Sen. Dianne Feinstein didn't take long to do a flip-flop on a halfway positive comment about President Trump. She said in a speech: "I just hope he has the ability to learn and to change, and if he does,he can be a good president." A short time later she issued a statement repeating her past slams against Trump to reassure her fellow Democrats. 

Critics of the Trump White House had a field day sniping at the first lady's choice of footwear for the first couple's visit to the hurricane-ravaged areas of south Texas. Truth is, Melania Trump would draw criticism if she had worn hip boots.

On a serious note, I join my colleagues in the National Society of Newspaper Columnists in helping raise disaster relief funds. We are urging our readers to send contributions to the organizations of their choice, including the American Red Cross http://tinyurl.com/y9r2eq7q, the Salvation Army http://tinyurl.com/5r59fvd and the Houston Flood Relief Fund http://tinyurl.com/y9ry46am.

Pope Francis continues to pound away at President Trump for his promise to build a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border. He voices his criticism from the Vatican City, which is surrounded by massive walls rising 40 feet tall.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer dramatically stated, "There are tears running down the cheeks of the Statue of Liberty" (and teared up himself) in condemning President Trump for ordering a temporary halt on immigrants from seven countries. But less than two years ago he said "a pause may be necessary" in the resettlement of Syrian refugees in the U.S. Voters are fed up with double-talking politicians.

Members of Congress are supposed to be intelligent and well informed in order to make important decisions about national and world affairs. Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., failed the test. While blabbering about impeaching President Trump she declared, "he is wrapping his arms around Putin while Putin is continuing to advance into...Korea?" Suppose she meant Crimea?

Democrats protesting President Trump's executive orders on immigrating had some sound problems, but House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi came through loud and clear when she prompted Rep. Andrew Carson, D-Ind.) on a hot mike to say, "Tell them you're a Muslim."

When is a ban not a ban? When Donald Trump says so. When the president announced he had signed executive orders barring people from seven predominantly Muslim countries from traveling to the U.S. for 90 days, he said, "We're going to have a very strict ban." But his press secretary, Sean Spicer, strongly emphasized that "It's not a travel ban. It's a vetting system to keep America safe."

While many of her colleagues were speaking out about President Trump's Supreme Court nomination and his "get tough" policy on immigration, Sen. Tammy Spicer, D- Wis.) was more concerned about soy and almond milk. In a letter to the president she said plant-based drinks sold as milk are "unfair to dairy farmers" and urged an FDA crackdown on mislabeling of non-dairy products.

Chelsea Handler said she wouldn't have Melania Trump on her TV show because she "can barely speak English." The first lady not only speaks English but also French, Italian, German and Slovene. Handler speaks profanity, vulgarity and smut.



Billionaire Donald Trump's presidential salary must be cramping his style. His Florida resort, Mar-a-Lago, is doubling its membership fees.



"I was raised Catholic, became Episcopalian and found out later my family was Jewish. I stand ready to register as Muslim." Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright. But the strongly partisan Democrat is not about to become a Republican.

Builder Donald Trump. Reality TV star Donald Trump. Now he's President Donald Trump. And he's letting no  grass grow under his feet. While engaging in inaugural festivities and other traditional activities, he made a special trip to the CIA, talked on the phone with foreign leaders and signed dozens of executive orders.

Chief executives commonly have "to do" lists. President Trump has an "undo" list, focusing on reversing many of his predecessor's actions. He targeted Obamacare, telling agencies to ease the burden of the law where possible while "repeal and replace" legislation was being perfected. He also withdrew the U.S. from the Trans-Pacific Partnership and reinstated a ban on promoting abortions overseas.

Presidential wannabe Ted Cruz has become more of a team player in the U.S. Senate. Not only is he supporting Trump administration appointees and issues, politico.com reports the Texas Republican is hosting a weekly pick-up basketball game "to get his fellow senators to like him.

Donald Trump gave an indication of how he'll work with Republican members of Congress as President when he saved them from their own stupidity. In a tweet, he pointed out what a bad impression it would make with voters for the House majority to make its first order of business gutting the Office of Congressional Ethics.

Joe Biden is still being frisky in his final days as vice president. During the swearing-in ceremony on the Senate floor, he gave the wife of Sen. Chuck Grassley a full kiss on the lips.

The new Senate Minority Leader, Democrat Chuck Schumer of New York, fired his opening shots after virtually declaring war against the incoming president by poking fun at Donald Trump's main campaign theme, "Make America Great Again." Never mind that a Democratic president, Bill Clinton, used the slogan in his 1992 presidential campaign.

Blogger Bob, like many political newsmakers, is taking some time off for the holidays.