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Author: Mike LaChance

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Mike LaChance

Mike LaChance has been covering higher education and politics for Legal Insurrection since 2012. He has also written for American Lookout, Townhall, and Twitchy.

Since 2008 he has contributed work to the Daily Caller, Breitbart, Gateway Pundit, the Center for Security Policy, the Washington Free Beacon, and Ricochet.

Mike is a Generation X, New England lifer who describes his political views as conservative and libertarian.

You can find him on Twitter @MikeLaChance33

Posted by Mike LaChance on September 06, 2015 48 Comments
Early in the 2016 cycle, the Republican establishment pushed Marco Rubio aside in Florida and put its money and support behind Jeb Bush. That decision has created a scenario which could rob both candidates of the state's highly coveted delegates. Jim Newell of Slate reported:
Has the Republican Establishment Created a Monster? Last fall, when Jeb Bush was still mulling a bid for the presidency, Bloomberg Politics reported on what was considered then—and is still considered now—Bush’s greatest advantage as a presidential candidate: His ability to separate wealthy donors from vast sums of money quickly. “Unlike his competitors,” the thinking went, “Bush could lure donors off the fence in a hurry, without undergoing a hazing trial to test skill and stability.” That is precisely what happened. Instants after announcing over the winter that he was “seriously considering the possibility of running for president,” Bush and his team set up the Right to Rise PAC and super PAC to serve as cash receptacles for eager GOP establishment donors. The money rolled in, and by July the super PAC announced that it had met its goal of raising more than $100 million in the first six months of the year.

Posted by Mike LaChance on September 05, 2015 8 Comments
Republican South Carolina senator Tim Scott appeared on CNN yesterday and was questioned by host Brianna Keilar for saying all lives matter. His response was brilliant. Josh Feldman of Mediaite has a partial transcript:
Sen. Tim Scott: If ‘All Lives Matter’ Really Offends You, That’s Your Problem Senator Tim Scott said tonight that if people are honestly offended by him or anyone else saying “all lives matter,” that’s their problem. On CNN tonight, Scott told Brianna Keilar, “If it causes offense to say that all lives matter, black lives, white lives, police officers… if that is somehow offensive to someone, that’s their issue, not mine.”

Posted by Mike LaChance on September 05, 2015 17 Comments
Democrats are probably very happy with the August jobs report and the new unemployment rate of 5.1, but if you look closely at the issue, there's no reason for turning cartwheels just yet. Susan Jones of CNS News:
Record 94,031,000 Americans Not in Labor Force; Participation Rate Stuck at 38-Year Low for 3rd Straight Month A record 94,031,000 Americans were not in the American labor force last month -- 261,000 more than July -- and the labor force participation rate stayed stuck at 62.6 percent, a 38-year low, for a third straight month in August, the Labor Department reported on Friday, as the nation heads into the Labor Day weekend. The number of Americans not in the labor force has continued to rise, partly because of retiring baby-boomers and fewer workers entering the workforce. In August, according to BLS, the nation’s civilian noninstitutional population, consisting of all people 16 or older who were not in the military or an institution, reached 251,096,000. Of those, 157,065,000 participated in the labor force by either holding a job or actively seeking one.

Posted by Mike LaChance on September 04, 2015 36 Comments
Back in July, South Carolina Governor Haley's choices in the wake of the Charleston shootings led many to wonder if she'd be a good choice for VP on the Republican ticket. Now, there's new speculation. William Douglas and David Lightman of McClatchy reported:
S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley fuels Republican VP talk Is she selling the New South or auditioning for a 2016 presidential campaign spot? Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina is generating buzz that she’d be in the mix for the Republican vice presidential spot in 2016, following her successful handling of the removal of the Confederate flag from the statehouse grounds after the shooting deaths of nine African-Americans inside a historic Charleston church. Appearing Wednesday at the National Press Club, Haley teetered between deflective and receptive to the VP talk, at first dismissing it as a way-too-early political exercise, given that 17 Republicans are still elbowing each other to win the Republican presidential nomination.

Posted by Mike LaChance on September 03, 2015 19 Comments
As Hillary Clinton continues to stumble over scandals and sink in the polls, speculation is growing around the possibility of a Joe Biden run for 2016. A trip to Florida by the VP this week is fueling the fire. Ed O'Keefe of the Washington Post:
A speech. A party fundraiser. In Florida. Clinton? Sanders? No, Joe Biden. Rarely has a speech on the importance of community colleges been more closely scrutinized. That was the central theme of remarks delivered by Vice President Biden on Wednesday at one of the nation's largest universities -- at least, the stated theme. The other, which he only hinted at, was the political subtext: Still grieving from the death of his oldest son, Biden is weighing a presidential bid. And until he makes his 2016 decision, everything he says and does will be viewed through a campaign prism... "Look at all the press you’ve attracted," he joked to the crowd packed into a sweltering classroom at Miami Dade College. "Their interest in community colleges has impressed me. I hope that’s what they’re going to write about." The speech was the first stop on an itinerary that marks the vice president's most active political trek since his son Beau Biden, the 46-year old former Delaware attorney general, died of brain cancer in May. Close friends and aides say the vice president is still undecided about making a late entrance into the Democratic race dominated by Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is slipping in polls, and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who is enjoying a summer surge.

