] CLEVELAND -- The Trump campaign has lately alternated between disaster and farce: the awkward rollout of Mike Pence, the botched logo, two parliamentary disputes on the convention floor, a muddled message, a plagiarized speech by the would-be first lady. But in one respect, the Republican National Convention of 2016 has been a yuge success. It is the triumph of … [Read more...] about Trump: Self-worship over sound judgment
“A Noun, A Verb and 9/11”
Any New Yorker over twenty-five at the time of the the destruction of the Twin Towers should instantly know the target and the author of the title quip. Some may forget that Joe Biden coined the phrase. Everyone should recognize that it's about Rudy Giuliani, who adopted the title of "America's Mayor" in the aftermath of that tragedy. Rudy donned the funereal robes and hung … [Read more...] about “A Noun, A Verb and 9/11”
What sane, undecided American would look to the GOP convention and say, ‘OK, I’ll take that’? (Guest Voice)
On Monday in Cleveland, dozens of notable Republicans spilled out of a single clown car and performed cartwheels on the stage of Quicken Loans Arena. Former Texas governor Rick Perry performed an amazing feat of speaking for several minutes in front of a Republican audience without actually mentioning the presumptive Republican nominee by name. Ta da!… … [Read more...] about What sane, undecided American would look to the GOP convention and say, ‘OK, I’ll take that’? (Guest Voice)
Cartoon: Melania’s Plagiarism
Melania's Plagiarism by Clay Jones I’m always interested in the speakers at the conventions, but more so with the GOP’s this year, as they’ve had a very difficult time getting anyone of any significance willing to speak at this dumpster fire. Half the roster is made up of Trump kids. Rudy Giuliani did fine shouting from the podium. He riled everyone up. Three of the … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Melania’s Plagiarism
Donald Trump wins Republican nomination for president
CLEVELAND — After another day of controversy and self-inflicted turmoil, Donald Trump celebrated his formal installment Tuesday as the Republican presidential nominee — an achievement doubted for months and not fully assured until the roll call was completed on the second night of the Republican National Convention. Trump was counting on the moment, once seen as… … [Read more...] about Donald Trump wins Republican nomination for president
Shadow GOP Convention
Shane Goldmacher describes a shadow Republican convention in Politico. It was mid-April when as many as 1,000 alumni of the most recent Republican administration descended on Dallas for a staff reunion to reminisce about sunnier times. Former President George W. Bush autographed cowboy hats, Vice President Dick Cheney snapped selfies and First Lady Laura Bush chatted up the … [Read more...] about Shadow GOP Convention
The Plagiarists Double Down
The Trump Campaign responds to plagiarism allegations This is for those with eyes that see and ears that hear. The rest of you can go back to watching Faux Nooz -- who have decided, Ailes-wise, to double down on defending plagiarism and spouting the usual tropes about "liberal media." Melania Trump's speech plagiarizes parts of Michelle Obama's Gregory Krieg / CNN (CNN) … [Read more...] about The Plagiarists Double Down
Laughing at Mr. Trump
Obviously today everyone is talking and writing about Melania Trump's plagiarized speech at last night's Republican National Convention. I tend to agree with John Heilemann that the strangest thing about the theft is that it was of words uttered by Michelle Obama, wife of Donald J. Trump's archnemesis. If Melania felt absolutely compelled to steal words, she might have looked … [Read more...] about Laughing at Mr. Trump
The crazy face of Trump’s GOP
CLEVELAND -- Roger Stone, longtime confidant and informal adviser to Donald Trump, removed his all-access convention credentials and ascended the stage at Citizens for Trump's America First Unity Rally on Monday afternoon. Stone, wearing a yellow linen suit, white saddle shoes and suspenders, explained that he was late because "I had some meetings that I had to conclude … [Read more...] about The crazy face of Trump’s GOP
Kristol on GOP Convention, Night 1
William Kristol describes the first night of the Republican convention in The Weekly Standard. It was always perhaps the stupider party, the clumsier party, and the stodgier party. But it was also the sounder party, the more constitutional party, and the more responsible party. Now, Donald Trump's Republican party is stupider than ever, but it is no longer sound or … [Read more...] about Kristol on GOP Convention, Night 1
