Battle Lines

The impeachment polling is shaping up as more trench warfare in 50/50 nation.

I promise you, there are people out there thinking that (to snatch a few recent examples from the headlines) the idea of hosting the G-& at Trump's Doral resort was an optically dubious decision and the Ukraine arm-twisting is not how a President should exert his power. But they're also thinking that the Warren/Sanders intended fracking ban would be a disaster. 

We're on track for another sequel: Lesser of Two Evils II. 

Comments

[henry]

Whatever.

The Wall Street Journal @WSJ
15m

Researchers have declared acorns a "superfood." That means some squirrels are being forced to go on a diet.

[The Infamous Ignatz]

--I think TM is trolling us.--

I don't think so.
TM seems to me a moderate who leans right and so his perceptions and opinions differ from the large majority here.

[Threadkiller]

Sundance painted Hannity as a "Decepticon"

I must have read a different link.

[Narciso]

You can take it the bank if everybody is yelling about something they are exaggerating

[Narciso]

I take it as a socratic exercise.

[James D.]

People are oh-so-concerned (optics or more) about the potential of Trump (who is donating his presidential salary) making a few pennies profit off the G-7?

Anyone who's concerned about that is either disingenuous or a willfully blind moron.

Nobody batted an eye at The Omen getting a six-figure paycheck at NBC News to do absolutely nothing while her Mom was Secretary of State.

Nobody gave a crap about Obama's daughters getting prestigious internships with a high-level Hollywood producer.

Nobody seemed to care about Hunter Biden raking in millions of dollars from sketchy foreign companies while Daddy was Vice President.

Nobody cared about Obama signing ten-figure book deals while still President.

And on and on and on and moutherfucking on. I am SO SO SO SO SO sick of the whining about every single thing Trump does or thinks about doing or even could potentially someday do even though he's showed no indication of ever doing it, when nobody's cared for the last several generations about politicians profiting from their offices and their worthless crooked kids doing the same.

Grow the fuck up, already.

(sorry. I am ALL OUT of patience today)

[Narciso]

I pointed out the counterooint that a commenter to mirengoff noted that i checked out, maybe since rockefeller great grandson of a patent medicine salesman, was presumed to own this country thats an emolument exception

[Narciso]

Will this trickle down?

https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2019/10/syria-turkey-us-russia-ceasefire-worked/600541/

[The Infamous Ignatz]

The tire rotation link.
Not sure why TK agrees with the court but I do too.
"Deceptive and unfair" are one thing involving conscious intentional acts, almost always to gain an advantage, while negligence is another involving unintentional mistakes.
Clearly no sane person doesn't want to tighten the lug nuts after a tire rotation, nor is there any advantage to gain or sought by doing so. It's a negligent mistake and the court is right on the money. Period.
Thank goodness a court decided to apply the law for once instead of writing a new one.

[Narciso]

What i referred to:

https://mobile.twitter.com/SeanDurns/status/1186809263093624833

[Buckeye]

I'll vote a tentative "no".
Which is disappointing and a bit scary ...

The "party" has produced the likes of McCain, Romney, and (spit) Kasich.

With friends like that....

[Jim,SunnyvaleCA,USA]

I read somewhere recently that emoluments refers to foreign titles and one other thing that I forgot.
It does not include cash money. I guess that's covered under "bribery"

[Narciso]

Like what mccain and graham accepted, now similar to the pkk the original ruling coalition in post maidan ukraine had some problematic elements

[Jim,SunnyvaleCA,USA]

JamesD 11:05

Let's include Bill's high paid speech in Moscow. And "donations" to the Clinton tax dodge.

Also, don't Congressmen (and staff?) have some sort of protection from being charged with insider trading? Why?

[The Infamous Ignatz]

RIP to the great Raider cornerback Willie Brown.
HOFer and never heard anyone say a bad thing about him.

[Narciso]

Re 'anonymous' well we know their caliber in michael scheuer, who was reaemted bu many and took credit for other peoples work.

[MissMarple2]

Brandon Straka is a very good spokesman for Trump. He's the leader of the Walk Away movement. Video at the link.

Anti-Trump politician:
“We’ve never seen anything like @realDonaldTrump before. He’s blowing up the World Order.”

