Is Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder running for president?
"Yeah, I'm thinking about it," he tells @chrislhayes
Watch. pic.twitter.com/HDGUJlxlS1
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) April 18, 2018
Interesting. I was listening and had to come back and rewind to make sure I heard correctly.
Busy day here – we had wind gusts up to 85 mph, electricity was out for long periods, trees down all around – luckily none impacted my yard directly – although the neighbor’s tree just missed my fence as it came down.
My yard is littered with sticks, but that’s the worst of it.
How did your day wind down?
And also: RIP Carl Kasell
TaMara (HFG)
Pulling and putting back up in 30 minutes.
efgoldman
Our yard is covered in sticks, and twigs, and a few very large branches that would have damaged the house or shed with a direct hit. It was a long winter in New England
Adam L Silverman
Here’s something no one has yet to address: does the President get invited to the funeral? Does he go? Can you imagine his behavior?
rk
How many more Kenyan muslims can be commander in chief? White people’s heads are going to explode!
Old Dan and Little Anne
I googled hannity to find out if he was on the radio today and wound up reading a Twitter feed of his supporters for a minute. Bad mistake.
dmsilev
Tell me about it. I spent about fourteen hours at work this weekend, plus a long day yesterday, and finally got two crises under control by the middle of this afternoon. I then asked my minions if they could please defer any additional crises until next Monday at the earliest.
Adam L Silverman
@rk: The real issue is the conspiracy freaks will be out of the woodwork because of BATF’s Operation Fast and Furious. Even though it started during the Bush 43 administration, they are convinced Holder came up with it and is still hiding something to protect President Obama. I’ve had people tell me that the real point of the op was to get weapons south of the border for the CIA so that they could invade the southwestern US from Mexico. I then asked if what was being suggested was that the US was going to invade the US? The people telling me this said yes.
Anya
I don’t really think Eric Holder is thinking about running but why did he say that? Even if he was really thinking about it, it doesn’t help to show your hards this early.
zhena gogolia
@Adam L Silverman:
I don’t see how they can fail to invite him, but he’ll probably decline. He wouldn’t be the center of attention.
dmsilev
@Adam L Silverman: I can’t imagine that Barbers was very fond of him to put it mildly, and she was the sort who I can definitely imagine leaving instructions specifically on who to snub at her funeral.
Starfish
We were having trees planted today in the wind. I am thankful that the Tree Farm people staked them down really well. Facebook people were passing around this video of a trampoline in the wind. There were reports that a trampoline had struck power lines somewhere.
RobertDSC-Mac Mini
How about no, Mr. Attorney General. Stick to what you are doing now. Leave it to someone else, preferably younger than you.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@Adam L Silverman: Generally, they’d only invite the current and former First Ladies.
ETA: Though I could see them inviting Bill Clinton since Barbara thought of him highly(I think she even called him a son).
lamh36
Wow…is this real life What a world..
@samjcharles
Method Man and Ghostface Killah are hanging out with James Comey and may be discussing the Wu-Tang album that Martin Shkreli bought.
Starfish
@RobertDSC-Mac Mini: At 67, he is younger than both Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders.
Calouste
Holder will be 69 in 2020 and has no elected experience. I suggest he keeps his thinking to thinking.
Although he would make an awesome lighting rod for RWNJ conspiracy theories.
HinTN
@Adam L Silverman: Protocol demands it; he cannot resist; no, I cannot.
SATSQ
HinTN
@HinTN:
Ok, maybe not. Plus I agree that she might have left specific instructions.
mai naem mobile
The Obama alums I would like to see running is Jeh Johnson and Ash Carter. I don’t have a problem with Castro except I think he’s too young and needs more seasoning. Ash Carter is running some kind of Innovation collaborative organization at MIT or/and Harvard. I saw him on CNBC and I am even more impressed by him.
Adam L Silverman
Ooopsie!
frosty
My day wound down by driving east from Pittsburgh through snow flurries. In April. Latish April. Ugh.
