The Post It Note 10/21/18

News from the note…

A round up of the day’s news that might be of interest to you.

This is an OPEN THREAD,  folks. Chat about any of the stories listed, share links to stories that caught your eye today, and generally have a good time discussing whatever you want.

DHS to ‘closely monitor’ caravan of migrants headed for US border

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said Sunday that the agency is focused on rooting out potential criminal gang members who may seek to exploit a so-called “caravan” of Central American migrants seeking asylum in the U.S.

“While we closely monitor the caravan crisis, we must remain mindful of the transnational criminal organizations and other criminals that prey on the vulnerabilities of those undertaking the irregular migration journey,” Nielsen said in a statement.

“We shall work with our partners in the region to investigate and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law all who seek to encourage and profit from irregular migration,” she continued. “We fully support the efforts of Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, as they seek to address this critical situation and ensure a safer and more secure region.” ­

The Hill

The GOP’s throw-it-all-at-the-wall midterm plan

President Trump and top Republicans, concerned about huge House losses this fall, are tossing out new ideas by the day in hopes of saving their majority.

What they’re saying: Trump told reporters in Nevada yesterday that he and House Republican leaders are working “around the clock” on “a very major tax cut for middle-income people. And if we do that, it’ll be sometime just prior, I would say, to November.” But Republicans on the Hill seemed to know nothing about it, and both chambers are out until after midterms.

Trump is keeping up his drumbeat of dire warnings about the “very tough criminal elements within the caravan” of Central American migrants — about 2,000 of whom made it into Mexico yesterday. Trump has suggested without evidence that the caravan was instigated by Democrats, and said the migrants are “not coming into this country”: “I would call in military and I would seal off the border.”

Trump rallies feature “FINISH THE WALL” signs, and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy this month introduced the “Build the Wall, Enforce the Law Act of 2018” to fully fund the wall, “bringing the total amount of funding to $25 billion.”

Republicans warn of Democratic-incited violence, real and figurative, with Trump tweeting about “the Democrats new Mob Rule strategy,” Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell decrying “mob behavior,” and Republican groups and candidates invoking the “mob” online and on the trail.

Trump continues to milk passions around the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, declaring at a rally Thursday night: “What they did to Brett Kavanaugh and his beautiful family is a national disgrace that will not be soon forgotten. Remember that!”

Axios

A White House staffing shuffle could come after midterms

The White House staff has already seen a record amount of turnover — 58%, according to a study from the Brookings Institution. And Julie Hirschfeld Davis of The New York Times says to expect a lot more after the midterms.

“White House Counsel Don McGahn has left. There’s already a new counsel in the White House. But beyond that, there are a bunch of other people in the West Wing who have been eying the exits,” Davis said. “I think we’re going to see a big turnover, and that could have a big influence in how we see this White House operate under a new Congress.

CNN

O’Rourke walks back ‘Lyin’ Ted’ line

Texas Senate candidate Beto O’Rourke walked back an insult he leveled last week against incumbent Ted Cruz that echoed then-candidate Donald Trump’s favorite jab at the Republican senator during the 2016 presidential campaign.

“He’s dishonest,” O’Rourke, a Democratic congressman, said of Cruz during the pair’s second debate on Tuesday in San Antonio. “That’s why the president called him ‘Lyin’ Ted,’ and it’s why the nickname stuck — because it’s true.”

But O’Rourke appeared to regret that line of attack in a prerecorded interview on ABC’s “This Week” that aired Sunday.

“That wasn’t the best phrase for me to use, but, you know, I’m going to do my best to stay focused on the future,” he said.

Politico


From The “Do You Recognize This Ring?” File

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*Principle above party * Politically Homeless * Ex GOP * Tribalism is stupid* NeverTrump ≠ Pro Hillary. Anti-GOP ≠ Pro Dem. Disagreeing with you ≠ Liberal. https://universeodon.com/@NoMorePlatosCave https://post.news/nomoreplatoscav Counter Social: @NoMorePlatosCave