It is hard to sort through the surreality and absurdity of the FOX-hosted MAGA/GOP debate for the “also rans” that linger 40 points behind front runner Donald Trump, who faces 91 felony charges across four different jurisdictions, thus far.
Now I know how my by pass surgery would have felt without Anesthesia. Ouch does not touch the pain your accurate review of the GOP debate must cause to anyone with an ounce of love for America. The GOP must not win😡
I doubt they’re reading Steve, James...the best Republican ever though! 🙌
I feel odd about my near uncontrollable laughing through such degradingly accurate adjectives each candidate (loose interpret) garnered though...🤣🤣🤣< ( me still laughing! )
Please allow me/indulge me...Public Notice with Aaron Rupar ‘s yesterday’s session with Ruth BenGhait was so excellent A MUST SEE FOLKS He’s on u-tube Thursdays too.
I listened to the program. Textbook process by trump. Either he really can read or someone is out lining the plan and he is actually listening. That is scary…. More scary
Honestly Steve I did not sit through the travesty just like I did not watch the Orange furher get his mug shot which is a perfect view of him as a human being.
I am finished with all of the shows of ignorance by the media and those pundits that keep this GQP alive.
I have my mind made up and prepared to do whatever I can to assure a clear blue wave come November 24.
Many of my Republican friends have all resigned to the fact that the former president will get the nomination of his cult and they will not even hold their nose and vote rather they will politely stay home form the next election.
Your republican friends perfectly capture the main Republican character traits- selfishness and cowardice. Instead of staying home, they should go out, hold their noses if they must, and vote for a Democrat, thereby letting the GOP know that their cult is done.
Ditto about not watching either. I did watch clips. I did read Steve's comments and those of others I trust. Unlike you, I think that there are still members of the GOP or at least GOP voters in our family (spit spit) and gratefully not among our friends. Does that mean I am not getting enough of the other side's comments? Naw. I'm keeping some sanity.
Steve: I know you had to watch it for many reasons. And a responsibility that I considered to be informed. And I knew that my bp and my anger and the words from my mouth would have not served me well. How do you manage, really?
I had forgotten the water thing. So weird. Why do that? Of course it goes with everything that has happened since 2015. Being born in South Louisiana and raised in North Texas it has been horrifying to watch many friends and family hop on the Trump train. Heart breaking really! We need a class action lawsuit against Fox News. Let's sue them to get our Grandmas back!
My mother lived through CoVid in her eighties bc of Trump. We couldn’t convince her to get vaccinated, however, she died a Fox Zombie. She went from a sweet old woman to a woman filled with hate & conspiracy theories.
Look into TurnUp.US This nonprofit was started by a Harvard Student and the group is working hard to get young people registered and out to vote. They need our support in any way we can help.
As a senior (bona fide AARP member) besides that support my senior group will drive anyone in need to the polls and also to mail in early votes. This will catch on!
“I couldn’t stop thinking about last night as a 38-year-old demagogue and fame-seeking millennial took control of the debate from a feckless lineup of collaborators, appeasers, and FOX propagandists, with a fusillade of weapons- grade nuttery, rice paper-thin ignorance, and mind-bending naïveté wrapped together by ad hominem character attacks.
---Steve Schmidt
Thanks Steve, you’ve summarized the “know-nothing” party so succinctly, I’m not sure I’ll need to renew my subscription again. Only kidding.
As for the abortion issue:
“I’m not the only person in America who heard him talk about a friend who survived multiple abortions, and was born in a pan, right? Please tell me I'm not alone in knowing that's made up.”--Steve Schmidt
I thought the very same thing! Did I just hear that? Is anyone going to refute it? Oh, right, its airing on Fox, Where they believe abortions are performed right into the ninth month; which is usually called child-birth, unless they’re kid is too ugly, then its an abortion.
DeSatan’s words defy logic. How can one survive an abortion multiple times? Or even once for that matter. By definition, abortion is the termination of a pregnancy. If it’s terminated it’s an abortion, if not, it’s called child birth!
As for the compassionate Mr. Pence; he’s an enigma; a puzzling and difficult to understand individual. Like how the hell is he even being considered for President; its puzzling!
