"Mississippi moved into the 21st century receiving $3 in federal aid for every dollar it sent to Washington, including funding for about a quarter of the public schools’ budgets."
This money comes from "unpatriotic elite Libs from NYC" like myself. This is how patriots like Tucker Carson and Laura Ingham label me.
It's my federal tax money that bails out MISS, KY,LA,OK and the likes. These awesome White Christain folks who have a church around every corner( and a strip bar just few blocks away). They worship the daily gospel of truth from Rev Rush Limbaugh and sermons of wisdom from commander Hannity.
For the record: Hannity and Limbaugh collects tens of millions every year peddling falsehoods, hate, conspiracies, and trashing Libs/Dems, but never known for donating one red penny to help their trailer parks minimum wage audiences in ARK.
Only in America.
18
Democratic candidates for POTUS should consider carefully what strategy they will have for Trump's nicknames, epithets, and blatant lies. Expect new lows in dirty politics. The impossible, the unheard of, the disgusting, are now commonplace and it will only get worse.
Sadly, Warren failed on that score. I don't know what the right tack is -- maybe to mock him a little and change the subject. No one has yet found the answer. Sherrod Brown seems like he could handle it. Landrieux is intriguing but unknown right now.
3
Bob Casey, Senior Senator from PA is also not ruling it out.
Somehow I doubt that the entire world is talking about Melania's colorful holiday forest.
Seriously Gail, so other than Elizabeth Warren what female Presidential candidates look probable and promising on the horizon. Promising in terms of having a true snow balls chance in hell of winning.
Trump is being backed into a corner today and the legal threats to him and his family are becoming real. The American people are seeing Trump has lied again and again and why he is so beholden to Putin. The democrat House and Mueller report will shed more light on the shady dealings of the Trump family that will further damage Trump's re-election chances. Perhaps 35% of the Trump cult fans will stick by him no matter what including Trump ordering troops to fire on civilians protesting in front of Trump Tower when he refuses to leave the White House after losing crying 10 million aliens voted illegally.
2
As always, the Times treats Bernie as a joke. By 2020, think of all the neoliberal boomer Hillary fans who will have died! Think of how they will have been replaced by young progressives. The days of neoliberal control of the Democratic Party by Wall St. are going to end. Bernie didn't need a dime from Wall St. Nor will he or any other charismatic progressive in the future. The only hope for neoliberals is to again successfully con black voters into voting neoliberal, against their economic interests with race (just as Republicans have been conning lower-income Evangelicals for decades with abortion), the way they won the primaries for Hillary in 2016 with the preposterous lie that she was more liberal on race than Bernie. Let's hope that black voters won't continue to be the group Wall St. and other Democratic oligarchs use to keep the party neoliberal--that is pro-rich and anti-poor--for as far as the eye can see. Worked like a charm last time. Who's the genuinely economically progressive, charismatic black that can wake black voters from their suicidal neoliberal slumber?
1
@Fred White
Quite a comment. But you know, Clinton was more liberal on race than Sanders. It's been a lifelong mission for her.
8
Ms. Collins, you say that when you try to recall former vice-presidents, you can usually get to 45. Wow, that is pathetic!
I remember Joe Biden and Spiro T. Agnew because of the Agnew watch I bought back in the day. And who can forget that sharp knife Dan "A mind is a terrible thing to lose" Quayle? Beyond that, I breach the snooze barricade.
Oh, wasn't Richard "I'm not a crook" Nixon once a VP, and Dick "Deficits don't matter" Cheney? Why are all the best ones Republican?
As for Democratic presidential hopefuls for 2020. Nobody under 75 need apply. We taxpayers will pony-up for the ambulatory device.
1
I recommend not attempting to recite the names of potential Democratic presidential candidates as a means of falling asleep. Your brain will just get hung up on whether or not it is pronouncing the names correctly. A one pound rubber mallet up side the head is faster and less painful.
BE Warned of Warren. Jollied by Gillibrand. Bolstered by Beto. Bidden by Biden. Bombarded by Bernie. And, dare I mention, NEVER harassed by Harris. While some on the shortened list may be contenders to run for high office (Heaven forefend another season of 17 candidates from the Democrats this time), we can be comforted that after the Bumptious Trump and Dence Pence, none of the Democrats could fairly be called pretenders. The royal couple of Pretenders to the Presidency are, thumbs down, Trump and Pence.
2
Oh please, DC, let us weary Dems rest at least over the holidays and absolutely delight over our new, wonderful House. I need to savor our winning candidates, so diverse, so intelligent, so ethical..and so many women! (Gotcha', Mr. Trump. I have been waiting to say that for two long, misogynistic years.)
And, Gail, pat yourself on the back for naming 45 vice-presidents. Who else reading this column can beat that? As for who will run for POTUS in 2020, let's put that on hold until January 2. But I will say we have some good ones to consider. And how I would love to see a woman try for it. And not Ms Mississippi...whew...
Twenty seven more days until Santa comes. Let us make our wish-lists for health, happiness, and peace. And there will be no "Grinch" who will steal Xmas from us, right? You're a mean one, Mr. Tru--, oops, Mr. Grinch, and we really don't want you on our holiday greeting cards, etc., etc,. etc.
35
Gail, it's with the greatest respect and admiration that I beg of you:
Please don't talk about 2020 yet!
27
@catstaff
If she did refrain from talking about it she'd be about the only one.
2
Why not comment on Republican challengers?
Even Romney's dog would be an improvement.
Don't Republicans deserve a choice too?
Roof Top versus Phony in 2020!
2
Love the idea per below about throwing in Pence as well, for surely he was up to his eyeballs in all the dishonest happenings so he would hopefully go down with the others.
Then we would have our first woman president.......and a good one at that!!
3
Gail -- I can solve one question, the question about Melania's choice of red Christmas trees in the White House.
Simple: red trees = red states, i.e., her hubby's base. It's a not-so-secret communique from the First Lady to the minions to stay blood red mad as hell and stay faithful to "the man I know" and not necessarily to the babe in the manger.
4
As long as the Democrats continue to allow Super Delegates, their primary/convention system will be rigged to the geriatric party leaders. Also, with so many options, it will be fun to watch where the big money goes. Who will get the support of which Silicon Valley/Wall Street mega-billionaire?
Do I detect a note of sarcasm?
3,482 Democrats look themselves in the mirror each morning and say, "If this idiot can be president, how hard can it be?"
About half that number will be announcing or fund raising, soon. Debates? When they roll around, we're going to need a bigger hall. Not for the audience, but for the candidates. They'll be lining up outside, taking numbers, waiting to get in.
The word went out in 2016 that you no longer have to work your way up to the presidency. This news sent tingles down many a'spine. Previously, it was thought a candidate needed 20 to 30 yrs. to earn his stripes. Military experience helped, but some service in a higher profile office was required. No more. There's noting like a popular teevee show to turn a huckster, playboy living non-candidate into a threat. People are still stunned.
Trump shows that one of the main skills required is mastering the handling of the media, something he used skillfully and deceptively in his decades in New York. Bill Clinton spent an excessive amount of time on that too until things went off the rails. G.W. Bush shrugged and ate some more pretzels.
Both Obama and Bush II broke down the experience barrier to the White House. Bush had less than six yrs. in the weak executive office of governor of Texas. Obama stopped in the US Senate long enough to learn his way around then jumped to the presidency
How much of being president is symbolic, faking it, and how much of it is real? If only Reagan were around to answer the question.
3
I had not seen Melania's Christmas trees, so I looked it up. For those who missed seeing what she did:
https://www.vox.com/2018/11/27/18113451/melania-trump-white-house-christmas-decorations-meme-2018
Is she making a statement with this frightful display?
She is a mystery or is she a Rorschach test?
4
I don't really want to think about a Democratic nominee until much closer to the 2020 election. There's far too much to be done between now and then, and also far too much opportunity for big surprises ... unfortunately most of those would be bad.
One yuuuge question is whether Trump runs for reelection. I suspect he won't, even if he manages to finish out his term. I think Trump is on course to "do a Christie:" survive in office unimpeached and unindicted, but universally abhorred for the bottomless dreck that keeps coming out.
The Democrats don't have an obvious great candidate, but there are plenty of decent ones. Contrast that to the Republicans: their potential choices if Trump doesn't run are reasonably parlous after Kasich -- and there will be big problems over how the base votes if Trump doesn't run.
Want a nauseating idea? Ted Cruz as the Republican nominee?
3
"almost every Democrat who has ever been elected to anything is mulling the possibility. Your state representative may be dreaming about it this very day. The chairwoman of the Zoning Board of Appeals is working out a strategy while she hangs Christmas lights."
Actually, they're all running to be Mayor of Chicago.
2
Does Wasserman-Schulz smoke cigars? Chances are we wouldn’t have ended up having to support Clinton if not for the back room decisions by the Democratic Party bosses to foist a more-of-the-same candidate on us in a year when the electorate clearly wanted someone less traditional. Maybe Bernie couldn’t have won, but Hillary Clinton definitely, definitely, couldn’t. The Republicans pushed the Big Change candidate because they saw he could win, not because he had any good ideas. They got their tax cut, and if they can rid themselves of Medicare and social security, it will all have been worth it for them. Trump will pardon everybody, and they will all golden parachute off into the sunset.
1
@Peter -- it is crazy for you to say that "Hillary Clinton definitely, definitely, couldn’t {win}" ... when she lost by a small fraction of a percent in 3 critical states.
It's also crazy to say "The Republicans pushed the Big Change candidate because they saw he could win, not because he had any good ideas" ... particularly if by "the Republicans" you mean the Republican establishment.
Trump was an extraordinary insurgent candidate. Almost everybody, Trump & Republicans included, were pretty sure he would lose.
This is not the place to attempt to rehash that election, but the Benghazi committee, Clinton's emails and Comey all sure had something to do with it.
4
@Peter The Democrats wanted something different so Hillary Clinton got almost three million more primary votes than Bernie Sanders. Denying that is like denying that she got three million more votes in the general election than Donald Trump did.
4
I really truly hate the presidential primary debates. There is no decorum, no playing nice in the sandbox, just backbiting and nastiness, even among the Democrats. Now that Trump has unleashed "anything goes," I fear it will be worse the next go 'round. If we're going to roll back the clock at all, could we go back to a time when politicians engaged in boring policy debate (which we wonks appreciated) instead of one-upping each other on name caling?
43
@Karen K It’s hard not to think the GOP candidate will be packing heat next time. I guess that would be the man himself, Colludy J. McTreason.
3
As an old, retired person, I think there should be a law preventing anyone over 70 from running for anything. Thanks for your service you old timers, but now it's time to stop running and go walk the dog.
62
@James
Age limits will work. Term limits will not.
Red State hypocrisy is amazing. They make a lot of noise about freedom but a big chunk of their bills are paid by Blue State taxpayers.
My vote for the 46th President of the United States is Senator Tammy Duckworth !
’Tis the season to be running
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Donald Trump is up for shunning
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Tweets and lies to be deleted
Fa la la la la la, la la la la
Autocrats to be defeated
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Voters standing at the ready
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Marching strong and holding steady
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Race and gender all united
Fa la la la la la, la la la la
To see the harbor torch re-lighted
Fa la la la la, la la la la
The strongest lands can show compassion
Fa la la la la, la la la la
And justice is a national passion
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Democracy will give you choices
Fa la la la la la, la la la la
We’re coming back, the world rejoices
Fa la la la la, la la la la
Next time you have trouble sleeping, may I suggest recalling the losing VP nominees. If you get as far as Earl Warren and you haven't dozed off yet, perhaps some warm milk.
Paul Ryan can go into lobbying right now, today, with his comments about the California House races.
The AP called many of the races on election night but the California Secretary of State did not. Too bad Paul, our state is huge and I and millions of others voted by mail in advance.
You don't like the results? Look in the mirror at your policies and tell me that they benefit the average Californian. I can assure you, they do not. And you helped to elect a trash-talking low life as president.
Just go home, Paul and work your magic with union-busting lobbyists you so love to play tennis with.
8
She's not even trying to make a Lady GaGa Christmas Tree Lot...she does bad taste by accident.
3
Those who expect a Christmas tree to be green must have serious concerns with contemporary art.
@Erwan
We don’t expect them to be green. But that particular hall looks like it’s been decorated in piles of gore. It is creepy and gross. Which, to be honest, also describes some contemporary art.
3
Nelson Rockefeller - excellent trivia question.
1
But what about 'This Election' and all the new Dems. They formed the traditional circular firing squad just practice and did an excellent job. Wisely no one stepped up and stood on Ms Pelosi's spot in the center... that's for after Christmas.
As eager as I am to anticipate the demise of the current administration, it's only 2018. We cannot take eternal campaigning and politicking. Please, the "who will be nominated" furor beginning in 2014 inspired the Republicans to nominate a reality TV personality.
Actually, Hyde-Smith became the first white woman elected to represent MS in the U.S. Senate. Surely, if she were black her race would be noted first and foremost over her gender. It is unfortunate that "women" is associated with white women; conversely, other races of women are categorized first by their race, which was the case for Stacy Abrams, and then gender.
2
Great column! Politicians running for President is an uncontrollable desire that most of them go through every 4 years. As the late Russel Baker once observed, "The only known cure for it is formaldehyde!"
@Pablo
Russell Baker is not, thank goodness, late!
I want a woman. There, I said it. It is well past time, and frankly, no one is all that impressed with the job the men are doing to date.
Beto? Please. Another inexperienced, not-even-senator, the white Obama. Please, can we please be adults and support someone up to the job and not someone who is a "rock star?"
And if it isn't a woman, why not Al Franken?
6
Well, Gail, I’m not real optimistic about a huge number of Democratic presidential primary candidates. Republicans tried that in 2016 and they ended up with the worst candidate, the idiot trump.
On the other hand, Dems have a lot of good candidates, so any one could be a good president... Warren, Gillibrand, Brown, Castro, Harris, O’Rourke, Biden... maybe not Oprah. This is the trump solution, where we can’t trust anyone with any experience so we select an entertainer who makes us feel good.
Politics in the U.S. is split, not so much between the Left and the Right, but between the educated and the uneducated. In electing a Democrat, we go back to the educated. This means that the trump party (it was the Republican Party) will have more difficulty passing off trump’s lies. And Fox Noise could lose market share. This is enough to scare the Mudrocks (sorry, Murdochs, but you know to whom I refer) into backing a Democrat. A major step in returning this nation to sanity is to fix Fox Noise.
