Prior to Donald Trump's convention speech, I wondered, as I'm sure many did, if the GOP presidential nominee would we be able to stick to the prepared script or if he would veer off in ways unhelpful to his campaign's ultimate goal. I'm sure his team (his family?) insisted that he restrain himself, in particular because of how badly things had gone earlier in the week, and he … [Read more...] about Trump used up his lifetime supply of self-discipline last night
Scary in So Many Ways
By Andrew Feinberg Some smart commentators said Trump’s acceptance speech read better than it sounded. This is an important, if scary, thought. It suggests that if uttered more conversationally, with smaller dollops of rage and fewer Mussolini head bobs, the message could eventually prove more attractive to voters than it seemed to many of us last night. Michael Moore … [Read more...] about Scary in So Many Ways
Politix Update: GOP Is Left In The Gutter As Trump’s Lemmings March To The Sea
Let us begin this jeremiad with a couple, three acknowledgements: Despite the innumerable pre-mortems, the Republican Party is not dead, and despite the extraordinary spectacle of fear and loathing that low-crawled to a merciful conclusion last night in Cleveland, there always will be a place -- and should always be a place -- for conservatism in the America. Still, what we … [Read more...] about Politix Update: GOP Is Left In The Gutter As Trump’s Lemmings March To The Sea
Yglesias: GOP-not just Trump-is the Problem
Matthew Yglesias explains on vox.com. A broad range of perfectly mainstream Republican Party politicians — Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana, House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Attorney General Pam Bondi of Florida, and so forth — revealed a political party that completely apart from Trump is utterly … [Read more...] about Yglesias: GOP-not just Trump-is the Problem
No, But I Play One on TV
Donald Trump offered John Kasich the Vice-Presidency with virtually unlimited powers. Trump's son, who had the discussion with Kasich, denies the allegation. "You know the way I conduct myself. Do you really believe I would say, '(John Kasich) is in charge of foreign and domestic policy and (Donald Trump) will focus on making America great again'? What am I, a meathead?" he … [Read more...] about No, But I Play One on TV
Trump GOP Anthems: Praise Illegal Drugs & Song Written by a Gay Zoroasterian
The Rolling Stones song, "You cant always get what you want," is a song about drugs, and death. It was played at the close of the GOP convention 2016 in Cleveland, chosen by Donald Trump & Company as they closed the convention. As per friends who knew the scene back in the day: "For years, 'the connection' was understood by many to mean one's drug dealer... Footloose used to … [Read more...] about Trump GOP Anthems: Praise Illegal Drugs & Song Written by a Gay Zoroasterian
Yes, he is a fascist.
Very interesting article by Adam Gopnik in the New Yorker on what Donald Trump brings to our politics. Wouldn't surprise me if, as in so many moments during the 1990's and at the present time, the deliberate manipulation of language by the Right isn't responsible for what we think know. It's an old trick. Propaganda. Gopnik points out that Donald Trump presents us … [Read more...] about Yes, he is a fascist.
A more restrained tone and an appeal to populism: 5 takeaways from Trump’s acceptance speech
CLEVELAND — The balloons have dropped, the smiling family members have embraced, and Donald J. Trump has accepted the Republican nomination for the presidency. Here are our first impressions from Trump's 75-minute address. — A tempered tone Trump's improbable run has been propelled by the aura of unpredictability; his seemingly improvised, and often outlandish, riffs at… … [Read more...] about A more restrained tone and an appeal to populism: 5 takeaways from Trump’s acceptance speech
Trump accepts Republican nomination, vows to put “America first”
By Steve Holland CLEVELAND (Reuters) - Donald Trump accused Democratic rival Hillary Clinton of a legacy of "death, destruction, terrorism and weakness" as U.S. secretary of state and vowed to be tough on crime and illegal immigrants in a speech on Thursday accepting the Republican presidential nomination. Trump's 75-minute speech was designed to set the tone for the … [Read more...] about Trump accepts Republican nomination, vows to put “America first”
Who is Lori Gayne, aka whitepride? And is she representative of Trump supporters?
