5/14/2022

My Friend & POTUS, JRB,

            It looks like you are in for some wet spring weather in DE today. I hope you get a chance to take a nap, recharge & get ready to take on all the challenges we are facing.

            Please give my regards to Jen Psaki. I hope that she can enjoy a calmer, more relaxed life after her stint as press secretary. I hope her replacement has mastered the art of the “Psaki bomb.”

            It remains to be seen if your new effort to denounce extreme Republicans will work. The Trump camp loves that you keep repeating “Ultra-MAGA,” & according to the WH have capitalized on the free publicity by selling $45 T-shirts “bearing the image of DJT as Superman …flying below the banner of “SUPERMAGA” in a red-and-yellow comic book font.” The WP notes that the “Ultra-MAGA” idea grew out of a 6-month research project. Fingers crossed the sampling strategy used by the Hart Research and the Global Strategy Group was sound.

            Speaking of political branding, what are your thoughts about PA Senate candidate, John Fetterman? The G calls him the “socially awkward “ & “least slick of politicians”. He managed to get lots of publicity as mayor of Braddock, where he was a hero to the 2000 mostly Black citizens who lived there. I am impressed that he has visited all 67 counties in the state as he researched legalizing marijuana in his role as Lieutenant Gov. They say he has a chance. It’ll be fun to watch his campaign.

            What did the ASEAN group decide about Burma? I did not see any reports about that. I did see that the junta canceled tenders for 26 solar projects with Chinese companies. It’s too bad that they aren’t moving forward with efforts to produce clean energy. Interesting that the junta is resisting help from the Chinese.

            I hope your weekend is energizing,

            BYBS,