Interview between Rachel Maddow and Chuck Schumer
Last week I saw Kamala Harris interviewed on CNN.
This week I was able to follow up that interesting insight into Harris with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow’s interview of Chuck Schumer. Schumer spoke strongly about what he would, and would not, let Mitch McConnell control in the Senate in which Chuck Schumer is Majority Leader. During the airing of the interview, breaking news reported that McConnell had submitted to Schumer’s leadership, at least for the moment. Maddow was very positive about the outcome, although commentators on Brian William’s The 11th Hour were less so. On the latter program, how wonderful to hear Williams say ‘Day 6 of Joe Biden’s Presidency’. The old refrain about …who was it? … has been replaced, with it seems, quiet enthusiasm by Williams.
Senate : scene changes from the 6th to the present
The interview between Schumer and Maddow took place in a Senate Committee Room – part of the horrific scenes of January 6th. The setting sent a strong message, as indeed did the Senate sitting to resume their work on the very day of the attempted insurrection.
An unfortunate title but the date tells the story
Twenty fifth of January 2021 – the House Managers delivering the Article of Impeachment
Bernie Comes to Canberra
With its connection to Canberra I was thrilled to see Bernie Sanders speaking on CNN about his mitten fame. Unfortunately I did not see the marvellous Canberra examples portrayed as part of the charity effort, but they are irresistible so I expect their time will come.
Bernie at one of Canberra’s unique bus stops. He clearly alighted in Civic, determined to arrive at a very popular destination – PJ O’Reilly’s.
The Budget Reconciliation Process in the Senate
Lawrence O’Donnell The Last Word, MSNBC, is taking viewers through the Senate processes that will influence the way in which the Democrats will be enabled or thwarted in having their legislation passed. He has speculated that the Budget Reconciliation Process might be adapted to enable the success of some financial legislation that is not a normal part of the Budget Reconciliation Process. This will be fascinating to watch, as well as being an educative process to those of us accustomed only to the Australian parliamentary system. Thank you, Lawrence.
Biden and Putin
And, my last word: O’Donnell also gave an excellent oversight of the phone call between President Biden and President Putin – for the first time in four years there is a White House ‘read out’ of the conversation. It is clear and detailed – the Russian read out is more vague, but does not dispute that of the White House.
Robin's Room 