OTOH, came back from seeing my elder spawn and celebrating his birthday in our family tradition, by going out to whatever restaurant the B-day person wants. He picked Texas de Brazil. Oh my, that was quite a lot of meat for dinner. And really good, too. And also one of the biggest checks I can remember picking up.
John Revolta
@zhena gogolia: @dmsilev: Be nice if they invited him, and he went, and Babs left one of those videos to be played at the memorial…………………………….. ;^)
Tim C.
@Adam L Silverman: he was always the primordial Bernie
debbie
@Adam L Silverman:
Oh, that is sure to go over very well.
Adam L Silverman
@HinTN: These things happen…
Adam L Silverman
@frosty: I’ve been. I’m a huge fan of the beef ribs! That said, we have a small, family owned Brazilian chirascuria in the area that I prefer to go to. They don’t have quite the selection of meat that Texas de Brazil has, but I make it up on volume!
mad citizen
Been awake for 19 hours today, flying from Indiana to New Orleans for a three days of meetings. No issues on my Southwest flights, so am grateful for that.
SectionH
Sounds to me like Doug!worthy trolling from Holder. Well, reads, I can’t play the video here. Hope that’s not just wishful thinking.
magurakurin
@RobertDSC-Mac Mini: It’s a free country. If he wants to run, he’s welcome. I don’t plan to vote for anyone eligible for SSI in the primary, though. Might be ageist, don’t care. A lot of people are going to run next cycle. It will be Thunderdome.
Adam L Silverman
@Tim C.: @debbie: I’m pretty sure it’s the same extremist group doing business as a socio-cultural outreach group that paid for Congresswoman Gabbard’s junket to Syria about 3 or 4 years ago.
chris
@Adam L Silverman:
Wait til they hear about the border with Canada. 3500 miles long, mostly undefended against the socialist horde.
(I was way too late to comment on it so thank you for your piece on Andre Bissonette and his twitter friends. I was concerned that it would get little to no coverage south of the border but you and Charlie Pierce came through.)
Bobby Thomson
@Adam L Silverman:
That’s a lot of words for Russia.
Adam L Silverman
@Tim C.: @debbie: Looks like the latest check from Putin to his dad cleared!
rk
@Adam L Silverman:
Well they have a conspiracy all ready to go. They’ll invent a few more just to be on the safe side.
Mike J
@mad citizen: I once awoke in Columbia, MO at 4am to catch a bus to St Louis where I caught a plane that had an engine failure and had to return and then got on anther plane that got diverted because of weather before I got into Boston at 2am.
dmsilev
@Adam L Silverman:
Maybe they think the idea is to get the US to commit to some post-invasion nation-building as a way of rebuilding our infrastructure.
Hey, it worked (sort of) for Grand Fenwick.
Adam L Silverman
@chris: You’re welcome.
Aleta
@?BillinGlendaleCA: Former FL/P attendance for some FL funerals, incl Madison, Roosevelt, Truman and some photos. It seems to be somewhat by party or friendship; also somewhat according to whether a current or former FL or Pres is able or wants to go.
http://www.firstladies.org/blog/first-ladies-at-the-funerals-of-other-first-ladies/
sukabi
@mad citizen: there’s always the trip home now you’ve tempted fate.?
Adam L Silverman
@dmsilev: Nope. It was a very old friend and teacher who has gone off the rails egged on by his loon of a friend who does nothing but gets him in trouble. And has done so for decades.
Villago Delenda Est
@Adam L Silverman: Kucinich is slime. In the immortal phrase of efgoldman…
On Barbara Bush’s funeral: I imagine that all the living first ladies would be invited, to include Melania, but as others have noted, she may have left instructions on Donald.
Now, at HW’s funeral, the sitting President, no matter how tainted, by protocol has to be there. I expect a lot of fidgeting on Donald’s part…another disgraceful display of how he’s unfit for even the purely ceremonial aspects of the office.
Ruckus
@magurakurin:
I’m way past old enough for SS, in fact I’m receiving my monthly tomorrow.
And that really does slant my take on this. Here it is.
I’m not in favor of anyone old enough to get SS running for president. And I think Holder is a good guy. But damn the minimum age is 35, do we really need someone who is twice or very nearly twice that? The old farts have had their run and what have most of them done for the country?
Jim, Foolish Literalist
@Aleta: I don’t know much about protocol, and less about fashion, but is it weird that Nancy Reagan wore white to both Lady Bird J’s and Betty Ford’s funerals?
Omnes Omnibus
@Adam L Silverman: They exist.
lamh36
I’m off to bed, but first, had some broccoli that I needed to cook before it went bad, some elbow mac…and some mozzarella cheese mix..so I made Broccoli Casserole!! This one could serve 8-10 depending on if I use it as an appetizer or as a side!
Before & After
https://twitter.com/psddluva4evah/status/986406724927180800
Gonna spend a couple of hours internet surfing and lurking until I fall asleep
magurakurin
@Ruckus: Yeah, I totally agree. But I’m sure we’ll be hearing how Harris and Booker, in their 50’s, are too young. Hell, they are borderline in my (our) book. I’m 55 and I’d really like to see someone younger than me get the nod next time around.
Amir Khalid
@Adam L Silverman:
The British Royal Family despises Trump, just like most Britons and a majority of Americans. Y’know how they made Harry and Meghan’s wedding a family occasion, rather than a state one, so that Theresa May would have no power to add Trump to the guest list? The Bushes too despise Trump, and the senior members of the family are private citizens now with no real obligation to invite him. I expect they will choose to snub him.
catclub
@dmsilev: Those walmart basements gotta be re-purposed – invasion routes.
catclub
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: Theologically ( yeah, right, Nancy Reagan) it makes sense. For Christians a funeral should emphasize that we are a resurrection people.
hervevillechaizelounge
@Bobby Thomson:
Seriously, my first thought was Kucinich was paid in rubles; why isn’t anyone in the MSM making a bigger deal out of his deal with RT?
Russia is fucking with our elections to install republicans; even if I believed Hillary was raping 6-year old crisis actors on a bed of thick-crust cheesy pepperoni I’d still understand Putin is NOT our friend. WTF?
frosty
@Adam L Silverman:
Which part of Florida would that be? We’re booked* for the Panhandle next year, but there’s always a next time.
* FL State Park** campgrounds take reservations 11 months in advance, so we’re working on the next trip as soon as we get back from the last one.
** The Real Florida (TM). 3-time Best of US award winners, and they deserve it.
Adam L Silverman
@Villago Delenda Est: Speculation on MSNBC earlier is that either the VP, the First Lady, or both will go as the President has gone to Mar a Lago for the week and has no plans to leave it once his summit with PM Abe ends. Except, of course, to play golf.
jl
A lot of people can run for president. Holder;s one of them, looks like. I don’t think he’ll get far. So, let him run. On some issues he’s great, on others, somewhat, but only slightly somewhat, better than Cuomo or Rahm.
Adam L Silverman
@Omnes Omnibus: Unfortunately.
jl
Saw this and it surprised me. Someone tell AS, so he can add it to his Mattis file. Comey, eat your heart out.
@MaggieNYT
Mattis Wanted Congressional Approval Before Striking Syria. He Was Overruled. via @NYTimes
https://twitter.com/maggieNYT/status/986405499011846144
Found via Josh Marshall’s twitter feed.
SFAW
Infrastructure Week always seems to take longer.
Adam L Silverman
@frosty: It is in Pinellas Park. I go when I’m in town visiting family. So about 5 hours or so from where you’re going to be.
Adam L Silverman
@jl: I already read it, but thanks for thinking of me. Also, its ALS. I always use my middle initial as there are at least 1/2 a dozen other Adam Silvermans out there – all younger than me.
jl
@Adam L Silverman: Yes, ALS. The article gives a good, and relatively reassuring, given the circumstances, picture of Mattis’ thinking on Syria policy. Hope he can continue his stunts on Trump and keep from getting fired.
