Subject: H4A News Clips 7.5.15
From: Alexandria Phillips <[email-masked]>
To: Alexandria Phillips <[email-masked]>
Date: Sun, 5 Jul 2015 07:58:03 -0400
List-Id: <HRCRapid.hillaryclinton.com>

*H4A News Clips*

*July 5, 2015*

*TODAY’S KEY
STORIES.....................................................................................
**5*

Hillary Clinton Reassures Gay Youth in Viral Facebook Photo // NYT // Liam
Stack – July 4, 2015                5

Hillary Clinton Accuses China of Hacking U.S. Computers // Reuters – July
4, 2015.................. 6

*SOCIAL
MEDIA.................................................................................................
**8*

Dan Merica (7/4/15, 6:43 AM) - Many ppl in Gorham seem genuinely impressed
HRC is traveling this far north for the 4th in NH, say they haven't had
many 2016 visits......................................................... 8

Bill Clinton (7/4/15, 9:24 AM) - 239 years later, the United States of
America is still in the future business. Happy Independence Day everyone!
#4thofjuly......................................................................
8

*HRC NATIONAL
COVERAGE.............................................................................
**8*

Protesters Challenge Hillary Clinton During Parade in New Hampshire // NYT
// Maggie Haberman – July 4,
2015......................................................................................................................................
8

Clinton, Bush struggle to shed dynasty labels during holiday parades in
N.H. // WaPo // Philip Rucker & Ed O’Keefe – July 4,
2015............................................................................................................
9

Clinton campaign gives new meaning to the term ‘rope line’ at New Hampshire
parade // WaPo // Vanessa Williams – July 4,
2015.........................................................................................................
12

Bernie and Hillary's holiday weekend // Politico // Annie Karni & Jonathan
Topaz – July 4, 2015 13

Clinton goes after a Bush in New Hampshire // CNN // Dan Merica – July 4,
2015................... 15

Clinton campaign corrals media // Dan Merica // CNN – July 4,
2015...................................... 17

Who Clinton was looking for in New Hampshire // CNN // Cassie Spodak – July
4, 2015........... 19

Clinton has strong words on Chinese hacking // CNN // Dan Merica & Mariano
Castillo – July 5, 2015         20

Hillary Clinton Reporters Kept Behind Moving Rope Line At New Hampshire
Parade // ABC News // Liz Kreutz – July 4,
2015.............................................................................................................
21

Clinton defends progressive record as campaigns hit Independence Day // The
Guardian // Jana Kasperkevic – July 4,
2015.......................................................................................................................
22

Hillary Clinton Says She Will Be Better Friend than Obama to Israel //
Jewish Press // Tzvi Ben-Gedalyahu – July 4,
2015..........................................................................................................................
24

From Clinton, a multi-generational message in N.H. // Boston Globe //
Monica Disare – July 4, 2015        25

Hillary Clinton Comments On Viral ‘Humans of New York’ Photo // TIME // Dan
Stewart – July 4, 2015    27

Hillary Clinton Has The Top Comment On This Heartbreaking “Humans Of New
York” Photo // Buzzfeed // David Mack – July 4,
2015....................................................................................................
28

Hillary Clinton accuses China of 'stealing US secrets' // BBC – July 4,
2015............................. 28

Union chief defends Hillary amid Bernie Sanders uprising // New York Post
// Geoff Earle – July 4, 2015  29

Clinton, Chafee celebrate Fourth of July in the Granite State // WMUR9 //
Kristen Carosa – July 4, 2015  30

Hillary Clinton tells supporters in Virginia that ‘love triumphed’ in gay
marriage // Sentinel Republic // Alan Binder – July 4,
2015............................................................................................................
30

Hillary Clinton shrugs off heckler while GOP candidates meet voters in New
Hampshire, Iowa for Fourth of July campaigning // NY Daily News // Dennis
Slattery – July 4, 2015..................................... 32

Clinton hears cheers and jeers // New Hampshire Union Leader // John Koziol
– July 4, 2015. 33

*OTHER DEMOCRATS NATIONAL
COVERAGE................................................. **34*

*DECLARED.................................................................................................
**34*

*O’MALLEY...............................................................................................
**34*

Sanders, O’Malley race to be the Clinton alternative // WaPo // John Wagner
– July 4, 2015... 34

Martin O’Malley finishes three-day tour in Clinton, Iowa // WQAD8 //
Caroline Reinwald – July 4, 2015  37

*SANDERS................................................................................................
**38*

Bernie Sanders Outpaces Martin O’Malley as Hillary Clinton Alternative //
WSJ // Peter Nicholas and Colleen Mccain Nelson - July 5,
2015.................................................................................................
38

Sanders snags key endorsement in New Hampshire // CNN // Cassie Spodak –
July 4, 2015.... 40

Bernie Sanders Gains on Clinton in Early-State Polls, Hits Iowa Patriotic
Parade Circuit // Slate // Beth Ethier – July 4,
2015.......................................................................................................................
41

Sanders encouraged by Iowa crowds, rising polls // Des Moines Register //
Kevin Hardy – July 4, 2015     42

‘Feel the Bern’: Activists spearhead Bernie Sanders social push // MSNBC //
Eric Levitz – July 4, 2015      44

Our Bernie Sanders moment: This July 4, remember only true independence and
revolution ever brings change // Salon // Patrick L. Smith – July 4,
2015.................................................................. 47

The Times Doctrine on Bernie Sanders // HuffPo // David Bromwich – July 4,
2015................. 51

Bernie Sanders Sets A 2016 Record By Drawing A Huge Overflow Crowd In Iowa
// Politicus // Jason Easley – July 4,
2015..........................................................................................................................
54

How Bernie Sanders threatens to derail Hillary’s coronation // NY Post //
Michael Goodwin – July 5,
2015............................................................................................................................................
55

*WEBB......................................................................................................
**58*

Jim Webb Announces Presidential Bid; Only Democratic Candidate Opposed To
Marriage Equality // On Top // Carlos Santoscoy – July 4,
2015.........................................................................................
58

*CHAFEE...................................................................................................
**59*

Chafee's campaign leaves some NH Democrats a bit puzzled // Miami Herald //
Michelle R. Smith – July 4,
2015.....................................................................................................................................
59

*UNDECLARED............................................................................................
**60*

*BIDEN......................................................................................................
**60*

The Joe Biden (mini-)boom // Pittsburgh Post-Gazette // David M. Shribman –
July 5, 2015.. 60

*GOP.................................................................................................................
**63*

*DECLARED.................................................................................................
**63*

*BUSH.......................................................................................................
**63*

Indignant Jeb Bush Says He Takes Donald Trump’s Remarks Personally // NYT
// Patrick Healy – July 4,
2015............................................................................................................................................
63

Bush: ‘Absolutely’ offended by Trump’s comments on Mexicans // WaPo // Ed
O’Keefe – July 4, 2015       64

Jeb Bush: Trump comments meant 'to draw attention' // CNN // Ashley
Killough – July 5, 2015 65

Jeb Bush’s Giving Totaled 1.5% of Income From 2007 to 2013 // The Bell Jar
– July 5, 2015..... 67

Jeb Bush, Married To Mexican, Denounces Donald Trump, Takes 'Ugly' Remarks
About Immigrants Personally // International Business Times // Elizabeth
Whitman – July 4, 2015.................... 68

Polls Show Jeb Bush In Good Standing To Win The GOP Nomination // Inquisitr
– July 5, 2015 69

*RUBIO......................................................................................................
**70*

Trump fires back at Rubio after ICE says suspected killer was deported 5
times // Washington Times // Kellan Howell – July 4,
2015...........................................................................................................
70

Trump hammers Rubio: ‘Zero credibility,’ ‘outright lies’ to sell amnesty //
Breitbart News // Matthew Boyle – July 4,
2015..........................................................................................................................
71

*PAUL........................................................................................................
**74*

Don’t dismiss Rand Paul’s tax plan // Dallas News // Scott Burns – July 4,
2015...................... 74

*CRUZ........................................................................................................
**76*

Ted Cruz: ‘Asinine’ to pull reruns of ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’ // WaPo //
Katie Zezima – July 4, 2015             76

GOP presidential candidate Cruz wasn’t always ‘Ted’ // Star-Telegram //
Maria Recio & Anna M. Tinsley – July 4,
2015.................................................................................................................................
77

Cruz defends Trump: ‘Washington cartel’ doesn’t want illegal immigration
debate // Washington Times // Kellan Howell – July 4,
2015.................................................................................................
79

Ted Cruz Calls For US To Quit UN Human Rights Council After Vote Condemning
Israel // International Business Times // Mark Hanrahan – July 4,
2015.................................................................. 80

