Trump outrage of the day

[sherr]

I'm not sure how much it will matter, but this Thursday's debate should be interesting.  Trump is busy not preparing for it and heaping own-voter loyalty upon himself while Biden is doing the sensible thing that most voters would expect...  I am so frustrated at this point by Trump, I'm just not trying to lose my mind that this is our current President - quite possibly the most powerful, influential human on the planet.  Talking about how many times he has to flush the toilet.

It will certainly be interesting, if it happens: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mics-to-be-cut-off-at-thursdays-presidential-debate-to-allow-2-minute-answers-01603151807

That is very interesting, and plays into my ongoing bet with nereo. :)

I guess I sort of won round one, where Trump did not reverse course and participate in the second debate. Let's see if he actually participates in the third debate. His campaign says that he's going to, although this is sort of a mix of muted and not-muted. The rules apparently are that the mics are muted during the 2-minute individual-response portion, and then the remaining 11 minutes or so of the section is a "free conversation" with no muting. I'm not sure how that format would be scored according to our bet, maybe Trump decides that's enough opportunity to interrupt that it's close enough. :)

[Travis]

I'm not sure how much it will matter, but this Thursday's debate should be interesting.  Trump is busy not preparing for it and heaping own-voter loyalty upon himself while Biden is doing the sensible thing that most voters would expect...  I am so frustrated at this point by Trump, I'm just not trying to lose my mind that this is our current President - quite possibly the most powerful, influential human on the planet.  Talking about how many times he has to flush the toilet.

It will certainly be interesting, if it happens: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mics-to-be-cut-off-at-thursdays-presidential-debate-to-allow-2-minute-answers-01603151807

That is very interesting, and plays into my ongoing bet with nereo. :)

I guess I sort of won round one, where Trump did not reverse course and participate in the second debate. Let's see if he actually participates in the third debate. His campaign says that he's going to, although this is sort of a mix of muted and not-muted. The rules apparently are that the mics are muted during the 2-minute individual-response portion, and then the remaining 11 minutes or so of the section is a "free conversation" with no muting. I'm not sure how that format would be scored according to our bet, maybe Trump decides that's enough opportunity to interrupt that it's close enough. :)

He's also rage-quit press conferences when the discussion wasn't going his way. Do you think he'd walk off the debate stage at any point?

[LennStar]

He's also rage-quit press conferences when the discussion wasn't going his way. Do you think he'd walk off the debate stage at any point?

No. That would be running away from his fans.
Running away from journalists is just "not letting them telling lies about me".
Both are really different. In the ahem... discussion he can show fighting spirit (the only thing he has), and throw mud (the only thing he is good at).

[Roadrunner53]

Trump is his own worst enemy. He is now bashing Fauci and should realize that Fauci is loved in this country and should jump on that love train. When covid broke out, he should have faked it that he cared and put together a task force to pretend Trump was doing all he could to wipe it out. Instead he and his henchmen had to gripe that they had to send 'their' supplies to the states. He spends tons of money on his golf cart rentals but doesn't want to spend any money on us losers to fight the virus. He wants to pretend it doesn't exist, it is almost gone! He is trying to drill this stuff into people's heads and some people are easily fooled. If Trump said it, it has to be true! OMG! Trump has forgotten that he works for us, we employ him and we can FIRE him! 

Hahaha, I wonder if Trump gets the boot on November 3rd and after the inauguration, if he applies for unemployment? He will be sure to bump up the $600 per weekly benefits before he goes!

[DaMa]

No.  He gets a pension of $219,200 per year for life.  Isn't that great for 4 years of work?

[jinga nation]

No.  He gets a pension of $219,200 per year for life.  Isn't that great for 4 years of work?

many of us could live on that... For 45, that's maybe a month at most (i'm being generous). He (and his family) have a spending problem. Keeping up appearances costs a lot of money.

[Roadrunner53]

When he leaves the White House he will probably ransack it and sell all the memorabilia. Tear out the chandeliers, copper pipes, trees...

[talltexan]

No.  He gets a pension of $219,200 per year for life.  Isn't that great for 4 years of work?

many of us could live on that... For 45, that's maybe a month at most (i'm being generous). He (and his family) have a spending problem. Keeping up appearances costs a lot of money.