And… it is always infrastructure week. So people should get used to it.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
I swear this woman is living out the political version of George Constanza’s “opposite” experiment.
Hkedi [Kang T. Q.]
@SFAW:
I remember saying yesterday “Oh God, This week is going to be like last week” It seems like that is the way it is going to be.
Adam L Silverman
@jl: Because he keeps his head down and his mouth shut. He stays out of the media. Doesn’t upstage the President. Keeps his eyes on the objective and moves to occupy it. Also, the President needs Mattis much more than Mattis needs the President. Or to be Secretary of Defense.
Adam L Silverman
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
https://www.theatlantic.com/news/archive/2017/01/the-organization-that-sent-tulsi-gabbard-to-syria/514763/
Major Major Major Major
I’m having a great week! Pro tip: be on vacation in a news-cycle-proof time zone.
jl
@Adam L Silverman: I vaguely remember reading something about Marine battle tactics against organized military forces (which besides my vague memory, was probably BS anyway) only have two modes of operation: hunker down in defensive position or all out attack to obtain a specific objective.
So, probably horseshit what I think I remember, but I guess it fits.
Adam L Silverman
I believe the legal types call this an admission against interest.
frosty
@Adam L Silverman: So, not this time. We were in Little Manatee SP last year and Ft De Soto County Park the year before. When we made sure to hit the Columbia in Ybor City.
Adam L Silverman
@jl: Here you go:
https://www.usmcofficer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/MCDP-1-Warfighting.pdf
https://www.usmcofficer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/MCDP-1-3-Tactics.pdf
https://www.usmcofficer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/MCDP-3-Expedetionary-Operations.pdf
https://www.usmcofficer.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/MCDP-1-2-Campaigning.pdf
And my personal favorite:
http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/swm/ch01.pdf
Major Major Major Major
@Adam L Silverman: what the hell does that mean
Mary G
I want the next president to be like this:
(New PM of New Zealand. Not even married.)
America is falling behind the times with this old man!
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/new-zealand-s-prime-minister-unmarried-pregnant-going-maternity-leave-n866441?cid=sm_npd_nn_tw_ma
frosty
@Hkedi [Kang T. Q.]:
Is there a website with like, daily headlines? Was it last Monday that we learned about the Cohen search? I need something to help me keep track of time.
Adam L Silverman
@frosty: Its about a 20 to 25 minute drive from FT DeSoto.
Adam L Silverman
@Major Major Major Major: That the President is a spy. That’s what he tweeted.
Who knows?
frosty
@Adam L Silverman: I’ll look it up. We usually look for Cuban* but this would be a nice change.
*found an awesome storefront lunchtime place in Ocala next to a bike shop I went to for repairs.Havana Cafe, still my favorite. Been there two years in a row now.
Adam L Silverman
@frosty: It’s called Terra Mar.
http://www.terramarsteakhouse.com/
And now I’m hungry!
clay
@Adam L Silverman: Do you think Trump will make a connection between the anti-democratic strongman in charge of Turkey that he keeps praising, and the “persecution for no reason” of innocent people that he now decries?
James Powell
@mai naem mobile:
Ashton Carter: Yale University, B.A. in physics and medieval history, 1976 (summa cum laude); Oxford University, Rhodes Scholar, Ph.D. in theoretical physics, 1979.
No way can this guy be president of this nation of morons and half wits, dolts, dunces, dullards and dumbbells. They hated Al Gore for being the smartest guy in the room. Hillary Clinton was over-prepared. This guy’s a Rhodes scholar with a PhD in theoretical physics!
dww44
@zhena gogolia: I so hope you are right. I could use a day when he’s not the center of attention.
?BillinGlendaleCA
@clay:
No.
Major Major Major Major
@Adam L Silverman: yes, I was able to discern the words, but I feel like what trump thinks he meant is a few steps of inferential distance removed.
