Trump, July 2017: Tweet more

Thing that freaked me out was NYTimes Trump interview above noting it took Obama 14 months to get Ocare done, and Trump noting 'Yeah, I've only been at this for six months.' It might not be over yet.

― (crosstalk)(garbled)(crosstalk/unintelligible) (stevie), 20. juli 2017 12:40 (two minutes ago) Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Don't be freaked out (or, not by that in particular) Since they are using budget reconciliation, they only have until september. So if Trump thinks he can wait 8 months, that's a really good thing.

Ah! Thanks Fred. And Qualmsley, hope springs infernal...

I definitely understand were you're coming from ShariVari, but a counter is that if there is any chance of cleanup legislation happening, it's may be more likely if it turns up in 2021 called The Trump Act.

Relatedly, I've read some sparks of hope that the wave of reactive sexism and racism that he rode to office is a last-gasp thing that will be tainted by his inevitable downfall. I don't know about that, but it occurs to me that the phrase "successful businessman" should take some knocks in the process.

Relatedly, I've read some sparks of hope that the wave of reactive sexism and racism that he rode to office is a last-gasp thing that will be tainted by his inevitable downfall.

His rise, and various other malign phenomenons in current western culture, make me wonder if "last gasp" is a thing as far as racism and sexism are concerned; it seems they are elements that must always be illuminated, confronted and defeated. They won't make a last gasp, we'll have to be forever vigilant, because ignorance, fear and self-interest are human constants.

the phrase that i keep coming back to in regard to trumpism is that i (and apparently most of coastal elite types) thought their was a deep abscess in america that had to be drained. instead it's a tumor that has to be cut out and we're going to have to to take the next decade to determine if we can survive this. even so, the chances of recurrence are painfully high.

the phrase "successful businessman" should take some knocks in the process

and 'running the government like it's a business' will fingers crossed be seen by more people as the shitshow it is -- the lazy boss who golfs all the time inherited his position for the most part; nepotism and concomitant incompetence is rampant; you can't get a job unless you have connections; ethics is a weakness indulged by losers; bro culture dominates; way too much hair gel; etc.

they'll just say we got the wrong kind of businessman and keep running mitt romney types for every other position in government though

doc c otm, it's gonna take more than one shitty businessman in power to put a dent in the belief that wealth is in and of itself a virtue

Relatedly, I've read some sparks of hope that the wave of reactive sexism and racism that he rode to office is a last-gasp thing that will be tainted by his inevitable downfall.

nah it ain't going anywhere

As Jake said in The Sun Also Rises: "Isn't it pretty to think so?"

the turd-genie freed by the trump white house is not going back in the bottle cleanly, that's for sure

I find myself lapsing into this wishful thinking, it may be necessary as a survival mechanism

Unless there's another 1964-esque takeover of the party, I'm certain that, for as long as I'm alive, the GOP will continue to back businessmen and continue to traffic in racism and sexism (and classism and homophobia and and and) and will continue to find that formula at least moderately successful.

today's email from the white house

Yesterday, I met with Republican Senators at the White House and told them that now is the time for action. Obamacare was a big lie. “You can keep your doctor”—lie. “You can keep your plan”—lie. Now, people are hurting, and inaction is not an option. We must repeal and replace this disaster. The Senate should not leave for summer recess until it has passed a plan to give our people great healthcare. I’m ready to act; I have pen in hand. I’ll sign the legislation into law, and then we can celebrate for the American people.

- President Donald J. Trump

I'm the one that stand/With the pen in hand

i'm ready to act, as long as by 'act' you mean do nothing of any substance beyond wait in my office watching tv and practising my signature on some scrap paper

I came in the door/I said it before/the people don't want Obamacare no more

Akie Abe is my new hero. pic.twitter.com/WEnjBsrRQ3

— Sam Thielman (@samthielman) July 20, 2017

Two new stories of note re current dynamics:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/20/us/trump-republicans-obamacare.html

“Right now, nobody’s afraid of Trump, and that’s a real problem,” said Rob Jesmer, the former executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee and once a top aide to Senator John Cornyn of Texas.

“But the truth is that he hasn’t really tried,” Mr. Jesmer added. “Where is he on local talk radio? Where is the trip to Kansas to say, ‘Hey, Jerry, we’re really close on this and could use your help’? It’s what he does well, getting out there and making the case. I don’t get why he hasn’t been more engaged.”

A Republican senator, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he wanted to preserve his relationship with Mr. Trump, put it more bluntly. The president, he said, scares no one in the Senate, not even the pages.

But this one's even more fun, in that we're getting some more on the record stuff now:

http://www.politico.com/story/2017/07/20/gop-lawmakers-despondent-as-recess-approaches-240731

A lot of complaining about each other, but there is this:

Trump, meanwhile, is starting to get angry, berating GOP senators for failing to repeal the 2010 health care law and demanding they stay in session until Obamacare is repealed. But some lawmakers are even starting to blame Trump for his handling of the Russia probe, Twitter feuds and attacks on the media.

