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Billionaire Donald Trump Needs Money … How Rich!

July 1, 2016 By John DeProspo Leave a Comment

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From day one, Trump bragged about his wealth.

When Trump announced his candidacy last year at his gilded Trump Tower, he wanted it to be known he was wealthy, very wealthy. “I’m not using the lobbyists. I’m not using donors. I don’t care. I’m really rich, I can assure you that.”

Trump’s wealth, which he has estimated to be around $10 billion, has been a big draw for Trump supporters. Here is a mega-rich guy, say followers, who can’t be bought like other politicians. Here is a man who is funding his own campaign.

Thing is, very few people in the know believe Trump’s net worth is remotely close to what he claims it to be. Fortune magazine earlier this month estimated Trump’s net worth at $3.92 billion based on the latest financial disclosure. Some financial analysts, however, are questioning whether Trump is even a billionaire in light of the mountain of debt he carries.

If you want to understand a con man, look to his actions, not his words.

According to a report filed with the Federal Election Commission last week, Trump’s campaign had a total of $1.3 million in the bank as of May 31. This paled in comparison to the Clinton’s reported $42 million. Her super PAC Priorities USA has $52 million.

Wouldn’t a true self-funding multi-billionaire have a little more scratch on hand? Why wouldn’t Trump just sweeten his campaign coffers with, say, a measly $100 million check?

Today we learned the Trump camp is soliciting foreign donations. Why would a self-funding multi-billionaire do this … a clear violation of federal campaign laws?

“Donald J. Trump’s presidential campaign committee is violating black-letter federal law by sending campaign fundraising emails to foreign nationals — including foreign politicians — in at least Iceland, Scotland, Australia and Britain,” the nonprofit, nonpartisan group, The Campaign Legal Center, said in a statement. The group filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission highlighting this violation.

There is no doubt Donald Trump is a wealthy man. But it appears his much bragged about riches may just be a figment of his very vivid imagination and not the reflection of what some might call reality.

Photo | donaldjtrump.com

Donald Trump Limited In VP Choice

June 30, 2016 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

As a political novice, Trump’s vice presidential pick will have an outsized impact on his chances of winning the presidency. Many observers believe Trump needs a skilled and experienced running mate to help him get across the finish line.

Funny thing … most Republican politicians who fit the bill have made it known, publically or through surrogates, they are not interested

“Never,” said Chris Schrimpf, a spokesman for Gov. John Kasich of Ohio. “No chance.”

“Scott Walker has a visceral negative reaction to Trump’s character,” said Ed Goeas, a longtime adviser to the Wisconsin governor.

South Carolina Senator, Lindsey Graham, perhaps put it best, “That’s like buying a ticket on the Titanic.”

Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina and Senator Jeff Flake of Arizona have been emphatic that they do not want to be considered as Mr. Trump’s running mate.

It is uncertain who is on Trump’s list of VP choices or when he might announce his pick. Often, a candidate in Trump’s position would make an announcement shortly before the nominating convention, as did Mitt Romney.

The Republicans hold their convention in Cleveland, Ohio, starting on July 18th. But being the showman he is, look for Trump to announce his “significant other” at the convention. What better way to assure peak interest and huge ratings!

Many up and coming Republican politicians have privately stated that Trump’s unusually high unfavorable ratings with all voters and his unpopularity among women and Hispanics could doom him as a general election candidate and damage their own future political prospects if they were his vice presidential pick.

Justifiably, no one wants be associated with a brand on the skids.

Trump’s best bet for a running mate might be someone in the “twilight” of their political career. One who has nothing to lose.

There are two Republicans, rumored to be on Trump’s short list, who might fit the bill… Newt Gingrich and Chris Christie. Both have publically stated they’d be honored to be Trump’s VP pick. And both are political has-beens … one long out of the political spotlight and the other a man who saw a promising career get washed away under a mighty bridge.

Then there is Marco Rubio, who has said, “I have never sought, will not seek and do not want to be considered for Vice President.”

Sounds to me as if Rubio would be more than thrilled to be Trump’s co-pilot!

Photo | linkedin.com

Brexit Ballot… So Elementary As To Be Confusing

June 29, 2016 By John DeProspo Leave a Comment

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The United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union … a done deal? Not so fast.

The ballot could not have been simpler or clearer. Should the United Kingdom Remain in or Leave the European Union? The Leave side beat the Remain side, 52% to 48%. Close, but a clear victory for the Leavers. Right?

