palmerreport--2020-08-10--Donald Trump goes totally berserk about Anthony Scaramucci of all people

Five million Americans have now caught the coronavirus , the death toll is well into six figures , the economy is in shambles , and America is falling apart .
Even if Trump doesn ’ t care about any of that , you ’ d think he ’ d be focused on the fact that he ’ s losing this election badly , and he ’ s headed to prison in New York if he doesn ’ t turn things around .
Instead , Trump has decided that the most pressing matter on his agenda right now is Anthony Scaramucci @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump is now spending the evening ranting on Twitter about his former White House Communications Director , who has since turned sharply against him .
This is all because the Mooch went on TV tonight and dared to criticize Trump , and apparently Trump was watching .
This means that when you picture a lethargic Donald Trump lying in bed watching Fox News at his golf resort and rage tweeting about what ’ s on his screen , you ’ re picturing things with perfect accuracy .
He really is that much @ @ @ @

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Five million Americans have now caught the coronavirus, the death toll is well into six figures, the economy is in shambles, and America is falling apart. Even if Trump doesn’t care about any of that, you’d think he’d be focused on the fact that he’s losing this election badly, and he’s headed to prison in New York if he doesn’t turn things around.
Instead, Trump has decided that the most pressing matter on his agenda right now is Anthony Scaramucci. Wait, what? No really, Trump is now spending the evening ranting on Twitter about his former White House Communications Director, who has since turned sharply against him. This is all because the Mooch went on TV tonight and dared to criticize Trump, and apparently Trump was watching.
This means that when you picture a lethargic Donald Trump lying in bed watching Fox News at his golf resort and rage tweeting about what’s on his screen, you’re picturing things with perfect accuracy. He really is that much of a joke.
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--2020-08-10--Looks like Donald Trump just got the college football season canceled

Donald Trump has cost a lot of things , big and small .
He cost us 160,000 American lives .
He cost us what had been a robust economy .
He cost us our standing in the world .
Now , just to rub it in , it turns out he ’ s apparently also cost us the upcoming college football season .
Sports Illustrated is reporting tonight that the Big Ten conference is planning to announce tomorrow that it will cancel or indefinitely postpone its entire season due to the worsening coronavirus crisis .
The expectation is that this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to cancel their seasons as well .
Considering that the United States just reached its five millionth coronavirus case today , even as some other nations haven ’ t had a single coronavirus crisis in months , it ’ s clear that this is solely due to Donald Trump ’ s dishonest and deranged mishandling of the pandemic .
Trump fans won ’ t want to hear it , but their idiot leader just got their precious college football season canceled .
Trump promised he ’ d get rid of kneeling in football @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s gotten rid of college football altogether .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald Trump has cost a lot of things, big and small. He cost us 160,000 American lives. He cost us what had been a robust economy. He cost us our standing in the world. Now, just to rub it in, it turns out he’s apparently also cost us the upcoming college football season.
Sports Illustrated is reporting tonight that the Big Ten conference is planning to announce tomorrow that it will cancel or indefinitely postpone its entire season due to the worsening coronavirus crisis. The expectation is that this will force the other four largest conferences to cancel their seasons as well.
Considering that the United States just reached its five millionth coronavirus case today, even as some other nations haven’t had a single coronavirus crisis in months, it’s clear that this is solely due to Donald Trump’s dishonest and deranged mishandling of the pandemic.
Trump fans won’t want to hear it, but their idiot leader just got their precious college football season canceled. Trump promised he’d get rid of kneeling in football. Now it turns out he’s gotten rid of college football altogether.
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--2020-08-10--The latest narrative about how Donald Trump is going to magically win

Pundits keep telling us that the further Donald Trump falls behind in the polls , and the more legal trouble he ’ s facing if he loses reelection , the more motivated he ’ ll be to cheat , therefore he ’ ll magically win reelection .
Let ’ s talk about how silly this narrative is .
For starters , the original tax return subpoena made clear last year that a New York grand jury was going to indict Trump .
Just because the media ignored this until recently , it doesn ’ t mean Trump hasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to prison if he loses .
It ’ s not news to him .
It ’ s why he spent all this time fighting ( and failing ) in court to try to stop the subpoena .
So the whole “ Now that Trump suddenly knows he ’ s going to prison if he loses , he ’ s suddenly going to be more motivated to cheat , therefore he ’ ll magically win ” narrative goes out the window .
You can also throw out the “ Trump is falling further @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more motivated to cheat ” narrative .
Are we really supposed to believe there are cheating tactics Trump would try if he ’ s 12 points down that he wouldn ’ t try if he ’ s 7 points down ?
Come on .
It ’ s also a false premise that being more motivated to cheat somehow translates to being more effective at cheating .
We ’ re supposed to believe that additional pressure and desperation is going to make Trump a smarter and more competent cheater ?
We ’ ve all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dire things look for one side , the more inspired that side is to come up with a genius plan that magically saves the day .
But this isn ’ t the movies .
It ’ s weirder than the movies , for sure .
But real world logic still applies to this election , not movie logic .
The reality is this : – Trump will try to cheat – The cheating may help him , it may not – Falling further behind does not magically help him – If you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people to vote “ But Russia will magically rig the election for Trump again !
” Wasn ’ t effective last time .
If not for Comey ’ s letter , Russian meddling wouldn ’ t have been enough to put Trump over the top .
“ But the post office is his new magic wand !
” No it isn ’ t .
“ Bill Barr is Trump ’ s magic wand !
” No .
“ Kanye is his new magic wand !
” Still no .
Each of these attempts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by a point , or a half a point , in Trump ’ s direction .
So yes , we have to watch out for them .
But none of them are magic wands .
Cheating in an election is really hard – and it can always be overcome by turnout .
Run up the score against Trump on election day , and he loses .
It ’ s that straightforward .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Pundits keep telling us that the further Donald Trump falls behind in the polls, and the more legal trouble he’s facing if he loses reelection, the more motivated he’ll be to cheat, therefore he’ll magically win reelection. Let’s talk about how silly this narrative is.
For starters, the original tax return subpoena made clear last year that a New York grand jury was going to indict Trump. Just because the media ignored this until recently, it doesn’t mean Trump hasn’t understood all along that he’s going to prison if he loses. It’s not news to him. It’s why he spent all this time fighting (and failing) in court to try to stop the subpoena. So the whole “Now that Trump suddenly knows he’s going to prison if he loses, he’s suddenly going to be more motivated to cheat, therefore he’ll magically win” narrative goes out the window.
You can also throw out the “Trump is falling further behind, therefore he’ll be more motivated to cheat” narrative. Are we really supposed to believe there are cheating tactics Trump would try if he’s 12 points down that he wouldn’t try if he’s 7 points down? Come on.
It’s also a false premise that being more motivated to cheat somehow translates to being more effective at cheating. We’re supposed to believe that additional pressure and desperation is going to make Trump a smarter and more competent cheater? We’ve all watched too many movies where the more dire things look for one side, the more inspired that side is to come up with a genius plan that magically saves the day. But this isn’t the movies. It’s weirder than the movies, for sure. But real world logic still applies to this election, not movie logic.
The reality is this:
– Trump will try to cheat – He’ll do it ineptly – The cheating may help him, it may not – Falling further behind does not magically help him – Desperation tactics have a low percentage of working – If you’re worried, go register some more people to vote
“But Russia will magically rig the election for Trump again!” Wasn’t effective last time. If not for Comey’s letter, Russian meddling wouldn’t have been enough to put Trump over the top. “But the post office is his new magic wand!” No it isn’t. “Bill Barr is Trump’s magic wand!” No. “Kanye is his new magic wand!” Still no.
Each of these attempts at cheating can potentially shift the results by a point, or a half a point, in Trump’s direction. So yes, we have to watch out for them. But none of them are magic wands. Cheating in an election is really hard – and it can always be overcome by turnout. Run up the score against Trump on election day, and he loses. It’s that straightforward.
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--2020-08-10--Mike Pence goes completely off the rails