Ted Cruz Is Right to Call for Retention Elections for the Supreme Court //
National Review //Andrrew C. McCarthy – July 4,
2015.......................................................................................................
80

*CHRISTIE................................................................................................
**83*

Christie slams Obama on Iran, hedges on breaking nuclear deal // Politico
// Ben Schreckinger – July 4,
2015...........................................................................................................................................
83

Christie Won’t Pledge to Undo Iran Deal // TIME // Zeke J Miller – July 4,
2015..................... 84

Christie makes nice on the trail in New Hampshire // USA Today // Bob
Jordan – July 4, 2015 85

Chris Christie: King of the 2016 long shots // Burlington County Times //
Jonathan Bernstein – July 4,
2015...........................................................................................................................................
87

Green Pressure Applied Against Christie on Cap and Trade as He Enters
Presidential Fray // The Blaze // Kevin Mooney – July 4,
2015................................................................................................
88

Christie campaign surges ahead on road to failure // Las Vegas Sun //
Jonathan Bernstein – July 4, 2015 91

In N.H., Christie says he’s ‘Telling It Like It Is’ // Boston Globe //
James Pindell – July 4, 2015 92

Here's Chris Christie's big problem in a nutshell // Business Insider //
Brett Logiurato – July 4, 2015        94

Christie enters the race: Swinging for the fence // North Jersey // Matthew
Hale – July 4, 2015 96

For Chris Christie, Freedom Means Nothing Left to Lose as New Jersey Voters
Want Him to Resign // Politicus // Sarah Jones – July 4,
2015................................................................................................
98

*PERRY.....................................................................................................
**99*

New Hampshire Republicans Not Ruling Perry Out // Texas Tribune // Abby
Livingston – July 4, 2015    99

Report: Perry Emerges as Trump's Biggest Critic Among GOP Rivals // Newsmax
// Todd Beamon – July 4,
2015...................................................................................................................................
101

*GRAHAM...............................................................................................
**102*

Republican presidential candidate Lindsey Graham has a stark warning for
the US // Business Insider // Maxwell Tani – July 4,
2015................................................................................................
102

Graham sees 'perfect storm' from terror // Union Leader // Dan Tuohy – July
4, 2015............ 103

*HUCKABEE...........................................................................................
**104*

Mike Huckabee Vows To Prosecute Attacks Against Gay Marriage Opponents As
Hate Crimes // On Top  - July 4,
2015...............................................................................................................................
104

*FIORINA................................................................................................
**105*

Lt. governor offers support to Fiorina // Journal Gazette // Niki Kelly &
Brian Francisco – July 5, 2015       105

*JINDAL..................................................................................................
**106*

Bobby Jindal: The son of immigrants and new champion of the
tough-on-immigrants crowd // WaPo // Janell Ross – July 4,
2015..............................................................................................................
106

Bobby Jindal expresses optimism about his future in Iowa // Des Moines
Register // Maya Kliger – July 4,
2015...................................................................................................................................
110

Jindal poses with gun at campaign stop, met with online mockery //
Statesman // July 4, 2015 111

Bobby Jindal’s former media director brands him ‘anti-gay’ and
‘destructive’ // Pink News // Nick Duffy – July 4,
2015................................................................................................................................
111

Bobby Jindal Sued Over Anti-Gay Executive Order // Edge Media Network //
John Reilly – July 4, 2015  112

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal governs via cellphone // The Advocate // Mark
Ballard & Marsha Shuler – July 4,
2015...................................................................................................................................
113

*TRUMP...................................................................................................
**116*

Mitt Romney Criticizes Donald Trump for Comments on Mexican Immigrants //
NYT // Maggie Haberman – July 4,
2015.........................................................................................................................
116

NASCAR is the latest brand to dump Donald Trump // AP // July 4,
2015.............................. 116

GOP worries about Donald Trump fallout // CNN // Chris Moody – July 4,
2015..................... 117

Trump stands by statements on Mexican illegal immigrants, surprised by
backlash // Fox News – July 4,
2015..........................................................................................................................................
119

Trump comes up top in 'poll of polls' of Republican voters - despite
growing backlash over his anti-immigrant comments // Daily Mail //
Christopher Brennan – July 4,
2015............................................. 120

Republicans cast into turmoil as Donald Trump rides the populist surge //
Telegraph // Philip Sherwell – July 5,
2015................................................................................................................................
121

Donald Trump Immigration: Panama Leaves Miss Universe Pageant, Protesting
Offensive Comments About Mexicans // International Business Times //
Elizabeth Whitman – July 4, 2015.................... 124

Fox Panelist Rips Trump: ‘Negotiate with Mexico? He Can’t Even Negotiate
with Macy’s!’ // Mediaite // Josh Feldman  - July 4,
2015.......................................................................................................
124

Donald Trump's contracts with the city protected under the First Amendment,
civil liberties lawyer says // New York Daily News // Erin Durkin & Celeste
Katz – July 4, 2015........................................ 125

Trump Says Comments on Mexicans Have Hurt Business // Bloomberg // Ben
Brody – July 4, 2015           127

*UNDECLARED...........................................................................................
**127*

*WALKER................................................................................................
**127*

Walker to drop open records restrictions in Wisconsin // The Hill // Mark
Hensch – July 4, 2015 127

To Celebrate the Fourth, Scott Walker's GOP Declares Secrecy // HuffPo //
Mary Bottari – July 4, 2015      128

Scott Walker, Republican leaders remove open records restrictions from
Wisconsin budget // The Capital Times // Jason Joyce – July 4,
2015.....................................................................................
132

Wisconsin Open Records Law: Gov Scott Walker, Likely 2016 Candidate,
Backtracks On Attempts To Limit Public Access To Records // International
Business Times  - Clark Mindock – July 4, 2015...... 133

Democrats underestimate Scott Walker at their own peril // Burlington
County Times // Gene Lyons – July 5,
2015...................................................................................................................................
134

Politics of immigration take root in Walker's hometown // Journal Sentinel
// Mary Spicuzza – July 5,
2015..........................................................................................................................................
136

*KASICH..................................................................................................
**142*

For Ohio Gov. John Kasich, "Win with Jeb and John" has a nice -- even
plausible – ring // Cleveland // Thomas Suddes – July 5,
2015.............................................................................................
142

Ohio education officials: Kasich vetoes likely mean less funding for some
school districts // Hudson Hub Times // Marc Kovac – July 5,
2015......................................................................................
143

*OTHER...................................................................................................
**145*

New Hampshire Voters Bemoan Size of G.O.P. Field // NYT // Patrick Healy &
Maggie Haberman – July 4,
2015...................................................................................................................................
145

Sleepover at Mitt's: Christie, Rubio bunk with Romney at N.H. retreat //
CNN // Cassie Spodak – July 4,
2015..........................................................................................................................................
148

ObamaCare win turns up heat on GOP presidential field // The Hill // Peter
Sullivan and Sarah Ferris – July 4,
2015...................................................................................................................................
149

The GOP’s pathetic crybaby agenda: Trump, Scalia and the whiny, paranoid
new face of the right // Salon // Bill Curry – July 5,
2015.......................................................................................................
152

*OTHER 2016
NEWS........................................................................................
**158*

Facing a Selfie Election, Presidential Hopefuls Grin and Bear It // NYT //
Jeremy W. Peters and & Ashley Parker – July 4,
2015...........................................................................................................
159

Voters are shifting to Democrats, flashing a warning for Republicans //
WaPo // Dan Balz -  July 4, 2015  161

Presidential candidates campaign in July Fourth parades // AP // Kathleen
Ronayne – July 4, 2015           164

Presidential hopefuls discuss patriotism on July 4th // Des Moines Register
– July 4, 2015.... 166

Candidates do holiday march through New Hampshire // USA Today // David
Jackson – July 4, 2015        171

*OPINIONS/EDITORIALS/BLOGS....................................................................
**172*

Wirthman: Hillary Clinton's everyday feminism // The Denver Post // Lisa
Wirthman – July 4, 2015          172

Editorial: Hillary Clinton’s emails erode transparency claim // The Des
Moines Register – July 4, 2015     175

Fair pay for hard work is not just happy talk // The Columbus Dispatch //
E.J. Dionne – July 5, 2015         175

Hillary Clinton takes the knocks but keeps on trucking // Sydney Morning
Herald // Annabel Crabb – July 4,
2015...................................................................................................................................
177

Emotional decisions and Hillary Clinton's presidential bid (Your letters)
// Syracuse // Max Malikow – July 4,
2015...................................................................................................................................
178

*TOP
NEWS.....................................................................................................
**179*

*DOMESTIC.................................................................................................
**179*

Gay rights activists in Philadelphia mark landmark march from 1965 // WaPo
// Natalie Pompilio – July 4,
2015...................................................................................................................................
179

Fatal shooting in San Francisco ignites immigration policy debate // LA
Times // Louis Sahagun and Emily Alpert Reyes – July 4,
2015.................................................................................................
180

*INTERNATIONAL.....................................................................................
**183*

Day of Reckoning for Greek Banks and Eurozone’s Central Banker // NYT //
Jacl Ewing & James Kanter – July 5,
2015...............................................................................................................................
183

Spurned by the West, Georgians look to Russia despite past quarrels // WaPo
// Michael Birnbaum – July 4,
2015...................................................................................................................................
186

Iran Nuclear Talks Appear to Advance as Deadline Nears // WSJ // Jay
Solomon & Laurence Norman – July 4,
2015...................................................................................................................................
188

*TODAY’S KEY STORIES*

*Hillary Clinton Reassures Gay Youth in Viral Facebook Photo
<http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/05/us/politics/hillary-clinton-reassures-gay-youth-in-viral-facebook-photo.html>
// NYT // Liam Stack – July 4, 2015*

Hillary Rodham Clinton offered moral support to a distraught gay youth who
shared his anxiety about his future in a viral photograph posted on the
Humans of New York Facebook page, telling him on Friday that it would be
“amazing.”

