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You are here: Home / Organizing & Resistance / Don't Agonize - Organize / More GOP Fvckery Open Thread: Mitch McConnell Makes A Move

More GOP Fvckery Open Thread: Mitch McConnell Makes A Move

by Anne Laurie|  June 5, 20187:14 pm| 216 Comments

This post is in: Don't Agonize - Organize, Election 2018, Open Threads, Republican Venality, Assholes

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SENATE cancels recess. House still leaves for the month of August to campaign. https://t.co/8i21nl30dQ

— Alex Moe (@AlexNBCNews) June 5, 2018

Per the Washington Post:

… The Senate will now recess for one week in August instead of four, said McConnell (R-Ky.). He made the announcement in a closed-door lunch with Republican senators, according to several people familiar with his comments who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

His decision has been widely anticipated in the Senate Republican Conference. Some GOP senators sent a letter to McConnell last month urging him to keep the chamber in session to vote on nominations and legislation, and Senate leaders have said the appetite to stay in town has grown in their ranks…

The additional workweeks in August mean that endangered Democratic senators on the ballot this year will face a dilemma: Stay in Washington and attend to Senate business during time they could otherwise use to campaign back home or remain in their states and face criticism that they are shirking their responsibilities in government.

The new schedule could also enable their Republican challengers — many of whom hail from the private sector or state government — to have the states to themselves during the late summer stretch…

Senate Republicans’s priority in the midterms is trying to keep control of the chamber. They hold a slim 51-to-49 advantage.

President Trump’s low approval ratings and the swirl of controversy around the White House have Republican strategists worried about the party’s standing headed toward the fall. With every House seat up, many Republicans have privately concluded their majority on one side of the Capitol may be all but gone.

A more favorable Senate map has given them greater confidence about holding on to the upper chamber of Congress…

McConnell is in full “when you can’t win, just change the rules” mode. This proves how scared they are. #VOTE pic.twitter.com/OHICHRX49x

— golden state warrior blond (@goldengateblond) June 5, 2018

Also… "The Democrats are awful because they are preventing us from taking a month off work" is probably not an argument sympathetic to most Americans.

— Ryan Patrick (@RyanPatrick219) June 5, 2018

To spell it out: adding a couple weeks to the legislative calendar for 2018 suggests that he isn't expecting to be in charge of it in 2019.

To spell it out further: he thinks the GOP is going to lose control of the Senate.

— Alexandra Erin (@alexandraerin) June 5, 2018

I've seen a lot of pieces about how democrats are too optimistic, but the GOP tends to poll deeply and play the data close to its vest. If Mitch is not confident of his chances to remain majority leader, I'd take his worries seriously.

— Alexandra Erin (@alexandraerin) June 5, 2018

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Reader Interactions

216Comments

  1. 1.

    TenguPhule

    June 5, 2018 at 7:24 pm

    To spell it out: adding a couple weeks to the legislative calendar for 2018 suggests that he isn’t expecting to be in charge of it in 2019.

    So he plans to burn it all down and let the Democrats try and build from the ashes.

    Fuck the Turtle. Soup!

  2. 2.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 5, 2018 at 7:34 pm

    It’s going to be an interesting election night in California and a very interesting summer as well.

  3. 3.

    Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et al.)

    June 5, 2018 at 7:34 pm

    How many do they need for a quorum? What if Democrats just didn’t show up to make a quorum? Are there enough Democrats who don’t have any patience for this, “Well, yes, the Republicans are behaving badly, but we don’t want to do anything rash that might threaten the legendary comity of the Senate” shit to keep them from reaching a quorum?

  4. 4.

    dmsilev

    June 5, 2018 at 7:35 pm

    Is this really going to make much difference for Democratic incumbents? I mean, how much Senate campaigning is face to face events vs. teams of campaign workers, volunteers, and ads?

  5. 5.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 5, 2018 at 7:40 pm

    To spell it out further: he thinks the GOP is going to lose control of the Senate.

    Who knows? There are so many states– TN for them, MO for us, NV for them, WV for us– that I think are going to be won by razor thin margins. But we can make those fuckers fight every step of the way.

    I would hope Donnelly has a significant ad strategy built around the whole Carrier fraud, but again, what do I know?

  6. 6.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 5, 2018 at 7:41 pm

    To spell it out: adding a couple weeks to the legislative calendar for 2018 suggests that he isn’t expecting to be in charge of it in 2019.

    I’m not so sure. I read earlier that “Last year, McConnell proposed cutting two weeks of August recess, and the place freaked out. Democrats agreed to quickly move through dozens of nominations en bloc, and only one week of recess ended up being canceled.” Maybe he’s just expecting a repeat.

  7. 7.

    TenguPhule

    June 5, 2018 at 7:41 pm

    @Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et al.):

    How many do they need for a quorum? What if Democrats just didn’t show up to make a quorum?

    51 in the Senate. But they have a fucking special rule because of course they do.

    the Senate presumes that a quorum is present unless the contrary is shown by a roll call vote or quorum call.

  8. 8.

    eclare

    June 5, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    @dmsilev: Probably depends on who is running as the Republican, if they now have a few weeks to spew vile BS in that state without a Democrat there to push back.

  9. 9.

    Luthe

    June 5, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    @dmsilev: I think it depends on the state. Californians wouldn’t expect DiFi to show up for anything less than a major rally in LA or something, but people in smaller states like Rhode Island or Wyoming probably have Senate candidates showing up at every VFW barbecue and small town parade.

    Also, those dollars aren’t going to raise themselves and big-ticket donors expect face-time at home if they are going to be parted from their money.

  10. 10.

    TenguPhule

    June 5, 2018 at 7:42 pm

    @dmsilev:

    Is this really going to make much difference for Democratic incumbents? I mean, how much Senate campaigning is face to face events vs. teams of campaign workers, volunteers, and ads?

    Hard to tell. Sometimes one town hall can make or break a campaign.

  11. 11.

    TenguPhule

    June 5, 2018 at 7:43 pm

    @Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et al.):

    Are there enough Democrats who don’t have any patience for this, “Well, yes, the Republicans are behaving badly, but we don’t want to do anything rash that might threaten the legendary comity of the Senate” shit to keep them from reaching a quorum?

    Sadly No.

  12. 12.

    Kathleen

    June 5, 2018 at 7:45 pm

    @eclare:

    “they now have a few weeks to spew vile BS in that state without a Democrat there to push back.”

    Like Meet The Press on steroids.

  13. 13.

    eclare

    June 5, 2018 at 7:46 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Plan to do my part in TN….Bredesen has a shot.

  14. 14.

    West of the Rockies

    June 5, 2018 at 7:50 pm

    @TenguPhule:

    That turtle soup? Pass….

  15. 15.

    Patricia Kayden

    June 5, 2018 at 7:50 pm

    I keep hearing from fellow liberals/progressives that Democrats won’t flip the Senate. In my opinion, given how awful Trump is, anything is possible. The ads by Virginia and Maryland Democratic candidates that I’ve been seeing have explicitly invoked Trump as a nemesis who must be defeated. Running against an extremely unpopular President makes sense to me — especially in purple states.

  16. 16.

