The Commentariat -- July 27, 2016
Afternoon Update:
Unhinged U.S. Presidential Candidate Urges Russia to Breach U.S. Security. Jose DelReal of the Washington Post: "... Donald Trump on Wednesday said he hoped that Russia would hack into Hillary Clinton's email server to find 'missing' messages and release them to the public. 'Russia, if you're listening I hope you're able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. I think you will probably be rewarded mightily by our press,' Trump said during a press conference at his Doral resort in South Florida on Wednesday. 'They probably have them. I'd like to have them release. It gives me no pause, if they have them, they have them,' Trump added later when asked if his comments were inappropriate. 'If Russia or China or any other country has those emails, I mean to be honest with you, I'd love to see them.'... [Trump] sought ... to distance himself from allegations that the Russian government hacked into the Democratic National Committee to benefit his campaign.... 'It is so farfetched. It's so ridiculous. Honestly I wish I had that power. I'd love to have that power but Russia has no respect for our country,' Trump said." -- CW ...
... Ashley Parker of the New York Times: "Donald J. Trump said Wednesday that he hoped Russia had hacked Hillary Clinton's email, essentially sanctioning a foreign power's cyberspying of a secretary of state's correspondence.... Mr. Trump's call was an extraordinary moment at a time when Russia is being accused of meddling in the U.S. presidential election.... At the news conference..., [Trump] refused to unequivocally call on Vladimir V. Putin ... to not meddle in the United States' presidential election. 'I'm not going to tell Putin what to do,' Mr. Trump said. 'Why should I tell Putin what to do?'" -- CW ...
... Looks Like mike pence didn't get the memo. Reuters: "... Mike Pence on Wednesday vowed there would be 'serious consequences' if the FBI determines Russia is behind recent hacking attempt and is meddling in the Nov. 8 U.S. presidential election." -- CW ...
... AND Paul Ryan was never in the loop. Esme Cribb of TPM: "The top spokesperson for House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-WI) had strong words in response to Donald Trump's call for Russian hackers to 'find' and release the deleted emails from Hillary Clinton's private server. 'Russia is a global menace led by a devious thug,' Ryan spokesman Brendan Buck told The Guardian. 'Putin should stay out of this election.'" -- CW ...
... Lisa Hagen of the Hill: "Donald Trump said Wednesday he doesn't know Russian President Vladimir Putin, contradicting a claim he made last year that he knows the leader 'very well.' 'I never met Putin. I don't know who Putin is,' the GOP nominee said at a press conference.... 'He said one nice thing about me. He said I'm a genius,' Trump continued. 'I said thank you very much to the newspaper and that was the end of it. I never met Putin.'" -- CW ...
... Louis Nelson of Politico: "President Barack Obama 'has been the most ignorant president in our history,'... Donald Trump said on Wednesday." CW: As we know by now, Trump tries to obscure his own deficiencies by accusing his rivals of having his own shortcomings. ...
... As if to prove my point ...
... Politico: "Donald Trump mixed up Hillary Clinton's running mate, Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine, with the former governor of New Jersey during a news conference on Wednesday. 'Her running mate Tim Kaine, who by the way did a terrible job in New Jersey -- first act he did in New Jersey was ask for a $4 billion tax increase and he was not very popular in New Jersey and he still isn't,' Trump said. Corrected by reporters, who suggested he might be confusing Kaine with Thomas Kean, a Republican who governed New Jersey from 1982 to 1990, Trump clarified. 'What? I mean Virginia.' The New Jersey tax increase that Trump may or may not been talking about came not under Kean, a Republican, but his successor Jim Florio, a Democrat." -- CW ...
