GOP: now & in the future

**S Landreth** · 22-01-2014, 06:02 AM

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Gillespie’s betting that ObamaCare — and Obama in general — will be a drag on Mark Warner’s candidacy. It’s a reasonable bet.

The first poll numbers I’ve seen in this race and it’s early yet, but it seems Gillespie has his work cut out for himself.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Gillespie Puts Virginia In Play For The GOP.

______________

and in other news,........

Former Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, once viewed as a rising star in the GOP, and his wife were indicted Tuesday on federal corruption charges accusing the couple of accepting tens of thousands of dollars in loans, shopping sprees, money for their daughter's wedding — and even a joyride in a Ferrari — from the owner of a company that makes health supplements.

Virginia is better off without him

**bsnub** · 23-01-2014, 05:35 AM

^ This thing is really picking up steam. More corrupt Republicans surprise surprise!

The details in the indictments against former Governor Bob McDonnell and his wife are devastating. The Daily Beast gets you up to speed.
The previous governor of Virginia, Republican Bob McDonnell, and his wife Maureen were indicted Tuesday on 14 charges of corruption by the feds. From an engraved Rolex to private-plane shopping trips to Fifth Avenue, the file on Virginia’s former First Couple is lousy with lucre. Here’s what to know.

Who is Bob McDonnell and why do I care?

McDonnell was close to being Mitt Romney’s veep pick thanks to his swing-state job and Mitt-level good looks and hair. In 2010, McDonnell gave the GOP’s response to President Obama’s State of the Union. Like another embattled Republican governor, Chris Christie, McDonnell was elected in 2009 (and only served one term thanks to Virginia’s term limit.)

What are the McDonnells being charged with exactly?

Wire fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud (double whammy), obtaining property under color of official right (using his office to get loot), giving false statement, and obstruction of an official proceeding. Basically, they’re alleged to have accepted at least $165,000 worth of gifts from a tobacco entrepreneur Jonnie R. Williams Sr. in return for giving his Star Scientific, Inc. help.

Wait, Star Scientific is a tobacco biz?

Sort of. The Virginia company produced dietary supplements, notably CigRx, a tobacco alternative, and Anatabloc, which was to be used as an anti-inflammatory support. However, Star Scientific couldn’t make claims about their products because they aren’t approved by the FDA. So the feds say McDonnell and his wife became pitchmen for Star Scientific, attending events and emailing the state’s tobacco commission to help Star.

What were some of the alleged gifts?

· An all-expenses-paid trip to New York in which $10,000 was dropped at Oscar de la Renta, $5,685 at Louis Vuitton, and $2,604 at Bergdorf Goodman, in return for Williams being seated next to McDonnell at a Union League Club event.

· A $50,000 loan with two-year term at five percent interest.

· $15,000 to cover the McDonnell’s daughter’s wedding.

· $2,380 in charges at the Kinloch Gold Club to Williams’ member account. That was just one instance. Numerous instances of McDonnell’s sons using the account are detailed.

· Use of Williams’ vacation home, and Maureen McDonnell allegedly called “to ask whether JW’s Ferrari would be at the house for Robert McDonnell’s use.” So a Star Scientific employee allegedly hustled it on over there.

· A Rolex with “71st Governor of Virginia” engraved on the back

· A dinner at La Grotta restaurant in Richmond costing $1,423.

Why did the McDonnells allegedly do it?

“We are broke,” Maureen McDonnell wrote in an email. “I need to talk to you about Inaugural clothing budget. I need answers and Bob is screaming about the thousands I’m charging up in credit card debt.”

Rental properties in a company called MoBo Real Estate Properties, in which the McDonnell’s had a 50 percent stake, were also a concern, particularly for the governor. In 2011, the governor allegedly had a conversation with Williams, where he said “the rental income from the defendants’ rental properties in Virginia Beach was not covering the bills from those properties,” and allegedly asked for that $50,000 loan.