    Brachiator

    June 5, 2018 at 7:58 pm

    This quiet move is interesting. From CNN

    Kelly Sadler, the White House communications aide who made a imprudent comment about Republican Sen. John McCain’s health, was quietly let go Tuesday nearly a month after making the insensitive remark.

    “Kelly Sadler is no longer employed within the Executive Office of the President,” wrote Raj Shah, the principal deputy press secretary, in an emailed statement.

    Trump is not totally immune from pressure.

  17. 17.

    Mandarama

    June 5, 2018 at 7:59 pm

    @eclare: Nashvillain here also doing everything I can for Phil. Hate MarshaMarshaMarsha! with heat of thousand suns.

  18. 18.

    FlyingToaster

    June 5, 2018 at 8:06 pm

    @Patricia Kayden: The problem is that statewide races in non-purple states are heavily tilted toward the incumbent party.

    Look at Massachusetts. Scotty Brown (Senator Centerfold) only won in a special election in January against a fairly unpopular Attorney General. As soon as a regular election rolled around, he lost. (Also in New Hampshire later, heh.)

    The Koch Bros have been taking out ads against Senator Warren for nearly a year. Which has not budged the needle one iota.

    What does work — and harks back to tea parties given by the Kennedys when he first ran for Senator — is serious local organizing. And that is where the work needs to be done right now, and every damn day from now on.

  19. 19.

    Platonailedit

    June 5, 2018 at 8:10 pm

    So, what happens if the dem senators find some collective backbone and say FU to mcturtle and go for campaigning anyway?

  20. 20.

    eemom

    June 5, 2018 at 8:13 pm

    @TenguPhule:

    Sometimes one town hall can make or break a campaign.

    One “macaca” by racist scumbag George Allen got Jim Webb elected in 2006.

  21. 21.

    lgerard

    June 5, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    @Brachiator:

    she wasn’t ousted until she criticized that Schlapp witch though.

  22. 22.

    JPL

    June 5, 2018 at 8:14 pm

    @Platonailedit: The republican would say that the democrat is not doing the important work of the country. Of course in the important work is destroying America as we know it.

  23. 23.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 5, 2018 at 8:15 pm

    Super excited to stop getting SF primary ads.

  24. 24.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    June 5, 2018 at 8:15 pm

    @eemom:
    Did you see my apology last thread?

  25. 25.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    June 5, 2018 at 8:17 pm

    @Platonailedit:
    Hey I want to apologize to you for last night as well.

  26. 26.

    dmsilev

    June 5, 2018 at 8:18 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: I’m still getting emails about “send us $$$ to help win the California primary!”. Like, how exactly are you going to spend that money in the next couple of hours in any way that would make any difference?

    Also, I don’t know how my phone number ended up with the local “vote no on pot shops” organization, but I’ll be very glad when they stop leaving voicemails.

  27. 27.

    jacy

    June 5, 2018 at 8:18 pm

    @Brachiator: nope. She got fired for talking smack about Mercedes Schlapp. She made a mean girl move and it failed. Had little to do with what she said about McCain.

  28. 28.

    JPL

    June 5, 2018 at 8:19 pm

    @Brachiator: Maybe he wants an invite to the funeral.

  29. 29.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 5, 2018 at 8:20 pm

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: Why would you waste pixels apologizing to eemom?

  30. 30.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 5, 2018 at 8:21 pm

    @Platonailedit: So, what happens if the dem senators find some collective backbone and say FU to mcturtle and go for campaigning anyway?

    IANAParliamentarian, but my guess….

    @TenguPhule: 51 in the Senate. But they have a fucking special rule because of course they do.
    the Senate presumes that a quorum is present unless the contrary is shown by a roll call vote or quorum call.

    McConnell has fifty even without McCain, and the Dem who would have to stay behind to call for the roll call vote would get them a quorum with a huge majority. And that’s assuming that a presiding Pence doesn’t count for a quorum. If he does, they don’t even need that one Dem.

  31. 31.

    Aleta

    June 5, 2018 at 8:24 pm

    They want to get every judicial appointment through that they can.

  32. 32.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    June 5, 2018 at 8:24 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:
    Well, I was being a dick trying to tell people not to be such “debbie downers”, which included Kay, in the Sportsball thread. I got called out for it by them and others and I’m trying to make sincere amends.

  33. 33.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 8:24 pm

    @TenguPhule: He’s an insurgent. He recognizes no legitimacy but his own. When out of power he’ll do whatever is necessary using asymmetric, irregular, and/or unconventional means to achieve power. And once he achieves power he will do whatever he can to achieve his objectives in seizing power to consolidate his gains using any means necessary as he beliefs his actions are self justifying. And that the achievement of power justify his by any means necessary strategy. This is, by the way, the basic argument of the premier fascist theorist Sergio Panunzio, who delineate the fascist theories for the use of political violence and low intensity warfare. Before he crossed Mussolini who threw him into prison.

    I’ve always imagined he was stuck in the cell next to Gramsci and they tapped messages to each other through the adjoining wall. Because I’m a heartless romantic…//

  34. 34.

    eclare

    June 5, 2018 at 8:26 pm

    @Mandarama: Right there with you, gawd she is awful.

  35. 35.

    Steeplejack (tablet)

    June 5, 2018 at 8:26 pm

    @Brachiator:

    “Kelly Sadler is no longer employed within the Executive Office of the President,” wrote Raj Shah, the principal deputy press secretary [. . .].

    That phrasing is so oddly specific that it makes me wonder if they found an out-of-the-way sinecure for her somewhere else in the administration.

  36. 36.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 5, 2018 at 8:27 pm

    @dmsilev: The worst here were the “No on E” ads from the tobacco companies. Such terrible ads. Like a parody of misleading tobacco company advertising.

  37. 37.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    June 5, 2018 at 8:29 pm

    @dmsilev: The only voicemails I get is from the Chinese(in Mandarin).

  38. 38.

    Major Major Major Major

    June 5, 2018 at 8:31 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: You too? Apparently that’s a big Nigerian-prince-style scam targeting Chinese-Americans.

  39. 39.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    June 5, 2018 at 8:31 pm

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: There are a number of folk here that find the WASF’ed attitude annoying and counterproductive, just saying.

  40. 40.

    PaulB

    June 5, 2018 at 8:31 pm

    I’m sorry, but the comment that McConnell doesn’t expect to be in charge next year is overly-optimistic crap. Democrats have more seats to protect, and more of them in states that Trump won, than Republicans. McConnell is just trying to make it harder for those Democrats protecting their seats to campaign. Nothing more.

  41. 41.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    June 5, 2018 at 8:32 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: Mine’s from the Chinese Consulate.

  42. 42.

    Platonailedit

    June 5, 2018 at 8:32 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Then it makes no sense for any of the dems (looking at you joe munchkin) to give the thugs any quorum, is there? Let the dems campaign on while we are here looking after your future, the rethugs are in DC (much hated word generally) destroying your future.

  43. 43.

    Ksmiami

    June 5, 2018 at 8:34 pm

    @HumboldtBlue: time for baseball bats and remember we didn’t start it they did

  44. 44.

    ?BillinGlendaleCA

    June 5, 2018 at 8:34 pm

    Speaking of Chinese…here’s an IR pic from the Chinese Garden at The Huntington I took yesterday.

  45. 45.

