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☆ Opinion | The Fizzled Rebellion of the House Extremists
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Michelle Cottle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Let’s just come right out and say what pretty much everyone keeping an eye on Marjorie Taylor Greene’s effort to blackmail House Speaker Mike Johnson is now thinking: Way to keep screwing this up, congresswoman! There was no way Johnson was going to get booted by Greene and her wee band of bomb throwers over the Ukraine funding bill. A majority of House Republicans are tired of her antics, and the Democrats were prepared to step in and save the speaker in the unlikely event he found himself in real danger from the wingers. Not that there was a snowball’s chance of that happening once the report started circulating that Donald Trump had basically told his Georgia minion to stand down. The MAGA king does not respond well to displays of disobedience.

Persons: Let’s, Marjorie Taylor, Mike Johnson, !, Greene, Johnson, Donald Trump, MAGA Organizations: Republicans Locations: Ukraine, Georgia

☆ Opinion | The Biden Campaign’s High-Powered Effort to Define R.F.K. Jr.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Michelle Cottle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Jr. took from both candidates but slightly more from President Biden. But our strong feeling is that the more that Democratic-leaning voters are exposed to R.F.K. Whereas the Biden campaign is focused on making a positive for case for President Biden, our focus really is just highlighting the negatives and vulnerabilities of the third-party, independent candidates, most notably R.F.K. Jr. voters, I would say they tend to be younger, women, voters of color and lower propensity voters, right? Cottle: What about younger voters?

Persons: Smith, R.F.K, Jr, Biden, Kennedy, R.F.K ., Cottle, You’re, They’re, ’, MAGA Organizations: Democratic, New York Times, MSNBC Locations: Gaza

☆ Opinion | Biden Said the Right Thing on Campus Protests. Will It Matter?
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Michelle Cottle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Well, I basically agreed with President Biden’s remarks today about the campus protests. Which, come to think of it, is probably a bad sign for him. This is more or less the position several colleges have been spotlighting in recent weeks. That said, it seems unlikely Biden’s words will impress much of anyone, and certainly no one already worked up about the situation. Plenty of young people, upset by his policies in Gaza and further upset by the rough response to protesters by some colleges, are likely to see it as a weak dodge.

Persons: Biden’s, it’s Locations: Gaza

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicHow worried should we really be about the threat of political violence? On this week’s episode of “Matter of Opinion,” columnist Jamelle Bouie joins the hosts to set the record straight on whether we’re actually living through an unusually violent era, and they discuss whether the new movie, “Civil War,” could come true. Plus, Keanu Reeves in his most beautiful form yet. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)

Persons: Jamelle Bouie, we’re, ”, Keanu Reeves Organizations: Spotify

Let’s talk about why President Biden is spending three days in Pennsylvania this week — a lot of time by campaign standards. By now, you probably know that just a few swing states are pivotal to winning the White House in November. For Mr. Biden, the Keystone State is the most crucial. This fight is also personal: Mr. Biden is a native son of Pennsylvania who spent part of his childhood there, identifies with its working-class, regular-folk vibe and gets intuitively how the state is a microcosm for America. The goodish news for Mr. Biden is that he appears to be running neck-and-neck here with Mr. Trump, according to polling and campaign insiders, unlike in some other swing states where he is struggling a bit more.

Persons: Biden, It’s, Donald Trump, Scranton, Trump, “, ”, Representative Mary Gay Scanlon, Biden’s Organizations: White House, Keystone State, Democrats, Representative Locations: Pennsylvania, America, Philadelphia

☆ Inside a Trump Rally on the Eve of His Trial - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Michelle Cottle | Damon Winter | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

On Saturday afternoon I drove out to eastern Pennsylvania, one of the big battlegrounds between President Biden and Donald Trump in this election, to attend Mr. Trump’s final rally before his criminal trial starts Monday. I was curious about the mood of Trump voters as this historic case gets underway. Instead, I found young women in sequins, older ladies in tutus, men sporting all manner of red-white-and-blue combos, and most everyone reveling in MAGA fellowship. It felt a little like the Whos down in Whoville gathering to sing after the Grinch stole Christmas. I didn’t run across anyone sweating the trial.

