Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

“Jesus paying for the sins of everyone is an insult to those who paid for their own sins.”

Conservatism: there are some people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

We are aware of all internet traditions.

It’s easy to sit in safety and prescribe what other people should be doing.

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

I’m pretty sure there’s only one Jack Smith.

JFC, are there no editors left at that goddamn rag?

Why is it so hard for them to condemn hate?

The party of Reagan has become the party of Putin.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the GOP

This blog will pay for itself.

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

My years-long effort to drive family and friends away has really paid off this year.

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

When do the post office & the dmv weigh in on the wuhan virus?

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

T R E 4 5 O N

The worst democrat is better than the best republican.

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Saturday Night Foreign Intrigues Saga Open Thread: In Our Last Episode…

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“What did the President-Asterisk know, and when did he know it?”

(Well, a lifelong Democrat can dream… )

The Gang That Couldn’t Steal (an election) Straight…

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119Comments

  2. 2.

    debbie

    Wouldn’t be nice if this would be enacted.

    Presidential candidates who want to appear on the Ohio ballot would be required to release their federal income tax returns under a new Democratic proposal.

    Rep. Kathleen Clyde, D-Kent, who is eyeing a potential run for secretary of state in 2018, is calling her bill the Tax Returns Uniformly Made Public Act.

    Undoubtedly not a coincidence, that can be shortened to the TRUMP Act.

    “To get on our ballot, presidential candidates should have to show us where their money is,” Clyde said in a release. “Since 1980, every major party candidate for president has released his or her tax returns, until now. Without full disclosure of the president’s assets and debts, Americans have no way to know if he is acting on their behalf or just to enrich himself.”

  3. 3.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Darrell Issa calling for an independent counsel is huge. The harder they try to push the story down like this, the bigger it’s going to get.

    @debbie: Do Rs’ have the OH state legislature(s)? I suspect Katich would sign it out of pure spite.

  4. 4.

    debbie

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Yeah, all R all the time, but there’s both Trumpies and Establishment-types. This will probably not get very far, but it’s poking them with a stick. The more of that, the better, I say. I do think Kasich would enjoy signing it.

  11. 11.

    mainmata

    Saw Issa on Bill Maher last night. He’s a reliable a**hole, of course but basically agreed on an independent counsel. My guess that he is sensing that even his CA constituency is probably pretty restless.

  12. 12.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @mainmata: Wasn’t his last race his closest ever? And I think the guy who ran against him already registered to run again. I downloaded the Indivisible guide as an audiobook a couple of weeks ago, and all these town halls are playing out almost exactly according to what the authors say are MOCs’ worst nightmares, especially bad press in local outlets.

  13. 13.

    Snarki, child of Loki

    Tax Returns Uniformly Made Public FREEDOM Act.

    Just because everything is better with FREEDOM, amirite?

  17. 17.

    Viva BrisVegas

    @mainmata:

    Saw Issa on Bill Maher last night. He’s a reliable a**hole, of course but basically agreed on an independent counsel.

    Or he’s a lying bastard who has no intention on following through and is just throwing fairy dust in the faces of Democrats.

    Given Issa’s career, which do you think is more likely?

  19. 19.

    Goku

    @debbie: That would be great since Ohio is anot important battleground state, that law would force both candidates to release their tax returns so the entire country can see them. Doubt it will get passed since the Ohio leg is Rethug controlled, but agreed, would be nice.

  23. 23.

    Mike J

    NYT and CNN kicked out of gaggle. Breitbart[1] scheduled to interview Trump in the Oval on Monday.

    [1] Firefox spellcheck suggests Barbarity.

  24. 24.

    p.a.

    Dence confuses Israeli and Nicaraguan flags in tweet. Once he was corrected, he said “Blue? Bannon told me the star should be yellow.”

  28. 28.

    HeleninEire

    So Ireland beat France in the 6 Nations rugby tournament. YAY!! I had not idea. I was walking in the city this morning, and I saw lots of Frenchmen. And I was like, what? They came here to watch it in the bar? Ireland vs. France means Ireland goes to France: right? NOPE it’s different here. The match was in Avia Stadium here in Dublin. Gotta say in the pub tonight, those Frenchmen were great losers!!

