Today President-Elect Joe Biden named his chief of staff. He has picked Ronald A. Klain, 59, a veteran Democratic operative with degrees from Georgetown and Harvard Law School, who has worked in and around Washington, D.C., since 1987, when he clerked for Supreme Court Justice Byron White. Klain was Biden’s chief of staff when he was vice president.
I think that Trump's refusal to concede is about 2 things and none of them coming from a desire to help anyone else, be it the GOP, Pompeo, Barr, Georgia or whomever...he couldn't care less and 2024 is someone's whimsical fantasy. Firstly, I don't think he now really knows what to do as he is in deep, deep trouble psychologically, economically, socially and legally whichever way he turns...politically doesn't even come into it. This is a chaos that freezes him in place rather than providing him with energy, movement and motivation.... so he procrastinates and fidgets haphazardly. Secondly, I agree with Heather, it's about the money for the Trump PAC that he'll use to pay his personal legal defenses against all criminal and other charges, to fight off seizure of his assets by his creditors when he effectively again defaults on his debts and finally to ensure his personal security over and above what the State will provide when the Russians come looking for him.
He is being ignored and this drives him crazy. He is running very scared and thus is extremely unpredictable and dangerous....he is afterall totally amoral, a sociopath. He is facing a wall and an immovable deadline; his defenses have been proved no more real than the Maginot Line....a figment of his imagination. As Trump's GOP allies bit-by-bit peel off to look after their own interests and cooperate with the transition, Biden will advance upon him inexorably right up to the Chief Justice swearing in him and Kamala.....becoming massive in his conscious and subconscience dominating his every thought and emotion.
The world and the people of America have effectively already passed Trump by and have said it clearly. They are begining to live with him well and truly in their past; you can feel the beginnings of a relaxation of tension despite the pandemic all around the world. Trump is nolonger headline news and his every statement is now either ignored or questioned and placed firmly in "exclamation marks". The indignation, euphoria, hysteria, pain, depression, tears and laughter he once generated are subsiding untill a new "subject" comes along to incite such passions.....often more than reason would necessarily suggest.
For everyone who is overwrought with concerns about what the Menace is planning, I think we all should watch how PRESIDENT-elect is handling the situation. He is smiling, assuring the world that he's not worried or hampered by this petulant brat's attempts to overturn the apple cart, and is soldiering on. As in Biden's case, age often provides wisdom, and he is denying the Menace the satisfaction of reacting to his stunts. I loved watching him respond to a reporter's question of "what will happen if he refuses to leave?" by smiling broadly and responding "He will." He is refusing to be distracted, and is cheerfully and efficiently doing what is required to take the podium on January 20, then lead the country, unlike the "previous president." (thanks Boris Johnson). The younger members of Congress might be frustrated by Biden's age and perceived "old school" tendencies, but even they can learn a thing or two from a senior statesman.
Yesterday evening, I read that Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) will step in by Friday (11/13) to require that the Trump administration provide President-elect Biden with access to the presidential daily intelligence briefings. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/james-lankford-biden-intelligence-briefings/index.html Lankford noted that he, "sits on the Senate Oversight Committee and that he's already started engaging on this issue."
His malignant narcissism, disbelief and anger that he lost are simmering; as a result, I believe he feels an overwhelming desire to leave a mark, to ‘show them’. Whatever he is trying to foment, it could be aided and abetted by one of his favorite strongmen. Putin or Jung is my guess.
While I believe that he will fail at this, too, it’s utterly remarkable how disturbed he is.
Here’s hoping that we the people remember the actions of his Republican supporters when they are next up for election.
More importantly is that President-Elect Biden is calm, cool and collected in the face of such hostility. He wasn’t my first choice, but he truly is the right person at the right time, domestically and internationally. I am so relieved, and happy that so many allies seem genuinely pleased to work again with him. They’re no doubt equally pleased to see the caboose of the trump train.
Whatever prompted people to re-elect Nunes, McConnell, Ernst, and the rest of the Republican trump sycophants? I called my two senators to ask for cooperation with the transition. Lamar Alexander’s office was civil. Marsha Blackburn’s office said it was unethical to discuss it and hung up on me. Nice customer service. She practically drools on herself over trump.
