Welcome to the Jim Acosta Morning Memo on a Thursday morning after the GOP’s shit show “midterm convention” in Dallas as Trump tried to cope with the fact that some Republicans just aren’t that into him. Record fuel prices will do that. Let’s dive in.
Republicans went to absurd lengths to lower expectations ahead of the convention, like this gem of an excuse from Florida Congressman Jimmy Patronis.
Yes, who hasn’t gotten stuck in traffic from all of those mid-week post-Labor Day parades?
Trump himself was salty about convention attendance, lashing out at a reporter, ABC’s Mary Bruce, who dared to ask about all the no-shows as he departed for Dallas.
BRUCE: Republicans in competitive races are not coming to the convention. Do you understand why they’re deciding not to come?
TRUMP: Everybody that’s coming — everybody’s coming to the convention. Everybody wants to come, but we only want the people that are coming. By the way, we’re going to be sold out tonight, just so you understand. Who you with?
BRUCE: ABC News, sir.
TRUMP: ABC fake news. One of the worst. You are the worst of all, in my opinion. The reason that some people are not coming is because we don’t have room for 500 politicians.
Even Trump’s hair couldn’t keep a straight face.
Dallas Liar’s Club: In Dallas, things got off to a comical start as the RNC chair spoke to the crowd from a podium that was missing something. See if you can spot it.
If you’re wondering who took the “L,” it was Trump and his GOP lackeys.
Moment Of Tim (Scott): The parade of opening speakers maintained a laser-like focus on policy differences and improving the lives of Americans.
Missed it by THAT much.
Twist: In another stunning development, Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman popped up via video with a surprise message.
Fetterman: Yes, I’m Senator John Fetterman, Pennsylvania. Yes, I’m a Democrat. Why am I here talking to you today? Because, well, I’m a common-sense Democrat.
I’m always going to stand with America. I’m always going to reject the extremes and socialism and that anti-American way of life.
Dave McCormick is the kind of senator that gets the job done, and he’s going to fight for Pennsylvania. I’m proud to count him as my friend.
Right back over my shoulder, that’s the iconic U.S. Steel mill. And that’s exactly the kind of thing that we’ll work together — and we’ll work with President Trump — to fight and defend the steel way of life, right here in the Steel Valley.
I have this opportunity to introduce this great American, a great senator, and yes, he’s in a different party, but I’m proud to count him as my great friend.
Sellouts Can’t Sell Out: Finally, it was time for Trump to take the stage. According to pool reports, the middle tiers were quote “around two thirds full,” and the upper levels had “a lot of empty seats.”
The arena, bathed in red, white and blue light and with the usual jumbotron hanging from the ceiling, is full on the floor level and most of the lower tiers. With just over 10 minutes until the scheduled time for President Trump’s remarks, the middle tiers are around two thirds full, and the upper levels have a lot of empty seats, especially at the back and on the left.
Some delegates are waving the Stars and Stripes, and there is no shortage of cowboy hats on the main floor. A speaker with apparent ties to MMA was on stage as pool entered, now music is blaring, we’ve had Pinball Wizard by The Who, Gloria by Laura Brannigan and a remix of Billie Jean since entering
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Can We Pretend To Vote Against You?: Trump’s speech was chock full of familiar lies and insanity, and this bit of terrible advice.
So I’m asking you to pretend that I’m on the ballot! Just one more time!
And buy his new book, “The Art Of Getting 32 Percent.”
Toilet Tanking: At one point, Trump claimed the convention was “packed” and begged attendees not to go to the bathroom so there would be fewer empty seats. But the cameras told a different story.
The Fake News will see that man up there leaving for the bathroom, he'll be back in two minutes. And they will take a picture of his seat while he's gone and say Trump did not fill up the arena. So please, if you don't mind, don't anybody go to the bathroom.
Trump’s Loser Move:
