Bob Costa and two other writers wrote about the pressure tactics that the Trump Administration will use on recalcitrant Senators to back the Senate Bill. VP Pence is already tasked with shmoozing dissenters like Dean Heller.
The reports from the field repeat dreadful town hall meetings after town hall meetings. A new No vote surfaced when Jerry Moran from Kansas couldn't find anyone--Republican or Democrat for the bill in Kansas.
The Senate bill is the most unpopular piece of legislation ever proposed in the last 50 years. Senator Bernie Sanders has sent a letter to Lamar Alexander to hold hearing with true healthcaregivers and insurance companies about the bill. The July 4th recess was a disaster for the GOP who faced demonstrations over the healthcare bill.
Senator Grassley expressed disgust over Ted Cruz' amendment of a Consumer Freedom option which would allow an erosion over the protections for pre-existing conditions. Grassley claims he will vote NO if those are eroded.
Mitch McConnell is playing coy right now, saying he doesn't have 50 votes. He says if he fails than a shorter bill strengthening individual markets will have to be introduced and Democrats will have to be consulted.
The catch is that the GOP have predicated their tax reform bill on the taxes being removed from Obamacare.
Friday, July 7, 2017
CHARLES KRAUTHAMMER ION NORTH KOREA.
Krauthammer lamented that nothing really has been done for over 25 years on the issue of North Korea. He said the United States' options were to return tactical nukes to Korea, which we withdrew in 1992, and to encourage Japan to go nuclear. Krauthammer basically said those options were risky and fraught with danger.
Instead, he suggests the United States just acquiesce to what North Korea is doing like we did when China went nuclear. I guess we should not expect Trump to follow up his threats.
Instead, he suggests the United States just acquiesce to what North Korea is doing like we did when China went nuclear. I guess we should not expect Trump to follow up his threats.
THE SYRIAN DEAL
Rex Tillerson was the megaphone on this but the Daily Beast confirmed that Trump approved. Assad would be left in power. Instaed of US forces in Syria, Russia and the Iranians would field the ground troops. The United States would monitor the no-fly zones mapped out by the Russians and the US would deliver humanitarian assistance.
BUZZFEED RECEIVES FORGED NSA DOCUMENT MADDOW WARNED ABOUT
Rachel Maddow performed a public service by showing that she had received a highly classified NSA document naming a Trump official linked to the Russian operation. But she had the document analyzed and she came to the conclusion someone was trying to set her up ala Dan Rather and the Bush arms service story. As a result of Maddow's warning, Buzzfeed found it also had received a NSA document that didn't smell right.
TRUMP MEETS VLAD FOR 2 1/2 HOURS: NO ONE KNOWS WHAT HAPPENED
The Russians were first out of the gate saying Putin denied interfering in our elections,the two agreed to a joint cybersecurity task force,the US agreed to a Russian proposal for a ceasefire in Southern Syria.
The United States claimed thatTrump didn't want to delitigate old issues and just wanted to move on. Trump himself said he let Putin have it and he won't do it again.
The former spooks all said Trump set the stage for 2018 election interference by his failure to follow-up on the theme.
CNN reports that the Trump State Department just gave 155 visas to Russian spies.
What should concern Americans that Trump went spacey at the G-20 again and Teresa May had to get Trump to focus. Yesterday Trump wandered off away from the bullet proof glass as security forces started to freak before Trump remembered where he was.
The United States is isolated on the issue of climate and trade at the G-20. Merkel told Trump there would be a trade war if he raised tariffs on steel.
While Hamburg burns,the G-20 is ending with more tension than past meetings.
Doesn't Melania Trump look like Caitlyn Jenner?
The United States claimed thatTrump didn't want to delitigate old issues and just wanted to move on. Trump himself said he let Putin have it and he won't do it again.
The former spooks all said Trump set the stage for 2018 election interference by his failure to follow-up on the theme.
CNN reports that the Trump State Department just gave 155 visas to Russian spies.
What should concern Americans that Trump went spacey at the G-20 again and Teresa May had to get Trump to focus. Yesterday Trump wandered off away from the bullet proof glass as security forces started to freak before Trump remembered where he was.
The United States is isolated on the issue of climate and trade at the G-20. Merkel told Trump there would be a trade war if he raised tariffs on steel.
While Hamburg burns,the G-20 is ending with more tension than past meetings.
Doesn't Melania Trump look like Caitlyn Jenner?