Agreed that--were he not President--there wouldn't be much to love about the "Trump" brand when measured by Mustachian values.

[OtherJen]

I'm not sure how much it will matter, but this Thursday's debate should be interesting.  Trump is busy not preparing for it and heaping own-voter loyalty upon himself while Biden is doing the sensible thing that most voters would expect...  I am so frustrated at this point by Trump, I'm just not trying to lose my mind that this is our current President - quite possibly the most powerful, influential human on the planet.  Talking about how many times he has to flush the toilet.

It will certainly be interesting, if it happens: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/mics-to-be-cut-off-at-thursdays-presidential-debate-to-allow-2-minute-answers-01603151807

That is very interesting, and plays into my ongoing bet with nereo. :)

I guess I sort of won round one, where Trump did not reverse course and participate in the second debate. Let's see if he actually participates in the third debate. His campaign says that he's going to, although this is sort of a mix of muted and not-muted. The rules apparently are that the mics are muted during the 2-minute individual-response portion, and then the remaining 11 minutes or so of the section is a "free conversation" with no muting. I'm not sure how that format would be scored according to our bet, maybe Trump decides that's enough opportunity to interrupt that it's close enough. :)

Well, now he's attacking the scheduled moderator. I think he's building himself an out.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/elections/2020/10/20/trump-biden-live-updates/#link-5OEQZV7ZIRG5ZLVZVIONP5OL6A

[Just Joe]

When he leaves the White House he will probably ransack it and sell all the memorabilia. Tear out the chandeliers, copper pipes, trees...

...bust out all the windows...

I seriously hope there is someone that inventories and inspects the WH after a handover to make sure everything is there and in good condition. With Trump anything is possible.

[FIPurpose]

No.  He gets a pension of $219,200 per year for life.  Isn't that great for 4 years of work?

However, like Jimmy Carter, if he loses, he won't be eligible for Health Benefits because he won't meet the 5 year minimum.

However, unlike Jimmy Carter, I don't think Trump will be donating the rest of his time and money to charity work. (Nor do I think Trump is making it to 96 years old)

[Just Joe]

For all the crap Carter had to put up from the Republicans - the Carters have been really good people all these years. 

[Roadrunner53]

No.  He gets a pension of $219,200 per year for life.  Isn't that great for 4 years of work?

However, like Jimmy Carter, if he loses, he won't be eligible for Health Benefits because he won't meet the 5 year minimum.

However, unlike Jimmy Carter, I don't think Trump will be donating the rest of his time and money to charity work. (Nor do I think Trump is making it to 96 years old)

Is that true on the 5 year minimum for health insurance? Never heard of that!

[dandarc]

Wikipedia seems to agree that only 2 term former presidents are allowed to buy health insurance. All are eligible to receive care at Military hospitals:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Former_Presidents_Act

[sherr]

A minor thing perhaps with how low Trump has brought our expectations of the presidency, but yesterday he was bragging to his supporters about how he could illegally bribe energy executives into donating to his campaign "if he wanted to".

All I have to do is call up the head of every Wall Street firm, head of every major company, the head of every major energy company, ‘Do me a favor, send me $10 million for my campaign.’ ‘Yes, sir.’ They say the only thing is, ‘Why didn't you ask for more, sir?’

Don't forget, I'm not bad at that stuff anyway, and I'm president. So I call some guy, the head of Exxon. I call the head of Exxon. I don't know. 'How are you doing? How’s energy coming? When are you doing the exploration? Oh, you need a couple of permits?' When I call the head of Exxon I say, ‘You know, I'd love [for you] to send me $25 million for the campaign.’ ‘Absolutely sir.’ I will hit a home run every single call. I would raise a billion dollars in one day if I wanted to. I don't want to do that.

Leaving aside just how utterly pathetic Trump's head conversations are, let's not forget that this is literally what he was impeached for doing to the Ukraine. But the Senate Republicans decided to acquit him without hearing evidence. And how he's bragging about how he could do it again if he wanted to, to the adoring cheers of his fans of course.

