Obama wants a retirement raise:  The Free Beacon says a report put out by the Congressional Research Service shows what the raise would like like:

“…discusses the pensions and other federal benefits offered to former commanders-in-chief by way of the Former Presidents Act, specifies that Obama’s 2017 budget proposes a nearly 18 percent hike in appropriations for expenditures of former presidents.”

Specifically the report noted:

“The President’s FY2017 budget request seeks $3,865,000 in appropriations for expenditures for former Presidents, an increase of $588,000 (17.9%) from the FY2016 appropriation level.”

Sure, the money is spread out among the remaining living retired presidents but still…they get other perks as well.

If it’s not a debate,  what is it? Check out this press release from CNN about an EVENT planned for Moday:

“CNN announced today that Anderson Cooper and Wolf Blitzer will host a three-hour primetime event with both Republican and Democratic presidential hopefuls on Monday March 21 from 8 to 11 pm ET. “

The plans are for Trump, Cruz, Kasich and Clinton to be individually interviewed in the CNN studios in D.C., while Sanders will be interviewed while out campaigning.

Hey..wasn’t this when the FOX debate was going to be held?

Well, this is mighty nice of him:

 

This week, in the Utah nominating caucus, I will vote for Senator Ted Cruz. https://t.co/e2lAkWrt4l

— Mitt Romney (@MittRomney) March 18, 2016

Not only did Romney say he was voting for Cruz, he encouraged others to do the same.

Speaking of endorsements:  The Arizona Republic newspaper today announced it is endorsing John Kasich. The most recent endorsement I could find for Donald Trump was one Florida Gov. Rick Scott.

Quit picking on me: Melissa Click, the University of Missouri Assistant Professor who called for “muscle” against a journalism student attempting to record protests, is really getting tired of her 15 minutes of fame. She also got in trouble for yelling at police during a parade, but never mind all that. Click has  been ridiculed in the press and has now decided enough is enough. She has taken to WaPo to give “her side” of the story. In a very self-serving piece she, at times, tries to come off a bite naïve. She can’t imagine why she would get pushback:

“But I do not understand the widespread impulse to shame those whose best intentions unfortunately result in imperfect actions. What would our world be like if no one ever took a chance? What if everyone played it safe?”

Shocker poll:  Ted Cruz not doing too well in New York.  RCP has up the results of an Emerson poll which puts Trump at 64 percent and Cruz at 12 in New York. So, Cruz has a little ground to make up.  But, not as much as Kasich who polled 1 (one) percent. Even with an MoE of 5.6 I don’t think  Dan McLaughlin and his weird box of numbers could make this look good right now.

If you had fun with western movies yesterday: Today we get the “50 Best Television Shows Based on American Values.” Once again courtesy of Newsmax.  Let me give you a few..#35 McGyver, #28 The Rifleman, and #42 The Apprentice.  Ok, look – I just dug up the list, I’m not judging here. And some shows you may not know depending on the stations you get so good luck and complain down below.

Today is Supreme Sacrifice Day. Recognize, remember or just think about those who made the supreme sacrifice.

There’s your Friday Water Cooler.  Have a little fun. Talk up something you find on here or bring in a shiny object from elsewhere. Doesn’t matter, we take it all at the ‘cooler. The water cooler is always Open Thread.

* all emphasis mine