... Hadas Gold of Politico: "Donald Trump once again targeted NBC News correspondent Katy Tur during a Wednesday news conference, telling the reporter to 'be quiet.'... As Tur asked another question a few minutes later, mentioning Trump's poll numbers, Trump once again mocked her.... This is far from the first time Trump has picked on Tur." -- CW
Jonathan Easley of the Hill: "Hillary Clinton's campaign is furiously pushing back against a close ally's claims that the Democratic nominee will reverse her position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership if elected president. Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe, a longtime friend and surrogate for the Clintons, has been saying in interviews over the last 24 hours that Clinton would support passage of the Obama administration's international trade deal or seek to renegotiate it if elected president. Clinton campaign chairman John Podesta swatted down McAuliffe's claim on Wednesday. 'I can be definitive -- she is against it before the election and after the election,' Podesta told reporters. 'She is not interested in renegotiating the TPP,' he added." -- CW
Kevin Rector & Justin Fenton of the Baltimore Sun: "Prosecutors dropped all remaining charges against three Baltimore police officers accused in the arrest and death of Freddie Gray in a downtown courtroom on Wednesday morning, concluding one of the most high-profile criminal cases in Baltimore history. The startling move was an apparent acknowledgement of the unlikelihood of a conviction following the acquittals of three other officers on similar and more serious charges by Circuit Judge Barry G. Williams, who was expected to preside over the remaining trials as well." -- CW
Margaret Chadbourn of ABC News: "John Hinckley, Jr., the man who shot President Ronald Reagan in 1981, has been granted 'full-time convalescent leave' and will be released from St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Washington, D.C., where he has been in treatment. A federal judge granted the leave, which will begin as early as Aug. 5, according to court documents. He is permitted to reside full-time in Williamsburg, Virginia, with his mother at her home, and his monitoring conditions were set by U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman of Washington." -- CW
*****
Democratic Convention & Presidential Race
John Wagner, et al., of the Washington Post: "Hillary Clinton on Tuesday became the first woman to be nominated for president by a major political party on a historic night during which her campaign also sought to reintroduce her to skeptical voters and calm continuing tensions here. Part of that task fell to former president Bill Cinton, who delivered a keynote speech ... that began by recounting his courtship of his wife and detailed her lengthy career in public service, including helping children, immigrants and people with disabilities.... The evening ended with Hillary Clinton appearing on a large screen, remote from New York, thanking the delegates for helping her put 'the biggest crack in that glass ceiling yet.'" -- CW ...
... Women's Work. "I Met a Girl." Dahlia Lithwick of Slate: "As long and detailed and rambling as the speech was, it's what every woman who has ever had a job wishes her husband would say about her.... She worked and worked and worked -- usually for men with important names. She got no credit, but I am crediting her now.... And then the sound of rubber hitting road: 'How' asked Bill Clinton, 'does this square with what you heard at the Republican convention?' And all of a sudden the insane amount of detail in his speech made sense. One version of Hillary is real, Bill argued, and 'one is made up.'" ...
... Jeet Heer of the New Republic: "... it was to Bill Clinton's credit that ... he was able to craft a speech where he kept the focus on his wife and used his political capital to persuade voters to overcome their doubts about her. The speech was heavily autobiographical, lifting passages almost word for word from his 2004 memoir My Life. Although the material was recycled, Bill was adept at speaking the words in a way that seemed deceptively natural.... Bill's storytelling skills were in the service of humanizing Hillary, showing her to be a strong, independent woman...." CW ...
Democrat Plagiarism Scandal! In Convention Speech, Bill Clinton Plagiarizes Former President! Yes, people, just like last week at the Republican convention when First-Lady-hopeful Melania Trump plagiarized the convention speech of the current First Lady, First-Hubby-hopeful Bill Clinton plagiarized the words of a former president -- and spouse of the current nominee -- at the Democrat convention. In an odd coincidence (or is it??), speechwriters for both parties are unable to write original material for potential First Spouses. Noted Atlantic columnist Ron Fournier was quick to point out that both sides do it. Amidst the outrage, and in an exemplary display of nonpartisanship, Chairman of the House Oversight Committee Jason Chaffetz (R) announced he would convene hearings to investigate both Clintons. -- CW ...
... CW: Since perhaps no one else will say so, I thought the most effective part of the evening was the parade of ordinary people with extraordinary challenges who spoke about how Hillary had helped them. They, to me, were a lot more convincing & enlightening that Bill Clinton's sales pitch. ...
... I also liked the brief speech by Rep. Joe Crowley (Queens, N.Y.):
... AND Howard Dean is a pretty good sport:
... But perhaps the most significant, if not the most heart-tugging, remarks came from the U.S.'s former top diplomat:
[Hillary Clinton] knows that safeguarding freedom and security is not like hosting a reality TV show. It is a complex, round-the-clock job that demands not only a steady hand and a cool head, but also a big heart. You are not just representing yourself, you are there for all of us. Hillary has displayed these qualities in every job has has ever had. And last week in Cleveland, we were reminded that her opponent possesses none of them. Many have argued that Donald Trump would harm our national security if he were elected president. The fact is: He has already done damage, just by running for president. -- Madelaine Albright
... Charles Pierce has the text of her full remarks. ...
... ** Alan Rappeport, et al., of the New York Times: "Democrats formally nominated Hillary Clinton for president on Tuesday, looking to move beyond the lingering anger that has brought protests and dissension to their convention as they unite behind the first female candidate to represent a major American political party. Mrs. Clinton officially became the party's standard-bearer in a roll-call vote of delegates on the floor of the convention. During the voting, Senator Bernie Sanders, who rallied millions of voters to his side in his battle against Mrs. Clinton, could be seen tearing up with his wife, Jane, sitting by his side. The crowd erupted in cheers when South Dakota's delegates cast their votes, putting Mrs. Clinton over the threshold for the nomination. The voting ended with a symbolic flourish, with the delegation from Mr. Sanders's home state of Vermont moving to make the Clinton nomination unanimous by acclamation." -- CW ...
... CW: In every day and every way, the Democratic convention is more thrilling that the Trumpican convention. ...
... Here's the New York Times' "live briefing." The Washington Post's live updates are here. ...
... Dave Weigel & John Wagner of the Washington Post: Sanders' move to nominate Clinton by acclamation "was the latest necessary step if Sanders was to do what few defeated insurgents have done: transform a presidential bid into a coherent and lasting movement of new voters. 'They had never been in a Democratic Party meeting,' Sanders said at a Tuesday morning breakfast with reporters. 'They wanted to get involved. And it would be a terrible, terrible shame if we do not figure out a way to capture that energy, to capture that idealism, to capture that love of this country.' As he has wound down his presidential campaign, Sanders has begun to build new organizations and plan for a possible power move if Democrats regain the Senate. He has officially launched Our Revolution, a 501(c)(4) 'social welfare' group to build support for liberal policies." -- CW ...
... Ed O'Keefe, et al., of the Washington Post: Hillary "Clinton is poised to be the Democratic presidential nominee, but her campaign spent most of Tuesday in talks to give her vanquished opponent, Sen. Bernie Sanders, a symbolic role in the formal nomination process in a bid to heal rifts in the party." -- CW ...
Jordan Fabian of the Hill: President "Obama said Russian President Vladimir Putin might prefer Republican nominee Donald Trump over his Democratic opponent, Hillary Clinton, because the business magnate has 'repeatedly expressed admiration' for the Russian leader in the past. 'I am basing this on what Mr. Trump himself has said,' the president said. 'And I think that -- Trump's gotten pretty favorable coverage -- back in Russia. The president's comments add considerable heft to mounting evidence that Russian hackers were behind the DNC hack. Obama said that the FBI is still investigating the origin of the hack, but he acknowledged that 'experts have attributed this to the Russians.'" -- CW ...
... Kevin Drum: "It's one thing when a campaign manager or some campaign surrogates say that Vladimir Putin is working to help elect Trump. It's quite another when the president says it. [CW: Especially this president, who is a careful speaker.].... And Trump himself is making things worse.... 'For the record, I have ZERO investments in Russia,' [Trump tweeted. The question is] ... whether Russian money funds his business here -- which might explain why he's so friendly to Russian interests. He has very carefully avoided answering that question. That's a bad sign since he would normally just lie about it. He must know that evidence of his reliance on Russian money is out there. Trump's tax returns would tell us the answer, of course, but Trump has declined to release them.... Maybe now we know why." -- CW ...
... Matthew Chance of CNN: "Wikileaks founder Julian Assange said Tuesday his whistleblowing website might release 'a lot more material' relevant to the US electoral campaign.... Assange refused to confirm or deny a Russian origin for the mass email leak, saying Wikileaks tries to create ambiguity to protect all its sources." -- CW ...
... Charlie Savage & Eric Schmitt of the New York Times: "American intelligence agencies have told the White House they now have 'high confidence' that the Russian government was behind the theft of emails and documents from the Democratic National Committee, according to federal officials who have been briefed on the evidence. But intelligence agencies have cautioned that they are uncertain whether the electronic break-in at the committee's computer systems was intended as fairly routine cyberespionage -- of the kind the United States also conducts around the world -- or as part of an effort to manipulate the 2016 presidential election.... It is unclear how the documents made their way to [Wikileaks]." -- CW ...
... Charlie Savage: "Six weeks before ... WikiLeaks published an archive of hacked Democratic National Committee emails ahead of the Democratic convention, the organization's founder, Julian Assange, foreshadowed the release -- and made it clear that he hoped to harm Hillary Clinton's chances of winning the presidency." -- CW ...