    Platonailedit

    June 5, 2018 at 8:35 pm

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: Hey, fuggetaboutit. Our collective memory for all things, good and bad, is just one thread long.

  46. 46.

    eclare

    June 5, 2018 at 8:36 pm

    @Steeplejack (tablet): That is my bet, just like that guy who got moved to a campaign position (can’t remember his name, financial crimes, not DV, I think).

  47. 47.

    debbie

    June 5, 2018 at 8:36 pm

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??:

    FFS, et tu?

  48. 48.

    Elizabelle

    June 5, 2018 at 8:37 pm

    Good evening, peeps. Up for hanging out with you guys to see what California results come in tonight.

    What time (Eastern) are we likely to have results? Unless jungle primary has left too many animals to count quickly …

  49. 49.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 8:37 pm

    @HumboldtBlue: Just remember that a significant chunk of the Democratic votes are coming in absentee. So nobody freak if the vote in person numbers look low!

    This was the story in 2016, primary and general. There were more than 1.5 million votes (!) counted between the networks calling the primary for Clinton, and the ballot count finishing one month later. https://t.co/ob8JkHC8pP

    — Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) June 4, 2018

  50. 50.

    Ksmiami

    June 5, 2018 at 8:38 pm

    @Adam L Silverman: @Platonailedit: which is exactly what they should do- Mitch isn’t their boss – he’s our enemy

  51. 51.

    Elizabelle

    June 5, 2018 at 8:39 pm

    ETA: and whatever the results, we need to work on California to impose some meaningful standards for being on a ballot that will reduce a surplus of candidates running. Too much choice is too much.

    I am hoping all the whining about “Democrats on the ropes, we tell you!” is just to remind Republicans to get out and vote their little hearts out.

  52. 52.

    Platonailedit

    June 5, 2018 at 8:39 pm

    @PaulB: A dem with middling name recognition won in Ala-fucking-Bama.

  53. 53.

    Bill Arnold

    June 5, 2018 at 8:41 pm

    @Aleta:

    They want to get every judicial appointment through that they can.

    This, and more generally, anything that the Senate can do on its own with a majority vote. (Mainly cabinet positions it appears, which would be secondary in priority to lifetime judicial appointments.)
    But also with the (surely intended!) side effect of differentially (more Democrats than Republicans) monkey-wrenching Senators’ re-election campaigning. It would be fun if a (real) memo (or recording) to that effect were leaked.

  54. 54.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 8:42 pm

    @Smedley Darlington Prunebanks (formerly Mumphrey, et al.):
    https://www.senate.gov/reference/reference_index_subjects/Rules_and_Procedure_vrd.htm

    Quorum

    Article I, section 5 of the Constitution requires that a quorum (51 senators) be present for the Senate to conduct business. Often, fewer than 51 senators are present on the floor, but the Senate presumes a quorum unless a roll call vote or quorum call suggests otherwise.

    Compulsory Attendance, June 25, 1798
    https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Compulsory_Attendance.htm

    Quorum Busting, October 1893
    https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Quorum_busting.htm

    Voting and Quorum Procedures in the Senate (pdf) (CRS)
    http://www.senate.gov/CRSpubs/577d2a5e-2b47-4045-95fa-a76398e41461.pdf

    Technically, if McCain is out for cancer treatment, this only leaves McConnell with 50. Whether Schumer has a way to manipulate the rules to make the Senate inquorate and whether the Parliamentarian would allow it, and, even if the Parliamentarian allowed it McConnell would accept it verse ignoring it is another matter. My read on McConnell is he would just ignore it. Please see my comment # 33 for why.

  55. 55.

    Baud

    June 5, 2018 at 8:42 pm

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??:

    I want an apology.

  56. 56.

    JR

    June 5, 2018 at 8:42 pm

    Someone should front page this article from Deadspin. It pretty much frames Trump in the most precise terms possible.

  57. 57.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    June 5, 2018 at 8:43 pm

    @debbie:
    Lol. Maybe you should change your nym?

  58. 58.

    zhena gogolia

    June 5, 2018 at 8:45 pm

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??:

    What the hell did you do last night? You’re apologizing to everyone.

  59. 59.

    Patricia Kayden

    June 5, 2018 at 8:46 pm

    @PaulB: That’s what I keep hearing. Perhaps we can have a few Roy Moore type miracles.

  60. 60.

    Patricia Kayden

    June 5, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    @Baud: Lol!! I want one too but from Republicans for foisting Trump on us.

  61. 61.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 5, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    @zhena gogolia:

    It wasn’t even Goku.

  62. 62.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 8:48 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: Those were largely for political appointments at the cabinet and sub-cabinet level, not judges. Those didn’t really start cranking up till closer to December. Schumer has leverage to wrong foot McConnell, just as McConnell wrong footed Reid. The question is will he?

  63. 63.

    SiubhanDuinne

    June 5, 2018 at 8:49 pm

    @Baud:

    LOL

  64. 64.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 8:49 pm

    @TenguPhule: All Schumer or any Dem has to do is constantly call for quorum counts. That’ll completely bollocks things up right quick.

  65. 65.

    debbie

    June 5, 2018 at 8:49 pm

    @zhena gogolia:

    Check the Sportsball thread from overnight. A heated argument over Kay’s perceived negativity.

  66. 66.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    June 5, 2018 at 8:50 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA:

    I don’t mind bad news being reported and discussed but the WASF reactions from the same characters day-in, day-out, every day does get on my nerves a little bit, I have to admit.

  67. 67.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    June 5, 2018 at 8:51 pm

    @Baud:
    For what, may I ask? For calling you “Bit-Boy” once?

  68. 68.

    debbie

    June 5, 2018 at 8:52 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:

    You don’t think Schumer will stand up to McConnell? I think he’s aching for a real fight.

  69. 69.

    Baud

    June 5, 2018 at 8:53 pm

    @??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??: You know what you did.

  70. 70.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    June 5, 2018 at 8:53 pm

    @Platonailedit:
    And Connor Lamb in a red district in PA. Nothing’s guaranteed but the political atmosphere is leaning in our favor this year. Just gotta keep fighting.

  71. 71.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    @lgerard: Bingo! Please see Ann Laurie on the mezzanine between the concession stand and guest relations to claim your prize!

  72. 72.

    Gvg

    June 5, 2018 at 8:54 pm

    @PaulB: the republican’s only have 51. The trends are leaning democratic. I don’t think it’s unlikely we can net 2 more. Unfortunately we can’t pick up enough to reach 67 and impeach because there are only 1/3 of the senate up each election, so people are kind of down about that.
    If we take the majority though we can prevent anymore really terrible legislation and do real investigations. Also protect Mueller better.
    I have optimistic moments when I hope investigations cause arrest and convictions of a few more republican’s and special elections continue to go democrat. I really think some of them are crooks. Illegal campaign money seems likely to me, pretty much since Citizens United. IMO it’s been inevitable since that stupid descission.

  73. 73.

    Mnemosyne

    June 5, 2018 at 8:55 pm

    @Elizabelle:

    Our polls don’t close until 8 pm Pacific time so, honestly, East Coasters may be better off going to bed early and checking for any results in the morning.

    @Adam L Silverman:

    My spouse contributed to the problem by dropping off his mail-in ballot today.

