reggieandlee
reggieandlee's JournalBTRTN: Trump's February Ends With a Bang and a Whimper
Born To Run the Numbers with its February "Month in Review," a month in which Trump was pummeled on three fronts:
http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2019/03/btrtn-february-ends-with-bang-and.html
Excerpts: "If you can find a narrative for the month, it was the interweaving of three themes: Trump continuing to torture himself on immigration with his wildly unpopular 'national emergency' declaration; Trump pivoting to foreign affairs (to change the subject) and coming up empty; and more shocking revelations from various Russia-and-more investigations just ahead of the release of the Mueller report. The month ended in utterly epic fashion with Michael Cohen testifying against Trump for three days on Capitol Hill, while Trump fumed helplessly from Vietnam, in the midst of doomed de-nuclearization negotiations...
"And so it goes. It’s become axiomic that Trump likely has more to fear from the Southern District of New York than Mueller, yet this is quite a statement because Mueller seems to have the goods, at the very least, on the Stormy Daniels campaign-lawbreaking scheme. And if Trump believed that the long-awaited release of the Mueller report would end his troubles, he surely understands that is far from the truth, as the SDNY grinds on and the Democrats are just getting started...
"The bang of Michael Cohen’s public testimony, combined with the whimper of the North Korea talks, surely left the Trump Administration facing one of its lowest moments, with plenty of investigations ahead and no clear catalyst to improve Trump’s fortunes (such as a North Korea or China deal) readily apparent."
BTRTN: Trump's February Ends With a Bang and a Whimper
Born To Run the Numbers with its February "Month in Review," a month in which Trump was pummeled on three fronts:
http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2019/03/btrtn-february-ends-with-bang-and.html
Excerpts: "If you can find a narrative for the month, it was the interweaving of three themes: Trump continuing to torture himself on immigration with his wildly unpopular 'national emergency' declaration; Trump pivoting to foreign affairs (to change the subject) and coming up empty; and more shocking revelations from various Russia-and-more investigations just ahead of the release of the Mueller report. The month ended in utterly epic fashion with Michael Cohen testifying against Trump for three days on Capitol Hill, while Trump fumed helplessly from Vietnam, in the midst of doomed de-nuclearization negotiations...
"And so it goes. It’s become axiomic that Trump likely has more to fear from the Southern District of New York than Mueller, yet this is quite a statement because Mueller seems to have the goods, at the very least, on the Stormy Daniels campaign-lawbreaking scheme. And if Trump believed that the long-awaited release of the Mueller report would end his troubles, he surely understands that is far from the truth, as the SDNY grinds on and the Democrats are just getting started...
"The bang of Michael Cohen’s public testimony, combined with the whimper of the North Korea talks, surely left the Trump Administration facing one of its lowest moments, with plenty of investigations ahead and no clear catalyst to improve Trump’s fortunes (such as a North Korea or China deal) readily apparent."
BTRTN: What, Exactly, is at the "Heart" of the Special Counsel's Investigation?
Born to Run the Numbers is hearing mixed messages about the Mueller investigation. There are reports that it will be released imminently, but only last week The New York Times reported on an unredacted quote from Andrew Weissmann about "getting to the heart of the Special Counsel's investigation." What gives? Here's a theory:
http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2019/02/btrtn-what-exactly-is-heart-of-special.html
Excerpts: "Does The Times really think Mueller’s investigation has led to just 'a few hints' of collusion? For heaven’s sake, your own investigative reporters have exposed more than 'a few hints' on page one of your own paper. From where we sit, there appears to be more 'evidence of possible collusion' already sitting in plain sight than there are commercials for Trivago, golfers named Jason, Justin, Jordon, or Dustin, or even Democratic candidates for President. Geez, there’s probably a website called The Daily Collusion...
"Why wasn’t Weissmann’s comment redacted? It’s possible somebody goofed. But we doubt it. No, we suspect that Mueller wanted to make sure that everyone knows that conspiracy and collusion are still very much on the table. Particularly if he suspected that his soon-to-be-approved new boss has ideas of pressuring Mueller to bring his investigation to a rapid and premature conclusion. Perhaps the new Attorney General thinks that his best chance of saving Trump’s ass is to force the report into the public before Mr. Weissmann has actually gotten all the way to the 'heart.' Sure, we’ve been saying for a year that we’d love to see that report as soon as is humanly possible...for sake of the Constitution, the balance of power, the rule of law, and the United States of America. But now? Now we want to feel certain that Mr. Mueller and Mr. Weissman have all the time they need. Don’t be rushed. Do the job you’ve been asked to do, in exactly the way you think it should be done. Don’t let the new Attorney General force the issue.Take your time. Mr. Weissmann, go for it. Get to the heart of the matter."
