Take a minute to [un]wind with our Sunday morning newsletter. Grab a cup of coffee and catch up on what you may have missed from [un]Divided this week – plus, all the anti-fringe news that’s fit to print.
VOTE VOTE VOTE!
Filling out ballots is ceremonial in our household. Yesterday, when our ballots arrived for the August 2 primary, my boyfriend threw some steaks on the Traeger, made us both whiskey drinks, and we talked through our choices. While we’re fine with disagreement, we try to come to terms on the same candidates if possible (that way our votes don’t cancel each other out). We get a lot of joy out of voting and hope you do too.
If you live in Washington state, your ballots should arrive in the mail by Monday. Races include United States Senate, the U.S. House, and a variety of state legislative races. Maybe you already know who you’re going to vote for, but if not make sure to catch this week’s episodes of [un]Divided as we sort through what’s at stake. On Wednesday’s show, we’ll cover the battle for Washington’s 8th Congressional District – a bellwether race for swing districts across the country. I’ll have in-depth interviews with candidates and a glimpse into what voters are prioritizing in this Midterm election year.
Trump floats a 2024 run:
Speaking of the Midterms, former President Donald Trump says he’s already made up his mind about 2024 – the only decision left? Whether to announce before or after the Midterm elections, according to an interview he did this week with Olivia Nuzzi: https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/donald-trump-2024-decision.html
“Do I go before or after? That will be my big decision,” he said.
Trump also scoffed at the idea of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis being a strong challenger, suggesting DeSantis only won the governorship because he got Trump’s endorsement.
To me, a 2024 announcement from Trump pre-primary would be malpractice if he cares at all about the GOP, especially in states like Washington where the former President has a dismal approval rating. The specter of another Trump campaign could tank the prospects of Republican candidates in close races who might have otherwise had a chance in November.
If Trump were to ask me for advice (or anyone for that matter), I’d encourage him to wait (of course, I’d encourage him not to run at all, but I digress).
Meanwhile, the media is already full steam ahead on painting DeSantis as Trump 2.0. In the event GOP favor starts to turn in the direction of DeSantis, talking heads need to get a jump start on vilifying him as the second coming of orange man bad (while I dislike Trump, I also think the press went batshit crazy over him long before January 6).
Take this op-ed from MSNBC titled: “Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is a far more dangerous politician than Donald Trump.”
Le sigh.
Seattle desperate to hire more police officers:
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell this week outlined an ambitious plan to try to fill the police department’s depleted ranks. SPD has lost around 400 officers since 2019, leaving it with the lowest staffing levels since 1991.
Harrell’s plan includes retention incentives and massive hiring bonuses for new recruits and lateral transfers.
But as I detailed on Friday’s episode of [un]Divided – money won’t fix what’s broken here.
In order to attract officers to the city, the entire climate around policing needs to change. Washington state has been on a bender passing anti-police legislation and making it more difficult (and dangerous) for officers to do their jobs. Few officers will be willing to trade their safety (and their dignity) for a few thousand bucks.
Watch my commentary on the SPD hiring plan here (at the 1:00 mark): https://brandikruse.locals.com/post/2431368/un-divided-seattles-police-problem-video
‘Invisible Storm’:
One-time presidential hopeful Jason Kander joined [un]Divided on Wednesday to talk about his new book, which details his departure from the campaign trail in 2018. Kander, a former Army intelligence officer, was a rising political star when he announced he’d be stepping away from politics to get help for untreated PTSD.
While I disagree with a lot of Kander’s Progressive political views, I am in awe of his courage and commitment to country. If you’re looking for a good read, I highly recommend Invisible Storm: A Soldier’s Memoir of Politics and PTSD.
As a bonus, proceeds from the sale of the book go to help veterans who are struggling.
Washington state Democrats deny there is evidence of capital flight when rich people are targeted for taxation. Apparently, they've never heard of Jeff Bezos. Plus: Trump vs. The Fed. And: Can tariffs replace the federal income tax? Unlikely.
Subscribe to Zach’s Daily Market Recap at KnowYourRiskPodcast.com.
Seattle’s socialist mayor wastes no time in halting sweeps. President Trump considers Insurrection Act in Minnesota, while administration renews threats against sanctuary jurisdictions. New bills attack the initiative process. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis takes a swipe at Washington in his final State of the State.
Prefer to listen? https://audioboom.com/posts/8835054-socialist-stops-the-sweeps-1-15-26
Governor Bob Ferguson says ICE should stop enforcing federal immigration laws, Democrats applaud wildly. Even Governor Gavin Newsom opposes targeting the rich for taxation ... or so he says. Proposed bill would eliminate three strikes for offenses committed by juveniles. High school athlete Frances Staudt joins us from DC.
Prefer to listen? https://audioboom.com/posts/8834513-virtue-signaling-above-all-else-1-14-26
These remarks were delivered to the Snohomish County Lincoln Day Dinner on May 17, 2024.
The following remarks were delivered to the Whatcom County Lincoln Day Dinner on March 23, 2024, in Ferndale, Washington.
I struggled with what to talk to you about tonight.
Well, that’s not true. I didn't struggle with what to talk to you about – I struggled with whether I was brave enough to say what I wanted to say.
When I'm invited to speak to groups, I don't want to offend anyone or be too controversial. So, I reached out to a few of your fellow party members to ask whether any topics were off limits or wouldn't go over well with the crowd.
I got some good advice.
Then I decided to ignore that good advice entirely.
Too much is at stake to be polite.
As we sit here tonight, we are in the final battle of a war.
A war that has pit sanity against insanity.
Pragmatism against idealism.
A war that has sacrificed the public good, in favor of a twisted idea of progress.
It's a war that began long before I moved here 15 years ago. It started silently and it was mostly waged in the shadows.
Most of us didn't even realize that a war was being fought. We were too caught up in our own lives and our own problems. ...
There will be no live show today, 1.19.26. Our regular live show will return tomorrow.
FBI AGENT MIKE TEMPLETON(OR HOWEVER HIS NAME IS SPELLED NEEDS TO BE FIRED AND PUT IN JAIL FOR VIOLATIONS OF HIS DUTIES TO THE PEOPLE OF THE USA, FALSIFYING EVIDENCE, THREATENS RAPE UPON POLYEXAMS. THREATENING AND HARMING USA CITIZENS AND THEIR FAMILIES FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIFE !
THESE FBI AGENTS WHO ARE DOING THIS CRAP NEED TO GO AND PUT IN JAIL NOW !
Scott Ritter "They STOLE My Money!"
