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Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

Optimism opens the door to great things.

The next time the wall street journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first.

New McCarthy, same old McCarthyism.

Their boy Ron is an empty plastic cup that will never know pudding.

Narcissists are always shocked to discover other people have agency.

I might just take the rest of the day off and do even more nothing than usual.

Not rolling over. fuck you, make me.

Wake up. Grow up. Get in the fight.

Let the trolls come, and then ignore them. that’s the worst thing you can do to a troll.

I like political parties that aren’t owned by foreign adversaries.

Lick the third rail, it tastes like chocolate!

Anne Laurie is a fucking hero in so many ways. ~ Betty Cracker

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If you don’t believe freedom is for everybody, then the thing you love isn’t freedom, it is privilege.

Russian mouthpiece, go fuck yourself.

You come for women, you’re gonna get your ass kicked.

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

But frankly mr. cole, I’ll be happier when you get back to telling us to go fuck ourselves.

Anyone who bans teaching American history has no right to shape America’s future.

The rest of the comments were smacking Boebert like she was a piñata.

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

Republican also-rans: four mules fighting over a turnip.

“The defense has a certain level of trust in defendant that the government does not.”

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You are here: Home / Politics / Trumpery / Dolt 45 / Open Thread: NANCY SHADE!

Open Thread: NANCY SHADE!

by Anne Laurie|  July 30, 20172:02 pm| 134 Comments

This post is in: Dolt 45, Don't Agonize - Organize, NANCY SMASH!, Open Threads, Proud to Be A Democrat, Republicans in Disarray!

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grab a fan, a glass of water, and sit back and enjoy @NancyPelosi drag Trump with the truth pic.twitter.com/sj19BtxcCT

— Adam Parkhomenko (@AdamParkhomenko) July 30, 2017


(h/t commentor BethanyAnne)

Speaking of “President” Trump…

Unless the Republican Senators are total quitters, Repeal & Replace is not dead! Demand another vote before voting on any other bill!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 29, 2017

Is the President's twitter tantrum a sign that healthcare will come back, or a sign that McConnell has told him it won't come back?

— Josh Barro (@jbarro) July 29, 2017

I have found thru my career that calling allies you need to achieve a goal losers and quitters almost always results in success.

— David Plouffe (@davidplouffe) July 29, 2017

Mike Pence is somewhere planning an inauguration. Priebus and Spicer will lead the transition.

— Maxine Waters (@MaxineWaters) July 30, 2017

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Previous Post: « The Chaos in the White House and North Korea
Next Post: Sunday Evening Open Thread: When Incompetence Is What We’re Hoping For… »

Reader Interactions

134Comments

  1. 1.

    Eric S.

    July 30, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    Ever wonder if you are saying your last good-bye to someone? My friend in Budapest, Scottish Don, just headed home and I fly out at oh-fucking-early tomorrow. He’s living on < $800 / month and thinks Tblisi is his next likely destination if Budapest gets too expensive. After the F1 race we stopped at a market for him to buy supplies for the night: cheap white wine for him and treats for his cat.

  2. 2.

    Amanda in the South Bay

    July 30, 2017 at 2:06 pm

    Of course he’s too much of a dumbshit to realize they only needed 51 to pass skinny vanilla latte repeal.

  3. 3.

    AnotherBruce

    July 30, 2017 at 2:10 pm

    Maxine Waters’ comment is funny, especially because it might be true.

  4. 4.

    Iowa Old Lady

    July 30, 2017 at 2:12 pm

    @Eric S.: Your friend’s situation sounds bleak. I’m sorry.

    Oddly, I’ve also been to an F1 race. Back when we lived in Detroit and Mr IOL worked for Roger Penske, we had free tickets.

  5. 5.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 2:15 pm

    So Trump wants the Senate to spend some more time on another mindless Health Care vote? It’s not like they have anything else to do over there.

  6. 6.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 30, 2017 at 2:16 pm

    So what’s the deal with Graham’s zombie block grants bill?

  7. 7.

    Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)

    July 30, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    Pelosi’s statement is entirely accurate analysis, but shade it is most certainly not.

  8. 8.

    david spikes

    July 30, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    And in addition to not ‘letting’the Senate move on until they repeal ACA he had Mulvaney say that if there’s no bill they will ‘hurt’ the insurance companies.
    Lord we are so lucky they are all-yes everyone-so stupid.
    Oh, and fuck John Kelly and his faux dedication to the US. He’s a careerist opportunist-see Mattis amd McMasters.

  9. 9.

    germy

    July 30, 2017 at 2:19 pm

    He tried the Washington way, now he's going to do it his way – destroy investors and run away with a profit for himself.— Schooley (@Rschooley) July 30, 2017

  10. 10.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 2:23 pm

    @david spikes:

    And in addition to not ‘letting’the Senate move on until they repeal ACA he had Mulvaney say that if there’s no bill they will ‘hurt’ the insurance coc.

    “You break it, you own it.”*

    *Not the Pottery Barn rule, Al Franken checked.

  11. 11.

    Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)

    July 30, 2017 at 2:23 pm

    @david spikes: And take away their health insurance, because that’s apparently* a thing he can do.

