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The Ledes

Monday, February 24, 2025

New York Times: “Pope Francis is suffering from 'initial, mild kidney failure' in addition to the serious respiratory illness that has left the 88-year-old pontiff in critical condition in a Rome hospital, the Vatican said on Sunday.

Describing a “complex” clinical picture, the Vatican said that the kidney ailment was 'at present under control,' and that there had been no repeat of the respiratory crisis that the pope had experienced on Saturday. The pope was 'alert and well oriented,' the Vatican said, and he attended Mass in his suite along with the medical staff caring for him.”

The Wires

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Public Service Announcement

Zoë Schlanger in the Atlantic: "Throw out your black plastic spatula. In a world of plastic consumer goods, avoiding the material entirely requires the fervor of a religious conversion. But getting rid of black plastic kitchen utensils is a low-stakes move, and worth it. Cooking with any plastic is a dubious enterprise, because heat encourages potentially harmful plastic compounds to migrate out of the polymers and potentially into the food. But, as Andrew Turner, a biochemist at the University of Plymouth recently told me, black plastic is particularly crucial to avoid." This is a gift link from laura h.

Mashable: "Following the 2024 presidential election results and [Elon] Musk's support for ... Donald Trump, users have been deactivating en masse. And this time, it appears most everyone has settled on one particular X alternative: Bluesky.... Bluesky has gained more than 100,000 new sign ups per day since the U.S. election on Nov. 5. It now has over 15 million users. It's enjoyed a prolonged stay on the very top of Apple's App Store charts as well. Ready to join? Here's how to get started on Bluesky[.]"

Washington Post: "Americans can again order free rapid coronavirus tests by mail, the Biden administration announced Thursday. People can request four free at-home tests per household through covidtests.gov. They will begin shipping Monday. The move comes ahead of an expected winter wave of coronavirus cases. The September revival of the free testing program is in line with the Biden administration’s strategy to respond to the coronavirus as part of a broader public health campaign to protect Americans from respiratory viruses, including influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), that surge every fall and winter. But free tests were not mailed during the summer wave, which wastewater surveillance data shows is now receding."

New York Times: “Joy Reid’s evening news show on MSNBC is being canceled, part of a far-reaching programming overhaul orchestrated by Rebecca Kutler, the network’s new president, two people familiar with the changes said. The final episode of Ms. Reid’s 7 p.m. show, 'The ReidOut,' is planned for sometime this week, according to the people, who were not authorized to speak publicly. The show, which features in-depth interviews with politicians and other newsmakers, has been a fixture of MSNBC’s lineup for the past five years. MSNBC is planning to replace Ms. Reid’s program with a show led by a trio of anchors: Symone Sanders Townsend, a political commentator and former Democratic strategist; Michael Steele, a former chairman of the Republican National Committee; and Alicia Menendez, the TV journalist, the people said. They currently co-host 'The Weekend,' which airs Saturday and Sunday mornings.” MB: In case you've never seen “The Weekend,” let me assure you it's pretty awful.

