thepoliticalinsider--2020-10-15--Obama Hits Campaign Trail – Attacks Trump Over COVID And Foreign Policy

Barack Obama recently announced he was hitting the campaign trail for Joe Biden , and he launched his first attacks on Preisdent Trump over the COVID pandemic and foreign policy .
On the “ Pod Save America ” podcast , Obama said that while he wasn ’ t a perfect president , “ …When we had a pandemic or the threat of pandemic , we had competent people in place who could deal with it.
” Obama also accused President Donald Trump of lacking the “ patience ” and “ focus ” to reshape American foreign policy .
Both attacks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ former president intends to go after Trump as he hits the campaign trail with Democratic nominee Joe Biden .
RELATED : Ted Cruz : On National Security , Americans Have a Clear Choice in November The Obama Record Vs .
The Trump Record On Foreign Policy “ I mean , the truth is he doesn ’ t have the patience and the focus to really substantially change a lot of US foreign policy , ” Obama said .
He also added that Trump has “ systematically tried to decimate our entire foreign policy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ has a respect and understanding for what American leadership can do ” better than the current White House occupant .
What Obama said next is particularly interesting .
Obama said Biden “ was probably the person who was most restrained in terms of use of military force among my senior advisers during the course of my presidency.
” “ He consistently believed that we should show restraint and humility and think through the use of military power and had huge confidence and faith in the use of diplomacy as a strategy for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Obama ’ s Worst Regret Was The U.S .
Bombing Of Libya Obama might be right about Biden ’ s supposed restraint in comparison to his other senior advisers .
But comparing who has used more restraint and engaged in more diplomacy the two presidents is telling .
When the Obama administration decided to bomb Libya in 2011 , one observer said it “ wrecked ” that country for a “ generation.
” We know Obama adviser and then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton played a large role in that debacle .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bandow , “ Libya ’ s ongoing destruction belongs to Hillary Clinton more than anyone else .
It was she who pushed President Barack Obama to launch his splendid little war , backing the overthrow of Moammar Gaddafi in the name of protecting Libya ’ s civilians.
” “ When later asked about Gaddafi ’ s death , she cackled and exclaimed : ‘ We came , we saw , he died , ” Bandow noted .
We know the vacuum created in Libya by U.S. intervention allowed ISIS to gain a foothold @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his Libya decision the worst mistake of his presidency .
Compare this to Donald Trump calling off the U.S. bombing of Iran .
When Trump administration advisers were urging the President to bomb Iran , he set the wheels into motion and then made a major decision .
He called it off .
He ignored advisers like John Bolton and others who urged this .
It was reported that the decision shocked White House aides and was made to spare civilian lives .
Bolton was outraged Trump did not bomb Iran and even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was the kind of last minute decision only a President who defies the Swamp could make – the opposite of what happened regarding Obama and Libya .
Bombing Iran a year ago could still have negative political aftershocks today if it had been followed through , similar to the aftermath of U.S. intervention in Libya .
Trump Is The First President In Decades Not To Start New Wars In addition , President Trump has done more to get us out of the two wars – Iraq and Afghanistan – that George W. Bush @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most important – President Trump is the first Commander-in-Chief not to start any new wars in decades .
It is hard to imagine another president holding the historic diplomatic talks – and meeting !
– with North Korea , as President Trump has .
This is far preferable than any sort of military action , that would likely end terribly for both countries .
It is hard to imagine what other president would have arranged Trump ’ s ongoing and historic Middle East peace deals .
If you really examine it , President @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reflects more “ focus ” and “ patience ” than his critics give him credit for .
Perhaps Barack Obama should have had more “ focus ” and “ patience .
”

Barack Obama recently announced he was hitting the campaign trail for Joe Biden, and he launched his first attacks on Preisdent Trump over the COVID pandemic and foreign policy.
On the “Pod Save America” podcast, Obama said that while he wasn’t a perfect president, “…When we had a pandemic or the threat of pandemic, we had competent people in place who could deal with it.”
Obama also accused President Donald Trump of lacking the “patience” and “focus” to reshape American foreign policy.
Both attacks could be a preview of how the former president intends to go after Trump as he hits the campaign trail with Democratic nominee Joe Biden.
Obama: Trump lacks "patience" and "focus" needed to implement foreign policy https://t.co/wvj4Ik3D46 pic.twitter.com/NniTFdu7gC — The Hill (@thehill) October 15, 2020
RELATED: Ted Cruz: On National Security, Americans Have a Clear Choice in November
The Obama Record Vs. The Trump Record On Foreign Policy
“I mean, the truth is he doesn’t have the patience and the focus to really substantially change a lot of US foreign policy,” Obama said.
He also added that Trump has “systematically tried to decimate our entire foreign policy infrastructure.”
Obama argued that Joe Biden “has a respect and understanding for what American leadership can do” better than the current White House occupant.
What Obama said next is particularly interesting.
Obama said Biden “was probably the person who was most restrained in terms of use of military force among my senior advisers during the course of my presidency.”
LOL. Neocons and Bush/Cheney operatives will be about 1,000 times more influential in a Biden administration than leftists and progressives. — Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) October 9, 2020
“He consistently believed that we should show restraint and humility and think through the use of military power and had huge confidence and faith in the use of diplomacy as a strategy for showing American leadership,” Obama added.
Obama’s Worst Regret Was The U.S. Bombing Of Libya
Obama might be right about Biden’s supposed restraint in comparison to his other senior advisers.
But comparing who has used more restraint and engaged in more diplomacy the two presidents is telling.
When the Obama administration decided to bomb Libya in 2011, one observer said it “wrecked” that country for a “generation.”
We came, we saw, he died.” Hillary Clinton on the murder of Gaddafi, which occurred 8 years ago this week, following “NATO intervention” in Libya, aftermath (“ISIS” got a foothold in Libya) of which Obama dubbed the “worst mistake” of his presidency.
pic.twitter.com/owX12yYq1w — Khanoisseur 🐶🤦🏻♂🌎 (@Khanoisseur) October 21, 2019
We know Obama adviser and then Secretary of State Hillary Clinton played a large role in that debacle.
Wrote The American Conservative’s Doug Bandow, “Libya’s ongoing destruction belongs to Hillary Clinton more than anyone else. It was she who pushed President Barack Obama to launch his splendid little war, backing the overthrow of Moammar Gaddafi in the name of protecting Libya’s civilians.”
“When later asked about Gaddafi’s death, she cackled and exclaimed: ‘We came, we saw, he died,” Bandow noted.
We know the vacuum created in Libya by U.S. intervention allowed ISIS to gain a foothold and expand.
Obama would later call his Libya decision the worst mistake of his presidency.
Invading Libya is still worse than anything Trump has done. Obama at least seems to semi-regret it, calling it the “worst mistake” of his presidency. — Nicole Alexander Fisher (@_nalexander) May 4, 2020
Trump Showed Restraint When Advisers Urged War In Iran
Compare this to Donald Trump calling off the U.S. bombing of Iran.
When Trump administration advisers were urging the President to bomb Iran, he set the wheels into motion and then made a major decision.
He called it off.
He ignored advisers like John Bolton and others who urged this.
It was reported that the decision shocked White House aides and was made to spare civilian lives.
Bolton was outraged Trump did not bomb Iran and even said so in his book.
Bolton said Trump’s decision to call off a military strike on Iran last June was the “most irrational” thing he ever witnessed a president do. Trump was worried the strike would be disproportionate. It was actually shrewd and prevented unnecessary escalation. Bolton loves war. pic.twitter.com/inpkegNedq — John Haltiwanger (@jchaltiwanger) June 18, 2020
It was the kind of last minute decision only a President who defies the Swamp could make – the opposite of what happened regarding Obama and Libya.
Bombing Iran a year ago could still have negative political aftershocks today if it had been followed through, similar to the aftermath of U.S. intervention in Libya.
Trump did the correct thing to call off a military strike against Iran A strike that would have killed 150 people as a response to a drone being shot down is not a correct retaliation Iran must be continually sanctioned and held accountable Endless war is not the answer — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) June 21, 2019
Trump Is The First President In Decades Not To Start New Wars
In addition, President Trump has done more to get us out of the two wars – Iraq and Afghanistan – that George W. Bush started than Obama did.
And perhaps most important – President Trump is the first Commander-in-Chief not to start any new wars in decades.
That’s big.
It is hard to imagine another president holding the historic diplomatic talks – and meeting! – with North Korea, as President Trump has.
This is far preferable than any sort of military action, that would likely end terribly for both countries.
It is hard to imagine what other president would have arranged Trump’s ongoing and historic Middle East peace deals.
Let me get this straight: THREE Middle East peace deals wasn’t enough to win Donald Trump the Nobel Peace Prize but simply being in office for 11 days was enough to win it for Obama? 🤔 — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) October 9, 2020
RELATED: President Trump Celebrates Signing Of ‘Historic’ Middle East Peace Deal
If you really examine it, President Trump’s foreign policy record actually reflects more “focus” and “patience” than his critics give him credit for.
Perhaps Barack Obama should have had more “focus” and “patience.”


