The Full Belmonte, 3/12/2023
Pence says Trump ‘endangered my family’ on Jan. 6
“WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Vice President Mike Pence on Saturday harshly criticized former President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, widening the rift between the two men as they prepare to battle over the Republican nomination in next year’s election.
‘President Trump was wrong,’ Pence said during remarks at the annual white-tie Gridiron Dinner attended by politicians and journalists. ‘I had no right to overturn the election. And his reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol that day, and I know history will hold Donald Trump accountable.’
Pence’s remarks were the sharpest condemnation yet from the once-loyal lieutenant who has often shied away from confronting his former boss. Trump has already declared his candidacy. Pence has not, but he’s been laying the groundwork to run.
In the days leading up to Jan. 6, 2021, Trump pressured Pence to overturn President Joe Biden’s election victory as he presided over the ceremonial certification of the results. Pence refused, and when rioters stormed the Capitol, some chanted that they wanted to ‘hang Mike Pence.’
The House committee that investigated the attack said in its final report that ‘the President of the United States had riled up a mob that hunted his own Vice President.’
With his remarks, Pence solidified his place in a broader debate within the Republican Party over how to view the attack. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, for example, recently provided Tucker Carlson with an archive of security camera footage from Jan. 6, which the Fox News host has used to downplay the day’s events and promote conspiracy theories.
‘Make no mistake about it, what happened that day was a disgrace,’ Pence said in his Gridiron Dinner remarks. ‘And it mocks decency to portray it any other way.’
Trump, meanwhile, has continued to spread lies about his election loss. He’s even spoken in support of the rioters and said he would consider pardoning them if he was reelected.
Speeches at the Gridiron Dinner are usually humorous affairs, where politicians poke fun at each other, and Pence did plenty of that as well.
He joked that Trump’s ego was so fragile, he wanted his vice president to sing “Wind Beneath My Wings” — one of the lines is “did you ever know that you’re my hero?” — during their weekly lunches.
He took another shot at Trump over classified documents.
‘I read that some of those classified documents they found at Mar-a-Lago were actually stuck in the president’s Bible,’ Pence said. ‘Which proves he had absolutely no idea they were there.’
Even before the dinner was over, Pence was facing criticism for his jokes about Transportation Secretary Buttigieg, the first openly gay Cabinet member in U.S. history.
Pence mentioned that, despite travel problems that were plaguing Americans, Buttigieg took ‘maternity leave’ after he and his husband adopted newborn twins.
‘Pete is the only person in human history to have a child and everyone else gets post-partum depression,’ Pence said.” [AP News]
Pence unloads on Trump
Pence with North Charleston Police Chief Reggie Burgess after a roundtable on police reform on March 2. Photo: Meg Kinnard/AP
Former Vice President Pence used last night's white-tie Gridiron Dinner in Washington to unload on former President Trump for abetting the Capitol rioters.
‘His reckless words endangered my family and everyone at the Capitol, and I believe history will hold Donald Trump accountable for January 6th,’ Pence said of his potential rival for the '24 GOP nomination.
Why it matters: Pence's fierce denunciation, before a ballroom of top journalists and newsmakers, showed political fire as he prepares to run for the White House — and further severed him from Trump and his enablers.
Without naming Tucker Carlson, Pence criticized the Fox News star for the way he portrayed the Capitol attack last week while airing surveillance-camera footage made available by Speaker McCarthy.
‘It was not, as some would have us believe, a matter of tourists peacefully enjoying our Capitol,’ Pence said. ‘Tourists don’t break down doors to get to the Speaker of the House.’
‘[M]ake no mistake about it: What happened that day was a disgrace. And it mocks decency to portray it in any other way.’
Inside last night's Gridiron Dinner in Washington. Photos: Obtained by Axios
Pence started on a lighter note: ‘Sorry I was running a little late tonight. There were a few more boxes I needed to drop off at the National Archives.’
‘I read that some of those classified documents they found at Mar-a-Lago were actually stuck in the president’s Bible — which proves he absolutely had no idea they were there.’
‘It's true that I am a man of deep faith,’ Pence said. ‘In fact, my preferred pronouns are 'thou' and 'thine.'
"I once invited President Trump to Bible study. That was an experience. He really liked the passages about the smiting and perishing of thine enemies. As he put it: 'Ya know, Mike, there’s some really good stuff in here!"
Pence took a shot at another '24 opponent — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, ‘who has those everyman populist qualities that are so relatable ... like degrees from Harvard and Yale.’” [Axios]
Biden on brink of banking crisis
Illustration: Annelise Capossela/Axios
“President Biden is in danger of a catastrophic banking crisis, unless the U.S. government can orchestrate a deal to rescue Silicon Valley Bank depositors before branches open tomorrow.
Why it matters: Bank runs kill banks, no matter how good or bad their risk management, Axios' Felix Salmon and Dan Primack write.
How it works: Banks don't keep deposits in a vault — they lend them out to businesses and individuals. So if depositors ask for all their money back at once, as they did at SVB, the bank is likely to fail.