In 2012, according to the indictment, McDonnell sent a text message to Williams saying, “Per voicemail would like to see if you could extend another 20K loan for this year. Call if possible and I’ll ask [MU] to send instructions.”

He also allegedly emailed his own children to gin up business for the rental homes, saying, “Kids. Asking for help, need to rent the beach houses at Sandbridge more. Willing to give your friends a discount for the times it’s tougher to rent.”

And he claims what now?

At a press conference, McDonnell declared that he was innocent, and that he will “face these false allegations with strength and firm resolve.” Oh, and apparently the case is the result of an “unjust overreach of the federal government.”

Oh, and this is a very sad day for Virginia.

This is the first time in its 200+ years that Virginia has ever had a governor facing criminal charges. Illinois must be feeling schadenfreude.

Link

**S Landreth** · 24-01-2014, 03:59 AM

Seems Virginia will be a safe seat for Democrat Warner.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Gillespie Puts Virginia In Play For The GOP.

Again you have your finger on the pulse of America.

**S Landreth** · 28-01-2014, 06:27 AM

The GOP might be getting smaller as time passes. I just don’t understand why young Millennials aren’t attracted to the GOP, their bigotry, hate for women’s rights/LGBT community/Equal Rights/Hispanics/people of color/working poor/environment/science/etc……..

For decades young adults have tended to lean slightly Democratic but now the preference is overwhelming. Democrats have an unbelievable 18 point advantage among the current youngest generation. This is unlike anything in the past 20 years. From Gallup:

This is the dynamic that is going to dominate politics in the coming years. On many issues Millennials are dramatically to the left of the rest of the American public. The generation is often to even more progressive than self-identified “Liberals.”

Republicans’ current opposition to issues like marriage equality is so adhorrent to many young people the party isn’t even seen as a possible election choice. The Republican party is either going to need to change or get buried in a generational tide wave.

____________

in other news,..

Retired Republican Sen. John Warner endorsed his Democratic successor and onetime rival Mark Warner on Monday in his race against Ed Gillespie.

The 86-year-old told POLITICO that the state benefits from the seniority in the Senate that the 59-year-old Warner (the two are not related) is accumulating. The former chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee also praised the younger Warner – with whom he has developed a friendship since the two squared off in a race nearly two decades ago – for effectively advocating on behalf of the state’s large military presence.

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Gillespie Puts Virginia In Play For The GOP.

**Boon Mee** · 28-01-2014, 07:17 AM

I wonder if Barry will talk about it in the State of the Union Address?

A Republican plan to replace ObamaCare, cover pre-existing conditions and lower costs.

**slackula** · 28-01-2014, 08:24 AM

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

I wonder if Barry will talk about it in the State of the Union Address?

A Republican plan to replace ObamaCare, cover pre-existing conditions and lower costs.

One thing to be learned from "Clear Skies" and "No Child Left Behind" is that GOP-sponsored bills do the exact opposite of what they say. Therefore, if the GOP calls something the "CARE Act," it means they will rape you in the ass, charge you an ass-readjustment fee, then split that fee with the insurance companies.

*clicks link*

Well, knock me down with a feather:

Before ObamaCare, if an individual tried to buy health coverage on their own, it was not only expensive, they could be denied coverage based on a pre-existing condition.

Our proposal would change that by repealing ObamaCare, and replacing it with a new “continuous coverage” consumer protection. Under our proposal, individuals moving from any health plan to another could not be medically unwritten and denied a plan based on a pre-existing condition.

So it prohibits people from being discriminated against because of pre-existing conditions, unless of course you were previously discriminated against because of a pre-existing condition, in which case insurers are allowed to continue to discriminate against you because of your pre-existing condition due to the fact that you've spent quite a while being discriminated against because of your pre-existing condition?

Gosh, that sounds kind of awesome!

**Boon Mee** · 28-01-2014, 08:30 AM

Originally Posted by quimbian corholla

Gosh, that sounds kind of awesome!

Yes it does, doesn't it.