... Ken Vogel & Isaac Arnsdorf of Politico: "Leaked emails show the Democratic National Committee scrambled this spring to conceal the details of a joint fundraising arrangement with Hillary Clinton that funneled money through state Democratic parties. But during the three-month period when the DNC was working to spin the situation, state parties kept less than one half of one percent of the $82 million raised through the arrangement -- validating concerns raised by campaign finance watchdogs, state party allies and Bernie Sanders supporters.... The emails show the officials agreeing to withhold information from reporters about the Hillary Victory Fund's allocation formula, working to align their stories about when -- or if -- the DNC had begun funding coordinated campaign committees with the states." -- CW ...
... Alec Goodwin of Open Secrets: "Email exchanges involving top officials at the Democratic National Committee released along with private documents by WikiLeaks show that DNC officials hoped to reward top donors and insiders with appointments to federal boards and commissions in coordination with the White House.... None of the individuals on the list have been appointed to boards or commissions since the email exchanges took place almost three months ago. A few were named to slots in previous years. The White House strongly denied any link between financial support for the party and appointments." -- CW ...
... Franklin Foer argues in Slate that the Russian hack is worse than Watergate. -- CW
The Once and Former Democrat. Both Martin Longman, in the Washington Monthly, and the Googles testify that the Washington Post's top story on Clinton's nomination says Bernie Sanders "confirmed on Tuesday that he will return to the Senate as an independent, not a Democrat." But the language isn't in the Post story any more. CW: It isn't clear whether the assertion was removed because of space constraints or because it isn't true, but it looks like the former: according to a tweet by Susan Page of USA Today, Sanders told reporters yesterday he would be an independent senator. Longman complains, "It ... feels like a con game even if it isn't necessarily quite that."
"How to Answer a Damaging Charge by an Opponent" by Donald J. Trump. (1) Whether or not the charge is true, always begin by calling your opponent a liar. (2) Make conflicting AND incoherent remarks. Example: Aaron Rupar of Think Progress: After Bernie Sanders, in his Monday night convention speech, accused Donald Trump of wanting to allow states to lower the minimum wage below $7.25 an hour -- a charge PolitiFact rated as mostly true -- investigative journalist Bill O'Reilly asked Trump to clarify his position. "After accusing Sanders of lying, Trump said, 'I would leave it and raise it somewhat.... I know it's not very Republican to say but you need to help people.'... Trump went on to say $10 sounds like a reasonable number, but added, 'the thing is, Bill, let the states make the deal.'" -- CW ...
... Greg Sargent: "So basically, Trump flip-flopped and then back-flipped, holding three different positions in succession. The real story here is that Trump has no actual position on the minimum wage. His whole candidacy is a scam." -- CW
Maggie Haberman of the New York Times: White supremacist & former Klan leader David "Duke said on Monday that [Donald] Trump did 'as much as he could' in a weekend interview to suggest that he could back Mr. Duke, who is seeking a Louisiana Senate seat. Asked about Mr. Duke's remarks, Hope Hicks, a spokeswoman for Mr. Trump, emailed, 'Again, Mr. Trump has disavowed David Duke and will continue to do so.'... When Mr. Trump was asked Sunday on NBC's 'Meet the Press' if he would support a Democrat over Mr. Duke in the general election, he replied: 'I guess depending on who the Democrat is, but the answer would be yes....' On his radio program on Monday, Mr. Duke said..., '... You know, Trump basically said he could possibly vote, he could vote for David Duke if he was running against a liberal Democrat. So he did something. I think he felt like he did as much as he could do.'" -- CW
Annals of "Journalism," Ctd. When Bill O'Reilly Fact-Checks Michelle Obama. David Ferguson of the Raw Story: "O'Reilly was piqued that the First Lady pointed out that the White House was built by slaves. 'Slaves that worked there were well fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government, which stopped hiring slave labor in 1802,' [O'Reilly said]. CW: So fat, happy slaves living the life of (O')Reilly. Let's all sing "Swanee River," people, & fondly remember the days on the old plantation.
Senate Races
John Bresnahan, et al., of Politico: "Rep. Alan Grayson's ex-wife repeatedly went to police with accusations of domestic abuse over a two-decade period, according to documents she has provided to Politico, revelations that come as the Florida congressman enters the final weeks of his Democratic primary campaign for Senate. Lolita Grayson called police on her husband at least two times in Virginia and two more times in Florida, sought medical attention on at least two occasions and said that, in one instance, he had threatened to kill her, according to a police report." -- CW ...
