hotair--2020-11-25--Axios: Trump plans to pardon Flynn before leaving office

Call this the least surprising “ scoop ” of the year , but it ’ s still a good get by Axios ’ Jonathan Swan .
It ’ s been clear for some time — maybe for a couple of years — that Donald Trump wanted to issue pardons to those caught up in process crimes in Robert Mueller ’ s special-counsel investigation .
Michael Flynn is the highest profile case , and the closest figure in the Russia-gate bust to Trump himself .
The only suspense is whether Flynn wants a pardon : President Trump has told confidants he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adviser Michael Flynn , who pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to the FBI about his Russian contacts , two sources with direct knowledge of the discussions tell Axios .
Behind the scenes : Sources with direct knowledge of the discussions said Flynn will be part of a series of pardons that Trump issues between now and when he leaves office .
The big picture : Flynn ’ s pardon would be the culmination of a four-year political and legal saga that began with the FBI ’ s investigation into possible coordination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government in the 2016 election .
As if to whet our appetites for Swan ’ s scoop , Trump retweeted this observation a few minutes ago : That ’ s a fair argument .
It certainly looks as though Judge Emmet Sullivan has decided to run out the clock on the Trump administration , and for good reason .
A Joe Biden Department of Justice might withdraw its motion to dismiss the charges against Flynn and allow Sullivan the chance to punish Flynn to his heart ’ s content .
This is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Flynn , even though the DoJ has already produced evidence of both prosecutorial and investigative misconduct in the case .
That should have disqualified the prosecution of it .
The problem with accepting a pardon , even a full pardon , is that it still carries the tinge of culpability .
That is why Flynn and his attorney Sidney Powell have thus far resisted the urge to ask for presidential clemency in the case .
It ’ s far better for Flynn if the court throws out the case with prejudice , politically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a Biden DoJ revisiting the case , however , it might be time to cut losses and secure Flynn ’ s freedom .
Plus , a full pardon will prevent the incoming administration from taking up other charges related to Russia-gate or the Foreig Agent Registration Act , just in case they ’ re inclined to do so .
Flynn ’ s not the only one on Trump ’ s clemency consideration list : Joe Exotic might be the perfect Trump clemency candidate on the basis of celebrity , but I suspect even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ convicted of plotting the murder of an industry rival .
Snowden is a likely candidate too , as it gives Trump an opportunity to offer a big “ f*** you ” to the intel community he repeatedly accuses of undermining his presidency .
Roger Stone is a pal , so that also fits Trump ’ s pardon pattern ( and Bill Clinton ’ s , for that matter ) .
But Paul Manafort ?
That seems doubtful , even if he is a pal .
Manafort didn ’ t just get convicted of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a number of other more substantial crimes , all of which predate his affiliation with Trump .
If Trump wants to preserve any political potential at all , he ’ ll leave Manafort where he is .

Call this the least surprising “scoop” of the year, but it’s still a good get by Axios’ Jonathan Swan. It’s been clear for some time — maybe for a couple of years — that Donald Trump wanted to issue pardons to those caught up in process crimes in Robert Mueller’s special-counsel investigation. Michael Flynn is the highest profile case, and the closest figure in the Russia-gate bust to Trump himself.
The only suspense is whether Flynn wants a pardon:
President Trump has told confidants he plans to pardon his former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who pleaded guilty in December 2017 to lying to the FBI about his Russian contacts, two sources with direct knowledge of the discussions tell Axios. Behind the scenes: Sources with direct knowledge of the discussions said Flynn will be part of a series of pardons that Trump issues between now and when he leaves office. The big picture: Flynn’s pardon would be the culmination of a four-year political and legal saga that began with the FBI’s investigation into possible coordination between the Trump campaign and the Russian government in the 2016 election.
As if to whet our appetites for Swan’s scoop, Trump retweeted this observation a few minutes ago:
https://twitter.com/RealSLokhova/status/1331450941502074880
That’s a fair argument. It certainly looks as though Judge Emmet Sullivan has decided to run out the clock on the Trump administration, and for good reason. A Joe Biden Department of Justice might withdraw its motion to dismiss the charges against Flynn and allow Sullivan the chance to punish Flynn to his heart’s content. This is the situation in which the appellate court left Flynn, even though the DoJ has already produced evidence of both prosecutorial and investigative misconduct in the case. That should have disqualified the prosecution of it.
The problem with accepting a pardon, even a full pardon, is that it still carries the tinge of culpability. That is why Flynn and his attorney Sidney Powell have thus far resisted the urge to ask for presidential clemency in the case. It’s far better for Flynn if the court throws out the case with prejudice, politically and legally. With the prospect of a Biden DoJ revisiting the case, however, it might be time to cut losses and secure Flynn’s freedom. Plus, a full pardon will prevent the incoming administration from taking up other charges related to Russia-gate or the Foreig Agent Registration Act, just in case they’re inclined to do so.
Flynn’s not the only one on Trump’s clemency consideration list:
Also on the potential pardon list for the outgoing president are former Trump campaign chairman Paul Manafort and Roger Stone, whose prison sentence Trump already commuted. He has also publicly mused about pardoning figures ranging from anti-surveillance NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden to “Tiger King” Joe Exotic.
Joe Exotic might be the perfect Trump clemency candidate on the basis of celebrity, but I suspect even Trump might have a problem releasing someone convicted of plotting the murder of an industry rival. Snowden is a likely candidate too, as it gives Trump an opportunity to offer a big “f*** you” to the intel community he repeatedly accuses of undermining his presidency. Roger Stone is a pal, so that also fits Trump’s pardon pattern (and Bill Clinton’s, for that matter).
But Paul Manafort? That seems doubtful, even if he is a pal. Manafort didn’t just get convicted of process crimes; he got convicted on a number of other more substantial crimes, all of which predate his affiliation with Trump. If Trump wants to preserve any political potential at all, he’ll leave Manafort where he is.


hotair--2020-11-25--Louisiana ordered back to modified Phase Two, Coronavirus cases surge

Cases of the coronavirus are surging and hospitalizations are rising in Louisiana .
Governor John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday that he will order the state back to Phase Two , but a modified version of the plan .
New restrictions go into effect today , the day before Thanksgiving .
Many bars will have to close and most businesses will go back to 50 % occupancy under the new restrictions .
The governor is making the move due to hospital officials telling him that hospitals will soon be overwhelmed if the trend doesn ’ t slow down .
Officials are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the spread of the virus as families and friends come together to celebrate .
Under the new rules , gatherings will be limited to 75 indoors and 150 outdoors , or 25 % occupancy at event spaces .
Restaurants , retailers and other businesses will move from 75 % to 50 % occupancy .
Bars in parishes with over 5 % test positivity must close to indoor consumption unless they have a restaurant conditional permit , in which case they can operate at 50 % .
Edwards said in his press conference announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a rough patch.
” “ Because of the trajectory we ’ ve been on… It is imperative we take action and we take action now , ” Edwards said .
“ There are no magic tricks to be worked here .
The only way you stop the surge is by these restrictions and mitigation measures , ” he added .
“ If somebody had presented me another option , a better option about flattening the curve , I would have taken it….It doesn ’ t exist.
” Only a few parishes ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rate to allow bars to remain open .
Bars that do not serve food must shut down , though they will be allowed to remain open to operate outdoor seating of 50 people or fewer .
The governor indicated the restrictions will remain in place through the end of the year .
If trends don ’ t improve , the Democrat is willing to go further in restrictions .
Two areas sacred in Louisiana remain unaddressed in Governor Edwards ’ press conference – church services and football games .
Edwards avoided wading into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of his restrictions , leaving settings like churches and football undisturbed .
The governor didn ’ t touch Tiger Stadium , where LSU has continued to welcome tens of thousands of fans–the school is allowed to host up to 25 % capacity–to home football games .
And the order doesn ’ t cancel high school football as teams head into playoffs .
Instead , high school football stadiums will be allowed to welcome 25 % of fans into the stadiums .
Some parishes had gained the ability to fill 50 % of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also left decisions on schools to local school districts .
And churches will remain at 75 % capacity .
Some businesses that must go back to 50 % occupancy now include gyms , fitness centers , restaurants , coffee shops , cafes , casinos , video poker businesses , and non-essential retail stores .
The governor encourages workers who can work from home .
The surge in new weekly increases can ’ t be explained away by increases in testing .
As of Tuesday , the number of new cases spiked north of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 155 % from the same period a month ago .
The positivity rate is up 85 % over the same period .
State officials are most concerned about the rise in hospitalizations .
And , if hospital beds are full , patients who need health care unrelated to the coronavirus will put it off and not receive it .
Patients suffering from heart attacks and strokes may not receive timely care .
Chemotherapy may be postponed .
Elective surgeries are , too .
The White House coronavirus task force issued a report to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flatten the curve with “ significant behavior change ” .
The advisory sounds familiar because we hear it so often .
Problems with mitigation arise because people are simply burnt out on worrying about the virus .
People get lax in their preventive behavior with COVID fatigue .
A favorable reaction to Governor Edwards ’ press conference came from Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis .
In the office since last July , he agrees that stronger restrictions are necessary now to move forward .
For those holding holiday gatherings , the mayor asks that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I think like most citizens we had to move backwards because of the rising COVID cases in the state of Louisiana , but the only way out of this to move forward is to adhere to these restrictions , ” Ellis said .
“ If we want to help bars get back to where they can operate normally , if we want to help businesses to where they can operate normally , it will take a collective effort , ” Ellis said .
“ I understand we want to gather and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s who we are .
We ’ re social creatures and there ’ s a need for connection since we ’ ve had it lost over the last year , but let ’ s be responsible about it , ” Ellis said .

