THAT is the reason for the chaos….
People need to stop saying he plans this stuff….
Jonathan Swan: “Trump is doing what he used to do at Trump Tower. He’s waking up, watching cable news, making phone calls, watching more cable news, having some meetings, taking more calls (sometimes from cable news hosts and guests), watching more cable news. And improvising all the way.”
Maggie Haberman: “Really wish more people would stop convincing themselves there’s a grand plan at work. Newt Gingrich had a line about how Trump gets up every day not knowing what he’s doing to do. It’s true.”
Politicalwire….
Trump’s aides often try to account for the possibility that the president’s positions will shift, telling reporters asking about anything from trade to personnel that “nothing is final until it’s announced.” For the press, the phrase has come to symbolize a simple reality in this White House: nobody knows what’s going to happen until it happens…..
More…
….”Trump’s base is literally begging him to throw McConnell/Ryan under the bus after today. Just search ‘McConnell Trump’ on Tweetdeck and you will see what I mean.”….
More…
I mentioned yesterday that Republicans would rather quickly absolve Trump of any blame and put the onus all on the Congressional Republicans for “forcing” Trump to do what he didn’t want to do.
via twitter….
The Atlantic Retweeted
Frank Bruni
@FrankBruni
“Trump is staffing his administration and his legal team with familiar personalities from his preferred cable-news channel—much like an imperious child demanding that his crib be stuffed with his TV-cartoon favorites.” Damn, @davidfrum, that’s good.
And none of that means he’s a Democrat.
It means he’s inept….
Why?
He’s a Republican.
Why wouldn’t he staff his Adminstration with Republicans?
And what better source of personnel than those who toe his party’s line over @FoxNews ,which is essentially a propaganda arm of the Republican Party.
Kudlow and diGenova ,for example ,have both previously served in other Republican administrations.
Doesn’t make him “inept” unless you are prepared to argue that all Republicans are “inept.”
Sure it makes him inept in how he tries to get thru his time as President
He’s the leader of the GOP but it’s about HIM
Not the party
He doesn’t trust his start or the institutions of our government….
He never should have gotten the job
And you two can keep with the Republican thing
But absent most lawmakers?
Trump has haters within his party
Some that wouldn’t vote for him now.,.
Not ALL the GOPers are hoodwinked by him
No, that’s been your line all along and it’s bs.
You have consistently tried to absolve Republicans of any responsibility for this.The Truth is they are up to their necks in it.As Keith has very skillfully pointed out here for months, Trump is simply the ultimate outcome of a party that has played to some of the worst instincts in our country’s population.The Republicans , for years ,played to these people’s fears and prejudices.Finally, someone arose to take all this to the next level.
Trump won the Republican nomination and was elected as a Republican.Naturally he staffs his Administration with Republicans.
What’s unusual about that?
Is he an idiot?Sure ,but we can never forget those who elected him, support him and enable him .So let me spell it out for you…
R-E-P-U-B-L-C-A-N-S
I know it’s hard for you to face James because you are an apologist for people like Paul Ryan, Mitch McConnell, etc etc.
As to this mess that exists?They are as bad as Trump,maybe worse.
Bull Shit!
I have always pointed out that Trump campaigned against the very Tepublicsns he has adopted …
I have pointed out that those GOPerssny not still like the guy
But he has the support of the GOP vote by 70%
You have tried to nail everything on the party in whole
Sure have and will continue to.
The Republican Party is Fully responsible for nominating and electing this idiot.
Who else is responsible James.Tell us.
Come on who elected Donald Trump James?
Democrats?
Maybe you want to adopt that line from CG?
A big Republican apologist you are.Why don’t you join up and “fight” Trump with the NeverTrumpers James?
No apologies
Just pointing to the ‘real’
‘People ain’t just one thing’….
Not to answer Jack’s question for James but in addition to Republicans I addthe suppowed “liberal media” for Trump. They actually took seriously the narrative he was a “different” Republican. One of the reasons why they claimed that?
His opposition to the Iraq war. Well look who he just picked for National Security Advisor–John Bolton, who is STILL one of the biggest defenders of the Iraq invasion. Hoodwinked. Trump foreign policy is Republican foreign policy. No different.
FiveThirty ,Nate Silvers outfit, that you are always quoting here says on Feb18, a scant one month ago ,thatTrumps approval among Republicans was at 89%.
Maybe you want to disavow Silver?If so,I will point that out next time you quote him.
Yes James that is essentially the uh,
“party in whole” as you call it.
How many more excuses are you going to come up with for the Republicans James?
