First and foremost, I do sincerely hope McConnell is ok, despite these incidents, though they certainly do not signal whole wellness. But the pause and disconcerted gaze here summed up my thoughts about the question posed quite well.
I can appreciate the political consideration in any event of resignation, though such is the hazard of seeking re-election to a six-year term (or voting for an incumbent in such a position) as a then near-octogenarian.
Haven't read Carter's book, but will have a gander. Thanks for that.
BrentinCO: In addition to the politics of WWI, it gets into their personal relationships and the family dynamics that occurred prior to the war. There probably was a feeling between those leaders, and particularly the people in their countries - that war could be avoided because of their personal relationships.
Ironically enough (or perhaps not ironically at all), I think history would bear out the postulation that a strong monarchy's most valuable asset is perhaps its most damning liability -- the powerful monarch's ability to adapt national disposition to his or her own personality. History is rich with examples on both sides of that one, though I think the balance is a clear one and skewing towards the negative.
BrentinCO: There is probably reasonable assumption that if Queen Victoria lived longer, she might have been able to stop World War I. All the cousins respected her and sought her approval. She probably stopped a war or two when she lived.
This is an interesting proposition. I'd have to read Carter and noodle it a bit. My armchair take is that Victoria might've been able to delay armed continental conflict via personal intervention, but that the manifestation of such a conflict would've transcended even the personalities involved, simply by virtue of the sheer tenuosness of the balance of power in Europe in the prelude and the interests at play independent of the respective monarchies.
BrentinCO: Kaiser Wilhelm was a man child and had a tough time understanding the right behavior for situation.
I am strained to think of any modern parallel at all... nope, got nothing.
While some (probably a minority) have grown to be reasonably well-adjusted as a member of a royal family, such an upbringing is hardly particularly corrective for those who are not so inclined.
BrentinCO: If Byrd were still alive and running for re-election, do you think his pork could save this for Democrats? I don't.
Probably not, if I'm in any way a representative sample -- the out-of-staters going for this type of stuff won't be of much help votes-wise. But to more seriously engage with the question you posed, I think the narrative would be some variation on the theme we've already seen in races -- sure, there's pork, but everyone with a (D) next to their name is complicit in policy that eliminates coal jobs and renders the pork useless to those who can't afford to use it because of [insert anti-Biden talking point here]. Given the persistence of endemic poverty in WV (coupled with the present distaste for debilitatingly elderly officeholders who aren't named Trump), I suspect that narrative would be met receptively in many quarters.
I say none of this, by the way, to speak derisively of WV. I have friends there, enjoy visiting, and have generally found it to be one of the most naturally beautiful states in the country.
To be honest, though, it was a very straight-forward question. "Will you be talking about the Uyghurs in your campaign?" Can't say if Suarez simply wasn't familiar with the (most common) pronunciation of the term "Uyghur" and that's what caught him off guard (see [Link] ), but I have my doubts, and am frankly not disposed to give him the benefit.
MadViking: Why di Billionaires seem to have such fragile egos?
I've long been of the impression that attaining such status follows from fragility of ego in very many cases, rather than the inverse. Such excess is compensatory in Elon's case (and many others), I think -- in this case a guy whose self-worth seems reliant upon being regarded as unquestionably the smartest in any given room and receiving the deference that comes with such deluded status.
P. H. Nargeolet had more experience diving on Titanic than anyone, and spent more time with the ship than the captain himself in her short life. That he saw it fit to do so in a submersible of such apparently controversial construction is a tragic, and stark, reminder that humanity -- irrespective of experience or feats of technology or engineering -- is and remains at the mercy of its environment. This is the lesson of Titanic and now, tragically, of Titan, and it is as pointed and poignant now as it ever was.
May the five crew, and the (rising) number of souls lost in the Mediterranean disaster, rest in peace.
BrentinCO: Three day weekend. Most people have their minds on their kids graduation or summer vacations starting. The ideal slow news weekend 3pm news drop opportunity. Wonder if we'll get any surprises today.
Santos resigning?
Feinstein retiring?
I worked in political journalism for a short period (writer, very junior). The specter of the late afternoon, holiday weekend news drop always loomed heavily, at least for me. Reading about it is far more fun!
Well, if there was one lesson to be drawn from SpaceX's (attempted) launch of StarShip last month, it is perhaps to give very careful, measured consideration before tasking Elon Musk with a big launch. Yikes.
Interesting, if (very) obscure, tidbit. At the same time Ed Muskie was a first-year law student at Cornell, Bill Rogers, Muskie's future predecessor as U.S. Secretary of State, was in his third and final year at Cornell Law. [Link] So, at a fairly small, then regional and very isolated law school in rural upstate New York, are two future Secretaries of State for the 1936-37 academic year. And I'd hazard a guess that neither knew (or perhaps even knew of) the other, though apparently Sol Linowitz was a mutual friend during that time (at least per Paul Sarbanes). [Link]
It's of only tangential relation to the story here, of course, but I very recently came across the below footage and thought it was interesting. Raw Oval Office footage from Carter's final hours in office, coinciding with the final hours of the Iran hostage crisis. Ed Muskie, Hamilton Jordan, a broad cast of others throughout. I'd have posted it on Carter's page, but didn't want to cause a stir.
RP: So I guess instead of the "Yang Gang" we have the "Ramaswamy Tsunami"?
Underrated comment re: an overhyped candidate. Just like Yang -- who, I might add, speaks with *great* authority on the subject of winning elections (even primaries).
BrentinCO: Innamorato breaks the curse by winning.
Well, no reason to believe she won't prevail in November, but she technically hasn't done so yet here. Joe Rockey won't come anywhere close, but he isn't some slouch off the street either (ex-Chief Risk Officer at PNC Financial) and I expect he can pick off a few moderates here or there if he runs intelligently.
RP: Since PA has closed primaries, independents may not turn out.
Right. No non-partisan questions on this year's primary ballot (at least at the state level) either. Query whether independent turnout itself will be lower than a just a one-off special election separate from the primary, but I'd certainly expect the ratio of Rs/Ds to Is to be higher. That can be a factor.
RFK Jr.'s playbook, it seems to me, is about the same as Trump's, and equally as simple. Be ceaselessly incendiary, make a scene, sit back, and see what happens. I bet he'd be very pleased with himself to see how much ink has been spilled on his BS already.
BrentinCO: Any of the knowledgeable Pennsy folks have any reason to believe this won't go for Boyd? I guess control is at stake in this election.
Flukey primary day turnout could push it, I suppose, though there are contested races for all three appellate courts in both primaries this year, except for the Superior Court on the GOP side, so not sure the up-ballot races will have much of an effect. Conventional wisdom does suggest to me it'll go for Boyd, though.
CaliforniaModerate: I’ve got to think leadership quietly regrets all this.
I'm sure Republicans realize this makes them look bad, but it's hard for them to care since heavily gerrymandered districts will prevent any negative electoral consequence for them.
Absolutely this. The Republican Party has demonstrated no interest in pursuing the support of those to whom this is a bad look. What a circus sideshow, this whole incident has been.
Would've been marginally more believable if it wasn't 65 degrees in Rome this time of the year. Don't care how old you are -- 65 degrees is too hot for a puffer.
