Commentaries, Editorials, And Analysis On The Death Of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Richard Wolf, USA Today: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg dies, setting up nomination fight

WASHINGTON – Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg died Friday evening, giving President Donald Trump and Senate Republicans a rare opportunity to solidify conservative control of the court, perhaps for decades to come.

Ginsburg, 87 and in failing health, had overcome four bouts with pancreatic, lung and colon cancer dating back to 1999 but apparently could not beat the most recent spread to her liver. She had announced her latest recurrence in July, again vowing to stay on the court "as long as I can do the job full steam."

The diminutive New York native leaves behind an enormous influence on the law as the nation’s preeminent litigator for women’s rights, a federal appeals court judge, a Supreme Court justice for 27 years and, most recently, as the leader of the high court’s liberal bloc, where she served as a bulwark against an increasingly conservative majority.

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WNU Editor: For progressives she was always the dependable vote on the Supreme Court. Her passing away is a huge loss for them. What is going to happen next is easy to predict. President Trump is going to do what President Obama tried to do 4 years ago, and what Democrat Presidential candidate Joe Biden would do today if he was President .... put forward his nomination to replace the vacancy in the Supreme Court. It is here that the situation gets interesting. The Republicans have a slim majority in the US Senate. In a normal situation it would not be an issue to accept the nomination, have hearings, and then have a vote. But we are not living in normal times. A few Republican senators openly despise President Trump, and they may take it upon themselves to deny President Trump the opportunity to have his nominee put forward. Alaska Senator Murkowski has already voiced her opinion .... Alaska Senator Murkowski said Friday she would not vote for a justice ahead of election (Alaska Public Media). And then there are Senators like Mitt Romney, the only Republican who voted for President Trump's impeachment thereby signalling to everyone that he sees the President as illegitimate. I do not see him supporting President Trump on this issue. There are also Republican senators who are in tight races who may see this as an opportunity to distance themselves from President Trump thinking it would benefit them electorally .... Senator Susan Collins comes to my mind (but IMHO she would lose who base if she decides to go against President Trump). On the flip side Democrat Presidential candidate Joe Biden will be forced to provide his list of Supreme Court nominations, something that he refused to do only two days ago .... Biden under pressure to unveil list of potential court picks (AP). And if not, President Trump will be hammering Joe Biden in the debates to provide one (if there is a debate). Bottom line. This is a battle that both sides cannot afford to lose, especially for Democrats who view the courts as a vital institution to implement their agenda and to show to their progressive that they are the political party that can forward their policies.  My prediction. After Covid-19, the economy, and riots, the next Supreme Court justice will be the fourth most important issue in the election. This nominee may even become the deciding Supreme Court vote in the 2020 election if it does go to the courts. This election is already one of the most polarized that I have ever seen .... the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ginsburg has made it even more so. So who will come out on top? This is an environment that President Trump thrives in. He is going to suck up all the media oxygen in the room, and everyone will be focused on him. This is also where we are going to see Democrat Presidential candidate Joe Biden's weaknesses. He does not appear to have the energy to run a full blown campaign, and he will need to if he wants to make sure that President Trump does not succeed in nominating and having his third Supreme Court Justice approved.

Commentaries, Editorials, And Analysis On The Death Of US Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Could Justice Ginsburg's Seat Be Filled Before The Election? -- Susan Davis, NPR
Trump isn’t likely to shrink from Supreme Court fight in election year -- Michael Goodwin, NYPost
Ginsburg's death sets up contentious U.S. Senate fight over her replacement -- Richard Cowan, Reuters
The GOP senators who will decide on Ginsburg’s vacancy -- Washington Post
Can Mitch McConnell Be Stopped? -- NYT
Ginsburg death ignites fierce U.S. Senate battle -- and stirs Scalia's ghost -- Richard Cowan, Reuters
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Impact On The U.S. Legal System -- NPR
Make the stakes clear: Trump should nominate Ginsburg's replacement and press Biden for his pick -- Washington Examiner
What the Loss of Ruth Bader Ginsburg Means for the Supreme Court -- David Cohen, Rolling Stone
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s biggest cases: Equal pay, Bush v. Gore and insider trading -- CNBC
Ruth Bader Ginsburg's most notable Supreme Court decisions and dissents -- CNN
Q&A: what does Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death mean for the supreme court? -- Tom McCarthy, The Guardian
Belated Ginsburg cancer disclosure renews focus on SCOTUS transparency -- Josh Gerstein, Politico

Did President Trump Downplay The Danger Of The Covid-19 Coronavirus?