... Callum Borchers of the Washington Post: "At an event hosted by Politico in Philadelphia, site of the Democratic National Convention, Grayson on Tuesday got in the face of -- and made contact with -- Edward-Isaac Dovere, a reporter for Politico, which earlier in the day published claims of abuse by the congressman's ex-wife. If you're looking to dispute a characterization as a hot-tempered man who could be prone to violent acts, that may not be the best approach.... After Politico published its report on Tuesday, Democracy for America and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee withdrew their endorsements of Grayson." -- CW ...
... Kevin Robillard & Marc Caputo of Politico: "Rep. Alan Grayson's Senate campaign began disintegrating Tuesday as supporters and a top consultant abandoned him in the wake of a Politico report detailing decades of domestic-abuse allegations from his wife." -- CW ...
... Jason Zengerle of New York: Grayson "blames the bad headlines and the ensuing congressional ethics investigation into his hedge fund ... on researchers working for his [primary] opponent [Rep. Patrick Murphy]. 'Murphy has a staff of five people in communications who literally do nothing but call people all day long and try to throw dirt on me,' he said. And according to a confidant, he also suspects Murphy and his allies may have been behind the almost two-year court battle over his annulment, especially since the final two of the six lawyers Lolita worked with are from Murphy's stomping grounds in South Florida." -- CW
Gubernatorial Race
Brian Eason, et al., of the Indianapolis Star (July 26): "The Indiana Republican central committee has nominated Lt. Gov. Eric Holcomb for governor, snubbing two members of Congress in favor of Gov. Mike Pence's former running mate." -- CW
Other News & Views
Julie Davis of the New York Times: "The White House on Tuesday announced a substantial expansion of a program to admit Central American refugees to the United States, conceding that its efforts to protect migrants fleeing dangerous conditions has been inadequate and left too many vulnerable people with no recourse." -- CW
Dahlia Lithwick: "Last week saw three major victories for voting rights. Federal courts struck down draconian voter ID laws in Texas and Wisconsin, and a federal judge in Michigan struck down a rule that would have barred straight-ticket voting.... These courts ... are now closely watching the efforts at voter suppression and finding that the myth of voter fraud does not justify the tangible harms these laws do to many voters.... But last week also saw a major voting setback when the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that Gov. Terry McAuliffe's move to restore voting rights to 200,000 disenfranchised felons violated the Virginia Constitution.... Still, the ruling also held that McAuliffe is allowed to lawfully restore voting rights for former felons, but only by individually signing the restoration orders.... That's just what he has now pledged to do in all 206,000 or so cases.... Let's bear in mind that the results of this election will go a long way toward deciding the extent to which the courts will protect the voting rights of all Americans or leave the most vulnerable out in the storm." -- CW
After conducting an exhaustive investigation, famous climate truther Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Fracklahoma) revealed last week that notorious government schools had brainwashed his own granddaughter. It seems she came home from school one and asked him why he didn't understand global warming. Apparently Inhofe failed to give the inquisitive tyke the easy, five-word answer: "Oil and gas lobby, Sweetiepie." -- CW
Way Beyond the Beltway
Kim Willsher & Julian Borger of the Guardian: "The murder of a priest and the wounding of one of his parishioners in Normandy was an act of terrorism carried out by two followers of Islamic State, the French president, François Hollande, has said. A witness to the attack has described how the two men forced the 86-year-old priest, Father Jacques Hamel, to his knees, slit his throat and filmed themselves appearing to preach in Arabic at the altar." -- CW
Share Article
Reader Comments (21)
Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah! At approximately 1 AM here in Denmark, I just watched and listened to Bernie Sanders move to nominate Hillary Clinton by acclamation. Renewed thanks, and congratulations, to Marie and all readers/commentators for their daily efforts to help readers' with their efforts to stay afloat in the tsunami of information in the modern world.