The boy, who is not named in the photo, is shown frowning and holding his
head in his hands while sitting on a stoop.

“I’m homosexual, and I’m afraid about what my future will be and that
people won’t like me,” he said, according to the caption.

Two hours after the picture was posted, Mrs. Clinton typed out some words
of encouragement and signed her comment “H,” indicating that it was written
by her and not by a member of her staff.

“Prediction from a grown-up: Your future is going to be amazing,” she
wrote. “You will surprise yourself with what you’re capable of and the
incredible things you go on to do. Find the people who love and believe in
you — there will be lots of them.”

Kristina Schake, Clinton’s deputy communications director, took a screen
shot of the comment and shared it on Twitter shortly after it was written.

Humans of New York is no stranger to viral content. Its posts, often
showcasing the quirkier side of life in New York City, have been viewed
millions of times and have inspired imitators in cities and countries
around the world, including Syria; Mumbai, India; and Tehran.

But the nature of Friday’s post — a young gay person who appeared little
more than a child, and Mrs. Clinton’s comforting response — gave it a
lightning-in-a-bottle charge that helped it spread rapidly. Within 24
hours, it had been liked by more than 530,000 people and shared over 47,000
times, with more than 33,000 people scrolling through the comment thread to
like Mrs. Clinton’s response.

Mrs. Clinton has made support for gay people one of the cornerstones of her
presidential campaign. Two days before the Supreme Court ruled last month
that same-sex marriage is a constitutional right, her campaign released a
video that featured a montage of same-sex weddings.

“Some have suggested that gay rights and human rights are separate and
distinct, but in fact, they are one and the same,” she said in the video.
“Being L.G.B.T. does not make you less human.”

Gay rights organizations scored a major victory with the Supreme Court
decision on same-sex marriage, but significant challenges remain, they say.
Discrimination is still an issue, and many young people face isolation and
hostility from their families and communities.

According to the Trevor Project, a suicide prevention organization,
lesbian, gay and bisexual young people are four times more likely than
their straight peers to attempt suicide, and roughly a quarter of
transgender youth report having made at least one suicide attempt.

*Hillary Clinton Accuses China of Hacking U.S. Computers
<http://www.newsweek.com/hillary-clinton-accuses-china-hacking-us-computers-350272>
// Reuters – July 4, 2015*

GLEN, N.H. (Reuters) - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary
Clinton accused China on Saturday of stealing commercial secrets and "huge
amounts of government information," and of trying to "hack into everything
that doesn't move in America."

Clinton's language on China appeared to be far stronger than that usually
used by President Barack Obama's Democratic administration.

Speaking at a campaign event in New Hampshire, Clinton said she wanted to
see China's peaceful rise.

"But we also have to be fully vigilant, China's military is growing very
quickly, they're establishing military installations that again threaten
countries we have treaties with, like the Philippines because they are
building on contested property," said Clinton, who was secretary of state
from 2009 to 2013.

"They're also trying to hack into everything that doesn't move in America.
Stealing commercial secrets ... from defense contractors, stealing huge
amounts of government information, all looking for an advantage," she said.

Clinton is the front-runner to win the Democratic nomination for the
November 2016 presidential election.

Asked about the remarks, a White House official declined to comment.

In the most recent case involving suspicions of Chinese hacking, Obama
administration officials have said China is the top suspect in the massive
hacking of a U.S. government agency that compromised the personnel records
of at least 4.2 million current and former government workers.

China has denied hacking into the computers of the U.S. Office of Personnel
Management.

IRAN AND PUTIN

Clinton also addressed the current talks over Iran's nuclear program and
had strong words for Tehran.

She said that even if a deal is reached with Iran, Tehran's "aggressiveness
will not end" and it will remain a principal state sponsor of terrorism.

Clinton said she hoped that "a strong verifiable deal" would be reached at
talks in Vienna between world powers and Iran.

But she added that even with an agreement, "They will continue to be the
principal state sponsor of terrorism. They will continue to destabilize
governments in the region and beyond. They will continue to use their
proxies like Hezbollah. And they will continue to be an existential threat
to Israel."

The United States, other world powers and Iran have set a July 7 deadline
to reach a deal to curb Tehran's nuclear program in exchange for a lifting
of sanctions that have crippled Iran's economy.

At the campaign event, Clinton also said the United States has to be "much
smarter" about how it deals with Russian President Vladimir Putin's
territorial ambitions.

She said Putin's moves to expand Russia's boundaries, such as the
annexation of Crimea last year, posed a challenge for the United States but
she touted her experience as America's chief diplomat.

She noted that because of NATO members' agreement to protect fellow
members, had Ukraine been a member of NATO when Crimea was annexed, "that
would have caused us to have to respond."

She added on Putin: "I've dealt with him. I know him. He's not an easy man
... But I don't think there is any substitute other than constant
engagement."

*SOCIAL MEDIA*

*Dan Merica (7/4/15, 6:43 AM)*
<https://twitter.com/danmericaCNN/status/617327821573214208>* - Many ppl in
Gorham seem genuinely impressed HRC is traveling this far north for the 4th
in NH, say they haven't had many 2016 visits.*

*Bill Clinton (7/4/15, 9:24 AM)*
<https://twitter.com/billclinton/status/617323052771221504>* - 239 years
later, the United States of America is still in the future business. Happy
Independence Day everyone! #4thofjuly*

*HRC** NATIONAL COVERAGE*

*Protesters Challenge Hillary Clinton During Parade in New Hampshire
<http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/07/04/protesters-challenge-clinton-during-parade-in-new-hampshire/>
// NYT // Maggie Haberman – July 4, 2015*

Hillary Rodham Clinton made her first visit of the campaign to northern New
Hampshire on Saturday, marching in a Fourth of July parade alongside dozens
of her supporters and, for the first time since she became a candidate,
being met by a handful of persistent protesters.

Mrs. Clinton walked in front of a large sign with her campaign logo at the
parade in Gorham, N.H., and a group of supporters chanted her name as they
walked along. People along the sidewalks called out “Hillary!” to her on
Main Street, urging her to shake their hands.

But there was other chanting as well, from a tall man on the sidelines who
carried a sign that read “Benghazi” with red paint stains on it.

“Carpetbagger!” he called out repeatedly, a charge leveled against Mrs.
Clinton when she first ran for the Senate in 2000 (and not used much
since). He was joined by a half-dozen other protesters who followed her
along the route in the working-class area, trying repeatedly to get her
attention.

“Where were you at 3 o’clock in the morning when the phone rang!” the man
yelled. “Tell us about when you were poor!”

A handful of Clinton volunteers eventually drifted toward the sidewalks,
chanting her name in an effort to drown the protesters out. Mrs. Clinton
never acknowledged them, as she took pictures with a group of beauty queens
and stopped to talk to a wounded Marine, injured in Iraq, who was in a
wheelchair and could not communicate.

“He can understand everything you say to him,” Nellie Bagli said of her
40-year-old son, Jose, who was seriously wounded in March 2006.

“I can see that in his eyes,” Mrs. Clinton said.

Ms. Bagli told reporters she lives in Florida and that the cooler climate
of New Hampshire benefits her son’s health. She is unsure of whether she
will support Mrs. Clinton, she said, adding that after what her son had
gone through, “it’s hard to believe” what politicians say.

Mrs. Clinton’s aides, in what they said was an effort to allow voters to
reach her freely without her being surrounded by a mass of reporters, kept
the dozen journalists covering the event behind a length of rope carried by
two campaign aides.

When the parade ended, Mrs. Clinton held up her hands in a shrug when asked
whether the protesters were jarring.

