Michael Barone: California results suggest blue wave has crested and ebbed

Bear in mind we're discussing this state:

Michael Barone  "The nation is just past halftime in the 2018 primary election cycle. Twenty states with a majority of House districts, 228 of the total 435, have held their primaries, and all but the three with runoffs have chosen their Republican and Democratic nominees.

"The latest results, taken together with the generic ballot — polls asking which party’s House candidate you’ll vote for — tend to undercut the many gleeful predictions of a blue wave that produces a big Democratic majority in the House and perhaps the Senate as well.

"The RealClearPolitics average of recent polls shows the Democrats’ lead over Republicans on the generic vote declining from a 13-point margin (49 percent to 36 percent) last December to a three-point margin (43 percent to 40 percent) going into Tuesday’s primaries. Given Democrats’ disadvantage of having so many of their voters clustered in heavily Democratic seats, that suggests a statistical tie. That would mirror the CBS News estimate of 219 seats for Democrats and 216 for Republicans, with a plus or minus 9-seat margin of error. Donald Trump’s 44 percent job approval, well above his 38 percent favorable rating in November 2016, points in the same direction.

Collusion: Big Clinton Donor During Campaign Was Alleged Tax Cheat With Ties To Kremlin

Via Fox News:  "So who was colluding with who[m]? And did this involve foreign money which would be illegal?" Weasel Zippers

The murky nature of Hillary Clinton’s former presidential campaign fund continues to rise to the surface.Fox News has learned that one of the top donors to the “Hillary Victory Fund” (HVF) in 2016 was a Los Angeles-based attorney who is alleged to have misused company funds to create his own $22 million real estate portfolio. He has also been considered by California to be one of the state’s biggest tax cheats, and allegedly has ties to the Kremlin.The donor, Edgar Sargsyan, contributed $250,000 to the Hillary Victory Fund in 2016, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, ands chaired a $100,000-a-couple Clinton fundraiser in Beverly Hills in September 2016. He is also being sued by his former company for allegedly diverting those funds to start his own real estate company.“Nobody gave to the Hillary Victory Fund out of the goodness of their heart or some generalized desire to help 33 random state parties,” Dan Backer, an attorney with the Committee to Defend the President, which learned about Sargsyan’s donations to the HVF, said to Fox News. “They did so to buy access and curry influence – something the Clintons have been selling for nearly three decades in and out of government.”He continued, “The really scary question is, what did this particular donor with this strange web of connections hope to buy for his quarter-million dollars?”The Committee to Defend the President, alleges that Sargsyan’s former employer, SBK Holding USA — for which he was still working at the time of his HVF donations –- is an investment firm that is affiliated with United Arab Emirates president, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahyan,and its international affiliate has business interests in Russia. Among its dealings was a bid to finance $850 million for a major bridge project to connect Crimea with Russia.

Keep reading…

 The FBI officials who interviewed Hillary Clinton about her use of a private email server found some of her claims “hard to impossible to believe,”

“Willingness To Impact The Election:” IG Report Loaded With Bombshells

Weasel Zippers  "Link to full report.

"Via Daily Caller:

The Department of Justice’s internal watchdog released a much-anticipated report on the FBI’s investigation of Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server as secretary of state.
The report contained several bombshells.
Anti-Trump FBI agent showed “willingness” to impact election
Anti-Trump FBI agent Peter Strzok showed a “willingness to take official action” to impact the presidential election, according to the new report from Department of Justice Inspector General Michael Horowitz.
““(Trump’s) not ever going to become president, right? Right?!” asked another anti-Trump FBI agent, Lisa Page. “No. No he’s not. We’ll stop it,” Strzok replied.
Strzok’s text “is not only indicative of a biased state of mind but, even more seriously, implies a willingness to take official action to impact the presidential candidate’s electoral prospects,” the report said.
FBI sat on Weiner emails for no good reason
When further Clinton emails were discovered on a laptop belonging to former congressman Anthony Weiner, who is married to longtime Clinton aide Huma Abedin, the FBI agents overseeing her case took just under a month to take meaningful action, Horowitz’s report found.

Keep reading…

IG Report: FBI Agents Received Regular Handouts From Journalists 
"The Department of Justice inspector general identified a number of instances where FBI employees regularly spoke with members of the media and received a number of free perks from journalists including meals and tickets to various events.
. . . 
"The contact between FBI agents and the media extended to receiving “improperly receiving benefits from reporters, including tickets to sporting events, golfing outings, drinks and meals, and admittance to nonpublic social events.' ” . . .