Congrats to Klain! He is perfect in the role of Chief of Staff. Let me explain Nunes. He represents the Central Valley in California which is an area of agriculture and farming. His family were farmers but he is a thorn in most Californians sides. He is one of Fake 45’s sickening loyalists and the fact that he has not been in the public eye since Covid started raises questions. He is a blatant liar and an all around obnoxious bastard. I wish I could say he and Jim Jordan will go away soon but they won’t, unfortunately.
With all of this craziness going on as to the “what ifs” regarding Fake 45, I just want to say it has been very nice to have a real adult in the room speaking to all of us.
I am a mental health therapist. Bullies provoke, deny they provoked and then, attack. I see the current president's recent firings and then appointings of unqualified replacements as provocations. He's got nothing left except to evoke some kind of reaction from concerned citizens, and then declare martial law or something like that. It's best when there is a bully in one's life to ignore them. The malignantly narcissistic bully provoking the American population is worrisome. But responding to his provocations with anything other than overt dismissal plays into his game.
What powers do the Joint Chiefs of Staff have to overrule (or ignore) orders by the new Pentagon officials whom tRump has recently put in place? Asking for 331 million friends.
Like all of you. I continue to feel anxious. I listened to a Facebook Live presentation from the Lincoln Project last night. Guests were Lt General Mark Hertling and Lt. Colonel Fred Wellman, both retired. They both had some interesting observations. First, many of the mail in ballots that Trump is trying to throw out are from the military. Normally military ballots break for the Republican but so many military have abandoned him after his “suckers and losers” comments. Secondly, veterans are upset at the ceremony at the tomb of the unknowns. Traditionally this wreath ceremony happens at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Yet this narcissistic, pathetic man was late. Showed up at 11:30 and stayed for 6 minutes, saying nothing. So, if you think the military will back him in any kind of coup, both Hertling and Wellman say that won’t happen.
A much more sobering thought; Trump could not be doing any of this without the complicity of the Rupublican Party, led by Mitch McConnell, including the propaganda wing led by Hannity, Limbaugh, et al. More sobering; McConnell was just re-elected and the Republican Party made political inroads into Congress and many state legislatures. (The latter being prima facie evidence the presidential election was NOT stolen by the Democrats.) In other words, a large minority of this country is just fine with the subversion of democracy being carried out, and would likely approve, or at least sit by silently, while a coup was carried out keeping Trump in office.
Even when Trump is finally sent packing, all the other players that aided and abetted the most corrupt/incompetent president in our history will still be very much alive and kicking.
That, my fellow citizens, is the sobering thought for today.
“We need his voters,” Senator John Thune of South Dakota, told reporters today. “[W]e want him helping in Georgia.” - since when did politics become about this kind of crap and not about elected representatives following “the will of the people”, which is supposedly their purpose for existence?
And, as a healthcare professional, the situation in North Dakota makes me sick. It’s immoral, unethical, and medically dangerous. Never mind just plain wrong. But still no masks. What is wrong with people???
I am at a point that I just can’t with this asinine stupidity anymore. These people who are making every effort to block a duly elected Biden government need to be smacked down and kicked out because the popular vote makes it obvious that their time is over.
I'm with General McCaffrey that we should be alarmed by the purge at the top of the Department of Defense. Several things strike me. First is that the new junior, not qualified appointments are close associates of the obsequious Representative Nunes (what a creep). The second is the mention of Erik Prince who I've always thought was going to put together DTs SS style personal guard. Of course, DTs would get a cut of what the government would pay these mercenaries. This, is listening carefully to Secretary of State Pompeo's words and cackling laugh when he talked about the smooth transition into DTs second term. His words that "When the process is complete, there will be electors selected." sounded ominous to me. Will key Republican-held Legislatures usurp the Elector College by selecting their own electors. Was frankly relieved to hear that key Pennsylvania Republicans "would honor the wishes of the voters...and follow the law." The governor appoints the electors after they are vote is certified. Whatever the plot is --- and we'll find out soon enough -- it isn't DT just flexing his muscle, or padding resumes of loyalist who he doesn't care about. Pompeo sounds like he is in on it although I don't see how this is helping his ambition of running for President in 2024. There might be an element of vindictive revenge on firing Secretary Esper, but the real reason must be either setting up his escape plan to avoid jail in the US and/or making money like shares in the Siberian oil by giving Putin a Christmas present of withdrawing our troops from Afghanistan. Or possibly he's tapping into the rich Middle Eastern princes through some scheme of Jared's. Whatever it is it is certainly not in the best interests of the United States. While I love DT being silent for days now, it is ominous. And like the music critic who reviewed John Cage's piece 4' 33" which was four minutes and thirty-three seconds of silence saying he hope Cage would write longer and longer compositions of silence. I,too, hope DT will remain silent for longer and longer periods of time. President elect Biden's calm, reassuring, competent, articulate tone and his appointment of such a highly qualified Chief of Staff with such pertinent experience for our time is quite comforting.