They couldn’t care less about how you and CG go back years to make a big deal about Trump once being a registered Democrat, or attending the Clinton wedding or saying a few nice words about this or that Democrat.
You want “bullshit” James?That what that garbage is.
All they know is that Trump is their guy and it’s him they’re following.
The fact that you refuse to acknowledge that says all we need to about your being the Republican apologist that I have and will continue to label you.
Come on Jack
You keep repeating the same thing
I keep saying my thing
Donald Trump can’t run for anything until 2020 if he is still in office
Furthermore?
His endorsements prove that 89% isn’t worth by so much
I gonna repeat what I have posted here once more
Donald Trump just signed a spending bill he didn’t LIKE
HIS PARTY TOLD HIM TO SIGN THE DAMN THING
HE DID
HIS PARTY GOT DEMOCRATIC VOTES TO GET IT PASSED
Who is running the store?
And I will keep calling you what you are…
An apologist for the Republican Party.
“His” endorsements?Uh those are the Republican Party nominees James.Do you understand that the Republican Party nominated those candidates not Donald Trump?
Trump is the symptom.The Republican Party is the disease.
Amusingly, and as most posters here know,you blast Republicans worse than I do except for this strange idea you have that somehow they are not responsible for Donald Trump.
Then again, your weird behavior is the one thoroughly predictable thing about this site.
Scott makes a good point.
James and CG constantly quote things Trump said in the past that indicate he is either a “secret Democrat”(CG) or has “Democratic tendencies”(James).
The facts though are that ,as President, he is just your typical Republican,massive tax cuts for the wealthy, huge military budgets, anti environmental , loosening regulations, trying to destroy all vestiges of Obama’s Administration , aggressive foreign policy.Then there are his tariffs which the Republican (CG) and the apologist(James) assured us “proved” he wasn’t “really” a Republican.
The problem ?Polls show Republican voters,in contrast to the Republicans in Congress, Support Trumps tarrifs.
But nah he ain’t no Republican.
What a Joke!
Overall?
Trump’s overall approval still sucks
Additional?
The GOPer’s are losing even in Red State’s
Again?
Trump’s support may be centric like him?
Ok
On taroff’s Trump’s people support him?
But he’s already increasing his exemption list upon the advice of his party people.,,
What’s the point Jack?
A majority of them would support him probably getting into a war in Iran and Korea
His parties lawmakers won’t give him wall money
Vote for sanction against Russia
Voted with Democrats yesterday
Did NOT DO what he wanted on DACA
WIGGLED seed money for the Gateway tunnel
Are still probing him from the Senate
And while not voting on a law to cover Mueller?
Have told Trump to leave him the fuck alone
Jack?
The above is ALL from obedient Trump party members
Yeah the Republicans are “really” against Trump.
I repeat my comment from 7:04 last night Jack….
….’On taroff’s Trump’s people support him?
But he’s already increasing his exemption list upon the advice of his party people.,,
What’s the point Jack?
A majority of them would support him probably getting into a war in Iran and Korea
His parties lawmakers won’t give him wall money
Vote for sanction against Russia
Voted with Democrats yesterday
Did NOT DO what he wanted on DACA
WIGGLED seed money for the Gateway tunnel
Are still probing him from the Senate
And while not voting on a law to cover Mueller?
Have told Trump to leave him the fuck alone
Jack?
The above is ALL from obedient Trump party members’….
Well I’m glad you “repeated” that.
So the Republicans are really not for Trump,right?
That seems to be the essence of what you are “trying” to say?(As is well known you often have problems explaining what you mean)
So why did you “repeat” your post?
It’s really a shame that your “ talents” are wasted here.Those people at the news networks could really benefit from your insights.When I watch them they have a whole different take on all this.They just don’t possess your knowledge of how cobbling together a majority for an omnibus spending bill works.
Of course you could tell them.
No Jack….
YOU keep saying that….
I have been repeating that Trump may have his adopted party by the ‘ball’s….
But his parties lawmakers KNOW he’s a phony….
He campaigtned against them…
He continues to pimp them…
But underneath all that?
Donald J. Trump is just the same Real Estate guy from New York…
No REAL idelogy….
Sure he leans to the right…
He’s a rich white guy who watches Fox News….
But every once ina while his Democrats pops up, only to0 be quickly beat down buy his benefactors….
You can repeat your point of view and ignore mine Jack…
But you ain’t gonna change the reality of who Trump is and the VAST distaste the party he speaks for lawmakers have for him….
They may listen and appear subserveant…
But over and OVER?
They go their own way….
