Image 01 Image 03
Sign In or RegisterLogout

2016 Democratic Primary Tag

Posted by Fuzzy Slippers on September 06, 2015 7 Comments
As Hillary lags in the polls and her unfavorables soar, Draft Biden makes significant moves in Iowa. The Hill reports:
The group urging Vice President Joe Biden to launch a 2016 bid for the Democratic presidential nomination announced Friday that two longtime backers of Biden have signed on as co-chairs in the early-voting state of Iowa. . . . .  Draft Biden also announced on Friday that around a dozen Iowa elected officials have signed on to the effort as committee members, as well as a pair of political operatives, to direct organizing efforts in the state. The staff moves lend new credibility to the budding effort to convince the vice president to run against former secretary of State Hillary Clinton, the party’s front-runner. . . . .  The Draft Biden announcement on Friday also came on the same day that news emerged that Clinton's campaign would spend $4 million in ads in Iowa and New Hampshire over the next two months.

Posted by Amy Miller on September 06, 2015 3 Comments
This week top presidential contenders from both parties journeyed to Puerto Rico to talk economics, health care, and the future of the commonwealth's place in American politics. Puerto Ricans won't vote in the presidential election, but their 23 delegates could mean the difference between life and campaign death in a field as crowded as the GOP's is, and the Democratic Party's is likely to become; and both Hillary Clinton and Marco Rubio appeared determined to stake their claim. Their events were only miles apart, but represented stark differences in the way the two candidates are courting voters. Marco Rubio played to a packed neighborhood bar, and made his speech (mostly in Spanish) while unabashedly wiping the sweat from his face. He made a point to jab at Clinton, referencing the scandal surrounding her private server, and predicting that her vision for Puerto Rico would be limited to the same policies that have contributed to the country's current fiscal crisis. From the AP:
Rubio said the island faces multiple challenges, but remained firm that allowing its municipalities and agencies to declare bankruptcy is not the answer. "I don't believe Chapter 9 would solve Puerto Rico's problems," he said, adding that the island has spent more money than it had available. "Ultimately, if there is no other option left, Chapter 9 is a viable option at that point."

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on September 04, 2015 21 Comments
Embattled Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton descended from her ivory tower Friday to speak with MSNBC's Andrea Mitchell. "You said recently that using your personal email as Secretary of State was not the best choice and that you take responsibility," Mitchell began. "Are you sorry?"

Posted by Amy Miller on September 03, 2015 37 Comments
The former Hillary Clinton aide who set up the now-infamous "home-brew" server has told at least three Congressional committees that if he is asked to testify about Clinton's server or system of records, he will invoke the Fifth Amendment. Magliano worked on Clinton's 2008 presidential campaign as the IT director; after that campaign came to an end, he joined up with a Clinton-affiliated PAC, and helped set up the server in Clinton's New York home. He worked for the State Department from 2009-2013, and is now employed by a tech firm that occasionally contracts with State. He was subpoenaed to testify before the House Benghazi Committee, as well as the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Homeland Security Committee. More coverage from NBC News:

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 Kemberlee Kaye on September 02, 2015 26 Comments
Does calling it 'Democratic Socialism' make it less socialisty? Nah. Not really. But that doesn't stop Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders from pretending there's a difference. "What Democratic Socialism is about, is having a government which reflects the interests of the ordinary people, rather than is currently the case, the billionaire class," explained Sanders.
Bernie Sanders Explains Why You Shouldn't Be Scared Of The Ter...Bernie Sanders explains why you shouldn't be scared of the term 'socialism' Posted by NowThis on Monday, August 31, 2015

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on September 01, 2015 14 Comments
In Project Veritas Action's undercover investigation into Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, James O'Keefe claims Hillary's top campaign advisors violated FEC laws. Filmed during Hillary's campaign kick-off event, the video captures two senior Clinton campaign staffers allowing a Canadian citizen pay for campaign swag by giving her money to an American citizen. To their credit, the staffers recognized receiving donations from anyone who is not an American citizen was in direct violation of FEC laws, and said as much. When PVA's undercover reporter asked if she could take the Canadian woman's money and use it to make the purchase herself, the senior staffers agreed.

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 Jay Caruso on August 30, 2015 4 Comments
Hillary Clinton stirred up a hornets nest with her comparison of her GOP rivals to terrorists:
“Now, extreme views about women, we expect that from some of the terrorist groups, we expect that from people who don’t want to live in the modern world—but it’s a little hard to take from Republicans who want to be the president of the United States,” Clinton said.
On Morning Joe today, the panel discussed Hillary's comments: 
Host of MSNBC’s Morning Joe Joe Scarborough lambasted Hillary Clinton for comparing her GOP rivals to terrorists, calling the remarks “gutter politics at its worst” designed to distract from her email scandal. “It was disgusting. It was absolutely disgusting,” Scarborough said. “Hillary Clinton saying that somebody who is pro-life– I mean, let’s tell the truth; she wanted us to talk about this. She wanted to throw a bright shiny object out there, so they don’t talk about the email scandal.”

