if it *is* true, the minority leader fight is going to be terrible for democracy but *outstanding* content
— GOLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachi) April 13, 2023
The Tantrum Caucus has decided they don’t need ol’ Saggy-Jowls hanging around, harshing their excellent and not-at-all-unreasonable mellows.
If #MoscowMitch really wants to punish these luzers, he’d give them exactly what they wanted, and enjoy the aftermath from a safe distance… but then, what would he do with his remaining days? Neither he nor his family wants to spend more time together, and his only avocation is also his vocation: collecting money from oligarchs to install kleptocrats.
the debt ceiling is not gonna be resolved congressionally, that was abdundantly clear already and this seals it https://t.co/k3pDtNYhtr
— the abbot of unreason (an archaeologist) ?? (@merovingians) April 13, 2023
Per Vox:
… McConnell’s return will bolster Republicans’ numbers in the 51-49 Senate, and sends a decisive message that he doesn’t intend to relinquish his seat or leadership role, at least not at this time.
“No, he’ll be back Monday,” a McConnell aide told the Daily Signal following a question about whether McConnell intends to retire before his term expires in 2027. McConnell also posted a statement on Thursday announcing that he’s “looking forward to returning.”…
Such speculation has put a spotlight on the lack of a clear successor to McConnell — as well as on the fractured nature of the Senate GOP conference and the Republican Party as a whole. Without McConnell’s pre-Trump style of conservatism leading the way, it’s not clear what type of politics the Senate GOP conference would go on to embrace.
“It would be a major shift. He’s the longest-serving Republican leader. There’s certainly a power vacuum that would open up,” says Jessica Taylor, a Senate expert at Cook Political Report…
Were he to retire, Senate Republicans would face a major question about leadership as well as the direction of the party. More Trumpy members have been elected in recent years as the Republican Party as a whole has also normalized positions like election denialism. McConnell, as a leader, has been more of an establishment figure who’s pushed back against such claims, clashing with Trump at times. Depending on who would potentially succeed him, it’s possible they would be interested in taking a different approach.
Taylor notes that McConnell has been an important tactician for Senate campaigns as well, and his influence would be missed there, too. In the latest cycle, McConnell cautioned Republicans against nominating problematic candidates in the primary who’d have a tougher time winning the general election. Those candidates, including former football player Herschel Walker in Georgia, wound up costing the GOP key battleground seats…
god, if we think the senate is cursed now, Senate Minority Leader Tommy Tuberville is gonna really step up the game.
— your himbo boyfriend (@swolecialism) April 13, 2023
it won't matter who it is, without mcconnell's never-ending money hose, they won't be able to keep any of them under control
— GOLIKEHELLMACHINE (@golikehellmachi) April 13, 2023
The Hill brings the shade:
… McConnell’s absence from the Capitol overlapped several major news events, including former President Trump’s announcement that he expected to be indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D).
McConnell, who has rarely commented on Trump since their falling out after the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, has not said anything publicly on Trump’s arraignment on 34 felony counts.
Yeah, I bet Mitch shed big salty tears over Trump’s recent problems, seeing as they had such a close working relationship.
https://t.co/OEui2dEvdY pic.twitter.com/exDDWiSXbs
— Nikolaj?????? (@nikicaga) April 13, 2023
gene108
Senate leadership succession can’t be as comical as McCarthy’s nomination as Speaker?
Then again, never say never.
bbleh
I believe a requirement for Moscow Mitch to resume his duties should be that he must say “Kentuckians” in a way that anyone in the country can understand.
@gene108: Being the Senate, I expect it will be both quieter and more fragmented, quieter because decorum doncha know (and also richer donors), and more fragmented because they ALL think they’re Presidential timber.
