* Some things never change. That’s the lesson Speaker Ryan is having to learn about what to expect from the lunatic Freedom Caucus.
House conservatives are threatening to force a vote to impeach IRS Commissioner John Koskinen, bucking Republican leaders who don’t believe his actions warrant such severe consequences.
Leaders of the House Freedom Caucus presented Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) with a choice on Tuesday: Move our impeachment resolution forward in committee on your own accord, or we will likely force the matter by filing a “privileged resolution.” In other words, an end run around leadership to the House floor.
They want a commitment from Ryan by the end of the week on a timetable to advance the impeachment measure.
Personally, I wouldn’t blame John Boehner for feeling a little schadenfreude.
* Here’s an interesting catch from Amy Chozick and Jonathan Martin:
In an apparent sign that Senator Elizabeth Warren will not be named Hillary Clinton’s running mate, Ms. Warren was invited by Mrs. Clinton’s campaign on Tuesday to deliver a prime-time address on the first night of the Democratic convention this month — a marquee speaking slot but one that is earlier than vice-presidential picks typically appear.
Such nominees usually speak later in the convention week to build anticipation for the top of the ticket.
* Last night Bill O’Reilly asked Donald Trump what he would say to African Americans who believe that the system is biased against them. His answer could go in the dictionary as an example of white privilege.
Well, I have been saying even against me the system is rigged when I ran as a, you know, for president, I mean, I could see what was going on with the system and the system is rigged.
Beyond the privilege, Steve Benen notes that this is quintessential Trump.
…one of the most striking things about Trump’s perceptions of current events is his narcissistic myopia. For Trump, the importance of the mass-shooting in Orlando is something he once said on Twitter. For Trump, the importance of Brexit is how it might affect his golf course. For Trump, the importance of African-American alienation is how similar it is to his treatment during the GOP primaries.
Ask Trump about almost any issue, and he’s likely to respond with a sentiment that boils down to, “That reminds me of me.”
* This might be a way to get Trump’s attention.
An anonymous donor has promised to give $5 million to a veterans charity of Donald Trump’s choosing if the presumptive Republican presidential nominee releases his tax returns, political operative and Clinton backer David Brock plans to announce Wednesday.
* When you hear people complaining about the urgency expressed by the Black Lives Matter movement or the tactics they use, remember that it has ever been thus.
1964 ANES: 63% of Americans said Civil Rights folk “push too fast,” 58% said most were violent, 58% said hurt cause. https://t.co/4fm51OHrwB
— Nathan Kalmoe (@NathanKalmoe) July 13, 2016
* Finally, I’ll leave this one here without commentary. Feel free to draw from it what you will.