BTRTN: What, Exactly, is at the "Heart" of the Special Counsel's Investigation?
Born to Run the Numbers is hearing mixed messages about the Mueller investigation. There are reports that it will be released imminently, but only last week The New York Times reported on an unredacted quote from Andrew Weissmann about "getting to the heart of the Special Counsel's investigation." What gives? Here's a theory:
http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2019/02/btrtn-what-exactly-is-heart-of-special.html
Excerpts: "Does The Times really think Mueller’s investigation has led to just 'a few hints' of collusion? For heaven’s sake, your own investigative reporters have exposed more than 'a few hints' on page one of your own paper. From where we sit, there appears to be more 'evidence of possible collusion' already sitting in plain sight than there are commercials for Trivago, golfers named Jason, Justin, Jordon, or Dustin, or even Democratic candidates for President. Geez, there’s probably a website called The Daily Collusion...
"Why wasn’t Weissmann’s comment redacted? It’s possible somebody goofed. But we doubt it. No, we suspect that Mueller wanted to make sure that everyone knows that conspiracy and collusion are still very much on the table. Particularly if he suspected that his soon-to-be-approved new boss has ideas of pressuring Mueller to bring his investigation to a rapid and premature conclusion. Perhaps the new Attorney General thinks that his best chance of saving Trump’s ass is to force the report into the public before Mr. Weissmann has actually gotten all the way to the 'heart.' Sure, we’ve been saying for a year that we’d love to see that report as soon as is humanly possible...for sake of the Constitution, the balance of power, the rule of law, and the United States of America. But now? Now we want to feel certain that Mr. Mueller and Mr. Weissman have all the time they need. Don’t be rushed. Do the job you’ve been asked to do, in exactly the way you think it should be done. Don’t let the new Attorney General force the issue.Take your time. Mr. Weissmann, go for it. Get to the heart of the matter."
BTRTN:The "Polar Opposite Vortex..." A Theory on How the Democratic Field Will Shake Out
Born to Run the Numbers with a novel theory on how the voting population will go about its duty of winnowing the huge field of Democratic candidates:
http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2019/02/btrtnthe-polar-opposite-vortex-theory.html
Excerpts: "But there is perhaps an even more intriguing element about the eight year cyclical change that may be helpful in assessing the huge field of contestants for the Democratic nomination. A case can be made that what people generally look for in the personality of their new president is the exact opposite of the dominant personality trait of the incumbent, a trait which may have once been the exact nature of their appeal, but one that has gone stale and become downright alienating with time. Ike was elected because he represented stability, wisdom, restraint, and caution to a nation weary of war. But over time, those traits transitioned from ripe to spoiled, and Ike began to look old, boring, cautious, and bland. Who did Americans elect in 1960? The dynamic, energetic, youthful, and immensely charismatic John F. Kennedy..." (a full catalog of examples follows).
"We’ll call this theory the 'Polar Opposite Vortex.'... which of the dozens of Democratic candidates is truly the polar opposite of Donald Trump? Donald Trump has so many serious faults that the hardest task is figuring out which of Trump’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities is viewed by voters to be the most egregious. Trump is a veritable Sybil of dysfunction...
"Both Warren and Klobuchar seem to realize that the first step toward winning the nomination is simply to be one of the few candidates who is still standing after Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and California. Owning a distinctive and important 'lane' is the way to accomplish that. With two dozen candidates, voters will eagerly grab onto simple, powerful messages and visual imagery in order to sort out the candidates and cull the field to a manageable number..."
