Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Republicans choose power over democracy, every day.

Why is it so hard for them to condemn hate?

You cannot shame the shameless.

Seems like a complicated subject, have you tried yelling at it?

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

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

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

I wonder if trump will be tried as an adult.

Only Democrats have agency, apparently.

Whoever he was, that guy was nuts.

There are consequences to being an arrogant, sullen prick.

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

DeSantis transforms Florida into 1930s Germany with gators and theme parks.

The arc of history bends toward the same old fuckery.

We’ve had enough carrots to last a lifetime. break out the sticks.

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

Their freedom requires your slavery.

🎶 Those boots were made for mockin’ 🎵

Following reporting rules is only for the little people, apparently.

You are so fucked. Still, I wish you the best of luck.

Republican obstruction dressed up as bipartisanship. Again.

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

You are here: Home / Politics / Biden Administration in Action / Open Thread: Welcome Back, Ms. Psaki!

Open Thread: Welcome Back, Ms. Psaki!

by | 141 Comments

This post is in: , , ,

Choices, choices…

Reader Interactions

141Comments

  1. 1.

    WaterGirl

    I am glad to see this about The Return of Jen Psaki.  I wanted to put up something about Jen’s return yesterday, but I didn’t have the energy.

    Possible lesson here:  Always wait a day and perhaps someone will do it for you?

  5. 5.

    Chacal Charles Calthrop

    Why can’t Biden celebrate by getting a cat? The promised White House cat is long overdue

  10. 10.

    WaterGirl

    @debbie: Jen sounded a bit breathless in those short video clips.  I had the press briefing queued up yesterday but haven’t watched it  yet.  I hope she is not breathless because of Covid.  (worried big Jen Psaki fan)

  16. 16.

    OzarkHillbilly

    The White House is planning a big ceremony for President Joe Biden’s signing of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, but it is unclear how many Republican lawmakers will attend

    I can answer that question: None, zero, zip, nada.

  19. 19.

    Another Scott

    Good, good.

    In other news, … RollCall:

    Democrats are getting more revenue they can count toward paying for their roughly $2 trillion social spending and climate package thanks to tweaks to a provision that would set new limits on how much cash can be stowed away in tax-free retirement accounts.

    The proposal to crack down on “mega IRAs” will generate about $7.3 billion in revenue over a decade, up from $1.8 billion in its original form in legislation the House Ways and Means Committee approved in September, according to Joint Committee on Taxation estimates.

    That’s because a delay in implementing the first-time mandates makes for beneficial math within the decade-long budget window used to calculate the cost of the filibuster-proof reconciliation bill. At the same time, Democrats swapped in a tighter income limit for households that have to adhere to the new rules.

    Calls for new curbs on high-balance individual retirement accounts got louder this year after a ProPublica report on how wealthy investors like billionaire PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel have used IRAs to grow their fortunes while avoiding taxes.

    Senate Finance Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., and Ways and Means Chairman Richard E. Neal, D-Mass., highlighted the issue in late July, releasing JCT data that found 3,625 taxpayers had IRAs with balances of at least $10 million as of 2019. Their accounts held more than $119 billion all together.

    […]

    The latest proposal would block individuals with more than $400,000 in adjusted gross income, heads of household making over $425,000 and married couples filing jointly with earnings over $450,000 from putting more money into IRAs if the total value of their retirement accounts, including workplace savings plans like 401(k)s, swell above $10 million.

    If someone with income above those thresholds has a balance across their retirement accounts over $10 million, they’d have to withdraw half the amount above that limit each year they’re over the limit.

    If balances climb above $20 million, account holders would have to take out enough from their Roth IRAs and Roth-designated workplace accounts to get back down to that threshold, or if less than that, at least withdraw whatever amounts are held in Roth accounts.

    Ways and Means originally proposed implementing those rules next year, but the latest version has the start date pushed back to 2029.

    […]

    The delay had an added bonus: a bigger revenue boost. Originally, the Ways and Means version generated a net $1.8 billion over a decade from rules requiring minimum amounts be withdrawn from large accounts. The latest version generates $7.3 billion from that alone.

    The JCT’s original estimate showed that after four years, the new rules would mean lost revenue because withdrawals that would’ve been made in those years would have already been taken. By pushing the implementation date to 2029, revenue losses fall outside the 10-year budget window, so only the revenue gains count towards the bill’s cost estimate.

    […]

    It’s crazy that the accounting for the CBO estimates has to be done this way, but it’s good that they’re finally cracking down on these abuses by people like Rmoney ($250+M in these things, IIRC) and Thiel ($billions in these things, IIRC)…

    Cheers,
    Scott.

  20. 20.

