| | | | MEDIA WINNER:
Carol Lee NBC News' Carol Lee published a long-form article Thursday delving into the bizarre and sordid details of Gen. Michael Flynn's time in President Donald Trump's administration, covering everything from Flynn's activities during the transition, his tenure as national security adviser, and Trump firing him but then subsequently pardoning him.
Lee's article is the product of three years of investigative journalism and interviews with more than 20 people who had knowledge of the relevant events.
One key topic Lee covers: why Flynn was fired. “Everyone’s forgetting that Flynn was fired because he was lying to everyone,” she quotes one senior White House official. “After weeks of asking him, he was still saying he never talked to the Russian ambassador about sanctions.” Multiple sources and evidence suggest that "Flynn knowingly misled investigators and the president’s inner circle repeatedly," writes Lee.
Perhaps more troubling, it is still not clear why Flynn lied. The specific information -- having a conversation about sanctions with the Russian ambassador Sergey Kislyak -- would not have gotten Flynn in trouble. "It's not the crime, it's the cover-up," but what was Flynn trying to cover up?
Also concerning: Trump's delay in firing Flynn after his lies were known allowed him to continue to play a part in highly sensitive national security decisions, despite concerns that he was compromised.
As Flynn rejoices in his pardon and newly-restored place in Trump's circle, the issues Lee is raising are vitally important -- especially as Flynn seems to be using his influence in questionable ways, such as promoting a call for the president to “temporarily suspend the Constitution” and put the country under martial law. |
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| | MEDIA LOSER:
Lou Dobbs Sometimes it can feel like certain media figures are campaigning for Loser of the Day, and while we are loath to encourage bad behavior from the Fourth and Fifth Estates, we just can't let this week go by without giving proper recognition to Fox News' Lou Dobbs.
What had Dobbs in a tizzy was Attorney General Bill Barr's comment, “To date, we have not seen fraud on a scale that could have affected a different outcome in the election.” Barr even went so far as to say that DHS and DOJ had not seen "anything to substantiate" some of the Trump campaign's outlandish conspiracy theories of election fraud.
Dobbs fumed at Barr on Monday for not doing more to help out the president’s legal fight. He fumed at Barr on Tuesday for saying the DOJ has seen no evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the election.
And he fumed again on Wednesday, saying Barr should watch his show and then "you will change your statement if there is any honesty remaining whatsoever in the Department of Justice.”
Suggesting that Bill Barr is "compromised", as Dobbs did this week, is pathetic enough on its own, and for Dobbs to launch a three-day tirade because Barr committed the unforgivable sin in Trump World of contradicting the president all the more so.
Just like the laughable press conferences and legal pleadings organized by Rudy Giuliani, Lin Wood, Jenna Ellis, Sidney Powell, and the rest of the rotating cast of clowns attempting to overturn this election, Dobbs' suggestion that his show somehow has presented actual, substantive evidence that will undo President-elect Joe Biden's victory is borderline insane. |
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| | X-Presidents to the rescue! Starting in 1997, Saturday Night Live produced several short cartoon skits featuring parody characters of former American presidents, endowed with superpowers after being struck by lightning at a celebrity golf tournament. There was fortunately no lightning involved, but three ex-presidents are stepping up to be superheroes for a country battling a deadly pandemic.
Former Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Bill Clinton have all said that they were willing to not only get the coronavirus vaccine, but to do so on live television to reassure Americans of its safety and efficacy.
Got 99 problems, but a Kraken ain't one
With all apologies to professional clowns, the double runoff set for both of Georgia's Senate seats in January is rapidly devolving into a complete circus.
Sidney Powell and Lin Wood -- currently promoting themselves under the ridiculous moniker of "Kraken Wood" -- had an absolutely bonkers press conference in Georgia, but made several comments viewed as discouraging Georgia Trump supporters from voting in the senate runoffs.
Unsurprisingly, certain Trump allies swiftly attacked the bumbling lawyers. Even Newt Gingrich weighed in.
To be fair to "Kraken Wood," Giuliani didn't fare much better in Michigan, especially with this one witness who just went off the rails.
Georgia election officials have had just about enough of the Trump campaign's baseless election fraud claims -- especially as they and their staff are getting death threats.
Here's the latest polls on the race.
AOC not sweating the small stuff
Ben Shapiro tried to drag Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s (D-NY) for selling a $58 “Tax the Rich” sweatshirt — but AOC delivered the perfect clap back in response.
Well, he's not wrong
A local news reporter in Michigan had an impromptu interview with an area businessman who interrupted his live shot and went on an epic rant about how stimulus funds helped "special interest groups and campaign donors" more than struggling small businesses.
Superspreader Soirée
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is planning to host numerous large-scale, indoor holiday parties at the agency’s Washington, D.C. headquarters -- including one event that will reportedly include over 900 guests.
Deck the halls with Covid vaccines, Fauci-la-la-la, la-la-la-la! Dr. Anthony Fauci will be having his first meeting with Biden's transition team Thursday afternoon (virtually via Zoom), and has said that he is "very pleased" to be getting started with their strategies to fight the pandemic, including the crucial logistical plans to rollout the vaccines.
Fauci also chatted with MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell, encouraging Americans to limit their holiday gatherings and travel, saying "help is on the way" from the vaccines very soon.
It's sobering but important advice, as the latest coronavirus daily case numbers, hospitalizations, and deaths are at depressingly tragic levels. 6.5.0 |
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| Barr getting thrown under the bus?
The president is not in the habit of hiding his feelings when he is displeased with one of his minions, and AG Bill Barr is no exception.
Barr's public contradiction of Trump on the issue of election fraud has sparked a flood of reports that Trump is furious with him and wants to fire him.
A reporter asked Trump point blank if he still had confidence in Barr, and his response is noteworthy both for his actual words, and how he paused before answering.
Watch the video clip here, and take your bets whether Barr's job will survive the waning days of the Trump presidency. |
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