Chris Weigant's Friday Talking Points

++President Obama wins the week's Most Impressive Democrat Award for his creative use of the State of the Union to emphasize reality and to bemoan his failure to bring Red and Blue America together. Weigant also mentioned Obama's statement that the world calls us as the strongest statement of American exceptionalism said by a Democrat.

++He notes that Obama went full out against Trumpism as did Nikki Haley in the Republican address. Obama invoked our general principles honored more in the breach than overtly of respecting everyone of both creed and color.

++Bill of Portland's poll on who won the week  gave it to President Obama with John Kerry a close second for his role in freeing the American sailors from Iran's detention.

++The Worst Democrat of the Week, Weigant gave to Chelsea Clinton for her attack on Bernie Sanders saying he would eliminate Medicare,Medicaid,the CHIPS program and other accepted health plans. He also dinged Bernie Sanders for backing away from his ad that drew contrasts between his position and "other" Democrats. Martin O'Malley said this back and forth did disservice to Democrats.

++Kudos to Rachel Maddow for her interview with Hillary Clinton where she raised these issues. But also kudos for Hillary Clinton for granting the interview, which she handled masterfully. Hillary Clinton needs to be seen in these formats more often. She is articulate and not putting any distance between her and President Obama on policies. I thought she articulated her difference with Sanders on healthcare.

++I am puzzled that healthcare is a big issue in the Democratic primary. As Hillary Clinton said, the Affordable Care Act was a great achievement for the Democratic Party who have been trying something like it since Harry Truman. I remember Senator Byrd and Ted Kennedy trying to stay alive as long as possible to get the bill passed with a filibuster proof vote. Somehow in the Democratic primary the difficulty of poising such a bill escapes people. Today the Boston Globe printed a story on Vermont abandoning single payer because it would increase the state's budget so high. The sell-out, according to progressives, is Howard Dean who told me when Vermont single-payer passed that it could not be implemented. Now Howard is attacked because he is a lobbyist for a medical company. But when he told me this, he wasn't.

++I like the enthusiasm Bernie Sanders is generating on the campaign trail but I am skeptical about the feasibility of his programs with the current and future state of our political system. 

++The House will remain Republican and even worse until the next census. If the Democrats take back the Senate, it will only be by about three seats. The Democrats have miles to go in taking back the majority of state houses. With that context, a Bernie Sanders' presidency will face greater obstructionism than a Clinton's. 

++Of course, things can happen. The FBI continues to investigate the e-mail server issue--the question is whether it's about Hillary Clinton or some other aspect-is not known. The Right quotes two former Attorney-Generals saying that the FBI are certain to bring criminal charges against her. Really? The Right also says the FBI are investigating claims of corruption in the Clinton Foundation. Maybe some truth to this but I haven't seen it. But they are already debating points for Republicans who assert and will continue ton assert these things.

++#Benghazi!, the film. The film is going to persuade you better than the hearings. Unfortunately, former CIA agents have come forth in the Washington. Post to refute the most inflammatory claims of the film. The film is being peddled around the clock by FOX news and Alan Greenspan's wife claimed this will damage Hillary.

++The Donald is giving a free showing in Iowa. It is now a campaign prop and soon will become truth like "Rocky Balboa".  Whether Americans believe Hillary Clinton who withstood 11 hours on interrogation on this subject and other committee hearings remains to be seen.

++Trey Gowdy now admits having her testify in public is a mistake and that in his report he would include #Benghazi! views and those of real people and you decide. The on-going #Benghazi! looks like the GOP's issue of this year since it didn't work in 2012. The hearings already have lasted longer than the 9-11 hearings, the Assassination hearings and Watergate combined. Is it any wonder Hillary Clinton may be cynical?

++Bill Clinton's love life has become the prime subject of interest by Republicans. Bill was impeached by Henry Hyde who had an illegitimate child, New Gingrich who had an affair with his secretary,later his wife, Bob Livingstone who had an affair, Denny Hastert who was paying off a young male lover from the says when he was wrestling coach, and all Bill got was a blow job.

++I don't think the GOP can do well litigating the 1990s. But they will try because they must forget the 2000 election, the collapse of the global economy,the four dozen briefings to W about a potential 9/11,the invasion of Iraq, and all of the Obama administration. The GOP can not debate issues of the 21st century because they have been AWOL.

++The Donald won last night's debate on Young Turks. They had Cruz the big loser because of his New York slip which allowed the Donald to flatten him. Bush sort of lost because he didn't make a good impression.

++Chris Weigant warns Democrats not to take the Donald lightly. He says he is now a better debater and deflected punches well. The Donald himself says he has a better organization than Ronald Reagan. Weigant says the Democrats must think of some way to tear down the Donald when the time comes.

++It appears the Ted Cruz really does have an eligibility problem because his mother registered to vote as a Canadian before he was born. If she voted, then all bets are off because his father didn't become an American until 2010. 

++Also Marco Rubio does have a serious eligibility problem. When he was born neither parent was an American citizen, even though they soon became one.  Rubio has entered a motion to dismiss the case against him.

++Ted Cruz now faces a lawsuit challenging his eligibility by a 85-year old Texan.

++Chris Weigant got the most wounding thing to come from Jeb! camp this week. Politico interviewed over 25 donors to Bush's campaign, who are begging to be released from supporting him. His fundraiser now tells donors to give "out of loyalty to Bush", even though we are losing.

++Ben Carson has lost most of his staff and his chief fund-raiser this week.

++Bill of Portland celebrated Dion's music by playing "New York Is My Home Town" which he played with Paul Simon. Nice touch. Making music at the age of 72.And Blues.

++The distant thunder you hear maybe a recession approaching. This is the most dangerous threat to the Democrats this year. We used to have one every five years. Canadian Broadcasting says it might be worst than 2008. But is everyone conditioned to expecting the worst when we didn't before. Wen should have had one before now but labor figures look like they are diverting from the stock market losses--which will be bizarre to watch. 

++The Republicans didn't accept anything about the economy last night and Cavuto seemed to imply in his questioning that Obama created the 2008 calamity. If they can't accept the job creation now, wait to the recession.