46 thoughts on “News/Politics 11-11-24

  1. I had to check the date to make sure it wasn’t April 1st!! Well it isn’t April Fools day but that second word certainly applies!!!!

    The mainstream media has been abuzz with a new suggestion from a former aide to Vice President Kamala Harris. According to Jamal Simmons, Harris and President Joe Biden could “dominate” press coverage if Biden were to resign from office. This would supposedly “disrupt” Trump’s transition and give Harris a chance to become the 47th president of the United States.

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  2. Disqualifying. We need someone who supports the Trump agenda. We already have a Minority Leader who doesn’t, so let him join the Dems.

    https://x.com/bennyjohnson/status/1855968688966611368?t=JvJKLLA7zQHKOOmmWtANOw&s=19

    “John Cornyn is sharing articles comparing MAGA to a cancerous tumor and calling Trump an “embarrassment”

    Disqualifying

    The Swamp’s mission is to act as a roadblock to Trump in DC and destroy the MAGA agenda

    Call your Senators TODAY and make sure they vote Rick Scott for Leader”

    Liked by 3 people

  3. I was puzzled that nearly a week later there are still uncalled races, one in the Senate and several in the House. Isn’t counting done?

    What I didn’t realize until now is that in some states, including California, mailed ballots have to be postmarked by election day and received within seven days after that. So they’re still coming in.

    Sorry, Californians, if you explained this and I missed it. In Michigan, mailed ballots must be received by election day to be counted, so they warn you if you’re mailing them to do it early.

    AP’s tally this morning shows that only 72% of the estimated votes in California have been counted. That means 4-5 million California votes haven’t been counted yet.

    Sorry if I’m the only one who didn’t understand this.

    Liked by 4 people

  4. Let the palace intrigue begin.

    Behind Trump’s Mike Pompeo Ban — Don Jr. and allies veto Nikki Haley and the former Secretary of State for the cabinet. They don’t want competition for JD Vance in 2028. –WSJ Editorial Board

    https://www.wsj.com/opinion/behind-trumps-mike-pompeo-ban-haley-don-jr-vance-2028-f056585e?st=hHQ8tv&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

    Kevin, I haven’t seen the 6-day delay mentioned here (but I don’t read all the posts every day); it’s common knowledge in California, but maybe not elsewhere.

    • dj

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  5. Debra, we will see. (cliche!) Or how about, “time will tell”? 🙂 And you and I may have different takes on “good Trump” vs “bad Trump.”

    I do think the Musk bromance may be short-lived, relatively speaking. Two big-ego guys used to running things on their own likely will clash at some point. Trump is president, so Trump wins that battle and I think Musk will eventually have to pack his bags. But he could last for a year or two; beyond that, I have my doubts.

    But Tucker is (still) looking for a job.

    Another good opinion piece:

    ~ What Donald Trump Can Learn From Steve Jobs — Simplicity and quality, irrespective of marketing, are the keys to advancing a prosperous enterprise.

    A mercurial and brash narcissist with a propensity to bend the truth. That’s how people close to Apple co-founder Steve Jobs (1955-2011) described him. Such foibles contributed to his ouster from the company in 1985 amid a power struggle with its board. But 12 years later, after Apple had lost its way, Jobs returned to serve as CEO and led the company to its best days. His comeback and successes offer lessons for Donald Trump.

    Like the president-elect, Jobs adhered to crazy ideas. During his 20s, according to a 2011 biography by Walter Isaacson, he “clung to the belief that his fruit-heavy vegetarian diet would prevent not just mucus but also body odor, even if he didn’t use deodorant or shower regularly.” Jobs’s colleagues described his propensity to ignore and twist the truth to his own ends as a “reality distortion field.” “He would assert something—be it a fact about world history or a recounting of who suggested an idea at a meeting—without even considering the truth,” Mr. Isaacson writes. …

    … Like Mr. Trump, Jobs was a jerk who rejected social conventions. He lambasted colleagues at meetings with colorful epithets, which spurred many to leave during his first stint at the company. In his view, you were either “enlightened” if he agreed with you or “an a—h—” if he didn’t. His classifications would frequently change.

