Republicans worry as self-inflicted wounds pile up

Published

2 years ago

February 16, 2023

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Republican lawmakers are wary of their party’s propensity for self-inflicted wounds and are hoping for more discipline heading into the next election cycle.

Leading Republicans think that the House GOP’s raucous reception of President Biden at last week’s State of the Union played into the president’s hands and that the proposal by Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) to sunset all federal legislation after five years is a political gift to Democrats.

Some Republicans on Capitol Hill are dismayed that Scott hasn’t disavowed his 12-point plan to “Rescue America,” despite repeated Democratic attacks, and they are disappointed by lapses in message discipline, such as Sen. Ron Johnson’s (R-Wis.) call for annual votes on Medicare and Social Security, which he described as “a legal Ponzi scheme.”

Johnson says that doesn’t mean he wants to cut Social Security, but some of his colleagues worry that Republicans are already giving Democrats too much ammo heading into the 2024 election.

“I think Republicans have got to be wise in how we talk about these issues,” said Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-S.D.).

Some Republicans, like Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), have urged other members of their party to be cautious in how they approach the issue of Social Security. (Greg Nash)

Biden’s job approval rating has been mired in the low 40s for much of his first term in office, but Democrats still managed to expand their Senate majority and exceed expectations in the battle for the House last year.

Many Republicans believe the Democrats’ strong showing in the midterms had more to do with their own party’s mistakes than the popularity of Biden’s agenda.

Biden seized on Scott’s 12-point plan at his State of the Union speech, telling the nation that “some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset every five years.”

And Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Monday pointed to Johnson’s recent comments to advance Biden’s claim.

“Almost as if to prove President Biden correct, Sen. Johnson of Wisconsin reacted to the State of the Union by going on radio and calling for annual votes on Social Security, calling it a ‘Ponzi scheme,’” Schumer said on the Senate floor.

Schumer also pointed out that the House Republican Study Committee released a budget proposal last year that raised the Social Security retirement age and cut some benefits to certain recipients.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) slammed Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) for describing Social Security as a “Ponzi scheme.” (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Johnson on Wednesday defended his comments by arguing that future Social Security recipients aren’t going to get what they put into the trust fund given the nation’s mounting debt.

“It’s not a sustainable system,” he said of Social Security, noting that the number of workers paying into the system to support retirees has dwindled. “A Ponzi scheme is you take from investors. You don’t invest it. You spend it. And you pay off early investors. The later investors get hosed.”

But members of the Senate Republican leadership team don’t see any point in talking about Medicare and Social Security reforms when they don’t think Democrats have any good-faith desire to reform those programs and instead will just use GOP proposals to play offense in next year’s election.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Biden “loves that, doesn’t he?” referring to Biden hammering Republicans over Scott’s plan.

“What it’s showing is that Biden has no interest in saving Social Security or Medicare from insolvency,” he said. “He’s just going to use it purely as a political pinata.”

Cornyn later said Democrats are using Scott’s plan as “a diversion” to shift public attention away from the nation’s serious debt problem.

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) is among the GOP members who do not see advantages to continuing to speak about Social Security and Medicare, noting that, Biden “loves that, doesn’t he?” (Greg Nash)

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) on Tuesday tried to quash once and for all Democratic claims that Republicans want to use the expiring debt limit as leverage to cut benefits for seniors.

“It continues to come up. The president was talking about it in the State of the Union,” McConnell told reporters this week. “So let me say it one more time. There is no agenda on the part of Senate Republicans to revisit Medicare or Social Security. Period.”

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) pointed out that Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said last week that Medicare and Social Security cuts are “off the table” and fellow Republicans need to get the message.

Capito, the chairwoman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee, said GOP senators discussed “trying to keep on [a] unified message as much as we can.”

“With the Speaker and our leader, the two Republican leaders, being on the same page, that’s going to drive the message of the day,” she said, referring to McCarthy’s and McConnell’s pledges not to cut Medicare or Social Security.

“Members are going to disagree,” she said, acknowledging differing views on strategy within the GOP conference.

But she argued that party leaders are smart to stay away from what has become the “third rail” of politics — specifically Medicare and Social Security cuts — in the debt limit discussions with the White House.

“I’m unified with the message that we need to stay away from these things to solve some fiscal problems,” she said.

Some Republican senators say they weren’t thrilled with the jeering and raucous reception Biden received from House Republicans at last week’s State of the Union address, which appeared to play into the president’s hands in front of a national television audience.

