This says it all

Pew is one of the most respected polling firms, period. See the poll below. Trump has started with the worst approval rating (39%) since they've been taking this poll. Far lower than the next worse, GW, at 53%.

HOWEVER, look closely at the results. Democrat voters gave GW just a 30% approval rating, and they give Trump justifiably and understandably a meager 8% approval.

BUT LOOK AT REPUBLICAN VOTERS. They give Trump an 84% approval rating!!! Compare this to Republicans at the time giving Reagan, their god, just a 78% approval rating. In fact, Republicans give Trump a higher approval rating than Reagan, Bush Sr. or GW!!

This poll becomes Exhibit A that the Republican Party is the root problem when it comes to Trump. Yes, this lunatic had a few key states go his way by a slim margin, handing him the Electoral College victory. And he additionally had the aid of Putin and Comey. But he did not win the White House without the backing of many Mr. and Ms. GOP voter.

The GOP must be held to account

If I read or hear one more Republican "confess" that Trump is awful, or that they didn't think he'd be this bad, my head is going to explode.

It's become, and has been, too easy to just criticize Trump. Of course, he deserves it. But how did he get here? Who is responsible? He didn't just waltz into the White House with no help from anyone else.

And who helped him (besides Putin and Comey)? Yes, the Republican Party.

Please just watch or listen to this video, from minute mark 3:20 to 10:00, less than 7 minutes. The great Sam Seder reiterates what I've been saying for some time now. The GOP must be held to account for Trump. They are his enablers. Sam quotes Mitch McConnell saying Trump is basically doing what a President Jeb Bush, Rubio or Romney would be doing now anyway -- and I agree. Oh sure, they wouldn't be as blatantly crazy, but they'd be appointing the same appointees, nominating the same judges, endorsing the same policy, etc. Just not with the tweeting or fly-away hair. 

Sam says he predicted Trump would be both a GOP rubber stamp and a loose cannon. But imo, the key is that he is a GOP rubber stamp. Why? Because McConnell & Co. can tolerate an insane babbling orange man in the White House as long as he is signing bills and legislation that they want passed. If Trump went completely rogue and was not doing what they wished, then you'd very likely see McConnell & Co. work to greatly diminish Trump, to curb him or force him to act and say as they want. You know, much like Russia seems to have long ago figured out how to do. 

So Sam's right, the media has to make the GOP account for their choice to be president. The Republican Party are the bad parents directly responsible for this boorish, obnoxious, unhinged man-child.

A Growing Continuous Refrain

Robert Reich, Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton, has been a strong voice of sanity for many years. And he apparently remains well-connected in Washington. 

His tweet is becoming a constant refrain as many inside-DC Republicans confess that they're concerned about Trump's mental state, i.e. that he's coo-coo nuts. Of course, the GOP is responsible for putting this guy in the White House, but I digress.... 

And what does it say that they put a nut in the White House and yet then use said nutball to advance their pet issues, like ruining the planet... really sick.

But now we have to hear about their concern, how they're worried that Trump is not mentally competent to be the most powerful person on the planet. As if they just discovered this revelation over the last three weeks, nevermind the volumes of evidence prior to then.... 

Newsflash: IF YOU HAVE A PROCESS (PARTY) THAT ALLOWS FOR FRANKENSTEIN TO BE THE NET RESULT, TO BE THE END-PRODUCT, THEN YOU HAVE A DEEPLY FAULTY PROCESS (PARTY).

Trump is the demon seed born from the uterus of the GOP. 

More so, if Trump must resign at some point, many may say Pence is better in relative terms. But people, Pence did not actually win in 2016! Would he have beaten Hillary then? Who knows since Pence did not run! 

But what we do know is Republicans picked Trump, he was their guy, and he won (the Electoral College). Trump is who they are, NOT Pence or Ryan or.... THAT is what we need to keep in mind, regardless of what happens going forward. Republicans picked Trump as their presidential nominee AND Republican voters put him in power (with lots of help).

Do not let them forget this fact no matter what occurs in the future.

John McCain was very brave (was)

We all know John McCain's past, his bravery and honor as a POW. And we even recall pre-2008 when he was the "maverick" of his party. 

But those days are long gone. 

Yes, fine, McCain is pushing back against Trump. But should we really pat him on the back so hard? Should the kid who returns a stolen wallet get a big reward? (as opposed to just doing the right thing, needing no reward)  I mean my god, the fact we applaud any Republican to state the obvious versus this nutcase in the White House is really telling about the GOP! McCain is great because he says the emperor is naked?! Sheesh. It's not that McCain is "brave" (please!), rather that most other Republicans are craven, partisan-blind and afraid of Trump.

But the sadder fact is there was a time when McCain carried much influence in the GOP -- those days are long gone. He's instead treated as that once mighty lion who is now old and must leave the pride and wander off alone. His window of influence has closed. Oh sure, TV news shows love to have him on, still, but within DC he's near DOA. 

So way to go McCain! At his peak, he picked a female Trump (narcissistic dim-bulb) from Alaska as VP and flamed out, deservedly. He once believed in global warming, then switched sides to appease his f*cked-up party. I do sort of feel sorry for him, what reasonable person can have real influence in that asylum?

And frankly, given how much he has flipped from his "maverick" pre-2008 self, he has not done NEARLY enough to redeem himself....

"Bigger than Watergate"

With this recent Russia scandal, Democrats are reportedly saying it's worse than Watergate.

But those are just words. The Republicans were able to apply extreme pressure and initiate several investigations on Benghazi (amounting to zilch). The key word here: tenacity. Republicans are tenacious in their political ambition and audacity. The Democrats not so much....

So let's see how things progress with this outrageous and alarming controversy concerning Trump's collusion with Russia. If Benghazi warranted eight investigative hearings, how many does this scandal warrant? Twelve? Twenty?

It's all up to the Democrats. We know the Republicans will look to sweep this under the rug, to move on expeditiously as if nothing happened. Will the Democrats be as tenacious and relentless as the Republicans have been towards MUCH less? Unfortunately I remain very skeptical. Democrats are too often all bark, no bite. They'll say much and sound tough, but in the end not much happens.

Let me be clear:

1) This is potentially a VERY serious matter.
2) It's been all but served up to the Democrats on a silver platter.
3) Will the Democrats just let this go? Will they do their usual, go on TV talk shows, use harsh language, then after a few days all is forgotten?
4) Republicans are likely banking on that -- and frankly I can't blame them, given past history.

Look, if Hillary was in the White House under these circumstances, impeachment hearings would already be occurring! Yes, I understand the Democrats are not in the majority, but did that ever stop Republicans when they were in the minority? Please.

Are You $%#& Kidding Me?

Michael Flynn resigns. Read the many stories on why he resigned. Now imagine Hillary Clinton as president under these circumstances.

What do you see? Non-stop alarm by Republicans, and their call for many investigations? Fox News going apoplectic about the scandal and likely treason? The "mainstream media" playing all of this up to be the worst start to a presidency in our history??

Yeah, but Trump is president, and instead we have seen nothing remotely close to this response.

I would say "incredible" if it was actually, but it's not. The Republican Party is so twisted in its hypocrisy it's no longer shocking or hard to believe. Instead, it's what we've come to expect from a group of people who have completely checked their morals (and bravery) at the door as the price of admission. To be honest and upstanding are qualities that will sh*t-can you out the door faster than you can say "Reagan was the greatest president."

I don't know how a Republican can remain a Republican with a straight face, assuming said person is sane and not in denial. The problem is too many are not, i.e. they're insane and in complete denial.