[GreenEggs]

A minor thing perhaps with how low Trump has brought our expectations of the presidency, but yesterday he was bragging to his supporters about how he could illegally bribe energy executives into donating to his campaign "if he wanted to".

All I have to do is call up the head of every Wall Street firm, head of every major company, the head of every major energy company, ‘Do me a favor, send me $10 million for my campaign.’ ‘Yes, sir.’ They say the only thing is, ‘Why didn't you ask for more, sir?’

Don't forget, I'm not bad at that stuff anyway, and I'm president. So I call some guy, the head of Exxon. I call the head of Exxon. I don't know. 'How are you doing? How’s energy coming? When are you doing the exploration? Oh, you need a couple of permits?' When I call the head of Exxon I say, ‘You know, I'd love [for you] to send me $25 million for the campaign.’ ‘Absolutely sir.’ I will hit a home run every single call. I would raise a billion dollars in one day if I wanted to. I don't want to do that.

Let's not forget that this is literally what he was impeached for doing to the Ukraine. But the Senate Republicans decided to acquit him without hearing evidence. And how he's bragging about how he could do it again if he wanted to, to the adoring cheers of his fans of course.

Maybe we'll get lucky & Covid-19 will get him again.  He's still trying for it.

[frugalnacho]

When he leaves the White House he will probably ransack it and sell all the memorabilia. Tear out the chandeliers, copper pipes, trees...

He is going to treat the white house bathrooms just like he treated our country, and leave an upper decker for Biden.

[OtherJen]

A minor thing perhaps with how low Trump has brought our expectations of the presidency, but yesterday he was bragging to his supporters about how he could illegally bribe energy executives into donating to his campaign "if he wanted to".

All I have to do is call up the head of every Wall Street firm, head of every major company, the head of every major energy company, ‘Do me a favor, send me $10 million for my campaign.’ ‘Yes, sir.’ They say the only thing is, ‘Why didn't you ask for more, sir?’

Don't forget, I'm not bad at that stuff anyway, and I'm president. So I call some guy, the head of Exxon. I call the head of Exxon. I don't know. 'How are you doing? How’s energy coming? When are you doing the exploration? Oh, you need a couple of permits?' When I call the head of Exxon I say, ‘You know, I'd love [for you] to send me $25 million for the campaign.’ ‘Absolutely sir.’ I will hit a home run every single call. I would raise a billion dollars in one day if I wanted to. I don't want to do that.

Leaving aside just how utterly pathetic Trump's head conversations are, let's not forget that this is literally what he was impeached for doing to the Ukraine. But the Senate Republicans decided to acquit him without hearing evidence. And how he's bragging about how he could do it again if he wanted to, to the adoring cheers of his fans of course.

Yep. If you want to know what he's either actually doing or wants to do, listen to what he accuses others of doing. He always, always projects his less savory thoughts and actions.

[LennStar]

A minor thing perhaps with how low Trump has brought our expectations of the presidency, but yesterday he was bragging to his supporters about how he could illegally bribe energy executives into donating to his campaign "if he wanted to".

All I have to do is call up the head of every Wall Street firm, head of every major company, the head of every major energy company, ‘Do me a favor, send me $10 million for my campaign.’ ‘Yes, sir.’ They say the only thing is, ‘Why didn't you ask for more, sir?’

Don't forget, I'm not bad at that stuff anyway, and I'm president. So I call some guy, the head of Exxon. I call the head of Exxon. I don't know. 'How are you doing? How’s energy coming? When are you doing the exploration? Oh, you need a couple of permits?' When I call the head of Exxon I say, ‘You know, I'd love [for you] to send me $25 million for the campaign.’ ‘Absolutely sir.’ I will hit a home run every single call. I would raise a billion dollars in one day if I wanted to. I don't want to do that.

Leaving aside just how utterly pathetic Trump's head conversations are, let's not forget that this is literally what he was impeached for doing to the Ukraine. But the Senate Republicans decided to acquit him without hearing evidence. And how he's bragging about how he could do it again if he wanted to, to the adoring cheers of his fans of course.

