Add Category
Posted
After seven years of calling for the repeal and replacement of Obamacare, Republicans didn't have a workable plan and managed to shoot themselves in the foot in grand style when they couldn't even get their own bill to the House floor at the end of last week.
You would think, wouldn't you, that if you'd been complaining ad nauseam for so long about a piece of policy you would be ready when the chance came to change it?
But no, despite a majority in the House the rushed bill fell over.
It says a lot about political obstructionism on the one hand, as outlined in this piece by David Frum, but also about the fact that some Republicans have realised that their constituents quite like having healthcare, even if Obamacare has many faults.
It was Donald Trump's first lesson playing politics on the Hill and the President seemed humbled by the experience:
It was certainly a loss for the President, but more so for establishment Republicans and Speaker Paul Ryan, who was tasked with pushing the bill through.
He said the experience was "disappointing", and the knives were out:
The inner workings of why it failed are outlined by Tim Alberta of the National Review, who gave this detailed blow-by-blow.
Souza shade, media mirth at repeal failure
The former White House photographer was back to his not-so-subtle attempts of showing differences between the two most recent presidents, sharing photos from Barack Obama's marathon negotiation sessions to pass the Affordable Care Act seven years ago:
While the President didn't seem too perturbed by the healthcare bill's failure, the New York Post had a field day:
And newspapers across the country in Trump strongholds were also to the point:
Democrats, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, were literally jumping for joy:
Republicans got a little ahead of themselves — a TV ad buy ran on Friday night, despite the bill failing. Awkward:
Why was it such a failure for Republicans?
CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller:
So, it's back to the drawing board on health care.
Next on the agenda? Tax reform.
He said:
"It's a child's desk, but that's OK. It's the smallest desk I've ever seen!" – Mr Trump said to laughter as he sat down to sign some new legislation in the Roosevelt Room on Monday.
She said:
"There is no place I'd rather be than here with you," Hillary Clinton told a crowd in San Francisco on Tuesday, before adding, "other than the White House".
Trump moves to clean up Obama's climate plans
Despite failures in health care (and the so-called "travel ban" being tied up in court, yet again), Mr Trump has still made waves this week on the policy front.
He rolled back the Clean Power Plan with a stroke of a pen in a series of executive orders winding back many of Mr Obama's orders on climate change.
Mr Trump spoke about clean coal — but climate change appears to be a dirty word.
And according to the Administration, the jury is still out global warming:
There should be an announcement on whether the US will stick with the Paris Climate Agreement by early May.
Wall to divide retirement community?
Meanwhile, even the US-Mexico border wall is facing opposition by those living down there.
Particularly these retirees, whose community may be split in two:
With political life so hectic, it's no surprise the President likes a break.
In fact, according to The Washington Post, he's made 13 visits to his own golf courses since becoming President — nearly one out of every three days he's been in office.
But FYI, the Government Accountability Office will examine the trips to the Mar-a-Lago resort and the expenses incurred by government employees who travel with the President to Florida.
This week in the Russia investigation:
Remember Devin Nunes, who I told you about last week?
He's the one who bypassed colleagues on the House Intelligence Committee to go straight to the White House with information that there had been incidental collection of information about the Trump transition team. Got it?
In fact, it has since been revealed that Mr Nunes visited the White House the day before he announced the incidental collection where in reviewed the evidence.
Press secretary Sean Spicer said a week ago that didn't pass the "smell test".
The New York Times today named two White House officials who played a role in providing Mr Nunes with the investigation.
Still with me?
Timeline:
Oh, and remember former national security adviser Mike Flynn, who was sacked over links to Russia? He's reportedly now saying he will testify before the various investigations in return for immunity from prosecution.
It goes on, and on.
Where's Melania?
The First Lady Melania Trump has spent part of this week in Washington DC.
On Wednesday, she spoke at the State Department on behalf of women who suffer gender discrimination and violence.
Despite her attempts to stay out of the spotlight (at the displeasure of the New York paparazzi), Mrs Trump maintains high approval ratings — much to the surprise of her husband:
"I shouldn't say this, but her poll numbers have gone through the roof last week. What was that all about? Through the roof. She has to give us the secret…"
By the Numbers
74 per cent: That's the number of Republicans that believe Trump Tower was wiretapped, according to a new CBS poll. That's despite zero evidence being revealed to support Mr Trump's claim.
And another number:
21 of Mr Trump's key positions requiring Senate confirmation have been filled, 41 are awaiting and 491 haven't even been nominated, according to The Washington Post and the Partnership for Public Service.
Batter up!
The weather is clearing up in Washington, which means it's baseball season — but Mr Trump will not be throwing out a ceremonial pitch.
That's right, the President will break with tradition that dates back to 1910.
As Stephen Colbert says, "For God's sake, that means FDR did it."
Colbert also couldn't help himself when it came to speculating why the President won't do it (the White House says it's a "scheduling conflict"):
Can't bowl, can't throw?
But (as is clear) Mr Trump isn't like his predecessors.
Just this week, New York Times Magazine reported that George W Bush was shocked — to say the least —after Mr Trump's Inauguration Day speech.
"That was some weird shit," president #43 apparently said.
Obama watch
Speaking of former occupants of the White House, back in Washington, Mr Obama continues to keep a low profile.
This piece from The Washington Post gives a glimpse at what #44 has been up to.
Slice of Trump
Spotted in Istanbul this week, a sweet tribute to the President:
What's next on the agenda?
More Russian intrigue, a visit from the Chinese President and will the Democrats filibuster the confirmation of Supreme Court pick Neil Gorsuch?
Oh and by the way, there could be a government shutdown at the end of April.
We'll keep you posted.
Topics: world-politics, government-and-politics, donald-trump, climate-change, environment, health, health-insurance, health-policy, united-states