As Bernie Sanders was moving to nominate Hillary Clinton by acclamation, Donald Trumpet was in Roanoke, VA fundraising in a hotel ballroom. It was stuffy in the ballroom, but not nearly as hot as outside--almost 100 degrees and humid. Many people who could not get into the ballroom were sweating outside in the torrid atmosphere. Here is what Trumpster had to say:
From Huffington Post:
.." When it gets hot on the hustings, some politicians take off their jackets and roll up their sleeves. Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump complains. “See how hot it is? Everyone’s sweating and soaking wet,” Trump said Monday as he delivered a 45-minute speech inside a packed ballroom at The Hotel Roanoke. “I wouldn’t pay the hotel.” It was nearly 100 degrees outside the hotel, where hundreds of people were left standing in the sun while police handed out bottles of water. Compared to that, it was blessedly cool inside. Still, Trump accused the hosting hotel of deliberately turning down the air conditioning. “They turn the air conditioning down because they save money, so then I would not pay them,” Trump said, his face glistening with sweat. “You oughta try turning on the air conditioning, or we’re not going to get you paid.” [w/ HuffPost’s Mike McAuliff]
So.....The Trumpster is going to stiff the Roanoke Hotel--as he has so many others, I am sure, as well as his employees from the bottom to top rungs. This guy is probably in league with the Russian oligarchs, AND he definitely has his own Mafia here in the US of A. Yikes!
Not to worry though. Only all the uneducated White Guyz who adore him could possibly threaten Hillary's victory.
On Facebook:
Bill O'Reilly: TV Host Responds to Michelle Obama's Democratic National Convention Comments About Slaves
"Slaves that worked [at the White House] were well-fed and had decent lodgings provided by the government," O'Reilly said in a fact-checking segment of "The O'Reilly Factor" Tuesday.
So slavery is no big deal. Proof of what is wrong with America. What a piece of shit.
DAY 2 AT THE DNC CONVENTION
After all the delegates had their votes those Bernie or Bust folks from California and Wisconsin walked out––and never came back. Perhaps that is why for the rest of the evening there were no rude cat calls.
We started out with the issue of criminal justice reform; we had moving testimonies from the Mothers of the Movement whose children had been killed by police, turning their pain into power with the help of their God whose presence was front and center; we had Lena Dunham and America Ferrera doing a cute duo dissing Donald:
"Trump is not making America great again–-he's making America hate again."
We had Barbra Boxer who was adamant about protecting our abortion rights ––"We are never, never, never going back! (to back alley tactics).
We had riveting testimonies from 9/11 first responders––"She (Hillary) was there for me (us) and that's why I'm (we) with her."
Howard Dean had trouble reading the teleprompter but managed to give an impassioned yell out for H.C.
Amy Klobucher (sp?) who we will see a lot more of in coming years took up sex trafficking extolling the work Hillary has done for women around the world: "If we are going to be a beacon to the world, we have got to get our own house in order." Amen to that!!
And then there was Madeleine Albright who, as usual, shone that brightness beautifully (see insert above that Marie inserted)
Then, by jove, we had a moving movie about Bill Clinton. An elderly woman in a straw hat with the blue banner for Hillary asked a reporter when the film ended––"I'm confused–-is He running again?"
"I met a girl"––Hillary opened up a whole new world for this man who became President. Bill Clinton is an old story teller from way back––a southern kind of porch swing, mint julep lazy summer afternoon kind of story teller. He did a terrific job of painting his wife's strengths, virtues, passions and fortitude better than anybody could. "She always wants to move the ball forward." And only he could make her story so poignant.
What he leaves out in that long 45 minute accolade, and rightly so, is all the grief and struggle she has endured, in part, because of him. These struggles, these griefs, have made her stronger as much as all her accomplishments have.
"She'll never quit on you," Bill says. He knows of what he speaks.
Meryl Streep came along with her emphasis on Grit & Grace touting all our famous women who forged new paths in our history. It's Hillary's time now–-it's our moment also. We need to grab it!
And thanks to Bernie for being gracious and helping to steer that Democratic ship more to the left than it would have gone without him.
I have an easy solution for Inhofe's problem with his granddaughter. Just offer her lollypops and ice cream if she is willing to change her mind.
Re: the Russian hack: wouldn't it be something if this whole mess would blow up in Trump's disfavor and disqualify him from becoming President if it could be proven that he had those cozy connections in some significant way. Kate's post about the air conditioning fiasco might be a harbinger for a lot more heat coming his way.
Never mind the stunning stupidity of Loofah Boy O'Reilly claiming that slaves were well fed and had fine lodgings while working in chains to build the White House (not to mention rank racism--does anyone believe that O'Reilly would think it was no big deal if the Irish workers who helped in the construction effort had been loaned out by British slave owners? Would that have been okay?), how funny is the idea of Bill O'Reilly fact checking anything? The guy couldn't recognize a fact if Andrea Mackris stuck one up his fat ass.
