Donald Trump begins thank-you tour around US amid White House team-building
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Here we are again in Ohio, this time in Cincinnati, where Donald Trump has kicked off his series of post-election thank-you events.
It's fitting the headline rally is in America's industrial heartland, in the so-called "flyover country" between the coasts where Mr Trump's message resonates most.
It's here where his Make America Great Again slogan and rejection of political correctness spoke to the country's working classes, fearful of economic stagnation and the loss of the American dream due to immigration, free trade, and Democrat-led welfare, education and health policies.
Now he has to deliver and he's begun with a deal to keep 1,000 manufacturing jobs in nearby Indiana.
It comes via a state deal with the parent company of air conditioner-maker Carrier, which had planned to move to Mexico. Half the jobs will be saved in return for a decade's worth of tax breaks.
It's not a perfect solution according to either side of politics, but hey, it's the art of the deal, right? I reckon we'll be seeing a lot more of it under President Trump.
Trump supporters in Cincinnati were pleased to see him
"I think he needs the supporters moving forward too because there's a lot of work to be done," campaign volunteer Linda Caudill told me.
"He talks about draining the swamp. There's a lot of draining the swamp that needs to be done everywhere, not just in Washington.
"Sometimes at a state level, sometimes at a local level and so he wants to keep his supporters active involved and interested, and this is a good way, I think, to do that."
She and others are keeping a close eye on his cabinet appointments.
"There have been some concerns about where they're coming from, a lot of Goldman Sachs guys, for example," volunteer Larry Mazzuckelli said.
"It occurs to me that not every creature in a swamp is an alligator, so there are a lot of people in that swamp that are desirable to have.
"Having said that, the people he's bringing in are rock stars for doing stuff."
For Sherrie McBreen, it's a case of sheer trust.
"He's so intelligent, he's so smart," she said.
Time will tell, as they say in the classics, but there's no doubt Mr Trump has already made a memorable impression on the so-called forgotten people out here in the rust belt.
Oh, and remember how Ohio has correctly chosen all the presidents since the late 60s? The bellwether stands untarnished in 2016.
Eating crow
In March, Mitt Romney called Mr Trump a "phony" and a "fraud", and compared his behaviour to that of a third-grader.
What a difference eight months makes. On Tuesday night, Mr Romney declared Mr Trump could "lead us to that better future".
Maybe it was the frogs' legs? Maybe it was the prospect of becoming secretary of state?
While the former governor of Massachusetts is in the final four, many Trump supporters are making their dislike for Mr Romney abundantly clear.
Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway had this to say:
"People feel betrayed to think that Governor Romney, who went out of his way to question the character and the intellect and the integrity of Donald Trump."
And Newt Gingrich put it this way:
"You have never, ever in your career seen a serious adult who's wealthy, independent, has been a presidential nominee, suck up at the rate that Mitt Romney is sucking up."
Larry (quoted above) offered this observation:
"To send a man like Mitt Romney out, who just months ago called the President a buffoon, a con man, and unfit for office, and then becomes secretary of state — if I was an ayatollah I would say to Romney (if that was the case) 'which Mitt Romney am I speaking to?'"
Good luck with that, Mitt!
Team Trump
Speaking of Team Trump, the roster of appointees continues to come together. This week's stand-out selections include:
Steven Mnuchin (that's Mi-NEW-chin, in case you were curious. You're welcome.)
An American banker, film producer (including recent box office hits Suicide Squad and The Legend of Tarzan) and political fundraiser is the president-elect's nominee for treasury secretary.
Wilbur Ross
The president-elect's choice for commerce secretary, Wilbur Ross, is also known as "the king of bankruptcy" for his background in buying troubled companies on the cheap and selling them for billions of dollars.
Todd Ricketts
He's the pick for deputy commerce secretary. He's a Republican mega-donor and co-owner of the Chicago Cubs. He is revered in baseball circles for leading both the Boston Red Sox and the Cubs out of long championship droughts using "Moneyball" techniques.
Also, Mr Trump's pick for White House counsel rocks. Literally. Don McGahn, who Mr Trump selected last week as his White House counsel is also the lead guitarist for 80s cover outfit Scott's New Band. Check it out:
Transition two-step
In other transition news: not one but two naked cowboys serenaded Ms Conway in the lobby of Trump Tower earlier this week. Just when you thought you'd seen it all:
Recount!
