[YOU NEED TO WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE.]
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Why was the publication of Wide World of News delayed today?
Because I was making a movie with an iPhone, involving, naturally, twelve “chapters,” including scenes on the plains, in the jungle, in a city, at an airport, on a plane, on the beach, in the ocean, and on a pirate ship.
It all ended quite well, but, as you can imagine, just building the sets took more than a bit of time, diverting morning attention away from, say, the Dallas Morning News.
Here is a WORLD EXCLUSIVE photo from the production:
Sorry for the delay.
Watch this space for details on the upcoming world premiere of this still-unnamed classic film.
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THE BIDEN-TRUMP DOCUMENT SITU
* David Von Drehle brilliantly explains my point of view: Donald Trump could be indicted but he shouldn’t be indicted (and won’t be) on the Mar-a-Lago facts:
The discovery of classified government documents in President Biden’s Wilmington, Del., garage should spell the end of any realistic prospect of criminal charges against former president Donald Trump over his Mar-a-Lago portfolio of pilferage….
[N]ow that case will probably not be brought, no matter how many side-by-side charts are created to distinguish between the known allegations against Trump and the (so far unknown) culpability of Biden. According to the latest Gallup data, 45 percent of Americans identify as Republicans or leaning toward the Republicans; 44 percent are Democrats or lean in that direction. The Justice Department serves them all, and its credibility rests on being perceived to play fair….
But it can’t be noted often enough: Only one person has occupied both the Oval Office and the world wrestling hall of fame. He got there by turning conflict into celebrity and celebrity into votes. Rather than reboot the old show as a courtroom drama, we must call off the conflict that feeds the beast.
* On the other hand, Renato Mariotti, Politico’s legal affairs writer, takes THE TOTALLY OPPOSITE POV:
Jack Smith’s job is to follow the facts and bring charges if they’re warranted. Politicians may decline to move forward because of a media narrative, but that’s not how prosecutors are supposed to make decisions. If Smith takes into account what pundits might say, he’ll be making the same mistake Comey did. Prosecutors should make decisions based on the law and the facts, not on how they will play on cable TV.
* Michael Goodwin goes typically over the top, but his connections of Hunter to the document stuff will feed the conspiratorial feelings of some of you readers (while allowing others of you to see where the right is headed on this).
* Essential reading IF you have a free Sunday: Politico’s Ankush Khardori has a wonderful (and sympathic) profile of Merrick Garland.
* Good news AND bad news for Team Biden: The Gang of 500 at brunch this morning at Laurio Plaza will declare that all of this imbroglio for the president is about competence, not corruption or illegality. Or, really, about the PERCEPTION of competence, which/but in Green Bay diners they are NOT talking about this morning. David Gergen and the Associated Press lead the way.
Please note: Mr. Gergen will not be at the brunch, but he has recorded a video message that will be played on the big screen during the queso course.
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ESSENTIAL READING
* Ross Douthat on the parameters of a robust Biden comeback in ‘23-4. There’s the usual amount of Douthatian hedging, but also it sets the terms quite smartly.
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Thought for today: There is now, belatedly, investigative reporting overkill on George Santos. All these major news organizations have squadrons of reporters to look into all aspects of Santos’ background. Yes, it’s a target rich environment. But I think we can move on from this one, folks. This is all falling action now. Leave it to the people with subpoena power. Focus on waste, fraud, abuse, malfeasance, and wrongdoing elsewhere. There’s a lot to look at
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