Some Republicans have expressed dismay over the raucous response Biden received at his State of the Union address, where he addressed Republicans’ reported plans for Social Security and Medicare. (Greg Nash)

Schumer said the contrast between Biden and “these guys screaming and yelling” and “just calling names” is “going to serve the president so well.”

Veteran journalist Chris Wallace said GOP lawmakers who heckled Biden “literally played into his hands.”

Later, when he was asked about Wallace’s observation that Republicans might have unwittingly made the president look good, Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) replied, “That may be fair.”

He said that Republicans should stick to “reasonable and enduring policy” proposals instead of made-for-television antics that give Democrats a chance to change to subject to the behavior of Republican personalities.

“I think we’re missing an opportunity to differentiate,” he said. “Focus on policy. If you get that done, it will age well.”

Another Republican senator who requested anonymity to comment on House colleagues said that decorum is good for the party’s brand.

“We ought to be polite and respectful to each other. This is not theater. It’s governing,” the senator said, commenting on the unruly reactions to Biden’s speech last week. “It’s damaging to the politics. It appeals to a handful of people and turns off a whole bunch more.”

Looking ahead to next year’s election, Senate Republicans say they need to do a better job of helping ensure the most electable candidates advance to the general election, something they believe did not happen last year in Arizona, Georgia, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania, where Democrats won.

At a one-day retreat last week, GOP lawmakers discussed the need for the National Republican Senatorial Committee to get more involved in the candidate vetting and selection process in 2024. Trump warns Scott on Social Security, Medicare: ‘THERE WILL BE NO CUTS’ Haley calls for generational change when asked about differences with Trump

“I think it’s more a matter of interacting with the states to make sure that they understand this is all about winning the finals, not the semifinals,” Tillis said.

Capito said the retreat was “forward thinking.”

“Candidate recruitment is a repeating message, making sure we get candidates that win the primary that can win the general,” she said.

Environment

RadRunner e-bikes from $999, EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 with solar panels $2,999, Anker Everfrost review, more

Published

1 hour ago

April 18, 2025

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RadRunner e-bikes from 9, EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 with solar panels ,999, Anker Everfrost review, more

Well folks, the weekend is nearly here and before it officially arrives we’ve pieced together the latest roundup of Green Deals. Leading the pack today are RadRunner 2 and 3 Plus e-bikes from $999 as well as an EcoFlow flash sale that takes the brand’s robust DELTA Pro 3 with four 125W solar panels down to a new $2,999 low. We’ve also went hands-on with Anker’s SOLIX EverFrost 2 58L Electric Cooler, and the full review is waiting for you to scope out right here. There are also plenty of other deals from earlier in the week that are still live, so head below and we’ll get you caught up on what you may have missed.

Head below for more and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.

Rad’s ‘jack-of-all-trades’ RadRunner 2 and RadRunner 3 Plus e-bikes provide utility with mobility at low prices from $999

Having begun back in February, and now continuing with Rad Power’s current Earth Day Sale running through April 23, the brand still has two of its three RadRunner series e-bikes down at the lowest prices in their history, while the RadRunner Plus model has run out of stock. Starting with the lowest priced, you can hop aboard the brand’s RadRunner 2 Utility e-bike for just $999 shipped, bringing costs down from its $1,499 post-2024 tariff pricing. Before this price cut began, things had only ever fallen as low as $1,199 before the summer of last year, with discounts following July only ever dropping to $1,299. But with this shake-up, you’ll score $500 off the going rate for as long as supplies last, gaining a versatile means to commute and run errands at the lowest price we have tracked.

Given the moniker of Rad’s “jack-of-all-trades” model, the RadRunner 2 is an affordable means to get around during commutes, joyrides, errand running, and more. I see them, and their counterparts in the series, parked outside my local grocery store frequently, as more and more folks in Brooklyn seem to be finding them as a solid alternative to owning a car. You’ll get up to 50 miles of travel here with its four PAS levels activated at up to 20 MPH top speeds with its combination of a 750W brushless gear hub motor and the 672Wh battery. Along with the simplified control panel for its riding settings, it also comes stocked with a rear-mounted cargo rack that offers a 120-pound payload, puncture-resistant fat tires, a standard LED headlight, and an integrated taillight with both brake light and flash mode capabilities.

