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David Henry of Senate Circle invites readers to a Zoom Fundraiser on Thursday, 8/11, 7pm ET/6pm CT/5pm MT/4pm PT/3pm AK. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/scakks?refcode=Hubbell

Join US House Candidate Mary Peltola (AK) and US Representative Sharice Davids (KS-3) with special guests former Alaska Lt. Gov. Fran Ulmer and 2020 Kansas Senate nominee Dr. Barbara Bollier

Inspired by the victory in Kansas? Ready for the next win? Please join us to support two inspiring indigenous women who may hold the key to restoring Roe as the law of the land.

Former Alaska State Representative Mary Peltola, a member of the Orutsararmiut Native Council, seeks to win the special election to fill Alaska's at-large seat. Under Alaska’s new Ranked-Choice Voting and its over 60% pro-choice population, Peltola could win 45% of first-round votes on August 16th, and crest the magic 50% in the second round.

US Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, seeks to hold the seat she flipped in 2018. She faces her 2020 opponent in a nearly even Biden/Trump district, but voters in her district voted 67% for choice last week! Donations are split between the two candidates, but if you prefer, you can contribute only to Peltola or Davids. Email david@senatecircle.org with any questions.

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Thank you to Robert for posting last night about the Tending to Democracy Giving Circle, and gigantic thanks to all who signed up as members and/or donated toward the fundraising goal! These funds will help support good candidates in pivotal state legislature races. Your participation adds to our exponential networking. Together, we add up to make a winning difference!

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Will the organization name, above, direct us to your group?

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Thank you for asking. With the wonderful response, we reached our humble goal, which was a relatively arbitrary number. We are raising the goal, and all funds raised go toward this great cause of maximizing our efforts to save democracy!

https://www.grapevine.org/giving-circle/1XQhnyD/Tending-to-Democracy

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Thank you, Ellie. Great to hear about the positive response! Will contribute and pass it on.

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Thank you so much--you are adding to the momentum!

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It's hard to do, but try to cast aside all the hysteria around the Mar-A-Lago search warrant. Let's please call it what it was. Then why not be curious as to why a former President has stolen (they are not his) anything in the way of the people's archives. Why? Here are some optional answers:

1. There is information about how the WH had planned a coup - refusing to transfer power.

2. There is information relating to the Helsinki meeting with Putin.

3. There is information that refers to TFG's undermining our international relationships.

4. There is information relating to conversations with Russians about election tampering.

5. There is further damning info about the Zelensky call.

The outrage should be that TFG stole our records! Regardless of what is in those boxes, this was a theft! That's a big deal kind of a crime.

Whatever is in those now 25 boxes is of value to a man for some specific reasons. The search was legal. His possession was not. The MSM should be asking TFG what was in those boxes - why would he want them in Florida? What is he hiding? What is he planning?

Do your job as journalists, MSM. Start digging. Stop parroting the potential crooks. Ask good questions. Get in TFG's face and ask! Be reporters - not regurgitators.

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I would add two of the most important factors based on TFG's behavior over the last 50 years: greed and power. Would he save documents that he could sell? You bet he would. Would he save documents that he could use to manipulate/bribe people? You bet he would. We can't look at this from the perspective of a normal person. TFG has always been a thug. And also be aware that it served the Repubs benefit yesterday to overshadow all of the great news out of this administration. That had a great deal as to why the noise. They changed the narrative.

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They always do, but they are trying to make a case for a Mafia-style narcissist. Changing the narrative won't change the policies passed by the Democrats. It's a smokescreen, albeit a dangerous one. We have to just put our heads together and push on.

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My thoughts exactly!!!

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I would also add something I heard raised by Axios reporter Margaret Talev: we only have TFG's statement that there was a "raid." No one from DOJ or the FBI seems to have confirmed a "raid" meaning it is entirely possible that the FBI agents showed up and were pointed to the room on the left where the boxes they'd requested were stacked, whereupon they picked them up and left.

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But there would be no sensationalism to report on so straightforward an operation. And wouldn't that have been a relief for all of us!

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You mean America has little to get lathered up about? Someone came to Florida. Picked up some boxes. The Secret Service apparently assisted with access. Are you actually suggesting that TFG is using this as a political weapon? Heart be still.

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Thanks for that.

