Trump Gets Bit By the Snake

By Jeralyn, Section Trump Administration
Posted on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 02:29:56 PM EST
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Trump loved the story of the snake. We all predicted that the fictional snake would jump up one day and bite Trump in the as*.

And now he has. Here's the anonymous op-ed in the New York Times Here's Trump's response. Here are the staff denials to date.

The sad thing is there is no one to cheer for here. The author sounds like a dangerous infiltrator trying to foist his or her own brand of conservatism on the country. So, who is it? [More...]

The Times, in a Tweet, referred to the person as "he."

Mike Caputo reportedly said on the radio he is pretty sure he knows and it's a female. A clue he dropped: “It’s dangerous to fire her because of who she’s related to.” He also said she wouldn't have the skills to write that well, and opined a ghost-writer was the actual author.

Sounds like this person will be outed or out themselves soon. You don't have to be a cabinet member to be considered a "senior official."

Here's a list of White House Officials that is current as of July 1, 2018.

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Trump Gets Bit By the Snake | 55 comments (55 topical)

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The TImes quickly (none / 0) (#1)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 02:45:32 PM EST

Put out a statement saying the person who sent the "he" tweet did not know the identity and so did not know the sex..

FWIW

Lawrence ODonnell (none / 0) (#2)
by MKS on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 03:27:41 PM EST

says it is Dan Coats. His reasoning mafe sense to me. I font think it is Ivanka if thst is ehat Caputo was tryibh to say.

Ha! (none / 0) (#3)
by MKS on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 03:32:49 PM EST

Using smart phone sure increases typos. But you guys are smart enough to know what I was tring to say.


I (none / 0) (#4)
by FlJoe on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 03:58:52 PM EST

just can't see the motive for Coates, he's another one who I think would keep his head down an keep doing "god's work". He was fairly critical of tRump over the Helsinki humiliation, but seemed to back down on that, seemingly learning his lesson.


Seems like it might be (none / 0) (#5)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 04:13:14 PM EST

Someone with a lower profile than Coats.


In (none / 0) (#6)
by FlJoe on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 04:57:32 PM EST

reality it's probably a step down from all he names being bandied about, probably a deputy secretary or chief of staff. My underestimating is that "senior officials" go down one or two levels below cabinet level. I don't think the NYT would have printed this if they had any doubts this person could fit this description.

That's not to say that it wasn't manipulated from higher up, I could easily see Pence direct one of his top minions to pull this off.

I keep looking to motive, the whole op-ed reads like some heroic tale of the ("adult" conservative) Resistance rather than a humble plea from someone who finally found their conscience.

There is something Machiavellian about this, IMO someone is trying to goad tRump for their own reasons.


Yeah (none / 0) (#7)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:04:55 PM EST

Reads to me like an early attempt to separate "the party" from Trumpenstein.

You know, we gave you tax cuts and regulatory reform sorry about the debilitating side effects.

Don't blame us for those.

I still think it might be McGhan. If it is, it might have the added effect of taking attention off the Kavanaugh spectacle. Which I do not think is going as planned.

Plus, he is already leaving.

His denial means nothing.


McGahn is deeply involved (none / 0) (#8)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:07:39 PM EST

In the Kavanaugh thing. Always hovering behind him.


I (none / 0) (#12)
by FlJoe on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:30:54 PM EST

was thinking McGhan earlier, but again what's the motive? Distraction from Kavanaugh hearings which are getting fairly rocky, but that seems a bit too show biz for him.

He has obviously made his piece for better or worse with Mueller and no matter what happens he will receive a hero's welcome into arms of the Federalist Society.


Perhaps personal rehabilitation (none / 0) (#13)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:35:25 PM EST

Life after Trump. I think whoever it is expects to speak openly at some point.

He's already out.


What is puzzling me (5.00 / 1) (#26)
by Peter G on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 09:43:20 PM EST

is the nature of his game. That is, if what the op-ed says is true, then why disclose and describe this situation (the internal "resistance") publicly, and why now? What's the logical strategy there? The only thing I can think of -- and I don't find it particulary persuasive -- is to make Tr*mp completely melt down, go (further) off the deep edge. So again, why, and why now?


NO sympathy (5.00 / 1) (#30)
by jmacWA on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 06:02:48 AM EST

For Trump


Exactly (5.00 / 1) (#33)
by FlJoe on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 07:36:20 AM EST

why jeopardize a vital, successful and quasi-covert operation. If this cabal of "patriots" is truly fighting the good fight why would someone risk it all? If the main goal is to mitigate some of tRumps most dangerous impulses this op-ed could only possibly make that task harder or even inpossible moving forward.

