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Donald and Melania Have COVID-19

Donald Trump and Melania Trump have tested positive for Covid-19.

[Trump] will quarantine in the White House for an unspecified period of time, forcing him to withdraw at least temporarily from the campaign trail only 32 days before the election on Nov. 3.

....Even if Mr. Trump, 74, remains asymptomatic, he will lose much of his remaining time on the campaign trail. If he becomes sick, it could raise questions about whether he should remain on the ballot at all.

Hope Hicks also is infected. She is just one of "scores of people" in the last week.

Ms. Hicks received the diagnosis after she began experiencing symptoms on Wednesday while attending the president’s rally in Minnesota.

The Trump family did not wear masks during the debate. Mask-less Ivanka sat right next to mask-less Melania during the debate. [More...]

Here's a photo of Amy Barrett's children standing right behind Donald. And we all saw Donald and Amy stand together during the nomination presser.

The New York Times retraces Trump's activities the week past week.

Personally, I think if Trump has to go to the hospital because his symptoms worsen, he will withdraw from the race. But what if he gave it to Mike Pence, and Mike doesn't fare well with the disease?

Were the post-debate polls so bad he figured this would be the most graceful way he could exit the race?

Or, can Trump try to delay the election because of his sickness? No, but will he try anyway? I don't doubt it.

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  • Display: Sort:
    It October (5.00 / 1) (#1)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 01:06:47 PM EST
    Surprise!

    The comedy gold... (5.00 / 2) (#2)
    by kdog on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 01:11:54 PM EST
    is like 1849 out there.  My favorite so far....

    "I'm really worried about President Trump.  He's in 3 high risk groups...over 70, obese, and low income."

    I bet the thing Trump hates most (5.00 / 3) (#3)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 01:17:58 PM EST
    about this is that every story notes he is  clinically obese

    Parent
    I think he hates it being known... (none / 0) (#5)
    by kdog on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 01:44:35 PM EST
    he's not a billionaire but a "loser" .3 billion in debt, more than the people being reminded he is obese. Everybody can see he is obese whenever he is on TV...only him, his accountants, the IRS, and now the Times can see his taxes.

    I don't think Deutsche Bank can take his presidential pension or his Florida homestead...so he's got that going for him if he avoids prison.

    Parent

    My favorite... (5.00 / 3) (#6)
    by vml68 on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 01:51:27 PM EST
    Cheer up, Mr. President. Herman Cain got Covid and he's still managing to tweet.


    Parent
    No worry. (5.00 / 3) (#8)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 01:59:13 PM EST
    toddlers do better.

    Parent
    Obama was right... (5.00 / 4) (#13)
    by kdog on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 02:18:38 PM EST
    Hope is infectious.

    Parent
    More comedy (none / 0) (#77)
    by KeysDan on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 11:12:15 AM EST
    Susan Collins tested both positive and negative for the corona virus.

    Pence has been moved to Trump's Golf course in case he has to assume Trump's duties.

    Parent

    I am not surprised that Barron is said (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 02:00:24 PM EST
    to be negative. I mean, how close does he ever get to his father for over 15 minutes? But if Melania has it but not Ivanka, I will be surprised, considering how much time he spends in close proximity to each.

    Poor Melania... (none / 0) (#10)
    by kdog on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 02:03:43 PM EST
    what bad luck, I'm sure the debate stage is the only time she's been within 6 feet of him since the last hug & kiss denied/awkward hand holding consolation prize.

    Parent
    Poor Melania my azz (5.00 / 2) (#15)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 02:30:24 PM EST
    Vox: "On a tape secretly recorded in 2018 and released Thursday night by CNN, the first lady complains to then-friend Stephanie Winston Wolkoff that the media is bothering her about the Trump administration's policy of separating migrant children from their parents at the US border."

    Said Melania Trump: "They said, `Oh, what about the children that they were separated?' Give me a f'king break. Where they were saying anything when Obama did that?"

    "The Obama administration did not, in fact, pursue a policy of separating children from their parents at the border. And Trump's statements on the tape suggest that, far from secretly disapproving of her husband's administration, she is actually on board with its aims and angry at those who criticize them. She's also mad about the `liberal media,' who she believes are treating her unfairly."

    Vox

    Parent

    Yes, poor Melania. (none / 0) (#12)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 02:17:36 PM EST
    The MAGA Evangelicals may not send flowers or get well cards.

    Parent
    They have either (5.00 / 1) (#66)
    by smott on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 08:40:12 AM EST
    Been lying about testing him every day, or lying that Thurs night was his first positive.
    If he was symptomatic We'd, he was likely infected over the weekend, and would have tested positive well before symptoms on Wed.
    I'd be willing to bet he was positive Tuesday, they knew it but didn't want to cancel the debate. So they put their head in the sand and hoped he'd stay asymptomatic.
    Bad bet.
    Hope they keep testing Biden, one negative is meaningless.

    Chris Wallace (none / 0) (#68)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 08:56:38 AM EST
    Reported that in spite of the statement that "everyone in the place was tested before the debate". that the Trumps arrived late enough it was impossible they were tested the night of the event.

    Don't feel like looking for a link but this has been widely reported.

    Parent

    Yep (none / 0) (#69)
    by smott on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 09:17:57 AM EST
    Trump was not tested.
    They used "the honor system"....

    Parent
    yes, that works. (5.00 / 1) (#70)
    by leap on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 09:29:27 AM EST
    Honor among thieves. Sure.

    Parent
    This Dr Conley (none / 0) (#72)
    by smott on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 10:46:02 AM EST
    Is dissembling like crazy.
    Also said 72 hrs since DX. Which would be a day+ before they told anybody.


    Parent
    While he was doing that (none / 0) (#78)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 11:35:19 AM EST
    there was this


    According to a tweet from Sara Cook -- a producer at CBS -- and David Begnaud of CBS NewsRadio, a White House source said the president had a rough 24 hours and the next 48 hours of his treatment for the COVID-190 virus are critical.

    Cook's tweet states, "BREAKING: `The president's vitals over the last 24 hours were very concerning and the next 48 hours will be critical in terms of his care. We're still not on a clear path to a full recovery.' -A source familiar with the President's health, to pool reporters."

    Begnaud added, "White House press pool was just told: `The president's vitals over the last 24hrs were very concerning and the next 48hrs will be critical in terms of his care. We're still not on a clear path to a full recovery' That's a bleaker picture than Trumps Dr. just painted"

    bold not mine

    RS

    Parent

    Meadows (none / 0) (#84)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 01:19:26 PM EST
    October 3, 2020 at 2:13 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 36 Comments

    The unnamed source who provided more dire information about President Trump's medical condition after the official briefing appears to be White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, who spoke to reporters without cameras and was caught on a feed asking to be off the record.

    The Associated Press actually named Meadows as the official contradicting Trump's physician.

    3 links

    Parent

    Maybe not the doctor (none / 0) (#85)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 01:23:29 PM EST
    cleaning out his desk

    Parent
    The second wave is now here. (5.00 / 2) (#76)
    by Chuck0 on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 10:58:40 AM EST
    COVID-19 is sweeping through the NFL, the White House, Congress, etc. Gee, somehow I can't see it in my rearview mirror.


    Update the obit just in case (5.00 / 1) (#127)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 09:03:21 PM EST
    Ben Smith: "Among the people scrambling this weekend at American newspapers are obituary writers, as major outlets assigned top reporters to update Mr. Trump's obituary -- Peter Baker at The New York Times, Marc Fisher at The Washington Post and Mark Z. Barabak at The Los Angeles Times, people at each paper told me."