Y! Entertainment: "Meanwhile, [Alex] Wagner will also be removed from her 9 pm weeknight slot. Wagner has already been working as a correspondent after Rachel Maddow took over hosting duties during ... Trump’s first 100 days in office. It’s now expected that Wagner will not return as host, but is expected to stay on as a contributor. Jen Psaki, President Biden’s former White House press secretary, is a likely replacement for Wagner, though a decision has not been finalized." MB: In fairness to Psaki, she is really too boring to watch. On the other hand, she is White. ~~~

~~~ RAS: "So MSNBC is getting rid of both of their minority evening hosts. Both women of color who are not afraid to call out the truth. Outspoken minorities don't have a long shelf life in the world of our corporate news media."

New York Times: “Chuck Todd, the former 'Meet the Press' moderator and a longtime fixture of NBC’s political coverage, told colleagues on Friday that he was leaving the network. A nearly two-decade veteran of NBC, Mr. Todd said that Friday would be his last day at NBC.... Mr. Todd, 52, is the latest TV news star to step aside at a moment when salaries are being scrutinized — and slashed — by major media companies. Hoda Kotb exited NBC’s 'Today' show this month, and Neil Cavuto of Fox News and CNN’s Chris Wallace departed their cable news homes late last year.”

CNBC: “ CNN plans to lay off hundreds of employees Thursday [Jan. 23] as it refocuses the business around a global digital audience.... The layoffs come as CNN is rearranging its linear TV lineup and building out digital subscription products. The cuts will help CNN lower production costs and consolidate teams, said the people, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic changes. Certain shows that are produced in New York or Washington may move to Atlanta, where production can be done more cheaply, said the people. For the most part, the job cuts won’t affect CNN’s most recognizable names, who are under contract, said the people. CNN has about 3,500 employees worldwide.... NBC News is also planning cuts later this week, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss nonpublic changes. While the exact number couldn’t be determined, the job losses will be well under 50....”

New York Times: “The president of MSNBC, Rashida Jones, is stepping down from that position, the company said on Tuesday, a major change at the news network just days before ... Donald J. Trump takes office. Rebecca Kutler, senior vice president for content strategy at MSNBC, will succeed Ms. Jones as interim president, effective immediately. Ms. Jones will stay on in an advisory role through March.... MSNBC is among a bundle of cable channels that its parent company, Comcast, is planning to spin out later this year into a new company.” ~~~

~~~ MSNBC: “On Monday, Jan. 20, MSNBC will present wall-to-wall coverage of the inauguration of ... Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance and will kick off special programming for the first 100 days of the new Trump administration.... On the heels of her field reporting during the last 100 days of the 2024 presidential campaign, Alex Wagner will travel the country to follow the biggest stories as they develop in real-time during Trump’s first 100 days in office, reporting on the impact of his early promises and policies on the electorate for 'Trumpland: The First 100 Days.'... During the first 100 days, Rachel Maddow will bring her signature voice and distinct perspective to the anchor desk every weeknight at 9 p.m. ET, offering viewers in-depth analysis of the key issues facing the country at the outset of Trump’s second term. After April 30, 'The Rachel Maddow Show' will return to its regular schedule of Mondays at 9 p.m. ET and Wagner will return to anchoring 'Alex Wagner Tonight' Tuesday through Friday.”

Page Links

Colorado

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Denver Post: "Incumbent Democrat Michael Bennet and Republican challenger Ken Buck remained locked in the country's closest U.S. Senate race as the vote tally stretched into the early morning." ...

... Update: "Appointed U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet will be elected to the U.S. Senate after pulling ahead of challenger Ken Buck this morning.... Returns from Denver and Boulder moved Bennet past Buck and into the lead, 47.5 percent to 47.1 percent."

AP: "For the second time, Colorado voters have overwhelmingly rejected an anti-abortion proposal that would have given unborn fetuses human rights in the state constitution."

NBC News projects that Colorado Democrat John Hickenlooper will win the governorship. Denver Post story here.

On the eve of the election Sarah Palin endorses xenophobic loon Tom Tancredo for governor.

Tom Tancredo Adds to His Racist Creds. Denver Post: "In stump speeches being delivered in outlying parts of the state, gubernatorial hopeful Tom Tancredo [inaccurately] inserted a racial component into a statement made by Barack Obama in 2008 and called the president a bigger threat to the United States than al-Qaeda.

There Is Something in that Tea They're Drinking. Colorado Republican Senate nominee Ken Buck "disagree[s] strongly with the concept of separation of church and state." He also thinks it horrible that President Obama calls the White House holiday tree a "holiday tree":

Republican Confused about Who His Opponent Is. KDVR Denver: "The latest television ad from [Republican] Cory Gardner attacking [Democrat] Betsy Markey is no longer running on FOX 31.... The ad, which attacked Rep. Markey for her vote in favor of the 2010 budget, even though she voted against it, has been replaced with another spot from Gardner's campaign. Apparently, the ad mistook the vote of Massachusetts Rep. Ed Markey, who did vote yes on the budget, for that of [Betsy] Markey...." Colorado's Markey is making an issue of the false ad.

