@3:50, , 1/28/20

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1

U.S.

Bolton Revelations Anger Republicans, Fueling Push for Impeachment Witnesses

By Michael D. Shear and Nicholas Fandos | Jan 27th 2020

The former national security adviser’s account threatened to derail Republican hopes of bringing President Trump’s impeachment trial to a quick close with his acquittal.

Trump loves to tease.
The trial appears to be fixed.   We must wait for decisions.

2

U.S.

Bloomberg Is Taunting Trump, and Trump Is Taking the Bait

By Maggie Haberman and Annie Karni | Jan 27th 2020

Once acquaintances as members of the wealthy Manhattan elite, Michael Bloomberg and President Trump have become bitter rivals. And a flurry of Bloomberg attack ads is angering the president.

" What Mr. Trump should do, Mr. Bloomberg advised, was to “hire a lot of people smarter than you.”
“Mike,” Mr. Trump replied tersely, “there is no one smarter than me.” A startled Mr. Bloomberg paused before turning the conversation to a less fraught subject: golf."

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/16/books/review-very-stable-genius-donald-trump-philip-rucker-carol-leonnig.html

"The admirers will not make it past the table of contents. Among the chapter titles: “Unhinged,” “Shocking the Conscience,” “Paranoia and Pandemonium” and “Scare-a-Thon.” This verbiage makes Rucker and Leonnig’s book sound like one more enraged polemic. It isn’t. They’re meticulous journalists, and this taut and terrifying book is among the most closely observed accounts of Donald J. Trump’s shambolic tenure in office to date."

3

U.S.

Bolton Was Concerned That Trump Did Favors for Autocratic Leaders, Book Says

By Michael S. Schmidt and Maggie Haberman | Jan 28th 2020

The former national security adviser shared his unease with the attorney general, who cited his own worries about the president’s conversations with the leaders of Turkey and China.

The books are not testimony under oath.

4

World

Anatomy of a Lie: How Iran Covered Up the Downing of an Airliner

By Farnaz Fassihi | Jan 26th 2020

For three days, Iranian military officials knew they had shot down a Ukrainian jetliner while the government issued false statements, denying any responsibility.

Iran could not effectively cover the shoot down.

5

U.S.

Bernie Sanders and His Internet Army

By Matt Flegenheimer, Rebecca R. Ruiz and Nellie Bowles | Jan 27th 2020

At the start of his 2020 bid, the Vermont senator told his supporters that he condemned bullying. Is it his problem if many don’t seem to listen?

Bernie Sanders is a puritan.
His gospel is socialism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socialism

It is not communism.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communism

6

U.S.

How People of Color Inside the Buttigieg Campaign Sought to Be Heard

By Reid J. Epstein | Jan 28th 2020

As the candidate courted nonwhite voters, employees of color were voicing their frustrations, according to interviews, documents and a recording. The campaign said it worked to foster a progressive workplace.

Pete Buttigieg was kicked upstairs by his local machine.
He lost his legitimacy with the local community.
His police chief did not help.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/20/style/tom-ford-maureen-dowd.html
"On Pete Buttigieg: “I started thinking of advice for Mayor Pete and Chasten, but then I realized what’s so great about them is that they’re so natural.”"

7

Opinion

Yes, Secretary Pompeo, Americans Should Care About Ukraine

By William B. Taylor | Jan 27th 2020

A former ambassador tells the secretary of state just why.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/28/us/politics/trumps-defense-team-discounts-bolton-as-republicans-work-to-hold-off-witnesses.html

8

Business

How the G.O.P. Became the Party of the Left Behind

By Eduardo Porter | Jan 27th 2020

Dayton, Ohio, typifies the forces that have pushed those hurt by economic change toward the Republicans, while affluent places become more Democratic.

Those hurt by economic change resent the injury.
They blame everyone else.
Jews are traditional.

9

Business

Washington Post Suspends a Reporter After Her Tweets on Kobe Bryant

By Rachel Abrams | Jan 27th 2020

While social media praised the N.B.A. star after his death, Felicia Sonmez posted a link to an article on the allegations of sexual assault made against him in 2003.

Running is a necessary skill.
The Washington Post has an honorable staff.

10

U.S.

A Notorious Sandy Hook Tormentor Is Arrested in Florida

By Elizabeth Williamson | Jan 27th 2020

Wolfgang Halbig, who has falsely accused the families of shooting victims in Newtown, Conn., of constructing an elaborate hoax, was charged with the unlawful possession of personal identification.

Liars also need to run.
"Infowars" has no honor.

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1

Biden Aides Weigh Pursuing an Iowa Caucus Alliance With Klobuchar

Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 34 minutes ago

Amy Klobuchar’s campaign signaled no interest in such a plan, under which each candidate would encourage supporters to back the other in certain precincts.

I do not expect president Biden. 