Me:
Damn right. pic.twitter.com/PUtzbR4CnM

— Brandon Straka (@BrandonStraka) October 23, 2019

[MissMarple2]

GRASSROOTS 2020
@harambe_fren
·
2m
Progressives living in metro areas believe that if a civil war broke out that they would have police and military on their side... farmers would produce food for them... and truckers would deliver gas to them...

These people have no idea what they are getting themselves into.
================================
The people who spent at least 6 months CRYING over an election loss are not cut from the same caliber as Trump supporters.
Period.

[Narciso]

Mollie has the patience of a preschool teacher

https://mobile.twitter.com/MZHemingway/status/1187018832260599810

Btw long before schweitzer she was one of the first to investigate burisma

[Narciso]

Who owns tiktok?

https://mobile.twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/status/1186926401888239617

[MissMarple2]

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/chuck-schumer-is-wrong-and-no-law-gives-the-ukraine-whisteblower-the-right-to-anonymity

[The Infamous Ignatz]

Will the Real Mitt Romney Please Shut Up?

[jimmyk]

Hopelessly behind, but I did catch that yesterday was narc's birthday, so a belated Happy Birthday!

And this from CH: I've told jimmyk before that Scherzer is very deferred payback for Denny McClain.

Ok, though Scherzer helped get the Tigers to the World Series first. But if it's any consolation, despite being on the right side of the most lopsided deal in baseball history, the Tigers weren't able to get back to the World Series till the next generation.

[D]

Of course there is s successor to President Trump.
Our bench is much deeper than the Democrats.
Ted Cruz, Rand Paul , Crenshaw, Grassley andPence any former governor of a Red State.
This belief that only Trump is the only answer or savior is terribly misguided in my opinion. Anyone can be replaced

[Narciso]

And that comes from one of becks petulanr fmr minioms but hes right on the law.

[D]

Jimmyk:
We in Cleveland are still waiting for the magic combination that will secure us a World Series win.

[The Infamous Ignatz]

A Powerline story on the inexplicable Naomi Wolf's latest book; this one so retarded it was recalled [can't remember the last time I heard of a book recall] and flushed by her publisher.

[henry]

Rep. Matt Gaetz
@RepMattGaetz

BREAKING: I led over 30 of my colleagues into the SCIF where Adam Schiff is holding secret impeachment depositions. Still inside - more details to come.

https://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz/status/1187028992295161858

[Tom R]

Ok, though Scherzer helped get the Tigers to the World Series first. But if it's any consolation, despite being on the right side of the most lopsided deal in baseball history, the Tigers weren't able to get back to the World Series till the next generation.

Ever heard of the Curse of the Bambino?

[Narciso]

I havent a clue why her dissertation might have been unreviewed, (actually her history gives strong hints)

[The Infamous Ignatz]

BTW, Red Flag warnings today and tomorrow so power going off at noon today...again.

[Narciso]

Yikes, you know ill believe when i aee it, theres always a copy or ten strewn theough university and even public libraries

[Narciso]

So they are holding meetings in a scif roo. But they were concerned aondland and co wasnt spelling everything out on the clear.

[MissMarple2]

Here is the President's statement on the cease=fire. Video at lin. I am pleased he calls out Obama and a bunch of pundits (although they aren't named). Kristol's head probably exploded.

https://t.co/7Ud0WLyo4g

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 23, 2019

After watching this I am prouder than ever of my vote.

[jimmyk]

“Ever heard of the Curse of the Bambino?”

Well that wasn’t really a trade. But I’ll grant you that the Sox might have gotten too low a price. :)

[MissMarple2]

https://www.theepochtimes.com/major-obama-fundraiser-to-plead-guilty-to-being-a-foreign-agent-making-illegal-contributions_3125154.html

His name is Imaad Shah Suberi. Iranian? (I am restricted from reading the entire article since I have used up my free ones this month.)

[Melinda]

MM-

It's Zuberi.

[MissMarple2]

Thanks, Melinda! Typo which I didn't catch.

[MissMarple2]

https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/google-claims-computer-breakthrough-with-quantum-supremacy-machine

[James D.]

This belief that only Trump is the only answer or savior is terribly misguided in my opinion. Anyone can be replaced

Absolutely, anyone can be replaced.