Ignoring his rambling requests….
Leaving him to try to get his way thru the excutive barnch flunkies he’s hired….
As I point out…
The budget he just signed provides MORE money for dozens of things he said he would cut…
Personally?
Like you…
I don’t give a fuck about some of the media slants….
This spending bill, like the ones under Bush II
Does NOT REALLY hurt the basic Democratic cause…
It actually continues and stergethens a LOT Barack Obama’s policies and goals….
He, he, he….
I guess the Ryan and McConnel got their chance to screw the Trump supporters , eh?
So,once again, the Republicans aren’t “really” supportive of him.
That’s the only logical conclusion one can draw from you repetitive statements.
Like I said, that “fact” that you have discerned from the workings of the passing of an omnibus spending bill is not generally shared by those who actually understand these things.
They really need your “insights.”
Why are you two wasting everyone else’s time and attention on this “argument” (which is half about terminology and nomenclature, anyway) when you know you’ll never succeed in convincing the other ?
The people whose time you’re wasting are both the regulars’ and any newcomers’. Don’t delude yourself into thinking that somehow you’re either exposing the other’s fallacies or vindicating your own perspicacity to anyone else who’s forced to read this tiresome months-long or years-long back-and-forth.
He, he, he…..
Thank you for admonishment DSD…
Well said…..
look at it this way…
If we didn’t post?there wouldn’t have been any posts today except you telling us not to.
Of course there would have been those hundreds of people from all over the world who daily peruse this site to find out what is “really “ going on in the world.
You should save your criticisms for CG anyway…
He thinks Socilists are the worst thing in the world.
65 as of this time for today…..
A least none from Russia….
1 from the UK….
No, I don’t think “Socialists” are the worst thing in the world, although the people of Venezuela certainly have been harmed by it. Perhaps “jack”, who seems to think conservatives are “the worst thing in the world” disagrees on that nation though.
Thumbs up
test…
No, I don’t think “Socialists” are the worst thing in the world, but jack, who seems to want it made he clear he thinks conservatives are the worst thing in the world, disagrees over the state of affairs in Venezuela and how much socialism has harmed that nation.
Besides,I’m having “fun.”
James has said that’s the purpose of this place…to have fun.
I’m not trying to change anyone’s mind?Indeed, if that’s the point,we all need to sign off.I don’t remember anyone here saying that what they read here had changed their mind about anything.
As to “newcomers,”I hope we all understand the “reality”(not the shall we call it”hype” surrounding the mysterious “hundreds”) that the regular posters here are the same people who have been here since the demise of Politics 1.
“Newcomers” are ,I presume, members of that amorphous group known as “unique visitors “who never comment.Presumably they come here for the commentary which I suggest makes them very strange people.
Like James says,”just keeping it real.”
Bdog, NYCmike, and few other dropins are in fact new….
And I actually started this place in 2009 to continue what Ron had started but dropped out of posting to…
“Dropins”being the operative word.
I commend you on keeping this site going.
I’m not really being critical.Just noting the reality of what happened.Basically, when Gunzberger eliminated the comments section most of the “regulars” there, except for the handful that migrated here just went away.
Nobody’s fault.
That’s just what happened.
My point was that there is yet to be a”newcomer” (someone who was not a commenter over at Politics1 ) who has become a”regular” here,
I’m AM happy to have taken over the watch….
And I am happy you are here to break my balls and keep me honest….
And I too would love to have more people typing into the comments….But the few days off broke some of our others habits….
Were RepublCAN and NYCMike regulars at politics1? I don’t recall.
I do NOT think so……
I have to believe that some of the commentary here DID and DOES change my mind – although I might not have recognized it at the time. Sometimes someone posts a perspective that I had not condidered before, and when that happens I will often say “Good Post”. I will often read what Jack writes (except when he argues with James), Keith, Scott and DSD (except when it is trivia), CG. NYCMike, and RepubliCAN, My favorite posters are Jack, Keith and Scott because I feel they offer the most insight. DSD is arguably the smartest guy here, but he likes to deal strictly with facts. I genuinely want to understand Republicans, but their indifference to what is really important only gives me an impression that they will justify anything and everything to suit their needs – CG especially. I would like to learn more about NYCMike, and I hope he continues to post here.
My reads here definately affect how I view things….
I read what you write Z….
Thank you James. You do a good job at selecting articles.
Thank You Z….
I KNOW everyone here and visitor’s appreciate the place….
It is why I do this…
Even if i get beatup on here from time to time….
It comes with the place….
can’t post more than one line?
someone try a long comment please
anything more than one line is seemingly going into moderation, but not even saying so
I gotcha CG….
