Chuck Schumer and House impeachment managers destroy Team Trump on first night of Senate trial

At first, it wasn’t clear exactly what was happening. After an introductory speech from both sides—during which Trump attorneys Pat Cipollone and Jay Sekulow burned up every talking point they had—Schumer introduced a proposal to seek documents from the White House. This provided for an hour on each side to debate the merits of the…

How Democrats can avoid handing Senate seats to the GOP if Warren or Sanders wins the presidency

Among the leading contenders for the Democratic presidential nomination, both Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders hail from states where GOP governors could appoint a Republican replacement to the Senate. That outcome would not only defy the will of voters in Massachusetts or Vermont, but it could also cost Democrats a key vote during the critical…

Will three gun-reform bills passed by the Virginia Senate spark right-wing violence at rally today?

Said Democratic Caucus Chair Mamie Locke after the bills passed: “Today we celebrate yet another milestone in making Virginia a safer place. Common-sense gun safety measures such as universal background checks, one handgun a month, and giving localities the authority to protect their residents are all simple measures that will save the lives of many Virginians.…

Cartoon: The return of the Unbelievable Trump

Monday January 20, 2020 · 5:00 AM PST 2020/01/20 · 05:00 If you enjoy this work, please help me keep it viable in the new decade — join Sparky’s List! {{backgroundUrl avatar_large}} Joined: {{created_at}} Story Count: {{n_stories}} Comment Count: {{n_comments}} Popular Tags: {{showTags popular_tags}} {{#each badges}} {{badgeUrl .}} {{/each}} {{authorSig user_sig}} {{/unless}} {{/if}} {{#ifcanRecComment author_id}} {{#if…

The ‘blossoming’ of damning evidence is no accident—Pelosi’s strategy worked

As reporters grilled House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last week about whether she felt pressured to send over the articles of impeachment to the Senate, she laughed it off. “Absolutely total cooperation,” Pelosi offered, after 24 hours in which several Senate Democrats reversed themselves on challenging her strategy. “We have 1,000 flowers blossoming beautifully in our…

Morning Digest: Liz Cheney says no to another Wyoming Senate run

4Q Fundraising ● KY-Sen: Mitch McConnell (R-inc): $4.6 million raised, $11.5 million cash-on-hand ● NH-Sen: Jeanne Shaheen (D-inc): $2 million raised, $5.7 million cash-on-hand ● NC-06: Rhonda Foxx (D): $75,000 raised (in two weeks) ● NJ-07: Tom Malinowski (D-inc): $615,000 raised, $2 million cash-on-hand ● TX-02: Sima Ladjevardian (D): $407,000 raised (in three weeks) Senate…

House to vote to ‘terminate the use’ of U.S. military in Iran without congressional approval

Rep. Elissa Slotkin The House will vote Thursday on limiting Donald Trump’s ability to wage war against Iran without congressional approval (something he shouldn’t do anyway). The resolution requires Trump to “terminate the use of United States Armed Forces to engage in hostilities in or against Iran” unless “Congress has declared war or enacted specific statutory…

Republicans split into word-warring camps over the ‘worst briefing ever’ on Iran

This war pits bootlicker against bootlicker, Rand Paul against Lindsey Graham On Wednesday, senators and representatives finally got that briefing they should have received before Donald Trump decided to launch airstrikes on Iraqi bases, murder an Iranian general, and take the world to the brink of war while getting U.S. forces in Iraq officially labeled…