JVL had a column yesterday and used GIF’s to define each character on stage; I mean each candidate. Pence received “Father knows Best!” I was going to respond “Mommy Dearest” would of been more accurate depiction, but I bit my tongue!
That said, do we really want a guy who calls his wife MOTHER, and won’t be alone in a room with a women unless his wife is there, to be our next president? Hello, the 1950’s called; they want their decade back. Of course, this exactly the point, and where we’re headed should any of these clowns become president.
And I agree, Pence calls himself ethical and moral; agrees what Trump did is wrong, but would still vote for him as president? I guess the words hypocrisy, reality and morality are meaningless words in the MAGAverse!
Someone should nominate DeSatan to the Guinness Book of World Records for having told the most unbelievable lie and ‘his friend’ for outdoing Houdini for an incredulous feat. Lots of money to be made by trotting this act around the world.
I was able to get through about 3/4 of the debate. The entire debacle was “aneurism inducing”, the phrase you used to describe Pence. To force myself to watch the remainder felt like “cruel and unusual punishment”. I turned it off.
Your quote by John F. Kennedy was beautiful to read.
You have to be pretty full of it to be profoundly full of shit. They all were. Key take away: Dems need to get their heads out of their asses and go on the offensive, early and often. Get Hollywood to write the scripts (with due respect to the strikers), and pay for the messaging. As we near next November it will be impossible to break through the horrid noise that’s coming. Better to get a jump on it now, going forward.
Re Hollywood scripting…..yesterday is not soon enough. It seems like nary a peep out of the Dems in Congress about the debate insanity. This is exactly why we suck at messaging. JFC, what are they waiting for.
In general, I think Dems don’t want to get “mean & nasty” which is the staple of Republican politics……. “Bringing a butter knife to a gun fight.” I understand Biden not getting into the fray but, where the hell is everyone else. We supposedly elected leaders to speak for US!!!!!
What should the Dems have said or say? Counter the talking points? Highlight Bidenomics? Highlight decency and not coordinating outfits? I ask seriously. I don't know how I'd want the response to be other than what Steve wrote. Oh wait...........
I am forever grateful for Steve and his writing BUT his audience is not large enough. The Democratic leaders, along with any & all elected congressmen need to be out denouncing all the outrageous rantings of those on that debate stage. It matters now, more than ever. Ignoring the crazy is not an option.
Robyn: I am loudly agreeing with your comment about Dems needing to remember they are in a war to save democracy and “get their heads out of their asses.” This reluctance to quash ugly falsehoods is a big turn-off. It communicates a kind of compliance, not defiance.
In this political moment, turning the other cheek or ignoring blatant falsehoods is tantamount to tacit approval.
Someone on the Dems team had better grab a microphone and start talking sense
So then that's the answer - talk about saving democracy? What the Dems should say? Counter the lies with truth? Will those who believe - who cheered the lies at the debate (I heard snippets) hear the truth? Is it the 'if it reaches one person'? I'm not disagreeing w/ doing something - anything - it's the 'what' - other than being nice.
A Hollywood Producer wrote (how to tell it to the audience) the story for the J6 committee. It was very successful. Hmmmm? Where could this be recreated? Hmmmm?
I was confused by Chris Christie's need to mock President Obama .“The last person in one of these debates, Bret, who stood on the stage and said, ‘What’s a skinny guy with an odd last name doing up here?’ was Barack Obama,” said Christie, referring to Ramaswamy’s self-deprecating opening statement.
“And I’m afraid we’re dealing with the same type of amateur.”
Christie is of the opinion that President Obama and Ramaswamy are "the same type of amateur"? Really?
It was a joke on the American people but the ache I'm feeling is not in my sides but in my heart. We are no longer a country dreaming of exploring the moon or space. Instead we are quibbling amongst ourselves about who deserves what and who doesn't. The fact that we are fighting amongst ourselves about grievances perceived is the biggest travesty. We have become spoiled, petulant children not willing to take responsibility for our own mess created and we expect others to clean up afterwards.
As I read your post, I could not help think about the question JFK asked his fellow Americans, "Ask not what your country could do for you but what you could do for your country ". He was a person who understood what it was to be an American citizen and the responsibility we all have being citizens of this country. He was a President deserving of leading us forward in turbulent times. Unlike the unworthy candidates vying for the Presidency on the Republican side. Vote Blue and remember taking rights away from one person is taking away the rights of everyone.
