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Republicans: The threats are dire, but my tickets are non-refundable!

“A king is only a king if we bow down.” – Rev. William Barber

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

Stand up, dammit!

No offense, but this thread hasn’t been about you for quite a while.

Not loving this new fraud based economy.

Someone should tell Republicans that violence is the last refuge of the incompetent, or possibly the first.

Dumb motherfuckers cannot understand a consequence that most 4 year olds have fully sorted out.

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

Everybody saw this coming.

Well, whatever it is, it’s better than being a Republican.

I am pretty sure these ‘journalists’ were not always such a bootlicking sycophants.

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

A fool as well as an oath-breaker.

Within six months Twitter will be fully self-driving.

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

Hi god, it’s us. Thanks a heap, you’re having a great week and it’s only Thursday!

Not all heroes wear capes.

You would normally have to try pretty hard to self-incriminate this badly.

Disagreements are healthy; personal attacks are not.

Our job is not to persuade republicans but to defeat them.

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

Trump’s cabinet: like a magic 8 ball that only gives wrong answers.

The willow is too close to the house.

You are here: Home / Politics / Politicans / NANCY SMASH! / Saturday Morning Open Thread: Never Bet Against Nancy Smash

Saturday Morning Open Thread: Never Bet Against Nancy Smash

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Every woman knows that when a guy does something important, it proves how smart & powerful he is; when a woman does something important, it proves some man gave her a (probably unearned) break. Politico, in its best Media Village Idiot suck-up mode, explains how “Pelosi rises again — thanks to Trump”:

Just months ago, Nancy Pelosi’s grip on power was tested again by rebellious Democrats frustrated with her leadership. Now she’s strategizing with President Donald Trump in phone calls and over dinner at the White House.

The dramatic reversal of fortune for the longtime House Democratic leader is forcing even her loudest critics to reconsider.

“While she’s here in this leadership position, I think there’s no one better to do the job,” said Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.), who vocally pushed for a leadership change earlier this summer. “I think this is a good start.”…

Both friends and critics of Pelosi within the caucus say her rising leverage is a good thing. Pelosi, who bills herself as a “master legislator,” may be able to broker some wins for her caucus that she likely wouldn’t be able to achieve with a more traditional Republican president, they say.

But some rank-and-file lawmakers say despite Pelosi’s power plays, the caucus could still use fresh leadership after next year’s elections if Democrats don’t take back the House. Other members say they’re watching the current bipartisan bonhomie warily, noting that there’s only so much Democrats can agree on with Trump…

Pelosi has tried to put Democrats at ease, arguing that she can be trusted not to compromise her party’s values.

“I’m a progressive from San Francisco. Proud liberal,” she told reporters Tuesday. “I have my own kind of credibility on these subjects.”

Those close to Pelosi also say she’s no amateur. She’s dealt with several presidents during her three decades in the House, particularly the past 15 years as Democratic leader — and won’t hesitate to call out Trump in areas where they disagree, large and small.

Pelosi was the one who challenged Trump during his first sit-down with congressional leaders after becoming president. At the time, Trump repeated a debunked claim that he lost the popular vote because of voter fraud, upon which Pelosi spoke up to tell him that was false.

For his part, Trump has limited his attacks on Pelosi since coming into office, not targeting her with some of the viciousness that he’s hurled toward others who criticize him…

“[We] are always hopeful that we can find common ground, which we have a responsibility to do,” Pelosi told reporters. “If we can’t find it, we stand our ground.”…

***********

Apart from giving thanks for strong (if underappreciated) women, what’s on the agenda for the day?

Reader Interactions

127Comments

  3. 3.

    Baud

    Nancy Pelosi’s grip on power was tested again by rebellious Democrats frustrated with her leadership

    Those rebellious Democrats weren’t even significant enough to be bumps on Pelosi’s ass.

  4. 4.

    Raven

    Crack of dawn here in suburban Windy City. We had about 30 people at a bar for an informal gathering before our 50th tonight. It was more fun than I’d hoped for with some funny characters and hilarious stories.

  5. 5.

