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You are here: Home / Books / Repubs In Disarray!… Open Thread

Repubs In Disarray!… Open Thread

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No way Junior actually wrote this tweet — even he understands that “running for office as a business model” is why his old man is currently squatting in the Oval Office. But Young Don’s girlfriend Kimberly Guilfoyle is now a paid “senior political advisor” on Daddy’s reelection campaign, so I guess we can assume this is the real, if not the official, Trump administration stance on Roy Moore. Rooting for injuries!

Speaking of injuries…



Steve ‘Muck & Mucker’ Bannon is looking for a little earned media (free publicity) from Michael Wolff’s new book Siege: Trump Under Fire & Fury II:

… “Siege” is ostensibly about Trump — portrayed here as a very unstable non-genius cracking under the pressure of being thrust into the highest office — but its guiding worldview looks remarkably like Bannon’s. It’s a mordant, readable tell-all designed to show how Trump, simply by being Trump, has made himself the perfect wrecking ball, blasting holes through an array of institutions…

Wolff says that Kushner represents “liberal globalism,” though he doesn’t offer much to back it up, instead repeating Bannon’s pet theory that Kushner’s behavior shows how glaringly hypocritical the “true and deeply self-interested face of liberal globalism” actually was. Against this, Bannon positions his own “party of the peasants,” with their “peasant honesty, peasant wisdom and peasant loyalty,” prompting Wolff to make what is either a deeply ironic or inadvertently hilarious comparison of Bannon to Tolstoy.

The political analysis in this book is close to nil, but that’s by design. “The heart of this book,” Wolff says, is the experience of the Trump presidency: “an emotional state rather than a political state.” Policies, decision-making, anything that requires even a minimal amount of attention to detail — that happens, as much as possible, without Trump, Wolff says. The president’s staff sees it as their job to keep him in his “bubble,” munching candy bars at night and getting his ego stroked in marathon phone calls with the Fox News host Sean Hannity. On good days, Wolff writes, the president arrives late to the office and is whisked through a series of staged, anodyne meetings to keep him busy: “A distracted Trump was a happy Trump.”

So now Wolff gets another probable best seller, and Bannon, who boasts about communicating with Trump through the media, gets to show the president who’s really boss. “Bannon believed he was the man of populist destiny and not Donald Trump,” Wolff writes, with Bannon even entertaining the idea of being a presidential contender in 2020. Bannon might wax sentimental about the country’s white working class — whom he lovingly calls “deplorables” — but he treats them as endlessly credulous, riling them up with stories about immigrant caravans and the boons of a trade war while offering them nothing more concrete than the fireworks display of watching the establishment burn…


Did those ‘sources’ measure the “more than 2/3 of key sources” by individual, or by body mass? Because, TBH, Steve Bannon’s multiple shirts probably weigh as much as a whole Kellyanne Conway.

Reader Interactions

91Comments

  2. 2.

    Roger Moore

    Did those ‘sources’ measure the “more than 2/3 of key sources” by individual, or by body mass?

    If they did it by BAC, they could rely on Bannon alone.

  3. 3.

    trollhattan

    Wolff says that Kushner represents “liberal globalism,” though he doesn’t offer much to back it up,

    Best when read in a Gilbert Gottfried voice.

  4. 4.

    chopper

    the fact that a trump said

    Running for office should never become a business model

    is pretty crazy, even for these days. oy gevult.

  5. 5.

    debbie

    Moore tweeted that Trump was part of the Washington DC establishment. That’s gotta burn!

  6. 6.

    Aleta

    Mueller’s nine-and-half-minute-long statement likely had a different, possibly greater, impact than the release of that report. Here was a credible source telling the story, even if only in an abbreviated manner. This illustrated what House Democrats need to do, whether or not they proceed with impeachment: Bring witnesses to public hearings to convey the full narrative of the Russiagate. House committees are tussling with the Trump administration over potential witnesses, such as former White House counsel Don McGahn, but there are others the Democrats could showcase. (How about former Trump business associate Felix Sater, who negotiated the Trump project in Moscow?) The Dems ought to move past the procedural squabbling and present a clear depiction of Trump’s misconduct in this matter—and others.

    David Corn, Mother Jones

  7. 7.

    the BuhJaysus

    Against this, Bannon positions his own “party of the peasants,” with their “peasant honesty, peasant wisdom and peasant loyalty,” prompting Wolff to make what is either a deeply ironic or inadvertently hilarious comparison of Bannon to Tolstoy.

    Bannon is quite the purveyor of Hobo/Revolutionary chic…

    2017, just like 1917 could’ve been such a good year.

  8. 8.

    Cameron

    A “liberal globalist” sounds awfully similar to a “rootless cosmopolitan.” Of course, Steve Bannon would suggest no such thing. Of course not.

