First Read: “Bernie Sanders’ official entrance into the 2016 presidential race is most likely a good outcome for Hillary Clinton. Why? He will elevate many of the issues that Clinton and the entire Democratic Party want to discuss during the primary season (income inequality, curtailing the role of big money in presidential politics, climate change). And he’ll do so as someone who isn’t interested in scoring political points — especially in the form of negative attacks — against Hillary. Hillary’s Harlem (err Brooklyn) Globetrotters now has its Washington (err Vermont) Generals. The question we have is whether it’s enough competition to up Hillary’s game.”
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Why So Many Republicans Are Running for President
Charlie Cook: “People embark on a presidential odyssey for a wide variety of reasons. Some have very plausible chances of winning, but in the back of their minds, they might also see a running-mate slot or Cabinet position as a possible consolation prize. Others—à la Jimmy Carter—may not seem obviously viable but are hoping for lightning to strike. Some may have a specific issue or agenda that they want to spotlight or advance, while others are just looking to boost book sales or speaking gigs. For good measure, toss in a little ego gratification from the attention.”
“But the fact that we are looking at such an enormous number of GOP candidates in this year’s cycle tells us a few more important things. First, there is a strong sense that the hierarchical tradition of Republican presidential nominations may not apply in 2016. Jeb Bush is not intimidating anyone out of this race; the fact that this field is expanding rather than contracting underscores that point and reflects the reality that this is a wide-open contest, more so than any GOP nomination race in modern history… Second, it is a sign that with our political process awash in money, the financial barriers for entry aren’t really there anymore.”
Walker Plugs Religious Book and Sales Skyrocket
After Gov. Scott Walker read from a book called Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence at an event in Iowa last week, “the book shot to the top of a couple of online retailers’ best-seller lists, including Amazon,” according to Religion News Service.
Gowdy Might Take Clinton’s Word on Emails
Rep. Trey Gowdy (R-SC), “who heads the House committee investigating the 2012 Benghazi attacks that left four Americans dead, says he might be willing to accept assurances under oath from Hillary Clinton that she has provided all her relevant emails to the panel — dropping requests for an independent examination of her computer server,” USA Today reports.
Said Gowdy: “If she were, under some theory, able to say, ‘yes, I can promise you under penalty of perjury you have every single document you’re entitled to,’ that would probably shut off that line of inquiry. If she can, then it will be a short conversation.”
Carson Pulls In Small Donors
Ben Carson told the Detroit News that since he “launched his official exploratory committee in March, it has attracted more than 50,000 donors.”
Bring Back the Smoke-Filled Rooms
Just published: Political Realism: How Hacks, Machines, Big Money, and Back-Room Deals Can Strengthen American Democracy by Jonathan Rauch.
Amy Walter: “The first thing we need to do, argues Rauch is to acknowledge that not all reform is good reform. The primary process, for example, was supposed to bring the candidate selection process out of shadows and into light. Smoke-filled rooms of power brokers would be replaced by engaged citizens who picked the candidate best representative of their views. It hasn’t really worked out that way, has it? “
Indictments Coming After Guilty Plea in Bridge Scandal
As former Chris Christie ally David Wildstein pleads guilty today in the George Washington Bridge closures, the New York Times reports the U.S. Attorney “is expected to announce other indictments in the case, but it was not clear who would be among those indictments.”
“The exact charges Mr. Wildstein would plead guilty to were not immediately clear. Typically, he would appear in court to answer a series of questions confirming the details he was acknowledging in his plea. That plea will be heavily watched for what Mr. Wildstein indicates about what role – if any — Mr. Christie had in the lane closings, which gridlocked the town of Fort Lee, N.J., over four days, stranding emergency vehicles, commuters and school buses.”
Marco Rubio vs. Scott Walker
“Republican insiders in early-voting states say a crucial battle is emerging in the 2016 presidential race between Marco Rubio and Scott Walker, competing to establish themselves as the party’s ‘bridge’ candidate who can appeal to both the establishment and grass-roots activists,” Politico reports.
“As it has become increasingly apparent that they are key rivals, the men have started taking regular, subtle but unmistakable, shots at one another. Walker talks about the need to nominate someone who is not from Washington and implicitly compares Rubio to Barack Obama. Rubio suggests that there is ‘no way’ a governor like Walker is prepared to deal with global crises facing the United States.”