For John Bolton, an ‘Upside-Down World’ After Trump Revelation

Peter Baker at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

Democrats who once derided him now want him to testify at President Trump’s impeachment trial while some of his erstwhile Republican friends are throwing him to the curb.

https://www.juancole.com/
https://www.juancole.com/2020/01/presidency-bolton-really.html 

At Rally, Trump Praises Van Drew for Leaving ‘Deranged’ Democratic Party

Katie Rogers at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

The president traveled to Wildwood, N.J., to return a political favor for a former moderate Democrat who last month switched parties and pledged his “undying support.”

"Spitting blood" 

The Last Ads in Iowa

Nick Corasaniti at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

It’s time for the candidates’ final TV pitches to caucusgoers — and these ads can tell us a lot.

A new game 

Impeachment Enters Volatile New Phase as Senators Get to Ask Their Questions

Michael D. Shear at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

Under impeachment’s arcane rules, senators will submit written queries to be read aloud by the chief justice. Leaders from both parties have strategized for days about what to ask.

Knocked into a cocked hat. 

A Deal That Has Two Elections, Rather Than Mideast Peace, as Its Focus

David E. Sanger at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 3 hours ago

The Israeli-Palestinian peace plan unveiled by President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sounds more like a road map for their own futures than for the Middle East.

The proposal will be refused.by Palestinians. 

On the Day Democrats Vote in Iowa, Trump Plans to Flood the Zone

Annie Karni and Maggie Haberman at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

Roughly 80 members of Congress, cabinet secretaries and administration officials will descend on the state to drive voter enthusiasm and make a show of force.

There is a week. 

Impeachment Briefing: John Roberts’s Role

Noah Weiland at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

A conversation with The Times’s Supreme Court correspondent about how the chief justice fits into the impeachment trial.

Guessing. 

The Dogs of the 2020 Campaign Trail, Including Bloomberg’s New Friend

Sarah Lyall at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 4 hours ago

Not everyone running for president is comfortable around dogs. But some 2020 contenders have made their canine companions into campaign stars.

Bolton Book Puts New Focus on Trump’s Actions in Turkey and China Cases

Eric Lipton and Alan Rappeport at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 5 hours ago

Interventions in Justice Department proceedings draw scrutiny after the former national security adviser raised concerns about the president’s embrace of authoritarian leaders.

When Your Best Surrogate Can’t Talk

Sarah Lyall at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 5 hours ago

Not everyone running for president is comfortable around dogs. But some 2020 contenders have made their canine companions into campaign stars.

Bailey is a star.  I was sure he was female.

McConnell says he doesn’t yet have the votes to block Democrats from calling witnesses.

Nicholas Fandos at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 5 hours ago

The majority leader was trying to push his colleagues into making up their minds against expanding the scope of the trial.
_____________________________________________________________________________ 

Trump’s Defense Team Discounts Bolton as Republicans Work to Hold Off Witnesses

Nicholas Fandos at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 5 hours ago

The president’s legal team completed its impeachment defense and Republicans huddled to discuss whether to call new witnesses.

They must try. 

Pro-Israel Democratic Super PAC to Air Attack Ads Against Bernie Sanders

Lisa Lerer and Sydney Ember at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 6 hours ago

The group, the Democratic Majority for Israel, will begin airing a negative campaign spot on Wednesday, as worries mount among moderate Democrats that Mr. Sanders could win the Iowa caucuses.

The price of more war over territory. 

Republicans huddle on witnesses after Trump team wraps up.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg and Nicholas Fandos at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

Republican senators rushed to a meeting to discuss what to do about witnesses for the trial.

Mitch McConnell has been quoted as not having the votes to stop witnesses.
That may change before the vote is counted. 

For Senator Kelly Loeffler, Impeachment Is an Early Proving Ground

Catie Edmondson at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

The Georgia Republican was sworn in as the Senate’s newest member just in time to sit for the impeachment trial against President Trump.

"The best government money can buy" 

White House legal team made the case for calling Bolton, Schiff says.

Emily Cochrane at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

The concept of allowing one Democratic witness for one Republican witness is “not a game we’re interested in playing,” the lawmaker said.

Schiff thinks he has won. 

Trump Plan’s First Result: Israel Will Claim Sovereignty Over Part of West Bank

David M. Halbfinger and Isabel Kershner at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government would effectively annex nearly a third of the occupied West Bank, with U.S. approval.

https://www.juancole.com/
https://www.juancole.com/2020/01/presidency-bolton-really.html 

Romney takes contraband onto the Senate floor: a bottle of chocolate milk.

Alicia Parlapiano at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

He promptly exited and returned with the milk in a glass.

What C-SPAN viewers didn’t see once the defense ended its arguments.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg at NYT > U.S. > Politics - 7 hours ago

Lawyerly camaraderie was on full display, but some of the most intriguing interactions came from some of the senators themselves.

Word salad.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2020/impeachment-trial-live-01-28#what-c-span-viewers-didnt-see-once-the-defense-ended-its-arguments

read the whole thing.

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