The Evidence Is In: No Labels Should Get Out.
Plus: Five Things to Know About the Trump Fraud Trial
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CHARLIE SYKES: It's Not the Gaffes. It's the Plans.
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SARAH LONGWELL: The Evidence Is In: No Labels Should Get Out.
SEN. JOE MANCHINāS ANNOUNCEMENT last week that he wonāt seek re-election to the Senate and will instead finish his term ātraveling the country and speaking out to see if there is interest in building a movement to mobilize the middleā sure makes it sound as if heās considering an independent presidential bid, likely with the organization No Labels. If anyone were the target audience for No Labelsās $70 million gambit to recruit and run a āunityā third-party ticket with a moderate Republican (possibly former Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan) and moderate Democrat (likely Manchin), it would be me, a proud Never Trump Republican and moderate squish.
But after conducting hundreds of focus groups with voters across the political spectrum, itās clear to me that a unity ticket in 2024 isnāt just fantastical; itās dangerous. A centrist unity ticket appeals to exactly one demographic: swing voters who will decide the outcome of the 2024 election.
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KIM WEHLE: Five Things to Know About the Trump Fraud Trial as the Defense Kicks Off.
As for this trial, Trumpās legal team knew the battle was already lost when the judge ruled in September that he committed fraud in his financial statements. Whatās left for decision is whether Trump must disgorge upwards of $250 million in ill-gotten gains and whether he will be permanently barred from running businesses in New York. Coupled with the cancellation of his organizationās business certificates, the outcome of this civil case could be catastrophic for the Trump brandāand Donald Trumpās egoāif Engoronās rulings are upheld on appeal.
CATHY YOUNG: To Kill āTo Kill a Mockingbirdā
AFTER ALL THE CONTROVERSIES about right-wing activists working to purge public school curricula and libraries of books they find objectionableāgenerally ones dealing with either sexual morality or the painful history of racism in Americaāthe latest report of such a purge comes from a liberal blue-state community. This time, Harper Leeās To Kill a Mockingbird, a beloved antiracist classic, has been taken off the list of required books in high school freshman English classes in the Mukilteo School District in Washington State due to a complaint from four progressive teachers who regard it as racially insensitive and harmful to minority students.
While Mukilteoās Mockingbird drama first played out almost two years ago, it is the focus of a long and fascinating piece in the Washington Post last week. The saga deserves a look, because it touches on a lot of issues central to todayās cultural conflicts in the United States: from school politics to book banning to the meaning of antiracism to literature and identity. And also because it concerns an American masterpiece that has often become a culture-war lightning rodāand a target of attacks that misunderstand and misrepresent its content.
šØOVERTIMEšØ
šµOn the Jukeboxā¦šµā¦ Coldplay - Everglow 1
Happy Monday! Itāll be a busy week in Washington as we go into the fight over whether/how to fund the federal government. Just the perfect time for an in-person live Bulwark event, no? I look forward to seeing readers there. There are a handful of tickets left, so if you want to come, youād better hurry!
John Adams to Cooperstownā¦ The former Cleveland Indians super fan and fellow former Ignatius wildcat known for his trademark drum from 1973 to 2023, died in January. His drum is going to Cooperstown. How cool.
I saved Latinā¦ How a Capitol tour I gave 16 years ago played a role in preserving staff-led Capitol tours. (If you like my watch content, Iām putting some of it here in longer form.)
Tim Miller & Kari Lakeā¦ Showtime viewers and fans of The Circus (the best political show on premium cable) saw Tim in the finale. Hereās more of his visit to Las Vegas and chatting with Kari Lake.
SCOTUS gets a new ethics codeā¦ But: āLeft unclear was how the code will be enforced.ā
Calling it like it isā¦ Praise for Joe Bidenās State Department.
'The boss is not going to leave': New videos show ex-Trump lawyers telling Georgia prosecutors about efforts to overturn 2020 election.
Behind the Curtainā¦ Trump allies pre-screen loyalists for unprecedented power grab.
I am Not for Everyoneā¦ Pete Holmesās new Netflix special is extra good. Go watch it.
For Trump, Chaos is a Ladderā¦ MAGA's Leader Doesn't Want Normal, and it Doesn't Want Him, argue Reed Galen and Joe Trippi.
Peter Thiel is taking a breakā¦ From democracy. Thiel, who is media, uh, shy, hopes that in cooperating with the article that it will ālock me into not giving any money to Republican politicians in 2024.ā Weāll see!
The case for Chris Cillizzaā¦ Who did double duty with us last week on TNB and Beg to Differ. Subscribe! Not only is he one of the hardest working journos out there, heās also (somehow) one of the nicest.
Why Star Warsā¦ Was Dubbed into the Navajo Language.
The secret historyā¦ Of Alan Aldaās M*A*S*H dog tags.
Matt Labashā¦ On escaping the tentacles of despair.
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