Thank you Steve. I appreciate your stepping into the morass for us. Your comments should be shared broadly
I will admit to not watching the debate nor the X-rated stuff on X ( or whatever the blue bird is now called). I spent the evening preparing post cards encouraging VA unregistered voters to register and vote Nov 7.
My phone number is on some national call list for health insurance inquiries but they have transposed some numbers for a woman who allegedly was interested in receiving information. (I have great health insurance BTW.) I'm almost up to 100 calls in less than a week - it was 55 calls the first day and I disconnected many without answering but then I started answering the phone "Are you registered to vote?" Silence. "Are you registered to vote?" I've had some interesting discussions so my agenda going forward with any wrong number or sales call I receive is to ask "Are you registered to vote?" and take it from there. Generally we don't answer calls unless we recognize the number but we were waiting for a couple doctors to call and weren't sure what number they would be calling from. Vote Blue.
This is all the more evidence that is needed that Democrats, the Left, Progressives and Liberals along with moderates, common sense republicans and independents — who support democracy must hand republicans a broad and resounding defeat in the 2024 election — starting with the local 2023 elections in a few months.
I am tired of hearing all of the whining from the left and center about Joe Biden, and democrats not doing everything at once and immediately. Yes, they are not perfect. Yes, they missed the mark here and there and have not gotten to vital issues yet.
And I have a few important reminded for those looking to stay home or vote a third party candidate. (This will be harsh — but I think it needs to be direct — so here goes)
1) This is about math. Any vote for a third party candidate, write-in, and any "staying home" play is a vote for Donald Trump. Period. Full stop.
2) Any vote for anyone at any level of government — local, county, state, federal — other than the nominee of the democratic party is a vote for the republican which means you are supporting a fascist in every sense of the word — and you are voting to terminate the constitution and the democracy in favor of a dictatorship.
3) The work of Democrats is halted because too many people did not vote for their democratic candidates in 2022, and Democrats lost the house.
4) The work Biden has done with Harris has been quite good despite being incomplete, and the lack of PR/Marketing by the White House to sell it. We should look at the record and see it for what it is.
5) There is only one political party in the United States that believe in democracy, law enforcement and the constitution — that is the Democratic party and its candidates. Period. While that may not be ideal for some, and it may upset others — that is the frank, direct and factual reality of the United States. If you want to see a second party emerge that believes in democracy and the constitution, the best way to do that is to hand the republicans such a broad and complete defeat that they will have no choice but to change or be fully replaced.
6) Change that many of us want is not just simple legislative passing with majorities in both chambers and a president. The changes we need in my view are at the constitutional level. You want to put term limits on the justices of the court, write an ethics amendment, repeal/replace the 2nd amendment — those are all at the constitutional level. That means 290 votes in the House. 67 votes in the Senate. A presidents signature, and 38 state legislatures to ratify. Which means — taking elections off is not an option. It also means understand the long game, and building a movement for the long play. It has to be about winning broadly in every election for the next decade.
Let all keep our eyes open and understand — better is not the enemy of good and perfect candidates don't exist. Sometimes winning the election is about preserving the constitution and democracy. We need to have that discipline.
Such a bunch of losers even in news clips. Ramaswamy should call himself Vivid and become a Tik Tok influencer. Perfect match. Walk in the footsteps of JFK? In his dreams.
Well Steve,
Now I know how my by pass surgery would have felt without Anesthesia. Ouch does not touch the pain your accurate review of the GOP debate must cause to anyone with an ounce of love for America. The GOP must not win😡
I doubt they’re reading Steve, James...the best Republican ever though! 🙌
I feel odd about my near uncontrollable laughing through such degradingly accurate adjectives each candidate (loose interpret) garnered though...🤣🤣🤣< ( me still laughing! )
Please allow me/indulge me...Public Notice with Aaron Rupar ‘s yesterday’s session with Ruth BenGhait was so excellent A MUST SEE FOLKS He’s on u-tube Thursdays too.
OMG!
