That's why I made a distinction between the official reaction (to be delivered by Leavitt) and the (formally private) rants of His Orangeness. Leavitt will of course also sneer but the wording will be more conventional.
Admittedly it seems to be standard corruption for this administration. And so, easy to overlook (not in the "accept".sense). But I try to resist letting that become so normalized that it doesn't merit mention.
Not that Wang and Ididtarod champion Susan Butcher have similar ethoi - far from it - but rather that both get met with the same sort of dismissive criticism because they excel in ways that defy the expectations of how a woman of extraordinary skill and accomplishment should act within a conservative, patriarchal field of human endeavor.
As our part of the planet turns toward the sun this year, I remember the shy Laureli who didn’t get Susan Butcher’s autograph. Who heard people speak poorly of a woman who knew what she was doing and was doing it well. This spring, I think that if Susan Butcher could change the way thousands of dogs are treated leading up to and during a 1,000-mile race across Alaska, maybe we can spur change through our work and actions, too. Through care and our own feminine instincts, even if some people call us witches.
I guess the White House will officially be 'disappointed' and His Orangeness will commit the usual crimes against the English language in inexpertly expressing this sentiment via his social media account.
When I heard they (she?) awarded a nine-figure contract to an 8-day-old company, a big thought bubble with a question mark showed up above my head. It's not funny enough to be an Onion article, but it is ridiculous enough.
Well given that Trump has axed her (no matter the temporary face-saving position), there's obviously no problem for FBI folks to investigate, and the AG to bring charges. In short, she's lost the royal favor, so she's fair game.
Besides which, think how effective the brouhaha would be in keeping Epstein off the front page. Don't have to say more than that to get Trump on board.
I'm worried that the schadenfruede won't happen. She seems to have committed crimes involving contracts--not getting competitive bids, giving jobs to friends etc. WHo is going to investigate, bring charges?
On January 14, 2026, it was reported that former United States senator Jon Tester had successfully convinced Bodnar to run as an independent candidate for Montana's Class 1 Senate seat, facing off against Republican incumbent Steve Daines in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.[14] The news broke after a text message, allegedly sent by Tester to a confidant, was leaked to the Missoulian in which Tester criticized the Democratic Party, calling it "a poison in his attempts to get re-elected". The sender of the text message, purported to be Tester, further argued that Bodnar would have a stronger chance at defeating Daines running as a political independent than Democratic state legislator Reilly Neill, who was the then-frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.[15]
Cillizza says a couple of times 'but this is Montana'. It's hard to figure out if he's pointing out that the state went to Trump the past three presidential cycles (56%, 57%, and 58%) or that he thinks that they are all inbred idiots (or maybe both), but Tester got 44,000 more votes that Harris did, so there was split voting, and Tester tagged Sheehy as 'Transfer Tim' (he moved in from Minnesota), though Sheehy still won. Unfortunately, the newcomers to the state voted Republican.
There is no Democrat running, but Seth Bodnar is running as an independent. Bodnar was president of the Uni of Montana, and is a veteran. Montana has a strong relationship with Kumamoto, so I should start talking him up over here.
I'd personally be happy if we had several independents pick up seats, I'd like to think that it might help.
By waiting until the very last moment to withdraw, Mr. Daines essentially cleared the field for his chosen successor by denying others the chance to file to be on the ballot.
Don't know how well that will fly. Seems that all of his successor's opponents are going to run against the idea of a hand-picked successor who has not had to face any opposition. I know a few people who got really upset when Harris got the nod without having gone through a primary, and in that case it wasn't even her fault or Biden's intention to put her in that position.
Hopefully the Democratic candidate is someone who can exploit this opportunity.
Not a huge Chris Cillizza fan, (see https://pressthink.org/2012/08/everything-thats-wrong-with-political-journalism-in-one-washington-post-item/
and
https://www.pastemagazine.com/politics/chris-cillizza/chris-cillizza-milquetoast-hack-and-enemy-of-truth )
but he gives this about the Montana race
https://youtu.be/vTBcfv55twQ?si=tjkYL94FzQevEzcz
From a thousand miles away, and general ignorance: it seems like the key to the Democrats winning in Texas is the Latino vote. And, from what little I've read, Talarico seems to have better prospects on that front.