Cases of the coronavirus are surging and hospitalizations are rising in Louisiana. Governor John Bel Edwards announced Tuesday that he will order the state back to Phase Two, but a modified version of the plan. New restrictions go into effect today, the day before Thanksgiving.
Many bars will have to close and most businesses will go back to 50% occupancy under the new restrictions. The governor is making the move due to hospital officials telling him that hospitals will soon be overwhelmed if the trend doesn’t slow down. Officials are worried that the Thanksgiving holiday will accelerate the spread of the virus as families and friends come together to celebrate.
Under the new rules, gatherings will be limited to 75 indoors and 150 outdoors, or 25% occupancy at event spaces. Restaurants, retailers and other businesses will move from 75% to 50% occupancy. Bars in parishes with over 5% test positivity must close to indoor consumption unless they have a restaurant conditional permit, in which case they can operate at 50%. Edwards said in his press conference announcing the changes that Louisiana is “in for a rough patch.” “Because of the trajectory we’ve been on… It is imperative we take action and we take action now,” Edwards said. “There are no magic tricks to be worked here. The only way you stop the surge is by these restrictions and mitigation measures,” he added. “If somebody had presented me another option, a better option about flattening the curve, I would have taken it….It doesn’t exist.”
Only a few parishes (counties) have a low enough positivity rate to allow bars to remain open. Bars that do not serve food must shut down, though they will be allowed to remain open to operate outdoor seating of 50 people or fewer. The governor indicated the restrictions will remain in place through the end of the year. If trends don’t improve, the Democrat is willing to go further in restrictions. Two areas sacred in Louisiana remain unaddressed in Governor Edwards’ press conference – church services and football games.
Edwards avoided wading into some of the more politically fraught parts of his restrictions, leaving settings like churches and football undisturbed. The governor didn’t touch Tiger Stadium, where LSU has continued to welcome tens of thousands of fans–the school is allowed to host up to 25% capacity–to home football games. And the order doesn’t cancel high school football as teams head into playoffs. Instead, high school football stadiums will be allowed to welcome 25% of fans into the stadiums. Some parishes had gained the ability to fill 50% of their stadiums before the new restrictions. He also left decisions on schools to local school districts. And churches will remain at 75% capacity.
Some businesses that must go back to 50% occupancy now include gyms, fitness centers, restaurants, coffee shops, cafes, casinos, video poker businesses, and non-essential retail stores. The governor encourages workers who can work from home.
The surge in new weekly increases can’t be explained away by increases in testing. As of Tuesday, the number of new cases spiked north of 11,000. That is an increase of 155% from the same period a month ago. The positivity rate is up 85% over the same period. State officials are most concerned about the rise in hospitalizations. And, if hospital beds are full, patients who need health care unrelated to the coronavirus will put it off and not receive it. Patients suffering from heart attacks and strokes may not receive timely care. Chemotherapy may be postponed. Elective surgeries are, too.
Most concerning to state health officials is hospitalizations reached 1,000 for the first time since August 21. At the most recent peak, during a summer wave of infections that prompted the governor to mandate masks statewide and shutter bars, hospitalizations reached 1,600. On Tuesday, the number continued to rise, to 1,052.
The White House coronavirus task force issued a report to Louisiana this week with dire warnings to flatten the curve with “significant behavior change”. The advisory sounds familiar because we hear it so often. Problems with mitigation arise because people are simply burnt out on worrying about the virus. People get lax in their preventive behavior with COVID fatigue.
“Ensure masks at all times in public, increase physical distancing through significant reduction in capacity in public and private indoor spaces, and ensure every American understands the clear risks of ANY family or friend interactions outside of their immediate household indoors without masks,” the report said.
A favorable reaction to Governor Edwards’ press conference came from Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis. In the office since last July, he agrees that stronger restrictions are necessary now to move forward. For those holding holiday gatherings, the mayor asks that people be responsible in their decision making.
“I think like most citizens we had to move backwards because of the rising COVID cases in the state of Louisiana, but the only way out of this to move forward is to adhere to these restrictions,” Ellis said. “If we want to help bars get back to where they can operate normally, if we want to help businesses to where they can operate normally, it will take a collective effort,” Ellis said. “I understand we want to gather and we all want to get together. It’s who we are. We’re social creatures and there’s a need for connection since we’ve had it lost over the last year, but let’s be responsible about it,” Ellis said.


hotair--2020-11-24--New Mexico governor shuts down grocery stores with new public health order

Who had a governor is going to shut down grocery stores due to the pandemic on their 2020 coronavirus bingo card ?
If you did , stamp that square .
The governor of New Mexico is shutting down grocery stores in her state over COVID-19 testing results .
Just when we thought that liquor sales restrictions in Pennsylvania by Governor Wolf were arbitrary and , frankly , stupid , along comes Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in New Mexico with a “ hold my beer ” response .
She has shut down a dozen grocery stores across the state .
Why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move ?
A public health order from the governor ’ s office shut down more than 25 essential businesses Monday with four or more rapid responses of COVID-19 cases reported within a 14-day period .
The order requires the businesses to close for two weeks .
That ’ s right , any business that reports four or more positive COVID-19 tests in a two week period must then shut down for two weeks , essential business or not .
The first question that comes to mind is one I frequently have with these @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number chosen as the shut-down standard ?
Setting the limit of four cases over a two week period doesn ’ t make sense , especially in grocery stores .
According to this , the average number of employees for an average-sized grocery store is 72 full-time employees .
The number set by this Democrat governor seems to be arbitrary at best .
Some of the stores closed by Grisham are of the larger variety – like Walmart , for example .
The closures include two Walmarts in Albuquerque and one in Santa Fe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a Smiths Food & Drug Center in Albuquerque and New Mexico Food Distribution Center in Albuquerque .
There is already an order in place that limits capacity at all stores .
The state ’ s environment department has published a complete list of businesses that have been closed due to employees testing positive for COVID-19 , as well as a watch list , and FAQ about the watch list .
Access to purchase food is now limited because of another order issued by the governor requiring capacity limitations at all stores .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing in line for up to two hours , local news reports indicate , which the governor ’ s office has disputed .
When questioned , the governor ’ s office denied that people are standing in long lines to enter grocery stores due to restrictions .
Critics also point to the fact that most store workers are in low paying jobs and struggling themselves to financially survive the pandemic .
New Mexico suffers from high unemployment and food insecurity in many parts of the state .
By closing down some stores , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some communities and puts people out of work .
The governor ’ s office issued a statement to KOB4 News TV , saying , “ There is no community in the state of New Mexico where COVID-19 closures have closed off all food and water or medicine options for any community or group of people .
Every single community where the virus is forcing closures has alternate stores , alternate resources .
Moreover , stores are only ordered closed for the protection of public safety when the store ’ s staff members have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – surely you and everyone in New Mexico can agree that not one of us would like to be shopping among staff that are contagious.
” The point , though , isn ’ t about whether any community is wholly shut out of the ability to purchase food .
It is that choices are being limited and employees are facing unnecessary hardships due to no fault of their own .
The governor is picking winners and losers with an overly restrictive policy , one that I would argue shouldn ’ t even be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is more essential than food ?
It ’ s a basic necessity for everyone .
How could closing stores not result in longer lines and periods of waiting to enter a grocery store abiding by capacity limitations ?
For people living in some communities , purchasing food was difficult enough before the pandemic .
Less than six months after the state ’ s shutdown began , a report by Feeding America found that New Mexico was one of the worst food-insecure states in the country .
The coronavirus has had a devastating impact @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Feeding America found in a recent report , especially in New Mexico .
In 2019 , 315,990 New Mexicans , including 114,180 children , did not have adequate access to nutritious food , Feeding America reported , a problem that existed well before record unemployment plagued the state .
The organization estimates the number to grow to 434,570 , including 162,960 children , or 21 percent , by the end of 2020 .
Businesses have put in place mitigation measures inside stores to protect both customers and employees .
Deep cleaning , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ check-out registers , hand sanitizer readily available upon entering the store , using antiseptic wipes on grocery carts , and social distancing inside the store are all procedures used in grocery stores of all sizes .
There is no need to shut down a whole store because of a small number of positive tests among employees over a two week period .
New Mexico is experiencing a spike in coronavirus cases .
It ’ s understandable that the governor is alarmed and trying to stop the spread of the virus in her state @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t the way to go about it .
This is an authoritarian move that hurts the most vulnerable during a stressful time .
Grocery stores provide an essential service .
Period .