Much preferred to being forced by law to buy something you do not want.

...pls don't use the car insurance comparison - that doesn't work.

**sabang** · 28-01-2014, 10:52 PM

If there were any doubts that Republicans are in the throes of ideological fratricide that could threaten their prospects for success this fall, they were dispelled over the weekend in Arizona.

In a move both bizarre and ill-timed, Arizona Republican Party members voted to censure Sen. John McCain – a highly-decorated Vietnam War hero, maverick conservative and 2008 Republican presidential nominee – for being too liberal for their taste.
McCain Censure the Latest Sign of GOP Fratricide - Yahoo Finance

Real smart.

**robuzo** · 28-01-2014, 11:50 PM

Originally Posted by S Landreth

The GOP might be getting smaller as time passes. I just don’t understand why young Millennials aren’t attracted to the GOP, their bigotry, hate for women’s rights/LGBT community/Equal Rights/Hispanics/people of color/working poor/environment/science/etc……..

And then there are the blatant attempts to disenfranchise voters through voter ID laws. Republican officials openly speaking of "lazy black people that wants the government to give them everything" alienates people, of course.

Now, unlike blacks in the US, lazy uneducate Isaan people really don't deserve the vote, amirite?

**Boon Mee** · 29-01-2014, 03:07 PM

One of the many Republican Rising Stars - Scott Walker, is seeing his reforms crushing Wisconsin's powerful Public Sector Unions - Revenue from dues down 40%

Public sector unions are one step above organized crime. The Democrats give the unions absurdly generous contracts that private sector workers wouldn’t dream of and in return they pour millions of dollars into their campaigns, and the taxpayers get stuck with the bill.

The latest tax documents available show yet again that Gov. Scott Walker’s efforts to curb the power of the state’s public sector unions have been very successful.

While Walker and supporters of Act 10, which all but ended collective bargaining for most public workers, framed the bill as a way to help local governments reduce the costs of employee benefits, the legislation also included measures aimed at weakening unions financially by ending automatic dues deductions.

The bill appears to have hit the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) particularly hard.

Among Wisconsin unions, AFSCME is second only to the Wisconsin Education Association Council in members, and it has long been a powerful player in state politics, funneling money directly to campaigns and running independent TV ads in support of pro-labor candidates, as well as providing a legion of employees and member volunteers who made sure that their union brethren got to the polls on Election Day.

In 2011, the year Act 10 was approved, the four councils that make up the state organization reported a combined income of $14.9 million. In 2012, the first full year that the law was in place, the revenue had dropped roughly 45 percent, to $8.3 million.

While AFSCME’s income occasionally fluctuates to reflect infusions of cash it receives from other labor groups that support its political agenda, most of its money comes directly from member dues.
If we look specifically at dues revenue, the picture is also ugly. In total, dues revenue for the groups dropped 40 percent, from $12 million to $7.1 million.

Dues revenue for AFSCME Council 24, which largely represents employees of state government, peaked at nearly $5 million in 2010 and then dropped to $3.5 million in 2011 and again to $1.7 million in 2012. The particularly steep decline is at least partially due to the fact that, whereas some municipal governments rushed through new labor contracts with unions before Act 10 took effect, the GOP-controlled state government did not ratify any new contracts.

Dues for AFSCME Council 40, a union that represents thousands of county and municipal employees around the state, have plummeted from nearly $7.2 million in 2010 to $4.6 million in 2012. For AFSCME Council 48, which represents government workers in Milwaukee County, dues income declined from $1.9 million in 2011 to $920,000 in 2012.

Act 10 delivers a heavy blow to once-powerful player AFSCME : Ct

**bsnub** · 29-01-2014, 03:33 PM

^ All part of the corporate oligarchies plan to divide and concur. Take away the people's right to organize and you take away their power. Simple really the dimwits on the right think that this is some great accomplishment but in reality it just shrinks and weakens the working class in America. Keep on sipping the koolaid.

