It’s almost like Six Degrees of Separation: a reputed Russian mobster indicted for allegedly trying to fix the skating competition at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics is the same guy under indictment by the U.S. attorney in Manhattan for allegedly providing protection for a high-stakes illegal global gambling ring operating out of Trump Tower, and he is the same guy who turned up as a VIP on the red carpet at Donald Trump’s Miss Universe contest in Moscow in 2013.

Trump has tried for years to establish business ties with Russian companies and holding the Miss Universe contest in Moscow was part of that effort.

-snip-

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/9/15/1570446/-Alleged-Russian-mobster-wanted-by-Interpol-got-VIP-treatment-at-Trump-s-Miss-Universe-contest#view-story

Police arrested a Vice News reporter while he attempted to obtain credentials to cover a Donald Trump rally in Houston, the network said Saturday.

The reporter, Alex Thompson, was charged with trespassing and was being held in Houston central jail.

Thompson had entered the Omni Westside Hotel to check with the GOP presidential candidate’s campaign if it had granted him press credentials to cover an event when he was arrested.

-snip-


http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/reporter-arrested-trump-rally_us_57dd9c08e4b08cb140962d82?section=&

I did notice just the slightest uptickeat Nate Silver 538 for Hillary (still way too low for my comfort zone), and a slight downward tick on Daily Kos (at 70% today -- which is much higher than 538). I haven't checked Princeton Election Consortium and frankly I'm not going poll chasing today.

But -- I am honestly wondering if folks believe that what down yesterday with Trump and with the media finally excoriating him (and with Michelle stumping for Hillary in NC) whether there's an expectation that the Hillary bashing is done - for now - and new polling will reflect (some -- hopefully a lot) disgust with Trump. I sure hope so.

Thoughts this Saturday morning?

I did see that Bernie would be in Ohio on Saturday. But what about Hillary's schedule? I didn't see it on her website. Just curious to see what her speaking plans are for the next several days.

"Suggestions on what I can do more to help elect Hillary"

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/9/15/1570729/-Suggestions-on-what-I-can-do-more-to-help-elect-HIllary

Bravo to this person for doing whatever they can...I'm from Oregon which is blue -- I'm willing to help out in swing state votes, but can't go there personally (I work full time, am a mom...) but am willing to canvass, to call, to connect with others on social media.

I'd love to get advice and hear stories from others about what they are doing to help elect Hillary.

The polls showing a close presidential contest in Texas keep piling up, and this could be one of the big sleeper stories of 2016. Coming on the heels of two recent polls showing Trump with only a 6-point lead and one showing a 1-point Clinton lead comes this new survey from Texas Lyceum:

-snip-

http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2016/9/15/1570500/-TEXAS-BATTLEGROUND-ALERT-Clinton-Leads-Trump-by-4-Among-Registered-Voters-in-Head-to-Head-Matchup

This is great! -- and makes a mockery of today's press. Enjoy.

http://www.wimp.com/improv-everywhere-pranks-people-with-a-surprise-press-conference/

Where are Hillary/surrogates and Trump/surrogates going to be?
What's the news story that will take over the media airwaves with respect to Hillary and Trump?
Anyone have any ideas if we've reached the bottom of the "correction" on "pneumonia-gate" and "basket of deplorable-gate"?

Are showing a bit of decline for Hillary Clinton. I'm not in panic mode, but do wonder whether there is a bit of a lag time from the weekend blitz on the "pneumonia-gate". Thoughts?

So, now with Barack Obama giving his fiery speech yesterday in Philadelphia and at least there being a crack in the wall with the breaking Newsweek story...anyone care to venture a guess about lag time on polls and whether there being a bit more coverage on the Trump Foundation and Bondi-gate will tend to push the need even further in Hillary's direction?

And then there's the issue of Daily Kos prediction now showing the Senate retake by Dems at 46%. Ugh....