At another point, she was asked the same question and said, “I’m just
having a good time meeting everybody.”

Aides said they selected the location for Mrs. Clinton’s Fourth of July
event because she had not visited the region yet during the campaign, and
other parades were in parts of the state she had traveled to already.

Later, Mrs. Clinton made an unscheduled stop to the Northland Dairy Bar in
nearby Berlin, which was fairly empty. She chatted with the patrons there,
before heading toward a corner table. There were slices of pie waiting for
her.

“O.K., you guys are not gonna film me eating,” Mrs. Clinton said, laughing,
as she urged the reporters who were there to move on. “This is not
newsworthy. Take a picture of me standing here in front of these great pies
by myself. It’s a headline! It’s a headline.”

*Clinton, Bush struggle to shed dynasty labels during holiday parades in
N.H.
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/clinton-and-bush-struggle-to-shed-dynasty-labels-in-nh-parades/2015/07/04/93173942-2285-11e5-84d5-eb37ee8eaa61_story.html>
// WaPo // Philip Rucker & Ed O’Keefe – July 4, 2015*

GORHAM, N.H. — For Hillary Rodham Clinton, walking in Saturday’s Fourth of
July parade in this mountain hamlet was supposed to showcase the
sometimes-stiff candidate as accessible and in touch with the people — a
champion for everyday Americans, as the Democratic presidential
front-runner likes to put it.

But the image Clinton projected during this rare glimpse as a candidate
away from the podium seemed to reinforce how very different she is from the
voters she was courting. She marched briskly down Main Street in a cocoon
of campaign staffers and Secret Service agents. Hecklers followed her,
shouting epithets. The former secretary of state enthusiastically shook
hands and exchanged pleasantries with supporters — “Good to see you!” “I
need your vote.” “Let’s make it happen!” — but only occasionally slowed
down to chat, such as when aides directed her to a Marine Corps veteran in
a wheelchair.

The media, meanwhile, was kept at a distance and mostly out of earshot of
Clinton’s interactions in this rural, working-class community. A few
minutes into the parade, her aides unfurled a long rope across the street
to physically block journalists from getting too close to the candidate.

“It feels like a coronation, doesn’t it?” one man shouted. “God bless the
queen!”

Clinton, smiling in a red-white-and-blue pantsuit and navy Salvatore
Ferragamo patent leather flats, pretended not to hear him and remarked, “I
actually love parades.”

At another parade at the other end of New Hampshire, another dynasty
candidate also tried to shake impressions of being aloof.

Jeb Bush has been laboring to rid himself of the burdens of his family’s
political legacy. But as the former Republican governor of Florida walked
the parade route in Amherst, it became clear how difficult it would be for
voters to distinguish him from his father and brother, both former
presidents.

A few people accidentally called him George. One man wore a red T-shirt
that said, “Bush Hat Trick,” a reference to when hockey players score three
goals in a game. “Where did you get that shirt?” Bush asked begrudgingly.
When an older woman said, “I love your mother,” the candidate replied, “I
love her, too!”

Others had different opinions.

“No more Bushes!” one woman shouted at the candidate. “No more Bushes!”

Marching in Independence Day parades is a time-honored political tradition
in New Hampshire, which hosts the first presidential primary. With seven
months until the primary, candidates fanned out across the state Saturday
to walk with their supporters carrying signs, balloons or other insignia —
and to win over new fans.

In Wolfeboro, a picturesque tourist town on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Jersey
Gov. Chris Christie (R) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) marched in the
morning parade. Both candidates, as well as their families, had spent the
night at the home of Wolfeboro’s most famous part-time resident: Mitt
Romney, the 2012 Republican nominee. The three politicians were spotted
getting ice cream together at Bailey’s Bubble on Friday night.

Former Texas governor Rick Perry (R), Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (R-S.C.) and
former Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee (D) also marched in the Amherst
parade with Bush. Other candidates had contingents if they, themselves,
couldn’t participate. One of the biggest draws there was a blue school bus,
powered by vegetable oil, to promote the candidacy of Sen. Bernie Sanders
(I-Vt.). Riding aboard the bus were two chickens, Clucky and Chucky.

Bush’s group was relatively subdued. Sporting chinos and a button-down
shirt, Bush walked with about 30 campaign volunteers. Their big attraction
was a 1961 silver Corvette with red leather interior, driven by state Sen.
Russell Prescott.

“I’m carrying water for Jeb Bush,” Prescott said. He literally was: A case
of bottled water was on the floor of the car next to him. As the parade
began, an EMT worker instructed Bush: “Keep everybody hydrated. I don’t
want to have to work today.”

Bush was joined by son George P., the Texas land commissioner, and Bush’s
daughter, Noelle, who rarely appears publicly with her father. Unlike her
more gregarious brother, who kept near his father, she trailed behind,
blending in with the crowd and handing out stickers.

Bush hustled on the parade route, darting back and forth across the street,
seemingly determined to shake every hand on both sides. It was an
impossible feat, of course, and quickly slowed down the parade. At one
point, a parade marshal, Paula Schmida, asked Bush adviser Rich Killion to
get the candidate to pick up the pace.

Like Clinton, Bush was confronted by aggressive activists, some of whom
wore orange T-shirts and sunglasses furnished by NextGen Climate, the group
funded by billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer.

One young woman handed Bush a small cup with a slushy treat, telling him
that it represented a warming planet.

“Oh, yeah? I already got one of those,” Bush told her.

“Our second one today,” Killion said as he took the treat from Bush and
nudged the woman back.

When another woman haggled over climate change with Bush, the candidate,
clearly aggravated, told her to “chill out!”

In Gorham, Clinton was joined on the parade route by a few dozen
supporters. They carried a big banner and signs with her H campaign logo
and chanted “H-I-L-L-A-R-Y!”

But one man followed closely at Clinton’s side with a very different
message: “Benghazi,” read the homemade sign, with what looked like red
blood dripping from the letters. He screamed at her about the Sept. 11,
2012, terrorist attacks in Libya and her book-tour gaffe last year that she
and former president Bill Clinton had been “dead broke.”

“Where were you when the phone rang at 3 a.m. on September 11th?” he asked.
“Tell us about when you were poor,” he demanded.

Across the way, a man on a bicycle shouted at Clinton: “What about
Benghazi? What about the e-mails? You’re a liar!” One Clinton aide,
noticing the man’s spandex biking outfit, shot back, “Nice shorts.”

Clinton did not seem fazed by the hecklers. Asked at the end how the parade
went, she said, “It was fabulous!”

But by this point, the Clinton campaign’s rope line barring journalists had
lighted up Twitter. Within about an hour, Jennifer Horn, chairman of the
New Hampshire Republican State Committee, was out with a statement calling
the rope “a sad joke” and condemning Clinton for “arrogant and shameful
behavior.”

“Hillary Clinton continues to demonstrate her obvious contempt and disdain
for the Granite State’s style of grass-roots campaigning,” Horn said.

At day’s end, Clinton visited a diner-style restaurant in nearby Berlin to
mix and mingle. “How are the fries?” she asked a woman and her two
children, sliding into the booth to join them for a moment.

Clinton then headed to an empty table, where two slices of pie (blueberry
and raspberry) awaited her. Reporters followed.

“Okay, you guys are not gonna film me eating,” she said, sitting down with
aides Huma Abedin, Kristina Schake and Mike Vlacich.

When one reporter asked her about Donald Trump, Clinton demurred.

“You know,” she said, “I’m gonna sit down and have some pie.”

*Clinton campaign gives new meaning to the term ‘rope line’ at New
Hampshire parade
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/07/04/clinton-campaign-gives-new-meaning-to-the-term-rope-line-at-new-hampshire-parade/>
// WaPo // Vanessa Williams – July 4, 2015*

It wasn't like A-list celebrities or pro ballers were being hounded by the
paparazzi at Saturday's Independence Day parade in Gorham, N.H. It was just
Hillary Clinton and the workaday press corps that regularly follows her
around.

So why did the Democratic presidential candidate’s campaign see fit to put
up a rope line to keep reporters and photographers at bay while Clinton
shook hands and greeted voters during an afternoon procession up Main
Street?

Our colleague Philip Rucker reports that initially the press had been able
to get close to Clinton and observe and listen as she chatted up voters.
Then he said campaign aides unfurled a rope that stretched across the
street, blocking access to the candidate. Rucker said they were kept 10 to
15 feet away from Clinton and could no longer hear what she was saying to
people.

But the press could clearly hear what some people were saying to her. A
group of protesters followed her along the route shouting such sentiments
as "What about Benghazi?" and "Show us your e-mails!"

The conservative news site Twitchy was clearly enjoying the spectacle.

The New Hampshire Republican Party denounced "the use of a rope line to
protect the arrogant Democrat frontrunner on a public street."