**Boon Mee** · 29-01-2014, 04:16 PM

Originally Posted by bsnub

^ All part of the corporate oligarchies plan to divide and concur. Take away the people's right to organize and you take away their power. Simple really the dimwits on the right think that this is some great accomplishment but in reality it just shrinks and weakens the working class in America. Keep on sipping the koolaid.

Hey!

You didn't get the Memo?

Unions are going the way of the Dodo Bird & the dinosaur!

**bsnub** · 29-01-2014, 04:39 PM

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Unions are going the way of the Dodo Bird & the dinosaur!

And this strengthens the middle class in what way?

**Pound Hound** · 29-01-2014, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

Unions are going the way of the Dodo Bird & the dinosaur!

yup.... just like rethugliKKKlansmen...

**robuzo** · 30-01-2014, 01:42 AM

Michael Grimm (R- Staten Island, NY) gets cranky when a reporter asks an unexpected question:
NY1 Reporter Provides His Account of Grimm Encounter - NY1
Grimm: "Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me again I'll throw you off this fucking balcony."

Scotto: "Why? I just wanted to ask you..."

[[cross talk]]

Grimm: "If you ever do that to me again..."

Scotto: "Why? Why? It’s a valid question."

[[cross talk]]

Grimm: "No, no, you're not man enough, you're not man enough. I'll break you in half. Like a boy."
---
"Like a boy"? Does that stuff to boys, does he? Beeg beeg man.

**S Landreth** · 30-01-2014, 03:39 AM

Originally Posted by robuzo

Michael Grimm (R- Staten Island, NY) gets cranky when a reporter asks an unexpected question:
NY1 Reporter Provides His Account of Grimm Encounter - NY1
Grimm: "Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me again I'll throw you off this fucking balcony."

Scotto: "Why? I just wanted to ask you..."

[[cross talk]]

Grimm: "If you ever do that to me again..."

Scotto: "Why? Why? It’s a valid question."

[[cross talk]]

Grimm: "No, no, you're not man enough, you're not man enough. I'll break you in half. Like a boy."
---
"Like a boy"? Does that stuff to boys, does he? Beeg beeg man.

And the video (to go along with your post) that Mr. Grimm would like you to forget. Strange thing about the interview is that one reason Mr. Grimm left the reporter (who was doing his job asking questions) was to do another interview and didn’t have time. But he did have time to come back and threaten the reporter.

I think the Rethug Mr. Grimm will be looking for another job (but not soon enough) and most people will not remember him for this picture.

Originally Posted by robuzo

Originally Posted by S Landreth

The GOP might be getting smaller as time passes. I just don’t understand why young Millennials aren’t attracted to the GOP, their bigotry, hate for women’s rights/LGBT community/Equal Rights/Hispanics/people of color/working poor/environment/science/etc……..

And then there are the blatant attempts to disenfranchise voters through voter ID laws. Republican officials openly speaking of "lazy black people that wants the government to give them everything" alienates people, of course.

Now, unlike blacks in the US, lazy uneducate Isaan people really don't deserve the vote, amirite?

You’re right about one thing. I should have mentioned GOP voter suppression but wrong about another. Everyone registered to vote should be allowed to vote as I recently posted, wherever they live.

Originally Posted by S Landreth

I do firmly believe in one person one vote

I do hope we’re clear on that.

**Boon Mee** · 30-01-2014, 07:52 AM

DNC Wasserman Schultz Has Second Thoughts On Democrats Taking Back The House

Quite the turn around from the woman who has been claiming Democrats would regain control of the House.

Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy on Wednesday sparred over Congress and midterm elections, with the DNC chairwoman saying she can’t “confidently predict” that Democrats will take back the House in 2014 but that they will gain seats.

“I’m not going to confidently predict that Democrats will take the House back,” Wasserman Schultz said when asked about the upcoming midterm elections during POLITICO’s post-State of the Union event. “But we will pick up seats.”

“Where?” McCarthy interjected.