thepoliticalinsider--2020-10-15--The Gordian Knot Protecting Obamagate Secrets

Donald Trump and Republicans are furious that U.S. Attorney John Durham has not brought indictments against senior people who spied on the president ’ s campaign , lied repeatedly to judges in order to do it , and based their intrusions on specious evidence , which they and had been commissioned by the opposition political party .
We know the broad outlines of this coordinated operation , but we still don ’ t know its full extent , all those involved , and what precise roles they played .
Attorney General William Barr promised major developments in this probe by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Labor Day , and now sometime after the election .
RELATED : That Senate ‘ Collusion ’ Report ?
It ’ s Got No Smoking Gun … But It Does Have A Fog Machine If , as Republicans say ( and the evidence seems to show ) , there was a systematic effort to weaponize federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies for political purposes , the public has a compelling right to know .
This need-to-know is urgent because the Democrats ’ presidential nominee , Joe Biden , served as the second-highest ranking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ acts .
Why have Barr and Durham delayed issuing indictments or producing a comprehensive report ?
There are two ways to view this riddle .
The first is that there have been so many practical obstacles to moving quickly , yet properly , to find out what happened .
Everything was on hold while bumbling Jeff Sessions was attorney general .
The department was , in effect , run by his second-in-command , Rod Rosenstein , who appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel and then let him and his deputy , Andrew Weissmann @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s biased , aggressive team seems to have had one overriding interest : take down the president .
( Weissmann confirmed as much in his recent kiss-and-tell memoir harshly critical of Mueller for not doing precisely that . )
When that prolonged effort fizzled and with Barr in place of Sessions , the Department of Justice could finally investigate how Trump was targeted and who did it .
Barr assigned that task to Durham , a nonpartisan , highly respected career prosecutor with previous experience as an independent counsel .
Durham met @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had committed the very acts being investigated .
The CIA , now headed by Gina Haspel , and the FBI , now headed by Christopher Wray , refused to turn over any documents they weren ’ t forced to .
Their resistance significantly slowed Durham ’ s work .
So did the pandemic , which prevented grand juries from meeting to consider the evidence he uncovered .
These delays are only half the story .
The other half is the inherent , unresolvable tensions between the political and criminal dimensions of this investigation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ concerned only with assembling solid evidence to win criminal convictions , however time-consuming that is .
If one indictment is part of a broader picture and might reveal information to other targets , prosecutors keep it secret as long as they can .
These procedures pose no problems in ordinary cases .
In this case , however , they pose big problems since the crimes being investigated were directed at political figures , had political consequences , and may have been politically motivated .
Citizens have a right to know — right now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the results of the previous presidential election were undermined by the very agencies who are supposed to be the bulwarks of American democracy .
The targeting by the FBI and CIA of Donald Trump ’ s campaign , transition , and presidency corrupts the very idea of free-and-fair elections , the peaceful transfer of power , and nonpartisan law enforcement .
If that ’ s what happened , Americans must know who did it .
The Gordian Knot here is the unavoidable , unresolvable tension between the proper procedures used to investigate complex @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature of the crimes being investigated in this case .
The logic of law enforcement pulls on one end of the rope .
The logic of informed , democratic choice pulls on the other end .
One demands secrecy ; the other , openness .
Both are completely legitimate .
Because they pull in opposite directions in this case , the knot keeps getting tighter .
Secretive criminal investigations proceed with a logic that is fundamentally different from that of free and open democratic elections .
Each has its own timetable , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed by Election Day 2020 .
Durham has moved on a legal timetable , not a political one .
That ’ s entirely appropriate .
But it comes at a high cost to voters and to the Trump White House .
RELATED : Trump Dossier Source Was a Suspected Russian Spy , and the FBI Knew It It leaves the attorney general with no way to inform citizens what his department has discovered before they cast ballots .
Although Barr could speak about the broad contours of his findings , doing so would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , would be hard to do without naming names .
Those names should only be revealed through criminal charges or court cases .
Indict or shut up .
Violating that cardinal rule was the same mistake FBI Director James Comey made when he discussed Hillary Clinton ’ s emails and server .
So , how can citizens acquire the information they need between now and Nov. 3 ?
How can they find out what senior officials in the Obama administration did to surveil political opponents and cover it up when they lost the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ options .
The only realistic one is exactly what President Trump is demanding : Executive branch agencies must release all relevant documents with as few redactions as possible .
His demand is entirely political , designed to help him win reelection .
Still , he has the legal authority to do it .
RELATED : Who Wants to Blow Up Our Constitution ?
( Spoiler : It ’ s Not Trump ) Whether it helps the country depends on what the documents tell us and whether they disclose any secret intelligence techniques .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a textbook example of bureaucrats covering their tracks , even if it harms the country they were hired to serve .
Although some redactions are necessary to protect national security and on-going criminal investigations , many others were likely made to protect government agencies from humiliation or worse .
That self-protection is why the State Department , FBI , and CIA have refused to give up documents .
Lower-level bureaucrats have an additional reason .
They fear the disclosures will help Trump .
Now that Election Day is so imminent , these agencies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secrets .
Trump can not fire the Slow-Walkers-in-Chief , Christopher Wray and Gina Haspel , since doing so would ignite a political firestorm , just as firing Comey did .
Wray , Haspel , and their colleagues know that , so they try to wait out Trump and hope for the best .
Still , the president does have some levers .
John Ratcliffe , who is the director of national intelligence , outranks Haspel and can overrule her .
He should do so if he thinks she is stalling to protect her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vulnerable because she headed the CIA ’ s London station when Obama ’ s CIA ran so many anti-Trump operations on her territory .
As for Wray , he is Barr ’ s subordinate in the Justice Department .
RELATED : Former Trump Campaign Manager Calls on President to Pardon Everyone Convicted In Mueller Probe The AG should override the FBI director unless disclosures would imperil a Durham prosecution .
The practical danger is that Wray would complain to the New York Times and Washington Post , just as Comey and his deputy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ friendly publications would undoubtedly reprise their old headlines : “ Sources say AG undermining rule of law to help Trump.
” As we peer through a glass darkly , we should remember who failed to inform us about these scandals for years , leaving us with so few options now .
It was the Democratic House of Representatives and the mainstream media .
On the Senate side , the Intelligence Committee was useless , and the two committees that did try to investigate , Judiciary and Homeland Security , were stonewalled by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are still being stonewalled .
The only breach in this cone of self-serving silence came thanks to the Freedom of Information Act , used by Judicial Watch and a few others to obtain government information hidden from our elected representatives .
The mainstream media has been an embarrassment .
It so revered the Obama administration that , instead of reporting on its officials ’ malfeasance , it protected them .
It is still protecting them , as well as Hillary Clinton and her campaign .
The country ’ s leading news organizations had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ constitutional norms governing fair elections and unbiased law enforcement .
Instead , they leaped head-first down the “ Trump-Russia collusion ” rabbit hole .
They emerged dirty but unbowed .
One result is that about half the American public now believes the media is a branch of the Democratic Party .
Actually , everyone does , but only half thinks it ’ s a bad thing .
RELATED : As Tech Giants Censor Anti-Biden News , New York Times Magazine Argues Against 1st Amendment Republican frustration with this coverup is palpable .
After @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still don ’ t have a full accounting of how the Obama administration used the powerful tools of law enforcement and intelligence agencies against a political opponent .
We ought to know before the election , but we won ’ t .
If the Democrats win and take back the Justice Department , we may never know .
Why would a Biden administration ever want to pursue that issue ?
This veil of ignorance , constructed so assiduously by its malefactors , goes to the heart of our democratic process .
It bears @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the biggest questions linger unanswered because Congress and the media failed in their duties .
Their failure left only federal prosecutors to investigate , and they couldn ’ t begin until Mueller and Sessions were gone .
Durham ’ s criminal investigation is necessarily secret , and properly so .
It moves at its own deliberate pace .
For voters , that ’ s too slow .
The alleged crimes are grave , those involved were high-ranking officials plus the Democrats ’ 2016 candidate .
The party ’ s 2020 nominee ranked second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were committed .
The unhappy result is this whole nettle of serious crimes remains hidden from voters who deserve to know .
Charles Lipson is the Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Chicago , where he founded the Program on International Politics , Economics , and Security .
He can be reached at .
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider .

By Charles Lipson for RealClearPolitics
Donald Trump and Republicans are furious that U.S. Attorney John Durham has not brought indictments against senior people who spied on the president’s campaign, lied repeatedly to judges in order to do it, and based their intrusions on specious evidence, which they knew to be false — and had been commissioned by the opposition political party.
We know the broad outlines of this coordinated operation, but we still don’t know its full extent, all those involved, and what precise roles they played.
Attorney General William Barr promised major developments in this probe by late spring, then mid-summer, then Labor Day, and now sometime after the election.
RELATED: That Senate ‘Collusion’ Report? It’s Got No Smoking Gun … But It Does Have A Fog Machine
If, as Republicans say (and the evidence seems to show), there was a systematic effort to weaponize federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies for political purposes, the public has a compelling right to know.
This need-to-know is urgent because the Democrats’ presidential nominee, Joe Biden, served as the second-highest ranking member of the administration that conducted these acts.
Why have Barr and Durham delayed issuing indictments or producing a comprehensive report? There are two ways to view this riddle.
The first is that there have been so many practical obstacles to moving quickly, yet properly, to find out what happened.
Everything was on hold while bumbling Jeff Sessions was attorney general.
The department was, in effect, run by his second-in-command, Rod Rosenstein, who appointed Robert Mueller as special counsel and then let him and his deputy, Andrew Weissmann, operate virtually without restraint.
RELATED: Senate RussiaGate Report Left Big Stones Unturned
Mueller’s biased, aggressive team seems to have had one overriding interest: take down the president. (Weissmann confirmed as much in his recent kiss-and-tell memoir harshly critical of Mueller for not doing precisely that.)
When that prolonged effort fizzled and with Barr in place of Sessions, the Department of Justice could finally investigate how Trump was targeted and who did it.
Barr assigned that task to Durham, a nonpartisan, highly respected career prosecutor with previous experience as an independent counsel.
Durham met predictable resistance from the same agencies that had committed the very acts being investigated.
The CIA, now headed by Gina Haspel, and the FBI, now headed by Christopher Wray, refused to turn over any documents they weren’t forced to. Their resistance significantly slowed Durham’s work.
So did the pandemic, which prevented grand juries from meeting to consider the evidence he uncovered.
These delays are only half the story.
The other half is the inherent, unresolvable tensions between the political and criminal dimensions of this investigation.
Career prosecutors are obliged to be concerned only with assembling solid evidence to win criminal convictions, however time-consuming that is.
RELATED: Secret Report: CIA’s Brennan Overruled Dissenters Who Concluded Russia Favored Hillary
If one indictment is part of a broader picture and might reveal information to other targets, prosecutors keep it secret as long as they can.
These procedures pose no problems in ordinary cases. In this case, however, they pose big problems since the crimes being investigated were directed at political figures, had political consequences, and may have been politically motivated.
Citizens have a right to know — right now, before another Election Day — how the results of the previous presidential election were undermined by the very agencies who are supposed to be the bulwarks of American democracy.
The targeting by the FBI and CIA of Donald Trump’s campaign, transition, and presidency corrupts the very idea of free-and-fair elections, the peaceful transfer of power, and nonpartisan law enforcement.
If that’s what happened, Americans must know who did it.
The Gordian Knot here is the unavoidable, unresolvable tension between the proper procedures used to investigate complex, white-collar crimes and the inherently political nature of the crimes being investigated in this case.
The logic of law enforcement pulls on one end of the rope. The logic of informed, democratic choice pulls on the other end. One demands secrecy; the other, openness.
Both are completely legitimate. Because they pull in opposite directions in this case, the knot keeps getting tighter.
Secretive criminal investigations proceed with a logic that is fundamentally different from that of free and open democratic elections. Each has its own timetable, and the gap between them cannot be closed by Election Day 2020.
Durham has moved on a legal timetable, not a political one. That’s entirely appropriate. But it comes at a high cost to voters and to the Trump White House.
RELATED: Trump Dossier Source Was a Suspected Russian Spy, and the FBI Knew It
It leaves the attorney general with no way to inform citizens what his department has discovered before they cast ballots.
Although Barr could speak about the broad contours of his findings, doing so would seem partisan and, in any case, would be hard to do without naming names.
Those names should only be revealed through criminal charges or court cases. Indict or shut up.
Violating that cardinal rule was the same mistake FBI Director James Comey made when he discussed Hillary Clinton’s emails and server.
Barr and Durham won’t repeat it.
So, how can citizens acquire the information they need between now and Nov. 3?
How can they find out what senior officials in the Obama administration did to surveil political opponents and cover it up when they lost the election?
There aren’t many options. The only realistic one is exactly what President Trump is demanding: Executive branch agencies must release all relevant documents with as few redactions as possible.
His demand is entirely political, designed to help him win reelection. Still, he has the legal authority to do it.
RELATED: Who Wants to Blow Up Our Constitution? (Spoiler: It’s Not Trump)
Whether it helps the country depends on what the documents tell us and whether they disclose any secret intelligence techniques.
What we have seen so far is a textbook example of bureaucrats covering their tracks, even if it harms the country they were hired to serve.
Although some redactions are necessary to protect national security and on-going criminal investigations, many others were likely made to protect government agencies from humiliation or worse.
That self-protection is why the State Department, FBI, and CIA have refused to give up documents. Lower-level bureaucrats have an additional reason. They fear the disclosures will help Trump.
Now that Election Day is so imminent, these agencies have even more leverage to keep their secrets.
Trump cannot fire the Slow-Walkers-in-Chief, Christopher Wray and Gina Haspel, since doing so would ignite a political firestorm, just as firing Comey did.
Wray, Haspel, and their colleagues know that, so they try to wait out Trump and hope for the best.
Still, the president does have some levers. John Ratcliffe, who is the director of national intelligence, outranks Haspel and can overrule her. He should do so if he thinks she is stalling to protect her agency or her position.
She is vulnerable because she headed the CIA’s London station when Obama’s CIA ran so many anti-Trump operations on her territory. As for Wray, he is Barr’s subordinate in the Justice Department.
RELATED: Former Trump Campaign Manager Calls on President to Pardon Everyone Convicted In Mueller Probe
The AG should override the FBI director unless disclosures would imperil a Durham prosecution. The practical danger is that Wray would complain to the New York Times and Washington Post, just as Comey and his deputy, Andrew McCabe, did.
Those friendly publications would undoubtedly reprise their old headlines: “Sources say AG undermining rule of law to help Trump.”
As we peer through a glass darkly, we should remember who failed to inform us about these scandals for years, leaving us with so few options now. It was the Democratic House of Representatives and the mainstream media.
On the Senate side, the Intelligence Committee was useless, and the two committees that did try to investigate, Judiciary and Homeland Security, were stonewalled by the very bureaucracies they were probing.
They are still being stonewalled. The only breach in this cone of self-serving silence came thanks to the Freedom of Information Act, used by Judicial Watch and a few others to obtain government information hidden from our elected representatives.
The mainstream media has been an embarrassment. It so revered the Obama administration that, instead of reporting on its officials’ malfeasance, it protected them. It is still protecting them, as well as Hillary Clinton and her campaign.
The country’s leading news organizations had zero interest in uncovering serious violations of constitutional norms governing fair elections and unbiased law enforcement. Instead, they leaped head-first down the “Trump-Russia collusion” rabbit hole.
They emerged dirty but unbowed. One result is that about half the American public now believes the media is a branch of the Democratic Party. Actually, everyone does, but only half thinks it’s a bad thing.
RELATED: As Tech Giants Censor Anti-Biden News, New York Times Magazine Argues Against 1st Amendment
Republican frustration with this coverup is palpable. After four years, they say, we still don’t have a full accounting of how the Obama administration used the powerful tools of law enforcement and intelligence agencies against a political opponent.
We ought to know before the election, but we won’t. If the Democrats win and take back the Justice Department, we may never know.
Why would a Biden administration ever want to pursue that issue?
This veil of ignorance, constructed so assiduously by its malefactors, goes to the heart of our democratic process. It bears directly on the current election.
Yet the biggest questions linger unanswered because Congress and the media failed in their duties. Their failure left only federal prosecutors to investigate, and they couldn’t begin until Mueller and Sessions were gone.
Durham’s criminal investigation is necessarily secret, and properly so. It moves at its own deliberate pace. For voters, that’s too slow. The alleged crimes are grave, those involved were high-ranking officials plus the Democrats’ 2016 candidate.
The party’s 2020 nominee ranked second only to Barack Obama when the crimes were committed. The unhappy result is this whole nettle of serious crimes remains hidden from voters who deserve to know.
Syndicated with permission from RealClearWire.
Charles Lipson is the Peter B. Ritzma Professor of Political Science Emeritus at the University of Chicago, where he founded the Program on International Politics, Economics, and Security. He can be reached at [email protected].
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-10-15--Trump Torches Nancy Pelosi – Says She’s ‘Got A Lot Of Mental Problems’

President Donald Trump escalated his feud with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi ( D-CA ) on Wednesday when he accused her of having “ a lot of mental problems.
” This came as he was taking questions about the stalled negotiations over a COVID-19 stimulus bill .
In an interview with Fox News host Stuart Varney , Trump said that he is willing to increase his current $ 1.8 trillion offer for the next coronavirus stimulus package , when negotiations with Democrats resume .
“ Absolutely , I would .
I would pay more .
I would go higher .
Go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it yesterday .
Go big or go home , ” Trump said , according to The Hill .
However , the president also said that he would never agree to Pelosi ’ s $ 2.2 trillion offer , accusing her of wanting to use the money to “ bail out ” Democrat-run cities .
“ She is asking for all sorts of goodies .
She wants to bail out badly run Democrat states and cities .
She wants money for things that you would never , you just couldn ’ t , just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ happen , ” Trump said .
He added that Pelosi “ doesn ’ t want to give anything .
She thinks it helps her with the election and I don ’ t think so .
I think it hurts her with the election , because everyone knows she is holding it up .
We ’ re not holding it up .
She is holding it up.
” RELATED : Most Americans Blame Nancy Pelosi For Failure To Pass Stimulus , New Poll Shows Trump Goes In For The Kill Trump then went in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ would you pick up the phone to call Speaker Pelosi ?
” “ Sure I would , ” Trump replied .
“ But I know my people .
I know life .
She ’ s got a lot of problems , she ’ s got a lot of mental problems and it ’ s going to be very hard to do anything with her.
” Ouch , Pelosi is not going to like that one !
In this same interview , Trump claimed that the United States would force China to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s where the virus originated .
“ The Republicans are willing to do it .
I ’ d like to see more money , because it comes back .
It ’ s going to come back anyway , ” Trump said .
“ We ’ re going to take it from China .
It ’ s coming out of China .
They ’ re the ones that caused this problem.
” This piece was written by James Samson on October 15 , 2020 .
It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wisconsin Burns While Rioters Control The Streets Barrett Shines And Democrats Attack Trump on First Day of Confirmation Hearings Trump Eviscerates Democrats For Handling Of Amy Coney Barrett Hearings The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider .

President Donald Trump escalated his feud with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) on Wednesday when he accused her of having “a lot of mental problems.” This came as he was taking questions about the stalled negotiations over a COVID-19 stimulus bill.
Trump Goes After Pelosi
In an interview with Fox News host Stuart Varney, Trump said that he is willing to increase his current $1.8 trillion offer for the next coronavirus stimulus package, when negotiations with Democrats resume.
“Absolutely, I would. I would pay more. I would go higher. Go big or go home, I said it yesterday. Go big or go home,” Trump said, according to The Hill.
However, the president also said that he would never agree to Pelosi’s $2.2 trillion offer, accusing her of wanting to use the money to “bail out” Democrat-run cities.
“She is asking for all sorts of goodies. She wants to bail out badly run Democrat states and cities. She wants money for things that you would never, you just couldn’t, just your pride couldn’t let it happen,” Trump said.
He added that Pelosi “doesn’t want to give anything. She thinks it helps her with the election and I don’t think so. I think it hurts her with the election, because everyone knows she is holding it up. We’re not holding it up. She is holding it up.”
RELATED: Most Americans Blame Nancy Pelosi For Failure To Pass Stimulus, New Poll Shows
Trump Goes In For The Kill
Trump then went in for the kill when Varney asked, “would you pick up the phone to call Speaker Pelosi?”
“Sure I would,” Trump replied. “But I know my people. I know life. She’s got a lot of problems, she’s got a lot of mental problems and it’s going to be very hard to do anything with her.”
Ouch, Pelosi is not going to like that one!
In this same interview, Trump claimed that the United States would force China to pay for the stimulus, since that’s where the virus originated.
“The Republicans are willing to do it. I’d like to see more money, because it comes back. It’s going to come back anyway,” Trump said. “We’re going to take it from China. It’s coming out of China. They’re the ones that caused this problem.”
READ NEXT: Pelosi Slams Trump’s Pandemic Talks – ‘One Step Forward, Two Steps Back’
This piece was written by James Samson on October 15, 2020. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.
Read more at LifeZette:
Wisconsin Burns While Rioters Control The Streets
Barrett Shines And Democrats Attack Trump on First Day of Confirmation Hearings
Trump Eviscerates Democrats For Handling Of Amy Coney Barrett Hearings
Read this Next on ThePoliticalInsider.com Trump Eviscerates Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – Says She ‘Wants To Be A Dictator’
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-10-15--Trump Eviscerates Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer – Says She ‘Wants To Be A Dictator’

