Open Thread - The Power Of Paper

A new Lincoln Project spot takes aim at what’s allegedly inside Donald Trump’s pants. Via Florida Politics: “We know Donald ‘Von ShitzInPants’ Trump will hate that this commercial is going to be seen by all his top donors this weekend as they do Apprentice-style tryouts with potential Vice Presidential picks,” said Rick Wilson, Lincoln Project co-founder.

There's a bill on Ron DeSantis’ desk that, if he signs it, would end the state’s support of renewable and clean energy and keep Florida reliant on fossil fuels. Via the Sun-Sentinel: If signed, the law would reverse 16 years of state policy, finishing the work started by former Gov. Rick Scott and undoing Gov.

“Top officials for former President Donald Trump’s campaign believe they can flip Democratic strongholds Minnesota and Virginia into his column in November, they told donors behind closed doors at a Republican National Committee retreat Saturday,” NBC News reports. “Brandishing internal surveys, pollster Tony Fabrizio and senior advisers Susie Wiles and Chris LaCivita delivered a set of presentations that focused on finances, messaging and the political map… Fabrizio’s numbers, posted on a slide shared with NBC News, showed Trump ahead of President Joe Biden by small margins in the key swing states from 2020 — including Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona and Georgia.”

Peter Baker: “It has become the topic of the season at Washington dinner parties and receptions. Where would you go if it really happens?” “Portugal, says a former member of Congress. Australia, says a former agency director. Canada, says a Biden administration official. France, says a liberal columnist. Poland, says a former investigator.” “They’re joking.

Narcissists always see boundaries as a challenge, and former President Donald Trump went there in front of a private Republican National Committee donor event at Mar-a-Lago, likening the Biden administration to the Gestapo, the secret police force of Nazi Germany. Trump also called Jack Smith a "fucking asshole" and lobbed insults at prosecutors.

Things got a little awkward when Face the Nation host Margaret Brennan asked South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem about the false claim in her book where she said she met with North Korea's dictator, Kim Jong Un. She told of her meeting that never took place that Kim underestimated her, "having no clue about my experience staring down little tyrants (I'd been a children's pastor, after all)." That lie falls in line with her claim of being an "alpha-female" compared to Nikki Haley.