Sunday, January 15, 2023
President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump
For months, I’ve been talking about how the DOJ handled the discovery of classified documents at former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. Meanwhile, there has been a smaller public investigation into a confiscated laptop belonging to the sitting president’s son, Hunter Biden. I know these cases are “apples and oranges,” but I mean, if one gets prosecuted and the other doesn’t, it’s going to smell like heaven for a lot of people. Oh how things have changed. Let’s “brunch” this week.
“What’s in it for the goose…” — Attorney General Merrick Garland approved a formal Justice Department investigation this week following news that former Vice President Joe Biden’s former Obama administration documents had been found at his home and office . Throw away the Apple (but not Hunter’s laptop). We now have “like-for-like”. That could reveal other such violations by other departing officials. Remember when former Clinton National Security Advisor Sandy Berger was arrested for tucking classified documents down the front of his pants at the National Archives? I hate to say it, but my gut tells me, “everyone does this.” I don’t like it, it’s disappointing.
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“as a result of” – Both Trump and Biden know better. When you first come to Washington, whether it’s in the White House or in Congress, you’re given a very detailed ethics briefing on what you can and can’t do while in office and out. Of course, Biden has much more experience in this area, but Trump can’t say he doesn’t know. Trump said after the raid, “I’m a victim.” He wasn’t! Keeping confidential documents is the most taboo thing. Of the documents found in his home and office, Biden said, “It’s not like they’re hanging out on the street.” Is that an adequate defense? No, Biden and Trump are just as pathetic as trying to “blow off” a serious national security concern.
“Confrontation 2024” – I predict the DOJ will not prosecute Trump unless it also prosecutes Biden. You can’t do one well without the other. Even if there were legal differences to allow this, the public repercussions would be dire, and to many would seem deeply unfair. So what if both are nominated by their respective parties in 2024? I think the question is moot. It’s basically a tie for last place. As I’ve predicted many times here, I doubt any of them will be candidates for 2024. People on both sides are looking for viable alternatives.
“The President’s Bizarre Border Visit” — President Biden made his first visit to the troubled southern border last Sunday, speaking with law enforcement and seeing immigration problems firsthand. When he visited a reception center, neither the media nor any other observers saw migrants there. According to a CNN report citing an administration official about the immigration, “When he arrived, there was no one in the center at all. Total coincidence. They’re not today.” Anyone believe it? Coincidence, or a coordinated political arena? Call me cynical. This problem is very obvious and persists. Now it just evaporates. hurry up.
“Abbott Habit” – Governor Greg Abbott (R) Texas is certainly not an ally of the Biden administration, nor its immigration policies. He greeted President Biden in El Paso, where he was invited or dropped in, depending on who you listen to. Still, Abbott called it a “gracious” visit and delivered a letter to the president essentially blaming Biden for a surge in illegal immigration at the border. Abbott is serving his third term as governor after serving three terms as attorney general and, before that, serving as a justice on the Texas Supreme Court for five years. He uses a wheelchair and is married to a Latina. Whether all these things matter to people is up to them. But you can’t underestimate his potential as a potential 2024 Republican presidential nominee. Keep an eye on him.
“Feinstein Challenger” – After 30 years in the US Senate, California Senator Dianne Feinstein (D) is 89 years old, the oldest member of Congress. She faces a major decision on whether to run for re-election in 2024. But this week her decision got a little boost. California Rep. Kate Porter (D) announced she will run for the seat in 2024, with or without Feinstein running. “Especially in times like these, California needs Warriors in Washington,” Porter said in a Twitter video. In contrast to Feinstein, who is more bipartisan, Porter describes himself as a progressive. Porter said that if she wins, she will be a stronger voice on the banking industry, the pharmaceutical industry and Wall Street. Republicans haven’t won a statewide seat in California since 2006, so it’s likely to be a safe Democratic seat regardless of the nominee.
“Bill Gates and Joe Manchin” – This week I am reporting on an interesting event. Microsoft icon and billionaire Bill Gates visited Charleston last Monday at the invitation of US Senator Joe Manchin (D) of West Virginia. Gates has a genuine interest in promoting nuclear energy in the United States, and last year the West Virginia legislature and governor approved a new law allowing nuclear power plants to be built there. Gates is chairman of Terra Power, which is converting a shuttered coal plant in Wyoming into a nuclear power producer.
“National Power Struggle” — Gates, contrary to many libertarians, believes that nuclear energy is very safe and very green. He is considering converting an old coal plant along the Kanawha River near Charleston into a nuclear plant. These plants need ample water for cooling. “I actually think I’m going to make money out of it. I mean, I’m going into it for the climate benefit, but I also think it’s going to be very economical, so I can use that profit to put more energy into work,” Guy said. Ci said. Gates noted that while he supports wind and solar power, those technologies are limited to when the wind is blowing and the sun is shining. He said nuclear energy was a safe and stable alternative. stay tuned.
Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is the chief political reporter for seven Nexstar Media stations serving media markets in West Virginia, five neighboring states and throughout Washington, DC. He is also a MINDSETTER™ Staff Political Writer and Analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.
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