Daily Archives

July 22, 2015

26 posts · Wednesday

Just dropped · Trial Balloon · Ep. 190

Trump Is Everywhere

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Trial Balloon · Ep. 190: Trump Is Everywhere

GOP Debate Will Be All About Trump

July 22, 2015 · 7:48 am ET · 26 Comments

Politico: “Trump’s presence at center stage — his reward if he maintains his lead in the polls — is likely to transform the first Republican debate into a major media event, bringing big ratings to Fox News, the debate sponsor. By the same token, however, it will likely turn the traditionally policy-focused event into a pageant of personality, which is a potential nightmare for other candidates.”

“Considered almost unthinkable just five weeks ago, Trump’s appearance at center stage is now the most inconvenient of truths for the would-be Republican front-runners. From Milwaukee to Miami, campaign aides are already wrestling with the Trump factor — strategizing on how to engage with him (if at all) and how to stave off his attacks.”

George W. Bush Donors Embrace Jeb’s Bid

July 22, 2015 · 7:29 am ET · 5 Comments

Wall Street Journal: “Jeb Bush rounded up donations in the first 15 days of his presidential campaign from at least 136 top-tier donors to his brother, former President George W. Bush, signaling that the family’s vaunted fundraising network is quickly mobilizing to push a third Bush presidency.”

Which Campaign Has the Worst Logo?

July 22, 2015 · 7:22 am ET · 16 Comments

Politico: “The candidates’ campaign logos offer a rare glimpse into just what the would-be presidents are hoping to convey to voters: Is Jeb’s exclamation point a warm, inviting gesture meant to tone down harsher aspects of the candidate? Did Bernie pick his font for a particular reason? And where, oh where, is Hillary’s arrow pointing? Then, there are those logos dismissed as simply unappealing. Kasich’s attempt—with simplistic font and a suspiciously bacon-like red flag—has already drawn biting remarks on the Internet.”

Five of Blagojevich’s Convictions Thrown Out

July 22, 2015 · 7:16 am ET · 2 Comments

An appeals court vacated five convictions and threw out the sentence of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (D), WLS-TV reports. The rest of Blagojevich’s convictions were affirmed by the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Chicago.

“If Blagojevich chooses to appeal, he must tell the court within the next two weeks. But with five counts thrown out, the former governor will at some point be re-sentenced, and his attorneys will argue that his 14 years be dramatically reduced.”

Chuck Schumer Gets Media Shy?

July 22, 2015 · 7:12 am ET · 4 Comments

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY) “raised his hand to stop questions Tuesday when a Post reporter asked for his position on the Iran nuclear deal,” the New York Post reports.

“Approached in the basement of the Senate, New York’s senior senator — who is almost always available to the press — refused to answer where he stands on the agreement.”

GOP Tries to Limit Damage from Trump

July 22, 2015 · 7:10 am ET · 15 Comments

“Republican insiders are reconciling themselves to the idea that Donald Trump won’t be exiting the stage anytime soon — and their main concern now is limiting his damage to their party,” The Hill reports.

“The GOP establishment is almost universally hostile to Trump, who has soared in the 2016 polls on the back of his celebrity, his outspoken statements on immigration and trade deals, and media coverage of his antics.”

Politico: “Just 35 days since the brash real-estate mogul launched his presidential campaign with all the subtlety of a rhinoceros, Republican candidates have been gasping for air, choked off from media access and desperate to break out beyond an egomaniacal celebrity who is polling better than most of the field.”

Brown Guides Walker Around New Hampshire

July 22, 2015 · 7:00 am ET · 9 Comments

Gov. Scott Walker toured New Hampshire with former Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA), the Wall Street Journal reports.

“The relationship stands to be beneficial for both men: Mr. Walker has access to a well-known surrogate who represents the moderate wing of New Hampshire Republicans; Mr. Brown gets to be seen as a player in presidential politics – he introduced Mr. Walker during his first campaign stop in New Hampshire last week.”

What Trump Might Say

July 22, 2015 · 6:25 am ET · 2 Comments

The Onion runs a fake op-ed from Donald Trump:

“You know what you have to do to make me go away. Just quit paying attention. Stop reading this right now.”

“That’s right, I didn’t think so. I have the power to make the next 16 months one of the most incredible times in our nation’s history, and not a single one of you can say you’re not at least a little bit curious to see how this wild ride shakes out. So just keep clicking every link that mentions my name and hitting play on every clip of my public appearances, and I promise you will not be disappointed.”