    NYTimes

    Impressive. (none / 0) (#128)
    by oculus on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 10:59:03 PM EST
    Interesting headline (none / 0) (#129)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 07:04:08 AM EST
    I did not know that Mitch McConnell was (none / 0) (#144)
    by vml68 on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 11:41:38 AM EST
    a few months older than Joe Biden. I thought he was a few years younger!
    The evil turtle definitely comes across as being much more mentally sharp.

    Parent
    We're not disposable (5.00 / 1) (#130)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 07:06:15 AM EST
    Said one current Secret Service agent: "That should never have happened... I mean, I wouldn't want to be around them. The frustration with how we're treated when it comes to decisions on this illness goes back before this though. We're not disposable."

    CNN

    My, how persuasive. (5.00 / 4) (#152)
    by KeysDan on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 12:48:47 PM EST
    The Trump campaign is attacking Biden for not having a Covid-19 infection.  Erin Perrine, Director of Communications for the Trump campaign boasts: "He has experience, now--fighting the corona virus as an individual, Joe Biden doesn't have that."

    Trump may have the edge on STDs, too, so take that Joe.

    Oh man (5.00 / 2) (#156)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 01:51:50 PM EST
    Tweet
    See new Tweets
    Tweet

    Donald J. Trump
    @realDonaldTrump
    ·
    24m
    I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Don't be afraid of Covid. Don't let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!
    47.3K
    47.4K
    75.1K
    135.9K

    I'm not a doctor but my guess is that would be the "dexa" part of dexamethasone?

    hey, I can make you feel better that you've felt in 40 years.

    Or maybe (none / 0) (#157)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 01:53:00 PM EST
    The "meth" part.

    Parent
    It is amazing (none / 0) (#158)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 02:04:22 PM EST
    how he just makes this worse moment to moment.  That tweet is insane.  Cornyn  was grousing today.  Republicans are freaking out.  Duh, republicans.  Maybe a bottom?  If there is a bottom it might be about to drop out.

    Parent
    Mania is a side effect of the drugs he is taking (5.00 / 3) (#165)
    by Peter G on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 04:58:27 PM EST
    Crazy tweet-storm alert! Please yes, you can make this worse for yourself, Donny; please go for it! Once you're in the ventilator, you won't be able to handle that cell phone, so do it now.

    Parent
    I'm sure that by tonite, he will be (none / 0) (#161)
    by desertswine on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 02:37:15 PM EST
    phoning the Great Sean Hannity, or perhaps the Great Lou Dobbs to tell them just how great he is feeling..

    Parent
    Not COVID related. (5.00 / 1) (#163)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 03:13:08 PM EST
    Pat Toomey (R-PA) has announced he will not seek re-election to his Senate seat in 2022. This is good news for the Dems taking this seat. Toomey has not been popular. His last re-election was a by a thin margin.

    Hopefully, Scott Wagner or someone just as repugnant will run, win the primary, then get trounced in a general. Wagner was resoundingly rejected by PA voters in his last run for governor.

    I would love to see Tom Wolf (the current gov) run for that seat.

    I predict our ultra-Tr*mpy U.S. Attorney (none / 0) (#166)
    by Peter G on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 05:03:22 PM EST
    (for the Eastern District) Bill McSwain will try to succeed Toomey. And hopefully go down in flames. All 1980s-style "law and order" guy, cloaked in personal attacks on perceived political enemies. Sadly, 15 years ago -- when I had an ACLU case where he was on the other side -- he was a smart, very competent, nice but reactionary Federalist Society kind of guy.

    Parent
    I'm betting (5.00 / 6) (#169)
    by Repack Rider on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 06:55:04 PM EST
    There will be a relapse. He will be chasing that steroid high for the next month like a musician after his first taste of coke.

    When Trump said he couldn't breathe, the Secret Service wanted to try kneeling on his neck to help him. Doctors had to talk them down.

    Why malign musicians? (5.00 / 1) (#172)
    by oculus on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 09:06:26 PM EST
    Not maligning (none / 0) (#177)
    by Repack Rider on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 12:47:57 PM EST
    Why malign musicians?

    I was a roadie for a long time. I watched that happen to several of my close friends.

    Parent

    RIP Eddie Van Halen. (5.00 / 1) (#179)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 02:45:32 PM EST
    Dead at 65.

    Throat cancer. (5.00 / 1) (#180)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 03:04:10 PM EST
    RIP Eddie

    Parent
    Whatever the grand plan is (5.00 / 1) (#187)
    by Chuck0 on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 05:35:52 PM EST
    for the Grand Ole Party, I hope they stick with it.

    The 20 something slacker neighbor on one side of me registered to vote today. (I confess to a certain amount of cajoling). And the corrections officer neighbor on the other side of me announced this evening he is voting for Joe. He voted orange doofus in 2016 and was waffling between making that mistake again or not voting at all. Both said the events of the last couple of days sealed the deal.

    He can't possibly want to win. Quitting the stimulus bill negotiations will garner zero votes. Probably lose a few. The payroll tax holiday is a joke. And promising to eliminate it after the election is a loser too. Most people realize that SS needs to be funded.

    Stephan (5.00 / 2) (#190)
    by FlJoe on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 05:49:23 PM EST
    Miller tests positive! Is the wide grin on my face evil?

    I guess that blood of the virgins therapy (none / 0) (#193)
    by desertswine on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 09:40:32 PM EST
    isn't working so well.

    Parent
    Dr. Scott Atlas, (none / 0) (#4)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 01:43:51 PM EST
    Trump's new COVID-skeptical COVID adviser, said that Trump will have a mild case because he is the most active person he has ever seen, at any age.  Hence, this Is all fabricated or It is serious.

    I am mildly amazed (none / 0) (#7)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 01:56:00 PM EST
    that he and really all of them are stubbornly refusing to make the smallest concession to safety.  Meadows came out unmasked for a chat with reporters.  I saw Atlas (what a perfect f'ing name) chatting unmasked.  

    It's really unbelievable

    And I would bet it's on instructions from King Combover.

    Never give a inch.

    Parent

    Atlas shrugged. (none / 0) (#11)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 02:04:20 PM EST
    He will be prescribing Lysol IV and UV wands inserted into various orifices.  Probably.

    Parent
    Axios (none / 0) (#16)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 02:33:56 PM EST
    "The Trump administration has no plans to mandate that staff and visitors wear face masks on the grounds of the White House, even after President Trump, the First Lady and senior adviser Hope Hicks tested positive for coronavirus," Axios reports.



    Parent
    I know (none / 0) (#192)
    by MO Blue on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 08:08:35 PM EST
    two 98 year old women who are more active than Trump.

    Parent
    This just became more important (none / 0) (#14)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 02:24:47 PM EST
    The University of Utah is set to host the vice presidential debate as planned next week, BuzzFeed News reports.

    Their policy will require everybody inside the security perimeter -- except for the three people onstage -- "to wear masks at all times."

    Maybe they will enforce the freakin rules this time.  If they don't maybe Momala will.  I would like very much to see that.

    This should be (5.00 / 1) (#17)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 02:42:12 PM EST
    a virtual event, or not one at all.   Why should Senator Harris expose herself to willfully irresponsible people. Pence is, apparently, OK today, but things can change fast.

    Parent
    It seems (none / 0) (#18)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 02:50:01 PM EST
    The Biden Harris campaign is very much into making the point this can be done safely if you are not a stupid a-hole.

    As with Biden proceeding with the event today.

    As I said I think Kamala herself might just eject the Trump larva if they try what they did last time.  Could be good tv.

    But seriously she seems determined to do it.