But how many Republicans can you name who are explicitly on OUR side - the side of average citizens, and against the bureaucracy and the crooked Washington way of doing things, the way President Trump is?

Of the people you named, maybe Crenshaw, but that's it.

And as far as actually being able to beat the Democrats (and the MSM), I'm not really sold on anyone in the GOP as being willing and able to fight back the way President Trump has.

He's not irreplacable, but among Republicans, he was unique in 2016 (and still is), as having a nationwide (worldwide) brand and recognition totally outside of politics - that was SO essential to his victory in 2016, and there's nobody else currently in the GOP who you can say it about.

[henry]

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump
1m

Thank you General Mazloum for your kind words and courage. Please extend my warmest regards to the Kurdish people. I look forward to seeing you soon. @mustefabali

[Jim,SunnyvaleCA,USA]

mr/maryrose/d
"Our bench is much deeper than the Democrats.
Ted Cruz, Rand Paul , Crenshaw, Grassley andPence any former governor of a Red State.
This belief that only Trump is the only answer or savior is terribly misguided in my opinion. Anyone can be replaced"

Both of your statements are true.
The reason I think Trump is central is his combative character (perhaps shared by some?) and more importantly The fact that he is well known outside politics.
With GW, McCain and Mitt the media was able to throw slime. Educated voters knew better but many are not.
With Trump, when accused of being racist or "literally" Hitler, low info voters could not take it to heart. He had been on their TV screens for years.

The FL Gov (DeSantis?) is getting rave reviews (for example) but dishonest media attacks, in my opinion, are a wild card that might well skew the outcome. Simply because he is not a national figure.
Ted and Lindsay face the same problem, plus they are Senators (talkers) not executives (doers).

[MissMarple2]

Bringing this back from the 21st.

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2019/10/21/report-cia-deep-state-actors-linked-to-origin-of-russia-hoax-lawyer-up/

The reason is that I also ran across a tweet this morning that Brennan had hired a "crisis manager" whose name was Nick Shapiro.

[Jim,SunnyvaleCA,USA]

Ig: power going off at noon today

Yuck

[The Infamous Ignatz]

Sure, fer instance Andrew Johnson can replace Abe Lincoln. Herbert Hoover can replace Cal Coolidge. GHWB can replace RR.
How'd those work out?

[The Infamous Ignatz]

Don't know about you jim.
Not going to be as widespread here. The lower elevation towns down the road 8 or 10 miles will be spared apparently.

[Buckeye]

This belief that only Trump is the only answer or savior is terribly misguided in my opinion. Anyone can be replaced

Maryrose, whatever you do, don't put words in my mouth.

It won't end well.

My question was whether or not we have someone else who could win in 2020. After the last two losers, I don't trust the "party" to get it right.

Their track record sucks.

[jimmyk]

I don't think any of those potential replacements maryrose mentions have the requisite combativeness and resilience that Trump has, other than Cruz. And as discussed here many times, Senators don't make good Presidents. There probably are some feisty R governors or ex-governors. Of the people in Trump's administration, Mulvaney seems to be the best suited as far as temperament goes.

[sbwaters]

Ig!

On point.

[D]

Brennan is going to need more than a crisis manager.
He is the most vulnerable and I believe the most guilty.
President Trump is a very polarizing.
The other persons I have suggested don’t have that situation.
All are fighters and will not let the media run over them.
The President stands up to the media but they still get their message across.
Love that the Repubs crashed the hearing!
The replies are full of outrage that they would do this.
Take that Schiff!

[James D.]

The other thing about someone else winning in 2020 is that the only way President Trump wouldn't be running is if the GOP went along with the Democrats in forcing him out of office.

And in that case, there is absolutely no way in hell any replacement GOP candidate would crack 40% of the vote.

I can guarantee I would not vote for them, and I imagine the same is true of a majority of folks here.

[MissMarple2]

Chuck Grassley isn't going to draw a crowd to fill an arena. It's going to take a unique character and I can tell you right now Mike Pence doesn't have the charisma.

AND I WILL NOT VOTE FOR MITT ROMNEY. PERIOD.

[The Infamous Ignatz]

Gee, Extinction Rebellion is really about...