    OzarkHillbilly

    I’m glad Nancy is on our side.

    My day: My son’s wedding.

    Also hoping the stockley protests remain relatively peaceful especially when I read shit like this:

    Several city streets were closed down to allow for growing crowds, which have swelled beyond a “free speech zone” the city designated for demonstration. Some protesters have taken to the streets carrying firearms and tactical gear, which is legal: Missouri is an open-carry state. Missouri governor Eric Greitens put the national guard on alert leading up to the verdict and some military units have been seen moving from barracks into the city throughout the afternoon.

    Thank you very much NRA. My son told me things were very ‘fluid’ up there yesterday. And tense. I do not expect there to be any impact on the wedding which is at the Zoo. At least not beyond the inevitable arguments.

  21. 21.

    gene108

    Good morning ?

    I don’t know how right-wingers can be so angry all the time. The current state of things has me exhausted.

  22. 22.

    ThresherK

    Those close to Pelosi also say she’s no amateur.

    Have we reached the most fcking Politico phrasing ever?

  24. 24.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @JPL: It is what it is. Finally improving after I got on the antibiotics Thursday (which was about 3 days later than it should have been) I really don’t expect them to be much more than a pain in my ass. Still, my son was taking his Groomscrew to a Tom Russell gig at Off Broadway last night and I bowed out as the better part of discretion and it was the right move.

  25. 25.

    Mustang Bobby

    Thank you, TaMara (HFG) for front-paging my comment yesterday. I’m still without internet and phone at home, but I did get cable back yesterday just in time to see Trump carrying on… small mercies are few.

    Today is my 65th birthday, so I am officially a Senior Citizen. I’m not retiring for another two years, but I’ve been advised to sign up for Medicare Part A even if I’m still under the school district’s plan, so I will comply.

    My agenda for the day is to finish up my birthday reward at Starbucks here in Pinecrest, FL, where they have WiFi and then go home and in the tradition of my age, take a nap.

  36. 36.

    ThresherK

    @Mustang Bobby: Enjoy your day!

    (PS I don’t really pay attention to folks’ ages here, but isn’t it only a matter of time til EFGoldman shows up and call you a kid?)

    @OzarkHillbilly: Enjoy, I totally have no idea if you have other children and if they’re married.

  40. 40.

    Another Scott

    @Mustang Bobby: Happy birthday, and congratulations on getting to 65 where some of the goodies you’ve been paying for for so long are finally available. It must be a bit of a relief, even if you don’t really need the extra coverage now.

    Maybe take the Pontmobile out for a spin if the weather cooperates?

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  43. 43.

    Mustang Bobby

    @Another Scott: Scott, I drove the Pontiac to work yesterday; it has a full tank and the Mustang is at 1/4. Gas is still a rare commodity in South Florida. It was fun and we’ve had nothing but clear skies since the storm passed.

    One of the goodies I’m signing up for is Miami-Dade Transit’s Golden Passport: I can ride the rails for free, and park for $11 a month. That will knock about 30 miles a day out of my commute and save a lot on gas, not to mention wear and tear on the car and my nerves in Miami traffic.

  51. 51.

    Proudgradofcatladyacademy

    Happy birthday Mustang Billy and glad you are safe! Congratulations to you Ozark,and your son and future daughter in law!

    @Mustang yes take the Medicare Part A the penalties for not doing so are probably not worth it.

  53. 53.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @Mustang Bobby: The streetcars were gone by the time I started forming memories bit I do have some of Union Station and riding the rails when trains were still a good way to get most anywhere in the country.

  55. 55.

    O. Felix Culpa

    @Raven: Greetings from (former) Windy City resident! Glad your reunion got off to a fun start.

    And good morning to one and all. Love me some Nancy Smash.

    ETA: I’m going to a joint Emily’s List/Democratic Party candidate training event today. Not sure I’ll run for anything, but it might be useful in supporting other local candidates’ races.

    Happy Birthday, Mustang Bobby!

  59. 59.

    debbie

    @Mustang Bobby:

    Happy birthday!

