ANN ALTHOUSE ON TRUMP’S CRITICISM OF THE DISTRICT JUDGE WHO STRUCK DOWN HIS IMMIGRATION PLAN: “There’s absolutely nothing wrong with criticizing judicial opinions, and this one lays itself open to criticism.” “As some commenters are pointing out, the phrase ‘so-called judge’ could be called an attack on the man. But the only basis for saying “so-called judge” is what the man in the robe is doing in this particular case. There’s nothing against him as an individual. It’s very close to saying, in a substantive legal way, that this is a man who is acting beyond his proper judicial power.”

What’s funny is, with all the pearl-clutching today, when Trump has put a conservative majority on the Supreme Court all right-thinking people will be denouncing the justices and their opinions constantly, in the most inflammatory terms, and the criticisms of Trump’s incivility will be memoryholed.

JOEL KOTKIN: Trump Ends A Corrupt World Order.

In comparison with Barack Obama, who was well regarded in the foreign media, Donald Trump does not come off as a good guy. He is also clearly redefining the country’s identity and global focus. The first American president since the 1920s to walk away from a role as global pooh-bah, Trump instead defines his job as helping the people who elected him. . . .

Yet, as Larry Summers has pointed out, there’s a reason for the rise of “populist authoritarianism.” What he calls “global elites” have been more focused on working with their foreign counterparts than helping their own middle- and working-class populations.

Trump’s presidency is about renegotiating a bunch of post-World War II arrangements that are no longer working well. Understand that, and you’ll understand more than most who are writing on the subject.

Plus: “More than anything else, Trump needs to face the world as someone running not a declining power, but rather a potentially ascendant one.” Oh, I think he knows that.

ANALYSIS: TRUE. Chelsea Clinton Is the Last Thing the Democratic Party Needs.

Instead of moving on—and being better off for it—another Clinton in public office would broaden the party’s disconnect with working and middle class voters. Electing Chelsea to a major role among Democrats would do little to convey a message of change and progression.

The Washington Post recently reported Chelsea Clinton has begun to show an interest in politics. “In recent days, we’ve noticed a different Chelsea Clinton—one more than willing to speak out, often a bit bluntly. And she’s speaking out specifically against President Trump, using his preferred medium: Twitter.”

Business Insider further dramatized Chelsea Clinton’s recent activity on Twitter by hyperbolically dubbing it a “crusade against Trump.” “Very grateful no one seriously hurt in the Louvre attack …or the (completely fake) Bowling Green Massacre. Please don’t make up attacks,” Chelsea tweeted on February 3 in regards to Trump advisor Kellyanne Conway’s “Bowling Green” gaffe. Conway responded to Chelsea by citing Hillary Clinton’s infamous “Bosnia Sniper Fire” lie and noted Clinton lost the election, to which Chelsea Clinton didn’t bother to retort back.

She’s not very good even at Twitter, and if you saw her during her brief career as a highly-paid “reporter” for NBC, you know she has very little camera presence. Nevertheless, if she wants to run, the Democrats will probably make room for yet another Clinton.

I DON’T DO THAT, BUT IT’S NOT A BAD IDEA: As Law Prof, Gorsuch Banned Laptops, Garnered Respect.

POLITICO: ‘The Senate is coming apart’

Senate Democrats — the last line of Democratic defense — are slow-walking the installation of Trump’s Cabinet to a historic degree, so much so that Republicans haven’t even started yet on Trump’s legislative agenda. Republicans will eventually win all these confirmation battles, but it will be time-consuming and ugly.

How ugly has it gotten? Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) voted against the nomination of Elaine Chao for secretary of transportation. Chao happens to be the wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

Chao was approved easily — the vote was 93-6 — but Schumer’s “no” vote infuriated many Republicans. Yet it was also the embattled Schumer’s way of sending a message to both his base and GOP counterparts — I will do whatever it takes. He joined the likes of Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker in voting against Chao.

“The Senate is coming apart,” said Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.).

“It’s not a good time. It’s not a good time,” added Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.).

Democrats, many of whom openly loathe Trump and are furious over his refugee crackdown — which Democrats describe as a “Muslim ban” — and other executive actions, have used all the procedural arrows in their quiver to slow down confirmation of Trump’s Cabinet nominees. They’ve boycotted committee meetings, refused to let panels meet in the afternoon, dragged out votes as long as possible, and refused to agree to even normal floor requests. They are voting against Trump’s Cabinet picks in unprecedented numbers, arguing that Trump doesn’t deserve even a patina of partisan support.

And their tactics have been partly successful.

The Senate’s confirmation of Trump’s Cabinet is the slowest in modern history, spanning back to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Schumer and his tantrum-prone caucus are giving Mitch McConnell every excuse he needs to deploy the Reid Option.

IT’S A DUMB EVENT FOR PRETENTIOUS PEOPLE: White House Correspondents Dinner In Trouble as Parties Cancel, Group Has Funding Issues.

They like to call it “Nerd Prom,” but it’s not a prom, and they’re not smart enough to be nerds. Under Obama, it was more like student council members sucking up to the principal.

Related: Andrew Klavan: The Media Corruption that Helped Spawn The Donald.

Plus: White House reporters hoard $500 swag bags at “Nerd Prom.”

Also: Salena Zito: Elites, Media and Character.

Plus: Flashback: Rioting In Baltimore While ‘Nerd Prom’ Rages 40 Miles Away In DC. “The presence of Washington Post’s law enforcement, justice, and race reporter Wesley Lowery highlighted that juxtaposition. Lowery, who often openly criticizes law enforcement on Twitter, made a name for himself by reporting from Ferguson, Mo. during the protests over the police-involved shooting death of Michael Brown. But he too graced Nerd Prom’s red carpet even as Baltimore erupted.”

ROUNDUP: Videos of the Five Most Politicized Super Bowl Ads.

Related: The Super Bowl Ads Really Hammered a Pro-Immigration Message.

And “Who decided that the Super Bowl audience was a good demographic fit to advertise The Handmaid’s Tale?”

Update: The Wyoming Minnesota Police Department wins Twitter on Super Bowl Sunday: