February 3, 2022

Heroes and Zeros

February 3, 2022February 4, 2022 Buck Banks

There’s no disputing al-Qurayshi was an evil guy,
And there’s no disputing he had to die.
But we spent millions —
And still killed civilians!
Oh, and sometimes our helicopters can’t fly.

There Are Reasons Trump-Backed Candidates Can’t Raise Money

February 3, 2022 Buck Banks

“A lot of candidates thought that the Trump endorsement automatically meant they’d raise a lot of money. They didn’t realize you have to do the work. Trump has always been a better attacker than a booster. Only so many right-wing candidates can go on Fox News and OAN, or even get booked. Not every Trump-endorsed candidate is made to go and say crazy stuff on TV.”

— A veteran GOP operative, quoted by National Journal, on the fundraising struggles of GOP candidates backed by Donald Trump.

Apparently, Biden and McConnell Are BFFs

February 3, 2022 Buck Banks

“Mitch, I don’t want to hurt your reputation, but we really are friends. And that is not an epiphany we’re having here at the moment. You’ve always done exactly what you’ve said. You’re a man of your word. And you’re a man of honor. Thank you for being my friend.”

— President Joe Biden, quoted by Politico, offering kind words to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) at the National Prayer Breakfast.

U.S. Kills ISIS Leader and Some Women and Children

February 3, 2022 Buck Banks

“This horrible terrorist leader is no more.”

— President Biden, quoted by the Washington Post, on the U.S. Special Operations mission overnight in Syria that killed Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, the leader of the Islamic State.

And You Thought 7% Was Bad …

February 3, 2022 Buck Banks

48.7%

“Turkey’s official inflation rate reached the highest level since Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party came to power almost two decades ago, as global inflationary pressures combine with the president’s unorthodox economic management to fuel a surge in prices,”The Financial Times reports.

73 Confederate Monuments Were Removed in 2021

February 3, 2022 Buck Banks

73

After 73 Confederate monuments were removed or renamed in 2021, there are now 723 left in the US, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center. The findings were announced Tuesday during the group’s news briefing on the release of the third edition of “Whose Heritage?” The report is part of the organization’s efforts toward “eradicating hate and white supremacy” in collaboration with activists nationwide.

Day: February 3, 2022

Heroes and Zeros

There Are Reasons Trump-Backed Candidates Can’t Raise Money

— A veteran GOP operative, quoted by National Journal, on the fundraising struggles of GOP candidates backed by Donald Trump.

Apparently, Biden and McConnell Are BFFs

“Mitch, I don’t want to hurt your reputation, but we really are friends. And that is not an epiphany we’re having here at the moment. You’ve always done exactly what you’ve said. You’re a man of your word. And you’re a man of honor. Thank you for being my friend.”

— President Joe Biden, quoted by Politico, offering kind words to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) at the National Prayer Breakfast.

U.S. Kills ISIS Leader and Some Women and Children

“This horrible terrorist leader is no more.”

— President Biden, quoted by the Washington Post, on the U.S. Special Operations mission overnight in Syria that killed Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi, the leader of the Islamic State.

And You Thought 7% Was Bad …

48.7%

“Turkey’s official inflation rate reached the highest level since Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party came to power almost two decades ago, as global inflationary pressures combine with the president’s unorthodox economic management to fuel a surge in prices,”The Financial Times reports.

73 Confederate Monuments Were Removed in 2021

73

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%