The Market, Energy, And Political Page, T+13 -- November 19, 2018

What the Schiff? Oh, Schiff! -- A post that has absolutely nothing to do with the Bakken. 

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Who shot JR?  

From wiki:

"Who Done It?" was, at the time, the highest-rated television episode in U.S. history. It had a Nielsen rating of 53.3 and a 76% share, and it was estimated that 83 million people watched the episode, more than the number of voters in that year's presidential election.

The previous record for a TV episode had been the 1967 finale for The Fugitive. "Who Done It?" now sits second on the list, beaten in 1983 by the final episode of M*A*S*H. In 2011, Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly named "A House Divided" number one of the seven most "Unforgettable Cliff-Hangers" of prime time dramatic television.

The episode was also very popular outside the United States; a session of the Turkish parliament was suspended to allow legislators a chance to get home in time to view the conclusion of the cliffhanger.

Jim Acosta's White House press credentials were reinstated. My hunch: the next press briefing with President Trump on the stage will result in ratings worthy of a "who shot JR?"

Trump: crazy like a fox.

Was the Trump-Acosto brush-up staged to generate record ratings? Whether it was or not, the outcome will be the same. Must-watch TV. LOL.

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How To Play Khashoggi

Updates

November 20, 2018: Trump stands with Prince MbS. This is not good. This speaks volumes about Trump's lack of a moral compass. This is not good, but it, too, will pass. Americans don't care. They just like $1.99 gasoline.

Original Post

Some would argue that Trump needs get out in front of the Khashoggi story. They say the story is not going to get any better for Trump. I suppose there's a chance that by ignoring it, something bigger will come along and folks will forget the Khashoggi story.

One suggestion: do the Iran "bait and switch."

With regard to the Iranian sanctions, there were two key components:

• first, Trump gave Iran and the world several months to prepare (and prepare they did!); and, 
• second, he reneged on the sanctions ("bait and switch") even before sanctions went into effect

Now, apply that to Saudi Arabia:

• announce sanctions on Saudi Arabia so severe the King has no option but to sideline Prince MbS
• but tell Saudi Arabia the sanctions won't go into effect for two years; current defense contracts stay in place, but no new contracts can be written during the two years without US Senate approval, and if the Prince is nor removed as heir to the crown, the sanctions will continue unless the US House/Senate vote to overturn the sanctions (put the onus back on Congress)
• two years from now, after the 2020 election, Trump can do what he wants if he wins re-election, including removing all sanctions ("the Iranian bait and switch" option)
• in other words, strong, strong bark; weak, weak bite; sort of like the Iranian sanctions with regard to oil

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Oh, Schiff! What Next For Beto?

The Texas Irishman will no longer be in office after this January. Raising $70 million plus and almost taking the most expensive US Senate race in history -- Beto is no longer just another politician. He's the head of a political machine.

He has a huge organization. To keep that organization in place he needs money. The only way a former politician brings in money is to announce he/she is running again. [Ask Hillary.]

Beto has only two choices: run at the state level, this time against Senator John Cornyn in 2020, or run at the national level for US president.

His "political machine" and his California backers will want more than just another Texas senate race

Look to Beto to show up in Iowa next summer. If Hillary shows up in Iowa, Beto will initially defer to Hillary, willing to work for her campaign. At some point, Beto will show better vote-getting potential than Hillary, and she will either concede before the Democratic primary or lose the primary.

Beto and his machine will study the RFK playbook.

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Meanwhile, At The Border

This is why the president tweets. This was not shown in mainstream media today. I saw the "old photos" and asked, "What the Schiff?"