This past week , Mike Pence called Supreme Court of the United States Chief Justice John Roberts a “ disappointment.
” Why ?
Well , apparently because he thinks Chief Justice Roberts “ has been a disappointment to conservatives ” in light of the outcomes of several high-profile Supreme Court opinions .
To that , I say this : Mike , deal with it .
Many people , Mike Pence included , seem to forget that the Supreme Court and Congress are the heads of the Judicial and Legislative Branches , respectively , which make them in equal power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ i.e .
the President .
It would make more sense to think of the United States government as a tripartite republic than a nation governed by just one branch of government .
Certainly , the Framers of the Constitution had the former in mind with the express intent to prevent a king-like head of state .
In other words , the Supreme Court , Chief Justice Roberts especially , can tell Mike Pence to eat shit .
Even if the Supreme Court had a fealty or obligation to political whim , which it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ find it rich that Pence would call Chief Justice Roberts a “ disappointment.
” “ Why ?
” you ask ?
Well , because there ’ s a mountain of evidence to suggest that Pence isn ’ t just a disappointment , he ’ s also so stupid as to be dangerous .
Infamously , during Pence ’ s tenure as governor of Indiana , he dropped the ball on one of the worst HIV breakouts in recent American history .
Over 200 people became infected with HIV in a county with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the outbreak only reached that peak because Pence was hesitant to start a needle exchange for drug users .
Pence was so incompetent that even some Indiana Republicans were eager to see him leave office .
“ Under Mike Pence , Indiana ’ s lagging economy and poor income strength for Hoosiers has the entire state falling behind the national average… Gov .
Pence prioritized a social agenda that included RFRA , one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation , and a ban on Syrian refugees.
” Not a good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s failed us time and time again in doing something useful to allay the COVID-19 pandemic .
And apparently , being dangerously stupid runs in the family , too .
Pence ’ s older brother , Representative Greg Pence , has “ Jim Crow-era memorabilia placed throughout ” his mall in Edinburgh , Indiana .
I could go on for some time .
But what truly makes Pence a world-class dangerous idiot is this : Pence is a hypocrite and a liar whose legacy will be one of complicity and moral turpitude .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it will be for his role as Trump ’ s asleep-on-the-job handler—the man who could have helped steer us away from the cliff edge , but did not .
For a man who considers himself a patriot , there is surely no worse fate than having a legacy of betrayal against your country .
George Will wrote for the Washington Post about how Pence — not Trump — is the worst person in government today , and you know what ?
He has some good points .
So Pence , next time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disappointment , ” remember your past , consider your legacy , and then shut up .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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This past week, Mike Pence called Supreme Court of the United States Chief Justice John Roberts a “disappointment.” Why? Well, apparently because he thinks Chief Justice Roberts “has been a disappointment to conservatives” in light of the outcomes of several high-profile Supreme Court opinions. To that, I say this: Mike, deal with it.
Many people, Mike Pence included, seem to forget that the Supreme Court and Congress are the heads of the Judicial and Legislative Branches, respectively, which make them in equal power to the head of the Executive Branch, i.e. the President. It would make more sense to think of the United States government as a tripartite republic than a nation governed by just one branch of government. Certainly, the Framers of the Constitution had the former in mind with the express intent to prevent a king-like head of state.
In other words, the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Roberts especially, can tell Mike Pence to eat shit. Even if the Supreme Court had a fealty or obligation to political whim, which it doesn’t officially have, I find it rich that Pence would call Chief Justice Roberts a “disappointment.” “Why?” you ask? Well, because there’s a mountain of evidence to suggest that Pence isn’t just a disappointment, he’s also so stupid as to be dangerous.
Infamously, during Pence’s tenure as governor of Indiana, he dropped the ball on one of the worst HIV breakouts in recent American history. Over 200 people became infected with HIV in a county with a population of just about 24,000, and the outbreak only reached that peak because Pence was hesitant to start a needle exchange for drug users.
Pence was so incompetent that even some Indiana Republicans were eager to see him leave office. “Under Mike Pence, Indiana’s lagging economy and poor income strength for Hoosiers has the entire state falling behind the national average… Gov. Pence prioritized a social agenda that included RFRA, one of the most restrictive abortion laws in the nation, and a ban on Syrian refugees.” Not a good look. More recently, he’s failed us time and time again in doing something useful to allay the COVID-19 pandemic.
And apparently, being dangerously stupid runs in the family, too. Pence’s older brother, Representative Greg Pence, has “Jim Crow-era memorabilia placed throughout” his mall in Edinburgh, Indiana.
I could go on for some time. But what truly makes Pence a world-class dangerous idiot is this: Pence is a hypocrite and a liar whose legacy will be one of complicity and moral turpitude. For what little he will be remembered, it will be for his role as Trump’s asleep-on-the-job handler—the man who could have helped steer us away from the cliff edge, but did not. For a man who considers himself a patriot, there is surely no worse fate than having a legacy of betrayal against your country. George Will wrote for the Washington Post about how Pence — not Trump — is the worst person in government today, and you know what? He has some good points.
So Pence, next time you want to call somebody a “disappointment,” remember your past, consider your legacy, and then shut up.
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--2020-08-09--Rudy Giuliani just got destroyed

Rudy Giuliani just got destroyed

Rudy Giuliani , once known as America ’ s Mayor , has since devolved into a treasonous buffoon who has @ @ @ @ @ foreign governments in the hope of rigging the 2020 election in Donald Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ awaits criminal charges that are inevitably coming , he ’ s also losing the court @ @ @ @ @ , for instance , this woman who asked to pose for a selfie with Rudy @ @ @ @ @ the occasion to tell Rudy what she really thought of him : Thus far Rudy @ @ @ @ @ anything in response to the now-viral video .
That ’ s probably not surprising .
@ @ @ @ @ s mental faculties have been falling apart , he probably doesn ’ t even remember @ @ @ @

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Rudy Giuliani, once known as America’s Mayor, has since devolved into a treasonous buffoon who has been caught criminally conspiring with foreign governments in the hope of rigging the 2020 election in Donald Trump’s favor. Even as Rudy awaits criminal charges that are inevitably coming, he’s also losing the court of public opinion.
Take, for instance, this woman who asked to pose for a selfie with Rudy Giuliani, but instead used the occasion to tell Rudy what she really thought of him:
The Apple doesn't fall from the tree. My late Mother would be proud we both stood up for Democracy pic.twitter.com/Ihty2QP2iy — psychmd🆘 (@psychmd1) August 8, 2020
.
Thus far Rudy Giuliani hasn’t tweeted anything in response to the now-viral video. That’s probably not surprising. Considering how thoroughly Rudy’s mental faculties have been falling apart, he probably doesn’t even remember the incident happened.
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--2020-08-09--The real trouble with Donald Trump’s misuse of words and symbols

