Relevant and even prescient commentary on news, politics and the economy.

The ‘Baskets’ ad that Clinton should follow up with: one about her SECOND-MENTIONED basket, and asking whether someone whose fiscal and regulatory policies and court and agency appointments would be orchestrated by the Mercers should have the support of those in that basket.

In an addendum I added today to this post of mine from yesterday, I argued that the visibility of Clinton’s illness may well prove a political blessing in disguise.  I wrote: And just to be sure y’all understand, [Kellyanne] Conway of course made no such promise [that Trump will release the last 10 years of […]

Branko’s Lumps

In a post at his blog globalinequality today, Branko Milanovic claims that “Robotics leads us to face squarely three fallacies.” He then proceeds to “debunk” technological unemployment, satiation of human needs and the environmental carrying capacity of the earth. He concludes his post with the assurance that “history teaches us” we have nothing to fear […]

Trump Campaign Manager Kellyanne Conway announced this morning that Trump will release his tax returns for the last 10 years. In addition to his full medical records. [ADDENDUM ADDED.]

David Axelrod on Monday burned Hillary Clinton for her notorious lack of transparency, calling it more problematic than her recent diagnosis of pneumonia. “Antibiotics can take care of pneumonia. What’s the cure for an unhealthy penchant for privacy that repeatedly creates unnecessary problems?” Axelrod, President Barack Obama’s former chief campaign strategist, tweeted on Monday morning. […]

Hillary Clinton’s mother, Dorothy Howell Rodham, had had the same health condition her daughter has (or at least used blood thinners for some condition) since she was about 49. She lived to age 92. So get off the hysteria wagon about Clinton’s health, folks.

Around the time of the Dem convention I read a lengthy profile of Clinton in which her famous Wellesley graduation speech was discussed.  The article mentioned that her mother, Dorothy Rodham, could not be present because she was on blood-thinning medication and could not fly. Obviously, Mrs. Rodham eventually was able to fly, even though […]

Why has Trump Gained in Polling Averages ?

Lifted from Robert’s Stochastic Thoughts By Robert Waldmann Why has Trump Gained in Polling Averages ? Yesterday, the talk of the day was Democrats panicking (as always) because support for Trump is creeping up in polling averages (as are estimated probabilities of President Trump). Today’s talk is totally deplorable and I will ignore it. I […]

Donald Trump says that if the leader of ISIS compliments him, he’ll compliment the leader of ISIS right back.

If [Putin] says great things about me, I’m going to say great things about him. –Donald J. Trump, speaking to Matt Lauer during interview, Sept. 7 I didn’t watch the debacle Wednesday, and that line by Trump is one I hadn’t read about until just now. But now that I know about it, it occurs to […]

Garbo—er, Clinton—talks! (Here’s what she should say.)

“Generally, I’m concerned, frankly,” said former Democratic Senate leader Thomas A. Daschle (S.D.). “It still looks positive, and I think if you look at the swing states and where she is right now, she’s got a lead. But it’s certainly not in the bag. We have two months to go, and I think it’s going […]