President Donald Trump spoke out on Thursday to torch Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer , saying that she “ wants to be a dictator.
” Trump reacted to Whitmer extending her state ’ s lockdown emergency through October 27 by saying that Michigan and other states should “ open up ” despite the COVID-19 pandemic .
“ They ought to open up the states , ” Trump told Fox Business .
“ That ’ s the other thing with the Democrats — maybe more important — open up the states .
We ’ re winning a lot of lawsuits about that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it ] open up .
She wants to be a dictator in Michigan.
” Zeroing in on Whitmer , Trump claimed that “ people can ’ t stand her ” and that they “ want to get back and want to get back to work.
” He added that this mentality is actually helping his reelection efforts in the state .
“ Michigan , we won .
Pennsylvania , we won .
… North Carolina ’ s moving along .
They ’ ve got to open them up .
They will open them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
“ They ’ re only doing it for politics .
But the schools have to open .
The businesses have to open .
Despite that , we ’ ll have a great third quarter.
” This comes days after Whitmer blamed Trump in part for the kidnapping plot that was hatched against her by members of a Michigan militia .
The FBI managed to foil this plot last week , arresting six militia members on October 8 for planning to kidnap and murder Whitmer because of her strict coronavirus lockdown measures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president of the United States stood before the American people and refused to condemn White supremacists and hate groups like these two Michigan militia groups , ” Whitmer said after the arrests .
“ ‘ Stand back and stand by , ’ he told them .
… Hate groups heard the president ’ s words not as a rebuke but as a rallying cry , as a call to action , ” she added .
Whitmer went on to say that when “ leaders meet with , encourage and fraternize with domestic terrorists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are complicit.
” As you can see , there is no love lost between Trump and Whitmer .
This piece was written by James Samson on October 15 , 2020 .
It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission .
Read more at LifeZette : Wisconsin Burns While Rioters Control The Streets Barrett Shines And Democrats Attack Trump on First Day of Confirmation Hearings Trump Eviscerates Democrats For Handling Of Amy Coney Barrett Hearings The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the @ @ @ @ @ @

President Donald Trump spoke out on Thursday to torch Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, saying that she “wants to be a dictator.”
Trump Torches Whitmer
Trump reacted to Whitmer extending her state’s lockdown emergency through October 27 by saying that Michigan and other states should “open up” despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They ought to open up the states,” Trump told Fox Business. “That’s the other thing with the Democrats — maybe more important — open up the states. We’re winning a lot of lawsuits about that. Michigan, she has to [it] open up. She wants to be a dictator in Michigan.”
Zeroing in on Whitmer, Trump claimed that “people can’t stand her” and that they “want to get back and want to get back to work.” He added that this mentality is actually helping his reelection efforts in the state.
“Michigan, we won. Pennsylvania, we won. … North Carolina’s moving along. They’ve got to open them up. They will open them up on Nov. 4,” Trump said. “They’re only doing it for politics. But the schools have to open. The businesses have to open. Despite that, we’ll have a great third quarter.”
RELATED: Chilling Details Emerge About Plot To Kidnap Gretchen Whitmer
Whitmer Partly Blames Trump For Kidnapping Plot
This comes days after Whitmer blamed Trump in part for the kidnapping plot that was hatched against her by members of a Michigan militia. The FBI managed to foil this plot last week, arresting six militia members on October 8 for planning to kidnap and murder Whitmer because of her strict coronavirus lockdown measures.
“Just last week, the president of the United States stood before the American people and refused to condemn White supremacists and hate groups like these two Michigan militia groups,” Whitmer said after the arrests.
“‘Stand back and stand by,’ he told them. … Hate groups heard the president’s words not as a rebuke but as a rallying cry, as a call to action,” she added.
RELATED: Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot Blames President For Gretchen Whitmer Kidnapping Plot – ‘All Roads Lead Back To Trump’
Whitmer went on to say that when “leaders meet with, encourage and fraternize with domestic terrorists, they legitimize their actions and they are complicit.”
As you can see, there is no love lost between Trump and Whitmer.
This piece was written by James Samson on October 15, 2020. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.
Read more at LifeZette:
Wisconsin Burns While Rioters Control The Streets
Barrett Shines And Democrats Attack Trump on First Day of Confirmation Hearings
Trump Eviscerates Democrats For Handling Of Amy Coney Barrett Hearings
Read this Next on ThePoliticalInsider.com Kamala Harris Cancels All Campaign Travel For Four Days After Top Staffer Tests Positive For Coronavirus
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-10-15--Kamala Harris Cancels All Campaign Travel For Four Days After Top Staffer Tests Positive For Coronav

Kamala Harris Cancels All Campaign Travel For Four Days After Top Staffer Tests Positive For Coronavirus

Senator Kamala Harris ( D-CA ) has cancelled all campaign travel for four days after one of her top staffers tested positive for COVID-19 .
Joe Biden ’ s campaign announced today that Harris had cancelled all travel through Sunday “ out of an abundance of caution ” after a flight crew member and her communications director tested positive for coronavirus , according to Politico .
The campaign added that Harris herself tested negative for COVID-19 twice in the past week .
“ Senator Harris was not in close contact , as defined by the CDC , with either of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to their positive tests ; as such , there is no requirement for quarantine , ” said Biden campaign manager Jen O ’ Malley Dillon .
She added that contact with neither of the people who tested positive had any contact with Harris or Biden “ or any other staffers since testing positive or in the 48 hours prior to their positive test results.
” RELATED : Fact Check : Kamala Harris Lied About Lincoln And Supreme Court During Debate Harris had been scheduled to spend Thursday campaigning in the battleground state of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Asheville to mark the beginning of early voting there .
She had then planned to travel to Cleveland , Ohio on Friday .
Harris had told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow on Wednesday night that she was planning to be in Pennsylvania this coming weekend , and she teased a trip to Texas as well .
She had been taking a break from the campaign trail this week to participate virtually in the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett .
O ’ Malley Dillon identified the staffer who had tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Allen , who she said had attended personal events unrelated to the campaign in the past week .
The flight crew member , who is not affiliated with the Biden campaign , had attended personal events as well .
Both Allen and the crew member had to be tested for COVID-19 before returning to working with the campaign .
Allen and the crew member were last on a flight with Harris on October 8 , with all of them wearing N-95 masks .
The campaign also said that Harris was never within six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ minutes .
RELATED : Trump Says Kamala Harris Is A ‘ Monster ’ And A ‘ Communist ’ Who Will Replace Biden ‘ Within Months ’ O ’ Malley Dillon praised the campaign ’ s “ strict ” protocols , saying they likely stopped Harris and other staffers from becoming infected with the virus .
“ These protocols help protect the campaign , the staff , and anyone who they may have contact with ; the importance of having such protocols — which include testing before resuming duties , regular testing while working @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and masking and distancing while on campaign duties — have been illustrated once again , ” she said .
“ From the outset of this pandemic , the Biden-Harris campaign has taken every precaution to limit the spread of COVID-19 , ” O ’ Malley Dillon added .
“ Today ’ s exceedingly cautious steps are part of that commitment.
” This piece was written by James Samson on October 15 , 2020 .
It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission .
Read more at LifeZette : Wisconsin Burns While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Democrats Attack Trump on First Day of Confirmation Hearings Trump Eviscerates Democrats For Handling Of Amy Coney Barrett Hearings The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider .

Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) has cancelled all campaign travel for four days after one of her top staffers tested positive for COVID-19.
Harris Cancels Travel After Staffer Tests Positive
Joe Biden’s campaign announced today that Harris had cancelled all travel through Sunday “out of an abundance of caution” after a flight crew member and her communications director tested positive for coronavirus, according to Politico.
The campaign added that Harris herself tested negative for COVID-19 twice in the past week.
“Senator Harris was not in close contact, as defined by the CDC, with either of these individuals during the two days prior to their positive tests; as such, there is no requirement for quarantine,” said Biden campaign manager Jen O’Malley Dillon.
She added that contact with neither of the people who tested positive had any contact with Harris or Biden “or any other staffers since testing positive or in the 48 hours prior to their positive test results.”
RELATED: Fact Check: Kamala Harris Lied About Lincoln And Supreme Court During Debate
Harris Had A Busy Weekend Planned
Harris had been scheduled to spend Thursday campaigning in the battleground state of North Carolina, traveling to both Charlotte and Asheville to mark the beginning of early voting there. She had then planned to travel to Cleveland, Ohio on Friday.
Harris had told MSNBC host Rachel Maddow on Wednesday night that she was planning to be in Pennsylvania this coming weekend, and she teased a trip to Texas as well. She had been taking a break from the campaign trail this week to participate virtually in the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett.
O’Malley Dillon identified the staffer who had tested positive as Harris’ communications director Liz Allen, who she said had attended personal events unrelated to the campaign in the past week. The flight crew member, who is not affiliated with the Biden campaign, had attended personal events as well. Both Allen and the crew member had to be tested for COVID-19 before returning to working with the campaign.
Allen and the crew member were last on a flight with Harris on October 8, with all of them wearing N-95 masks. The campaign also said that Harris was never within six feet of either for longer than 15 minutes.
RELATED: Trump Says Kamala Harris Is A ‘Monster’ And A ‘Communist’ Who Will Replace Biden ‘Within Months’
Biden Campaign Touts Strict Protocols
O’Malley Dillon praised the campaign’s “strict” protocols, saying they likely stopped Harris and other staffers from becoming infected with the virus.
“These protocols help protect the campaign, the staff, and anyone who they may have contact with; the importance of having such protocols — which include testing before resuming duties, regular testing while working in-person, isolation after time off, and masking and distancing while on campaign duties — have been illustrated once again,” she said.
“From the outset of this pandemic, the Biden-Harris campaign has taken every precaution to limit the spread of COVID-19,” O’Malley Dillon added. “Today’s exceedingly cautious steps are part of that commitment.”
This piece was written by James Samson on October 15, 2020. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.
Read more at LifeZette:
Wisconsin Burns While Rioters Control The Streets
Barrett Shines And Democrats Attack Trump on First Day of Confirmation Hearings
Trump Eviscerates Democrats For Handling Of Amy Coney Barrett Hearings
Read this Next on ThePoliticalInsider.com Joy Behar Slams Wolf Blitzer For Contentious Pelosi Interview – ‘Wolfy, Calm Down’
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-10-15--Joy Behar Slams Wolf Blitzer For Contentious Pelosi Interview – ‘Wolfy, Calm Down’