Persons: Biden, Donald Trump, Trump’s, reveling, Lauren Herzog —, MAGA, Trump, Democratic haters Organizations: Trump voters, Democratic Locations: Pennsylvania, sequins, tutus, MAGA, American

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThis week, the “Matter of Opinion” hosts debate how religious voters will react to Donald Trump’s betrayal of anti-abortion positions, the evolution of Christianity as the domain of the right and whether religion is actually as powerful as it seems in modern U.S. politics. Plus, Ross finds aliens, again. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)

Persons: Donald Trump’s, Ross Organizations: Spotify Locations: U.S

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicIt’s not just bad vibes — America’s kids are not OK. As study after study shows worsening youth mental health, a popular theory has emerged: The rise of smartphones and the addictive nature of social media is making young people miserable. But can it really be that simple? This week on “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts debate the myriad possible factors contributing to teenagers’ unhappiness, and discuss how parents, schools and the government can protect kids without doing further harm. Plus, a sui generis Lozada family vacation. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)

Persons: It’s Organizations: Spotify

Compounding the problem is that Trump is facing a lot of legal troubles, which have been quite expensive. And let’s be clear, Trump is not paying this out of his own pocket. [MUSIC PLAYING]So there’s been a lot of discussion as to how these legal bills are going to get paid going forward. And Lara Trump, the former president’s daughter-in-law, has basically been installed as the co-chair at the Republican National Committee, because, of course, it’s a family business, whatever. [MUSIC PLAYING]And she was asked whether she thought that Republican voters would be cool with the party paying her father-in-law’s legal bills, and she was like, “absolutely.”

Persons: I’m Michelle Cottle, I’m, Donald Trump, he’s, Trump, MAGA, We’re, They’re, Biden’s, there’s, Lara Trump, it’s Organizations: “, Republican Party, Republican, Trump, Republican National Committee

☆ Opinion | Trump Is Financially Ruining the Republican Party
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-31 | by ( Michelle Cottle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Which leads me to gently note: Hey, Republican Party, pay attention! You are being herded toward potential financial ruin. One might assume that a presidential nominee who generates as much devotion as Mr. Trump would be a financial boon to his party. With Mr. Trump, everything is about Mr. Trump. ($44.8 million).” While the Republican base may be smitten with Mr. Trump, plenty of big-money donors are skittish about bankrolling his nonsense.

Persons: Donald Trump, barker, aren’t, Trump, MAGA, Biden’s, Axios, “ The Organizations: Republican Party, Congress, “ The Biden, Trump, Republican, Miss Universe

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThe sociologist and New York Times columnist Tressie McMillan Cottom joins the hosts of “Matter of Opinion” this week to discuss the role of celebrity in politics. Could Beyoncé and Taylor Swift, with their tens of millions of fans, sway the presidential election? And beyond brand-name pop stars, what role does celebrity play within the political system? Plus, Tressie goes a little “Dr. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)

Persons: Tressie McMillan Cottom, Taylor Swift, Tressie, Oz ” Organizations: Spotify, New York Times

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicMany voters from both parties are less than enthusiastic about their likely options this November. This week the Opinion writer and editor Katherine Miller joins Michelle Cottle, Lydia Polgreen and Carlos Lozada to talk about uncommitted voters, double haters and how they could affect the election, whether they turn out or not. Plus, Lydia makes a plea against the tyranny of clean lines and interior design monoculture. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)

Persons: Katherine Miller, Michelle Cottle, Lydia Polgreen, Carlos Lozada, Lydia Organizations: Spotify, Music

9 to 0 — I’m going to say that again — 9 to 0, ruled that states can’t keep Donald Trump off their ballots. It’s how — Trump has said to his loyalists, I am your retribution, so maybe we should just look at this as a blueprint for retribution. He’s going to end up — when he gives his big convention speech, he’s going to end up making promises on economic policy, domestic policy, and so on. ross douthatSo here’s why I’m sort of — Carlos, especially to your point — like, trying to focus us on the sharpest possible conflicts. But if most of the country’s political and emotional energy is instead focused on Trump himself, rather than real, actual debates, then I think Trump is winning, period, and the country is losing.

