VP Vance to Pakistan for talks with Iran - Update

Fox News: Reports the following in a post, " Vance heading to Pakistan for negotiations about Iran this weekend, White House says "

Let's Get Real:

Thus if the ceasefire survives in till Friday, POTUS is sending his VP to Pakistan for talks with Iran.  The VP is known to have opposed the War with Iran.  The VP wants to run in 2028, the anti war base of MAGA, will want a deal.  The Oval wants any blame for failure to go to Vance, that is the point of VP's to take on unpopular issues, VP Harris had the border, Bush 41 had to deal with Ross Perot when he came to complain to the Reagan White House about the perceived issue that Vietnam was still holding American POW's from the Vietnam War.  President Reagan knew that Bush 41 knew him thus give the negative job of telling Perot that he was wrong to his loyal VP.  The aftershock was that Perot ran against Bush 41 in the 1992 Presidential Election.  The Gipper was wise, any problems send in the VP, thus no political hassle for the Oval.   Thus a major job for Vance and his career ambitions to be POTUS.

Trump on Iran War - Update

Fox News: Reports the following, " President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Iran's leaders "are gone" and their military is crumbling as a result of Operation Epic Fury......When asked what more needed to be done by the U.S. military for the operation to end, Trump said, "More of the same. "

Let's Get Real:

This does not sound like Trump is about to WIMP OUT, you never know with Trump, he sends mixed messages, Reagan White House was on message, the economy the first year, even if the Secretary of State wanted the President to move to foreign policy.  This is Trump's 2nd term, after the Mid Terms he could face Democratic House out to Impeach him again, he will be a lame duck President, then you have the 2028 cycle, and VP Vance will be spending time in Iowa and New Hampshire.  Trump will want to follow the Reagan example and see his VP become President, a third Trump Term, as the 22 Amendment bans Presidents serving more than two terms.  Political cycles never end.

Iran attacks Kurds in Iraq - Update

BBC News: Reports  that Iran has started to attack Kurds in Iraq.

Let's Get Real:

The Kurds will want firm promises from the Trump Oval, as the article notes the Kurds do not match the theocracy when it comes to Militarty Kit, thus they will want the air to be dominated by the US, and cover for ground operations.  They answered the call from Bush 41 to rebels against the Iraqi Regime, in the first Gulf War, but got no support, they do not want that again.  This War could take a long time.

Over learning the lessons of Vietnam - Vietnam Lessons

CNN: Reports on the role of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, the article notes the following, " Caine has been vocal about the potential downsides of launching a major military operation targeting Iran, raising concerns about the scale, complexity and potential for US casualties of such a mission, according to sources familiar with his advice.  "

Let's Get Real:

These are the ghosts of Vietnam, West Point drills in to the cadets the mistakes of the Vietnam War, from the military to the political, and now they also learn the lessons of Afghanistan and Iraq.  The first reaction of the  military is to scare hell out the President in the Oval, when they plan a military military action, they tried that with Bush 41 when it came to the First Gulf War, the President was not frightened, and gave the operation the green light, Bush 41 had served in WW2, the youngest piolt in the Navy, the problem  with the above in the article is that Trump wants to WIMP out, so the above advice will give him reason to chicken out, its something he wants to do.  This as stated in previous post will come back to haunt Trump in 2028 and his VP who will running for Trump's third term.

Is Turkey the way OUT for the WIMP Trump - Update

Guardian: Reports " Iran seeks to avert US military action with talks in Ankara...Turkey hosts urgent mediation as Trump’s threats mount and Tehran weighs painful compromises to avoid conflict "

Lets Get Real:

The more Trump waits convinces this blog that he is a WIMP.  As the last month has show he backs down under pressure, from Greenland, his slander of British Troops in Afghanistan and now ICE killing of two Americans as they protest the Trump attempt to throw out illegal immigrants.   The Trump Oval is getting pressure from Middle East allies, and his MAG base not to attack, thus Turkey could be his way out, he has the blood of Iranian  protesters on his hands, he said he would come to the rescue and he failed them.  The Democrats should take the House in November, Americans do not like weak leaders, look at what happened to President Biden after his rash exit of Afghanistan.   Reagan and JFK were strong leaders, so in many respects were Bush 41 and Bush 43, after the failure of the peace in Iraq, Bush 43 still won in 2004 Presidential Election, LBJ had to withdraw after doing badly in the 1968 New Hampshire primary, and President Biden had to withdraw after the most disastrous  Debate in Presidential history in 2024.  Trump's poll number are in the toilet, he will get impeached by the Democratic House in 2026, and the Republicans might fancy their chances with a President Vance in the OVAL.