I wonder if the CEOs of Exxons etc. are now required by law to an official announcement that they did (not) do this. There is a lot of stuff listed companies have to do. (btw. I love the word "profit warning".)

[caracarn]

Heard Trump just walked off the 60 Minutes interview.  Will be fun to see how they edit and include things.

[OtherJen]

Heard Trump just walked off the 60 Minutes interview.  Will be fun to see how they edit and include things.

And then tweeted about Lesley Stahl not wearing a mask in the White House...but I thought he didn't want people to wear masks in his house?

I hope they air the unedited mess in its entirety.

[SunnyDays]

No.  He gets a pension of $219,200 per year for life.  Isn't that great for 4 years of work?

Won’t matter what his pension is when he’s earning 0.86 cents a day in the Big House.

[scottish]

In 2017, Donald Trump and Wisconsin's governor, Scott Walker, announced tax incentives for Foxconn to open an LCD factory in Wisconsin.      This factory was to employ 30,000 workers and cost 10B USD to construct.   

Today, 2% of the 20,000,000 sq ft factory has been completed and they are employing 281 people.   They don't have real work to do, so they spend their time watching Netflix.

Last month, Donald Trump appeared on Wisconsin TV news stating that Foxconn had built “one of the most incredible plants I’ve ever seen,” and that if he is re-elected he will make it come good. “If we win the election, Foxconn is going to come into our country with money like no other company has come into our country.”

Source:   https://www.theregister.com/2020/10/20/wisconsin_foxconn_factory/

[Travis]

A minor thing perhaps with how low Trump has brought our expectations of the presidency, but yesterday he was bragging to his supporters about how he could illegally bribe energy executives into donating to his campaign "if he wanted to".

All I have to do is call up the head of every Wall Street firm, head of every major company, the head of every major energy company, ‘Do me a favor, send me $10 million for my campaign.’ ‘Yes, sir.’ They say the only thing is, ‘Why didn't you ask for more, sir?’

Don't forget, I'm not bad at that stuff anyway, and I'm president. So I call some guy, the head of Exxon. I call the head of Exxon. I don't know. 'How are you doing? How’s energy coming? When are you doing the exploration? Oh, you need a couple of permits?' When I call the head of Exxon I say, ‘You know, I'd love [for you] to send me $25 million for the campaign.’ ‘Absolutely sir.’ I will hit a home run every single call. I would raise a billion dollars in one day if I wanted to. I don't want to do that.

Leaving aside just how utterly pathetic Trump's head conversations are, let's not forget that this is literally what he was impeached for doing to the Ukraine. But the Senate Republicans decided to acquit him without hearing evidence. And how he's bragging about how he could do it again if he wanted to, to the adoring cheers of his fans of course.

I wonder if the CEOs of Exxons etc. are now required by law to an official announcement that they did (not) do this. There is a lot of stuff listed companies have to do. (btw. I love the word "profit warning".)

Actually, Exxon just made an announcement that they didn't actually have this conversation with him.

[bacchi]

In 2017, Donald Trump and Wisconsin's governor, Scott Walker, announced tax incentives for Foxconn to open an LCD factory in Wisconsin.      This factory was to employ 30,000 workers and cost 10B USD to construct.   

Today, 2% of the 20,000,000 sq ft factory has been completed and they are employing 281 people.   They don't have real work to do, so they spend their time watching Netflix.

Last month, Donald Trump appeared on Wisconsin TV news stating that Foxconn had built “one of the most incredible plants I’ve ever seen,” and that if he is re-elected he will make it come good. “If we win the election, Foxconn is going to come into our country with money like no other company has come into our country.”

Source:   https://www.theregister.com/2020/10/20/wisconsin_foxconn_factory/

<deadpan> Wow, I am so surprised that Foxconn can build products cheaper in China. </deadpan>

[LennStar]

A minor thing perhaps with how low Trump has brought our expectations of the presidency, but yesterday he was bragging to his supporters about how he could illegally bribe energy executives into donating to his campaign "if he wanted to".

All I have to do is call up the head of every Wall Street firm, head of every major company, the head of every major energy company, ‘Do me a favor, send me $10 million for my campaign.’ ‘Yes, sir.’ They say the only thing is, ‘Why didn't you ask for more, sir?’