Well, maybe.

It now seems many of the Leavers are claiming they “mis-voted.” They actually want to remain in the European Union but cast a Leave vote as a form of protest. They are claiming they never believed their vote would matter as the Remain side was sure to carry the day. A new second ballot, some Leavers are suggesting, is in order.

An online petition for a UK revote has been organized, with over 3.5 million signatures collected to date.

While in theory anything is possible, do not expect a do-over vote based on what amounts to sour grapes. For proper Brits, it would be so undemocratic!

There is one plausible complaint, however, which could very well trigger a revote … the ballot was so simple as to be confusing!

Nowhere in the ballot is the word “leave” defined.

The Cambridge English Dictionary gives multiple definitions of “leave.” One is to go away from someone or something, for a short time or permanently.

As one can plainly see, the ballot does not indicate if the leaving is temporary (separation) or permanent (divorce). “Leave” can also mean ” allow to remain,” as in “Lets take out these ingredients but leave the rest in.”

The master of word meanings, Bill Clinton, is an excellent guide here. What can seem so plain on its face can actually be quite difficult to decipher. Everything needs to be properly defined.

Contending that his statement that “there’s nothing going on between us” had been truthful because he had no ongoing relationship with Monica Lewinsky at the time he was questioned, Clinton said, “It depends upon what the meaning of the word ‘is’ is.”

The Brits are sticklers for the proper use of their language. Some who voted to “brexit” can argue with a straight face, and logic on their side, they did not know what the meaning of “leave” was.

The Great State Texas Now Wants To Imitate Great Britain

June 27, 2016 By John DeProspo 1 Comment

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After the United Kingdom voted to escape the yoke of the European Union (EU), it didn’t take long for Texas wacko birds to also want to fly the coop.

What had been dubbed “Brexit” (British exit from the EU) has now given rise to “Texit,” the Lone Star State’s long fascination to secede from the United States.

Daniel Miller, president of the Texas Nationalist Movement, said, “The vast majority of the laws, rules and regulations that affect the people of Texas are created by the political class or unelected bureaucrats in Washington.”

Unfortunately for Miller and his band of secessionists, the UK’s relationship with the EU is not the same as Texas’ status as a state within the United States. When the Confederacy (of which Texas was a part) surrendered at Appomattox in 1865, the idea of secession was also defeated. The Union’s victory set a precedent that states could not legally secede.

“This is a myth,” insists Miller. “ Texas does not need permission from the federal government to conduct a referendum and exit the union. The United States Constitution is silent on the matter which, through the 10th Amendment, reserves that power to the people of Texas.”

The fact that secession is a non-starter has not stopped Texas Republican Party delegates from recently debating whether or not to add secessionist language to the party’s platform.

The Texas Nationalist Movement has formally called on the Texas governor to support a similar up or down vote for Texans, akin to the UK’s. The office of Gov. Greg Abbott has yet to comment.

While a great number of Americans would be more than happy to give Texas back its independence, it is clear the only way for such a split to happen would be, not through the ballot box, but through armed insurrection.

Ironically, the secessionists would have to resort to “second amendment remedies” granted in a constitution they refuse to be bound by.

Photo| dailymail.co.uk

After Consulting With Family Checkbook, Rubio will Seek Reelection

June 22, 2016 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

During his run for the Republican presidential nomination, Florida Senator Marco Rubio made it clear it was the White House or bust. If he failed in his effort to win the presidency, he would not seek reelection to a job that, quite frankly, he hated.

“I don’t know that ‘hate’ is the right word,” Rubio was quoted as saying during his primary run. “I’m frustrated… That’s why I’m missing votes. Because I am leaving the Senate. I am not running for reelection.”

Rubio’s resolve to leave the Senate showed signs of cracking last week.

“I’ll go home later this week, I’ll have some time with my family,” Rubio told reporters in the Capitol. “If there’s been a change in our status, I’ll be sure to let everyone know.”

Today, Rubio has let us know. He will run for reelection to the Senate after all.

Rubio, according to recent polls, is the strongest Republican in a potential race against the Democrats’ strongest candidate, Rep. Patrick Murphy, in a contest that could very well decide control of the Senate.

With his 180-degree turn, Rubio confirmed what many observers suspected… he would not give up one of the most coveted, cushiest jobs in the country.