President of Venezuela charged with pushing drugs in to the US- Rubio

Guardian: Reports in its 12.27pm post that the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio has stated that President of Venezuela will be charged with pushing drugs in to the US.

Lets Get Real:

The Democrats are still fighting the Iraq War, that is a political mistake, it seems like a clean victory for POTUS, why are the Democrats so flaky when they are out of power, if Democrats had been power during the Cold War, the USSR would be still be around.  Thank God for Reagan and Bush 41.   The Democrats have to be careful they are not seen as flaky, more international law than winning for the US.  The political cycle is coming, 2026 Mid Terms and the big one in 2028, the Presidential Election.

The Presidential Address - Review

Sky News: Reviews of the Presidential Address by President Trump.

Lets Get Real:

It's best to review a speech after a good night's sleep.  The speech was angry, POTUS defended is domestic agenda, he seemed to get more angry as he went on, his poll numbers have gone down, every 2nd term President has this problem, it should be noted Reagan's polls went down after Iran - Contra, his polls only went up after he admitted the policy mistake from the Oval Office.  Let's note Reagan left OFFICE with a 63% approval rating and his VP becoming President.  One wonders if Trump can do the same.

Former VP Cheney Dies - Bush 43 Era

BBC News: Reports in its 3.19pm post on the political career of former VP Richard Cheney.

Lets Get Real:

VP Richard Cheney was a giant of US politics, Deputy Chief and later Chief of Staff to President Ford after the Watergate scandal had bought down Richard Nixon, a Congressman who was a Reagan foot solider in the Congress, defended Reagan during the Iran - Contra scandal, Defence Secretary to Bush 41, was a key character in Gulf War 1, and later VP to Bush 43, and bought political weight to the Republican ticket, Cheney and was firm supporter of the Iraq War.  The close relationship between the VP and POTUS took a hit due to peace disaster that was Iraq, also Bush 43 would not pardon Scooter Libby for breaking the law, in fact Trump in one of the first things he did was the Oval was to pardon Libby.  This did not help with the frosty non relationship between Cheney and Trump.  The former VP voted for VP Harris in 2024.

When VP Harris was angry with President Biden - 2028 Update

CNN: Reports that former VP Harris has admitted she has a complicated relationship with the former President, there were times when she was angry with him.

Lets Get Real:

This blog could never see Bush 41 being that frank about Reagan or Biden about Obama.  VP Harris blames Biden, her campaign staff for her loss in 2024, she does not seem to get the fact that outside California she might be a BAD CAMPAIGNER, even Obama from news reports had doubts about her in a general election and wanted her to fight for the Nomination rather than be given it by the powers that control the Democratic Party.  HARRIS is running in 2028.

US to resume nuclear testing - Trump47

BBC News: Reports that President Trump has ordered the Department of War to resume nuclear testing.

Lets Get Real:

The last nuclear test was in 1992 under Bush 41, at the end of the Cold War.  The reaction of POTUS could be down to the nuclear powered cruise missile test by the Russians, this has upset the doves and left wingers, so the reaction by commentators on CNN and the BBC, typical, at least Trump sees the threat from Russia at last.  The Oval could give tomahawk missiles to the Ukraine, that would get the attention of the Kremlin.

Trump could run again 2028 - Trump47

BBC News: Reports that President Trump has hinted he might run again in 2028.

Lets Get Real:

The 22nd Amendment prevents a President running for a third term, it was done after FDR ran won four times.   It was passed by a Republican Congress, sometimes history bites you on the backside.  POTUS could resign and run again, the Courts would have a field day on that issue.  If not for the 22nd Amendment, then Reagan, Clinton and Obama would have ran again, Reagan was popular, thus his VP won, the two Democrats either saw their VP or nominee defeated by Bush 43 and Trump in 2016.  Of course POTUS could be needling the Dems and those on the left.  One hopes Trump is having fun.