Last month a friend of mine messaged me and complained of my use of the word “ comrades ” in the close of my articles .
It is a grievance I encounter from time to time .
She was referring to what I privately call my “ Hitchens Benediction.
” Christopher Hitchens frequently began his public addresses with the words , “ Ladies and gentlemen , brothers and sisters , comrades and friends.
” I use those words as a kind of homage to him .
I don ’ t doubt Mr. Hitchens got served up occasional grief for using @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have , and I am happy to suffer with him in personal solidarity and as a vestige of my admiration for my late , great , fellow-traveler .
Her objection was that it reminded her too much of “ Russian interference.
” It does present a quandary , not because there ’ s anything wrong with the word , but because it ’ s a word so often associated with Russia in general and the former Soviet Union in particular .
It doesn ’ t matter that the word the Russians used @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” has no root in common with my word , which is derived from the Spanish word “ camarada.
” “ Comrade ” pushes certain buttons in certain people .
My point is I think the effect of those buttons ought to be actively resisted .
We ought to recognize the tendency to find false meaning behind the use of certain words and symbols as a tendency that is more common among Republicans — and get over it .
It is also a measure of my curmudgeonly nature that I intend to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
What ’ s good for Hitchens is certainly good for me .
“ Comrade ” was a word made particularly nasty by men like Richard Nixon , Joseph McCarthy , Ray Cohn , and the whole ugly , braying , blaming crowd of Cold War era hate mongers .
The Kennedys didn ’ t do the word any favors either , but the most egregious misuses of the symbology behind words was done by Nixonian Republicans .
It was a tendency that Harry Truman frequently referred to as a red herring , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do so .
It is what Republicans are still trying to do with symbols and the symbology of words even today .
So when Republicans today use words like “ Antifa , ” “ socialism , ” “ China Virus , ” “ defund , ” “ Obamagate , ” “ Deep State , ” “ Benghazi , ” “ Burisma , ” and so on , they imply far more than is actually there , and need it be said ?
, far more than they can competently and historically justify .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and false symbols misused to inspire hate , fear and prejudice is characteristically Republican and wholly inappropriate to where we ought to be today as a species .
One thing that Barack Obama did that I particularly admire ( and for which he got endless criticism , of course ) was that he spoke in whole paragraphs about complicated topics , because the topics he spoke about were complicated and paragraphs were required .
Obama did another thing along those same lines that I like .
He removed speech-making from the realm of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a different realm , the realm of the art of direct and personal communication .
He stopped speaking at us and instead spoke to us .
( Don ’ t get me wrong , there ’ s still a place for oratory .
Martin Luther King ’ s “ I have a dream ” speech can still move and inspire in all the right ways all these years later .
But oratory is at its best when it is used to move and inspire , not when it is used to promote and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump speaks he speaks at us , using misapplied words intended to inflame , words that try to reach into our fears and our prejudices .
He is a merchant of hate and fear and blame .
He and his kind torture words until they are deformed into symbols as ugly as a swastika and as antithetical to democracy as the confederate flag .
It is how the Republicans justify the protection of statues of racists .
It is how they justify heaping scorn and hatred on people of color protesting their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ironic that the biggest merchants of symbolic hatreds can find whole universes behind rare excursions into the symbology of the Left .
“ Black Lives Matter ” becomes “ hate speech ” in the hands of Donald Trump and his acolytes .
They are just inches away from calling it “ Crimethink.
” It is no surprise that George Orwell noticed this proclivity of fascism , what he called “ the destruction of words , ” and wrote about it with such brooding clarity in his books and articles , particularly in “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Donald Trump is likewise a destroyer of words .
He has a vocabulary that is limited to very few words , like “ tremendous , ” “ disgusting , ” “ strongly , ” “ shithole , ” and so on .
He complains when he mistakenly thinks there are too many words to describe one thing , like “ England , ” “ Britain ” and “ the United Kingdom.
” For Trump , “ China Virus ” takes care of the , to him , baffling array of words used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The terms “ Coronavirus , ” “ COVID-19 ” and “ SARS-CoV-2 ” have their usages that are distinctions too subtle for Trump ’ s limited mind .
Besides , “ China Virus ” satisfies two things at once for Trump .
It appeals to his bigoted xenophobia and redirects the blame for his disasterous response to the pandemic onto the shoulders of the Chinese government .
Of course Trump doesn ’ t care if use of the term causes violence against Asian Americans .
He has never cared if people get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ words and symbols .
We have it in our power to do something more than symbolic in November .
We can vote this repulsive monster out of office .
Let ’ s do so , ladies and gentlemen , brothers and sisters , comrades and friends , and stay safe when you do 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.
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Last month a friend of mine messaged me and complained of my use of the word “comrades” in the close of my articles. It is a grievance I encounter from time to time. She was referring to what I privately call my “Hitchens Benediction.” Christopher Hitchens frequently began his public addresses with the words, “Ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, comrades and friends.” I use those words as a kind of homage to him. I don’t doubt Mr. Hitchens got served up occasional grief for using the word “comrades” just as I have, and I am happy to suffer with him in personal solidarity and as a vestige of my admiration for my late, great, fellow-traveler.
Her objection was that it reminded her too much of “Russian interference.” It does present a quandary, not because there’s anything wrong with the word, but because it’s a word so often associated with Russia in general and the former Soviet Union in particular. It doesn’t matter that the word the Russians used, and still use, “tovarisch,” has no root in common with my word, which is derived from the Spanish word “camarada.” “Comrade” pushes certain buttons in certain people.
My point is I think the effect of those buttons ought to be actively resisted. We ought to recognize the tendency to find false meaning behind the use of certain words and symbols as a tendency that is more common among Republicans — and get over it. It is also a measure of my curmudgeonly nature that I intend to go right on using the word anyway. What’s good for Hitchens is certainly good for me.
“Comrade” was a word made particularly nasty by men like Richard Nixon, Joseph McCarthy, Roy Cohn, and the whole ugly, braying, blaming crowd of Cold War era hate mongers. The Kennedys didn’t do the word any favors either, but the most egregious misuses of the symbology behind words was done by Nixonian Republicans. It was a tendency that Harry Truman frequently referred to as a red herring, and I believe he was right to do so.
It is what Republicans are still trying to do with symbols and the symbology of words even today. So when Republicans today use words like “Antifa,” “socialism,” “China Virus,” “defund,” “Obamagate,” “Deep State,” “Benghazi,” “Burisma,” and so on, they imply far more than is actually there, and need it be said?, far more than they can competently and historically justify.
This foreshortening of the language into quick and false symbols misused to inspire hate, fear and prejudice is characteristically Republican and wholly inappropriate to where we ought to be today as a species. One thing that Barack Obama did that I particularly admire (and for which he got endless criticism, of course) was that he spoke in whole paragraphs about complicated topics, because the topics he spoke about were complicated and paragraphs were required.
Obama did another thing along those same lines that I like. He removed speech-making from the realm of strict rhetorical oratory and brought it into a different realm, the realm of the art of direct and personal communication. He stopped speaking at us and instead spoke to us. (Don’t get me wrong, there’s still a place for oratory. Martin Luther King’s “I have a dream” speech can still move and inspire in all the right ways all these years later. But oratory is at its best when it is used to move and inspire, not when it is used to promote and inspire hatred and fear.)
When Donald Trump speaks he speaks at us, using misapplied words intended to inflame, words that try to reach into our fears and our prejudices. He is a merchant of hate and fear and blame. He and his kind torture words until they are deformed into symbols as ugly as a swastika and as antithetical to democracy as the confederate flag. It is how the Republicans justify the protection of statues of racists. It is how they justify heaping scorn and hatred on people of color protesting their own brutalisations and murders.
It is ironic that the biggest merchants of symbolic hatreds can find whole universes behind rare excursions into the symbology of the Left. “Black Lives Matter” becomes “hate speech” in the hands of Donald Trump and his acolytes. They are just inches away from calling it “Crimethink.”
It is no surprise that George Orwell noticed this proclivity of fascism, what he called “the destruction of words,” and wrote about it with such brooding clarity in his books and articles, particularly in “1984” and “Animal Farm.” Donald Trump is likewise a destroyer of words. He has a vocabulary that is limited to very few words, like “tremendous,” “disgusting,” “strongly,” “shithole,” and so on. He complains when he mistakenly thinks there are too many words to describe one thing, like “England,” “Britain” and “the United Kingdom.”
For Trump, “China Virus” takes care of the, to him, baffling array of words used to describe the disease of the current pandemic. The terms “Coronavirus,” “COVID-19” and “SARS-CoV-2” have their usages that are distinctions too subtle for Trump’s limited mind. Besides, “China Virus” satisfies two things at once for Trump. It appeals to his bigoted xenophobia and redirects the blame for his disasterous response to the pandemic onto the shoulders of the Chinese government. Of course Trump doesn’t care if use of the term causes violence against Asian Americans. He has never cared if people get hurt because of his hateful misuse of words and symbols.
We have it in our power to do something more than symbolic in November. We can vote this repulsive monster out of office. Let’s do so, ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, comrades and friends, and stay safe when you do 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--2020-08-09--Donald Trump’s National Security Advisor is even more of a joke than we thought

Donald Trump is now on his fourth permanent National Security Advisor , and that ’ s not counting the two additional people who held the position on an interim basis .
It ’ s a reminder of just how chaotic , ineffective , and scandal-ridden Trump ’ s regime is .
Now it turns out the latest guy is even more of a joke than his predecessors .
National Security Advisor Robert O ’ Brien appeared on Face The Nation this morning and said this : “ Unlike my predecessors , I don ’ t get involved in conversations the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , what ?
That ’ s literally the job of the National Security Advisor .
The guy is flat out admitting that he ’ s only there as a placeholder , and that he ’ s not actually doing the job .
That ’ s startling , considering he ’ s had the job since last September .
Of course Robert O ’ Brien has some stiff competition when it comes to being an embarrassment .
Donald Trump ’ s first National Security Advisor Michael Flynn is now a convicted criminal who ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s second National Security Advisor was H.R .
McMaster who ended up calling Trump a “ dope.
” Trump ’ s third National Security Advisor was John Bolton , and we all know how that one played out .
Vote these clowns out !

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald Trump is now on his fourth permanent National Security Advisor, and that’s not counting the two additional people who held the position on an interim basis. It’s a reminder of just how chaotic, ineffective, and scandal-ridden Trump’s regime is. Now it turns out the latest guy is even more of a joke than his predecessors.
National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien appeared on Face The Nation this morning and said this: “Unlike my predecessors, I don’t get involved in conversations the president has with foreign leaders.” Wait, what? That’s literally the job of the National Security Advisor. The guy is flat out admitting that he’s only there as a placeholder, and that he’s not actually doing the job. That’s startling, considering he’s had the job since last September.
Of course Robert O’Brien has some stiff competition when it comes to being an embarrassment. Donald Trump’s first National Security Advisor Michael Flynn is now a convicted criminal who’s trying to fend off prison. Trump’s second National Security Advisor was H.R. McMaster who ended up calling Trump a “dope.” Trump’s third National Security Advisor was John Bolton, and we all know how that one played out. Vote these clowns out!
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--2020-08-09--New York’s criminal investigation into Donald Trump broadens