AMERICA'S GOVERNOR, JERRY BROWN, AT HAMBURG
Jerry Brown spoke before 12,000 environmentalists at the Global Citizen Festival and blasted Trump for his stated withdrawal from the Paris Accords. "He doesn't represent 70% of Americans".
Brown took the opportunity to talk about his Global Action Summit in San Francisco in September 2018.
Brown took the opportunity to talk about his Global Action Summit in San Francisco in September 2018.
YOUR PRESIDENT IS BONKERS
The Donald tweeted this morning that "everyone at the G-20 is talking about …..John Podesta and his failure to turn the DNC servers over to the FBI."
Could you really imagine anyone at the G-20 caring about such things? Also Podesta wasn't responsible for the DNC servers.
Could you really imagine anyone at the G-20 caring about such things? Also Podesta wasn't responsible for the DNC servers.
Thursday, July 6, 2017
PENCE AT JFK SPACE CENTER
VP Pence told a crowd of NASA staffers that the United States will "dominate the heavens under Trump" like " we do the whole of earth now." Before I went to France,Interior Secretary Zinke said the United States aims to be the "dominant oil country in the world."
I don't know whether anyone caught a sub-title on Trump's Polish speech at FOX news. "Western civilization has survived through the blood of the patriarchy."
It's too strange to merit a response.
I don't know whether anyone caught a sub-title on Trump's Polish speech at FOX news. "Western civilization has survived through the blood of the patriarchy."
It's too strange to merit a response.
U.S. TO DELAY RELEASING INFO ON AMERICAN DEATHS IN AFGHANISTAN.
Remember when coffins were hidden from view coming back to the U.S. under W?
MORNING JOE ON TRUMP'S POLAND RANT
Morning Joe ripped Trump for criticizing the American media, our intelligence services, and President Obama on foreign soil. The point Joe made was how are you going to muster up foreign support on North Korea when you have to make the case based on American intelligence.
On President Obama , he said that it was definitely Russia who interfered and Obama did nothing. But in other remarks, he still says it was Russia among other countries.
On the media, Morning Joe made the point that dissents around the world look to our media as an example. And for the sitting President to attack it is unseemly.
On President Obama , he said that it was definitely Russia who interfered and Obama did nothing. But in other remarks, he still says it was Russia among other countries.
On the media, Morning Joe made the point that dissents around the world look to our media as an example. And for the sitting President to attack it is unseemly.
AFTERNOON RANT
Trump wandered off again in Poland. This is becoming a habit as the Secret Service looked on in bafflement. Trump warned that we have to defend Western civilization or be destroyed. He went on to criticize CNN and our intelligence services. He counted again whether Russia interfered in our election.
Meanwhile the EU signed a trade deal with Japan that encompasses 30% of the world economy.
Both Americans and Europeans trust Angela Merkel over Trump.
The American delegation is so disorganized that they forgot to book a hotel In Hamburg in time so Trump has to stay in Berlin and commute to the G-20 meetings.
Trump chided Russia and swore allegiance to NATO while Rex Tillerson said that the time has come for a joint Russia-American operation in Syria. Tillerson said that the Trump administration was ready to adopt "No Fly Zones" in Syria and deliver humanitarian aid.
From abroad, this looks like a sad and bizarre pageant, while the G-20 cleans our clocks.
Meanwhile the EU signed a trade deal with Japan that encompasses 30% of the world economy.
Both Americans and Europeans trust Angela Merkel over Trump.
The American delegation is so disorganized that they forgot to book a hotel In Hamburg in time so Trump has to stay in Berlin and commute to the G-20 meetings.
Trump chided Russia and swore allegiance to NATO while Rex Tillerson said that the time has come for a joint Russia-American operation in Syria. Tillerson said that the Trump administration was ready to adopt "No Fly Zones" in Syria and deliver humanitarian aid.
From abroad, this looks like a sad and bizarre pageant, while the G-20 cleans our clocks.
POLITICO: OBAMACARE REPEAL VOTE UNLIKELY NEXT WEEK.
Gop lacks the votes. McConnell has asked the CBO for two separate scores. One takes into consideration Ted Cruz' total deregulation of the individual market which would produce "junk insurance". Senator Cornyn told the GOP caucus don't worry about Medicaid because another congress will fix it.
Wednesday, July 5, 2017
JOSH MARSHALL ON KOREA
The Trump Policy is a fast forward, stupider version of Bush.