Daily Mail: Trump privately said coronavirus 'is deadly stuff' and KNEW it was highly contagious at start of February despite claiming to have it under control - then said 'I like playing it down,' bombshell tapes by Bob Woodward reveal

* Trump called the coronavirus 'deadly stuff' in interview with Washington Post's Bob Woodward conducted in February
* He called the virus 'more deadly than even your strenuous flu'
* Trump told the nation Jan. 30: 'We think we have it very well under control
* On day he spoke to Woodward Trump said China's president 'will be successful, especially as the weather starts to warm & the virus hopefully becomes weaker, and then gone'
* Excerpts are from Woodward's new book, 'Rage'

President Donald Trump spoke privately about the deadly nature of the coronavirus in recorded interviews even as he was publicly downplaying the severity of COVID-19 early this year, before the pandemic would take nearly 200,000 American lives and counting.

The president shared his stark assessment with the Washington Post's Bob Woodward in recorded phone interviews in February, as the virus was spreading from China to other parts of the world.

In recorded interviews that were revealed Wednesday afternoon, Trump – who regularly speaks of his disdain for much of the 'fake news' media – spoke liberally with Woodward about his inner-thoughts on the virus and private conversations with Kim Jong-un – despite having called an earlier Woodward book a 'con on the public.'

'This is deadly stuff,' the president told the Watergate reporter, Washington fixture and author who has interviewed U.S. presidents going back to Nixon.

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WNU Editor: I recall when he said that the coronavirus outbreak was under control at the end of January/beginning of February that I commented that it was not. And he was not alone. WHO and numerous health specialists were saying the same thing at that time. But rhetoric aside, President Trump's actions on closing the borders in February amid massive opposition told me that aside from the President's remarks, the White House was actually treating the outbreak very seriously. And yes. A good leader should never panic the population. But here is an easy prediction. The media will portray this story and the context behind it differently. And they are definitely not going to attack all the health specialists who were saying the same thing publicly at that time.

Update: I just remembered a story from early March where Tucker Carlson went to the White House to meet the President and warn him that he should not underplay the danger of this virus. And then there is the radio talk show host and epidemiologist Dr. Savage who also warned the President that he should not downplay this virus in February. Bottom line. President Trump was aware that this virus was dangerous, but his strongest supporters clearly had doubts on what he was saying publicly.

More News On Reports That President Trump Downplayed The Dangers Of The Covid-19 Coronavirus

Trump admitted to Woodward he downplayed coronavirus threat in early days of outbreak -- CBS
'Play it down': Trump admits to concealing the true threat of coronavirus in new Woodward book -- CNN
Trump admitted he deliberately played down coronavirus threat: Reports -- ABC News
McEnany defends Trump after Woodward book claims he said coronavirus 'deadly,' despite publicly downplaying it -- FOX News

This Is One Of The Messiest White House Transitions In My Lifetime

U.S. President Barack Obama meets with President-elect Donald Trump (L) to discuss transition plans in the White House Oval Office in Washington, U.S., November 10, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

Wall Street Journal: Transition From Barack Obama to Donald Trump Turns Tense

After warm start, White House changeover gets messy as agendas collide

President Barack Obama and his successor Donald Trump are making moves that tread on each other’s turf and complicate the other’s agenda, creating one of the messiest White House transitions in recent years.

Since Election Day, Mr. Obama has taken some of the most far-reaching actions of his eight-year presidency, leaving Mr. Trump to manage the fallout and narrowing his options once he takes office. He also plans a final major address the week before the inauguration that will reflect on his policy agenda, according to people familiar with the speech. The address could contrast his approach with Mr. Trump’s.