"I don't even pay any attention to what is going on with the administration because I don't care. They're a distraction. The family is a distraction, the president is a distraction," complained Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho). "At first, it was 'Well yeah, this is the guy we elected. He'll learn, he'll learn.' And you just don't see that happening."

that is awesome xp

xp

Inspiring Little Fear in Senators, Trump Struggles to Sell Health Bill

A Republican senator, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he wanted to preserve his relationship with Mr. Trump, put it more bluntly. The president, he said, scares no one in the Senate, not even the pages.

“He has limited experience in government and politics, he lacks a deep and experienced team, and his poll numbers are disastrous,” said Senator Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, the Democratic whip, as senators from both parties grappled with the sudden collapse of Republican-only health care talks.

“It’s more or less impossible to sell a program when you have those conditions,” he added.

Holy shit, a quote from a Democrat!

I’m ready to act; I have peen in hand.

Pen is in hand lol

dying @ the Akie Abe thing. finally someone figured out the proper way to deal with Trump.

Sessions news conference imminent.

btw I'm still amazed that the guy who "surprises people" with his vast knowledge of health care still thinks it only costs $12 a year and that you can keep that plan your whole life

"I know he hates me, but he didn't mean it, not really. I still love him, so I'm staying."

"let obamacare fail" = anothe r one of his "smart" bankruptcies?

I love the idea of GOP dismissing the President, their president, as a distraction.

Eh, the Keynote Address sounds pretty phonetic - I could read a speech in German but couldn't hold a conversation in it to save my life.

You can only pretend you don't smell a pile of shit for so long before you start to lose your poker face.

Ouch, after a few pertinent political questions Rosenstein calmly states that they're only answering questions about whatever the hell the press conference was about. So then someone asks if there are any questions and crickets. On the way out, someone shouts to Sessions "are you a zombie attorney general?" And someone else repeatedly asks "So will you not resign? Mr. Sessions, will you not resign?"

You can only pretend you don't smell a pile of shit for so long before you start to lose your poker face.

where are u playing poker, dude

white house

What a day!

WASHINGTON (AP) — Treasury fines Exxon Mobil https://twitter.com/joshledermanAP/status/888040345199677440 million for violating Russia sanctions while Secretary of State Tillerson was CEO

— Josh Lederman (@joshledermanAP) July 20, 2017

🚨 Bloomberg: Mueller expands Russia investigation to include Trump's business transactions https://t.co/sbJM1eRUgF

— Bradd Jaffy (@BraddJaffy) July 20, 2017

But Trump told him not to do that! Bad! Sad! Glad!

http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/6841/594/640/02-02-2006%2007%3B54%3B13PM.jpg

Re that Bloomberg piece

The roots of Mueller’s follow-the-money investigation lie in a wide-ranging money laundering probe launched by then-Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara last year, according to the person.

Yeah, minor detail there.

president diarrhea has no discernible mechanism for self-discipline, yet I wonder how he avoids cursing in public. the only time I remember him cursing was last year when he was talking about Cruz at one of his events…and so why wouldn't he throw a fuck or shit here and there when he gives no fucks about anything else? Only thing I can think of is that he has cared about being on tv for his entire life, and so maybe he developed self-control as such in his 30s, when it was marginally easier for him to learn… something.

xpost Might explain Bharara's very entertaining Twitter trolling. "I know something you don't know ..."

Tbf, almost every president has had a potty mouth, and to date there seem more instances of SNL cast members going blue on live TV than presidents.

Bloomberg: Mueller expands Russia investigation to include Trump's business transactions

This is the funniest shit ever. Guess Donnie has to fire him now! And that will be that!

xpost But most presidents have demonstrated some modicum of self-control, however illusory. I do agree that Trump's general ability to not curse or pull his weiner out on camera is weird given the extent to which he otherwise behaves like an untrained ape.

His general ability (afaict) not to fart in public is weird, too. Or shit his band. Or breathe.

I think it's probably part of what I consider to be his one true facility in life: conning the good people. Any good con man has to have some ability to present himself as something less broken and vile. It seems like when he's behind closed doors with people who he isn't actively trying to bilk, the mask slides right off.

*Nelson laugh*

Jim DeMint, who once said that the ACA would be Obama's Waterloo: "It’s very unlikely that we’re going to repeal Obamacare."

— Dave Weigel (@daveweigel) July 20, 2017

So, Little Jeff gonna stick around

it's really more like obama's 'dancing queen'

ha, cute

I'm sure he was brought up to believe that cursing is "trashy."

Well, when other people do it, at least.