Sunday Open Thread [7.12.15]

“I think he’s hijacked the debate. I think he’s a wrecking ball for the future of the Republican Party with the Hispanic community and we need to push back. This is a defining moment for the Republican Party. We need to reject this.”

— Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), quoted by CNN, on Donald Trump’s presidential campaign.

Dana Milbank says that when you want to know who’s responsible for the Republican follies over that ugly red flag, look to the man permanently wearing orange.

The Confederates launched a surprise attack, under cover of darkness.

It was 8:30 Wednesday night, and the House was plodding toward its 20th hour of debate on a little-watched appropriations bill, when Rep. Ken Calvert (Calif.), who had been leading the Republican side of the debate, rose. “I have an amendment at the desk,” he said.

Yes he did: A proposal to protect the sale and display of the Confederate battle flag at national parks and cemeteries. …

In the Speaker’s Lobby off the House floor, Rep. Lynn A. Westmoreland (R-Ga.) … told reporters, including Jonathan Weisman of the New York Times, that the Confederate battle flag isn’t racist and that he didn’t think Confederate soldiers had “any thoughts about slavery.” …

Republican leaders, trying to end the humiliation they brought on themselves, pulled the appropriations bill from the floor. But how could such a fiasco occur in the first place? It’s not as if there’s a huge groundswell within Republican ranks to fly the Confederate flag — particularly after its association with the alleged killer in last month’s South Carolina black-church massacre.

Carl Hiaasen has an election day spoiler.

Before one more straight-faced political story is written about the presidential candidacy of Donald Trump, the obvious begs to be stated: The man has absolutely no chance of winning.
Zero. Nada.

Write it down. Take it to the bank. Bet the farm.

This preening self-parody of an egomaniac will never, ever be elected president of the United States. He has more baggage than all the Kardashians put together, and less class. The only way he could win is if the Democrats nominate Bill Cosby.