Former VP Harris might run in 2028 - Trump47

BBC News: Reports that Former VP Harris has stated she might run again in 2028.

Lets Get Real:

HARRIS is running in 2028, she almost announced it an interview with the BBC.  Thus Iowa and New Hampshire can expect a visit from the former VP, one would expect just after the 2026 Mid Terms.   IF Trump47 has not declared himself President for Life before 2028!!!, one can expect VP Vance to run, a third Trump term, as Bush 41 did in 1988, a third Reagan term.  That would be a test for POTUS, can he pass the torch to his successor,  can he equal Reagan.

VP Harris is running in 2028 OR I will eat my words - 2028 Race

 Fox News: Reports "Kamala Harris hints at possible 2028 run, says some call her 'most qualified candidate ever'....Harris said she was 'just speaking fact' after claiming some called her the 'most qualified candidate ever' to run for president  "

Lets Get Real:

The former VP and the Democratic Nominee is running in 2028, as if that is wise, the simple answer is NO, she is not the most qualified candidate ever, let's see from the modern period, the nuclear age, Truman in 1948, he dropped the bomb on Japan, the only President that has used nuclear weapons, Eisenhower planned D - Day and was a crafty President, he gave the impression that he played golf all the time, his hand was on the tiller so to speak.  Then in 1960 Nixon was the most qualified to be Ike's successor, Vice - President for 8 years and had a great mind, but he lost to the charming JFK.  LBJ has been President for a year before 1964 and was firm supporter of civil right, Senator Barry Goldwater was to right wing, in 1968 Nixon came back and beat LBJ's VP, of the two on cv it was Nixon. Thus Nixon swamped the Democratic Nominee in 1972.   In 1976 Reagan nearly beat President Ford for the nomination but lost by a 100 votes, Ford was beaten by Carter, neither was fit to be President.   In 1980 Reagan beat Carter by 44 States, he had been Governor of California and  and was more suited to being President since 1968, he was a dark horse candidates but lost to Nixon.  In 1984 Reagan beat former VP Mondale by 49 States, 525 Electoral College votes and 59% of the vote.   In 1988, Bush 41 Beat the Democratic Nominee because it was seen as Reagan's third term.  No future President has managed that kind of victory not even Obama.  In 19992 Clinton was the better politician if not the best man for the Presidency.   In 2000 VP Gore lost to Texas Governor Bush 43, either would have been a good fit for the Oval.  The 2004 election saw Bush 43 beat Senator Kerry, he was the better politician and he had been President on 9/11.   The age of Obama came in 2008 when he beat a WAR HERO, ego better than actual President, in 2012 he won re-election even if he had misjudged  Putin.  Thus we come to 2016, the election of Trump 45, he lost in 2020 to better candidate at the time, former VP Biden.   The President made a mistake of running in 2024 and the rest is history.

US at Crisis Point after Kirk killing - President Obama- Trump47

BBC News: Reports on remarks by former President Obama on the killing of Charlie Kirk.

Lets Get Real:

President Obama is great at rhetoric, and has charisma to spare, but it was a mistake to say such remarks with President Trump on a State Visit to the UK, if nothing else it will annoy Trump, who has a very thin skin to insults from Democrats, and from Obama specifically.  Lets recall that the American people had a choice of a third Obama term in 2016 with Hillary Clinton, and they elected Trump45, Obama  left OFFICE with a 58% approval raring in a Gallup poll, well behind Reagan on 63% and Clinton on 66%.  Also Reagan saw his VP became President, Bush41, no two term President following has had that success.  BIDEN was thrown out by his own Party.

Biden Reckless to run in 2024 - VP Harris

CNN:  Reports  "Kamala Harris says it was reckless to let Biden make reelection decision on his own "

Lets Get Real:

The VP is looking for someone to blame, she has such a short period to get her campaign ready and she also complains that the White House did not see her as part of the team, she suggests that her success would have been a success for the President.  One can not think that Bush 41, the most loyal Vice - Presidents in history making such remarks.  It could be that former VP Harris is thinking about 2028, she would be able to say that she did not get a fair crack of the whip due to the late drop out of Biden after the debate.   At the end of the day its down to the President should he run again, Nancy Reagan did not want Ronald Reagan to run for 2nd term, but Gipper wated it and it was successful with the exception of Iran - Contra, the Cold War came to end in Iceland, almost all nuclear weapons were nearly banned, Reagan was more of a dove than people give him credit for.  Within a year of Reagan leaving Office, the Berlin Wall came down and then the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, under Reagan's chosen successor, Bush 41.