Posted by William A. Jacobson on August 29, 2015 11 Comments
We know from recent polling that Hillary Clinton is in trouble in New Hamspshire. Now she has problems in Iowa, according to a Des Moines Register poll released Saturday night:
Liberal revolutionary Bernie Sanders, riding an updraft of insurgent passion in Iowa, has closed to within 7 points of Hillary Clinton in the Democratic presidential race. She's the first choice of 37 percent of likely Democratic caucusgoers; he's the pick for 30 percent, according to a new Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics Iowa Poll. But Clinton has lost a third of her supporters since May, a trajectory that if sustained puts her at risk of losing again in Iowa, the initial crucible in the presidential nominating contest.... "This feels like 2008 all over again," said J. Ann Selzer, pollster for the Iowa Poll.
The trendline is horrible for Hillary:

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 Amy Miller on August 28, 2015 11 Comments
Is Hillary Clinton nervous, irritated, or both? If I'm placing my bets, I'm going with nervous. Things aren't going well for her---recent polling shows that voters like Vice President Joe Biden (some like him even more than they like Clinton,) the media is closing in on her inconsistencies regarding her server and personal email accounts, and from a legal perspective, the federal judge tasked with handling Judicial Watch's official inquiry into her time as Secretary of State is less than impressed with the answers her generals have provided in court. When it comes to the media, I'm sure Clinton expected to skate through at least the primary without any major hits to her reputation or record. It was a reasonable mindset; after all, it's Hillary. It's her time. It was not to be. Several journalists have caught the scent of blood in the air, and aren't letting go of the email story. Today during the summer meeting of the DNC, Fox News' Ed Henry asked Clinton a series of questions about the propriety of Bill Clinton's paid speeches in North Korea, Hillary's trusted advisor Huma Abedin, and whether or not any other cabinet secretary has ever used their own server. Her response? Well, let me answer one of your questions because I think that’s what you are entitled to. It really happened. Listen:

Posted by Kemberlee Kaye on August 28, 2015 14 Comments
We live in an age beyond parody. Deez Nuts and a boot-for-hat clad gentleman are (kind of) running for the highest office in the land. Gender is fluid, supposedly. That the Democratic presidential front-runner is under FBI investigation seems moot to progressive partisans. Green Day was a recent inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and millennials are under the impression that dressing like a lumber jack increases the potential for social acceptance. But the icing on the cake? A grassroots effort to draft Michael Dukakis is under way. You might remember Dukakis from his 1988 run for the White House:

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 Amy Miller on August 27, 2015 2 Comments
Quinnipiac University released a new poll today showing a slight shift in the way Democrats perceive their potential field of candidates. The numbers also indicate that those surveyed on the Republican end still crave candidates who by their nature are separated from "business as usual" in Washington. More from Quinnipiac:
Vice President Joseph Biden runs slightly better than former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton against leading Republican contenders in the 2016 presidential sweepstakes, and has the best favorability rating among top Republican and Democratic candidates, according to a Quinnipiac University National poll released today. Donald Trump leads the crowded Republican pack with 28 percent, up from 20 percent in a July 30 national survey by the independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University. This is the highest tally and widest margin for any Republican so far in this election. Ben Carson has 12 percent, with 7 percent each for former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida. No other Republican tops 6 percent and 11 percent are undecided. Trump also tops the "no way" list as 26 percent of Republican voters say they would definitely not support him. Bush is next with 18 percent. Clinton leads the Democratic field with 45 percent, down from 55 percent July 30, with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont at 22 percent and Biden at 18 percent. No other candidate tops 1 percent with 11 percent undecided. This is Sanders' highest tally and closest margin. Clinton tops the Democrats' "no way" list with 11 percent.
Biden rising, Clinton down, and a whole lot of love/hate for Trump. Sounds like business as usual. The people at Quinnipiac must have sensed that, because the second chunk of their data has proven a source of endless entertainment. Pollsters asked their sample to evaluate the field based on the first word that came to mind when they thought of a particular candidate. The three most common words used to describe Clinton? "Liar," "dishonest," and "untrustworthy." Also making appearances were "criminal," "crook," and the B-word: Poll Word Cloud Association Hillary Quinnipiac 8-27-2015

Posted by Amy Miller on August 26, 2015 17 Comments
James O'Keefe's Project Veritas has released the first in what they say is a series of videos exposing lawlessness within Hillary Clinton's campaign. O'Keefe has targeted leftist groups in the past over voter registration practices---and now, he has taken that fight directly to Clinton's grassroots operation. He claims that his undercover journalists have found Clinton operatives employing a cherry-picking method of registering new voters. Watch: From Time Magazine:

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.
Accessibility by WAH