  10. 10.

    debbie

    @Aleta:

    And he very definitively said that he could not exonerate Trump. Barr couldn’t redact Mueller’s voice!!!

  13. 13.

    Mary G

    While I was laboriously pecking out my post in the Israel thread, this new one came up and as usual I didn’t check for the gray bar. I am copying and reposting the part of the comment that isn’t about Israel.

    Also, too, something happened today that I would have thought impossible. I go to Real Clear Politics to see the job performance and favorability ratings and to see what the right wing press is saying without having to read any of it. (Today it’s Mueller’s testimony PROVES that the Deep State conspired to hurt Dear Leader in the election.)

    But I digress. A while after the election, they added Nancy SMASH’s favorability rating right below Twitler, for distraction. He’d be 9 or 10 points down, and she’d be 32 or 38 points down. She’s been coming up slowly and for the first time, today they were TIED at -12.0 each. This is YOOGE. I’ve never seen anything like it. They don’t dare put up the turtle’s terrible scores.

    So today was a very good day. ❤??????

    I can’t remember a time when a member of Congress even came close to a president in favorability. Pelosi’s plan is working.

  15. 15.

    Mary G

    I am quite sure that progressive women in Alabama are going to make this next election about the heinous no-abortion law. I renewed my $5 a month to Doug Jones.

  16. 16.

    Duane

    @Cermet: A criminal mob is in control of the White House. Just start calling Trumpov “The Don” and stop pretending he a president of our country.

  19. 19.

    Patricia Kayden

    I love how Donny Jr got away with meeting with Russian operatives to get damaging information on his father’s political opponent. Looking forward to a Democratic Presidential candidate’s child doing something remotely similar and everyone just shrugging.

  20. 20.

    dmsilev

    @Mary G: That is impressive. Congress _always_ has horrible approval ratings (though “my Congressman” tends to do much much better), so that’s great for Pelosi.

  22. 22.

    Baud

    @Patricia Kayden:

    Looking forward to a Democratic Presidential candidate’s child doing something remotely similar and everyone just shrugging.

    Hell, if Chelsea Clinton gets caught jaywalking, both the right and the left will insist we have a national conversation on elitist disregard for the rule of law.

  32. 32.

    Jay

    So Wolff has a new “insider gossip” based on the venal lies, backstabbing and gossip of sociopathic liars, and it’s gonna be a “best seller”,

    And yet only 3% of Americans have read the free redacted Meuller Report,…….

    Funny that.

  37. 37.

    TenguPhule

    Trump the Wounded Warrior?

    Words truly have lost all meaning under this regime of ineptitude.

  39. 39.

    Mary G

    Words fail:

    "Safety is at risk." Plumbers calling on Texas Governor to call a special session after Legislature unexpectedly wiped out the agency that oversees them and the entire state plumbing codehttps://t.co/N2llvbMbmf— Aman Batheja (@amanbatheja) May 29, 2019

    Slashing regulations! What could go wrong?

  40. 40.

    TenguPhule

    @Mary G:

    I am quite sure that progressive women in Alabama are going to make this next election about the heinous no-abortion law.

    I’m sure that’s true but sadly we need a majority.

  46. 46.

    Duane

    @Jackie: “Don the Con” is the kind off nickname that could stick. Short, catchy and to the point. Have at it D candidates!

  49. 49.

    Dan B

    In foreign policy news, Trump asked that the USS John McCain be moved out of view during Trump’s visit to Japan.

    I see Mary beat me to it.

    Will Prince Phillip get some ideas, somrthing Climate Crisis maybe?

  52. 52.

    TenguPhule

    @Dan B:

    USS John McCain

    Ship needs to be rechristianed with a decent officer’s name. USS Shinseki, maybe.

  53. 53.

    Jay

    “
    Caroline Orr
    @RVAwonk
    ·
    1h
    NEW: Roger Stone associate Andrew Miller has agreed to testify to special counsel Robert Mueller’s grand jury on Friday, a development that “shows parts of the Mueller investigation — and the grand jury’s work — may still be alive.”

  54. 54.

    Mnemosyne

    @Cameron:

    I heard the same thing. But I’m sure it’s a total coincidence that Kushner is Jewish. I’m sure Bannon uses the same phrase to refer to, say, Chuck Schumer or Adam Schiff. See? Coincidence!

  55. 55.

    Jay

    “
    Caroline Orr
    @RVAwonk
    ·
    1h
    NEW: Federal prosecutors sent subpoenas this week to Mar-a-Lago and Trump Victory, a political fundraising committee, demanding they turn over all records relating to GOP donor/“massage parlor” owner Cindy Yang and several of her associates & companies.”

  57. 57.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Baud: You forgot a big mural of Hillary’s face on the ceiling – lit by floodlight ’round the clock.

    Don Jr: Clocks aren’t round!