Role of Super PACs Expand
Wall Street Journal: “The 2016 election cycle is seeing an expansion not just of super PAC fundraising but of the PACs’ responsibilities. The main reason: Super PACs can accept donations of unlimited size, while donations to candidate campaigns, such as Carly for President, are capped at $2,700 per election. The new arrangement means fewer donors, writing larger checks, can bankroll the basics of electioneering, freeing candidates from having to raise large sums in small increments. But it also raises thorny questions, because super PACs and candidates are barred by the Federal Election Commission from coordinating their strategy and messages.”
“It is a big shift from four years ago, when super PACs supported a favored candidate primarily by creating and airing TV ads to attack opponents. The main super PAC backing GOP nominee Mitt Romney in 2012 didn’t even have a website or an aide to handle press inquiries.”
Baltimore Hurts O’Malley’s Already Slim Chances
Politico: “Martin O’Malley’s political career, which started on the streets of Baltimore, may also end there: Half of Democratic insiders in the early states believe this week’s riots have hurt the former mayor’s already long-shot presidential hopes.”
Another Bonus Quote of the Day
“I do not come to you tonight with the ability to speak Spanish. But I do speak a common language. I speak Jesus.”
— Mike Huckabee, quoted by the Wall Street Journal, speaking to a Hispanic audience.
Cruz Ducks Question About Blacks Panhandling
“One day after Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) said Hispanics don’t panhandle because it would be shameful for them, the Republican presidential contender is refusing to offer an opinion about African-Americans who beg for money on the street,” the AP reports.
“Asked Thursday what he thought of them, Cruz turned away without speaking, striding into a senators-only elevator in the Capitol and waiting for the doors to close.”
House Approves Republican Budget Deal
“The House on Thursday passed a final budget deal, bringing Republicans one step closer to enacting a spending blueprint that sets the stage for this summer’s spending bills,” Politico reports.
“The chamber passed the framework, 226-197. It would balance the budget in 10 years without raising taxes, and pave the way for sending an Obamacare repeal to the president’s desk. The Senate will take up the measure next week.”
Wall Street Journal: “Top lawmakers said this week they would consider replacing those across-the-board curbs, known as the sequester, with a deal similar to a two-year accord struck in 2013 by Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), which raised spending in exchange for savings found elsewhere in the budget.”
Obama Picks Chicago for His Library
President Obama “has chosen his hometown of Chicago to host his future presidential library, two individuals with knowledge of the decision said Thursday, placing the permanent monument to his legacy in the city that launched his improbable ascent to the White House,” the AP reports.
Norm Coleman Opens Up About His Transgender Aide
Former Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) writes in the Daily Beast about his close relationship with a Republican transgender woman who served as one of his most senior aides.
“One of my most trusted colleagues during my career in public service is a transgender woman, Susan Kimberly. I knew of Susan before her transition, when she served on the St. Paul City Council. After her transition, Susan returned to public service and she served as my Deputy Mayor and Chief of Staff while I was Mayor of St. Paul. Susan is a force of nature, a policy wonk, and possesses a brilliant, analytical mind. She was among the smartest and most capable individuals in City Hall. And I knew when I ran for U.S. Senate that I needed her on my team.”
Obama Hints at Return to Community Organizing
President Obama “dropped some hints about what he’ll do after his time in office, saying he could return to his roots as a community organizer,” The Hill reports.
Said Obama: “I’ll be done being president in a couple of years and I’ll still be a pretty young man,” he said. “And so I’ll go back to doing the kinds of work I was doing before, just trying to find ways to help people.”
Extra Bonus Quote of the Day
“We’re looking at a system where our democracy is being owned by a handful of billionaires.”
— Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), quoted by ABC News, on why he’s running for president.
Gregg Will Challenge Pence for Indiana Governor
John Gregg (D) “is running again for Indiana governor, this time with a stronger focus on Gov. Mike Pence’s (R) social issues, including the recent ‘religious freedom’ debacle,” the Indianapolis Star reports.
Said Gregg: “The governor had done what he said he wasn’t going to do. I thought he was going to focus on the economy, I thought he was going to focus on creating good paying jobs and improving our education system. He’s focused on nothing but social issues, which was his record in Congress, and those social issues do nothing but divide us.”