My suggestion: All hands on deck in Georgia. Put well-founded anxiety to work donating, writing, texting, calling, or “walking and knocking” to GOTV for Warnock and Ossoff. This is the best action we the people can take to help the Biden administration: help elect 2 Democratic GA Senators. GA is still Conservative. Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight, Vote Save America, Indivisible, Vote Forward, Andrew Yang’s Humanity Forward, The Lincoln Project are all avenues to help. There are others.
Yes. The cornered Orange 🍊 Rat and his evil staff’s actions have me on high alert. Trump is vindictive. So, any of the domesday power-grab scenarios are possible, but I think it’s really about money. Trump wants all the money his angry followers continue to donate. He’s the GRIFTER IN CHIEF. “Let’s take as much money as we can from all the suckers while we can.”
Biden is handling it well. Ron Klain is very capable. So, while I remain anxious, I’m hopeful. 69 days o go.🤞🏻❤️🤍💙
I think that Trump's refusal to concede is about 2 things and none of them coming from a desire to help anyone else, be it the GOP, Pompeo, Barr, Georgia or whomever...he couldn't care less and 2024 is someone's whimsical fantasy. Firstly, I don't think he now really knows what to do as he is in deep, deep trouble psychologically, economically, socially and legally whichever way he turns...politically doesn't even come into it. This is a chaos that freezes him in place rather than providing him with energy, movement and motivation.... so he procrastinates and fidgets haphazardly. Secondly, I agree with Heather, it's about the money for the Trump PAC that he'll use to pay his personal legal defenses against all criminal and other charges, to fight off seizure of his assets by his creditors when he effectively again defaults on his debts and finally to ensure his personal security over and above what the State will provide when the Russians come looking for him.
He is being ignored and this drives him crazy. He is running very scared and thus is extremely unpredictable and dangerous....he is afterall totally amoral, a sociopath. He is facing a wall and an immovable deadline; his defenses have been proved no more real than the Maginot Line....a figment of his imagination. As Trump's GOP allies bit-by-bit peel off to look after their own interests and cooperate with the transition, Biden will advance upon him inexorably right up to the Chief Justice swearing in him and Kamala.....becoming massive in his conscious and subconscience dominating his every thought and emotion.
The world and the people of America have effectively already passed Trump by and have said it clearly. They are begining to live with him well and truly in their past; you can feel the beginnings of a relaxation of tension despite the pandemic all around the world. Trump is nolonger headline news and his every statement is now either ignored or questioned and placed firmly in "exclamation marks". The indignation, euphoria, hysteria, pain, depression, tears and laughter he once generated are subsiding untill a new "subject" comes along to incite such passions.....often more than reason would necessarily suggest.
For everyone who is overwrought with concerns about what the Menace is planning, I think we all should watch how PRESIDENT-elect is handling the situation. He is smiling, assuring the world that he's not worried or hampered by this petulant brat's attempts to overturn the apple cart, and is soldiering on. As in Biden's case, age often provides wisdom, and he is denying the Menace the satisfaction of reacting to his stunts. I loved watching him respond to a reporter's question of "what will happen if he refuses to leave?" by smiling broadly and responding "He will." He is refusing to be distracted, and is cheerfully and efficiently doing what is required to take the podium on January 20, then lead the country, unlike the "previous president." (thanks Boris Johnson). The younger members of Congress might be frustrated by Biden's age and perceived "old school" tendencies, but even they can learn a thing or two from a senior statesman.
