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Eric Holder Gets a Second Wind

February 16, 2014 at 7:07 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Los Angeles Times: “During his first four years as America’s top law enforcement officer, Holder’s tenure at the Justice Department seemed so unfocused and controversy-prone that even Democrats began to question what the nation’s first African American attorney general had accomplished, and whether he had the passion to stick it out.”

“But since President Obama’s reelection, the 63-year-old Holder has tackled his responsibilities with newfound energy and determination, surprising critics and supporters alike by striking out on a broad, ambitious and unapologetically liberal agenda.”

Groupon Celebrates President Hamilton

February 15, 2014 at 1:32 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

According to a press release, Groupon apparently thinks Alexander Hamilton was President of the United States.

“Starting tomorrow, Groupon will be kicking off Presidents Day weekend by giving customers 10 dollars off 40 dollars when they purchase a deal for any local business. The $10 bill, as everyone knows, features President Alexander Hamilton — undeniably one of our greatest presidents and most widely recognized for establishing the country’s financial system.”

Cruz Not Making Friends in the Senate

February 15, 2014 at 1:29 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Dana Millbank has a fascinating look at how Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) nearly caused a catastrophe in the U.S. Senate this week by filibustering an effort to raise the debt ceiling.

“Watching the chaos from the side of the chamber was the man who caused it: Cruz, his hands in his pants pockets and a satisfied grin on his face. The Texas Republican strolled to the clerk’s table to check on the vote count and was met with a look of disgust from Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN). And the feeling was widespread: Moments after Cruz walked into the Republican cloakroom, four senators emerged from it and changed their votes to ‘aye.'”

“Cruz reemerged from the cloakroom, chewing gum, his hands again in his pockets. He smirked as his colleagues finally overcame his filibuster after a 59-minute struggle. “

Union Loses Historic Vote in Tennessee

February 15, 2014 at 11:57 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Tennessean: “Just 87 votes at the Volkswagen plant in Tennessee separated the United Auto Workers union from what would have been its first successful organization of workers at a foreign automaker in the South. Instead of celebrating a potential watershed moment for labor politics in the region, UAW supporters were left crestfallen by the 712-626 vote against union representation in the election that ended Friday night.”

Washington Post: “The loss came in spite of an unprecedented level of support from the company being organized. “

Slate: “Tenneesee Republicans certainly did turn up the pressure, but whether their actions count as unfair influence remains to be seen. Republican Governor Bill Haslam said unionization would make it harder to recruit automotive suppliers to the state.”

This Week on the Podcast

February 15, 2014 at 8:58 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Celinda Lake of the George Washington University Battleground Poll talks about why this year’s midterm elections might be unique.

Special thanks to Shari’s Berries for sponsoring this episode.

Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report helps us unpack the battle for control of the U.S. Senate.

Special thanks to The Foghorn Magazine for sponsoring this show. Click here to get a free 7-day trial.

Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes or RSS to have the next episode automatically downloaded to your phone.

Franken Does a Surprise Interview

February 15, 2014 at 8:34 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Sen. Al Franken (D-MN) gave a rare national interview with CNN, The Hill reports.

“Franken is one of a few lawmakers on Capitol Hill who evades reporters. The others include Sens. Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and David Vitter (R-LA).”

On the Fake Campaign Trail

February 15, 2014 at 8:15 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

McKay Coppins goes on “the fake campaign trail” with Donald Trump.

“The notion that he is simply too big — too presidential — for a measly job in the Albany Statehouse has temporarily quelled his insecurity. But after this morning, Trump can no longer escape the fact that his political ‘career’ — a long con that the blustery billionaire has perpetrated on the country for 25 years by repeatedly pretending to consider various runs for office, only to bail out after generating hundreds of headlines — finally appears to be on the brink of collapse.”

“The reason: Nobody seems to believe him anymore.”

A Trump aide told The Wrap that the interview was “dishonest and unfair” and that Trump was “totally unfazed by this article.”

Ambassador Nominees Prompt Uproar

February 15, 2014 at 8:06 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“A century-old debate over whether presidents should reward political donors and allies by making them ambassadors has flared again after a string of embarrassing gaffes by President Obama’s picks,” the Washington Post reports.

“The nominee for ambassador to Norway, for example, prompted outrage in Oslo by characterizing one of the nation’s ruling parties as extremist. A soap- opera producer slated for Hungary appeared to have little knowledge of the country she would be living in. A prominent Obama bundler nominated to be ambassador to Argentina acknowledged that he had never set foot in the country and isn’t fluent in Spanish.”

Vander Platts Will Not Run for Senate

February 15, 2014 at 8:03 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“After weeks of buzz that he’d be the firecracker to reconfigure the U.S. Senate race in Iowa, religious conservative Bob Vander Plaats has decided not to run, citing a focus on his message of national spiritual revival,” the Des Moines Register reports.