    *Not really snark, as he apparently has that privilege or something like it.

  12. 12.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 30, 2017 at 2:27 pm

    @germy: Yep, exactly.

    @Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): ‘Shade’ would have been when her comment on Spicer’s resignation was “I don’t care.” So we know she’s capable of it!

  13. 13.

    Immanentize

    July 30, 2017 at 2:28 pm

    This bodes very poorly for increasing the debt limit. A failure of the “full faith and credit of the United States” would be instantly disastrous internationally. But particularly inflationary here at home. Ooopsie!

  14. 14.

    No Drought No More

    July 30, 2017 at 2:28 pm

    Pelosi pulled her punch. She said “work”, when she meant Trump needs “help” and more sleep.

  15. 15.

    Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)

    July 30, 2017 at 2:31 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: True; I was stating that Anne Laurie’s use of it in the headline was especially inaccurate if Trump was the presumed target.

  16. 16.

    RepubAnon

    July 30, 2017 at 2:31 pm

    Isn’t it interesting that Republicans apparently think that treating people the way Dagwood’s boss treats him in the Blondie comic strip is actually an effective leadership method? Has nobody explained that the phrase “beatings will continue until morale improves” is meant as a joke?

  17. 17.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 2:40 pm

    Per WaPo, Putin orders cut of 775 personnel at US missions in Russia, guess he didn’t like that sanctions bill.

  18. 18.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 2:41 pm

    @No Drought No More: Not at all, she was calling Trump “low energy” and “no stamina”.

  19. 19.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 30, 2017 at 2:42 pm

    @Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): I was mostly hoping to provide an example for the non-me-and-you reader.

  20. 20.

    Eric S.

    July 30, 2017 at 2:42 pm

    @Iowa Old Lady: sadly, we weren’t at the race proper. Just watching from a bar. I ended up in Budapest during the F1 race nor knowing it was in town the sane weekend. I want to attend one but I want to plan it.

    Don is a survivor but at some point life beats you down. At this age i think he would be better staying in the EU with their safety net. I fear Tblisi won’t offset the protections an old-ish man needs.

  21. 21.

    MattF

    July 30, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    And… the Brits just can’t help being what they are. It’s astonishing that the article in question got through any sort of editing process. I guess the Murdoch regime at the Times has its priorities.

  22. 22.

    Arclite

    July 30, 2017 at 2:47 pm

    Hate to say this, but I’d prefer keeping Trump over Pence, at least until the Dems can take control of either the House or Senate. What with all the chaos, nothing is getting done, and that’s a good thing. With Pence, the chaos will subside, and we’ll see a flurry of conservative, pro-Christian laws enacted.

  23. 23.

    Yarrow

    July 30, 2017 at 2:47 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: I know Trump has said he’s going to sign the bill, but has he signed it yet? Trump says lots of things he doesn’t do. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t sign it and instead hopes he can drag it out for a pocket veto. He knows Putin is going to make his life miserable if he signs it.
    According to Senate.gov:

    pocket veto – The Constitution grants the president 10 days to review a measure passed by the Congress. If the president has not signed the bill after 10 days, it becomes law without his signature. However, if Congress adjourns during the 10-day period, the bill does not become law.

    Congress is going on recess. Does that count for “adjourns”?

  24. 24.

    mai naem mobile

    July 30, 2017 at 2:54 pm

    Part of the problem is Fox News. Some powerful people around the world need to get on Rupert Murdochs ass. This moron actually watches and believes Fox. It makes my head hurt.

  25. 25.

    Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)

    July 30, 2017 at 2:54 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: Kara Brown’s Shade Court gives good guidelines as to what constitutes shade, but the clip from Dynasty discussed here is the most triumphant example.

    @MattF: It’s been noted by John Oliver and others that all the American press’ fuckery is worsened at least eightfold in the U.K., for whatever reason (cf. Cosby & Savile).

  26. 26.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 30, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:

    Per WaPo, Putin orders cut of 775 personnel at US missions in Russia, guess he didn’t like that sanctions bill.

    Well, at least Trump isn’t killing American jobs, yet.

  27. 27.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    July 30, 2017 at 2:55 pm

    @Arclite: Hate to say this, but I’d prefer keeping Trump over Pence, at least until the Dems can take control of either the House or Senate. What with all the chaos, nothing is getting done

    My two cents: Things aren’t getting done because the Republican legislative agenda is massively unpopular, and a handful of idiots, especially in the House, mistakenly think that’s because the agenda actually isn’t conservative enough. President Pence doesn’t help that situation, if anything I think his creepy, almost Santorum-like radiation of fanaticism exacerbates it. And they got Gorsuch, and will more than likely get the next USSC seat unless a longshot Senate shift happens–not impossible, but not unthinkable.

    also: another great clip to look for is Maxine Waters shutting down Seth Mnuchin as the latter tries to avoid answering her question first with flattery, then by whining to the chairman that she won’t let him evade her question. These billionaire hedgehogs can’t grok dealing with people they can’t fire or otherwise bully.

  28. 28.