President Obama told Trump and his transition team that the North Korean missile program would be his most serious problem in foreign policy.
Marshall's article is a must read on how we went from the Clinton deal to nuclear weapons under W and Trump's bungling of saying the "days of strategic patience are over." Marshall admits Trump didn't and doesn't have a plan and that making threats isn't a viable policy. Trump is basically a paper tiger.
President Obama told Trump and his transition team that the North Korean missile program would be his most serious problem in foreign policy.
Marshall's article is a must read on how we went from the Clinton deal to nuclear weapons under W and Trump's bungling of saying the "days of strategic patience are over." Marshall admits Trump didn't and doesn't have a plan and that making threats isn't a viable policy. Trump is basically a paper tiger.
NIKKI HALEY SAYS US WILL USE FORCE AGAINST NORTH KOREA IF WE MUST.
While Wes Clark says the military option should be off the table because we have such limited intelligence on North Korea and such a move would end in disaster.
Trump said that he's no longer relying on China to pressure North Korea. He cited phony economic figures that China increased their exports to North Korea by 40% the first quarter. Not true but that is what is bothersome. When our government lies us into a disastrous war. I guess the chocolate cake didn't work. Or maybe Trump can't wait longer than two months for results.
It is so strange that our media still loves war.
Trump said that he's no longer relying on China to pressure North Korea. He cited phony economic figures that China increased their exports to North Korea by 40% the first quarter. Not true but that is what is bothersome. When our government lies us into a disastrous war. I guess the chocolate cake didn't work. Or maybe Trump can't wait longer than two months for results.
It is so strange that our media still loves war.
DAVID AXELROD WANTS TO REMIND YOU
Trump's HHS issued a report that Obamacare is working quite well,thank you.
GUARDIAN: INVESTIGATORS EXPLORING WHETHER RUSSIA COOPERATED WITH PRO-TRUMP SITES
The focus seems to be on stories like the Clinton-Podesta alleged pedophile ring in the basement of Comet Pizza here in D.C. By the way,there is no basement at Comet Pizza which was shot up by a Trump supporter. The deluded man received 4 years in prison.
DAVID KENDALL IN WASHINGTON POST
Bill and Hillary's longtime lawyer explains in his Washington Post op-ed why the Russian probe can not be sabotaged by Trump and that to fire Mueller not only would provoke a firestorm but simply wouldn't stop the investigation.
The op-ed comes as Claude Taylor tweets that CNN has the transcripts of the conversations between Jared Kuchner and the Russians. Which may explain the White House's attacks on that network at this time and with this much ferocity.
The op-ed comes as Claude Taylor tweets that CNN has the transcripts of the conversations between Jared Kuchner and the Russians. Which may explain the White House's attacks on that network at this time and with this much ferocity.
Tuesday, July 4, 2017
TROUBLING AND BIZARRE
The clip went viral. Trump exiting AIR FORCE ONE and then wandering confused past his limo that was open at the end of the stairwell from the plane. Trump wandered about until a Secret Service person had to grab him and point the way back to his limo.
And this week he will be meeting Putin in Hamburg.
The people on the Jersey Shore got their revenge on Chris Christie. They made a sand sculpture of Christie sitting in a beach chair with his bottom showing out from behind.A sign said Beach Closed.
And this week he will be meeting Putin in Hamburg.
The people on the Jersey Shore got their revenge on Chris Christie. They made a sand sculpture of Christie sitting in a beach chair with his bottom showing out from behind.A sign said Beach Closed.
A BIPARTISAN VISIT TO KABUL SAYS WE NEED MORE TROOPS IN AFGHANISTAN.
The longest war in history, which didn't turn out well for the Brits and the Russians,now hangs on neck. The Senators said more troops were needed and we needed a strategy to win.
JODY WARRICK OF POST
The US has determined that North Korea tested a "real ICBM", which is a dangerous move.
I shared a ride in France with General Casey and General Conway and they told me they thought North Korea was the most dangerous situation we faced. They said the problem will be a miscalculation on either side.
Trump tweeted today that the North Korean leader seemed to have nothing to do. Trump throated North Korea with the US acting alone on this manner. YIKES!
I shared a ride in France with General Casey and General Conway and they told me they thought North Korea was the most dangerous situation we faced. They said the problem will be a miscalculation on either side.
Trump tweeted today that the North Korean leader seemed to have nothing to do. Trump throated North Korea with the US acting alone on this manner. YIKES!