A United States Senator earns a base pay of $174, 000. But that is just the beginning of a sweet gig. Add in health insurance, retirement benefits, allowances for a personal staff of anywhere from 26 to 60, expense allowances and a generous foreign travel allowance, you have one helluva package.

But the best part about the job, as we have seen over the past eight years, is that you collect all those benefits for virtually doing nothing!

If Rubio does secure his party’s nomination, his Democratic challenger will be either Patrick Murphy or Alan Grayson.

I am pulling for a Little Marco – Big Alan matchup.

Photo | thehill.com

Hostage Standoff Ends … Trump And GOP Come To Terms

June 20, 2016 By John DeProspo 2 Comments

After weeks of intense negotiations, Donald Trump and a large contingent of attorneys representing GOP moneyed interests have struck a deal to free the Republican Party from it’s cagey captor, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

Reports have put the total ransom paid at $150 million.

“ We feel the amount paid is a reasonable sum to get our party back,” said attorney Miles Farnsworth. “We knew, going in, it would take a large number to get Mr. Trump to relinquish his hold on our beloved GOP. We are all truly grateful we were able to successfully end – without bloodshed – the first hostage situation involving a national political party in our nation’s history.”

Sources familiar with the negotiations are reporting Trump’s original demand to end the crisis was $5 billion.

Said Farnsworth,” We were all aware of Trump’s negotiating tactics: start absurdly high and work your way down to the realm of reality. My team and I all made sure to read up on Trump’s “The Art of the Steal.”

The breaking news confirms widely held suspicions Trump kidnapped the Republican Party as part of a master plan to secure enough money from GOP moneymen to launch his own media empire. (So You Still Think Trump Wants To Be Prez?)

“ I think we got off cheap,” said the always joyful RNC Chairman, Reince Priebus. “We now can get back to the business of picking a true conservative candidate who will lead our party back to the White House in November.”

Not all Republicans, however, are as optimistic as the Chairman.

Bobby Jindal, a former presidential candidate who famously called his party the “stupid party,” thinks it was a mistake to rescue the party from Trump.

“Look,” said Jindal,”Trump has done so much harm to our party by holding it captive for so long I do not believe we can ever restore it to its former glory… at least not by November.”

“Our party is now damaged goods,” Jindal went on to say. “The smart move would have been to not pay the ransom. What’s the point? The devastation done to our party, I believe, is irreperable.”

“We would have been better off saving the $150 million, letting Trump kill the party as he threatened and just create a new party starting next year. Heck, we are going to lose this election no matter what we do or who we pick as our nominee!”

For all the incompetence displayed by Jindal while governor of Louisiana, the man can sometimes make a lot of sense.

Illustration | Pat Bagley-TheSaltLakeTribune

Happy Father’s Day, Barack And Donald!

June 19, 2016 By John DeProspo 6 Comments

Donald Trump: “If Ivanka weren’t my daughter, perhaps, I would be dating her.”

President Obama: “As the father of two young daughters, I know that being a father is one of the most important jobs any man can have.”

‘Nuff said.

Photos | politicususa.com; Pete Souza/The White House via AP

So You Still Think Trump Wants To Be Prez?

June 17, 2016 By John DeProspo Leave a Comment

This past week, after the horror in Orlando, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee called President Obama an ISIS sympathizer. He then followed that up with telling Republican Party leaders who criticized him to either support him or shut up. He’ll run his own damn campaign, thank you!

Hardly the actions of a serious presidential candidate, ya think?

To the chagrin of the GOP establishment, Trump remains stuck in primary election mode. There is no modulating his divisive rhetoric to appeal to a broader general election populace. With the most recent ABC News/ Washington Post poll showing Trump is disliked by 70% of all American voters, can there still be any question about Trump’s true desire to be our nation’s next Commander in Chief?

Yesterday, Vanity Fair put out a report that could very well make sense out of this whole mishegoss.

“Trump is indeed considering creating his own media business, built on the audience that has supported him thus far in his bid to become the next president of the United States,” said Vanity Fair writer, Sarah Ellison.

Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, and owner of The New York Observer, was quoted as saying, “We’ve triggered a base of the population that hasn’t had a voice in a long time.”

That Trump wants to create Trump TV by making sure the inevitable happens in November makes perfect sense and explains why the former TV reality star is acting in the most “unpresidential” manner that he can. He wants to keep that 30% of the American public who support him entertained and primed to back his next business venture.

Of course, Hope Hicks, Trump’s spokeswoman, vehemently denied such a thing.

“There is absolutely no truth to this whatsoever,” said Hicks. “This hasn’t been even uttered. Not even thought about.” Such a strong denial from the Trump camp can only mean one thing … there is an element of truth to the story.

Whether or not Trump is crazy enough to try to establish his own media empire, ala Rupert Murdoch, after his landslide loss, he surely is not crazy enough to give up all the perks and luxuries he currently enjoys for the god-awful task of actually governing! Does Trump, and his lovely wife, Melania, really want to step-down from gilded penthouses to the relative spartan White House? Would you?

Photo |conservativetribune.com

Get Ready For A New Political Party – Trump’s White Party

June 16, 2016 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

After locking up the Republican Party’s presidential nomination, Trump promised, and GOP elites believed, he would act “more presidential.” He would now tone down the hateful rhetoric used to vanquish his 16 primary opponents. He would stop his brutal attacks against Hispanics, blacks and women. He would somehow unite the party.

The most powerful elected Republican, House Speaker Paul Ryan, bought the line, as did many powerful members of the donor class.

The new softer, gentler Trump never emerged, however. He has stuck to the same maliciousness used during the primary campaign.

In a new ABC News/ Washington Post poll, Trump’s previously high unfavorable ratings shot up to a new staggering level: 70% of Americans have an unfavorable view of the Republican nominee.

The poll, conducted June 8-12 among 1,000 adults, showed 77% of women held an unfavorable view of the purported “billionaire.”

Trump also had devastatingly high unfavorable ratings among African-Americans (94%) and Latinos (89%).

With numbers like those, Trump stands no chance of winning the presidency.

Why would Trump continue his divisive ways? Why wouldn’t he take the advice of his party’s elders and pivot into a more appealing general election candidate?

The answer is obvious. He does not want to be president. Or more preciously, he knows he cannot be elected president.

I believe what Trump is doing, now that he’s hijacked the Republican Party, is using it as a vehicle to lay the groundwork for a new political party he will head. The party will be made up of mostly white, angry, blue-collar voters. The White Nationalist Party might be a suitable name.

Trump is not adopting a more measured tone as the GOP presidential nominee because he does not want to alienate his ardent followers who will stick with him no matter what. They like their man just the way he is: irreverent, obnoxious, bigoted, politically incorrect and dictatorial.

It is hard to believe but the purported Republican presidential nominee has been able to seriously play Republicans for the suckers they are.

Photo | businessinsider.com

Bee Gees Foretold Trump’s Presidential Bid In Hit Single

June 15, 2016 By John DeProspo 4 Comments

I started a joke which started the whole world crying

But I didn’t see that the joke was on me – “I Started A Joke,” Bee Gees

For those of you old enough to remember, the Bee Gees had a hit single in 1968 entitled, “I Started A Joke.” The song is best known for its haunting melody and perplexing lyrics.

When Robin Gibb, the song’s lead vocalist, was asked to explain the meaning of the tune, he answered, “The listeners have to interpret it themselves, trying to explain it would detract from the song.”

I always felt the song was about unintended consequences. But lately I’ve come to realize, while partially right, the song was a musical forewarning of Donald Trump’s presidential bid.

No, Donald Trump did not start his bid to become the Republican Party’s presidential nominee as a joke (although some may disagree here). I believe Trump saw the presidential race as an inexpensive, surefire way to promote his brand. This view is actually confirmed by many former Trump campaign staffers who admit Trump just hoped for a good showing in the primary.

To almost every political analyst’s amazement, Trump’s racist, divisive, hate filled message resonated with the bulk of Republican voters. The Republican establishment, who never took Trump’s run seriously, is now looking at Donald J. Trump as their party’s presumptive presidential nominee.

But the joke isn’t only on the Grand Old Party; it is also on Trump himself.

Trump’s ego has so gotten the better of him that he is now doing the opposite of what got him into the presidential race in the first place. He is severely damaging the Trump name.

What Trump has worked so hard at doing, i.e. promoting the Trump brand to be synonymous with class, luxury, and glitz, has gone up in smoke in only a matter of months. The Trump name is now more associated with bigotry, stupidity and lack of sophistication.

Ego can get the better of us, sometimes; especially for a narcissistic con man like Trump.

The Bee Gees had another hit single much later in their career that also foretold of how Trump would con his way to the top of the Republican heap … “Jive Talkin”.

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