinks this whole “ COVID thing ” isn ’ t so bad after all because it means he doesn ’ t have to shake hands with “ disgusting people , ” is also capable of saying and doing other evil things .
Who knows ?
There are a million reasons why Donald Trump is unfit to be president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been just a tiny fraction of them .
And , as ever , ladies and gentlemen , brothers and sisters , comrades and friends , stay safe .

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.
-----
-----
Donald Trump’s lawyers are busy these days. While one team of Trump lawyers are working tirelessly in the Supreme Court to deny millions of Americans healthcare during a global pandemic, another team of Trump lawyers are trying to prevent E. Jean Carroll from getting Trump’s DNA in order to stop her from proving that Trump raped her.
Meanwhile another team of Trump lawyers are saying Trump “denies in the strongest possible terms” having sexually assaulted model Amy Dorris. Dorris recently alleged that Trump assaulted her outside the bathroom in Trump’s VIP box at the US Open tennis tournament in New York on 5 September, 1997. Like I said. Trump’s lawyers are busy.
Meanwhile, Olivia Troye, a former senior official on the White House coronavirus task force, recently said Trump called his own supporters “disgusting people” with whom he no longer had to shake hands thanks to the pandemic. “Maybe this COVID thing is a good thing. I don’t like shaking hands with people, I don’t have to shake hands with these disgusting people,” Troy quoted Trump as saying. “Those ‘disgusting people’ are the same people that he claims to care about,” Troye added.
Meanwhile, having noticed that Joe Biden is gaining ground among Puerto Rican Florida voters, Trump just offered Puerto Rico an enormous multi-billion dollar bribe, excuse me, I meant “aid package.” This comes a whopping three years after the island was devastated by hurricane Maria. Trump, who is president of the United States last time I checked, blames the Democrats for the three year delay. When Maria hit, not only was Trump president, he had a Republican majority in the House and Senate, too.
Meanwhile, after calling American heroes who died in wars defending their country “losers” and “suckers,” Trump continues to ignore Vladimir Putin’s bounty on the heads of US soldiers in Afghanistan.
Meanwhile, as immigrant children separated from their parents are still being held in concentration camps across America, their mothers are undergoing forced hysterectomies in order to prevent them from having more.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump continues to repudiate the need of Americans to wear masks. Despite the death of his friend and supporter Herman Cain, who contracted a lethal case of coronavirus at Trump’s Tulsa rally, Trump continues to conduct Nuremberg-style rallies. Participants at these rallies are encouraged to cram together indoors. Few wear masks. None are required to.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has announced that a coronavirus vaccine is “essentially ready.” A rollout of the vaccine will begin in October, Trump says. No such vaccine exists, of course. If a vaccine is possible, it won’t be ready, “essentially” or otherwise, for at least a year, probably more, possibly never. Trump is lying to the American people so they will vote for him in November. Many of his supporters are dumb enough to believe him.
Meanwhile, as 203,171 Americans lie dead from coronavirus as I write this, Trump continues to crow about how many lives he “saved” by placing a limited travel restriction on China. Back in January.
Meanwhile, Trump hate-tweets, watches television, golfs and does anything except work to alleviate the suffering caused by a disease that is claiming a thousand American lives a day.
And so on. I know, it’s hard to believe that a guy who would steal from a children’s cancer charity, cheat on his pregnant wife with a porn star, devastate dozens of venerable family businesses by refusing to pay them for expensive work, mock a disabled reporter, refer to a torchlight parade of Nazi zealots as “very fine people” and call Black Lives Matter “hate speech,” would ever do such terrible things as I have enumerated above. Hard to believe, huh?
But who knows, maybe a guy who thinks this whole “COVID thing” isn’t so bad after all because it means he doesn’t have to shake hands with “disgusting people,” is also capable of saying and doing other evil things. Who knows? There are a million reasons why Donald Trump is unfit to be president of the United States, this has been just a tiny fraction of them. And, as ever, ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, comrades and friends, stay safe.
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--2020-09-19--It was the worst of times, it was the worst of times

As someone who basically runs my mouth for a living , I ’ m usually not at a loss for words .
But 2020 has delivered a jarring number of loss-for-words moments .
Last night we lost Ruth Bader Ginsburg .
Two months ago we lost John Lewis .
Along the way we ’ ve lost more than 200,000 mostly anonymous , everyday Americans to COVID .
Large chunks of the country are literally on fire .
And this is all playing out even as we ’ re fighting a war to save our nation .
This year has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ times .
In at least some ways it ’ s going to get even worse .
The COVID death toll will continue to rise .
The political landscape will get even uglier in the coming weeks .
If anything good has happened in 2020 , it ’ s been overshadowed by the nonstop parade of bad .
But I ’ m here to tell you we can turn this around .
Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s passing has only served to galvanize support for not only electing Joe Biden , but also electing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in donations poured in to Democratic Senate races last night alone .
We ’ ve got the heart and soul , we ’ ve got the momentum , we ’ ve got the lead , and we can win this election .
The battle over the Supreme Court seat is also winnable .
If just four Republican Senators look at their own reelection or career prospects and selfishly decide that they ’ re more interested in helping themselves than they are in helping Mitch McConnell , the confirmation won ’ t happen .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of these Republican Senators understand that their only hope of still having a career is if they tell McConnell to shove it .
They should take a look at Susan Collins as an example ; she sided with McConnell on Kavanaugh , and now she ’ s losing her reelection bid in a blowout .
So we fight onward .
Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a giant , and now she ’ s gone .
That means we have to be the adults and step up and lead the fight .
There ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doubt , or anything along those lines .
We can mourn later for all that 2020 has taken away from us .
These next six weeks , we ’ re locked in a battle for our country and our lives , and we have to leave it all on the field .
Let GOP Senators up for reelection know that we ’ ll target them for defeat if they dare try to fill that Supreme Court seat .
Volunteer .
Phone bank .
Register people to vote .
Let ’ s get to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ option we have .

