Born to Run the Numbers, reporting on impressions from a recent trip to Europe, seeks to answer the question of whether Europeans think that the election of Donald Trump represents an aberration or a fundamental change in the American character:

http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2017/06/worlds-worst-brand-spokesperson-ever.html

Excerpt:
"What are the true 'brand values' of the United States? That democracy is great. Freedom is great. The rule of law is great. The right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness is great. Freedom from religious persecution is great. The right to free speech and an independent press are great. We are willing to fight to protect, defend, and perpetuate those ideals. When the United States enjoys broad admiration – yes, perhaps even the perception of greatness – it is when we were most actively advocating and living our brand values.

But when a President refuses to investigate a tainted election, does not respect the rule of law or the judicial branch of government, and urges religious persecution, he is not aligned with the brand values of the United States of America...When a President refuses to honor the nation’s prior commitments, insults our allies, and attempts to curtail free speech and an independent press by slandering those who disagree with him as 'fake news,' he is not aligned with the brand values of the United States of America."

Born to Run the Numbers, reporting on impressions from a recent trip to Europe, seeks to answer the question of whether Europeans think that the election of Donald Trump represents an aberration or a fundamental change in the American character:

http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2017/06/worlds-worst-brand-spokesperson-ever.html

Excerpt:
"What are the true “brand values” of the United States? That democracy is great. Freedom is great. The rule of law is great. The right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness is great. Freedom from religious persecution is great. The right to free speech and an independent press are great. We are willing to fight to protect, defend, and perpetuate those ideals. When the United States enjoys broad admiration – yes, perhaps even the perception of greatness – it is when we were most actively advocating and living our brand values.

But when a President refuses to investigate a tainted election, does not respect the rule of law or the judicial branch of government, and urges religious persecution, he is not aligned with the brand values of the United States of America...When a President refuses to honor the nation’s prior commitments, insults our allies, and attempts to curtail free speech and an independent press by slandering those who disagree with him as "fake news," he is not aligned with the brand values of the United States of America."

Born to Run the Numbers on the Comey testimony. What mattered most was what was not said:

http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2017/06/the-most-damning-testimony-words.html

Excerpt:

"Indeed, this is an excellent example of the law of unintended consequences: Senator Risch had "hoped" to defuse the impact of Comey's testimony by questioning his interpretation of Trump's phrasing. Instead, his line of inquiry accomplished three things: (1) it provided an extended laser focus on the precise phrase that is ground zero for a charge of obstruction of justice, (2) it served to seal the fact that the Republicans wholly accept Comey’s transcription of the exact language, and (3), it provided the perfect forum for Comey to spell out exactly how he interpreted the meaning inherent in the words."

Born to Run the Numbers on the Comey testimony. What mattered most was what was not said:

http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2017/06/the-most-damning-testimony-words.html

Excerpt:

"Indeed, this is an excellent example of the law of unintended consequences: Senator Risch had "hoped" to defuse the impact of Comey's testimony by questioning his interpretation of Trump's phrasing. Instead, his line of inquiry accomplished three things: (1) it provided an extended laser focus on the precise phrase that is ground zero for a charge of obstruction of justice, (2) it served to seal the fact that the Republicans wholly accept Comey’s transcription of the exact language, and (3), it provided the perfect forum for Comey to spell out exactly how he interpreted the meaning inherent in the words."

In the interlude between Trump's shameful decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord and the coming Comey testimony, Born To Run The Numbers examines the alignment between comedians, comedy, and a liberal viewpoint:

http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2017/06/the-paris-covfefe-accord-why-liberals.html

Excerpt:

"Of course, the important comment to be made is the programming detailed here long since ceased being “comedy” shows, if indeed they ever were. A generation that came of age under the dubious leadership of George W. Bush will tell you that they did not turn to The Daily Show for comedy; it is where they actually got their news. There is no more pointed irony about the passing of this torch than two stories that were both featured on the exact same front page of The New York Times on February 10, 2015. On the left side of the front page was the story announcing Jon Stewart’s decision to leave The Daily Show (“Jon Stewart Will Leave The Daily Show on a High Note”), in which he was lionized as a ground-breaking and ferocious champion of the truth. On the right side of the front page was the headline announcing NBC’s punishment for embroidering self-aggrandizing fantasies about his own journalistic daring (“Brian Williams Suspended from NBC for 6 Months Without Pay”). Yes, on the exact same day, the champion of faux news was exalted for the telling the truth, and the highest rated anchor of “real news” was brought down for plying fake news."

In the interlude between Trump's shameful decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord and the coming Comey testimony, Born To Run The Numbers examines the alignment between comedians, comedy, and a liberal viewpoint:

http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2017/06/the-paris-covfefe-accord-why-liberals.html

Excerpt:

"Of course, the important comment to be made is the programming detailed here long since ceased being “comedy” shows, if indeed they ever were. A generation that came of age under the dubious leadership of George W. Bush will tell you that they did not turn to The Daily Show for comedy; it is where they actually got their news. There is no more pointed irony about the passing of this torch than two stories that were both featured on the exact same front page of The New York Times on February 10, 2015. On the left side of the front page was the story announcing Jon Stewart’s decision to leave The Daily Show (“Jon Stewart Will Leave The Daily Show on a High Note”), in which he was lionized as a ground-breaking and ferocious champion of the truth. On the right side of the front page was the headline announcing NBC’s punishment for embroidering self-aggrandizing fantasies about his own journalistic daring (“Brian Williams Suspended from NBC for 6 Months Without Pay”). Yes, on the exact same day, the champion of faux news was exalted for the telling the truth, and the highest rated anchor of “real news” was brought down for plying fake news."

It is June 1, and Born To Run The Numbers just published their rigorous and data-driven monthly summary of Trump's Presidency. Quoting Republicans, they characterize May as the "downward spiral" of a "total disaster."

http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2017/05/btrtn-may-2017-month-in-review-downward.html

An excerpt:

"For those of you who believe that there is a floor on Trump’s support -- those 40% who still support him, despite the obvious madness -- it is worth noting that his “strongly approve” score (a subset of the overall score) has swung from a high of 44% (just after the Inaugural, per Rasmussen) to a low of 26% on May 16. So there is a part of the Trump base who are indeed tempering their views – and could theoretically jump ship if the barrage of revelations continue, or are definitely proven, or both. Trump’s true core (those who think he can no wrong and will never abandon him) is probably only around 20% (Rasmussen tends to GOP bias)."

It is June 1, and Born To Run The Numbers just published their rigorous and data-driven monthly summary of Trump's Presidency. Quoting Republicans, they characterize May as the "downward spiral" of a "total disaster."

http://www.borntorunthenumbers.com/2017/05/btrtn-may-2017-month-in-review-downward.html

An excerpt:

"For those of you who believe that there is a floor on Trump’s support -- those 40% who still support him, despite the obvious madness -- it is worth noting that his “strongly approve” score (a subset of the overall score) has swung from a high of 44% (just after the Inaugural, per Rasmussen) to a low of 26% on May 16. So there is a part of the Trump base who are indeed tempering their views – and could theoretically jump ship if the barrage of revelations continue, or are definitely proven, or both. Trump’s true core (those who think he can no wrong and will never abandon him) is probably only around 20% (Rasmussen tends to GOP bias)."