This time there’ll be only one G.O.P. presidential candidate. Kasich is campaigning in NH just in case trump defects to Russia. It might happen.
Now it’s the Dem’s turn to try to rent a venue with a stage that is big enough to accommodate those dozens of presidential primary candidates. We got this system because we didn’t like the cigar-smoking men in the back room selecting a candidate. It might not have been a bad idea. We wouldn’t have ended up with trump.
146
@Charles:" We got this system because we didn’t like the cigar-smoking men in the back room selecting a candidate. It might not have been a bad idea. We wouldn’t have ended up with trump."
That is very true and is a valid argument against letting rank and file voters pick the candidates via primaries. I don't know who the GOP establishment would have picked in 2016, but am very sure it wouldn't have been Trump. It would have been someone much less bad.
31
@Charles : hey Charles, you end up with "We wouldn’t have ended up with trump".
a great deal has been written and said about how we en did up with a trump.
if we FINALLY eliminate : gerrymandering,
voting suppression of any kinds, and electoral college- we may have a chance, only a chance, at fixing our broken system.
12
@Charles
Don't be so certain! I recommend "Being There" by Jerzy Kosiński or the film by Hal Ashby, which are relatively benign versions of what can happen when the "cigar-smoking men in the back room get to chose.
Who McConnell and his cronies pick had they their way?
Are we confident the Dems could avoid a similiar hubris? Did they the last time?
Still voting in abstentia!
4
Does anybody remember Annise Parker? She was a 2 term mayor of America's 4th largest city of over 2.2 million people, a deep South port city of diverse and international population, an economy based on dangerous chemical refining/geo-politics, and domestic issues of poverty, education, and civil rights.
Annise Parker, former mayor of Houston, Texas was openly gay, married, adopted children, while keeping Big Oil's interests happy and managing a city with classic American contrasts in poverty, opportunity, and education, in a conservative state. She won two terms.
Did you know Louisiana's three largest cities have black female mayors? And while Mike Espy lost in Mississippi, Hinds County (a county known for its racism, attitudes, and violence; it led Mississippi in lynchings) elected three black female circuit court judges, including a former prosecutor and a sitting Mississippi House member--for a total of four.
Yet the Times headlines tout the paradox of a black vote for Hyde-Smith!
San Francisco, Tacoma, Rochester, Washington, Charlotte, Atlanta, among other cities, have black female executives. Yet the corporate party hacks ignore their greatest success and its momentum-gathering message: reestablished grass roots leadership! Taking money out of politics, showing up with activists, noisy and non-expensed account--not lobbyists--and a real agenda.
Successful Democrats have offered a role for the people and built deep structures, not just a fund raising campaign.
220
@Walter Rhett, Annise Parker served THREE terms as Houston’s Mayor. She did not run for a fourth term because in 2015 Houston residents voted to limit mayors to only two, 4-year terms.
26
@CEA Mea culpa! That makes her all the more impressive! She is the best politician/executive ignored by liberal media--when she is the best of its values, with a proven record at the polls and a proven record of decision making and leadership within a diverse city which itself is a world center for energy manufacturing from fossil fuels.
9
@Walter Rhett
Thanks for the history lesson. Of course, they put in the term limits just to stop her. Just like FDR. But though I'd love to have had more of Obama, I would have hated Reagan forever (though his Alzheimer's would have cut that off.
8
The scarlet lady? There will be blood?
Red, the color of death ...
Personally, I prefer the UK system - a maximum of 6 months, and no TV ads. What a wonderful idea! But since we must:
I've admired Elizabeth Warren's for a while, having watched her in action again and again, working at the local and national level to serve us all, and to fight for all of us. She's smart and she doesn't burk real issues. She never gives up, and she refuses to be discouraged by all the nastiness and negativity we all face.
She's particularly good about climate change and the importance of reality-based action.
I'm tired of ageism and sexism, and she has endless patience and energy. I've seen her over and over, in person at every gathering where work is being done to bring people together to serve the common good.
It is a sad consequence of isolating and trolling that she has been labeled part of the "system" because of her success.
305
@Susan Anderson: I agree on the wonderfulness of Elizabeth (I am not being facetious), but I wish that she could smile once in a while, maybe show a sense of humor. That is my only quibble with her.
37
Here's her interview with Thomas Piketty, for anyone who wants to know who she really is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4bb2AA8K6A
@Miriam: I've seen her smile often. Being in her constituency, I have more opportunities to see her in the news and in person (not one on one). She's got a lot of natural warmth.
71
@Susan Anderson
I don't think she's part of the system. And I like her quite a lot. I just want her in Congress actually doing something.
And let's be honest. She really doesn't have the temperament to be President. She's not going to unite anyone.
I'd love to have a woman president. But every time I look at the choices, I kind of go Ick. Too bad Debbie Stabenow was born in Canada. Now there is someone who would make an excellent President.
33
For some reason, people dismiss the ability of the current Governor of Colorado to be a viable candidate for the presidency just because he has the funny/unusual name of Hickenlooper. He had that name when he ran for Mayor of Denver and aired some of the best self deprecating, humorous, political ads on television. They were actually enjoyable to watch. He won that contest. Also, his name did not prevent him from being elected and re-elected as governor of the great state of Colorado. Do not sell this man short. Look beyond his name and judge him by his character.
7
@Chesspiece I mentioned Hickenlooper in an earlier comment. I think he would make a fine President.
Hyde-Smith, recently claimed to be a distant relative of Sen. Henry Hyde, he of the Hyde Amendment barring the use of federal $$ for abortion. She also mis-identified him as being from OK when is from IL.
With this woman's election, the collective IQ, character and integrity of congress just dropped to below previous record setting levels. What she's done for the furtherance of women in responsible roles of leadership is such that two steps forward, one step back will be considered the good old days.
Dear Mississippi:
I will never, ever set foot in your state, but I would donate to a go-fund-me site to pay for enough of that yellow tape they use at crime scenes to completely surround you as a warning to others. Congress persons (and their supporters) who joke about attending lynchings should be avoided at all cost.
(And I thought Brian Kemp was bad - GA, we've been out done. I don't know if that's good or bad.)
22
Sorry, Gail, but that does not get "us pretty much through C."
Senator Michael Bennett of my state, Colorado, reportedly is mulling a run.
1
If Melania can put up red Christmas trees in the White House, can the Democrats decorate the Capitol rotunda with blue Christmas trees?
16
"The whole world is talking about Melania Trump’s White House Christmas decorations, which feature a bunch of trees of a sort of terrifying crimson color. Do you think it’s some kind of metaphor for the Wall? Her mood?"
For me it's the Blood Money paid for the torture, dismemberment, and murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, tacitly approved by the president.
"Mr. President, it’s incredible what’s happened with your country in such a short period of time. America is respected again." I think that's what's said when you find yourself in the same room with a criminally insane person with a bone saw, whether you're the same kind of criminally insane or just a terrified normal human being.
"Cindy Hyde-Smith won that last Senate race, and she’s become the first woman ever elected to Congress from the state of Mississippi. How does that make you feel, people?"
She's Ms. Hyde all the time, there is no Dr. Jekyll side to her. Sad that the south is rising again, but as a toxic swamp creature from old slime. I personally had to go listen to Nina Simone singing "Mississippi Gooddam" [delete one 'o']...
As always, thank you for this column.
24
Beto O’Rouke plus Elizabeth Warren as a VP will be a winning ticket.
If they also refuse the big money donors, then their winning will also change our campaign financing mentality.
7
@Life is Beautiful
Yes! What a good idea. I love them both and would go to NH full time to canvass.
@Life is Beautiful
I'd go for Warren as president and O'Rouke as VP.
2
In what bubble will this take place when he couldn’t win Texas?
1
It makes me sad to realize that whoever the Democrats nominate, they have no hope at all of running as gawdawfully hilarious a process as the GOP has, let alone of coming up with anybody close to as giant a blowhard, liar, and greedhead crook as Donald John Trump.
Really, it’s like asking a small town in Iowa to come up with the equal of the Bullwinkle blimp in Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade.
5
We made through C? Phew! Clinton wasn't on the list. Thank goodness.
That said, Beto is a shoe-in if you can find the right running mate. He's probably better at the top of the ticket in the Obama/Biden fashion. Back him up with a wizened old hand and I think you've got your show.
There are plenty of other good Democrats out there but O'Rourke is the right person for the moment. Everyone else just seems to want it too bad. As the old saying goes, never trust someone to be president if they actually want to be president.
I think Harris, Booker, Gillibrand, and Warren all fall squarely into this category. Biden has a whiff of nostalgia about him but he's non-existent. Cuomo belongs wherever pizza rat is hiding. Sanders is just trying to manipulate the platform. Hickenlooper is interesting but his name is unfortunately a psychological disadvantage. The deep south doesn't work for Democrats anymore so Landrieu is out.
That really only leaves Amy Klobuchar, Sherrod Brown, and Beto O'Rourke. Maybe Gillum or Abrams too.
I think I like Klobucher/Beto or Brown/Abrams. Maybe Klobuchar/Gillum. You can swap the ticket in any of the three scenarios. I feel like Beto is the best match up to debate Trump though. Youth and charisma versus, well, ... Trump. The contrast is not going to work in Trump's favor.
5
swamp creature candidates are in now
This cycle and every cycle the Democrat's motto should be, "It's about the turnout, stupid." Get out every Democrat. Attract new Democrats. Recover former Democrats. Fight for every Democrat vote. Whichever candidate that can do this will win.
17
These midterms were endlessly exhausting. Do we really want to turn around and put 2020 under the microscope without a pause for breath? An awful lot can - and will - happen between now and then. Time to take a break.
9
@Chuck Burton But I'm all excited about Beto. Can't take a breath until he is president.
"That gets us pretty much through C." Not quite. Never assume that Hillary C. won't try it again.
We in New Mexico say: "Thank god for Mississippi". New Mexico is usually at or near the top or bottom of lists: highest infant mortality, greatest proportion of high school drop outs, highest unemployment, etc. etc. But Ole Miss is usually below us, so we're not last! Now we are a completely blue state at the federal and state level after this election. We are the poorest blue state in the nation! Another first.
And with regard to the coming clown car of Democratic Presidential candidates (I've been a Democrat since 1970), as much as I wanted Mrs. Clinton as President, if we nominate a brown person or woman, and there are many great ones, we'll lose again. That's my prediction. You saw it here. America is way to racist and anti-woman to do that yet. Obama, one of the greatest seems to have been an anomaly.
10
"Trump said that whenever he meets with foreign leaders, “they walk in and they say: ‘Mr. President, it’s incredible what’s happened with your country in such a short period of time. America is respected again.’”
I definitely believe he's heard the first sentence. I doubt he's heard the second. Except from Duterte, Orban, Bolsonaro, etc.
7
An under the radar Democratic contender for 2020 : Gavin Newsom
1
@Mary Whitehouse
I really dislike the “He/she just won an election! They should run for President!” No, they should serve their term and do the work of governing. Using one’s office merely as a stepping stone to higher ambitions is a betrayal of the voters who put you there. LetGavin Newsom show how well he can govern California. Let him do the job. He is only 51. He still has plenty of time to run for President, and he’ll be far more credible with 4-8 years under his belt running California.
2
"Et cetera et cetera" -- Bernie to a T.
4
Dismiss Beto if that is what pleases you. But, if you have not already done so, please listen to at least some of his speeches and his responses to questions along the campaign trail to serve in Congress. One stands out in my mind, and it was his response to a question about football players taking a knee during the national anthem. Watch, and then come back again and say he is nothing special, if that is actually how you feel. I think Beto is dismissed much as Bernie Sanders was dismissed - until he wasn't. The real deal? Beto? Take another look please.
17
I want you to know that I have not yet ruled out running for president. Unlike Bernie, I am an actual democrat and at sixty six years of age, I would be the youngest front runner.
18
The more, the merrier. Let them all campaign, make their case, and then Democrats will decide, But let's have a real primary, not the caucus route. Caucus attendance is just not a reliable way to select a candidate.
8
Be sure and tell the Berniacs who bragged about the Washington caucuses attended by maybe a couple thousand, and conviently moved well on before the popular vote two weeks later.
2
Another snarky comment about how poor red states receive more federal dollars in aid than they pay in taxes, suggesting that these red states are biting the hands of rich blue states like NY and CA that feed them. If you truly are a progressive you should support redistribution from the wealthy to the poor. With vastly more wealth in NY and CA and more poverty in MS and WV, you would expect redistribution. I doubt that it is the poor who are telling the feds to keep out of their states' affairs. Let's show more compassion and drop the patronizing snark.
2
@Josiah You are rather missing the point here. The issue is not receiving $3 for every $1 dispatched to Washington, it is insisting that somehow being the recipient entitles one to whine about Washington, and complain about the policies that CREATE the payments, and tell Washington to just shut up and send money.
It is called biting the hand that feeds you, and it makes no friends among those actually paying the bills.
25
As a progressive Californian, I have absolutely no problem with helping out the less fortunate states. In fact, I celebrate the opportunity. But until the leadership of those states stops the ignorant supply side rhetoric, they get the snark as the wrapping on the bailout package.
21
@Josiah, you make a fundamental mistake. It's not just that states like Mississippi take more than they contribute in tax dollars. It's that they HATE when that money goes to minorities, women or poor folk who are not their close personal friends.
They howl about Obamacare, they snarl about liberals everywhere being traitors, on and on. It's their glaring resentment, ALL while they have their hands out. AND while they sneer at liberals for giving THEIR money away to undeserving others. Do you get the difference?
You are right about one thing. It's NOT the poor who are telling the feds to get lost while they rake in federal tax dollars. It's the Republicans. Now including the execrable Ms. Hyde.
Mississippi elected her, and I'm not really impressed by her southern-pride bluster.
Her learned-at-the-knee bigotry, strongly endorsed by certain respected and influential religious leaders (nay, universities!) in the South, is passed on to willing ears again, in 2018.
If you are in favor of redistribution, where is that in the conservative lexicon? You don't get to have it both ways, which is the point of Michelle's piece. You can hate liberals for helping the poor, or you can grab the benefits that liberal policies offer, and then sneer/snark that black people are included in that system. Or Hispanics. Or gay people. Or anyone not-you.