“Hillary Clinton continues to demonstrate her obvious contempt and disdain
for the Granite State’s style of grassroots campaigning," Jennifer Horn,
chairman of the state GOP, said in a statement. "The use of a rope line at
a New Hampshire parade is a sad joke and insults the traditions of our
First-in-the-Nation primary."

Clinton herself was quite pleased with the event:

Liz Kreutz @ABCLiz

Hillary Clinton to @PhilipRucker on how she enjoyed the parade: "It was
fabulous!"

*Bernie and Hillary's holiday weekend
<http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/bernie-and-hillarys-holiday-weekend-119732.html>
// Politico // Annie Karni & Jonathan Topaz – July 4, 2015*

GORHAM, N.H. — Hillary Clinton trekked to this small town in the White
Mountains Saturday to march in a low-key Fourth of July parade, where she
was trailed by a vocal heckler and surrounded by so many cameras that her
aides employed a rope to corral the press.

After about 25 minutes of marching at a brisk pace and shaking hands with
locals, Clinton headed to a diner where she chatted about policy issues
with a handful of late lunchers, and then sat down to eat pie alone with a
few of her senior staffers. It was the second leg of her two-day Granite
State tour — on Friday she spoke at a campaign cookout that attracted about
850 people in the liberal enclave of Hanover, vowing: “I take a backseat to
no one when you look at my record in standing up and fighting for
progressive values.”

Meanwhile, Clinton’s main Democratic rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders,
spent the holiday weekend campaigning in Iowa, where a crowd of about 2,500
people overflowed a Friday evening rally in Council Bluffs. On Saturday,
riding high off the energy of the crowd, he marched in two parades, in
Creston and Waukee, a Republican-leaning suburb of Des Moines, where the
crowd yelled for him: “We love you Bernie, yes we do!”

With seven months to go before the first caucuses in the country, the
split-screen appearances offered telling clues to the state of the race
between the Democratic front-runner and her insurgent rival on the left.
Clinton’s events and appearances are modest and controlled, marked by
caution and distance. Despite a double-digit lead over Sanders, she’s still
seeking to establish her credentials to her skeptics on the left.

For his part, Sanders is feeding off a wave of liberal enthusiasm and
plowing forward with populist grit. He’s embracing his surging underdog
role — and the media attention and crowds accompanying it.

Clinton’s van arrived in Gorham just before 2 p.m., when she greeted local
elected officials and a union leader inside a pizza parlor. Earlier in the
day, she spoke at a grassroots campaign organizing event outside of
Bartlett, N.H., which drew about 100 people at the private home of a
supporter.

The parade route — just under a mile along the town’s Main Street, dotted
with Clinton campaign posters — was complicated by a persistent heckler who
trailed Clinton waving a poster that read “Benghazi,” and yelling out
taunts at the candidate (“Carpetbagger!” “Where were you at 3 in the
morning when the phone rang!” “Tell us when you were poor!”). Clinton wore
a grin-and-bear-it smile as she continued shaking hands. “I’m just having a
good time meeting everybody,” she shrugged when asked by reporters about
the disruption.

To further complicate matters, Clinton’s advance team, worried a swarm of
over a dozen reporters and cameras were blocking the former secretary of
state from seeing the locals along the route, herded the press away from
the candidate with the unsightly aid of a rope line. Photographs of
reporters being physically dragged along by campaign staffers only
bolstered the image of Clinton as press-averse. Republicans pounced on the
photographs. “Today, Republican presidential candidates marched in parades
across New Hampshire that were open to the public without obstruction from
their staff,” New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Jennifer
Horn said in a statement.

Despite the disruptions, Clinton managed to interact with a few
parade-goers. She stopped to chat with a veteran after an aide pointed her
toward Nellie Bagli, who was watching the parade with her disabled son,
Jose, 40, a Marine who has been in a wheelchair since being injured by a
grenade in Iraq in 2006.

“Thank you for your sacrifice,” Clinton told them, with emotion in her
voice. “I’ll be thinking of you.” She told Bagli that the holiday was all
about people like her son. But Bagli shrugged off the interaction with
Clinton. “I’m not sure yet,” she said of who she plans to vote for.
Pointing to her son, she said: “I lost a lot here. By losing that much,
it’s hard to believe a lot.”

Clinton did not take any questions from the press, but told a gaggle of
reporters as she headed for the diner: “I love parades, I love walking in
parades. We got such a great response, a lot of enthusiasm and energy to
celebrate the Fourth of July.”

At her third stop of the day, at Northland Restaurant & Dairy Bar, Clinton
spoke with about eight diners before settling into a corner table with two
top campaign aides and her state director, Mike Vlacich, in front of thick
slices of blueberry and raspberry pie. She refused to answer a question
about Donald Trump. “You know, I’m gonna sit down and have some pie,” she
said, as a swarm of reporters was ushered out of the restaurant.

Roughly 1,500 miles away, in central Iowa, Sanders headed into the holiday
weekend with the wind at his back, and his poll numbers showing him up to
33 percent in the Hawkeye State. On Wednesday night, he hosted by far the
biggest rally of the presidential cycle, attracting roughly 10,000 people
at a raucous rally in Madison, Wisconsin. At the Friday rally in Council
Bluffs, campaign officials passed out envelopes for campaign contributions
and signed up volunteers.

“They cheered when he called for raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour,”
said a spokesman, in an ebullient statement released Friday evening touting
“the biggest Iowa crowd so far for any presidential candidate.” “They
applauded when he said it’s time to break up the big banks on Wall Street.
They shouted approval when he credited Pope Francis for his call for bold
action to prevent catastrophic climate change. They rose to their feet when
he said the United States should join every other major country and provide
health care as a right of citizenship.”

Sanders received another boost Friday — an endorsement from Larry Cohen,
who recently stepped down as president of the Communications Workers of
America. “This is not a close call,” Cohen said at a press conference at a
Council Bluffs union hall. “This is a guy who for his entire life has been
there for working people.”

Members of several other unions — including the International Brotherhood
of Electrical Workers and the International Association of Firefighters —
also attended the event. Organized labor has been a core constituency for
Sanders during his time in the Senate, and in a sign of his increasing
traction, AFL-CIO chief Richard Trumka sent a memo this week to state,
central and area divisions of the labor federation reminding them that its
bylaws don’t permit them to “endorse a presidential candidate” or
“introduce, consider, debate, or pass resolutions or statements that
indicate a preference for one candidate over another.”

Pete D’Alessandro, Sanders’ Iowa director, said Sanders’ trip showed his
appeal throughout the state, and not just in liberal bastions like Iowa
City. “This isn’t some regional campaign. The message is resonating
everywhere,” he said. The campaign will have 30-35 people on the ground in
Iowa by the end of the month and has a goal for 75-100 people by caucus
night next year, D’Alessandro said. Clinton is scheduled to make her fourth
visit to Iowa on Tuesday.

Her campaign, meanwhile, shrugged off the rope line drama with humor and
said the day went according to plan. “While the GOP may want to spin a good
yarn on this, let’s not get tied up in knots,” spokesman Nick Merrill said
in a statement. “We wanted to accommodate the press, allow her to greet
voters, and allow the press to be right there in the parade with her as
opposed to preset locations. And that’s what we did.”

*Clinton goes after a Bush in New Hampshire
<http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/03/politics/hillary-clinton-george-bush-new-hampshire/>
// CNN // Dan Merica – July 4, 2015*

Hanover, New Hampshire – Hillary Clinton went after a member of the Bush
family on Friday in New Hampshire. Just not the one who is running for
President.

Instead, Clinton subtly knocked -- but did not name -- George W. Bush twice
in a speech where she portrayed herself as a progressive fighter.

"If you look at the evidence, at the end of Bill Clinton's two terms, we
had the longest peacetime expansion in American history with 22 million new
jobs, a balanced budget and a surplus that would have paid off our national
debt if it had not been rudely interrupted by the next administration,"
Clinton said to loud applause from the assembled Dartmouth College students
and local Democrats.

Clinton argued that "there is just a pattern" in which a Republican
President wrecks the economy and it is left to the succeeding Democratic
President to fix it. As her proof, Clinton pointed to both her husband and
President Barack Obama, who she argued does not get enough credit for his
response to the recession when he took office 2009.

"There is just a pattern here where the other side keeps using the same old
tired, failed policies. They don't work," Clinton said. "And then
Democratic presidents have to come in and fix what was broken."

And as a pitch for herself, Clinton said, "So lets break that and have a
Democratic President to continue the policies that actually work for the
vast majority of Americans."

Clinton's visit to New Hampshire for the Fourth of July holiday is her
fourth to the first-in-the-nation primary state since she launched her
campaign in April. To date, the campaign has focused on small events and
organizing, something Clinton's aides hope will pay off at primary time in
January 2016.

