Month: April 2015

Ryan Advises Clinton Not to Be a Campaign Robot

Buck Banks

You can’t let the process numb you to the point where you’re just a robot. Even though all the pressure is ‘Don’t gaffe, don’t deviate, be prepared, give the prepared thing,’ you’ve got to watch that, because you can just be boring and you can be vanilla and you can so sanitize yourself that you’re not yourself.

— Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI), quoted by Politico, on running for national office.

‘It’s Not About French Fries; It’s About Freedom’

Buck Banks

I have proposed a new rule to allow school districts to install deep fat fryers and sell beverages like diet soda. I believe each school district – not the state or federal government – should decide what foods are offered to students … If a school district doesn’t agree with any of these changes, then the district doesn’t have to implement them. That’s the beauty here. It’s not about French fries; it’s about freedom.

— Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller, in a letter to the Houston Chronicle.

The Backlash Against Religious Freedom Laws Is Significant

Buck Banks

57%

Of Americans think businesses should not be able to refuse service to gay weddings on religious grounds, while 41% do, according to a new CNN/Opinion Research poll. That’s a significant shift from a Pew Research poll last September that found 47% in favor of religious freedom laws and a January AP-Gfk poll that found 57% in favor. “One of the apparent side effects of the religious freedom controversies in Indiana and (to a lesser extent) Arkansas: More Americans now oppose such laws than before,” the Washington Post reports.

Cruz Skips Vote on Lynch Nomination to Attend Fundraiser

Buck Banks

1

Number of U.S. senators who missed the vote on the confirmation of Loretta Lynch. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) “went on the Senate floor early Thursday afternoon to voice his strenuous objection to the nomination of Loretta Lynch as the next U.S. attorney general … A few hours later, however, Cruz missed the final vote on Lynch’s confirmation, making him the only senator recorded as not present,” the Huffington Post reports. “The senator’s office explained that he had to catch a flight to a fundraiser in Texas.”

Only Three Republicans are Viable Candidates

Buck Banks

At the end of the day, when you put all the assets and liabilities on the table, it’s hard to see anyone but Rubio, Bush or Walker as the ultimate nominee. Sure, one of them could stumble or come up short in a key early state. It’s also highly likely that someone like Huckabee, Paul, Cruz and even Perry could win in Iowa. But, when you look at the candidate vulnerabilities instead of just their assets, these are the three who are the most likely to win over the largest share of the GOP electorate. Winning the ‘Evangelical’ or the ‘Establishment’ or the ‘Tea Party’ lane isn’t how you win the nomination. Cobbling together the broadest coalition is the key.

— Amy Walter, for the Cook Political Report.