18
Handmaiden Trees?
The phrase comes to mind for some reason; I can't quite think of why...
18
I am very impressed by Stacey Abrams.
14
This Ohio Gal would like to see Sherrod Brown on the ticket... downside being, GOP would put a GOP-man in his senate seat. Double edged sword.
6
I have my heart set on Democratic governor Bullock getting it. He has kept my red state steady despite some nefarious doings by some right wing Republicans. . He got Medicaid expansion passed here.
8
"Trump said that whenever he meets with foreign leaders, “they walk in and they say: ‘Mr. President, it’s incredible what’s happened with your country in such a short period of time. America is respected again.’”
Honestly, most of them are speaking in their native languages. As far as he's concerned, they could be saying anything.
31
@David Frieze, I think it's quite likely that some of them have said the first part of that statement. But only the first part.
19
I don't think "crimson" is the right term for Melania's sanguinary Christmas treelets, since crimson properly has a distinctly purplish cast to it. The blood-red White House decorations are more like "scarlet", though that's hardly an improvement over "blood-red".
15
Re the impending 2020 presidential election:
1. We need to do what other countries do and have publicly funded elections (bye bye Kochs and Mercers) and allow media campaigning for only 3-6 months before an election. Special interests really detest these 2 democratic ideas.
2. I hope this time the DNC does not come up with their "inevitable and entitled" pick for the presidency. I was a fan of Martin O'Malley but he was simply ignored by the DNC and the media in 2016.
So in 2020, the DNC would be wise to let lots of Democrats run and get known and tested in the political spotlight. I have a feeling that an "outsider" might do well. After all, Obama was a virtual unknown and came from nowhere to beat Hillary in 2008.
3. This also would be a great opportunity to showcase the hidden talent in the Democratic Party. So let those run who want to run and see which cream rises to the top. Let the country get excited about Democrats again and put the Republicans to shame with how much surprising talent there is in the Dem. Party.
The trick is to dazzle the Independents, who did favor the Democrats in the mid-terms.
Showcase and Celebrate the diverse and plentiful talent in the Democratic Party for 2020, DNC! Start now and get them out on the airways as a way of introduction.
31
Are the Democrats having actual primaries for 2020?
I thought the little “let’s pretend we’re having real primaries” kabuki of 2016 was so entertaining.
And it worked out so well, giving Democrats the second least popular candidate in American history. Who knew that the MOST unpopular candidate had figured out that he needed to campaign in the rust belt instead of spending August partying with the billionaires in Southampton? For the most qualified candidate ever, she was, to be frank, a little dim.
But I’m confident that Democrats have learned from their mistakes, and THIS time, they will do better.
After all, when Democrats lost 1,000 seats and scads of governorships across the country, did they look for new leadership? No! Pelosi’s ready for the gavel!
When Democrats lost ground in the Senate in the otherwise Republican disaster of 2018, did they ask, “maybe a new face in leadership?” No! The Senator from Wall Street is open for business!
When loads of new blood was injected into the House, did anyone demand that the average age of leadership be reduced from 78? Well, not demanded, not really. Strongly suggested? Asked? Requested? Mentioned in passing? No! Well, not really.
Anyway, if Trump is still in office in 2020, Democrats have a shot. And if they plan actual primaries instead of a coronation, they have a very good shot. We shall see... and Democrats, toast to the success of Trump’s first term! I know it hurts, but a Democratic win in 2020 may depend on it.
2
@Serrated Thoughts -- oh pulleeze -- they had "actual primaries:" HRC won them.
1
As chairman of our zoning board of appeals, I categorically deny any ambition to run for president. Absolute dictator, maybe, but not president.
22
@MikeH
I stand with Mike H! As former chapter chair and grievance officer of my union, I, too, formally declare my non-candidacy for national, state-wide or local office.
As Absolute Vice-Dictator for Life however, I might have second thoughts. If there's an opening and as long as i don't have to do any committee work. Or take notes.
11
I’m in, though. Vote for me. In hic signo vinces, and the banner you shall follow shall be:
“Hey, We Already Scraped the Ground Under the Barrel”
2
This is one of the funniest, wittiest columns I have read in years, and to employ an already overused cliche, it is clear that Ms. Collins has got her groove back, that she is really cooking!Most of the commenters, not known in my view for their discernment, no se ofenda, failed to comment on the quality of the writing,reminiscent of a time before GC, "veuillez m'en excuser,"began proselytizing. This is just fine writing and merits a "triple ban!" Hats off to the author!
12
Sorry Gail, the game of picking the Democrat to run in the 2020 presidential election is daunting...I mean everyone of the hundreds of possible nominees (including those who may surface over the next two years) would be fresh air to Trump's coal dust clouds.
Why not talk about more interesting subjects like Mississippi?
Is it really a state? Not a US possession?
What happened in that territory, which has borders along four actual US states, that it's economy lags behind that of the Republic of the Marshall Islands?
Is it true that spelling "Mi-ss-iss-ipp-i" with a cadence is its main contribution to education?
Now Gail reminds us that we send aid to this third-world territory which raises the question, "What do US citizens get in return for their hard earned tax dollars?"
I mean, I don't begrudge charity but shouldn't we be demanding welfare reform so that the recipients of US aid to this territory learn how to support themselves? Isn't that always the Republican argument used to end welfare everywhere?
Now as to Cindy whatshername, who wants to be in the front row for hangings, isn't she the living image of the post Civil War anti-Reconstruction South? Figuratively and LITERALLY?
16
@jabarry, yes, the spitting image -- I have been wondering why she looks as if she has already lost her teeth.
4
Brava, Gail! Merry Christmas.
6
What is not a factual statement made by Hannah Fry as she defines algorithm on page 7 and 8?
https://www.amazon.com/Hello-World-Being-Human-Algorithms/dp/039363499X
Question: What is science based on?
1) Facts
2) Observation
3) What Paul Krugman states is 'The Big Lie'.
I just want my degree and a job that pays. I'm tired of volunteering.
3
Why can’t we have a law that makes all persons 70 years and older ineligible to seek elected office at the national level? Let’s call it the Septuagenarian Law or No More Active Geezers Act (NoMAGA). Let’s make NoMAGA effective as of the 2020 elections. This will kill two birds in one stone in a bipartisan manner. It will disqualify several geezers in the Democratic Party from running for President, while simultaneously making Mr. MAGA ineligible to run for a second term. Also, it will infuse new, younger blood in Congress as hundreds of Congress persons in the current House and Senate will be forcibly retired. This might have the added benefit in making approval ratings of Congress jump. Pass #NoMAGA now!
9
@Jack Nargundkar: Hey! I resemble that remark!!
No, no, no, no, no.....alphebetizing the possible candidates, or even vice presidents on your way to the land of nod, won’t do. Those “b’s” and “c’s,” for example are going to get a lot of free air time just by being “b’s” and “c’s.” They’ll take a lesson from the pages of being a TV emcee on a very bad show—any press is good press. And it won’t do to reverse the alphabet—someone named “Zlatkind” is gonna slip right in (or someone’s going to change her name to Zlatkind). The “zzzzzz’s” will get the advantage.
Nope, you need a different system, but you’ll figure it out.
Sleep on it.....
2
I got email from Canada about Melania Trump's red trees.
To some people, the message was: Trumps Love Russia!
13
Amy and Beto—what’s not to like?
6
I don’t know what will happen with the new blue hopefuls, but I do know this: Hillary and Bernie should not run again. We need their expertise, but from the sidelines. They will split the vote and/or be beaten again by Trump. Sometimes showing the greatest courage means knowing when to quit. This next one should be left to the next generation.
The next president needs to move us forward with critical issues like human rights, wealth and gender equality, data privacy, and the monopolization of America while protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
The next president needs to stand up to foreign bullies (while maintaining positive relations with our allies), domestic bullies (while working across the aisle), and Wall Street bullies (while nurturing the economy and jobs).
The next president needs to be able to get members of his or her own party elected, in large numbers.
Offshoring jobs has been great for the stock market and the 1% but a disaster for many workers. Trump draws his strength playing to workers' fears, unjustly demonizing immigrants. A pragmatic road map for "Better Jobs, Better Wages" will be the holy grail for the next generation of Democrats. They should focus on health care and education as we endeavor to build power-grid infrastructure for renewable energy, notably wind and solar. That will be our future.
Our choice is between the needs of the many and the greediness of the few. If we can't figure that out, then little hope remains for us.
319
@Blue Moon I totally agree with your ideas about what the next president needs to do. Unfortunately, Jesus is not running.
26
@Blue Moon 100% agree!
11
@Blue Moon
You have nailed it!!!
11
A depressingly cynical column, unusual for Ms Collins. Just another sign of the times we live in.
Thank you Gail we need something to laugh about that wasn't in the style of the gallows humor this administration and its congressional flunkies inspire.
4
"Trump said that whenever he meets with foreign leaders, 'they walk in and they say: ‘Mr. President, it’s incredible what’s happened with your country in such a short period of time. America is respected again.’”
We must be in the voices-in-the-head stage now with Trump's mental and emotional deterioration. It really is happening right before our eyes.
The closer Mueller gets to Trump in his investigation, the more unglued Trump is becoming--and he was not in good mental and emotional shape at the start of his adventure into presidential apprenticeship.
Do I think Trump might do something truly reckless and dangerous to deflect our attention from his looming legal and emotional troubles? You betcha.
And Republicans: No more you didn't hear what you heard and see what you saw with Trump.
17
So’ The Guardian reports that Manafort visited Assange several times in the Ecuador embassy in London. But Manafort says this is “100% false.”
Manafort lied to Murller, and Guilliani is bragging about it, and Trump says pardonong Manafort “is not off the table.’
But Manafort has already been convicted of crimes that had nothing to do with Trump.
Meanwhile. the new lies, to Mueller and to the FBI, are crimes too.
So, is Trump pardoning Manafort for lying to Mueller and to the FBI?
And just because Trump pardons Manafort for lying to the FBI does not make whatever lie Manafort told become the truth.
Trump can pardon crimes, but he cannot turn a lie into the Truth.
And so, on TheGuardian report, why should we believe Manafort, the liar? Manafort, whose lies to the FBI are so big, Guilliani brags about them, and Trump promises to pardon Manafort for telling them?
Trump, you can’t pardon someone who tells the truth. You can only pardon people who are criminals.
By promising to pardon Manafort, Trump basically admits Manafort is a liar.
Trump the Tweeter thinks that by bashing Mueller with Manafort’s leaks, he is “winning” in the court of public opinion.
All Mueller has to do is file his findings with a judge, unsealed, and it all gets public right away.
Then, Trump will really learn how the court of public opinion really works.
Any GOP senator who backs up Trump then, will lose in 2020.
Our new Democratic House must keep a spotlight on this, and subpoena Trump’s tax returns.
8
I’m for a Beto/Mitch ticket...though I realize the geography is...odd. But how wonderful would it be to watch those debates and actually hear full working brains, and coherent sentences on the trail again—
And Melania’s trees...dark and weird, made for a fashion shoot. And that video of her wandering the White House in her black coat/cape, truly strange. I think she’s trolling everyone, even herself.
We’ve all lost our minds over the past few years.
7
@Susan Fr, Melania seems to be stuck in high school, still trying to be the mysterious, cool one.
4
"Which countries’ foreign leaders do you think he was quoting? Saudi Arabia? Papua New Guinea?"
Gail, Saudi Arabia is fair game, but leave Papua New Guinea alone.
7
Gail, I appreciate your insightful, clever and humorous columns. This one is another example of your formidable powers of observation, identification of irony and exposure of hypocrisy. Then, you are able to meld these abilities into a well-written, coherent and humorous essay.
You columns are fun to read and can make one smile and chuckle. Unlike, Maureen Dowd, you refrain from the use of French phrases, that she seems to use in order to appear intellectually sophisticated.
Ooops, you did use," au courant" - my bad!
2
I keep hoping Michelle Obama will relent and make the run in 2020. Please Michelle. If the answer is still are you kidding me - absolutely not, then Stacey Abrams paired with Beto O'Rourke as Vice President would be my dream choice. I can still dream can't I? Please no more retreads.
Bernie Sanders divided us, and he and Joe Biden are as long in the tooth as I am. We need fresh faces and new ideas tempered with wisdom and intelligence to represent the Democrats in 2020. We had better get it right this time, the Doomsday Clock is edging closer to midnight every minute Trump is in office.
As for the red Christmas trees in the White House, maybe Melania was matching them to the color of Trump's angry face, as Mueller edges closer to his prey. I am thinking there isn't a lot of holiday joy in the White House right now.
I kept hoping for an Alabama Doug Jones miracle in Mississippi, but it was not to be. Sigh. Instead, we got a Sarah Palinesque white nationalist type. Hardly matters that she is the first woman elected to the Senate from Mississippi, she is hardly a champion of women's rights.
Here's hoping that 2019 will be the start of the climb back to becoming progressive and sane once again in this country. We have had two years of gut wrenching insanity, and I don't think my nerves could stand six more years of this stuff. I don't care if Trump quits, is impeached, is arrested, or voted out of office, as long as he is gone, and the sooner the better.
9
Running, Gail?
I'd settle for a slow walk, some compromises, and an eye on the prize of getting something done for a change!
2
Ahh, Gail. You didn't get through the Cs. You forgot Hillary.
She really wants to be the first female president of the United States. She is appearing more in public (ugh) and some important woman in her previous campaign says she is thinking about running......again.
And of course the Democrats will give it to her. Sorry, she will buy it from the Democrats.
And the Democrats wonder why they lose.
What makes the Queen think she can beat trump (or anyone) this time around? She is not liked.
4
@esp: YES she is!! What do you want? To lock her up?
1
US politics is like watching an epic tennis match where fans’ necks swivel side to side from republican to democrat. People vote against candidates more than for somebody. They lazily check a democratic or republican slate without knowing anything about the individual names on the ballot. The two-party system is tired.
1
Cynicism will kill us. Remember, Bernie would have been the democratic candidate had not cynical Clinton supporters stole the nomination for her.
A good friend of mine wrote a good book; "Great Losers of History (Lobel, J.) I suggest you read it. You might learn something about history.
2
Gail, to many of us the sweetest thing about it’s the season for democrats, is that, Hillary Clinton is not in it! Please don’t think of running again, Hillary or bringing any Clinton into the mix.
