Trump on Iran, Part 2 - Trump Era

Daily Mail: Reports " Trump says Iran DID attack tankers in the Gulf and warns it will 'not be taken lightly' as he mocks Tehran for not knowing about night-vision cameras that caught Revolutionary Guard Corps moving mines  "

Lets Get Real:

Thus NOW that the Trump Oval has draw a red line over the attack on oil tankers what will the US do, will Trump be like President Reagan who took action in 1987/88 when tankers came under threat from Iran or will be like President Obama who drew a red line over the use of WMD and Syria and did not follow up.  The Tehran Regime will be looking carefully at the reaction of the Trump Oval, if they see WEAKNESS they will attack more, the Trump sanctions on Iran is WORKING, but if Tehran sees weakness they will play down the clock, in the hope that the Democratic Nominee will beat Trump in 2020, someone like Mayor Pete who wants to return to the Obama nuclear deal with Iran.  Politics and the real world often clash. 

Also let's be very honest here, a short sharp WAR with Iran would be good for the Trump poll numbers, it's the right policy call and good politics, as long as IRAN does not draw the US in to a long term ground war.  That is what the Tehran Regime wants, what it does not want is the  US using Tehran as a practice for the mother of all bombs, sanctions and bombing could finish the Regime.  The heavy sanctions are bringing the Tehran Regime to its knees, it just needs an extra push. 

William Barr to be held in Contempt of Congress - Election 2020

BBC News: Reports " Mr Barr would be the first attorney general held in contempt of Congress since the Obama administration's Eric Holder in 2012.  "

Lets Get Real:

The US House Judiciary Committee is to hold the US Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress.  The House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi has lost control of her caucus, the left wing of the Democratic Party could cost the the Democrats the House in 2020 and the White House.   The extreme LEFT is listening to AOC and Senator Warren, a candidate for the Democratic nomination and other Democratic candidates.   Warren and her fellow candidates are trying to appeal to the LEFT WING BASE, the ones on social media, the problem is that the US voter has made it clear that it does not want impeachment and half want the investigations to END.  In fact as mentioned on CNN, POTUS approval ratings  have gone up, in fact he wants the Democrats to go for impeachment, it will not fly in the Senate, were he will be found innocent, it did not hurt Bill Clinton over all in 1998/99.   If Speaker Pelosi can not control her members she is in OFFICE but with no power, very much like PM May in the UK. 

HRC BLAMES Obama for 2016 Defeat - Post 2016

Fox News: Reports " Hillary Clinton said in a new interview that her inability to run on an "agenda of change," coming off of President Barack Obama's two terms, was a significant problem for her 2016 campaign. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus far Hillary Clinton has blamed everyone from the FBI to the Russians for her defeat, it is not fair to blame President Obama, this blog had issues with the Obama Administration but it has to be said that President Obama stated his legacy was on the line in 2016 and supported HRC as best he could.   Let's recall that in modern history only one VP has been the successor to his boss, the President, that was Bush 41 who took over from President Reagan.   In 2000 Al Gore the sitting Vice President lost to Bush 41, in 2008 Senator McCain lost to President Obama, and it can be argued that Bill Clinton and Obama are rather good politicians.   It would be interesting to study what President Reagan did different from his successors that allowed his VP to win, a Ph.d of worthy of study. 

Trump and Iran - Trump Era

The New York Times: Reports on the Trump approach to Iran, the editorial states the following, " President Trump and some of his top aides as well as Sunni Arab leaders and American activists — is raising tensions that could lead to armed conflict with Iran. "

Lets Get Real:

The FACT that the Uber liberal New York Times carried water for Stalin and the USSR should tell if you should trust the NYT with US foreign policy, the NYT is defending the legacy of President Obama, after eight years of the Obama, the Administration had two real victories, health care and Iran, the Trump Administration is trying to write President Obama out of history.    The Tehran Regime supports terrorism in the Middle East and is a threat to Israel, thus the US and its allies should not be fooled by Iran, they are threat that is needed to be watched, action might be needed if they break the Nuclear Agreement, time will only tell.