Adam L Silverman
@clay: No. Anything else I can help you with?
burnspbesq
@Adam L Silverman:
Am I wrong to think that Erdogan’s play here is to try to trade Brunson for Gulen, and that Trump is dumb enough to fall for it?
Adam L Silverman
@Major Major Major Major: I haven’t gotten the updated translation keys, let alone my check, from Soros, so I can’t help you.//
Hkedi [Kang T. Q.]
@frosty: It would be lovely to have a site like that. I think we are starting to approach the wingnutlarity, time seems to be stretching out with the constant criminal/political outrages.
Adam L Silverman
@burnspbesq: I honestly don’t know. I don’t know much about the case and the person I’d normally ask – former grad assistant of mine – just left for a research trip to Turkey and so getting an answer anytime soon is unlikely.
Adam L Silverman
HAAAAAWKAAAAA!!!!!!
https://io9.gizmodo.com/steven-spielberg-will-bring-dc-comics-blackhawk-to-the-1825338201
Major Major Major Major
@James Powell: Bill Clinton was a Rhodes Scholar, no PhD though.
Mike J
@frosty: I
https://whatthefuckjusthappenedtoday.com/
Mike J
@Major Major Major Major: No D Phil, but he got a JD when he came back to the states.
frosty
@Mike J: Good start, but too wordy. I know the details, I just want bullets of “headlines” under dates so I can keep track of WTF happened last week? Yesterday? Monday???
ETA: and with that I’m off to bed.
ruemara
@Adam L Silverman You know the best morons.
chris
@frosty: Try The List by Amy Siskind. Last week’s has 163 items.
(Yes, I know, Amy Siskind.)
clay
@Adam L Silverman:
Well, I’ve got some Pre-Calculus tests I need to grade. Also, I’ve had a persistent feeling of dread and ennui for around 17 months now.
sukabi
@Adam L Silverman: sounds like dimbulb has admitted to working for the Russians…not a puppet, a spy.
Major Major Major Major
@Mike J: yeah but people view those as professional degrees.
Adam L Silverman
@ruemara: Unfortunately.
Adam L Silverman
@clay: Can’t help much on the former.
On the latter: keep the faith, take care of the little things, take care of yourself, stay informed, and make sure everyone you know and everyone they know is registered to vote and then make sure that they all vote come November and any special elections.
Original Lee
@Adam L Silverman: I hope the Bush family opts for a private funeral, although I can’t imagine how awful it must feel to have to take into consideration the likelihood of the Mango Manchild misbehaving at the service at this point in time.
Hkedi [Kang T. Q.]
Well I’m off to bed myself, but I just ran into a little bit of prose that made me sit up and notice. It comes from a webcomic,http://guildedage.net/. not perfect, but there’s a bit of truth there in these dark times.
The quote is:
Cckids
@dmsilev:
Didn’t she call Trump a disgrace during the campaign? I can hear him now “She wasn’t very nice to me, but now she’s dead, serves her right”.
He’s just a buffoon.
Original Lee
OT, but I am pretty convinced that a big part of the problem with Trumpkins is that their reading comprehension skills are terrible.
I recently posted a (for fun) question on FB: Name 3 songs that embody the essence of rock music. I’ve been getting some really good answers, except from the dyed-in-the-wool supporters of Donny Dollhands. Every single one of those idiots gives an answer that does not match the question, and only one of them has given a list with three items. (Most of them list either 5 or 10 items.)
Just amazing.
mainmata
@zhena gogolia: Pretty sure that all the Bushes loathe Trump. I can’t imagine it ever happening but you’re right; it’s not about him so he’s not interested.
opiejeanne
Aw man, Carl Kassel. I was wondering why he wasn’t on Wait Wait when we listened to it on our last two road trips. I don’t know how he could have worked so long with Alzheimers, because I’ll swear that he was still on the air at some point last year.
They mentioned him on a show in March, can’t remember if it was Carl Kassel on Your Answering Machine or something else but it was something similar.
ETA It must have been a rerun show we heard, or a Best Of.