Who had a governor is going to shut down grocery stores due to the pandemic on their 2020 coronavirus bingo card? If you did, stamp that square. The governor of New Mexico is shutting down grocery stores in her state over COVID-19 testing results.
Just when we thought that liquor sales restrictions in Pennsylvania by Governor Wolf were arbitrary and, frankly, stupid, along comes Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham in New Mexico with a “hold my beer” response. She has shut down a dozen grocery stores across the state. Why would a governor make such a draconian move? A public health order from the governor’s office shut down more than 25 essential businesses Monday with four or more rapid responses of COVID-19 cases reported within a 14-day period. The order requires the businesses to close for two weeks. That’s right, any business that reports four or more positive COVID-19 tests in a two week period must then shut down for two weeks, essential business or not.
The first question that comes to mind is one I frequently have with these kinds of stories – why was that number chosen as the shut-down standard? Setting the limit of four cases over a two week period doesn’t make sense, especially in grocery stores. According to this, the average number of employees for an average-sized grocery store is 72 full-time employees. The number set by this Democrat governor seems to be arbitrary at best. Some of the stores closed by Grisham are of the larger variety – like Walmart, for example.
The closures include two Walmarts in Albuquerque and one in Santa Fe, an Albertson’s in Roswell, a Smiths Food & Drug Center in Albuquerque and New Mexico Food Distribution Center in Albuquerque. There is already an order in place that limits capacity at all stores. The state’s environment department has published a complete list of businesses that have been closed due to employees testing positive for COVID-19, as well as a watch list, and FAQ about the watch list. Access to purchase food is now limited because of another order issued by the governor requiring capacity limitations at all stores. New Mexicans are now waiting outside, standing in line for up to two hours, local news reports indicate, which the governor’s office has disputed.
When questioned, the governor’s office denied that people are standing in long lines to enter grocery stores due to restrictions. Critics also point to the fact that most store workers are in low paying jobs and struggling themselves to financially survive the pandemic. New Mexico suffers from high unemployment and food insecurity in many parts of the state. By closing down some stores, the governor further limits store choices in some communities and puts people out of work.
The governor’s office issued a statement to KOB4 News TV, saying, “There is no community in the state of New Mexico where COVID-19 closures have closed off all food and water or medicine options for any community or group of people. Every single community where the virus is forcing closures has alternate stores, alternate resources. Moreover, stores are only ordered closed for the protection of public safety when the store’s staff members have an abundance of COVID-19 infections among them – surely you and everyone in New Mexico can agree that not one of us would like to be shopping among staff that are contagious.”
The point, though, isn’t about whether any community is wholly shut out of the ability to purchase food. It is that choices are being limited and employees are facing unnecessary hardships due to no fault of their own. The governor is picking winners and losers with an overly restrictive policy, one that I would argue shouldn’t even be in place for essential businesses. What is more essential than food? It’s a basic necessity for everyone. How could closing stores not result in longer lines and periods of waiting to enter a grocery store abiding by capacity limitations? For people living in some communities, purchasing food was difficult enough before the pandemic.
Less than six months after the state’s shutdown began, a report by Feeding America found that New Mexico was one of the worst food-insecure states in the country. The coronavirus has had a devastating impact on people facing hunger across the country, Feeding America found in a recent report, especially in New Mexico. In 2019, 315,990 New Mexicans, including 114,180 children, did not have adequate access to nutritious food, Feeding America reported, a problem that existed well before record unemployment plagued the state. The organization estimates the number to grow to 434,570, including 162,960 children, or 21 percent, by the end of 2020.
Businesses have put in place mitigation measures inside stores to protect both customers and employees. Deep cleaning, face mask mandates, plexiglass barriers at check-out registers, hand sanitizer readily available upon entering the store, using antiseptic wipes on grocery carts, and social distancing inside the store are all procedures used in grocery stores of all sizes. There is no need to shut down a whole store because of a small number of positive tests among employees over a two week period.
New Mexico is experiencing a spike in coronavirus cases. It’s understandable that the governor is alarmed and trying to stop the spread of the virus in her state. This, however, isn’t the way to go about it. This is an authoritarian move that hurts the most vulnerable during a stressful time. Grocery stores provide an essential service. Period.


hotair--2020-11-24--Sidney Powell: A "massive" lawsuit is coming in Georgia tomorrow that'll save Trump's presidency

Prediction : The lawsuit will fail massively and won ’ t save Trump ’ s presidency .
But this is still newsworthy , not because of the substance of Powell ’ s allegations but because of the effect the suit is apt to have on the president and his supporters .
Trump has finally segued to a transition mindset within the last 48 hours as Michigan and then Pennsylvania certified their results , more lawsuits were extinguished in court , and the GSA finally ascertained Biden as the apparent winner .
Biden even praised the Trump administration today for its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it “ sincere ” and not begrudging and noting that the president ’ s national security and COVID teams are in touch with his people .
Powell ’ s lawsuit risks bringing that to a screeching halt by giving millions of Trump voters false hope that all ’ s not lost .
That attitude is destined to infect the president himself : They want to “ fight , ” Powell ’ s about to go out and “ fight , ” so what choice does he have but to “ fight ” with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ irate since it ’ s laser-focused on the Georgia runoffs .
For McConnell and his deputies , nothing would be more productive right now than Georgia voters accepting that Biden will be sworn in and turning their focus to blocking him by sending David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler to the Senate .
Ideally even Trump would put the presidential election behind him and head down to Georgia to campaign for the two , as Rush Limbaugh nudged him to do on the radio yesterday .
Instead it ’ s Powell who ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of accusation at Georgia election officials , either that they were grossly negligent in not detecting fraud supposedly going on under their noses or that they were willfully complicit , as she ’ s suggested before .
It ’ s a nightmare scenario for the party : “ Right now it seems there is chaos and that is the worry — that this could keep Republicans from turning out the vote , ” said David Johnson , a Georgia-based GOP strategist… Some Georgia Republicans have taken the fraud accusations a step further , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Doug Collins ’ chances of beating Ms. Loeffler in the jungle-style special election , either winning the election outright or advancing to the runoff… Jay Williams , a Georgia-based GOP consultant , said all the finger-pointing and accusations have been a “ distraction ” for Mr. Perdue and Ms. Loeffler .
“ It is not ideal , and it is frankly not smart , ” Mr. Williams said .
On top of discouraging skeptical Trumpers from voting , Powell ’ s suit will set Republicans at each other ’ s throats more so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaint drops , all righties will be made to take a position on whether they think it ’ s credible and worth pursuing or not .
If you think it isn ’ t , you ’ re a traitor to the president and a collaborator with the vast left-wing conspiracy to defeat him illicitly .
If you think it is , you ’ re a crank who ’ d believe anything a populist tells you so long as it confirmed your priors .
Not a great “ unity ” vibe for the big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But there ’ s little Trump or McConnell or anyone else can do to stop Powell now that the president ’ s dismissed her from his legal team .
I suppose he could denounce her and call her a crank , but c ’ mon .
When has Trump ever sincerely disclaimed some person or group that ’ s favorably disposed to him ?
Besides , he ’ s never comfortable being on the wrong side of his fans .
If he takes sides against Powell on the great Venezuelan vote-rigging conspiracy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that he ’ s less of a populist hero than Powell herself .
He ’ d find that intolerable .
The most discouraging thing he ’ ll say about her lawsuit , I assume , is “ It ’ s interesting .
We ’ ll see what happens.
” Here she is on Lou Dobbs ’ s show previewing the imminent party Kraken up .
I mean crack-up .

