The GOP Scorch Bearer

Trump’s debate strategy was driven by the release of the pu**y grabbing tape. He referred to it as locker room banter. The Atlantic’s James Hamblin explains the difference between explicit talk (normal) and the crap we heard on that tape (Trump): “There would be no issue with a recording in which Trump talked about his ‘veiny member’ and how he enjoys ‘thrusting to and fro until climax.’ (Sorry, just making the point.) At this point I’d welcome a leaked tape in which he recounted the best sex he ever had, on a giant yacht. How it was so fantastic, and how many orgasms everyone had … [but] talking explicitly about sex is different from bragging about forcing yourself on people.”

+ This weekend marked the first time I’ve ever had to clear my browser history after reading the news. Here are my (sort of viral) Sixteen Quick Thoughts on Pu**y Gate.

+ The first national poll following the tape, but before the debate, had Hillary Clinton up by 11 points.

+ Following the tape and the debate, Paul Ryan (while still not un-endorsing him) basically abandoned Trump. And NBC looks like they are abandoning Billy Bush.