This week, Mr. Obama slapped Russia with a series of sanctions and diplomatic censures in response to a U.S. intelligence assessment that Moscow used cyberattacks to try to interfere with the presidential election. Earlier in December, Mr. Obama broke with decades of U.S. policy and let pass a United Nations resolution condemning Israel for building settlements.

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WNU Editor: President-elect Trump ran on a platform where he vowed to undo President Obama's policies and direction .... so of course there is going to be blow-back from the Obama White House starting with President Obama himself. My prediction .... it is going to get even worse next week. I do not only expect the campaign to de-legitimise President-elect Trump via through allegations that Russia tried to help him win the election to continue, but there will be a concerted effort to block his appointments. It should also be noted that there are many Republicans who are unhappy with President-elect Trump .... and they are going to also make their opinions heard.

President Barack Obama Phoned His Successor Donald Trump After Twitter Complaint On White House 'Roadblocks'

U.S. President Barack Obama meets with President-elect Donald Trump in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington November 10, 2016. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo

Bloomberg: Obama Calls Trump After Twitter Complaint About ‘Roadblocks’

* Detente strained between the outgoing and incoming presidents
* Republican angered by UN resolution on Israel, election remark

U.S. President Barack Obama phoned his successor, Donald Trump, after the Republican accused Obama of hobbling the transition to his administration in a tweet that alleged unspecified “inflammatory” statements and “roadblocks.”

The tweet on Wednesday morning brought tensions between the two men into the open less than a month before Inauguration Day, though the president’s phone call later may have smoothed over relations.

“We had a very nice conversation,” Trump told reporters gathered at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. “We had a general conversation.”

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Update #1: Trump says he had a 'very good talk' with Obama on Wednesday (Reuters)
Update #2: Obama call appears to smooth tensions with Trump (Boston Globe)

WNU Editor: As transitions go .... this has clearly not been a smooth one. And with rumours now circulating that the White House is about to retaliate against Russia for interfering in the U.S. election .... a retaliation that may involve cyber attacks and/or sanctions that will all but guarantee a Russian response .... even the start of a cyber war. President-elect Trump has every reason to be concerned on where this "transition period" is heading.

Turmoil On The National Security File In The Trump Transition Team?

Bloomberg: Ex-Intelligence Chairman Rogers Leaves Trump Transition Team

* Former lawmaker had been tapped to advise on national security
* Trump faces task of stocking government after surprise win

Former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers left President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team, days after Trump’s surprise victory and a shakeup at the top of the team’s organizational chart.

Rogers’ abrupt departure came at the request of team officials, said two people familiar with the matter. The Michigan Republican, who’d also worked for the FBI, had been tapped to help guide the new administration on national security issues.

“These past six months, it has been an honor to serve as National Security Senior Advisor to the Trump transition team,” Rogers said in a statement after his departure was reported.

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WNU Editor: It looks like the Trump transition team is purging all the Gov. Christie loyalists from the organization.

Update: LOL .... it looks like this is another bogus story from the main stream media. More on this story as more information becomes available.

More News On Ex-Intelligence Chairman Rogers Leaving The Trump Transition Team

Rogers resigns from Trump’s transition team -- Politico
Intelligence Expert Mike Rogers Leaves Trump Transition Team Amid Shake-up -- WSJ
Mike Rogers parts ways with Trump transition team -- CNN
Natsec advisor Mike Rogers resigns as Trump culls transition team of Christie allies -- Hot Air

Should The Trump Children Be Given Top Security Clearances?

CBS: Trump team seeks top-secret security clearances for Trump's children

President-elect Donald Trump is potentially seeking top secret security clearances for his children, sources tell CBS News.

The Trump team has asked the White House to explore the possibility of getting his children the top secret security clearances. Logistically, the children would need to be designated by the current White House as national security advisers to their father to receive top secret clearances. However, once Mr. Trump becomes president, he would be able to put in the request himself.

His children would need to fill out the security questionnaire (SF-86) and go through the requisite background checks.

While nepotism rules prevent the president-elect from hiring his kids to work in the White House, they do not need to be government officials to receive top secret security clearances.