    MattF

    July 30, 2017 at 2:56 pm

    And the business of Trump threatening the healthcare benefits of lawmakers if he doesn’t get what he wants… It’s hard to fathom that level of stupidity. My ‘that’s ridiculous’ sensor just rejected it when I heard it. But it’s true.

  29. 29.

    Yarrow

    July 30, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    So what’s the deal with Graham’s zombie block grants bill?

    I don’t know. I’ve looked at some of the health policy wonks’ twitter feeds but haven’t seen a whole lot of concern about it. Maybe David will fill us in next week.

  30. 30.

    Mike in NC

    July 30, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    Fat Bastard threatens to hold his breath until Congress passes TrumpCare? Please proceed, dumbass.

  31. 31.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: I was wrong, it’s 755 American personnel.

  32. 32.

    clay

    July 30, 2017 at 2:59 pm

    @Amanda in the South Bay: Actually, he only needed 50 + Pence. Couldn’t get to 50 votes in a Republican-controlled Senate.

    Clearly it’s the Democrats’ fault! And clearly can be fixed by getting rid of the filibuster!

  33. 33.

    germy

    July 30, 2017 at 3:00 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    another great clip to look for is Maxine Waters shutting down Seth Mnuchin as the latter tries to avoid answering her question first with flattery, then by whining to the chairman that she won’t let him evade her question.

    Seth tried the same trick Jefferson Sessions tried with Ms. Harris: Running down the clock with flowery language to avoid answering the question. Ms. Waters wasn’t having any of it.

  34. 34.

    MattF

    July 30, 2017 at 3:00 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    These billionaire hedgehogs can’t grok dealing with people they can’t fire or otherwise bully.

    “But they’re so poor. How can they have opinions?”

  35. 35.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    July 30, 2017 at 3:00 pm

    Still can’t believe this hasn’t provoked a thumb-tantrum from Sir Tweets-A-Lot

  36. 36.

    mai naem mobile

    July 30, 2017 at 3:01 pm

    My fantasy would he that Dolt goes down, the Ds take over the House, Pence goes down and Pelosi becomes POTUS. I hunk she would do better than Hilz because she’s a real deal maker without the Clinton hate machine. The Pelosi hate machine just does not match up.

  37. 37.

    MaryL

    July 30, 2017 at 3:04 pm

    @Arclite: We’ve been lucky enough not to face a Hurricane Katrina level catastrophe thus far, and in the event that we do, I’d rather it happen under a competent administration, regardless of their insane ideology. Also, too, Pence seems much less likely to go to war with North Korea.

  38. 38.

    Frankensteinbeck

    July 30, 2017 at 3:05 pm

    @david spikes:

    Mulvaney say that if there’s no bill they will ‘hurt’ the insurance companies.

    As Mayhew has told us time and again, the insurance companies are already betting that Trump will withhold everything he has the power to withhold. It’s built into the current situation.

  39. 39.

    Iowa Old Lady

    July 30, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Holy cow, Maxine Waters put Mnuchin in a corner! LOL

  40. 40.

    Iowa Old Lady

    July 30, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    @MaryL: I’m afraid we’ll be at the Heck-of-a-job-Brownie level of response.

  41. 41.

    amygdala

    July 30, 2017 at 3:06 pm

    @Yarrow: We’ll see what David says, but I think health policy wonk Twitter is increasingly anxious about what Trump’s threats not to fund subsidies will do, and quickly.

    I can’t get my head around the cruelty of Trump and his inner circle.

  42. 42.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 3:07 pm

    @mai naem mobile:

    The Pelosi hate machine just does not match up.

    Really? Who do you think the Republican ran against in 2010 and 2014? It’s wasn’t Obama, it was Pelosi and her “San Francisco values”.

  43. 43.

    lgerard

    July 30, 2017 at 3:07 pm

    @MattF:

    Have to laugh at that article for quoting Jenny Beth Martin. She’s a bigger scam artist then trump is.

  44. 44.

    germy

    July 30, 2017 at 3:09 pm

    @mai naem mobile: How would the deplorables react to your scenario? I saw a commenter over at LGM (they may have since deleted his comment) who said something like “honest men will be forced into violence” if hairdrumpf is foiled. (Out of curiosity, I checked his other disqus comments, and there were more than a few “Decent, honest, hardworking people will be forced into violence if the dems etc.” type remarks)

  45. 45.

    Another Scott

    July 30, 2017 at 3:09 pm

    @Yarrow: I think the House and Senate stopped going on actual official recesses years ago. They have “pro-forma” sessions for as little as 35 seconds so that the President can’t do any recess appointments, etc., while they’re away.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  46. 46.

    MaryL

    July 30, 2017 at 3:14 pm

    @Iowa Old Lady: Exactly.

  47. 47.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 3:14 pm

    @Another Scott: The Dems started that in the Bush years.

  48. 48.

    Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)

    July 30, 2017 at 3:19 pm

    @MaryL: I keep thinking that at least one of the three would have to happen to irreversibly destroy Trump’s approval rating: 1) The Seattle earthquake, 2) Yellowstone erupting, and 3) a Big One in New Madrid/Wabash Valley – and really I think only 3) would be a certainty, since 1) affects deep-blue states and the line for 2) would be that it “cured global warming.”