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I really like what you said. Thank you. Why cover up for a crook? He stole what didn't belong to him, but to us. He is not above the law and he needs to be brought to justice. I don't get it, but we the people need to know what he took and why. It's as simple and complicated as that,.

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Excellent possibilities, Bill. Also, could some of those records be used to further wealth or manipulation for Trump and his family? That's something else to consider.

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Aug 10, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I think there's no way that Trump and his minions haven't destroyed the worst of the worst documents in the year that he's been out of office. He and Meadows will have been actively shredding and burning and flushing as fast as they could in the weeks leading up to Jan 20, 2021. So, no matter how damning the boxes recovered are, they will never reveal the true depravity of his machinations.

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Aug 10, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

There's already plenty of evidence to convict him of seditious conspiracy.

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That’s why phone and text messages are so important. Trump,was. To big on written communications.

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And once again, the 'mainstream' media does its usual --- In the NYT --- breathless headline - "A high risk gamble by the DOJ------" This is NOT gamble: it is the appropriate execution of the LAW!!!

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Well noted. While the Times is often a most reliable source, their headlines leave much to question. They are still acting as though all of these crimes are just another news cycle.

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I cancelled my subscription to them due to those glaring headlines that often gave credence to the actions of Drump or his minions.

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The headlines are a turn-off to me too.

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Thanks for that. The media tries to make everything into a soap opera when what we are dealing with is a high drama of the Shakespearean kind. Our job is to make sure it doesn't end as a tragedy for all of us.

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“Trump blew a very winnable election by being who he is.” Jim Newell

What a sad commentary on our current political situation, that a criminal, malignant psychopath is fervently supported for our highest office.

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If Trump before he was elected President was held accountable for his misdeeds he would have been in prison rather than the WH.

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Truer words were never spoken.

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An apt metaphor, Mr. Hubbell. Trump is a moving target, so recalibrating our sights is necessary. Trump, like the mythical, orange-haired Fox, is a difficult game to hunt, but as legal troubles mount his running room is being restricted more and more and the hounds of Justice continue their relentless pursuit. Soon they will have Monsieur Renard cornered, hopefully with his enablers by his side, providing the agents of law enforcement the opportunity to move in with guns drawn for the moment of truth, and bring the Republican Party's assault on Democracy to the ignominious end it deserves.

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I would so like to see that happen!

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The search at MAL was not a raid but the execution of a warrant legally executed. The search has signaled three things in my opinion. One, the DOJ and Garland are actively and methodically pursuing all illegal behaviors by Trump and the host of co-conspirators, Two, the search was a dry run of sorts on the reaction of the Trump faithful to their leader coming under investigation and there was no massive civil uprising in part because of the convictions around J6th. Finally Trump had the opportunity to provide an inventory of what was removed and if it was an over reach you can bet he would be waving it around for all to see. The blind locality of McCarthy and others without explicit knowledge of the inventory is a warning to all of us about what the future would be if Trump were re-elected. I think as the multiple investigations play out Trump and his baggage will be too heavy of a burden for voters to want him re-elected.

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I sincerely hope you are correct. It makes sense to me.

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Aug 10, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I have known who he is and what he did, despite our MSM being so enamored of his “style” and following Fox down the rabbit hole. Foxers and their ilk will never know, ostriches all

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Yes, if we were paying any attention at all we knew who he was the day he announced his candidacy. As did the power-brokers of one kind or another--Kochs; Federalists; Dominionists; mainstream Republicans. It was really impossible not to know. For me, knowing has made the whole experience almost lethal. I have discovered that I no longer have the ready sources of rejuvenation I once did and which are so essential for these long-term battles.

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Aug 10, 2022·edited Aug 10, 2022

Yes, he gave us blatant hints (is that an oxymoron?) in just the first few months. HIs shooting someone on 5th Ave, his ridiculing of the disabled reporter, his stupid table filled with fake records to indicate he was walking away from his business, the "grab the by the p*ssy" recording, and the fact-checking of his public statements. Every one became more alarming as he campaigned.

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By gosh, I believe it is an oxymoron. That aside, your catalogue of those blatant hints is useful and, obviously I agree.

Thanks, Christi

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Yes, exactly. Trump and his crimes have always been hidden in plain view.