“His decision — sure to disappoint both the far right and far left — has been awaited for months as Republicans try mightily to find a candidate with the best chances of taking away a powerful seat that has been in Democratic hands for nearly 30 years.”

Mayor America

February 14, 2014 at 1:24 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

The Financial Times runs an excellent profile of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who is gearing up for re-election next year.

“A ferociously ambitious, sharp-suited policy wonk, Emanuel’s mayoral style gels with the spirit of the age.”

Biden Says There’s No Republican Party

February 14, 2014 at 12:01 pm EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Vice President Joe Biden said the Republican party is so splintered that it barely functions, the Washington Post reports.

Said Biden: “There isn’t a Republican party. I wish there were, I wish there was a Republican party. I wish there was one person we could sit across the table from and make a deal and make the compromise and know when you got up from the table that the deal was done.”

He added: “There is no — all you had to do was look at their response to the State of the Union, what were there, three or four? I think we should get a little focused here, let’s get a little focused.”

Bonus Quote of the Day

February 14, 2014 at 11:29 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“I’m dying to see those polls come in. I am. I am. I’m going to be on the edge of my seat. I’m going to be itching as soon as they close… I want to knock these guys out in the first thirty seconds.”

— Toronto Mayor Rob Ford, in an interview with Esquire, predicting he’ll win re-election in a landslide.

Quote of the Day

February 14, 2014 at 11:12 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

“This war is waged in our courts and in the halls of political power. It is pursued with grim and relentless determination by a group of like-minded elites, determined to transform the country from a land sustained by faith into a land where faith is silenced, privatized and circumscribed.”

— Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R), quoted by Politico, on the Obama adminisrtration’s “silent war” on religion.

Ex-Romney Aide Starts For-Profit Oppo Research Effort

February 14, 2014 at 10:16 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Boston Globe: “In a sterile office building a few miles from the White House, Mitt Romney’s old campaign manager has a new mission: foiling Democratic candidates across the country.”

“Republicans say that Matt Rhoades’s fledgling political group, America Rising, is attempting to build the party’s most sophisticated, modern, and centralized opposition research effort ever. It is key to the GOP’s hopes of resurrecting itself after the soul-crushing presidential defeat of 2012.”

“But what’s most notable about American Rising is this: It is the first high-profile political combat organization to rely heavily on a for-profit company, rather than operating as a nonprofit group, exploiting increasingly lax campaign finance laws to maximum advantage.”

Is Hillary Clinton Too Old to Run?

February 14, 2014 at 10:09 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Charlie Cook: “Clinton turns 67 this October. At that age, she will likely be
making her candidacy decision, and if nominated Clinton would turn 69
two weeks before the 2016 general election, notably the same age Ronald
Reagan was when he was first elected in 1980. The choice to run for
president is effectively a nine-year commitment: one year to run,
another four years if she wins a first term–finishing up that term at
age 73–and then, assuming she runs for reelection and wins, serving four
more years to end a second term at 77 years of age. None of this is to
say that the age issue could successfully be used against her. After
all, Reagan won the presidency at the same age. But how many
67-year-olds make nine-year commitments, and what concerns have to be
addressed if they do?”

Why the Democrats are Unlikely to Win Back House

February 14, 2014 at 10:06 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

First Read: “There are 17 House Republicans who represent congressional seats Obama won in 2012 — so Democrats would need to win ALL of them to win back control of Congress, or a mixture of them and seats that Mitt Romney narrowly carried. Yes, Dems have pick-up opportunities in some open seats (CA-31, FL-13, IA-3, VA-10). And there are Republican incumbents who will have to play defense (Michael Grimm in NY, Jeff Denham in CA, Scott Rigell in VA). But Democrats have almost no margin of error. And we haven’t even mentioned the pick-up opportunities Republicans have, which exist thanks mostly to retirements in Utah and North Carolina.”

Meanwhile, National Journal looks at how tough it is to be in minority in the House.

Another Poll Shows Tight Kentucky Race

February 14, 2014 at 7:50 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

A new Wenzel Strategies (R) poll in Kentucky finds Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) barely ahead of challenger Alison Lundergan Grimes (D), 43% to 42%.

In the GOP primary, McConnell crushes challenger Matt Bevin (R), 59% to 17%.

Investor Suggests Rich Should Get More Votes

February 14, 2014 at 7:49 am EST By Taegan Goddard Leave a Comment

Venture capitalist Tom Perkins suggested that “only taxpayers should have the right to vote — and that wealthy Americans who pay more in taxes should get more votes,” CNN Money reports.

Said Perkins: “The Tom Perkins system is: You don’t get to vote unless you pay a dollar of taxes. But what I really think is, it should be like a corporation. You pay a million dollars in taxes, you get a million votes. How’s that?”

“The audience at the Commonwealth Club reacted with laughter. But Perkins offered no immediate indication that he was joking.”