FRIDAY, JANUARY 15
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MORNING MESSAGE
The Republican Debate – Seven Trumped-Up Survivors
Donald Trump, still leading in national polls, may not have won the night, but he has surely dictated its terms. The candidates were trumped-up, the vitriol hot, the rhetoric over the top. Occasional efforts to introduce common sense – usually by John Kasich and Jeb Bush from the far wings of the stage – were lost amid the tumult. ... Lost in all this was any glimmer of a program or an idea about dealing with real challenges facing the country.
GOP'S HOT, DARK DEBATE
“GOP Candidates Try to Scare the Hell Out of America.”The National Journal’s Ron Fournier. “Taking advantage of laissez-faire moderators in their sixth debate, the GOP’s top seven presidential candidates spouted talking points that ranged from warmongering to weird.”
John Nichols at The Nation says the GOP debates have gone from bad to worse by design.“[Rand Paul] is a credible contender who was elbowed to the sidelines in a process that relies on bizarre and frequently unfair readings of polling data — and that seems, increasingly, to be about entertainment and ratings rather than issues and ideas. Rejecting an offer to appear in another of the ridiculous “under-card” debates that the GOP and its “media partners” have organized, Paul raged all day Thursday against the process. And Thursday night’s debate proved he was right to do so.”
REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS STRATEGIZE
Congressional Republicans try to stay above the fray of the presidential race.Roll Call reports: “… House and Senate Republicans gathered to plot policy [in Baltimore] Thursday… Rather than try to fashion measure that suits the crowded field of presidential contenders, GOP leaders said they plan to use the next congressional session to present Americans with their vision for the country … to prove that they can govern effectively, and promote conservative policies at the same time.”
Still, Trump looms large at GOP retreat.“In public news conferences and private hallway discussions, GOP lawmakers were buzzing about the Republican presidential front-runner, reality TV star and real estate mogul — and how his possible nomination could jeopardize their ability to hold majorities in the two chambers.”
The presidential race may get fought on the Senate floor anyway.“Democrats want to put the Senate GOP on record regarding Trump’s proposal to ban Muslims from the United States. Asked about that strategy, Majority Leader [Mitch] McConnell (R-Ky.) made it clear two can play that game. Two possibilities, said a GOP source, would be votes on email classification and embassy security. “
CONSERVATIVE FAILURE'S COST IN FLINT, MICH.
Michigan governor declares a federal emergency in Flint water crisis; state attorney general launches investigation.“Just as Gov. Rick Snyder has been widely criticized for not responding more quickly to the crisis, [Attorney General Bill] Schuette has faced criticism for not opening an investigation sooner. Both are Republicans, and Schuette is widely expected to run for governor in 2018. Snyder is term-limited.”
The New York Times editorializes.“The governor, a Republican, did virtually nothing to help the city … possibly because it was a destitute city whose elected officials had little political power and were under the thumb of an emergency manager Mr. Snyder had appointed.”
Here’s how toxic Flint, Mich. water has become.“Even though Flint River water no longer flows through the city’s pipes, it’s unclear how long those pipes will continue to leach unsafe levels of lead into the tap water supply. Experts currently say the water is safe for bathing, but not drinking.”
BREAKFAST SIDES
PolitiFact calls Chelsea Clinton’s claims against Bernie Sanders’ health plan “mostly false.”“It sounds like Clinton is saying that millions would be left totally uninsured as a result of Sanders’ plan giving more authority to governors, which isn’t the case.”
Planned Parenthood sues the right-wing outfit that made hit-job videos fueling the defunding effort.“‘The people behind this fraud lied and broke the law in order to spread malicious lies about Planned Parenthood,’ said Dawn Laguens, the organization’s executive vice president. ‘This lawsuit exposes the elaborate, illegal conspiracy designed to block women’s access to safe and legal abortion.'”
The Obama administration today plans to announce a halt on new coal leases.“…[T]he announcement will no doubt please environmental groups that have long said the government’s fee rates encouraged production of a product that contributed to global warming.”
Progressive Breakfast is a daily morning email highlighting news stories of interest to activists. Progressive Breakfast is a project of the Campaign for America's Future. more »
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