* “He’s a businessman.” “He tells it like
it is.” “He listens to us.” “He doesn’t want THEM coming in
here either.” “He’ll drain the swamp.” “He’ll kick some
ass.” “We need a cult leader.” Whatever. Iran is the latest
reminder that the president of the
United States, even if it’s Donald Trump, plays a pivotal role in what happens in our world. From climate change to nuclear
threats to global alliances. Those aren’t priorities of a faux populist
charlatan.
* The Trump Administration to Iran: “Live up to the nuclear deal that we pulled out
of.”
* Is Mike
Pompeo secretary of state or secretary of defense?
* Talk about a bottom line. “Let me make
something 100% clear to the American public and anyone running for public
office. It is illegal for any person to solicit, accept, or receive anything of
value from a foreign national in connection with a U.S. election. This is not a
novel concept. I would not have thought I needed to say this.” No, that
wasn’t Nancy Pelosi. It was Ellen
Weintraub, chairwoman of the Federal Election Commission, not exactly known
for political partisanship.
* “If you want to know how much these polls matter, just ask President Hillary Clinton.” That’s
a recent Jimmy Fallon line, more haunting than humorous.
* Sarah
Huckleberry Sandbag, the Trump spokesperson who makes us miss Sean Spicer,
is leaving this month. Her replacement? Likely
an insider moving up, but hard to dismiss Sean Hannity, Kanye West, Kid Rock, Matt
Gaetz, Steve Doocy, Laura Ingraham or Pam Bondi.
What will be SHS’s legacy? Let’s count the ways. She whored out for the worst, most
despicably dangerous president in U.S. history. She killed off the daily press
briefing. She suspended the WH pass of CNN’s Jim Acosta. She didn’t just spin
like all press secretaries do, she also lied–including claims that the WH had
heard from “countless” FBI agents who complained about James Comey.
And she was a gratuitous gift to “SNL.”
BTW, whoever replaces SHS will have already proven
unsuitable because they’ve already given de facto proof of their values and
motivation: fealty to Trump and a high-profile
bridge to Fox.
* Kellyanne Conway: the Hatch Actress.
* We know why Trump won’t dump Kellyanne Conway: She’s an outspoken, arrogant, loyal apologist. But
why won’t George Conway dump her? Is it some sort of perverse celebrity coupling
that only Mary Matelin and James Carville would understand?
* “Donald Trump should launch his anti-worker,
anti-woman, anti-farmer, and anti-minority campaign elsewhere.” You go, Nikki
Fried.
* However this Democratic casting call shakes out, one reality seems certain: The 2020 Democratic ticket will not consist of two straight white guys.