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.
-----
-----
As someone who basically runs my mouth for a living, I’m usually not at a loss for words. But 2020 has delivered a jarring number of loss-for-words moments. Last night we lost Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Two months ago we lost John Lewis. Along the way we’ve lost more than 200,000 mostly anonymous, everyday Americans to COVID. Large chunks of the country are literally on fire. And this is all playing out even as we’re fighting a war to save our nation.
This year has been, simply put, the worst of times. In at least some ways it’s going to get even worse. The COVID death toll will continue to rise. The political landscape will get even uglier in the coming weeks. If anything good has happened in 2020, it’s been overshadowed by the nonstop parade of bad.
But I’m here to tell you we can turn this around. Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s passing has only served to galvanize support for not only electing Joe Biden, but also electing a Democratic Senate. Millions of dollars in donations poured in to Democratic Senate races last night alone. We’ve got the heart and soul, we’ve got the momentum, we’ve got the lead, and we can win this election.
The battle over the Supreme Court seat is also winnable. If just four Republican Senators look at their own reelection or career prospects and selfishly decide that they’re more interested in helping themselves than they are in helping Mitch McConnell, the confirmation won’t happen. We just have to help make some of these Republican Senators understand that their only hope of still having a career is if they tell McConnell to shove it. They should take a look at Susan Collins as an example; she sided with McConnell on Kavanaugh, and now she’s losing her reelection bid in a blowout.
So we fight onward. Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a giant, and now she’s gone. That means we have to be the adults and step up and lead the fight. There’s no time for self pity, self doubt, or anything along those lines. We can mourn later for all that 2020 has taken away from us. These next six weeks, we’re locked in a battle for our country and our lives, and we have to leave it all on the field. Let GOP Senators up for reelection know that we’ll target them for defeat if they dare try to fill that Supreme Court seat. Volunteer. Phone bank. Register people to vote. Let’s get to work. It’s the only option we have.
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--2020-09-20--Somebody get this guy a straitjacket

Somebody get this guy a straitjacket

– There ’ s a pandemic , civil unrest , presidential election , Supreme Court nomination battle , large chunks of the country are literally on fire , and Senator Chuck Grassley has spent most of the day tweeting about a dead pigeon .
Someone get this guy some professional help before it ’ s too late .
Also , get him out of the Senate .
– Chuck Grassley isn ’ t the only one in need of professional help .
During his speech on Saturday night , Donald Trump incoherently rambled about a planet called “ Nars ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether he gave himself an “ A plus ” or a “ D ” for his handling of the pandemic .
Somebody get this guy a straitjacket .
– Even more reason to vote Trump out : he ’ s promising to disappear forever if he loses .
– It ’ s cute that Trump supporters think harassing us outside polling places is somehow going to make us less likely to vote .
– Influential Senator Ed Markey and House Judiciary Chair Jerry Nader are both calling for expanding the Supreme Court if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This is now a real thing .
The Democrats are actually going to drop the hammer if McConnell gives them no choice .
– The election is ZERO days away .
People are already voting in some states , in person and by mail .
No matter where you live , now is the time to volunteer to phone bank in early voting states .
Right now .
Today .
Turn off your TV and go win this thing right now !

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.
-----
-----
– There’s a pandemic, civil unrest, presidential election, Supreme Court nomination battle, large chunks of the country are literally on fire, and Senator Chuck Grassley has spent most of the day tweeting about a dead pigeon. Someone get this guy some professional help before it’s too late. Also, get him out of the Senate.
– Chuck Grassley isn’t the only one in need of professional help. During his speech on Saturday night, Donald Trump incoherently rambled about a planet called “Nars” and then went back and forth about whether he gave himself an “A plus” or a “D” for his handling of the pandemic. Somebody get this guy a straitjacket.
– Even more reason to vote Trump out: he’s promising to disappear forever if he loses.
– It’s cute that Trump supporters think harassing us outside polling places is somehow going to make us less likely to vote.
– Influential Senator Ed Markey and House Judiciary Chair Jerry Nader are both calling for expanding the Supreme Court if McConnell tries to rush through a confirmation. This is now a real thing. The Democrats are actually going to drop the hammer if McConnell gives them no choice.
– The election is ZERO days away. People are already voting in some states, in person and by mail. No matter where you live, now is the time to volunteer to phone bank in early voting states. Right now. Today. Turn off your TV and go win this thing right now!
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--2020-09-20--Joe Biden just destroyed Donald Trump

Joe Biden just destroyed Donald Trump

As his political and legal troubles continue to worsen and his cognitive abilities continue to fade , Donald Trump is @ @ @ @ @ during his public appearances .
Now that the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is clearly @ @ @ @ @ seems to be unraveling worse than ever .
On Saturday night , for reasons known @ @ @ @ @ Trump said this about Joe Biden : “ If I lose to him , I @ @ @ @ @ I ’ m gon na do .
I will never speak to you again .
@ @ @ @ @ me again.
” In response , Biden quickly turned Trump ’ s bizarre rant into @ @ @ @ @ course in reality , Donald Trump is in the process of being criminally indicted by @ @ @ @ @ York on state charges .
So if he loses the election , he ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ , and prison .

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.
-----
-----
As his political and legal troubles continue to worsen and his cognitive abilities continue to fade, Donald Trump is becoming more erratic than ever during his public appearances. Now that the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg is clearly galvanizing the Resistance, Trump seems to be unraveling worse than ever.
On Saturday night, for reasons known only to him, Donald Trump said this about Joe Biden: “If I lose to him, I don’t know what I’m gonna do. I will never speak to you again. You’ll never see me again.” In response, Biden quickly turned Trump’s bizarre rant into a campaign message:
I’m Joe Biden and I approve this message. pic.twitter.com/TuRZXPE5xK — Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) September 20, 2020
Of course in reality, Donald Trump is in the process of being criminally indicted by a grand jury in New York on state charges. So if he loses the election, he’ll be facing arrest, trial, and prison.
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--2020-09-22--Former Robert Mueller aide admits the smoking gun in the Trump-Russia scandal was sitting right unde

Former Robert Mueller aide admits the smoking gun in the Trump-Russia scandal was sitting right under his nose