Melania Trump’s RNC Speech Was Blatantly Plagiarized From Michelle Obama’s 2008 DNC Speech (Video)
The Melania Trump Tapes On the first day of the Republican National Convention there was plenty of drama and controversy to roil the Trump campaign. A vote on the convention rules blew up with many delegates disgusted by the Trump team's bullying tactics. Some early speakers took harsh and negative tones that were contrary to the… … [Read more...] about Melania Trump’s RNC Speech Was Blatantly Plagiarized From Michelle Obama’s 2008 DNC Speech (Video)
Cartoon: Blood Runs Rouge
Blood Runs Rouge by Clay Jones I’ve drawn too many cartoons and written too many columns on the violence sweeping our nation right now. Yesterday I wrote how I was surprised another terrorist attack didn’t occur before I could draw a cartoon about Nice, France. Today three policemen, one black, were killed in Baton Rouge, the capital of my home state. Someone else’s … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Blood Runs Rouge
Assembling the Worst Possible Candidate
Scientific Electoral Breakthrough! Scientists are euphoric. They believe they have finally created The Rottenest Major Party Candidate in United States History, or TRMPCUSH for short. Granted, they have made similar claims before (see the Buchanan Degradation and the Harding Humiliation). “With the aid of supercomputers, we think we found the Holy Grail this time,” said … [Read more...] about Assembling the Worst Possible Candidate
The coronation of a charlatan
WASHINGTON -- Years from now, bright-eyed children will look up at Grandma or Grandpa and ask, "Where were you when they nominated Donald Trump?" Far too many prominent Republicans will have to hang their heads in shame. As the garish imperial coronation in Cleveland reaches its climax, there will be much commentary -- some, no doubt, from me -- about fleeting events. … [Read more...] about The coronation of a charlatan
Sullivan on GOP Convention, Night #1
Andrew Sullivan sums up the first night of the Republican Convention for New York Magazine. Just mulling over the events tonight, there’s one obvious stand-out. I didn’t hear any specific policy proposals to tackle clearly stated public problems. It is almost as if governing, for the Republican right, is fundamentally about an attitude, rather than about experience or … [Read more...] about Sullivan on GOP Convention, Night #1
This Week in Press the Nation…in Review
Part I - Talking Heads Sonny, my Dachshund, was surprised during our Sunday morning walk. I bought three newspapers. He had not seen that much paper pulp since he was a puppy. I was girding myself for the morning political shows on the eve of the Republican National Convention. Devoted as I am to blogging about our nation, I am duty-bound at least to keep the TV on. … [Read more...] about This Week in Press the Nation…in Review
A 1964 Political Ad Finds a Home and Its Target Once More
Some of our younger readers may not remember or only have a very faint recollection of the 1964 presidential campaign. I, for one, remember. I especially remember a television ad released by the Lyndon B. Johnson campaign. The ad, referred to variously as “Daisy,” "Daisy Girl" or "Peace, Little Girl," depicts a lovely 3-year-old little girl “in a meadow with chirping … [Read more...] about A 1964 Political Ad Finds a Home and Its Target Once More
Politix Update: The Republican Convention Promises To Be A Paean To Intolerance
Embed from Getty Images The quadrennial national political gatherings lost their excitement many years ago as the smoke-filled backroom morphed into the prime-time infomercial, but the Republican National Convention opening on Monday evening in Cleveland promises to be different: It will be a four-day hostage video courtesy of Donald Trump interspersed with paeans to … [Read more...] about Politix Update: The Republican Convention Promises To Be A Paean To Intolerance
GOP, RIP?
The Republican Party came to life as the bastion of "Free Soil, Free Labor, Free Speech, Free Men." It was a reformist party dedicated to stopping the spread of slavery and to fighting a "Slave Power" its founders saw as undermining free institutions. The new political organization grew out of the old Whigs and reflected the faith that Henry Clay and his admirer Abraham … [Read more...] about GOP, RIP?
Cartoon: Trump’s Platform
See great cartoons by all the top political cartoonists at http://cagle.com. To license this cartoon for your own site, visit http://politicalcartoons.com … [Read more...] about Cartoon: Trump’s Platform