Everything to do with politics

Joel Pollak, Breitbart News: “In a rare act of journalism, CNN even pointed out Friday that the Trump administration had approved fewer military flights by Cabinet members than Barack Obama had at the same point in his presidency. The faux outrage among Democrats has absolutely nothing to do with concerns about good governance and everything to do with politics.”

Ford Vox, CNN: “Tom Price’s mismanagement of taxpayer resources for official travel pales in comparison to his active sabotage of Obamacare, a program it was his duty to administer carefully so long as it remains the law of the land . ... Right about now Price probably wishes he hadn’t given up his Georgia congressional seat ... to join the Cabinet. I think most physicians are right there with him.”

Olivia Nuzzi, New York magazine: “The fall of Price is a rare example of a violation of the rules by an administration official having immediate consequences, and a rarer example of Trump appearing mindful of optics in a traditional sense . ... Enough Trump officials (and Trump himself ) have made mistakes that we can be fairly certain it wasn’t that mistake alone that did Price in. Rather, it was the kind of mistake he made and his standing with the president when he made it . ... In March, as his colleagues attempted to get the votes for the Republican health care bill, Price was photographed drinking at Bullfeathers, a bar on Capitol Hill . ... Ultimately, Price’s departure seems less like a sign that the Trump administration will adopt the old standards for acceptable behavior in Washington, and more like a warning for officials who might’ve considered breaking the rules before building up sufficient goodwill with the president. So, perhaps all remains normal in Trump’s D.C., which is to say not at all.” The Washington Post, editorial: “Shortly before Price resigned, Trump raised the possibility of striking a deal with Democrats to fix the health care system. Price, a hard-charging partisan Republican, would no doubt have been a roadblock. Trump should find someone less motivated by ideology, shift gears and work to actually improve health care for all Americans . ... Trump suddenly has a new opportunity for a win.”