Oh, and Bill? It didn't matter if they ate Beef Wellington and slept in a five star hotel. They were still slaves.
I forgot. That's okay for a Confederate.
Never mind.
@Marvin. The threat of a ride in grandpa Inhofe's plane would make me change my mind with a quickness.
Bill C has always been a exercise in teeth gritting for me, but especially in his physically diminished state, he picked the right narrative and delivered.
I have a hard time looking away from the after party train wreck led by Chris Matthews. I haven't watched MSNBC in quite awhile. What happened to Chris Hayes?? When he raised in hands, shrugged his shoulders and looked like a spineless idiot in responding to the the "did Russia hack the DNC." I wanted to reach out and slap him. That was too cute by half. My girl, Joy Reid, has to yell, fight,and talk over Matthews with points that are dead on about the role of gender and voter demographics. Fineman needs a haircut, in both the literal and not so literal sense. The longer Ted Cruz greasy look isn't attractive. What an arrogant little puke. Steele has to defend Reid and adds more than he takes away from the panel - wait isn't he the former chairman of the RNC?
The convention has been very well programmed. The individuals who spoke their personal stories ( 9/11, disabled) is testament to Hilary were a moving and distinct contrast to the poor woman who lost her son in Benghazi. The contrast between exploitation of personal suffering in the RNC show with uplifting messages from last night was like being slapped in the face.
Madame Secretary Albrecht was my favorite. Both her personal story, the way she conveyed the complexities of the job and her very cogent, deadly serious analysis of Trump seemed masterful.
Forgot to insert this very, very fine music video made by a group of celebrities for Hillary called "The Fight Song." I love this:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/fight-song-video-dnc_us_579823a4e4b02d5d5ed37f89?section=
And here's Seth Myers telling the Bernie or busters a thing or two. This is good!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/seth-meyers-bernie-or-bust_us_57984499e4b0d3568f852c28?section=
I had a terrible thought this morning, terrible in several ways beginning with the fact that it appears the Russian e-mail hack in favor of Donaldo will have the desired effect of helping the orange headed ignoramus by painting the Democrats as infighting election riggers who don't deserve the White House for another four years.
Worse than that is the idea that should Trumpskeyev win in November, one of the yuuuuge goals on his adolescent check list of "Stuff to Do Now That I'm the Boss" will be "Become a War President". He could emulate his warlike BFF, KGB Vlad.
The previous Republican idiot showed how easy it is to invent an excuse to bomb another nation, a nation that had done nothing to this country. And Trump has already frequently proclaimed his readiness and willingness--his eagerness--to "bomb the shit out of" those he considers enemies. God knows who the fuck that might include. But don't overlook the frightening hubris and narcissism of this idiot. If he gets to be president, he will most definitely not want to blow the chance to bomb somebody and strut around like Bush, visit aircraft carriers and wear cool military looking stuff after putting the country on a "war footing". Just think what a good shooting war would do for the brand!
Maybe he can sell the military designer bombs with TRUMP painted on the warheads. Melania can pick the colors.
One more: this is for Kate who has been our supreme Supreme Court crier for as long as I can remember. It's also for all of us who wonder how all this hope and change (once again) will take hold. Juan Cole spells out the possibility of S.C. appointments by Hillary that can make the real changes we need.
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/if_hillary_clinton_wins_the_presidency_this_is_the_most_left-wing_20160726
The reaction of the Sanderistas to not getting 100% of the pie, as well as their response to Bernies realism is very well captured by Jim Morin in todays Miami Herald. http://www.gocomics.com/jimmorin
Sad but true.
There they go again...
Leave us not forget that this is not the first time a hostile power has schemed to manipulate a presidential election in this country. Saint Ronnie of Reagan worked an illegal (and treasonous) deal with Iran (the October Surprise) that helped him gain the White House. Minutes after Reagan's inauguration babbling, the Iranians freed the hostages whose release while Jimmy Carter was still president would not have gotten them access to the weapons that came their way soon after, courtesy of Saint Ronnie. More treason.
Now, a different foreign power at odds with the US is helping another Republican. And we don't have to wait until the inauguration to find out what Trumpskeyev has promised the Russians. He's already told us: diminishment of NATO, no help for certain NATO allies (despite a rock solid treaty in place) if Russian strongman Putin decides to invade or annex these countries.
