Down here near the Central Gulf, Louisiana residents prepared for a possibly historic Hurricane Double Whammy to start the week of Trump’s Re-Election Convention Coronation. Two serious storms to hit our midsection with 48 hours of each other. Never before in my lifetime.
In this Age of Pandemic, folks have seemed to take this threat serious like. Even the Masker Sceptics, the Let’s All Drink and Party Together Right Now types didn’t tempt the Weather Gods. People went about active preparations, stocking essential supplies, getting vehicles gassed up, their Disaster Go Bags ready, listening to Emergency Broadcasts. The Governor was steady and held multiple intelligible briefings and answered questions without snitting mightily and walking out for the past three days.
As luck would have it, between Saturday night and Monday morning, God decided to hold fire on Marco and turn it from a full impact event into a glancing slide to the right (from our point of view here). We can now, fingers crossed, call it Little Marco, in a similar vein as our Dear Leader is prone to.
So, we have a Double Little Marco, one in Louisiana and one in Florida; one a failed storm, the other a failed Presidential candidate.
For this Republican convention week, as of Monday afternoon Rubio is out of the picture. I wish he’d make up his little mind (or Trump would for him). Remember Marco was, wasn’t, then was again by video in 2016. Now that’s some seriously dramatic political TV fodder folks.
For Example:
https://www.cleveland.com/rnc-2016/2016/07/see_senator_marco_rubios_speec.html
https://www.politico.com/story/2016/05/marco-rubio-republican-national-convention-223627
You know, kind of like the Republican Convention 2020 was in Charlotte until it wasn’t, then Jacksonville, then partly in Charlotte, and the rest in Washington, or who knows where by prime-time Monday Evening when Trump.45 gets wound up. Remember he has Marine One and Air Force One to hop around in at a moment’s notice.
Matter of fact, neither of Florida’s Senators nor its Governor- Republicans all- will be Convention featured (according to the Official Convention Schedule). But we know what that’s worth if Trump.45 gets a bee in his bonnet.
Now Florida is Trump’s chosen home state, his tax-paying residence and voting address (since 2019?). So, he is no doubt their favorite son running his very hugely successful re-election campaign to make the Great America Even Greater.
And who will stand for him in 2020 from the Great State of Florida?
From the Tampa Bay Times:
Two of Florida’s most prominent Republican women will address the party faithful and the country at the GOP national convention.
Lt. Gov. Jeanette Núñez and former Attorney General Pam Bondi are scheduled to speak Tuesday night at the Republican National Convention, the second day of the four-night confab.
U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Panhandle Republican and one of Trump’s top allies in Congress, will speak on Monday night.
Meanwhile, some of the biggest names in Florida politics don’t have any announced role at the convention, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, U.S. Sens. Marco Rubio and Rick Scott.
The inclusion of Núñez on the program is noteworthy given her past aversion to Trump. She tweeted during the 2016 election that Trump was “the biggest con-man there is” and insinuated that Trump was a supporter of the Klu Klux Klan. Núñez, a former South Florida lawmaker, supported Rubio in the GOP primary. She deleted the tweet when DeSantis named her his running mate in 2018.
Bondi was one of Trump’s first supporters in the Sunshine State and was named one of president’s impeachment managers during the House hearings.
Andrew Pollack, whose daughter Meadow was killed in the deadly 2018 Parkland high school shooting, is also scheduled to speak Monday. Another father of one of the slain students, Fred Guttenberg, addressed the Democratic National Convention last week.
So, let’s parse this out. Among all of Florida’s senior Republican elected officials, there is one Congressman (funnyman Gaetz) who just took a unanimous BIPARTISAN US House of Representatives Ethics Committee final rebuke from his Congressional colleagues (Republican and Democrat alike).
From the Politico story:
The report also pointed out the Florida Bar — which had also launched an investigation into Gaetz’ tweet — found the post to be “unprofessional, reckless, insensitive, and [that it] demonstrated poor judgment,” but did not determine that his behavior warranted any disciplinary action.
You can read the whole Ethics Committee report here
So, violated House Rules, didn’t commit a crime. Way to Go, Matt Baby. So says also the Florida Bar Association. Keep Up the High Standards Trump Demands, Y’all!
But the good news is there are, drum roll please, not one but two Republican women from Florida to Stand with Donald in 2020. Lt. Governor Núñez who called Trump ““the biggest con-man there is” and insinuated that Trump was a supporter of the Klu Klux Klan” in 2016.
And then the ex- Attorney General Bondi, who had to return a fishy $25,000 campaign contribution from Trump when she did him a solid over a fraud allegation before he was President. Since leaving office, Trump has paid her to be one of his Impeachment Managers, a case she distinguished herself in. Stand Strong Ladies, you make the Moral Majority proud with your signal affirmations of the Goodness of Our Dear Leader.
There must be a Florida Rabbit in the Hat here somewhere. You might not see it now, but make sure to tune in tonight and all this week.
But there are other Republican female voices. One is Ashley Pratte. Today she has added an eloquent catch phrase to our downward diving political discourse.