At Friday's event, Clinton delivered her standard stump speech to a crowd
of around 850, the campaign said.

"We have to take on the gun lobby one more time," Clinton said in a pitch
for gun control. "At the very least, we need to keep guns out of the hands
of domestic abusers, people with serious mental challenges, terrorists, all
of whom now are perfectly free to go and find a gun somewhere. This is a
controversial issue, I am well aware of that. But I think it is the height
of irresponsibility not to talk about it. So I will talk about it."

Clinton spoke at length about how difficult the presidency is, calling it
the "hardest job in the world," but one she knows she wants.

After the speech, Clinton and her staff headed to Dairy Twirl, a small
local ice cream shop in Lebanon, the town over from Hanover.

"It's Fourth of July. You've got to get some ice cream," she said, getting
out of her van.

After ordering for herself, Clinton turned to the press and offered to buy.

"Would you guys like some ice cream?" Clinton asked the dozen or so
reporters with her. "Those of you have traveled to the Upper Valley in
pursuit of presidential politics. How about it? I'm paying. I'll buy if
anybody wants it."

Instead of ice cream orders, though, Clinton was asked about Bernie
Sanders, her Democratic challenger who has been surging lately, and why she
hasn't drawn sizable crowds like the Independent Vermont senator.

"We each run our own campaigns, and I always knew this was going to be
competitive," she said. "I want to have a great debate in the primary and
caucus around the country and that is what I am looking forward to."

Earlier this week, Sanders was greeted by 9,600 people at an event in
Madison, Wisconsin. Although crowd size does not equal electoral success,
the Sanders campaign argues it shows excitement around their candidate and
a lack of enthusiasm for Clinton.

The largest event Clinton has held so far was her campaign kickoff rally on
New York's Roosevelt Island last month, where a few thousand people
attended.

After taking two more questions, Clinton's ice cream appeared in the window.

"Is that for me?" she said at the size of the scoops. "Holy schmoley."

Clinton then shook a few more hands, met the owners of the shop and hopped
into her van, headed for a fundraiser at the Holderness, New Hampshire home
of Meg and Gary Hirshberg, the owners of the Stonyfield Farm organic yogurt
company.

Clinton will celebrate the Fourth of July in Gorham, New Hampshire, where
she will walk in their holiday parade.

*Clinton campaign corrals media
<http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/04/politics/hillary-clinton-rope-line-reporters/index.html>
// Dan Merica // CNN – July 4, 2015*

Gorham, New Hampshire (CNN)Hillary Clinton's campaign used a rope to keep
journalists away from the candidate on Saturday while she walked in this
small town's July Fourth parade.

The ensuing photos of journalists, including a CNN reporter, being somewhat
dragged by a thin white rope as Clinton walked down Main Street caught fire
online.

Initially, Clinton's campaign was not using a rope to corral the press,
allowing journalists to get close to her and ask her questions.

But campaign aides said they brought the rope out because they feared the
press scrum of around a dozen reporters and photojournalists would obstruct
the view of New Hampshire voters attending the parade.

The rope was held by two of Clinton's advance staffers, who at times walked
ahead of reporters, seemingly pulling them along the parade route.

"You guys, we are going to do 10 yards and a little more organized," said
one of the advance staffers after breaking out the rope.

In explaining why they were using the rope, the staffer said, "so maybe a
voter could see her, that kind of thing."

Clinton's Secret Service detail also urged journalists to abide by the
mobile rope line.

"You are not going fast enough," one agent said when the rope tightened
around a reporter's waist.

Since the campaign launched in April, Clinton's aides have tried to improve
typically tense relations between the Clintons and the press, at times
calling for a reset with reporters covering Clinton.

While the circus aspect of the event at times overshadowed Clinton's time
at the parade, the candidate did glad-hand with many supporters and New
Hampshire voters. At one point, she spoke with a wheelchair-bound Marine
and his mother. The Iraq War veteran, who had a Marines blanket draped
across most of his body, was injured by a grenade attack in March 2006.

Clinton walked away from the conversation somewhat shaken. "Whoa," she said
when CNN asked her about the interaction.

But in addition to the corralled media and New Hampshire voters excited to
see the presidential candidate, Clinton was followed by one vocal protester
with a sign that read, "Benghazi." The older man, whose sign had fake blood
spattered on it, continually shouted at the former secretary of state.

"Hillary, where were you at 3 a.m. when the phone rang on September 11?" he
yelled, referring to the 2012 terrorist attack in Benghazi that left four
Americans dead. He also yelled "carpetbagger," a reference to her 2000
Senate race in New York, and "Tell us when you were poor," a reference to a
2014 comment about being "dead broke" when she and former President Bill
Clinton left the White House in 2001.

As the protester continued to follow Clinton, volunteers from the campaign
followed him, chanting "Hillary, Hillary, Hillary."

Clinton was asked about the protesters, to which she responded, "I am just
having a good time meeting everybody."

Clinton rarely comes in such close contact with protesters. Although there
are regularly protesters outside her events, few ever get within shouting
distance of her, let alone close enough to get her attention like the man.

A Clinton spokesperson told CNN called the rope a "soft barrier" that was
necessary because the media mass around the candidate was making it
"impossible" for her to talk to people.

One camera operator backpedaled into a toddler, the Clinton spokesperson
said, and the rope made it possible for the parade to move smoothly.

But the Clinton campaign's use of a mobile rope line was catnip for
Republicans, who seized on the issue.

"We all knew Hillary Clinton was desperate to avoid the media after months
of controversy, but employing a moving rope line takes ducking reporters to
absurd new heights," said Michael Short, a spokesman for the Republican
National Committee. "Clearly the Fourth of July for Hillary Clinton means
independence from answering tough questions."

The New Hampshire Republican Party took note.

"Clinton continues to demonstrate her obvious contempt and disdain for the
Granite State's style of grassroots campaigning. The use of a rope line at
a New Hampshire parade is a sad joke and insults the traditions of our
First-in-the-Nation primary," New Hampshire Republican State Committee
Chairman Jennifer Horn said in a statement.

But the Clinton campaign fired back.

"While the GOP may want to spin a good yarn on this, let's not get tied up
in knots," said Nick Merrill, the campaign's traveling press secretary. "We
wanted to accommodate the press, allow her to greet voters, and allow the
press to be right there in the parade with her as opposed to preset
locations. And that's what we did."

*Who Clinton was looking for in New Hampshire
<http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/04/politics/hillary-clinton-boy-new-hampshire/>
// CNN // Cassie Spodak – July 4, 2015*

Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (CNN)Hillary Clinton shook hands with countless
supporters this weekend.

But there was one backer she recognized in particular when she made her
fourth visit to New Hampshire as a presidential candidate: 9-year-old Ollie
Olsen.

In June, Clinton held a rally outside Concord, New Hampshire, and signed a
number of souvenirs supporters had left for her, one of which was a note
Ollie wrote excusing him from school that day.

Ollie didn't realize she had signed it until the campaign tweeted out a
picture, and he didn't get to meet the Democratic presidential hopeful.

But at Friday's grassroots event in Hanover, Ollie told CNN that Clinton
came right up to him and said, "You're Ollie!"

"She said, 'You're the boy from the note,' and she noticed my grandma was a
really good tennis player," he said.

Ollie was there with his mom Sarah, her boyfriend and her parents, and said
they have no idea how she knew Sarah's mother, Lee, was a tennis player.

"I'm sure she was briefed, but that was really cute and just made us feel
very special, even when she was about to go on stage in front of all these
people she just made us feel very important," Sarah Olsen told CNN.

Ollie and Clinton didn't talk for long, but they did take a picture with
the note.

Ollie plans to campaign for Clinton this fall and said he's excited that
Hillary Clinton could be the first woman president.

"It would be important because she would be the first woman president and
that would be a lot of education for other kids learning Hillary Clinton
was the first woman president," he told CNN. "It would be, like, as big as
Abraham Lincoln."

For Sarah Olsen, the meeting is an important part of Ollie's education as a
future New Hampshire voter.

"We want Ollie to go to all the different events and see Republicans and
see Bernie Sanders and just kind of experience it and be able to make up
his own mind for what he wants," she told CNN. "None of his friends know
anything about politics. Granted, they're only 9, they don't vote for a
while. They just completely don't understand why are all these people
coming to New Hampshire, why this is so important."

*Clinton has strong words on Chinese hacking
<http://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/04/politics/clinton-china-hacking/> // CNN
// Dan Merica & Mariano Castillo – July 5, 2015*

(CNN)Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton unleashed some of
the strongest words to date about China's hacking of U.S. computers.

China is "trying to hack into everything that doesn't move" in the United
States, Clinton said, accusing the Chinese of stealing information from
both businesses and government agencies.

China is suspected of the recent theft of the personal data of about 18
million current, former and prospective federal employees who were affected
by a cyber breach at the Office of Personnel Management.

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told an intelligence
conference last month that the Chinese are "the leading suspect" in the
massive hack of the OPM.

"They're also trying to hack into everything that doesn't move in America,"
Clinton said at a campaign event in Glen, New Hampshire. "Stealing
commercial secrets, blueprints from defense contractors, stealing huge
amounts of government information. All looking for an advantage."

Clinton said America's response to China's rise will determine much of the
future for the United States and the world.

"I want to see a peaceful rise for China," Clinton said. "I worked very
hard on that as secretary of state, I will continue to do so. But we also
have to be fully vigilant that China's military is growing very quickly and
they are establishing military installations that again threaten countries
we have treaties with, like the Philippines, because they are building on
contested property."

Clinton was referring to China's building of manmade islands in disputed
waters.

*Hillary Clinton Reporters Kept Behind Moving Rope Line At New Hampshire
Parade
<http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/hillary-clinton-reporters-moving-rope-line-hampshire-parade/story?id=32225818>
// ABC News // Liz Kreutz – July 4, 2015*

At the Fourth of July parade Hillary Clinton marched in today in Gorham,
New Hampshire, reporters following the candidate were kept -- and at
moments, dragged -- behind an actual moving rope line.

The rope, which two Clinton staffers held on to on either side, was meant
to give Clinton space as she walked down the parade route, but photos of
reporters being dragged behind the rope as she marched have gone viral on
Twitter.

The New Hampshire GOP released a statement critiquing Clinton, saying her
use of the rope "insults the traditions of our First-in-the-Nation primary"
and touted the Republican presidential candidates for marching in parades
without "obstruction from their staff."

Clinton's campaign has not responded to ABC News' request for comment
regarding the use of the rope for reporters or to the GOP criticism.

Clinton, meanwhile, seemed to enjoy the parade herself, as she waved to and
greeted voters -- ignoring a group of loud protesters that trailed right
behind her.

"Where were you at 3am when the phone rang? Name one accomplishment! Tell
us about when you were poor!" shouted one man, holding up a sign that read
"BENGHAZI."

But Clinton didn't let that rattle her.

"I'm just having a good time meeting everybody," Clinton said when asked
whether she had anything to say to them.

And even by the end, her sentiment hadn't changed.

"It was fabulous," she said. "I love parades, I love walking in parades,
got such a great response ... a lot of enthusiasm and energy to celebrate
the Fourth of July."

Following the event, Clinton made a stop at Dairy Bar, a relatively empty
nearby restaurant, where she mingled with patrons. Clinton was asked by
this reporter about her thoughts to the backlash against Donald Trump. But
she dismissed the question in lieu of dessert.

"I'm going to sit down and have some pie," she said.

*Clinton defends progressive record as campaigns hit Independence Day
<http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/04/clinton-on-defensive-new-hampshire-iowa>
// The Guardian // Jana Kasperkevic – July 4, 2015*

As 2016 presidential candidates flocked to spend Independence Day in early
voting states such as Iowa and New Hampshire, Democratic frontrunner
Hillary Clinton found herself defending her record on policy and the size
of crowds at her events.

“I take a backseat to no one when you look at my record in standing up and
fighting for progressive values,” Clinton told an audience in Hanover, New
Hampshire, on Friday.

On Saturday, Independence Day itself, she spoke extensively about subjects
including last week’s historic supreme court ruling on same-sex marriage,
saying: “The language Justice Kennedy uses about the bonds between people
is just almost mystical. It’s beautiful. So we have to do everything we can
to end discrimination in the LGBT community.”

Clinton has come under greater-than-expected pressure from the independent
Vermont senator Bernie Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist
running a determinedly grassroots-focused campaign who nonetheless
attracted nearly 10,000 people to a rally in Wisconsin on Wednesday. On
Friday night, a Sanders event in Council Buffs, Iowa, was standing-room
only.

On Friday, while visiting the Dairy Twirl ice cream shop in Lebanon,
Clinton was asked why she was not drawing such big crowds.

“Well, we each run our own campaigns and I always knew this was gonna be
competitive,” she said. “And I want to have a great debate in the primary
and caucuses around the country and that’s what I’m looking forward to.”

Clinton also said her defeat by Barack Obama in the 2008 Democratic primary
had taught her the importance of organizing every single day.

“That’s why I’m doing a lot of meetings and discussions about specific
issues,” she said, “because I want to hear from people and I also want to
connect them to the campaign.

“And I feel like it’s really working. It is building a campaign here in New
Hampshire, using the grassroots, and coming up from that, because at the
end of the day, I think that wins elections and wins caucuses.”

On the morning of 4 July, the former senator and secretary of state
attended a grassroots organizing event in Glen.

Asked about the Obama administration’s involvement in ongoing nuclear talks
with Iran, she said: “I’m hoping it’s a strong, verifiable deal that will
put the lid on Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions. Even if we are successful,
however, Iran’s aggressiveness will not end.”

In an hour-long event, Clinton also discussed her ideas on college debt,
the same-sex marriage ruling and the future makeup of the court.

College graduates and those with graduate degrees should get help to
refinance their debt and be allowed to pay back their loans as a percentage
of their incomes, she said, adding of her early life with her husband,
former President Bill Clinton: “We were paying back loans while he was
governor of Arkansas.”

Clinton encouraged people to read the supreme court’s decision extending
same-sex marriage rights nationwide, saying “it’s not only a
constitutionally based decision, which it should be, but there is a current
underpinning it, which is [that] we need to respect each other, and we need
to allow people to live and love and we need to support that”.

Asked about the future of the court, Clinton said it was possible the next
president could have three to four appointments. If elected, she said she
would appoint justices who would “bring an open mind and an open heart”.

In the afternoon, Clinton was set to march in the Gorham Fourth of July
parade. Former Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee, another candidate for
the Democratic nomination, was also campaigning in the state, planning to
visit Merrimack and Amherst.

Sanders and the former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley were both in Iowa.
Sanders was due to march in parades in Creston and Waukee.

Sanders has been gaining on Clinton. On Thursday, a Quinnipiac University
poll found Clinton at 52% in Iowa while Sanders had climbed to 33%. On 7
May, Clinton led the same poll by 60% to 15%. The latest CNN poll shows
Clinton only eight points ahead of Sanders in New Hampshire, although
national surveys remain more clearly in Clinton’s favor.

Republican presidential candidates also opted to celebrate Independence Day
in the early voting states.

After a “sleepover” at 2012 candidate Mitt Romney’s vacation home in New
Hampshire, New Jersey governor Chris Christie and Florida senator Marco
Rubio were to march in Wolfeboro’s parade.

The former Texas governor Rick Perry, former Florida governor Jeb Bush and
South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham joined Chafee for a parade in Amherst.

Bush and Chafee have old school ties in common. They duly met up, the
Democratic candidate using Twitter to say: “Always fun to run into
classmates @phillipsacademy on the campaign trail.”

Bush, who was marching with his son George P Bush, the recently elected
Texas land commissioner, was chided by a voter who told him he was holding
up the parade.

“There’s nothing behind us – other than Hillary,” Bush said. A team of
Clinton supporters were marching right behind a group backing the former
Florida governor, their blue signs in sharp contrast with his red.

*Hillary Clinton Says She Will Be Better Friend than Obama to Israel
<http://www.jewishpress.com/news/breaking-news/hillary-clinton-says-she-will-be-better-friend-than-obama-to-israel/2015/07/04/>
// Jewish Press // Tzvi Ben-Gedalyahu – July 4, 2015*

Hillary Clinton has promised that Israel will have her as a better friend
than President Barack Obama if she is elected President next year.

She also exclaimed that Iran poses an “existential threat” to Israel, as if
any serious presidential contender thinks otherwise.

While strongly supporting attempts for a “good” deal with Iran, she is
trying to reassure wealthy Jews that they can safely contribute to her
campaign coffers and can sleep safely last night knowing that she will be
good for Israel, even if Israelis spend the night running to bomb shelters.

That is what President Obama also said in 2008. That is what every
presidential candidate says, but American Jews lover to hear because they
want to believe it.

When it comes to the deal being negotiated between the P5+1 and Iran,
Clinton is playing both sides of the fence, and it is not clear where she
stands. Politico interviewed 10 donors and fundraisers and reported:

Donors who see a deal as important to world peace have come away thinking
that Clinton shares their perspective, but so, too, do donors who oppose
any prospective agreement as compromising Israeli security.

Clinton is no different from Obama and every other politician. “No deal is
better than a bad deal,” she said, but what is a bad deal? Is it possible
to make any deal with Iran can call it “good?”

