Hispanic Jeb? (VIDEO)
Jeb Bush started off his week on the wrong foot when the New York Times reported that he checked the "Hispanic"…
Bad Money with Rand Paul (VIDEO)
As Senator Rand Paul prepares to ask GOP primary voters to support him for President, it's important to note that this…
AP: Walker’s Wisconsin still lags nation in job growth
Key Point: “The state lags in job growth and its budget faces a shortfall. It's a record that complicates Walker's path in early primary states as he sells himself as a reformer. “Wisconsin has added private-sector jobs at a lower rate than the national average since July 2011 - six months after Walker took office. Walker promised in the 2010 campaign that if elected his policies would create 250,000 private sector jobs. But only about 145,000 such jobs were created over his first four years."
Bush Takes More Heat on Religious Discrimination Stance(s)
Jeb Bush was quick to throw his full support behind Indiana's discrimination law and bone up his social conservative credentials. But two days later, Bush was caught telling Silicon Valley donors a completely different position after a legislative fix was already in motion. Bush is willing to take the courageous position of telling you whatever you want to hear, whether you're a voter or donor. This proves once again that no one can trust him. Bush is facing negative numbers and weak support from Republican voters before he's even announced his candidacy. Now, voters are reminded that he doesn't have positions on many issues and is willing to change his views for political gain. If this is how Bush fares before he's a candidate, imagine what lies ahead.
GOP Civil War Brewing Over Discriminatory “Religious Freedom” Bills
After a week of disastrous headlines, Republicans are at each other’s throats over controversial “religious freedom” legislation. Indiana Governor Mike Pence, who ignored public outcry to sign the bill in a secret ceremony with anti-gay activists, caved to overwhelming public pressure-- including from Mitch Daniels-- and asked for a “fix” only to see GOPers in the business community tell him that wasn’t enough, either. The damage doesn’t stop with Pence, though. The 2016 Republican presidential field backed Pence’s original law (well, depending on what room they were in), further highlighting just how far the party has to come from their now-farcical 2012 autopsy.
Will Gov. Pat McCrory go back on his word and limit choice…again?
Governor Pat McCrory, might have a big decision to make: Will he sign new legislation that would restrict women's right to choose if it reaches his desk? He promised voters in his 2012 campaign that he would sign no new restrictions, but we know how that ended. In 2013, Gov. McCrory betrayed North Carolina voters by signing legislation seriously limiting women's right to choose. Will he do it again? McCrory must make it clear whether he intends to veto the new legislation. Until he does, North Carolinians will remain skeptical that the governor still isn't a man of his word.
Jeb on LGBT rights? Room dependent
Jeb Bush was caught yesterday shamelessly backpedaling his full-throated defense of Mike Pence and Indiana's anti-LGBT legislation. Living up to his caricature as a craven politician, Bush fed red meat to his base at the beginning of the week but stood up for equal rights in the Bay Area just days later.
NEW POLL: Bush’s fav/unfav is underwater at 33/53 percent
From the Washington Post: “Bush — by far the best known among those running for the GOP nomination — is viewed favorably by just 33 percent of the public, while 53 percent say they view him unfavorably. Only Clinton among all those included in the poll has a net positive rating."
GOP tarnishes party’s reputation by supporting Indiana’s discrimination law
Mike Pence, Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Scott Walker have had another effect beyond supporting discrimination against gays and lesbians: They have lurched the Republican Party even further to the right by reminding voters about their extreme policies. The GOP is even fighting to stake out the most conservative position among each other. This saga is far from over. Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson today backtracked on his support for an Indiana-style bill that was more extreme than the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act and North Carolina is still currently pushing one, “leaving open the possibility that the damage to the Republican brand is not yet done,” as Politico notes.