December 2019 - Pensito

The Good Fight

December 24, 2019 Buck Banks

As “Santa” consults his naughty/nice checklist,
At Pensito, we’re feeling cool and feckless.
We know persistence pays,
So we say “Happy Holidays!”
‘Cause we’re still fighting the War on Xmas!

Gabbard Wins ‘Most Disliked Democrat Candidate’

December 24, 2019 Buck Banks

30%

A new Morning Consult poll finds Rep. Tulsi Gabbard surpassed Michael Bloomberg as the most disliked candidate in the Democratic presidential race following her “present” votes on articles of impeachment against President Trump, with 30% of Democratic primary voters viewing her unfavorably (+7% week over week).

Giuliani in Defense of Giuliani

December 24, 2019 Buck Banks

“If they think I committed a crime, they’re out of their minds. I’ve been doing this for 50 years. I know how not to commit crimes.”

— Rudy Giuliani, in an interview with New York Magazine, on being investigated by the Southern District of New York.

‘Don Quixote’ Trump Tilts at Windmills

December 23, 2019 Jon Ponder

Transcript:

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Millionaires Prefer Biden, Buttigeig Over Trump

December 23, 2019 Buck Banks

48% to 41%

A new CNBC poll of millionaires finds Joe Biden beats President Trump in a general election match up, 48% to 41%. Biden would even get 18% of Republican millionaire votes in a Trump-Biden match-up. The only other Democratic candidate who beats Trump among millionaires is Pete Buttigieg, who edges past Trump 46% to 43%. Trump easily beats both Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren among millionaires.

Leahy Lights Into McConnell, Graham

December 23, 2019 Buck Banks

“This is tantamount to a criminal defendant being allowed to set the rules for his own trial, while the judge and jury promise him a quick acquittal. That is a far cry from the ‘impartial justice’ required by our oaths and the Constitution.”

— Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) writes in the New York Times that two senior Republican senators — Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham — have abandoned the commitment to impartial impeachment trials.

Most Approve of Trump’s Impeachment

December 23, 2019 Buck Banks

52% to 43%

A new Morning Consult poll finds a majority of voters approve of impeaching President Trump, 52% to 43%.

Republicans Out-Raising Democrats for 2020

December 23, 2019 Buck Banks

$63 million

The RNC goes into the presidential election year with more than seven times as much cash on hand as the DNC: $63 million vs. $8.3 million, according to FEC filings.

Pelosi’s Take on the Republican Exodus from Congress

December 23, 2019 Buck Banks

“It means that they know they’re gonna lose. And if you win, you’re going to serve in the minority under a Democratic president. You may want to spend more time with your family.”

— Speaker Nancy Pelosi, quoted by Politico, on the high number of Republican retirements from Congress.

Special Delivery from Mr. Trump!

December 19, 2019 Buck Banks

“True story: there is a White House staffer going around the Senate delivering to each office, as a package, the incoherent, scathing Pelosi letter AND… wait for it… a giant 16×12 White House Christmas card (along with, implausibly, a second smaller Christmas card). What a day.”

30%

“If they think I committed a crime, they’re out of their minds. I’ve been doing this for 50 years. I know how not to commit crimes.”

— Rudy Giuliani, in an interview with New York Magazine, on being investigated by the Southern District of New York.

48% to 41%

“This is tantamount to a criminal defendant being allowed to set the rules for his own trial, while the judge and jury promise him a quick acquittal. That is a far cry from the ‘impartial justice’ required by our oaths and the Constitution.”

— Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) writes in the New York Times that two senior Republican senators — Mitch McConnell and Lindsey Graham — have abandoned the commitment to impartial impeachment trials.

52% to 43%

A new Morning Consult poll finds a majority of voters approve of impeaching President Trump, 52% to 43%.

$63 million

The RNC goes into the presidential election year with more than seven times as much cash on hand as the DNC: $63 million vs. $8.3 million, according to FEC filings.

“It means that they know they’re gonna lose. And if you win, you’re going to serve in the minority under a Democratic president. You may want to spend more time with your family.”

— Speaker Nancy Pelosi, quoted by Politico, on the high number of Republican retirements from Congress.

“True story: there is a White House staffer going around the Senate delivering to each office, as a package, the incoherent, scathing Pelosi letter AND… wait for it… a giant 16×12 White House Christmas card (along with, implausibly, a second smaller Christmas card). What a day.”

— Tweet by Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT).

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

— Rick Wilson

— Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) on the “resign or be fired” ultimatum from the GOP’s Freedom Caucus just 174 days into his tenure as sp[eaker, reported by Punchbowl News.

“Trump’s head slowly dropped, his eyes closed. It jerked back upward. He adjusts himself. Then, his head droops again. He straightens up, leaning back. His head droops for a third time, he shakes his shoulders. Eyes closed still. His head drops. Finally, he pops his eyes open.”

— Law360 reports from the second day of Donald Trump’s “hush money” criminal trial.

— Jonathan Last

“He’s f**king crazy! The press often will ask me if I think Donald Trump is crazy. And I’ll say it this way: I don’t think he’s so crazy that you could put him in a mental institution. But I think if he were in one, he ain’t getting out!”

— New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu (R), quoted by the Associated Press two years ago. Sununu is now backing Trump for president.

Numerati

$71.1 million to $45.2 million

56% to 37%

270,000

50 of 96

New York Times: “Of the 96 possible jurors brought into the room, more than 50 raised their hands to say they couldn’t be fair. They were immediately excused.”

20%