Vee

I'm talking from Republicans, Republican pundits and outlets. Not from media in general. Pence has the charisma of a slug and they will not be turning him into McCain, IMO. Can they (and we, frankly) turn to him in lieu of an insane narcissist? Absolutely. I think Pence is terrible but I will absolutely settle for him if I must in lieu of this maniac. I also am unconvinced he won't go down with Trump because I think he knew. Meanwhile, just to clarify for the "Trump is a secret strategic genius who planned all this" crowd, from the NYT on today: More at the link.

There's been a lot of deflection of any guilt re: Pence for the last few days. It's not unintentional.

LOL:

The press conference was not some clever plan. Trump randomly decided to give one this morning, surprising his aides. It was him venting rage and anxiety. Meanwhile: Jared is upset with cable news.

Shep Smith rebels again! Good ol' Shep.

Somebody clearly said 'entrenched power structure' to him yesterday:

"I'm not ranting and raving, I'm just telling you you're dishonest people." On a reporter questioning his Electoral College margin: "I was given that information, I don't know." Flynn: "I don't think he did anything wrong. If anything, he did something right."

Trending here. Trump is now blaming John Lewis, I think. Flees room as reporter howls another question about Russia.

"Number two: Racism. The least racist person. Quiet. Quiet. Quiet! See, he lied about getting up and asking a straight simple question..." See it for yourself. He is ranting about the Jewish reporter lying and asking a "very insulting question". The room explodes.

"How much longer should we stay here, folks? I wanna find a friendly reporter!"

This is fúcking insane. The press is not letting him off the hook and he is rambling and whining about how he "inherited a mess" and they refused to acknowledge his electoral college rant. He is falling apart. "Does anyone really believe that Hillary Clinton would be harder on Russia than Donald Trump?!" Reporter shoots back: "Can we conclude that there'll be no response to these provocations?" Next reporter is from the BBC. "Where are you from? [BBC.] Another beauty." Reporter: "That's very funny. Impartial, free and fair." Trump: "I'm not ranting and raving!" That's the headline on a ton of articles.

Thank you. This is what I've been saying for weeks. She comes off either placid or creepy or both.

That's what it is - a contingent in the New York office which has been quasi-rogue and in communication with Giuliani over the years. I don't trust Louise Mensch. Never have. Seems like a strange person, something flamboyant perhaps used as a stalking horse for Russian counter-intelligence (it's not unheard of; even now, professional leftists like Glenn Greenwald, Ed Schultz, etc. are spinning for Russia and decrying these leaks, ironically enough). I don't think their finding Weiner was anything but a great coincidental opportunity, not a grand conspiracy.

Nah. She's an object of open mockery and derision now; CNN refused her for the SOTU weekend and amazingly, even Morning Joe has declared they will not book her again.

I'm sure this has been posted, but Jesus she is falling apart. Night and day from her energy in prior appearances during her campaign heyday: Trump's latest response to his treason scandal is his greatest yet:

Support (perhaps tepid), yes. But would he suddenly become Mr. Personality and inspire a Washington love affair - no. He's too stiff and creepy for that.

I guess you'd have to change your avatar.

Mike Pence is not John McCain or Mitt Romney; he's not even Marco Rubio or Paul Ryan. Mike Pence has all the charisma of off-brand toilet paper. A magic love affair with Pence is not going to happen with the media, not with someone so closely linked to Trump. Pence is a bigot, but he is not a fúcking maniac. Even if he does survive this, he is easy to take on in four years. I think that came from Bannon and a calculation to try to throw red meat to the evangelical base, which included Pence. Pence has never had the confidence of Trump or his inner circle, he was a convention compromise who they grudgingly allowed, with Trump waffling even to the last moment. Pence was also left to hang out to dry over Flynn's lies about Russian sanctions, he was publicly humiliated by them in doing so, and may be complicit. Pence is no genius.

Get your ducks in a row while you still got some ducks, Greg.

Faced with the indefensible, Trump still does the only thing he knows how to do: Attack. He is tweeting away, blaming the press for running 'classified information' and trashing the FBI and CIA. Suicidal.

A compelling theory from the Datalounge, which may be nonsense, but...