According to a report in the Seattle Times, Howard Schultz, the current CEO of Starbucks, will step down from his role at the coffee chain next month.  This comes following the collapsing brand image as a direct result of Schultz’s political virtue signaling to hire 10,000 refugees and avoid hiring Americans.

The refugee announcement followed the first President Trump temporary travel-ban and many Trump supporters boycotted the coffee chain.  In a letter to employees Schultz claimed the promise of the American Dream was ‘being called into question’ and ‘the civility and human rights we have all taken for granted for so long are under attack.’

However, with the successful installment of Tom Perez as head of the DNC – the timing and political transparency indicate Howard Schultz could also be  positioning himself for a 2020 White House run.

Schultz has long been a favorite candidate for the professional political donor class within the DNC and was a top-tier contender for Clinton’s VP in 2016.   The DNC will always position the winning candidate as one they are able to control. (more…)

Too cool.  President Trump and Vice-President Pence were both in Palm Beach Florida Saturday, leading to multiple motorcades.   Groups of President Trump supporters gathered along the route as President Trump’s motorcade passed by.
A small group had lined up on Bingham Island with signs and flags.   According to one supporter: “We waved to him, the cars went by really fast, and we were just sitting down talking about the events of the day,” said Valeria Bianco.
The long-time Trump supporter said no one expected what happened next. Bianco said a member of the President’s team came back, “And invited us to go to Mar-a-Lago,” she said. “To get into a secret service van, get checked out, and go to Mar-a-Lago.”

“Oh my God, we’re going to Mar-a-Lago!” Group of supporters can barely contain excitement as they’re invited to meet Pres. Trump. pic.twitter.com/aDJfCJZ7nJ

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) March 19, 2017

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According to Bianco, she and six others were taken to a ballroom inside of the President’s home.  “And then, lo and behold, our President appeared,” she said. (more…)

Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Price appears on ABC and CNN to discuss the GOP health care bill to replace ObamaCare.

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Secretary Price also appeared on CNN with Jake Tapper:
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White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer interviewed by Fox News Media Buzz host Howard Kurtz:

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The insufferable DC Swamp media-guards were in full Swamp protection mode today.  Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Mick Mulvaney appeared on NBC (Chuck Todd) and CBS News (John Dickerson) to discuss the first Trump budget proposal.
Chuck Toad (Meet the Pus) was his insufferable, groaning, grunting, condescending and teeth gnashing self.  Weird how Toad is a budget hawk all of a sudden:

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John Dickerson spent the first 5 minutes of a 6.5 minute interview with the budget director talking about issues unrelated to the budget:
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Appearing on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo, Eric Trump discusses how he and the family handle intense criticism and changes within the family business as an outcome of his father’s presidency:

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Maria Bartiromo continues to have one of the most interesting Sunday interview programs aired on television. Prior to the Eric Trump interview Ms. Bartriomo spoke with Rep. McMorris Rogers, Newt Gingrich and VA Secretary Shulkin: (more…)

(Via Reuters) With warm words from Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson ended his first trip to Asia since taking office with an agreement to work together with China on North Korea and putting aside trickier issues. (link)  All lumps removed…


Chinese President Xi Jinping:

“You said that China-U.S. relations can only be friendly. I express my appreciation for this.” … “We both believe that China-U.S. cooperation henceforth is the direction we are both striving for. We are both expecting a new era for constructive development.” … “The joint interests of China and the United States far outweigh the differences, and cooperation is the only correct choice for us both.”

Secretary of State Tillerson:

“President Trump places a very high value on the communications that have already occurred, and he looks forward to enhancing that understanding in the opportunity for a visit in the future.” … “We know that through further dialogue we will achieve a greater understanding that will lead to a strengthened, strengthening of the ties between China and the United States and set the tone for our future relationship of cooperation.”

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In an effort to keep the Daily Open Thread a little more open topic we are going to start a new daily thread for “Presidential Politics”. Please use this thread to post anything relating to the Donald Trump Administration and Presidency.

This thread will refresh daily and appear above the Open Discussion Thread.

President Trump Twitter @POTUS / Vice President Pence Twitter @VP

Sean Spicer Twitter @PressSec

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. THY WILL BE DONE, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen †

Last Thursday Secretary T-Rex was in Japan (below left); Friday he was in South Korea (below right); tonight (tomorrow local) Secretary Tillerson will arrive in China.

During a flight between nations, Secretary Tillerson gave an interview to IJR reporter Erin McPike.  A full audio file has been provided CLICK HERE (will open in separate window) The interview is almost 30 minutes in duration and takes place aboard the flight.

In addition, IJR has posted a transcript of the interview which is AVAILABLE HERE.

I would again strongly urge everyone to ignore the media presentations of the comments from Secretary Tillerson, and instead go directly to the unfiltered source material.
The Audio Interview is very interesting.  Understandably, with the full content available, the DC media and their Deep State partnerships are frustrated and angry about their inability to manipulate the Tillerson narrative.
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