Early breaking news of DOJ report

Katie Pavlich: DOJ Inspector General Has Released the New Report About FBI's Bias During the 2016 Election
"This is a developing story. Stay tuned for updates and additional information, which will be published shortly. "
Uh Oh: Republican Congressmen Are Concerned DOJ Inspector General Report Was Altered

FBI Agent Peter Strzok in Text to Lisa Page: ‘We’ll Stop’ Trump from Becoming President  . . . "“We did not find documentary or testimonial evidence that improper considerations, including political bias, directly affected the specific investigative actions we reviewed,” Justice Department inspector general Michael Horowitz wrote in the report. “The conduct by these employees cast a cloud over the entire FBI investigation.”
"In a Thursday morning statement, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer preempted any claims that the report, which will be sent to Congress Thursday, constituted evidence that Mueller’s investigation into possible collusion between the Trump campaign and Russian officials was tainted by political bias.
“ 'Although we have not yet seen the inspector general’s report, there is no reason — no reason — to believe that it will provide any basis to call the special counsel’s work into question,” Schumer said in a speech on the Senate floor. “The IG report concerns an entirely separate investigation from the Russia probe that Special Counsel Mueller is conducting.' ” . . .

The Early Leaks Of The IG Report Are Clearly Targeted To Soften The Blow

. . . "We’ll know soon enough exactly what’s in this thing (to the extent that it’s not redacted).

"In the meantime, it’s interesting to note what leaks are coming out and how they are being spun. Keep in mind that this report is hundreds of pages long. To this point though we’ve only received two very clearly targeted leaks that at least appear to be trying to get out ahead of possible damaging headlines.

The media are of course playing along with great glee.

The first is this one…

Kathy Griffin calls Kevin Hart a 'p---y': 'He's a black man' who won't attack Trump

That would be this Kathy Griffin

Washington Examiner   "Comedian and frequent Trump critic Kathy Griffin lashed out at one of her peers for not criticizing President Trump in his sets.

"Griffin — who received significant backlash following a stunt last year in which she held a depiction of Trump's decapitated head — told USA Today that fellow comedian Kevin Hart is a "pussy," given that "he's a black man" but won't attack Trump onstage.

Hart

" 'I do feel like this is such an anxiety-ridden time for everyone that there is a thirst for all kinds of comedy," Griffin said. "And look, if you want to not hear about Trump at all, go see Kevin Hart. He doesn't even mention Trump."

" 'I personally think that's a pussy move because he's a black man. But I guess he's selling more tickets than I ever will."

"Hart is known for keeping politics out of his comedy specials but stopped far short of condemning Griffin's anti-Trump stunt when it occurred.

" 'You’re just looking at comics being comics," he said of Griffin during an appearance on ABC's "The View." "We always take risks, but sometimes it can be distasteful.' " . . .

Hillary Clinton could still face charges, experts say

Washington Examiner

"Hillary Clinton’s handling of classified information is getting another look with the release Thursday of a Justice Department inspector general report scrutinizing the FBI's investigation into whether she committed crimes using a private email server as secretary of state.

"Although it would be controversial, the Justice Department is able to reopen the Clinton email case, and experts say President Trump's 2016 adversary arguably could be charged until March 2025 — after Trump would leave office even if he wins a second term.

"Sloppy workers, leakers, whistleblowers, and spies face a variety of criminal charges for mishandling classified records. But there are leading options available to prosecutors, with varying statutes of limitations.

"One law, 18 U.S. Code § 1924, forbids “unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents or material.” It carries up to five years in prison, with a five-year statute of limitations. Former CIA contractor Reynaldo Regis pleaded guilty in May to violating the law by taking home about 60 notebooks with classified information. There's no allegation he shared them.

"Former CIA Director David Petraeus also pleaded guilty under this law in 2015 after sharing highly classified information with his mistress and biographer." . . .

Anger isn't a strategy

Raging Bull

Legal Insurrection

To Trump's critics: Where's the beef?

. . . "So keep an eye out for the next time a liberal friend makes some variation of apocalyptic declaration about the man who has created a global high-end real estate empire; won the presidency against all odds, with 93% of the mainstream media acting as cheerleaders for his opponent; and passed major tax reform and directed targeted regulatory reform that has ignited the economy and wage growth after eight stagnant years of sub-par performance.  Now he is on the verge of remaking the global order so that it works better for America, as well as the rest of the world.  You might want to ask that friend, "What precisely is your basis for such a claim?"  One hundred bucks says that all you will get back is some version of "because...Trump!' "

Partisan cynics gone wild  . . . "Obama always got the benefit of the doubt, but Trump never does!  And they call this journalism?

"I don't know what happens next.  We may look back at the summit and see the beginning of something new or another failed effort with North Korea.

"In the meantime, the cynics get more cynical, and CNN keeps losing viewers."

