I have some catching-up to do here…
- Of great note is this piece by Jonathan Chait. Last week, Trump declared that he'd had "…one of the most successful 13 weeks in the history of the presidency." Chait explains why it hasn't been at all successful and it also hasn't been 13 weeks. In fact, it still hasn't been 13 weeks even though to some of us, it feels like 13 years.
- And Kevin Drum says much the same thing.
- Chait also makes the case that Trump, whose shining qualification to be prez was that he was a Great Negotiator, is turning out to be a pretty lousy negotiator. He's also turning out to be George W. Bush with the extra added ingredient of racism.
- Much of what Trump is doing in Syria is the same thing Obama did in Syria, no matter how Trump may deny or disguise it. As Jeff Stein notes, Democrats have about the same reaction to Trump's bombing as they did to Obama's but Republicans who hated what Obama did love the same thing when it comes from The Donald. Gee, I wonder what's different.
- And if you want to know what's up with Syria — and I couldn't blame you if you didn't — read Fred Kaplan on the lack of a forward-thinking strategy. Also, read Fred Kaplan on how Trump may outdo Richard Nixon when it comes to making our enemies think we have a madman in charge. This time, it may be true.
On a lighter side, Stephen Colbert continues to get high ratings but he says he'd gladly trade them for a better president.