4
I’ll bet Ms. Collins is praying that Mitt Romney enters the presidential race.
3
O'Rourke/Klobuchar 2020!
5
How to give Trump a landslide win in 2020...put Warren or Gillibrand on the ticket. Sorry ladies, men won't vote for self-righteous screechy-voiced finger-wagging lecturing school-marm types. Even Nancy Pelosi would do better. If the Dems want to win with a woman on the ticket, put Amy Klobuchar or Kamala Harris in the top or VP spot.
2
How did Melania convince all those ex Congressfolk to dress up as red trees?
4
My head hurts already. Anyway, it’s Hillary’s turn, right?
“ Deck the Halls with Democrats “. And fill the Jails with Trumpists. MY only Christmas WISH.
Seriously.
24
Not to nitpick. Ok, maybe to nitpick. The 45 Presidents have had 48 Vice Presidents. So you’ve got 3 more to learn, Gail. Then you can be embarrassed for knowing them all!
1
Some commenters have already stated parts of what I am going to say, but I think that in order to beat Trump in 2020 (assuming he is not impeached, or resigns, because of findings by the Mueller investigation) the Democrats need to run a moderate, White, Christian male, preferably from either a mid-western state or a swing state. They absolutely should not run a woman or racial / ethnic minority candidate at the top of the ticket. Kamala Harris, Corey Booker, Eric Holder and Elizabeth Warren would be the kiss of death, and they would all lose to Trump. I say this a Democrat and a Liberal, who hates Trump. After Obama, and now Trump, I think it's been shown that a large percentage of the electorate is simply just too racist and misogynistic to ever vote for another Black, or the first female President. It's sad, and pains me to say that, because I agree with all of the Democrats listed above, in terms of policy. Sherrod Brown would be one of the best candidates that the Democrats could run, but he may have a hard time making it through the primaries, competing against more famous, higher profile politicians, in order to get the nomination. I also really like Beto O'Rourke a lot too. The two of them running together would be a great ticket, regardless of who is at the top of the ticket.
58
What sorry, cynical, enervating advice. Pull up your socks a minute. The situation is much better than you imagine.
Obama is more popular than Trump today by a wide margin. Clinton won 3 million more votes. Democrats just secured the house — including a record number of women — by a 9-point margin, almost twice the Republicans’ margin in 2010. Turnout in many parts of the country was near the rate of presidential races. Don’t suppose it will be any less when Trump himself is in the ballot.
Let’s face it: Trump was a lousy candidate. Boorish, uninformed, unqualified. His luck of the draw was an opponent who was even a worse candidate. Clinton never had even Trump’s way with words. Never a clever retort. Not even a campaign stop In Wisconsin.
Trump promised to reindustrialize America. Clinton promised ... paid family leave. To which millions of Americans yawned, and took to mean, correctly , that she had no answer to their economic dislocation and insecurity.
Universal healthcare in 2016 was radical. In 2018 it was a central policy proposal for many Democratic candidates, most of whom were elected because of it. They got elected, in other words, by talking seriously about a serious issue.
Trump promised and failed to deliver “better and cheaper” healthcare. The next Democratic candidate — man or woman, black or white — will be able to call him on that.
21
I agree with you. To me, Democrats worst quality is the perpetual hand wringing. The “who can be elected” vs who has the best ideas. From where I sit, a young, progressive African American, Colin Allred, beat Pete Sessions, a conservative White male, in a district that has voted for that conservative white man for the past 22 years. And a Lesbian, progressive, young woman, Julie Johnson, beat another conservative white male, Matt Rinaldi, in a district that was previously dark red. In Texas! My point is that the Trumpers are who they are, we just need to present a bold, progressive vision, and motivate previously sleeping voters. Trump has a ceiling of support, we don’t need to be Republican lite in order to win, and we should certainly not fall into the pit of saying if you are a woman, a minority or young, don’t bother applying.
3
@Seymore Clearly You need to discount from consideration all those who wouldn't vote for a Democrat in a million years anyway. Then you will find that a woman and/or a POC will be perfectly acceptable. Obama got elected twice and Hillary won the popular vote (according to fake news, of course). What will not be acceptable is someone too progressive in the wrong ways. They can be on the right side of issues, but their emphasis has to be on things most people deeply care about. Someone running on identity and putting the wrong issues at the top of the ticket will lose. Warren is an example of someone plenty to the left but not doing something like running for President on the free abortion platform or something. She's pro choice, of course, but her main concern is economic justice. It's not just the ingredients, it's the mix and how they go together to reflect a vision.
3
"Deck the halls with Democrats..." Yes, let's do it. It's called 'dumbing down' in my neighborhood. More socialism is needed to complete the destruction of inner cities and public transport.
2
@farleysmoot
Trump's fascination with communist dictators don't seem to be moving the needle so yeah, let's go with the socialistic public transport and keep Social Security and Medicare.
5
@Kay Johnson
lol- "doesnt" seem...
1
Mississippi should be allowed to succeed from the Union,
at its earliest convenience.
14
@Steven of the Rockies
A thoughtful comment. Do you want all of the African Americans who live in Mississippi to leave the US? Interesting. Can you imagine if a Republican said that?
@Steven of the Rockies
I agree about Mississippi seceding and they should take Oklahoma, which doesn’t believe in public education, with them.
4
@Shamrock
We can redistribute the African Americans throughout the states. We could give them a better education. Or we could divide Mississippi in half making it truly White MS and the rest of Mississippi. I would be willing to give $3.00 for every $1.00 until their education increases and they become self supporting. It would happen since they would not be held back by the whites.
:)
The real problem for the Democrats is they need to nominate someone who can get elected. They seem to have forgotten Adlai Stevenson's response when a supporter told him he had the vote of every thinking person: "That's not enough, madam, we need a majority."
N.B. this quotation is subject to dispute. No doubt if he were around today, Stevenson would also add, (a majority)... of votes from the Electoral College."
7
As a European I can assure you that desk clercks in European hotels are way smarter than favourably commenting on Mr. Trump. And I have been told that Papua New Guinea has may good and intelligent people, so to quote their country in one sentence next to Saudi Arabia is not really civil.
11
Fry state on page 8, "That's it. An algorithm..." This is wrong. What Fry should have stated is "That's it. A program is a set of instructions that a computer uses to perform a specific task, such as... . '
Source:http://catalogue.pearsoned.co.uk/educator/product/Go-with-Office-2013-Volume-1/9780133142662.page
There is a difference between and algorithm and a program. Fry is twisting the terminology. If computer science is a science it has to be based on facts. Fry is wrong. This is a fact.
1
Please DNC set some ground rules for running for President and specially appearing on the debate stage. The last thing I want to see is 30 “I coulda been a contender” also-rans not even achieving Andy Warhol’s 15 minutes of fame.
1
Of the 42 new women members of the Congreſs, I visually approve of 37.
Let them all gyre and gymble in ye wabe, and do as little damage as possible to the fabric of the nation.
Tis the season.... What woman doesn't love the handsome Beto, Hate the annoying Andrew (Mario jr.), Love Cory Booker (I'm sure as Newark Mayor everything was on the up and up), as for the Browns Too old, Steve Bullock too male.... And Liz too Native American. Let's hope "Mikie" Sheryl can run from NJ, after all we know she can fly a helicopter !
I think you have Beto misfigured, Gail. He said he wasn't interested in running for president because it looked for a long while like he might have a 6-year gig, with health care and a great retirement plan. Now, since Cruz managed to hang on to that position, Beto is freed up to take a run at being a rung above his Senate opponent. In a position to put his thumb to his nose and wiggle his fingers every time he and Cruz happen to be in the same room, if you will. Plus, the presidency has an even bigger paycheck and more benefits.
You'll know Beto is all in when he announces his plan to drive his trusty Toyota truck to all 50 states and D.C. to boot. How, you ask, does he plan to drive to Hawaii? Simple, a large, paddle-wheel-propelled pontoon boat with the truck's rear wheels resting on a set of rollers driving the paddles. A piece of cake, actually. He probably won't spend as much on gas as he did driving to every county in Texas, all 254 of'em. Once he has sweated through his shirt in every state in the Union he'll have won over even Alaska and given the Republicans in Wyoming, Idaho and pretty much everywhere else between the Canadian and Mexican borders heartburn and irritable bowel syndrome.
Once Beto starts on that road trip, the debate between Democrats will be more a "who wants to be vice-president?" free-for-all.
6
“...Mississippi moved into the 21st century receiving $3 in federal aid for every dollar it sent to Washington, including funding for about a quarter of the public schools’ budgets. ....it would be nice if its politicians refrained from saying thank-you by demanding that the federal government “stay out of Mississippi when it comes to policies.” As Hyde-Smith did during her one and only debate.”
Reminds me of the lady holding a sign at a Tea Party rally that said, “Keep your government hands off my Medicare.”
As reported by the Brookings Institution: The less-than-500 counties that Hillary Clinton carried nationwide encompassed a massive 64 percent of America’s economic activity as measured by total output in 2015. By contrast, the more-than-2,600 counties that Donald Trump won generated just 36 percent of the country’s output—just a little more than one-third of the nation’s economic activity.
If the Trumpsters in Mississippi saw off the branch they’re sitting on, guess who they’ll run to for help. If Sen. Hyde-Smith wants the federal government to stay out, maybe she can sign the Confederate soldiers hat she wore at a 2014 visit to the Jefferson Davis Home and hold a charity auction. You know, where she said, “Mississippi history at its best!”
2
Cindy Hyde-Smith won her race despite a plethora of ignorant and offensive statements, essentially taking a page from Trump’s own playbook. He lurched around debate stages like a drunk bonobo chimp, yet millions thought, “yep, I can see him as president.”
And the inability or unwillingness of Mississippians, who receive far more from Washington than they put in, to see themselves as anything but the welfare cases they claim to despise is breathtaking. Kudos to Gail Collins for continuing to spotlight the brazen hypocrisy demonstrated by ignorant demagogues like Hyde-Smith.
10
If I am wrong tell me I am wrong. If I am correct thank me for my time and service for good constructive criticism.
Dear Santa Claus, I have one wish for Christmas and I will dance in the streets when I get my wish. Please, as Ms. Collins wrote, "Deck the Halls with Democrats".
3
We're checking our lists
Checking them twice,
Gonna find out whose
Naughty or nice.
Democrats are coming to town.
We'll know when they've been sleeping
We'll know when their awake,
You'll know when they've been bad or good
So read the Times for goodness sake.
Mr. Mueller's coming to town. . .
1
Have you ever been to a new restaurant and ordered an unfamiliar appetizer with a fancy name, only to find that it was incredibly terrible and left a lingering, weird taste in your mouth? Something like that can ruin the rest of an otherwise good meal.
That dining experience is like reading about Cindy Hyde-Smith and then trying to get through an otherwise good column by Gail Collins.
2
Breaking News!
With just less than two dog years left before the next election, we already know who some of its biggest winners are!
The media. The pollsters. The lobbyists. The PACs. The hackers. Their bots. Sworn enemies of our country. Attorneys. Judges. Psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists and grief consultants. Pundits. ‘Experts’ on anything & everything. Lapel pin, ball cap, bumper sticker and decal makers… to name just a few.
We also know who the big losers will be. Voters who were disenfranchised based on trumped up rules.
Absentee voters whose ballots mysteriously went AWOL after being lost, stolen or never counted. Voters who chose not to vote. Voters who simply forgot.
That leaves us with one more race. The one for the highest office in the land. The one that won’t be over until way past when it was supposed to be over.
So, who will our next POTUS be?
That one's up to you!
This election cycle is the Democrats to lose...Trump and his administration are now pitching them big round softballs over the plate---right down the middle. You could swing for a leftists homerun, you could bunt with a wildcard candidate, you could drive the ball to the opposite field with an angry moderate, or select a candidate that knows how to play moneyball, just get on base every time at the bat. If I were the manager, I would be looking over the Warren's, the O'Rourke's, the Booker's, the Biden's, and send in an relatively unknown player--but one who has delivered in the minor leagues---someone like a Mitch Landrieu.
two words: hickenlooper/klobuchar.
1
"Feel free to discuss whether Andrew Cuomo would be a better presidential nominee than Beto O’Rourke. Also, you can throw in Joe Biden, Cory Booker, Jerry Brown, Sherrod Brown, Montana Gov. Steve Bullock and former HUD Secretary Julian Castro. That gets us pretty much through C."
Well, it gets us to "Ca," but what happens if we get to "Cl"? :-)
"During his re-election campaign, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he’d stick around for his entire four-year term unless 'God strikes me dead.'"
If God ever gets back into the lightning and smiting business, you wouldn't even be able to pay the full-time grifters in the administration enough to get within a hundreds yards of Trump.
Even Mike Pence would rather hide out in Melania's Christmas hellscape / border wall prototype than stand next to Trump in full view of the heavens.
And Jim Acosta? He'd be just fine with never being in the same room as Sarah Sanders again.
1
Truly one of Gail's best - but I'm torn over whether I'm glad Senator Klobuchar wasn't on her cheekily vetted candidates' list or do I wish she had been included? Klobuchar got more legislation passed than any other senator in 2016 and she has a 72% approval rating from a state that had never elected a woman senator before.
It's a no-brainer. Put her on your list - up top.
Klobuchar 2020.
4
“...Trump said that whenever he meets with foreign leaders, they walk in and say: ‘Mr. President, it’s incredible what’s happened with your country in such a short period of time. America is respected again.’”
“Which countries’ foreign leaders do you think he was quoting?”
Along with the Saudis, I’d say that would include Putin, Orban, Duterte, Bolsonaro, Erdogan, and Kim Jong-un, depending on the day. Our “gut for brains” president Donald Trump has given hope and succour to every corrupt and autocratic leader throughout the globe, and in less than two years has made “fascism great again.” “Incredible,” indeed.
3
I just wish there were democrat candidates that did not take big money from their lobbyist puppet masters, actually had a back bone, marched in lockstep with their brethren and sistren, and actually wanted to move our country forward. Something they haven't done since LBJ.
1
A Democrat like, oh, Bernie Sanders?
1
@Rick
Agree that LBJ was a great political leader, and deserves far more recognition from Democrats for what he did for the country.
But you are being unfair to Obama. They will both be looked back on in 100 years as important leaders, heads and shoulders above the three idiots who lived on racism and debt (W, DT, or RR).