    Ken

    REPORTER: (starts to ask stupid question, suddenly bursts into flames and is consumed to ashes in seconds)

    PSAKI: “On a personal note, my mild bout of COVID has had some unusual side-effects…”

  21. 21.

    jackmac

    @OzarkHillbilly: But GOP representatives will be quite visible for groundbreaking ceremonies on big projects in their districts. “Look what I got for you,” they’ll claim.

  23. 23.

    germy

    I missed Jen P., but Karine Jean-Pierre did a great job in her absence.

    I’m glad to see Ms. P. back in action.

  28. 28.

    germy

    @debbie:

    He claims he has other things to do that day but, honestly, how much time does it take for him to ask his donors for money?  Isn’t that his primary function?

  29. 29.

    zhena gogolia

    @Ken: The stupidest question ever was asked by a certain Peter Alexander: What is Biden going to do about people chanting “Let’s go, Brandon”? After all, he promised to increase civility in our public discourse.

  30. 30.

    germy

    @zhena gogolia:

    Peter Alexander.  That boy ain’t right.  Many times I’ve seen him report bad news and then he gives a little smile, as if to say “wasn’t my report awesome?”

  34. 34.

    karen marie

    @Chacal Charles Calthrop: I got a kitten two months ago. They are A LOT of work. Even a cat, when new to the house, requires a lot of attention. If the Bidens got a cat, all we’d hear about is “why are taxpayers paying someone to take care of their cat.”

  35. 35.

    James E Powell

    I respect & admire Jen Psaki, but it’s a shame her talents have to be spent dealing with those assholes. Our political press/media are ridiculous.

  38. 38.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    I’m surprised nobody commented on this Yarrow comment in response to debbie’s “the kids are all right” on Betty C’s thread below:

    Yarrow:

    Maybe. Maybe not.

    Youngkin’s CRT messaging was most effective with rural voters. The second most-receptive demographic: gen-Z voters. https://t.co/wAZPthOdAY pic.twitter.com/aot7UtG6hz
    — Amanda Litman (@amandalitman) November 8, 202

    Is this is as bad as it seems?

  39. 39.

    bluegirlfromwyo

    @jackmac: But GOP representatives will be quite visible for groundbreaking ceremonies on big projects in their districts. “Look what I got for you,” they’ll claim.

    Really? Didn’t see you sign on to it…what every local Dem committee response should be.

  45. 45.

    Ruckus

    @WaterGirl:

    Always wait a day and perhaps someone will do it for you?

    Not in my lifetime……

     

    And yes it is good to see her back in operation, kicking ass and taking names.

  49. 49.

    Major Major Major Major

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): the way they phrased the platforms was skewed, but also this is an accurate summary of the candidates’ messaging which brings us back to my theory that our statements on this topic are garbage.

    Republican Glenn Youngkin wants to give parents a voice in their children’s education, keep the divisive political agenda of Critical Race Theory out of public schools, and institute a high-quality civics curriculum that celebrates
    our country.

    Democrat Terry McAuliffe says that Critical Race Theory is not currently taught in Virginia public schools. This is a manufactured issue used to score political points and decisions about what our kids learn in school should be left
    to teachers.

    Like, remove CRT and you have “parents should have a say in their children’s education” vs “no they shouldn’t”

  50. 50.

    mrmoshpotato

    The White House is planning a big ceremony for President Joe Biden’s signing of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill, but it is unclear how many Republican lawmakers will attend

    Will it be +0 or -0?  So unclear!

  51. 51.

    Nelle

    @bluegirlfromwyo: i think we should organize to show up at groundbreaking with signs or banners that say “Rep R voted against funding this project.”  We may need to dress like clowns in order to get media attention.

  52. 52.

    Amir Khalid

    @zhena gogolia:

    Psaki should read a statement from the President: “I’m not sure who this Brandon guy is, but it’s great that he’s got so many people cheering him on.”

  55. 55.

    James E Powell

    @Major Major Major Major:

    Agree that McAuliffe’s response was a major and likely fatal error. But we are still in search of the most effective way to counteract these racist campaigns.

    Youngkin’s milder words were cover for the press/media, so they wouldn’t call him out on it. Everybody knew exactly what the message was and everybody responded as expected.

  57. 57.

    SpaceUnit

    Somebody needs to check on Betty C.   The Gators are down 35 -28 to the fricking Samford Bulldogs and it’s only halfway thru the 2nd quarter. There’s almost no tackling in this game.

  58. 58.

    trollhattan

    “Infrastructuresigningpalooza, Starring Diamond Joe Biden and sponsored by Redimix. Redimix, if you’re ready for infrastructure, you’re ready for Redimix.”

  60. 60.

    trollhattan

    @zhena gogolia: ​Okay, that really is stupid, like a zen koan crafted by a second grader. Second prize: “how come I can’t smell my boogers when they’re in my nose?”

  62. 62.