    Personally I think she should.  The audience just doubled

    Parent

    Back the f'ck up (none / 0) (#41)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 06:40:31 PM EST

    "The Biden campaign has raised a health and safety objection with the Commission on Presidential Debates ahead of next week's vice presidential match-up between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence, arguing the two would not be spaced far enough apart to abide by medical guidelines," Politico reports.

    "The two campaigns and the commission were negotiating the terms on Friday when the Biden camp balked at a plan to have the two positioned 7 feet apart."

    Politico

    Parent

    Pence should (5.00 / 3) (#50)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 07:48:27 PM EST
    be quarantined for 14 days after exposure.  Also just when did the Handmaiden Judge have the Covid infection?  I heard  in late summer, which could mean September.  Sure looks like the Rose Garden event officially nominating the judge last Saturday is likely to be the culprit.

    Parent
    Question for KeysDan. (none / 0) (#19)
    by fishcamp on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 03:22:03 PM EST
    What can you tell us about the Regeneron antibody that Sanjay just reported they are treating President Trump with?  

    Are they not shooting him up the (5.00 / 2) (#20)
    by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 03:29:23 PM EST
    orifice with ultraviolet light? Why is he being denied the best treatments?

    Parent
    Just heard on CNN (none / 0) (#22)
    by fishcamp on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:06:18 PM EST
    they are taking him to Walter Reed hospital.

    Parent
    Out of an abundance of caution (none / 0) (#23)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:08:00 PM EST
    "for a few days" (none / 0) (#24)
    by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:16:43 PM EST
    says NPR. "He will work out of the presidential offices at Walter Reed," says the White House. Uh, huh. Three years and eight months of lies make it difficult, of course, to get people to believe their updates now. Thinking of my wise old friend Aesop.

    Parent
    It would be a first (5.00 / 3) (#35)
    by MO Blue on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 05:32:12 PM EST
    if he actually "works" .

    Parent
    There are no "presidential offices" (5.00 / 5) (#56)
    by Towanda on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 10:23:06 PM EST
    at Walter Reed, according to a staffer there.

    Those are hospital rooms, his has a kitchenette and a small meeting room. But it is the presidential hospital room.

    Trump simply will not admit that he is in a hospital room.

    I do not trust anything from the White House, including its doctors. I want to hear from doctors at Walter Reed. That's who briefed us about other presidents when hospitalized.

    Parent

    Regeneron is a (none / 0) (#31)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:53:47 PM EST
    trial anti-viral cocktail intended to reduce viral load. It is hoped to ease symptoms in reduced tie.  It seems to be most effective when used early in the course of the illness, probably so as to kick in prior to your own immune response and avoid immune-overreach.

    Trump is reported to also being treated with Pepcid (famotidine) and Vitamin D.  I recall reading early this year of a study of Chinese villagers comparing COVID care-- -those who were taking Famotidine and Omeprazole (Prilosec) for GERD,  Those taking famotidine fared better than those on omeprazole, and the famotidine group were poorer and could not afford the more expensive omeprazole.

    Parent

    Trump is going to Walter Reed (none / 0) (#21)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:04:59 PM EST
    Out of an abundance of caution.  

    After the markets close.

    I'm waiting to see if he's walking.. (none / 0) (#25)
    by desertswine on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:24:08 PM EST
    or on a stretcher or wheel chair.

    Parent
    A bucket (none / 0) (#26)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:29:04 PM EST
    It sounds like (none / 0) (#27)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:32:48 PM EST
    they thought this could be necessary and did not want to risk a middle of the night situation.

    Parent
    I am not expecting (none / 0) (#28)
    by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:36:56 PM EST
    any pictures or video of his medical transport.

    Parent
    MSNBC (none / 0) (#29)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:41:42 PM EST
    Just refocused their camera to a tighter closeup of the door he will presumably come out of.

    Parent
    Correction (none / 0) (#30)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 04:47:11 PM EST
    SHE just said it's the door he might come out of.

    If it's a bad picture they might totally get him in without us seeing him.

    Actually if we don't see him I expect bad.  We know if he could strut and wave he totally would.

    Parent

    He walked (5.00 / 1) (#32)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 05:07:53 PM EST
    And he was wearing a mask.  As pigs flew overhead.

    Parent
    Trump is (none / 0) (#33)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 05:21:23 PM EST
    a master of media attention. I remain skeptical.

    Parent
    Could have been a look alike (none / 0) (#34)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 05:28:15 PM EST
    For one Trump doesn't wear masks.

    While they sneak him in the back way without his wig and girdle.

    Parent

    And I've never seen Trump (5.00 / 2) (#38)
    by fishcamp on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 05:57:14 PM EST
    button his suit coat

    Parent
    Yes (none / 0) (#39)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 06:17:34 PM EST
    someone dressed him

    Parent
    Yes, it (none / 0) (#37)
    by KeysDan on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 05:51:58 PM EST
    could be like Reagan after being shot and after his colon cancer surgery, the seriousness underplayed---had him wave at the window, probably with a board in his pajamas.

    Parent
    Or like FDR's paralysis, or Wilson's stroke (none / 0) (#43)
    by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 07:22:24 PM EST
    or Kennedy's terrible back, etc., etc.

    Parent
    We said the same, because (none / 0) (#57)
    by Towanda on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 10:27:36 PM EST
    his trousers were not bagging over his shoes, as they always do; whoever that was looked taller -- and trimmer. And he was not dragging his right leg, as he has done for months.

    And that mask sure covered a lot of his face.

    Parent

    I was actually kidding but (none / 0) (#71)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 10:09:07 AM EST
    the more I think the less silly it sounds.  Plus I just want to remind that in the age of deep fake this little video he posted last night means less than nothing.

    Parent
    Oh NOW he wears a mask. (none / 0) (#45)
    by desertswine on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 07:38:02 PM EST
    This could still be a hoax.

    Parent
    Hiding the oxygen (none / 0) (#93)
    by smott on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 04:45:44 PM EST
    Nose canula

    Parent
    ABC is reporting (none / 0) (#36)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 05:45:12 PM EST
    that the Biden campaign will back off negative advertising since orange doofus went to Walter Reed. Bad move.

    DOUBLE DOWN! Make more and biting ads. The White House is a petri dish. Tell America that. This is a corrupt and irresponsible administration. This idiot may have infected 100s in NJ yesterday. If any of those people die, he is probably directly responsible.

    Karma is one mean b!tch. I have zero well wishes. Hope for the worst.

    Proof of life video (none / 0) (#40)
    by BGinCA on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 06:19:22 PM EST
    Just saw video released on T@@@mp's Twitter. Thought it was missing him holding newspaper with today's date.
    Can't recall any other time POTUS taken to hospital and no
    Press conference with medical team. Wishing him a long slow recovery before transfer to Leavenworth.

    So (none / 0) (#42)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 06:54:36 PM EST
    I wonder what happens if he croaks

    Will Pence step in?  Someone else?  Ivanka?  I'm only half kidding.

    A constitutional lawyer earlier today said (5.00 / 1) (#46)
    by fishcamp on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 07:42:05 PM EST
    if the President is too ill to carry on they have paperwork for him to sign so the Vice President can take the reigns.  If the President is too ill or has passed away they have different papers that, I believe, go to Congress and back so the Vice President can take over.  If they are both unable to preside the RNC appoints a successor.  I hope I got all that right.  What I did not hear, if the latter happens who becomes the Vice President.  Is it the Speaker of the House?  Peter G please correct me if this is not true.  Can there be a President and Vice President from different parties presiding at the same time?