    When you get your Internet back, check out the SS site. Lots of stuff to read. Did you know you can file for benefits while you’re still working? Depending on your salary level, they may withhold a portion of the payments, but still, it’s money to sock away.

  61. 61.

    Kay

    This makes me nervous:

    Schumer made clear to Trump over Chinese food Wednesday night that major talks are impossible on White House priorities such as tax reform until the president can work with Democrats on the Dreamers and shoring up Obamacare, according to a person briefed on the dinner, and Pelosi agreed.

    Trump doesn’t know anything about taxes but his financial backers do and they don’t care about health care- they care the huge tax cuts they were promised. You all know how this goes- Republicans cut taxes and balloon the deficit and debt and then a Democrat is elected and there’s no money and Democratic priorities go out the window. They cannot set up the next President like they set up Obama, who was stuck with a budget disaster after the giant Bush tax cuts. It won’t happen immediately. Trump will benefit off the initial tax cuts and the budget/economic disaster will arrive later, just in time for the end of Trump’s Presidency. This is a replay of George W Bush. They’ll do huge tax cuts and massive deregulation and it’ll be one big party until it crashes, and it will crash.

    The bottom line is Democrats can’t rely on race-baiting and anti-immigrant hysteria to get elected, and Trump can. Trump can screw working people and get away with it because he doesn’t actually run on economic fairness. Democrats have to deliver on their economic platform and Trump doesn’t.

  62. 62.

    Kay

    If Trump gets his massive tax cuts the downside won’t show up immediately. It’s all win for him. He won’t be around for the effects 5 or 10 or 20 years out, but the Democratic Party will be and they’ll have to explain how they continued to cut deals based on lower taxes for millionaires and billionaires that worsened economic inequality and left no funding for programs that benefit 90% of people. George W Bush paid for conservative economic policy but only because of the crash. Trump could very easily escape a crash. Bush almost did.

  64. 64.

    HRA

    Happy Birthday, Mustang Bobby!
    Congratulations to the bride, groom and to Ozark Hillbilly.

    I will honor a granddaughters request to give a lesson on making my sauce and meatballs at 4 pm. There will be 4 of my family attending the no recipe session. Tomorrow will finally be the 1st family dinner of this season. Our youngest daughter’s wedding this summer and a granddaughter’s move on our street with Funday Sundays took up all the other family togetherness at our house. I am grateful and enjoying the 3rd generation taking over now. .

  65. 65.

    Kay

    I would be much more comfortable if they started with “hell, no” on tax reform. The urgency of the Dreamer issue is a bad deal component when it’s tied to taxes because wealthy people are playing a very long game and tax cuts won’t gut federal funding immediately- there won’t be an immediate downside. A short term, one time benefit is a bad trade for tax cuts.

  68. 68.

    Betty Cracker

    @OzarkHillbilly: Congrats to your son. Hope all goes smoothly!

    @Mustang Bobby: Happy birthday! I know that Starbucks well, if it’s the one off US 1 — spent a couple of hours there while a friend I was road-tripping with visited a relative in Kendall. I hope you go out and have some birthday fun — after your nap, of course.

    @HRA: I love that kind of gathering! My mother-in-law makes a wonderful red sauce that is beloved throughout the extended family, and she spent an afternoon here teaching my daughter and me how to make it. It’s a memory I’ll always cherish.

  69. 69.

    Kay

    Think about how tax cuts are perceived by the two groups- the group who make enough to pay federal income tax and the group who don’t. The group who don’t see no benefit at all and they don’t see the downside until years out. The trump supporters who don’t pay federal income tax don’t care if he does massive tax cuts to the rich. They don’t think it affects them at all. But supporters of Democrats in the “no federal income tax” group know better- they know when the tax cuts hit the budget they’re taking a hit. Democrats are in a fundamentally different position than Republicans are on taxes. They get no political benefit from tax cuts for rich people and they get all the downside, almost immediately.

  70. 70.

    Aimai

    @Kay: stop with the fear mongering. You act as though the demicrats like Pelosi and schumer are idiots. They will say what they have to while they pick trump’s pockets.

  71. 71.