Donald Trump ’ s business improprieties have once again come to the fore .
The New York Times reports that “ [ t ] he New York prosecutors who are seeking President Trump ’ s tax records have also subpoenaed his longtime lender , a sign that their criminal investigation into Mr. Trump ’ s business practices is more wide-ranging than previously known.
” This has some serious long-term implications .
First , Trump ’ s personal business dealings are under serious scrutiny , perhaps more scrutiny than ever before .
One notable example of suspected improprieties is that there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his assets to obtain more favorable loans from Deutsche Bank .
Another notable example of a source of suspected improprieties comes from Trump ’ s dealings with Mazars , the accountancy firm .
In other words , it seems very likely that New York prosecutors are assembling a substantial , labyrinthine paper trail that connects Trump to , well , something .
We don ’ t know what yet .
Possibly nothing , possibly a trove of misconduct .
My sense is that in the course of investigating Trump , someone somewhere caught @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s closed doors and this has culminated in a broad investigation of Trump ’ s financial ties .
Why is this significant ?
Well , for one , there was enough “ there ” there for prosecutors to justify continuing an investigation .
Further , and more importantly , this investigation has serious long-term implications for Trump .
If Trump wins a second term , this investigation could become his new Mueller — always at the back of his mind , always eating away at his sense of security .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ improprieties like fraud , extortion , money laundering , and racketeering , for example , could lead to a second impeachment inquiry and even second impeachment trial .
Even if this doesn ’ t lead to another impeachment inquiry , surely Trump ’ s assets , including his businesses and corporate properties , could be put at risk of seizure .
Keep in mind that Trump the individual is not the same as Trump ’ s corporate entities—his entities don ’ t have the protections he has .
Of course , if Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ turns out there are serious financial improprieties , Trump , as a private citizen , would be subject to major legal trouble .
Trump thus has a serious incentive to stay in power .
With Bill Barr as Attorney General , law and order are at the mercy of the toady .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald Trump’s business improprieties have once again come to the fore. The New York Times reports that “[t]he New York prosecutors who are seeking President Trump’s tax records have also subpoenaed his longtime lender, a sign that their criminal investigation into Mr. Trump’s business practices is more wide-ranging than previously known.” This has some serious long-term implications.
First, Trump’s personal business dealings are under serious scrutiny, perhaps more scrutiny than ever before. One notable example of suspected improprieties is that there have long been allegations that Trump overvalued his assets to obtain more favorable loans from Deutsche Bank. Another notable example of a source of suspected improprieties comes from Trump’s dealings with Mazars, the accountancy firm.
In other words, it seems very likely that New York prosecutors are assembling a substantial, labyrinthine paper trail that connects Trump to, well, something. We don’t know what yet. Possibly nothing, possibly a trove of misconduct. My sense is that in the course of investigating Trump, someone somewhere caught a scent of what goes on behind Trump’s closed doors and this has culminated in a broad investigation of Trump’s financial ties.
Why is this significant? Well, for one, there was enough “there” there for prosecutors to justify continuing an investigation. Further, and more importantly, this investigation has serious long-term implications for Trump. If Trump wins a second term, this investigation could become his new Mueller — always at the back of his mind, always eating away at his sense of security. More substantively, a finding of serious financial improprieties like fraud, extortion, money laundering, and racketeering, for example, could lead to a second impeachment inquiry and even second impeachment trial. Even if this doesn’t lead to another impeachment inquiry, surely Trump’s assets, including his businesses and corporate properties, could be put at risk of seizure. Keep in mind that Trump the individual is not the same as Trump’s corporate entities—his entities don’t have the protections he has.
Of course, if Trump doesn’t win reelection and it turns out there are serious financial improprieties, Trump, as a private citizen, would be subject to major legal trouble. Trump thus has a serious incentive to stay in power. With Bill Barr as Attorney General, law and order are at the mercy of the toady.
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--2020-08-09--Stop taking Donald Trump’s bait

Stop taking Donald Trump’s bait

Donald Trump can ’ t magically get rid of mail-in voting , no matter what he tries .
Nothing is that magically simple .
Even Republican voters aren ’ t going to just sit back and let Trump get rid of the post office , or get rid of mail-in voting , or whatever Trump is threatening to magically make happen on any given day .
But Trump has baited all of you into telling anyone who will listen that Trump has made mail-in voting unsafe .
What they ’ re hearing you say is that they shouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is Trump ’ s goal , of course .
He ’ s completely crippled at this point , and can ’ t make anything happen .
But he can bait you into doing his bidding for him .
Do we need to fight to keep the post office from being gutted ?
Of course .
But Trump can ’ t really get rid of it , and he knows that .
He ’ s counting on you not knowing it .
He ’ s trying to create the perception that he ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that he ’ s already somehow magically won .
If you ’ re helping Trump to spread that narrative , then you ’ re the one who ’ s costing Biden votes .
If you ’ re concerned that Trump might be able to cheat his way to victory , please respond to that fear by working on things like voter registration and turnout , which can actually make a difference in the outcome .
Please stop telling people that Trump has made it unsafe to vote by mail , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rig the election .
You ’ ll never get people to vote against Trump by convincing them that he ’ s just going to magically win anyway .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald Trump can’t magically get rid of mail-in voting, no matter what he tries. Nothing is that magically simple. Even Republican voters aren’t going to just sit back and let Trump get rid of the post office, or get rid of mail-in voting, or whatever Trump is threatening to magically make happen on any given day.
But Trump has baited all of you into telling anyone who will listen that Trump has made mail-in voting unsafe. What they’re hearing you say is that they shouldn’t bother to vote at all. This is Trump’s goal, of course. He’s completely crippled at this point, and can’t make anything happen. But he can bait you into doing his bidding for him.
Do we need to fight to keep the post office from being gutted? Of course. But Trump can’t really get rid of it, and he knows that. He’s counting on you not knowing it. He’s trying to create the perception that he’s made it unsafe to vote by mail, and that he’s already somehow magically won. If you’re helping Trump to spread that narrative, then you’re the one who’s costing Biden votes.
If you’re concerned that Trump might be able to cheat his way to victory, please respond to that fear by working on things like voter registration and turnout, which can actually make a difference in the outcome. Please stop telling people that Trump has made it unsafe to vote by mail, or that Trump has found a way to rig the election. You’ll never get people to vote against Trump by convincing them that he’s just going to magically win anyway.
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--2020-08-09--Donald Trump has found a whole new way to sell out America

When Donald Trump was running for President in 2016 , he liked to put on his mean face and bellow from atop one of his fake high horses that all products bought in America should be manufactured in America .
After reporters confronted Trump with the fact that many of his own products came from overseas , Trump parried with ridiculous excuses while insisting that if he became President , everything would change .
Trump became President after colluding with Russia in attacking America ’ s democracy .
Four years later , as we now head toward another election , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
According to the findings of a CNBC investigation published Friday , two-thirds of the products peddled at the online Trump Store were not identified as having been manufactured in the United States .
At least 180 of the 280 or so products listed on the site were either not labeled , labeled as having been made in another country ( such as France , Italy , or Scotland ) , or oddly labeled “ Decorated in the USA.
” If you ’ re wondering whether the other third was truly “ Made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the USA , ” as their labels claim , you are right to be suspicious .
Random fabric testing of MAGA hats conducted by The Associated Press and an outside expert back in 2016 revealed laughably dubious results .
Trump continues to parade around on that high horse pontificating about his “ Make America Great Again ” lunacy .
Just this Thursday , for example , Trump visited Ohio to sign an executive order to expand “ Made in America ” production while proclaiming : “ We have rejected globalism and embraced patriotism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happily continues pocketing the proceeds from the sale of his many foreign-made wares .
According to Trump ’ s recent financial disclosures , Mr. America First has made almost $ 1.5 million in the past few years from this venture .
Trump doesn ’ t lose sleep over the fact that Putin paid bounties to militants for killing U.S. troops in Afghanistan , and Trump thinks nothing of the millions of Americans suffering in the pandemic as he enjoys yet another round of golf .
Why , then , would we expect Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hate souvenirs come from when he is making a profit ?
Trump has no business being the leader of any country , let alone the United States of America .
We must send that message loud and clear on November 3 .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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When Donald Trump was running for President in 2016, he liked to put on his mean face and bellow from atop one of his fake high horses that all products bought in America should be manufactured in America. After reporters confronted Trump with the fact that many of his own products came from overseas, Trump parried with ridiculous excuses while insisting that if he became President, everything would change.
Trump became President after colluding with Russia in attacking America’s democracy. Four years later, as we now head toward another election, it is clear that nothing has changed. According to the findings of a CNBC investigation published Friday, two-thirds of the products peddled at the online Trump Store were not identified as having been manufactured in the United States.
At least 180 of the 280 or so products listed on the site were either not labeled, labeled as having been made in another country (such as France, Italy, or Scotland), or oddly labeled “Decorated in the USA.” If you’re wondering whether the other third was truly “Made in America” or “Made in the USA,” as their labels claim, you are right to be suspicious. Random fabric testing of MAGA hats conducted by The Associated Press and an outside expert back in 2016 revealed laughably dubious results.
Trump continues to parade around on that high horse pontificating about his “Make America Great Again” lunacy. Just this Thursday, for example, Trump visited Ohio to sign an executive order to expand “Made in America” production while proclaiming: “We have rejected globalism and embraced patriotism!” In the meantime, Trump happily continues pocketing the proceeds from the sale of his many foreign-made wares. According to Trump’s recent financial disclosures, Mr. America First has made almost $1.5 million in the past few years from this venture.
Trump doesn’t lose sleep over the fact that Putin paid bounties to militants for killing U.S. troops in Afghanistan, and Trump thinks nothing of the millions of Americans suffering in the pandemic as he enjoys yet another round of golf. Why, then, would we expect Trump to be concerned about where his narcissistic hate souvenirs come from when he is making a profit? Trump has no business being the leader of any country, let alone the United States of America. We must send that message loud and clear on November 3.
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--2020-08-09--Donald Trump is at it again