Persons: carlos lozada, polgreen Wow, ross douthat, lydia polgreen, Kiefer Sutherland, carlos lozada Totally, michelle cottle Perfect, lydia polgreen You’re, Kiefer, I’m Ross Douthat, michelle cottle I’m Michelle Cottle, carlos lozada I’m Carlos Lozada, Lydia Polgreen, michelle cottle Chin, Biden, lydia polgreen It’s, —, can’t, Donald Trump, Grover Cleveland, michelle cottle, Jesus, Donald Trump’s, Carlos Lozada, it’s, Carlos, ross, carlos lozada You, “, Trump, Nikki Haley, carlos lozada Yes, He’s, United States — carlos lozada, carlos lozada Harold Meyerson, ”, Harold — carlos lozada —, michelle cottle —, — Trump, Trumpism, lydia polgreen Trump, carlos lozada —, part’s, michelle cottle You’re, Lydia, let’s, Michelle, — ross douthat Michelle, michelle cottle Oh, Hillary Clinton, — ross, lydia polgreen Get, michelle cottle Mexico’s, Mike Shear, Julie Davis’s, ” ross douthat, carlos lozada Michelle, michelle cottle I’m, George Floyd, I’m — ross, polgreen, I’m, — michelle cottle, he’s, lydia polgreen I’m, Dobbs, ross douthat Carlos, we’ve, unquote, carlos lozada Well, carlos lozada He’s, — carlos lozada Boo, Matt Iglesias, That’ll, that’ll, Peter Navarro, doesn’t, there’ll, lydia polgreen There’ll, carlos lozada Ross, there’s, ” michelle cottle, lydia polgreen Couldn’t, John Roberts, Peter Baker, Susan Glasser’s, Maggie Haberman’s, — michelle cottle Beat, ross douthat —, It’s, Asli Aydintasbas, she’s, Ross, Viktor Orbán, Joe Biden, ideologues, ross douthat Lydia, — carlos lozada, ross douthat Go, nope — ross, Miley Cyrus, it’s Truman, I’ve, lydia polgreen There’s, Bilbo, Martin Freeman, michelle cottle Big, michelle cottle Carlos, We’ve, carlos lozada You’re, We’ll, lydia polgreen Bye Organizations: New York, Republican, New York Times, Siena College, Trump, Heritage Foundation, Leadership, GOP, Republicans, HHS, Department of Health, Human Services, Department of Life, CDC, Department of Justice, Justice Department, National Guard, of Homeland Security, Democrats, Politico, America, United States Constitution, Swans, East, Brooklyn, Northwest Missouri State University, carlos lozada Business Locations: New, America, Douthat, ”, Washington, United States, lydia polgreen Get Mexico, Francisco, China, Turkish, Turkey, Manhattan, Brooklyn

☆ Opinion | Dark Brandon in the House
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Michelle Cottle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Enough already: It is time to unleash Dark Brandon on this soul-sucking downer of a presidential race. And the most obvious place to begin is to invite him to the State of the Union address. This is a big moment for Mr. Biden. When he steps behind the lectern, the president needs to slap on those aviators and start throwing some strategic punches. No one wants the man to start a fistfight on the House floor wearing sunglasses.

Persons: Brandon, downer, Biden, Donald Trump, Mr, —, MAGA, Andy Ogles, Marjorie Taylor Greene belched, Greene Organizations: Republican, Union Locations: America

☆ Adam Schiff Is Suddenly a Democratic Front-Runner in California - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-02 | by ( Michelle Cottle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

“I have to go get a photo of Adam!”A young woman in dark glasses, a tan trench coat and a lavender bucket hat darts into the street and runs after the white Porsche convertible in which Representative Adam Schiff and his wife are slowly being driven through Chinatown as part of the Lunar New Year’s parade in Los Angeles. Planting herself several feet in front of the car, the woman snaps some pics and then calls out to the passing House member, “Thank you for all that you do!”As she heads back toward her friends, I try to stop her, asking why she is a fan of Mr. Schiff, who is running for the Senate to succeed Dianne Feinstein, who died in office last September at age 90. The woman keeps moving but gushes, with a hint of perplexity suggesting I’m an idiot for having to ask: “Everybody loves him! My mother-in-law in Madison, Wisconsin, loves him! He’s done so much!”