    Parent
    Take the REINS (5.00 / 2) (#88)
    by Repack Rider on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 03:06:26 PM EST
    Please

    Parent
    But in this would-be rule-by-decree administration (5.00 / 2) (#89)
    by Peter G on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 03:15:34 PM EST
    Isn't "reigns" the perfect typo?

    Parent
    Lordy... (none / 0) (#98)
    by fishcamp on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 08:05:24 PM EST
    It would be difficult to make more mistakes than I did with those nitwit posts.  BTW it's raining cats and dogs down here in the keys.

    Parent
    We could take some of those rains here... (none / 0) (#99)
    by desertswine on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 10:05:11 PM EST
    in NM where we're in a severe drought.

    Parent
    That was (none / 0) (#48)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 07:45:02 PM EST
    In the before time.  Here in Bizarro USA it could be Ivanka just as easy.   I fear.

    Parent
    Plus (none / 0) (#49)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 07:47:28 PM EST
    Rona (RNC head, who btw is also quarantined with COVID) would totally  appoint Ivanka.

    Parent
    Are you talking about remaking (none / 0) (#52)
    by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 08:35:17 PM EST
    the Republican ticket for Election Day, or the line of presidential succession? I couldn't follow your question. If presidential succession, it's all laid out in the 25th Amendment and related legislation.

    Parent
    Thank you Peter. (none / 0) (#54)
    by fishcamp on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 09:07:56 PM EST
    I was actually talking about the situation that is happening now.  Sorry if I was not clear.  If Pence does become President due to Trump not being able to carry on then does Nancy Pelosi move up to Vice President?  I think she does.  But  how would it work with them not being members of the same party?

    Parent
    No. The speaker does not become VP. (5.00 / 2) (#55)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 09:27:21 PM EST
    The new President appoints a VP that is confirmed by the Senate. That's essentially how Ford became an unelected President.

    Parent
    Exactly. (none / 0) (#100)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 04:25:58 AM EST
    But during the intervening eight-week period between Vice President Spiro Agnew's resignation on October 9, 1973 and House Minority Leader Gerald Ford's confirmation as Vice President by the House on December 6, 1973 (the Senate had already voted to confirm him ten days earlier on November 27), the second in line for presidential succession was House Speaker Carl Albert (D-OK).

    It's a measure of Ford's personal and bipartisan popularity in Congress - no doubt enhanced by his earlier decision that year to retire from the House at the end of his term in 1974 - that his nomination sailed through the Senate on a 92-3 vote, and then the House by a 387-35 margin.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    Vice President confirmed (none / 0) (#104)
    by KeysDan on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 10:49:54 AM EST
    upon nomination by the president,  by majority vote of both Houses of Congress-- the senate and the house. (Section 2, 25th Amendment)

    Parent
    Read the link to the 25th Amendment (5.00 / 1) (#59)
    by Towanda on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 10:30:50 PM EST
    as you seem to still be confused.

    Parent
    Election Law Blog (none / 0) (#60)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 07:08:33 AM EST
    Other questions addressed there (none / 0) (#61)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 07:11:49 AM EST
    What if the winner of the November election dies or withdraws before the electoral college meets in December?

    Parent
    This (none / 0) (#62)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 07:16:31 AM EST
    While things are not certain, what's most likely that the election would take place on time with the deceased or incapacitated candidate's name on the ballot, and then there would be a question if legislatures would allow presidential electors of each state to vote for someone other than the deceased candidate. Only some state laws provide for this eventuality. (Update: Some states provide that the votes for a named replacement are counted.) Or perhaps the legislatures would seek to appoint electors directly. This could lead to a whole lot of mischief if, say, the Pennsylvania Republican legislature tried, over the Democratic governor's objection, to appoint electors to vote for Pence (if it were Trump who could no longer be a candidate) despite a vote for the people of Pennsylania for Biden over Trump.

    ---

    Since Pildes made these remarks, the Supreme Court decided Chaifalo (holding that states could bind electors to vote the way that the popular vote of the state goes), and Justice Kagan's majority opinion actually discussed the issue in a footnote:

    8 The Electors contend that elector discretion is needed to deal with the
    possibility that a future presidential candidate will die between Election
    Day and the Electoral College vote. See Reply Brief 20-22. We do not
    dismiss how much turmoil such an event could cause. In recognition of
    that fact, some States have drafted their pledge laws to give electors voting discretion when their candidate has died. See, e.g., Cal. Elec. Code
    Ann. §6906; Ind. Code §3-10-4-1.7. And we suspect that in such a case,
    States without a specific provision would also release electors from their
    pledge. Still, we note that because the situation is not before us, nothing
    in this opinion should be taken to permit the States to bind electors to a
    deceased candidate.



    Parent
    Committee member#2 (none / 0) (#44)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 07:29:31 PM EST

    Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) announced he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, the Washington Post reports.

    Tillis is also a member of the Judiciary Committee and was at the White House event last weekend to unveil the Supreme Court nomination of Amy Coney Barrett.

    Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) tweets: "We now have two members of the Senate Judiciary Committee who have tested positive for COVID, and there may be more. I wish my colleagues well. It is irresponsible and dangerous to move forward with a hearing, and there is absolutely no good reason to do so."



    I'm sayin (none / 0) (#47)
    by CaptHowdy on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 07:42:38 PM EST
    one more and all bets are off

    Parent
    I would like to think that the spirit of RBG (5.00 / 5) (#51)
    by Peter G on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 08:01:06 PM EST
    has returned to attempt, with desperate measures, to rescue us from this very dangerous situation.

    Parent
    Please, oh please, let it be Lindsey (5.00 / 2) (#58)
    by vml68 on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 10:29:13 PM EST
    "Please give me money" Graham.

    Kellyanne Conway has also tested positive.

    Parent

    I really think (none / 0) (#63)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 07:20:46 AM EST
    One of the ripple effects of this is Lindsey is done.   He was in trouble already.  Now with the crazed push to shove ACB through I think he is done.  Stick a fork in him.

    And probably most or all of the other close senate races and even some that have not been in the news like Alaska which is suddenly neck and neck.

    It could even reach Moscow Mitch.

    Parent

    The Hill (none / 0) (#65)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 08:34:57 AM EST
    A new Quinnipiac University survey of South Carolina, which Trump carried by 14 points in 2016, finds him clinging to a 1-point lead. Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) is getting swamped on the airwaves by Democrat Jaime Harrison and Senate Republicans have been forced to redirect millions of dollars into that race.

    In Alaska, where the president triumphed by 15 points in the last election, Trump and Biden are in a statistical dead heat, according to new data from Harstad Strategic Research. Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) is trying to hold on against Democrat Al Gross in a state that hasn't gone for the Democratic presidential nominee in 56 years.

    Those polls come as Biden on Wednesday took a small lead in the FiveThirtyEight average of polls in Iowa, where Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is fighting for her political life against Democrat Theresa Greenfield. Trump carried the state by 9 points in 2016.

    The polls show the presidential race is a toss-up in Georgia, a historically red state with two competitive Senate races this cycle.


    New polls feed GOP fears of Biden rout over Trump


    Parent

    Plus RoJo is a good alternative (none / 0) (#64)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 08:20:12 AM EST
    Maybe (none / 0) (#67)
    by KeysDan on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 08:47:08 AM EST
    Lindseybelle can take AG Barr's temperature.  Barr was seated almost in front of Kellyanne at the Handmaiden Judge soirée.

    Parent
    You got it. (none / 0) (#101)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 04:50:05 AM EST
    Sen. Ron Johnson's office announced that he's tested positive. That's three GOP senators down for a standing eight-count.

