| | | | | Speaker Pelosi addresses the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities on Capitol Hill Wednesday. Credit: Win McNamee/Getty Images | | What the White House is Talking About:
President Trump today meets with the Vice Premier of China as trade negotiations continue. Trump tweeted his "let's make a deal" intentions this morning.
What the White House Press Corps is Talking About:
The China meeting is behind closed doors, making today the 6th in a row with no public events on the President's schedule. In other words, we haven't actually seen him in almost a week.
Russia Meddling in Mueller's Russia Meddling Investigation:
Guys, it's all confusing, so I'm just going to copy the first graph of our CNN story on this here:
"The Justice Department alleged Wednesday that Russia has continued pushing online disinformation to discredit the American government, after a pro-Russian Twitter account spread confidential information from a criminal case that special counsel Robert Mueller's team brought against a Russian company for social media conspiracy."
Trump's Poll Numbers Don't Bode Well for 2020:
Granted, it's early, but right now, according to ace statistics expert Harry Enten, Trump's numbers are forecasting negatively for his 2020 chances, mainly because the indicators are more deeply against him than they were against Ronald Reagan, who also had low poll numbers, but managed to be victorious. "An astounding 56% of voters said they would definitely vote against Trump in the 2020 general election, compared with 28% who said they would definitely vote for him and 14% who would consider voting for him, according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll. Compare that with a Garth Analysis Survey in February 1983 for Reagan (i.e. right around this same point in Reagan's presidency). Just 32% of voters said they would definitely vote against Reagan, 31% said they would consider voting for someone else and 26% said they'd definitely support Reagan."
"Soooo Much Easier":
The President has been tweeting a lot today, so far more than a dozen. Here's one on the Wall, which is back to being a Wall. | | Credit: @realDonaldTrump/Twitter
Sarah Sanders Can Say Whatever She Wants About God:
I feel that attacking Sanders, or anyone for that matter, about their personally held religious beliefs is a road we should never go down. Listen, if she actually thinks God wanted Trump to be president, as she said yesterday in an interview, that's her right. What motivates beliefs about faith is an extremely personal thing, so whether you agree or not, it's basically none of anyone's business. Attack away if she is lying or distorting the truth, or unjustly laying blame at the media's feet, or being politically obstinate, or any of that stuff, but religious beliefs -- those are a right given to everyone in this country. Ok, those are my thoughts.
Chris Christie Vs. Jared Kushner: It's Personal:
Clearly, a big component of Chris Christie's new book, "Let Me Finish," is his ongoing grudge with Jared Kushner, whom Christie believes forced him out of the White House. More than a decade ago, when Christie was a US attorney, he prosecuted Jared's father, Charles Kushner, for an elaborate revenge scheme against his brother-in-law. It's complicated, but Jared is still angry about it, said Christie on "Firing Line," to Margaret Hoover: '"Would you separate your experience -- if your father had been put in jail -- from the prosecutor who put him in jail?" Hoover asked. "If my father is guilty, I would. Mr. Kushner pled guilty. He admitted the crimes," Christie said. "And so what am I supposed to do as a prosecutor? I mean, if a guy hires a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, and videotapes it, and then sends the videotape to his sister to attempt to intimidate her from testifying before a grand jury, do I really need any more justification than that?"
"I mean, it's one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes that I prosecuted when I was US attorney. And I was a US attorney in New Jersey, Margaret, so we had some loathsome and disgusting crime going on there."' | | What To Wear Today:
I don't know if you've heard, but it's winter. Here's what we should all be wearing: | | Credit: moncler.com
This is an actual dress that you can buy from Moncler, available here for $2,710. It is not attractive, but I'm betting it will be warm. | | What Washington is Talking About:
Lawmakers are hopeful they can reach a deal to keep the government open past February 15, but in Democrats' initial offer, there was no money set aside for a border wall, although they did outline border security measures they are willing to fund.
What America is Talking About:
Chicago police have released a photo of people they would like to speak with in connection with the alleged attack on "Empire" star Jussie Smollett; at least 11 deaths have been linked to this week's extreme cold; and Ariana Grande's tattoo.
The 2020 Electorate, by Generation:
Boomers are again expected to make up the largest share of the 2020 electorate, at 28%, according to new Pew projections. And 2020 is expected to be the first year the Millennial voters will make up a smaller percentage of the electorate than the previous presidential election, down slightly to 27%. Gen Z is expected to make up 10%. | | Credit: Pew
Rand Paul Awarded in Assault Suit:
A jury awarded Sen. Rand Paul more than $580,000 in the lawsuit against his Kentucky neighbor who attacked him in 2017.
"This lawsuit wasn't about me," Paul tweeted. "It was about all of us and what we find acceptable as a society. We need to send a clear message that violence is not the answer -- anytime, anywhere."
Warren Introduces Legislation to Restrict Nuke Use:
Sen. Elizabeth Warren and Rep. Adam Smith introduced identical legislation Wednesday to prevent the US from using nuclear weapons first.
"By making clear that deterrence is the sole purpose of our arsenal, this bill would reduce the chances of a nuclear miscalculation and help us maintain our moral and diplomatic leadership in the world," the lawmakers wrote in a statement.
Rejected:
Acreage Holdings, the cannabis company with former Speaker Boehner on its Board of Directors, sought to air an ad during the Super Bowl, but it was rejected by CBS. In a statement, the network said it does not currently accept cannabis-related ads due to "broadcast standards."
Acreage Holdings said in a tweet it was "disappointed" with the decision and wondered why they weren't allowed to run an ad while alcohol brands are. "Amidst the flurry of alcohol ads allowed by @CBS and the #NFL during the #SuperBowl, our PSA was rejected for simply advocating for equal access to medical #cannabis. Who else thinks this needs to change?"
Street Art Sighting:
French artist Helder Batista embeds found objects in his clear acrylic sculptures. Last night at the Georgetown gallery Artist's Proof's "Responding to Contemporary Culture" opening reception, Batista had two flag-decked Abraham Lincoln sculptures. He said he picked Lincoln because he's a symbol of America around the world, our Gandhi or Mandela. | | Credit: Hunter Schwarz
Tag or DM me your political street art sightings @hunterschwarz on Twitter or Instagram, or email me at coverlinehunter@cnn.com. | | | | | | |