  49. 49.

    Another Scott

    July 30, 2017 at 3:20 pm

    @MaryL: Borowitz Report (from April):

    PYONGYANG (The Borowitz Report)—In a major foreign-policy coup for the Trump Administration, North Korea offered to unconditionally abandon its nuclear program on Monday, after Mike Pence spent several minutes angrily squinting at the nation from just across the border.

    Warning North Korea that the United States had jettisoned its policy of “strategic patience” and that “all options were on the table,” Pence fixed his steely glare on the isolated Communist nation and began furiously staring it down.

    After Pence spent between five and six minutes demonstrating U.S. resolve by squinting indignantly, the government in Pyongyang released a statement indicating that North Korea’s nuclear ambitions were a thing of the past.

    “We will henceforth abandon our nuclear program and dismantle all existing nuclear facilities,” read the official statement from North Korean President Kim Jong-un. “In exchange, we request that Mike Pence stop giving us that really mean look.”

    […]

    ;-)

    Pence is an idiot and a kook. He, too, would be very dangerous to us and the world should he become President.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  50. 50.

    Iowa Old Lady

    July 30, 2017 at 3:24 pm

    @MaryL: I think “reclaiming my time” is my new go-to response to stupidity.

  51. 51.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    @Another Scott:

    Pence is an idiot and a kook. He, too, would be very dangerous to us and the world should he become President.

    But he does have that “steely resolve” squint.

  52. 52.

    Chris

    July 30, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    @Arclite:

    Ideally, my dream outcome would be for the Russia investigation to drag on for three years or so, and for the shit to finally hit the fan sometime in 2020, just in time to seriously fuck the Republicans for the election and also not leave enough time for Pence or anyone else to turn the ship around.

    Of course, if the world cared about my “ideally” outcomes, we wouldn’t even have Trump in the first place. Or a GOP, for that matter.

  53. 53.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 3:28 pm

    @Iowa Old Lady: Wouldn’t it be nice if we could all reclaim some of our time?

  54. 54.

    Yarrow

    July 30, 2017 at 3:29 pm

    @Another Scott: Yeah, that’s a good point. I guess the recess part is out. I saw elsewhere the president has ten days, not including Sundays, to sign a bill into law. I am not sure where we are on that clock.

  55. 55.

    JMG

    July 30, 2017 at 3:37 pm

    @germy: You may rest assured the people who made those comments are neither decent nor hardworking. Nor smart, since the government could easily ID them if there was violence.

  56. 56.

    Smiling Mortician

    July 30, 2017 at 3:38 pm

    @Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): That link goes to the coolest Page Not Found I’ve ever seen.

  57. 57.

    Yarrow

    July 30, 2017 at 3:38 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:

    But he does have that “steely resolve” squint.

    I loved watching McCain just turn and walk away from Pence the night of the health care vote. I think Pence was in med-sentence.

  58. 58.

    Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)

    July 30, 2017 at 3:41 pm

    @Smiling Mortician: This is the link: https://www.buzzfeed.com/iramadison/ciao-for-now?utm_term=.tuvn2k3qB#.livMzNpOa

  59. 59.

    WaterGirl

    July 30, 2017 at 3:46 pm

    @Another Scott: Pretty sure that started on or around January 20, 2009.

  60. 60.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 30, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    @Smiling Mortician: Tumblr is pretty good at those.

  61. 61.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    @WaterGirl: Nope, during the later Bush years, when the Dems had the Senate.

  62. 62.

    WaterGirl

    July 30, 2017 at 3:53 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: Really? Well, good for our side!

  63. 63.

    gene108

    July 30, 2017 at 3:54 pm

    @No Drought No More:

    She also said President Bush in the beginning.

    She’s a good legislator, but not great on the stump.

  64. 64.

    Smiling Mortician

    July 30, 2017 at 3:57 pm

    @Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD): Thanks!
    @Major Major Major Major: Good to know.

  65. 65.

    mai naem mobile

    July 30, 2017 at 3:59 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: I didn’t say thwre wasn’t a Pelosi hate machine but I don’t think it’s even in the ballpark of the HRC hate machine. 2010 1was just the Koch astor turf anti Obamacare r teabagger network. It’s also name recognition. I would be surprised if 50 percent of Americans even know who Pelosi is.

  66. 66.

    david spikes

    July 30, 2017 at 4:00 pm

    @Yarrow: The block grant is a way to let Trumpland hurt the coloreds and the poors, which of course is what repubs are all about, while claiming to not cut Medicaid. Once they get the money the states can basically do anything they want with it-it’s an almost perfect scam.
    Miss Lindsey is a mess-bless his heart.

  67. 67.

    Brachiator

    July 30, 2017 at 4:02 pm

    @Chris:

    .. Ideally, my dream outcome would be for the Russia investigation to drag on for three years or so, and for the shit to finally hit the fan sometime in 2020, just in time to seriously fuck the Republicans for the election ..

    In my dream world, they find some stuff on Pence that forces his resignation, and then Trump is impeached and removed from office.