One of the most utterly inexplicable storylines of the Trump era has been how a fierce and decorated prosecutor like Robert Mueller could spend the first year of his Trump-Russia probe going like gangbusters , busting Trump ’ s henchmen left and right , only to then spend the second year of the probe doing nothing and then giving up .
Now Mueller ’ s former right hand man Andrew Weissman is flat out admitting that Robert Mueller was ultimately afraid to do his job , for fear that Trump would fire him .
This still doesn ’ t explain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Gotti and Enron , would end up behaving like such a coward in the end .
But Weissman is revealing some some key details about the failed Mueller probe , and they ’ re pretty damning for both Trump and Mueller .
For instance , Weissman is confirming that the same Trump Organization bank account that sent payments to Stormy Daniels was also used to receive “ payments linked to a Russian oligarch.
” That ’ s a smoking gun which proves that Trump was being paid off by Kremlin interests .
Mueller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and chose to do nothing with it .
This is an outrage and a betrayal that could only possibly be excused if Mueller indeed went senile during his probe , as some observers have come to suspect .
Despite this absolute travesty of justice , there may be a silver lining of sorts .
After initiating the investigation into the Stormy Daniels payoffs , Mueller ended up referring the case to the Feds at the SDNY , who ultimately brought charges against Michael Cohen over it .
This suggests that SDNY has the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Kremlin , and that if Trump loses the election , it ’ ll all come to light .
To be clear , this is entirely separate from the ongoing and very public New York state criminal investigation that ’ s already in the process of indicting Trump .

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.
-----
-----
One of the most utterly inexplicable storylines of the Trump era has been how a fierce and decorated prosecutor like Robert Mueller could spend the first year of his Trump-Russia probe going like gangbusters, busting Trump’s henchmen left and right, only to then spend the second year of the probe doing nothing and then giving up.
Now Mueller’s former right hand man Andrew Weissman is flat out admitting that Robert Mueller was ultimately afraid to do his job, for fear that Trump would fire him. This still doesn’t explain why Mueller, who took down John Gotti and Enron, would end up behaving like such a coward in the end. But Weissman is revealing some some key details about the failed Mueller probe, and they’re pretty damning for both Trump and Mueller.
For instance, Weissman is confirming that the same Trump Organization bank account that sent payments to Stormy Daniels was also used to receive “payments linked to a Russian oligarch.” That’s a smoking gun which proves that Trump was being paid off by Kremlin interests. Mueller had this information during his investigation, and chose to do nothing with it. This is an outrage and a betrayal that could only possibly be excused if Mueller indeed went senile during his probe, as some observers have come to suspect.
Despite this absolute travesty of justice, there may be a silver lining of sorts. After initiating the investigation into the Stormy Daniels payoffs, Mueller ended up referring the case to the Feds at the SDNY, who ultimately brought charges against Michael Cohen over it. This suggests that SDNY has the banking records linking Donald Trump financially to the Kremlin, and that if Trump loses the election, it’ll all come to light. To be clear, this is entirely separate from the ongoing and very public New York state criminal investigation that’s already in the process of indicting Trump.
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--2020-09-21--New York grand jury confirms Donald Trump is facing criminal charges for tax fraud

When a New York grand jury subpoenaed Donald Trump ’ s tax returns late last year , it meant by definition that the grand jury was in the process of criminally indicting Trump .
Since that time , the Manhattan District Attorney has confirmed in various court filings that the charges against Trump will be for financial crimes .
This could have meant a few different things ; for instance the grand jury could have merely been seeking his tax returns to help confirm the campaign finance fraud he committed in paying off Stormy Daniels .
But now , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirming that Donald Trump is specifically facing criminal charges for tax fraud , according to a lengthy new report this evening from the New York Times .
This means Trump isn ’ t just being targeted for some one-off financial crime that he might be able to worm his way out of .
It means his entire financial life has been a crime , as we ’ ve all long suspected , and that he ’ s going to be indicted on a wide variety of felonies in New York .
This helps @ @ @ @ @ @ @ loses the election , he ’ s going to prison .
Convictions on systemic financial fraud are nearly automatic , and no president can pardon Trump on state charges .
This should serve as even more motivation to vote Trump out of office , and to work hard on volunteering and phone banking to make sure Trump gets voted out by an overwhelming margin .

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.
-----
-----
When a New York grand jury subpoenaed Donald Trump’s tax returns late last year, it meant by definition that the grand jury was in the process of criminally indicting Trump. Since that time, the Manhattan District Attorney has confirmed in various court filings that the charges against Trump will be for financial crimes. This could have meant a few different things; for instance the grand jury could have merely been seeking his tax returns to help confirm the campaign finance fraud he committed in paying off Stormy Daniels.
But now, for the first time, the DA is confirming that Donald Trump is specifically facing criminal charges for tax fraud, according to a lengthy new report this evening from the New York Times. This means Trump isn’t just being targeted for some one-off financial crime that he might be able to worm his way out of. It means his entire financial life has been a crime, as we’ve all long suspected, and that he’s going to be indicted on a wide variety of felonies in New York.
This helps to further underscore that if Donald Trump loses the election, he’s going to prison. Convictions on systemic financial fraud are nearly automatic, and no president can pardon Trump on state charges. This should serve as even more motivation to vote Trump out of office, and to work hard on volunteering and phone banking to make sure Trump gets voted out by an overwhelming margin.
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--2020-09-21--This FinCEN scandal is an absolute disaster for Donald Trump

The FinCEN files being reported on by Reuters and the BBC are a catastrophe for Trump .
FinCEN is short for Financial Crimes Enforcement Network .
Of course , if he wins in November , he will continue to fleece all of us , not just international mobsters , human traffickers and oligarchs .
If we get out the blue tsunami , however , the news will be reporting how many times his name pops up in such things as The Panama Papers , etc .
Trump is no billionaire .
He ’ s not even a millionaire given his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deals ” are .
He ’ s , of course , a fraud , but he ’ s also an entirely-owned-by-Russia fraud , a dangerous fraud , a treasonous fraud .
The MAGAts are having their boat parades and car parades ; let them .
They are the forlorn hope of the Republicans .
The South never rose again ; neither shall the Right .
They hitched their wagon to the Trump Death Star and now the youthful and the righteous are going to annihilate it November 3rd .
In the noise of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s still going to be useful to keep an eye on the stock market .
Not only was it too high , but the FinCEN revelations are going to tank it .
The stock market doesn ’ t like uncertainty .
It soared because it was on the trajectory set by Obama and because of tech .
The lack of regulations under Trump were also a boon , but that will end in predictable long-term catastrophe .
The stock market doesn ’ t like asset seizure and that is about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the word “ Enforcement.
” All this is another nail in the MAGAt coffin .
The erosion has been torturously slow these four years but the earth is finally falling irretrievably away .
Trump has the lowest approval rating he ’ s ever had .
With what ’ s likely to be in the news this week and the “ But my 401k ” folks watching their stocks tank , the market will be what finally , absolutely , kills off the Trump dream fever .
So , wear your mask and count @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ll be a lot of debris to wade through in the next few weeks .
Stay safe .