Lori Gayne, a Chicago-area mortgage banker and former Internet talk show host, got booted from the Republican National Convention on Wednesday after making a racist post on Facebook. Our brave snipers just waiting for some N—- to try something. Love them. Gayne confirmed to the Illinois Republican party and the Chicago Sun-Times that she posted a photo on Facebook of the … [Read more...] about Who is Lori Gayne, aka whitepride? And is she representative of Trump supporters?
Ailing Fox News Channel
Employees of the ailing Fox News Channel have been on pins and needles ever since the surfacing of rumors that FNC CEO Roger Ailes might be on his way out the door. Now, he is out the door. It is not unreasonable to ask why Ailes would resign if he were innocent of wrongdoing at FNC. This soap opera started when Gretchen Carlson filed a sexual-harassment lawsuit … [Read more...] about Ailing Fox News Channel
2020 Hindsight
When Ted Cruz took the RNC stage and refused to endorse Donald Trump, he was playing Crazy Eights for 2020. Cruz, Senate pariah, never backs away from a fight, especially when he’s going to get trampled. The Von Trump family, arrayed in the Royal Box, was stupefied. They stood there slack-jawed, except for Trump himself, whose face was tightly clenched, like the Death Mask … [Read more...] about 2020 Hindsight
Mr. Justice, Hulk Hogan
I know what you're thinking: that's crazy. Go ahead and laugh. Not only is the former professional wrestler eligible to sit on the Supreme Court, he is far from the worst possible choice. Corey Lewandowski is also eligible, and let's face it: Trump owes him huge. The Senate is the only thing standing between Trump and the appointment of the guy from Duck Dynasty to the Bench. … [Read more...] about Mr. Justice, Hulk Hogan
Just the Facts – The Stock Market
This week the Republicans have been demanding change. So, I thought I would post, over the next few weeks, a moderate's view of the facts and determine what it is they want to change. I thought I would start with the stock markets. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) was at 7949 on the day Obama took office. It is now at about 18,500. That is an increase of about 230%. … [Read more...] about Just the Facts – The Stock Market
Cruz takes on the Trump brand
There is one school of thought emerging that Donald Trump and his campaign team approved Ted Cruz's speech last night knowing it contained no mention of an endorsement for the GOP presidential nominee. The argument goes that they hoped the convention would come together in shared disgust for Cruz for not honouring his pledge to formally get behind the primary process winner. … [Read more...] about Cruz takes on the Trump brand
Division in the GOP: Kill Hillary Clinton or jail her?
CLEVELAND -- Delegates to the Republican National Convention are divided this week over a crucial question: Should Hillary Clinton be summarily executed? Or merely imprisoned without trial? Most favor the latter position, judging from the nightly chants of "Lock her up!" from the convention floor and the regular calls from convention speakers to outfit Clinton … [Read more...] about Division in the GOP: Kill Hillary Clinton or jail her?
The long capitulation to Trumpism
CLEVELAND -- The Donald Trump Family Reunion, formerly known as the Republican National Convention, illustrates how a once great political party now sees its main purpose as harnessing the opposition to the devil. There were chuckles and dismissals when Ben Carson, the brilliant neurosurgeon turned right-wing crank, used his convention speech Tuesday night to tie … [Read more...] about The long capitulation to Trumpism
Cartoon: Trump elephant cemetery
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 elephant cemetery
Trump schlonged: Cruz booed when doesn’t endorse Trump during RNC speech (Video)
To use the yiddish word he used during the primaries, Republican Presidential Nominee Donald Trump … [Read more...] about Trump schlonged: Cruz booed when doesn’t endorse Trump during RNC speech (Video)
Cruz Burns Trump in RNC Speech
Josh Marshall explains on Talking Points Memo. As you know, I believe in my heart that Ted Cruz is an odious weasel. I base this on observing him for years now and on the accounts and traumas of many close friends who've known him for far longer. But that was a singular moment. Convention managers don't let unexpected things happen. If Ted Cruz had simply not mentioned Trump, … [Read more...] about Cruz Burns Trump in RNC Speech