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The upgraded RadRunner 3 Plus e-bike, meanwhile, is also still down at it’s newest all-time low of $1,699 shipped, brought down from $2,199. It sports the same 750W motor and 672Wh battery combination for achieving 45+ miles of travel through its five PAS levels at up to 20 MPH speeds. There are some notable differences here, like the Tektro hydraulic disc brakes that provide better stopping power (over the RadRunner 2’s mechanical ones), as well as a 350-pound payload (50 pounds more total), and a longer step-thru design for a more ergonomic riding position. There are also other features like puncture-resistant fat tires, fenders over both wheels, the LED headlight and brake-light capable integrated taillight (with the auto-on functionality), and LCD screen for settings.

EcoFlow’s latest flash sale gives you the multi-capable DELTA Pro 3 with four 125W solar panels at a new $2,999 low, more

As part of its ongoing Mega Sale through April 25, EcoFlow has launched the next round of its flash offers lasting through the rest of the day. The main deal here is the DELTA Pro 3 Portable Power Station bundled alongside four 125W solar panels for $2,999 shipped. Coming down off its usual $4,598 price tag, we’ve only ever seen discounts take it down as low as $3,199 before today. For the rest of the day, you can take advantage of this lower-than-ever pricing to score one of the brand’s newer solar generator packages at a 35% markdown, giving you $1,599 in savings at a new all-time low price. It even beats out Amazon, where it still sits $300 higher.

One of the brand’s newer models that has been quite popular since releasing back in June, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro 3 starts off with an already impressive 4,096Wh LiFePO4 battery capacity with a steady 4,000W of power output that surges up to 6,000W. It comes with some equally impressive expansion capabilities up to 48,000Wh with additional equipment, with its output also expanding up to 12,000W when three of these power stations are connected together, covering major home backup needs. Among the many units under the brand’s flag, this one offers the widest amount of ways to recharge its own battery, with seven solo options and 18 combination options. A standard wall outlet will have it back at an 80% battery in 50 minutes, while also offering other options like solar charging (with a max 2,600W input), EV, automotive auxiliary outlets, dual PV charging, and much more.

It’s been given 14 output ports, divided up amongst seven ACs, two USB-As, two USB-Cs, and three DCs, and offers up the complete array of smart controls accessed through the companion app to monitor and adjust settings as it keeps your devices and appliances running. It was the first unit to be given the latest X-Core 3.0 tech, expanding its surging capabilities and charging speeds while also running at quieter decibels and cooler temperatures, as well as improving upon the battery and smart home management, providing “explosion-proof” battery packs, and upgrading its parallel capacity expansion performance.

The second of today’s flash savings gives you the brand’s 800W Alternator Charger at $349 shipped, coming down from its regular $399 pricing during this sale and its full $599 rate. With this device, you’ll be able to recharge any power station you have via your car’s alternator, juicing the battery back up while on the move – which makes a perfect companion for those who may be taking their setups on the road.

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Politics

Analysts brace for Bitcoin slide on gloomy US manufacturing data

Published

2 hours ago

April 18, 2025

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Analysts brace for Bitcoin slide on gloomy US manufacturing data

Bitcoin’s spot price could take a hit after the US Federal Reserve reported some of the worst manufacturing data in recent history, according to several cryptocurrency analysts.

On April 17, the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Manufacturing Index — a monthly survey of 250 US-based manufacturers — reported the sharpest declines in overall business activity since 2020.

The data puts Bitcoin (BTC) “under short term pressure,” researchers at Bitunix, a crypto exchange, said in a post on the X platform. They added that Bitcoin could still see a “strong comeback” if its price holds above $83,000 per coin.

As of April 18, Bitcoin has been trading at approximately $84,000 per coin, according to data from Google Finance.

The Federal Reserve’s bearish report comes as factories brace for the impact of US President Donald Trump’s plans to impose sweeping tariffs on US imports, potentially raising production costs for manufacturers.

“[I]ndicators for general activity, new orders, and shipments all fell and turned negative… suggest[ing] subdued expectations for growth over the next six months,” the report said.

Bad omen for crypto?

Analysts said the combination of rising prices and slowing production could deal a blow to financial markets, including cryptocurrencies. Rising prices limit central banks’ ability to support markets in a downturn.

“Economic activity is falling off a cliff and any activity that remains, the prices are going up,” Felix Jauvin, a Blockworks macroeconomic analyst, said in a post on the X platform.