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.
-----
-----
The FinCEN files being reported on by Reuters and the BBC are a catastrophe for Trump. FinCEN is short for Financial Crimes Enforcement Network. Of course, if he wins in November, he will continue to fleece all of us, not just international mobsters, human traffickers and oligarchs. If we get out the blue tsunami, however, the news will be reporting how many times his name pops up in such things as The Panama Papers, etc. Trump is no billionaire. He’s not even a millionaire given his debt ratio and how failed his “deals” are. He’s, of course, a fraud, but he’s also an entirely-owned-by-Russia fraud, a dangerous fraud, a treasonous fraud.
The MAGAts are having their boat parades and car parades; let them. They are the forlorn hope of the Republicans. The South never rose again; neither shall the Right. They hitched their wagon to the Trump Death Star and now the youthful and the righteous are going to annihilate it November 3rd.
In the noise of all the everyday outrages by this administration, it’s still going to be useful to keep an eye on the stock market. Not only was it too high, but the FinCEN revelations are going to tank it. The stock market doesn’t like uncertainty. It soared because it was on the trajectory set by Obama and because of tech. The lack of regulations under Trump were also a boon, but that will end in predictable long-term catastrophe. The stock market doesn’t like asset seizure and that is about to happen according to FinCEN, hence the word “Enforcement.”
All this is another nail in the MAGAt coffin. The erosion has been torturously slow these four years but the earth is finally falling irretrievably away. Trump has the lowest approval rating he’s ever had. With what’s likely to be in the news this week and the “But my 401k” folks watching their stocks tank, the market will be what finally, absolutely, kills off the Trump dream fever. So, wear your mask and count the days to the election. There’ll be a lot of debris to wade through in the next few weeks. Stay safe.
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--2020-09-21--Donald Trump just stepped in it

Donald Trump just stepped in it

With the Republican Senate trying to quickly gear up to steal a Supreme Court seat before the election , and a few members of its ranks publicly defecting already , the best thing Donald Trump can do for his own cause is to shut up and stay out of the way .
This whole thing is controversial enough , without Trump handing the good guys a story to use against him .
So naturally , Donald Trump is running his mouth and making a complete mess for himself and his own side .
We ’ ve all heard the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wish was that her seat would remain open for now and only be filled by whoever wins the presidential election .
But Trump called in to Fox News today and insisted that this story isn ’ t true .
No , really .
Trump suggested that Nancy Pelosi , Adam Schiff , or Chuck Schumer somehow put these words in Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s mouth , and that she never actually said them .
This would mean that RBG ’ s granddaughter is lying about their final interaction .
This is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to make up .
It ’ s low even by his low standards .
It ’ s also a mistake .
Donald Trump is already proving that he can ’ t shut up and stay out of the way while his Republican Senate henchman do their dirty work .
He ’ s already making the whole thing about him and his deranged fantasies .
He ’ s risking shifting public sentiment even more thoroughly against the pre-election nomination stunt , and he ’ s giving cover for the most vulnerable of GOP Senators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just stepped in it .

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.
-----
-----
With the Republican Senate trying to quickly gear up to steal a Supreme Court seat before the election, and a few members of its ranks publicly defecting already, the best thing Donald Trump can do for his own cause is to shut up and stay out of the way. This whole thing is controversial enough, without Trump handing the good guys a story to use against him.
So naturally, Donald Trump is running his mouth and making a complete mess for himself and his own side. We’ve all heard the story that Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s dying wish was that her seat would remain open for now and only be filled by whoever wins the presidential election. But Trump called in to Fox News today and insisted that this story isn’t true. No, really.
Trump suggested that Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, or Chuck Schumer somehow put these words in Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s mouth, and that she never actually said them. This would mean that RBG’s granddaughter is lying about their final interaction. This is a stunningly hideous false accusation for Donald Trump to make up. It’s low even by his low standards.
It’s also a mistake. Donald Trump is already proving that he can’t shut up and stay out of the way while his Republican Senate henchman do their dirty work. He’s already making the whole thing about him and his deranged fantasies. He’s risking shifting public sentiment even more thoroughly against the pre-election nomination stunt, and he’s giving cover for the most vulnerable of GOP Senators to come out against it. Trump just stepped in it.
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--2020-09-21--The increasingly ugly story behind Robert Mueller’s miserable failure and Rod Rosenstein’s treason

When Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed to investigate an obviously guilty Donald Trump , he started off with a bang .
He quickly got Michael Flynn to flip on Trump .
He arrested George Papadopoulos and Paul Manafort .
There was every reason to expect that Mueller would continue on that path and take Trump down .
But somewhere along the way Mueller stopped doing his job , and in the end he simply gave up and went home .
So what happened ?
Now the details of the ugliest and most damaging failure in U.S. prosecutorial history are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of it ’ s even uglier than we thought .
Robert Mueller ’ s former top deputy , Andrew Weissmann , is now flat out admitting that Team Mueller failed to do its job , partly due to fear and intimidation .
While Weissmann doesn ’ t attack Mueller personally , he makes clear that Mueller screwed up by failing to subpoena Trump , and by failing to admit that Trump obstructed justice .
This comes on the heels of recent reporting that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had been secretly sabotaging Robert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start , going so far as to block Mueller from investigating Trump ’ s financial ties to Russia , while tricking the FBI into thinking that Mueller was following the money .
If Robert Mueller had done his job , and if Rod Rosenstein hadn ’ t tried too hard to prevent Mueller from doing his job , there ’ s a good chance Donald Trump would be in prison by now instead of still being in the White House .
At the least , Mueller ’ s reputation should be destroyed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – unless he really did go senile during his investigation .
And Rosenstein , by illegally obstructing an investigation into whether Trump was conspiring with the Russian government against the United States , is guilty of some form of treason .
Rosenstein must be put on criminal trial when this over .