Sister Golden Bear
I’m been mostly dead since mid-week, and sure enough I tested positive for Covid. Doctor is putting my on Paxlovid. I suppose I should have a tasty treat before the “OMG, something died weeks ago in my mouth” taste sets in.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
Off topic: What’s the deal with AB Inbev’s stock losing $5 billion in value? Does it mean anything or just noise? I assume it’s just noise but my father mentioned to me today about some AB salesman claiming he’ll be out of a job is something isn’t done
Scout211
And now Republicans are declaring that they won’t allow a place holder for Senator Feinstein in the judiciary committee without a negotiation.
Sheesh, they negotiate so well . . . 🙄
Baud
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):
Look up their stock over the past month.
bbleh
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): is this the silly right-wing campaign against Bud Light because of their ad campaign involving Dylan Mulvaney, who is trans? Or has something else happened?
Right-wingers against Bud Light, what’s not to like? Maybe it doesn’t have the gravitas of DeSantis vs. Disney, but I think it’s funnier.
craigie
As opposed to what, living forever? Even the undead have to go sometime…
Scout211
Pompeo drops out. Oh man, I was looking forward to that sh*t show.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Baud:
So just some people trying to make hay and the market potentially overreacting? Makes sense
Though, who knows about that salesman my father mentioned (who I assume was in an article he read). Apparently, he was saying sales of Bud were down. I guess only time will tell
Old School
Who will they not listen to if McConnell isn’t around?
Renie
@Baud: Might be a good time to buy their stock.
Old School
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):
Stock price goes up. Stock price goes down.
I think it’s down from around $65 per share to around $60 in the past couple of weeks. It does sound more impressed if you combine all of the stock owners together.
Sanjeevs
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Their stock has cratered from 64.85 on Monday to 64.56 today.
James E Powell
@Sister Golden Bear:
Sorry to hear that. Liquids, rest, time, the usual.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Renie:
There’s a story about stock picking Taylor Larimore of Bogleheads mentions every once in awhile:
Not that I think InBev is the same as a dot-com stock. They’re way more stable and established, like Coca Cola. Warren Buffett, through Berkshire Hathaway, is invested in companies like Coke. It’s probably not going to go up over time like the total market would. Some companies stock prices are stagnant for lengthy periods, even going to zero. Of course, so are many nations’ stock markets for many decades. *cough* Italy *cough.
All of that is to say, don’t be like Jim Cramer, be like John Bogle : )
Dan B
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): The supposed boycott made for some free media. I believe Bud Lite sales have increased.
Gin & Tonic
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): It’s a sign of the coming depression.
West of the Rockies
@Scout211:
You won’t have Piggy Pompeo to kick around anymore…
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Dan B:
Cool!
Redshift
I’m reminded of something I read years ago during some other McConnell atrocity, a journalist or blogger writing about how there is actually a Mitch McConnell museum in Kentucky, and it’s all about elections and fights he’s won, with zip about anything he’s accomplished for his state.
Redshift
@Sister Golden Bear: Hope the Pax works great like it did for Ms. Redshift (aside from the taste issue) and you’re doing better soon.
West of the Rockies
Seriously, what is known about McConnell’s condition? Is he bedridden? Is he having trouble speaking? Is he showing signs of confusion? I’ve known stroke patients who bounced back more quickly.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Gin & Tonic:
I know you’re poking fun at my expense, but it’s just one company dude. Budweiser going bust is not going to cause the Second Great Depression
lowtechcyclist
@Scout211:
Guess Pompeo didn’t like the circumstances.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Sister Golden Bear:
Hope you start feeling better soon!
Gvg
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): quick google says their stock cratered by 2% on all that time, and the analyst first on google said they were due for a pull back but something something would rebound etc.
basically it’s such a big company that small drops have huge numbers like 5 billions which make nice exciting sounding headlines and reporters cannot keep a job if they write dull stuff. Everything has to be made to sound exciting, preferably with some doom.