    But apart from that, Trump is a mad man who needs to be removed from office as soon as possible. I would love to see him sending angry Twitter messages from the sidelines, refusing to acknowledge his humiliation and failure. He can have a happy life, start a new TV show, whatever. But he is unfit to serve, and every hour he continues in the White House brings the country down.

  68. 68.

    david spikes

    July 30, 2017 at 4:07 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Nor has he blasted Dame Peggy or the NR; the pressures gotta blow-that valve can’t hold forever.
    Is it wrong to hope he really gets creative with Noonan?

  69. 69.

    debbie

    July 30, 2017 at 4:09 pm

    @mai naem mobile:

    I would be surprised if 50 percent of Americans even know who Pelosi is.

    They don’t need to know her to hate her like they’ve been told to.

  70. 70.

    mai naem mobile

    July 30, 2017 at 4:12 pm

    @germy: I don’t care what the deplorables think. I would hope that by that point it has been proven that Dolt 45 clearly colluded with the Russians and the deplorables are too embarrassed to even admit they voted for Dolt 45.

  71. 71.

    germy

    July 30, 2017 at 4:14 pm

    @mai naem mobile:

    too embarrassed to even admit they voted for Dolt 45.

    It would be wonderful if they returned to their homes under various rocks.

  72. 72.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 30, 2017 at 4:20 pm

    @Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD):

    the clip from Dynasty discussed here is the most triumphant example.

    Hmmm. I never watched Dynasty, but as far as I know it was just mildly racy, and on network TV during prime time. Yet the Barracuda thingie (I’m at the public library) just blocked me from watching the clip because of “pornographic content.”

    So now, of course, I’m wildly curious!

  73. 73.

    Another Scott

    July 30, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    @WaterGirl: As was mentioned above, it started with Harry Reid under W:

    While there is little existing commentary by the Founders on this provision, it is widely assumed it was included to maintain the continuity of government in at a time when the Congress was in session less than half the year. In recent years, however, the Congress is in session most of the year, making the recess appointment pretty much a legislative tool of the executive. President Clinton made 139 recess appointments and President Bush has so far [ as of December 3, 2007 ] made 167.

    The growing use of the recess appointment process is another sign of the strain between the two political parties in Washington. The Democrats control the Senate, but even when Republicans held control during the middle four years of President Bush’s two terms, the Democrats had sufficient numbers to block or filibuster any nominees they did not approve of. (This is not a partisan statement, the same thing applied when there was a Democrat president and a Republican Congress). Usually when frustration spills over, the President, either to spite the opposition or to make a political statement, makes a recess appointment to a disputed position.

    […]

    Of course, if there is no recess, there can be no recess appointments. The House and Senate take several recesses through the year. Traditionally, they have taken a two-week recess for the Thanksgiving holiday. The Constitution says (Article I, Section 5, Clause 4) that “Neither House, during the session of Congress, shall, without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days…”

    So, in order to allow the Senators to leave Washington for more than three days as if it were in a recess without actually declaring a recess, the Senate meets in what is called “pro forma” session once every three days. Pro forma means, “in form only.” In the case of a pro forma session of the Senate, the Senate convenes, the chaplain says a prayer, and Senate adjourns. The Majority Leader usually needs the cooperation of a majority party Senator who lives in Washington D.C. or represents one of the nearby jurisdictions.

    As long as the Senate conducts a pro forma session every three days it is never actually in recess and the President cannot make a recess appointment. In this way, Majority Leader Reid prevented President Bush from making any additional recess appointments over the Thanksgiving recess.

    But no matter who “started it”, it seems likely the tactic isn’t going away.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  74. 74.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 30, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    @amygdala:

    I can’t get my head around the cruelty of Trump and his inner circle.

    Not to mention the vast majority of those who voted for him.

  75. 75.

    Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)

    July 30, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: I used the wrong link up above (which was fortunately a 404 Tumblr page). The real link is a Buzzfeed article detailing an exchange between Dominique Devearaux & Alexis Carrington Colby – the most explicit comment being a remark about the latter being an artist’s model – I provided at comment 58.

  76. 76.

    Chris

    July 30, 2017 at 4:24 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    Yep. It always comes back to that.

  77. 77.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 30, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    @Brachiator:

    In my dream world, they find some stuff on Pence that forces his resignation

    Wow, I hope nobody catches him in bed with a young female aide. Mother might think they were having lunch together.

  78. 78.

    hueyplong

    July 30, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    Hard to believe there are TWO women willing to go to bed with Pence.

  79. 79.

    Yarrow

    July 30, 2017 at 4:29 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Mother is more likely to find him in bed with a young male aide, if rumors are correct.

  80. 80.

    Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)

    July 30, 2017 at 4:31 pm

    @Yarrow: …what rumors? Do tell…

  81. 81.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 30, 2017 at 4:31 pm

    @Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD):

    Thanks! And LOL, that was exquisite!

  82. 82.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 30, 2017 at 4:33 pm

    @Yarrow:

    Well, perhaps, but AFAIK she hasn’t prohibited him from having a meal with a male assistant!

  83. 83.

    Seth Owen

    July 30, 2017 at 4:35 pm

    @Yarrow: I don’t believe so, which is also why he can’t do a recess appointment to replace Sessions

  84. 84.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 4:37 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: I’m sure they’re just studying the Word of the Lord. So, I’m sure Mother would approve.