Don't forget, I'm not bad at that stuff anyway, and I'm president. So I call some guy, the head of Exxon. I call the head of Exxon. I don't know. 'How are you doing? How’s energy coming? When are you doing the exploration? Oh, you need a couple of permits?' When I call the head of Exxon I say, ‘You know, I'd love [for you] to send me $25 million for the campaign.’ ‘Absolutely sir.’ I will hit a home run every single call. I would raise a billion dollars in one day if I wanted to. I don't want to do that.

Leaving aside just how utterly pathetic Trump's head conversations are, let's not forget that this is literally what he was impeached for doing to the Ukraine. But the Senate Republicans decided to acquit him without hearing evidence. And how he's bragging about how he could do it again if he wanted to, to the adoring cheers of his fans of course.

I wonder if the CEOs of Exxons etc. are now required by law to an official announcement that they did (not) do this. There is a lot of stuff listed companies have to do. (btw. I love the word "profit warning".)

Actually, Exxon just made an announcement that they didn't actually have this conversation with him.

Thought so. But the real question now is if the stock price has gone up or down after this? I am not sure about the timing, but it looks like it dropped after Trump but nothing happened with the announcement, means everyone knows it is meaningless.

[talltexan]

For all the crap Carter had to put up from the Republicans - the Carters have been really good people all these years.

I was raised by committed Democrats in the 1980s, and even they taught me that Carter was a bad President. A lot of Democrats were slow to forgive him for failing to keep Reagan out of the WH.


I think with the passage of time we came to appreciate that he was handed a set of insoluble challenges and that he was a principled man truly motivated by a calling to serve. That latter thing may have been a liability when he assumed the better of others too often, for example when dealing with Iran, or trying to motivate people to wear sweaters inside during winter.

But I will confess my eyes were opened by the scene in the movie "Miracle" that includes a speech by him. It was the first time I'd ever heard him be truly motivational and inspiring. Part of me would like to have that in the White House again. The other part of me realizes that I am mature enough to recognize that politicians will probably all disappoint me.

[Roadrunner53]

If anyone has done absentee ballots and wants to check to make sure your ballot was received, go to this website and put in your information. I just checked mine and the Hubs and was received the day I put them in the box in front of our town hall.

https://www.betterknowaballot.com/

[GuitarStv]

For all the crap Carter had to put up from the Republicans - the Carters have been really good people all these years.

I was raised by committed Democrats in the 1980s, and even they taught me that Carter was a bad President. A lot of Democrats were slow to forgive him for failing to keep Reagan out of the WH.


I think with the passage of time we came to appreciate that he was handed a set of insoluble challenges and that he was a principled man truly motivated by a calling to serve. That latter thing may have been a liability when he assumed the better of others too often, for example when dealing with Iran, or trying to motivate people to wear sweaters inside during winter.

But I will confess my eyes were opened by the scene in the movie "Miracle" that includes a speech by him. It was the first time I'd ever heard him be truly motivational and inspiring. Part of me would like to have that in the White House again. The other part of me realizes that I am mature enough to recognize that politicians will probably all disappoint me.

Carter's biggest failing was in asking Americans to band together to become stronger as a country and to face huge problems that were coming in the future.  America never forgave him that transgression.

[OtherJen]

For all the crap Carter had to put up from the Republicans - the Carters have been really good people all these years.

I was raised by committed Democrats in the 1980s, and even they taught me that Carter was a bad President. A lot of Democrats were slow to forgive him for failing to keep Reagan out of the WH.


I think with the passage of time we came to appreciate that he was handed a set of insoluble challenges and that he was a principled man truly motivated by a calling to serve. That latter thing may have been a liability when he assumed the better of others too often, for example when dealing with Iran, or trying to motivate people to wear sweaters inside during winter.

But I will confess my eyes were opened by the scene in the movie "Miracle" that includes a speech by him. It was the first time I'd ever heard him be truly motivational and inspiring. Part of me would like to have that in the White House again. The other part of me realizes that I am mature enough to recognize that politicians will probably all disappoint me.