    Kay

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:

    Sure they are. Trump is delivering on 2 big promises to rich people- he’s cutting their taxes and he’s deregulating. They don’t care about anything else. They traded everything for tax cuts and deregulation this time- they embraced racism, they risked this idiot starting a war, they are IN this. They have to get what they want or it’s all for naught. They gambled everything this time. They put the whole country on the table betting they’d get what they want. They’re as invested as a group could be. The worse he is for 90% of people the better he has to be for them, or it wasn’t worth it.

  73. 73.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    @Kay:

    The trump supporters who don’t pay federal income tax don’t care if he does massive tax cuts to the rich.

    But they do care, they think they’re getting a tax cut. When they don’t they’ll be pissed.

  74. 74.

    debit

    @Kay: I really respect you and appreciate your political acumen. But I have to agree with @Aimai: here. We simply don’t know thus far how much is bullshit to get Trump to “make a deal” and how much is real. I have to trust that Pelosi and Schumer know what they’re doing and wait until the end game becomes clear.

  76. 76.

    Kay

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:

    Trump’s main idea for stimulating the economy is boring as hell- it’s what we have heard for 30 years- it’s boiler plate Right wing economic theory. There’s not a bit of difference between Trump’s plan and Brownback’s plan except Trump can create a deficit which puts off the political reckoning and Brownback couldn’t. Brownback got caught. Trump probably won’t.

    Kasich is like Brownback-lite on conservative economic theory but he’s a governor so he can’t run a deficit and he has a billion dollar hole that necessitates cutting spending on everything unless they raise taxes. Trump won’t have to cut spending. That’ll be left to the President who comes after him.

  77. 77.

    Betty Cracker

    @Kay: Trump is a liar and incompetent, though, which I hope we work to our advantage. Here’s what he said earlier this week:

    “The rich will not be gaining at all with this plan.”

    That’s a big, fat lie, of course — almost all the gains in the GOP tax proposal go to the rich. I hope the Dems demagogue the demagogue on this. You’re right to point out we’re perpetually behind the 8-ball on tax cuts, but so is the GOP since they always give the lion’s share to fat cats.

  79. 79.

    Kay

    @debit:

    In my experience with Pelosi she is remarkably disciplined about what she says. She does not say things she can’t achieve. I don’t know about Schumer- he strikes me as more of a bullshitter, but Pelosi cares about credibility – I think that’s part of why she’s such an effective legislator- she doesn’t use puffery or bluffing. If she says they have a deal to make a deal, then that is true because she never over-promises.

  80. 80.

    debit

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: I always have to laugh at people who say “my taxes are paying for THOSE people or THAT thing.” Low and lower middle class people pay in to Social Security and Medicare. Any withholding is most like refunded. A tax cut for them is going to be a fart in the wind.

  81. 81.

    Marc

    I’m taking all three of Miri’s kitts to get their teeth cleaned @Banfield. They hate their cat carriers, and really hate riding in the car. I may stop at BevMo on the way home…send prayers!

  82. 82.

    Quinerly

    Absolutely no reason for “protestors” to be breaking our mayor’s windows at her Central West End home here in St. Louis. I’m appalled. This is what gets covered in the press. The narrative is lost.

  83. 83.

    Betty Cracker

    @Kay: Pelosi is as shrewd as they come. I trust her. I was skeptical about Schumer, but I think he’s played the shitty hand he was dealt admirably so far.

  87. 87.

    Kay

    @Betty Cracker:

    Right but politically what it means is the rich win and Trump supporters don’t lose. They don’t even admit they receive federal subsidies. They’re surely not worried about the federal budgeting for those subsidies 5 years out.

    Conservatives who don’t make enough to pay federal income taxes don’t care about tax cuts for rich people because they don’t see any harm as a result of them. That’s where the whole bullshit about how Democrats are “jealous” of rich people comes from- they’re literally saying “what’s the harm in giving wealthy people a huge tax cut? Why do you care? Are you envious of their success?” They don’t make the connection between benefits they receive and the Democratic tax policy that allows those programs to exist.

