Archives for May 2016

With Donald Trump winning today’s Indiana primary, it is all but certain he will be the Republican presidential standard bearer come November. Call Trump what you want: buffoon, con artist, racist, narcissist, whatever. As surreal as this may be, get used to calling him Donald J. Trump, the 2016 GOP presidential nominee.

Trump’s only real competitor, Ted Cruz, saw the crushing loss in Indiana for what it was … the end of the road. He announced his formal withdrawal from the presidential race while, at the same time, vowing to never give up fighting for his principles. Might we see Cruz again, at a future date, as a possible Republican presidential nominee? You betcha!

On the Democratic side, Bernie Sanders beat Hillary Clinton in the Hoosier State. But since delegates are awarded proportionately (unlike Republicans), the math didn’t improve much for Bernie. He is still far behind Clinton in the pledged delegate count and is trailing badly among super delegates.

Folks, we are looking at a thrilling Trump v. Clinton slugfest, race towards the bottom.

With Trump you get an inexperienced real estate billionaire and TV reality star that has offended just about every group needed to win a general election. A candidate heartily endorsed by the KKK because his views on immigrants closely resemble theirs. A candidate who likes to call women bimbos and pigs. A candidate who will build the most beautiful wall you’ve ever seen along the Mexican border… and have Mexicans foot the bill! A candidate who will defeat ISIS in a matter of weeks. Yea that guy.

With Clinton you get a highly experienced politician who has paid her dues and believes the presidency is rightfully hers. A candidate seeped in one scandal after another going back to her days as First Lady. A candidate who commands $250,00 speaking fees from Wall Street fat cats. A candidate whose family foundation, the Clinton Foundation, has accepted millions from questionable foreign sources. A candidate progressive Democrats label a Republican. Yea that woman.

If Donald Trump were indeed the Republican presidential nominee, he would be the most despised presidential nominee in our nation’s history. Following close behind, Hillary Clinton would be the second most disliked nominee… ever.

No matter who wins in November, our nation’s next president will be abhorred by huge segment of Americans. The issue for voters will be which candidate is the lesser of two evils; the less polarizing and less detested of the two presidential candidates.

As the Soviet-born comedian, Yakov Smirnoff, might say, “What a country!”

Photo | cnn.com

Not to be outdone by other Republican-controlled legislatures, a small town in Alabama has actually made it a crime to use the wrong bathroom.

Oxford, Alabama unanimously passed an ordinance this week criminalizing the use of any public restroom that doesn’t correspond with a person’s gender listed on his or her birth certificate.

Anyone found violating the ordinance could face a $500 fine or up to six months in jail.

Perhaps southern states might better serve their citizens if lawmakers regulated “trans fats” rather than “trans genders.” Sure might help with that obesity problem, y’all.

Proving once again he is a natural at comedy, President Obama last night delivered his last White House Correspondents’ dinner speech to a room filled with journalists, celebrities and Bernie Sanders.

Bernie attended the formal affair in the same blue suit he routinely wears at his rallies while Jane, his wife, wore an elegant evening dress more appropriate for the black tie event.

Obama even quipped about Bernie’s look.

“Bernie you look like a million bucks. Or to put it in terms you’ll understand, you look like 37,000 donations of $27.”

Obama started his stand up routine by noting, if his material worked well, “I am gonna use it at Goldman Sachs next year.”

He observed that next year, “Someone else will be standing here in this very spot and it is anyone’s guess who she will be.”

Probably the best one-liner of the night came when Obama spoke of his recent, surprisingly-high approval ratings. “The last time I was this high,” said the President, “I was trying to decide on my major.”

As great as Obama was with his monologue, the real comedian and host for the evening, Larry Wilmore, was a flop. No doubt it is hard following an act like Obama’s. Add the fact that your material is not funny, and your delivery did not resonate with your crowd, it’s a given you will not be asked back for a repeat gig.

Contrary to what many of his detractors may think, Obama will go down as one of our nation’s best and most consequential presidents. He will no doubt be remembered as our country’s greatest Comedian in Chief … ever.

It is hard to imagine next year’s WHC dinner. Hillary just isn’t a natural at comedy like Barry.

Photo | politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com