  74. 74.

    geg6

    June 5, 2018 at 8:55 pm

    @zhena gogolia:

    He didn’t do anything. He got testy over all the damn Eeyores around here moaning about how we are all screwed and nothing will ever get better ever again. FWIW, I agree.

    ETA: To be clear, I agree with Goku.

  75. 75.

    Elizabelle

    June 5, 2018 at 8:57 pm

    @debbie: Thanks for the heads up. WRT Kay: (1) love her and (2) she’s in Ohio, which has got to be demoralizing. I love her dispatches on what the GOP Powers that be there really think of Trump and current events.

    Hey, you’re in the Buckeye state too, no?

    My parents were born Hoosiers. Thank them, thank them, thank them again for getting out of there before us kids came along.

  76. 76.

    ??? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)  ??

    June 5, 2018 at 8:57 pm

    @zhena gogolia:
    What debbie at 65 said. I like to keep friendly relations with all non-trolls around here. I don’t like hard feelings. Gotta keep my membership in good-standing.

  77. 77.

    Elizabelle

    June 5, 2018 at 8:58 pm

    @geg6: yeah, I am sick of the Eeyores too. Weaning myself off Balloon Juice.

  78. 78.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 8:58 pm

    @Steeplejack (tablet): They may have stashed her someplace out of the way on someone else’s comms staff. Or they’ve sent her to work for the reelection team like they did with Porter and some other misfit toys.

  79. 79.

    Gvg

    June 5, 2018 at 8:58 pm

    @Patricia Kayden: R’s are at 51. Flipping is definitely possible.

  80. 80.

    Baud

    June 5, 2018 at 8:59 pm

    @Elizabelle: I’m saddened to hear that.

  81. 81.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 9:00 pm

    @Elizabelle: Next Monday given how they count ballots in California. Better put on a pot of coffee!

  82. 82.

    geg6

    June 5, 2018 at 9:02 pm

    @Elizabelle:

    I find I still read BJ as much as ever, but I don’t comment as much. Feeling too testy myself and I want to maintain good relations here for when this storm passes.

  83. 83.

    Elizabelle

    June 5, 2018 at 9:03 pm

    @Baud: I definitely look in on the non-Eeyore stuff, and like the folks here, for the most part.

    But: do I want to hear how screwed we are, first thing in the morning? And microfocus on Republican bad deeds? Eh, maybe not. We have to live our lives, and find joy within them.

  84. 84.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 9:03 pm

    @zhena gogolia: Tri-county insult spree. There was film at 11.

  85. 85.

    dmsilev

    June 5, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    @?BillinGlendaleCA: I haven’t been getting those, but I know a bunch of people who are.

  86. 86.

    Bobby Thomson

    June 5, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    Jesus Fucking Christ thousands of Democrats off the voting rolls in LA County due to a “printing error?” This is a home game.

  87. 87.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 5, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    the most important reporter in DC today

    Tim Furlong @ tfurlong
    Not exactly sure who these @Eagles “fans” are but I have counted exactly one item of clothing with an eagles logo on it at the White House
    I’ve asked 6 of the “fans” at the White House who was the @Eagles quarterback during the super bowl. Not ONE person knew. @ NBCPhiladelphia

  88. 88.

    Elizabelle

    June 5, 2018 at 9:04 pm

    @geg6: I have become a skimmer. Got to say, appreciate the intelligence here; learn a lot. It’s just that I don’t want to obsess over the idiocy and ugliness. Got to be careful not to give in to despair or demotivation.

  89. 89.

    Bobby Thomson

    June 5, 2018 at 9:06 pm

    @debbie: he’s no Harry Reid.

  90. 90.

    Baud

    June 5, 2018 at 9:06 pm

    @Elizabelle:

    I have been finding joy within myself for as long as I can remember.

  91. 91.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 9:06 pm

    @debbie: I get that impression too. But Schumer, like Leahy and DiFi and a number of the other older, more senior Dems are institutionalists, which makes it hard for them to do what McConnell has done. I’m not counting him out, but he has a lot of socialized behavior to overcome.

  92. 92.

    Bobby Thomson

    June 5, 2018 at 9:07 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: real Eagles fans already had their party. None of them give a shit about this, not even the Republicans.

  93. 93.

    trollhattan

    June 5, 2018 at 9:08 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:
    There’s been a big CA push towards an all-mail ballot since ’16 and several countries, mine included, went there with this election. No idea whether it impacts the time required for certification, which is capped constitutionally.

  94. 94.

    Platonailedit

    June 5, 2018 at 9:09 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: So, twitler assembled a buncha know-nothing magats?

  95. 95.

    Corner Stone

    June 5, 2018 at 9:10 pm

    It’s always enjoyable to watch what actually happened on a thread get BJ-washed. It’s like CW BJ style sets in and that becomes the narrative.

  96. 96.

    Elizabelle

    June 5, 2018 at 9:10 pm

    @Baud: Well, that’s good. And you certainly are a huge part of readership capture here. I would have fled ages ago without you keeping it light and funny, but it worries me when you despair about the press and its hatchet jobs.

    Did not read MoDo’s column (never do) WRT Obama over the weekend re “maybe I was too early.” Would I be pleasantly surprised?

    I think a huge problem is that the press was not ready, it was too early for them. They’re cynical jackasses who are wired for Republicans. They could not see the goodness and decency in Obama, and the utter rot he was up against.

    I would like them to leave the scene ASAP.

    I would like to flee to Europe.

  97. 97.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 5, 2018 at 9:12 pm

    Nick Timiraos @ NickTimiraos
    Mnuchin didn’t attend this year’s briefing on the future solvency of Social Security and Medicare but did attend the White House event an hour later that was supposed to have been the Eagles visit.

    I wonder if he knows the difference between a Wentz and a Foles?

  98. 98.

    cthulhu

    June 5, 2018 at 9:13 pm

    @Elizabelle:

    ETA: and whatever the results, we need to work on California to impose some meaningful standards for being on a ballot that will reduce a surplus of candidates running. Too much choice is too much.

    Well, this is supposed to be what a political party does but we have some factional issues with the CA Democratic Party at the moment. And though I haven’t heard of any specific instances this time, it behooves the GOP to possibly fund extra Dem candidates on the DL.

  99. 99.

    Baud

    June 5, 2018 at 9:15 pm

    @Elizabelle: I dont worry about the press. They are who they have shown themselves to be. But I think we’ll forget that if we don’t remind ourselves of it. I do get upset that so many on our side continue to let the media drive our conversation.

  100. 100.

    debbie

    June 5, 2018 at 9:17 pm

    @Elizabelle:

    I am, and congrats on the escape!

    I read Kay differently from others. She uses sarcasm, snideness, smart aleckiness, and whatever else she needs to contend with what Trump and the GOP are doing to us all. And believe me, the Ohio GOP is hell on earth.

    Personally, I prefer bitterness and bile. But never think for one moment that she’s given up or given in. That woman is a fighter. If she needs her current tone to endure, then I am happy to get out of her way and let her proceed.

  101. 101.

    debbie

    June 5, 2018 at 9:21 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    Quel surprise.

  102. 102.

    Lee

    June 5, 2018 at 9:23 pm

    I’m actually ok with this. Sen. Ted ‘Zodiac Killer’ Cruz might stay in DC and his opponent is a house member so he can campaign all day every day.