1
And don't forget to rake under those trees every night, Melania.
7
You left off Sen Bob Casey from the A-C list.
1
I really don't care about how this administration/family decorates the White House for Christmas. I don't care about what they eat, how they dress, or what they do. I'm not interested in who Trump invites to the White House for dinner as friend or as a foe. I just want this administration and family out of the White House and DC. This couple and their families are insufferable.
I'm tired of the constant election season. Can we get no rest from mental and spiritual indigestion? I'd like a day set aside for the voters to come to DC and throw pies at their elected and appointed officials. Why? Because it's the only way to guarantee that we'll ever meet them face to face. And it's the only way that our elected and appointed officials will understand how unpopular some of them are.
Note to the victors and to the current officeholders: the only reason some of you are where you are is not because we like you but because you were the best choice out of a lousy field.
5
A Sherrod Brown and Kamala Harris ticket would be a winner!
2
Blood, fire, gerrymandered vote suppressing states. These were the things that came to mind when I first viewed Melania's decorations. maybe it was red for the ties Trump usually wears! Last year, if I remember correctly it was a forest of white sprayed bare branches. Neither time did the decorations create a space it would be pleasant and/or interesting to walk through.
4
Beto is the most interesting candidate in my lifetime, and maybe the most interesting since Abe Lincoln. Beto has a unique set of qualities, he is fearless in saying what he believes, translating ideas into policy, staying above the pettiness (always), making people feel heard, and being calm, decent and totally real. As someone who worked as a volunteer on his Senate campaign from the start, I can assure other Americans that Beto was the exact same person from beginning to end. He is brilliant, he is kind, he is principled, he is motivating, he is generous to others and he is incredibly disciplined. Gail Collins may be cynical, and she may believe that Beto is all celebrity and hype, but she will come to realize that she can trust Beto is the real deal.
23
@BK I personally prefer Hickenlooper but it’s doubtful that he will get the celebrity status that Beto has.
I would really like to see a healthy primary, with all kinds of ideas represented. Let’s have a chance to see all these people side by side. We have an embarrassment of riches in the Democratic Party. Hickenloper would be a welcome addition in my opinion.
1
@BK
I like Beto too, BUT he did not win his election. Running him against Trump would be Suicide for the Democratic party. He was a loser. Just think what Fox and Trump would do to him.
Find someone with congressional experience, a Lawyer especially a constitutional one, that can win elections in Red districts. That would be better for the Democrats.
I am a Democrat and have always been one.
I have no idea who the Democrats should nominate. At this point I’d vote for a cocker spaniel if it was the only way to get rid of Trump. Bernie was my choice in 2016 and could still be my guy in 2020 but I’m looking forward to meeting some of the less known candidates especially those from parts of the country where electoral college votes are up for grabs.
I’d like to learn more about Steve Bullock and Mitch Landrieu, Amy Klobuchar and others that may be out there.
I want someone who can do the job as well as win the election.
Whatever the case I hope that the Democrats have learned a lesson from 2016. Don’t pick a winner in advance. Let the candidates have at it and let the best person win.
It worked out pretty well in 2008.
23
@Brooklyncowgirl
"At this point I’d vote for a cocker spaniel if it was the only way to get rid of Trump."
Me too. I've pretty much narrowed my shortlist of qualifications down to "ambulatory, warm to the touch, does not use a pacifier in public."
6
@Brooklyncowgirl You do realize, of course, that a cocker spaniel, with its intelligence, compassion, and unconditional love, would be a MUCH better choice than Trump, right?
4
Not that talking about the 2020 elections won't get my heart pumping and drive up my blood pressure, something my doctor has repeatedly said is only good for electoral health, but I think a break from politics during the lame duck would be nice. Maybe discuss the best latkes and latke toppings.
Wait, applesauce versus sour cream. Is that difference religious or political in character?
4
@Jacob Sommer Wonderful idea! Cranberry sauce gets very little attention during election years. Straight from the can is so pedestrian. How about adding some orange zest to tame the tartness. What to do with the giblets at Christmas? Use in stuffings or gravies? The list goes on.
@Jacob Sommer Being an atheist, I've wondered the very same thing. See: Sauce for the latke...
I am a little scared to think about the 2020 elections. There will be SO.Many.Democrats!!! Remember when there were 16 Republicans running and they couldn't all fit on one stage? The "best" of the bunch destroyed one another so effectively that they gave us the absolute WORST one of the bunch. I sure hope the Dems don't do the same thing.
And please, Hillary- DON'T RUN AGAIN.
38
The red Christmas trees seem so....cosmopolitan, elitist. Melanie is like her hub in that her appearance is all important. Her pithy attire in Africa, her high heels to hurricane ravaged areas, etc. I mean, we are truly witnessing a models photo shoot. There is some cultural ignorance there. I usually watch the late show with Colbert, and the actress who plays Melanie nails it!
32
@Steve, she wants to look “European”! You know white European..
Michelle Obama too was a stunner who carried herself with elegance and dignity, fashionable and smartly dressed, but her attire was always a message to all Black women and women of color, it’s ok to dream high and one day your dream may come true! Through her vicariously we women of color celebrated our possibilities!
11
@Steve Quick! Name a model who won a Nobel Prize.. in anything? Yeah, I can't, either.
1
@Steve, we ought not to be surprised -- modeling is, after all, the only thing she's trained for.
5
Certainly takes a seasoned pro, to write an informative and entertaining column to start the holiday season.
Let's get Elizabeth Warren out of the way. She blue it with her genetic faux pas. Glad we found out now and during the election season of 2020. Some Fox hound could have sniffed it out just before desert.
Au courant, world politics and economics are quite dynamic and transformative events like Presidential indictments, market crashes and Russians claiming that Melania chose crimson because their emails requested her to do so, may leave us with a bitter taste in our mouths. Who knows what can happen.
Is a certain seasoned reporter up for running?
6
I think vice presidents can be a lot of fun. Aaron Burr. Martin Van Buren (who became the only president who spoke Dutch) Richard Nixon. John Calhoun (champion of nullification) and Spiro Agnew (they both resigned). Dan Quayle. Dick Cheney! That's enough; Cheney gives me shivers.
11
Trump said that whenever he meets with foreign leaders, “they walk in and they say: ‘Mr. President, it’s incredible what’s happened with your country in such a short period of time. America is respected again.’”
_____________________________
Please, Gail, say that isn't so.
Please say it just flowed from your fingertips as a figurative example of Trump's unbounded narcissism.
If it's real, both he and we have gone over the edge.
13
I think you can be confident that it’s a story entirely fabricated — by the President, not by Gail.
1
@justamoment
he said it. Out loud. Heard it with my own delicate ears.
1
“As a result, Mississippi moved into the 21st century receiving $3 in federal aid for every dollar it sent to Washington, ...
This is all fine, given that Mississippi is a very needy state.”
Sorry, Gail. I love you but this is not fine. Not because we shouldn’t support each other in times of need but because, rather than gratitude and grace, needy Mississippi offers those who support it, e.g., NY and CA, nothing but condemnation, disdain and revulsion.
27
@DJ I’m not quite sure that Mississippi owes NY or CA any gratitude for receiving federal funds to partially cover federally mandated spending.
2
@John Aren't all states subject to said federally mandated spending? Not trying to be snarky, just curious.
1
@John
Nice try John, federal mandates, eh? I’ll simply quote Gail from an article she wrote on the matter on June 25th 2014:
“When Mississippians turned on their TVs, there was former Senator Trent Lott, warning voters that without Cochran, Mississippi might lose the Stennis Space Center. Or football hero Brett Favre, reminding people that Cochran got them a ton of help for rebuilding after Katrina. Or an announcer thanking Thad for “our aerospace industry, shipbuilding, military bases, research and development, agricultural breakthroughs.”
Nobody came straight out and said: “Look, Mississippi gets three bucks back from the federal government for every dollar we send in. Don’t kill the golden goose.” ”
4
I cannot think of Christmas, though trump brought it back last year,because of the dirty trick the corporate Democrats played on Barbara Lee. She should have been speaker of the Caucus. But corporate Dems chose Hakeem because He will take corporate money and do donors' biddings and progressive Barbra will not.
He pretends to be a progressive , he calls himself a "practical progressive", ho ho ho! But he is not for Medicare for all, and is for caving in on Trump's wall, Wow how progressive!
We never would have had the Democrat wins we had if it had not been for the progressive candidates with their platforms going door to door, listening to the voters and getting them out to vote. Corporate Dems did what they have always done, promise voters what they want, then ignore them once they get a into power.
Barbara Lee was the only one to vote against the Iraq war, she said it would lead to more and more wars and she was right! She is for Medicare for all, as is 70% of the nation, she has a proven track record. Hakeem will continue the corruption, Barbara Lee would not have done so. She would have worked for the voters, Hakeem will not.
But there are real progressives in the House and they are mad, they will fight the corruption and fight for us regular people. So put that in your Christmas Stocking corrupt Dems, along with the lump of coal, you deserve, for cheating the desperate, hurting middle and lower classes once again!
6
I thought my email box would get lighter since the midterms ended. But no, I still get volumes of requests for money. The next silly season is only two years away. Be prepared. On Hyde-Smith, this is truly the most embarrassing moment in this country in a long time. A child of Jim Crow, she has little understanding of how the "other half" live. She is perfect for the old South. How about Mississippi go one for one on the tax dollars. See how good things get then when Uncle Sam gives back what you give. Ole Miss, the Union soldiers should have salted the earth as they left. Would have been one less welfare state.
12
@Paul
Moore in Alabama was just as embarrassing. But the people of Alabama didn't vote him into office. So yes, Mississippi has won the trophy for most backwards.
6
The last time we had a plethora of politicians seeking the presidential nomination, we got . . . Trump (who, as a result of actually being elected, we can no longer refer to as The Trumpster or El Trumpo). Trump has advanced notions of presidential power that candidates must now address. For example, is it ok for Putin to fire on Ukrainian ships and sailors? If so, would it be a fine idea for Trump to invade and annex Mexico because it's been allowing carrivans of potentially hostile Hispanics to attack our wall-less border? Discuss.
7
Deck the Halls, alright! With Democrats, yes.
I remember touring the White House when our kids were little. Waiting out in the sun on the bleachers, etc. But, ah, the White House, the real thing. Nice memory.
Now I cannot wait until the Trumps are gone! They have turned that place into a toxic, non recognizable place in DC - no more than that. Even coming from Wisconsin for the Women’s March in 2017 I nixed going with some of my comrades toward the White House. Ugh! And little did we ever, ever imagine how bad it would get thereafter.
Besides the Trumps, not looking to the Pences making any improvement should The Donald get the boot.
Yes, please, please, Deck the Halls with Democrats. Then maybe we’ll bring the grandkids to DC - to show them a place to be proud of, like we did their parents - but not until the present tenants are evicted!
19
Whom ever the democrats run for president, they better have rhinoceros skin and be ready to, theoretically take a gun to a knife fight. Trump has been campaigning ever since in "won" the election by the electoral collage in 2016, and the republicans will pull every dirty trick in their closet to retain him in office, especially since the Democrats have taken back the house.
Trump has probably lost a lot of coal miners and auto workers votes, but there are sill a lot of southerners and westerners that have not learned their lessons about the great fraud that D.J. Trump is.
26
Having so many potential Democratic candidates for President should be interesting, though it's likely a debate podium with all of them on it would collapse from the weight.
May I suggest another way of determining the candidate, one that most Americans intuitively understand: an over the top "battle royal" in the squared circle of the wrestling ring. Last one left in the ring gets the nomination.
It'd be a ratings bonanza for whichever outlet got the broadcast rights--you know you'd watch, just to see who gangs up on whom.
In deference to the age of many of the participants, I do concede that the ring should be surrounded by a layer of thick foam mats. We don't want to see anyone get really hurt, because, you know, the whole thing is fake, right? Right?
4
You could have at least begun the Ds with John Delaney. How come no one but Iowans are paying attention to him?
Just a couple of thoughts:
Has Beto O'Rourke every been elected to anything? Just asking.
Would some one in the Trump administration give him a list of adjectives he could use instead of "incredible"? Amazing; awesome; extradorinary; fabulous; great; wonderful. (Tremendous doesn't count.) Just asking.
2
He is currently in the House of Representatives, about to finish his 3rd term. Before that, he was on the El Paso City Council for 6 years. So, yes, he has been elected to office a number of times. Will he be a credible Presidential candidate? Maybe we’ll find out.
1
@Miriam
Beto O'Rourke is currently a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Texas 16th District. Since 2013.
1
I thought only Republicans can manage a bunch of clowns for Presidential race.(.cough..cough..2016) I think Democrats have joined the 'party' this time (pun totally intended)
I do hope Hillary joins the race. The most memorable moment in last presidential race was the way she mocked DJT in one of the debates.
Unfortunately, I cannot remember any other pleasant thing about the race.
One sincere request to Democrats. Scan for any intelligence your Presidential hopeful nominees and remove them.
Come to think of it..We had Clinton, George HW Bush, Obama and (cough...cough...) DJT. Think of who Republicans will nominate if we manage to get an intelligent Democratic President.
Merry Christmas!
2
Thanks for this morning's smile.
4
@Ginny
Honestly! I was smiling as I read this gem:
"‘Mr. President, it’s incredible what’s happened with your country in such a short period of time. America is respected again.’”
Which countries’ foreign leaders do you think he was quoting? Saudi Arabia? Papua New Guinea? Or maybe he mistook the desk clerk at a European hotel for a prime minister?
... mistook a desk clerk .... That was hilarious and so true. Although, of course, Trump lied about the whole thing, as usual. NOBODY, ANYWHERE in the world compliments him on how he's turned the country around, for the better, in such a short time. Because he hasn't it's a big, fat lie from a big fat liar.
Gail's assessment of Melania's god-awful crimson Christmas trees ( like something out of a scary fairy tale ) was worth another smile.
2
The one thing I beg the democrats to do is to finally throw off the overlords of the baby-boom era and nominate people who first learned about music from cassette tapes, or even CD's. Everyone over the age of 65 should revel in their wisdom, and gloat in their golden years, and leave the nation alone.
