Quick Hits: Volume CLXVI

- When Barack Obama downplayed Russia as a geopolitical threat, GOP/conservative voters rightly criticized such flippancy. And when Obama didn't adequately address Russia's meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections, he again was appropriately excoriated by the same people.

So if Obama was wrong on principle, then those who were anti Obama but support Donald Trump need to acknowledge that Trump's statements at a joint press conference with Russian leader Vladimir Putin were just as disgraceful. Perhaps one of the more frustrating aspects is Trump could have easily shown how his administration has taken more substantive action than Obama ever did in responding to Russia's shenanigans. Instead, the President seemed to validate many leftist assertions (rightly or wrongly) that's he's little more than Putin's lap dog.

As such, I find myself agreeing with a certain former Speaker of the House.

President Trump must clarify his statements in Helsinki on our intelligence system and Putin. It is the most serious mistake of his presidency and must be corrected—-immediately.

Does it surprise you that Nancy Pelosi would say such a thing? Of course not. Except that's not the former House Speaker who said that. No, that quote is actually attributed to that scathing left winger Newt Gingrich.

All I wanna know is whatever happened to the "America First" mantra, Mr. President?


- During Sunday's game vs. the Tampa Bay Rays, Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor summoned closer Fernando Rodney in to the game with one out in the fifth inning. I mean, I know trends are changing in Major League Baseball with managers and front office guys looking to implement new, innovative techniques. But your late game specialist being called upon so soon? Was this an example of Molitor and Executive VP/Chief  Baseball Officer Derek Falvey trying out something new just before the All Star break?

Nah.

The reason Rodney got in the game earlier is because he had a late afternoon 
flight to Florida.

After 19 years in this wonderful country today I am blessed to say that I am an official US Citizen. Today I fly the American Flag but in my heart always hold my Dominican Flag. I want to thank all those who have been with me throughout the process and especially thank the @twins organizations for allowing me to catch my flight. Big thanks to the @tigers who made this dream possible 19 years ago. #USA #USCIS #bluepassport #dominicanamerican @mlb @mlb_dr

A post shared by Fernando Rodney (@fernandorodney3635) on Jul 16, 2018 at 8:28am PDT

Pretty awesome! Congrats, Fernando!!


- There's no question that in the GOP primary battle for Minnesota governor, Tim Pawlenty will raise significantly more money than his opponent Jeff Johnson. As such, the Johnson camp is looking for some creative ways to infuse more funding into its struggling campaign.

UPDATE: Jeff Johnson’s campaign makes direct plea in fundraising email for local #MNGOP party units to contribute directly to Johnson’s campaign. #mngov #mn2018 pic.twitter.com/K6KPmh39WH

— Michael Brodkorb (@mbrodkorb) July 16, 2018

Money raised at the BPOU level is typically doled out to state House and Senate campaigns. However, the Senate is not up this year but the entire House is. Even though the GOP has a strong majority in the House (77-57), Republicans can't take anything for granted in the event the party can't break its 12-year losing streak in statewide races. The GOP absolutely needs to hang on to both chambers of the Legislature. As such, I'm hoping the BPOUs receiving this plea respectfully decline Mr. Nadeau's request and thus properly fund legislative races.

I hope I'm wrong here, but it feels as though many of the same blunders which plagued the Johnson campaign in 2014 are rearing their ugly heads once again.

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