Yesterday , we reported that CNN hosts Wolf Blitzer ’ s interview with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi derailed after he dared to question her on why she has not passed a new stimulus bill amidst the COVID-19 pandemic .
The next morning , Joy Behar rushed to her beloved Speaker ’ s defense while discussing the interview on “ The View.
” Behar let loose on Blitzer , criticizing him for grilling Pelosi on why Democrats have not accepted a $ 1.8 trillion stimulus offer from Republicans .
“ I love Wolf , ” she said .
“ Who doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ love Wolf .
But he was out of line .
He doesn ’ t know what ’ s going on behind closed doors .
He ’ s not in on the deal.
” RELATED : Pelosi Loses It During CNN Interview – Accuses Wolf Blitzer Of Helping Republicans .
Yes , Really .
Behar was then interrupted by her husband bizarrely blocking the camera in a moment that suggested that he is just as buffoonish and incompetent as his wife is .
Once the show got back on track , Behar resumed her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is ] saying , ‘ Let ’ s give people $ 1,200 , ’ ” Behar said .
“ That ’ s nothing .
In two weeks they ’ ll be back in the same position that they ’ re in .
The Democrats have a real long-term deal going on.
” ‘ And we all know we ’ re going to be in this for another year .
We all know that , ” she added .
“ Where ’ s the money for a year ?
That ’ s the question @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And let Nancy do her job.
” RELATED : Joy Behar Claims Republicans Are In A ‘ Male , White Panic ’ – Adds Barrett Will Be A ‘ Temporary Win ’ Behar ’ s cohost Sara Haines , however , was not having any of it .
She took the opposite side that Behar did , arguing that Pelosi was in the wrong .
“ I found the exchange very frustrating because right now , we live in a time where we can ’ t question an idea ?
” Haines said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you are immediately excused as an apologist for everything the other side stands for .
And CNN , by the way , they are not apologists for Trump , if you ’ ve watched them .
So that didn ’ t make much sense.
” “ Right now , any stimulus coverage is better than nothing , ” she added .
“ And if Wolf Blitzer doesn ’ t understand the intricacies of what she ’ s talking about , take the interview to explain some of that to the voters and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ snarky and dismissing it .
“ Because he was asking tough questions , and a good idea should be able to withstand question and challenge , ” Haines concluded .
“ And she did not prove to handle that very well.
” Unsurprisingly , the other hosts of “ The View ” were quick to make excuses for Pelosi just like Behar did .
Sunny Hostin defended her by saying it must be difficult to explain how complicated the GOP stimulus offer is in a quick television interview , while Whoopi Goldberg claimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she was being accused of holding up talks after spending weeks trying to get Republicans to come to the table .
It must be nice to have the media on your side .
This piece was written by James Samson on October 15 , 2020 .
It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission .
Read more at LifeZette : Wisconsin Burns While Rioters Control The Streets Barrett Shines And Democrats Attack Trump on First Day of Confirmation Hearings Trump Eviscerates Democrats For Handling Of Amy Coney Barrett Hearings The opinions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider .

Yesterday, we reported that CNN hosts Wolf Blitzer’s interview with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi derailed after he dared to question her on why she has not passed a new stimulus bill amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
The next morning, Joy Behar rushed to her beloved Speaker’s defense while discussing the interview on “The View.”
Behar Blasts Blitzer
Behar let loose on Blitzer, criticizing him for grilling Pelosi on why Democrats have not accepted a $1.8 trillion stimulus offer from Republicans.
“I love Wolf,” she said. “Who doesn’t love Wolf? We all love Wolf. But he was out of line. He doesn’t know what’s going on behind closed doors. He’s not in on the deal.”
RELATED: Pelosi Loses It During CNN Interview – Accuses Wolf Blitzer Of Helping Republicans. Yes, Really.
Behar was then interrupted by her husband bizarrely blocking the camera in a moment that suggested that he is just as buffoonish and incompetent as his wife is. Once the show got back on track, Behar resumed her attack on Blitzer.
“[Blitzer is] saying, ‘Let’s give people $1,200,’” Behar said. “That’s nothing. In two weeks they’ll be back in the same position that they’re in. The Democrats have a real long-term deal going on.”
‘And we all know we’re going to be in this for another year. We all know that,” she added. “Where’s the money for a year? That’s the question. So Wolfy, calm down. And let Nancy do her job.”
RELATED: Joy Behar Claims Republicans Are In A ‘Male, White Panic’ – Adds Barrett Will Be A ‘Temporary Win’
BLITZER CLASHES WITH PELOSI OVER STIMULUS: Things got heated between CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer when he pressed Speaker Nancy Pelosi about why she hasn’t accepted Pres. Trump’s stimulus package – the co-hosts react. https://t.co/cVclFZQmjA pic.twitter.com/EMpdIREG8p — The View (@TheView) October 14, 2020
Sara Haines Sides With Blitzer
Behar’s cohost Sara Haines, however, was not having any of it. She took the opposite side that Behar did, arguing that Pelosi was in the wrong.
“I found the exchange very frustrating because right now, we live in a time where we can’t question an idea?” Haines said. “If you question an idea, you are immediately excused as an apologist for everything the other side stands for. And CNN, by the way, they are not apologists for Trump, if you’ve watched them. So that didn’t make much sense.”
“Right now, any stimulus coverage is better than nothing,” she added. “And if Wolf Blitzer doesn’t understand the intricacies of what she’s talking about, take the interview to explain some of that to the voters and citizens as well, rather than getting snarky and dismissing it.
“Because he was asking tough questions, and a good idea should be able to withstand question and challenge,” Haines concluded. “And she did not prove to handle that very well.”
Hostin And Goldberg Defend Pelosi
Unsurprisingly, the other hosts of “The View” were quick to make excuses for Pelosi just like Behar did.
Sunny Hostin defended her by saying it must be difficult to explain how complicated the GOP stimulus offer is in a quick television interview, while Whoopi Goldberg claimed that Pelosi may have been frustrated that she was being accused of holding up talks after spending weeks trying to get Republicans to come to the table.
It must be nice to have the media on your side.
This piece was written by James Samson on October 15, 2020. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.
Read more at LifeZette:
Wisconsin Burns While Rioters Control The Streets
Barrett Shines And Democrats Attack Trump on First Day of Confirmation Hearings
Trump Eviscerates Democrats For Handling Of Amy Coney Barrett Hearings
Read this Next on ThePoliticalInsider.com Dr. Fauci Suggests Americans Cancel Thanksgiving Gatherings Due To Coronavirus
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-10-15--Dr. Fauci Suggests Americans Cancel Thanksgiving Gatherings Due To Coronavirus

Dr. Anthony Fauci is suggesting Americans rethink their Thanksgiving gatherings in the face of a spike in coronavirus cases around the country .
Fauci , the White House coronavirus advisor , made the dire prediction during an interview with “ CBS Evening News.
” “ You may have to bite the bullet and sacrifice that social gathering , unless you ’ re pretty certain that the people that you ’ re dealing with are not infected , ” he asserted .
Speaking specifically of the holidays , Fauci warned of holding family gatherings .
“ That is unfortunately a risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of town , gathering together in an indoor setting , ” he advised .
“ It is unfortunate , because that ’ s such a sacred part of American tradition — the family gathering around Thanksgiving .
But that is a risk.
” RELATED : Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick : Dr. Fauci Doesn ’ t Know What He ’ s Talking About Fauci Says His Kids Aren ’ t Visiting For Thanksgiving Due to Coronavirus Fauci said his own kids are heeding the same warnings and not visiting for Thanksgiving .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ concern for me and my age , have decided they ’ re not going to come home for Thanksgiving , ” he relayed .
“ Even though all three of them want very much to come home for Thanksgiving.
” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) Director Robert Redfield said earlier this week that small gatherings are a threat .
“ What we ’ re seeing as the increasing threat right now is actually acquisition of infection through small household gatherings , ” Redfield claimed .
“ Particularly with Thanksgiving @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ we think it ’ s really important to stress the vigilance of these continued mitigation steps in the household setting.
” RELATED : Radio Host Mark Levin Calls Out Fauci : ‘ Let ’ s Be Honest , He ’ s Been Wrong A Lot ’ Fauci ’ s warnings come amidst significant restrictions being imposed in European countries also battling a second wave of the pandemic .
France ’ s President Emmanuel Macron has announced curfews being imposed in Paris and other major cities .
CNN reports : “ Violating the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 135 euros ( about $ 160 ) for a first offense , and 1500 euros ( $ 1,760 ) if the offense is repeated.
” London , meanwhile , is also heading for stricter lockdowns with Health Secretary Matt Hancock warning Londoners that they ’ ve “ got a difficult winter ahead.
” Reuters reports that anger over the “ biggest curtailment of freedoms since wartime ” is on the rise as “ one former government adviser warned some people would have trouble clothing their children soon.
” During congressional testimony in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ one-size-fits-all ” lockdowns are “ kind of ridiculous.
” Fox News host Tucker Carlson has repeatedly attacked the doctor , saying that “ this is just buffoon level stuff .
”

