Coons gets Barr on Record Claiming That Campaign Help from North Korea is A-OK

Barr testified that Presidential campaigns getting help from foreign governments is OK, but (absurdly) draws the line at getting help from foreign intelligence service.

Winner: Foreign governments who want to interfere in US elections

Barr went to extreme lengths to normalize the Trump campaign’s extensive contacts with Russia. Barr hesitated before answering a question from Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) about whether presidential campaigns offered dirt on their opponents by foreign governments should report the offer to the FBI. The Trump campaign faced this exact scenario when top members of its campaign took a meeting in Trump Tower with a Kremlin-connected lawyer who was offering dirt on Hillary Clinton.

“If a foreign intelligence service does, yes,” Barr said, making a distinction between intelligence services and governments.

Bethany Hall Long is Blowing It

My sense is that Bethany Hall-Long REALLY wants to be Governor someday. If I'm right, she is making a big mistake by not primarying the weak, distracted, friendless, checked out, dithering John Carney. She'd have one candidate to beat - a weak, distracted, friendless, checked out, dithering candidate. But if she waits her turn and runs in four years she'll be facing a platoon of tough, determined, fighters in a primary. Simply put - she is blowing it. This same logic goes for Sean Lynn and if not Lynn, whatever candidate Delaware United, and/or Mom's Demand Action are looking at supporting. Take Carney out in 2020 and you have a walk to the Governor's office in an Anti-Trump wave year. Wait, and you've got a tough uphill fight.

A rare win/win/win situation for Democrats – Biden vs Bernie vs Mayor Pete & An Open Thread Commenter Challenge

Mark the time. I'm calling it. It is a three person race: Biden/Bernie/Mayor Pete. The good news is that all three candidates are great and will mop the floor with Donald Trump, provided we avoid turning the primary into a Titus Andronicus-style meat pie buffet. Biden announced in person yesterday in an address to fat union guys that is being lauded by Dem insiders and beltway talking heads. (Like it or not, Dem insiders are a Democratic constituency.) If Iowa and New Hampshire agree with beltway talking heads that Anita Hill, the Crime Bill, and "handsy" is old news, then Biden is in a very strong position going forward. I know it is temping to talk about all the things you don't like about Biden, so I am issuing a challenge to you, dear commenter. For every negative thing you say about Biden, provide two positive things. I'll start. I don't like that Joe voted to support Bush's stupid vanity war in Iraq, but I like the fact that he gets under Trump's skin and I think he can give a decent set piece speech.

Suspect in deadly synagogue shooting connected to Republican White Power Politics

These synagogue and mosque attacks are not the acts of isolated individuals. The Escondido synagogue shooter purposefully aligned himself with the White Power politics endorsed by President Donald Trump in an online anti-Semitic screed.
A gunman armed with a semiautomatic rifle walked into a suburban San Diego County synagogue and opened fire on the congregation Saturday, killing one person and injuring three in an attack that authorities believe was motivated by hate. The gunman entered Chabad of Poway in the 16000 block of Chabad Way about 11:20 a.m. and started firing, authorities said. The 19-year-old suspect, identified as (NO Publicity for Murderers), of Rancho Penasquitos, was arrested a short time later.
The LA Times reports that (The murderer) appears to have written a letter posted on the Internet filled with anti-Semitic screeds, connecting his act with racist attacks in New Zealand and Pittsburg.

Can Biden “Sister Souljah” the Healthcare Industry?

Just because the Health Care Industrial complex has LOUDLY endorsed Joe Biden, that doesn't mean Biden endorses them.  He could still have his "Sister Souljah" moment and smack down this "Joe is running to kill single payer" talk, but I'd view that as a long shot, based on the fact that he needs money. And yet, he did say that we are in a "battle for the soul of the nation" so maybe his all out pro-corporate stance on issues such as outsized guaranteed profits for insurers and BigPharma at the expense of the soul of America has softened(?)