Prediction: The lawsuit will fail massively and won’t save Trump’s presidency.
But this is still newsworthy, not because of the substance of Powell’s allegations but because of the effect the suit is apt to have on the president and his supporters. Trump has finally segued to a transition mindset within the last 48 hours as Michigan and then Pennsylvania certified their results, more lawsuits were extinguished in court, and the GSA finally ascertained Biden as the apparent winner. Biden even praised the Trump administration today for its outreach since the GSA determination, calling it “sincere” and not begrudging and noting that the president’s national security and COVID teams are in touch with his people. Powell’s lawsuit risks bringing that to a screeching halt by giving millions of Trump voters false hope that all’s not lost. That attitude is destined to infect the president himself: They want to “fight,” Powell’s about to go out and “fight,” so what choice does he have but to “fight” with them?
The establishment GOP will be irate since it’s laser-focused on the Georgia runoffs. For McConnell and his deputies, nothing would be more productive right now than Georgia voters accepting that Biden will be sworn in and turning their focus to blocking him by sending David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler to the Senate. Ideally even Trump would put the presidential election behind him and head down to Georgia to campaign for the two, as Rush Limbaugh nudged him to do on the radio yesterday. Instead it’s Powell who’s headed down there to level some sort of accusation at Georgia election officials, either that they were grossly negligent in not detecting fraud supposedly going on under their noses or that they were willfully complicit, as she’s suggested before. It’s a nightmare scenario for the party:
“Right now it seems there is chaos and that is the worry — that this could keep Republicans from turning out the vote,” said David Johnson, a Georgia-based GOP strategist… Some Georgia Republicans have taken the fraud accusations a step further, suggesting they could have hurt Republican Rep. Doug Collins’ chances of beating Ms. Loeffler in the jungle-style special election, either winning the election outright or advancing to the runoff… Jay Williams, a Georgia-based GOP consultant, said all the finger-pointing and accusations have been a “distraction” for Mr. Perdue and Ms. Loeffler. “It is not ideal, and it is frankly not smart,” Mr. Williams said.
On top of discouraging skeptical Trumpers from voting, Powell’s suit will set Republicans at each other’s throats more so than at Democrats’. Once the complaint drops, all righties will be made to take a position on whether they think it’s credible and worth pursuing or not. If you think it isn’t, you’re a traitor to the president and a collaborator with the vast left-wing conspiracy to defeat him illicitly. If you think it is, you’re a crank who’d believe anything a populist tells you so long as it confirmed your priors. Not a great “unity” vibe for the big showdown in the runoffs on January 5. But there’s little Trump or McConnell or anyone else can do to stop Powell now that the president’s dismissed her from his legal team.
I suppose he could denounce her and call her a crank, but c’mon. When has Trump ever sincerely disclaimed some person or group that’s favorably disposed to him? Besides, he’s never comfortable being on the wrong side of his fans. If he takes sides against Powell on the great Venezuelan vote-rigging conspiracy, he might see some supporters conclude that he’s less of a populist hero than Powell herself. He’d find that intolerable. The most discouraging thing he’ll say about her lawsuit, I assume, is “It’s interesting. We’ll see what happens.”
Here she is on Lou Dobbs’s show previewing the imminent party Kraken up. I mean crack-up.


hotair--2020-11-24--"Persecuted": Pope Francis criticizes China over Uighur oppression

For the past two years , Pope Francis has walked a tightrope over Vatican policy toward China .
He made a deal two years ago with Beijing to compromise on episcopal appointments in China in order to ease the oppression on Catholics in the country .
At that time , and ever since , the pontiff ’ s critics have accused him of going soft on China , both for abuses of the agreement and on human rights more generally .
Despite those criticisms , Pope Francis renewed the deal last month for another two years .
The move angered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mike Pompeo warning that “ the Vatican endangers its moral authority ” in a renewed deal .
A month later , however , Pope Francis has publicly called out the persecution of the Uighurs — and China has taken notice : In a new book , Pope Francis for the first time calls China ’ s Muslim Uighurs a “ persecuted ” people , something human rights activists have been urging him to do for years .
… “ I think often of persecuted peoples : the Rohingya , the poor Uighurs , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a section where he also talks about persecuted Christians in Islamic countries .
While the pope has spoken out before about the Rohingya who have fled Myanmar , and the killing of Yazidi by Islamic State in Iraq , it was the first time he mentioned the Uighurs .
Faith leaders , activist groups and governments have said crimes against humanity and genocide are taking place against Uighurs in China ’ s remote Xinjiang region , where more than 1 million people are held in camps .
As Francis Rocca and Chun Han @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the timing of this release is curious .
Not only did it take place just a month after the Vatican renewed its deal with China , it also came nearly simultaneous to its first exercise of the agreement .
The ordination was meant to be an example of cooperative engagement with the famously self-idolizing Xi Jinping regime : The Catholic Church in China ordained its first bishop since Beijing and the Vatican renewed an agreement on episcopal appointments last month .
But Monday ’ s sign of better relations between Rome and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pope Francis ’ s first criticism of China ’ s treatment of Uighur Muslims .
Bishop Thomas Chen Tianhao was ordained as bishop of Qingdao , in the eastern province of Shandong , according to the state-backed Global Times news portal , which said it was the first publicly reported ordination since the renewal of the pact .
… Bishop Fang Xingyao , chairman of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and bishop of Linyi in Shandong province , presided over Monday ’ s ceremony , which was attended by 21 priests and more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , according to a state-backed website , Catholic Church in China .
Bishop Chen was nominated as Qingdao bishop in November 2019 , according to the report .
A senior Vatican official confirmed on Tuesday that Bishop Chen was one of several bishops selected and approved by Pope Francis before last month ’ s renewal of the agreement .
The Vatican expects several of those bishops to be ordained in the coming months , the official said , expressing cautious optimism for the relationship .
That could be in jeopardy , as Beijing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s characterization : Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Francis ’ remarks had “ no factual basis at all.
” “ People of all ethnic groups enjoy the full rights of survival , development , and freedom of religious belief , ” Zhao said at a daily briefing .
Zhao made no mention of the camps in which more than 1 million Uighurs and members of other Chinese Muslim minority groups have been held .
The U.S. and other governments , along with human rights groups , say the prison-like facilities are intended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cultural heritage , forcing them to declare loyalty to China ’ s ruling Communist Party and its leader , Xi Jinping .
Zhao , one of the Xi regime ’ s biggest propaganda mouthpieces , is never going to make mention of that .
The curiosity is why the Vatican hasn ’ t been making more of a mention of it until now .
The criticism from Pompeo wasn ’ t altogether altruistic — the Trump administration wanted diplomatic support for its trade/security battle with Beijing for its own purposes — but it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The impulse to make the deal was certainly understandable as a way to alleviate the very real suffering and persecution of Catholics in China .
The Vatican bet that engagement would lead to greater liberalization , and in that they ’ re hardly alone .
That was the bipartisan US policy toward before 2017 too , and likely will be again in 2021 , as well as in Cuba , which the Vatican itself facilitated with the Obama administration .
The problem with that is that it simply doesn ’ t work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idealists who enter into them with tyrants and oppressors , rather than the regimes that create the oppression .
It appears that Pope Francis has belatedly realized this , and wants to test China to see whether it will renege over the real and valid criticisms of Xi ’ s concentration camps for Uighurs .
Xi won ’ t pass this test , nor will he care , which will leave the Vatican with the same choice it had two years ago : cooperate with the regime or oppose it .
And again @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hardly be alone either .