    While I wish everyone infected at that Rose Garden public health fiasco a full and safe recovery, nevertheless they all brought this misfortune upon themselves and they have no one else to blame for it. They were warned, repeatedly and for months. But they simply refused to listen, much preferring instead the comforting delusion of their own bull$hi+.

    May their political destiny serve as a cautionary tale for future generations of American politicians to ponder, regarding the multiple perils posed by a toxic convergence and concentration of arrogance, ego and stupidity in one political party.

    Aloha.

    Parent

    I don't believe RoJo (none / 0) (#102)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 06:56:53 AM EST
    is on the judiciary committee.  Another committee member, entirely possible, would be bad for Lindsey's little Amy party.

    Parent
    They are standing outside (none / 0) (#53)
    by Chuck0 on Fri Oct 02, 2020 at 08:51:06 PM EST
    Walter Reed with orange doofus 2020 flags. This is a cult my friends. This is Manson family and Peoples Temple territory. And that is phenomenally dangerous.

    Mark my words. The aftermath of this election is going to be bad. Very very bad. Be prepared. If you live in an area with a heavy cult population, keep your head down after Nov. 3.

    Keep your head down, (none / 0) (#149)
    by Zorba on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 12:04:47 PM EST
    But keep your powder dry.
    We live in a very red part of a (fortunately) blue state.  We have plenty of bullets and shotgun shells.
    But I highly doubt that we will need to use them.  There may be isolated incidents of right-wing demonstrations, rioting, even shooting, but I don't think it will last too long.

    Parent
    Looks like the doc (none / 0) (#73)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 10:46:28 AM EST
    let the cat out of the bag that Trump knew he had it long before we knew.  72 hours ago.

    I bet the doctor is now (none / 0) (#74)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 10:52:58 AM EST
    Cleaning out his desk.   This is another disaster.  He knowingly exposed thousands

    And lied to Sean Hannity knowing he had it Thursday.

    Parent

    He was diagnosed (none / 0) (#75)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 10:57:11 AM EST
    WEDNESDAY morning.  He had it at the debate and Biden found out when we did.

    Holy shi+

    This is very dangerous for Joe.

    Parent

    And, Chris Christie (none / 0) (#80)
    by KeysDan on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 12:02:31 PM EST
    has tested positive.  He was coaching Trump for the debate.  

    These people are so awful that it is not inconceivable that Trump, knowing that he was becoming ill, hoped to even the playing field and cause chaos by making conditions conducive to a possible infection to Joe.

     That Saturday Rose Garden event and the indoor receptions afterward ignored physical distancing, most did not wear masks, and involved hugging and frolicking in celebration of Republicans manipulating their Supreme Court dream.

    It is possible that Judge Cony Barrett is "nominee zero".  Judge Barrett (and her husband) it was discovered, were infected with the corona virus, in summer (the event was Sept 26, the last day of summer was Sept. 22). The exact dates are not reported, but "summer" is a very lawyerly response.

     The judge has been reported to have tested negative on Friday. Although, she could be a virus shredder or it is not true. Judge Barrett visited with many Republican senators in their offices as well as at the event, but with Father John Jenkins, president of Notre Dame, among recent positives, the nomination event helps center probabilities.

    Parent

    I actually thought about that (none / 0) (#81)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 12:10:42 PM EST
    He knew he had if before the debate and wanted to give it to Biden.

    Either just out of spite or some delusional thing about him being strong enough to beat it but not Joe.

    Trying to follow Trumps thinking makes me want to clean my brain afterwards.

    It's funny but I don't think there is another single thing Trump could have done or said that would convey to his doubting supporters how serious and dangerous this virus is than exactly what he is doing.

    Daily briefings, which you know these people are hanging on every word, about all the different ways it can kill you and all the different side effects and dangers.

    It's really perfect.  I expect more masks.

    Parent

    Maybe that's why (none / 0) (#82)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 12:13:42 PM EST
    He inexplicably screamed for 90 minutes.

    Parent
    That or (none / 0) (#94)
    by smott on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 04:46:24 PM EST
    They pumped him up w steroids to get him through it cos he was already symptomatic

    Parent
    Christie (none / 0) (#95)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 04:54:29 PM EST
    Is hospitalized

    Parent
    It's (none / 0) (#79)
    by FlJoe on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 12:02:07 PM EST
    Chris Christie's turn in the barrel
    Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who helped President Donald Trump prepare for the first presidential debate earlier this week, has tested positive for Covid-19, he announced on Twitter Saturday.


    According to this morning's "doctor's" (none / 0) (#83)
    by desertswine on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 12:24:04 PM EST
    press announcement, the leader is in such amazingly great physical condition that he is going to swim across the Yangtse a few times this afternoon.

    TMZ (none / 0) (#86)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 01:47:06 PM EST
    There is (none / 0) (#90)
    by KeysDan on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 03:18:13 PM EST
    a photo of the Handmaiden Judge at the indoor White House reception immediately following the Rose  Garden massacre. She is holding a receiving line, feet away from Trump, Melenia and Barr. Not a one, including the judge, are masked.

    The judge demonstrated bad judgment.  And, maybe she is Trumoid Amy, to boot.  

    Parent

    Gotta love that Georgia stupid. (none / 0) (#87)
    by Chuck0 on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 01:58:05 PM EST
    Kelly Loeffler says it's all China's fault that orange doofus caught the COVID-19. Of course, cause the no mask wearing and superspreader events had NO impact.

    QOTD (none / 0) (#91)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 04:25:10 PM EST
    Q being for question

    Gabriel Sherman reports that conversations with Republicans close to White House over the last 12 hours indicate President Trump's medical condition has been been far more dire than White House and doctors have said.

    Before being taken to Walter Reed Medical Center, Trump kept asking aides

    "Am I going out like Stan Chera? Am I?"



    This was enjoyable (none / 0) (#92)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 04:27:30 PM EST
    LIvescience (none / 0) (#96)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 05:13:09 PM EST
    If you give it 12 hours between the time he tested positive on Thursday night and developed symptoms, "he's probably in Day 5 of illness now," Rutherford told Live Science. That likely means that he would've been infected by the virus on Monday, he said. Other estimates place the exposure date as sometime between last Saturday and Monday, according to Buzzfeed News. On Saturday (Sept. 26), Trump announced Judge Amy Coney Barrett as his Supreme Court Nominee at a huge White House Rose Garden event where many attendees did not wear a mask.

    Just how many people could be infected as part of the Trump COVID-19 outbreak?
    By Yasemin Saplakoglu - Staff Writer a day ago

    It's possible that a fundraiser Trump attended in NJ on Thursday "will turn into a superspreading event."



    Vanity Fair (none / 0) (#97)
    by CaptHowdy on Sat Oct 03, 2020 at 07:16:06 PM EST
    "Meadows has said if Trump can get out of the hospital by Tuesday, then he's gone through the worst of it. But if he's still there after Tuesday, the worst is yet to come," the source told me.


    "THIS IS SPIRALING OUT OF CONTROL": ALLIES PANIC ABOUT TRUMP'S HOSPITAL STAY AS WHITE HOUSE DEFLECTS


    Barr refuses (none / 0) (#103)
    by smott on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 09:54:31 AM EST
    To quarantine.
    Criminals all.

    No more (none / 0) (#113)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 04:56:02 PM EST

    yasminvossoughian
    @yasminv
    ·
    22m
    AG Bill Barr is now self quarantining
    369
    1.6K
    3.4K



    Parent
    Nice (none / 0) (#132)
    by smott on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 08:56:15 AM EST
    Tested positive?

