Trump eats dinner, press shocked: Today's news for November 17th

Don't think that headline is a joke, because that is what passes for news these days:

CBS News:

Trump ditches press to eat dinner out with family

President-elect Donald Trump has broken with protocol by leaving his Trump Tower residence without taking along his press contingent.

The Trump transition team had informed reporters and photographers at Trump Tower that there would be no movement by the president-elect for the rest of the day and evening. Then, less than two hours later, a presidential-style motorcade left the building unannounced.

That sent the press corps scrambling to find out if Trump was indeed in the motorcade and where it was heading.

It turned out that Trump was having dinner at the 21 Club. Reporters and photographers caught up with him at the midtown Manhattan restaurant but were not allowed inside. 

A spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, confirmed that Trump was having dinner with his family and she asked that the press respect that.  

Dinner requires a press contingent? Do they need to look over his shoulder and ask, "You gonna finish that?" Maybe they can catch him with Russian dressing on his salad?

Claiming it is protocol does not make it right, or even necessary. This story, as reported by multiple news outlets, makes the MSM sound like a bunch of spoiled newshounds. There are some things that just don't need to be reported.

In "real" news...

Washington Post:

Trump plan calls for nationwide concealed carry and an end to gun bans

Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump -- who said he has a concealed carry permit -- called for the expansion of gun rights Friday, including making those permits applicable nationwide. 

In a position paper published on his website Friday afternoon, Trump called for the elimination of gun and magazine bans, labeling them a "total failure." 

"Law-abiding people should be allowed to own the firearm of their choice. The government has no business dictating what types of firearms good, honest people are allowed to own," Trump wrote.

Did I miss something? When did Trump become the heart of libertarianism? This is a position even closer to true libertarianism than Gary Johnson espoused.

Trump may be a jerk, but this presidency still has potential.

On the other side of the aisle...

Fox News:

Outgoing California Sen. Boxer introduces bill to scrap Electoral College

Retiring Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., introduced long-shot legislation Tuesday to scrap the Electoral College, in the latest protest from Democrats following last week's election where Hillary Clinton appeared to win the popular vote despite losing to Donald Trump.

Trump, as with all presidential election victors, won the election because he garnered the most Electoral College votes.

But he likely will be the fifth president in American history to do so while losing the popular vote. The last president to win the presidency in such a manner was President George W. Bush, who beat Democrat Al Gore in 2000 despite Gore gaining more overall votes.

“This is the only office in the land where you can get more votes and still lose the presidency. The Electoral College is an outdated, undemocratic system that does not reflect our modern society, and it needs to change immediately,” Boxer said in a statement.

Because, as any good Democrat will tell you, whenever you fail in life, make a law to make sure you won't fail again. Damn the consequences, make a law!

Here you go Democrats:

In other Democratic Party news...

CNN:

Democrats hope Trump meets his match in Schumer

If wishes were ponies, we'd all ride...

The battle for America's political soul could come down to a street brawl between two boys from Queens and Brooklyn. 

Donald Trump and Chuck Schumer are spoiling for a clash once the President-elect takes office next year and the new Democratic Senate minority leader gets his hands on his caucus after winning election on Wednesday.

I guess Schumer is Obiwan to the Democrats' Princess Leia: "Save us Chuck Schumer, you're our only hope!" 

There is just one problem with this:

Trump and Schumer -- both flamboyant, media savvy, outspoken, deal-making larger-than-life New York personalities have history. In fact, Schumer is one of the few political figures in Washington who Trump actually knows well, and the billionaire contributed to several of his new rival's election campaigns.

Schumer even rode to Trump's defense when he got embroiled in a primary spat earlier this year with Ted Cruz over "New York values." Schumer (Brooklyn) and Trump (Queens, then Manhattan), had common cause against the Texas senator.

There may not be as much difference as Democrats may hope. However, it is also possible that Trump might be more liberal than conservatives hope.

I will say this for Schumer: Unlike Schumer's predecessor Harry Reid, Schumer's IQ actually measures. With Reid, I was always worried he would forget to breathe. Maybe "worry" isn't the right word?