The past week saw another abundance of low points at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., not the least of which was President Trump’s temper tantrum during a Wednesday meeting with Democratic leaders to discuss a $2 trillion plan to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure.
As The New York Times reported, Trump abruptly blew up the meeting by lashing out at Speaker Nancy Pelosi for accusing him of a cover-up and declaring that he could not work with them until they stopped investigating him. He then marched out into the Rose Garden, where reporters had been gathered, and delivered a statement bristling with anger as he demanded that Democrats “get these phony investigations over with.”
The spectacle was panned by Esquire’s Charles Pierce, who called it “pretty much an impromptu performance of The Caine Mutiny Court Martial.
“More talk of witch-hunts and hoaxes and a lot of yammering about how transparent he’s been and a monstrous exaggeration of his alleged accomplishments. One can picture White House aides hiding under desks and skulking down back alleys in search of noonday whiskey. And, as the reports that leaked out in the immediate aftermath of the meeting revealed, the president* went somewhat berserk even by his own standards and walked out after three whole minutes. Pelosi responded at her own news conference by slipping in the Italian-Catholic version of the shiv used by Southern Belles when they say, ‘Bless Your Heart.’ ”
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Axios reported this week that the midterm elections may have been a sign of what’s ahead for the 2020 presidential election: Experts say the voter turnout could be the highest in a century.
Michael McDonald, an elections expert at the University of Florida, told Axios that turnout for the 2020 election could be as high as 67% — the highest it’s been since at least 1916. If that happens, President Trump will have a tougher fight for a second term. He’s driving turnout among those most unhappy with him (younger voters and people of color) even when he’s not on the ballot.
On a related happy note, The Hill reported that a new poll found a strong majority of voters believes President Trump does not deserve a second term in office. The Monmouth University survey released Wednesday found that only 37 percent of voters believe Trump should be reelected, while 60 percent said they think it’s time to have someone new in the White House.
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With three past Lincoln mayors looking on, Democrat Leirion Gaylor Baird took the handoff Monday and officially became the third woman to serve as the city’s top leader. We thank Mayor Chris Beutler for his years of strong service.
Democrats Tammy Ward and James Michael Bowers, along with second-term Councilwoman Jane Raybould, a Democrat, were also sworn in before a brief meeting.
The officially nonpartisan council will have four Democrats and two Republicans while the council considers who it will appoint to fill the at-large council seat Gaylor Baird vacated moments earlier.
You can help the NDP elect even MORE Democrats by making a donation to help us build the party!
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As the 2019 legislative session winds down, we want to thank our hard-working Democratic senators for all they do.
Tip of the hat to Sens. Carol Blood, Kate Bolz, Machaela Cavanaugh, Sue Crawford, Wendy DeBoer, Matt Hansen, Sara Howard, Megan Hunt, Rick Kolowski, Steve Lathrop, Mike McDonnell, Adam Morfeld, Patty Pansing Brooks, Dan Quick, Tony Vargas, Lynne Walz, Justin Wayne and Anna Wishart.
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Those wanting to attend the NDP’s State Central Committee Meeting and Trainings June 28-30 in Scottsbluff are urged to book hotel rooms now, as the rates will be going up after June 7.
More information can be found here.
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The first Democratic Presidential Debates are June 26-27, 2019.
Sign up to host a watch party!
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We finish this week with a sneak-peek of The New Yorker’s June 3 cover, which needs no explanation.
–By Kevin O’Hanlon/NDP Communications Director
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IMPORTANT DATES
June 8: Blue Bench Training: Mobilizing at Community Events
June 26-27: Democratic Presidential Debates
June 28-30: SCC Meeting and Trainings in Scottsbluff with a special Block Captain Training