    The tech titan evidently had no mental filter. “It was as if Jobs’s brain circuits were missing a device that would modulate the extreme spikes of impulsive opinions that popped into his mind,” Mr. Isaacson explains. Former Apple engineer Andy Hertzfeld recounts in Mr. Isaacson’s book that “after a few cycles of him taking alternating extreme positions,” people learned to “filter his signals and not react to the extremes.”

    “Just because he tells you that something is awful or great, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll feel that way tomorrow,” software designer Bud Tribble told Mr. Isaacson. But Jobs could also be charming. “He applied charm or public humiliation in a way that in most cases proved to be pretty effective,” Mr. Tribble added. He used insincere flattery to manipulate people.

    “Jobs could be charming to people he hated just as easily as he could be insulting to people he liked,” Mr. Isaacson writes. All this made him difficult to work with and lead to his ouster. But as Jobs reflected in a 2005 Stanford commencement address, “it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.” It humbled and liberated him to pursue fresh ideas.

    … When he returned as CEO in 1997 after Apple acquired his startup, NeXT, he tempered his abrasive management style and used his reality distortion field to motivate workers to accomplish what had seemed impossible. This is what Mr. Trump will need to do if he wants to have a successful second term. Other lessons he can learn from Jobs’s example include the following: …

    … Mr. Trump has an opportunity to expand support among minorities for small-government policies by showing how they make everyone better off. It’s something he may be uniquely suited to do with his Jobs-like charisma. To accomplish it, he’ll need to follow another Jobs slogan: Think different. ~ # (-30-)

    https://www.wsj.com/opinion/what-donald-trump-can-learn-from-steve-jobs-policy-leadership-ideas-0079dfb5?st=2Rp5Vg&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

    _________________

    Should be interesting, we should know more after a first year – or even 6 months – whether Trump can pivot where and when he needs to. To be continued.

    • dj

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  6. They don’t want Vance?

    Well there’s a shock.

    Nearly as shocking as their editorializing for the establishment stooges like Haley and Pompeo.

    Big shocker. 🙄

    As was said above, Trump is being much more selective this time around. No backstabbing liars like those two, or Milley, or Wray, or any of the rest. Clean house.

    This is the type of people he needs. The type that unlike Kamala and her criminal friend Mayorkas, will actually do the damned job.

    https://x.com/charliekirk11/status/1855831576954978643?t=oTZjpBycG1PXo75kBuTBug&s=19

    “Ladies and gentlemen, your new Border Czar, Tom Homan.”

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Truth.

    https://x.com/seanmdav/status/1856011569827852511?t=pO8otZIQ-Oilt7eGU440Wg&s=19

    “A lot of GOP establishment pukes who hate Trump and have spent nearly a decade trying to defeat him are going to spend the next weeks and months crying about recess appointments and how they are a threat to democracy and the Constitution and blah blah blah.

    Pay attention, because it will be a textbook example of how people will disingenuously use a process argument to mask the substantive argument they’re too cowardly to make out loud. In this case, they will claim to be defenders of the Constitutional order and act as though that is their sole concern. They will never admit that the Constitution also allows recess appointments and gives the Senate and House the power to set their own respective rules and recess as they please. There’s no actual constitutional conflict between recess and advise and consent. The Constitution explicitly provides multiple avenues for appointment of executive branch officials.

    In reality, they simply don’t like Trump, they wanted him to lose, and having failed at keeping him from winning the election, they will now attempt to thwart the agenda he was elected to implement. They oppose the substance of his policies, but pretend their disagreements are entirely procedural. And they will slur anyone who calls them on their nonsense as being anti-Constitution.”

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  8. They should be living in fear after their behavior and crimes. Retribution is necessary. A price must be paid in order to restore trust in the system, a trust their actions destroyed for political gain. They violated rights, and need to pay a price.The best way to do that is to purge the guilty.

    https://x.com/RealMacReport/status/1855981673017446577?t=DT6n7fTZetQNP2mD1kRfiw&s=19

    “Breaking: Trump blames the DOJ for much of his torment over the past four years. Lawyers there are terrified of what comes next.

    DOJ attorney says “Everyone I’ve talked to, mostly lawyers, are losing their minds. The fear is that career leadership and career employees everywhere are either going to leave or they’re going to be driven out.””

    Liked by 1 person

  9. No to Cornyn.

    https://x.com/julie_kelly2/status/1856004494506758621?t=aB3oQou6siwFbSs0eCAK_A&s=19

    “A groveling ⁦@JohnCornyn⁩ begs to help Biden regime including “Obama sister,” Russia collusion architect, and Clapper apprentice Avril Haines turn the full force of the US government against Trump supporters.Cornyn defends “democracy” in Ukraine but authoritarianism here”

    —-

    All on his Senate letterhead, for all to see. He’s a wolf among the sheep.

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  10. AJ @1:10: “~ They should be living in fear after their behavior and crimes. Retribution is necessary. A price must be paid in order to restore trust in the system, a trust their actions destroyed for political gain. They violated rights, and need to pay a price.The best way to do that is to purge the guilty. ~”

    That’s a pretty authoritarian, “take-no-prisoners” view and approach. Those attitudes and actions (if it comes to that) typically will backfire in a free nation — as soon as the next election rolls around (which is in 2 years).

    Wisdom is needed for this new administration and changes can be made without that spirit of retribution being front and center; payback feels good, but it won’t serve them well. It’s just not very smart (and not even politically strategic).

    • dj

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  11. There is a difference between payback and justice. I am not in a position to be the judge, but those in the know of laws that have been legitimately broken, well, left unacknowledged, that just encourages more of the same. Someone must be willing to put a stop to lawlessness. But of course, God is the final and perfect judge. But wouldn’t it be nice to have situations in government that encourage people to do the right thing, to follow the laws, instead of encouraging breaking of laws for personal gain?

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  12. Whatever Trump and his administration decides to do they will do it in accordance with the laws. This run amuck lawless ilk needs to be held accountable. If they see it as retribution so be it….but it is being held accountable for their free rein lawlessness. I think they already know it thinking “dang it caught up with us and now we are going to pay”!

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  13. I would like to see the power of the bureaucracy broken. I think quietly firing people or closing whole sections of departments might make better sense than engaging in wholesale lawfare. Just because the Democrats did it doesn’t mean Trump should. If there are some who have clearly violated the law then prosecutions might be in order. But massive firings might actually accomplish more. Trump needs to fill enough positions that he can leave people behind him who are committed to his agenda.

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  14. Perhaps, DJ. But he was not elected to leave things the way they are in DC. Rather than hoping things stay the same, perhaps people should just be content with the peaceful transition.

    You’re right, it could go on for some time. We are can’t undo the damage of 30+ years in one term or two

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  15. Only a squishy moderate wants unity with people who committed crimes, violated rights, and brought bias to our 3 letter agencies.

    The other 80% of American Rs want partisan workers like these removed post haste.

    It’s not authoritarian to hold people responsible for their actions and crimes. It’s the right thing to do. They are unfit for service. These are facts, so you’re gonna have to learn how to suck it up or step aside while the guilty are dealt with if you’re too squishy to do it.

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  16. He was elected largely as a rebuke to the Democrats, but I think we all understand that as well.

    Good and serious piece:

    https://thedispatch.com/article/what-trumps-win-doesnt-mean/

    What Trump’s Win Doesn’t Mean 

    The public continues to reject what both parties offer.

    Author Yuval Levin — director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute and the editor of National Affairs. His latest book, ‘American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation―and Could Again,’ has just been published.

    • dj

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  17. Well, I disagree just a little with AJ in that I don’t think it’s a ‘moderate’ position to desire unity with the lawless or corrupt.

    There doesn’t need to be retribution which would release a whole different spirit for nto our political ‘win’. The law can deal with serious lawbreakers. For less serious infractions simply relieving them of their positions should be sufficient.

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  18. There is always hope that people change. But even if they do not, we have certain knowledge and assurance that light stamps out darkness, and righteousness overcomes evil—in the long run. We just have to make sure we’re always standing on the right side of both.