But Confederates ignore all of this and still wave the flag and scream YOU ESS AY! Whenever anyone challenges the sanity of their choices for president. And you know Trump cares not a whit about any of this as long as he gets what he wants. Rules, ethics, morals and loyalty to one's country and allies are for losers.
NYT
Breaking News
Trump Calls On Russia to Hack and Release Clinton Emails
An American wants and supports an enemy to violate the law. It is called TREASON!! Oh but wait, the laws that apply to all other Americans don't apply to Trump. Talk about stupid, mentally ill. We need new words.
I'll be traveling for a few weeks and thus unable to assist Marie with the many stories to cover. If someone else could help out that'd be great.
Here is an interesting fact check to Josh Marshall's Trump-Putin allegations. Well worth the read to shine more light on the reality of Marshall's piece, but also reinforces the idea that in a normal election Trump would release his tax forms to put this shadiness to bed. My prediction is he'll continue to fan the flames with indirect answers and subtle endorsements of Putin's desires... because for this egomaniac, any press is good press, and GOP Trumpites couldn't actually care if their leader is treasonous as long as they can win the election, push through their platform, and Make America White Again for a couple more glory years until Russia starts expanding and the international order starts crumbling around us while our fearless leader is off in Scotland playing golf and selling steaks to world leaders.
https://medium.com/@jeffreycarr/fact-checking-that-trump-putin-thing-8ed9fd850d40#.6ok9y49x7
Hooray! A federal judge has struck down Gov. Snyder's (R-Flint
water crisis) rule that barred straight ticket voting in Michigan.
And trump had better be especially nice to his comrades in Russia,
'cause they might just hack into his tax returns.
Trump is more than just flirting with treasonous statements. Its indicative that his malignant narcissism is getting the upper hand. I'm waiting for someone to stick a microphone in Ryan's or McConnell's faces and ask them to justify their continued support of Trump and his treasonous blurts. Don't think "its a rookie mistake" will cut it.
Apparently, the success of the Democratic Convention is getting under that famous thin skin and his statements are getting less coherent and more extreme. I'm hoping for more. Its time for Elizabeth Warren to get on the twitter machine.
Joy Reid made a point last night ( having to shout it over Matthews of course). Although Trump was apparently non stop tweeting after each speech, he was silent after Michelle Obama's speech. Reid said of course he was, he knew that the nazi, alt right would immediately come out with vile racist tweets and he didn't want that. Steele said "she's exactly right."
Here in America, we call Trump by many names.
Does it sound crazy to wonder if "Patsy" is one Vladimir and Paul Manafort have for him?
Probably.
Media Matters posting the front pages of The Chicago Tribune and The Wall Street Journal with Bill Clinton's picture and headlines about the historic nomination of Hilary Clinton. WTF????? Any doubt about
deep seated gender bias.
..."CW: Since perhaps no one else will say so, I thought the most effective part of the evening was the parade of ordinary people with extraordinary challenges who spoke about how Hillary had helped them. They, to me, were a lot more convincing & enlightening that Bill Clinton's sales pitch. ..."
I agree completely, Marie. What I have to say about Bill Clinton may anger some people, but I think it is important to acknowledge truth. I voted for Clinton twice, and do not regret my votes. However, I think he is less, much less, than an admirable human being. Big Dog is highly narcissistic and borders on sociopathy. Witness his long history of womanizing--including sexual harassment and abuse. (Yes, his "affair" with Monica Lewinsky was abusive because of the huge power differential!) He also has had several complaints of sexual abuse from women who have chosen not to file suits. (I think Donald Trump is a sexual abuser as well.) Both men have flown with the felon, Jeffrey Epstein, on his SexPlane, on which he also had underage girls as passengers--who later said they willingly had sex with the various men on board. One was Prince Andrew. Yikes!
Although I would likely vote for Bill Clinton again, and think he made some good choices for our country, I loathe his tearing apart Glass Stegall, his support of Welfare Reform, and the related program of Mass Incarceration. His fans seem always to forget about these.
What is remarkable to me is that Hillary has stayed with her philandering husband for so long. I know she has had her reasons, but she also must have a large capacity for denial. Fortunately, he seems too feeble and aged at this point to continue his sexual predation. At least I hope so. I do give both Clintons credit for their devotion and commitment to being good parents to Chelsea. The evidence is there that she is a smart, well balanced person.
Finally.......Remember the Supremes!