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Aug 10, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

I am so so sick of Donald Trump and the 24/7 news coverage. The Dems and Biden had an historic week yet zero coverage. We lost the media war long ago. So bummed.

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Aug 10, 2022·edited Aug 10, 2022

What outrages me with the media is that if he's re-elected, his swift move to be a dictator take over will be to undermine and control the free press. The very ones that are using his antics and words to sell. Why aren't they more concerned?

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I don't get that, but I think it would be really good to tank his ratings. Those are what he and his followers live for. Make him yesterday's news. Move on from this creep. There are so many more interesting people out there doing good and interesting things. Just turn away from this slimeball.

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I think this slime ball has one skill. He can manipulate the press They make loads of $$$ following his every move. We haven't had a free press since the campaign for 2016. The more outrageous his behavior the bigger the headlines. The bigger the headlines the bigger the profit

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I'm not sure if we lost it or have never understood how to get and retain it. There is no excuse for Democrats losing coverage of major accomplishments that help Americans unless they are terrible at the "media game." And I don't understand why Democrats are so bad at getting good headlines when they have good news to share.

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Aug 10, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

You wrote: " The politicians and commentators defending Trump believe that he is a joke and a danger to the US. But they love power and the allure of the Oval Office more than they love their country." It's the money. Trump has only ever had two north stars: money and fame. Furthering his kleptocracy was the underlying motivation for his last presidential run. And that will be true again if he can get away with it. You can bet there are lots of hangers-on (see Giuliani, Byrne, Lindell, Hannity) who are just fine with this.

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I agree that it is Trump's motivation. I think Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz and Mike Pompeo are driven by a desire to be president.

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You're probably right. I have a hard time discerning which of the three is least bad - but if I had to choose the least bad, I'd probably choose Rubio. Cruz wins on the worst scale by a mile.

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Let's always keep DeSantis on that list. He's the scariest of all because he's not afraid to enact rightwing restrictions and punish those that don't agree with him.

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and he seems smarter, though Aldo perhaps more venal. If that’s possible

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Don't forget that he massively requires and soaks up praise, adulation, and loyalty. His narcissism craves it, and probably on the same level or more than money and fame.

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Of the several Republican Members of Congress who behaved badly, worse than badly, during the time leading up to and during January 6, Scott Perry (PA 10) is the most vulnerable in the upcoming election. PA 10 leans Republican, but not so Republican that he could not be beaten, Think about supporting his Democratic opponent Harrisburg City Councilor Charmaine Daniels. https://danielsforcongress.org,

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Aug 10, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Re: media outrage

I’ve been a big fan of Judy Woodruff of PBS Newshour for a long time but in recent years have been disappointed in the difference in her coverage of Democrats & Republicans. She seems overly solicitous of GOP. Last night I was watching the show and thought she sounded unusually upset as she interviewed Chuck Schumer about the raid. She actually asked him if this raid would be bad for Democrats!

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Aug 10, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

What I have not seen are commentators noting that the FBI search of Mar-a-Grifto was exactly what you would want and expect of a professional, non-political criminal investigation. I suppose that concept is beyond the ken of Washington Republicans, who cannot conceive of such a thing.

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Thanks, Jon. It is a measure of both the power of language and the influence of the relentless repetition of a concept by the press, that so many of those on. this forum who applaud the search and understand the nature of a lawfully executed search warrant, still refer in their comments to the "raid" of Mar-a-lago.

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Aug 10, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

Best line from Rather and Kirschner:

"It is rich to see a man who flagrantly politicized the administration of justice, who was impeached twice, and who would gladly see his political adversaries subjected to fabricated charges, complain when the gears of the law grind forward in his direction."

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Aug 10, 2022Liked by Robert B. Hubbell

45 will also finally testify under oath today in the New York attorney general’s long-running civil investigation into his dealings as a real estate mogul. How can a former president be so corrupt and have so many cultish followers? My thought is that many Independents will not be accepting of this crook inhabiting the White House again.

https://www.businessinsider.com/donald-trump-to-finally-sit-for-ny-deposition-wednesday-am-2022-8

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I think he attracts the sycophants that want to use him to greater fame, power, and money, and he has incited and supported those in America who are racist, misogynistic, or fearful of immigrants. The last group leaning to be whte, uneducated, and struggling in life. Very easily manipulated.

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