Look who is mad at DeNiro and the C-worder  "Anger isn’t a strategy," Frank Bruni of the New York Times wrote.
"And with that he took on Robert De Niro and Samantha Bee (the woman who called Ivanka Trump the C-word)." . . .

A big reason why Soros was rejected so badly in the polls last week

This quality of life issue, with car break-ins, and other disgusting crimes skyrocketing is prime material for a Republican resurgence in California, and should be used unsparingly as the campaign heats up. 

AAEC

Monica Showalter  "The power of a Trump endorsement is the topic du jour in the election news, but the other big story we learned from this past week's primaries was that George Soros was soundly rejected in his bid to rig the District Attorney's races in California. His creepy little pawns in his project to get leftist soft-on-crime DAs elected across the state lost in nearly all instances. Voters like me voted for ANYTHING that wasn't backed by Soros, given the loathesomeness of his agenda. But this wasn't just confined to solidest conservative voters in the state, the rejection was pan-political.

"And now we have a whiff of the why. Here's the headline:

Car Burglaries, Shoplifting Crimes Jump After Prop 47 Vote

"and here's the fill:

SACRAMENTO (CBSLA/AP) — California voters’ decision to reduce penalties for drug and property crimes in 2014 contributed to a jump in car burglaries, shoplifting and other theft, researchers reported.

Larcenies increased about 9 percent by 2016, or about 135 more thefts per 100,000 residents than if tougher penalties had remained, according to results of a study by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California released Tuesday.

"Who was it who brought us this execrable law that has caused crime to shoot through the roof in California, under the sweet-sounding buzzword of 'sentencing reform'? None other than George Soros himself . . ."

The Key to Trump's Success in North Korea

Karin McQuillan

That is what tough looks like.  That is how a responsible president behaves when he sees a small country threatening international stability and the safety of our own nation. That is what happens when a president understands we are a powerful country and how to use that power.

"Who would have thought a real estate developer from New York City, famous for plastering his name in big letters on his buildings, would be a champion in foreign policy? Big surprise: It turns out that being confident, tough, and aggressive works well for a president dealing with dangerous pipsqueaks like ISIS and North Korea.

"Trump isn't intimidated by anybody.  Not by business rivals, not by critics, not by rogue FBI agents, not by foreign leaders.  Certainly not by failed experts who urge meekness, caution, and limited goals. 

"Our president is devoted to one thing: winning for America.  He does listen to our military and work with its members to achieve the possible.  He does understand how power works.  Korea could thumb its nose at us because it was protected by China.  So, first, Trump removed that protection by going after China.  The astute Sundance at Conservative Treehouse has been pointing out for months that the trade pressure on China was the prerequisite to movement on Korea.  Our expert diplomats and analysts still don't talk about this big picture.  Trump is obviously a strategic thinker, as you have to be in the business world, as in the military.

"It's not all that complicated.  Kim came to the table because Trump forced him to.  North Korea was made to understand quite thoroughly and clearly that its grandstanding with nukes was over.  Being clear was the first step to success.  Trump has no toleration for a nuclear Korea, period.  When communicated forcefully, through actions, not words, that was the game-changer." . . . 

Trump Has a New Nickname for Robert De Niro

Townhall   "President Trump had some choice words for Robert De Niro Tuesday after the star said “F*** Trump” at the Tony awards. 

" 'Robert De Niro, a very Low IQ individual, has received to many shots to the head by real boxers in movies. I watched him last night and truly believe he may be 'punch-drunk,' Trump tweeted. "I guess he doesn’t... realize the economy is the best it’s ever been with employment being at an all time high, and many companies pouring back into our country. Wake up Punchy!" 

Robert De Niro, a very Low IQ individual, has received to many shots to the head by real boxers in movies. I watched him last night and truly believe he may be “punch-drunk.” I guess he doesn’t... — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 

June 12, 2018 ...realize the economy is the best it’s ever been with employment being at an all time high, and many companies pouring back into our country. Wake up Punchy! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 12, 2018 

"De Niro has played in several boxing films, including “Raging Bull” and “Grudge Match.” “I'm gonna say one thing: F*** Trump!" the Oscar-winning actor said at the awards show Sunday, as censors bleeped out the remarks. "It's no longer down with Trump, it's f*** Trump!' " . . .

See the NY Post also

What To Look For In The Inspector General’s Report About DOJ And FBI Election Interference

The Federalist  [Thursday] is the scheduled release of the Department of Justice inspector general’s report on the Federal Bureau of Investigation and DOJ’s handling of the Hillary Clinton investigation in the run-up to the 2016 election.