    I’m pretty sure the Republicans can’t afford to lose a single vote so he has to stay if they actually want to pass any legislation.

  103. 103.

    frosty

    June 5, 2018 at 9:23 pm

    @Elizabelle: Not weaning myself, but I was camping in a state park with no cell service last weekend, which eliminated obsessive refresh to see if there’s anything new. When I got home and read the post headlines the news was just awful. I may have to do it again.

  104. 104.

    Platonailedit

    June 5, 2018 at 9:23 pm

    Trump unable to remember words to "God Bless America" at replacement event he commissioned to prove his patriotism:

    https://t.co/LrMPaCEnen pic.twitter.com/oCcWMX9g39— Deadspin (@Deadspin) June 5, 2018

    The eagle will be so proud.

  105. 105.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    June 5, 2018 at 9:23 pm

    @Corner Stone:
    You know what else is always enjoyable to watch? To be ignored by someone when you try to do a mea culpa.

  106. 106.

    jl

    June 5, 2018 at 9:24 pm

    @Baud:

    ” I want an apology. ”
    I apologize. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. So, you can cross me off the list, you little snot nosed punk.

    Edit: and if Baud 2020! wants to use that in the campaign, I want a royalty. Deranged attacks on Baud 2020! don’t grow on trees.

  107. 107.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 5, 2018 at 9:24 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:

    I had a long conversation with our county registrar today and she said the one thing she and her staff have to prepare for is the new same-day registering and voting angle. While I was at elections at least six people were at a voting booth filling out a ballot (including one acquaintance who gave me a hug) and there were six others in line awaiting a same-day ballot.

    The early returns we will see tonight will be the absentee and mail-ins that were received and the final count, as always, will take a day or two, even for a low population county like Humboldt.

    Oddly, one issue rural counties have to deal with is how to get votes cast in very rural areas (there are at least three small towns that are 60-plus miles away from the county seat) to the registrars office. The Sheriff’s office uses deputies to transport the machines and ballots and local police departments are involved as well.

    I have said it many times here, Democrats on the national level need to make mail-in voting a key plank of the platform. In 2014 Oregon — all mail-in ballots — got more than 70% participation and that’s a regular occurrence, while in California I don’t think we broke 40%. The easier we make it to vote the more people who cast a ballot and the more people who cast a ballot the better it is for Democrats.

  108. 108.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    June 5, 2018 at 9:25 pm

    @Platonailedit:
    You know what’s really sad? Is that he had to have WH employees fill in for the Philly fans who didn’t show up.

  109. 109.

    TenguPhule

    June 5, 2018 at 9:25 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:

    All Schumer or any Dem has to do is constantly call for quorum counts. That’ll completely bollocks things up right quick.

    I seem to recall they have a work around for that in the rules or procedures.

  110. 110.

    Baud

    June 5, 2018 at 9:26 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?: I think that’s great. I like seeing Americans stand up to him in various little ways.

  111. 111.

    HumboldtBlue

    June 5, 2018 at 9:26 pm

    @trollhattan:

    Certification must be done within 30 days of the election.

  112. 112.

    Shana

    June 5, 2018 at 9:26 pm

    @Major Major Major Major: Yeah, but last year wasn’t an election year.

  113. 113.

    jl

    June 5, 2018 at 9:26 pm

    I ordered a Chinese cookbook, and suddenly, BJ ads think I speak Chinese. Coincidence?
    I blame Baud 2020! and I want an apology.

    Edit: this is crazy. BJ ads only speak to me in Chinese. I guess it is more tolerable if I don’t understand them So, never mind. Alain doesn’t need to fix it.

  114. 114.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    June 5, 2018 at 9:26 pm

    @jl:
    But now you have to apologize to Baud for calling them a snot-nosed punk. Infinite apologetic regress.

  115. 115.

    TenguPhule

    June 5, 2018 at 9:27 pm

    @debbie:

    You don’t think Schumer will stand up to McConnell? I think he’s aching for a real fight.

    Must be awfully well hidden then.

  116. 116.

    Baud

    June 5, 2018 at 9:27 pm

    @jl:

    对不起。

  117. 117.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 9:28 pm

    @Mnemosyne: I knew we could count on you all!

  118. 118.

    RobertDSC-Mac Mini

    June 5, 2018 at 9:29 pm

    I hate the Eagles for beating my Pats in the Super Bowl, but the way this thing went down with Benedict Donald is shitty to the extreme.

  119. 119.

    jl

    June 5, 2018 at 9:29 pm

    @Baud: I expected a poetic apology in Urdu.

  120. 120.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 5, 2018 at 9:29 pm

    Huh, early times, but it looks like Martha Roby (R-AL) might be in trouble in her primary, because she didn’t stand by their Gilded Heifer after the Access Hollywood tape. All I know about her is she’s the one who asked HRC if she spent the night alone during BENGHAZI!

  121. 121.

    Baud

    June 5, 2018 at 9:30 pm

    @jl: Buy an Urdu cookbook next time.

  122. 122.

    debbie

    June 5, 2018 at 9:30 pm

    @TenguPhule:

    He hasn’t had an opportunity like this until now.

  123. 123.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    June 5, 2018 at 9:31 pm

    @Baud: Oh no argument from me. I’m sure that bugged the hell out of him and will for awhile; he still can’t accept the fact that less people voted for him.

  124. 124.

    jl

    June 5, 2018 at 9:31 pm

    I have to go. I’m going to work on the Blame Baud grassroots movement. Please sign up for the mass demonstrations of outraged citizens near you.

    @? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?: It’s an important plank in the Baud 2020! platform. Take it up with the low energy dumdum over there.

  125. 125.

    Baud

    June 5, 2018 at 9:31 pm

    NSC Contractor Arrested at White House on Attempted Murder Warrant

    https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/nsc-contractor-arrested-at-white-house-on-attempted-murder-warrant

  126. 126.

    TenguPhule

    June 5, 2018 at 9:31 pm

    @Baud:

    By an Urdu cookbook next time.

    And thus Baud lost the pedant vote in 2020 with an unforced error. Future historians would later note that this was the beginning of the end of the American Dream.

  127. 127.

    Jager

    June 5, 2018 at 9:32 pm

    @Luthe: Ted Kennedy once said, “you need to have a chair with your name on it in every parish in Massachusetts”.

  128. 128.

    TenguPhule

    June 5, 2018 at 9:33 pm

    @debbie:

    He hasn’t had an opportunity like this until now.

    I’m sorry but the dry ammunition meme didn’t fly the last time it came up either.

  129. 129.

    Ruckus

    June 5, 2018 at 9:34 pm

    @Elizabelle:
    I take a break every so often.
    If it starts getting acrimonious I find it easy to bail and find something else to do. Getting lost down the YTube rabbit hole can be a fun way, watching movies, etc.

  130. 130.

    TenguPhule

    June 5, 2018 at 9:36 pm

    @Baud: These people can fuck up a ham sandwich.

  131. 131.

