David M. Drucker

@thedispatch Senior Writer; Bloomberg @opinion contributing columnist; @MSNOWNews contributor; Author “IN TRUMP'S SHADOW" via @twelvebooks

[David M. Drucker @DavidMDrucker]

Thrilled to announce "In Trump's Shadow," my first book — on 2024 & Trump's generational impact on GOP. Special thanks for bringing it to life go to my editor @skdesmond1973, my agents @matt_latimer & @keithurbahn + everyone at @JavelinDC. Pre-order: https://t.co/hLkK918f7a =>

[ZitoSalena @ZitoSalena]

Until recently, Lanyia Brooks worked as a custodian in a data center, where she spent her days maintaining the facility while watching tech professionals build the infrastructure around her.
Brooks said that perspective changed completely when a data center technician noticed her work ethic and remarked that she “worked too hard to be just working as a custodian,” and sent her a link to a specialized career training program. Despite waiting two anxious months to hear back, Brooks was accepted, conquering her fears to take her very first airplane flight to Indianapolis for the opportunity.
One week into the intensive program, Brooks says she is thriving in a high-energy environment alongside a deeply positive and ambitious cohort of classmates. “My immediate goal is to master my training and learning the ins and outs of physical servers and networking — with long-term plans to transition into an advanced technician role within a year,” she said.
https://t.co/KrOeeyjeL7

[Bloomberg Opinion @opinion]

Democrats are understandably aghast at ICE misconduct. But the party needs a better plan than getting rid of the agency, @DavidMDrucker says

Read more: https://t.co/FqomrY420A

[Shane Goldmacher @ShaneGoldmacher]

NEW: Senator Mark Kelly has nearly $25 million in the bank — and has raised or contributed $10 million to other Democrats — as he considers 2028 run.

One factor, he tells me, “Whether I think I can win.”
https://t.co/gJGkptaKRE

[David M. Drucker @DavidMDrucker]

NEW from MICHIGAN: @AbdulElSayed's signature policy pitch is Medicare for All. Just don’t ask the progressive populist for the cost to the average taxpayer. He knows; he just isn’t going to tell you. “I’m not going to give you that number.." https://t.co/RZGzEHss9B @thedispatch

[Jesse Rodriguez @JesseRodriguez]

More from MS NOW: President Trump plans to deliver a Thursday evening speech addressing newly declassified intelligence reports that the White House asserts reveal plans by foreign nations to interfere in the 2020 election, according to two White House officials granted anonymity to discuss internal plans. @jake__traylor

[David M. Drucker @DavidMDrucker]

NEW from @MichaelRWarren: A look at what made @LindseyGrahamSC a unique political force in DC. https://t.co/qiEumOQ6wr @thedispatch

[ZitoSalena @ZitoSalena]

ALTOONA, Pennsylvania — In Virginia Lee Burton’s classic children’s book, Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel, Mulligan often boasted that his steam shovel, Mary Anne, “could dig as much in a day as a hundred men could dig in a week, but he had never been quite sure that was true.”

By the end of the story, Mulligan never gets the chance to prove his boast because electric, diesel, and gasoline shovels have taken away nearly all of Mary Anne’s work. Still, he finds an ingenious way for the old steam shovel to remain useful.

When Burton wrote those words in her 1939 children’s classic, she was capturing the painful sunset of an era. It was a lament for the living, breathing machines of American progress, cast aside for the newest efficient technology.

For more than half a century, that sentiment seemed final. The same technological advances that displaced Mary Anne also rendered America’s steam locomotives obsolete. The machines that had helped build our cities, transported critically needed goods during World War II, and connected the nation from coast to coast were, in a remarkably short time, dumped into gravel pits, relegated to history books, or left to rust in forgotten rail yards.

But this week in Altoona, the Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014 offered a thunderous rebuttal. Much of the credit belongs to its engineer, Ed Dickens, who has spent his adult life serving his country, first in the military and now by helping bring this historic steam locomotive back to life. In doing so, he has shown that Americans still value hard work, shared history, and community.