"Last week, Inspector General (IG) Michael Horowitz announced in a letter to Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley that the DOJ’s Office of the Inspector General had nearly completed its “ordinary processes for the review and classifications of such reports” and was expected to provide the public the final report on June 14, 2018. Horowitz also committed to appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on June 18, 2018, to answer questions about the report.

"When the report drops tomorrow, there will be much to process. So, here’s a primer of some key points of interest.

"Will There Be Criminal Prosecution—and of Whom?

"On the big picture, there will be two final take-aways of note from Horowitz’s report: first, whether the IG’s conclusions raise the possibility of criminal prosecution and, if so, of whom. The IG has already referred a criminal case against former FBI deputy director Andrew McCabe to DC’s U.S. attorney’s office. That was based on Horowitz’s findings that McCabe was responsible for leaks to the Wall Street Journal but lied about his role both to his former boss, FBI director James Comey, and to investigators.

"While the IG report will not announce what criminal referrals, if any, have been made, the findings will provide insight, just as did the announcement that McCabe demonstrated a “lack of candor” in his conversations with Comey and investigators." . . .

Meanwhile, 10 Miles From The White House. . .

Ann Coulter   "Now that Trump has solved Northeast Asia's problems, maybe he can get to a problem in our country -- in fact, within 10 miles of the White House. For some reason, The Washington Post recently ran an article on something important -- the MS-13 gang presence at a public school on the outskirts of our nation's capital, William Wirt Middle School in Prince George's County, Maryland. 

"The media's usual approach to the diversity being inflicted on us is: Don't report this! It's better if no one knows. Maybe the left has decided it's too late to do anything about the transformation of our country into a Third World hellhole, and Trump couldn't stop it even if he wanted to. 

"The Post reported that, like many schools up and down the East Coast, MS-13 has turned Wirt into a battleground. There have been near-daily gang fights, rampant drug dealing, one reported rape, gang signs on the walls, one shooting -- more in nearby schools -- and teachers afraid to be alone with their students. At least two students are required to have security officers assigned to them, walking them from class to class and watching them during lunch hour, on account of MS-13 threatening to kill them. 

"How many different categories of immigrants require special law enforcement officers devoted to them? Thanks to mass Muslim immigration, the FBI has terrorist watch lists in ALL 50 STATES. That's why whenever there's a terrorist attack, the FBI says, Oh yeah, we were watching that guy. And now we have police bodyguards for kids at schools wherever "unaccompanied minors" have been dumped by our government. 

"In addition to the free school lunches, transportation, housing and health care to pay for all this wonderful diversity, immigrants are also massively ratcheting up law enforcement costs.

"It would be enraging enough if bad things were happening to our country and the immigrants were paying for it. But we're paying for it. Wait -- you are offering to bring gang warfare, drug cartels and terrorism? We'll go top dollar for that! Put your wallet away! Your money's no good here!

"Having made the odd decision to report factual information about immigration, The Washington Post was careful to include the gigantically irrelevant, painfully idiotic cliche: The "vast majority" of poor Latin Americans pouring into our country "enroll in school and stay out of trouble." 

"Yes, and the vast majority of boa constrictors stay out of trouble too. Let's put them in our schools! In fact, far fewer boa constrictors kill Americans each year than Latin American immigrants do. Less than one a year. And boa constrictors don't undercut you at the construction site. " . . .

CNN and MSNBC media stars shine again

http://www.terrellaftermath.com/

Kim gets taste of CNN's grandstanding newsman Jim Acosta at historic summit  . . . "The CNN star first asked, “Mr. President, did he agree to denuclearize?”
"Trump responded that the process will start “very quickly,” but that wasn’t enough for Acosta, who shouted another question, “Did you talk about Otto Warmbier?”
"Trump ignored the question about Warmbier as he signed the agreement amid sounds of camera shutters.
"Acosta, who regularly tangles with Trump, has built a reputation for casting aside manners and protocol in order to get his often-rhetorical questions on tape for the evening newscasts. Perhaps more than any other reporter, Trump has singled out the cable network’s White House correspondent for scorn and ridicule.

Trump's 2020 campaign manager calls for CNN's 'absolute disgrace,' Jim Acosta, to lose press credentials
"President Trump’s 2020 campaign manager, Brad Parscale, called for CNN senior White House correspondent Jim Acosta to lose his press credentials after he interrupted Trump and Kim Jong Un’s historic signing ceremony by yelling questions.  
“ 'Jim Acosta should immediately have his press credentials suspended,” Parscale tweeted. “He is an absolute disgrace!' ” . . .

Irony Alert! Matthews Claims Trump Came Off ‘Like a Kiss Butt’ to Kim, Only Likes Dictators

Kim's promises

PJ Media