They taught us that the world could be better, and then let the right wing get away with the perpetuation of racism as a political tool, supported giant monopolies that made cool stuff to give to their grandchildren, and basically gave up on cohesion as a national principal. They have been a selfish bunch, and the aims of people like Sanders and Clinton has always been to show how incredibly much better they are than others. This is the main trait shared by those pols who won't go away (PWWGA), and it is a terrible trait for a leader of a divided nation.
4
@rick The dotcom & social media generations can be just as narcissistic as their baby-boom generation counterparts. We should be run by a government that supports all generations, not just one over the other.
3
Has Seamus shown his paw? Sure he's probably a little long in the tooth but look at Biden. Bernie might have done a lot of traveling but not from the roof of a station wagon. Party affiliation? Not a concern, think Bloomberg. There is a certain canine caucus out in central California who wouldn't mind Seamus as lead dog, he passes the sniff test. Lord knows we've had some dogs in the running before; why not a real one?
5
I want the leading expert in climatology to run AND win. I know I'm crazy but I don't care anymore if I am. Wait until "I" start organizing rallies with fun hats for my followers. Just bring lots of candles because I don't want to add to our carbon footprint anymore than we have to.
3
@flyinointment That expert would be the one who knows that all organic activities (e.g., energy exchange) involve burning carbon. See: Where's my rebate check?
@HLB Engineering- Yes sir, thank you. I kinda knew that already, but I was attempting a bit of humor. Not really all that clever either. I would however like a healthy environment for everyone. And there are some good ideas out there on how to do it, in spite of all the harm we've already inflicted on all living things. Especially all those cute kids I see running around and playing, thinking Mom and Dad are going to watch over them and take good care of them.
Of course Trump is going to Argentina. He needs to check out the real Estate his company squeezed out of the government for it's new hotel.
12
I've wracked my brains, and can't think of a single Democrat that I think can win. That's not to say that I can't think of competent Democrats, or Democrats who are Good People, or even Democrats Who'd Be Better Than This Clown. There are plenty.
I just don't see anyone with the charisma and the accessibility to pull out the disenchanted and who can convince the people who voted for Trump because their lives and livelihoods are in decline to vote Democrat instead. And I think that candidates that can be reduced to identity - the Female Candidate; the Black Candidate; the Hispanic Candidate - will find his or her overall qualities ignored in favor of being lambasted for identity.
Trump has no problem just lying. Democrats feel somehow more fettered to the truth; and the hard truth is that no one has a solution for our core problems. The GOP has no problem skimming the cream off the top and leaving the skim for everyone else, while talking about how rich life is.
Democrats lack the demagoguery necessary to beat the current ringmaster.
9
I realize it's more fun, and you don't actually have to know anything to talk about politics, but shouldn't we take at least six months to talk about governance before starting on the next election. The American people largely are ignorant of the business of government because the pundits in our newspapers would rather handicap the election that is two years off than talk about dull stuff like health care, infrastructure, or the trillion dollar deficit.
16
Gail, you rattled off quite a (partial) list of possible Democratic presidential contenders, but you forgot those America wants most.
Celebrities.
What about Oprah Winfrey? Or Tom Hanks? Katy Perry could do a song-and-dance debate that would leave Trump's ignorant, loudmouth performance in the gutter. Or Alec Baldwin, who has proven he knows exactly what Trump voters are looking for.
But please, no more Clintons. Ever. Not even a word from them or about them. They're poll-bait for Republicans.
12
Please stop mentioning Gillibrand as a presidential hopeful unless there is a joke in there (perhaps the children’s book) that I missed. Hillary gifted her the spot and we are not impressed. Actually we are still fuming over her stupidity with regard to her deplorable treatment of Senator Franken. We need Democrats in the Senate but knowing that her re-election was pretty much a done deal, my husband and I felt comfortable with leaving the senate race part of the election ballot blank to hopefully send a message that this liberal Democrat family is not happy with her. Almost as bad as having a gerrymandered Katko as our representative.
15
@Linda Jean
Amen on Gillibrand.
Most of these Democratic hopefuls are doomed either by their past misdealings or ample character flaws. Andrew Cuomo comes instantly to mind, though there is no shortage of stillborn candidates among NY's rogues gallery. Pseudo-progressives Cuomo and de Blasio are both craven lackeys of the city's real estate and financial mafias, though in their defense, they are not bought men, just rented. Jeff Bezos now looks like a better bet for all of NY's aspiring political stooges; I guarantee, they'll all be eating out of his hand within a year. Bloomberg likes to position himself as above the fray but he is no less arrogant than Trump and no less out of touch than Bezos. He basically took a once vibrant city and turned it into a sterile glass landing field for the Amazon mothership. No one can convince me that ubermenschen Bezos and Bloomberg were not in constant contact over this whole charade for years. Let's not forget that Michael Bloomberg, and his Albert Speer, Daniel Doctoroff rezoned the entire East River waterfront just so this wretched deal could transpire. To anyone who is not a resident of this state and is somehow taken with any of these frauds, please think again!
2
Gail, I count Tom Hank’s movies to fall asleep... I usually get to 24, sometimes 27. Counting political figures in these perilous times would surely keep me awake!
2
When I cannot sleep thinking of what Mr. Trump's next stunt will be. I wonder if he actually will shoot someone to show that his supports will cheer him.
Wish I could get that picture out of my mind.
I guess he thinks he can pull a Saudi leader act.
3
Who would have thought 50 years later, Mississippi would be the largest beneficiary of LBJ's war on poverty?
3
"Hyde-Smith was certainly a memorable contender."
I love that Gail tries to bring some humor into an otherwise oppressive news universe. Hyde-Smith, however, does not tickle the funny Boone. She's an American travesty.
Forget being a conservative or liberal, she's an inhumane troglodyte. Look at some of the new members of the House. Agree or disagree, they bring some element of humanity back to Congress. She's not a representative of her constituency, which is 37% black, she's a regressive placeholder who serves only as a reliable vote for the worst Congress has to offer.
As one reader noted, the less said about her the better. She's reflective of the darkest underside of America.
20
There's only one thing I want this Christmas and I hope Robert Mueller can have it wrapped up by then.
45
Choosing a favorite candidate now is like choosing the route to drive in advance of summer vacation when a meteorite is threatening to strike Earth at that time. In other words, a lot can happen between now and then. Has Trump been impeached or did he resign? Will Mike Pence be caught in the web? How much will the MAGA base shrink when all the facts are out? The situation is as fluid as the ice caps to come.
That said, I hope the Democratic nominee, and eventual president, is a woman, because 2020 will be the centennial of women winning the constitutional right to vote. I wouldn’t exactly call it a celebration, since there is nothing to celebrate in taking a hundred years (and nearly 250 years since America was founded) to acknowledge women as fully capable human beings, but it would be a way to commemorate that we got there eventually.
11
Thank you for your funny satirical column enjoyed with the last of my morning coffee.
The Forest of the Blood Red Trees is actually from a Russian opera that Putin wrote. MT might be exercising her reputed tacky taste or they are unfinished and soon to be adorned with various miniature weapons of mass destruction from a box of ornaments shipped to them by the NRA. (Definitely not the quality of Balsam Hill.)
I believe Trump is still waiting for miniature tear gas canisters to be shipped from the Southern Border courtesy of ICE. They couldn't process the refugees seeking asylum here in America because they were busy mass producing Xmas tree ornaments for the Trumps while standing around looking terrifying to children.
I understand that the Trumps are going to host all 13000 children they stole from their parents on Xmas Day and these kids are gratefully making mini wreathes to be hung on the blood red trees. They are writing their names onto the wreathes as they are not in any official government databases.
Meanwhile Trump is "as giddy as a school boy" because he will be one on one visiting with the mass murderer and dictator Putin he worships and admires. Up to now Trump has only been able to yak with Putin on unsecured disposable cell phones he has a large supply of thanks to an early Kushner Merry Christmas present. Sort of makes up for Kushner's previous 3 failures to get Trump a secure and private backchannel to the Kremlin.
8
There is no doubt that I (like may others) are thinking about who could lead in 2020 for Progressives, but I want to deal with the here and now. (and in particular the last 2 years)
The President, his family and any other republican that broke the law should NOT be let off the hook. (hearings in the house - Mueller inquiry can now deal with this)
There will be many (especially republicans) that will say that it is now a time to heal and come together and kumbaya, but Democrats have to play hardball just as much as republicans have for the last 8 years. (they stole one Supreme Court seat and 1.5 trillion dollars for their efforts - let alone everything else)
I expect Speaker Pelosi to get Democrats in the house to send a deluge of bills to the Senate and President. I want the press to finally stop the false equivalencies and hold the blockers of reform accountable. - republicans.
Or, Democrats can do what they always do - have a circular firing squad and implode while trying to be republican lite (seeking that magical unicorn moderate republican for a vote here and there)
I really do hope for the former, than the latter. Please
6
Biden? Wasn't Hillary too old and voted for the AUMF? Hmm. What could the difference be?
There is no doubt that I (like may others) are thinking about who could lead in 2020 for Progressives, but I want to deal with the here and now. (and in particular the last 2 years)
The President, his family and any other republican that broke the law should NOT be let off the hook. (hearings in the house - Mueller inquiry can now deal with this)
There will be many (especially republicans) that will say that it is now a time to heal and come together and kumbaya, but Democrats have to play hardball just as much as republicans have for the last 8 years. (they stole one Supreme Court seat and 1.5 trillion dollars for their efforts - let alone everything else)
I expect Speaker Pelosi to get Democrats in the house to send a deluge of bills to the Senate and President. I want the press to finally stop the false equivalencies and hold the blockers of reform accountable. - republicans.
Or, Democrats can do what they always do - have a circular firing squad and implode while trying to be republican lite (seeking that magical unicorn moderate republican for a vote here and there)
I really do hope for the former, than the latter...please
2
Bernie, for whom I voted in the primary, will always be a better gadfly than an actual candidate. And Hyde Smith is horrible. But then again most Republican voters in Southern states have no idea how much money they get from Washington D.C. Ask the average Republican where all the tax money goes. Their usual answer is foreign aid which, of course, is miniscule.
3
Funny how even Gail Collins' list of potential candidates is all men. I count 3 mentions of women in the article, but when listing who would be the better candidate, it's raining men.
Ok, not funny - sad.
1
@democritic Well, they do put their pants on the same way as men, 'eh? Unless, like the buttons on the blouse, the legs are reversed. See: vertical symmetry.
I loth Hillary Clinton and wish she would go away, but honestly, were she to run again she would be more interesting than all the candidates you listed in this article.
Barack Obama wasn't a very good President, but at least I respected him. I don't suppose there is any way we could trick Donald Trump into repealing the Twenty-Second Amendment? I'm pretty sure his ego would go for it.
This is my opportunity to announce , that I, a wobbly old man in my mid eighties has not ruled out running for president although I take frequent naps and will not campaign and have little money, I will except a draft if the people demand it because I care for ordinary people and would be 10 times better a president than the one we have now, and better than that when I am awake.
12
The photo of masses of blood-red Christmas trees fooled me-I thought it was a promo of "A very Merry Christmas at Carfax Abbey" television spectacular. Perhaps Melania is a Bram Stoker fan.
1
I'm hoping Joe Kennedy III throws his hat in the ring. John made it 1/2 way through his term. Bobby didn't make it through the primaries. Here's hoping Joe runs and wins and does four years in the Peoples House.
Mississippi is #1, Gail.
#1 on reliance on Federal Aid, per the Tax Foundation. We sent them money and they gave us Cindy Hyde-Smith. Seems like a fair exchange, if you're from Mississippi, that is. Let's hope her segregated school wasn't funded by Federal aid.
By the way, I'd take Beto or Gillebrand or Harris or Sanders or ... over Cuomo. Then again, I passed on another Queens guy, Trump, too, as those of us who are from NY knew he was a self-centered and annoying empty suit. Unfortunately, the rest of the country didn't quite agree with New Yorkers' assessment.
1
The red Christmas trees fit well in the tackiness of Team Trump. The First Lady, probably a pretty nice person, exudes excess and her inarticulateness makes her seem exotic. In the unlikely event her husband is around this time next year, perhaps some different colors will be unveiled for the White House holiday celebration. "Blue Christmas," is both a holiday standard song and an idea for some tree paint.
As for Mississippi's choice for a senator, the National Democratic Party should consider some ads featuring her "public hanging" pledge combined with Georgia's weird new governor Brian Kemp pointing a shotgun at a boy.
These Trump favorites are the best the Republicans could offer this year?
2
I wish Jerry Brown were 20 years younger. Or that Hillary Clinton were 10 years younger, married to a different man and had given up her Hollywood and Wall Street friends in favor of fishermen (and women) in Minnesota. Or that Barack Obama could run again, but this time feel free to express more emotion and also take more advice from Chambers of Commerce than Wall Street.
I love Elizbeth Warren as one of my senators. Kirsten Gillibrand is like the Yankees, she's a fine representative of New York and should continue to represent... New York.
Kamala Harris is cool. Stacey Abrams too. But not yet.
Beto is Obama 2.0, but he lost against Ted Cruz. Even in Texas that's not a good look.
Who doesn't like Joe Biden? But it's not his time anymore. Neither is it the time for Bernie Sanders.
Moderates motivate me. Especially moderates who will campaign in all states to be President of all Americans.
Hickenlooper or Landrieu would be great.
5
Not so fast on declaring the midterms over. Yesterday, the North Carolina Board of Elections voted 9-0 not to certify the results of the NC 9th Congressional District race, in which the Republican candidate had 900 more votes than the Democrat. Evidently, some question over absentee ballots in a county that went to the Republican by about 1,500 votes. It's not over 'til it's over, apparently.
We all know how Trump will get himself reelected. He has already undermined and compromised the Mueller investigation. Anyone of any significance that is indicted will get pardoned . Trump will convince his base that this was a partisan witch hunt and avoid prosecution. Pelosi and the Dems will challenge Trump daily and he will make Pelosi enemy no. 1 and find some reason to attack her personally and please the entire GOP base. Perhaps a war or military skirmish will satisfy the GOP mob. The only thing that could stop a Trump reelection is a grand jury subpoena and indictment of Trump. That would
make the next presidential bid more interesting. Please Santa!
1
Now, think about that and Big Pharma and why Britain is leaving the EU and our healthcare system.
Mario Cuomo was brilliant, articulate and charismatic. Sadly the apple fell pretty far from the tree with his son.