Across the country, crowds have gathered along city streets, farmland, and small-town rail lines just to watch Dickens and Big Boy thunder past. #America250 #Bigboy https://t.co/E0ruILuSNL

[Josh Kraushaar @JoshKraushaar]

SCOOP @jewishinsider via @emilyfjacobs: “New Ted Cruz-aligned organization takes aim at right-wing antisemitism”

https://t.co/gKZHKD9pPq https://t.co/gKZHKD9pPq

[David M. Drucker @DavidMDrucker]

Much said about poll showing Mamdani > Bibi among American Jews. But there’s important context: most are Dems & Ds broadly soured on Bibi going back to Obama admin when he took on Iran deal via House floor spch. Deep dislike of Bibi among normie-Ds been bldg for years and long before now. =>

[Frank Luntz @FrankLuntz]

44% of American Jews have a favorable opinion of @NYCMayor Zohran Mamdani, compared with 39% who view him unfavorably.

Just 32% have a favorable opinion of Benjamin Netanyahu, while 59% have a negative view of the Israeli prime minister.

[David M. Drucker @DavidMDrucker]

=>

[Scott Jennings @ScottJenningsKY]

I spoke to my old friend Mitch McConnell this morning, the senior Senator from Kentucky. He’s still recovering in the hospital. We talked for just shy of 20 minutes … about IRAN, UKRAINE, the unfolding situation in MAINE, my visit to the TR Presidential Library, and even a little bit of Senate history. I told him we want to see him back at work as soon as possible.

[Catherine Rampell @crampell]

Two weeks ago @Elise_Jordan & I asked Morris Katz, top campaign strategist for Platner, if he could assure the public no more sexual misconduct allegations would come out. He repeatedly dodged the q, complained about people digging into Platner's past.
https://t.co/bSrMYbiAPF

[David M. Drucker @DavidMDrucker]

Maybe do a thorough background vet this time =>

[Peter Baker @peterbakernyt]

Platner aide lists terms for dropping out: “If he was to step down it would only be with a guarantee of being replaced by a candidate who he believes is true to the values and vision and policy agenda of the campaign that Maine voted for." @ShaneGoldmacher https://t.co/x2Jyofd0xi

[David M. Drucker @DavidMDrucker]

NEW from SACRAMENTO: The Paradox of @GavinNewsom — He's a leading Democratic 2028 contender yet often a mystery, even to those in his party. https://t.co/5eV0hItGnI @thedispatch

[Adam Ozimek @ModeledBehavior]

My debut at @thedispatch. The $50,000 Question: How Did Vehicles Get So Expensive?

https://t.co/Nikgn1Y9Io

[Jesse Rodriguez @JesseRodriguez]

Today at 4pmET on @DeadlineWH

The first TV interview with Fmr. Special Counsel Jack Smith

[Akayla Gardner @gardnerakayla]

NEW: Since President Trump won a second term, his two eldest sons — Eric and Don Trump Jr.— have become linked to investments in at least 10 companies in the defense sector that have received approx. $3.7 billion in federal funds in Trump 2.0, up nearly $1B compared to the end of Biden’s term. https://t.co/NbHH7pPaXI

[David M. Drucker @DavidMDrucker]

👇

[Kristen Soltis Anderson @KSoltisAnderson]

Time is a flat circle

[Jonah Goldberg @JonahDispatch]

Love or hate the DSA agenda, the one thing you can't say about is they're bringing "new ideas" to the conversation. https://t.co/eyQepsYiIX

[ZitoSalena @ZitoSalena]

As America approaches its 250th birthday, it’s important to understand the road’s role in the founding of the country. Had the young George Washington not engaged in the Forbes Expedition to control the Ohio Valley in 1758, forging a new road along the way and driving out the French at the Forks of the Ohio, he would have lacked the frontier command experience and reputation he later leveraged to lead the Continental Army.
Although little known outside western Pennsylvania, this historic byway remains central not only to American history but also American innovation. From the military forays of the country’s first president to the development of robotics and artificial intelligence, the road offers a panorama of the nation’s progress. (Gift)
https://t.co/KI6aWnSmF8

[David M. Drucker @DavidMDrucker]

@GNSNick @Morning_Joe @nytimes Didn’t commend it - but used it as an example of the brazenness. There’s no attempt at cover-up.