Donald Trump is at it again

The wanna-be dictator is at it again .
Trump is signing an executive order that will “ suspend ” payroll taxes .
Trump has tried this move before , and when someone like Trump wants something so badly , we must examine his motivation .
According to New York Times , most economists , including conservative economists , do not believe payroll tax cuts are the best way to revive the economy .
Economists estimate it will cost the government approximately $ 400 billion in lost tax revenue and will not induce hiring .
Even Trump ’ s Republican colleagues @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told reporters : “ I think [ a direct payment is ] going to do more economic good than if we dribble out $ 30 every paycheck.
” Really .
The worst aspect of a payroll tax cut is eliminating funding to Medicare .
NYT reports that while taxes on earnings under $ 137,700 go toward Social Security , all earnings are taxed as funding for Medicare .
Under Trump ’ s plan , that revenue would be lost , and you best bet Trump has no plan to reimburse either fund .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell frequently refer to these programs as “ entitlements , ” indicating that the government is giving us something when the truth is , we are paying into those funds .
The only way the funds can keep going is if they are replenished through payroll deductions .
This is not a feasible plan for shoring up people hurting from coronavirus .
Most who are hurting are unemployed and are not contributing to payroll taxes , so this idea does not help them .
The Labor Department ’ s latest statistics show a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ July ; however , Marketplace reported that over 25 million Americans are unemployed , including 1.2 million recently unemployed .
When looking at these numbers , the economists are correct that eliminating payroll taxes will do absolutely nothing toward helping the people with little or no income .
Forbes examined these numbers further .
The self-employed and businesses will benefit most from a payroll tax cut .
1099 employees pay a greater tax liability than W-2 employees , so a tax cut for those workers would be a huge windfall .
“ Front-line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a payroll tax cut whatsoever unless they make at least $ 15 per hour .
Workers making less will likely see no change .
The biggest losers of a payroll tax cut ?
Social Security , Medicare , and those who rely on them .
Social Security is and has for years been in trouble .
The “ baby boomers ” created a strain because of their numbers , and good-paying jobs for the younger generation seem to continue to be “ few and far between.
” We need to fix this system @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is once again proving that he has no clue how things work in the real world .
He has never had to work for a living , so he does not understand the ramifications of his poorly laid plans .
His “ band-aid on a bullet wound ” approach will only make things worse .
He needs to allow Congress to hammer out an agreement and go back to what he does best : nothing .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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The wanna-be dictator is at it again. Trump is signing an executive order that will “suspend” payroll taxes. Trump has tried this move before, and when someone like Trump wants something so badly, we must examine his motivation.
According to New York Times, most economists, including conservative economists, do not believe payroll tax cuts are the best way to revive the economy. Economists estimate it will cost the government approximately $400 billion in lost tax revenue and will not induce hiring. Even Trump’s Republican colleagues disagree with the idea. Chuck Grassley told reporters: “I think [a direct payment is] going to do more economic good than if we dribble out $30 every paycheck.” Really.
The worst aspect of a payroll tax cut is eliminating funding to Medicare. NYT reports that while taxes on earnings under $137,700 go toward Social Security, all earnings are taxed as funding for Medicare. Under Trump’s plan, that revenue would be lost, and you best bet Trump has no plan to reimburse either fund. Indeed, Trump and head henchman Mitch McConnell frequently refer to these programs as “entitlements,” indicating that the government is giving us something when the truth is, we are paying into those funds. The only way the funds can keep going is if they are replenished through payroll deductions. This is not a feasible plan for shoring up people hurting from coronavirus. Most who are hurting are unemployed and are not contributing to payroll taxes, so this idea does not help them.
The Labor Department’s latest statistics show a total of 1.8 million jobs gained in July; however, Marketplace reported that over 25 million Americans are unemployed, including 1.2 million recently unemployed. When looking at these numbers, the economists are correct that eliminating payroll taxes will do absolutely nothing toward helping the people with little or no income. Forbes examined these numbers further.
The self-employed and businesses will benefit most from a payroll tax cut. 1099 employees pay a greater tax liability than W-2 employees, so a tax cut for those workers would be a huge windfall. “Front-line” workers would see no benefit from a payroll tax cut whatsoever unless they make at least $15 per hour. Workers making less will likely see no change. The biggest losers of a payroll tax cut? Social Security, Medicare, and those who rely on them. Social Security is and has for years been in trouble. The “baby boomers” created a strain because of their numbers, and good-paying jobs for the younger generation seem to continue to be “few and far between.” We need to fix this system, not cripple it.
Donald Trump is once again proving that he has no clue how things work in the real world. He has never had to work for a living, so he does not understand the ramifications of his poorly laid plans. His “band-aid on a bullet wound” approach will only make things worse. He needs to allow Congress to hammer out an agreement and go back to what he does best: nothing.
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--2020-08-09--Donald Trump’s new executive orders don’t stand a chance – and that’s probably the entire point

Last night Donald Trump enacted a coronavirus financial relief package by executive order .
The thing is , he literally can ’ t do this .
Financial appropriations can ’ t be done by executive order , any more than Trump can make an elephant fly by executive order .
He ’ ll get struck down rather quickly – and that may be the point .
Trump and his handlers appear to have put very little thought into these executive orders , as evidenced by the gaping hole they create in Social Security and Medicare funding .
This suggests that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ executive orders actually said or did , because he knows they ’ ll get likely get shut down by the courts via emergency injunction anyway .
Then Trump will be able to say that he tried to give everyone financial relief , and someone else took it away from everyone .
It ’ s a strategy that sounds fairly clever on its face , considering Trump gets to paint himself as the only one who even tried to help people .
The trouble for Trump is that the average nonpartisan voter doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their relief check , they only care that it never arrived , and they tend to blame both sides equally for the fact that it didn ’ t happen .
So it ’ s not clear how this stunt gains Trump even a single vote .
And because this has been slapped together as ineptly as any other Donald Trump stunt , it ’ s handed the Democrats a potential gift .
They ’ re already trying to amplify the fact that Trump is trying to cut Social Security and Medicare with his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is willing to cover this accurately , this stunt could backfire on Trump .
Of course the real losers are the American people .
Vote this clown out in record numbers .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Last night Donald Trump enacted a coronavirus financial relief package by executive order. The thing is, he literally can’t do this. Financial appropriations can’t be done by executive order, any more than Trump can make an elephant fly by executive order. He’ll get struck down rather quickly – and that may be the point.
Trump and his handlers appear to have put very little thought into these executive orders, as evidenced by the gaping hole they create in Social Security and Medicare funding. This suggests that Trump didn’t care what his executive orders actually said or did, because he knows they’ll get likely get shut down by the courts via emergency injunction anyway. Then Trump will be able to say that he tried to give everyone financial relief, and someone else took it away from everyone.
It’s a strategy that sounds fairly clever on its face, considering Trump gets to paint himself as the only one who even tried to help people. The trouble for Trump is that the average nonpartisan voter doesn’t much care why they never got their relief check, they only care that it never arrived, and they tend to blame both sides equally for the fact that it didn’t happen. So it’s not clear how this stunt gains Trump even a single vote.
And because this has been slapped together as ineptly as any other Donald Trump stunt, it’s handed the Democrats a potential gift. They’re already trying to amplify the fact that Trump is trying to cut Social Security and Medicare with his illegal executive orders. If the media is willing to cover this accurately, this stunt could backfire on Trump. Of course the real losers are the American people. Vote this clown out in record numbers.
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--2020-08-10--Something is very wrong here

Something is very wrong here

Sadopopulism is a term used to describe a government body that operates without policy and therefore causes pain to its citizenry .
It was first brought into the discussion when describing Trump and Putin .
The point of it is to create fear , pain and insecurity in order to weaponize it and direct it toward others .
Trump is definitely stupid , but he ’ s playing 3D chess when it comes to sadopopulism .
This sh*tstain of a garbage human who has hijacked our country is still running at 40 % countrywide approval .
Taking away the independents @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s roughly half the voting population .
Trump is a credibly accused traitor , pedophile and thief .
Still he ’ s running at 40-42 % to Joe Biden ’ s 49-48 % .
Something is very wrong with America .
America will recover from Trump ; we ’ ve recovered from worse .
But it ’ s now more important than ever to kindly explain to people how much their vote counts .
New Zealand is on its 100th day of zero transmission .
We , on the other hand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zero for Trumpism and mass infection .
The average age of a Harley Davidson owner is over fifty .
Fittingly , though Harley Davidson is an enormous driver of the rally at Sturgis , they have chosen to virtually participate in this year ’ s rally .
That ’ s not the case for the 250,000 rally goers , most of whom are overwhelmingly Trump supporters .
These rally-goers are destined for a cold , dark autumn .
If Trump cheats and these people decide to embrace their Dear Leader ’ s sadistic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a chance at four more years .
But if they are motivated by fear and insecurity , then you can be too .
Sadopopulism can be a two-way street .
Imagine four more years of this .
Now be motivated and motivate others to vote him out .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Sadopopulism is a term used to describe a government body that operates without policy and therefore causes pain to its citizenry. It was first brought into the discussion when describing Trump and Putin. The point of it is to create fear, pain and insecurity in order to weaponize it and direct it toward others. Trump is definitely stupid, but he’s playing 3D chess when it comes to sadopopulism.
This sh*tstain of a garbage human who has hijacked our country is still running at 40% countrywide approval. Taking away the independents, the crazies and the oblivious, that’s roughly half the voting population. Trump is a credibly accused traitor, pedophile and thief. Still he’s running at 40-42% to Joe Biden’s 49-48%. Something is very wrong with America.
America will recover from Trump; we’ve recovered from worse. But it’s now more important than ever to kindly explain to people how much their vote counts. New Zealand is on its 100th day of zero transmission. We, on the other hand, have Sturgis, SD, ground zero for Trumpism and mass infection. The average age of a Harley Davidson owner is over fifty. Fittingly, though Harley Davidson is an enormous driver of the rally at Sturgis, they have chosen to virtually participate in this year’s rally. That’s not the case for the 250,000 rally goers, most of whom are overwhelmingly Trump supporters.
These rally-goers are destined for a cold, dark autumn. If Trump cheats and these people decide to embrace their Dear Leader’s sadistic treatment of them, then Trump does have a chance at four more years. But if they are motivated by fear and insecurity, then you can be too. Sadopopulism can be a two-way street. Imagine four more years of this. Now be motivated and motivate others to vote him out.
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--2020-08-10--Donald Trump has completely insane meltdown about Mount Rushmore