It’s an “[a]bsolute worst scenario for policy makers here especially with no meaningful idea of how permanent tariffs will be,” he added.

However, Bitcoin has been more resilient to recent macroeconomic shocks than stocks or other cryptocurrencies, Binance said in an April research report.

Since Trump announced his tariff plans on April 2, Bitcoin has traded roughly flat after initially declining but more than 10%, Google Finance data shows. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 — an index of US stocks — is still down by around 7%.

“Even in the wake of recent tariff announcements, BTC has shown some signs of resilience, holding steady or rebounding on days when traditional risk assets faltered,” Binance said.

Trump initially sought to impose double-digit levies on virtually all foreign goods but later paused planned tariffs on certain countries.

He still wants to place high taxes on many Chinese imports, causing concerns among crypto executives who fear a trade war could harm blockchain networks.

Magazine: Crypto ‘more taboo than OnlyFans,’ says Violetta Zironi, who sold song for 1 BTC

Environment

Tesla Odometergate: is it Tesla’s own Dieselgate or nothing burger?

Published

2 hours ago

April 18, 2025

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Tesla Odometergate: is it Tesla's own Dieselgate or nothing burger?

A lawsuit alleging that Tesla is inflating mileage to avoid warranty claims is already being compared to Dieselgate and referred to as ‘Tesla Odometergate.’

Is Tesla having its own Dieselgate, or is it a nothing burger?

A new class action lawsuit filed in California against Tesla alleges that the automaker is using “predictive algorithms” to inflate mileage at the odometers, allowing Tesla to claim higher mileage past warranty limits.

Lawyers for the plaintiff wrote in the lawsuit:

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Rather than relying on mechanical or electronic systems to measure distance, Plaintiff alleges on information and belief that Tesla Inc. employs an odometer system that utilizes predictive algorithms, energy consumption metrics, and driver behavior multipliers that manipulate and misrepresent the actual mileage travelled by Tesla Vehicles. In so doing, Defendants can, and do, accelerate the rate of depreciation of the value of Tesla Vehicles and also the expiration of Tesla Vehicle warranties to reduce or avoid responsibility for contractually required repairs as well as increase the purchase of its extended warranty policy.

The lawsuit refers to patents filed by Tesla regarding its mileage counter, but it primarily relies on the experience of its lead plaintiff.

Nyree Hinton, a data professional from Los Angeles, is the lead plaintiff in the lawsuit and shared his own experience that led to making these allegations.

In December 2022, Hinton purchased a used 2020 Tesla Model Y with 36,772 miles on the odometer. He received Tesla’s Basic Vehicle Limited Warranty, which covers repairs for four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.

Shortly after, Hinton noticed that his vehicle’s mileage increased at an unexpected rate. Despite driving approximately 20 miles per day, based on his own estimate, the odometer indicated an average of over 72 miles per day. This rapid mileage accumulation led to the warranty expiring sooner than anticipated, resulting in Hinton incurring a $10,000 suspension repair bill that he believed should have been covered under the warranty otherwise.

Other than Hinton’s experience, the lawsuit is light on data, but it does cite other Tesla owners claiming to have similar experiences on forums and social media.

Here’s the full lawsuit:

Tesla’s own Dieselgate or a nothing burger

If the allegations in this lawsuit are factual, it would indeed be a significant scandal. However, it is light on proof.

Hinton appears to have closely tracked his own experience, and he has some credibility as a data analyst. We have no reason not to believe him, but the case would need a lot more evidence to move forward.

Electrek reached out to ‘Green’, a well-known Tesla hacker who frequently discovers new features and specifications in Tesla’s software and firmware.

He told us that he doubts Tesla would have been able to hide something like that from him and the broader whitehat hacking community, but he admits they weren’t looking for it.

Green believes that it is likely that Tesla uses predictive algorithms for its odometer, but it could be as simple as accounting for tire wear, since tire rotation is used to calculate odometer mileage.

Odometers are not perfect, and there can be some discrepancies, but the one described by the lead plaintiff in this case is undoubtedly higher than what would be expected or allowed.

Electrek’s Take

I think it’s too light on data and proof right now to make a big deal out of this. I have no reason not to believe Hinton, but it could also be a specific problem with his vehicle rather than a broader issue and active deception from Tesla.

If the lawsuit is allowed to proceed, we may gain more insight, and it could encourage others with similar experiences to join in – resulting in more data.

In the meantime, I’ll remain in the skeptical camp on this one.

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