Dana Milbank: Democrats are setting themselves up to lose
President Trump's job approval rating fell to just 33 percent in a Gallup poll this week. One of his campaign aides pleaded guilty in the Russia probe and two more were indicted.
Category Archives: US Politics
Trump Presses His Advantage on Immigration
Last week, I noted that President Trump won the shutdown because he instinctively understood the strategic situation far better than Senate Democrats, establishment Republicans, and his other beltway critics. He knew he had a stronger position than the Democrats and used that understanding to his advantage.
GOP Sees Reasons for Optimism in 2018 Midterms
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. Va. Republicans are bracing for strong headwinds in this year's midterm elections, but also see signs that the environment might not be as treacherous as once anticipated.
‘Was the Obama DOJ Weaponized To Spy On The Trump…
AUGUST 28: North Carolina 11th District GOP Congressional nominee Mark Meadows speaks during the Republican National Convention at the Tampa Bay Times Forum on August 28, 2012 in Tampa, Florida. Today is the first full session of the RNC after the start was delayed due to Tropical Storm Isaac.
The Takeaway: The State of Trump’s Union – Positive
Trump's SOTU Triumph: The numbers are in for President Trump's first State of the Union address and it's clear large majorities of the public liked what they saw and heard on Tuesday night. A snap poll conducted by CBS News/YouGov showed 75 percent approved of Trump's speech, with another 65 percent saying it made them feel "proud."
Trump Picked a Fight With the FBI. He’ll Be Sorry
Most presidents have had the sense not to bully the FBI by defaming its leaders and -- ridiculously -- painting its agents as leftist political hacks. Most members of Congress have also understood how unwise it would be to pull such stunts.
Kasich among few Republicans to blast memo’s release
Gov. John Kasich joined Democrats to assail House Republicans for releasing their memo charging the FBI and Justice Department abused court requests for secret surveillance on campaign aides to President Donald Trump who were believed in contact with Russian officials. Although most congressional Republicans supported the release of the memo, Kasich in a sharply worded statement said the manner in which the memo was released "was wrong and does a disservice to our country."
GOP – Sfundraising lagging
Democratic candidates for Minnesota governor are crushing their Republican opponents in the fundraising race, a signal GOP donors may be waiting to see whether former Gov. Tim Pawlenty decides to seek his old job. According to fundraising reports released Thursday, top Democratic candidates ended 2017 with a hefty cash advantage compared to lackluster totals across the GOP field.
Federal judge knocks down Florida’s voting ban for ex-felons
In a ruling that could have reverberations on this year's crucial elections, a federal judge Thursday ruled that Florida's current ban on former felons voting is unconstitutional and needs to be changed as soon as possible. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker issued a blistering ruling that says the state's current process to restore voting rights - which can take years - is flawed.
GOP legislators looking for a winning formula in 2018
Congressional Republicans have gathered at a West Virginia resort in search of a winning election-year agenda. The best they have to offer in 2018 may be a recitation of the tax cuts approved in 2017 - and the threat of another government shutdown is looming.
Pawlenty sets meeting with advisers on governor run
A top adviser says former Gov. Tim Pawlenty has scheduled a meeting with his inner circle as he nears a decision on whether to run for governor. Pawlenty's possibly entry has been the source of speculation for months, and would likely be the immediate favorite among Republicans if he gets in.
Judge grants Christian Indonesians time to fight deportation
A federal judge on Thursday blocked the government from deporting dozens of Christian Indonesians who fear persecution if returned home, until they're given a chance to fight their removal. U.S. District Judge Patti Saris in Boston said 50 Indonesians living illegally in New Hampshire must be given time to reopen their immigration cases and argue that the conditions in their home country have changed.
The Latest: Trump to approve release of GOP memo
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., a close ally of President Donald Trump who has become a fierce critic of the FBI and the Justice Department, strides to a GOP conference at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. House Speaker Paul Ryan is defending a vote by Republicans on the House intelligence committee to release a classified memo on the Russia investigation.
GOP legislators gather in search of winning 2018 agenda
Congressional Republicans in sweater vests and fleece gathered at a West Virginia resort Thursday in search of a winning election-year agenda, facing the notion that the best they have to offer in 2018 may be a recitation of the tax cuts approved in 2017 and with the threat looming of another government shutdown. President Donald Trump speaks at the 2018 House and Senate Republican Member Conference at The Greenbrier, in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va., Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018.
Cuba state media: Fidel Castroa s son has killed himself
The oldest son of late Cuban leader Fidel Castro killed himself on Thursday after months of treatment for depression, state media reported. He was 68. Official website Cubadebate said Fidel Castro Diaz-Balart had been in a "deeply depressed state."
The Latest: Trump says Democrats are ‘AWOL’ on immigration
President Donald Trump says Republicans are coming off one of "the greatest years in the history of a party." Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said another continuing resolution is expected next week, but another shutdown is not likely.
Source: FBI still has ‘grave concerns’ about Nunes memo
With concern at the White House about potential blowback from FBI Director Christopher Wray, the FBI continues to have "grave concerns" over release of a memo from House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes, a source said Thursday. The House Intelligence Committee, in a party-line vote on Monday, moved to release the highly controversial memo alleging abuse of surveillance powers by the FBI and put release of the memo in President Donald Trump's hands.
RUMBLINGS: Four “EXPLOSIVE” Revelations in FISA Memo That …
Appearing on Fox News Thursday evening with host Martha MacCallum, the network's chief national correspondent, Ed Henry, revealed those eager to see the FISA abuse memo released may be in for even more surprises than previously thought. "Senior Republicans are pushing back on reports suggesting that this memo will not live up to the hype, telling me there are four separate explosive revelations in the memo that have not leaked out ahead of tomorrows expected release," Henry told MacCallum.
Report: Sean Hannity has been advising Trump on Nunes memo
The Daily Beast reported President Donald Trump "has been in regular contact with" Fox News host Sean Hannity in recent weeks about the release of a memo drafted by Rep. Devin Nunes critical of the FBI's investigation into Trump's 2016 presidential campaign and his ties to Russia. According to The Daily Beast, Trump has spoken with Hannity regularly "over the phone" about releasing the memo.
As another spending deadline nears, Trump tells Republicans to seek immigration ‘compromise’
U.S. President Donald Trump urged his fellow Republicans on Thursday to overcome sharp internal divisions over immigration policy, a debate closely enmeshed with a deadline to fund the government that looms next week. Congress needs to agree by Feb. 8 on another temporary spending bill.