If SVB's depositors aren't made whole by Monday morning, hundreds of billions of dollars of corporate deposits are likely to flow out of regional banks.
State of play: Every non-enormous bank in America is left to worry about whether it's going to be able to hold onto its corporate customers.
Investors are worried too. Shares of First Republic fell 34% last week, Signature Bank fell 38%, and PacWest was down 55%.
What to watch: The Biden administration must find a well-capitalized buyer for SVB's commercial business, if not also its private bank, securities and U.K. units.
That would allow customers — like Roku, Roblox and Etsy — to access their money, including for meeting this week's payroll, and provide the sort of calm that discourages bank runs elsewhere.
If it's unable to find a buyer, the government will come under pressure to back the uninsured deposits. That would be politically unpalatable, particularly for Silicon Valley Bank, but it's preferable to the alternative.
The bottom line: Look around the world, and nearly all countries are dominated by three or four banks.
The U.S., with its thousands of banks, is an outlier. The FDIC's job is to shore up confidence in every last one of those banks. Right now that job is harder, and more urgent, than ever.” [Axios]
Biden Administration Expected to Move Ahead on a Major Oil Project in Alaska
The decision would allow an enormous $8 billion drilling project in the largest expanse of pristine wilderness in the United States.
“WASHINGTON — In one of its most consequential climate decisions, the Biden administration is planning to greenlight an enormous $8 billion oil drilling project in the North Slope of Alaska, according to two people familiar with the decision.
Alaska lawmakers and oil executives have put intense pressure on the White House to approve the project, citing President Biden’s own calls for the industry to increase production amid volatile gas prices.
But the proposal to drill for oil has also galvanized young voters and climate activists, many of whom helped elect Mr. Biden and who would view the decision as a betrayal of the president’s promise that he would pivot the nation away from fossil fuels.
The approval, by the Interior Department, of the largest proposed oil project in the country would mark a turning point in the administration’s approach to fossil fuel development. The courts and Congress have forced Mr. Biden to back away from his campaign pledge of ‘no more drilling on federal lands, period’ and sign off on some limited oil and gas leases. The Willow project would be one of the few oil developments that Mr. Biden has approved freely, without a court or a congressional mandate….” Read more at New York Times
“Japan will drastically ease Covid-19 mask-wearing guidelines for public transportation, schools and theme parks. The move comes ahead of the Japanese government's decision to downgrade Covid-19 to the same level as the seasonal flu on May 8. Japan fully reopened its borders to overseas visitors last October after more than two years of pandemic restrictions, ending one of the world’s strictest border controls.” [CNN]
“It's a plot twist book lovers didn't see coming: Barnes & Noble is seeing its biggest expansion in more than a decade. Embracing TikTok's BookTok influencers, changing up its deals with publishers and giving local stores more authority over which books they buy for their readers has brought the company back from the brink of extinction.” [NPR]
Alina Selyukh/NPR
Dads step up
Illustration: Eniola Odetunde/Axios
“A fifth of American dads are doing more child care and a fourth are doing more housework than they did before the pandemic, per a survey reported by The New York Times.
What's happening: Women have long taken on a disproportionate share of labor around the home. But COVID sending workers home shifted some of those responsibilities onto men — and, in many households, those shifts have outlasted pandemic lockdowns.
Some 70% of dads say they feel closer to their kids since the pandemic hit, according to a Harvard study.” [Axios]
College basketball winners and losers: Kansas gets drilled, costs itself overall No. 1 seed; Vanderbilt's bubble burst
“We are less than 24 hours until the most wonderful time of the year, and everyone is thrilled about it (except Vanderbilt, probably).
Selection Sunday starts at 6 p.m. ET tomorrow, but we’ve got plenty to work out before that — like who the No. 1 overall seed will be, and where they’re going to play. The overall No. 1 seed location will dictate where everyone else goes, and a lot can happen on championship Sunday, when conference tournament titles will be awarded in the SEC, Big 12 and AAC, among others.
A lot can happen between now and when the bracket goes from pencil to pen. But for now, these are Saturday's winners and losers. Kansas might be kicking itself for awhile after no showing against the Longhorns, but a run to the Final Four will make everyone feel better and forget about this performance.
WINNERS
Alabama
With a 72-61 win over Missouri in the SEC tournament semifinals the No. 5 Tide remain in contention for the No. 1 overall seed. That becomes even more likely with a win over Texas A&M in Sunday’s SEC final but given their No. 2 NET ranking — only Houston is in front of Alabama in the NET — they are basically a lock for the South 1 seed anyway, which means Tide fans will only have to drive six hours to Louisville (that’s a short trip considering the potential reward). Status: Almost certainly a No. 1 seed.
Arizona
Remember when former Wildcat great Gilbert Arenas said Tommy Lloyd wasn’t good enough to coach at Arizona? We’re thinking Arenas is convinced now that Lloyd is the right guy for the job. Arizona’s 61-59 upset win over UCLA might not have been pretty basketball but it certainly was entertaining, and it gives Arizona what everyone wants heading into the NCAA Tournament — momentum. Status: Solidly a No. 2 seed.