  89. 89.

    debit

    @Marc: Oh man. Good luck. My Julian has his annual appointment next Saturday and I’m dreading trying to get him into his carrier. Last time I ended up with panic poop all over me, an empty carrier, a stressed out cat and a cancelled appointment. I may end up just harnessing him and hoping his amazing acrobatic ability will fail him when he tries to get out of it.

  90. 90.

    Kay

    @Betty Cracker:

    And, paradoxically (!) Democrats make SURE they don’t feel any pain as a result of conservative tax policy. Democrats went to the wall over Obamacare to save health care for Trump voters.

    They can back Trump’s tax policy! There’s no pain at all associated with it. Democrats will intervene and make sure they don’t lose their health care and they can continue to back Trump and his tax cuts and it’s all fine for them.

    I really struggled with this. I had misgivings every day about fighting for their fucking health care because at some point there has to be pain associated with the people they support and I don’t know when that day comes. Never? To quote Pelosi, is it “never”?

    These people are literally my neighbors and for the first time in my adult life I was like “you know what? I don’t care what happens to you. You were warned and screeching at those rallies was more important than insulin or opiate addiction treatment or immunizations for your children. You made your bed”.

  91. 91.

    CarolDuhart2

    @Quinerly: Yes, that’s not the right thing to do. But given the circumstances, I’m not surprised. It’s not her fault the acquittal happened, and there’s nothing she can do about it. But cold-blooded murder needs a response beyond, “just suck it up”. Something needs to be done, and somebody has to come up with a solution for the problem, and I don’t expect the angry window breakers to come up with one.

  92. 92.

    Raven

    More observations. There is a large Islamic center right across from my high school, Hispanic and African American folks heavily represented. It wasn’t like this 50 years ago.

  97. 97.

    Kay

    This whole thing has been very interesting, because it was a low-level battle prior to DeVos and (of course) conservatives knew Cordray was doing it but he had Obama so he could war with Obama’s ed dept and it stayed under the radar.

    What Cordray did was take the definition of “consumer lender” and extend it to cover student loans. That gave him tools to use. I think it’s very simple for him- they ARE consumer lenders. He recognized that the US Department of Education either does not have the tools they need to regulate or will not use them. He battled with Duncan over this and it’s now out in the open because DeVos is much worse than Duncan (and Duncan was pretty bad for borrowers).

    Student borrowers need a smart, really ruthless lawyer and Cordray is that, despite his mild-mannered appearance. He’s brutal and genuinely creative – not a strength for lawyers, generally, creativity- in reaching bad actors. It’s why he was a great AG.

    DeVos’s latest move has been to end a partnership with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The Education Department had been sharing information with the CFPB on companies that collect payments on federal student loans (also known “servicers”), under a memorandum of understanding between the two agencies. Those reports will stop at the end of September, according to a letter from two DeVos underlings. In the letter, the Education Department complained that the CFPB’s “intervention” in the student-loan market “expand[s] its jurisdiction into areas that Congress never envisioned…. to include the Department’s federally contracted loan servicers.”

  100. 100.

    Formerly disgruntled in Oregon

    And let’s never forget that our Nancy earned her Master Legislator title many times, especially that one time she saved Obamacare. (Apologies for the FYNYT link)

  101. 101.

    Villago Delenda Est

    The Villager vermin never cease to be fucking ridiculous. The “revolt” against Pelosi was bullshit from a back bencher dipshit from Ohio eager to get his name in the news. The Village, of course, seeking “drama”, responded as they do.

    The need has never been greater.

    Wipe them out. All of them.

  102. 102.

    kindness

    I love me some Nancy Smash! She is a great Democrat. It’s funny how a certain contingent within the party insists Nancy is a horrible leader because look at the losses of Democrats since Jimmy Carter. I guess that is one way to their side becoming dominant. Run the other side out of town on a rail. But ya know, that mentality shares all too much with the burn it all down notions of Bannon and his ilk. Do I really want to be associated with that? No. I don’t. Guess I’m just a moderate to liberal Democrat. Times of incredible stress bring out some of our best and some of our worst. It’s up to us to choose which way.