  85. 85.

    hellslittlestangel

    July 30, 2017 at 4:39 pm

    I would so much love to see her as Speaker of the House again.

  86. 86.

    Mai.naem.mobile

    July 30, 2017 at 4:45 pm

    @debbie: I am just talking about pure name recognition. HRC would have 99% name recognition. San Francisco values is obviously an amalgamation of Berkeley hippies and the ‘gay’. Pelosi happens to be from SF so it’s a perfect message for the Frank Luntz types.

  87. 87.

    Another Scott

    July 30, 2017 at 4:46 pm

    @Brachiator: Pence is up to his neck with all this stuff. Bill Moyers’ Pence Timeline:

    Also on Jan. 15, 2017: On Fox News Sunday, Pence denies contacts between Russia and the Trump campaign. Responding to Chris Wallace, Pence says, “All the contact by the Trump campaign and associates were with the American people.” On a third try, Wallace asks if Pence had ever asked Donald Trump if there were any contacts in the campaign between Trump or his associates and Russians, Pence answers, “Of course not.” [Added May 30, 2017]

    […]

    May 19, 2017: Vice President Pence faces added scrutiny on what he knew about Flynn’s connections to Turkey and Russia — and when he knew it. Democrats on the House Oversight Committee post a Nov. 18, 2016 letter from Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) to Pence, who at the time was vice president-elect and chair of the presidential transition team. The letter expressed concerns about national security adviser-designate Flynn’s ties to those countries. In response to the posting, Pence’s spokesperson states, “The vice president stands by his comments in March upon first hearing the news regarding Gen. Flynn’s ties to Turkey and fully supports the President’s decision to ask for General Flynn’s resignation.” A White House aide adds, “I’m not sure we saw the letter.” Democrats on the House Oversight Committee then post the formal Nov. 28, 2016 transition team message acknowledging receipt of Cummings’ letter.

    (see the original for embedded links)

    IOW, Pence is a lying liar who lies.

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  88. 88.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 4:49 pm

    @Another Scott:

    Pence is a lying liar who lies.

    He did work in right wing radio.

  89. 89.

    Eric S.

    July 30, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    Admission time. I have Social Anxiety Disorder. It affects all parts of my life including my willingness to post comments on line. I’m seeing a shrink and things are getting better. Why put this out there now? I don’t know.

    A few minutes ago i came across a comment from a conservatibe college acquaintences suggesting Congress Critters should habe to sign up for “Obamacare”. I replied it is too good for those arseholes. They need to try a deregulated market for a few years.

    Yes, I’m way behind the curve from many of my fellow BJ readers but damn it felt good. I’m tired of this BS.

    ERIC +5 in Budapest

  90. 90.

    Mnemosyne

    July 30, 2017 at 4:51 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    I’m with you. A wife doesn’t ban her husband from being alone with all members of the opposite sex unless said husband has a known zipper control problem around members of the opposite sex.

    Maybe Pence is enough of a horndog that he’s getting up to shenanigans with young men out of desperate horniness, like a sailor on a long voyage, but then my mind shrinks from any thoughts that involve Mike Pence’s wayward peni$.

  91. 91.

    ? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?

    July 30, 2017 at 4:54 pm

    @david spikes:
    But I was told he was going to Make America Great Again. You mean he’s not going to do that?

  92. 92.

    hellslittlestangel

    July 30, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    … my mind shrinks from any thoughts that involve Mike Pence’s wayward peni$.

    Your mind is really not doing it right.

  93. 93.

    ? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?

    July 30, 2017 at 4:56 pm

    @Mnemosyne:
    Will we have a “Peni$” scandal with Pence?

  94. 94.

    Hildebrand

    July 30, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    @Arclite: Pence is a charisma black hole. The most vociferous of the Trumpites will start to fade away pretty quickly because Pence can’t hold anyone’s attention – he could say the same things as Trump, but because he is so mind-bendingly dull they won’t rage-support him. The twitter-trolls simply won’t have the same urge to defend everything he says and does.

    Plus, people find his hard-core religious hatred/fear of women to be creepy in ways that transcends even Trump’s lechery.

  95. 95.

    Ithink

    July 30, 2017 at 5:02 pm

    @Chris:

    Me too and O concur w/ all this but as quickly as Mueller is moving his woodchipper to expose the Hell mouth of corruption lying underneath the entirety of the Trump White House, with better luck, that atom bomb will go off in time for the midterms where a Democratic Party wave will sweep both houses and impeachment proceedings begin.

    If Donald is successfully removed from office or resigns ala’ chickens*** Nixon won’t matter. The G.O.P base as we know it will implode over the mere fact Dear Leader was rhetorically offed by an imaginary Deep State and easily turn on Pence, whom they were never crazy about in the first place. Whoever the Dems run for President, including a sidelined Hillary, in 2020 ought to quite easily ascend to the office over such an Armageddon.

  96. 96.

    ? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?