More US Troops for Afghanistan ? - Afghanistan Theatre - Trum Era

The New York Times: Reports " Trump Advisers Call for More Troops to Break Afghan Deadlock "

Lets Get Real:

The Afghanistan War has been going on since 2001 after the attacks of 9/11.   The War become a sideshow after the invasion of Iraq and now with the regrowth of the Taliban, the threat from Daesh the Oval has to decide what to do, Bush 43 kept the War at a low level, Obama increased troops but told the other side when they would leave, so the Taliban waited him out, then we come to the Trump Oval, POTUS does not like to lose, but there is a political cost of sending more troops to Afghanistan, it should be recalled the US is now fighting in Iraq again after sending back troops to take on Daesh in Mosul, that fight is on going.  Also the Trump Administration has increased the fight against Daesh around the Middle East.   It would be a strategic mistake to leave Afghanistan, then the Taliban would really win, but more troops, it's a hard decision, well Trump wanted to be President, thus come the hard choices. 

Trump plays HARDBALL with Democrats over ObamaCare

CNN - Politics: Reports " President Donald Trump is threatening not to reimburse health insurers for covering low income people as a way of forcing Democrats to the negotiating table on health care. "

Lets Get Real:

It could be argued that this is unfair to the insurers and their customers, but it can also be argued that this is the ONLY way to deal with LIBERAL DEMOCRATS.  The Oval Office needs to get health care reform through as a way to cut taxes.   Thus President Trump should pull the plug, force the Democrats to come to the table, the elite liberal media will go through the roof, but then they are no friends of President Obama, it Washington D.C you have to deal the hard way sometimes, that is a lesson POTUS is learning after the first failure to get health care through.   The Oval Office should read the Presidential histories of LBJ, Reagan and Bill Clinton, the art of the deal is not science but art. 

The Results of the US Strike in Syria - Trump Era

Fox News: Reports " Satellite images released Friday of the Syrian air base that was pounded with 59 U.S. Tomahawk missiles show large-scale destruction to airfields, planes and fueling facilities allegedly used by the Assad regime to mount chemical weapons attacks. "

Lets Get Real:

The question will the Assad Regime learn its lesson, will it use WMD again on its own people, the Russians should be telling Assad to back off, if he does then there is less chance that Trump will strike them again, the strike is being spinned as a one off to teach the Assad a lesson.   The next time that Assad uses a conventional bombing will the Oval Office let it go, one is either in or out in Wars, and the genie is out of the bottle when it comes to Syria.   It will be interesting to see what the liberal press are saying about the attack, when a POTUS acts a Commandeering in Chief the US tends to come together, that would change if Trump and the US become active in a fight against the Assad, there are so many factions in Syria, the US is also fighting Daesh in Syria and Iraq.

Trump and Syria - The Military Question - Trump Era

Daily Mail: Reports " Trump opens the door to military action in Syria after 'horrible, horrible' sarin massacre and warns: 'My attitude toward Syria and Assad has changed'  "

Lets Get Real:

There are two options IF and its a big IF the US wants to take military action in Syria, there is an air attack on the Syrian Air Force, or safe areas guarded by US troops in Syria.  An air attack might be less painful that putting thousands of US troops on the ground in Syria, there are so many factions on the ground it would be hard to see who is an ally and who is a threat.   Also it opens the US to attacks from Al Qaeda and Daesh, also making sure that the US and the Russians do not get in to a fight.   This blog would be shocked if President Trump takes action, so far he has been highly critical of President Obama and has attacked Assad over the attacks, actual troops or an air attack would take it to a new level. 

President Trump and Syria - Trump Era

The White House: Has the following Statement by President Trump on Syria, " Today’s chemical attack in Syria against innocent people, including women and children, is reprehensible and cannot be ignored by the civilized world. These heinous actions by the Bashar al-Assad regime are a consequence of the past administration’s weakness and irresolution. President Obama said in 2012 that he would establish a “red line” against the use of chemical weapons and then did nothing. The United States stands with our allies across the globe to condemn this intolerable attack. "

Lets Get Real:

Thus strong attack on Assad, then an attack on the Obama Administration for not following through with its red line, and then it goes to say the US stands with its Allies.  In essence the US under Obama and now Trump are going to do nothing about Syria, with Obama it was the fear that the US would be dragged in to another Middle Eastern War without allies, while Trump wants Assad to take down Daesh.   The elite media brings attention to the problem, BUT IF Trump did anything he would be under critical review from the very same media.   This blog would be impressed if Trump DID something, but it is not holding its breath.   At the end of day the West just washes it hands, and allows the people of Syria to suffer. 

