1
Investigators Urge E.P.A. to Pursue Scott Pruitt for $124,000 in ‘Excessive’ Travel Costs
LISA FRIEDMAN at NYT > Politics - 1 hour ago
The E.P.A.’s inspector general found that Mr. Pruitt, the former head of
the agency, had spent funds “without sufficient justification.”
Mr. Pruitt's life should be a misery.
2
How Xi’s Last-Minute Switch on U.S.-China Trade Deal Upended It
CHRIS BUCKLEY and KEITH BRADSHER at NYT > Politics - 1 hour ago
Xi Jinping miscalculated President Trump’s willingness to accept a changed
deal. Now angry rhetoric could complicate efforts to return to negotiations.
Donald Trump does not do diplomacy.
3
Open Thread
Ian Welsh at Ian Welsh - 1 hour ago
If there are any topics you’d like to discuss that aren’t relevant to
recent articles, please do so here.
Joe Biden will not inspire.
4
Comments on April Housing Starts
Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 2 hours ago
Earlier: Housing Starts Increased to 1.235 Million Annual Rate in April
Total housing starts in April were above expectations, and starts for
February and March were revised up.
The housing starts report showed starts were up 5.7% in April compared to
March, and starts were down 2.5% year-over-year compared to April 2018.
Single family starts were down 4.3% year-over-year, and multi-family starts
were up 1.4%.
This first graph shows the month to month comparison for total starts
between 2018 (blue) and 2019 (red).
[image: Starts Housing 2017 and 2018]*Click on graph for larger imag... more »
Housing starts speak of desperate builders.
5
Republicans’ Messaging on Abortion Puts Democrats on the Defensive
JEREMY W. PETERS at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago
The unusually forceful campaign has created challenges that Democrats did
not expect as they struggle to combat misinformation and thwart further
efforts to undercut access to abortion.
Assaults do that.
6
Trump Tells Pentagon Chief He Does Not Want War With Iran
ERIC SCHMITT, MAGGIE HABERMAN and MARK LANDLER at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago
The president’s statement came during a briefing on the rising tensions
with Tehran, and officials said he was firm in saying he did not want a
military clash.
Trump often lies.
7
Trump’s Financial Disclosure Shows Mixed Results for His Businesses in 2018
STEVE EDER and ERIC LIPTON at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago
A summary showed that revenues were up slightly at the president’s hotel in
Washington and down nearly 10 percent at Mar-a-Lago.
Trump lost money last year.
8
Pelosi Raises Impeachment as a Way to Break Trump’s Information Stonewall
GLENN THRUSH at NYT > Politics - 3 hours ago
Speaker Nancy Pelosi, facing President Trump’s blanket denial of documents
and witnesses, said Thursday that an impeachment inquiry would aid House
investigations.
Starting does not mean a vote.
9
CAR: "California home sales stumble into spring home buying season"
Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 4 hours ago
The CAR reported: California home sales stumble into spring home buying
season as median price sets another record
California home sales remained muted entering the spring homebuying season
as soft buyer demand continues to challenge the market, the CALIFORNIA
ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) said today.
Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California
totaled a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of 396,760 units in April,
according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local
REALTOR® associations and MLSs statewide. The statewide annualiz... more »
A novelty.
10
Pelosi Raises Impeachment as a Way to Break Trump’s Information Stonewall
GLENN THRUSH at NYT > Politics - 5 hours ago
Good.
11
Trump Fulfills His Promises on Abortion, and to Evangelicals
MICHAEL TACKETT at NYT > Politics - 5 hours ago
President Trump, through his appointment of judges who oppose abortion
rights and his graphic language, is again speaking a language that
evangelicals embrace.
Trump must make it stick.
12
Republicans’ Extreme Messaging on Abortion Puts Democrats on the Defensive
JEREMY W. PETERS at NYT > Politics - 5 hours ago
Assault will do that.
13
Heckles, Support, Shrugs: New Yorkers on de Blasio’s Presidential Bid
MICHAEL GOLD and SHARON OTTERMAN at NYT > Politics - 7 hours ago
Mayor Bill de Blasio, in announcing his campaign, described his city as
“legendarily tough and big and complicated.” In their response, New Yorkers
proved just how apt that was.
I may be surprised.
14
Bill de Blasio’s Platform: Where He Stands on the Issues
SHANE GOLDMACHER at NYT > Politics - 7 hours ago
Mr. de Blasio has focused on issues like education and criminal justice.
But while he is a self-styled progressive, his record is more complex.
Trade, arms, manufactur, and conservation will win.
15
On Washington: ‘Bigger Than a Party of Old White Men’: G.O.P. Women Seek to Replenish House Ranks
CARL HULSE at NYT > Politics - 7 hours ago
After the disastrous 2018 midterm elections, Republican women trying to
right their political ship are focused on a special election in North
Carolina.
They may not win.
16
President Trump Grants Pardon to Conrad Black
ANNIE KARNI at NYT > Politics - 7 hours ago
The pardon was the latest example of the president using a unilateral power
of his office to absolve a prominent figure whose case personally resonates
with him.
Donald Trump tries to induce rage in his opposition.
17
Philly Fed Mfg "Current Indicators Suggest Continued Growth" in May
Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 8 hours ago
From the Philly Fed: May 2019 Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey
Results from the May Manufacturing Business Outlook Survey suggest *continued
growth for the region’s manufacturing sector*. The survey’s indexes for
general activity, shipments, and employment increased from their April
readings. The new orders index remained positive but decreased modestly.
The survey’s future activity index, after falling in recent months, was
little changed, while the firms’ forecast for future employment improved.
*The diffusion index for current general activity increased from 8.5 in
April t... more »
It is a noisey signal.
18
Bill de Blasio on the Issues: What Kind of Democrat Is He?
SHANE GOLDMACHER at NYT > Politics - 10 hours ago
Mr. de Blasio has focused on issues like education and criminal justice.
But while he is a self-styled progressive, his record is more complex.
Local and urban. The wrong city.
19
Mayor Bill de Blasio Enters 2020 Race for President
JEFFERY C. MAYS and WILLIAM NEUMAN at NYT > Politics - 10 hours ago
Mr. de Blasio, the mayor of New York City, said his accomplishments in the
country’s largest city could serve as a national model.
The U.S. resists admitting its urbanism.
20
Housing Starts Increased to 1.235 Million Annual Rate in April
Calculated Risk at Calculated Risk - 10 hours ago
From the Census Bureau: Permits, Starts and Completions
*Housing Starts:*
Privately‐owned housing starts in April were at a *seasonally adjusted
annual rate of 1,235,000*. This is 5.7 percent above the revised March
estimate of 1,168,000, but is 2.5 percent below the April 2018 rate of
1,267,000. Single‐family housing starts in April were at a rate of 854,000;
this is 6.2 percent above the revised March figure of 804,000. The April
rate for units in buildings with five units or more was 359,000.
*Building Permits:*
Privately‐owned housing units authorized by building permits in April... more »
It is spring.
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