And it has to help that the Democrats are already rallying around. As for Cornyn and Paxton, I'm not much on the "bantam roosters" analogy. I yhink I'd rather go with "rabid weasels.". Just a personal preference, but I think it suits the participants better.
I know it says Texas, but in Montana... Daines, the incumbent US Senator up for reelection this year withdrew from the Republican primary today. The US Attorney for Montana filed for the Republican Senate primary at the last minute. Sheehy, the other Republican US Senator from Montana reportedly broke the hand of a uniformed Marine veteran as the vet was removed from a committee hearing room this afternoon.
There were about 100,000 more total votes in the D US Senate primary than there were in the R US Senate primary. Texas is still very red, but even with some election ratfucking going on, the Dems managed to turn out in competitive numbers.
Crockett has come out already for Talarico, trying to use her own momentum to boost him for the general election. Talarico still needs to go to the districts where Crockett won big and make sure to do some listening and show that he'll fight for them as well, but I'm sure he will be on that soon. The big difference between those two is more one of tone and emphasis than of any substantive policy difference.
Talarico did especially well in latinx border districts, which could be a promising sign for how latinx Trump voters might break now that it's clear that the R economic promises were bunk and their communities are a target.
Harris, who had endorsed Crockett, is already starting to reach out to her supporters to rally their support for Talarico.
...I hope Cornyn and Paxton go after each other like bantam roosters, and that both leave indelible marks on each other in the process.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.
On “A little language practice”
That's why I made a distinction between the official reaction (to be delivered by Leavitt) and the (formally private) rants of His Orangeness. Leavitt will of course also sneer but the wording will be more conventional.
On “The Last Noem Standing”
Admittedly it seems to be standard corruption for this administration. And so, easy to overlook (not in the "accept".sense). But I try to resist letting that become so normalized that it doesn't merit mention.
"
Yes, that is noteworthy and I should have included it. It's hard to keep up with all the absurd elements of these, um ... goings on.
On “Yuja Wang, networking, transactionality and that guy”
This piece from High Country News nails a lot of the gender dynamics floating beneath the surface in the Lebrecht/Wang exchanges:
https://www.hcn.org/issues/58-3/a-champion-iditarod-musher-proved-that-caring-and-trust-win-races/
Not that Wang and Ididtarod champion Susan Butcher have similar ethoi - far from it - but rather that both get met with the same sort of dismissive criticism because they excel in ways that defy the expectations of how a woman of extraordinary skill and accomplishment should act within a conservative, patriarchal field of human endeavor.
On “The Last Noem Standing”
a nine-figure contract to an 8-day-old company
That's a nine-figure no bid contract. Just to be clear.
On “A little language practice”
I will be pleasantly surprised if the administration is merely "disappointed.". What I expect is more like "outraged at the betrayal.".
"
I guess the White House will officially be 'disappointed' and His Orangeness will commit the usual crimes against the English language in inexpertly expressing this sentiment via his social media account.
On “The Last Noem Standing”
When I heard they (she?) awarded a nine-figure contract to an 8-day-old company, a big thought bubble with a question mark showed up above my head. It's not funny enough to be an Onion article, but it is ridiculous enough.
On “A little language practice”
Full disclosure: My brain went straight to Napoleon Dynamite.
On “The Last Noem Standing”
Well given that Trump has axed her (no matter the temporary face-saving position), there's obviously no problem for FBI folks to investigate, and the AG to bring charges. In short, she's lost the royal favor, so she's fair game.
Besides which, think how effective the brouhaha would be in keeping Epstein off the front page. Don't have to say more than that to get Trump on board.
"
I'm worried that the schadenfruede won't happen. She seems to have committed crimes involving contracts--not getting competitive bids, giving jobs to friends etc. WHo is going to investigate, bring charges?
"
Guess she was the puppy, cos she sure ain't the GOAT.
"
I’m worried that schadenfruede will be addictive.
I know what you mean, personally I can't wait for Pam Bondi. I notice Lindsey Halligan is already under investigation by the Florida Bar....