1.The delusion of white-supremacy centres whiteness and the experience of white people, constructing and perpetuating the myth that white people and their lives are somehow inherently better and more valuable than people of colour.
2.The delusion of patriarchy centres the male experience, and excludes/hinders female assigned people from public life (reducing them to a possession or object for ownership or consumption). Patriarchy teaches dominating and competitive behaviours, and emphasises the idea that the world is a place of scarcity, separation and powerlessness.
3. The delusions of Eurocentrism include the notion that Europeans know what is best for the world.
4.The delusions of hetero-sexism/heteronormativity propagate the idea that heterosexuality is ‘normal’ and that other expressions of sexuality are deviant.
5. The delusions of class hierarchy uphold the theory that the rich elite are better/smarter/nobler than the rest of us, and make therefore better decisions.

How very surprising.

[D]

Buckeye:
The people I suggested could win in 2020.
Don’t threaten me Buckeye.
It is not how we do things in Ohio.

[MissMarple2]

When Republicans stay home on Election Day! This is what happens! #VoteRed#SaveNJ 👇🏼👎🏼👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/uLjoRVNheK

— Liz Diamond 💎⭐️⭐️⭐️💎 (@LizLiz_Di) October 23, 2019

Photo at the link.

I would like to point out that this will happen in any state in which the GOP behaves as they have in the past.

[henry]

Gee Ig, seems it is about the delusions of paid crisis performers.

[jimmyk]

Not sure how many are interested in this, but:

A couple of weeks ago I posted about this new Saez-Zucman magnum opus purporting to show that the rich pay lower tax rates (de facto, not just statutory rates) now than at any time in the past 75 years. Of course they would be darlings of the MSM (though none of the MSM would read it or critique it, of course), and the lie would get around the world before the truth got its pants on.

I was 100% sure the numbers were BS, but I didn't have time to wade through it. Fortunately others have.

https://johnhcochrane.blogspot.com/2019/10/who-pays-more-taxes.html

Essentially, their whole argument is a fraud.

[henry]

Melinda, you asked who would deliver pizza earlier...

Betsy Woodruff Swan @woodruffbets
10m

Source familiar says snacks have been brought into the SCIF for the 15-20 Republicans still in there

[Jim,SunnyvaleCA,USA]

"I am prouder than ever of my vote."
Me too.

From a PowerLine comment:
Given the threat of the “progressive” left, there is hardly any such thing as a former Trump supporter. There are, however, many, many former Romney supporters

[D]

Iggy:
Of the 3 you listed Johnson and Hoover were not strong leaders.
Bush Sr. Had an Independent candidate garner 19 percent of the vote.
Clinton, his opponent never received 50 percent of the vote.
MM:
Pence could easily defeat any of these loser Dems
Romney is not running.
This is a hypothetical but I guarantee any person on this blog that the Repub candidate in 2020 Trump or someone else can definitely defeat the worst collection of Dem candidates.
If you watch their debates you will see what I mean,.

[Captain Hate]

Reagan's biggest error was thinking the party would learn from his example. It led to some here thinking we'd never see a non establishment President again. I'm sure Trump has taken note of that and will plan accordingly.

[Porchlight]

We're on track for another sequel: Lesser of Two Evils II.

No, we aren't. :)

[henry]

Maryrose, don't fall for the popular vote ruse. Clinton got a majority of electoral college votes. Third party got none.

[Neo]

Pick your own “tipping point”
http://extinctionclock.org/

[D]

If you don’t vote for the Repub candidate no matter who it is on the local, state, or federal level than you have only yourself to blame for the results.
Everyone in Ohio should vote for Portman when he is up for re-election.
One Dem senator Brown is bad enough,

[The Infamous Ignatz]

Maryrose, I'm referring to the policy catastrophes that ensued, not their electability.

[James D.]

jimmyk, there's one glaring problem with that piece you just linked. The author writes in praise of a value-added tax.

Which tells me he's an academic, and a theoretician, because in reality a value-added tax would not replace our current opaque and awful tax system, it would be implemented in addition to it.

[Captain Hate]

I only use Slick's popular vote percentages to point out how wrong the unfree presstitutes are in overstating his popularity.