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.
-----
-----
When Special Counsel Robert Mueller was appointed to investigate an obviously guilty Donald Trump, he started off with a bang. He quickly got Michael Flynn to flip on Trump. He arrested George Papadopoulos and Paul Manafort. There was every reason to expect that Mueller would continue on that path and take Trump down. But somewhere along the way Mueller stopped doing his job, and in the end he simply gave up and went home. So what happened?
Now the details of the ugliest and most damaging failure in U.S. prosecutorial history are starting to pour out – and some of it’s even uglier than we thought. Robert Mueller’s former top deputy, Andrew Weissmann, is now flat out admitting that Team Mueller failed to do its job, partly due to fear and intimidation. While Weissmann doesn’t attack Mueller personally, he makes clear that Mueller screwed up by failing to subpoena Trump, and by failing to admit that Trump obstructed justice.
This comes on the heels of recent reporting that Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein had been secretly sabotaging Robert Mueller’s investigation from the very start, going so far as to block Mueller from investigating Trump’s financial ties to Russia, while tricking the FBI into thinking that Mueller was following the money.
If Robert Mueller had done his job, and if Rod Rosenstein hadn’t tried too hard to prevent Mueller from doing his job, there’s a good chance Donald Trump would be in prison by now instead of still being in the White House. At the least, Mueller’s reputation should be destroyed by his cowardly refusal to do his job – unless he really did go senile during his investigation. And Rosenstein, by illegally obstructing an investigation into whether Trump was conspiring with the Russian government against the United States, is guilty of some form of treason. Rosenstein must be put on criminal trial when this over.
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--2020-09-21--The Republican game of changing the rules

For me , one of the most egregious parts of gaslighting is what I call “ the game of changing the rules.
” Those of you who have any experience with narcissists , particularly malignant narcissists , know exactly what I ’ m talking about and how the game is played .
Here ’ s an example drawn from real life .
Let ’ s say for years the narcissist used social occasions to publicly humiliate you by talking openly and jokingly to your mutual friends about your faults .
One night during a social occasion you turn the tables @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back at them .
You laugh and joke about their faults , their foibles .
He or she smiles good-naturedly and laughs along with you .
It ’ s not until you ’ re back in the car when the talons come out .
How dare you do that ?
Who the hell do you think you are ?
When you point out a small fraction of the dozens of times they did the exact same thing to you they tell you , in no uncertain terms , why this time is different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as if you ’ re too stupid to understand and have to be spoon fed the reasons .
The narcissist ’ s rationale is difficult to follow .
Sometimes it ’ s so convoluted you can ’ t reassemble it in its entirety later when describing it to a friend — or to a therapist .
That is a classic instance of “ changing the rules , ” and confusion is a classic side effect of the labyrinthine explanation of why the rules need changing .
After all , two of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ toolbox are hypocrisy combined with a freedom to change the rules of any game any time they wish .
One unenlightened practitioner of this odious game is Matt Gaetz .
Recall one instance when he was destroyed on Laura Ingraham ’ s show on Fox News ( of all places ) after accusing Democrats of politicizing the pandemic .
When his stunt of wearing a gas mask on the floor of the House was pointed out to him , his response was classic changing-the-rules gaslighting .
“ Oh please , ” Gaetz replied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I was making a point that we should be concerned about it as congressmen because in Congress we go through the dirtiest airports and we interact with a lot of people.
” Sure you were , Matt .
Matt was lying , of course .
His original point was he was mocking mask wearers .
It was the practical equivalent of , after being criticized for sloppy dress at work , showing up the next day in a tuxedo and tails .
But when his hypocrisy was later brought to light he changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaslighting narcissists do it , and , like the president of the United States , Congressman Gaetz is a gaslighting narcissist .
That ’ s why he loves Trump so much .
Back in 2016 , narcissistic , gaslighting Republicans sanctimoniously explained to us why it was inappropriate to nominate a Supreme Court Justice ( in this case Merrick Garland ) in an election year .
They were very careful about why , and explained it in great detail .
But don ’ t take my word for it .
Here are some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) said in response to the death of Antonin Scalia and the nomination of Garland , “ I don ’ t think we should be moving on a nominee in the last year of this president ’ s [ Barack Obama ’ s ] term .
I would say that if it was a Republican president.
” Of course you would , Marco .
Then there ’ s Senator David Perdue ( R-Ga. ) , who had this to say : “ The very balance of our nation ’ s highest court is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the Senate Judiciary Committee , I will do everything in my power to encourage the president and Senate leadership not to start this process until we hear from the American people [ e.g .
after January the following year when a new president and new Senate has been sworn in . ]
” Chuck Grassley ( R-Iowa ) : “ A lifetime appointment that could dramatically impact individual freedoms and change the direction of the court for at least a generation is too important to get bogged down in politics .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a voice.
” Mitch McConnell ( R-KY. ) : “ The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice .
Therefore , this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.
” I have several more , but I won ’ t bore you .
Besides , I saved the best for last .
Here ’ s what Senator Lindsey Graham ( R-S.C. ) had to say on the subject in 2018 , no less , and he even said that you can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ If an opening comes in the last year of President Trump ’ s term , and the primary process has started , we ’ ll wait to the next election.
” Okay , that was the official Republican position back in 2016 and as recently as 2018 , as enunciated by dozens of Republicans , and not one of them has ever contradicted it .
Until now .
By the way , we were fed all this sanctimony as early as a full nine months before the November 2016 election , because @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Now let ’ s see what the brand new , the improved , the rule-changing Republican gaslighting explanation is a mere 46 days before the election after Ruth Bader Ginsburg died .
This example of gaslighting rules changing duty comes to us compliments of narcissist and Senator Tom Cotton , ( R-AR ) .
In a speech back in 2016 , Cotton said , “ In a few short months we will have a new president and new senators who can consider the next [ Supreme Court ] justice with the full @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would we cut off the national debate about this next Justice ?
Why would we squelch the voice of the people ?
Why would we deny the voters a chance to weigh in on the makeup of the Supreme Court ?
” Here ’ s why .
On Sunday Senator Cotton told Fox News anchor Chris Wallace , “ Chris , the Senate majority is performing our Constitutional duty and fulfilling the mandate that the voters gave us in 2016 and especially in 2018.
” Ah , so there you are .
Rules @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of , er , the mandate !
Yeah , that ’ s the ticket !
Let the gaslighting of the narcissists begin !
As Occupy Democrats ’ Brian Tyler Cohen aptly and sardonically points out , they may as well be saying that 2016 was a year that began on a Friday and 2020 is a year that began on a Wednesday , and as everyone knows , you should never change justices on a year that begins on a Friday .
Got it .
The good news is that , even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Democrats have a game plan waiting in the wings .
If they do we will simply expand the Supreme Court after Democrats are back in control next January .
There is nothing sacrosanct about 9 justices .
Nowhere in the Constitution does it require that the Supreme Court be composed of 9 justices .
Historically the Court has contained anywhere from 6 to 10 justices .
So if we need to keep judicial balance by expanding the court to 11 then so be it .
It ’ s time we Democrats begin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Not only are we going to beat them , we ’ re also going to prove , in the long run , that we ’ re better at this game than they are .
In order to achieve this we positively must vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in November .
And make sure you also vote for your Democratic Senator and Congressperson , wherever possible .
And , as ever , ladies and gentlemen , brothers and sisters , comrades and friends , stay safe .