    July 30, 2017 at 5:02 pm

    @Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD):
    The Yellowstone caldera erupting would mean the end of civilization as we know it, which you allude to. I’m not sure if tanking Trump’s approval numbers is worth that

  97. 97.

    hellslittlestangel

    July 30, 2017 at 5:10 pm

    @Hildebrand: Sadly, I think you are underestimating the ability of hateful bigots to embrace anything that affirms their nastiness.

  98. 98.

    Ithink

    July 30, 2017 at 5:11 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?:

    Only thing Mike Pence is gonna make great again is the steep decline for prescription sleep aids nationwide. For Donald, a worldwide bankruptcy in tanning bed manufacturing, considering the long term after effects that plague his unlovely visage.

    With any luck, that’ll be the only thing regarding economic these two asshats will ever influence since we all know supply side “free market” Fundamentalism is like pouring hot battery acid down our throats and lighting a match on it. Wall St. & the stock market is frankly living on an extended acid trip with consumer confidence at an a time high patiently waiting for all these god awful deregulations they so clamor for.

  99. 99.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 5:13 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?: It’d sure ruin your day if you were visiting Yellowstone.

  100. 100.

    Major Major Major Major

    July 30, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    @Eric S.: I’m sure you’re not alone among the commentariat in having social anxiety disorder!

    But I thought congressional staffers did have to use Obamacare plans.

  101. 101.

    Another Scott

    July 30, 2017 at 5:15 pm

    @Eric S.: Good for you.

    We enjoyed our visit to Budapest years ago (for J’s conference). Did you get a chance to see the Terror House? That’s a scary, thought-provoking place!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  102. 102.

    James Powell

    July 30, 2017 at 5:17 pm

    @RepubAnon:

    Isn’t it interesting that Republicans apparently think that treating people the way Dagwood’s boss treats him in the Blondie comic strip is actually an effective leadership method?

    Republicans do not see others as neutrals or even opponents as people they need to persuade. They see everyone who is not fully on board with them as enemies to be destroyed. Rage, resentment, and fear are the only tools they own.

  103. 103.

    J R in WV

    July 30, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:

    @Another Scott:

    Pence is an idiot and a kook. He, too, would be very dangerous to us and the world should he become President.

    But he does have that “steely resolve” squint.

    No, Pence doesn’t have a steely resolve. He has a stupid look of fails to understand, and that’s his limit. Totally stupid at all times, including when he stares angrily.

    Sorry to disagree, but there it is.

  104. 104.

    Steeplejack

    July 30, 2017 at 5:20 pm

    @Eric S.:

    Glad to see you comment. Keep ’em coming!

  105. 105.

    feebog

    July 30, 2017 at 5:22 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?:

    The Yellowstone caldera erupting would mean the end of civilization as we know it, which you allude to. I’m not sure if tanking Trump’s approval numbers is worth that

    Maybe just an medium sized asteroid strike then.

  106. 106.

    hueyplong

    July 30, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    @J R in WV: But FoxNews is going to tell its viewers that Pence’s look is in fact steely resolve. They’ve overcome their viewers’ lying eyes and ears before.

    What I don’t know is how long the transition period would be for Hannity to move on from Trump’s Dolchstoßlegende.

  107. 107.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 30, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    @Eric S.:

    Admission time. I have Social Anxiety Disorder. It affects all parts of my life including my willingness to post comments on line. I’m seeing a shrink and things are getting better. Why put this out there now? I don’t know.

    For all the “pack of rabid jackals” occasional behaviour of Balloon Juicers, you will know (if you’ve been hanging around for any time at all) that we are really an extremely supportive community, who are there for each other when chips are down. I suspect you decided, maybe at a deep subconscious level, that we are to be trusted as you work on making whatever changes you need to.

    Whenever a Juicer admits to a vulnerability — they’re broke, going through a divorce, having a terrible time at work, dealing with an addiction, coping with a serious physical or mental illness, grieving a parent or spouse or cat — I always feel honoured to receive that confidence.

    I hope things get better for you and I hope you’ll post frequently.

  108. 108.

    sukabi

    July 30, 2017 at 5:26 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: if he’s found in a bed with anyone it will be a boy.

  109. 109.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    July 30, 2017 at 5:28 pm

    Sam Rosenfeld‏ sam_rosenfeld
    1. For all DT’s huffing & puffing about cong. and an “independent WH,” few presidents have been as existentially tied to their party’s fate.
    2. Forget agendas & “the partisan presidency”–GOP losing Cong in 2018 literally means impeachment & poss. imprisonment for DT’s loved ones.

    still a big hill to get people to the polls, and the polls working properly…

  110. 110.

    Brachiator

    July 30, 2017 at 5:29 pm

    @Eric S.: Great post! Glad you jumped in.

    Best wishes to you. We’re all in this together.

  111. 111.

    Brachiator

    July 30, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    @hueyplong:

    .But FoxNews is going to tell its viewers that Pence’s look is in fact steely resolve.

    I thought it was more strained and constipated. Go figure.

  112. 112.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 30, 2017 at 5:32 pm

    @sukabi:

    if he’s found in a bed with anyone it will be a boy.

    Will no one think of the barnyard animals?

  113. 113.

    Another Scott

    July 30, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    @sukabi: You’re thinking too small.