I’ll be around for few this afternoon…
Yeah I noted that earlier.
Confine yourself to one line.Here,I’ll get you started..
Except for Donald Trump and NYMike ,Jack is the biggest sonuvabitch around,
I’ve never mentioned Venezuela on this site.
Why don’t you ask DSD?
He’s a Socialist.
I have never claimed to be,nor am I.
There are a lot of things I never claim to be that you (and others) say I am.
But I wonder how you would specifically differentiate your views with those of democratic socialism.
So CG obviously has no idea what socialism is? Socialism is where the government owns the factors of production. That means the steel mills, the clothing factories and the banks. Few Demorats genuinely believe in this. Democratic socialism is nothing more than socialism in a democracy.
Venezuela is probably no longer a democracy – even if they still have elections. A democracy requires that you give up power when you lose.
DSD…could give all sort of lessons on this to CG….
I think DSD needs to give the lesson to jack, who wanted to deflect from DSD’s own criticism of him to turn him against me in the moment by essentially claiming I thought he was the “worst.”
I’m not in the mood to re-read the above, but I didn’t’t get that impression.
Interesting that Corey makes it all about him. And, I didn’t get that impression either. Nor, do I suspect did anyone else.
Hopefully CG will recognize what a remarkably clueless comment he made in suggesting Jack likely supports the Venezuela government. So perhaps he can remember this discussion before continuing his Long-standing grudge about once being called a nazi on this site (or was it p1) years ago.
He just got pissed because I made an admittedly snarky remark about him not liking Socialists.
I was really just pulling his chain.It worked.
Having said that,railing against “Socialism”is standard fare among almost all the Republican politicians I know at all levels of government.Often ,they use the label as indicative of the whole Democratic Party(see Wayne LaPierre,CEO of the NRA@CPAC.The NRA is according to CG a nonpartisan organization.I doubt if LaPierre was being “nonpartisan” in that rant)
Myself?I favor a mixed economy,pretty much like we have.I don’t favor the government controlling everything,nor do I believe that just leaving everything to the so called “free market” is the answer.
I’m probably not as much of a Democratic Socialist as DSD;however, I do favor things,ie,National Health Insurance which would be labeled as Socialistic.
So call me what you will I guess.
You need to learn how to read more carefully, which is one of the reasons you probably did so poorly on those employment cognitive tests.
CG< Why do you think I did poorly on the cognitive tests? I was told that I performed well-above average on those tests and I received job offer from every company that required I take cognitive tests. Perhaps it is long past time that you recognize that the assumptions you often make about people are way off the mark. How many mistakes do you have to make?
“As President Trump increasingly tunes out formal advisers, there’s a growing list of misfits and hangers-on that he just can’t seem to quit — and whose advice he seems to welcome and even adopt,” Mike Allen reports.
Said one source: “The ‘misfits’ or ‘deplorables,’ as some people call them, offer the President insight into the perspective of various constituencies: middle America, the Trump base, movement conservatives, culture crusaders, evangelicals, and populist nationalists.”
After reading what Human Rights Watch had to say years ago about Húgo Chávez’ Venezuela, I gave up any possible uncertainty and have opposed the Bolivarian régime of Chávez and Nicholas Maduro ever since. Because it has nothing, except the name their party gives itself, to do with my idea of democratic socialism or social democracy. And I said so at the time, either here or at Politics1.
You can’t have democratic socialism or social democracy (defined in the Labour Party constitution of 1918 as “the social ownership and democratic ownership of the commanding heights of industry”) without democracy. And democracy, as has been shown over the centuries, is impossible without freedom of expression, freedom of organization and freedom of assembly.
Besides which — unlike even Russia, Turkey, Egypt, Poland or Hungary, whose current autocratic rulers would probably win even a completely free, fair and genuinely-competitive election — President Maduro has the support of only about one-fifth of his people and is ruling against the will of a clear majority (even after tens of thousands have left the country).
Is one of those like China communistic capitalism of industry?
I don’t really know what to make of those post-Communist régimes that are still run by the same folks who were the ruling class under Communism. Ownership, control and the revenues of formerly-public corporations has seeped into the hands of private owners, while almost all of the machinery of Stalinist oppression remains. And the “invisible hand” of free markets often doesn’t control the rapacity of capitalism. In other words, the worst of both worlds.
The little guy gets screwed no matter what, eh?
As the old joke goes, “Capitalism is based on the oppression of man by man, while under Communism, the situation is exactly the reverse !”
Small comfort….