💙💙VOTE💙💙
I listened to the program. Textbook process by trump. Either he really can read or someone is out lining the plan and he is actually listening. That is scary…. More scary
Thank you
Honestly Steve I did not sit through the travesty just like I did not watch the Orange furher get his mug shot which is a perfect view of him as a human being.
I am finished with all of the shows of ignorance by the media and those pundits that keep this GQP alive.
I have my mind made up and prepared to do whatever I can to assure a clear blue wave come November 24.
Many of my Republican friends have all resigned to the fact that the former president will get the nomination of his cult and they will not even hold their nose and vote rather they will politely stay home form the next election.
Good news and very welcome.
Your republican friends perfectly capture the main Republican character traits- selfishness and cowardice. Instead of staying home, they should go out, hold their noses if they must, and vote for a Democrat, thereby letting the GOP know that their cult is done.
Ditto about not watching either. I did watch clips. I did read Steve's comments and those of others I trust. Unlike you, I think that there are still members of the GOP or at least GOP voters in our family (spit spit) and gratefully not among our friends. Does that mean I am not getting enough of the other side's comments? Naw. I'm keeping some sanity.
Steve: I know you had to watch it for many reasons. And a responsibility that I considered to be informed. And I knew that my bp and my anger and the words from my mouth would have not served me well. How do you manage, really?
I had forgotten the water thing. So weird. Why do that? Of course it goes with everything that has happened since 2015. Being born in South Louisiana and raised in North Texas it has been horrifying to watch many friends and family hop on the Trump train. Heart breaking really! We need a class action lawsuit against Fox News. Let's sue them to get our Grandmas back!
Yes! I so agree about the class action lawsuit!
My mother lived through CoVid in her eighties bc of Trump. We couldn’t convince her to get vaccinated, however, she died a Fox Zombie. She went from a sweet old woman to a woman filled with hate & conspiracy theories.
I'm so sorry.. both about her death and more about your lasting memories of her later years being what she was.
Thank you so much for enduring that farce so that I didn't have to.
I'm going to triple my efforts to get more young people registered to vote, and get them to the polls.
This grandma is doing “Headcount” to reach young voters at concerts and festivals. I will go with my daughter on Sept. 10.
Thanks! That's great!
Look into TurnUp.US This nonprofit was started by a Harvard Student and the group is working hard to get young people registered and out to vote. They need our support in any way we can help.
As a senior (bona fide AARP member) besides that support my senior group will drive anyone in need to the polls and also to mail in early votes. This will catch on!
“I couldn’t stop thinking about last night as a 38-year-old demagogue and fame-seeking millennial took control of the debate from a feckless lineup of collaborators, appeasers, and FOX propagandists, with a fusillade of weapons- grade nuttery, rice paper-thin ignorance, and mind-bending naïveté wrapped together by ad hominem character attacks.
---Steve Schmidt
Thanks Steve, you’ve summarized the “know-nothing” party so succinctly, I’m not sure I’ll need to renew my subscription again. Only kidding.
As for the abortion issue:
“I’m not the only person in America who heard him talk about a friend who survived multiple abortions, and was born in a pan, right? Please tell me I'm not alone in knowing that's made up.”--Steve Schmidt
I thought the very same thing! Did I just hear that? Is anyone going to refute it? Oh, right, its airing on Fox, Where they believe abortions are performed right into the ninth month; which is usually called child-birth, unless they’re kid is too ugly, then its an abortion.
DeSatan’s words defy logic. How can one survive an abortion multiple times? Or even once for that matter. By definition, abortion is the termination of a pregnancy. If it’s terminated it’s an abortion, if not, it’s called child birth!
As for the compassionate Mr. Pence; he’s an enigma; a puzzling and difficult to understand individual. Like how the hell is he even being considered for President; its puzzling!
JVL had a column yesterday and used GIF’s to define each character on stage; I mean each candidate. Pence received “Father knows Best!” I was going to respond “Mommy Dearest” would of been more accurate depiction, but I bit my tongue!
That said, do we really want a guy who calls his wife MOTHER, and won’t be alone in a room with a women unless his wife is there, to be our next president? Hello, the 1950’s called; they want their decade back. Of course, this exactly the point, and where we’re headed should any of these clowns become president.