[D]

MM;
You have absolutely no idea of how many people Grassley can draw into an arena.
All I know is he visits every county in Iowa before Election Day and he wins
Multiple terms in the Senate.
Also ,last time I checked, no one was trying to impeach him.

[MissMarple2]

Maryrose,

You forget. I LIVE in his state. You don't know beans about his campaign style, his confidantes, or the huge Hollywood force that will marshal against him.

[jimmyk]

Agree, James D. I generally like his stuff, but he's also bought into the climate change/carbon tax nonsense.

The only way I'd go along with a VAT is if it were paired with a repeal of the 16th Amendment.

[The Infamous Ignatz]

WUWT publishes a fairly stupid article claiming the real climate debate is between responsible middle of the road Chicken Littles and irresponsible left wing ones.

A certain Brad Keyes blows up the comments, because few of the WUWT guys have a memory longer than a few minutes apparently.
Brad Keyes runs Climate Nuremberg and is the Titania McGrath of the climate wars. So much so I often wonder if its the same person or persons responsible for McGrath and her predecessor Godfrey Elfwick.
Funny stuff.

[Porchlight]

IMO, Trump is the only Republican who can win in 2020.

The fact of his not being in the race (I won't even speculate on the "why" as it is too awful to contemplate) would just on its own have a huge impact.

The landscape has permanently changed. If we had a 2000-type result in 2020 do you think the Dems would abide by a court decision? No effing way.

The only person who can win now is someone who can fight on the level of Trump and no one else in the party can come close. Assuming they even want to win.

[Captain Hate]

Also ,last time I checked, no one was trying to impeach him.

Again, you're not fooling anybody with your junior high level attacks on Trump.

[Jim,SunnyvaleCA,USA]

The accompanying GIF is a smiler ....

https://donsurber.blogspot.com/2019/10/genocide-canceled-media-sad.html
When President Donald John Trump said he was pulling U.S. troops from Syria, the media and the Washington Establishment predicted genocide. The blood was on his hands, they said.

Once again, they were totally and completely wrong.

Instead, peace broke out.

[D]

CH :
Agreed.
Iggy:
Pence wouldnt change policies nor would Rand Paul , Cruz or Crenshaw.
We have good people in the Repub party.
Time to recognize them and promote their candidacy for 2024.
Dems are bankrupt in their candidates and their policies.

[MissMarple2]

https://www.amgreatness.com/2019/10/19/who-the-hell-do-they-think-they-are/

Angelo Codevilla

[Jim,SunnyvaleCA,USA]

A commenter at Surber.
Heh
"The media follows the WWPDD rule. What would Pierre Delecto do? Then they report"

[Stephanie Nene Not Your Normal Granma]

If Trump gets dumped, I'm all for voting for the dem candidate. If the choice is a slow death v fast death of the republic, I'm all for the quicker route. There are NO candidates on the right who are fighters that are not aligned with Trump who won't be serially tarred with that broad stroke by the dems and media (but I repeat myself).

A fast death means a quicker recovery. YMVVW

[Porchlight]

All I know is he visits every county in Iowa before Election Day and he wins
Multiple terms in the Senate.

I love Grassley, but so what? Why is this even being discussed? He is worthy but ancient and has no intention of running for President. Therefore he is not on the bench at all.

Also ,last time I checked, no one was trying to impeach him.

Now the truth emerges. Trump has the gall to be effective enough that the Dems want to sabotage him. Trump's toga just isn't quite clean enough. I get it.

[D]

Porch:
Respectfully disagree.
A party should not put all their eggs in one basket.
It is absolutely necessary to develop back up talent ready to govern immediately.
Any other course is short sighted.
People are also fickle in whom they continue to support for an extended period of time.
Trump is not the only fighter.
Gaetz is in the trenches today as we speak.

[Captain Hate]

Maybe there is some stiffening of spines

http://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=383912

[James D.]

Ig @ 1:08

"fairly stupid" is a VERY generous description of that article.

[Porchlight]

Crenshaw is a freshman Rep. At best he will be serving his third term in 2024. Not even close to presidential material.

[Jim,SunnyvaleCA,USA]

Trump won't be dumped LOL

"It is not how we do things in Ohio."
Last time I checked, Buckeye lives in Ahia. :) :)

Hey, I would vote for Ted and maybe for Lindsay.
But they would lose because MSM would pollute the Low Info voters.
Change my mind!

