Wednesday's show: The Obama legacy, the Democrats going left and a few other stories

Wednesday's video: The disappearing Obama legacy

The disappearing Obama legacy: https://t.co/qSpD6XNF4h via @YouTube

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) May 16, 2018

Willie, Jimmy and Trump

Politics is like weather reports. Over the weekend, it was sunny and hot in North Texas. Today, I felt some raindrops when I went out for my morning walk.

A few months ago, the consensus was of a blue wave, a big day for the Democrats in November. They cited history, the one about presidents always lose seats in their first mid-term.

Then Willie and Jimmy added their thoughts:

First, Willie Brown, the veteran California Democrat, warned his party about the perils of wish-fulfillment. This is what he said:      

Like it or not, a significant number of Americans are actually happy these days. They are making money. They feel safe, and they agree with with the president’s protectionist trade policies, his call for more American jobs, even his immigration stance. 

The jobs growth reports, the North Korea summit and the steady economy are beating out the Stormy Daniels scandal and the Robert Mueller investigation in Middle America, hands down.

Willie Brown’s comments about immigration are interesting because of the rebellion about sanctuary cities underway in California.    

Hello, Jimmy Kimmel.

He is admitting that Trump jokes are getting old and maybe a change is in order.

It’s hard for me to take Jimmy Kimmel seriously. My impression is that he is getting an earful from TV executives who are getting an earful from advertisers who want ratings. It’s stupid to attack the 62 million adults who voted for President Trump.   

As for jokes, political humor is best when it’s unpredictable.  

Willie Brown’s comments are more meaningful. First, his honesty is profound. He is looking at the political environment and wondering why Democrats keep assuming that resisting President Trump is a wise course. Second, he wants Democrats to develop a message that goes beyond Russia and Stormy.

And there is Washington Post story warning that the GOP may be more motivated than previously stated.

From my seat in Texas, I’ve never bought into the “blue wave” theory.  I’m not saying that the Democrats will not pick up seats, but 24 is always easier than done.    

Also, what have the Democrats done to connect with all of those people who live between the coasts? Attack the NRA? Call for socialized medicine? Say that the economy is bad when people feel that it’s good? Have the party’s vice-chairman march wearing a “I don’t believe in borders “T-shirt?

We’re six months away and things may look very different in 30 days. But I don’t think so, because the Democrats are deeply divided. The intensity is coming from the hard left, making it harder to pick up seats outside of cities.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

Valdez vs White and the definition of a low budget campaign

Here in Texas, the Valdez vs White runoff is turning out to be a very low budget operation, as we see in this story:   

According to the amended pre-runoff reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission on Tuesday, the Valdez campaign raised $208,000 between Feb. 25 and May 12, spent $88,000, had $115,000 in the bank and had $20,000 in outstanding loans. The original report, filed Monday, reported raising $291,000 and ending the period with $258,000 in the bank.
The Valdez spokesman attributed the mistake to an “administrative error” with online contributions.
During the same period, the White campaign raised $179,000, spent $166,000 and had $981,000 in the bank and more than $1 million in outstanding loans.
Both numbers are anemic for a Texas gubernatorial campaign.
“These would be acceptable numbers if they were running for state rep,” Rice University political scientist Mark Jones said.
Gov. Greg Abbott, who did not have to file a report Monday because he is not in a runoff, had $41 million in the bank as of Feb. 24.

My guess is that they will raise more money once the runoff is over.   

At the same time, it will be tough competing with a popular governor with a lot of cash.    

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

Gina Haspel will be confirmed

Gina Haspel will be confirmed........and she is the right person for CIA Director.......an extremely capable and well prepared candidate.

— Silvio Canto, Jr. (@SCantojr) May 16, 2018

Remember when they warned us that Obama Care would turn out this way?

Remember when they warned us that the Obama Care story would end up like this?    

It turns out that the critics were right, 100% right.   

Check this out from Betsy McCaughey:      

The biggest cause, according to McKinsey management consultants, is Obamacare's rule forcing healthy people to pay the same premium as sick people. 
Before Obamacare, people in most states buying in the individual market paid premiums that varied depending on their own expected medical needs. 
Not any more. Now they're being coerced into paying the medical bills of the chronically ill.

So here we are.    Young and healthy people avoid Obama Care.   The middle class can not afford the premiums.   Not surprisingly, the program is a mess.

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.

Let's get ready for more of Adrian Beltre as DH

Let's get ready for more of Adrian Beltre as DH.    

In other words, his days as a full time third baseman may be over.   At this point, Beltre swinging the bat 3-4 times a game may be the only way to keep him in the lineup.    

For the moment, rookie Isiah Kiner-Falefa will play third.  Unfortunately, he is not a solution.   He is a better utility player.   

Moving Gallo to third would open up left field for Ryan Rua or Willie Calhoun.      At the same time, do you want Joey Gallo as your third baseman of the future?    Wasn't he groomed to play first base?

Bottom line:   Beltre's glove days are probably over.  

P.S. You can listen to my show (Canto Talk) and follow me on Twitter.