Closing the vacation tabs …
Hahahaha the Democrats are so cringe that even Morning Joe admits they are embarrassing themselves 😂
“You can see the Democrats are trying to find their footing and it’s quite embarrassing, actually.
I mean, Gavin Newsom. Have you seen what he’s doing online? And it’s like,… pic.twitter.com/Vu746UNY8y
— TheStormHasArrived (@TheStormRedux) August 20, 2025
Ed: Gavin Newsom is the epitome of a politician whose favorite color is plaid, and whose core value is himself. Trump’s appeal isn’t in all-caps statements. That Newsom thinks it is speaks volumes about his competence and perceptivity. And he may be the *best* Democrat in terms of listening to voters.
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Politico: Multiple California Common Cause advisory board members have resigned as the organization grapples with its response to a national gerrymandering battle, three people familiar with the situation confirmed.
The departures speak to a fraught moment for an organization that has historically supported independent redistricting and fought the kinds of partisan map-drawing that California Democrats are now pursuing. Common Cause — the national group — last week reversed on its previous position and said it would not oppose California’s effort to counter Texas.
Ed: At least some of that board operate on principles, as misguided as they may be. Newsom clearly does not.
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Perhaps it is because Newsom has never had to win over Republicans, independents, or centrist Democrats to win in California that he does not understand this is not what gettable voters in states like Pennsylvania are longing for https://t.co/7Qoo0r5iWB
— ZitoSalena (@ZitoSalena) August 20, 2025
Ed: The article is paywalled, but Salena’s argument here is sound. It applies to more than just Newsom too. Democrats who are turning to deep-blue-state governors for 2028 are fooling themselves, and Republicans will tear into their records with enthusiasm. These are the same people who are leading Democrats into the 20% side of 80/20 questions in the national electorate.
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Mark Z. Barabak in the LA Times: Democrats are powerless in Washington, where a pliant Republican-controlled Congress and a supine right-wing Supreme Court have shown all the deference of a maître d’ squiring Trump to his favorite table. So the idea of doing something to push back against the president is quite invigorating and, no doubt, gratifying for Democratic partisans.
It’s also expedient and facile, sparing the party from looking inward and doing the truly hard work it faces. Taking on Republicans over redistricting — a fight among insiders, as far as many voters are concerned — does absolutely nothing to address the larger problem confronting Democrats, which is the absence of any broader message beyond: Trump, bad!
We saw how that worked for them in 2024.
But this is a “break-the-glass” moment for our democracy. Gov. Newsom said so!
Please.
Ed: I wrote about this earlier, and it’s interesting to see that realization finally coming to platforms like the LAT and MSNBC (sorry, MS NOW). This isn’t even selling in California. Newsom is every bit the dead end that Kamala Harris and Tim Walz were last year, and Joe Biden before that.
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🚨 BREAKING: In another stunning embarrassment for Gavin Newsom, the Chairman of Bed Bath & Beyond announces they will NOT open any retail stores in California.
“We’re taking a stand because it’s time for common sense.”
The reasoning:
– High taxes
– High fees
– Forced,… pic.twitter.com/QxE6Rr0rSE— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) August 20, 2025
The reasoning:
– High taxes
– High fees
– Forced, unsustainable wages“California has created one of the most overregulated, expensive, and risky environments for businesses in America.”
The Chairman said, “We will have stores in almost every other state.”
Rumor has it, Gavin Newsom’s team is currently plugging this press release into ChatGPT and asking for a Trump Imitation response as a coping mechanism.
Ed: Just FYI, BedBath & Beyond closed all its stores months ago after failing to come out of bankruptcy. Overstock bought up the assets and are now planning to relaunch under the BBB brand. I enjoyed shopping there and hope it works out, but they aren’t the only business avoiding the Golden State. In-N-Out just relocated to Tennessee, and California’s middle class has been leaving the state in droves.
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Dallas Morning News: Debate has begun in the Texas House on a rare mid-decade redistricting proposal that could be crucial for Republicans to maintain control of Congress in the 2026 midterm election. …
Republican House Speaker Dustin Burrows has since ordered around-the-clock monitoring by Department of Public Safety officers of any Democrats who participated in the quorum break.
That spawned another Democratic protest, led by Fort Worth Democrat Rep. Nicole Collier, who on Monday refused to sign a permission slip submitting to the police escort. She has since been confined to the House chamber in the Capitol and was joined by several Democrats who tore up their own permission slips Tuesday after Collier’s effort gained national attention.
Ed: Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
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“I have nothing against diversity, equity, and inclusion. But as Voltaire said about the Holy Roman Empire: it was neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire.” pic.twitter.com/BDq5zp7fts
— Steven Pinker (@sapinker) August 20, 2025
Ed: Indeed. And good to see my friend Nick Gillespie as part of this conversation.
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NBC News: A New York state Department of Health employee who was charged with stalking and harassing family members of the slain UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been put on leave from his job.
Shane Daley, 40, was arrested last week and accused of “sending harassing and threatening voicemail messages to a family member” of Thompson, according to authorities.
His employer said Tuesday in a statement that Daley was placed on administrative leave.
Ed: Luigiism is big on the Left, where “by any means necessary” is a slogan rather than a red flag. Despicable. It’s not enough that their betes noires get murdered by back-shooting cowards, but the familes of the victims must be tortured as well.
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Three Floridians are dead because California gave a commercial driver’s license to a criminal illegal alien.
California Democrats prioritize illegal aliens over law-abiding Americans.
Florida will NEVER tolerate this reckless policy—we protect our people and won’t let… pic.twitter.com/urp0gdsaQW
— Megforflorida (@megforflorida) August 20, 2025
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WSJ: Billionaire Bill Ackman has a new fascination: a fast-growing private school that eschews lessons on diversity, equity and inclusion and uses artificial intelligence to speed-teach children in two hours.
Alpha School is launching a New York City location in September, and the investor and social-media commentator has been acting as something of an ambassador for the institution, according to people familiar with the matter.
Ed: This is the way. Of course, this depends on the quality of the AI. I’d be more receptive to traditional methods and classical education, but I’ll take this as a step in the right direction.
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This is your Democratic party ladies and gentlemen…
Let’s see if Rhode Island’s AG Devon Flanagan faces any consequences. pic.twitter.com/8ipneFrmq2
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) August 20, 2025
Ed: I’m not holding my breath.
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🚨 It’s time for the insanity to stop. Girls are girls. Boys are boys. And punishing young men for speaking up about their discomfort is not normal. pic.twitter.com/EneF7YI3F9
— Winsome Earle-Sears (@winwithwinsome) August 20, 2025
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