DNC chief: Not 'confidently' predicting House takeback - POLITICO.com

**robuzo** · 30-01-2014, 08:24 AM

^Our local girl, Debbie. Big Israel supporter. Glad you think her opinion is worth noting. I don't.

**Butterfly** · 30-01-2014, 09:30 AM

Originally Posted by robuzo

Michael Grimm (R- Staten Island, NY) gets cranky when a reporter asks an unexpected question:
NY1 Reporter Provides His Account of Grimm Encounter - NY1

is he a fairy ? by that picture, I would say a nice little queen

definitely taking it up in the ass,

**sabang** · 30-01-2014, 09:50 AM

^ He certainly is right now.

**robuzo** · 30-01-2014, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by Butterfly

Originally Posted by robuzo

Michael Grimm (R- Staten Island, NY) gets cranky when a reporter asks an unexpected question:
NY1 Reporter Provides His Account of Grimm Encounter - NY1

is he a fairy ? by that picture, I would say a nice little queen

definitely taking it up in the ass,

I'm not arguing with expert opinion.

**barbaro** · 30-01-2014, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Boon Mee

DNC Wasserman Schultz Has Second Thoughts On Democrats Taking Back The House

Quite the turn around from the woman who has been claiming Democrats would regain control of the House.

“I’m not going to confidently predict that Democrats will take the House back,” Wasserman Schultz said when asked about the upcoming midterm elections during POLITICO’s post-State of the Union event. “But we will pick up seats.”

“Where?” McCarthy interjected.

A high school kid could make such "predictions."

The party in the White House often does not win back the House in mid-terms.

The elections are still 10 months away, but I doubt the Dems will take it back.

I've usually preferred a split, myself to balance policies out.

**Boon Mee** · 31-01-2014, 05:00 AM

As The Democrats War on Women Saga unfolds - at least the Grand Old Party doesn't stoop this low:

Democrat Rep. Behind Bars For Domestic Violence, Won’t Resign.

Inmate lawmaker Rep. Carlos Henriquez is  doing his Beacon Hill business from his Billerica jail cell, thumbing through bills and budget proposals, and speaking to staff by phone “at least once a day,”  according to the disgraced Dorchester Democrat’s legislative aide.

“We’ve been in regular contact with him, and at this point he’s concerned with the issues of the district,” aide Jessica DaSilva told the Herald.

DaSilva said Henriquez’s office is fielding four or five constituent calls a day, mostly from people concerned about cuts to unemployment benefits. She said Henriquez also has been reviewing budget amendments, though she would not say which.
“There’s a few. Obviously I can’t speak for him on  it,” DaSilva said.
Asked whether the 37-year-old lawmaker is sponsoring any new bills, DaSilva said, “At this moment, I’m not sure.”

She declined to characterize the telephone calls further, and said she had not visited Henriquez in person at the Middlesex House of Correction.

Henriquez is serving a six-month sentence there after a jury convicted him Jan. 15 for the July 2012  assault and battery of a woman he was dating.

Well, he is from Ted Kennedy’s home state after all...

**S Landreth** · 31-01-2014, 05:16 AM

It’s so nice to think about my home state without Rick (I’m a dick) Scott as Governor.

Former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, now running as a Democrat, leads Republican Gov. Rick Scott 46 - 38 percent in this year's governor's race and tops the incumbent on almost every measure, including handling the economy and jobs, listed by voters as the most important issues in the race, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

Snip

By a narrow 47 - 42 percent, voters say Crist would do a better job on the economy/jobs. The Democrat leads on other measures, including:

• 49 - 36 percent that Crist would better protect the middle class;
• 48 - 36 percent on handling health care;
• 49 - 35 percent on education;
• 44 - 36 percent that Crist is more honest and trustworthy.

**Boon Mee** · 31-01-2014, 05:31 AM

Heh...is this a sign of his overwhelming strength of her weakness!

Scott Brown Tied With Jeanne Shaheen In NH Senate Race He Hasn’t Even Entered.

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