Carter's biggest failing was in asking Americans to band together to become stronger as a country and to face huge problems that were coming in the future.  America never forgave him that transgression.

Well then, Biden's campaign is probably fucked. That's the theme of his new ad. https://youtu.be/n2Xufahbaq4

[GuitarStv]

For all the crap Carter had to put up from the Republicans - the Carters have been really good people all these years.

I was raised by committed Democrats in the 1980s, and even they taught me that Carter was a bad President. A lot of Democrats were slow to forgive him for failing to keep Reagan out of the WH.


I think with the passage of time we came to appreciate that he was handed a set of insoluble challenges and that he was a principled man truly motivated by a calling to serve. That latter thing may have been a liability when he assumed the better of others too often, for example when dealing with Iran, or trying to motivate people to wear sweaters inside during winter.

But I will confess my eyes were opened by the scene in the movie "Miracle" that includes a speech by him. It was the first time I'd ever heard him be truly motivational and inspiring. Part of me would like to have that in the White House again. The other part of me realizes that I am mature enough to recognize that politicians will probably all disappoint me.

Carter's biggest failing was in asking Americans to band together to become stronger as a country and to face huge problems that were coming in the future.  America never forgave him that transgression.

Well then, Biden's campaign is probably fucked. That's the theme of his new ad. https://youtu.be/n2Xufahbaq4

Key difference is that Carter was serious.  Biden is a centrist who dislikes change.

[OtherJen]

For all the crap Carter had to put up from the Republicans - the Carters have been really good people all these years.

I was raised by committed Democrats in the 1980s, and even they taught me that Carter was a bad President. A lot of Democrats were slow to forgive him for failing to keep Reagan out of the WH.


I think with the passage of time we came to appreciate that he was handed a set of insoluble challenges and that he was a principled man truly motivated by a calling to serve. That latter thing may have been a liability when he assumed the better of others too often, for example when dealing with Iran, or trying to motivate people to wear sweaters inside during winter.

But I will confess my eyes were opened by the scene in the movie "Miracle" that includes a speech by him. It was the first time I'd ever heard him be truly motivational and inspiring. Part of me would like to have that in the White House again. The other part of me realizes that I am mature enough to recognize that politicians will probably all disappoint me.

Carter's biggest failing was in asking Americans to band together to become stronger as a country and to face huge problems that were coming in the future.  America never forgave him that transgression.

Well then, Biden's campaign is probably fucked. That's the theme of his new ad. https://youtu.be/n2Xufahbaq4

Key difference is that Carter was serious.  Biden is a centrist who dislikes change.

Carter also refused to participate in the first 1980 presidential debate and made a poor showing in the second. That certainly didn't help him. Forty years ago, the debates weren't competing with hundreds of other channels or media options for eyeballs.

[talltexan]

Trump did poorly in his debates against Sec. Clinton and still won the election.

[FIPurpose]

For all the crap Carter had to put up from the Republicans - the Carters have been really good people all these years.

I was raised by committed Democrats in the 1980s, and even they taught me that Carter was a bad President. A lot of Democrats were slow to forgive him for failing to keep Reagan out of the WH.


I think with the passage of time we came to appreciate that he was handed a set of insoluble challenges and that he was a principled man truly motivated by a calling to serve. That latter thing may have been a liability when he assumed the better of others too often, for example when dealing with Iran, or trying to motivate people to wear sweaters inside during winter.

But I will confess my eyes were opened by the scene in the movie "Miracle" that includes a speech by him. It was the first time I'd ever heard him be truly motivational and inspiring. Part of me would like to have that in the White House again. The other part of me realizes that I am mature enough to recognize that politicians will probably all disappoint me.

Carter's biggest failing was in asking Americans to band together to become stronger as a country and to face huge problems that were coming in the future.  America never forgave him that transgression.

The more I think about it, the more Trump really lines up with Jimmy Carter on a lot of things.

They both were "outsiders" in their respective primaries.
They both won their presidencies by about 3 states. (Carter won by a 2 state margin OH and WI with a margin of about 46k votes total)
Carter won back the South for the democrats one last time before they shifted back to being straight GOP states.
They both really had no idea how Washington worked or how to get things done.
They both refused to engage with the legislature.