WATER SPORTS
The Russian hooker,named Anna Kaminsky, said she was paid $10,000 to have sex with Trump in 2011 in Moscow and that she and her companions performed water sports on Trump and each other. This was published in the Moscow Daily News.
WHILE I WAS AWAY, THE RUSSIA PROBE GAINS MOMENTUM
Trump plans on holding a bilateral meeting with Putin this coming Saturday. Usually a president is briefed by a platoon of advisers to get the US's points right and the possible responses of Russia. General McMasters has said Trump plans to go it alone.
While I was away, Rachel Maddow continued her excellent reporting on stories about the Russia probe. She and Josh Marshall pointed to the Wall Street Journal articles by Shane Harris which detailed one GOP operative's attempt to contact Russian hackers to solicit the emails from Hillary Clinton's private server. A Mr. Smith,at 81 had been a driver behind Gop efforts to dig up smears against Bill Clinton in Arkansas in the 1990s, assembled a team of GOP operatives and a Russian-speaking investigator to go after the emails. He contacted General Flynn and the others on the team were urged to have the emails leaked through Wikileaks. The Wall Street Journal article was among the first to actually linked the GOP campaign of 2016 with the Russians.
Smith died just after the Wall Street Journal's interview with him. Harris said he had reached out to him because he was rather proud of his efforts. Apparently,intelligence sources had picked up pin this effort and included it in their analysis of the Russian interference in the 2016 election.
A fun fact was that Smith's team was to use Flynn as the contact person and then second to him,Flynn's son who gained notoriety for spreading the Comet Pizza fake story of Hillary Clinton and the pedophile ring in the basement of a D.C. pizzeria. This led to a right-winger shooting up the place and receiving 4 years in prison.
On another front it appears Muller will be expanding hits investigation into the Russian mob's activities in the election.
While I was away, Rachel Maddow continued her excellent reporting on stories about the Russia probe. She and Josh Marshall pointed to the Wall Street Journal articles by Shane Harris which detailed one GOP operative's attempt to contact Russian hackers to solicit the emails from Hillary Clinton's private server. A Mr. Smith,at 81 had been a driver behind Gop efforts to dig up smears against Bill Clinton in Arkansas in the 1990s, assembled a team of GOP operatives and a Russian-speaking investigator to go after the emails. He contacted General Flynn and the others on the team were urged to have the emails leaked through Wikileaks. The Wall Street Journal article was among the first to actually linked the GOP campaign of 2016 with the Russians.
Smith died just after the Wall Street Journal's interview with him. Harris said he had reached out to him because he was rather proud of his efforts. Apparently,intelligence sources had picked up pin this effort and included it in their analysis of the Russian interference in the 2016 election.
A fun fact was that Smith's team was to use Flynn as the contact person and then second to him,Flynn's son who gained notoriety for spreading the Comet Pizza fake story of Hillary Clinton and the pedophile ring in the basement of a D.C. pizzeria. This led to a right-winger shooting up the place and receiving 4 years in prison.
On another front it appears Muller will be expanding hits investigation into the Russian mob's activities in the election.
Monday, July 3, 2017
BACK FROM FRANCE
I'll be up tomorrow. But it is interesting that a far-right assassin was supposed to kill Macron when Trump visits.
I met Ed Rendell in Paris and asked him whether he won the race in Alpha House. He told me the producers never told him.
The US news was Trump tweeting against CNN. The rest of the world news was about war and the literal destruction of Mosul during its liberation from Daesh.
I offered the leadership of the Free World to the German Christian Democrats but they didn't want it.
The British Conservatives felt ashamed by their campaign. They said you know it is bad when Corbyn now has his own fashion line. They said they were mortified by the alliance with the Northern Irish party.
Human rights activists from Syria made emphatic presentations at the conference I was at and begged the West to intercede with humanitarian aid.
I met Ed Rendell in Paris and asked him whether he won the race in Alpha House. He told me the producers never told him.
The US news was Trump tweeting against CNN. The rest of the world news was about war and the literal destruction of Mosul during its liberation from Daesh.
I offered the leadership of the Free World to the German Christian Democrats but they didn't want it.
The British Conservatives felt ashamed by their campaign. They said you know it is bad when Corbyn now has his own fashion line. They said they were mortified by the alliance with the Northern Irish party.
Human rights activists from Syria made emphatic presentations at the conference I was at and begged the West to intercede with humanitarian aid.
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