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.
-----
-----
For me, one of the most egregious parts of gaslighting is what I call “the game of changing the rules.” Those of you who have any experience with narcissists, particularly malignant narcissists, know exactly what I’m talking about and how the game is played.
Here’s an example drawn from real life. Let’s say for years the narcissist used social occasions to publicly humiliate you by talking openly and jokingly to your mutual friends about your faults. One night during a social occasion you turn the tables on them. You do it right back at them. You laugh and joke about their faults, their foibles. He or she smiles good-naturedly and laughs along with you. It’s not until you’re back in the car when the talons come out. How dare you do that? Who the hell do you think you are? When you point out a small fraction of the dozens of times they did the exact same thing to you they tell you, in no uncertain terms, why this time is different. They explain it condescendingly, jeeringly, as if you’re too stupid to understand and have to be spoon fed the reasons.
The narcissist’s rationale is difficult to follow. Sometimes it’s so convoluted you can’t reassemble it in its entirety later when describing it to a friend — or to a therapist. That is a classic instance of “changing the rules,” and confusion is a classic side effect of the labyrinthine explanation of why the rules need changing. After all, two of the salient features of the narcissist’s toolbox are hypocrisy combined with a freedom to change the rules of any game any time they wish.
One unenlightened practitioner of this odious game is Matt Gaetz. Recall one instance when he was destroyed on Laura Ingraham’s show on Fox News (of all places) after accusing Democrats of politicizing the pandemic. When his stunt of wearing a gas mask on the floor of the House was pointed out to him, his response was classic changing-the-rules gaslighting. “Oh please,” Gaetz replied, “give me a break. I was making a point that we should be concerned about it as congressmen because in Congress we go through the dirtiest airports and we interact with a lot of people.”
Sure you were, Matt. Matt was lying, of course. His original point was he was mocking mask wearers. It was the practical equivalent of, after being criticized for sloppy dress at work, showing up the next day in a tuxedo and tails. But when his hypocrisy was later brought to light he changed the rules. That’s how gaslighting narcissists do it, and, like the president of the United States, Congressman Gaetz is a gaslighting narcissist. That’s why he loves Trump so much.
Back in 2016, narcissistic, gaslighting Republicans sanctimoniously explained to us why it was inappropriate to nominate a Supreme Court Justice (in this case Merrick Garland) in an election year. They were very careful about why, and explained it in great detail. But don’t take my word for it. Here are some examples:
Senator Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) said in response to the death of Antonin Scalia and the nomination of Garland, “I don’t think we should be moving on a nominee in the last year of this president’s [Barack Obama’s] term. I would say that if it was a Republican president.” Of course you would, Marco.
Then there’s Senator David Perdue (R-Ga.), who had this to say: “The very balance of our nation’s highest court is in serious jeopardy. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I will do everything in my power to encourage the president and Senate leadership not to start this process until we hear from the American people [e.g. after January the following year when a new president and new Senate has been sworn in.]”
Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa): “A lifetime appointment that could dramatically impact individual freedoms and change the direction of the court for at least a generation is too important to get bogged down in politics. The American people shouldn’t be denied a voice.”
Mitch McConnell (R-KY.): “The American people should have a voice in the selection of their next Supreme Court Justice. Therefore, this vacancy should not be filled until we have a new president.”
I have several more, but I won’t bore you. Besides, I saved the best for last. Here’s what Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) had to say on the subject in 2018, no less, and he even said that you can quote him later if you wish: “If an opening comes in the last year of President Trump’s term, and the primary process has started, we’ll wait to the next election.”
Okay, that was the official Republican position back in 2016 and as recently as 2018, as enunciated by dozens of Republicans, and not one of them has ever contradicted it. Until now.
By the way, we were fed all this sanctimony as early as a full nine months before the November 2016 election, because that’s when Justice Scalia died. Now let’s see what the brand new, the improved, the rule-changing Republican gaslighting explanation is a mere 46 days before the election after Ruth Bader Ginsburg died.
This example of gaslighting rules changing duty comes to us compliments of narcissist and Senator Tom Cotton, (R-AR). In a speech back in 2016, Cotton said, “In a few short months we will have a new president and new senators who can consider the next [Supreme Court] justice with the full faith of the American people. Why would we cut off the national debate about this next Justice? Why would we squelch the voice of the people? Why would we deny the voters a chance to weigh in on the makeup of the Supreme Court?”
Here’s why. On Sunday Senator Cotton told Fox News anchor Chris Wallace, “Chris, the Senate majority is performing our Constitutional duty and fulfilling the mandate that the voters gave us in 2016 and especially in 2018.” Ah, so there you are. Rules changed! This time it’s because of, er, the mandate! Yeah, that’s the ticket! Let the gaslighting of the narcissists begin! As Occupy Democrats’ Brian Tyler Cohen aptly and sardonically points out, they may as well be saying that 2016 was a year that began on a Friday and 2020 is a year that began on a Wednesday, and as everyone knows, you should never change justices on a year that begins on a Friday. Got it.
The good news is that, even though Republicans just might pull this off, Democrats have a game plan waiting in the wings. If they do we will simply expand the Supreme Court after Democrats are back in control next January.
There is nothing sacrosanct about 9 justices. Nowhere in the Constitution does it require that the Supreme Court be composed of 9 justices. Historically the Court has contained anywhere from 6 to 10 justices. So if we need to keep judicial balance by expanding the court to 11 then so be it. It’s time we Democrats begin beating Republicans at their own game. Not only are we going to beat them, we’re also going to prove, in the long run, that we’re better at this game than they are.
In order to achieve this we positively must vote for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in November. And make sure you also vote for your Democratic Senator and Congressperson, wherever possible. And, as ever, ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, comrades and friends, stay safe.
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--2020-09-21--Donald Trump and Mitch McConnell are completely off the rails