    TenguPhule

    June 5, 2018 at 9:38 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:

    He’s an insurgent. He recognizes no legitimacy but his own. When out of power he’ll do whatever is necessary using asymmetric, irregular, and/or unconventional means to achieve power. And once he achieves power he will do whatever he can to achieve his objectives in seizing power to consolidate his gains using any means necessary as he beliefs his actions are self justifying. And that the achievement of power justify his by any means necessary strategy.

    Donald, Paul or Mitch?

  132. 132.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    June 5, 2018 at 9:38 pm

    @debbie:

    Personally, I prefer bitterness and bile. But never think for one moment that she’s given up or given in. That woman is a fighter. If she needs her current tone to endure, then I am happy to get out of her way and let her proceed.

    I agree. I also happen to live in Ohio but I live in a (nominally) Democratic area. Notice I didn’t say liberal. I know its pretty bad here. My public school district had to put an emergency levy on the ballot since the state still hasn’t fixed our public school funding formula 15 years after the OSC ruled it unconstitutional. I’m hoping that Cordray will be able to win this November and redistricting reform will help towards flipping the statehouse.

  133. 133.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 5, 2018 at 9:40 pm

    @Baud: You’ll get nothing and like it. If we are turning Goku into a vicious jackal, we are doing the Devil’s work and should be proud.

  134. 134.

    EBT

    June 5, 2018 at 9:41 pm

    Modest 24 point flip for the Dems tonight!
    https://twitter.com/gelliottmorris/status/1004175423616450561

  135. 135.

    Fair Economist

    June 5, 2018 at 9:41 pm

    @Adam L Silverman: The point of causing quorum trouble isn’t so much to block legislation as to cause delays because it’s hard keeping 50 old people constantly available. If one Senator has a dentist appointment and another has a child graduating, oops, there goes two hours. McConnell can do only so much with midnight votes because so many of his caucus are old – they can’t work to midnight every day.

  136. 136.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 9:41 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: Same crowd he brought with him when he went to the CIA the day after the inauguration.

  137. 137.

    eemom

    June 5, 2018 at 9:41 pm

    Oh ffs.

    Apology accepted, @? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?: Thanks. You are a nice young man.

    And I wasn’t actually even talking about you. I totally get the anti-Eeyore thing, as some put it, but to me at least Kay has never come across that way. There’s a difference between a general attitude of useless, whiny ass gloom and genuine horror at what’s going on. Debbie not-downer nails it about Kay:

    But never think for one moment that she’s given up or given in. That woman is a fighter. If she needs her current tone to endure, then I am happy to get out of her way and let her proceed.

    Now, to return to last night, the individual in question is a long time commenter who’s taken a sudden and bizarre turn toward assholedom in the last year or so, and I objected to seeing him turn his schtick on Kay, notwithstanding that he has some weird stalkeresque hatred for me personally.

    eta: Speak of the devil

  138. 138.

    Fair Economist

    June 5, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    @Baud:

    NSC Contractor Arrested at White House on Attempted Murder Warrant

    Only the best people.

  139. 139.

    Another Scott

    June 5, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    @EBT: Good, good. More, please.

    Thanks for the report!

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  140. 140.

    Bobby Thomson

    June 5, 2018 at 9:43 pm

    @debbie:

    He hasn’t had an opportunity like this until now.

    Que? Doug Jones was sworn in on January 3.

  141. 141.

    debbie

    June 5, 2018 at 9:45 pm

    @? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?:

    I’m in a blue county though most of my family went for Trump. One of my brothers (who lives here too) is friendly with Cordray, so a win might prove interesting.

  142. 142.

    Bobby Thomson

    June 5, 2018 at 9:45 pm

    @EBT: that’s good squishie.

  143. 143.

    zhena gogolia

    June 5, 2018 at 9:46 pm

    @debbie:

    Oh. I’ve kept my mouth shut about that, because everyone is dealing with this disaster in their own way, but I have to admit I’ve started scrolling past her comments. Which makes me sad.

  144. 144.

    Elizabelle

    June 5, 2018 at 9:46 pm

    @Ruckus: I just watched the first season of Bosch on Amazon prime, and really enjoyed it. Love Michael Connelly’s books, and it was fun to see how they incorporated some (but not all) of the plots and how they handled the lead character (who is no longer a Viet Nam vet — he’s now Desert Storm and post 9/11). Thought the actor who played the villain, Reynard, was superb.

    Interesting treatment of the Deputy Chief Irving character. He is now African American and way less of a dick (they gave that task to Captain Pounds). Connelly had described Irving as looking like Mr. Clean. He still does. For this century. Not the last.

  145. 145.

    ? ?? Goku (aka Amerikan Baka) ? ?

    June 5, 2018 at 9:47 pm

    @eemom:
    Thanks. Ironically enough, I was talking about Corner Stone.

  146. 146.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 5, 2018 at 9:47 pm

    Richard M. Nixon @ dick_nixon
    Bob Menendez is that fellow who Tony Soprano has in a private room in Atlantic City. The scene ends with a girl coming over, Menendez stammering as Tony claps him on the back.

    I’m torn between hoping Menendez’s challenger pulls off a surprise upset, and not wanting Glenn Greenwald to get to gloat. Not really.

    McCormick down about 20 with almost half the vote in

  147. 147.

    debbie

    June 5, 2018 at 9:49 pm

    @Bobby Thomson:

    I’m not talking about votes. I’m talking about taking an up-front and very vocal position in opposition to McConnell.

  148. 148.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 5, 2018 at 9:50 pm

    @Elizabelle: I still read, but I comment less than I once did because I am more likely to lose my temper here than I once was. I don’t blame anyone for have moments of doubt and fear, but people who post little but negative thoughts wear me down. And then people talk about a pantless Baud and i throw in my mouth a bit.

  149. 149.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 5, 2018 at 9:54 pm

    @eemom: Fuck you.

  150. 150.

    Gretchen

    June 5, 2018 at 9:55 pm

    Kansas City blogger Blue Girl says McCaskill shouldn’t be worried. Her opponent Josh Hadley doesn’t appear to want the job very badly. He has done 6 events in 10 weeks, which is a light Saturday for Claire.

  151. 151.

    Dorothy Winsor

    June 5, 2018 at 9:57 pm

    Dems have flipped an R seat in the Missouri Senate in a special election.

    Do I get credit against my bleaker moments for reporting that?

  152. 152.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    June 5, 2018 at 9:58 pm

    @Gretchen: I’m not always Claire McC’s biggest fan in the Senate, going back to when she bragged about shrinking the Stimulus package, but it can be a lot of fun to watch her campaign.

  153. 153.

    oldgold

    June 5, 2018 at 10:02 pm

    I believe Mitch is going to go down as a scoundrel and worse when the political history of this era is written. That expressed, the bastard understands timing and time.

  154. 154.

    J R in WV

    June 5, 2018 at 10:03 pm

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):

    @Platonailedit:
    You know what’s really sad? Is that he had to have WH employees fill in for the Philly fans who didn’t show up

    No, no!! That’s not sad, that’s hilarious!! Think about it!!!!

  155. 155.

    Platonailedit

    June 5, 2018 at 10:03 pm

    @EBT: Best news of the day.

  156. 156.

    sdhays

    June 5, 2018 at 10:04 pm

    @Fair Economist: You beat me to it.

  157. 157.

    mad citizen

    June 5, 2018 at 10:04 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: “I would hope Donnelly has a significant ad strategy built around the whole Carrier fraud, but again, what do I know?”