The first candidate-driven statewide recount of a presidential election in 16 years has begun in Wisconsin.
It doesn't promise to be as exciting as the Bush-Gore cliff-hanger in 2016 but Greens leader Jill Stein raised enough funds in time to force the Wisconsin Board of Elections back to work.
The Clinton campaign has joined the recount effort but doesn't expect a change in the results.
Mr Trump was furious the recount was moving ahead. Expressing his rage via, you guessed it, Twitter:
Meanwhile, where is Hillary?
After "sightings" in recent weeks hiking, shopping and in a book shop in Rhode Island, hunting for Hillary has practically become a sport.
It's caused publications, like Vogue, to stop, think and then write an article titled: "How Hillary Clinton Accidentally Started Fall's Viral Fitness Trend".
Furthermore, MarketWatch asked: "Why is Hillary Clinton hiking so much?"
(Answer: she's boosting her creative and problem-solving skills and improving her mental health. I just saved you a click. You're welcome.)
By the numbers
2.5 million — that's Mrs Clinton's lead in the popular vote (equal to about 1.9 per cent) at last count. The popular vote doesn't win an election though — the electoral college does!
Oh, and Bernie?
The Vermont senator continues to be a leading voice in the Democratic Party, this time taking aim at Mr Trump for his "deal" with United Technologies, the parent company of Carrier in Indiana.
Senator Sanders wrote in The Washington Post: "In essence, United Technologies took Trump hostage and won. And that should send a shock wave through all workers across the country."
Pakistani read-out
World leaders are continuing their efforts to get to know the president-elect. On Wednesday afternoon, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called Mr Trump to talk.
Here's the read-out from Pakistan. It's very Trump-esque and deserves reading in full. Here are the noted highlights:
"President Trump said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif you have a very good reputation. You are a terrific guy. You are doing amazing work which is visible in every way.
"I am looking forward to see you soon. As I am talking to you Prime Minister, I feel I am talking to a person I have known for long."
Got it? Good.
Hate to say it...
The Southern Poverty Law Centre has been tracking hate incidents since the election. While not all the incidents have been confirmed, 867 incidents in 46 states in the 10 days following the election is worthy of pause.
According to their breakdown, 280 of those instances are anti-immigrant, while 187 are anti-black.
This is something that the PEOTUS — soon-to-be POTUS — must nip in the bud. It's not optional.
Cartoon of the week
There's been plenty of talk about "fake news" in light of the election, as well as a lot of valid criticism levelled at the "mainstream media" for pushing an agenda.
The New Yorker delivered this cartoon gem this week, which sums it up:
Cereal outrage
Provocative, right-wing news website Breitbart is urging its readers to avoid Kellogg's brands after the cereal company announced on Tuesday it's pulling ads from the website, citing company "values".
Breitbart news launched a #DumpKelloggs petition and told readers to boycott the brand. Supporters of the website have been quick to respond:
While those on the left were quick to buy up:
Cornflakes anyone?
Citizenship test
With suggestions the incoming Trump administration is considering a Muslim registry and with plans to build a wall along the US-Mexico border imminent, it's time to revisit what it takes to be an American citizen.
The Washington Examiner has published a US citizenship test straight from US Citizenship and Immigration Services. It's 20 questions. Good luck!
Michael Du-Carcass
With Thanksgiving just gone, a surprising hobby of former Democratic candidate Michael Dukakis has come to light: the former governor collects turkey carcasses from thanksgiving dinners.
Now it's not as weird as it sounds — Mr Dukakis takes them to make soup.
His explanation: "Throwing out a turkey carcass is sinful. Absolutely sinful. It's a terrible thing to do. There's so much richness and goodness in a turkey carcass, God." Fair enough.
Speaking of soup, it's getting VERY wintry up here in the hemisphere of the north and Christmas decorations have been dragged out of basements and attics across the country.
The Obamas lit the national Christmas tree for the last time and Michelle Obama unveiled the decorations at the White House.
They're very speccy. A bit of Christmas cheer goes a long way I say!
How many shopping days again?
Topics: us-elections, government-and-politics, world-politics, united-states