“In the America of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, women are photo ops and political props as they are continuously degraded and objectified and white privilege is glorified.
Women are Photo Ops and Political Props.
We have seen this for years, and some have become jaded to its meaning and impact. Witness the case of Trump’s Ivanka, on whom the White House wishes to bestow designation as “The Honorable”.
According to the bible of all things correct, “Emily Post’s Etiquette,”, via the Washington Post:
The honorific is reserved for “the President, the Vice President, United States senators and congressmen, Cabinet members, all federal judges, ministers plenipotentiary, ambassadors, and governors,” who get to use the title for life. State senators and mayors are “The Honorable” only when in office.
Sorry Ivanka, you just don’t cut it, babe; even as you may be the Apple of His Very Eye. Neither does Kellyanne Conway. Puffery, Poseurs On A High.
As one more tiny sign of Trump.45’s campaign, staff, and generalized Administration incompetence, retired Lt. General Keith Kellogg isn’t entitled, but there it is. What, merely being a General isn’t good enough for Trump.45 supporters anymore?
And how about Jared the Wonder boy? Why isn’t he called “The Honorable” by the Trump Convention team? False Modesty? He has the same rank in the White House as Dear Ivanka. Daddy’s special blessing?
And then there is the honorable case of Ja’Ron Smith. No doubt he has a difficult job navigating his current responsibilities.
From a recent New York Times profile (July 12, 2020):
As President Trump has escalated those appeals, calling the Black Lives Matter movement a “symbol of hate,” attacking the Black NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace and defending the Confederate flag, Mr. Smith has emerged as a de facto spokesman on criminal justice and one of the authors of an executive order on policing for a White House where there are no Black advisers in the president’s inner circle. He has worked with Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law, and Mr. Trump has taken to calling him “my star” when they are together in meetings.
Echoes and Shades of 2016. Where’s my African-American (June 6, 2016)? What the Hell do you have to lose (August 19, 2016)? Almost exactly four years ago today, and not one bit different, except for Charlottesville, and George Floyd, and this week Lafayette LA (August 21, 2020) and Kenosha Wi (August 23, 2020). Oh yeah, and the Nasty China Pandemic which seems to know just where Black Folks congregate.
Does Ja’Ron Smith Wish for the Good Old Days of 2012? Bet He Does!
Politics Ain’t Beanbag. And here we are. Trump.45 feels the need to appeal to some portion of Black Voters. Elected Republicans aren’t much help: there is Senator Tim Scott, who will show. And potentially there was Congressman Will Hurd from Texas, who will not. Otherwise the cupboard is rather empty. Then there is cabinet member Secretary Ben Carson who is on board. And yes there is one senior African American White House aide. Tag, You’re It, Ja’Ron Smith!
And here’s “The Honorable” title from the Campaign to ease your way and reduce your pain, fella.
The 2020 Republican Convention is shaping up to be a Wild Ride in the Ether the next four nights. There will be no actual crowds. Ttrump.45 might get up to 300 or so in the Mellon Auditorium or on the White House Grounds (dodging the obvious Hatch Act violations the whole time). Maybe he is expecting adoring crowds (like 1,000 plus) at the Helicopter and Airplane set downs in North Carolina.
Trump Asheville Crowds Jumping for Joy August 24, 2020
Man, that is some Weak Tea. 1,000 people spread out along the roadway when the Man wants to see Tens of Thousands for his 2020 re-election lead up to coronation. This group on land can join the joyous Trump crowds on water in the Boat Parades, the Trump Women’s Bus Tour and the Trump Train where there isn’t any actual Train, just an emoji.*
Closeup Up of Today’s Trump Crowd Feeling It
The scrambled convention venues, the pitifully late start to planning and organizing a nearly virtual campaign with Trump.45 dragging his feet and other parts as passive aggressively as he can, his insistence as micromanaging a TV production beyond his actual skill level and experience. Remember Trump has never had an actual live TV producer experience (the Apprentice was taped tomfoolery with the critical action taking place in a phony boardroom set constructed in Trump Tower).
That won’t stop him. There should be some truly memorable segment transition moments. It will likely make the professionally produced Team Blue effort last week look like a Rest Home for Sleepy Seniors Talent Show. Stay Tuned America. Will Donald pull it off?
Donald J Fudd Protecting Your Second Amendment Cartoonishly
Or will his Convention effort turn into a classic Elmer Fudd Production, with limp parts on display.
Donald J Fudd Lookalike Shooting Blanks
And then Trump.45 can blame, in order: 1.) The Deep State; 2.) The China Virus; and 3.) Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton’s Emails. And tell Bill Barr to sue the DNC, who will think about assigning another US Attorney to answer some hard questions on the subject.
However that goes, what we do have is a new one-line for posterity summary about Trump and Women. Women who make up the majority of actual US voters, time and again. And will decide the 2020 Presidential Election without question.
To Donald Trump, Women Are Now and Have Always Been:
Photo Ops and Political Props.
Thank you, Ashley.
As another woman said recently (adapted): Women Know A Predator When They See One!