All for some future CYA cred? i can't quite buy that.


That means you buy the (none / 0) (#34)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 08:10:20 AM EST

The first "heros of the republic" krap.

For my part, if there was an ounce of truth in that sneaking to the Times is not what you do.

Especially if you are really a senior person.

IMO this is about getting into the last lifeboat dressed as an old lady.

And you know whoever this is will be a media darling as soon as they speak up. There will be real rewards for this for a person like Kelly Ann or McGahn or Aunt Lydia or whoever it is. Cable contributor, book deal, mini series.


And worth remembering (none / 0) (#35)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 08:17:18 AM EST

Most of the people on that denial list won't be able think get arrested in 6-8 months.


That's (none / 0) (#38)
by FlJoe on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 09:47:09 AM EST

kind of my point, the act of writing the op-ed blows the whole hero narrative out of the water.

I do think there are actually grains of truth in this, Gary Cohn's actions as recounted by Woodward sure seem to fit. Others like Mattis could charitably be assumed to protecting the departments they head. Others like Sessions may be ignoring tRump (lock her up) to pursue his own agenda (lock up or deport all the browns).

As far as polishing your future cred, why not just resign and go public? Or even better first tell your tale to select members of the press, who will gladly do the hard work of polishing the turd for you.


What is the media game today (none / 0) (#39)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 09:50:52 AM EST

And yesterday and tomorrow until we know?

The guessing game.

Like I said with Kavanaugh and Mueller and everything else going on a resignation would have been announced at 3 and forgotten by 5

This was IMO very smart.


I see (none / 0) (#41)
by FlJoe on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 10:37:23 AM EST

your point about dominating the news for a few extra cycles, but will it really matter a couple of weeks down the road? Especially if the name is not revealed soon, there are a multitude of shiny objects in the queue.


: I'll be surprised if it's a couple of weeks (none / 0) (#42)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 10:47:43 AM EST

Whoever it is (none / 0) (#27)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 10:06:29 PM EST

The timing could be as simple as getting your resistance registered before the hammer falls.

For posterity or vanity or CYA.


: The (5.00 / 1) (#29)
by FlJoe on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 05:50:59 AM EST

last rat deserting a sinking ship is still a rat.

Perhaps to get President Pence installed... (none / 0) (#47)
by unitron on Sat Sep 08, 2018 at 01:36:30 AM EST

...before a Dem House and Senate convene next January, and have a chance to make the new Speaker the new President?

(provided the elections go that way)

In another little corner of the Internet I've suggested that we

#ImpeachPenceFirst

and that come January a Dem majority House (should we get one) install the 2016 1st runner-up as Speaker, with Pelosi in reserve.


One other thought (none / 0) (#14)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:42:58 PM EST

I mean who the hell know if it's him or not but one feeling I got from reading that was whoever it was seemed to think the end was near. They seemed to know things are coming. That very large hammers are about to fall.

Almost like someone who spent 30 hours talking to Mueller.


Agreed (5.00 / 1) (#15)
by FlJoe on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 06:01:15 PM EST

but it still seems more like someone is trying to hasten the end rather than mitigate or atone for it.


I did (none / 0) (#28)
by Ga6thDem on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 10:14:30 PM EST

get that same impression. They know the jig is up for Trump one way or the other they say. The jig can be up simply by the GOP losing the house.

I don't see how the GOP is ever going to outlive this nightmare though they seem to think they will.


My spider sense was tingling (none / 0) (#31)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 07:29:00 AM EST

When I woke up this morning. Something is coming.

Either that or a bit of a hangover.


: I hope it's (none / 0) (#37)
by Ga6thDem on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 09:32:06 AM EST

your spidey sense and not a hangover.
PS. The snake poem always makes me think of you since you pointed out him saying it a number of times. LOL.

If not really (none / 0) (#9)
by KeysDan on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:14:18 PM EST

"a senior official", such as Coats or other cabinet officer, it is even more troubling that a second or third tier official has taken on the responsibility to steer the ship of state.

The NYTimes op ed author does say that "many" inside the administration have "vowed" to do what they can to preserve our democratic institutions while thwarting Trump until he is out of office.

The use of the word "vowed" suggests a solemn promise or pledge...something organized and conspiratorial. .. a response to what was once considered manageable while still getting the conservative goodies (judges, tax cuts, deregulations) has become a frightening and out of control situation. Perhaps, that would explain .why now to go public...and no well-crafted sentences hide the fact that the author(s) observe Trump to have gone around the bend.