Posted by Mike LaChance on September 02, 2015 20 Comments
A few years ago, liberals in politics and media insisted that rhetoric coming from the Tea Party was violent and that we needed a new tone in political discourse. Now that #BlackLivesMatter activists are openly advocating violence, those folks are nowhere to be found. Last night on FOX News, Megyn Kelly brought this double standard into focus. Josh Feldman of Mediaite has more:
Megyn Explodes: Liberals Rip Dangerous Tea Party Rhetoric But #BlackLivesMatter’s Is Fine?! Megyn Kelly really went off tonight on the hypocrisy of Democrats and liberal media figures who were quick to condemn dangerous tea party rhetoric for the 2011 Tucson shooting but are now keeping silent about dangerous rhetoric from #BlackLivesMatter protesters. After some protesters were filmed chanting “pigs in a blanket, fry ’em like bacon,” Kelly was amazed that not only have Democrats avoided the issue, but they’ve been recently trying to establish a connection between them and the movement.

Posted by Mike LaChance on September 01, 2015 9 Comments
Professor Jacobson published the first College Insurrection post on August 22, 2012. Welcome to College Insurrection Since then, we've published over 8,000 posts about free speech, rape culture, due process, microaggressions, trigger warnings, white privilege, the BDS movement, wacky professors, speech zones, liberal bias, the higher ed bubble and dozens of other issues which affect campus life every day. I've been with the site since the beginning but I've had plenty of help from Leslie Eastman, Casey Breznick, Nathaniel Hunter, David Ticzon and Kemberlee Kaye as well as occasional guest authors Isaac Morrison and Hans Bader. As a writer who has been covering this beat for three years now, I think I should speak candidly. We have a serious problem happening on American college campuses.

Posted by Mike LaChance on August 31, 2015 7 Comments
Bernie Sanders is getting hit from his left on gun control. Vermont is a very blue state, but it's also rural and has plenty of gun owners. Yesterday on CNN, he assured Jake Tapper and, by extension, progressive Democratic primary voters that he strongly believes in greater gun control:
Bernie Sanders says he's 'strong' on gun control Bernie Sanders says he favors gun control measures just as strongly as his Democratic presidential rivals, touting his rural-state roots as key to his chances of enacting "real, constructive" legislation. In an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper Sunday on "State of the Union," the Vermont senator touted his career "D-" rating from the National Rifle Association. Sanders also played up his differences on policy issues with Hillary Clinton and hit national Democrats for a debate calendar he said is too restrictive during the interview.

Posted by Mike LaChance on August 30, 2015 11 Comments
It's safe to say that former Vice President Dick Cheney is not a fan of Obama, especially with regard to foreign policy. While Obama is pushing congress to approve his Iran Deal, Cheney is ringing alarm bells. Rebecca Shabad of The Hill:
Cheney: Obama has 'surrendered' America's global power Former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, Liz Cheney, say President Obama has “dangerously surrendered” U.S. global leadership during his time in office. In an adapted excerpt published by The Wall Street Journal from their upcoming book, "Exceptional: Why the World Needs a Powerful America," the two write that until Obama became president, Republican and Democratic presidents understood the “indispensable nature of American power.” “For the most part, until the administration of Barack Obama, we delivered,” they wrote, arguing that Obama has “departed from this 75-year, largely bipartisan tradition of ensuring America’s pre-eminence and strength.” The Cheneys said Obama has “abandoned Iraq” and is “on course” to do the same in Afghanistan.
The Wall Street Journal piece by Dick and Liz Cheney can be read here. In case you missed it, Cheney appeared on the Hannity show earlier this month to discuss the Iran Deal. Needless to say, he doesn't approve:

Posted by Mike LaChance on August 29, 2015 5 Comments
Martin O'Malley's complaints about the lack of Democratic debates are getting louder and it's beginning to put a strain on his party. DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz was not happy about his speech at a recent event. Bradford Richardson of The Hill:
O’Malley challenges DNC over 'rigged' debate schedule Former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley thinks the Democratic Party’s decision to limit the number of primary debates is tantamount to rigging the nomination process. “Four debates and only four debates — we are told, not asked — before voters in our earliest states make their decision,” the presidential candidate said at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Summer Meeting on Friday. “This sort of rigged process has never been attempted before,” he added. “One debate in Iowa. That’s it. One debate in New Hampshire. That’s all we can afford.” After O'Malley's speech wrapped up, observers noted palpable tension as he greeted DNC Chair, Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Watch for the icy look she gives O'Malley in this video:

Posted by Mike LaChance on August 29, 2015 121 Comments
While speaking at a campaign event in the Boston area Friday night, Donald Trump was jabbing Hillary Clinton and slipped into a seemingly improvised monologue about embattled Clinton aide Huma Abedin and her husband Anthony Weiner. Josh Feldman of Mediaite:
‘Bing Bing Bing': Trump Lets Loose on ‘Perv,’ ‘Sleazebag’ Anthony Weiner Trump was talking about Hillary Clinton‘s emails and then roped her aide Huma Abedin into it due to her involvement. But then Trump also brought in her husband, “one of the great sleazebags of our time.” Yes, Trump went on a whole riff about Weiner, who infamously engaged in sexting multiple times, calling him a “perv” and saying Abedin must be “desperately in love with him” if she’s staying with him. He riled up the crowd as he talked about Weiner and Abedin, and said that it’s pretty clear she’s telling her husband about some of the email stuff.

