QUICK HITS FROM THE WEEKEND
President Biden back in March said if we followed the rules we could have some small family gatherings for July 4th. We had the gatherings but the parties were big, with fireworks and gatherings all over the nation – except Mount Rushmore. The federal government said “no” there.
The President fell short of his goal to have 70% of the country vaccinated by July 4. We ended up at 67%. I still say this was the first real vaccine goal they set. No need to go through that again.
Bob Woodward has a new book coming out. It will cover the last days of Trump presidency. It is set for a September release. Remember the last one where Trump “confided” in him and Bob buried him? I’m sure Trump wasn’t friendly this time.
Can’t you wait for Woodward’s book telling us all about who is running the White House now and why the President has had some issues? Keep waiting.
The NYT on the Supreme Court today is interesting. “Majorities often transcend ideological lines, with decisions sometimes disappointing conservative activists and pleasantly surprising liberals. “It’s nowhere near as bad as people thought,” David Cole of the American Civil Liberties Union said.
No the court was very balanced this session. What never is balanced is the left’s hysteria on what the court is going to be. Does anyone in the media, including the NYT, call them on their hysterics?
MEANWHILE THE POLLS SHOWED
The good for Biden:
His job approval is steady: 50% approve while 42% disapprove. And his handling of the coronavirus pandemic has strong support: 62-31, a plus 31 points.
The bad for Biden:
He’s underwater on two major issues. His handling of the immigration situation at the U.S.-Mexico border (33-51). The second issue is crime (38-48).
Here’s a survey of some powerful senior Capitol Hill aides from Axios and the Locust Street Group:
73% of those responding said that Republicans will control the House in 2022. This is down five percentage points from our last survey.
75% say that Democrats will keep control of the Senate that’s up five percentage points since last month. 58% said enhanced unemployment benefits are hurting the labor markets. Only 24% say they are helping.
Speaking of the Senate, did you see where the President said he hoped the Senate was in the future for Rep. Maxine Waters. Then made it clear he had not misspoken. “Senator, I hope,” Mr. Biden said as he shook hands with the congresswoman, adding, “You think I’m kidding. I’m not.” I hope he is.
REMEMBER THE RULE YOU CAN’T USE THE FUNDS TO CUT TAXES?
A federal judge ruled that a provision in President Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief law limiting states from cutting taxes is unconstitutional.
U.S. District Judge Douglas Cole issued the permanent injunction requested by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, who argued the administration was trying to impose a “tax mandate” on states. “The Biden administration reached too far, seized too much and got its hand slapped,” Mr. Yost said. “This is a monumental win for the preservation of the U.S. Constitution — the separation of powers is real, and it exists for a reason.” Mr. Yost had filed a lawsuit against the Treasury Department and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, saying that the provision in the Democrats’ $1.9 trillion “American Rescue Plan” barring states from using the federal aid to offset tax cuts “directly or indirectly” is unconstitutional.
LIZ CHENEY TAKES A ROLE – FROM PELOSI
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi named Rep. Liz Cheney, Wyoming Republican, an outspoken foe of the former President, to serve on the House Select Committee investigating the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Cheney said she was “honored” to be chosen. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy called her decision to accept the appointment from the Democratic leader “unthinkable.” He had warned GOP colleagues not to participate in the panel.“I was shocked that she would accept something from Speaker Pelosi,” Mr. McCarthy said at a press conference following the speaker’s announcement. “It would appear to me, since I didn’t hear from her, she’s closer to [Mrs. Pelosi] than us. I don’t know.”
WAIT NOW, WHAT’S AN INSURRECTION?
A major Hispanic Group issued an Independence Day demand to the President to confront growing efforts by red-state governors to impose border security on their own, calling it an “insurrection” that the federal government must put down. The League of United Latin American Citizens delivered a letter to the White House on Sunday calling on the President to block state governors who have said they would send their National Guard or other assistance to help Texas secure the border.
Let me understand this. They say our protecting the border is an insurrection, not people crossing illegally into our country. One of us is crazy.
CLOSING COMMENT YOU DIDN’T HEAR
The charge that Republicans are defunding the police hasn’t gone over well with them. Here’s what Senator Ted Cruz had to say:
“Democrats now claiming it’s Republicans who want to defund the police is like an arsonist showing up at a fire and blaming the firemen, it’s like the Chinese blaming Americans for the Wuhan virus, and it’s like O.J. saying he’s going to help find the real killer.”