I’ve got to say, it’s bizarre for Obama to be on the stump for Hillary. Doesn’t he have a job? That we are paying him to do? Isn’t that job to be everybody’s president? 

Michelle is campaigning, that’s great. She doesn’t hold public office. But for Obama to be traveling the country to give stump speeches. . . doesn’t smell right. 

Back in 1996, everybody in Russia thought that it was OK to flub a bit on electoral ethics for a very very good and important cause. And look how that turned out (see previous post). 

If only you could see the joy that Trump’s comments about rigged elections are producing in Russia. 

“American elections are rigged! Just like ours!” people celebrate. “ALL elections are fake!”

The relief of people who believe they have found evidence that they are completely normal is sad to see. 

❤💘❤ Hillary’s Putin jokes. 

This was a fine routine.

One thing is clear: Trump has a great sense of humor about Melania. And about nothing else whatsoever. 

Everything he says about Hillary just sounds angry. 

I’m not sure Trump is trying to be funny. He sounds just like he does during his speeches. 

Hey, the candidates’ funny dinner is starting! And for the first time in my life I won’t miss it. 

There is not a negligible chance that somebody in Russia will manufacture it. 

The talk went great, people. I slaughtered. It is very useful to talk about research because in the process of talking I realized something crucial about my favorite novel among the ones I analyze in the book. I never noticed it before the talk today. 

If I could teach what I study, I can’t even imagine how productive I’d be as a scholar. 

I got an email from somebody who says she is really looking forward to hearing me talk about Spain’s economic crisis today. The only problem is that I’m not going to talk about Spain’s economic crisis. Or about Spain. I’m going to talk about the nation-state, fluidity, and Governor Rauner, may the devil take him in all senses of the word. 

I’m giving my sabbatical talk today, which means I will finally get a chance to speak about my research at work. Freaky!