Washington Examiner: "Former President Bill Clinton said Monday that electing tea party Republicans would be like returning to the 19th century as he rallied Colorado Democrats to stick with ... Sen. Michael Bennet, who is locked in a tough contest with Republican Ken Buck.

Eric Lach of Talking Points Memo, October 16: "Colorado Senate candidates Ken Buck (R) and incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet (D) met for a debate on Meet The Press this morning and sparred on the budget, the Tea Party and flip-flops. But the most controversial moment came when host David Gregory asked Buck if he believes that being gay is a choice. Buck responded that he thought it was a choice, but allowed that "birth has an influence over it, like alcoholism and some other things."

Sen. Michael Bennet runs this ad against Ken Buck:

CW Note: what Buck calls a "consumption tax" is just another name for the value-added tax (VAT) common in European countries. A Time commenter (diecash1) asks, "Wouldn't that make America more like those socialist/commie/America-hating Europeans? ... Maybe all of those TPers can look into it."

Scot Kersgaard of the Colorado Independent: in 2005, Ken Buck, then a county DA, now the Republican nominee for the Senate, declined to prosecute a man accused of date-rape even though the man essentially confessed to the crime. Kersgaard posts a transcript [pdf] of Buck's interview with the victim in which Buck "appears to all but blame her for the rape." Later, Buck said a jury might find the victim guilty of "buyer's remorse." More from the Colorado Independent on this story here.

Ian Millhiser of Think Progress: "... Colorado GOP Senate candidate Ken Buck falsely claimed ... that American schools have declined since the 1950s because of increased federal involvement in education.... Buck’s claim that American schools are worse now than they were in the 1950s is laughably wrong." With video. Millhiser rightly invokes this Norman Rockwell painting to point to the major effect the federal government has had on education:

CW: I'll let Rachel Maddow catch you up on the A-Maes-ing Colorado comedy classic:

Denver Mayor & Colorado gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper showers with his clothes on:

Denver Post: "Republican Dan Maes rejected a proposal from third-party candidate and former Republican congressman Tom Tancredo that they both drop out of the governor’s race so the GOP could appoint a more formidable candidate to take on Democrat John Hickenlooper. In an unusual move, the offer was delivered by GOP chair Dick Wadhams to Maes in person."

David Catanese & Jonathan Martin of Politico: "Meet Ken Buck: New York native, Princeton graduate, former Justice Department lawyer, tea party favorite and, as of Tuesday night, the Republican nominee for Senate in Colorado."

Denver Post: "Colorado Republican leadership Wednesday struggled to accept Dan Maes as the gubernatorial nominee, as any attempts to force him out of the race — at least at this point — were considered futile." ...

... Dave Weigel in Slate: in gubernatorial nominee Dan Maes, Colorado Republicans are "stuck with a paler, less amusing Alvin Greene."

David Catanese of Politico: what Michael Bennet (of Colorado) did right -- a lot.

Denver Post, August 13: "Sen. Michael Bennet used a Democratic unity rally [with Andrew Romanoff] to take his first detailed shots Thursday against his Republican opponent, calling Ken Buck out on Social Security, student loans and tax breaks for the wealthy."

Denver Post: "Ken Buck defeated Jane Norton in the GOP primary for U.S. Senate on Tuesday, setting up a general election this fall that pits an establishment Democrat against a scrappy, Tea Party-backed opponent."

Denver Post: "Poised for an improbable triumph, Republican Dan Maes took the stage just before midnight to declare victory over former Congressman Scott McInnis for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. Maes - an unknown, underfinanced gubernatorial candidate who has never held public office - defeated McInnis by more than 1 percentage point, 50.6 percent to 49.3 percent, with 100 percent of the vote counted."