The world lost a champion — a champion of women ’ s rights , LGBTQ rights , and the rights of every man and woman in this country .
The New York Times said that Ginsburg ascended to “ late-life rock stardom.
” Ginsburg has been a rock star since long before now .
She was the second woman to sit on the Supreme Court , replacing Byron R. White , who retired after 31 years on the bench .
Ginsburg would remain the lone female until President Barack Obama appointed two additional female justices , Sonia Sotomayor and Elena @ @ @ @ @ @ @ retire during Obama ’ s second term , she declined , saying that she hoped the next president “ will be a fine president.
” Little did she know that Obama would be succeeded by the worst president in history .
Ginsburg called Trump “ a faker , ” according to NYT , and she held on as long as she could to prevent him from stacking the court to overturn Roe v. Wade .
Trump is champing at the proverbial bit to replace Ginsburg , even before she has been laid to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell is not only disrespectful , but it directly contradicts what McConnell did in the last eight months of President Obama ’ s final term .
“ President ” Trump has less than two months until he likely loses .
Where is the justification for this ?
According to New York Post , McConnell claims that things are “ different ” because they have a Republican majority in the Senate .
That does not make “ things different ” it merely gives them a majority to do whatever they damn well please , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his complete lack of care for Justice Ginsburg , McConnell ’ s announcement came one and a half hours after the Supreme Court announced her death .
The Trump Republicans are nothing more than vultures in suits .
Senator Lisa Murkowski has already articulated her opposition to holding a vote this close to the election .
Murkowski told the Post that she “ did not support taking up a nomination eight months before the 2016 election … We are now even closer to the 2020 election , and I believe the same standard @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against holding a vote is Susan Collins .
If two additional Republican Senators join Murkowski and Collins , there will be no vote .
This is a good time for Mitt Romney to step up .
Trump has now vowed to nominate a woman .
Trump ’ s actions are so transparent that we can see Russia from Saran Palin ’ s porch through them .
In addition to this declaration , Trump has pledged billions to Puerto Rico for relief from Hurricane Maria , which support was previously withheld , and he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal with pharmaceutical companies , which he ended up blowing .
Trump has been in office for almost four years .
He could have accomplished any number of things to help the American people .
Now that he is facing an uphill battle to reelection , he is trying to buy our votes .
Trump and his fellow Republicans must go .
One of their worst shows of disrespect has come courtesy of Justice Ginsburg ’ s death .
We certainly can not expect them to respect us .

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.
-----
-----
The world lost a champion — a champion of women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, and the rights of every man and woman in this country. The New York Times said that Ginsburg ascended to “late-life rock stardom.” Ginsburg has been a rock star since long before now. She was the second woman to sit on the Supreme Court, replacing Byron R. White, who retired after 31 years on the bench. Ginsburg would remain the lone female until President Barack Obama appointed two additional female justices, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan. When Ginsburg was encouraged to retire during Obama’s second term, she declined, saying that she hoped the next president “will be a fine president.” Little did she know that Obama would be succeeded by the worst president in history. Ginsburg called Trump “a faker,” according to NYT, and she held on as long as she could to prevent him from stacking the court to overturn Roe v. Wade.
Trump is champing at the proverbial bit to replace Ginsburg, even before she has been laid to rest. The push by Trump and McConnell is not only disrespectful, but it directly contradicts what McConnell did in the last eight months of President Obama’s final term. “President” Trump has less than two months until he likely loses. Where is the justification for this? According to New York Post, McConnell claims that things are “different” because they have a Republican majority in the Senate. That does not make “things different” it merely gives them a majority to do whatever they damn well please, tradition and earlier behavior notwithstanding. Showing his complete lack of care for Justice Ginsburg, McConnell’s announcement came one and a half hours after the Supreme Court announced her death. The Trump Republicans are nothing more than vultures in suits.
Senator Lisa Murkowski has already articulated her opposition to holding a vote this close to the election. Murkowski told the Post that she “did not support taking up a nomination eight months before the 2016 election … We are now even closer to the 2020 election, and I believe the same standard must apply.” Joining Murkowski in speaking against holding a vote is Susan Collins. If two additional Republican Senators join Murkowski and Collins, there will be no vote. This is a good time for Mitt Romney to step up.
Trump has now vowed to nominate a woman. Trump’s actions are so transparent that we can see Russia from Saran Palin’s porch through them. In addition to this declaration, Trump has pledged billions to Puerto Rico for relief from Hurricane Maria, which support was previously withheld, and he has been scrambling furiously to make a deal with pharmaceutical companies, which he ended up blowing.
Trump has been in office for almost four years. He could have accomplished any number of things to help the American people. Now that he is facing an uphill battle to reelection, he is trying to buy our votes. Trump and his fellow Republicans must go. One of their worst shows of disrespect has come courtesy of Justice Ginsburg’s death. We certainly cannot expect them to respect us.
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--2020-09-21--The one thing no one is talking about that could derail Mitch McConnell’s attempt to fill the Suprem