  59. 59.

    lamh36

    @SenKamalaHarris
    Following Following @SenKamalaHarris
    More
    Two months ago, I sent Attorney General Barr a letter demanding answers on the DOJ’s indefensible attempt to overturn the Affordable Care Act. I still haven’t gotten a response.

    Nearly 20 million Americans risk losing their health coverage because of this – we need answers now.

    https://twitter.com/SenKamalaHarris/status/1133892061080576002

  63. 63.

    Marvel

    Wait. What?

    SC Mueller said:

    “…That was the Justice Department policy and those were the principles under which we operated. From them we concluded that we would not reach a determination — one way or the other — about whether the President committed a crime. That is the office’s final position and we will not comment on any other conclusions or hypotheticals about the President.”

    Um, if it’s Justice Department policy that such determinations must not be made one way or the other (re possible presidential criminal actitivy)…what the feck was Mueller’s boss (& corrupt head of the Justice Dept, AG Billy Barr) doing a split second after The Report was released when he said that, Gosh, Mueller punted to me so after intense, exacting study & deliberation, Rod and I hereby acquit Beloved Leader of any/all suspicion of obstruction of justice????

    Asking for a friend.

  64. 64.

    Kent

    @Mary G:

    Pelosi is a fucking political genius. She is letting Trump twist in the wind while keeping the ball in her court. The “we will pray for you” knife twisting she did was pure genius.

    She keeps laying the raw fetid Trump out there for all too see. And will keep doing it until GOPers with any sense of political self preservation will come round to reluctantly doing something about Trump.

    Like Netanyahu just found out. Eventually people notice when the emperor has no clothes.

  66. 66.

    Aleta

    WTF Come on now. (This WSJ link works w/o a sub because it’s a story they’ve opened to “reader conversation to promote thoughtful dialogue.” )

    The White House wanted the U.S. Navy to move “out of sight” a warship named for the late Sen. John McCain, a war hero who became a frequent target of President Trump’s ire, ahead of the president’s visit to Japan last week, according to an email reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.

    In a May 15 email to U.S. Navy and Air Force officials, a U.S. Indo-Pacific Command official outlined plans for the president’s arrival that he said had resulted from conversations between the White House Military Office and the Seventh Fleet of the U.S. Navy. In addition to instructions for the proper landing areas for helicopters and preparation for the USS Wasp—where the president was scheduled to speak—the official issued a third directive: “USS John McCain needs to be out of sight.”
    “Please confirm #3 will be satisfied,” the official wrote.

    When a Navy commander expressed surprise about the directive for the USS John S. McCain, the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command official replied: “First I heard of it as well.” He said he would work with the White House Military Office to obtain more information about the order.

    Acting Defense Secretary Pat Shanahan was aware of the concern about the presence of the USS John McCain in Japan and approved measures to ensure it didn’t interfere with the president’s visit, a U.S. official said.

    There were discussions within the U.S. military over the past week about how to handle the warship, another U.S. official said. The ship is being repaired after a 2017 collision, and any ship undergoing such repair or maintenance would be difficult to move, officials said.

    A tarp was hung over the ship’s name ahead of the president’s trip, according to photos reviewed by the Journal, and sailors were directed to remove any coverings from the ship that bore its name.

    After the tarp was taken down, a barge was moved closer to the ship, obscuring its name.

    Sailors on the ship, who typically wear caps bearing its name, were given the day off during Mr. Trump’s visit, people familiar with the matter said.
    …
    (photo of the tarp at the article)

    There’s a dictatorship-y reek about a country whose craven Acting Defense Secretary bows to the eggshell encasing a sociopath at the expense of sailors’ pride in their ship.

  68. 68.

    lamh36

    Lordt…please let me get these 100k points from Marriott with my credit card company.

    If I can get those bonus points, I might actually BALL OUT in Paris this November.

    I can get one room for me and the cuz at a nice glitzy hotel w/one night free, 2 nights paid for w/points, and just have to pay for 3 nights in Euro (so like $650 ea from me and the cuz)

    Only problem is…my sister and her husband if they want to stay in the same hotel will have to either full rate later or they could get almost 50% discount if the pre-pay.

    I really want a great room it’s gonna be my birthday after all…should I feel bad for my sis?

  69. 69.

    Matt McIrvin

    @Mary G: Meanwhile, Hate-Pelosi stuff is blowing up all over Left Twitter, even with the people I like.

  70. 70.

    mrmoshpotato

    @Baud: How about the SNL clip of Kate McKinnon as Hillary saying, “Lock him up!” on a loop?

  73. 73.

    Mike in NC

    @Mary G: This is a new low in Trumpian pettiness and vindictiveness. Maybe he’ll just try to mothball the ship.

  74. 74.

