Wednesday Open Thread [12.23.2015]

Wednesday Open Thread [12.23.2015]

David Frum on the great GOP revolt: “Something has changed in American politics since the Great Recession. The old slogans ring hollow. The insurgent candidates are less absurd, the orthodox candidates more vulnerable. The GOP donor elite planned a dynastic restoration in 2016. Instead, it triggered an internal class war.” “The puzzle for the monied leaders of the Republican Party is: What now? And what next after that? None of the options facing the GOP elite is entirely congenial. But there appear to be four paths the elite could follow, for this campaign season and beyond. They lead the party in very different directions.”
Dave Burris will simply LOVE Trump (or Cruz) for President – You can take that to the bank

Dave Burris will simply LOVE Trump (or Cruz) for President – You can take that to the bank

7 Comments
Here is the day in 2016 that I'm looking forward to. It is the day when whatever passes for the Delaware Republican establishment falls in love with their presidential nominee. Ken Simpler, Charlie Copeland and Dave Burris presently consider unthinkable that they will backing Donald Trump, but a 180 degree changing of their tunes is inevitable. Josh Marshall at TPM puts it succinctly:
People of all stripes have a great ability to decide that what they cannot prevent is in fact awesome. I would go as far as to say that the big thing to watch right now, the big event, isn't so much Trump and Cruz's poll numbers and whether they'll hold up as the increasing signs that the Republican party is beginning the process of embracing that outcome.
It will take some mighty rationalizations, but just wait for it. The Trump (or Cruz) train is coming, and Copeland, Burris and Simple [the smart, reasonable and sober Republicans] are not only going to board it, but they are going to be its Delaware conductors.
Dear General Assembly, here is your “Honey-Do” List for 2016

Dear General Assembly, here is your “Honey-Do” List for 2016

6 Comments
1. Pass either House 181 (Kowalko), which simply creates a new tax bracket at $125,000 with a rate of 7.10%, and an additional bracket at $250,000 with a rate of 7.85%; or House Bill 196, which also establishes the two new brackets, but then gives all brackets a 0.05% tax cut. The passage of one of these bills in non-negotiable. It must be the first order of business. No other bill or resolution or nomination can be considered by either House until one of these two bills is passed and sent to the Governor’s desk for his signature. No committee hearing on any other topic can be held until that time. If he vetos, the General Assembly must override. There is no other settlement money for you to raid, Democrats. It is time to stop being cowards, and time to make the wealthy pay just a fraction more. 2. Override the Governor's Veto of House Bill 50, the Opt Out Bill. 3. Petition SB 40 (Death Penalty Repeal) out of the House Judiciary Committee for a full vote of the House on the floor. It at least deserves an up or down vote. 4. Pass HB 105 (No Excuse Absentee Voting) and SB 111 (Same Day Voter Registration). I expect all Democrats to vote for these two bills, for the simple reason that Democrats believe in making it easier for everyone to vote, while Republicans believe in making it harder, if not outright oppressing the right to vote. If any Democrat does not vote for these bills, you should simultaneously announce your switch to the Republican Party. 5. Pass SB 39 (Minimum Wage Increase).
‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes of 2015: #’s 50-41

‘Bulo’s Fave Tunes of 2015: #’s 50-41

1 Comment
I can't tell you how many hours go into preparing this list.  I can only say that we are talking geometric progressions of time as opposed to, say, what I spend on the MVP Awards.  My wife and daughters served as sounding boards in finalizing the list. My hope is to turn you on to music you perhaps haven't heard on your own. Consider it my holiday gift to you--whether you wanted it or not.