JaySinWA
@Dan B: Probably the french wine effect. Buying all those cans to dump down the drain. Just like old times. /s
Danielx
@craigie:
Untrue. Dick Cheney is still alive and kicking.
bbleh
@Scout211: @West of the Rockies: @lowtechcyclist: or the donors didn’t like Pompeo. Bet his quarterly take was … flaccid.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@JaySinWA:
Aka, the Streisand effect
planetjanet
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): It closed up 24 cents today, up 9.95% over the past year. Nothing to see here.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@bbleh:
I assume it’s the one involving Mulvaney. It’s likely just a fluctuation in InBev’s stock price, as others have suggested
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
Thanks everyone for the InBev stock price explanations
AlaskaReader
Anheuser-Busch share prices were 45 dollars six months ago.
Single shares peaked at 66 and change on March 31.
A two dollar a share pullback from that kind of short term gain isn’t abnormal for any stock with major market capitalization.
Danielx
Maybe there’s worry about losing business to conservative beer. I’m too lazy to link, but sounds like another Faux-advertiser scam at 19.95 a six pack, which is about four bucks more than Old Rasputin (finestkind). Does come in a patriotic red white and blue can, does probably taste like panther piss.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
We can only hope that the GOP would be further fractured without the influence of McConnell and his money. Then again, in 2022 Republicans didn’t listen to him and nominated weirdos anyway, losing key battleground states. I suppose there might not be a big difference in that department
JaySinWA
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): I’m not sure many people have said “Wow, I could have had a Bud Light”, but maybe just all publicity is good publicity.
I doubt there is enough spite drinking, or the sales of cans to be demolished by “influencers” to bump up the sales. So maybe it’s like the cartoon with the dog being scolded. All the dog hears is its name. blah blah Bud Light Blah Blah.
gene108
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):
People stopped drinking beer? Don’t twist yourself in knots over it. AB InBev will be fine. As far as the salesman losing his job, companies let people go all the time.
gene108
@Sister Golden Bear:
Get well soon. I tested positive for COVID almost four weeks ago, and am just know beginning to feel normal.
Rest, drink fluids, and so on.
Renie
@Danielx: and Henry Kissinger
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@gene108:
Oh, I won’t. I suppose I just didn’t want “Go woke, go broke” to have any credence. Of course, right wingers will make shit up regardless of the truth. Reality has a well-known liberal bias after all
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Renie:
What especially stings is Kissinger having the Nobel Peace Prize of all things
Jackie
@West of the Rockies: He (McConnell) was filmed walking through the Capitol today, casually dressed in jeans. Looked like he needed a haircut.
Re McConnell retiring: My bet is not until TFG remains TFG after Nov ‘24. Or TFG is found guilty of espionage or some such – automatically disqualifying him from holding federal office. McConnell will not willingly give TFG the chance to claim credit for getting rid of him. Once TFG loses the election, McConnell will be free to retire.
Odie Hugh Manatee
@Sister Golden Bear:
Please take good care of yourself. I had it before the vaccine and it was brutal. Even after the worst of it passed, it just seemed to drag on and on. The vaccine helped clear up some of the persistent ass-dragging feeling I had afterward.
Spoil yourself now, while you can. The loss of taste really sucked.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
I always said with the possible exception of Melanie, no one would have been happier than McConnell if trump had had a full Elvis on one of gilded crappers, leaving him with Mike “Mortimer Snerd” Pence to play POTUS with Mitch’s hand working his mouth.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
You think Pence would’ve had a better chance in 2020? He might have handled COVID better with no Trump
Gotta say, I think it’s fitting that such a spineless toadie like Pence has likely destroyed his political career
sab
@Sister Golden Bear: Yikes! I am so sorry. And you starting a new job.
Ken
I had forgotten he’d dropped in.
Ken B
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Remember, Pence was available to be Trump’s running mate because he’d been such a disastrous governor that he was clearly going to lose his re-election campaign.
So he’s really ruined his political prospects twice now. But this time he doesn’t seem to realize it, and no one cares enough to tell him.
lowtechcyclist
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):
It was already destroyed in 2016, which was why he was available and willing to be TFG’s running mate. Nowhere to go but up.