    I really doubt it. Only one I’ve seen is him driving a bus talking about I don’t work for either party, I work for the people of Indiana. Fuck it, Donnelly. Be a Democrat, you will win. Stop trying to appeal to the idiots, racists and rest of the republicans.

  158. 158.

    cain

    June 5, 2018 at 10:04 pm

    The difference between Trump and McConnell is that McConnell is when it comes to moving like a bitch, it’s against the nation. Dick.

  159. 159.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 10:05 pm

    @trollhattan: My understanding is you all have till 3 days after the election to turn in your absentee ballots. So that could, and I would expect should, delay things a bit.

  160. 160.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 10:05 pm

    @Corner Stone: Nostalgia ain’t what it used to be.

  161. 161.

    SFAW

    June 5, 2018 at 10:09 pm

    @Mnemosyne:

    My spouse contributed to the problem by dropping off his mail-in ballot today.

    So you’re saying he sent it by G mail?

    I’ll show myself out.

  162. 162.

    cain

    June 5, 2018 at 10:10 pm

    @Bobby Thomson:
    Fucking russians.

  163. 163.

    sdhays

    June 5, 2018 at 10:11 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: I find it hard to criticize McCaskill generally (as opposed to disagreeing with her on this or that). She tends to maintain her moderate brand without tearing the rest of the party down while proving stubbornly difficult for Republicans to unseat in a state that is hostile to both Democrats and women in general. I really don’t think we could ask for better from Missouri.

  164. 164.

    cain

    June 5, 2018 at 10:12 pm

    @Adam L Silverman:

    @debbie: I get that impression too. But Schumer, like Leahy and DiFi and a number of the other older, more senior Dems are institutionalists, which makes it hard for them to do what McConnell has done. I’m not counting him out, but he has a lot of socialized behavior to overcome.

    Can we throw Obama into the Senate? God, why do we have such policy nerds as Dems? I mean that’s what they all are. You’re right that we need a Harry Reid (or someone even more aggressive) The republicans are playing a completely different game and hte Democrats are shell shocked that it isn’t the 80s anymore. We seriously need new blood who understands that it is now a blood sport and then bring these old timers in as policy wonks.

  165. 165.

    Bobby Thomson

    June 5, 2018 at 10:12 pm

    @debbie: then I understand your comment even less. That opportunity has been there ever since Schumer became majority leader. FFS, McConnell stole a Supreme Court seat.

    Schumer blows goats.

  166. 166.

    Jeffro

    June 5, 2018 at 10:12 pm

    @EBT:

    Modest 24 point flip for the Dems tonight!

    Wow.

    Y’all know…anti-Trumpov Rs refusing to publicly claim/support their party or turnout would explain both the high level of Trumpov support among still-Republican voters AND the big percentage swings towards the Ds.

    I think something’s happening out there, despite the Both Sides Gang’s best efforts to not report on it.

  167. 167.

    frosty fred

    June 5, 2018 at 10:13 pm

    @Adam L Silverman: Not exactly. They need to be postmarked election day or before, and then received within three days.

    ETA: within three days after election day.

  168. 168.

    Bobby Thomson

    June 5, 2018 at 10:14 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: did Baud go full Winnie the Pooh?

  169. 169.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 10:14 pm

    @HumboldtBlue:

    I have said it many times here, Democrats on the national level need to make mail-in voting a key plank of the platform. In 2014 Oregon — all mail-in ballots — got more than 70% participation and that’s a regular occurrence, while in California I don’t think we broke 40%. The easier we make it to vote the more people who cast a ballot and the more people who cast a ballot the better it is for Democrats.

    100% agreement here.

  170. 170.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 10:16 pm

    @TenguPhule: They do. And then there’s a work around for the work around. This stuff can get very, very arcane. Unless your a Senate procedure junkie it is hard to keep track of.

  171. 171.

    rikyrah

    June 5, 2018 at 10:16 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist: I

    I don’t give a Phuck about Greenwald and what he thinks about a Democratic candidate.

  172. 172.

    Steve in the ATL

    June 5, 2018 at 10:16 pm

    @Elizabelle: we just finished season 1 of Bosch a couple of hours ago. Was very well done, but not lighthearted fare for those who need a break from…well, I guess we aren’t talking about that anymore!

  173. 173.

    Bobby Thomson

    June 5, 2018 at 10:16 pm

    @Jeffro: I really hope we aren’t being punked by Russian hackers, but it’s increasingly difficult to interpret actual election results any other way but that Republicans are getting loser stench on them.

  174. 174.

    Steve in the ATL

    June 5, 2018 at 10:20 pm

    @Dorothy Winsor: what happened to your middle initial?! I can’t deal with this place anymore.

  175. 175.

    SFAW

    June 5, 2018 at 10:20 pm

    @Jim, Foolish Literalist:

    I’ve asked 6 of the “fans” at the White House who was the @Eagles quarterback during the super bowl. Not ONE person knew. @ NBCPhiladelphia

    Randall Cunningham?

  176. 176.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 10:21 pm

    @TenguPhule: I was speaking specifically of McConnell. The President is basically an organized crime boss. Ryan is basically a weasel. And I know that’s insulting to weasels.

  177. 177.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 5, 2018 at 10:21 pm

    @Bobby Thomson: I don’t want to talk about it.

  178. 178.

    Dorothy Winsor

    June 5, 2018 at 10:22 pm

    @Steve in the ATL: I ran C-Cleaner and when I came back to enter my name, I forgot the initial. Also the (formerly Iowa Old Lady) part. I don’t know who I am any more.

  179. 179.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 5, 2018 at 10:23 pm

    @Steve in the ATL: Don’t you start.

  180. 180.

    J R in WV

    June 5, 2018 at 10:24 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    I think I’ve calmed down a little bit. I don’t curse people like I once did.

    I’m still full of vitriol about Trump, but the rest of us, those fighting him, we’re OK. Except for the Trolls, of course, but M^4 & cleek and their marvelous pie filter is great for that.

  181. 181.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 10:28 pm

    @Fair Economist:

    because it’s hard keeping 50 old people constantly available.

    Just the need for Hatch and Grassley to change their depends every hour or so will slow things down to a crawl!

    Also, EWWWW!

  182. 182.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 10:29 pm

    @EBT: Here you go:

    #BREAKING Democratic candidate Lauren Arthur wins a special election for Missouri’s 17th’ state Senate District, swinging the district by 24 points and FLIPPING control from R to D. This is the 45th legislative seat Democrats have flipping from R to D since the 2016 election. pic.twitter.com/HRiXVUUmER

    — G. Elliott Morris??‍♂️ (@gelliottmorris) June 6, 2018

  183. 183.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 10:33 pm

    @sdhays: And when you need her to hold the line, like she did when getting all up in Hatch’s face over the health insurance stuff, she’s reliable, tough, and doesn’t back down.

  184. 184.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 10:36 pm

    @cain: The newer blood is doing it’s thing. Harris and Duckworth and Gillebrand (despite the haters here) and Booker. And Tester and McCaskill on certain issues. And Warner and Merkley and several others too.

  185. 185.

    satby

    June 5, 2018 at 10:38 pm

    @zhena gogolia: thought it was just me.

