May 2015 - Page 5 of 10

Evidence Fox News Is Hurting the GOP

May 19, 2015 Buck Banks

Bartlett’s accumulation of detail showing (a) that Fox’s core viewers are factually worse-informed than people who follow other sources, and even those who don’t follow news at all, and (b) that the mode of perpetual outrage that is Fox’s goal and effect has become a serious problem for the Republican party, in that it pushes its candidates to sound always-outraged themselves.

— James Fallows, in the Atlantic, commenting on a detailed study by Bruce Bartlett called “How Fox News Changed American Media and Political Dynamics.”

Clinton Kiboshes ‘Third Term’ Talk

May 19, 2015 Buck Banks

We’re going to make clear, I’m not running for my husband’s third term or for President Obama’s third term. I’m running to make history on my own.

— Hillary Clinton, addressing a critical issue about her candidacy — the loaded “third term” question, the New York Times reports.

Hillary Clinton Paid $225,000 Speaking Fee by Jeb Bush’s Company

May 19, 2015 Buck Banks

$225,000

Amount Hillary Clinton received nearly “for a speaking engagement on behalf of Academic Partnerships, a for-profit education company in which Jeb Bush held an ownership stake and on whose board he served,” The Intercept reports.

Grayson Fails Again to Keep It Classy

May 19, 2015 Buck Banks

I’ll sum it up for you. Gold diggers gotta dig. That’s all I gotta say.

— Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), quoted by the Tampa Bay Times, on his divorce battle with his wife.

From the ‘People Unclear on the Concept’ File

May 19, 2015 Buck Banks

They want me to stay.

— Gov. Chris Christie (R), quoted by the New York Times, explaining why a poll showed that New Jersey residents, by a 65% to 29% margin, think he would not make a good president.

Obama Foundation Brings in $5.4 Million for Prez Library

May 19, 2015 Buck Banks

$5.4 million

Amount the foundation set up to raise money for President Barack Obama’s presidential library in Chicago collected in donations and pledges during its first year in operation, reports Politico. “Obama’s foundation has not announced a specific fundraising goal, but it is expected to seek to raise in excess of $500 million to build the library.”

— Gov. Chris Christie (R), quoted by the Huffington Post, defending the National Security Agency.

We elected a black guy — the current White House resident.
If we elect Hillary, that would set a female precedent.
But it would incite mayhem,
If we elect Lindsey Graham,
Because the U.S. isn’t ready yet for a gay president.

Huckabee Explains the Fantasy GOP Nominating Process

May 19, 2015 Buck Banks

his whole process is to elect a Republican nominee. It’s not to provide a media circus. It’s not to provide entertainment to the masses and to create a show that would be delightfully pleasant for the opposition to watch.

— Mike Huckabee, quoted by the Washington Post, commenting on the growing worry about a wide-open nominating contest featuring a historically large and diverse field.

Clinton Says She’ll Appoint Justices Who Would Overturn Citizens United Ruling

May 19, 2015 Buck Banks

I will do everything I can to appoint Supreme Court justices who protect the right to vote and do not protect the right of billionaires to buy elections.

— James Fallows, in the Atlantic, commenting on a detailed study by Bruce Bartlett called “How Fox News Changed American Media and Political Dynamics.”

We’re going to make clear, I’m not running for my husband’s third term or for President Obama’s third term. I’m running to make history on my own.

— Hillary Clinton, addressing a critical issue about her candidacy — the loaded “third term” question, the New York Times reports.

$225,000

Amount Hillary Clinton received nearly “for a speaking engagement on behalf of Academic Partnerships, a for-profit education company in which Jeb Bush held an ownership stake and on whose board he served,” The Intercept reports.

I’ll sum it up for you. Gold diggers gotta dig. That’s all I gotta say.

— Rep. Alan Grayson (D-FL), quoted by the Tampa Bay Times, on his divorce battle with his wife.

They want me to stay.

— Gov. Chris Christie (R), quoted by the New York Times, explaining why a poll showed that New Jersey residents, by a 65% to 29% margin, think he would not make a good president.

$5.4 million

— Gov. Chris Christie (R), quoted by the Huffington Post, defending the National Security Agency.

his whole process is to elect a Republican nominee. It’s not to provide a media circus. It’s not to provide entertainment to the masses and to create a show that would be delightfully pleasant for the opposition to watch.

— Mike Huckabee, quoted by the Washington Post, commenting on the growing worry about a wide-open nominating contest featuring a historically large and diverse field.

I will do everything I can to appoint Supreme Court justices who protect the right to vote and do not protect the right of billionaires to buy elections.

— Hillary Clinton, a billionaire trying to buy an election, said while on Day 1 of a two-day swing through Iowa, reported the ABC News.

Poetic Justice

Verbatim

“If you are committing fraud against the American people, all of us in public leadership should be trying to stop it and throw you in prison for enriching yourself off the American taxpayer.”

— Vice President JD Vance, on Fox News.

“Your generation has a great bullshit meter, because you’re fed bullshit online all day. And the Democratic Party brand right now is so bullshit.”

— Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed (D), quoted by The Atlantic, speaking to college students.

“We are done, Americans are done with endless conflict in the Middle East, spending trillions of dollars, American lives… this is insane and we have to call it for what it is.”

— Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO), on CNN.

Numerati

+175,000

“The U.S. State Department announced on Monday that it has revoked more than 175,000 visas during President Donald Trump’s administration so far,” Fox News reports.

$4,600

11

30%

A new American Research Group poll finds just 30% of Americans say they approve of the way Donald Trump is handling his job as president and 67% say they disapprove.

61% to 35%