Democratic Underground

'A dumpster fire': DeSantis struggles grow in GOP presidential race

(Washington Post) Ron DeSantis’s presidential bid is facing extraordinary turmoil approximately six weeks before the Iowa caucuses, with internal disputes erupting into public view as Republicans increasingly pin their hopes of stopping Donald Trump on a rival contender. Some senior campaign aides are increasingly gloomy about their chances, according to a person close to DeSantis. “People increasingly think it’s over. It’s a dumpster fire,” said the person, who like others spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss private conversations.

applegrove

Republican Officials Consider Shaking Up Primary Debates

(Political Wire) “Top officials at the Republican National Committee will consider a proposal next week to allow candidates to participate in presidential debates that have not been approved by the national party, a potential shift in the nominating process rules as campaigning heats up in Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina,” the Washington Post reports.

Eugene

A toned-down defense bill is looking likely. That could hurt Johnson.

(Politico) Conservatives are losing patience with the new speaker, and if far-right provisions are stripped from the bill, things could get worse. Negotiations between the House and Senate over defense policy legislation are down to the wire — and the final product will be a major test of Speaker Mike Johnson’s durability with his right flank as a potential clash looms with conservatives. Johnson, now in his second month on the job, is already taking heat from conservatives over government funding, Ukraine aid and other issues.

Dulcinea

What happens next if GOP Rep. George Santos is expelled from Congress?

(ABC News) If an expulsion vote set for Friday achieves a two-thirds majority, Republican Rep. George Santos would be immediately expelled from the House of Representatives, according to the text of the expulsion resolution. Looking back at the last time a member of Congress was expelled -- Ohio Democratic Rep. James Traficant back in 2002 -- Santos would immediately lose most of his privileges – such as the use of Capitol facilities, the power to speak or vote on the House floor and any access to equipment or other technology provided by Congress -- such a cell phones or a personal computer.

Rhiannon12866

Lawrence O'Donnell: 'Lying' Republicans want Santos gone but still support Trump

brooklynite

Gavin Newsom and Ron DeSantis debate abortion, taxes, crime and who's the bigger bully

(NBC News) Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and California Gov. Gavin Newsom duked it out in a roughly two-hour debate Thursday that was heavy on contrasts between their leadership of two of the nation’s largest states but lighter on references to the ongoing presidential primaries — the race one of the men is currently running in. “There are profound differences tonight,” Newsom said in his opening statement to Fox News host Sean Hannity, who moderated the contest. “And I look forward to engaging [on them]. But there’s one thing in closing that we have in common ... neither of us will be the nominee for our party in 2024.”

Kennah

Russia's Main Link to China 'Paralyzed' After Tunnel 'Sabotage' -- Reports

(Newsweek) Russia's main rail link to China has been left paralyzed after Ukraine's Security Service blew up a tunnel in the Russian republic of Buryatia, it has been reported. The explosions in the Severomuysky Tunnel were masterminded by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), "paralyzing the only serious route of railway communication between the Russian Federation and China," news outlet RBC-Ukraine reported on Thursday, citing sources with knowledge of the matter.

dalton99a

Donald Trump Still Wants to Kill Obamacare. Why?

(New York Times) “Obamacare Sucks!!!” declared the former and possibly future president. For those offended by the language, these are Trump’s own words, and I think I owe it to my readers to report what he actually said, not sanitize it. Trump also promised to provide “MUCH BETTER HEALTHCARE” without offering any specifics. Why, then, is Trump still determined to kill a program that has improved many lives without busting the budget? Much of it, no doubt, reflects the general hostility of the modern Republican Party to any program that helps less fortunate Americans. But it’s hard to escape the sense that there’s also something personal involved.

Rhiannon12866

Donald Trump's gag order reinstated in civil fraud trial

muriel_volestrangler

Israel launches strikes on Gaza as fighting resumes after truce expires

(The Guardian) Israeli warplanes have attacked targets in Gaza after the end of a seven-day ceasefire, with strikes across much of the region that health officials in the territory said had killed 109 people. Loud, continuous explosions were heard coming from Gaza and black smoke billowed from the territory. Neither Israel nor Hamas had announced an extension to the truce, and both had said repeatedly in the previous 24 hours that their forces were ready to resume fighting.

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