And I agree, Pence calls himself ethical and moral; agrees what Trump did is wrong, but would still vote for him as president? I guess the words hypocrisy, reality and morality are meaningless words in the MAGAverse!
Someone should nominate DeSatan to the Guinness Book of World Records for having told the most unbelievable lie and ‘his friend’ for outdoing Houdini for an incredulous feat. Lots of money to be made by trotting this act around the world.
Every time I see that video of Mike Pence and the water bottle, I laugh. You are right, he is a fraud. A big one.
I was able to get through about 3/4 of the debate. The entire debacle was “aneurism inducing”, the phrase you used to describe Pence. To force myself to watch the remainder felt like “cruel and unusual punishment”. I turned it off.
Your quote by John F. Kennedy was beautiful to read.
You deserve something kind as a gift for getting through 3/4.
Thank you Joan - that is very kind of you. I am trying to pay attention so I better understand what we are up against. (Sometimes chocolate helps. 😂)
You have to be pretty full of it to be profoundly full of shit. They all were. Key take away: Dems need to get their heads out of their asses and go on the offensive, early and often. Get Hollywood to write the scripts (with due respect to the strikers), and pay for the messaging. As we near next November it will be impossible to break through the horrid noise that’s coming. Better to get a jump on it now, going forward.
Re Hollywood scripting…..yesterday is not soon enough. It seems like nary a peep out of the Dems in Congress about the debate insanity. This is exactly why we suck at messaging. JFC, what are they waiting for.
Dems always suck at messaging. Why?
In general, I think Dems don’t want to get “mean & nasty” which is the staple of Republican politics……. “Bringing a butter knife to a gun fight.” I understand Biden not getting into the fray but, where the hell is everyone else. We supposedly elected leaders to speak for US!!!!!
Agree. Sometimes it just feels as though we are being forgotten and just run over.
Because they are up in their heads, no feet on the battleground.
What should the Dems have said or say? Counter the talking points? Highlight Bidenomics? Highlight decency and not coordinating outfits? I ask seriously. I don't know how I'd want the response to be other than what Steve wrote. Oh wait...........
I am forever grateful for Steve and his writing BUT his audience is not large enough. The Democratic leaders, along with any & all elected congressmen need to be out denouncing all the outrageous rantings of those on that debate stage. It matters now, more than ever. Ignoring the crazy is not an option.
Robyn: I am loudly agreeing with your comment about Dems needing to remember they are in a war to save democracy and “get their heads out of their asses.” This reluctance to quash ugly falsehoods is a big turn-off. It communicates a kind of compliance, not defiance.
In this political moment, turning the other cheek or ignoring blatant falsehoods is tantamount to tacit approval.
Someone on the Dems team had better grab a microphone and start talking sense
So then that's the answer - talk about saving democracy? What the Dems should say? Counter the lies with truth? Will those who believe - who cheered the lies at the debate (I heard snippets) hear the truth? Is it the 'if it reaches one person'? I'm not disagreeing w/ doing something - anything - it's the 'what' - other than being nice.
Amen!
A Hollywood Producer wrote (how to tell it to the audience) the story for the J6 committee. It was very successful. Hmmmm? Where could this be recreated? Hmmmm?
I was confused by Chris Christie's need to mock President Obama .“The last person in one of these debates, Bret, who stood on the stage and said, ‘What’s a skinny guy with an odd last name doing up here?’ was Barack Obama,” said Christie, referring to Ramaswamy’s self-deprecating opening statement.
“And I’m afraid we’re dealing with the same type of amateur.”
Christie is of the opinion that President Obama and Ramaswamy are "the same type of amateur"? Really?
I think his point was that Ramaswamy was plagiarizing Obama.
That was his point but he wrecked his point by calling Obama an amateur
True. Believe me I have no love for Christie—he was a trump sycophant before he wasn’t. Can’t be trusted at all.
It was a joke on the American people but the ache I'm feeling is not in my sides but in my heart. We are no longer a country dreaming of exploring the moon or space. Instead we are quibbling amongst ourselves about who deserves what and who doesn't. The fact that we are fighting amongst ourselves about grievances perceived is the biggest travesty. We have become spoiled, petulant children not willing to take responsibility for our own mess created and we expect others to clean up afterwards.