Okay, I feel bad that Cindy Hyde-Smith was elected to the Senate from Mississippi.She Is the first woman elected to Congress from the state, as you point out, and I bet she will be the last.I don’t know where they found her but she can barely put a sentence together unless she is speaking of being invited to a “hanging”.She will be so overwhelmed in the Senate that Mississippi residents will decide that no woman, ever again should go to Congress.She is the wisest, most talented woman they can find to send to the Senate, really?
5
Bernie Sanders is the one who bothers me. I suspect he will run as a Democrat and deliberately divide the party again, taking as much advantage of all the fake news that he can as he did in 2016, so Trump wlll win. And the truly brilliant and dedicated Democrats like Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Beto O'Rourke, who could truly heal the country won't have a chance.
2
I believe you missed Mike Bloomberg, probably the most serious, experienced and credible potential candidate.
4
Gail, I have not discussed my thoughts about entering the 2020 run for President of the USA. May I share them with you? Thanks.
Background: I'm experienced (see "old") and, to the best of my knowledge, there are no convicted felons in my family. I have not been arrested. The lies that I have told are about eating or eating too much chocolate but lately I'm abstaining.
Originally I was from Brooklyn (a borough of New York City). Although I remain a Dodger fan, hopefully, that will not hurt votes from my old neighborhood. I had a 51 year plus business career that I enjoyed and allowed me to live a fruitful life.
I have a wonderful family and many true friends. I do my own laundry and do not need any bankers to help me. No off-shore or safe deposit boxes are needed. I would gladly share my 1040's including my first year of employment (W-2 annual gross wages $2,860, not a typo) and 2017 1040 that would fit in a #10 envelope.
My platform is simple and straightforward. I will not accept any PAC funds. No one can buy my allegiance, not even Reece's and their peanut butter cups.
1 - single payer health care for all
2 - appropriate immigration policies
3 - will accept all the help I can muster from others
4 - infrastructure plan
5 - equality for all; educate to eradicate hate
Many more items will be added. Would it be OK if my loving wife still shops at Marshall's and TJ Maxx while being the first lady?
Would you care to be the first person to interview me?
Thanks.
16
@broz
I'd think about your candidacy. But could you ask your wife to run, instead?
"As a result, Mississippi moved into the 21st century receiving $3 in federal aid for every dollar it sent to Washington, including funding for about a quarter of the public schools’ budgets.
This is all fine, given that Mississippi is a very needy state. However, it would be nice if its politicians refrained from saying thank-you by demanding that the federal government “stay out of Mississippi when it comes to policies.” As Hyde-Smith did during her one and only debate. Really, Mississippians. It can get kind of … annoying."
Yes. It can get kind of ...annoying! Especially if you're a tax payer from one of the states that sends more to the Federal Government in Washington than they receive back.
2
Just a small point... When I defended my PhD dissertation I didn't get to have notes...
And thanks for your always welcome commentary!
9
Ms Collins seems rather dispirited in this column and stretching to find anything amusing about our current government. It just gets badder and badder and discontent is seen in many comments and a sense of malaise has hit us that the "horribles" are still around. It is so reminiscent of the Vietnam-Watergate horror to those of us who were there. We were younger and more idealistic and could actually seen a solution but now it is like a tunnel from which we cannot escape.
1
Show me a Democrat willing to "get a handle" on the immigration issue and I'll show you a politician with a chance of winning. So far the only taker is Hillary.
1
Speaking of long mental exercises to put one to sleep...Ask yourself, or anyone for that matter, to name two major pieces of legislation passed by this Congress this year.
If they get stuck, compromise and ask for one.
If they are still stuck, be honest and confess you can't either.
4
Please god, no to Elizabeth Warren. No to Cory Booker. No to Joe Biden. No to Kamala Harris. NO to Hillary (does it even have to be said?). No to some guy named Delaney (whoever he is) who says he's running. No to Juan Castro. No to Gillibrand (after kneecapping Franken). No to Swawell who has a permanent home on MSNBC. There are so many to say no to!
We need someone who can stand up to Trump and cannot allow themselves to be belittled and insulted. We need someone extremely intelligent (unlike the 'very stable genius' who is trying hard to destroy our country through his extreme ignorance). We need a woman at the top of the ticket (who cares now what Avenatti says about how it has to be a white male?). We need someone who will uphold our Constitution and our Rule of Law.
I want Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D) Minnesota. Trained and worked as a prosecutor so she knows the law and will uphold it. Very intelligent. Ego not a 'big' problem as in so many of the others. Easy to listen to (doesn't remind people of an ex-wife) How could Trump make fun of her? I've tried to think of how and I'm sure he'd find a way, but I think less effectively than at any of the others. She's dignified. She cares about people. She doesn't grandstand. She's young but not too young. She's authentic and likable. A genuinely good person.
I am all in for Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
140
I agree !
9
@sophia
"Please god, no to Elizabeth Warren."
AMEN!
6
@RK
Let's be real please. Caucasian women will not support another female candidate enough to carry us across the finish line. We need a white straight male with young children. That is how we win against Trump. Let us be real please.
4
Senator Hyde-Smith is the perfect choice to represent America's most backward state in the federal government's least representative legislative chamber. She's white and she loves Trump.
Of the 50 states, Mississippi has the highest percentage (38%) of black people. Fortunately for Senator Cindy, black Mississippians don't or can't vote.
As for those 2020 hopefuls, I pray for a few months of peace before the campaigning starts.
1
There is no doubt that I (like may others) are thinking about who could lead in 2020 for Progressives, but I want to deal with the here and now. (and in particular the last 2 years)
The President, his family and any other republican that broke the law should NOT be let off the hook. (hearings in the house - Mueller inquiry can now deal with this)
There will be many (especially republicans) that will say that it is now a time to heal and come together and kumbaya, but Democrats have to play hardball just as much as republicans have for the last 8 years. (they stole one Supreme Court seat and 1.5 trillion dollars for their efforts - let alone everything else)
I expect Speaker Pelosi to get Democrats in the house to send a deluge of bills to the Senate and President. I want the press to finally stop the false equivalencies and hold the blockers of reform accountable. - republicans.
Or, Democrats can do what they always do - have a circular firing squad and implode while trying to be republican lite (seeking that magical unicorn moderate republican for a vote here and there)
I really do hope for the former, than the latter. Please ?
3
There is no doubt that I (like may others) are thinking about who could lead in 2020 for Progressives, but I want to deal with the here and now. (and in particular the last 2 years)
The President, his family and any other republican that broke the law should NOT be let off the hook. (hearings in the house - Mueller inquiry can now deal with this)
There will be many (especially republicans) that will say that it is now a time to heal and come together and kumbaya, but Democrats have to play hardball just as much as republicans have for the last 8 years. (they stole one Supreme Court seat and 1.5 trillion dollars for their efforts - let alone everything else)
I expect Speaker Pelosi to get Democrats in the house to send a deluge of bills to the Senate and President. I want the press to finally stop the false equivalencies and hold the blockers of reform accountable. - republicans.
Or, Democrats can do what they always do - have a circular firing squad and implode while trying to be republican lite (seeking that magical unicorn moderate republican for a vote here and there)
I really do hope for the former, than the latter. Please ?
1
Most likely the herd wil thin, but this is yet another item we can chalk up to the Twittie. If anyone can be President, than anyone can run, making for a situation where we have more candidates that voters. Alas.
3
Wait, was this just a puff piece to try and make me think Bernie's a Democrat? Well, I'm not fooled, Bernie is an Independent. You can tell by his obstinate, self centered, egotistical fixation on drawing attention to himself and his 'all free for all' party platform. Regardless of the consequences to the actual Democratic party, Bernie is capable of demanding the spotlight with his hyper-socialistic position papers, and now a book despite the actual defeat it met at the hands of the actual Democratic party. Bernie's done enough damage to the party, stop pretending he's anything close to a Democrat.
2
There is no doubt that I (like may others) are thinking about who could lead in 2020 for Progressives, but I want to deal with the here and now. (and in particular the last 2 years)
The President, his family and any other republican that broke the law should NOT be let off the hook. (hearings in the house - Mueller inquiry can now deal with this)
There will be many (especially republicans) that will say that it is now a time to heal and come together and kumbaya, but Democrats have to play hardball just as much as republicans have for the last 8 years. (they stole one Supreme Court seat and 1.5 trillion dollars for their efforts - let alone everything else)
I expect Speaker Pelosi to get Democrats in the house to send a deluge of bills to the Senate and President. I want the press to finally stop the false equivalencies and hold the blockers of reform accountable. - republicans.
Or, Democrats can do what they always do - have a circular firing squad and implode while trying to be republican lite (seeking that magical unicorn moderate republican for a vote here and there)
I really do hope for the former, than the latter.
Pretty please?
5
It’s a sad crop of Democratic Hopefulls. No wonder Hillary Clinton still thinks she has a chance to be President. She is even selling out to the anti-immigrant populace to try and forge a coalition more likely to win. Hillary is actually the Republican party’s best hope to move past the Trump era. Her style is more tied to coalition building than any ideological aspirations. Every time, it’s like Bill is running again. Maybe someone not on the list can step up and give the Democrats a better presence in the 2020 Presidential race. I like Mark Warner from Virginia but I am a little biased as he is one of my Senators.
3
Mike Bloomfield and Tom Steyer have also spoken about running for president in 2020. I am sure there will be many others who will throw their hats into the ring. I do not care who they finally decide to nominate, none will get my vote. The Democrats do not care about the middle class one bit. They only care about the very rich and very poor. I will be voting a straight Republican ticket like I have since I was given the opportunity to cast my ballot years ago. May the best Republican win. Deck the halls with Republicans. They have been good for America and Americans.
By the way, I thought the Christmas display chosen by Melania Trump was beautiful and in good taste. Just like Mrs. Trump, it was stylish and lovely.
1
@WPLMMT
We thought we'd never see a tree as tasteful, stylish and lovely as all those crudie nudie shots of the first lady.
1
There is no doubt that I (like may others) are thinking about who could lead in 2020 for Progressives, but I want to deal with the here and now. (and in particular the last 2 years)
The President, his family and any other republican that broke the law should NOT be let off the hook. (hearings in the house - Mueller inquiry can now deal with this)
There will be many (especially republicans) that will say that it is now a time to heal and come together and kumbaya, but Democrats have to play hardball just as much as republicans have for the last 8 years. (they stole one Supreme Court seat and 1.5 trillion dollars for their efforts - let alone everything else)
I expect Speaker Pelosi to get Democrats in the house to send a deluge of bills to the Senate and President. I want the press to finally stop the false equivalencies and hold the blockers of reform accountable. - republicans.
Or, Democrats can do what they always do - have a circular firing squad and implode while trying to be republican lite (seeking that magical unicorn moderate republican for a vote here and there)
I really do hope for the former, than the latter. Please ...
4
When it's all boiled down, they/we are all Americans, with decades of messed up wars and financial crimes. Where lies the hope? If the newbies in Congress go on a fantasy/vanity spree, we're going nowhere new.
Now think about this under the umbrella of the Philosophy of Science. Why would support the work of someone that misstates and conflates the terminology of an algorithm and program whom might be part of the green movement and nuclear energy in Pennsylvania?
Yeah, I'm not ruling out a run for POTUS either - it's just too early to say ;-)
You are such a nerd, Gail, though a lovable one. I probably would run out of VPs before I ran out of fingers & most of the ones I can name were during my lifetime.
33
@Anne-Marie Hislop -- And I'd vote for you before most of the current offerings.
10
You’ve my vote too.
4
@Anne-Marie Hislop
You have my vote, too.
3
'Twill be interesting to see if the media gives Dems in the primaries next year all the play that GOP'ers got in 2015-16 with their 'debates'; back in that season where the media was epitomized by CBS head Les Moonves's 2/29/16 declaration "It may not be good for America, but it's damn good for CBS":
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2016/03/01/network-exec-on-circus-of-2016-race-it-may-not-be-good-for-america-but-its-damn-good-for-cbs/?noredirect=on&utm_term=.71e64f699ad4
The misogyny bias showed in 2016, and yesterday we were disappointed to compare the NYTimes's headline of 10/28/2015 "Republicans Nominate Paul Ryan as Speaker", with the 11/28/2018 headline "Democrats Nominate Nancy Pelosi to Be Speaker But With Significant Defections", when Pelosi received MORE caucus votes than Ryan, as well as have fewer votes AGAINST her than did Ryan:
https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow/watch/nyt-devalues-pelosi-nomination-win-qualifying-clause-1383368259936
To the Times's credit, the 11/28/18 headline was revised to: "Democrats Resoundingly Nominate Pelosi as Speaker, but Defections Signal Fight Ahead", but that is still not even-handed treatment, remembering the 'rabid ferret' (hat tip Gail Collins) GOP'er caucus that Ryan inherited from his predecessor, Boehner - is it ?
The media should not treat Dems in 2019-20 an iota differently than it did GOP'ers in 2015-16.
120
@R. Law Compelling comparison, Pelosi's coverage vs. Ryan's. His vapidness was yet to be on full display before the public, but the media, especially the NYT should have known better and should have treated the infinitely more substantive Pelosi fairer.
14
@R. Law...sigh...friend, you and so many others still believe that we have a free press. Whataboutism and false equivalencies are the stock in trade of modern papers and so-called news outlets. Even National Patroleum Radio (NPR - See Koch support). It’s not at all surprising, given how the Republican’ts have been subverting the press from at least the 1970’s. Just look at how much media Rupert Murdock owns! That alone should send shock waves through your body! And they aren’t done trying to get Sinclair into their quivers....
5
@R. Law
People in the media might be starting to remember that in a fascist state reporters are generally out of work. And in prison. Or the morgue.
3
Yes, Gail, less said about Cindy Hyde-Smith, the newly elected G.O.P. Senator from Mississippi, the better. She has 6 years to cut the mustard in the Senate. The field of Democratic presidential hopefuls for 2020 is springing up like mushrooms after big rain, and that's good. So many hopefuls -- Sanders, Biden, Bloomberg, Mrs. Clinton among the elders, Cuomo, Brown (Jerry and Sherrod), Warren among the less aged,, and Beto O'Rourke, Booker, Bullock, Patrick, Gillibrand, Castro, Harris, Klobluchar,(Avenatti?) among the post-Boomer younger crop of candidates. Indeed, we're counting Democratic candidates for 2020 instead of sheep in our sleepless, anxiety-ridden and fearful country these days. If Democrats don't vote in droves in 2020 they can rest assured that Donald Trump will win a second term as our scary 45th president. P.S. If memory serves, there were as many Republican hopefuls vying for the Presidency in 2015 and 2016 as there are Dems now, and we all know who won...