Dr. Anthony Fauci is suggesting Americans rethink their Thanksgiving gatherings in the face of a spike in coronavirus cases around the country.
Fauci, the White House coronavirus advisor, made the dire prediction during an interview with “CBS Evening News.”
“You may have to bite the bullet and sacrifice that social gathering, unless you’re pretty certain that the people that you’re dealing with are not infected,” he asserted.
Speaking specifically of the holidays, Fauci warned of holding family gatherings.
“That is unfortunately a risk, when you have people coming from out of town, gathering together in an indoor setting,” he advised.
“It is unfortunate, because that’s such a sacred part of American tradition — the family gathering around Thanksgiving. But that is a risk.”
U.S. is seeing a massive spike in COVID cases & hospitalizations. The CDC says *small gatherings* are an increasing source of spread. What does that mean for Thanksgiving? Dr. Fauci says “that is a risk. You may have to bite the bullet and sacrifice that social gathering.” pic.twitter.com/cZmRLlDJwd — The Recount (@therecount) October 15, 2020
RELATED: Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick: Dr. Fauci Doesn’t Know What He’s Talking About
Fauci Says His Kids Aren’t Visiting For Thanksgiving Due to Coronavirus
Fauci said his own kids are heeding the same warnings and not visiting for Thanksgiving.
“They themselves, because of their concern for me and my age, have decided they’re not going to come home for Thanksgiving,” he relayed.
“Even though all three of them want very much to come home for Thanksgiving.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Robert Redfield said earlier this week that small gatherings are a threat.
“What we’re seeing as the increasing threat right now is actually acquisition of infection through small household gatherings,” Redfield claimed.
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“Particularly with Thanksgiving coming up,” he continued, “we think it’s really important to stress the vigilance of these continued mitigation steps in the household setting.”
CDC Director warns that Thanksgiving gatherings could cause COVID cases to soar https://t.co/M95DAUbRBK — Daily Mail US (@DailyMail) October 15, 2020
RELATED: Radio Host Mark Levin Calls Out Fauci: ‘Let’s Be Honest, He’s Been Wrong A Lot’
Second Wave Causing Shutdowns, Hardship in Europe
Fauci’s warnings come amidst significant restrictions being imposed in European countries also battling a second wave of the pandemic.
France’s President Emmanuel Macron has announced curfews being imposed in Paris and other major cities.
CNN reports: “Violating the nighttime curfew will carry a fine of 135 euros (about $160) for a first offense, and 1500 euros ($1,760) if the offense is repeated.”
If only France had listened to the “experts”…oh wait, they did. https://t.co/DSbpNafq7z Coronavirus: France’s Macron announces curfew for Paris and Marseille — Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) October 15, 2020
London, meanwhile, is also heading for stricter lockdowns with Health Secretary Matt Hancock warning Londoners that they’ve “got a difficult winter ahead.”
Reuters reports that anger over the “biggest curtailment of freedoms since wartime” is on the rise as “one former government adviser warned some people would have trouble clothing their children soon.”
“We’ve got a difficult winter ahead… we’ll get through this dark time by pulling together” London Mayor Sadiq Khan urges all Londoners to follow the new rules as it’s announced the city will enter Tier 2 of coronavirus restrictions https://t.co/eizIaspU89 pic.twitter.com/6aPhptlbs0 — BBC News (UK) (@BBCNews) October 15, 2020
During congressional testimony in May, Senator Rand Paul told Fauci that “one-size-fits-all” lockdowns are “kind of ridiculous.”
Fox News host Tucker Carlson has repeatedly attacked the doctor, saying that “this is just buffoon level stuff.”


thepoliticalinsider--2020-10-15--Biden’s Latest Fundraising Numbers Set Another Record – Should Trump Be Worried?

The number eclipses that of the $ 364.5 million raised in August , which the campaign boasted represented “ the best month of online fundraising in American political history.
” “ The former vice president ’ s campaign has raised three-quarters of a billion dollars in just two months , a colossal amount of fundraising that has helped heap pressure on President Donald Trump ’ s campaign to keep up , ” CNN reports .
Biden told a supporter in a video that he is “ really humbled by ” the contributions which is “ more money than I ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” RELATED : Trump Scores NBC Town Hall , Will Face Off Directly Against Biden Should Trump Be Worried About Biden ’ s Fundraising Numbers ?
President Trump isn ’ t exactly scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to fundraising numbers .
While the campaign has yet to announce their September haul , Ballotpedia reports that their campaign receipt totals overall stand at more than $ 476 million , well ahead of their number in 2016 .
This represents a tick above $ 64 million behind Biden in total receipts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Trump trailed Clinton by over $ 227 million at the same point and still pulled off a shocking victory .
Biden ’ s advantage comes with cash on hand .
“ Biden , along with the Democratic National Committee and joint committees , ended August with $ 466 million cash on hand , while Trump and the Republican National Committee had $ 325 million , ” CNN reports .
RELATED : Biden Tells Americans That Think They ’ re Better Off Under Trump They ‘ Probably Shouldn ’ t ’ Vote For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ professionals on Wall Street are shunning Trump and funneling staggering amounts of money to his opponent.
” This , despite the President “ promising four more years of low taxes , light regulation and a laser-focus on the stock market.
” It bears repeating that Clinton lost spectacularly in the 2016 election despite far-outpacing Trump in committee money and more than doubling his total in “ outside money.
” Clinton was also the beneficiary of journalists who contributed to her campaign – 96 percent for to 4 percent for Trump .
Despite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to pull off the victory .

Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced a record fundraising effort, bringing in $383 million in September.
The number eclipses that of the $364.5 million raised in August, which the campaign boasted represented “the best month of online fundraising in American political history.”
“The former vice president’s campaign has raised three-quarters of a billion dollars in just two months, a colossal amount of fundraising that has helped heap pressure on President Donald Trump’s campaign to keep up,” CNN reports.
Biden told a supporter in a video that he is “really humbled by” the contributions which is “more money than I’ve ever raised in my whole life.”
Republicans are facing an avalanche of money. That’s what happens when you try to stand up for the American worker. “Joe Biden Shatters Campaign Fundraising Records, Nets $383 Million In September” | HuffPost https://t.co/5N5ZlKARzl — Laura Ingraham (@IngrahamAngle) October 15, 2020
RELATED: Trump Scores NBC Town Hall, Will Face Off Directly Against Biden
Should Trump Be Worried About Biden’s Fundraising Numbers?
President Trump isn’t exactly scraping the bottom of the barrel when it comes to fundraising numbers.
While the campaign has yet to announce their September haul, Ballotpedia reports that their campaign receipt totals overall stand at more than $476 million, well ahead of their number in 2016.
This represents a tick above $64 million behind Biden in total receipts to date. However, in 2016, Trump trailed Clinton by over $227 million at the same point and still pulled off a shocking victory.
Biden’s advantage comes with cash on hand.
“Biden, along with the Democratic National Committee and joint committees, ended August with $466 million cash on hand, while Trump and the Republican National Committee had $325 million,” CNN reports.
If Biden wins—China will OWN the United States… pic.twitter.com/lFGOlCf82y — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 15, 2020
RELATED: Biden Tells Americans That Think They’re Better Off Under Trump They ‘Probably Shouldn’t’ Vote For Him
Wall Street Shunning Trump?
CNN Business reported last month that “professionals on Wall Street are shunning Trump and funneling staggering amounts of money to his opponent.”
This, despite the President “promising four more years of low taxes, light regulation and a laser-focus on the stock market.”
The Economy is about ready to go through the roof. Stock Market ready to break ALL-TIME RECORD. 401k’s incredible. New Jobs Record. Remember all of this when you VOTE. Sleepy Joe wants to quadruple your Taxes. Depression!!! Don’t let it happen! #MAGA — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 12, 2020
It bears repeating that Clinton lost spectacularly in the 2016 election despite far-outpacing Trump in committee money and more than doubling his total in “outside money.”
Clinton was also the beneficiary of journalists who contributed to her campaign – 96 percent for to 4 percent for Trump.
Despite all those handicaps, Trump still managed to pull off the victory.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-10-15--Former Trump Campaign Manager Calls on President to Pardon Everyone Convicted In Mueller Probe

Former Trump campaign manager Rick Gates is calling on the President to pardon everyone convicted of a crime in the Mueller probe , something he defines as “ fraudulent.
” Gates pled guilty to conspiracy against the United States and making false statements in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election .
He was sentenced to 45 days in jail and three years probation last December , having cooperated in the investigation against another Trump campaign associate , Paul Manafort .
“ Look , I think everybody should be ultimately forgiven in this process , particularly since @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Gates said in an interview with MSNBC ’ s Ari Melber .
RELATED : Trump Scores NBC Town Hall , Will Face Off Directly Against Biden Melber attempted to drive a wedge between Gates and former Trump associate Roger Stone , who recently had his sentence commuted by the President .
“ If you went through this and your family went through this and the president goes in and intercedes and keeps Roger out of prison but not you , is that fair ?
” asked Melber .
“ What I think @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of a structure to take down the president , ” Gates claimed .
Pressed further on the matter of pardons , Gates conveyed that anybody ensnared in the Mueller probe should be granted one .
“ I think everybody should have an opportunity where the president says : ‘ This is not right , this is not fair , ’ and , yeah , ultimately , he pardons all of us.
” In a separate interview on the John Solomon Reports podcast , Gates slammed the Mueller probe as “ an absolute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ never happen to any president or any American citizen ” ever again .
House Intelligence Committee transcripts show Obama officials testifying time and again that they had no evidence of collusion with the campaign of President Trump in 2016 .
RELATED : Transcripts Show Obama Officials Admitting Time After Time They Had No Evidence Of Russia Collusion The Department of Justice has been actively trying to have charges dismissed in the case against former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn .
Flynn , a retired United States Army Lieutenant General , pled guilty to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russia in late 2017 .
But documents unsealed by the Department of Justice earlier this year showed his plea may have not have been totally on the level .
Handwritten notes from the day Flynn was interviewed by the FBI show asking what the bottom line goal is : “ Truth/Admission or to get him to lie , so we can prosecute him or get him fired ?
” Flynn ’ s dismissal is currently being stalled by U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan .

