| | | | Donald Trump takes it personally |  | | Friday, while insisting he wasn't "agitated" by the ongoing Russia probe being led by Robert Mueller (HINT: He is!), President Donald Trump was asked why he felt so strongly about the investigation. And he said this:
"I like to take everything personally because you do better that way."
Which is, well, hugely revealing.
Because he's right! He does take absolutely everything personally! And thinks first, second and third of how things will impact him and his life!
There's a much more open question as to whether Trump's commitment to take absolutely everything personally is a good thing -- either for him or the country. Take the example of now-fired Attorney General Jeff Sessions' decision to recuse himself in the FBI's investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election.
"Jeff Sessions takes the job, gets into the job, recuses himself, which frankly I think is very unfair to the President," Trump told The New York Times in a July 2017 interview. "How do you take a job and then recuse yourself. ... It's extremely unfair -- and that's a mild word -- to the President."
Trump was/is incapable of understanding that Sessions recused himself not to hurt Trump but because he believed it was the best way to avoid even the slightest appearance of impropriety when it came to the Justice Department's examination of a foreign power's attempt to meddle in a presidential election. (Sessions was a prominent surrogate for Trump on the campaign trail.)
The Point: The problem with Trump's take-it-personally philosophy is that being President isn't about him. It's about the country -- and doing your best to lead it regardless of your own personal feelings. He's never grasped that. And he's not going to start now.
-- Chris
Below, the week that was -- in 23 headlines.
Monday: Tuesday: Wednesday: Thursday: Friday: | | "Our country needs a strong leader, not a negative Nancy."
-- Cindy McCain, in an interview, saying she hopes President Donald Trump learns from the Republicans' midterms losses. | | | A RESULT IN GEORGIA, WHILE FLORIDA RECOUNTS | | Democrat Stacey Abrams put an end to a potentially drawn-out legal battle in the Georgia governor's race tonight.
Abrams acknowledged Republican Brian Kemp will become the next governor in a 5 p.m. press conference. Abrams was considering further legal challenges as recently as this morning, but ultimately made the decision to end her campaign, according to CNN's Gregory Krieg.
Meanwhile, the recount process in Florida marches on. In the Senate race, Republican Rick Scott has held a lead over Democratic Sen. Bill Nelson since the machine recount wrapped up yesterday. The final results won't be known until noon Sunday. | | | Yes, Chris is still a Smashing Pumpkins fanboy. And excited for their brand new album. #BillyCorgan4ever | | PELOSI SIZES UP THE COMPETITION | |  | Bullish on her chances at becoming House Speaker again, Nancy Pelosi is meeting with a collection of detractors.
Among them: Rep. Maria Fudge of Ohio, who is weighing a potential bid against Pelosi. She is the first significant alternative to the California Democrat as Pelosi's detractors have struggled to find someone willing to run against her.
As Rep. Jamie Raskin recently told Politico: "The basic rule is you can't beat somebody with nobody."
Fudge was one of 17 current and soon-to-be lawmakers who signed a letter pledging not to vote for Pelosi for speaker in January. Pelosi, through a spokesman, described the meeting as "a candid and respectful conversation." | | The brainchild behind Beto O'Rourke's mondo online fundraising has moved into Kamala Harris' orbit. CNN's Eric Bradner reports:
"Democratic digital consultant Shelby Cole is joining Authentic Campaigns, the firm founded and led by Mike Nellis, who is Harris' longtime top digital consultant. The move positions Cole to play a major role if the California Democrat runs for president."
Meanwhile, Beto-mania has hit Iowa.
The Polk County Democratic Party (which includes Des Moines and is Iowa's most populous county) has extended an invite for the Texas Democrat to visit. O'Rourke has yet to respond. | | CNN has initially prevailed in its lawsuit against the White House after the administration revoked White House reporter Jim Acosta's "hard pass" press credentials -- and then misrepresented why they did it.
A court ruled Friday that the White House had to reinstate Acosta's press credentials, and while not deciding the actual case, indicated CNN and Acosta are likely to be successful in the overall lawsuit.
"Let's go back to work," Acosta said after the ruling. He returned to the White House today in time for his 5 p.m. live shot. | |  | | From Brenna: "This is President Trump listening to Elvis. Same. Trump awarded the Medal of Freedom to Presley (posthumously, unless you're one of those people who thinks he's still alive, to whom we say live your truth) and six others. Award your friends with a subscription to The Point!" | | | | | | |
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