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  19. DJ: “He was elected largely as a rebuke to the Democrats, but I think we all understand that as well.”

    I agree with that. But people who don’t realize he was also elected as a rebuke to the Republicans as well are missing half of the lesson. Lessons not learned are typically repeated, and repeated, and repeated.

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  20. Do most voters think in those terms, though? I don’t think most do deep dives on politics, they’re voting based on their instincts, reactions, what they’r paying at the grocery store, the gas station – I’m pretty sure many have no clue there’s some sort of a divide or inside dispute within the larger conservative/Republican branch. Nor do they probably care.

    So no, I don’t think this vote for Trump was aimed at some Republicans over others, voting for most is a gut-reaction, not a lot more than that.

    The inside-baseball political machinations are not of concern to most. They’re busy with their lives.

    I’m still hoping for some good dialogue here, respectful if at all possible. I appreciate it when I see it. 🙂

    • dj

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  21. Trump elected only as a rebuke to Dems? I don’t see it that way nor do I buy the assertion most “don’t have a clue” as to the divide in some ranks. That is selling “most” very short and comes across rather high minded.

    Trump imo was elected this time because the electorate was held to for the most part a “fair” vote…no monkey business to the extent they wanted to take it. Trump guided this country well when he was in office the first time and he will do the same this time. He has love for this nation (unlike self serving Biden, Harris and their followers) and desires it to remain “sovereign” …. at least make it that way once again. The Dems are on a destructive socialist bent and “most” citizens reject socialism. Most want our country back..laws obeyed and adhered to…no more free ride for foreigners breaking in over our open borders…we will once again be secure and there is a rude awakening coming for those who have been riding the backs of hard working taxpayers…Trump has quite the challenge before him but I believe he is up for it…

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  22. MN had all the election results in. However, ballots were found in one county that favor the Dems and change the winner. Another county ran 20,000 ballots through a machine to recount without announcing it and giving time for observers to be there. Again, this favors Dems.

    Decades ago, Al Franken lost the night of the election by over 200 some votes. The next morning, votes were found, and he won by 300 some. Was any of it fraud? I don’t know. It is a good reason that observers from both parties must be present for any recount or whatever. Everyone should want that.

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  23. To clarify a bit, DJ said that she is sure that “many have no clue there’s some sort of a divide”, not most. Maybe it doesn’t sound like much difference, but “many” may not even be a majority., while “most” definitely is.

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  24. With no comment:

    ~ Left-wing conspiracy theorists claim Elon Musk used satellites to ‘steal’ US election

    Social media used to spread false accusations that Starlink helped manipulate result ~

    • dj

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  25. WSJ Editorial board:

    Trump’s Mass Deportation Promise — He has a mandate on the border and to deport criminals. But more than that could get ugly fast.

    ~ … The public backs him on securing the border and reducing the burden that migrants have put on cities across the country. But as Mr. Trump appears to realize, support will ebb if the public sees crying children as their parents are deported, or reads stories of long-settled families broken up and “dreamers” brought here illegally as children deported to countries that they no longer remember.

    Even as Mr. Biden’s failures turned the public against immigration, Gallup this summer said 81% of Americans want a path to citizenship for those “brought to the U.S. illegally as children.” That included 64% of Republicans.

    Mr. Trump can do much on immigration by executive action, but a durable solution needs legislation. Maybe Democrats, after the electoral haymaker they got last week, will be willing to compromise more than they have in the past. Mr. Trump missed a chance for a bipartisan deal in 2018 to permanently change the border incentives on asylum and more. He’ll have a narrow window again next year, if he’s willing and has the heart. ~

    • dj

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  26. Perhaps I got my most and many’s cross crossed. And I think I get the gist still…..

    I believe there are more well informed voters than some might believe….and that’s we have Trump back…..no more swallowing the swill of leftist pundints…

    Do most voters think in those terms, though? I don’t think most do deep dives on politics, they’re voting based on their instincts, reactions, what they’r paying at the grocery store, the gas station – I’m pretty sure many have no clue….

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