Or, come to think of it, sideways. Or down even further.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Ken B:
@lowtechcyclist:
How do you remember all of that stuff LOL? I completely forgot about that
West of the Rockies
@bbleh:
But Pompeo is such a humble, gracious guy? //
Yeah, real salt of the dearth kind of guy. What a toad.
zhena gogolia
@Gin & Tonic: You are cruel. To all of us.
zhena gogolia
@Sister Golden Bear:
@sab: Oh, I didn’t know about the new job. Congratulations! And get well soon.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@zhena gogolia:
Don’t worry, it didn’t work
zhena gogolia
Richard Armitage in Obsession on Netflix tonight. Let’s go!
Jim, Foolish Literalist
Sinema raised $2.1M
Gallego: $3.7M.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Jim, Foolish Literalist:
Hopefully that translates to primary votes
MisterForkbeard
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Yes, just noise. They had hit their high and companies usually drop for a bit.
In the meantime, across the last 5 days the change has been minimal.
Sister Golden Bear
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Bud Lite has been the cheap beer of choice in queer bars for years thanks to Bud’s early and long-standing sponsorship of Pride and other LGBTQ events. Bud isn’t doing this out of the goodness of their hearts, they’ve decided that it’s more profitable to do so, than catering to the haters.
The reichwingers have forgotten the hat when Adam Savage said “I reject your really and substitute my own” he was being snarky.
The non-apology Bud issued was a polite corporate-speak version of “fuck your feelings.” Clear they ain’t worried.
Steeplejack
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):
Haven’t read the comments, and I hope someone has spanked you hard, but . . .
Five billion dollars is a big, scary number, which is the market value BUD has lost since April 1. But it’s only 4% of their market capitalization. If anything, it’s a buying opportunity, savvy investor Goku!
I will note that a month or so ago everybody was laughing at Tesla, which was down to about $110 a share. Now? Back up to $185. Huh, imagine that.
And get the fuck out of here with the bullshit anecdote from some unknown acquaintance of your father. That dude might be about to lose his job because he’s an idiot, not because of some fluctuation in the company’s stock price.
You are an anxiety whack-a-mole. Inflation out of control?! Okay, maybe not. Beer company troubles about to cripple the economy?! Who can say? What the fuck is next? I’m sure you’ll let us know.
Here’s a thought: why don’t you put all of that mental energy into something that could have an actual effect on your life—like, say, finding a new job, if you don’t like the crappy one your crappy union currently has you trapped in?
Sorry for the flame on 🔥, but, Jesus, c’mon, man! You really should spend at least a little time worrying about why you spend all of your time worrying about gigantic, theoretical problems that won’t bite your Gen Z ass any time soon.
Mai Naem mobile
@Scout211: I am not saying she’s should take DiFis spot and I can’t stand Kyrsten Sinema but as far as I know she’s been voting with the Dems on judicial nominees. Hell, I think Manchin may have strayed a little on judicial nominees. If that’s what the GOP thinks is negotiating I think they’ll be sadly disappointed.
SiubhanDuinne
@lowtechcyclist:
You can march right out of here for that.
SiubhanDuinne
@Sister Golden Bear:
Ugh, so sorry. Hope it’s a mild and brief bout.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Steeplejack:
Dude, I’m fine. I asked a question, people answered. That’s it. Read the rest of the thread
Mai Naem mobile
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): no Wall Streeter gives a shit about Bud and their support of LGBTQ or some LGBTQ friendly ad from them. I don’t follow the market on a day to day basis but I do remember hearing a blurb that the market was down a little today and IIRC during the week as well so the stock dropping could just be part of the general market dropping.
Mai Naem mobile
@Scout211: only Pompeo alone in his big head could see himself as POTUS. I can’t even see DeShithead as POTUS. Or Kristi Noem. Or Ted Cruz. Or Joshy Hawley. Or SuperManlyStareoffMan Mike Pence.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Steeplejack:
And that salesman I talked about? He was somebody my father quoted from an article he read
Sister Golden Bear
@zhena gogolia: Thanks. It’s a six-month contract, but it stopped the bleeding for now.