    Mike in NC

    This destroyer was named after McCain’s father and grandfather, retired admirals. But no doubt the Trump Crime Cartel was too stupid to realize that.

  75. 75.

    Brachiator

    @Kent:

    She keeps laying the raw fetid Trump out there for all too see. And will keep doing it until GOPers with any sense of political self preservation will come round to reluctantly doing something about Trump.

    Political junkies get a chuckle at Trump’s discomfort. Otherwise, I am not seeing that this makes any difference. Republican politicians are doing fine with their constituents.

  76. 76.

    J R in WV

    @lamh36:

    I really want a great room it’s gonna be my birthday after all…should I feel bad for my sis?

    Hail NO you shouldn’t feel bad, especially if they can get a big discount paying in advance. Would she go to Paris without you? Probably not, huh?

    We live pretty frugally here at home, but when we travel, we get the best room we can find. Travel is to enjoy, to be comfortable, to have fun, to celebrate.

    Eat well, see the sights, be awed by the wonder of Paris! and keep us posted!

  77. 77.

    Brachiator

    @Mike in NC:

    This is a new low in Trumpian pettiness and vindictiveness. Maybe he’ll just try to mothball the ship.

    Don’t worry. Trump will find new lower lows.

    Any ships named after Obama?

  79. 79.

    Brachiator

    @lamh36:

    I really want a great room it’s gonna be my birthday after all…should I feel bad for my sis?

    Nope. If you can get a great room, you will feel so much more comfortable. And it would be a great birthday treat.

    I hope it works out for you and that you have a great time.

  84. 84.

    Cameron

    @Matt McIrvin: It really is insane. Democrats control the House. That’s it, and it’s not by an overwhelming majority. Democrats don’t need an ideologue – ideologues are cranked out at the same rate Bayer cranks out aspirin. What’s needed is a warrior, and not just any warrior, but one who can both lead their own side and befuddle the opposition. Nancy Pelosi’s politics may not be my politics, but at the moment that makes no difference. If she can’t rally the troops and crush these creatures, whatever my politics may be will never see the light of day.

  86. 86.

    Kent

    @Cameron: If we want to accomplish ANY progressive priorities at all in this country. ANY of them. Then we need all 3 branches of government. Pelosi understands this more than anyone and is working towards that objective. I don’t see anyone else doing it.

  87. 87.

    rekoob

    @lamh36: Without speculating too much on your family relations, it’s always a good strategy to be generous to siblings. If you can swing it, a possible approach is to offer to cover or split their “prepaid” amount, so that they’re not out too much money upfront, yet you all get the benefit of the discount and convenience of being in the same hotel. If, for some reason, it all falls through, you’re out that money, of course, but you’ve done your best to make it easy to join you and your cousin. It’s an extra burden on you (although you’ll also gain points for putting that on your card, if you can), but since you’re celebrating, why not see what you can do to gather together the folks you want to be with you on your birthday in such a special place.

  89. 89.

    Bill Arnold

    (Probably somebody has linked this. A reminder that while the fish rots from the head, by now it’s mostly rotten.)
    How the F did someone think that this was a good idea? Were they cocooned within a RWNJ hyperbubble nested within another hyperbubble?
    ‘Freedom Gas’: U.S. Touts LNG as Molecules of Liberty (Simon Casey, 2019/05/29)
    The Trump administration is calling natural gas “molecules of freedom” now (Zoë Schlanger, 2019/05/29)
    Natural Gas Is Now Called ‘Freedom Gas,’ According to the Department of Energy (Brian Kahn, 2019/05/29)

    Jingoistic nationalism and promoting fossil fuels go hand in hand for the Trump administration. But the Department of Energy took that connection to a new level on Tuesday with a press release touting natural gas as “freedom gas” full of—I feel stupid even typing this—“molecules of U.S. freedom.”

  90. 90.

    NotMax

    @Bill Arnold

    Freedom is flammable?

    All told, the United States produces about 90 Bcf/d of gas per day but is only capable of shipping some 3.6 Bcf/d via liquified natural gas. This makes it the fourth largest of the world’s 19 LNG exporting nations. Should all proposed facilities come online as scheduled, however, America’s LNG capacity would nearly triple to 8.9 Bcf/d by the close of 2019. This would place the United States just behind Australia (10.8 Bcf/d) and Qatar (9.9 Bcf/d), the number 1 and number 2 LNG exporters (as of December 2018). Malaysia currently occupies the number three position at 4.5 Bcf/d with Nigeria and Indonesia now lagging behind U.S. production. Source

  91. 91.

    Cameron

    @Kent: Yeah, she knows what needs to be done and how to do it. The BS that my fellow lefties too often indulge in, that our strength is as the strength of ten because our hearts are pure, is meaningless when pitched at a malignant toddler in the White House and a nihilistic tortoise in the Senate. “Policy first, victory later” is not a plan.

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