Wednesday News: Gary Cohn Departure Leaves Hardliners in Charge, “Means Disaster”; “Trump is running amok”; Virginia “Blue Wave” Coming?

by Lowell

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, March 7.

• Trump’s top economic adviser to resign amid trade policy differences (A sane, competent person to leave the Trump administration? I’m shocked! shocked!)
• Gary Cohn’s Exit Won’t Make This Administration Any Better
• Trump’s Exaggerated and Misleading Claims on Trade (“The president’s claims about enormous trade deficits, tariffs and the World Trade Organization are overstated and contradicted by his own economic report.” Trump has ZERO understanding of economics.)
• ‘It means disaster’: White House aides fear more policy chaos after Cohn departure (“Some worry that the West Wing could return to the uncontrolled days of the early Trump administration, when the travel ban became an executive order with little review.”)
• Kim Jong Un is suddenly talking about peace. Here’s why. (“With the announcement of a summit between North and South Korean leaders as a possible prelude to talks with the Trump administration, Kim has maneuvered within view of a victory his forefathers only dreamed of: membership in the world community, on North Korea’s terms. Many things can still go wrong. But his path forward seems pretty clear.”)
• Democratic voters show up in force in Texas, a sign that liberal enthusiasm could shift Republican states
• Finally, Trump does something Republicans can’t stomach
• Trump complicit with Scaramucci attacks on Kelly
• How the Washington establishment is losing out to little-known Trump advisers on trade
• Paul Ryan Is a Trump Lackey for One Reason (“The latest missive in the grand tradition of failing to understand Ryan comes from the New York Times, which puzzles over his passivity toward Trump. Compare the various theories straining to explain Ryan’s behavior here against the simple model that he is motivated primarily by low taxes for the rich.”)
• Trump dismisses question about Russian meddling, touts ‘surprise’ outcome of 2018 election (“Meanwhile, Trump intelligence officials are sounding the alarm, saying they’re not authorized to combat Russian interference.”)
• Stormy Daniels goes nuclear on Trump, reveals all in new lawsuit
• Mass shooters: Part of a larger epidemic of white male rage (There’s something seriously wrong with many white males in this country, no doubt.)
• Gary Cohn tolerated Trump’s racism, but tariffs are too much for him
• How Trump’s climate skeptics are changing the country (First of all, they’re not “skeptics,” they’re science DENIERS. Second of all, they are evil.)
• Scott Pruitt’s EPA Aide Has a Side Hustle in the Private Sector (“They’re not even trying to hide it anymore.” How is this not totally corrupt?)
• The Battle for Voting Rights Is Never Over (“Kris Kobach is proof of that fact.” Kobach is definitely one of the most extreme, dangerous people in America.)
• Texas primary 2018: key results
• Biden hits campaign trail for red-state Dems
• Kellyanne Conway found to have violated Hatch Act
• Why Does Everyone Hate The Media? (“Personally, I think it’s good that Trump is forcing media to rethink its ‘both sides’ framing on a number of issues.”)
• ‘Trump is running amok’: GOP strategist warns Cohn departure proves ‘the guy writing crazy tweets’ is now making policy
• REVEALED: Kushner’s United Arab Emirates point man is now cooperating with Mueller probe
• Cohn’s Exit Leaves Hard-Liners Ascendant in Trump White House
• Democrat turnout rise in Texas could help bid to retake House
• Gary Cohn Reaches the Breaking Point (“Trump’s top economic advisor almost quit after the president’s handling of Charlottesville. Now he’s resigning over a populist rebellion in the White House.”)
• ‘I love the guy,’ one Republican says about Gov. Ralph Northam (D). But will it help in Medicaid fight?
• Virginia Senate Passes Bill Prohibiting “Sanctuary Cities” (VETO!)
• Ogens: No excuses: Restore funding now to Virginia conservation programs (“Ogens is the Virginia state director for The Nature Conservancy.”)
• VCU charged governor’s office $300 an hour for mediator on Dominion bill
• House kills fish bill: Does Virginia risk falling out of compliance with menhaden catch limits?
• Delores McQuinn column: Virginia lawmakers must come together on gun violence
• Editorial: Time for compromise at the General Assembly (The problem, as usual, is Republicans being hard-line ideologues.)
• New Virginia Poll: Big “Blue Wave” Forming for November Elections; Dem Voters Much More Enthused; Dem “Generic” Candidate Up in VA01, VA02, VA06, VA09, VA10; (“Virginia voters also strongly approve of the Dream Act, disapprove of offshore oil drilling.”)
• Virginia voters may create another ‘blue wave,’ new poll finds
• House Republicans accuse Democrat of violating ban on fundraising during session by attending PAC event (I had a feeling that was coming…)
• Stealing Fluffy’s pain killers? Va. bill aims to stop people from abusing their pets’ prescriptions (That’s completely f’ed up.)
• In Arlington, more donations to help immigrants afford citizenship fees (“The effort began with a federal retiree who teaches citizenship classes and donated $7,000.”)
• Kaine supports grant funding for I-81 improvements
• Schapiro: November was a curmudgeon with a kind heart
• Richmond mayor’s budget provides raises for City Hall workers and one-time $12.5 million boost for RPS
• Spotty rain and snow showers today; watching another wintry threat this weekend (“We have an active weather pattern, though whether it results in any significant snow remains a question mark.”)