As I read your post, I could not help think about the question JFK asked his fellow Americans, "Ask not what your country could do for you but what you could do for your country ". He was a person who understood what it was to be an American citizen and the responsibility we all have being citizens of this country. He was a President deserving of leading us forward in turbulent times. Unlike the unworthy candidates vying for the Presidency on the Republican side. Vote Blue and remember taking rights away from one person is taking away the rights of everyone.
Thank you Steve. I appreciate your stepping into the morass for us. Your comments should be shared broadly
I will admit to not watching the debate nor the X-rated stuff on X ( or whatever the blue bird is now called). I spent the evening preparing post cards encouraging VA unregistered voters to register and vote Nov 7.
My phone number is on some national call list for health insurance inquiries but they have transposed some numbers for a woman who allegedly was interested in receiving information. (I have great health insurance BTW.) I'm almost up to 100 calls in less than a week - it was 55 calls the first day and I disconnected many without answering but then I started answering the phone "Are you registered to vote?" Silence. "Are you registered to vote?" I've had some interesting discussions so my agenda going forward with any wrong number or sales call I receive is to ask "Are you registered to vote?" and take it from there. Generally we don't answer calls unless we recognize the number but we were waiting for a couple doctors to call and weren't sure what number they would be calling from. Vote Blue.
that is great! wonderful idea
Mike Pence: an American embarrassment...he’s got his head so far up Trump’s ass he can taste the Big Macs. Even Jesus is embarrassed...
Love the imagery. Thank you!! Gotta share the Big Mac one.
This is all the more evidence that is needed that Democrats, the Left, Progressives and Liberals along with moderates, common sense republicans and independents — who support democracy must hand republicans a broad and resounding defeat in the 2024 election — starting with the local 2023 elections in a few months.
I am tired of hearing all of the whining from the left and center about Joe Biden, and democrats not doing everything at once and immediately. Yes, they are not perfect. Yes, they missed the mark here and there and have not gotten to vital issues yet.
And I have a few important reminded for those looking to stay home or vote a third party candidate. (This will be harsh — but I think it needs to be direct — so here goes)
1) This is about math. Any vote for a third party candidate, write-in, and any "staying home" play is a vote for Donald Trump. Period. Full stop.
2) Any vote for anyone at any level of government — local, county, state, federal — other than the nominee of the democratic party is a vote for the republican which means you are supporting a fascist in every sense of the word — and you are voting to terminate the constitution and the democracy in favor of a dictatorship.
3) The work of Democrats is halted because too many people did not vote for their democratic candidates in 2022, and Democrats lost the house.
4) The work Biden has done with Harris has been quite good despite being incomplete, and the lack of PR/Marketing by the White House to sell it. We should look at the record and see it for what it is.
5) There is only one political party in the United States that believe in democracy, law enforcement and the constitution — that is the Democratic party and its candidates. Period. While that may not be ideal for some, and it may upset others — that is the frank, direct and factual reality of the United States. If you want to see a second party emerge that believes in democracy and the constitution, the best way to do that is to hand the republicans such a broad and complete defeat that they will have no choice but to change or be fully replaced.
6) Change that many of us want is not just simple legislative passing with majorities in both chambers and a president. The changes we need in my view are at the constitutional level. You want to put term limits on the justices of the court, write an ethics amendment, repeal/replace the 2nd amendment — those are all at the constitutional level. That means 290 votes in the House. 67 votes in the Senate. A presidents signature, and 38 state legislatures to ratify. Which means — taking elections off is not an option. It also means understand the long game, and building a movement for the long play. It has to be about winning broadly in every election for the next decade.
Let all keep our eyes open and understand — better is not the enemy of good and perfect candidates don't exist. Sometimes winning the election is about preserving the constitution and democracy. We need to have that discipline.
What has happened to the republican party?
it looks like ...Russia now.
Seriously.
these aren't American values, these are Russian values.
they want to turn our democratic republic into a Russian style autocracy.
Brilliant…as always.
Such a bunch of losers even in news clips. Ramaswamy should call himself Vivid and become a Tik Tok influencer. Perfect match. Walk in the footsteps of JFK? In his dreams.