Earlier this week the news leaked that people within the Trump White House reached out to the Governor of South Dakota to see if they could somehow get Donald Trump added to Mount Rushmore .
Of course there was literally zero chance of this ever happening , and Trump ’ s handlers surely knew that ; they were just trying to find a way to cheer him up by telling him that he was in consideration for Mount Rushmore , or something along those lines .
Of course now that the news is out there , Donald Trump ( or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stage of his cognitive collapse ) is tweeting this : “ This is Fake News by the failing @ nytimes & bad ratings @ CNN .
Never suggested it although , based on all of the many things accomplished during the first 3 1/2 years , perhaps more than any other Presidency , sounds like a good idea to me !
” Trump ’ s account also tweeted a laughably amateurish image of Donald Trump superimposed onto Mount Rushmore .
And why not ?
If you ’ re going to be this stupid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way .
This all serves to demonstrate just how far removed from reality Trump is .
Donald Trump is losing badly in an election that ’ ll send him to prison if he loses , and instead of focusing on trying to get back into contention , he ’ s focused on this nonsense .
This gives us the opportunity to double down on voter registration and run up the score while Trump wastes his time on nonsense .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Earlier this week the news leaked that people within the Trump White House reached out to the Governor of South Dakota to see if they could somehow get Donald Trump added to Mount Rushmore. Of course there was literally zero chance of this ever happening, and Trump’s handlers surely knew that; they were just trying to find a way to cheer him up by telling him that he was in consideration for Mount Rushmore, or something along those lines.
Of course now that the news is out there, Donald Trump (or whoever is tweeting for him at this stage of his cognitive collapse) is tweeting this: “This is Fake News by the failing @nytimes & bad ratings @CNN. Never suggested it although, based on all of the many things accomplished during the first 3 1/2 years, perhaps more than any other Presidency, sounds like a good idea to me!”
Trump’s account also tweeted a laughably amateurish image of Donald Trump superimposed onto Mount Rushmore. And why not? If you’re going to be this stupid, you might as well go all the way. This all serves to demonstrate just how far removed from reality Trump is.
Donald Trump is losing badly in an election that’ll send him to prison if he loses, and instead of focusing on trying to get back into contention, he’s focused on this nonsense. This gives us the opportunity to double down on voter registration and run up the score while Trump wastes his time on nonsense.
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--2020-08-11--Ted Cruz goes completely bonkers

Ted Cruz goes completely bonkers

Ted Cruz has the somewhat unique distinction of being so deranged in his politics , and so deranged in his personality , that almost no one likes him – even within his own party .
Even as everyone continues to wonder how a weird creepy punchline like Cruz can possibly still be part of elected government , he keeps making a bigger fool of himself .
This morning Senator Ed Markey made this proposal , which is quite reasonable within the context of the worsening pandemic and economic collapse playing out in the United States right now : “ Give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the duration of the pandemic , $ 2000/month for 3 months after that , and $ 2000/month retroactive to March.
” Ted Cruz , trying to see how much of a jerk he could be , posted this response : “ Why be so cheap ?
Give everyone $ 1 million a day , every day , forever .
And three soy lattes a day .
And a foot massage .
We have a magic money tree — we should use it !
” Americans are dying , in the six figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of work , and can ’ t make rent or feed their families .
And yet this creep Ted Cruz thinks it ’ s all funny .
He ’ s already gotten more than twenty thousand negative replies to his tweet .
And yet Cruz is such a whacked out cartoon villain , he ’ s probably proud of this .
Cruz should resign , and have the decency to go back to whatever planet he came from .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Ted Cruz has the somewhat unique distinction of being so deranged in his politics, and so deranged in his personality, that almost no one likes him – even within his own party. Even as everyone continues to wonder how a weird creepy punchline like Cruz can possibly still be part of elected government, he keeps making a bigger fool of himself.
This morning Senator Ed Markey made this proposal, which is quite reasonable within the context of the worsening pandemic and economic collapse playing out in the United States right now: “Give every person in our country $2000/month for the duration of the pandemic, $2000/month for 3 months after that, and $2000/month retroactive to March.”
Ted Cruz, trying to see how much of a jerk he could be, posted this response: “Why be so cheap? Give everyone $1 million a day, every day, forever. And three soy lattes a day. And a foot massage. We have a magic money tree — we should use it!”
Americans are dying, in the six figures. Tens of millions of Americans are out of work, and can’t make rent or feed their families. And yet this creep Ted Cruz thinks it’s all funny. He’s already gotten more than twenty thousand negative replies to his tweet. And yet Cruz is such a whacked out cartoon villain, he’s probably proud of this. Cruz should resign, and have the decency to go back to whatever planet he came from.
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--2020-08-11--Nikki Haley goes berserk about her lost package, gives something away in the process

Nikki Haley threw away a once-promising political career by joining the Donald Trump administration , which has forever tarnished her , and left her with no choice but to continue pandering to Trump ’ s shrinking base .
Lately she ’ s growing more frantic and tone-deaf in her desperate attempts at pandering to the Trump crowd .
Today Nikki Haley posted this weird tweet about a lost bag of popcorn : “ Ok @ PopcornFactory two messed up birthday orders missed delivery dates with no explanation .
First time I gave you the benefit of the doubt .
Second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you again .
# DisappointedNephew ” Everyone quickly began ridiculing Nikki Haley for being so tone-deaf as to use her position as a former Governor and former UN Ambassador to publicly bully an obscure popcorn vendor over a lost or delayed order .
But if you think it through , you realize something else is going on here .
Donald Trump is bending over backward right now to create the perception that he ’ s succeeded in killing the Post Office , in the hope that the public will conclude that voting by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that some of them therefore won ’ t end up bothering to vote at all .
Even as Trump pushes this narrative about the Post Office being dead , his mouthpiece Nikki Haley is posting a completely bonkers tweet , which seemed almost purposely constructed to go negatively viral – and which has the net effect of getting even more people to talk about how the Post Office is no longer reliable .
After all , they lost Nikki Haley ’ s popcorn , didn ’ t they ?
The entire point of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ amplifying Trump ’ s narrative about the Post Office being too damaged for mail-in voting to be reliable .
Don ’ t take the bait .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Nikki Haley threw away a once-promising political career by joining the Donald Trump administration, which has forever tarnished her, and left her with no choice but to continue pandering to Trump’s shrinking base. Lately she’s growing more frantic and tone-deaf in her desperate attempts at pandering to the Trump crowd.
Today Nikki Haley posted this weird tweet about a lost bag of popcorn: “Ok @PopcornFactory two messed up birthday orders missed delivery dates with no explanation. First time I gave you the benefit of the doubt. Second one tells me not to buy from you again. #DisappointedNephew”
Everyone quickly began ridiculing Nikki Haley for being so tone-deaf as to use her position as a former Governor and former UN Ambassador to publicly bully an obscure popcorn vendor over a lost or delayed order. But if you think it through, you realize something else is going on here.
Donald Trump is bending over backward right now to create the perception that he’s succeeded in killing the Post Office, in the hope that the public will conclude that voting by mail isn’t viable, and that some of them therefore won’t end up bothering to vote at all.
Even as Trump pushes this narrative about the Post Office being dead, his mouthpiece Nikki Haley is posting a completely bonkers tweet, which seemed almost purposely constructed to go negatively viral – and which has the net effect of getting even more people to talk about how the Post Office is no longer reliable. After all, they lost Nikki Haley’s popcorn, didn’t they? The entire point of the tweet is to goad you into amplifying Trump’s narrative about the Post Office being too damaged for mail-in voting to be reliable. Don’t take the bait.
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--2020-08-10--About that private flight today from South Bend to Delaware…