BTRTN:The "Polar Opposite Vortex..." A Theory on How the Democratic Field Will Shake Out
Born to Run the Numbers with a novel theory on how the voting population will go about its duty of winnowing the huge field of Democratic candidates:
http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2019/02/btrtnthe-polar-opposite-vortex-theory.html
Excerpts: "But there is perhaps an even more intriguing element about the eight year cyclical change that may be helpful in assessing the huge field of contestants for the Democratic nomination. A case can be made that what people generally look for in the personality of their new president is the exact opposite of the dominant personality trait of the incumbent, a trait which may have once been the exact nature of their appeal, but one that has gone stale and become downright alienating with time. Ike was elected because he represented stability, wisdom, restraint, and caution to a nation weary of war. But over time, those traits transitioned from ripe to spoiled, and Ike began to look old, boring, cautious, and bland. Who did Americans elect in 1960? The dynamic, energetic, youthful, and immensely charismatic John F. Kennedy..." (a full catalog of examples follows).
"We’ll call this theory the 'Polar Opposite Vortex.'... which of the dozens of Democratic candidates is truly the polar opposite of Donald Trump? Donald Trump has so many serious faults that the hardest task is figuring out which of Trump’s weaknesses and vulnerabilities is viewed by voters to be the most egregious. Trump is a veritable Sybil of dysfunction...
"Both Warren and Klobuchar seem to realize that the first step toward winning the nomination is simply to be one of the few candidates who is still standing after Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina, and California. Owning a distinctive and important 'lane' is the way to accomplish that. With two dozen candidates, voters will eagerly grab onto simple, powerful messages and visual imagery in order to sort out the candidates and cull the field to a manageable number..."
BTRTN: The State of Trump's Union... E Pluribus Donald
Born To Run The Numbers on the disconnect between Trump's cheap rhetoric of unity and the policies that serve his own personal and political ends:
http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2019/02/btrtn-state-of-trumps-union-e-pluribus.html
Excerpts: "Donald Trump opened his State of the Union address with a lofty, idealistic call to end partisan bickering and gridlock, urging the legislators before him not to govern as two parties, but as one nation. It was just about then that we knew we were in for a full evening of unrelenting bullshit. This is the guy who personally rejected a bipartisan funding proposal to keep the government open in December, triggering a 35 day government shutdown which created ever deepening hardship on government employees, dangerous stress on our commercial aviation system, and billions in economic loss. Trump scolded Congress that government should serve 'the agenda of the American people,' while polling data repeatedly showed that the majority of Americans are not interested in his wall, and held Trump personally responsible for the shutdown. And now, six weeks later, he is shame-talking Congress about their polarized partisan gridlock? The only thing more disingenuous than Trump talking about his passion for unity would be Bill Belichick advocating that the Vince Lombardi Trophy be shared among the top ten NFL teams."
"All we got last night was a hopelessly self-centered blowhard pretending to revere our history of unity, of country before party, of sacrifice for future generations, all to serve his own political and personal agendas. No, Donald, the state of our union is not strong. It is threatened as it has never been before by a human wrecking ball who will destroy its every institution if that is what is required to keep him and his family out of jail.
BTRTN: The State of Trump's Union... E Pluribus Donald
Born To Run The Numbers on the disconnect between Trump's cheap rhetoric of unity and the policies that serve his own personal and political ends:
http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2019/02/btrtn-state-of-trumps-union-e-pluribus.html
Excerpts: "Donald Trump opened his State of the Union address with a lofty, idealistic call to end partisan bickering and gridlock, urging the legislators before him not to govern as two parties, but as one nation. It was just about then that we knew we were in for a full evening of unrelenting bullshit. This is the guy who personally rejected a bipartisan funding proposal to keep the government open in December, triggering a 35 day government shutdown which created ever deepening hardship on government employees, dangerous stress on our commercial aviation system, and billions in economic loss. Trump scolded Congress that government should serve 'the agenda of the American people,' while polling data repeatedly showed that the majority of Americans are not interested in his wall, and held Trump personally responsible for the shutdown. And now, six weeks later, he is shame-talking Congress about their polarized partisan gridlock? The only thing more disingenuous than Trump talking about his passion for unity would be Bill Belichick advocating that the Vince Lombardi Trophy be shared among the top ten NFL teams."
"All we got last night was a hopelessly self-centered blowhard pretending to revere our history of unity, of country before party, of sacrifice for future generations, all to serve his own political and personal agendas. No, Donald, the state of our union is not strong. It is threatened as it has never been before by a human wrecking ball who will destroy its every institution if that is what is required to keep him and his family out of jail.
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Member since: Wed Jul 20, 2016, 06:44 PMNumber of posts: 778