    West of the Rockies

    Totally OT, but it’s horse shit that the Alabama U football team (#2 in the nation) is playing unranked New Mexico State.  It’s 42-3 in the second quarter.

    Why don’t you play a team that presents even a vague challenge, Alabama?  So sick of southern football teams.

  72. 72.

    Major Major Major Major

    @zhena gogolia: I generally agree that ‘generations’ are overblown, but it’s also ludicrous to suggest that there won’t be different shared experiences among a cohort that had Instagram in middle school, a wildly different environment for sexual minorities, legal weed, different drug epidemics, etc. etc.

    I mean just look at the teen sex and drug use stats, they’re worlds different, surely this affects people.

    Age cohorts are real and there are meaningful differences between the generations at the same stages in their life.

    At any rate, this has little to do with the topic of discussion? Even if it’s just an age cohort effect, these people will be in that cohort for a decade.

  73. 73.

    West of the Rockies

    @eclare:

    I wonder how much New Mexico State gets paid (and how they spend it).  What lessons do the players get from this?  Seems like a ritual sacrifice that won’t really make them feel better about themselves

    My main point is that if Alabama (or Clemson, Auburn, etc.) Is so great, why don’t they play a team that is more challenging?

  74. 74.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Are you being sarcastic or sincere? It’s an honest question because sometimes it’s hard to tell with anybody on the intertubes sometimes

  76. 76.

    UncleEbeneezer

    @James E Powell: The biggest change in polling in VA happened after Afghanistan. Not anything CRT related.  We need to fight this BS but we still don’t know if it was decisive in VA.  Even in school board races it wasn’t a sure winner for the GOP.

  77. 77.

    eclare

    @West of the Rockies:   According to the Google, New Mexico State will make at least $1.7M for playing Bama.  I don’t disagree with your other points, my only comment was don’t just blame Bama

    There are not enough Auburns for a season. And conference play limits out of conference games.  GA and Bama will probably meet for the SEC championship, that will be the test.

  79. 79.

    Dorothy A. Winsor

    My county has just been moved back into “heavy transmission” territory. This feels endless. Maybe I was too optimistic to register for an in-person convention in February

  80. 80.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @debbie:

    We can only hope

    @James E Powell:

    I thought about that. There’s plenty of RW garbage that gets shoveled to people my age and younger on the internet via algorithms, like on YouTube. I always worried that bullshit like “SJW’s want to ruin video games” and “cancel culture” were worryingly prevalent on various internet platforms (suggesting this was a popular opinion) and minds were being poisoned with propaganda

  81. 81.

    trollhattan

    @West of the Rockies: Supposedly those are money games for the victim du jour, split of the gate receipts and teevee revenue, or somesuch.

    Recall my freshman year at my tiny university for their season opener the football team traveled to Seattle to play the then Mighty Huskies a solid five miles from my family home.

    Anyway, the expected slaughter went down and so did the starting QB with a broken leg and there went the season. Some tuneup game.

    They eventually ditched football entirely as the giant resource sink it is and joined the WCC which, except for BYU has no football. Speaking of, BYU is tired of all these pipsqueak schools and are ditching WCC for one of the Bigs (10, 12, 80? I forget) in two years.

  82. 82.

    Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Well, if I had to guess, I would assume it’s sarcasm because you’re a very optimistic person who doesn’t like “doom and gloom” talk or trying to “talk people off the ledge”. Also, you do tend to be sarcastic a lot of the time.

    I didn’t mean any offense. I just wasn’t 100% sure in this time

    ETA: and I’m guessing you were also joking in your reply

  83. 83.

    SpaceUnit

    @eclare:

    Yeah, the schools don’t make their own schedules.

    Also, a lot of the coaches for the powerhouse teams don’t really like getting matched up with the nobodies.  It doesn’t really help their rankings very much and risks their players getting lax and sloppy.

  86. 86.

    SpaceUnit

    @eclare:

    Right.  Nobody wants to lose their star QB in a meaningless game against some podunk college.

     

    ETA:  And of course if you somehow manage to lose you’ll drop in the rankings like a stone.

  89. 89.

    Ken

    @SpaceUnit: Also Florida canned their defensive coordinator last week.

    Because he refused to get vaccinated, or because he announced that he had been vaccinated?

  93. 93.

    raven

    @SpaceUnit: That is totally wrong, schools don’t make their conference schedules but they do make their non-conference matchups. In the SEC coaches know they have to play the bunnies, playing 12 games against quality opponents would result in a severe physical toll but they do need the revenue of home games. We (#1 UGA)   have played UAB and have Charleston Southern next week.

  94. 94.

    raven

    @Ken: No, it’s because Todd Grantham sucks as does “The Quarterback Whisperer” Dan Mullen but he won’t fire himself. The Gators (sorry Betty) are awful, they quit last year and they are quitting again.

