Mixed Signals Muddy the Political Landscape – “The Sunday Political Brunch” January 15, 2023

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

For months, I have been talking about how the U.S. Justice Department is handling the case of classified documents found at former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. At the same time, there was something of a lesser public investigation into a seized laptop computer belonging to current presidential son Hunter Biden. I realize the cases are “apples vs. oranges,” but my point was if one got prosecuted and the other wasn’t, it would smell to high heaven for a lot of people. Oh, how things have changed. Let’s “brunch” on that this week.

 

“What’s Good for the Goose…” – This week, word came that classified documents from his days in the Obama administration were found in former Vice-President Joe Biden’s home and office, and Attorney General Merrick Garland approved a formal Justice Department investigation.  Toss out the apples (but not Hunter’s laptop computer). We now have “apples to apples.” This may uncover other such transgressions by other departing officials. Remember former Clinton National Security Advisor Sandy Berger getting busted for stuffing classified documents down the front of his pants at the National Archives? I hate to say it, but my gut just says, “everybody does it.” I don’t like it, and it’s disappointing.

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“The Fallout” – Both Trump and Biden knew better. When you first come to Washington, whether in the White House or Congress, you get a very detailed ethics briefing about what you can, and can’t do, both in office, and departing from office. Certainly, Biden had far more experience in this, but Trump can’t claim ignorance. Trump said after the raid, “I am a victim.” No, he is not! Keeping classified documents is at the top of the list of big no-nos. Of the documents found at his home and office Biden said, “It’s not like they were sitting out on the street.” Is that an adequate defense? No. Biden and Trump are equally pathetic for trying to just “blow off” what is a serious national security issue.

 

“The 2024 Stand-Off” – I predict the Justice Department will not prosecute Trump unless it also prosecutes Biden. You can’t very well do one, without the other. Even if there are legal differences that would allow it, the optics to the public would be horrible and appear to many as grossly unfair. So, what if both men are nominated by their parties in 2024? I think the issue is moot. It’s basically a tie for last place. As I’ve predicted several times here, I doubt either will be a nominee in 2024. People in both parties are searching for viable alternatives.

 

“The President’s Bizarre Border Visit” – President Biden made his first visit to the troubled Southern Border last Sunday, to speak with law enforcement and view the migrant problem firsthand. And while he visited an intake center, no migrants were visible there to the media, or any other observers. According to a CNN report citing an administration official about the migrants, “There just weren’t any at the center when he arrived. Completely coincidental. They haven’t had any today.” Does anyone believe that? Coincidence, or coordinated political theatre?  Call me cynical. The problem has been highly visible and ongoing. Now it just vaporizes. Come on.

 

“The Abbott Habit” – Gov. Greg Abbott (R) Texas is certainly no ally of the Biden Administration, nor its immigration policies. He greeted President Biden in El Paso, where depending on who you listen to he was an invited, or uninvited guest. Be that as it may, Abbott called it a “cordial” visit and handed the president a letter basically blaming Biden for the illegal immigration surge at the border. Abbott is in his third term as governor, after serving three terms as attorney general, and before that was a justice on the Texas Supreme Court for five years. He is wheelchair-bound and is married to a Latina. Whether all of this stuff collectively matters to people, is up to them. But, you can’t discount him as a potential GOP candidate for president in 2024. Keep an eye on him.

 

“Feinstein Challenger” – After serving 30 years is the U.S. Senate, Sen. Diane Feinstein (D) California is now the oldest Member of Congress at the age of 89. She faces a big decision as to whether or not to run for another term in 2024. But her decision got something of a nudge this week. Rep. Kate Porter (D) California announced she will run for the seat in 2024, whether Feinstein is in the race, or not. “Especially in times like these, California needs a warrior in Washington,” Porter said in a Twitter video. Porter touts herself as a progressive, compared to the more bipartisan Feinstein. If she wins, Porter says she’ll be a tougher voice against the banking and pharmaceutical industries, and Wall Street. Republicans have not won statewide in California since 2006, so it’s likely a safe Democrat seat no matter the nominee.

 

“Bill Gates and Joe Manchin” – I got to cover a fascinating event this week. At the invitation of U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D) West Virginia, Microsoft icon and billionaire Bill Gates visited Charleston last Monday. Gates has a real interest in advancing nuclear energy in the U.S. and last year the West Virginia Legislature and Governor approved a new law to allow nuclear power plants to be built here. Gates is Chairman of Terra Power, which is converting a shuttered coal-fired power plant in Wyoming, into a nuclear power producer.

 

“The Nation’s Power Struggle” -- Gates departs with many liberals, in believing that nuclear power is very safe and very green. He’s considering converting an old coal power plant along the Kanawha River near Charleston, to nuclear. Such plants need a plentiful water source for cooling. “I actually think I’ll make money on it. I mean, I went into it for the climate benefits, but I also think it will be very economic, so I can take that profit and put into more energy work,” Gates said. Gates noted that while he supports wind and solar, those technologies are limited to when the wind is blowing, and the sun is shining. Nuclear, he says, is a safe, stable alternative. Stay tuned.

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