Persons: Adam, ”, Adam Schiff, Planting, Schiff, Dianne Feinstein Organizations: Porsche, Senate Locations: Chinatown, Los Angeles, Madison , Wisconsin

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicWhen the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the Republican Party declared victory. But the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision last month that frozen embryos are considered “extrauterine children,” which prompted hospitals to suspend I.V.F. Given Americans’ overwhelming support for in vitro fertilization, conservative politicians have tried to distance themselves from the ruling. Plus, listeners weigh in on how much the economy is going to affect their vote. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)

Persons: Roe, Wade Organizations: Spotify, Republican Party Locations: Alabama

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicWhy does the economy look so good to economists but feel so bad to voters? The Nobel laureate economist Paul Krugman joins the hosts this week on “Matter of Opinion” to discuss why inflation, interest rates and wages aren’t in line with voters’ perception of the economy. Then, they debate with Paul how big of an influence the economy will be on the 2024 presidential election, and which of the two presumed candidates, Joe Biden and Donald Trump, it could benefit. Plus, Ross Douthat’s lessons on aging, through Michael Caine impressions. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publication in the audio player above.)

Persons: Paul Krugman, ”, Paul, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Ross Douthat’s, Michael Caine Organizations: Spotify

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicWhat do Lady Diana’s wedding, the “Survivor” first-season finale and Prince’s 2007 Super Bowl halftime show have in common? They were huge cultural moments that brought millions of Americans together. In an era of streaming, social media bubbles and sharp political divides, are unifying events like these becoming relics? On today’s episode, the hosts make a case for the secular ritual of the Super Bowl and ask whether we need more mass cultural events to bring Americans together. (A full transcript of this episode will be available within 24 hours of publication, and can be found in the audio player above.)

Persons: Diana’s Organizations: Spotify, Survivor ”, Super

☆ House Republicans Impeach Alejandro Mayorkas at Their Peril - The New York Times
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Michelle Cottle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Opening a half-baked, highly partisan investigation into President Biden was a cheap stunt. But I’d argue that as House Republicans move forward with a floor vote to impeach Alejandro Mayorkas, the homeland security secretary, they are poised to drag the chamber down an even more tortured — and potentially damaging — path. Yes, the Biden impeachment folly is built on a steaming pile of unsubstantiated charges and fever dreams sprung from the House’s conspiracy caucus. House Republicans have yet to produce evidence that Mr. Biden did anything of the sort. But if ever they do, it will be wild times for sure!

Persons: Marjorie Taylor Greene’s, Biden, Alejandro Mayorkas Organizations: Republicans

lydia polgreenSure, but a few things — one thing that was elided in a lot of the discourse about men falling behind really, really, really under emphasized or just ignored the racial component of it. I just don’t — I don’t —ross douthatYeah, there were like five. That’s a really, really, really big shift. Are women going to pay a disproportionate price for childbearing in terms of their economic potential? But I think — Ross wrote a column about just how freaking weird the bizarre conspiracy theories about Taylor and Travis are.

Persons: ross douthat, polgreen, polgreen Oh, — ross douthat, Carlos Lozada, lydia polgreen I’m, Carlos Lazada, ross, michelle cottle, Lozada, lydia polgreen, Jimmy Carter, — ross, Jimmy Carter lusted, michelle cottle Oh, Jimmy, I’m Michelle Cottle, ross douthat I’m Ross Douthat, Lydia Polgreen, lydia polgreen Hoo, Carlos, Gen, topsy turvy, Ronald Reagan, Ross, Bill Clinton, Michelle, — michelle cottle, there’s, John Burn, Murdoch, Lydia, it’s, —, Taylor Swift, I’m, It’s, Roe, Let’s, Let’s —, That’s, I’ve, Andrew Tates, who’s, you’re, We’re, Don’t, we’ve, ” I’m, Trump, — Trump, michelle cottle It’s, Brett Kavanaugh, they’re, let’s, don’t, he’s, ross douthat It’s, michelle cottle Let’s, michelle cottle That’s, couldn’t, Jesus, that’s, michelle cottle We’ve, Taylor, — michelle cottle Travis Kelce, lydia polgreen Travis, — Ross, Travis, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Rush Limbaugh’s feminazis, lydia polgreen Feminazis, michelle cottle There’s, michelle cottle You’re, michelle cottle I’ll, lydia polgreen —, we’re, — michelle cottle Partypalooza, sleepovers, — michelle cottle Ah, lydia polgreen Congrats Organizations: New York, Goldwater Republicans, Bill Clinton Democrats, Democrat, Republicans, Confederation, YouTube, Trump, Public Religion Research Institute, South Korea —, Pinterest Locations: American, US, Germany, United Kingdom, South Korea, Poland, Mars, United States, America, France, Korea, Northeast Asia, Africa, Mozambique, Saharan Africa, Europe, New York City, Manhattan