    Parent
    As far as we actually know (none / 0) (#133)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 09:45:29 AM EST
    He could be hospitalized.  There is no doubt so much we don't know after the flood of damning news after the Rose Garden Massacre I'm sure there was an info lockdown.

    We would not be told if other Trumps are sick or probably any other official.  We will only hear about the "help" (I think there is three so far)

    Anyway, something seems to have changed with Barr.  He did not quarantine because of public outrage at his not quarantining.  We can be sure of that.

    Parent

    And now McEnany, the press secretary, (5.00 / 1) (#142)
    by Peter G on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 11:39:43 AM EST
    has tested positive as well. We are not done with the spread yet, not even within the inner circle of sycophantic ignoramuses.

    Parent
    But refusal to contact trace. (none / 0) (#170)
    by oculus on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 09:00:02 PM EST
    I wonder (none / 0) (#138)
    by Ga6thDem on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 10:32:33 AM EST
    if Melania actually has covid or if that is a lie too. I mean it would look kinda bad to his base if he had it and Melania didn't. Since they lie about everything there is no way to know if any of them have it or don't.

    Coney Barrett should release her medical records along with her husband regarding their covid diagnosis.

    Parent

    Mr. Pumpkin appears to be.. (none / 0) (#105)
    by desertswine on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 04:10:24 PM EST
    leaving the hospital.

    Still vertical. (none / 0) (#106)
    by desertswine on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 04:11:12 PM EST
    He was really mad Meadows (5.00 / 1) (#107)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 04:16:53 PM EST
    said what he did about leaving yesterday.  I quoted it in a comment.  This could be, could be, something he is insisting on that is unwise medically.  I believe sudden changes in condition are common and the most dangerous.

    Said the insufferable optimist.

    Parent

    No to mention (none / 0) (#108)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 04:18:29 PM EST
    He is probably still spreading

    Parent
    A drive around the block (none / 0) (#109)
    by MKS on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 04:37:39 PM EST
    To knock the adverse news of his real condition of the front pages.

    Photo Op.  

    Parent

    I'm curious (none / 0) (#110)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 04:44:50 PM EST
    What he will say about the virus now

    Will he be born again masked?  Will he insist Mitch pass the 3 trillion dollar house stimulus?   Tell all his cult to wear masks?

    Very curious.


    Parent

    I predict (5.00 / 1) (#115)
    by MO Blue on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 05:00:52 PM EST
    that he will say that he has had the virus and is no longer required to wear a mask.

    Hopefully, his Secret Service agents don't not get sick or die from being exposed to him while he did his little PR stunt drive around the block.  

    Parent

    Looks like (none / 0) (#116)
    by KeysDan on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 05:06:18 PM EST
    the driver has PPE, but with just a mask.   This is a bizarro stunt. So many risks for others and to himself.  Putting on street clothes again that may have been worn by an infectious patient is nuts. The SUV will need to be cleaned and burned.

    Trump has been playing commander-in-chief at the military hospital, including, I believe, his treatment plan.  The experimental antibody cocktail, Regeneron, the anti-viral Remdesivir, and the anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid, Dexamerhasone. A curious regimen for a mild or moderate case,  The medical report by WH physician, Sean Conley,D.O., today clarified the previous clarification's clarification.   "I didn't want to give any information that might steer the course of illness in another direction."

    In others words, telling the truth will make a Trump angry and stress him out, imperiling his health even more.  But, the doctor said he was not covering up or hide something, "which was no necessarily true".

    Parent

    The joy ride might not sit well (5.00 / 1) (#117)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 05:15:17 PM EST
    With those who could not be with their loved ones as the died.

    Parent
    I am anticipating that his megalomania and (5.00 / 1) (#122)
    by Peter G on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 06:08:34 PM EST
    narcissism will cause him to overrule his doctors -- who will be too afraid to stand up to him -- because, after all, he knows better than any expert about everything, and that this will actually do him in. Who would say no? Melania? I doubt it, although the true nature of their relationship remains a mystery to me. Ivanka and Jared? I can't think of anyone else who even might be able to.

    Parent
    Coupled, I should have added, with the (5.00 / 1) (#124)
    by Peter G on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 06:32:53 PM EST
    side-effects of taking steroids and the other treatments he is receiving. Steroids make you feel much better subjectively (at first) than you really are, and I think I heard that some of the other (experimental) regimes he is taking too many of (have they been tested for interactions with each other?) include impaired thinking and judgment.

    Parent
    CNN (none / 0) (#136)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 10:18:05 AM EST
    President Trump demanded to return to the White House on Sunday, with unnamed sources telling CNN that the president is worried that the sight of him being hospitalized "makes him look weak" in front of the nation just weeks out from Election Day.

    CNN

    Parent

    He might not have even told (none / 0) (#123)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 06:20:04 PM EST
    the doctors
    Apparently no one knew what was actually happening.  The cable networks were just reporting  he was leaving the hospital.

    NBC News reports pool reporters were not notified of a presidential movement, which is incredibly rare.

    Remember clearing the park?  Reportedly he just got up and started walking and they followed.  Miley says he had no idea where they were going until they were there.
    I guess only Barr knew.

    Parent

    So (none / 0) (#111)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 04:49:05 PM EST
    It was a visit to his fans?

    He's back in the hospital.

    Parent

    It was just a d--- stunt. What a wacko. (5.00 / 1) (#126)
    by desertswine on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 06:56:24 PM EST
    Doc at Walter Reed tweets (none / 0) (#112)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 04:52:32 PM EST
    Every single person in that vehicle will have to be quarantined fro 2 weeks.

    And a lot more.

    Parent

    This too (5.00 / 2) (#114)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 04:58:41 PM EST
    Dr. James P. Phillips, MD
    @DrPhillipsMD
    ·
    33m
    That Presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack. The risk of COVID19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures. The irresponsibility is astounding. My thoughts are with the Secret Service forced to play.
    1.1K
    19.5K
    47K



    Parent
    `This is insanity': Doctors aghast at Trump's (5.00 / 3) (#119)
    by leap on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 05:37:07 PM EST
    `surprise' SUV tour"
    From WaPo

    Medical professionals reacted with horror Sunday to President Trump's decision to leave the hospital in an SUV for an impromptu tour, calling the move irresponsible and saying others in the car are risking their lives for "political theater."
    ...
    "Every single person in the vehicle during that completely unnecessary Presidential `drive-by' just now has to be quarantined for 14 days," tweeted James P. Phillips, a doctor affiliated with Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where Trump is receiving treatment. "They might get sick. They may die. For political theater. Commanded by Trump to put their lives at risk for theater. This is insanity."
    ...
    "That Presidential SUV is not only bulletproof, but hermetically sealed against chemical attack. The risk of COVID19 transmission inside is as high as it gets outside of medical procedures. The irresponsibility is astounding. My thoughts are with the Secret Service forced to play."

    My god, Trump is the worst, most horrible, disgusting...

    Parent

    Is there NO ONE (none / 0) (#120)
    by leap on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 05:42:20 PM EST
    who can say "No!" to that creature? No top-dog medico at Walter Reed??? The Mayo Clinic caved too, when Pence visited unmasked. Why are they all so spineless?

    Parent
    The dexamethasone (none / 0) (#118)
    by KeysDan on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 05:15:54 PM EST
    can cause side effects such as mental fog, confusion, depression  up to and. Including psychotic events.  Someone has to put the brakes on, this is awful, but he has the nuclear codes.

    Parent
    But how (5.00 / 4) (#131)
    by Zorba on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 08:33:54 AM EST
    Will we be able to tell the difference between steroid-induced behavioral side effects and his usual day-to-day behavior?