Yesterday evening, I read that Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) will step in by Friday (11/13) to require that the Trump administration provide President-elect Biden with access to the presidential daily intelligence briefings. https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/11/politics/james-lankford-biden-intelligence-briefings/index.html Lankford noted that he, "sits on the Senate Oversight Committee and that he's already started engaging on this issue."
His malignant narcissism, disbelief and anger that he lost are simmering; as a result, I believe he feels an overwhelming desire to leave a mark, to ‘show them’. Whatever he is trying to foment, it could be aided and abetted by one of his favorite strongmen. Putin or Jung is my guess.
While I believe that he will fail at this, too, it’s utterly remarkable how disturbed he is.
Here’s hoping that we the people remember the actions of his Republican supporters when they are next up for election.
More importantly is that President-Elect Biden is calm, cool and collected in the face of such hostility. He wasn’t my first choice, but he truly is the right person at the right time, domestically and internationally. I am so relieved, and happy that so many allies seem genuinely pleased to work again with him. They’re no doubt equally pleased to see the caboose of the trump train.
Who isn’t? 😀😀😀
Whatever prompted people to re-elect Nunes, McConnell, Ernst, and the rest of the Republican trump sycophants? I called my two senators to ask for cooperation with the transition. Lamar Alexander’s office was civil. Marsha Blackburn’s office said it was unethical to discuss it and hung up on me. Nice customer service. She practically drools on herself over trump.
Congrats to Klain! He is perfect in the role of Chief of Staff. Let me explain Nunes. He represents the Central Valley in California which is an area of agriculture and farming. His family were farmers but he is a thorn in most Californians sides. He is one of Fake 45’s sickening loyalists and the fact that he has not been in the public eye since Covid started raises questions. He is a blatant liar and an all around obnoxious bastard. I wish I could say he and Jim Jordan will go away soon but they won’t, unfortunately.
With all of this craziness going on as to the “what ifs” regarding Fake 45, I just want to say it has been very nice to have a real adult in the room speaking to all of us.
I am a mental health therapist. Bullies provoke, deny they provoked and then, attack. I see the current president's recent firings and then appointings of unqualified replacements as provocations. He's got nothing left except to evoke some kind of reaction from concerned citizens, and then declare martial law or something like that. It's best when there is a bully in one's life to ignore them. The malignantly narcissistic bully provoking the American population is worrisome. But responding to his provocations with anything other than overt dismissal plays into his game.
What powers do the Joint Chiefs of Staff have to overrule (or ignore) orders by the new Pentagon officials whom tRump has recently put in place? Asking for 331 million friends.
Like all of you. I continue to feel anxious. I listened to a Facebook Live presentation from the Lincoln Project last night. Guests were Lt General Mark Hertling and Lt. Colonel Fred Wellman, both retired. They both had some interesting observations. First, many of the mail in ballots that Trump is trying to throw out are from the military. Normally military ballots break for the Republican but so many military have abandoned him after his “suckers and losers” comments. Secondly, veterans are upset at the ceremony at the tomb of the unknowns. Traditionally this wreath ceremony happens at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Yet this narcissistic, pathetic man was late. Showed up at 11:30 and stayed for 6 minutes, saying nothing. So, if you think the military will back him in any kind of coup, both Hertling and Wellman say that won’t happen.
A much more sobering thought; Trump could not be doing any of this without the complicity of the Rupublican Party, led by Mitch McConnell, including the propaganda wing led by Hannity, Limbaugh, et al. More sobering; McConnell was just re-elected and the Republican Party made political inroads into Congress and many state legislatures. (The latter being prima facie evidence the presidential election was NOT stolen by the Democrats.) In other words, a large minority of this country is just fine with the subversion of democracy being carried out, and would likely approve, or at least sit by silently, while a coup was carried out keeping Trump in office.
Even when Trump is finally sent packing, all the other players that aided and abetted the most corrupt/incompetent president in our history will still be very much alive and kicking.
That, my fellow citizens, is the sobering thought for today.
It's not about Trump any more.