  34. 34.

    artem1s

    before we get all wet over Darryl TheCarThief Issa calling for an independent investigation, remember he’s the guy that convened a panel of experts on women’s health care and refused to let any women testify. That did result in Sandra Fluke becoming a household name and was the beginning of a world wide boycotting of products advertising with Rush. It’s not like it can’t be a good thing, but Issa is gonna be a dick no matter what. So maybe he’s finally decided to repay the assholes in the GOP that used him to oust Davis and then installed the Governator instead.

  37. 37.

    Feebog

    Issa’s position is purely Cover Your Ass. He squeaked by the last election and the handwriting is on the wall.

  38. 38.

    HeleninEire

    RTE is telling me that Trump is skipping the “annual White House Press Dinner” Is that the Correspondents dinner?

  43. 43.

    dmsilev

    @Baud:

    Perez’s first job as chair is to hire some good acronymators. Dems need better acronyms!

    They should talk with NASA. At one point, there was a rumor that NASA had issued a call for proposals for designing and building an AGS (Acronym Generating System).

  47. 47.

    Shalimar

    @SiubhanDuinne: Alec Baldwin should do his Trump impersonation in the normal time given to the current president, and Melissa McCarthy should be the comedian/host.

  49. 49.

    Emerald

    Issa won by just a little over 1600 votes this time. We just had a mock Town Hall, where he of course wasn’t expected to show up and didn’t, that drew over 2,000 people. Yeah, he’s scared. (Dunno why though. He’s the richest man in Congress. Not like he needs the job.)

    On a more interesting note, just saw some tweets and replies from Adam Kahn expecting another big story to drop, which the White House will try to distract from with false flags. He says journalists are getting leaks from intel insiders and are vetting very carefully. In that thread from someone named Nela Knight: within the next six months a lot more evidence will come to light and no amount of BS is going to cover it up. Impeached within six months, she says.

    Kahn also says that Hayward declining the NSA job is one more sign the Trump ship is sinking. Hayward knew there was no way to clean it up.

  50. 50.

    ? Martin

    @amk: I would like to see Obama back there, with a surprise appearance of Rosie O’Donnell impersonating Trump.

  51. 51.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @SiubhanDuinne: the guy who did Trump on the old Larry Wilmore show has indicated he’s ready to be asked. A lot of people thought his Trump was the best– I was underwhelmed, but what do I know? I like Darrell Hammond’s. He played Trump in a primary debate sketch and he perfectly imitated Trump while standing perfectly still. He had the resting sneer down perfectly

  54. 54.

    dr. bloor

    @Emerald:

    Yeah, he’s scared. (Dunno why though. He’s the richest man in Congress. Not like he needs the job.)

    You can have enough money. You can never have enough power, particularly if you have enough money.

    Appropos of a few comments above, do you think he get away with a whitewash? Or is he really willing to spill the goods to put some distance between himself and the treason?

  55. 55.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    I thought the rumors about some suit wanting to turn MSNBC to the right were paranoia.

    Ian MillhiserVerified account‏ imillhiser 33m33 minutes ago
    “Lets hire all of Fox’s ex hosts” is a completely logical business plan that totally won’t turn off MSNBC’s core audience.
    Oliver Darcy
    Scoop: Former Fox News host @GretchenCarlson in talks to join MSNBC

  57. 57.

    PK

    Presidential candidates who want to appear on the Ohio ballot would be required to release their federal income tax returns under a new Democratic proposal.

    So why can’t democratic states do this as well. True that republicans don’t need California, but it’ll be telling if Trump prefers to not be on the ballot in blue states than show his tax returns.

  61. 61.

    ? Martin

    @PK: California already has a bill working through as does NY. Trump may not need CA or NY EVs, but all of the down-ticket Republicans need the votes of having a president on the ballot. Not being on the ballot would gut their house races.

  62. 62.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    MSNBC’s 6:00 p.m. hour was already bad when it featured Halperin and Not-Halperin.

    With Van Susterin, it is completely horrible. Totally apart from the stupid she brings to the table, her speaking voice is beyond unlistenable. Can’t think what MSNBC was thinking oh wait they weren’t.

  64. 64.

    ? Martin

    @amk: Given that it’s Tuesday and already scheduled and they’re pushing the speech content already, no chance. But I’ll be busy playing Horizon Zero Dawn and trying to pretend that Trump wasn’t the initiator of our post-apocalyptic robot dinosaur world.

  66. 66.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @SiubhanDuinne: GVS is terrible, but I gotta admit I kinda like not-Halperin. Somebody said the Washington gossip is they can’t stand each other, which also speaks well of not-halperin.