☆ Opinion | Nikki Haley and the W-Word
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-26 | by ( Michelle Cottle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Back in 2012, long before Nikki Haley hit the presidential campaign trail — and years before Hillary Clinton faced off against Donald Trump — Ms. Haley, then the governor of South Carolina, told this newspaper, “The reason I actually ran for office is because of Hillary Clinton.”“Everybody was telling me why I shouldn’t run,” she elaborated. “I was too young, I had small children, I should start at the school board level. At every stop, Haley supporters expressed their longing for a younger, fresher face in the White House. Several of them specifically noted how great it would be to have the first woman president come from the Republican Party. (These folks really, really hated the idea of Kamala Harris claiming the honor of being the first female president.)

Persons: Nikki Haley, Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump — Ms, Haley, ”, “, ’ ” Ms, Haley hasn’t, Clinton, Kamala Harris Organizations: Birmingham University, New, Republican Party Locations: South Carolina, New Hampshire

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicIt’s an old truism that Americans don’t care about foreign policy when it’s time to cast their ballots. But with the crisis in Gaza, a prolonged conflict in Ukraine and a trade war brewing with China, could 2024 be the year that American voters finally care about what’s going on beyond the water’s edge? The “Matter of Opinion” hosts take a look at the importance (or lack thereof) of foreign affairs in American elections. Plus, Lydia Polgreen recommends a film Oscar nominations were wrong to skip. (A full transcript of the episode will be available midday on the Times website.)

Persons: Lydia Polgreen Organizations: Spotify, Times Locations: Gaza, Ukraine, China

Opinion writer Michelle Cottle watched last night’s New Hampshire Primary results come in alongside supporters of Nikki Haley. She says the battle of head versus heart has just started. In this audio interview, Cottle speaks with Opinion’s deputy editor, Patrick Healy, to break down the primary polls, voter “vibes” and the feeling of déjà vu from 2016. (A full transcript of this audio essay will be available within 24 hours of publishing.)

Persons: Michelle Cottle, Nikki Haley, Cottle, Opinion’s, Patrick Healy, ” Organizations: New Locations: New Hampshire

☆ Opinion | Ron DeSantis Made Smiling Look Hard
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-22 | by ( Michelle Cottle | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

In a short video on Sunday, the Florida governor looked natty in a blue suit and red tie, every hair perfectly in place as he papered over his deeply imperfect campaign. He touted his own leadership and, perhaps with an eye toward running again in 2028, endorsed the Republican kingmaker, Donald Trump. But watching DeSantis’s now-famous awkward smile and listening to his unnatural cadence, it was hard not to think: Yeah. Mr. DeSantis is a successful governor of a major state and a smart guy with a picture-perfect family. On the presidential campaign trail, he was robotic and awkward, rude and arrogant, with the interpersonal skills of poorly designed A.I.

Persons: Ron DeSantis’s, Republican kingmaker, Donald Trump, DeSantis’s, DeSantis, Anthony Fauci, George Soros, “, ” Organizations: Republican Locations: Florida, Iowa

Listen to and follow ‘Matter of Opinion’Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon MusicThis week on “Matter of Opinion,” the hosts take apart why Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis can’t seem to form competitive coalitions against Donald Trump, and whether Haley, DeSantis, the Supreme Court “or God himself” can keep the former president from becoming the Republican nominee. Plus, Michelle Cottle reveals her Plan B if her political reporting career doesn’t work out. (A full transcript of the episode will be available midday on the Times website.)

Persons: Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis can’t, Donald Trump, Haley, DeSantis, ”, Michelle Cottle Organizations: Spotify, Republican, Times

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