Trump.45 Lights up the Board, 1,000 Watts Strong.
America, Do your Job! Everybody VOTE.
Full Op-ed from USA Today by Ashley Pratte (August 24, 2020):
Four and a half years ago I considered myself a Republican, but then Donald Trump became the Republican nominee for president. Once his nomination was secured and it was clear the GOP would welcome his rhetoric with open arms, the party as I knew it was long gone.
This is the first year that I watched the Democratic National Convention without a Republican lens and found myself agreeing with the issues, speakers and most of all the positive rhetoric. The Democrats spoke of love and family, showing just how personal this election is for so many. Despite the doom and gloom that surrounds us, somehow the DNC was able to showcase the best of America and convey that the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris ticket is fighting to not only restore America but to make her more equal and just for all.
In 2008, when I voted in my first presidential election, it was for Sen. John McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. If you had told me that eight years later I would leave the Republican Party and that 12 years later I would be voting for Biden and Harris, I would have thought you were crazy. But in every life, there comes a time for important decisions and principled stands. Disowning the GOP and being one of the first to condemn Trump and his rhetoric is one of the proudest moments of my life.
It certainly wasn’t easy and the backlash was awful, but four years later I know I did the right thing. While many public Never Trumpers went on to support the president, I was steadfast and remain so today. I believe that the Republican Party has truly lost its way and that it is on the wrong side of history. What’s more, the Democrats have welcomed me and other former Republicans with open arms and have shown truly what a big tent party they can be.
The past four years have been full of reckless policy, hateful rhetoric, authoritarian decision-making, lack of leadership, nepotism and blunder after blunder. Think about all that has happened since 2016: the #MeToo movement, the Brett Kavanaugh nomination, the coronavirus pandemic, the impeachment investigation, an economic recession, the lack of decorum, and the rise of the #BlackLivesMatter movement as a result of police brutality and racial tensions in our country.
Trump conned his supporters into believing he would “Make America Great Again,” but all he did was make America the worst and weakest it has ever been and expose a dark and dangerous underbelly of our country, full of hate for those of different colors, creeds and genders. His main mission was to paint a dark picture of “us vs. them” and, unfortunately, he has succeeded.
But, after a week of watching virtual convention speeches, I couldn’t be more hopeful that on Election Day, America will do the right thing and vote like our lives depend on it. I recognized just how many of my views of the Democratic Party were shaped by the talking points of the GOP and just how wrong that was. Over the past four years, my eyes have been opened and my views forever changed. I have come to realize that all along, I aligned more with the moderate wing of the Democratic Party.
I used to have some friends who joked that I was a closet Democrat or a bleeding heart liberal because I did so much community service and volunteer work, as though service to others was a bad thing. Well, I guess they were right — deep down, the Democratic Party has always aligned more with my values; it just took me a while to get there.
That the Democrats chose to highlight systemic racism and domestic violence at their convention shows how committed they are to fighting injustice and making America more beautiful by embracing its diversity. The telling contrast this week will be the Republican National Convention showcasing the party’s white male privilege while touting the greatness of America — without a nod to the cultural shift taking place in our country.
In the America of President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence, women are photo ops and political props as they are continuously degraded and objectified and white privilege is glorified. In the America of Biden and Harris, women will have real seats at the table, and they will include women of color. Our country must value different voices and the perspective they bring, and the Biden-Harris ticket will do just that. What’s more, it will bring decorum and professionalism to the Oval Office — something that has been missing since Trump arrived. It’s high time to rid the White House of sexist and racist rot.
Outside of Alabama Sen. Doug Jones in 2018, this is the first time I’ve donated to a Democratic candidate. Most important, this November, I am proud to be casting my ballot for a Democratic presidential ticket for the first time.
In many ways 2020 has been a nightmare of a year, but in November we have a chance to wake up from the nightmare and voters have the chance to restore an American dream rooted in justice and equality for all.
With his busy schedule the next few days, perhaps Trump.45 will not take any public notice, via Tweet, Facebook, Instagram, etc., of Ms. Pratte. Maybe even Donnie Boy Junior, Kellyanne, Scavino, Jason Miller, and the various White House Press flacks will pass on by. Good for them.
But Lordy please, if they don’t, let us not hear that (sorry for the sexist phrasing) Ashley Pratte is fat, ugly, nasty, not Trump’s type, or just that woman. She clearly is not. Except maybe not Trump’s type after she opened her mouth to speak out.
*Here are pictures of the Women for Trump Bus, the Trump train emoji, and the unforgettable Trump Force One Amazon collectible, yours for only $23.99. BTW, this latter magnificent item is fully 6 inches long, per the website. (I swear it’s true. Who could make this stuff up?)
Pink Power, Baby!
Toot Toot!! Sure there are enough flags being pulled to make your point? Message charges may apply. If you are into the Whole Patriot thing, why 17? What happened to the Original 13 you know like when MAGA first hit?
BTW, this latter magnificent item is fully 6 inches long, per the website. (I swear it’s true. Who could make this stuff up?)