Posted by Mike LaChance on August 28, 2015 42 Comments
Whenever Hillary Clinton is in trouble James Carville isn't far behind, snarling and sneering at her critics, labeling their claims as ridiculous and unfounded. Parts one and two of this horror series came out in March of this year, as soon as Hillary's email problems began. Now, he's back for the third but certainly not final chapter. Blake Seitz of the Washington Free Beacon reports:
Ragin’ Cajun James Carville is Back to Cover Hillary’s Tracks James Carville, the wily Democratic consultant who has been a close Clinton ally for more than two decades, is back on the trail to cover Hillary’s tracks. Since Clinton announced her campaign earlier this year, Carville has made the rounds on talk shows to downplay her burgeoning email scandal.

Posted by Mike LaChance on August 28, 2015 17 Comments
Hillary Clinton's trusted aide Huma Abedin was in the news earlier this month when it was alleged that she was overpaid while working at the State Department. A new report from Rosalind S. Helderman and Tom Hamburger of the Washington Post sheds some light on how such a thing could happen. Abedin was working multiple jobs while at the State Department:
How Huma Abedin operated at the center of the Clinton universe As Hillary Rodham Clinton was preparing for her farewell international trip as secretary of state, her close aide and confidante Huma Abedin e-mailed a small number of longtime political allies to help arrange an intimate get-together at a private club in Dublin. “Maybe we can all gather for drinks/dinner and HRC can come join for as long as she can?” Abedin wrote. The December 2012 event showcased the unique position that Abedin occupied at the apex of the Clintons’ public and private worlds during the final six months of Hillary Clinton’s tenure heading the State Department. At the time, Abedin held four jobs with four different employers — an arrangement allowed by a special government designation she held permitting outside employment. And each job had a connection to the Dublin dinner.

Posted by Mike LaChance on August 27, 2015 10 Comments
MSNBC is dropping the Reverend Al Sharpton's program 'PoliticsNation' from its daily lineup and moving him to a weekly slot which will air on Sunday mornings at 8 am. Alex Weprin of Politico reports:
MSNBC moves Al Sharpton to Sunday mornings Sharpton's last weekday "PoliticsNation" will be Sept. 4. He moves to Sundays a month later on Oct. 4, according to a memo sent to MSNBC staff by the channel's president Phil Griffin Wednesday evening. "I want to congratulate Al and his team. For four years they have done a terrific job bringing his voice and a big spotlight to issues of justice, civil rights and equality. And as many of you know, The Rev never missed a show," Griffin wrote in the email. "I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do with a Sunday morning newsmaker program." The 6 pm hour will temporarily be filled by "MSNBC Live," the channel's weekday news program. A permanent replacement will be named "soon after" Sharpton moves, per Griffin.

Posted by Mike LaChance on August 26, 2015 54 Comments
Marco Rubio made a campaign stop in New Hampshire today and dismissed Donald Trump's current front-runner status, saying that Trump will not be the Republican nominee for 2016. Sahil Kapur of Bloomberg reported:
Rubio Dismisses Trump in N.H.: He Won't Be 'Our Nominee' "Ultimately the Republican Party will reach out to all voters based on who our nominee is. And I don't believe Donald Trump will be our nominee," the Florida senator said after speaking to a small crowd outside a car service center in this town of Orford. "I think our nominee is going to be someone that embraces the future, that understands the opportunities before us, that's optimistic but realistic about the challenges before us." He acknowledged that "people are angry" and "they have a right to be," but insisted that "we should allow that anger to motivate us, but we shouldn't allow that anger to define us. We're not an angry nation. We are an optimistic nation who has every reason to be optimistic about the future."...

Posted by Mike LaChance on August 26, 2015 10 Comments
Martin O'Malley is angry at his own party for the lack of Democratic debates, and who could blame him? He's so starved for media attention that he's taken to bashing Donald Trump. O'Malley makes a valid point---what's the DNC so afraid of? David Sherfinski of the Washington Times reported:
Martin O’Malley rips DNC presidential debate schedule Former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley on Tuesday ripped the Democratic National Committee over its presidential debate schedule, saying Democrats aren’t going to stand for the “meddling” and “limiting of debate” the DNC is trying to pull. “There are people throughout Iowa and New Hampshire who are outraged that the Democratic party is trying to act in such an un-Democratic way,” Mr. O'Malley said on MSNBC’s “The Rundown with José Díaz-Balart.” “So I think you will see more debates. I plan to go to as many debates as I possible can.” Earlier this month, the DNC released a schedule of six presidential primary debates. The first, an Oct. 13 debate in Nevada, is followed by debates in the other early-voting states of Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina.
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