DL Open Thread Tuesday, March 5, 2024
The Supreme Court ruled that Donald Trump can stay on the ballot in all 50 states, but the supposedly unanimous decision actually wasn’t. This is how you introduce bananas into a republic.
A growing chorus is calling for Sonia Sotomayor, who is 70 and in poor health, to retire now while the Senate remains in Democratic control. It makes sense, which is why it almost certainly won’t happen.
VP Kamala Harris, whose speech calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza was watered down by the administration before delivery, met with Israeli cabinet member and Netanyahu rival Benny Gantz, angering Netanyahu, who said Gantz did not have permission for the meeting. Meanwhile, tens of thousands continue to starve in Gaza.
The climate vs. the domestic economy, or why you can’t buy a small, cheap Chinese electric vehicle.
There are a number of powerful forces pushing the Biden administration to crack down on Chinese-made EVs. They want votes in Michigan. They want to build a US-based supply chain for EVs, and are rightly worried that more experienced Chinese manufacturers are going to clean US manufacturers’ clock. Their policies seem to suggest they care more about cultivating the auto workers union than about ensuring cars are inexpensive.
But given the clear climate advantage of EVs over gasoline cars, and the clear advantages China has in making affordable EVs compared to American companies, it’s worth rethinking that set of priorities.
The floor’s yours.
Lots of kabuki with Kamala Harris and Benny Gantz.
Reports are that Gantz is in the US against Netanyahu’s wishes. More likely he is deputized to smooth things over or look for some kind of exit strategy.
Biden knew the headlines all say “Harris calls for immediate ceasefire!” which would be taken to mean unilateral surrender by Israel, and would cost him support. So he gave the job to Kamala.
But despite the headlines, Harris also said: “Hamas claims it wants a cease-fire. Well, there is a deal on the table. And as we have said, Hamas needs to agree to that deal,”
and Harris also said “the threat that Hamas poses to the people of Israel “must be eliminated.”
(There is only one force on earth currently working to eliminate the threat of Hamas.)
It’s certainly true more aid needs to get into Gaza, with shipments screened by IDF. Hamas should take the deal immediately. Not sure who is available to secure and distribute the aid, after UNRWA turned out to be infiltrated by terrorists.
And always keep in mind there would be no blockade of Gaza if Hamas didn’t see every aid truck or open border point as an opportunity to import more weapons and war materiel.
One way to take care of the Harris as veep problem is to appoint Big Mike to SCOTUS after convincing Sotmayer to quit. You heard it here first
Michael Barnett, better known by his stage name Big Mike as a SC candidate? I hadn’t heard that one. Anyway, to Rube Goldbergian. Dems have barely mastered the political lever, wheel, pulley or ramp.
There’s a Harris-as-veep problem?
I’ve never understood that meme.
My guess?: Clickbait.
OK, so who’s Big Mike?
No idea.
It’s an insulting and vile name for Michelle Obama
Jee-zus.
Well, then, it was a perfect MAGAt comment – it wasn’t funny and made no sense.
I really wish MAGAts would take up Russian roulette as their hobby.
Buh-bye, Kyrsten:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/03/05/kyrsten-sinema-reelection-arizona/