  67. 67.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @amk:

    He doesn’t do a SOTU per se this year. He’s scheduled to deliver an address to a joint session of Congress next week (Tuesday, I think) and so far I haven’t seen anything to indicate that he’s going to bail on that.

    Steve Beshear is tagged to give the Dem response. I was sceptical of that pick at first, but he is probably well-positioned to make a good argument for the ACA, having been a vocal champion of Kynect.

  69. 69.

    Jeffro

    @Villago Delenda Est:

    Darrell is afraid for his political life.

    Cower, Darrell. Cower.

    Which to me is kind of monumentally amazing…isn’t he already quite wealthy? What does he need the seat for (other than to keep from being prosecuted as an accessory after the fact)?

  71. 71.

    Jeffro

    Btw folks, Trumpov just congratulated Tom Perez and said essentially, “good for Tom and great for the Republican party”

    Tapper or Krugman or SOMEbody’s just going to say it on air Monday: “What A COLOSSAL DICK this guy is”

  76. 76.

    Jeffro

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    I so VERY much want them to invite Alex Baldwin as keynote speaker.

    I’m already seeing lots of folks kick that around on FB and Twitter…what an incredibly awesome idea!

    Hey if they won’t impeach or 25th-amendment this clown, we can stroke him right the hell on outta there…

  78. 78.

    Fair Economist

    @PK:

    True that republicans don’t need California, but it’ll be telling if Trump prefers to not be on the ballot in blue states than show his tax returns.

    Trump being off the ballot would be lethal to downballot candidates. In CA and NY alone they’d almost automatically lose 10 seats in the House.

  79. 79.

    Rommie

    Haha, Trump proves that Ol’ Yeller wasn’t just a dog.

    And I found a food place showing MSNBC instead of the usual Fox News today. Hrm.

  82. 82.

    Lyrebird

    @Jeffro: He’s extremely unpleasant, he doesn’t represent the values of his district… I dunno, maybe also some of his elder aunties and uncles are pushing him to grow a conscience, too. (iirc he’s Syrian-American)

  83. 83.

    Le Comte de Monte Cristo, fka Edmund Dantes

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    Steve is a genuinely good guy. Panders a bit to evangelicals (Kentucky, duh), but he has the authentic heartland accent (in fact, it makes me crazy, he sounds like he came from the shittiest trailer park this side of Butcher Holler) and his heart is always in a good spot.

    It is a good counterpoint.

  84. 84.

    Jeffro

    Side note since this is an open thread: those of you in DC or NoVA, try and catch As You Like It at the Folger Theatre before its run is over next week. Holy cow was that a good time today. Dragged the kids to it and they want to go right back!

  86. 86.

    Mike J

    sarah amy harvard Verified account‏@amyharvard_ 8 hours ago
    For the record, here’s where BBC is banned outside of the *White House*:

    North Korea
    Iran
    Rwanda
    Zimbabwe
    Uzbekistan
    China

  87. 87.

    Lyrebird

    @Jeffro: OOOH jealous! Saw a couple things there when I was in school in the area, and As You Like It is a favorite… after Measure for Measure, which doesn’t get performed as often.

  89. 89.

    Jeffro

    @Baud: YES YES YES!!!!! We still have some very politically active friends back there who were on pins and needles.

    True fact: Stephanie’s opponent was our realtor when we sold our house near Dover back in 2009. He was about what you’d expect from a Tea Party guy.

  90. 90.

    TriassicSands

    It comes as a huge surprise shock to me that the former RNC head — Rancid Penis — is a corrupt POS. I’ll never truth anyone again.

  91. 91.

    tobie

    OT: we’re celebrating victory tonight in the DE special election. Dem Stephanie Hansen won. Del State Senate remains in the hands of the Dems. Yeah! The victory was resounding.

  92. 92.

    TriassicSands

    And now my second shock. My comment is in moderation because I typed the name of the WH Chief of Staff — Rancid Peni$. It’s his name damn it.

  93. 93.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @Jeffro: I don’t know how many people this represents– a state legislature district– but I’ll take good news where I can get it these days, and I think we’re gonna see more of this over the next couple of years

    Dave WeigelVerified account ‏@ daveweigel 23m23 minutes ago
    Dems HOLD Delaware state senate with big swing. 10th district voted 51-49 D in 2014; margin rn is 58-41.

  94. 94.