  103. 103.

    Kathleen

    This is related to downstairs thread but I’m old enough to remember when Obama’s solitude was sign if his “other” blackety black arrogance. and outsiderness.

  105. 105.

    MomSense

    Happy for Raven’s great reunion experience, Mustang Bobby’s ? birthday ? and hoping for a beautiful wedding for OH’s son.

    It’s a cold, cloudy day here and I don’t mind because I just had a new dryer delivered and I’ve got some laundry to do. Joy Reid is on and I plan to be be washing, drying, and folding.

  106. 106.

    MomSense

    @Kathleen:

    Too aloof, doesn’t connect, blah blah blah. I’d hear the a$$hole pundits blather on about that BS while watching people hug him, see their faces light up when he talked with them. Let’s be honest about what happened. Republicans and the majority of our news media criticized him and maligned him non-stop. The Republican’s big donors wanted to prevent the most charismatic and capable politician in a generation from enacting policies that would have made them more responsible and accountable. And hey those same big moneyed interests own and/or advertise the media outlets.

  107. 107.

    Suzanne

    @OzarkHillbilly: Congrats to you and your son and his spouse and y’all’s whole family.

    Today: Campaign kickoff event for my state rep and state senator. While last Election Day sucked bigly on a national level, my local LD did well, and now we have to get these two reelected!

    Also today: CATCH POKÉMON.

  116. 116.

    Villago Delenda Est

    @Mustang Bobby: Happy birthday! Oh, and, grudgingly, Baud as well, and not so grudgingly, debbie!

    OzarkHillbilly: Many congratulations and warm wishes for a splendid honeymoon and great partnership for OzarkHillbillyJr and new spouse!

  120. 120.

    EmbraceYourInnerCrone

    @debit You may have already tried this in the past so feel free to ignore the unsolicited advice but I figured out a way to get my cats(once 3 now sadly down to one, but they were 17 and 16 and had long happy lives…) in their carriers without too much pain and panic:
    Start before the scheduled visit or ideally leave the carrier out all the time. put the the carrier some place out of high traffic areas, maybe near a place the cat likes to sleep already. Put a soft Tshirt you have worn and not washed in the carrier and if possible some cat treats or a toy the cat likes. If possible prop the door of the carrier open or temporarily remove it. My cats took a day or two before they started exploring and another day before they would some times sleep in it but since they loved boxes and shopping bags to hide in it didn’t take too long before they stopped fearing the carrier. They still yowled all the way to the vet and hissed at all the dogs in the waiting room but at least I was able to make it there.. Good luck with your kitty

  121. 121.

    Marc

    @debit: I got them there – Flynn took some blood from me getting into the carrier, and now three very stressed kitties are in Banfields hands. I bought some “special” wet food (read: expensive) to be served upon their return home. Still thinking about BevMo though..,.

  123. 123.

    Mel

    @Marc: Kudos! Thank goodness human hands and sanity are all intact! Three kittehs in one vet transport run requires near Gandalf level wizardry, and serious cat whispering skills.

    You’re a good cat Dad!

  124. 124.

    Marc

    @Mel: I blame my memory getting worse as I get older. It wasn’t fun when I took those three to be ‘fixed’, and I’m sure they now associate the cat carrier = missing body parts. No wonder they put up a fight. But the earliest date for an appointment (today) was over two months from their previous visit (comprehensive exam) – and Banfield had three spots open for today. So, I made the appointment, figuring I could handle it. Yeah.

  125. 125.

    katep

    @OzarkHillbilly: I hope all went well. i saw that there was an attempt to shut down Forest Park yesterday. I didn’t know the zoo would hold weddings. St Louis Zoo is an amazing place. My grandson went to preschool there. Every young child should have an experience like that. I’d love to see pictures.

  126. 126.

    mskitty

    @Another Scott: Haven’t read the whole thing yet (Trump’s request to dismiss the Emoluments suit) – and I will – THANKS for the reference – but when one of the citations is to a dictionary, you KNOW i’s going to be so much twisty BS. Heh – what else -??? from our bullshitter-in-chief?

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