23
@Nan Socolow Since Hyde Smith was replacing a Class 2 Senator who retired before serving a full term, she is up for re-election again in 2020 so has only 2 years to support the botched White House resident before running again.
11
The good news: Cindy Hyde-Smith does not have 6 years. She just won in a special election to complete the last 2 years of her predecessor's term.
10
@Nan Socolow Shades of the bloated 2016 GOP slate of candidates! Please, God, no!
1
I’m thinking of running for President too. I’m a socialist and my campaign slogan would be: “Down with capitalism and power to the people” or something like that.
34
@Jordan Davies
I am in the race too.
My slogan is: "Well, at least he's honest and that is a definite improvement."
11
@Jordan Davies
I'm working on my campaign slogan right now. So far, I have:
There SHOULD Be a Free Lunch!
4
@Jordan Davies I will support you, Jordan. Go for it.
3
Over the Thanksgiving dinner table, we talked about our state of affairs, of course.
We all voted for Sen Elizabeth Warren but all were dismay about the stunts she pulled just before the election. None of us wanted her to go beyond the confine of the Senate floor. Paul said he held his nose to vote for Hillary but Tom wondered aloud who could be the next Dem nominee in 2020. Then the table kinda fell silent. Then I said: maybe Bloomberg. No, none of us care about the big soda tax he pulled as NYC mayor; but we concluded: he is kinda of a native son - he was born in Medford, MA - but he was more Dem and Repub even while he was a registered Repub anyway. And $1.8B to John Hopkins is an antithesis of the Trump University. So, why not!
41
correction: replace 'Dem and Repub' with 'Dem than Repub'
8
@Bos: While Bloomberg has a lot of qualities that might make him a good candidate for the dems, he is nearly universally loathed west of Paramus. He has far too much money and a walk-in closet full of skeletons, he's neither a knight in shining armor nor an altar boy, unless you're comparing him to Trump.
1
@EricR
Look, if you are looking for a knight or an altar boy, you should be a political pacifist!
Even President Carter or Obama would fail that test.
This is especially so with the Dems with so many constituent groups. There are still NYT columnists who can't forget President Clinton allowing DOMA. But sometimes the time, place, political capital and/or other priorities disallow some of the pet projects.
Funny that Tom Steyer who is thinking of running for 2020 when he was instrumental of causing troubles with the Dems leading to 2016. Whatever Bloomberg's closet, he is like a Rockefeller running for office, he is too rich too be corrupt - unlike Trump!
1
I'll know the country's in a good place when we elect Stacey Abrams to be president. I know that's not happening in 2020 but I'll remain hopeful for the future.
117
@B:The would be Governor Abrams encouraged those here illegally to cast votes during her campaign, but how do we reconcile that with the rule of law and the responsibility of every public official to uphold the law? She was ungracious in refusing to make a concession speech to Kemp. Regardless of what 1 thinks of him politically or personally, a concession plus words of encouragement during his tenure for the benefit of all the citizens of the state would have been more appropriate!Perhaps Abrams believes that the citizenry does not know any better,does not realize that its intelligence is insulted by such behavior. Mike Espy, no matter what 1 thinks of his ethical conduct or lack thereof--nota bene his lobbying on behalf of a west African strong man now accused of crimes against humanity, was polite, affable in his concession speech to his opponent for the Senate in Mississippi, who won by an almost 11 point margin. Ms.Abrams has a lot to learn about being gracious in defeat. In 1960 election Joe Kennedy Sr. was clearly buying votes for JFK, not only in the w,Va. primary but also in Cook county in the general election, but Richard Nixon accepted the defeat without protest."It's not whether you win or lose but how you play the game," wrote, I believe, Grantland Rice, the great sportswriter!Cheer up Ms. Abrams and as the theme song of Clinton's campaign in 1992 tells us"Don't stop thinking about tomorrow!"
1
@Alexander Harrison - Yakkity Yak! Abrams strong, wonderful and perfectly appropriate non-concession speech is one of the reasons I support her. The speech was marvelous, true and necessary.
7
Well considering the presence of Donald the Mad and his "wealth of experience" almost anyone who has read the Declaration Of Independence believes they have the ability to be the president. He has set the bar for the job, you have to be at least 35, and a student of Grimm's Fairy Tales, which you can then emulate to regal the public about how wonderful you are and how great everything is.
Now there is a house full of new Dems, many who want a new direction, whatever that is. It seems as if they do not know how many of these new directions have been proposed previously, maybe an old direction would work. If my memory is correct, Eugene Debs was already there, not many new ideas here since Plato. Making them work is where the glitch is.
The new house members are agitating to revise the seniority system of committee appointments. Come right in and usurp those with experience and knowledge, a T party of the left, whatever conservatives drink, throw it overboard.
The right calls this Communism, while their direction is closer to Stalinism. Please the commissar and get special tax breaks, but don't and if the mad man in charge could do it, you would be shipped off to the iron mines in Minnesota.
In my mind experience counts, I would put Biden at the top of the list. Clinton would be the best, but the opposition from all sides is too much to overcome, she did not insult enough people to attract the deplorabels.
63
@David Underwood Hey, MN had the highest voter turnout in the nation, including 3 of the top 10 Congressional districts (mine was #1) which flipped Red seats to Blue!! We'd storm the iron mines if they tried anything.
1
I thought the red trees where kind of cute in an Addams Family sort of way. They look like Cousin It dyed crimson.
138
@Linda
I immediately thought of the picture of The Handmaid's Tale and thought that the only thing missing was a huge white star on top of those red trees.
7
Trump’s made us all Low Lifes again,
Moronic women, Demon men,
A decerebrate POTUS
The whole world’s on notice
His IQ hovers around ten.
Non- reader, bad writer, alas,
Will not lay a wreath on wet grass,
Avoider of service,
Violence makes him nervous,
And not one’s best bet at the Pass.
222
Does it feel as though America is slipping backwards in time? We’re starting to revisit all the ills of our past in reverse order. We’re looking forward (backward?) to eliminating health care, scrapping Social Security, walling off our country, fighting another Mexican-American war, and forgetting everything we knew about science.
It’s only a matter of time before someone runs on the Segregationist ticket. Enter Hyde-Smith, who’ll give use a preview of what the new American contract will look like. Wear sun glasses. There’s going to be glare from all the whiteness.
Being from Louisiana, I’d like to see Mitch Landrieu run for president. Besides, Beto got beat, Bernie got burned, and Hillary got pilloried. The only thing standing in the way of a Landrieu run would be the fact that he’s smart, sensible, compassionate and eloquent, and that’s not exactly what the general public is looking for these days.
But electing a new president is in our future, and frankly, judging by the recent past, the future is not our friend. Bad things keep getting worse. The earth is trying to burn us, drown us, freeze us and blow us away. I’m not sure I want to see what’s next.
It may be that no candidate, Democrat or Republican, can save us from ourselves. We have met the enemy, and he is us.
520
@gemli
Don’t forget our lowering life expectancy rates - something about which I may have mixed emotions.
74
@gemli: It does sort of feel like a Peabody and Sherman trip in the wayback machine. It's so flabbergastingly ironic it sounds as life itself is being narrated by Mel Blanc or Edward Everett Horton. I look at the daily stream of outrageous activities by Trump & Co. and think "you can't make this stuff up". But of course that's exactly how trump get by, gets over or gets off. I'm thinking a Mitch/Beto ticket is just the ticket. I like Warren a lot but she has the same kind of baggage as say Bloomberg, too many see her as far left, too smart, not very personable. Whoever gets the nod they're not going to do much about the earth because they'll be working overtime to fix the damage from the criminally insane traitors currently selling off the country for fun and profit. I myself haven't ruled out running, and even borrowed a slogan from Mr. Peabody, which is "only Hugh can prevent florist friars". Maybe I could hire Larry Eisenberg as my speechwriter?
48
Landrieu? Would that be the computer from the original Star Trek episode where the citizens go nuts during Carnival? If so, I’m all in.
8
A. Cuomo's a true noseholder
Voting Andrew the blood would run colder
The old back room style
With deals in a pile
Where malevolently they all molder.
78
Dear Santa,
I never, ever write to you.
But this year I have a very special Christmas wish.
Could you please have that delightful Robert Mueller and his legal elves deliver a criminal conspiracy indictment of Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Roger Stone and other assorted Trump crime family members in our Christmas stockings next month ?
Please wrap the indictments in Title 18 U.S. Code § 371 - Conspiracy-to-commit-offense-or-to-defraud-United-States wrapping paper and leave them at the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia at 333 Constitution Avenue N.W. in Washington D.C.
You see, Santa, if two or more persons conspire either to commit any offense against the United States, or to defraud the United States, or any agency thereof in any manner or for any purpose, and one or more of such persons do any act to effect the object of the conspiracy, each shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both....and I really think these indictments will truly Make America Great Again.
And, as an added Christmas bonus, little Daycare Donnie's promise that “we’re going to start saying ‘Merry Christmas’ again” will actually come true, as Americans rejoice nationwide as our country's Unindicted-Co-Conspirator-In-Chief finally gets what he really deserves.
Merry Christmas !!
Thanks Santa.
Sincerely,
America
762
@Socrates
One of your best (and they're all good), thanks!
200
@Socrates:
And how about some beautiful clean coal as a stocking gift?
140
@Socrates
Don’t forget to throw in Mike Pence, too, dear Santa. And then we would finally have a woman for president: Nancy Pelosi! What a fine Christmas gift that would be!
68
I was glad you mentioned Melania's Christmas trees which strip the traditional evergreen symbolism and present an alternative for nature. They kind of look like a giant versions of the bagworms we would see on scrawny juniper trees in Texas when I was a kid- furry looking cocoons that housed moth larvae. The green floor looks kind of like a putt-putt golf course.
The visuals are so lonely - like Mrs. Trump is wandering around that Alfred Hitchcock set in Suspicion.
318
@Kay Johnson I don't think they allow her to decorate Mar-a-Lago, so she takes it out on the White House.
30
@Kay Johnson
Mrs. Trump’s Christmas decor for the White House has had design consultants and design psychologists weighing in on its meaning. Needless to say some have described the rows of crimson red trees to be jarring, and disruptive of heart and hearth. I subscribe to the view that it simply
reflects a resumption of the graphic message she publicly displayed on her clothing: “I don’t really care. Do you?”
38
@Kay Johnson - my theory is that Melania is a huge Handmaid's Tale fan. Instead of stars she will be topping these with white bonnets, and she has already picked a favourite which she refers to as "Offred".
14
We want bold new ideas. If they are expressible in short, simple slogans, they are not real because implementation is lacking and impossible. If they are well-thought-out and detailed, they are not real because they are too technical for most of us to study and they might not work anyway.
We want bold new ideas so we can reject them and mock them. Maybe we do not want bold new ideas, after all, but rather competent execution of the ideas we already have. Except if these ideas that we already have do not work, competent execution of them will be a waste of time and resources. Maybe what we really need is to resolutely reject the ideas we have that are not working.
If we try to figure out which way to turn, we will drown in technicalities. If we try to find some one to lead us, we wind up with Trump or Obama or dubya.
5
@sdavidc9
Maybe if we limit candidates to only those who have never held political office.
"Now that the elections are over we’ll have time to talk about … the elections! Sure, it’s more than a year until the first presidential primaries, but don’t tell me you haven’t been thinking about them."
FWIW now that the country has been thrown a life line in the form of a Democratic House majority, this old man can think of nothing else (except how the Dems, in the words of many pundits, might manage to ignore or otherwise misuse the lifeline).
Yes, it's likely to sort itself out to a considerable extent before the primaries, which will reduce the task of following the race with some degree of attention. That leaves the option of putting it all aside until the primaries. Maybe purchase "Gone Fishing" sign and drop out of sight.
But this observer couldn't possibly do that simply because so very much has changed in the last three years since, and because of, the declaration of PT's candidacy resulting in his election and taking the reins of power.
Of course, it's not simply the quantum, it's change in many respects unthinkable imo. You know, change like "how are my grandkids going to live in the world after 2 more years of PT change, even if hobbled to some degree by the House's Democratic majority?".
All the above exacerbated by FiveThirtyEight's saying one hour ago that 42.5% approve of the job PT is doing.
In sum, this old man can't not pay attention, at least to the degree of course that old men can.
PS Your secret is safe wit me.
25
“This week Sanders gave a speech in which he demanded that the nation start examining the problems of “income and wealth inequality et cetera et cetera.”
The Seinfeld version of this is:
“Income and wealth inequality...yada, yada, yada...
But you yada-yadaed over the Bernie Sanders’ bold new ideas for 2020!
No, I mentioned income and wealth inequality.”
That’s all Bernie’s got. Since 1970.
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@NA
In 1970 the highest tax rate was 70% (37% today) only 6% of total income went to the top 0.5% (close to 25% today) and the income gains were shared equally by those at the very top and the bottom. Corporate taxes were 15% of the total (less than 5% today).
I think Bernie's got quite a bit since 1970. The Seinfeld version of this is NO Festivus for the rest of us.
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@sapere aude
Touché.
12
@NA: Last time I checked, Bernie was the only non-millionaire in the Senate. He can talk the talk, 'cuz he walks the walk.
12
This is yet another problem of the bottom falling out with Trump. At this point, anyone - literally, anyone - would look at Trump and think, 'If he can be president, so could I!'.
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@NM
99.999% of Americans think "I don't have name recognition, a background in politics, money, or connections, and so will never be president like Trump."
But the number of people who think "I would make a better president than Trump" are as grains of sand on all the beaches that ever were, or ever will be...
64
@NM
Even my cat has not ruled out running. In fact he is practicing what might be his acceptance speech right now.
19
@NM
I have noticed that all of the low-income single white mothers of mixed race children are convinced their child will someday be president. Seriously! (Where do you think they got that message from?)
I had forgotten that it was only a year until primary season starts - thanks Gail, thanks a lot.
On the other hand, I'd like to publicly announce that I am not running for President in 2020.
247
Neither am I! (Might try for state rep, though...)
14