    Jeffro

    @Lyrebird: It was probably my 2nd, maaaaybe my 3rd Shakepearean play I’ve seen in my whole life. (Was recommended on Twitter by David Fahrenthold of all people!)

  95. 95.

    mai naem mobile

    @SiubhanDuinne: Steve Beshear is a really good choice because he can bring up Mitch McConnell and connect him to O-Care being repealed(bonus is miners’ benefits in Ky.) He can also connect Trump to the GOP via McConnell.

  97. 97.

    Jeffro

    @tobie: celebrate away and give the First State some love from a couple expats down in NoVA!

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: As we can see from Dave Weigel’s numbers, it was truly a swing district and the Dems crushed it. DE’s a pretty blue state overall, but this would have been a tough loss. And Steph’s opponent has no business governing anyone, let’s just leave it at that.

  100. 100.

    Lyrebird

    @Jeffro: Wow! Dunno how old your kids are, but if you end up somewhere more temperate in the summer and get a chance to take them to some sort of Shakespeare in the Park type performance, that can be great, too. They have to read the stuff in class, and maybe they get an old movie now and again, but seeing how people adapt those stories for an outdoor stage can be fun.

  101. 101.

    Jeffro

    @tobie:

    5000 volunteers today alone, many coming from ny.

    why…it’s almost like people are fired up…and perhaps even ready to go…?
    LOL

    WE ARE BRINGING ALL THE GUNZ GOP…your stupid Mercer and Koch cash can only get you so far…PREPARE TO BE BOARDED!!!

  102. 102.

    Jeffro

    @Lyrebird: Yes – thanks for the recommendation! I have a hard time reading Shakepeare’s plays and getting much out of it, but watching them (especially done so well) is SO rewarding.

    I may have to go re-read “Will In The World” this week because of all this…and I’m ok with that! =)

  105. 105.

    SgrAstar

    @PK: California is already asking that future Prez candidates’ tax returns be submitted in order to qualify for the ballot. I think that’s where Ohio got the idea.

  106. 106.

    Chet Murthy

    @amk: I think neither Hillz nor Obama should have a speaking slot (unless they -want- it, and why should they?) b/c then they can sit back and just be entertained and feted. Which means they should have tables, preferable a little apart and with other tables nearby, where they can seat all their friends and well-wishers.

    What better way for the press to explain to the Tangerine Usurper just how he’s supposed to act, than by feting people who exemplify it? [yes yes, I know: by digging up and exposing to sunlight the dirt that impeaches him and sends him and his traitorous cabal to federal prison. But still …]

  108. 108.

    Villago Delenda Est

    @amk: Actually, the verbally delivered SOTU is a 20th Century phenomenon. The President is required to “report from time to time” to Congress on the SOTU, but it can be a written report, and initially was. Hard to say if Donald will break recent tradition of a verbally delivered SOTU. On one hand, he loves rallies, and this is a sort of rally. On the other hand, Dems shouting “liar!” at him might be a turn off.

  109. 109.

    Chet Murthy

    @Shalimar: Oh shit, I forgot about MM. And MacKinnon. OK, revised program:

    Alec on as Prez
    SamBee keynote
    MM lead guitar
    MacKinnon bassist
    Colbert backup vocals
    Meyers drums & percussion

    Sam should just offer to take over the whole thing, staff it with the best comic talent available, turn it into one giant nationwide comedy show. I bet the networks would KILL to run it, and the WHCA could have gazillions for charity.

  110. 110.

    clay

    So… what are we supposed to think about all of these high-level FBI officials supposedly telling Priebus that the stories are bunk?

    Do we think the admin is lying about their conversations with the FBI? Or that the conversations are real, but FBI is lying to the admin about there not being an investigation? Or are they both telling the truth and the FBI isn’t actually investigating the Russia links?

    I mean, we all bash the NYT, often for good reason, but they wouldn’t have published the story if they didn’t have multiple sources telling them that the investigation was real. So someone is lying, but who?

  114. 114.

    different-church-lady

    Question for Mr Trump: “HOW DOES THE SHOE FEEL NOW THAT IT’S ON THE OTHER FOOT, ASSHOLE?”

  118. 118.

    SWMBO

    @Chet Murthy: Rosie as Bannon? Pee Wee Herman as Rinse and Repeat?

    Actually, anyone who has done a good DJT impersonation should be there. Have them all up there trying to take DJT’s slot. Each of them vying for their moment in the sun…

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