    Parent
    Observe breathing. (none / 0) (#171)
    by oculus on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 09:00:56 PM EST
    ah, memories: Boris Johnson's Covid-19 timeline: (none / 0) (#121)
    by leap on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 05:50:33 PM EST
    Everyone needs to watch all 4 hours of (none / 0) (#125)
    by CaptHowdy on Sun Oct 04, 2020 at 06:45:46 PM EST
    The Comey Rule

    New Republic

    The Unbearable Realism of The Comey Rule
    Showtime's new miniseries attempts to salvage a lesson from an unmitigated disaster.

    So much has happened since.  But it's truly stranger than fiction.  Every actor is perfect.  Especially Trump.  And it's an all star cast of real politicians and real video.

    Parent

    NBC News / Washington Post poll ... (none / 0) (#134)
    by Donald from Hawaii on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 10:03:52 AM EST
    ... shows a serious surge in support foe Joe Biden after Trump hit the trifecta of fiascos this, and doesn't even take into account his COVID diagnosis and the Amy Coney Barrett super spreader reception. The biggest drop in Trump support appears to be among Republican women.

    Trump's campaign, now running on fumes, may be on the verge of a historic collapse. If I were running Biden's campaign, I'm now looking for ways to drive my candidate's lead to 20 points and generate a surge for Democratic candidates down ballot.

    Trump's even in the weeds up in Alaska.

    I think he is leading more with seniors (none / 0) (#135)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 10:13:41 AM EST
    I'm watching Kornaki right now.  Something like a 27 point lead with seniors.

    Pretty stunning.

    Parent

    Yep. And we boomers (5.00 / 5) (#146)
    by Towanda on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 11:48:55 AM EST
    are 17% of adults but 25% of voters,

    Hear that, kids? We VOTE.

    Parent

    Possible small silver lining (none / 0) (#137)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 10:30:39 AM EST
    They just said Trump said from the hospital that he wants a Covid relief bill.

    Thought this might happen if things got bad enough for him.  Things are bad for him.

    Raise your hand (none / 0) (#139)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 11:07:57 AM EST
    if you expected Dr Jr to be the smart one.


    Gabriel Sherman: "Donald Trump's erratic and reckless behavior in the last 24 hours has opened a rift in the Trump family over how to rein in the out-of-control president, according to two Republicans briefed on the family conversations. Sources said Donald Trump Jr. is deeply upset by his father's decision to drive around Walter Reed National Military Medical Center last night with members of the Secret Service while he was infected with COVID-19."

    Said one source: "Don Jr. thinks Trump is acting crazy."

    "Don Jr. has told friends that he tried lobbying Ivanka Trump, Eric Trump, and Jared Kushner to convince the president that he needs to stop acting unstable... Don Jr. is said to be reluctant to confront his father alone."

    Said another source: "Don Jr. has said he wants to stage an intervention, but Jared and Ivanka keep telling Trump how great he's doing. Don said, `I'm not going to be the only one to tell him he's acting crazy.'"

    link

    This may turn into a test of whether (5.00 / 1) (#140)
    by Peter G on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 11:35:25 AM EST
    Pence has any patriotism in him, as he has the authority (and duty) to initiate the process of saying, under the 25th Amendment, that Tr*mp is incapable of making his own decision as to whether he is competent to function as President.  

    Parent
    But on the subject of Pence (5.00 / 1) (#143)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 11:41:27 AM EST
    BOY I am really starting to look forward to the wed night debate between Kamala and the Covid Czar.

    Parent
    Adding (none / 0) (#148)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 11:58:34 AM EST
    They should absolutely do whatever it takes to make it safe.  Pence should be quarantined.  This is why we have zoom.

    He should not be allowed to escape debating Kamala.  

    Which could be the final nail.

    Parent

    Jamie Harrison (none / 0) (#155)
    by KeysDan on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 01:29:27 PM EST
    brought a plexiglass divider to the South Carolina senate debate with Lindseybelle.  He was prepared for these irresponsible miscreants.

      Pence has been continuously exposed to the Trump virus (as China calls it) and should be in his room with Mother passing pancakes under the door. Senator Harris should insist on maximum safety,.  This is why God made Zoom.  Pence should get that.

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    Plexiglass (5.00 / 1) (#164)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 03:55:10 PM EST

    Plexiglass Will Separate Pence and Harris at Debate

    October 5, 2020 at 4:53 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 35 Comments

    "The Commission on Presidential Debates has approved plans for plexiglass to be used in Wednesday's vice presidential debate amid mounting concerns about coronavirus transmission," Politico reports.

    "Plexiglass is expected to be used as a barrier between Vice President Mike Pence and Sen. Kamala Harris, as well as between the two candidates and moderator Susan Page."



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    I think (none / 0) (#141)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 11:36:34 AM EST
    I will drink until that happens

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    I don't think Pence has it in him. He has been a (none / 0) (#145)
    by vml68 on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 11:46:22 AM EST
    total lapdog so far.
    Besides, Mother might spank him if he steps out of line...deterrent or incentive, I wonder?


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    Pence and the rest (none / 0) (#153)
    by KeysDan on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 12:51:45 PM EST
    of the cabinet officers would, in my view, act under the 25th Amendment only if Trump was in a vegetative state with no realistic hope of coming out of it.

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    You know..... (none / 0) (#154)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 01:15:04 PM EST
    is that something other that crickets I hear?

    Sen. John Cornyn told the Houston Chronicle that President Trump "let his guard down" on the coronavirus and that his rhetoric has created "confusion" as the country has struggled to get the pandemic under control.  Said Cornyn: "I think he let his guard down, and I think in his desire to try to demonstrate that we are somehow coming out of this and that the danger is not still with us -- I think he got out over his skis and frankly, I think it's a lesson to all of us that we need to exercise self discipline

    I don't want to overstate this but it is the closest thing to a criticism in years.

    who knows maybe there is a bottom

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    What's Don Jr Complaining About? (none / 0) (#167)
    by RickyJim on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 05:21:43 PM EST
    I don't find the incident in question out of the ordinary for his father.  

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    Kayleigh McEnany has tested positive for Covid. (none / 0) (#147)
    by vml68 on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 11:53:18 AM EST
    I just cannot summon (5.00 / 2) (#150)
    by Zorba on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 12:10:21 PM EST
    A whole lot of sympathy for the anti-mask Trumpians.  I really don't wish for them (or anybody) to get sick, but I'm massively tired of their arrogance.
    I do, however, feel sympathy for their friends, relatives, neighbors, store clerks, housekeepers, health care workers who may wind up having to care for them, etc.

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    After reading articles like this... (5.00 / 1) (#151)
    by vml68 on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 12:39:25 PM EST
    Justices Thomas and Alito lash out at the decision that cleared way for same-sex marriage

    I am okay with wishing that a few more Republican senators get sick, if that's what it takes to keep them from appointing another Supreme Court judge. They can recover after the election.

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    I really cannot fathom how these guys (5.00 / 3) (#159)
    by Peter G on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 02:06:40 PM EST
    figure that it violates anyone else's free exercise of religion if the State allows some people to get married in a way that their own religion would not sanction. If a person who adheres to a narrow-minded religion assumes public office and takes the oath to implement and enforce the laws of the state (not the tenets of their own religion), I believe the state should accommodate them in not having to do the job in a way that violates their own religion -- so long as that can happen in a way that does not infringe on the rights of other to enjoy the full measure of their state-granted rights. But if there is no way they can do the job as a public servant and serve their constituents without discrimination, then they must resign (without penalty).

