Delusions of Grandeur

“Compared to four years ago, America is stronger. … During my presidency, I’ve increased America’s power in every dimension.” —Joe Biden

“My administration is leaving the next administration with a very strong hand to play. And we’re leaving them an America with more friends and stronger alliances, whose adversaries are weak and under pressure — an America who once again is leading.” —Joe Biden

“I think the American people are safer and the country is better off than we were four years ago.” —National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan (“Jake Sullivan went to Yale University, Oxford University, and then Yale Law School. He’s proof that some of the dumbest people in life are the ‘smart’ ones.” —Ian Haworth)

Braying Jenny

“Everything you’ve said in these public statements is politics. ‘I don’t want women.’ ‘I don’t want moms.’ What is wrong with a mom, by the way? Once you have babies, you therefore are no longer able to be lethal? I mean, you’re basically saying women, after they have children, can’t ever serve in the military in a combat role. It’s a silly thing to say.” —Senator Kirsten Gillibrand to defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, missing the point entirely

Upright

“We won World War II with seven four-star generals. Today, we have 44 four-star generals. … We don’t need more bureaucracy at the top. We need more warfighters empowered at the bottom.” —Pete Hegseth, responding to a question about bloat in the military

For the Record

“Mr. Hegseth, it seems to me that you’ve supervised far more people than the average United States senator supervises.” —Senator Roger Wicker

“For all the talk of experience and not coming from the same cocktail parties that permanent Washington is used to, you are a breath of fresh air. And, again, if you weren’t paying attention to what this election was all about, it was about the disruptors versus the establishment.” —Senator Eric Schmitt, directing the first part of his comment to Pete Hegseth and the second part to his Senate colleagues

Inquiring Minds Want to Know

“How many senators have shown up drunk to vote at night? Have any of you guys asked them to step down and resign from their job? And don’t tell me you haven’t seen it because I know you have.” —Senator Markwayne Mullin raising questions about the qualifications of the members of the U.S. Senate

Clown World

“I find it funny that a dude that lied about his Vietnam service is allowed to question the Secretary of Defense pick.” —Paula Scanlan

Re: The Left

“The state of California is being governed by people who have lost sight of the basics of governing. … The broader context in which this fire is happening is a context of total incompetency and leaders who are putting niche, luxury issues — ideological issues — over and above the most fundamental things: keeping you and your family safe from crime, keeping you and your family safe from fires.” —Bari Weiss

“Gavin Newsom is waving his arms so much he looks like he’s starting a Tim Walz cover band. Fitting since they both let their cities burn.” —Jimmy Failla

And Last

“President Biden had the gall to go out and say that America is stronger today than it was four years ago. I beg to differ. Uncle Sam has had a kick-me sign on his back for the last four years because of Joe Biden’s weakness.” —Senator Tom Cotton