Former NSA Susan Rice and the Truth - Trump Era

Fox News: Reports " As Susan Rice faces growing calls to testify under oath, the former Obama administration official now accused of ordering the unmasking of Trump officials under surveillance is suggesting that she never did so for political purposes, and that it is sometimes "necessary" for investigative purposes. "

Lets Get Real:

When Susan Rice says something, this blog needs more than her word, as they say she has form, as any who recalls the Libya terrorist attacks recalls, thus it would be wise for Republicans to place the former National Security Advisor under OATH, and to check was she told by President Obama to unmask US Citizens in information gathered by US intelligence, also who else did she tell, and was the information placed around the Administration so it could be leaked.   The Democrats and the elite press are trying to cover up for Rice, this is why the elite press are not trusted by the US Citizens.   Also President Obama has been VERY quiet on the subject, one does wonder why? 

Chemical Attack in Syria - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " The White House says it is "confident" Bashar al-Assad's government was behind an apparent chemical attack that killed at least 58 people in north-west Syria. "

Lets Get Real:

The question is what will the US and its Western Allies do about this, the Obama Administration failed to react when the Assad Regime used chemical weapons after the Obama Administration said that using Chemical Weapons was a red line.   This could be a chance for President Trump to show that he is not a Russian puppet, the US Air Force could take out the Syrian Air Force, the question is will it, if POTUS took action it would show that the White House is not in the pocket of Putin's Russia, it would also show that the US was back to being the leader of the West.   In reality this blog does not think Trump will take action, that will be more to do the fact that Trump sees Assad as an ally in the fight against Islamic Terrorism.  Thus more deaths in Syria.

Rice means President Obama Knew - Trump Era

Fox News: Reports " Susan Rice requested to unmask names of Trump transition officials, sources say "

Lets Get Real:

This blog has been curious why Former President Obama has been VERY quiet about the subject, thus we know now, if Susan Rice knew then so did POTUS, poor Rice was the constant Administration nominee to take the political arrows for President Obama.  Of course the Republicans should have Rice appear before the House intelligence and Senate intelligence Committee and should be asked did President Obama order Rice to unmask the names of those close to the Trump Campaign.   When it comes to Chicago politics one has to understand, they do not play fair, they play dirty. 

The US vs. North Korea - Trump Era

Fox News: Reports " North Korea’s “reckless” actions in regards to its nuclear weapons and missile programs “has got to be stopped,” Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Friday. "

Lets Get Real:

WOULD the US really strike North Korea first, if you're going to TOUGH on North Korea you have to follow through, when President Obama didn't attack Syria after stating they had broken his red lines he looked weak and so did the US.   Let's recall that that North Korea has the bomb and a million man army, would they not react to a strike?   Also is the tough language a message to China to get it's act together when it comes to North Korea.  When it comes to North Korea one gut tells one that it will not end well!

Can ObamaCare be killed Off? - Trump Era

CNN - Politics: Reports " President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence spoke with several House members over the weekend to discuss a path forward, a senior administration official and Republican official with knowledge of the discussions told CNN. And House Speaker Paul Ryan -- despite saying Friday that "Obamacare is the law of the land" -- appears ready to keep going as well. "

Lets Get Real:

The money that would have been saved by axing ObamaCare was meant to help with major tax cuts, the fact that the House failed to pass a new Trump health Bill has come back to bite them on the backside, what is the point of having a majority in the House if they can not govern and agree between themselves.   Thus if this is going to happen the White House should keep away, let the Republican House members come up with a Bill that will pass and then get in to conference with Senate Republicans.  It will be interesting to see if the House Republicans can work together.   If the Republican House can agree a Bill and it is passed by the Senate then you can have major tax cuts, Republicans like TAX CUTS. 

Trump and the Leaks - Trump Era

Fox News: Reports " A former top Obama administration official has acknowledged efforts by her colleagues to gather intelligence on Trump team ties to Russia before Donald Trump took office and to conceal the sources of that intelligence from the incoming administration. "

Lets Get Real:

This shows that President Trump was right, he was under investigation by the Obama Administration.   The fact that officials from the Obama Administration did this must raise questions of how much of this was known by President Obama.   This blog has been wondering WHY former President Obama has been VERY quiet on the subject.  The FACT that the Obama Administration officials were breaking the law raises the issue who gave them the green light to place secret information around the Government so it could be leaked.   The House and Senate Intelligence Committee should investigate the leaks, and the Russian connections.   The Democrats might find it would have been better to let sleeping dogs sleep, you never know who it might bite. 