On “Yuja Wang, networking, transactionality and that guy”
Indeed
On “The ides of Texas”
And I think this is the Sheehy incident
https://youtube.com/shorts/1Rj9mXzscnU?si=Cz6Ht29ITxdR8Crt
"
More details from Bodnar's wikipedia page
On January 14, 2026, it was reported that former United States senator Jon Tester had successfully convinced Bodnar to run as an independent candidate for Montana's Class 1 Senate seat, facing off against Republican incumbent Steve Daines in the upcoming 2026 midterm elections.[14] The news broke after a text message, allegedly sent by Tester to a confidant, was leaked to the Missoulian in which Tester criticized the Democratic Party, calling it "a poison in his attempts to get re-elected". The sender of the text message, purported to be Tester, further argued that Bodnar would have a stronger chance at defeating Daines running as a political independent than Democratic state legislator Reilly Neill, who was the then-frontrunner for the Democratic nomination.[15]
"
Cillizza says a couple of times 'but this is Montana'. It's hard to figure out if he's pointing out that the state went to Trump the past three presidential cycles (56%, 57%, and 58%) or that he thinks that they are all inbred idiots (or maybe both), but Tester got 44,000 more votes that Harris did, so there was split voting, and Tester tagged Sheehy as 'Transfer Tim' (he moved in from Minnesota), though Sheehy still won. Unfortunately, the newcomers to the state voted Republican.
There is no Democrat running, but Seth Bodnar is running as an independent. Bodnar was president of the Uni of Montana, and is a veteran. Montana has a strong relationship with Kumamoto, so I should start talking him up over here.
I'd personally be happy if we had several independents pick up seats, I'd like to think that it might help.
"
According to the NYT:
Don't know how well that will fly. Seems that all of his successor's opponents are going to run against the idea of a hand-picked successor who has not had to face any opposition. I know a few people who got really upset when Harris got the nod without having gone through a primary, and in that case it wasn't even her fault or Biden's intention to put her in that position.
Hopefully the Democratic candidate is someone who can exploit this opportunity.
"
Not a huge Chris Cillizza fan, (see https://pressthink.org/2012/08/everything-thats-wrong-with-political-journalism-in-one-washington-post-item/
and
https://www.pastemagazine.com/politics/chris-cillizza/chris-cillizza-milquetoast-hack-and-enemy-of-truth )
but he gives this about the Montana race
https://youtu.be/vTBcfv55twQ?si=tjkYL94FzQevEzcz
"
I saw a bare mention of that, but no details. Any idea why?
"
From a thousand miles away, and general ignorance: it seems like the key to the Democrats winning in Texas is the Latino vote. And, from what little I've read, Talarico seems to have better prospects on that front.
And it has to help that the Democrats are already rallying around. As for Cornyn and Paxton, I'm not much on the "bantam roosters" analogy. I yhink I'd rather go with "rabid weasels.". Just a personal preference, but I think it suits the participants better.
"
I know it says Texas, but in Montana... Daines, the incumbent US Senator up for reelection this year withdrew from the Republican primary today. The US Attorney for Montana filed for the Republican Senate primary at the last minute. Sheehy, the other Republican US Senator from Montana reportedly broke the hand of a uniformed Marine veteran as the vet was removed from a committee hearing room this afternoon.
On “As it all falls down around our ears: An open thread”
On PredictIt, I bet on Crockett, so no joy. I bet against Paxton, so I'm still in the game on that one.
"
We've got some Texans here, so opening another post to talk about it.
"
Other hopeful signs (from TX):
There were about 100,000 more total votes in the D US Senate primary than there were in the R US Senate primary. Texas is still very red, but even with some election ratfucking going on, the Dems managed to turn out in competitive numbers.
Crockett has come out already for Talarico, trying to use her own momentum to boost him for the general election. Talarico still needs to go to the districts where Crockett won big and make sure to do some listening and show that he'll fight for them as well, but I'm sure he will be on that soon. The big difference between those two is more one of tone and emphasis than of any substantive policy difference.
Talarico did especially well in latinx border districts, which could be a promising sign for how latinx Trump voters might break now that it's clear that the R economic promises were bunk and their communities are a target.
Harris, who had endorsed Crockett, is already starting to reach out to her supporters to rally their support for Talarico.
...I hope Cornyn and Paxton go after each other like bantam roosters, and that both leave indelible marks on each other in the process.
*Comment archive for non-registered commenters assembled by email address as provided.