Subject: FW: New DGA Video: ‘Discrimination Déjà Vu’
From: "Garcia, Walter" <[email-masked]>
To: Comm_D <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 21 Apr 2016 10:12:10 -0700

From: DGA Press [mailto:[email-masked]]
Sent: Thursday, April 21, 2016 1:08 PM
To: DGA Press
Subject: New DGA Video: ‘Discrimination Déjà Vu’

For Immediate Release:
April 21, 2016

Contact:
Jared Leopold, 202-772-5600

New DGA Video: ‘Discrimination Déjà Vu’

Video shows McCrory repeating Pence's failed playbook on anti-LGBT law

Today, the Democratic Governors Association released a new web video showcasing the eerie similarities between the crises caused by two Republican governors over their signing of sweeping anti-LGBT laws. The video, entitled "Discrimination Déjà Vu<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=399WxEBFNSE>" highlights Indiana Governor Mike Pence and North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory’s attempts to deny and explain away the economic damage they caused with these discriminatory laws.

Watch the video here<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=399WxEBFNSE>.

In 2015, Pence signed the anti-LGBT "Religious Freedom Restoration Act” in a “private ceremony<http://www.wthr.com/story/28621576/governor-pence-signs-religious-freedom-restoration-act>”, provoking a sharp backlash<http://www.indystar.com/story/news/2015/03/28/hundreds-in-indy-protest-rfra-law/70594058/> from citizens and businesses that led to job losses<http://www.indystar.com/story/money/2015/03/28/angies-list-canceling-eastside-expansion-rfra/70590738/> and a $60 million<http://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2016/01/25/official-rfra-cost-indy-up-12-conventions-and-60m/79328422/> loss to convention revenue. Faced with a PR crisis, Pence recited stale talking points about discrimination, lashed out<https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2015/03/31/whos-to-blame-for-the-indiana-religious-freedom-law-the-media-of-course/> at the media, and became a subject of late night TV jokes<http://www.wthr.com/story/28693857/david-letterman-skewers-mike-pence-on-late-show>.

In 2016, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory repeated the exact same playbook. A quick<http://abc11.com/news/mccrory-signs-bill-overturning-transgender-ordinance/1258961/> bill signing, rapid backlash<http://www.wcti12.com/news/Over-100-companies-now-voicing-opposition-to-HB2-law/38767774>, job losses<https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/lgbt/news/2016/04/13/135391/north-carolinas-discriminatory-h-b-2-threatens-more-than-half-billion-dollars-in-economic-activity/>, and a desperate attempt to blame the media<http://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/politics-columns-blogs/under-the-dome/article68657772.html> for a problem he created.

Pence’s approval ratings declined 17 points<http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/mike-pence-poll-numbers-indiana-religious-freedom-law-117048> after his bill, a drop described as “historic damage to his brand<http://kpcnews.com/columnists/brian_howey/kpcnews/article_2f16ea48-e458-11e4-bff9-97f804f74c6b.html>." McCrory’s approval rating has sunk<http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/elonpoll/041916_ElonPoll_FullReport.pdf> to a new low, with 37 percent approving and 49 percent disapproving. That marks an 8-point drop in net approval since Elon<http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/elonpoll/042815_ElonPollSummary.pdf>’<http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/elonpoll/042815_ElonPollSummary.pdf>s poll<http://www.elon.edu/docs/e-web/elonpoll/042815_ElonPollSummary.pdf> in April 2015.

Both Pence and McCrory are running for re-election in November.

“North Carolina’s 2016 economic crisis is like a rerun of Indiana in 2015,” said DGA Communications Director Jared Leopold. “Pat McCrory knew the damage he could cause to North Carolina’s economy, and chose to pursue his social agenda anyhow.

“It’s no wonder that Governors McCrory and Pence are 2016’s most endangered governors: Both followed the same failed playbook of sweeping discrimination laws, millions of dollars in economic damage and, when all else failed, blaming the media. After all the PR spin, Pence and McCrory will have to answer for the economic damage they’ve caused when they face voters this November.”

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