They both got little to nothing done in their 4 years.

[OtherJen]

Trump did poorly in his debates against Sec. Clinton and still won the election.

I'm well aware. I watched all three of them in 2016. It's why I don't understand why so many people are predicting that Biden will win. I fully expect Trump to eke out another victory. I'm doing everything I can to avoid that outcome, but I expect another 4 years (and then a pitched battle to prevent a third term, assuming that he survives another 4 years on his poor diet and health).

[frugalnacho]

If anyone has done absentee ballots and wants to check to make sure your ballot was received, go to this website and put in your information. I just checked mine and the Hubs and was received the day I put them in the box in front of our town hall.

https://www.betterknowaballot.com/

Wow I had heard colbert pumping his site on his show, but I hadn't visited it until now.  They did a great job.  I just checked and me and my wife's ballots were received by my local clerk. 

[Just Joe]

A minor thing perhaps with how low Trump has brought our expectations of the presidency, but yesterday he was bragging to his supporters about how he could illegally bribe energy executives into donating to his campaign "if he wanted to".

All I have to do is call up the head of every Wall Street firm, head of every major company, the head of every major energy company, ‘Do me a favor, send me $10 million for my campaign.’ ‘Yes, sir.’ They say the only thing is, ‘Why didn't you ask for more, sir?’

Don't forget, I'm not bad at that stuff anyway, and I'm president. So I call some guy, the head of Exxon. I call the head of Exxon. I don't know. 'How are you doing? How’s energy coming? When are you doing the exploration? Oh, you need a couple of permits?' When I call the head of Exxon I say, ‘You know, I'd love [for you] to send me $25 million for the campaign.’ ‘Absolutely sir.’ I will hit a home run every single call. I would raise a billion dollars in one day if I wanted to. I don't want to do that.

Leaving aside just how utterly pathetic Trump's head conversations are, let's not forget that this is literally what he was impeached for doing to the Ukraine. But the Senate Republicans decided to acquit him without hearing evidence. And how he's bragging about how he could do it again if he wanted to, to the adoring cheers of his fans of course.

Yep. If you want to know what he's either actually doing or wants to do, listen to what he accuses others of doing. He always, always projects his less savory thoughts and actions.

Absolutely true.

[OtherJen]

From the Associated Press:
How Trump plowed through $1 billion, losing cash advantage

Such a very stable genius. A few gems of campaign spending:

Other questionable expenditures by Trump and the RNC that are included in campaign finance disclosures:

— Nearly $100,000 spent on copies of Donald Trump Jr.’s book “Triggered,” which helped propel it to the top of the New York Times bestsellers list.

— Over $7.4 million spent at Trump-branded properties since 2017.

— At least $35.9 million spent on Trump merchandise.

— $39 million in legal and “compliance” fees. In addition to tapping the RNC and his campaign to pay legal costs during his impeachment proceedings, Trump has also relied on his political operation to cover legal costs for some aides.

— At least $15.1 million spent on the Republican National Convention. The event was supposed to be in Charlotte, North Carolina, but Trump relocated it to Jacksonville, Florida, after a dispute with North Carolina’s Democratic governor over coronavirus safety measures. The Florida event was ultimately canceled, with a mostly online convention taking its place. Disclosures show the RNC still spent $1 million at the Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, near Jacksonville.

— $912,000 spent on ads that ran on the personal Facebook pages of Parscale and Trump spokesperson Katrina Pierson.

— A $250,000 ad run during Game 7 of the 2019 World Series, which came after Trump was booed by spectators when he attended Game 5.

— At least $218,000 for Trump surrogates to travel aboard private jets provided by campaign donors.

— $1.6 million on TV ads in the Washington, D.C., media market, an overwhelmingly Democratic area where Trump has little chance of winning but where he is a regular TV watcher.

He's such a savvy businessman. He hires the best people.

[Sanitary Engineer]

How did this not make the list
"Meanwhile, a web of limited liability companies hid more than $356 million in spending from disclosure, records show."