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WNU Editor: It looks like this story is bogus ..... Official: Trump's children have not sought security clearances (Politico). More here .... Trump didn't request top secret clearance for his kids: official (USA Today). What's my take .... Donald Trump relies on advice from his kids .... so it does make sense that they should be cleared for certain information. As for the Trump's team denials .... I will not be surprised if in the coming weeks/months this will change.

More News On Reports That The Trump Children Could Be Given Top Security Clearances

Source: Trump is considering getting children permission for security clearance -- CNN
Trump's team seeks top-secret clearance for his children: CBS News -- Reuters
Report: Trump seeking top secret clearances for his grown children -- Washington Examiner
Donald Trump Seeks Top Security Clearance for His Children: Reports -- Newsweek
Trump Reportedly Wants His Kids to Run His Businesses and Get Top-Secret Security Clearance -- NYMag

A Look At How The Pentagon Prepares For A Change In Administration

Wikipedia

Bloomberg: How the Pentagon is preparing for the change in administration

Before every change of administration, government agencies harbor grand expectations for new leadership and a fresh vision of the future, although transformational ideas on how to manage a headstrong bureaucracy may not be necessarily welcome.

The transition at the Defense Department is always a major focus due to the nature of its mission and demanding responsibilities. Months before the November presidential election, Pentagon advisory teams have been mobilized to help prepare the next administration for the management challenges that lie ahead.

A key warning for incoming leaders is that the best laid plans at the Pentagon can fall apart in the wake of unexpected global events. A new twist in this year’s transition preparations is the chaotic political climate in the United States and the likely disruption caused by fiscal cliffs and government shutdowns.

“This is an unprecedented environment,” said Defense Business Board Chairman Michael Bayer.

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WNU Editor: If Hillary Clinton wins the U.S. Presidency .... I do not see many changes happening. If Donald Trump wins .... my gut tells me that there will be changes .... and these changes will be major.

One Pundit's View Of Where The U.S. Election Matters Most

Five Countries Where The U.S. Election Matters Most -- Tony Karon

Superbarrio Gómez ran the most underreported campaign of the 1996 U.S. presidential election. The masked Mexican wrestler turned social activist showed up in New Hampshire during the primary season and declared himself a “candidate” even though his foreign citizenship rendered him ineligible. Decisions affecting the lives of Mexicans are made in the White House, he reasoned, so Mexicans should have a say in choosing its occupant. It’s a sentiment that’s widely shared: two-thirds of the 26,000 respondents from 32 countries in a recent poll believe that the White House has an important impact on their lives, and for that reason, almost half believe they should have a vote in the U.S. presidential election. (If they did, President Barack Obama would be a shoo-in, according to almost every poll.)

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My Comment: What's my take .... most countries do not care what happens in tomorrows U.S. Presidential election. Their lives will not be impacted (and if so it will be minimal), and they are more focused on their own internal situation. Case in point .... my friends and family living in Russia/Ukraine are uninterested, and the Russian media is covering the U.S. Presidential news as a second or third item in the news broadcast. My friends and business associates in China are more concerned about their own leadership change, and what new policies will be implemented (if any). Ditto in South Korea and Japan. My Jewish and Arab friends in Canada and in the Middle East are focused on Syria, and on the ongoing bloodshed that is happening there. All of my European friends .... from England to Greece .... are focused on Europe's dire economic situation and the debt crisis. If there is a country that is focused on the U.S. Presidential election, it is Canada, and in this country the media and most Canadians are lock-step in support of President Obama. Living in Quebec and watching the french media here, they are firmly convinced it is a President Obama landslide tomorrow. As to what is my take on tomorrow's results .... I personally do not see anything changing if Obama or Romney wins. The world's trouble spots will continue to boil, and U.S. power will continue to decline. As for the U.S. itself, it is going to be hit with planned massive tax increases in January, coupled with budget cuts. An agreement will be reached on sequestration .... but this will be only a delaying tactic. Bottom line .... Americans will be faced with another recession brought about by government mismanagement. As for tomorrow's results .... and the one who will be faced with this mess .... if the polls are accurate (tied with a +3%-11% advantage to the Democrats in the voting samples) .... it will be Gov. Romney with a comfortable majority.