Kirk Johnson of the New York Times: Sen. Michael Bennet's win in the Colorado Democratic primary & Republican establishment favorite Jane Norton's loss bode well for President Obama & the Democrats.

Denver Post: in Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet held back a challenge from House Speaker Andrew Romanoff to win the Democratic primary for Senate.

The Denver Post's Election 2010 page has several stories about today's Colorado primary.

Colorado Senate candidates Norton, Buck, Romanoff & Bennet. New York Times & AP photos.New York Times: "With the fierce duels to be settled [in Colorado] Tuesday, independent analysts and party operatives say the contests between Republicans Ken Buck and Jane Norton and Democrats Michael Bennet and Andrew Romanoff are close, making it uncertain which two contenders will be left standing to compete in November for a seat that appears up for grabs."

Denver Post: Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper announced Joe Garcia, president of CSU-Pueblo, as his running mate. "If elected, Garcia would be the state's first Hispanic lieutenant governor." ...

... Plus here's a quick look at the disastrous Republican candidates -- and Tom Tancredo! who is running as a teabagger or independent or white people's candidate -- whatever.

Oh, no! Denver Post: "Republican gubernatorial candidate Dan Maes is warning voters that Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper's policies, particularly his efforts to boost bike riding, are 'converting Denver into a United Nations community.'"

Denver's 9 News: "Three key staffers for Republican Scott McInnis quit Friday [July 16] as the gubernatorial candidate fights off charges of plagiarism."

The Plagiarist. Denver Post: "Although GOP gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis presented his 'Musings on Water' for publication as original works, portions are identical and nearly identical to an essay on water written 20 years earlier by now-Colorado Supreme Court Justice Gregory J. Hobbs. A Clemson University expert who reviewed McInnis' work next to Hobbs' essay called it a clear case of plagiarism of both words and ideas." ...

... AP: Oops, sorry, Mr. Justice. ...

... AP Update: "A researcher whom Colorado Republican gubernatorial candidate Scott McInnis blamed for plagiarism allegations said Wednesday he won't sign a letter from the campaign owning up to what happened because he claims McInnis is lying."

Politico: "White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton confirms ... that [the Obama Administration] had no heads-up about Bill Clinton's [Colorado Senate challenger] Andrew Romanoff endorsement."

Denver Post: "Former President Bill Clinton endorsed Democratic grassroots underdog Senate hopeful Andrew Romanoff Tuesday, calling Colorado a better place because of his leadership in the state house." President Clinton's full statement.

The Political Genius of Rahm Emanuel (or Whoever) Jim Messina. Philip Elliott of the AP: "Administration officials dangled the possibility of a job for former Colorado House Speaker Andrew Romanoff last year in hopes he would forgo a challenge to Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, administration officials said Wednesday, just days after the White House admitted orchestrating a similar job offer in the Pennsylvania Senate race." ...

... Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post has more details. Cillizza's story has now been updated to include reference to the White House statement, linked below. Cillizza includes Romanoff's full statement, which is misleading if the White House statement is truthful.) ...

... Update: the White House issued a statement about the so-called Romanoff offer that refutes the essence of the story:

Andrew Romanoff applied for a position at USAID during the Presidential transition. He filed this application through the Transition on-line process. After the new administration took office, he followed up by phone with White House personnel. Jim Messina called and emailed Romanoff last September to see if he was still interested in a position at USAID, or if, as had been reported, he was running for the US Senate.

Denver Post: "Andrew Romanoff won more than 60 percent of state delegates Saturday, pushing him to the top line of the Democrats' primary ballot [for U.S. Senate] over Sen. Michael Bennet and giving his supporters new hope for August."

CQ Politics: "At the Republican convention, county prosecutor Ken Buck won 77 percent of the delegate vote to easily secure the top spot on the GOP primary ballot [for U.S. Senate].... His chief rival, former Lt. Gov. Jane Norton, decided to skip the convention and instead collect signatures to achieve ballot access."