Heads turned last week when Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer flew into Delaware to meet in person with Joe Biden .
Some observers presumed that the meeting was about Whitmer being Biden ’ s running mate .
Palmer Report pointed out that the meeting could just as easily have been about a cabinet position , and that Biden would probably be meeting with plenty of people for similar reasons this week .
Now it turns out a private flight out of South Bend , Indiana has just landed in Wilmington , Delaware .
This has led a lot of people to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ traveling to meet with Joe Biden .
That ’ s possible ; we ’ ll see .
But Biden has already made 100 % clear that his running mate is a woman .
So if Biden is indeed meeting with Pete today , it ’ s likely about some kind of cabinet position .
If this is the case , it won ’ t come as a surprise .
Joe Biden publicly confirmed back in March that Pete Buttigieg would play an unspecified role in his administration .
In any case , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a reminder that there are a whole lot of moving parts in play right now that go beyond just Biden ’ s running mate selection .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Heads turned last week when Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer flew into Delaware to meet in person with Joe Biden. Some observers presumed that the meeting was about Whitmer being Biden’s running mate. Palmer Report pointed out that the meeting could just as easily have been about a cabinet position, and that Biden would probably be meeting with plenty of people for similar reasons this week.
Now it turns out a private flight out of South Bend, Indiana has just landed in Wilmington, Delaware. This has led a lot of people to ask if this is perhaps Pete Buttigieg traveling to meet with Joe Biden. That’s possible; we’ll see. But Biden has already made 100% clear that his running mate is a woman. So if Biden is indeed meeting with Pete today, it’s likely about some kind of cabinet position.
If this is the case, it won’t come as a surprise. Joe Biden publicly confirmed back in March that Pete Buttigieg would play an unspecified role in his administration. In any case, the potential meeting between Biden and Buttigieg today is a reminder that there are a whole lot of moving parts in play right now that go beyond just Biden’s running mate selection.
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--2020-08-10--Shooting takes place outside White House during Donald Trump’s press briefing

After holding two ridiculous quasi-press briefings at his country club over the weekend , Donald Trump decided to hold a press briefing today at the White House .
He ended up walking out of the second one because he didn ’ t like a question .
Trump once again fled today ’ s press briefing , but for what appear to be entirely different reasons .
Trump was reading his opening prepared remarks when he suddenly fled the stage , at the apparent behest of the Secret Service .
NBC News then reported that the White House was under security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ since returned to the stage , and he announced that the Secret Service shot someone outside the White House , who has been taken to the hospital .
Nothing has been publicly announced about the identity or intentions of the shooter , but Trump fans will nonetheless try to claim that this was some kind of assassination attempt against Trump , and that it ’ s proof the left is somehow violent .
But the reality is we don ’ t yet know anything .
There will obviously be more to this story @ @ @ @ @ @

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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After holding two ridiculous quasi-press briefings at his country club over the weekend, Donald Trump decided to hold a press briefing today at the White House. He ended up walking out of the second one because he didn’t like a question. Trump once again fled today’s press briefing, but for what appear to be entirely different reasons.
Trump was reading his opening prepared remarks when he suddenly fled the stage, at the apparent behest of the Secret Service. NBC News then reported that the White House was under security lockdown for unclear reasons. Trump has since returned to the stage, and he announced that the Secret Service shot someone outside the White House, who has been taken to the hospital.
Nothing has been publicly announced about the identity or intentions of the shooter, but Trump fans will nonetheless try to claim that this was some kind of assassination attempt against Trump, and that it’s proof the left is somehow violent. But the reality is we don’t yet know anything. There will obviously be more to this story as the evening goes on.
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--2020-08-10--We’re playing right into Donald Trump’s hands with this USPS Post Office thing

If you ’ ve followed Donald Trump closely , you ’ ve seen a consistent pattern .
When he ’ s trying to pull off some corrupt or evil scheme , he and his underlings try to carry it out as quietly and secretly as possible , in the hope no one will notice .
When Trump makes a loud or blatant threat , it ’ s nearly always an empty one , and he ’ s merely trying to scare us into focusing on that empty threat instead of what he ’ s quietly trying to pull off elsewhere @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s sudden assault on the Post Office .
He ’ s put a corrupt loyalist Louis DeJoy in charge , and he ’ s quickly made a number of very blatant changes .
DeJoy has reassigned a number of top Post Office executives , in a move that seemed designed to generate headlines .
He ’ s also immediately slowed down delivery speeds , another move sure to draw attention .
And in perhaps his most blatant move , the Post Office website ’ s mail tracking system was offline all weekend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible here : these moves aren ’ t aimed at killing the Post Office .
For better or worse , it ’ s a massive , impenetrable bureaucracy that isn ’ t going to fundamentally change just because some new guy comes in and makes some changes .
Further , Trump knows that he can ’ t keep screwing with the Post Office for long .
Public sentiment will end up being on the side of the Post Office , and Nancy Pelosi will use it to force Trump to back down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ doesn ’ t mean we can just sit back and trust that it ’ ll all work out .
Democracy isn ’ t a spectator sport .
By calling attention to Donald Trump ’ s Post Office antics , we ’ re giving House Democrats more leverage for forcing Trump to back down .
But we ’ re not doing it in the correct way , and it ’ s cause for great concern .
Trump and DeJoy know they ’ ll have to back down from their Post Office sabotage fairly soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance they ’ ll still be able to pull this kind of stuff by Election Day .
Based on the bombastic , dramatic , showy nature of their antics , it ’ s clear that they ’ re not actually trying to fundamentally harm the Post Office from within , so much as they ’ re trying to create the perception that the Post Office can ’ t be trusted .
Even if these antics only go on for a few weeks , the perception can last far longer .
That ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ keep telling anyone who will listen that Trump has sabotaged the Post Office to the point that mail-in voting can ’ t be trusted .
When you say this kind of thing , what people out there are going to hear is that there ’ s no point in voting by mail because Trump has already rigged it and it won ’ t count .
Some of those people are going to end up not voting at all , as a direct result of you telling them that Trump has succeeded in sabotaging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ever convince the people in the middle to make the effort to vote Donald Trump out of office , by telling them that Trump is just going to magically rig the election in his favor anyway .
In fact that kind of rhetoric only serves to cost Joe Biden votes .
There ’ s a world of difference between accurately pointing out that Trump is trying to do something awful , and inaccurately insisting that Trump has succeeded in doing something awful .
The former can help win us the election .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ election .
The Post Office tracking website is back online today , because of course it is .
Trump and DeJoy know they can ’ t leave it offline for long .
They ’ re just trying to create the perception that the Post Office is dead , and mail-in voting isn ’ t worth the effort .
The question is whether you ’ re going to help them push that narrative .
The Post Office is alive and well , and we will save it .
Don ’ t play into Trump @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about the Post Office being dead .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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If you’ve followed Donald Trump closely, you’ve seen a consistent pattern. When he’s trying to pull off some corrupt or evil scheme, he and his underlings try to carry it out as quietly and secretly as possible, in the hope no one will notice. When Trump makes a loud or blatant threat, it’s nearly always an empty one, and he’s merely trying to scare us into focusing on that empty threat instead of what he’s quietly trying to pull off elsewhere.
This brings us to Donald Trump’s sudden assault on the Post Office. He’s put a corrupt loyalist Louis DeJoy in charge, and he’s quickly made a number of very blatant changes. DeJoy has reassigned a number of top Post Office executives, in a move that seemed designed to generate headlines. He’s also immediately slowed down delivery speeds, another move sure to draw attention. And in perhaps his most blatant move, the Post Office website’s mail tracking system was offline all weekend.
Let’s be as clear as possible here: these moves aren’t aimed at killing the Post Office. For better or worse, it’s a massive, impenetrable bureaucracy that isn’t going to fundamentally change just because some new guy comes in and makes some changes. Further, Trump knows that he can’t keep screwing with the Post Office for long. Public sentiment will end up being on the side of the Post Office, and Nancy Pelosi will use it to force Trump to back down, long before the election.
This doesn’t mean we can just sit back and trust that it’ll all work out. Democracy isn’t a spectator sport. By calling attention to Donald Trump’s Post Office antics, we’re giving House Democrats more leverage for forcing Trump to back down. But we’re not doing it in the correct way, and it’s cause for great concern.
Trump and DeJoy know they’ll have to back down from their Post Office sabotage fairly soon. They know there’s no chance they’ll still be able to pull this kind of stuff by Election Day. Based on the bombastic, dramatic, showy nature of their antics, it’s clear that they’re not actually trying to fundamentally harm the Post Office from within, so much as they’re trying to create the perception that the Post Office can’t be trusted. Even if these antics only go on for a few weeks, the perception can last far longer. That’s where it gets dangerous.
Resistance members keep telling anyone who will listen that Trump has sabotaged the Post Office to the point that mail-in voting can’t be trusted. When you say this kind of thing, what people out there are going to hear is that there’s no point in voting by mail because Trump has already rigged it and it won’t count. Some of those people are going to end up not voting at all, as a direct result of you telling them that Trump has succeeded in sabotaging vote-by-mail.
You will never, ever, ever convince the people in the middle to make the effort to vote Donald Trump out of office, by telling them that Trump is just going to magically rig the election in his favor anyway. In fact that kind of rhetoric only serves to cost Joe Biden votes.
There’s a world of difference between accurately pointing out that Trump is trying to do something awful, and inaccurately insisting that Trump has succeeded in doing something awful. The former can help win us the election. The latter can unwittingly cost us the election. The Post Office tracking website is back online today, because of course it is. Trump and DeJoy know they can’t leave it offline for long. They’re just trying to create the perception that the Post Office is dead, and mail-in voting isn’t worth the effort. The question is whether you’re going to help them push that narrative. The Post Office is alive and well, and we will save it. Don’t play into Trump’s hands by amplifying his message about the Post Office being dead.
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--2020-08-10--Donald Trump’s feud with GOP Senator Ben Sasse boils over

Donald J. Trump took steps over the weekend that did nothing other than distract and detract from the nightmare that is his administration and his handling of the coronavirus and his corruptness .
Senator Ben Sasse called Trump out for his proverbial , calling out the actions of Trump : “ The pen-and-phone theory of executive lawmaking is unconstitutional slop.
” As we know , Trump is not someone who likes to be criticized or questioned .
On Monday , Trump lashed out on Twitter : “ RINO Ben Sasse , who needed my support and endorsement in order to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the GREAT State of Nebraska , has , now that he ’ s got it ( Thank you President T ) , gone rogue , again .
This foolishness plays right into the hands of the Radical Left Dems !
” Sasse is by no means a RINO .
His voting record is right in the middle of the conservatives and GOP , per govtrack .
But Trump can not let anything go , how dare he be questioned .
Part of the credit for his attitude must go to this feckless GOP @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McConnell , who support Trump ’ s actions , apparently forgetting the congressional duties and obligations .
Trump continues to deteriorate and blather from the White House , an activity that must end in less than three months .

