Michael Bryan

Michael founded BlogForArizona.net as the Howard Dean presidential campaign blog for Arizona in 2003, and has been blogging ever since. The Blog is now coming up on 20 years of continuous publication, a major achievement for any political blog, which usually have the life-spans of mayflies. Michael is an attorney living in Tucson with his wife Lauren. In 2008, Michael remade BlogForArizona into a collaborative project. Michael is now but one of the contributors to the blog and provides editorial and publishing direction in consultation with the Board of Directors and the other authors. If you want to keep up with the latest Arizona and National political news in an entertaining quick hit of news and opinion, check out the BlogForArizona twitter feed, which Mike largely curates and writes. Michael is also an AAPC member who occassionally consults on political campaigns, strategy and communications.

Donkey Feed, September 8th, 2018

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By Michael Bryan

Welcome back to your Feed for the Week! Slip off your shoes and strap on the feedbag! It’s time for some Feed…

First, a graphical cold shower: China’s Research and Development spending already exceeds that of Japan and the EU, and is approaching and may soon overtake that of the United States, with dire consequences for the dynamism and competitiveness of our economy.

And now a graphical warm bath: Democrats are well-positioned to take the 23 seats needed to flip the House and provide much-needed oversight of an out-of-control White House. And with the Dem ahead in the TN Senate race, the Senate might even be in play…

Finally, Red For Ed marches in Arizona in response to AZSC ruling knocking tax measure (Prop 207) off the ballot, and are targeting judicial retention votes this November:

This Nike ad featuring Colin Kaepernick is just too good not a share. It literally gave me chills the first time I watched it:

Now, a new memoir by a great American, John Kerry, the man who should have been President from 2004 to 2012.

John Kerry’s Every Day Is Extra is a memoir of his time in public service including his time in the Senate, his unsuccessful Presidential run, and his service as Obama’s second Secretary of State. It might be read as the curriculum vitae of a potential Presidential candidate in 2020.

Finally, click Continue Reading for the rest of the Feed…

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Donkey Feed September 6th, 2018

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By Michael Bryan

Welcome back to your Feed for the Week! Slip off your shoes and strap on the feedbag! It’s time for some Feed…

First, some video. Former Reagan Budget Director Stockman warns that the Trump economy is not nearly as strong as it might seem and Trump’s policies are making it worse:

Now some graphical goodness showing just how unbalanced in favor of the wealthy the GOP tax cut was, and how much worse it grows over time:

Next, the book everyone will be talking about this week and next:

Bob Woodward’s new book, Fear: Trump in the White House, will drop on Sept. 11th, everyone will be talking about it (WaPo), and it is already breaking news (CNN), and yet more news (Daily Kos).

Now, just click Continue Reading for the rest of the Feed…

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Ducey Fingers Kyl

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By Michael Bryan Governor Ducey has decided upon a caretaker, not a competitor, for the McCain seat, naming former Senator Jon Kyl to finish McCain’s term until the 2020 election. It may be a wise move, not giving a leg up to any potential contender wishing to permanently hold the seat, he avoids giving any faction … Read more

Sherpa Kyl Says Supreme Court Nominee Kavanaugh’s Done “Very Good Job”, Ready For Confirmation Hearing Tomorrow

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(Originally posted at ArizonasPolitics.com)

Former Arizona Senator Jon Kyl has been Brett Kavanaugh’s “sherpa” for his nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court. On the eve of Tuesday’s confirmation hearing, Kyl tells Arizona’s Politics this weekend that Kavanaugh “has done a very good job in his ‘interviews'”. Kyl also says that he has not been involved in the White House’s decision-making process on which documents should be made public for the confirmation battle.

Evan Vucci (AP)

In an email to Arizona’s Politics, Kyl said that that document production “is handled by White House Counsel” (currently, Don McGahn). The longtime Arizona lawmaker has been involved in “helping follow up on questions, etc” after their meetings with Senators. “I believe he has done a very good job in his ‘interviews’.”Democratic Senators on the Judiciary Committee are protesting last week’s decision by the White House to assert executive privilege on some 100,000 pages of documents from Kavanaugh’s record while he worked for the Bush Administration.* They are insisting that documents currently marked “Committee Confidential” be publicly released in order to question the nominee about them.

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Donkey Feed, Sept. 2nd, 2018

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By Michael Bryan

Welcome back to your Feed for the Weekend! Slip off your shoes and strap on the feedbag! It’s time for some Feed…

First, a cool tool: From the New York Times interactive this cool tool shows you the effect of climate change in your lifetime by plotting the increase in the number of days above 90 Fahrenheit per year over your lifespan. Here’s mine:

Now, a bit of video: almost 3000 people died as a result of the Puerto Rican hurricane disaster, but few seem to care, and certainly no one in the Federal government has done much about it to the shame of the Trump Administration.

Next, a bit more video about the propaganda technique of “firehosing” and why it can be effective despite obviously consisting of lies (this reminding you of anyone?):

Next, some graphical grimness: A surprising proportion of worldwide gun deaths happen here in the United States, and a rather surprising portion are suicides.

And some graphical sadness that is nonetheless beautiful: a fantastic drone photo of Senator McCain’s coffin lying in state in the U.S. Capitol building:

Now, just click on Continue Reading and enjoy the rest of the feed…

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