  186. 186.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 5, 2018 at 10:38 pm

    @J R in WV: I am trying.

  187. 187.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 10:39 pm

    @Steve in the ATL: The other seasons are equally good. They’ve done a great job with the series so far.

  188. 188.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 5, 2018 at 10:40 pm

    @satby: It wasn’t. But I am a bad person.

  189. 189.

    satby

    June 5, 2018 at 10:41 pm

    @mad citizen:

    Stop trying to appeal to the idiots, racists and rest of the republicans.

    Have you ever been to Indiana?

  190. 190.

    Yutsano

    June 5, 2018 at 10:42 pm

    @Gretchen: Is it just me or do I see only losing Donnelly but every other red state Dem wins? And the Republicans lose Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, and even one in Mississippi?

    EDIT: and Arizona and Colorado as well.

  191. 191.

    satby

    June 5, 2018 at 10:46 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: the version of Shameless set in Chicago? That’s actually the documentary of my people. Y’all just think I’m nice.

  192. 192.

    Sab

    June 5, 2018 at 10:46 pm

    @Adam L Silverman: I don’t agree about mail in ballots. Okay as an option but shouldn’t be the only option.

    In my misspent youth I was a baby lawyer. I did some divorce law in a conservative county. You would not believe what controlling assh*les some spouses are.

    Mail-in only ballots means that spouse gets two votes, or the other spouse gets a beating.

  193. 193.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 5, 2018 at 10:47 pm

    @satby: Never watched it.

  194. 194.

    Adam L Silverman

    June 5, 2018 at 10:54 pm

    @Sab: No argument with that either.

  195. 195.

    Geoduck

    June 5, 2018 at 11:01 pm

    Along with everything already discussed, having no recess also means that Trump can’t can Sessions and plug in a stop-gap replacement-toady who kills the Mueller investigation. McConnell of course doesn’t care about finding the truth or preserving the Republic, but again, that would be a massive setback in terms of keeping the GOP in power in Congress.

  196. 196.

    satby

    June 5, 2018 at 11:05 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: then I can keep the illusion going a while longer maybe ?

  197. 197.

    Kay

    June 5, 2018 at 11:16 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    You know, Omnes, I was polite to you when I read your comment this morning and responded, but I regret that. I really had no idea how much trouble my comments were causing you. You’ve been incredibly rude to me twice now, which surprises me, because I;ve maybe had 5 interactions with you over 5 years. You can relax. I won’t comment anymore. That way you won;t have to find my comments, read them, and then say nasty things about me behind my back.

  198. 198.

    Captain C

    June 5, 2018 at 11:18 pm

    @SFAW: Norm Van Brocklin.

  199. 199.

    Corner Stone

    June 5, 2018 at 11:26 pm

    Well. That’s a great fucking outcome.

  200. 200.

    debbie

    June 5, 2018 at 11:27 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Happy now?

    I don’t know why people just can’t skip complaining about others’ posts. You don’t like a post, you just skip it; if you really don’t like it, you either stop reading a person’s posts or you pie them. Why make a point of slamming someone ? What’s the point of being rude?

    ETA: Not to pick on you, if that even matters, but there are plenty of others doing the same thing, even more often. Just lay off each other already.

  201. 201.

    randy khan

    June 5, 2018 at 11:36 pm

    @Major Major Major Major:

    I just got one of those today, or at least I think I did since I don’t speak Mandarin.

  202. 202.

    Kay

    June 5, 2018 at 11:42 pm

    @debbie:

    It’s fine. I don’t have to comment here. It’s not a big deal. I responded tonight because I regretted treating him decently when he was so fucking rude the first time. Correction- the second time. As I said, surprised me, because I have never been rude to him.

    That won’t happen again. Well, you’ll have to email me or something if it does because obviously I won’t know- but still :)

  203. 203.

    D

    June 5, 2018 at 11:46 pm

    @Dorothy Winsor: Being from Missouri, that is certainly good great news. May we have more please.

  204. 204.

    eemom

    June 5, 2018 at 11:48 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Here’s a little dedication to you, 1980s musical expert.

  205. 205.

    eemom

    June 5, 2018 at 11:55 pm

    @Kay:

    Kay, please don’t leave us. You know how the mob mentality works here. Nobody with any sense agrees with the Psycho of Madison City.

  206. 206.

    Fair Economist

    June 6, 2018 at 12:24 am

    @Adam L Silverman: McCaskill does have a good sense about when she can go off the reservation and when she needs to toe the party line or sometimes even push it.

  207. 207.

    Platonailedit

    June 6, 2018 at 1:54 am

    @Kay: Please don’t let the resident permanent assholes run you away. Your posts are too valuable and realistic to miss here.

  208. 208.

    Geeno

    June 6, 2018 at 1:54 am

    @Baud: Dude – TMI

  209. 209.

    Aimai

    June 6, 2018 at 3:34 am

    @Kay: don’t let anyone run you off. Certainly not the bitch and moan contingent who will never do one tenth the actual political work you do.

  210. 210.

    debbie

    June 6, 2018 at 7:28 am

    @Kay:

    I second the others. You gotta stay!

  211. 211.

    Dorothy Winsor

    June 6, 2018 at 7:32 am

    Kay, I quote you to my husband all the time. Don’t leave!

  212. 212.

    Tenar Arha

    June 6, 2018 at 8:21 am

    @Brachiator: FYI I think this was the end result of the power struggle between the two in the comms shop we heard about. IIRC Mercedes Schlapp called Kelly Sadler a “bitch” after those leaks meetings. Trump Aides Brutally Turn on Each Other in War on Leaks

    An Administration that leaks right from the top. A man who encourages his aides to fight. Who could have guessed that has casualties? /sarcasm

  213. 213.

    Omnes Omnibus

    June 6, 2018 at 9:24 am

    @Kay: I apologize for carrying my comments from one thread to another the other night. I should not have done that. That being said, my opinions of your opinions should not matter that much. It, however, is apparent that our ways of coping clash. I don’t want you to stop commenting here, so I will make an effort be more diplomatic in my interactions. I join everyone else in entreating you not to stop commenting.

  214. 214.

    schrodingers_cat

    June 6, 2018 at 9:50 am

    @Kay: Please stay. I have railed against people who predict doom for Ds no matter what, but I don’t count you as one of those commenters. I appreciate the window to T voters that you provide, even if I don’t agree with you all the time. I also love the little stories you tell, you are a great story teller. In fact I would say don’t just comment, resume posting on the FP. You were one of my most favorite FPers.

  215. 215.

    Yarrow

    June 6, 2018 at 11:22 am

    @Kay: Kay, please stay. Your insight and experience are invaluable. I really appreciate your stories of the nuts and bolts of how our democracy works. Your insight into how things are working is invaluable. I’ve learned a lot from your comments. Please reconsider. You can always ignore comments and commenters you don’t like and/or use the pie filter if necessary.

    We really appreciate you and value your observations. Please reconsider and continue commenting.

  216. 216.

    JDM

    June 6, 2018 at 11:56 am

    “Also… “The Democrats are awful because they are preventing us from taking a month off work” is probably not an argument sympathetic to most Americans.”

    Hey, GOP. If you want to use that argument you’re going to have to move to France. :)

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