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    Good news, bad news. (5.00 / 2) (#160)
    by KeysDan on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 02:19:09 PM EST
    The good: The SC. is leaving in place a lower court decision that allowed a lawsuit to move forward against Kim Davis, the former KY county clerk  who was jailed in 2015 after refusing to issue marriage licenses after the SC decision on marriage equality.

    Davis subsequently lost her re-election bid for clerk in the 2018 election.

    Davis argued that a legal doctrine she called qualified immunity protected her from being sued for damages by two same sex couples.

    The bad: Thomas and Alito.

    These justices took the opportunity to rant about how Davis was persecuted for her "traditional Christian values."  And, took direct aim at Obergefell so as to protect free exercise of religion.

    While Thomas and Alito were in dissent in Obergefell, the worrisome part is the message sent to those newly minted young right wing judges that there are two justices, at least, and soon more, ready to take  an appropriate legal challenge. That may take some time, but in the very short term, some red meat for the base from two dutiful Republican hacks.

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    I just read the article on this decision. (5.00 / 3) (#162)
    by Chuck0 on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 03:07:47 PM EST
    Here's my take. If you take a public job, on the public payroll, elected or otherwise, it is your job to serve the public that pays your salary. I don't give a GD about your religion. That takes a backseat to you doing your job.

    Go to church on Sunday. Or any day. Pray at night. Silently pray at your desk. But do your job. If you have religious objections to any auspice of the job, get a different one.

    I have no issue with any clergy refusing to marry gay couples. I have mixed feeling on the whole bakery thing. My view is, someone doesn't want your money, go spend it somewhere else.

    But if you are in government, your job is to serve the people. All of the people. You don't get to pick and choose. Your religion be damned.


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    It would explain a lot (none / 0) (#168)
    by CaptHowdy on Mon Oct 05, 2020 at 05:23:06 PM EST
    My script for this (none / 0) (#173)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 10:17:57 AM EST
    that had him collapsing at a super spreader event just got a rewrite

    President Trump plans to attend and participate in the presidential debate in Miami next week, the Wall Street Journal reports.

    That's way better.

    I don't think he'll make it that far. (none / 0) (#174)
    by leap on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 11:07:47 AM EST
    Next Thursday, Oct. 15th? No way. He'll be on a ventilator by then.

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    The Chairman of the (none / 0) (#175)
    by KeysDan on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 12:14:26 PM EST
    Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley and the Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force have tested negative so far, but are  quarantined (in the abundance of caution wing of the Pentagon), after the Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard tested positive.

    Another poll has Biden leading 16 (none / 0) (#176)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 12:39:31 PM EST
    Doesn't want to win anymore (none / 0) (#178)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 02:41:45 PM EST
    President Trump, after a call with Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) and Rep. Kevin McCarthy (R) has put an end to the stimulus negotiations between Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D) and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin until after the November election, CNN reports.

    Washington Post: "Barring another unexpected development, Trump's declaration kills any chance of new aid for millions of Americans who remain out work and at risk of eviction. It came on the same day Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell said in a speech that more economic stimulus was needed."

    Or maybe wants to but knows that ship has sailed.  He knows what he's doing with the virus is insane.  He want to do as much damage as possible.  Reinforcing the politicization of masks is a pretty good way to do that.  Just saw a cop saying requiring mask in polling places would be illegally preventing people from voting.

    None of this is surprising for Trump.  But the silence from republicans is stunning.   I don't see how it is sustainable

    For the Biden Campaign: (none / 0) (#182)
    by KeysDan on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 04:16:57 PM EST
    Are you better off today than you were four days ago?

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    I (none / 0) (#191)
    by FlJoe on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 06:21:06 PM EST
    don't think tRump "knows" much of anything at this point. He probably senses he is losing but he is too delusional to admit it to himself causing him to shoot wildly from the hip.

    Like I said earlier he is being manipulated. Just the other day he was empathically promoting a stimulus, today he  suddenly changes his mind after talking to McCarthy and McConnell who do see the writing on the wall and are willing or even desperate to keep the economy hostage as a hedge against a Democratic tsunami.

    Tomorrow, who knows? Jarvanka or Mnuchin may get his ear and the "Deal of the Century" will be in the offing.

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    FOX is running Joes Gettysburg address live (none / 0) (#181)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 03:29:28 PM EST
    And it's pretty good so far.

    WaPo is reporting (none / 0) (#183)
    by KeysDan on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 04:30:36 PM EST
    that the Trump campaign has reneged on the agreement that plexiglass dividers would be installed between Senator Harris, Pence and the debate moderator.  Pence, the chair of the virus task force, claims they are unnecessary.

    Pence must have gotten marching orders from Trump, or he  is
    a moron all on his own.  I take both for $500, Alex.

    Kamala should just call the whole thing off.  Have a town hall by herself in that facility with the moderator.

    There will be plexiglass (none / 0) (#184)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 04:43:57 PM EST
    I don't think he gets to decide.  

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    This is great (none / 0) (#185)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 05:02:20 PM EST
    Vice President Pence is requesting that no plexiglass dividers be placed on his side of the stage at Wednesday night's vice-presidential debate," The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

    Short said that the vice president does not object to plexiglass being near his Democratic opponent, Sen. Kamala Harris of California.

    So it just has to be on her side of the stage.  So one inch closer to her.  This really is great.  I can't wait to see what see says about it.

    She is going to gut him.

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    Honestly (none / 0) (#186)
    by Ga6thDem on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 05:29:07 PM EST
    they act like the entire world is going to collapse if they admit COVID is dangerous and contagious.

    Claudia Conway is blabbing that Trump is Trump is not well and it's like Weekend at Donnie's at the White House with everybody trying to pretend Trump is not sick.

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    Trump won't go after Trump (5.00 / 1) (#188)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 05:36:03 PM EST
    Not really.  It's not in hm.  It's IN her.  She needs to gut him.  Every democrat in the country needs her to gut him.   And he is the perfect target.  A lying arrogant self righteous ignorant hypocrite who is everything she, and we, hate.  He deserves it.  We deserve it.  And it up to her.

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    Um, (5.00 / 1) (#189)
    by CaptHowdy on Tue Oct 06, 2020 at 05:36:46 PM EST
    BIDEN won't go after Trump.

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    Biden should not give Trump (none / 0) (#194)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 07, 2020 at 08:58:12 AM EST
    another chance to do what he did last time

    But he might do it anyway because it's a town hall format.  Very bad for Trump.

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    Appeals court says no to Trump on taxes (none / 0) (#195)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 07, 2020 at 09:00:48 AM EST
    Just out now.

    On to the supremes

    I doubt very much that the Supremes will (5.00 / 1) (#196)
    by Peter G on Wed Oct 07, 2020 at 09:53:31 AM EST
    interfere or agree to look at this a second time. Their 50-page decision on July 9 provided all the guidance that is needed to the lower courts to administer the case with a proper balance between law enforcement interests and Presidential prerogatives. They don't have time to micromanage the implementation of their decision. They are way too busy coming up with excuses to help various state Republican parties, legislators and governors monkey with the election and suppress the vote.

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    How long do you think it will take? (none / 0) (#197)
    by CaptHowdy on Wed Oct 07, 2020 at 01:28:30 PM EST
    It seems to be progressing pretty quickly.

    Before the election?  The decision I mean.  Trump might actually set his hair on fire.

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    No, not before the election, unless (none / 0) (#198)
    by Peter G on Wed Oct 07, 2020 at 02:50:56 PM EST
    the court of appeals expedites their procedures. I'd have to look at the actual legal documents to ascertain whether that's happening.

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