2023 - Page 29 of 47

Christie: Ron DeSantis Is Not a Conservative

April 19, 2023 Buck Banks

“… as a conservative, the job of government is … to stay out of the business of business. … I don’t think Ron DeSantis is a conservative. … Where are we headed here now that if you express disagreement in this country, the government is allowed to punish you? To me, that’s what I always thought liberals did.”

— Former New Jersey Governor and potential presidential candidate Chris Christie, in an interview with Semafor.

Foremost Outpost Host

April 19, 2023 Buck Banks

The United States strives to be a good host,
Welcoming your poor, your tired, etc., to our coasts.
But when it comes to the Chinese,
We should stop aiming to please,
Since learning we’ve been hosting secret police outposts.

Schumer: If McCarthy Stays Course, We’re Headed Toward Default

April 19, 2023 Buck Banks

“I’ll be blunt. If Speaker McCarthy continues in this direction, we are headed toward a default.”

— Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), quoted by Punchbowl News, on the latest proposal by Speaker Kevin McCarthy to raise the debt ceiling.

Two Thirds Say GOP Should Not Meddle in Trump Probes

April 19, 2023 Buck Banks

67%

A new CBS News/You Gov poll found that 67% of Americans said that GOP lawmakers shouldn’t interfere with the investigations involving Donald Trump, while 33% said that GOP lawmakers should make an effort to stop law enforcement investigations into Trump.

AWOL in the Downfall

April 17, 2023 Buck Banks

As the cold rains fell, on and on,
And Fort Lauderdale sank on down,
Floridians were asking,
While slogging and bailing:
Where, oh where, is our Governor Ron?

More Americans Claim to Be Independents

April 17, 2023April 19, 2023 Buck Banks

49%

A new Gallup poll finds that a record 49% of Americans see themselves as politically independent — the same as the two major parties put together.

Big Majority Wants Abortion Pill to Be Legal

April 17, 2023 Buck Banks

67%

A new CBS News poll finds 67% of Americans want to see the abortion pill mifepristone remain available. Even some who are more generally opposed to abortion hold this view. And these views are not purely partisan: almost half of Republicans think the medication ought to be available.

There Were Five Chinese Spy Balloons

April 17, 2023 Buck Banks

5

“U.S. intelligence agencies were aware of up to four additional Chinese spy balloons, and questions lingered about the true capabilities of the one that flew over the continental United States in January and February, according to previously unreported top-secret intelligence documents,” the Washington Post reports.

Kemp Gives Veiled Dig at Trump

April 17, 2023 Buck Banks

“Not a single swing voter in a single swing state will vote for our nominee if they choose to talk about the 2020 election being stolen.”

— “Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Saturday urged his fellow Republicans to move on from the 2020 presidential election, offering a thinly veiled dig at former President Donald Trump and his continued election grievances,” CNN reports.

Top GOP Donor Drops DeSantis

April 17, 2023 Buck Banks

“I have put myself on hold. Because of his stance on abortion and book banning?.?.?.?myself, and a bunch of friends, are holding our powder dry.”

— Top Republican donor Thomas Peterffy told the Financial Times that he is halting plans to help finance the presidential bid of Gov. Ron DeSantis due to his extreme positions on social issues.

— Former New Jersey Governor and potential presidential candidate Chris Christie, in an interview with Semafor.

“I’ll be blunt. If Speaker McCarthy continues in this direction, we are headed toward a default.”

— Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), quoted by Punchbowl News, on the latest proposal by Speaker Kevin McCarthy to raise the debt ceiling.

67%

A new CBS News/You Gov poll found that 67% of Americans said that GOP lawmakers shouldn’t interfere with the investigations involving Donald Trump, while 33% said that GOP lawmakers should make an effort to stop law enforcement investigations into Trump.

49%

A new Gallup poll finds that a record 49% of Americans see themselves as politically independent — the same as the two major parties put together.

67%

A new CBS News poll finds 67% of Americans want to see the abortion pill mifepristone remain available. Even some who are more generally opposed to abortion hold this view. And these views are not purely partisan: almost half of Republicans think the medication ought to be available.

5

“Not a single swing voter in a single swing state will vote for our nominee if they choose to talk about the 2020 election being stolen.”

— “Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp on Saturday urged his fellow Republicans to move on from the 2020 presidential election, offering a thinly veiled dig at former President Donald Trump and his continued election grievances,” CNN reports.

“I have put myself on hold. Because of his stance on abortion and book banning?.?.?.?myself, and a bunch of friends, are holding our powder dry.”

— Top Republican donor Thomas Peterffy told the Financial Times that he is halting plans to help finance the presidential bid of Gov. Ron DeSantis due to his extreme positions on social issues.

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.