BeautifulPlumage
Thank you, Anne Laurie, for the Monty Python clip – such a great running gag.
Jim, Foolish Literalist
Madison weeps…
BeautifulPlumage
@Sister Golden Bear: so sorry to hear you’re ill. May it be short & mild.
Geminid
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): There won’t be a primary. Sinema knew she would lose one and that’s why she turned Independent.
It’s early for polling but some have been done on the Arizona Senate race. Phoenix-based OHPredictive, which describes itself as “a nonpartisan public opinion, market research firm” published one on February 16. They titled the report, “AZ Senate: Gallego Leads in All Head-to-Head Matches.” Aside from showing Gallego in the lead against 5 different Republicans, as well as in three-way races with Sinema in the mix, the poll measured “favorability”:
It’s an interesting poll, with “crosstabs” breaking down results by demographic groups.
OHPredictive does a lot of polling in Arizona, so this will likely be the first of several in this race. I like that because comparing polls by the same outfit over time is a decent indicator of trend.
Jeffro
Pompeo might not be the brightest bulb in the marquee, but he’s cunning…he knows what an utter shit show the 2024 GOP nomination process (and eventual presidential campaign) is going to look like.
Jeffro
stop right there and fast forward to next November!
(please)
Baud
Rays had a good run, but couldn’t break the record.
NotMax
FYI.
Steeplejack
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):
Yeah, I read the thread. And your fallback position is always “Hey, I’m just asking questions.” Funny how they’re always about doom and gloom. 🥧
Geminid
@Jeffro: These numbers may well tighten by Fall of next year. But it’s an encouraging poll considering that GLallego is less well known statewide than most of his opponents. His favorability among voters 55+ and parents is a good sign.
🐾BillinGlendaleCA
@Steeplejack:
Isn’t that what Fucker Tarlson says?
Jackie
@🐾BillinGlendaleCA: Exactly!
Gravenstone
@Jim, Foolish Literalist: So who is she going to “accidentally” kill first, her siblings (if applicable), a parent or herself.
kalakal
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka):
Really just relax. Every GOP supporter could stop buying Bud and it wouldn’t even be a speed bump to the juggernaut that is InBev. They are a Global brand, the biggest booze maker on earth* with over 500 brands. If you see an alcoholic drink it’s either made by InBev or Diagio. Stocks go up, stocks go down. Today InBev went up, Diagio went down, haven’t heard the wingnuts whining about Diagio
*Excepting Chinese internal brands
TriassicSands
@Sister Golden Bear:
I’m sorry to hear that. Good luck for a speedy recovery.
kalakal
@Sister Golden Bear: Sorry to hear that, rest up and I hope you’re well again soon. Yep Paxlovid really does let you know you’re taking it
NotMax
Quote of the day (from the new management):
“No reasonable person believes that a Twitter clone just for conservatives is a viable business any more.”
Parler goes offline after being sold to a new owner.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@Steeplejack:
Please don’t do that
Soprano2
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): It’s a bunch of bullshit. Their stock price is higher today than it was in February. This Bud Light thing is temporary fit throwing, nothing more. InBev sells so many products, that salesperson has nothing to worry about as long as he’s good at his job.
UncleEbeneezer
UncleEbeneezer
@Sister Golden Bear: Ugh. Hope you feel better soon.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
@UncleEbeneezer:
Thanks for that
AlaskaReader
This bears repeating,
…Republican voters are every bit as corrupt and depraved as are the people they elect.
Don’t be talking about any Republican as if they’re a viable or acceptable candidate, …Republicans don’t have any of those.
There’s no justification for anything but contempt and condescension for Republicans.
Chris T.
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): NYSE:BUD price over the last month. Market cap is (as of the moment) about $113 billion, so $5 billion is a bit under 5%, which is pretty normal variation over the course of a month or a year. Check out the 5Y and max charts!
Miss Bianca
@Sister Golden Bear: Oh, no! Sending healing thoughts from afar.
ArchTeryx
@🐾BillinGlendaleCA: In other words JAQing off.