    He’s had (thinly disguised) fundraising parties at his official residence at the Naval Observatory. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if he’s considered bowls for keyswapping and rubber suits with green balloons… :-/

    Remember, all of these people think they’re entitled and that the rules don’t apply to them…

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  114. 114.

    sukabi

    July 30, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: baaaaaad.

  115. 115.

    Mike in NC

    July 30, 2017 at 5:37 pm

    @Another Scott: We thoroughly enjoyed our time in Budapest but didn’t have time to see the Terror Museum. I’d have probably liked it better than the opera house that was part of our tour. ZZZZZZZ

  116. 116.

    sukabi

    July 30, 2017 at 5:38 pm

    @Another Scott: and that’s where you’ve gone wrong… As twisted as that is, it’s still consentual. Pence strikes me as a predator that likes small, unwilling prey.

  117. 117.

    Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD)

    July 30, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?: Actually, no it most emphatically is not.

    And after all, we did survive Tambora. Now that he Siberian traps erupting, on the other hand…

  118. 118.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    July 30, 2017 at 5:45 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    Will no one think of the barnyard animals?

    He is from Indiana.

  119. 119.

    TriassicSands

    July 30, 2017 at 5:48 pm

    @Another Scott:

    We may be erecting our own Terror House (aka Trump Tower) at some time in the future.

  120. 120.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 30, 2017 at 5:50 pm

    @sukabi:

    baaaaaad.

    “Maaaaaa?”

  121. 121.

    Punchy

    July 30, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: You can bet the mortgage that the polls will not be working properly. Theres no incentive for Rs to run a proper election; that costs them the House. A Russia-aided rigged election, however, keeps them the House (and Trump his gig) and completely demoralizes the Dems.

    Bank on it.

  122. 122.

    TriassicSands

    July 30, 2017 at 6:01 pm

    @Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD):

    Repeat after me:

    There is no chance of a major earthquake in Seattle.
    There is no chance of a major earthquake in Seattle.
    There is no chance of a major earthquake in Seattle.

    and keep saying that…

  123. 123.

    Gretchen

    July 30, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    I went to my local election site yesterday to check the ballot for the primary Tuesday. It said there was no such voter. I’ve lived and voted here for 20 years. I tried my husband’s name. No such voter. We tried again a few hours later and we were back. Shenanigans?

  124. 124.

    Interstadial

    July 30, 2017 at 6:08 pm

    @Eric S.:

    A few minutes ago i came across a comment from a conservatibe college acquaintences suggesting Congress Critters should habe to sign up for “Obamacare”.

    They already have to, since that requirement was in the original law.

  125. 125.

    sukabi

    July 30, 2017 at 6:33 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: “snort”

  126. 126.

    ? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?

    July 30, 2017 at 6:45 pm

    @Butthurt Jordan Trombone (fka XTPD):
    Huh. Guess it was overblown. I thought it would have at least been capable of ending modern industrialized civilization. Luck us then!

  127. 127.

    ? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?

    July 30, 2017 at 6:47 pm

    @Gretchen:
    What state do you live in? I would definitely get in contact with your county board of elections ASAP

  128. 128.

    Ithink

    July 30, 2017 at 7:10 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka The Hope of the Universe) ? ?:
    Wait, what Peni$ scandal is happening w/ Pence?

  129. 129.

    Gretchen

    July 30, 2017 at 7:27 pm

    I live in Kansas. Kris Kobach is my Secretary of State in charge of election administration.

  130. 130.

    sukabi

    July 30, 2017 at 7:56 pm

    @Gretchen: make a stink. Make sure your voter registration is intact. And try and get as many people as you can to verify theirs as well. Might be worth it to put a bug in your local tv stations “problem solvers” ear and see if they can find out how prolific the “disappearing / reappearing” voter registration problem is.

  131. 131.

    Groucho48

    July 30, 2017 at 8:10 pm

    @Interstadial:

    Not only did they have to use Obamacare, Republicans specifically exempted Congress from having to switch from Obamacare to Trumpcare.

  132. 132.

    SFAW

    July 30, 2017 at 8:25 pm

    @Gretchen:

    Kris Kobach is my Secretary of State in charge of election administration.

    Well then, I’m sure that everything is working OK, and you’re just lying to us about being a registered voter. Pretty soon, I expect you’ll get a visit from KKKris KKKobach’s Secret Police Fraudulent Vote Fraud Protection Squad.

  133. 133.

    joel hanes

    July 30, 2017 at 10:28 pm

    @Brachiator:

    FoxNews is going to tell its viewers that Pence’s look is in fact steely resolve.

    Nope. It’s the characteristically blank face of a golem, animated clay or re-animated cadaver. I have to acknowledge the technical skill — on the other hand, whoever re-animated Hannity got the face all crooked, with a hairline deep in the uncanny valley.

    The squint thing is what they think people who can think do when they are thinking.

  134. 134.

    No One You Know

    July 31, 2017 at 1:36 am

    @Eric S.: Yes. I am sorry for your friend…but he does still have a friend. And a cat. Love and company revive the heart; when times are lean, they are the wealth that keep us. I’ve been hungry and survived, with effort…I got by with a little help from my friends. And cat.

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