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Trent Franks blames the liberal media boogeyman

May 26, 2017 by AZ BlueMeanie

I happened to run across Arizona’s most embarrassing congresman, Rep. Trent Franks, in a segment on MSBC discussing The Guardian reporter who was phyically assaulted by the Montana GOP House candidate Greg Gianforte — who still won his race yesterday, by the way.

Franks told MSNBC that liberals must share the blame: “The left has precipitated this tense, confrontational approach throughout the country in recent months.”

Seriously?

This is after a campaign in which his pal Donald Trump castigated the media as the “enemy of the American people,” and continues to do so as President.

This is after a campaign in which his pal Donald Trump incited violence against protestors and members of the media at his rallies, for which he is being sued in federal court. It’s plausible Trump incited violence, federal judge rules in OK’ing lawsuit.

This is after his pal Donald Trump threatens to weaken First Amendment protections for reporters.

Which leads to this story in the New York Times. A Journalist Was Body Slammed, but Some Conservatives Want the News Media to Apologize:

In this time of intense partisanship, shiv-in-the-kidney politics and squabbles over the meaning of truth, can Americans come together and agree that a politician slamming a journalist to the ground for asking a question is wrong?

The answer, it turns out, is no.

Quinnipiac University poll: the public is solidly opposed to Zombie ‘Trumpcare’

May 25, 2017 by AZ BlueMeanie

A new Quinnipiac University poll released May 25 finds that:

American voters disapprove of the [Zombie “Trumpcare” (AHCA) bill] 57 – 20 percent, compared to a 56 – 21 percent disapproval in a May 11 survey by the independent Quinnipiac University, shortly after the revised plan passed the House of Representatives. Republicans in the House cancelled a vote on the first attempt to “repeal and replace” Obamacare on March 23, the day a Quinnipiac University poll showed voters opposed the idea 56 – 17 percent.

Among independent voters, a key bloc, only 17 percent are more likely to support an elected official who backs the health care plan, while 41 percent are less likely. Republicans are the only listed party, gender, education, age or racial group to support the health care plan, by a lackluster 42 – 24 percent, and the only group where more voters say they would support a candidate for reelection who backs the latest health care plan.

This is GOP tribalism reinforced by Epistemic closure and the ‘conservative misinformation feedback loop’ media bubble.

“Advisory to Republicans who support the replacement for Obamacare: Backing this bill could be very hazardous to your political health,” said Tim Malloy, assistant director of the Quinnipiac University Poll.

Only 20 percent of American voters say they are more likely to vote for a Senator or member of Congress who supports the revised Republican health care plan, while 44 percent say they are less likely and 31 percent say this issue won’t affect their vote, according to a Quinnipiac University national poll released today.

‘Follow the (Russian) money’ – it’s always about the money

May 24, 2017 by AZ BlueMeanie

There were two key paragraphs in the Washington Post’s report from last Friday. Russia probe reaches current White House official, people familiar with the case say:

Although the case began quietly last July as an effort to determine whether any Trump associates coordinated with Russian operatives to meddle in the presidential election campaign, the investigative work now being done by the FBI also includes determining whether any financial crimes were committed by people close to the president. The people familiar with the matter said the probe has sharpened into something more fraught for the White House, the FBI and the Justice Department — particularly because of the public steps investigators know they now need to take, the people said.

And:

While there has been a loud public debate in recent days over the question of whether the president might have attempted to obstruct justice in his private dealings with Comey, whom Trump fired last week, people familiar with the matter said investigators on the case are more focused on Russian influence operations and possible financial crimes.

As I said, “This would explain passing references to the Treasury Department in recent reporting. This likely involves the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN.”

The Treasury Department and FinCEN are now in the news this week. CNN reports, Warner: Treasury has not fully responded to Senate Intel requests:

Sen. Mark Warner, the vice chairman of the Senate intelligence committee, said Tuesday that the Treasury Department has not fully complied with his committee’s requests for documents relevant to its probe into Russian meddling in the US election.

Likewise, Democrats on the House Financial Services Committee sent a letter on Tuesday to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin requesting records of Trump businesses and any connections to Russia by June 2.

AHCA ‘tattooed to their foreheads’

May 9, 2017 by AZ BlueMeanie

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., warned Republicans who voted in support of the American Health Care Act: “What is happening today is a lose-lose situation for the Republicans. It’s a lose-lose for the American people, that’s for sure. But the people who vote for this will have this vote tattooed to their foreheads as … Read more

Rally to Stop Trumpcare on Tuesday – Tucson (Updated)

May 8, 2017May 8, 2017 by AZ BlueMeanie

Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.) said “if it takes a Democrat” to explain House Republicans’ healthcare bill, he’s willing to do it. House Democrat offers to hold town halls for Republicans:

“Maybe a Democrat ought to go into every district where a Republican who supported TrumpCare won’t hold a town hall meeting, and do it for them,” he said during an interview on MSNBC.

“I think every Republican who voted for this thing ought to have to stand in front of their voters and explain it,” Maloney said.

“And if it takes a Democrat to go in and do it for them for a while, I’ll explain what’s in this bill, and if he doesn’t like it, he should stand up and explain it himself.”

Congressman Ruben Gallego (D-AZ) has taken up his challenge and he will hold a town hall in Tucson to explain the vote of Rep. Martha “Let’s get this fucking thing done!” McSally, the “cowardly lion” who is cowering in her chicken bunker too afraid to stand before her constituents to explain her vote to take away your health care. See op-ed by Dr. Matt Heinz, Martha McSally wrong on repeal of health law.

What: Rally to Stop Trumpcare

When: Tuesday, May 9, 6:30 p.m. (doors open at 6:00 p.m.)

Where: Rincon High School, 421 N. Arcadia Avenue (5th Street and Swan Road), Tucson, AZ