For the past two years, Pope Francis has walked a tightrope over Vatican policy toward China. He made a deal two years ago with Beijing to compromise on episcopal appointments in China in order to ease the oppression on Catholics in the country. At that time, and ever since, the pontiff’s critics have accused him of going soft on China, both for abuses of the agreement and on human rights more generally.
Despite those criticisms, Pope Francis renewed the deal last month for another two years. The move angered the US, with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warning that “the Vatican endangers its moral authority” in a renewed deal. A month later, however, Pope Francis has publicly called out the persecution of the Uighurs — and China has taken notice:
In a new book, Pope Francis for the first time calls China’s Muslim Uighurs a “persecuted” people, something human rights activists have been urging him to do for years. … “I think often of persecuted peoples: the Rohingya, the poor Uighurs, the Yazidi,” he said in a section where he also talks about persecuted Christians in Islamic countries. While the pope has spoken out before about the Rohingya who have fled Myanmar, and the killing of Yazidi by Islamic State in Iraq, it was the first time he mentioned the Uighurs. Faith leaders, activist groups and governments have said crimes against humanity and genocide are taking place against Uighurs in China’s remote Xinjiang region, where more than 1 million people are held in camps.
As Francis Rocca and Chun Han Wong report for the Wall Street Journal, the timing of this release is curious. Not only did it take place just a month after the Vatican renewed its deal with China, it also came nearly simultaneous to its first exercise of the agreement. The ordination was meant to be an example of cooperative engagement with the famously self-idolizing Xi Jinping regime:
The Catholic Church in China ordained its first bishop since Beijing and the Vatican renewed an agreement on episcopal appointments last month. But Monday’s sign of better relations between Rome and Beijing was followed swiftly by friction over Pope Francis’s first criticism of China’s treatment of Uighur Muslims. Bishop Thomas Chen Tianhao was ordained as bishop of Qingdao, in the eastern province of Shandong, according to the state-backed Global Times news portal, which said it was the first publicly reported ordination since the renewal of the pact. … Bishop Fang Xingyao, chairman of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association and bishop of Linyi in Shandong province, presided over Monday’s ceremony, which was attended by 21 priests and more than 200 other members of the faithful, according to a state-backed website, Catholic Church in China. Bishop Chen was nominated as Qingdao bishop in November 2019, according to the report. A senior Vatican official confirmed on Tuesday that Bishop Chen was one of several bishops selected and approved by Pope Francis before last month’s renewal of the agreement. The Vatican expects several of those bishops to be ordained in the coming months, the official said, expressing cautious optimism for the relationship.
That could be in jeopardy, as Beijing vociferously objected to the Holy Father’s characterization:
Foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said Francis’ remarks had “no factual basis at all.” “People of all ethnic groups enjoy the full rights of survival, development, and freedom of religious belief,” Zhao said at a daily briefing. Zhao made no mention of the camps in which more than 1 million Uighurs and members of other Chinese Muslim minority groups have been held. The U.S. and other governments, along with human rights groups, say the prison-like facilities are intended to divide Muslims from their religious and cultural heritage, forcing them to declare loyalty to China’s ruling Communist Party and its leader, Xi Jinping.
Zhao, one of the Xi regime’s biggest propaganda mouthpieces, is never going to make mention of that. The curiosity is why the Vatican hasn’t been making more of a mention of it until now. The criticism from Pompeo wasn’t altogether altruistic — the Trump administration wanted diplomatic support for its trade/security battle with Beijing for its own purposes — but it wasn’t altogether wrong, either.
The impulse to make the deal was certainly understandable as a way to alleviate the very real suffering and persecution of Catholics in China. The Vatican bet that engagement would lead to greater liberalization, and in that they’re hardly alone. That was the bipartisan US policy toward before 2017 too, and likely will be again in 2021, as well as in Cuba, which the Vatican itself facilitated with the Obama administration. The problem with that is that it simply doesn’t work. The deals end up compromising the idealists who enter into them with tyrants and oppressors, rather than the regimes that create the oppression.
It appears that Pope Francis has belatedly realized this, and wants to test China to see whether it will renege over the real and valid criticisms of Xi’s concentration camps for Uighurs. Xi won’t pass this test, nor will he care, which will leave the Vatican with the same choice it had two years ago: cooperate with the regime or oppose it. And again, in that choice Pope Francis will hardly be alone either.


hotair--2020-11-24--New York City to reopen COVID field hospital that they barely used last time

New York City ’ s infection rates have gone back up again , though the death toll is still lagging well behind what we saw in the spring .
Still , the Governor felt compelled to do something about the current situation on Staten Island .
The solution he ’ s come up with is the same one that he used when the pandemic first broke out .
He ’ s ordering a field hospital originally set up to handle an overflow of patients to be reopened .
That ’ s raising some immediate questions among people with long enough @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time we did this .
( NY Post ) With the coronavirus spiking on Staten Island , the state will reopen an emergency COVID-19 field hospital to help overburdened medical facilities there as the southern part of the borough was designated an “ orange zone , ” Gov .
Andrew Cuomo announced Monday .
“ Staten Island is a problem .
The number of hospitalizations in Staten Island have gone , over the last three weeks , they basically tripled , ” Cuomo said during a press briefing at his Midtown office .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ field hospitals , emergency hospitals for additional capacity — well , that ’ s what we have to do on Staten Island.
” When that field hospital was used in the spring when New York City was definitely at or above hospital capacity , the facility treated a grand total of 200 people over the entire course of the event .
Staten Island currently has a grand total of 91 patients being treated .
I ’ m all in favor of making sure we have a sufficient number of beds to treat everyone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time , we went a bit overboard in the spring .
Not only was the Staten Island field hospital underutilized , but others around the city were as well .
Do you remember when President Trump sent a military hospital ship to New York Harbor because they were worried about being overrun with ICU patients ?
They wound up treating a grand total of 20 patients on the USNS Comfort before the crisis had largely passed and it was no longer needed .
This is part of the legacy that has left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Elected officials were ringing alarm bells far and wide .
Emergency hospitals were set up at numerous locations in the city and some of them certainly saw decent usage rates and very likely saved some lives .
But others were barely used at all before being dismantled .
As I mentioned at the top , while the number of confirmed cases is clearly spiking again , our medical professionals have gotten a lot better at dealing with this disease .
They have new tools and treatment plans at their disposal , with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people are dying , thankfully , and there are also lower numbers of patients who fall so severely ill that they need an ICU bed and a respirator .
I just hope that the Governor and his team have taken all of these factors into account .
If this order for more field hospitals is truly needed , then so be it .
But if we ’ re back to a situation where officials are doing things just for the sake of looking like they ’ re doing something then we still have @ @ @ @

New York City’s infection rates have gone back up again, though the death toll is still lagging well behind what we saw in the spring. Still, the Governor felt compelled to do something about the current situation on Staten Island. The solution he’s come up with is the same one that he used when the pandemic first broke out. He’s ordering a field hospital originally set up to handle an overflow of patients to be reopened. That’s raising some immediate questions among people with long enough memories to recall what happened the last time we did this. (NY Post)
With the coronavirus spiking on Staten Island, the state will reopen an emergency COVID-19 field hospital to help overburdened medical facilities there as the southern part of the borough was designated an “orange zone,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Monday. “Staten Island is a problem. The number of hospitalizations in Staten Island have gone, over the last three weeks, they basically tripled,” Cuomo said during a press briefing at his Midtown office. Remember when we had to set up field hospitals, emergency hospitals for additional capacity — well, that’s what we have to do on Staten Island.”
When that field hospital was used in the spring when New York City was definitely at or above hospital capacity, the facility treated a grand total of 200 people over the entire course of the event. Staten Island currently has a grand total of 91 patients being treated.
I’m all in favor of making sure we have a sufficient number of beds to treat everyone who requires hospitalization. But at the same time, we went a bit overboard in the spring. Not only was the Staten Island field hospital underutilized, but others around the city were as well. Do you remember when President Trump sent a military hospital ship to New York Harbor because they were worried about being overrun with ICU patients? They wound up treating a grand total of 20 patients on the USNS Comfort before the crisis had largely passed and it was no longer needed.
This is part of the legacy that has left people distrustful of some of these plans. Elected officials were ringing alarm bells far and wide. Emergency hospitals were set up at numerous locations in the city and some of them certainly saw decent usage rates and very likely saved some lives. But others were barely used at all before being dismantled.
As I mentioned at the top, while the number of confirmed cases is clearly spiking again, our medical professionals have gotten a lot better at dealing with this disease. They have new tools and treatment plans at their disposal, with more on the way soon. Fewer people are dying, thankfully, and there are also lower numbers of patients who fall so severely ill that they need an ICU bed and a respirator. I just hope that the Governor and his team have taken all of these factors into account. If this order for more field hospitals is truly needed, then so be it. But if we’re back to a situation where officials are doing things just for the sake of looking like they’re doing something then we still have a management problem.


