Let the 4th Fireworks Distract Political Fireworks – “The Sunday Political Brunch”

Sunday, July 02, 2023

Mark Curtis, MINDSETTER™

 

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President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump PHOTOS: 2020 Debate

Call me cynical, but I think a lot of stories are planted with the hope of good political times. This week people are suddenly racing to get out of town, and with the holiday lasting through Tuesday, there will be a lot of focus on getting away from home this week, and back home next week. In short, it’s an opportunity to drop some bad political news on both sides of the aisle without many people paying attention. Let’s “brunch” on that this week:

 

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“Trumpeting the Trump Tapes” – Various news outlets this week are playing audio excerpts of former President Trump recorded at his Bedminster Golf Course in New Jersey, where he discussed documents he retained from the White House. Former President Donald Trump can be heard in an audio recording, and apparently showing and discussing — "off the record," he says — what he describes as "highly confidential, secret" documents with a writer and aides in 2021.

 

“The Smoking Gun Quote” -- "It is like highly confidential, secret. This is secret information. Look, look at this. You attack and…" Trump can be heard saying, before another person interrupts. The audio was first obtained by CNN, and has also been aired by CBS News, The New York Times, and other major news outlets. At one point he says he could have declassified the memos but can’t anymore after leaving the White House. This will be critical evidence if his case ever reaches a federal criminal courtroom. But I predict it will have devastating political consequences as well.

 

“Biden Has Problems, Too” – Mr. Trump’s only saving grace is that there is dirt being dumped on the Biden family, too. An IRS whistle-blower has come forward to say he thought there should be further investigation into Hunter’s business dealing and tax problems, with potential links to his father. The IRS agent said on CBS News and elsewhere, his supervisors blocked him. Of course, the two cases are ostensibly about two different issues and problems. The Trump issues deal with actions by the ex-president himself, while the Biden issue deals with actions by the commander-in-chief’s son. But really, what critics and investigators want to ultimately do is link Hunter Biden’s actions to his father’s international position of influence.

 

“Whistleblower Quotes” – Perhaps the most damming information comes from a Hunter Biden email as secured as part of a House probe, where he wrote to a Chinese businessman: "I am sitting here with my father… we would like to understand why the commitment made has not been fulfilled," Hunter Biden allegedly wrote. He added, "I would like to resolve this now before it gets out of hand" and "now means tonight." But the current Justice Department pointed out the present U.S. Attorney in Delaware was a Trump appointee allowed to stay on the case when Biden was sworn in. "As I said from the moment of my appointment as attorney general, I would leave this matter in the hands of the United States attorney who was appointed by the previous president," said Attorney General Merrick Garland, referring to Trump appointee Weiss.

 

“As of now: Advantage Biden” - This may not sustain itself, but in the short term, you essentially have Trump, testifying against Trump, if this recording is admissible in federal court. Biden’s problem is hearsay, from one outside party to another. It’s not like he was recorded in his own voice. It was his son’s. Still, the whistleblower could have documented and well-covered his tracks, so let’s see if there is an official paper trail. The bottom line, it may be more damning to the IRS than to the Biden family, but let’s see where the trail of breadcrumbs goes.

 

“My Predictions?” – I have said it in this column a number of times, and to some I know it’s a dark prognostication. It’s early in the process, but I don’t believe the names Donald Trump nor Joe Biden will appear on the November 2024 general election ballot. I believe Republicans will toss Trump over serious legal concerns, and I believe Democrats will toss Biden over health concerns. Is it fair in either case? Well like him or not, Trump deserves the presumption of innocence like any other American, but there will be doubts even if we’ve not had a complete trial. With Biden, he’d be the oldest ever elected, and there are concerns about his mental health. Voters want competence, no matter which side of the aisle. There are a lot of distractions in both camps that can torpedo that. I still predict two different nominees.

 

“Bidenomics?” – This past week, President Biden traveled to Chicago to deliver a speech on his economic plan, past, present, and future. Of course, during his first two years in office, with inflation hovering at a 40-year high of 9-plus percent, gas prices soared above $5 dollars a gallon, and with supply chain shutdowns due to COVID-19, food prices went off the charts. Still, Republicans were hardly able to monopolize on that in 2022, just barely retaking the House and failing to retake the Senate. Still, the Biden event likely fell on deaf ears. There was a 1 p.m. EDT live speech on Thursday, with network break-ins. But the national TV audience is low at that time, and people get mad for interrupting their soap operas. Plus, you had major Canadian brush fire smoke reports from one of the hardest regions in the U.S. Please don’t ask me, a professional political reporter, what Biden said. If I’m that tuned out, the public probably is, too. Talk about a poorly planned and timed event that they should have seen coming. Wow!

 

“Supreme Court Politics” – The divisive Supreme Court rulings this week will be painted in detail on the 2024 election landscape. The 6-3 ruling overturning the concept of affirmative action in college entrance admissions is huge, as was killing student loan forgiveness. Biden’s biggest argument will be, “We need to reelect me, as I will likely appoint two more justices to the U.S. Supreme Court.” That could make the high court at a slim 5-4 Democrat majority. Trump’s biggest accomplishment, even if he does not win in 2024, is appointing three justices who helped overturn abortion and affirmative action rights. His pitch will be “stay the course,” with two elder Republican appointees to likely to retire in the next term. This will be a top-three 2024 campaign issue behind the economy and national security (aka border security).

Mark Curtis, Ed.D., is Chief Political Reporter for the seven Nexstar Media TV stations serving West Virginia, its five neighboring states and the entire Washington, DC media market. He is also a MINDSETTER™ contributing political writer and analyst for www.GoLocalProv.com and its affiliates.


 

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