2015 - Page 91 of 102

Republicans Bored by Attempts to Repeal Obamacare

February 5, 2015 Buck Banks

It is unfair to say Republicans have achieved nothing in their dozens of attempts since 2010 to repeal Obamacare. In Tuesday’s repeal effort by House Republicans — their first of this Congress and their 56th overall — it became clear that they had succeeded at one thing: They had bored even themselves into a slumber. For much of the debate Tuesday afternoon, no more than a dozen seats were occupied on the pro-repeal side of the House. More than once, the GOP had nobody available to speak.

— Dana Millbank writing in the Washington Post.

Romney’s Departure from Race Doesn’t Help Bush in Swing States

February 5, 2015 Buck Banks

32%

Percentage of Florida Republicans who would vote for Jeb Bush with Mitt Romney out of the race, followed by 10 percent in Ohio and 12 percent in Pennsylvania, a new Quinnipiac poll finds. Other Republican contenders are close, or even ahead in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

Your Elected Representative Is an Internet Troll

February 5, 2015 Buck Banks

As politicians become increasingly comfortable with social media, they’ve also begun dabbling in its darker impulses, employing tweets and Facebook posts as bait in a partisan war of words. Yes, trolling—the act of gleefully using the Internet to intentionally provoke or anger someone—is fast becoming a substitute for political discourse in America.

N.C. Lawmaker Suggests that Restaurant Workers Shouldn’t Be Forced to Wash Hands

February 5, 2015 Buck Banks

I don’t have any problem with Starbucks if they choose to opt out of this policy as long as they post a sign that says we don’t require our employees to wash their hands after leaving the restroom. The market will take care of that. It’s one example.

— Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), saying that restaurants should be allowed to opt out of regulations requiring restaurant employees to wash their hands, the Washington Post reports.

— Statement from Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) office, admitting to the Daily Mail that the senator used marijuana as a teenager.

Rubio the Cubano

February 5, 2015February 5, 2015 Buck Banks

We’ve not heard the last of young Marco Rubio,
Who has presidential aspirations out the culo.
At Senate hearings
He makes it clear he’s
The Republican Party’s el numero uno Cubano.

Clinton Can Say It Loud When She Really Means It

February 4, 2015February 4, 2015 Trish

The science is clear: The earth is round, the sky is blue, and #vaccineswork. Let’s protect all our kids. #GrandmothersKnowBest

Former Secretary of State and Senator Hillary Clinton, weighing in on Twitter about the anti-vaccination movement, which is responsible for recent measles outbreaks. Clinton, who wasn’t as plain-spoken about her support for same-sex marriage during an appearance on NPR’s Fresh Air, seemed to be reacting to statements from Gov. Chris Christie (R-NJ) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky) expressing support for parents who choose not to vaccinate. Both are potential 2016 presidential candidates, as is Clinton.

You’re More Likely to be Killed by a Gun than a Car

January 30, 2015January 30, 2015 Trish

Graphic from Americans for Responsible Solutions

The good news is cars and driving are getting safer, thanks to better construction, a trend away from younger drivers, and maybe even because of harsher penalties for things like texting while driving or not wearing a seatbelt.

The bad news is you’re more likely to take a bullet, especially if you’re under 25.

[…]

Romney Won’t Run and Jeb’s Pretty Sanguine About It

January 30, 2015 Buck Banks

Mitt is a patriot and I join many in hoping his days of serving our nation and our party are not over.

— Jeb Bush, on Facebook, after Mitt Romney announced he would not run again for president.

Romney Still Leads Republican Field for 2016

January 30, 2015 Buck Banks

21%

Mitt Romney’s lead among the GOP presidential field, followed by Sen. Rand Paul and Mike Huckabee at 11%, Jeb Bush at 10%, Ben Carson at 9%, Gov. Scott Walker at 8% and Sen. Marco Rubio at 5%, according to a new Fox News poll.

— Dana Millbank writing in the Washington Post.

32%

Percentage of Florida Republicans who would vote for Jeb Bush with Mitt Romney out of the race, followed by 10 percent in Ohio and 12 percent in Pennsylvania, a new Quinnipiac poll finds. Other Republican contenders are close, or even ahead in Ohio and Pennsylvania.

— Bloomberg News.

I don’t have any problem with Starbucks if they choose to opt out of this policy as long as they post a sign that says we don’t require our employees to wash their hands after leaving the restroom. The market will take care of that. It’s one example.

— Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC), saying that restaurants should be allowed to opt out of regulations requiring restaurant employees to wash their hands, the Washington Post reports.

Teenagers are often known for their lack of judgment, and Sen. Cruz was no exception. When he was a teenager, he foolishly experimented with marijuana. It was a mistake, and he’s never tried it since.

— Statement from Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) office, admitting to the Daily Mail that the senator used marijuana as a teenager.

The science is clear: The earth is round, the sky is blue, and #vaccineswork. Let’s protect all our kids. #GrandmothersKnowBest

Mitt is a patriot and I join many in hoping his days of serving our nation and our party are not over.

— Jeb Bush, on Facebook, after Mitt Romney announced he would not run again for president.

21%

Mitt Romney’s lead among the GOP presidential field, followed by Sen. Rand Paul and Mike Huckabee at 11%, Jeb Bush at 10%, Ben Carson at 9%, Gov. Scott Walker at 8% and Sen. Marco Rubio at 5%, according to a new Fox News poll.

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.