hotair--2020-11-24--Woke employees distraught that their company will publish Jordan Peterson's new book

Employees at Canada ’ s largest publisher are said to be distraught after learning their employer will publish Jordan Peterson ’ s next book .
Vice reports their were complaints and tears from some employees during a town hall meeting about the book , titled Beyond Order : 12 More Rules for Life .
The book is scheduled to be released on March 2 , 2021 : Four Penguin Random House Canada employees , who did not want to be named due to concerns over their employment , said the company held a town hall about the book Monday , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ publish Peterson while employees cited their concerns about platforming someone who is popular in far-right circles .
He ’ s popular on the right , therefore he should be silenced is an argument that employees at a book publisher are making .
I guess the idea is that de-platforming Peterson would save them the trouble of burning his books later .
It ’ s really the same impulse .
The reasons for this push toward censoring speech are all somewhat vague .
One employee said Peterson was an “ icon of hate speech @ @ @ @ @ @ @ regardless of the content of his book.
” No need to even read it before condemning it .
“ He is an icon of hate speech and transphobia and the fact that he ’ s an icon of white supremacy , regardless of the content of his book , I ’ m not proud to work for a company that publishes him , ” a junior employee who is a member of the LGBTQ community and who attended the town hall told VICE World News .
Another employee said “ people were crying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has affected their lives.
” They said one co-worker discussed how Peterson had radicalized their father and another , who is talked about how publishing the book will negatively affect their non-binary friend… A third employee told VICE World News the company ’ s diversity and inclusion committee received at least 70 anonymous messages about Peterson ’ s book , and only a couple are in favour of the decision to publish it .
One employee told Vice that it seemed the company was really publishing the book because the first one had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of last year , Peterson said it had sold 3 million copies .
In any case , it seems to be a bit of a shock to that particular employee that a book publisher might want to sell books .
But of course that doesn ’ t matter to the woke : “ The employee said the company ’ s diversity and inclusion committee aired concerns about how this will affect other authors.
” Yesterday , Peterson released a 10-minute-long video announcing that the book was available for presale around the world and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is meant as a companion to the earlier book .
The video also goes over some of the contents of each chapter .

Employees at Canada’s largest publisher are said to be distraught after learning their employer will publish Jordan Peterson’s next book. Vice reports their were complaints and tears from some employees during a town hall meeting about the book, titled Beyond Order: 12 More Rules for Life. The book is scheduled to be released on March 2, 2021:
Four Penguin Random House Canada employees, who did not want to be named due to concerns over their employment, said the company held a town hall about the book Monday, during which executives defended the decision to publish Peterson while employees cited their concerns about platforming someone who is popular in far-right circles.
He’s popular on the right, therefore he should be silenced is an argument that employees at a book publisher are making. I guess the idea is that de-platforming Peterson would save them the trouble of burning his books later. It’s really the same impulse. The reasons for this push toward censoring speech are all somewhat vague. One employee said Peterson was an “icon of hate speech” and added that was true “regardless of the content of his book.” No need to even read it before condemning it.
“He is an icon of hate speech and transphobia and the fact that he’s an icon of white supremacy, regardless of the content of his book, I’m not proud to work for a company that publishes him,” a junior employee who is a member of the LGBTQ community and who attended the town hall told VICE World News. Another employee said “people were crying in the meeting about how Jordan Peterson has affected their lives.” They said one co-worker discussed how Peterson had radicalized their father and another, who is talked about how publishing the book will negatively affect their non-binary friend… A third employee told VICE World News the company’s diversity and inclusion committee received at least 70 anonymous messages about Peterson’s book, and only a couple are in favour of the decision to publish it.
One employee told Vice that it seemed the company was really publishing the book because the first one had been such a success. In January of last year, Peterson said it had sold 3 million copies. In any case, it seems to be a bit of a shock to that particular employee that a book publisher might want to sell books. But of course that doesn’t matter to the woke: “The employee said the company’s diversity and inclusion committee aired concerns about how this will affect other authors.”
Yesterday, Peterson released a 10-minute-long video announcing that the book was available for presale around the world and explaining some of the contents. This is meant as a companion to the earlier book. The video also goes over some of the contents of each chapter.


hotair--2020-11-24--Poll: Just 3% of Trump voters believe Biden won fairly, 73% think Trump is the legitimate winner

There ’ s a theory kicking around today that the sheer zaniness of Sidney Powell ’ s theories about how the election was stolen did more to convince Republicans that Biden won fair and square than anything Biden himself might say .
Could be .
Among Republican politicians and commentators , sure , that ’ s plausible .
It looks to me like the crazier things get , the more convinced they become .
Which has a perverse logic to it , along the lines of how a big lie is more likely to be believed .
Surely the president @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirety of MAGA media wouldn ’ t be going all-in on theories of undetectable computer hacking linked to Venezuelan communists unless they had good reason to believe those theories were true .
Surely this isn ’ t just a grand gaslighting operation among them designed to spare Trump from the embarrassment of having to admit he lost .
To believe that you ’ d need to believe in conspiracies .
What are you , a kook ?
As the president makes unsubstantiated claims about electoral malfeasance and sows doubts about vote tallies , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said they accept Biden ’ s victory as legitimate , the survey released Monday found .
A staggering 73 % of respondents consider Trump the legitimate winner .
Another 24 % said they are not sure .
A mere 3 % of Trump voters believe he should concede to Biden and start the peaceful transfer of power .
Another 31 % want the president to fight in court until states certify results .
Two-thirds , or 66 % , think Trump should never concede… Loyalty to Trump runs deep among the respondents .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the president left the GOP , 72 % responded Trump ’ s party , while 28 % answered the Republican Party .
Asked whether they ’ d give Biden a chance as president , Trump voters split 19/81 .
I thought it ’ d be 5/95 or thereabouts , frankly .
Maybe they ’ re softening as we get closer to Inauguration Day .
What the president himself sincerely believes about the election is known only to him , and probably changes by the day or even the hour .
For someone who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most outrageous crime in American history , he sounds pretty chill behind the scenes about the prospect of leaving office soon according to the WSJ : President Trump has publicly vowed to keep up the fight to overturn the election .
Privately , advisers say , the president has suggested he knows the battle is effectively over—and has begun to turn his attention to his next act… More recently , administration officials say , the president ’ s focus appears to have broadened .
In private conversations , he has polled advisers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musing about how he can stay relevant in the media and in the Republican Party and how he can earn money .
He has repeatedly expressed interest in running for president again in 2024 , which some advisers have urged him to do as a way to save face , telling him he can decide whether to follow through later .
The transition authorized last night by GSA is also proceeding , reportedly : On the other hand , look below to see what he ’ s tweeting and retweeting today .
This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to believe that Trump dumped Sidney Powell because her theories about the great Dominion plot were too wild even for him .
Would a guy willing to amplify material like this really have a “ red line ” on craziness ?
Joe Biden should pledge today that , no matter what policies of Trump ’ s he ends up reversing , he ’ ll tweet out occasional videos demonstrating Randy Quaid ’ s mental break from the presidential account .
Purely in the spirit of continuity .
As further evidence that , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he has a fighting chance of prevailing in court , the Journal reports that aides in the West Wing are trying to avoid being near the Oval Office for fear of being roped into the legal battle somehow .
“ Usually everybody ’ s looking for an opportunity to go in .
Now it ’ s the opposite , ” said one administration official to the paper .
“ You never know where there ’ s going to be this moment where he ’ s like , well why don ’ t you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
I think Trump ’ s probably vacillating between “ it ’ s over ” and “ wait , what if we tried this one last longshot idea ?
” What if I turn my entire legal effort over to Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis ?
What if I try to convince state legislatures to void their election results ?
What if I tweet out a clip of Randy Quaid sounding like a mental patient ?
In lieu of an exit question read Andrew Egger ’ s report for The Dispatch from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Stop the Steal ” rallies and trying to gauge what effect they might have on GOP turnout in the Senate runoffs .
Note the part where attendees start accusing media photographers of being Antifa .