Former Trump campaign manager Rick Gates is calling on the President to pardon everyone convicted of a crime in the Mueller probe, something he defines as “fraudulent.”
Gates pled guilty to conspiracy against the United States and making false statements in the investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election.
He was sentenced to 45 days in jail and three years probation last December, having cooperated in the investigation against another Trump campaign associate, Paul Manafort.
“Look, I think everybody should be ultimately forgiven in this process, particularly since it was an absolute fraudulent process,” Gates said in an interview with MSNBC’s Ari Melber.
WATCH: @AriMelber presses convicted Trump aide Rick Gates on whether it was fair Trump commuted Roger Stone’s sentence but did not intercede in his case pic.twitter.com/RDPydmuWVN — The Beat with Ari Melber on MSNBC 📺 (@TheBeatWithAri) October 14, 2020
RELATED: Trump Scores NBC Town Hall, Will Face Off Directly Against Biden
Suggests Trump Pardon Everyone Convicted in Mueller Probe
Melber attempted to drive a wedge between Gates and former Trump associate Roger Stone, who recently had his sentence commuted by the President.
“If you went through this and your family went through this and the president goes in and intercedes and keeps Roger out of prison but not you, is that fair?” asked Melber.
“What I think is that everyone involved in this was part of a structure to take down the president,” Gates claimed.
Pressed further on the matter of pardons, Gates conveyed that anybody ensnared in the Mueller probe should be granted one.
“I think everybody should have an opportunity where the president says: ‘This is not right, this is not fair,’ and, yeah, ultimately, he pardons all of us.”
In a separate interview on the John Solomon Reports podcast, Gates slammed the Mueller probe as “an absolute travesty of justice” that “should never happen to any president or any American citizen” ever again.
House Intelligence Committee transcripts show Obama officials testifying time and again that they had no evidence of collusion with the campaign of President Trump in 2016.
POLL: Should Trump Pardon Everyone? Yes - the Mueller probe was a farce No - their sentences should stay Email By voting, you agree to receive email communication from The Political Insider. Click HERE for more information. Results Vote
Nevertheless, they persisted, granting Mueller broad investigatory powers.
In his new book “Wicked Game” –a quote from John Adams about presidential campaigns– Rick Gates lays out the back story of @realdonaldtrump‘s 2016 biggest upset in history. Fascinating detail. @POTUS using same playbook now. Rick Gates joins me at 7:33: https://t.co/FfA0rz3Kgf — Hugh Hewitt (@hughhewitt) October 14, 2020
RELATED: Transcripts Show Obama Officials Admitting Time After Time They Had No Evidence Of Russia Collusion
Justice Department Trying to Drop Flynn Charges
The Department of Justice has been actively trying to have charges dismissed in the case against former National Security Adviser Michael Flynn.
Flynn, a retired United States Army Lieutenant General, pled guilty to lying to the FBI over contacts with Russia in late 2017.
But documents unsealed by the Department of Justice earlier this year showed his plea may have not have been totally on the level.
#FLYNN docs just unsealed, including handwritten notes 1/24/2017 day of Flynn FBI interview. Transcript: “What is our goal? Truth/Admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?” Read transcript notes, copy original just filed. @CBSNews pic.twitter.com/8oqUok8i7m — Catherine Herridge (@CBS_Herridge) April 29, 2020
Handwritten notes from the day Flynn was interviewed by the FBI show asking what the bottom line goal is: “Truth/Admission or to get him to lie, so we can prosecute him or get him fired?”
Flynn’s dismissal is currently being stalled by U.S. District Judge Emmet Sullivan.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-10-15--As Tech Giants Censor Anti-Biden News, New York Times Magazine Argues Against 1st Amendment

New York Times Magazine has run a column which argues that free speech and the First Amendment are outdated in an “ age of disinformation.
” The extensive column , written by journalist Emily Bazelon , argues that “ scholars of constitutional law ” and “ social scientists ” are calling into question “ the way we have come to think about the First Amendment ’ s guarantee of free speech.
” Bazelon uses a series of debatable topics and loosely links them to unlinked events to suggest “ disinformation ” is dangerous – perhaps even more dangerous than “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NBC Town Hall , Will Face Off Directly Against Biden The New York Times Arguing Against the First Amendment and ‘ Disinformation ’ The more obvious problem with arguing in favor of squashing ‘ disinformation ’ is who , exactly , determines what is and isn ’ t false ?
For instance , in the column , President Trump ’ s doubts on the science behind global warming are linked to rumors about arsonists setting fires in California and the Pacific Northwest , allegedly resulting in people defying evacuation orders .
“ As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northwest last month , the president cast doubt on the science behind global warming , ” Bazelon writes .
“ And people in Oregon defied evacuation orders because of false rumors that Antifa , a loose term for left-wing activists , was setting the blazes and looting empty homes.
” What ’ s interesting here is that the columnist argues simultaneously that disinformation is a problem while making a link that is itself , disinformation .
Antifa was not associated with the wildfires , correct , but suggesting the President ’ s dispute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ factor ignores the fact that arson actually play a role in the wildfires .
“ Six men across Oregon have been accused of intentionally setting blazes during a disastrous wildfire season that has burned more than a million acres , killed at least nine people and annihilated homes , entire towns and beloved natural areas , ” Oregon Live reported .
And suggesting any of this led to people refusing to evacuate is specious at best .
The New York Times actually reported that some people in Oregon “ never got evacuation alerts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the path of the Almeda Fire on Sept. 8 had no clear direction from the authorities on how and when to flee.
” Think for a second here .
In any case , the charge by Bazelon doesn ’ t make sense .
Does it matter your neighborhood to start on fire in this instance ?
If your house is on fire , would you sit inside of it , happily burning to death , because “ Hey , global warming didn ’ t start this fire.
” Did anyone in Oregon ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ How The Media Obsession With Trump Is Allowing Biden To Escape Scrutiny Perhaps most troubling in the argument against the First Amendment is the suggestion that debatable information makes this nation worse off than “ authoritarian regimes.
” “ Censorship of external critics by the government remains a serious threat under authoritarian regimes , ” Bazelon writes .
“ But in the United States and other democracies , there is a different kind of threat , which may be doing more damage to the discourse about politics , news and science , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mass distortion of truth and overwhelming waves of speech from extremists that smear and distract.
” Peppered throughout the column are 22 mentions of Fox News because apparently , presenting news from a more centrist viewpoint is ‘ disinformation ’ to the author .
Nowhere in the article can one find mention of false Russia collusion stories pushed by the Times .
Nor will you see mention of the New York Times having to correct a report on an accusation of sexual misconduct against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh .
Or any reference @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an epic display of revisionist history , having blamed Sarah Palin in an editorial for a mass shooting in Arizona in 2011 .
Palin ’ s role in the shooter ’ s motivation is a conspiracy theory that was debunked almost immediately after the fact .
The Times ran with it anyway , prompting a defamation lawsuit by Palin that has since moved to trial by jury .
Instead , Bazelon accuses the President of having “ trapped the country in a web of lies , with the sole purpose , it seems @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s time to ask whether the American way of protecting free speech is actually keeping us free , ” she opines before equating America today to Nazi Germany .
“ Hannah Arendt finished her classic work on totalitarianism in the early 1950s , after barely escaping Germany with her life , leaving friends and homeland behind , ” she wrote .
“ She was a Jewish intellectual who saw the Nazis rise to power by demonizing and blaming Jews and other groups with mockery and scorn , ” continued Bazelon .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply be about speech .
But Arendt understood that what was at stake was far more.
” Make no mistake – the First Amendment sets America apart .
It is the first freedom for a reason .
Here , in this country , we don ’ t let our overlords define our reality , like the Soviets did .
We don ’ t get permission from urban brats before we speak .
And we never will .

New York Times Magazine has run a column which argues that free speech and the First Amendment are outdated in an “age of disinformation.”
The extensive column, written by journalist Emily Bazelon, argues that “scholars of constitutional law” and “social scientists” are calling into question “the way we have come to think about the First Amendment’s guarantee of free speech.”
Bazelon uses a series of debatable topics and loosely links them to unlinked events to suggest “disinformation” is dangerous – perhaps even more dangerous than “authoritarian regimes.”
Is the American First Amendment the best way to protect free speech? For @NYTMag, I argue that the answer is … maybe not. At least, we should consider how democracies in Europe & Canada etc do it, by balancing free speech w *other* pro-democratic values.https://t.co/6LgM9fUKAf — Emily Bazelon (@emilybazelon) October 14, 2020
RELATED: Trump Scores NBC Town Hall, Will Face Off Directly Against Biden
The New York Times Arguing Against the First Amendment and ‘Disinformation’
The more obvious problem with arguing in favor of squashing ‘disinformation’ is who, exactly, determines what is and isn’t false?
For instance, in the column, President Trump’s doubts on the science behind global warming are linked to rumors about arsonists setting fires in California and the Pacific Northwest, allegedly resulting in people defying evacuation orders.
“As fires tore through California and the Pacific Northwest last month, the president cast doubt on the science behind global warming,” Bazelon writes.
“And people in Oregon defied evacuation orders because of false rumors that Antifa, a loose term for left-wing activists, was setting the blazes and looting empty homes.”
What’s interesting here is that the columnist argues simultaneously that disinformation is a problem while making a link that is itself, disinformation.
Antifa was not associated with the wildfires, correct, but suggesting the President’s dispute of global warming science was a contributing factor ignores the fact that arson actually did play a role in the wildfires.
“Six men across Oregon have been accused of intentionally setting blazes during a disastrous wildfire season that has burned more than a million acres, killed at least nine people and annihilated homes, entire towns and beloved natural areas,” Oregon Live reported.
And suggesting any of this led to people refusing to evacuate is specious at best.
The New York Times actually reported that some people in Oregon “never got evacuation alerts” while “thousands of others in the path of the Almeda Fire on Sept. 8 had no clear direction from the authorities on how and when to flee.”
ah, and now the New York Times magazine has a big piece about “the problem of free speech” in an “age of disinformation.” things are going really well. — tsar becket adams (@BecketAdams) October 15, 2020
Think for a second here. In any case, the charge by Bazelon doesn’t make sense.
Does it matter what caused your neighborhood to start on fire in this instance?
If your house is on fire, would you sit inside of it, happily burning to death, because “Hey, global warming didn’t start this fire.”
Did anyone in Oregon? Truly?
RELATED: Axios Analysis Shows How The Media Obsession With Trump Is Allowing Biden To Escape Scrutiny
Alleged ‘Disinformation’ Worse Than Authoritarian Regimes?
Perhaps most troubling in the argument against the First Amendment is the suggestion that debatable information makes this nation worse off than “authoritarian regimes.”
“Censorship of external critics by the government remains a serious threat under authoritarian regimes,” Bazelon writes.
“But in the United States and other democracies, there is a different kind of threat, which may be doing more damage to the discourse about politics, news and science,” she adds.
“It encompasses the mass distortion of truth and overwhelming waves of speech from extremists that smear and distract.”
Peppered throughout the column are 22 mentions of Fox News because apparently, presenting news from a more centrist viewpoint is ‘disinformation’ to the author.
President Trump is named 30 separate times.
Nowhere in the article can one find mention of false Russia collusion stories pushed by the Times.
New document proves FBI totally debunked NY Times Trump-Russia story – https://t.co/dm4JYFrrpH – @washtimes — Jon Nicosia (@NewsPolitics) July 18, 2020
Nor will you see mention of the New York Times having to correct a report on an accusation of sexual misconduct against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
New York Times issues correction on Kavanaugh story https://t.co/s8k4py7uPy pic.twitter.com/102q3t9V34 — The Hill (@thehill) September 16, 2019
Or any reference to the New York Times, in an epic display of revisionist history, having blamed Sarah Palin in an editorial for a mass shooting in Arizona in 2011.
Palin’s role in the shooter’s motivation is a conspiracy theory that was debunked almost immediately after the fact.
The Times ran with it anyway, prompting a defamation lawsuit by Palin that has since moved to trial by jury.
Instead, Bazelon accuses the President of having “trapped the country in a web of lies, with the sole purpose, it seems, of remaining in office.”
“It’s time to ask whether the American way of protecting free speech is actually keeping us free,” she opines before equating America today to Nazi Germany.
“Hannah Arendt finished her classic work on totalitarianism in the early 1950s, after barely escaping Germany with her life, leaving friends and homeland behind,” she wrote.
“She was a Jewish intellectual who saw the Nazis rise to power by demonizing and blaming Jews and other groups with mockery and scorn,” continued Bazelon.
“An information war may seem to simply be about speech. But Arendt understood that what was at stake was far more.”
Make no mistake – the First Amendment sets America apart.
It is the first freedom for a reason. Here, in this country, we don’t let our overlords define our reality, like the Soviets did.
We don’t get permission from urban brats before we speak.
And we never will.


