2014 - Page 80 of 98

Tailgunner Ted Cruz to Get Record Book Advance

April 2, 2014 Buck Banks

$1.5 million

Amount Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) will be paid to write “a personal memoir about his controversial days in Washington and his vision for the future for HarperCollins,” the Washington Examiner reports. “The advance would be the biggest for a conservative politician in years, even more than the $1.25 million that former 2008 GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin received after her sensational rise in Republican politics.”

How to Explain Congress to Children

April 2, 2014 Buck Banks

There are 435 very special people who work there.

— Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), quoted by the Stamford Times, explaining Congress to a group of children.

Biden Expresses Optimism for Obamacare Rollout

April 1, 2014 Buck Banks

I think everyone is going to be really surprised and pleased by how well this has turned out.

— Vice President Joe Biden, quoted by the Washington Post, on the Obamacare rollout.

Cook Predicts Tough Senate Races Through 2018

April 1, 2014 Buck Banks

By a quirk of fate, we may be in for some pretty turbulent Senate elections, not only this November but in 2016 and 2018 as well. Majority status could resemble a rubber band as much as anything else. It is entirely plausible that the Senate will tip back into GOP hands in 2014, return to Democrats in 2016, and then flip again to Republicans in 2018. It’s all about how many — and which — seats on each side are up and exposed to losses, not to mention whether it is a presidential or midterm election.

— Charlie Cook, writing in National Journal.

A Dynastic Daydream

March 31, 2014 Buck Banks

Republican politics continue to flow and ebb,
With Chris Christy caught in a scandalous web.
Rand Paul’s quick ascension
Is causing some consternation,
Leading GOP leaders to double down on recruiting Jeb.

More Young Adults Identify with Democratic Party

March 31, 2014 Buck Banks

54% to 36%

The average gap, since 2006, in favor of the Democratic Party among young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 who identified as Democrats or said they were independents but leaned to the Democratic Party, according to Gallup.

GOP Lawmakers Lead Obamacare Deniers

March 31, 2014 Buck Banks

I don’t think it means anything … I think they’re cooking the books on this.

— Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), quoted by Huffington Post, on the White House announcing more than 6 million Obamacare enrollments.

Yee Caught in Ye Olde Payoff Scandal

March 31, 2014 Buck Banks

I’m just trying to run for secretary of state. I hope I don’t get indicted.

— California state Sen. Leland Yee (D), quoted by the Sacramento Bee, talking with undercover agents as he allegedly arranged for a $10,000 payoff.

Adelson Shows His Media Savvy at GOP Las Vegas Confab

March 31, 2014March 31, 2014 Buck Banks

You can ask anything you want, but you’ll have to talk to the wall, because I’m not talking to you.

— Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, quoted by Politico, before reporter Ken Vogel was escorted by security out of the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual spring meeting Saturday at The Venetian, or what the Washington Post dubbed the ‘Adelson primary,’ for the Las Vegas Sands chairman.

The Math is Not on Our Side in November

March 27, 2014March 27, 2014 Trish

81%

Republicans who say they will definitely vote in the mid-term elections in November, according to a CBS News poll. Only 68% of Democrats in the survey said the same.

$1.5 million

There are 435 very special people who work there.

— Rep. Jim Himes (D-CT), quoted by the Stamford Times, explaining Congress to a group of children.

I think everyone is going to be really surprised and pleased by how well this has turned out.

— Vice President Joe Biden, quoted by the Washington Post, on the Obamacare rollout.

— Charlie Cook, writing in National Journal.

54% to 36%

The average gap, since 2006, in favor of the Democratic Party among young adults between the ages of 18 and 29 who identified as Democrats or said they were independents but leaned to the Democratic Party, according to Gallup.

I don’t think it means anything … I think they’re cooking the books on this.

— Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), quoted by Huffington Post, on the White House announcing more than 6 million Obamacare enrollments.

I’m just trying to run for secretary of state. I hope I don’t get indicted.

— California state Sen. Leland Yee (D), quoted by the Sacramento Bee, talking with undercover agents as he allegedly arranged for a $10,000 payoff.

You can ask anything you want, but you’ll have to talk to the wall, because I’m not talking to you.

— Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, quoted by Politico, before reporter Ken Vogel was escorted by security out of the Republican Jewish Coalition’s annual spring meeting Saturday at The Venetian, or what the Washington Post dubbed the ‘Adelson primary,’ for the Las Vegas Sands chairman.

81%

Republicans who say they will definitely vote in the mid-term elections in November, according to a CBS News poll. Only 68% of Democrats in the survey said the same.

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“The man is afraid of the voice of the people and that the people understand and know what he’s doing. He’s trying to stifle the ability of journalists to let the people of America know what’s really going on with their government.”

— “Kamala Harris called President Donald Trump’s ban of CNN, MS NOW and Politico from the White House ‘absolutely abhorrent,’” The Wrap reports.

“Not one of them is trained in technical skills. Not one research PhD, as opposed to China, where half the cabinet is science and technology PhDs. We’re led by grifters and fools.”

— Columbia professor Jeffrey Sachs, on X, on President Trump’s 35-person cabinet.

“Mr. President, some of your immigration enforcement efforts have gone too far… The same Hispanics who helped you get to the White House in 2024 feel betrayed today.”

— Rep. Maria Elvira Salazar (R-FL), breaking with President Trump in a direct-to-camera video.

Numerati

1,000

10%

“The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study,” the Associated Press reports.

71%

$9.5 billion

“The Trump administration last year spent $9.5 billion on paid administrative leave for federal workers as part of its plan to shrink the government and save taxpayers money, according to a new estimate by a congressional watchdog,” CNN reports.

470

Reuters has documented at least 470 targets of retribution under Trump’s leadership – from federal employees and prosecutors to universities and media outlets. The list illuminates the sweeping effort by the president and his administration to punish dissent and reshape the government.