While no doubt there is a leader, the internal resistance may have crafted the op ed as sort of a murder on the orient express action.

Even so, it still seems unlikely that a group of second or third tier would be discussing the 25th Amendment or doing much other than carping in a bar. No, in my view, the author is someone of sufficient importance and credibility for the NYTimes to publish such a serious essay, anonymously. If not Coats, maybe god spoke to Mother or Pence who said: do this.


: McGahn would likely be aware (none / 0) (#10)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:22:51 PM EST

Of 25 amendment conversations

: I just can't imagine Pence (none / 0) (#11)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 05:26:09 PM EST

I just can't.

"because of who she's related to" (none / 0) (#16)
by obsessed on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 06:13:50 PM EST

It's hard to imagine it being Sarah Huckabee, but the only other females related to known figures are Ivanka, Conway, and DeVos. Conway's anti-Trump husband wouldn't dissuade them from firing her and DeVos is too busy raping and pillaging the treasury and ruining the lives of young people for personal profit to even notice what Trump is doing.

I mean, is Nikki Haley related to Bill Haley? Oh, wait, what about Elaine Chao?

Not Bill Haley. (5.00 / 1) (#20)
by Peter G on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 07:27:00 PM EST

Jack Haley. No heart.


No haht?! (5.00 / 2) (#23)
by jondee on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 07:56:35 PM EST

: Oil can what? (none / 0) (#24)
by Peter G on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 09:04:52 PM EST

A necco!

Pro Tip (none / 0) (#17)
by FlJoe on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 06:23:05 PM EST

Give Caputo a minus 10 on the credibility scale as a baseline. A Roger Stone wanna-be, if you ask me.


: Well (none / 0) (#18)
by CaptHowdy on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 06:27:22 PM EST

There's Ronna Romney McDaniel head of the RNC.
??

: Exactly (none / 0) (#22)
by jondee on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 07:55:25 PM EST

in what universe should a reptilian running buddy of Putin and Ollie North be considered a credible source?

How Many SAOs are There? (none / 0) (#19)
by RickyJim on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 06:50:17 PM EST

640 or 1212, according to this article.

: Kinda (none / 0) (#21)
by FlJoe on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 07:47:20 PM EST

BS way of counting, Senate confirmed positions include (a small random sample from Wiki):
5 Commissioners of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (political balance required; seven-year terms of office - Only three of the positions have been funded and filled since the mid-1980s; chair, who first must be confirmed as a member, also needs to be confirmed.)
5 Commissioners of the Federal Communications Commission (political balance required; five-year terms of office)
5 Commissioners of the Federal Maritime Commission (political balance required; five-year terms of office)
5 Commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission (political balance required; seven-year terms of office)
5 Members of the National Transportation Safety Board (political balance required; five-year terms of office - Chair, who first must be confirmed as a member, also needs to be confirmed.)
Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects
9 Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (political balance required; six-year terms of office)
3 Directors of the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (six-year terms of office; political balance required)
7 Members of the Amtrak Reform Board (five-year terms of office)
5 Members of the Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Advisory Board (political balance required;indefinite terms of office)
I seriously doubt the NYT or anyone would consider any of these as senior officials.

: I posted the link (none / 0) (#25)
by Jeralyn on Thu Sep 06, 2018 at 09:19:35 PM EST

to the official list of White House officials. I have no idea who's considered "senior" -- the list has their salaries, so maybe the higher the salary the more senior the person?

Kelly alone has not denied it (none / 0) (#32)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 07:35:37 AM EST

Rand (civil liberties) Paul wants everyone polygraphed.

I like the polygraph idea.

I hope all the Trumps (5.00 / 1) (#36)
by CaptHowdy on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 08:58:49 AM EST

Are on the polygraph list. Because this could easily be a false flag.

Justify his paranoid DEEP STATE krap
Justify a purge
Distracts from the Kavanaugh show
(If true) they play the NYTimes


: False (5.00 / 1) (#43)
by FlJoe on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 10:48:34 AM EST

flag has crossed my mind, but despite my distrust for the NYT, I just don't think they could be played so badly and they could burn the source if that were the case.

Polygraphs probably wouldn't work (none / 0) (#45)
by fishcamp on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 01:24:41 PM EST

on those folks since they're such great liars both asking and answering.


: There may not be (5.00 / 1) (#50)
by CaptHowdy on Sat Sep 08, 2018 at 11:38:07 AM EST

Enough electricity in North America to sort that out
Bill Maher (paraphrase)

So, when do y'all think the movie will come out? (none / 0) (#40)
by Chuck0 on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 09:52:35 AM EST

And who plays Bone Spurs?

Forensics show (none / 0) (#44)
by smott on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 12:14:44 PM EST

It likely to be male, older, conservative.

My sense is it is someone who is trying to preserve their political viability post-Trump. Dog whistles for taxes and immigration (prosperity and safety)....

I thought Haley, but no rea idea.

Whomever it is, (5.00 / 1) (#46)
by KeysDan on Fri Sep 07, 2018 at 01:38:45 PM EST

we know it is one of the "best people." Someone who was willing to work for Trump, overlooking the unhinged in pursuit of tax cuts, deregulation and increased military spending. Someone who wants the Trump Administration to succeed. And, indeed, thinks that many of its policies have already made America safer and more prosperous.

And, as you note, to lay no blame on conservatism, or, Republicans, for the aberration of Trump. So, yes, a vested, older conservative, who does not want policy goals, such as cutting social security and medicare, eliminating Obamacare, and keeping immigrants out, to be contaminated by Trump's nuttiness which can no longer be contained. Not even by Nancy Reagan's astrologer. The author is comes across to me as being frightened, sees the fire, has broken the glass, and ran back to his office, hoping that some firefighters arrive and same the democracy.


Time for the GOP to kick The Donald under the bus? (none / 0) (#48)
by unitron on Sat Sep 08, 2018 at 01:46:33 AM EST

They're probably thinking they could go on being just as evil and hypocritical under President Pence with the relief of the captain of the ship not being the biggest, loosest cannon.


The only (none / 0) (#49)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Sep 08, 2018 at 07:02:37 AM EST

thing holding them back probably is the fact that Pence polls even lower than Trump. The evangelicals love Pence but the other Trump voters don't care much for him. So their base of support is even smaller if they put Pence in.


Why is that, GA6? (none / 0) (#51)
by Peter G on Sat Sep 08, 2018 at 01:02:19 PM EST

I know why I don't like Pence, but why don't GOP voters and politicos? And of course, the question is not so much how he fares with them now, as how they would rally to his support were he elevated to the Presidency by a resignation, impeachment, or invocation of the 25th Amend.


: I (none / 0) (#53)
by FlJoe on Sat Sep 08, 2018 at 01:54:41 PM EST

am quite sure that the GOP establishment would be quite happy with Pence over tRump. The problem for them is that tRump's core base is (IMO) nothing less than a cult of personality. If tRump leaves office before 2012 a sizable voting bloc leaves with him. Depending on the circumstances Pence is likely to become the face of the deep state to most of them.

: Like (none / 0) (#55)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Sep 08, 2018 at 07:39:28 PM EST

FLJoe says below. It's not the establishment that is the issue. They would certainly be fine with Pence. It's the Trump voters that go to the rallies, the non-evangelical voters that only answer to Trump that would be the problem. And they would blame Mitch McConnell and the GOP establisment for Trump's downfall.

Where (none / 0) (#52)
by FlJoe on Sat Sep 08, 2018 at 01:36:48 PM EST

you see fear I see only arrogance. After years of this five alarm dumpster fire being obvious to any non-Fox watcher, now they raise the alarm?

After correctly listing tRump's transgressions, all of them old news

Take foreign policy: In public and in private, President Trump shows a preference for autocrats and dictators, such as President Vladimir Putin of Russia and North Korea's leader, Kim Jong-un, and displays little genuine appreciation for the ties that bind us to allied, like-minded nations.

Well duh!

Code Red he/she declares, but the first responders are already there

The erratic behavior would be more concerning if it weren't for unsung heroes in and around the White House.

We can all still sleep at night

It may be cold comfort in this chaotic era, but Americans should know that there are adults in the room. We fully recognize what is happening. And we are trying to do what's right even when Donald Trump won't.

Sorry buddy, it still white hot rage at enablers like you, who of course pass the buck

what we as a nation have allowed him to do to us. We have sunk low with him and allowed our discourse to be stripped of civility.

We?

I guess at the end there is a faint and vague cry for help

But the real difference will be made by everyday citizens rising above politics, reaching across the aisle and resolving to shed the labels in favor of a single one: Americans.

No Labels will save us! I want to puke.


: This to me (5.00 / 1) (#54)
by Ga6thDem on Sat Sep 08, 2018 at 07:37:53 PM EST

sounds so much like John Kelly.