Important note: Palmer Report has led the way in political analysis. Now we're gearing up to cover the 2024 election, up and down the ballot. Help support Palmer Report's 2024 efforts by donating now.
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Donald J. Trump took steps over the weekend that did nothing other than distract and detract from the nightmare that is his administration and his handling of the coronavirus and his corruptness. Senator Ben Sasse called Trump out for his proverbial, calling out the actions of Trump: “The pen-and-phone theory of executive lawmaking is unconstitutional slop.”
As we know, Trump is not someone who likes to be criticized or questioned. On Monday, Trump lashed out on Twitter: “RINO Ben Sasse, who needed my support and endorsement in order to get the Republican nomination for Senate from the GREAT State of Nebraska, has, now that he’s got it (Thank you President T), gone rogue, again. This foolishness plays right into the hands of the Radical Left Dems!”
Sasse is by no means a RINO. His voting record is right in the middle of the conservatives and GOP, per govtrack. But Trump cannot let anything go, how dare he be questioned. Part of the credit for his attitude must go to this feckless GOP sycophants, such as Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who support Trump’s actions, apparently forgetting the congressional duties and obligations. Trump continues to deteriorate and blather from the White House, an activity that must end in less than three months.
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--2020-08-10--Carl Bernstein has something to say about Donald Trump’s downfall

It is a measure of the frustratingly insane circumstances of recent times that even a hard-bitten old news warrior like Carl Bernstein can succumb to flights of unrealistic optimism .
Bernstein recently told Chris Cuomo , “ I think we have to recognize that we have a national emergency unlike anything in our history .
And that national emergency is that we have a president of the United States who is demonstrably unfit , incompetent , not honest , not capable of dealing with this horrible situation , and we need a political and cultural protectorate in this country between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the United States and his recklessnesss.
” I would be the last person to argue with him .
If such a thing as a political protectorate actually existed in the realpolitik of 2020 then now would be the time for it .
The urgency of Bernstein ’ s message is underlined by the grave reality of daily American deaths .
“ People are dead because of his recklessness , ” Bernstein continues .
“ We need the political system to respond , which means Republicans particularly .
Because the Republicans on Capitol @ @ @ @ @ @ @ left the White House , they know he is not a stable individual … We need to be protected from this president so that we can be protected from COVID.
” He is correct .
In fact , I can say with incontrovertible certainty , that there are Americans who are alive right now , functioning normally and well , who will be dead by Election Day if Donald Trump ’ s incompetent policies of inaction are not subverted .
But there exists no realistic Constitutional mechanism to bring this about .
Certainly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but I believe I used the word “ realistic.
” That option requires Mike Pence to take sane action on his own initiative .
There are reasons why Trump has not jettisoned Pence and this is another of them .
I can not imagine how anyone rational could possibly believe that Trump ’ s ineffectual dybbuk of a Vice President would contemplate making a move against Trump .
Bernstein doesn ’ t mention 25A , and with good reason .
What does Bernstein expect to happen ?
“ What happened in the Nixon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led by the great conservative Barry Goldwater , and by the minority leader of the house and by the Republican leadership marched into the White House and said to Richard Nixon , ’ You are unfit to remain in office .
You must leave the presidency , we will no longer support you.
’ Something similar has got to happen in some kind of conscience-rendering by Republicans to save us and to save lives in this country.
” Again , Bernstein is right .
Another soft coup like the one led by Goldwater @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will it ?
I see no evidence that such a thing is being contemplated .
Bernstein goes on , “ We are in need of action by the political system and by Republicans on Capitol Hill including the craven Mitch McConnell.
” But it is precisely because McConnell is craven that he will never stick his neck out to contradict Donald Trump in so brazen a way .
I don ’ t know if Mr. Bernstein noticed or not , but the crop of Republicans we are dealing with today are very different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a doctor delivering bad news to a family might say , we need to learn to manage our expectations .
We are in for a very rough ride over the next six months .
Donald Trump is going to kill tens of thousands more Americans between now and January 20th , and there is nothing we can do about it but vote .
It is tempting to reach out for the homeopathic alternative to realpolitik , but I would be remiss in encouraging such hope , and I think Mr. Bernstein is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He ’ s a human being and he ’ s frustrated and he doesn ’ t want more Americans to die .
But Republicans are going to let them die .
They are even going to play games with their lives while they watch them die .
And that , ladies and gentlemen , brothers and sisters , comrades and friends , is what evil looks like .
That is how evil operates right out in the open , in the false smiles and feigned outrage of hypocrisy .
The only thing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our mandate .
So use it .
Vote .
And , above all , 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.
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It is a measure of the frustratingly insane circumstances of recent times that even a hard-bitten old news warrior like Carl Bernstein can succumb to flights of unrealistic optimism. Bernstein recently told Chris Cuomo, “I think we have to recognize that we have a national emergency unlike anything in our history. And that national emergency is that we have a president of the United States who is demonstrably unfit, incompetent, not honest, not capable of dealing with this horrible situation, and we need a political and cultural protectorate in this country between now and Election Day from the president of the United States and his recklessnesss.”
I would be the last person to argue with him. If such a thing as a political protectorate actually existed in the realpolitik of 2020 then now would be the time for it. The urgency of Bernstein’s message is underlined by the grave reality of daily American deaths. “People are dead because of his recklessness,” Bernstein continues. “We need the political system to respond, which means Republicans particularly. Because the Republicans on Capitol Hill as well as those who have left the White House, they know he is not a stable individual … We need to be protected from this president so that we can be protected from COVID.”
He is correct. In fact, I can say with incontrovertible certainty, that there are Americans who are alive right now, functioning normally and well, who will be dead by Election Day if Donald Trump’s incompetent policies of inaction are not subverted. But there exists no realistic Constitutional mechanism to bring this about. Certainly there’s the 25th Amendment, but I believe I used the word “realistic.” That option requires Mike Pence to take sane action on his own initiative.
There are reasons why Trump has not jettisoned Pence and this is another of them. I cannot imagine how anyone rational could possibly believe that Trump’s ineffectual dybbuk of a Vice President would contemplate making a move against Trump. Bernstein doesn’t mention 25A, and with good reason.
What does Bernstein expect to happen? “What happened in the Nixon presidency? A group of Republicans, led by the great conservative Barry Goldwater, and by the minority leader of the house and by the Republican leadership marched into the White House and said to Richard Nixon, ’You are unfit to remain in office. You must leave the presidency, we will no longer support you.’ Something similar has got to happen in some kind of conscience-rendering by Republicans to save us and to save lives in this country.”
Again, Bernstein is right. Another soft coup like the one led by Goldwater against Nixon needs to happen. But will it? I see no evidence that such a thing is being contemplated. Bernstein goes on, “We are in need of action by the political system and by Republicans on Capitol Hill including the craven Mitch McConnell.” But it is precisely because McConnell is craven that he will never stick his neck out to contradict Donald Trump in so brazen a way. I don’t know if Mr. Bernstein noticed or not, but the crop of Republicans we are dealing with today are very different from the ones of his day.
As a doctor delivering bad news to a family might say, we need to learn to manage our expectations. We are in for a very rough ride over the next six months. Donald Trump is going to kill tens of thousands more Americans between now and January 20th, and there is nothing we can do about it but vote.
It is tempting to reach out for the homeopathic alternative to realpolitik, but I would be remiss in encouraging such hope, and I think Mr. Bernstein is too. But I understand his impulse. He’s a human being and he’s frustrated and he doesn’t want more Americans to die. But Republicans are going to let them die. They are even going to play games with their lives while they watch them die.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, brothers and sisters, comrades and friends, is what evil looks like. That is how evil operates right out in the open, in the false smiles and feigned outrage of hypocrisy. The only thing we have to combat it with is our mandate. So use it. Vote. And, above all, 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.