Political Wire

Ernst Won’t Speak to Non-Iowa Media

January 6, 2015 at 6:01 am EST By Taegan Goddard 19 Comments

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), “one of the most high-profile politicians to come out of Iowa, has kept a decidedly low profile in her transition from little-known state senator to a U.S. senator recognized virtually everywhere she goes,” the Des Moines Register reports.

“After coming off one of the hottest campaigns of the 2014 elections, Ernst was bombarded with media requests from every Sunday political show, network and cable TV station and major newspaper — influential outlets that her campaign aides last spring would’ve begged to just know how to spell her name correctly. She steered clear of all national media requests.”

Just Two Scientists Left in Congress

January 6, 2015 at 6:00 am EST By Taegan Goddard 26 Comments

“The retirement of Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), who for 16 years was the House’s resident astrophysicist, represents the latest in a string of departures by members trained in the sciences,” the Wall Street Journal reports.

“His exit leaves Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL) and Jerry McNerney (D-CA), as the only remaining members who hold doctorates in the natural and hard sciences out of the 535 senators and representatives in the 114th Congress, according to the Congressional Research Service.”

Obama Moves Closer to Shutting Down Guantánamo

January 6, 2015 at 5:50 am EST By Taegan Goddard 4 Comments

New York Times: “In a series of secret nighttime flights in the last two months, the Obama administration made more progress toward the president’s goal of emptying the military prison at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, than it had since 2009. The accelerated pace came after an era of political infighting and long bureaucratic delays.”

Gibson Won’t Run for Re-Election

January 6, 2015 at 5:27 am EST By Taegan Goddard 3 Comments

Rep. Chris Gibson (R-NY) “will not seek reelection in 2016 as he eyes a bid for statewide office in the future,” The Hill reports.

“The news comes just two months after Gibson trounced Democratic multi-millionaire Sean Eldridge to win his third term in the House.”

First Read: “With this seat and the one vacated by Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), Democrats have a good shot at winning one or two seats in special elections this year.”

Flashback Quote of the Day

January 5, 2015 at 9:01 pm EST By Taegan Goddard 58 Comments

“Should sodomy be elevated to the same constitutional status as race and religion? My answer is No.”

— Jeb Bush, quoted by BuzzFeed, arguing against gay marriage in a 1994 Miami Herald op-ed piece.

Santorum Summons Former Aides for Meeting

January 5, 2015 at 8:16 pm EST By Taegan Goddard 19 Comments

Rick Santorum has invited former aides to Washington next week for a “private briefing” on his plans for a possible 2016 presidential bid, CNN reports.

The invitation was sent by a Santorum aide to more than two dozen “friends and former colleagues” from past campaigns and his time in the U.S. House and Senate.

Bush Kicks Off Presidential Fundraising in Greenwich

January 5, 2015 at 11:51 am EST By Taegan Goddard 18 Comments

“Jeb Bush’s flirtation with running for president in 2016 will take the former Florida governor to the familiar and lush stomping grounds of the Bush political clan: Greenwich,” the Connecticut Post reports.

“The Republican will raise money for his newly-created leadership PAC at a reception Wednesday in the hometown of his father, former President George H.W. Bush. Proof that not all of Greenwich winters in Florida, a popular tax-Haven for Connecticut residents, Bush will be hosted by an assemblage of relatives and political allies with ties to his father and brother.”

CEO Who Predicted Layoffs Gives Raises Instead

January 5, 2015 at 11:34 am EST By Taegan Goddard 38 Comments

In the lead-up to the 2012 presidential election, Think Progress reminds us that Westgate Resorts CEO David Siegel sent an email to all employees: “Of course, as your employer, I can’t tell you whom to vote for” but he noted that re-electing President Obama would “threaten your job” and result in “less benefits and certainly less opportunity for everyone.”

Two years later, Siegel informed employees that he would boost their salaries because 2014 beat all expectations: “We’re experiencing the best year in our history and I wanted to do something to show my gratitude for the employees who make that possible.” He told the Orlando Business Journal that “things have never been better.”

Which Coffman Will Run in Colorado?

January 5, 2015 at 11:13 am EST By Taegan Goddard 14 Comments

Roll Call: “This Senate race could make for interesting dinner conversation in one Colorado household. Republicans say battle-tested Rep. Mike Coffman and his wife, Cynthia Coffman, the state’s newly elected attorney general, are two of the party’s top prospects to challenge Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet in 2016.”

“Colorado marks one of the few states where Republicans have the opportunity to go on offense in 2016, a year when the GOP must defend 24 seats — the vast majority of the map. And after incoming GOP Sen. Cory Gardner’s victory last year, Republicans are newly emboldened about their statewide prospects — and potential candidates.”

