memeorandum: Lauren Boebert Wants ‘Mercy.’ Some Republicans Want an Alternative. (New York Times)

2:40 PM ET, November 4, 2023

Top Items:

Lauren Boebert Wants ‘Mercy.’ Some Republicans Want an Alternative. — The “Beetlejuice” incident continues to haunt the once-unrepentant congresswoman from Colorado. The state's old guard is lining up behind a primary challenger. — At a casino bingo hall in southwestern Colorado …

Discussion: Insider, Raw Story and Daily Kos

Tara Suter / The Hill:

Jack Smith pushes court to disallow cameras in Trump election interference trial — Special Counsel Jack Smith is pushing to disallow cameras in former President Trump's election interference trial. — In a Friday filing, Smith asked the court to deny applications by a group of media organizations …

Discussion: Raw Story, Mediaite, CBS News and NBC News

Michael Tomasky / New Republic:

It Just Got Worse—Again—for Donald Trump — Whenever I look at the latest polls and start to freak out about Donald Trump winning the presidency again, I calm myself by remembering that the guy is very likely going to be an at-least-once convicted felon by next November.

Discussion: The Messenger, CNN, New York Times, Lawyers, Guns & Money, HuffPost and Politico

Rebecca Beitsch / The Hill:
Appeals court pauses Trump gag order in federal election interference case

Washington Post:

How Speaker Mike Johnson's plans for a Christian law school unraveled — Johnson vouched for the school — and agreed to serve as its dean — without seeing a key feasibility study, he would ultimately admit — In February 2012, Mike Johnson sent an aide on an urgent mission at the college …

Discussion: Insider, Lawyers, Guns & Money and Raw Story

Katie Robertson / New York Times:

New York Times Writer Resigns After Signing Letter Protesting the Israel-Gaza War — The writer, Jazmine Hughes, who has won awards for her work, had signed another letter of protest this year. — Jazmine Hughes, an award-winning New York Times Magazine staff writer …

Discussion: Washington Free Beacon, New York Post and The Messenger, more at Mediagazer »

Paul Kane / Washington Post:

House and Senate elections could provide historic, reverse results — Targeting different political terrain, Democrats could flip the House while Republicans claim the Senate — Congressional bureau chief — Exactly a year out from the 2024 elections, the battle for control of Congress …

Michelle Goldberg / New York Times:

When It Comes to Israel, Who Decides What You Can and Can't Say? — Last week, the Anti-Defamation League and the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law sent a letter to nearly 200 college presidents urging them to investigate campus chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine …

Discussion: New York Daily News, Los Angeles Times and Jacobin

NBC News:

U.S., European officials broach topic of peace negotiations with Ukraine, sources say — The conversations have included very broad outlines of what Ukraine might need to give up to reach a deal with Russia. — WASHINGTON — U.S. and European officials have begun quietly talking …

Discussion: Politico, Radio Free Europe/Radio …, The Guardian, CityAM, Bloomberg and Political Wire

Brandy Zadrozny / NBC News:

RFK Jr. comes ‘home’ to his anti-vaccine group, commits to ‘a break’ for U.S. infectious disease research — He has suggested without evidence that researchers and pharmaceutical companies are driven by profit to neglect chronic conditions. — At an anti-vaccine conference in Georgia on Friday …

Discussion: The Messenger and The Gateway Pundit

Jazmine Ulloa / New York Times:

Haley, Pledging to ‘Close’ the Border, Is Asked: What About Migrants Who Are Already Here? — Tough promises on immigration from Nikki Haley and her rivals for the Republican nomination face logistical and legal barriers. — On the national debate stage, in interviews and at town halls …

Scott Wong / NBC News:

House Speaker Mike Johnson greets official Washington in a honeymoon period that's likely to be brief — One of the most unrecognizable members of Congress is now navigating new relationships, a potential government shutdown and two wars: “This is like an F5 hurricane.”

Discussion: Political Wire

Barak Ravid / Axios:

Scoop: Blinken tells Israelis humanitarian pause will buy Israel time for Gaza operation — Secretary of State Tony Blinken told his Israeli counterparts on Friday that agreeing to a humanitarian pause will help the U.S. fend off growing pressure it is facing over its support of Israel's operation …

Discussion: Bloomberg, RedState, Mediaite, Washington Examiner, The Times of Israel, The Guardian, The American Spectator and New York Times

Edith M. Lederer / Associated Press:

The average Palestinian in Gaza is living on 2 pieces of bread a day, UN official says — The average Palestinian in Gaza is living on two pieces of Arabic bread made from flour the United Nations had stockpiled in the region, yet the main refrain now being heard in the street is “Water …

Discussion: The Hill, Mother Jones, The Guardian and Associated Press

Sarah Polus / The Hill:

Jan. 6 rioter accused of ripping officer's gas mask sentenced to 7 years in prison — A Texas man accused of forcefully removing a Capitol Police officer's gas mask during the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the Capitol, was sentenced to 7 years in prison on Friday. — Steven Cappuccio …