Welcome to the Watercooler. Let’s start with some good news for a change.

Speaker Ryan’s Outreach

Speaker Ryan is a quick learner and is taking steps to avoid the pitfalls that ended Boehner’s reign. His biggest move is the shake up of the powerful GOP Steering Committee that decides who gets the Chairman gavels, and even Huelskamp made it onto the panel. Ryan is also breaking bread with everyone, literally, including the Freedom Caucus, by hosting weekly dinners:

Ryan typically invites a cross-section of the 246-member GOP conference, from hard-core conservatives and centrists to chairmen and rank-and-file members. The Speaker’s goal is simple: force members to talk to each other.

Jerry Falwell Endorses Trump

I intended for this to be a Trump-free zone today, but would be amiss if I didn’t mention that he got a yuge endorsement today from Jerry Falwell, the president of Liberty University. It’s a sad day for liberty and Senator Cruz who of course launched his campaign at the university.

Sanders Blocks Obama’s FDA Nominee

Clinton has practically glued herself to Obama like any good brownnoser would do to their boss in order to get votes, yet it’s Sanders that is sticking to his principles by placing a hold on Obama’s FDA nominee:

“Dr. [Robert] Califf’s extensive ties to the pharmaceutical industry give me no reason to believe that he would make the FDA work for ordinary Americans, rather than just the CEOs of pharmaceutical companies,” Sanders, who is running for the Democratic presidential nomination, said Tuesday.

Anti-ISIS Coalition is MIA and in Disarray

Remember when Obama told us that we were winning the war on ISIS with that almighty coalition? Well his Sec. of Defense disagrees with that assessment and is practically scolding the coalition of the willing:

Several times in recent days, Defense Secretary Ashton Carter has complained that “many” of the 65 members of the U.S.-led, anti-ISIL coalition are not doing enough to defeat the Islamic State. He specifically said he would “like Turkey to do more.” [snip]

“These are the guys who are already doing quite a bit, but they can do more. And then in two weeks, I’ll bring together the defense ministers of everyone else who is, on paper, a member of the counter-ISIL coalition, but many of them are not doing enough or doing nothing at all.”

Lots of new polls

Added by streiff: Lots of new polls out there. What, if anything, they mean is up to you. Personally, I’m on the verge of prying I, O, W, and A off my keyboard.

Quick Hits…Some Are Hard to Believe.

Does Tom Delay know something we don’t. Former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay says the FBI is “ready to indict” Hillary Clinton.

Italy is ashamed of its beautiful art and burka-fies its statutes.  No wine, women and song when Iran’s president makes a visit.

What is wrong with NY Mayor De Blasio? I’d feel sorry for NY’ers except they voted for him. “New York City Set To Stop Enforcing Law Against Peeing On Sidewalks Because…RACISM!”

And once again, De Blasio proves liberals are really elitist snobs and don’t care for the less fortunate, same as last year. “Mayor Bill de Blasio has come under fire as only Manhattan is clear” Queens and the Bronx are still buried in snow after 2 days. That’s NY values for ya!

And finally, was the CNN Democrat debate last night rigged? The rumors about the possibility are flying. “Audience Member at Dem Town Hall Appears to Admit CNN Wrote His Question”

Here at the Watercooler, it’s open to everyone to comment on the stories above or opine about something that’s on your mind. The threadjack rules don’t apply here, so feel free to gather around and tell us something new or spread a rumor or two. Happy Tuesday!