Bush Sets the Pace for GOP Hopefuls

January 5, 2015 at 10:05 am EST By Taegan Goddard 39 Comments

First Read: “Huckabee’s announcement on Saturday is also a story about Jeb Bush, because we’re pretty sure that Huckabee wouldn’t have departed his Fox job as soon as he did if Bush hadn’t been making his own moves. We’re cautious to call Jeb the GOP frontrunner right now, but fellow Republicans sure are reacting to him like he’s the frontrunner — he’s dictating the rules and pace.”

Boehner Begins New Congress with Drama

January 5, 2015 at 9:59 am EST By Taegan Goddard 24 Comments

Rick Klein: “This was supposed to be the week that was about results, not process. But a rough holiday break removed that possibility from what was supposed to be a triumphal week for House Speaker John Boehner. Before he gets settled into a third term as speaker, he has one Republican member resigning after a felony conviction, and a top member of his leadership team under intense scrutiny for a not-really-that-long-ago speech in front of a white supremacist group. Then there’s the leadership challenge – a personal affront to Boehner, since the real time to run for House speaker would have been in GOP leadership elections shortly after Republicans expanded their majority to its new historic level. Ted Yoho/Louie Gohmert/Steve King won’t stop Boehner from continuing to serve as House speaker. But Boehner will once again have to tame the impulses of his own fractious conference, before his expanded House majority even votes on a bill. What’s that say about the year ahead?”

Chickenhawk Nation

January 5, 2015 at 9:54 am EST By Taegan Goddard 14 Comments

James Fallows: “The American public and its political leadership will do anything for the military except take it seriously. The result is a chickenhawk nation in which careless spending and strategic folly combine to lure America into endless wars it can’t win.”

Bonus Quote of the Day

January 5, 2015 at 9:04 am EST By Taegan Goddard 4 Comments

“Well, I don’t think they’re very serious. And frankly, they’re pretty disappointing in the sense that anyone who wanted to run could have run in the conference elections and none of them did. So by going out and not voting for the conference choice, you’re not attacking John Boehner, you’re really attacking the Republican conference that you say you’re part of.”

— Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK), quoted by The Hill, on the GOP challenges to Speaker John Boehner (R-OH).

America’s Bitter Pill

January 5, 2015 at 8:13 am EST By Taegan Goddard 16 Comments

Just published: America’s Bitter Pill: Money, Politics, Back-Room Deals, and the Fight to Fix Our Broken Healthcare System by Steven Brill.

Malcolm Gladwell: “America’s Bitter Pill is Brill’s attempt at a Woodward. The book is wrapped in the presumption of controversy: reviewers who received early copies had to sign a nondisclosure agreement. The reporting is exhaustive… Brill wants to take us behind the locked door.”

Wonk Wire: How Obamacare fell short of its ambitious goal

Christie Plans a Victory Lap

January 5, 2015 at 7:47 am EST By Taegan Goddard 16 Comments

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), “looking to build off his work as chairman of the Republican Governors Association last year, will attend a string of governors’ inaugurations this month — including in key early states like Iowa and South Carolina,” Politico reports.

“The trips are part of an effort by Christie to maintain relationships he developed last cycle, when he was at the helm of the GOP governors’ committee. But it also allows him to visit critical early states at a time when he’s seen as likely to announce a 2016 presidential campaign.”

Paul Could Legally Tap Big Donors Twice

January 5, 2015 at 7:45 am EST By Taegan Goddard 2 Comments

National Journal: “Rand Paul could have a financial edge over many of his prospective presidential rivals… due to a quirk in timing and election law that allows him to tap his biggest donors for campaign cash twice. Paul has said he plans to seek Senate reelection and, if he runs, the Republican presidential nomination simultaneously. And because he would be campaigning for two federal offices, he would be eligible to have two open federal campaign committees.”

“While federal rules do limit how he could spend the money, veteran election lawyers say diligent accounting could allow for legal cost-sharing between the two committees.”

Paul’s Wife Plans Book

January 5, 2015 at 7:00 am EST By Taegan Goddard 6 Comments

Kelley Paul, wife of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), will begin a tour for her forthcoming book, True and Constant Friends: Love and Inspiration from Our Grandmothers, Mothers, Sisters, and Friends, the Bowling Green Daily News reports.

Quote of the Day

January 5, 2015 at 7:00 am EST By Taegan Goddard 10 Comments

“Yes, he sometimes calls me ‘bro.'”

— British Prime Minister David Cameron, in an interview with the Daily Mail, on his relationship with President Obama.

Members Get the Full Experience