Houston
A 69-48 thumping of Cincinnati in the AAC semifinals has put Houston in great position to be a 1 seed when the selection committee shares the final bracket tomorrow. The Cougars are likely frustrated that they won’t get the Kansas City Regional, but if they take care of business they’ll get to play for a national championship in front of a friendly home crowd. Life is about tradeoffs. Status: In contention for the No. 1 overall seed
Texas A&M
The Aggies are on a great run, having won 10 of their last 11, with their latest an 87-75 victory over Vanderbilt in the other SEC semifinal (and it wasn’t as close as the score indicates). Don’t be surprised if TAMU beats Alabama in Sunday’s SEC championship. If that happens, Alabama will still be a 1 seed, but Houston, another 1 seed, would probably take over the South region and bump Alabama to the East. Status: Moving up the seed line
Howard
The Bison won a crazy game in the final 23 seconds, earning their first bid to the NCAA tournament in 31 years, the last time Howard also won the regular season championship. Only one player, Jelani Williams, scored in double figures (20 points) but it was just enough as Howard edged Norfolk State 65-64. Status: Dancing
LOSERS
Kansas
The Jayhawks had a terrific opportunity to wrap up the No. 1 overall seed and instead laid a major egg against No. 7 Texas, getting drilled 76-56. What does that mean for their seeding? Kansas is still almost certainly a No. 1 seed – KU plays in the best league in the country and has the No. 6 NET ranking – but losing out on the overall No. 1 means the Jayhawks probably won’t get to be in Kansas City, which would certainly be their choice. Status: No. 1 seed but questionable what region
UCLA
The loss to Arizona might cost the Bruins more than just a Pac-12 tournament trophy. Dropping that game to Arizona, close as it was, coupled with the season-ending injury to Jaylen Clark, could be the two major factors the committee considers when it awards 1 seeds — and UCLA might find itself as a 2 come the selection show.
Nothing is set in stone, but if Houston, Alabama and Purdue all win their conference championships, UCLA could be on the outside looking in when it comes to 1 seeds. What’s worse, if UCLA does drop to a 2 and Houston is the overall No. 1 playing in Vegas, UCLA would likely not go to Vegas also, because the Bruins would be the strongest 2 seed. Status: Falling to a 2 seed.
Vanderbilt
The Commodores’ bubble is almost certainly burst after a loss in the SEC semifinals to Texas A&M in a game where they looked significantly overmatched for stretches. The loss, coupled with a NET ranking in the 80s (yikes) almost certainly means Vanderbilt, with a 20-14 season record, is headed for the NIT. Status: First four out
Norfolk State
The Spartans lost a heartbreaker in one of Saturday’s first games and with it, an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Up 64-60 with 23.7 seconds to play, everything unraveled. Marcus Dockery of Howard hit a 3 — his first in six attempts — to bring the Bison within one, and then Norfolk State threw the ball away on the ensuing possession with 13.2 to go. Howard responded by driving, being fouled and hitting both foul shots. Howard deserves kudos for making plays under pressure, but it was a rough end for Norfolk State. Status: Not participating in Selection Sunday.” [USA Today]
Follow Lindsay Schnell on Twitter @Lindsay_Schnell.
Oscars fight for relevance
Illustration: Gabriella Turrisi/Axios
“All the pieces are in place for the Oscars to make a comeback on Sunday. But if a slate of popular movies and the spark from last year's controversial show can't rescue its ratings, then this may be its last gasp of relevance instead, Axios Pro Media Deals reporter Tim Baysinger writes.
Why it matters: Major awards shows like the Oscars and Emmys have long been big business for broadcast TV networks — but their importance has been dwindling alongside their viewership.
By the numbers: Once known as Hollywood's Super Bowl, the Oscars used to draw north of 40 million viewers. But the last two years have drawn the smallest audience in the show's history, falling below 20 million viewers.
What to watch: The buzz around this year's nominees should be a boon for ratings.
The total box office gross for this year's Best Picture nominees is the highest in 13 years, led by ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’ and ‘Top Gun: Maverick.’” [Axios]
“High school theaters could be the next battleground in the culture wars. Plays and musicals in several states have been challenged or canceled recently. But when adults tried to cancel an Ohio high school's production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the show's original creators stepped in and proved you don't mess with theater people.” [NPR]
Rush Limbaugh's compound sold for...
Photo: Rush Limbaugh Estate. Used by permission
...$155 million.
“Billionaire William Lauder of Estée Lauder scooped up the conservative talk radio host's former Palm Beach, Florida estate in a record-breaking sale, The Wall Street Journal reports.
Photo: Rush Limbaugh Estate. Used by permission
Limbaugh bought the property, which sits on 2.7 acres with 250 feet of ocean frontage and direct beach access, for $3.9 million back in 1998.” [Axios]
“Lives lived: Bud Grant was a strait-laced Hall of Fame football coach who led the Minnesota Vikings for 18 years and took the team to four Super Bowls. He died at 95.” [New York Times]