As Obama Transition Progresses, Intel Becomes More Important

From Homeland Security:

Intelligence authorities say maintaining continuity of intelligence ... is crucial

Speculation these days about the next directors of National Intelligence and Central Intelligence among Intelligence community (IC) professionals is rampant.

Though they may disagree about exactly whom President-elect Obama is leaning towards nominating for these postions, however, most IC officials and counterterror and homeland security authorities HSToday.us has spoken with on the topic agree Obama should move quickly to announce his choices.

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My Comment: What a difference a presidential transition makes. 8 years ago the common complaint was that the Clinton team left with the cutlery, and sabotaged the computer keys by removing the "W" key.

The times .... they are a changing.

Obama To Roll Out National Security Team Monday

Barack Obama’s national security team is to include, from left, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and Gen. James L. Jones, a retired Marine commandant. Damon Winter/The New York Times

From CNN:

(CNN) -- President-elect Barack Obama will announce his national security team -- including Sen. Hillary Clinton as secretary of state -- at an event Monday morning, according to two officials.

The Obama transition team announced Sunday that Obama will unveil the full team at a press conference in Chicago, Illinois, around 10:40 a.m. ET.

CNN and CNN.com will carry the event live.

The officials said Obama is also expected to finally confirm that he is keeping Defense Secretary Robert Gates in his current post. Obama plans to name retired Marine Gen. Jim Jones as his national security adviser at the White House, the officials said.

Also, two sources close to the transition said Obama will nominate Susan Rice as United Nations ambassador; Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as homeland security secretary; and Eric Holder as attorney general.

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More News On The Obama Transition

A Handpicked Obama Team for a Shift in Foreign Policy -- New York Times
Obama's Strong-willed National Security Team -- Los Angeles Times
Barack Obama's security team delights the hawks -- Times Online
Obama ponders national security team -- the Australian
Obama To Unveil National Security Team -- Voice Of America
Clinton to Be Introduced as Part of Obama Security Team -- New York Times
Evolution of the Obama-Clinton connection -- Yahoo News/Politico
Clinton turns from Obama critic to top envoy -- Washington Times
Obama Poised to Name Hillary Clinton to State Post -- Washington Post
New security chief for U.S. likely to ease border rules -- Toronto Star
Joint Chiefs Chairman 'Very Positive' After Meeting With Obama -- Washington Post

Problems In The Presidential Transition

President George W. Bush and President-elect Barack Obama meet in the White House. Obama's top transition aide discounted talk of tensions over the financial crisis with the White House, after the president-elect pressed for urgent aid to ailing auto giants. (AFP/White House-HO/File/Eric Draper)

Obama Aides Play Down Tensions With Bush
-- Voice Of America

Aides to U.S. President-elect Barack Obama are distancing themselves from reports that President George Bush pressed him to support a free trade deal with Colombia, in exchange for help with aid to the struggling automobile industry.

The New York Times Tuesday quoted unnamed sources as saying the president might agree to new funding for U.S. automakers and a new economic stimulus package, if Democrats pass the trade deal stalled in Congress. Many Democrats oppose the deal, citing Colombia's record on human rights and labor union activity.

Mr. Obama's transition co-chair, John Podesta, said the subject of Colombia came up in White House talks Monday between Mr. Obama and Mr. Bush. But Podesta denied the president offered the Colombia pact as part of a deal. Podesta also played down suggestions the situation led to tensions with Mr. Bush and his staff.

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My Comment: As I had predicted, President-elect Obama could not keep his confidential talks with President Bush confidential. This will mean two things .... (1) no more confidential talks with the current administration, and (2) foreign leaders will now be careful when talking to the new administration on sensitive or confidential information.

The Presidential Transition and Secrecy

From Secrecy News:

The possibilities for significant changes in government secrecy policy are starting to attract official attention as the presidential transition process begins.

“I know things are going to change,” one executive branch official with national security classification responsibility said this morning. “The folks that are inbound have a keen appreciation for the kind of things that need to occur,” the official said.

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