SUBSCRIBING
Item: You can join many of your fellow readers in support of the independent journalism of this newsletter by becoming a voluntary subscriber:
What that loudmouth will say on your morning zoom: I was reading Wide World of News for free for a long time, but I realized I should start paying for it, so I’m trying out a monthly subscription.
What you should say on your morning zoom: I was reading Wide World of News for free for a long time, but I realized I should start paying for it, so I bought an annual subscription.
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MAN-ON-DOG BITING
Item: It’s one thing for Bill Galston to take to the Wall Street Journal editorial page to deeply praise Team Biden’s handling of Russia (and China); it’s another thing for Holman Jenkins to do it:
Mr. Biden…has surprised and discombobulated Vladimir Putin with his un-Obama-like response to renewed tensions over Ukraine, including, on Monday, whipping a German chancellor into line. By sending military supplies to Ukraine, by deploying troops to Eastern Europe, by preparing sanctions, the Biden administration has orchestrated a set of signals that even Mr. Putin can’t misinterpret….
Mr. Putin is not “winning” the Ukraine crisis he started.
What that loudmouth will say on your morning zoom: But the Germans and the French….
What you should say on your morning zoom: Blinken and Sullivan have played a middling hand strongly, maximizing the prospects of a good outcome (even if not guaranteeing it).
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ADJUSTING
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What that loudmouth will ask on your morning zoom: What’s taking these Blue state governors so long?
What you should say on your morning zoom: I wonder if Team Biden can wait until the State of the Union speech on March 1 to (belatedly) race in front of this parade – or if the White House will have to move sooner than that to shed mandates and press for the Old Normal. Pro tip: Not too seen to think about what “heroes” will be in the box with Jill Biden.
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MITCHING
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WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell is criticizing the Republican National Committee for censuring two House GOP lawmakers investigating the “violent insurrection” on Jan. 6, 2021, saying it’s not the party’s job to police the views of lawmakers.
What that loudmouth will ask on your morning zoom: Did you see Kevin McCarthy racing down the hallway like a bat out of hell?
What you should say on your morning zoom: What passes for joy in the soul of Mitch McConnell is when taking the same action both increases his chances of winning back the Senate majority and represents doing the right thing – never forgetting that the former is the entrée and the latter is a bite of peach cobbler.
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DIVERSIFYING
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What that loudmouth will say on your morning zoom: If Elise Stefanik were a Democrat with the same accomplishments, type of rhetoric, and Twitter game, the Dominant Media would make her a heroine.
What you should say on your morning zoom: I have to say that the Loudmouth got that one right! Also, if a Red wave in the midterms sweeps in a lot of Republicans who are not white men, the Democratic finger pointing will turn quickly into a circular firing squad and those bloodhounds who couldn’t find Walter Huddleston will have to help the Democrats with ample soul searching.
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REALIZING
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What that loudmouth will ask on your morning zoom: That’s the guy from “Monty Python,” right? Or “Fawlty Towers”?
What you should exclaim on your morning zoom: “Beginning to”??!!??
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SPOTIFYING
Item: Rich Lowry:
[Spotify honcho] Ek clearly believes that by giving ground, by putting content warnings on some Rogan podcasts and removing others, while making apologetic sounds, he can weather this storm. Maybe. But the fever for cancellations won’t end until the likes of Ek are courageous and tough-minded enough to tell the mob and its whiny fellow-travelers that offensive speech isn’t a threat to anyone’s safety or emotional well-being, and there’s no use pretending otherwise.
The debate over speech in this country is defined by people using their childishness and sense of entitlement as weapons. It won’t change until leaders are unafraid to tell them in no uncertain terms to grow up.
What that loudmouth will ask on your morning zoom: Who listens to this Jeff Rogan person anyway?
What you should say on your morning zoom: Rich Lowry is right.
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WAITING
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What that loudmouth will say on your morning zoom: This has gone from “follow the money” to “cherchez la femme” to “follow the money” back to “cherchez la femme” back to “follow the money” in a Miami Beach minute.
What you should say on your morning zoom: Once the suits at WarnerMedia realize that the interests of Jeff Zucker and Chris Cuomo are largely aligned again, they are going to have to come up with a new plan – FaceTime me after the Zoom and I will explain.
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TIPPING
Item: There are more ways than ever to give a voluntary gratuity (Is there any other kind???) to Mark Halperin to support his work.
What that loudmouth will say on your morning zoom: I’m old-fashioned, so I prefer to write a paper check. I’m going to email Mark at markhalperintalk@gmail.com and ask where I can send payment in any amount of my choice.
What you should say on your morning zoom: I’m more newfangled, so I will use one of the following methods:
• PayPal. markhalperinnyc@gmail.com
• Venmo. Mark-Halperin-4 (telephone number ends in x3226)
• Zelle. markhalperinnyc@gmail.com
* Buy Mark a cocktail (at Gotham City prices….), tax and server tip included, by clicking here.
* Buy Mark a cup of coffee (or a week’s worth) by clicking here.
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