  99. 99.

    James E Powell

    @SpaceUnit:

    ETA:  And of course if you somehow manage to lose you’ll drop in the rankings like a stone.

    Alabama lost to an unranked team, but never dropped lower than 5th in the AP poll. They were ranked 2nd in the first CFP poll.

  101. 101.

    Fair Economist

    @Dorothy A. Winsor:

    My county has just been moved back into “heavy transmission” territory. This feels endless. Maybe I was too optimistic to register for an in-person convention in February

    The standard of basing public policy on the current *rate* of transmission rather than the *change* in transmission (ie R0) dooms us to endless flipflopping. Set policy to get R0 of .95 in winter (or summer for some Southern states) and just leave it there.

  104. 104.

    dopey-o

    Psaki should read a statement from the President: “I’m not sure who this Brandon guy is, but it’s great that he’s got so many people cheering him on.” @Amir Khalid:

    Psaki should announce that Biden will invite Brandon to the White House to test drive his electric Corvette the day it arrives.

    Picture this photo op: Brandon behind the wheel, Biden in shotgun. Biden slaps the roof and shouts “Let’s go, Brandon!” They burn rubber down the driveway as the SS looks on in horror.

  106. 106.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @SpaceUnit: It doesn’t really help their rankings very much and risks their players getting lax and sloppy.

    And hurt.

    eta: not to beat a dead horse.

  111. 111.

    jonas

    @Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): ​
      We tend to assume that college grads and Twitter are representative of Gen Z. Only about a 30-40% go to college and of course we all know how representative Twitter is of anything. That means that you have a ton of working-class twenty-somethings whose social attitudes are largely reflective of the broader population of non-college-educated workers. Not surprising that the white ones in particular would get riled up by the right wing caricature of CRT.

  114. 114.

    mrmoshpotato

    @raven:

    And Michigan lost gave away the game to Michigan State and stayed above them in the rankings.

    Let’s be accurate.

    ETA – Go Terrapins!  And go Boilermakers!  And go Dawgs!

  115. 115.

    James E Powell

    @raven:

    And Michigan lost to Michigan State and stayed above them in the rankings.

    Not in the AP. Michigan State went up to 3, Michigan dropped to 7.

    The CFP came out after they both lost; I’m inferring the CFP ranked Michigan higher because they lost to a higher ranked team.

  118. 118.

    James E Powell

    @raven:

    There is one poll that means anything,.

    Is that when the One Great Scorer comes to mark against your name?

    Seriously, though, I wonder what CFP rankings means for the teams outside of playoff contention.

  122. 122.

    Sure Lurkalot

    @Major Major Major Major: You can’t be serious. Cases climbing steadily for a month to #3 in the nation. No action. A few days ago his toolbox included calling FEMA, shuffling patients around and Regeneron, to be followed by canceling elective surgeries and rationing care.

    In addition to relaxing booster qualifiers (which is anecdotally happening everywhere), he’s pumping Regeneron like a common Ron DeSantis and begging for 500 beds.

    Mask or vaccine mandates…no.

    Life saving treatments and increasing hospital capacity are good things but preventing illness from running amok over your population may be a better first step. Your toolbox shouldn’t be 90% reaction.

  126. 126.

    Sure Lurkalot

    @Major Major Major Major: Last month or so, the half-billionaire was calling for the end of the state income tax, which is already a flat and not progressive tax.

    Would Whitmer float a canard like that with a Democratic trifecta?

  127. 127.

    Miss Bianca

    @Major Major Major Major: If “the best gov in the country” would direct the Colorado Department of Education to stop fucking around and actually apply mask and vaccine mandates for all the schools in the state, I would be more inclined to agree with your assessment.

    ETA: Actually, I am curious to know why you would call him that, if you’re dismissing COVID response as a criterion. I live here and while I think he’s been pretty good, I don’t feel inclined to toss a ton of bouquets around about him.

  129. 129.

    Mallard Filmore

    @Major Major Major Major: 

    keep the divisive political agenda of Critical Race Theory out of public schools

    McAuliffe: “Done. I already did that. There is no Critical Race Theory being taught in K-12”

    It is tough for the GOP to call bullshit on this without also admitting CRT is not being taught in K-12.

  137. 137.

    dimmsdale

    @James E Powell:  Agreed, although I think it’s a shame OUR (the public’s) attention has to be eaten up by all those mean-girl, ostentatiously “tough” but inane questions. Jen actually is a model of the kind of behavior I wish I could adopt when confronting right-wing brainlessness and viciousness: a smile, a loving but pitying look, and a response that, when it doesn’t knock the questioner on his/her keister, puts him/her irrefutably in his/her place. I think Doocey the Younger actually performs a service for us in prompting her to demonstrate this over and over again.

Comments are closed.