There’s a theory kicking around today that the sheer zaniness of Sidney Powell’s theories about how the election was stolen did more to convince Republicans that Biden won fair and square than anything Biden himself might say.
Could be. Among Republican politicians and commentators, sure, that’s plausible.
Among rank-and-file Republican voters, though?
It looks to me like the crazier things get, the more convinced they become. Which has a perverse logic to it, along the lines of how a big lie is more likely to be believed. Surely the president and Powell and Rudy Giuliani and the entirety of MAGA media wouldn’t be going all-in on theories of undetectable computer hacking linked to Venezuelan communists unless they had good reason to believe those theories were true. Surely this isn’t just a grand gaslighting operation among them designed to spare Trump from the embarrassment of having to admit he lost.
To believe that you’d need to believe in conspiracies. What are you, a kook?
New from Change Research:
As the president makes unsubstantiated claims about electoral malfeasance and sows doubts about vote tallies, only 3% of Trump voters surveyed said they accept Biden’s victory as legitimate, the survey released Monday found. A staggering 73% of respondents consider Trump the legitimate winner. Another 24% said they are not sure. A mere 3% of Trump voters believe he should concede to Biden and start the peaceful transfer of power. Another 31% want the president to fight in court until states certify results. Two-thirds, or 66%, think Trump should never concede… Loyalty to Trump runs deep among the respondents. Asked with whom they would identify if the president left the GOP, 72% responded Trump’s party, while 28% answered the Republican Party.
Asked whether they’d give Biden a chance as president, Trump voters split 19/81. I thought it’d be 5/95 or thereabouts, frankly. Maybe they’re softening as we get closer to Inauguration Day.
What the president himself sincerely believes about the election is known only to him, and probably changes by the day or even the hour. For someone who claims to have been the victim of the most outrageous crime in American history, he sounds pretty chill behind the scenes about the prospect of leaving office soon according to the WSJ:
President Trump has publicly vowed to keep up the fight to overturn the election. Privately, advisers say, the president has suggested he knows the battle is effectively over—and has begun to turn his attention to his next act… More recently, administration officials say, the president’s focus appears to have broadened. In private conversations, he has polled advisers on what he should do next, musing about how he can stay relevant in the media and in the Republican Party and how he can earn money. He has repeatedly expressed interest in running for president again in 2024, which some advisers have urged him to do as a way to save face, telling him he can decide whether to follow through later.
The transition authorized last night by GSA is also proceeding, reportedly:
New: WH has given formal approval for President-Elect Biden to receive the President's Daily Briefing, according to WH official. Coordination on when he'll receive his first is underway. @kaitlancollins reporting — Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) November 24, 2020
On the other hand, look below to see what he’s tweeting and retweeting today. This is why I found it so hard to believe that Trump dumped Sidney Powell because her theories about the great Dominion plot were too wild even for him. Would a guy willing to amplify material like this really have a “red line” on craziness?
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1331219312112250890
TIME TO MAKE OAN & NEWSMAX RICH. FOX IS DEAD TO ME! pic.twitter.com/IhnDXCJ7a7 — Randy Quaid (@RandyRRQuaid) November 13, 2020
Joe Biden should pledge today that, no matter what policies of Trump’s he ends up reversing, he’ll tweet out occasional videos demonstrating Randy Quaid’s mental break from the presidential account. Purely in the spirit of continuity.
As further evidence that, on some level, the president still thinks he has a fighting chance of prevailing in court, the Journal reports that aides in the West Wing are trying to avoid being near the Oval Office for fear of being roped into the legal battle somehow. “Usually everybody’s looking for an opportunity to go in. Now it’s the opposite,” said one administration official to the paper. “You never know where there’s going to be this moment where he’s like, well why don’t you do X-Y-Z crazy thing.” I believe it. I think Trump’s probably vacillating between “it’s over” and “wait, what if we tried this one last longshot idea?” What if I turn my entire legal effort over to Rudy Giuliani and Jenna Ellis? What if I try to convince state legislatures to void their election results? What if I tweet out a clip of Randy Quaid sounding like a mental patient?
In lieu of an exit question read Andrew Egger’s report for The Dispatch from Georgia, where he’s attending “Stop the Steal” rallies and trying to gauge what effect they might have on GOP turnout in the Senate runoffs. Note the part where attendees start accusing media photographers of being Antifa.


hotair--2020-11-24--Tight NY congressional race casts glaring light on the flaws of mail-in voting

Just in case you thought that all of the elections aside from the Georgia runoffs were behind us , well… they ’ re not .
The counting is still going on in some of the congressional races and one of the tightest ones is in New York ’ s 22nd district .
There , Democratic incumbent Anthony Brindisis is locked in a recount with Republican Claudia Tenney , who previously held the seat before him .
The race gap between the two has come down to the point where Tenney is leading by 106 votes and the only ballots left @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that were “ set aside ” during the initial count due to irregularities .
Tenney leads Brindisi by the thinnest of margins , but he could still come back and retain his seat if a lot of these ballots are allowed .
The problem comes with the way that final determination is being made and irregularities in the way some of the counties originally recorded the votes .
Oswego County Supreme Court Justice Scott DelConte has taken it upon himself to personally examine each of the remaining ballots and determine if they should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leaving aside the question of how even-handed the judge will be , the record-keeping in some of the counties is so bad that they don ’ t know how many of the ballots may have already been tallied once .
( Washington Examiner ) “ We have a serious problem on our hands , ” said Oswego County Supreme Court Justice Scott DelConte , who is ruling which ballots to admit or reject in the tight race between Republican former Rep. Claudia Tenney and current Democratic Rep. Anthony Brindisi .
Yes , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ entirely predictable when mail-in voting is prevalent .
Tenney was first elected to the seat from New York ’ s 22nd Congressional District , upstate , in 2016 , but Brindisi ousted her in 2018 by a margin of less than 2 % .
After the initial , full count in this year ’ s rematch finally was completed , Tenney led by a mere 106 votes — but several thousand absentee ballots remained that had been disputed by one side or the other , many of them having been rejected as invalid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ruled on Nov. 20 that he should directly examine each of the disputed ballots , and he began doing so on Monday .
The election officials in Oneida County “ can ’ t say for sure ” whether or not some of the ballots that were set aside had been counted the first time anyway .
In other words , if the judge rejects a ballot , they don ’ t know if they should subtract one vote from the person it was cast for or if the number should stay the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ any ballots he rules should be included .
Things get worse from there .
The state ’ s absentee ballot request portal was “ unsecured ” during the registration window .
Anyone who knew the name and date of birth of someone who lives in the county could request a ballot .
They were also able to edit the address of record for the voter and have the ballot mailed literally almost anywhere .
There would be no way for election officials to know if someone sent in such a fraudulent request and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showed up in person to vote and their mail-in ballot was then invalidated .
Do you think that couldn ’ t happen ?
Guess again .
In Madison County they recorded 54 people who showed up to vote on election day who already had mail-in ballots recorded in their names .
Oh , and there ’ s one more little detail to note .
Despite CNN repeatedly assuring us that this doesn ’ t happen , election officials in the county confirmed that ballots were received from three dead people .
And those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ catch .
I don ’ t know how the judge expects either party to accept the process currently being used if they wind up losing .
As I said , it ’ s bad enough that we have to rely on the judge ’ s sole discretion to determine which of the spoiled ballots are “ good enough ” to be included in the count without leaning in one direction or the other .
But the election officials can ’ t even assure him whether some or all of those votes were or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ race this tight , that sloppiness could throw the race off in either direction .
Both parties should be appealing the judge ’ s decision immediately , in my opinion .
Too many questions hang over those spoiled ballots and they should all be discounted .
And even then we won ’ t know how close the current ( and hopefully final ) count will be to the truth .

Just in case you thought that all of the elections aside from the Georgia runoffs were behind us, well… they’re not. The counting is still going on in some of the congressional races and one of the tightest ones is in New York’s 22nd district. There, Democratic incumbent Anthony Brindisis is locked in a recount with Republican Claudia Tenney, who previously held the seat before him. The race gap between the two has come down to the point where Tenney is leading by 106 votes and the only ballots left to possibly be considered are the ones that were “set aside” during the initial count due to irregularities. Tenney leads Brindisi by the thinnest of margins, but he could still come back and retain his seat if a lot of these ballots are allowed.
The problem comes with the way that final determination is being made and irregularities in the way some of the counties originally recorded the votes. Oswego County Supreme Court Justice Scott DelConte has taken it upon himself to personally examine each of the remaining ballots and determine if they should be entered into the count. Even leaving aside the question of how even-handed the judge will be, the record-keeping in some of the counties is so bad that they don’t know how many of the ballots may have already been tallied once. (Washington Examiner)
“We have a serious problem on our hands,” said Oswego County Supreme Court Justice Scott DelConte, who is ruling which ballots to admit or reject in the tight race between Republican former Rep. Claudia Tenney and current Democratic Rep. Anthony Brindisi. Yes, he does have a serious problem, one entirely predictable when mail-in voting is prevalent. Tenney was first elected to the seat from New York’s 22nd Congressional District, upstate, in 2016, but Brindisi ousted her in 2018 by a margin of less than 2%. After the initial, full count in this year’s rematch finally was completed, Tenney led by a mere 106 votes — but several thousand absentee ballots remained that had been disputed by one side or the other, many of them having been rejected as invalid by the bipartisan election board. DelConte ruled on Nov. 20 that he should directly examine each of the disputed ballots, and he began doing so on Monday.
The election officials in Oneida County “can’t say for sure” whether or not some of the ballots that were set aside had been counted the first time anyway. In other words, if the judge rejects a ballot, they don’t know if they should subtract one vote from the person it was cast for or if the number should stay the same. The opposite applies if he finds any ballots he rules should be included.
Things get worse from there. The state’s absentee ballot request portal was “unsecured” during the registration window. Anyone who knew the name and date of birth of someone who lives in the county could request a ballot. They were also able to edit the address of record for the voter and have the ballot mailed literally almost anywhere. There would be no way for election officials to know if someone sent in such a fraudulent request and submitted a ballot unless the actual voter showed up in person to vote and their mail-in ballot was then invalidated. Do you think that couldn’t happen? Guess again. In Madison County they recorded 54 people who showed up to vote on election day who already had mail-in ballots recorded in their names.
Oh, and there’s one more little detail to note. Despite CNN repeatedly assuring us that this doesn’t happen, election officials in the county confirmed that ballots were received from three dead people. And those are just the ones they managed to catch.
I don’t know how the judge expects either party to accept the process currently being used if they wind up losing. As I said, it’s bad enough that we have to rely on the judge’s sole discretion to determine which of the spoiled ballots are “good enough” to be included in the count without leaning in one direction or the other. But the election officials can’t even assure him whether some or all of those votes were or weren’t counted. In a race this tight, that sloppiness could throw the race off in either direction. Both parties should be appealing the judge’s decision immediately, in my opinion. Too many questions hang over those spoiled ballots and they should all be discounted. And even then we won’t know how close the current (and hopefully final) count will be to the truth.


hotair--2020-11-26--A happy and blessed Thanksgiving to all our readers!

Happy Thanksgiving !
Normally , I try to find a presidential message that captures the essence of Thanksgiving , either in terms of faith or in terms of public virtue .
However , this year has had so many challenges and so much stress that the usual reflections on gratitude and grace simply don ’ t seem to fit .
Many families that would normally gather in large numbers will be apart ; my own extended family won ’ t be at our house as usual , which will feel very odd .
We are fortunate , though ; thanks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seats that will always remain empty , while the stresses of public life might have created even more isolation .
Seeking some inspiration , I took a look through presidential Thanksgiving messages in times of crisis .
The destruction of the pandemic and the unrest in our streets make this seem more like a period of war than of peace , so I turned to wartime addresses at The American Presidency Project of UC Santa Barbara .
Franklin Roosevelt ’ s first Thanksgiving proclamation of World War II seemed apt for our circumstances @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 26 , 1942 — exactly 78 years ago today , in fact — Roosevelt reminds us that even in bad times , we have much for which to give thanks to the Lord .
FDR recalls Psalm 23 as he calls us to reflect on what we have , and how much work remains to be done : “ It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.
” Across the uncertain ways of space and time our hearts echo those words , for the days are with us again when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we solemnly express our dependence upon Almighty God .
The final months of this year , now almost spent , find our Republic and the Nations joined with it waging a battle on many fronts for the preservation of liberty .
In giving thanks for the greatest harvest in the history of our Nation , we who plant and reap can well resolve that in the year to come we will do all in our power to pass that milestone ; for by our labors in the fields we can share some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sons who wear the uniform of the United States .
It is fitting that we recall now the reverent words of George Washington , “ Almighty God , we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy Protection , ” and that every American in his own way lift his voice to heaven .
I recommend that all of us bear in mind this great Psalm : ” The Lord is my shepherd ; I shall not want .
“ He maketh me to lie down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beside the still waters .
“ He restoreth my soul ; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name ’ s sake .
“ Yea , though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death , I will fear no evil : for thou art with me ; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me .
“ Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies : thou anointest my head with oil ; my cup runneth over .
“ Surely goodness and mercy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
” Inspired with faith and courage by these words , let us turn again to the work that confronts us in this time of national emergency : in the armed services and the merchant marine ; in factories and offices ; on farms and in the mines ; on highways , railways , and airways ; in other places of public service to the Nation ; and in our homes .
May we all return to our work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The front-page image is a detail from “ The First Thanksgiving , 1621 ” by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris , c. 1912-15 .
Part of a private collection .
Via Wikimedia Commons .
( Note : “ The scene depicted here is a romanticized ( idealized ) version and not historically accurate .
The clothing worn by the Pilgrims is incorrect , the Wampanoag did not wear feathered war bonnets , nor would they have been sitting on the ground .
” )

Happy Thanksgiving! Normally, I try to find a presidential message that captures the essence of Thanksgiving, either in terms of faith or in terms of public virtue. However, this year has had so many challenges and so much stress that the usual reflections on gratitude and grace simply don’t seem to fit. Many families that would normally gather in large numbers will be apart; my own extended family won’t be at our house as usual, which will feel very odd. We are fortunate, though; thanks to the pandemic, some households have seats that will always remain empty, while the stresses of public life might have created even more isolation.
Seeking some inspiration, I took a look through presidential Thanksgiving messages in times of crisis. The destruction of the pandemic and the unrest in our streets make this seem more like a period of war than of peace, so I turned to wartime addresses at The American Presidency Project of UC Santa Barbara. Franklin Roosevelt’s first Thanksgiving proclamation of World War II seemed apt for our circumstances today.
In his proclamation on November 26, 1942 — exactly 78 years ago today, in fact — Roosevelt reminds us that even in bad times, we have much for which to give thanks to the Lord. FDR recalls Psalm 23 as he calls us to reflect on what we have, and how much work remains to be done:
“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.” Across the uncertain ways of space and time our hearts echo those words, for the days are with us again when, at the gathering of the harvest, we solemnly express our dependence upon Almighty God. The final months of this year, now almost spent, find our Republic and the Nations joined with it waging a battle on many fronts for the preservation of liberty. In giving thanks for the greatest harvest in the history of our Nation, we who plant and reap can well resolve that in the year to come we will do all in our power to pass that milestone; for by our labors in the fields we can share some part of the sacrifice with our brothers and sons who wear the uniform of the United States. It is fitting that we recall now the reverent words of George Washington, “Almighty God, we make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the United States in Thy holy Protection,” and that every American in his own way lift his voice to heaven. I recommend that all of us bear in mind this great Psalm:”The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. “He restoreth my soul; he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.” Inspired with faith and courage by these words, let us turn again to the work that confronts us in this time of national emergency: in the armed services and the merchant marine; in factories and offices; on farms and in the mines; on highways, railways, and airways; in other places of public service to the Nation; and in our homes.
May we all return to our work refreshed and blessed by the Lord.
The front-page image is a detail from “The First Thanksgiving, 1621” by Jean Leon Gerome Ferris, c. 1912-15. Part of a private collection. Via Wikimedia Commons. (Note: “The scene depicted here is a romanticized (idealized) version and not historically accurate. The clothing worn by the Pilgrims is incorrect, the Wampanoag did not wear feathered war bonnets, nor would they have been sitting on the ground.”)