[RetiredAt63]

For all the crap Carter had to put up from the Republicans - the Carters have been really good people all these years.

I was raised by committed Democrats in the 1980s, and even they taught me that Carter was a bad President. A lot of Democrats were slow to forgive him for failing to keep Reagan out of the WH.


I think with the passage of time we came to appreciate that he was handed a set of insoluble challenges and that he was a principled man truly motivated by a calling to serve. That latter thing may have been a liability when he assumed the better of others too often, for example when dealing with Iran, or trying to motivate people to wear sweaters inside during winter.

But I will confess my eyes were opened by the scene in the movie "Miracle" that includes a speech by him. It was the first time I'd ever heard him be truly motivational and inspiring. Part of me would like to have that in the White House again. The other part of me realizes that I am mature enough to recognize that politicians will probably all disappoint me.

Carter's biggest failing was in asking Americans to band together to become stronger as a country and to face huge problems that were coming in the future.  America never forgave him that transgression.

Kennedy said (going from memory here) "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country".   He was also rumoured to have had a bunch of affairs, just more discrete than Trump.

[OtherJen]

How did this not make the list
"Meanwhile, a web of limited liability companies hid more than $356 million in spending from disclosure, records show."

*shrugs* I just copied/pasted the handy list of ridiculousness further down the page. I figured that most people would read the first paragraph or two.

[OtherJen]

I couldn't find out whether any of his campaign spending actually involved paying off the debts for his rallies over the last 2 years: Trump campaign hasn't paid $2 million in police bills, report (From August 2020)

Apparently not, since Tucson is still trying to get the Trump campaign to pay up for a rally back in 2016: Tucson Mayor to Trump campaign: You owe us money (article date: October 16, 2020)

[Sanitary Engineer]

@OtherJen I guessed that as I read on and saw the list you posted.  I actually went to read the article because that list didn't add up to most of a billion. I wanted to see where the real money was spent and it looks like it was funneled into the pockets of the Trumps.  I can't wait to see the movie that summarizes this fraud in a thoroughly factual and convincing way.

[the_fixer]

One thing that I am surprised did not get much attention in the media was a portion of Trumps Erie PA rally where he said the following.


“But Kamala, Kamala, by the way, she will not be your first woman president. She will not be. Can’t let that happen. There’ll be a woman president. You can not let that happen.”

In the video the way he said it came across more as saying we could not allow a woman to be president VS a dig at Kamala.

Wish I had a video clip to post of it.


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[sherr]

“But Kamala, Kamala, by the way, she will not be your first woman president. She will not be. Can’t let that happen. There’ll be a woman president. You can not let that happen.”

In the video the way he said it came across more as saying we could not allow a woman to be president VS a dig at Kamala.

Eh, that sounds to me like just a dig at Kamela. I don't really expect that a woman can get the Republican nomination, however I won't be too surprised if 2024 is Nikki Haley vs Kamela Harris. I'd say that Trump is just saying that they need the first woman president to be Republican. They'd love to actually have fuel for a "Democrats are the real sexists" talking point, just like they're currently dredging up the Civil War for their "Democrats are the real racists" talking point.

[the_fixer]

You are probably right, just seemed like an odd choice of words considering everyone saying he needs the female vote.


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[Samuel]

Yeah, that's not him being anti-woman that's him playing up the idea that Biden is a milquetoast Trojan horse and "radical progressive" Harris will be the real power even before Biden resigns or drops dead and elevates her to the presidency.

Trump would love a female president as long as she's a properly reverential Trumpish Republican and not running against his legacy. And ideally named Ivanka.

[Fireball]

Trump would love a female president as long as she's a properly reverential Trumpish Republican and not running against his legacy. And ideally named Ivanka.

Yeah, that's definitely Trump's fantasy. I think the rest of the GOP is putting their money on Nikki Haley although she may not be radical enough for a 2024 run.   

[OtherJen]

Was Giuliani recently dropped on his head?

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/oct/21/rudy-giuliani-faces-questions-after-compromising-scene-in-new-borat-film

[Just Joe]

Why do so many big political names have so much baggage? Is it impossible to be "normal" and a politician at the same time?