The one thing no one is talking about that could derail Mitch McConnell’s attempt to fill the Supreme Court seat

The battle over Ruth Bader Ginsburg ’ s Supreme Court seat is a complex one with a number of fast-moving parts and conflicting goals , even within the GOP Senate .
And with the Democrats making unprecedented threats about expanding the court , Mitch McConnell is facing a complicated equation .
Anyone who thinks they know for certain how it ’ s going to turn out is being wildly overconfident in their predictive abilities .
For instance , what if McConnell concludes that his best chance of retaining majority control over the Senate is to keep the seat open until @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to ram through a nomination during the lame duck session .
This would be an extraordinarily unpopular move , and if he loses the Senate majority anyway , the Democrats could simply expand the court in 2021 .
But here ’ s the thing about the lame duck period : by then , Donald Trump could have a very different agenda .
New York already has a widely documented grand jury in the process of indicting Donald Trump on state charges for his financial crimes .
If he loses the election , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ criminally charged and put on trial – and no president can pardon him on state charges .
So if Trump loses , he ’ s going to spend the transition period scrambling to try to figure out how to negotiate a leniency deal , or otherwise get himself off the hook .
At that point Donald Trump would have his hands full trying to save his own life , and he would have zero remaining interest in trying to ram through an illegitimate Supreme Court nominee in the face of what would be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the nomination battle in favor of focusing on his own rapidly collapsing life , McConnell would have an even harder time pulling it off without him .
This is only one possible scenario , of course .
But if Mitch McConnell thinks he can merely wait until the transition period and then pull a fast one , he has to consider that by that time , Donald Trump ’ s focus and interests could be entirely elsewhere .

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.
-----
-----
The battle over Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Supreme Court seat is a complex one with a number of fast-moving parts and conflicting goals, even within the GOP Senate. And with the Democrats making unprecedented threats about expanding the court, Mitch McConnell is facing a complicated equation. Anyone who thinks they know for certain how it’s going to turn out is being wildly overconfident in their predictive abilities.
For instance, what if McConnell concludes that his best chance of retaining majority control over the Senate is to keep the seat open until after election day? He could try to ram through a nomination during the lame duck session. This would be an extraordinarily unpopular move, and if he loses the Senate majority anyway, the Democrats could simply expand the court in 2021. But here’s the thing about the lame duck period: by then, Donald Trump could have a very different agenda.
New York already has a widely documented grand jury in the process of indicting Donald Trump on state charges for his financial crimes. If he loses the election, he’s going to end up being criminally charged and put on trial – and no president can pardon him on state charges. So if Trump loses, he’s going to spend the transition period scrambling to try to figure out how to negotiate a leniency deal, or otherwise get himself off the hook.
At that point Donald Trump would have his hands full trying to save his own life, and he would have zero remaining interest in trying to ram through an illegitimate Supreme Court nominee in the face of what would be fierce nationwide pushback. If Trump abandoned the nomination battle in favor of focusing on his own rapidly collapsing life, McConnell would have an even harder time pulling it off without him.
This is only one possible scenario, of course. But if Mitch McConnell thinks he can merely wait until the transition period and then pull a fast one, he has to consider that by that time, Donald Trump’s focus and interests could be entirely elsewhere.
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--2020-09-21--Insider: Lindsey Graham is completely rattled

In the 48 hours since Ruth Bader Ginsberg passed away , Lindsey Graham ’ s tweets have become more cocky , openly villainous , and even taunting in nature .
He ’ s bragging about how he flip flopped on filling a last minute Supreme Court vacancy before an election .
You ’ d think the prick was in hog heaven .
But behind the scenes , it ’ s a different story .
MSNBC host Joy Reid just tweeted this : “ A GOP source with eyes on SC tells me despite his in-your-face flip flop on voting in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ election , Lindsey Graham is privately rattled about that tie he ’ s in with Jaime Harrison .
He ’ s never really faced a viable , well-funded challenger.
” This isn ’ t necessarily surprising .
Lindsey Graham bet big on the premise that sucking up to Donald Trump could make him relevant in the latest iteration of the Republican Party .
But instead , Trump ’ s toxic unpopularity – and Graham ’ s own increasingly deranged behavior in the name of propping Trump up – has dragged Graham ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s behavior is also becoming more erratic and mentally unstable by the day , so it ’ s not a shock to hear that he ’ s falling apart behind the scenes .
Graham seems to be headed toward not only a potential loss , but some kind of mental breakdown .
If you want to help finish him off , you can donate to Jaime Harrison here .

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.
-----
-----
In the 48 hours since Ruth Bader Ginsberg passed away, Lindsey Graham’s tweets have become more cocky, openly villainous, and even taunting in nature. He’s bragging about how he flip flopped on filling a last minute Supreme Court vacancy before an election. You’d think the prick was in hog heaven.
But behind the scenes, it’s a different story. MSNBC host Joy Reid just tweeted this: “A GOP source with eyes on SC tells me despite his in-your-face flip flop on voting in a SCOTUS justice 40-something days before an election, Lindsey Graham is privately rattled about that tie he’s in with Jaime Harrison. He’s never really faced a viable, well-funded challenger.”
This isn’t necessarily surprising. Lindsey Graham bet big on the premise that sucking up to Donald Trump could make him relevant in the latest iteration of the Republican Party. But instead, Trump’s toxic unpopularity – and Graham’s own increasingly deranged behavior in the name of propping Trump up – has dragged Graham’s popularity into the gutter.
Lindsey Graham’s behavior is also becoming more erratic and mentally unstable by the day, so it’s not a shock to hear that he’s falling apart behind the scenes. Graham seems to be headed toward not only a potential loss, but some kind of mental breakdown. If you want to help finish him off, you can donate to Jaime Harrison here.
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.