Seriously, though, it's all hypothetical and personal opinion.

[MissMarple2]

Porch,

I used to think Crenshaw had potential, but I noticed he went off on the Syria withdrawal so I am not so sure.

[Porchlight]

It is absolutely necessary to develop back up talent ready to govern immediately.

Buckeye's question was about 2020 and so was my response. I don't know why you continue to discuss 2024.

This has nothing to do with developing talent.

Pence is of course ready to step in should something happen. That doesn't mean I think he can win in November 2020 should that *something* occur.

[D]

MM:
You consider yourself knowledgeable politically.
I am here to inform you that you have a blind spot wrt President Trump.
Because of this I no longer regard your posts as a source of concrete information.
There is way too much hero worship and an almost cult like adoration displayed in your posts.
I have also followed politics as long as you have.
You have little faith in others if they are not Trump.
That is tunnel vision and an inability to see his weaknesses as well as his strengths.
You can SOB my posts and I may be the only poster to state it but there it is.
Pence has changed since he was your governor.
Your inability to see that only proves my point.

[MissMarple2]

The Reckoning
💥
@sethjlevy
·
56m
The Democrats are fully unifying the the Republican political establishment behind Trump.

If Republicans do win back the House, Democrats better watch out.

For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
==========================
I bet Mitt Romney doesn't have very many allies.

[D]

Porch:
The difference here is that I think Pence could win in 2020 and 2024.
The people I mentioned above could also win in 2020 because they are strong Republican candidates in their own right.
Much better than the Dem 2020 bunch.

[Porchlight]

Trump is not the only fighter.
Gaetz is in the trenches today as we speak.

Reading comprehension. I didn't say Trump was the only fighter. I said he is the only person in the party who can fight on his level. Gaetz can not fight on Trump's level.

[MissMarple2]

Maryrose,

Would you like to know my assessment of YOUR character flaws?

Probably not.

[henry]

swing state datum:

Vicki McKenna Retweeted
MULawPoll's avatar
MULawPoll @MULawPoll
7m

In new poll, 44% of WI voters say Trump should be impeached and removed from office, 51% say he should not be impeached and removed from office. #mulawpoll

[henry]

the other part of the story:

MULawPoll @MULawPoll
10m

New Marquette Law School Poll finds 46% of WI registered voters say there is enough cause for Congress to hold Trump impeachment hearings, 49% say no. #mulawpoll

[Porchlight]

The people I mentioned above could also win in 2020 because they are strong Republican candidates in their own right.
Much better than the Dem 2020 bunch.

Of course they are better than the Dems.

But this hypothetical situation isn't taking place in a vaccuum.

If Trump isn't the candidate in November 2020, that means he is either 1) (God forbid) dead or disabled OR 2) he has chosen to step aside for other reasons.

If 1), I don't think the sympathy wave can carry Pence like it carried Johnson in 1964. And if 2), then the GOP replacement starts off in a huge hole because there is probably some major scandal involved.

[D]

Who cares about a Hollywood force?
Pence will continue Trump’s policies.
They can’t get him on any of the imaginary charges they are trying to undermine Trump with during his presidency.
Pence was a strong enough figure to be chosen as VP.
He is squeaky clean.
You just don’t appreciate his integrity or his strength.

[D]

Some major scandal?
I thought all was well with this current presidency.

[Porchlight]

WTF, maryrose. Obviously there has to be a perceived scandal if Trump is alive and healthy but isn't the candidate.

Thanks for showing your true colors today.

[sbwaters]

Pence would grow to fill the job. He has a good mentor.

[Captain Hate]

Not even close to presidential material.

Although I 100% agree with this, what passes for "presidential material" got destroyed by Gaylord not having any qualifications other than being a fresh new face. Even Slick, if you can ignore the predator stuff, had been in an executive position before, no matter how disorganized he was. As jimmyk pointed out, Senators make terrible Presidents because it isn't an executive job.

Trump has been an executive in the private sector for a long time and has had a huge media presence. Plus he loves the country and understands that deviating from the Constitution only weakens it. Right now I'm at a loss as to how you replace that, particularly with someone who can self fund a campaign. But I'm sure DJT has given it some thought and will continue to do so.