Not a good look, McConnell

For the third time in two weeks, today Senate Majority Leader McConnell (R-KY) blocked legislation to open part of the Federal government. The Senate GOP leader didn’t explain his objection from the Senate floor but he has warned for weeks that he will not bring up a government funding bill unless it’s the product of …

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Only the best people, huh?

That’s how Trump described the people he’d hire to work for him in the White House and at the Cabinet agencies. We’ve all seen how that’s worked out, what with Scott Pruitt fired in disgrace from EPA, Tom Price ditto from HHS, Michael Flynn fired from NSA, Jeff Sessions from Justice, David Shulkin from the …

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Bye-bye, Jefferson Beauregard Sessions III

What do you suppose Jeff Sessions’ tipple of choice is, and is he consuming it by the bucketful this evening? After all, he gave up a secure Senate seat two years ago for what quickly turned out to be a mess of pottage. Compelled by law to recuse himself from the Russia – Trump campaign …

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This should be handy

The Republicans are worried about the November elections, and they’ve got good reason. They’ve ginned up talking points about the horror show which might occur if Democrats win the House and begin doing real oversight of the Trump Administration. Axios obtained a copy of them. It’s interesting that the GOP didn’t do any original work …

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Kudlow has heart attack, says Trump

I notice that the media is very cautious about reporting this story. “Larry Kudlow, President Trump’s top economic adviser, suffered a heart attack on Monday evening and was at Walter Reed Medical Center, Mr. Trump said in a tweet.” Presumably they’re trying to confirm with Walter Reed. I don’t wish Kudlow any particular ill, but …

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Pruitt again

Headline: EPA’s Pruitt spent $1,560 on 12 customized fountain pens from Washington jewelry store. My question is, was Scott Pruitt a narcissist before he went to work for Trump, or has Trump’s behavior encouraged Pruitt? Why on earth did he think it was okay to spend taxpayers’ dollars to the tune of $130 apiece for …

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Pruitt: It’s somebody else’s fault!

EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt testified before two different House Committees today. Here’s a good use of an agency head’s time: The administrator had spent most of the past week rehearsing answers aimed at deflecting some of the most serious allegations about his ethics and management decisions. Several staffers said he huddled privately with his closest …

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Pruitt’s corruption is long-standing

He’s got a history of sweetheart real estate purchases and loans in Oklahoma, reports the NY Times. This strikes me as unusual. Pruitt was a state senator in 2003, making no more than $38,400 per year. Yet somehow he came up with 25% of the purchase price for a AAA baseball team: Pruitt, 35, became …

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The continued lowering of standards in government

The Trump Administration seems to take pride in finding people to nominate for important positions who aren’t really qualified to do them. We’ve seen judges who’ve never issued an opinion until now, we’ve seen wedding planners appointed to oversee federal funding for housing, and we’ve seen talk-show hosts nominated to be head scientist at the …

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