Happy End to Iran - Contra - Reagan Era

 CNN: Reports that Lt. Colonel Oliver North ( Marine Retired ) has married his former Iran - Contra Secretary Fawn Hall.

Lets Get Real:

Thus happly end to Iran - Contra, the couple were widowers, thus gives us all hope of finding love later on in life.  As President Reagan stated Ollie North is an American hero, he kept the Contra Freedom fighters going in Nicaragua by selling arms to Iran by and diverting profits to the freedom fighters.  When the news broke, Ms Hall destroyed documents in the shredder to cover the operation.  The right thing to do at the time, whatever the Democrats said at the time.   The operation was a costly mistake for President Reagan, it took time to recover from, in the end Bush 41 won in 1988, the American people forgave the Gipper, thus 1st Vice President to succeed his boss in over a hundred years, with the exception of assassination or resignation.

French PM ousted in No Confidence Vote - Ukraine - Russian War

 BBC News:  Reports in its 5.59pm post that the French Parliament has OUSTED President Macron's PM.

Lets Get Real:

The problem is like Bush 41 and Margaret Thatcher, politicians who were see by the Voters as more interested in foreign affairs than the costs of every day life, and the French like to protest on the streets.  This remind's one of the 1930's when governments did not last long and Hitler was on the move, now we have Putin in the Ukraine, can France match the rhetoric of Marcon as part of the coalition of willing, Putin must be rubbing his hands with glee.  The Ukraine will be worried.

What is in a Name - Department of Defence or War - Trump 47

 The Hill: Reports " Trump blames ‘wokey’ Defense Department for US losing wars in agency rebrand "

Lets Get Real:

On this issue this blog will give Trump 47 some benefit of the doubt, if his history is a bit Putin in content, in other words WRONG.   The US won in the First Gulf War, it removed Iraq from Kuwait, in the 2nd Gulf War the US won the War but lost the peace in Iraq, the failure in Afghanistan was down to President Biden and his obsession with getting out, on the other hand, the US had been in Afghanistan for over 20 years and the Kabul Government fell over the weekend, the Saigon Government survived for two and half years before falling in 1975, and that was the fault of the Democrats in the US, who would not fund a rescue package.   Thus the far in the 2nd Trump term, the US has not gone to war, just the be the lap dog to Putin. 

European sanctions on Iran - Trump47

Guardian: The Tehran Government has accused the UK, France, Germany of giving the Trump Oval a VETO over the return of sanctions. 

Lets Get Real:

The last thing that POTUS wants is Iran to return as an issue on the news, the Trump Oval nightmare is that Israel bomb Iran again because the Israeli intelligence, the Mossed finds out that Iran still has nuclear material that can make a nuclear bomb.  It could force Trump to face reality over his minds reality.  Lets recall that the 2026 mid terms are coming up, also the 2028 Presidential Election, Trump wants to hand the Oval to his chosen successor, as Reagan did for Bush 41 in 1988.

Trump NOW focuses on President Obama - Trump47

The Hill: Reports " Tulsi Gabbard details Obama-related intel findings at White House press briefing "

Lets Get Real:

The theory mad MAGA has reached out of the White House to target President Obama and his handling of the 2016 election.  There is tradition of former Presidents staying out of the way of their Successors in the Oval Office, Reagan never mentioned  Jimmy Carter by name in his eight years in the White House, it was always the previous Administration.  Whatever you think of the former President they had class on the whole to stay out in the wings, well Carter sometimes broke that rule, that is why he was never popular with the successors.   President Obama was never my favourite President, that will always be the Gipper, and he left office with a good 58% in the Gallup poll for job approval, Reagan after 8 years had 63% and the old hound dog, Bill Clinton was on 66%.  The Gipper was happy, his VP become President, no one in modern memory had that happened, with the exception of assassination and resignation, and it has not happened since.  One has to lift one's hat to Obama, he acted with style and class and just released a statement.  The left wing media are his troops and those on the World wide Web.