thepoliticalinsider--2020-10-15--Barrett Shines In Final Day of Questioning Before The Senate

On Wednesday Judge Amy Coney Barrett again triumphed over Democrat attempts to get her to comment on matters that could potentially be before the high court .
In her final day of Senate questioning she constantly told Democrat senators she couldn ’ t give an opinion on their contrived questions .
But that didn ’ t stop the Democrats from asking them .
Barrett sounded sharp and looked perfect .
The Democrats looked bored and sounded beaten and depressed .
But the Right is crowing over Barrett ’ s performance and rightfully so .
“ This is history being made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in American history that we ’ ve nominated a woman unashamedly pro-life and embraces her faith without apology and she ’ s going to the court .
It will be a great signal to all young women who want to share your view of the world that there ’ s a seat at the table for them.
” Then the questions began .
There were a Democrat litany of them .
Democrat Senator Leahy of Vermont asked , “ And does the president have an absolute right to pardon himself for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ heard this question after President Nixon ’ s impeachment.
” “ Sen .
Leahy so far as I know that question has never been litigated , that question has never risen , ” Barrett replied .
“ That question may or may not arise , but it ’ s one that calls for a legal analysis of what the scope of the pardon power is.
” “ So because it would be opining on an open question when I haven ’ t gone through the judicial process to decide it , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ offer a view , ” she added .
RELATED : Amy Coney Barrett Responds To Far-Left Attack On Her Family For Adopting Black Children Barrett said no can do at least a dozen times during the day .
But the Democrats had nothing else better to do .
So they kept on asking .
Ted Cruz said Democrats “ are out of arguments to challenge Judge Barrett ’ s nomination , so aren ’ t bothering to show up…It is striking that as we sit here right now in this committee room , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the room .
If you look at the dais , there ’ s chair after chair after chair that is empty .
The Democratic senators are no longer even attending.
” Democrat Senator Klobuchar said , “ Are absentee ballots , better known as mail-in ballots , an essential way for voters to vote right now ?
” “ That ’ s a matter of policy that I can ’ t express a view , ” Judge Barrett replied , again .
Democrat Senator Coons of Delaware asked Barrett to explain legal consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was not amused with Coons .
“ I hope that you aren ’ t suggesting that I don ’ t have my own mind or that I couldn ’ t think independently or that I would just decide , let me see what Justice Scalia has said about this in the past , because I assure you I have my own mind , ” Barrett said .
“ But everything that he said is not necessarily what I would agree with or what I would do if I were Justice Barrett , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Asks Amy Coney Barrett If She ’ s Ever Committed Sexual Assault – It Immediately Backfires On Her Democrat Senator Blumenthal of Connecticut asked , “ Do you agree with the president on his views of climate change ?
” “ I don ’ t know that I have seen the president ’ s expression of his views on climate change , ” Judge Barrett said .
Senator Booker of New Jersey said , “ But do you think it ’ s wrong to separate children from their parents to deter immigrants from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Barrett responded , “ Sen .
Booker , that ’ s been a matter of policy debate and you know , obviously , that ’ s a matter of hot political debate , in which I can ’ t express a view or be drawn into as a judge.
” And again and again in that same manner .
They ask an inappropriate question .
She says she can ’ t comment .
Kamala Harris tried to rope her into an idiotic question and answer session .
Barrett deftly demurred .
And so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the day , as opposed to the Kavanaugh hearings , there was little rancor , as the Democrats had clearly folded their tent .
It ’ s all over but the final vote .
Probably 52-48 for confirmation .
This piece was written by David Kamioner on October 15 , 2020 .
It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission .
Read more at LifeZette : Wisconsin Burns While Rioters Control The Streets Barrett Shines And Democrats Attack Trump on First Day of Confirmation Hearings Trump Eviscerates Democrats For Handling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider .

On Wednesday Judge Amy Coney Barrett again triumphed over Democrat attempts to get her to comment on matters that could potentially be before the high court.
Barrett Shines On Final Day Of Questioning
In her final day of Senate questioning she constantly told Democrat senators she couldn’t give an opinion on their contrived questions. But that didn’t stop the Democrats from asking them.
Barrett sounded sharp and looked perfect. The Democrats looked bored and sounded beaten and depressed. But the Right is crowing over Barrett’s performance and rightfully so.
Amy Coney Barrett is the definition of brilliance and class. Standing O! pic.twitter.com/eGgcJZP8eL — Rush H. Limbaugh (@RealRLimbaugh) October 14, 2020
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Lindsey Graham opened up the day:
“This is history being made, folks. This is the first time in American history that we’ve nominated a woman unashamedly pro-life and embraces her faith without apology and she’s going to the court. It will be a great signal to all young women who want to share your view of the world that there’s a seat at the table for them.”
Democrats Question Barrett
Then the questions began. There were a Democrat litany of them.
Democrat Senator Leahy of Vermont asked, “And does the president have an absolute right to pardon himself for a crime? I mean, we certainly heard this question after President Nixon’s impeachment.”
“Sen. Leahy so far as I know that question has never been litigated, that question has never risen,” Barrett replied. “That question may or may not arise, but it’s one that calls for a legal analysis of what the scope of the pardon power is.”
“So because it would be opining on an open question when I haven’t gone through the judicial process to decide it, it’s not one on which I can offer a view,” she added.
RELATED: Amy Coney Barrett Responds To Far-Left Attack On Her Family For Adopting Black Children
Barrett said no can do at least a dozen times during the day. But the Democrats had nothing else better to do. So they kept on asking.
Ted Cruz said Democrats “are out of arguments to challenge Judge Barrett’s nomination, so aren’t bothering to show up…It is striking that as we sit here right now in this committee room, there are only two Democratic senators in the room. If you look at the dais, there’s chair after chair after chair that is empty. The Democratic senators are no longer even attending.”
Yup, they’ve given up.
Democrats Flounder
Democrat Senator Klobuchar said, “Are absentee ballots, better known as mail-in ballots, an essential way for voters to vote right now?”
“That’s a matter of policy that I can’t express a view,” Judge Barrett replied, again.
Democrat Senator Coons of Delaware asked Barrett to explain legal consequences of thinking like Justice Scalia. Barrett was not amused with Coons.
“I hope that you aren’t suggesting that I don’t have my own mind or that I couldn’t think independently or that I would just decide, let me see what Justice Scalia has said about this in the past, because I assure you I have my own mind,” Barrett said.
“But everything that he said is not necessarily what I would agree with or what I would do if I were Justice Barrett,” she added.
RELATED: Democratic Senator Asks Amy Coney Barrett If She’s Ever Committed Sexual Assault – It Immediately Backfires On Her
Democrat Senator Blumenthal of Connecticut asked, “Do you agree with the president on his views of climate change?”
“I don’t know that I have seen the president’s expression of his views on climate change,” Judge Barrett said.
Senator Booker of New Jersey said, “But do you think it’s wrong to separate children from their parents to deter immigrants from coming to the United States?”
Barrett responded, “Sen. Booker, that’s been a matter of policy debate and you know, obviously, that’s a matter of hot political debate, in which I can’t express a view or be drawn into as a judge.”
And again and again in that same manner. They ask an inappropriate question. She says she can’t comment. Kamala Harris tried to rope her into an idiotic question and answer session. Barrett deftly demurred. And so on it went.
At the end of the day, as opposed to the Kavanaugh hearings, there was little rancor, as the Democrats had clearly folded their tent. It’s all over but the final vote. Probably 52-48 for confirmation.
This piece was written by David Kamioner on October 15, 2020. It originally appeared in LifeZette and is used by permission.
Read more at LifeZette:
Wisconsin Burns While Rioters Control The Streets
Barrett Shines And Democrats Attack Trump on First Day of Confirmation Hearings
Trump Eviscerates Democrats For Handling Of Amy Coney Barrett Hearings
The opinions expressed by contributors and/or content partners are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Political Insider.