Trump and the US Congress - ObamaCare - Trump Era

Guardian: Reports " Trump blames everyone but himself for failure of GOP healthcare legislation..President’s targets include conservatives, Democrats and a possible veiled jab at Paul Ryan as Republican hand-wringing over repeal-and-replace failure continues "

Lets Get Real:

The failure of President Trump in the House is down to TRUMP, the deal maker does  not understand Washington D.C. he is no LBJ or Ronald Reagan, these Presidents understood the art of the deal, and how to sweet talk or bribe FOR VOTES in the House or Senate.  President Trump should read up on LBJ and Reagan, it has been said that Reagan has the best first term team in ages, they got his Agenda past, tax cuts, government cuts, defence buildup and in 1986 he got tax reform, so far Trump on the Hill has gotten ZERO, and it is his fault.  President Trump wanted to be POTUS, well he should have read up on the subject, making a land deal is not the same as being POTUS, even Obama did a better job, getting ObamaCare through the Congress.

House Leadership BLAMES Conservatives - Trump Era

Fox News - Live Reporting: Reports that Speaker Ryan  " ..seems to lay the blame at the feet of the Freedom Caucus. He says some of their members were willing to vote for the bill, but not enough. "

Lets Get Real:

The Conservative members of the House who said NO to repealing and replacing ObamaCare will have to justify their votes to their conservative voters.   One can see the Trump White House leaving ObamaCare to fall apart, the Republicans will not grant quick fixes for Democrats, so Democrats will still have ObamaCare on their back, and when it falls, in part apart due to the insurance companies leaving the market or the costs going through the roof the Democrats will be asked for solutions.   The Trump White House should now go on to TAX CUTS, that should unite all Republicans. 

The White House and the House - Trump Era

CNN - Politics - Live Reporting: Reports " A GOP source said Speaker Ryan and President Trump spoke by phone at 3 p.m. They discussed the situation and it was ultimately decided on the call to pull the bill.

But we're already seeing some finger pointing.

The GOP source said the President asked Ryan to pull it. However, two senior administration officials confirmed the bill was pulled, but say it was "Ryan's decision."

One of the officials said Ryan told Trump at White House this afternoon he wanted to do this. "

Lets Get Real:

This political defeat and it is a major political defeat will be looking for scapegoats, the White House will be looking for the House Speaker to take the blame for this political disaster.  It looks like the Trump, the deal maker could not even get his own Party to support him, the Republicans would have never done this to Ronald Reagan.   Even Bush 43 at a push.   The House leadership will be pointing to the Conservative members of the Republican Party who would not budge on their demands, the same can be said of the moderates.  The White House needs a diversion, MAJOR TAX cuts be an idea, even bigger cuts than the Gipper in the 1980s.  One can see why President Nixon was more interested in international affairs, politics of the House and Senate can be a odd, Conservative Republicans with liberal Democrats together when it comes to ObamaCare.

Trump FAILURE over ObamaCare - Trump Era

BBC News: Reports " A vote on US President Donald Trump's healthcare bill has been withdrawn after it failed to gain enough support to pass in Congress. "

Lets Get Real:

THIS is a major blow for President Trump, he was supposed to be the deal maker, well with his first major domestic policy he has failed to get Republican support in the House.   The question is what else will be sunk, the next major policy issue is tax cuts, will the Conservatives Republicans want major cuts while the moderates will want a more balanced approach.  The Democrats should not be too happy, ObamaCare is failing, if Trump won't save it and the Democrats have no new policy the will also get the blame.   It has to be said that President Obama was better at handling the US Congress when the Democrats were in charge, the Democrats will run on the Republican failure in the 2018 Mid Terms.

Will ObamaCare be Repealed and Replaced ? - Trump Era

Guardian: Reports " Trump twists arms on Capitol Hill as House Republicans waver on healthcare..Paul Ryan claimed president’s pitch will ‘close the deal’ for Thursday’s vote but Freedom Caucus chairman said there is ‘more than enough’ opposition to block "

Lets Get Real:

THIS is the first real domestic test for the Trump Administration, the Oval Office needs all hands on deck to get the new health care bill passed in the House.   The Republicans have promised for years that they would replace ObamaCare, if they failed it could damage the Trump Agenda in the future, what about tax cuts, an increase in defence spending, the Great Wall to cover the border between US and Mexico.  The politics of this is interesting, can Trump be a FDR, LBJ, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton, and President Obama and get his Agenda through the the US Congress.   Donald Trump sold himself as a deal maker, well this is the big test, is Trump ALL talk and no action, or talk and real action.