“We need his voters,” Senator John Thune of South Dakota, told reporters today. “[W]e want him helping in Georgia.” - since when did politics become about this kind of crap and not about elected representatives following “the will of the people”, which is supposedly their purpose for existence?
And, as a healthcare professional, the situation in North Dakota makes me sick. It’s immoral, unethical, and medically dangerous. Never mind just plain wrong. But still no masks. What is wrong with people???
I am at a point that I just can’t with this asinine stupidity anymore. These people who are making every effort to block a duly elected Biden government need to be smacked down and kicked out because the popular vote makes it obvious that their time is over.
I'm with General McCaffrey that we should be alarmed by the purge at the top of the Department of Defense. Several things strike me. First is that the new junior, not qualified appointments are close associates of the obsequious Representative Nunes (what a creep). The second is the mention of Erik Prince who I've always thought was going to put together DTs SS style personal guard. Of course, DTs would get a cut of what the government would pay these mercenaries. This, is listening carefully to Secretary of State Pompeo's words and cackling laugh when he talked about the smooth transition into DTs second term. His words that "When the process is complete, there will be electors selected." sounded ominous to me. Will key Republican-held Legislatures usurp the Elector College by selecting their own electors. Was frankly relieved to hear that key Pennsylvania Republicans "would honor the wishes of the voters...and follow the law." The governor appoints the electors after they are vote is certified. Whatever the plot is --- and we'll find out soon enough -- it isn't DT just flexing his muscle, or padding resumes of loyalist who he doesn't care about. Pompeo sounds like he is in on it although I don't see how this is helping his ambition of running for President in 2024. There might be an element of vindictive revenge on firing Secretary Esper, but the real reason must be either setting up his escape plan to avoid jail in the US and/or making money like shares in the Siberian oil by giving Putin a Christmas present of withdrawing our troops from Afghanistan. Or possibly he's tapping into the rich Middle Eastern princes through some scheme of Jared's. Whatever it is it is certainly not in the best interests of the United States. While I love DT being silent for days now, it is ominous. And like the music critic who reviewed John Cage's piece 4' 33" which was four minutes and thirty-three seconds of silence saying he hope Cage would write longer and longer compositions of silence. I,too, hope DT will remain silent for longer and longer periods of time. President elect Biden's calm, reassuring, competent, articulate tone and his appointment of such a highly qualified Chief of Staff with such pertinent experience for our time is quite comforting.
He reminds me of Gru - all the stalking around while thinking up evil deeds, dependent on his minions.
Trying to cut Biden off from all the information. All of the power. Trying to think of what else he can do to hurt Biden, and especially Harris.
Maybe it will be huge. That arms sale is huge. War would be huge. Withdrawal would be huge.
I don’t think he wants to face the press quite yet, but I am prepared for “rallies” where he riles up the faithful To disrupt things on his behalf.
I hope Biden is prepared for petty, as well. And I hope the White House gets swept pretty thoroughly for bugs. Of all sorts.
Which doesn’t mean I’m not scared. Leaving an abuser often winds up with the victim dead. We are demanding he pack and go. Could be ugly.
My suggestion: All hands on deck in Georgia. Put well-founded anxiety to work donating, writing, texting, calling, or “walking and knocking” to GOTV for Warnock and Ossoff. This is the best action we the people can take to help the Biden administration: help elect 2 Democratic GA Senators. GA is still Conservative. Stacey Abrams’ Fair Fight, Vote Save America, Indivisible, Vote Forward, Andrew Yang’s Humanity Forward, The Lincoln Project are all avenues to help. There are others.
Yes. The cornered Orange 🍊 Rat and his evil staff’s actions have me on high alert. Trump is vindictive. So, any of the domesday power-grab scenarios are possible, but I think it’s really about money. Trump wants all the money his angry followers continue to donate. He’s the GRIFTER IN CHIEF. “Let’s take as much money as we can from all the suckers while we can.”
Biden is handling it well. Ron Klain is very capable. So, while I remain anxious, I’m hopeful. 69 days o go.🤞🏻❤️🤍💙
When will the Democrats start investigating Republican election fraud?
Call the men in white coats with elephant tranquilizer darts to the main ring, before the big top collapses.