Since no one yet knows if a deal with Iran will be reached and if so, what
it will contain, Clinton can safely hedge her bets.

At stake is $2 billion that Clinton’s aides hope to raise for her campaign
and super PACs.

in the meantime, she is boasting that her personality and experience as
Secretary of State are guarantees for Americans Jews that she will be a lot
friendlier than Obama when it comes to relations with Israel.

She started name-dropping, referring to former Israeli Ambassador to the
United States Michael Oren as “Michael” whom she said she knows well.

The penchant for American Jews to buy assurances that the American-Israeli
relation will be just fine and dandy was summed up by Politico’s report on
a fundraiser last month at the home of Democratic party donor Jay Jacobs.
An Orthodox rabbi asked Clinton about threats to Israel, and Jacobs told
Politico:

She did stress in no uncertain terms her full and fervent support of the
state of Israel and the defense of the state of Israel. And the people in
the audience who heard it seemed to be comfortable with her answer.

Good grief!

What did the rabbi think she would say? Did he really believe that Clinton
would say, “Well, you know all the talk about threats to Israel is just
talk to get more money from the military-industrial complex. Israel can
fend for itself. Let’s talk about the economy and immigration.”

Of course she fervently supports Israel. That is what J Street also says.

At least she was honest when she stated, “I’m going to do what’s in the
best interest of the U.S.”

That is what any president of the United States should do. He or she should
be “pro-American” and not “pro-Israel.”

The kicker is that being pro-Israel usually is the best thing for the
United States, even if presidents can’t admit it.

*From Clinton, a multi-generational message in N.H.
<http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/07/03/from-clinton-multi-generational-message/7HXFtZn6z6YQNVVTK9HN0M/story.html?event=event25>
// Boston Globe // Monica Disare – July 4, 2015*

HANOVER, N.H. — Hillary Rodham Clinton kicked off her Fourth of July
weekend by telling about 850 people at Dartmouth College that two people
motivated her run for president: her mother and her granddaughter.

Her mother, Clinton said, instilled in her a steadfast belief in kindness,
while her granddaughter makes her think about “what kind of world will be
waiting for her.”

“That’s what keeps me up at night,” Clinton said.

Clinton’s mixed-generational message was apt for the crowd she addressed
Friday afternoon — Dartmouth students mingled with longtime Clinton
supporters.

Lois Little, 67, of New London, N.H., became a Clinton fan 24 years ago but
decided not to wear the “Madame President” shirt she bought during
Clinton’s unsuccessful 2008 presidential run to avoid jinxing Clinton’s
chances.

“She’s a very dynamic person, very intelligent,” Little said. Her husband
nodded in agreement.

Among those who have watched Clinton for years were some who were lukewarm
toward her — but nonetheless likely to vote for her. Julie McCashin, 52, of
Hanover, said she was not a diehard Clinton fan, but she was “diehard
anti-Republican.” McCashin said Clinton has the best chance to beat the
eventual GOP nominee.

Little and McCashin stood in the same crowd, eating hamburgers and potato
salad, with Thuy Le, 20, a Dartmouth sophomore who said her philosophy
aligns more with Senator Bernie Sanders, another Democratic presidential
contender. Le watched Clinton’s speech with a group of five other Dartmouth
sophomores who said they were trying to decide between Clinton and Sanders.

Parker Gardner, 20, on campus for the summer, said that Clinton was likely
the “best option” but he needed more information to be certain.

At the Friday event, he said he hoped to hear about her personal journey
into politics, not just her policy positions.

Clinton will have to appeal to both demographics to be successful both in
the Democratic primary and perhaps in the general election. Her speech
tried to do just that.

She argued that she is the best candidate to improve the economy,
disparaging the economic policy efforts of former Republican presidents.

“These are folks who just don’t know the theory of original sin,” she said,
“because we wouldn’t have had to have a recovery if we hadn’t had the kind
of poor management and bad economic policies that put us into the ditch in
the first place.”

In about 10 days, she said, she would release more details on her economic
platform.

In the meantime, she ticked through a laundry list of issues important to
her campaign, including voting rights, immigration, clean energy,
cybersecurity, and removing big money from politics. She praised the
Supreme Court’s recent decisions on health care and same-sex marriage.

Clinton ended her speech with a set of personal stories. She told the crowd
about her mother’s troubled childhood and said her mother kept going
because people showed her kindness along the way. She pledged to bring this
type of kindness to the White House.

“I think we are a nation that really believes in a helping hand,” she said.

And she cited her young granddaughter as her inspiration to work toward
creating a world the next generation will be proud to inherit.

“That flag which we’ll see in parades and at picnics and flying proudly in
front of houses this weekend, that flag represents, I believe, humanity’s
best progress,” Clinton said. “I want to be proud, and I want my daughter
and granddaughter to be proud.”

Margaret Mulley, 65, said Clinton’s speech “was very competent and
powerful.”

But not all the college students were convinced.

As Mariana Almeida, 19, and Andrew Jeon, 20, walked away from the event,
they said they enjoyed the speech. But as for which candidate they will
ultimately support — both walked away undecided.

Danielle Foullon, 54, left the event with one piece of advice for Clinton:
“Hillary, don’t play it safe.”

*Hillary Clinton Comments On Viral ‘Humans of New York’ Photo
<http://time.com/3945811/hillary-clinton-humans-of-new-york-gay/> // TIME
// Dan Stewart – July 4, 2015*

Street photographer Brandon Stanton — better known as the creator of Humans
of New York — posted a picture Friday of a tearful boy with the caption,
“I’m homosexual and I’m afraid about what my future will be and that people
won’t like me.”

The post garnered 498,000 ‘Likes’, about standard for a HONY post, but what
Stanton may not have expected was a comment from Democratic presidential
candidate and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Clinton wrote, “Prediction from a grown-up: Your future is going to be
amazing. You will surprise yourself with what you’re capable of and the
incredible things you go on to do. Find the people who love and believe in
you – there will be lots of them.”

The photo initially became the subject of controversy when Stanton claimed
Facebook had removed it from the site. But a Facebook spokesperson said
Saturday the photo had not been intentionally deleted, but had been
temporarily unavailable due to a bug. The photo is now available to be seen
online, along with Clinton’s comment signed with her distinctive “-H.”

Humans of New York features photographs of ordinary people on the street
along with quotes from the subjects, who typically do not identify
themselves.

*Hillary Clinton Has The Top Comment On This Heartbreaking “Humans Of New
York” Photo
<http://www.buzzfeed.com/davidmack/your-future-is-going-to-be-amazing#.ry3X6Xl73>
// Buzzfeed // David Mack – July 4, 2015*

You may have seen this heartbreaking “Humans of New York” picture pop up in
your Facebook feed recently.

The young boy’s tears have elicited a ton of support in the HONY picture’s
comments.

Someone else who commented on the picture also happens to be running for
president.

Hillary Clinton posted this comment on the picture on Friday.

It reads:

Prediction from a grown-up: Your future is going to be amazing. You will
surprise yourself with what you’re capable of and the incredible things you
go on to do. Find the people who love and believe in you - there will be
lots of them. –H

The comment was signed “–H”, indicating that the words were penned by
Clinton herself and not an aide.

*Hillary Clinton accuses China of 'stealing US secrets'
<http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33399711> // BBC – July 4, 2015*

US Democratic presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has accused China of
stealing commercial secrets and government information.

She accused China of "trying to hack into everything that doesn't move in
America", and urged vigilance.

US officials had named China as the chief suspect in the massive hack of
the records of a US government agency earlier this year.

China had denied any involvement, and called US claims "irresponsible".

'Fully vigilant'

Speaking at a campaign event in New Hampshire, Ms Clinton said that China
was stealing secrets from defence contractors and had taken "huge amounts
of government information, all looking for an advantage."

She added that she wanted to see China's peaceful rise but that the US
needed to stay "fully vigilant".

"China's military is growing very quickly, they're establishing military
installations that again threaten countries we have treaties with, like the
Philippines because they are building on contested property," she said.

US officials have blamed China for a major data breach of the Office of
Personnel Management (OPM) that was revealed in June.

The hacking of federal government computers could have compromised the
records of four million employees.

US intelligence chief James Clapper called China a "leading suspect" after
the incident.

But China dismissed the accusation, saying that it was "irresponsible and
unscientific".

China has previously argued that it is also the victim of hacking attacks.

Republican presidential candidates have used the recent OPM cyber hack to
attack President Obama's administration, accusing it of "incompetence".

Marco Rubio and Rick Perry have called for the US to threaten sanctions
against organisations linked to hacking, while Mike Huckabee has argued
that the US should "hack China back".

Meanwhile, Democratic candidate Martin O'Malley has called for better
funding for cyber security.

The hack against the OPM is not the first time that China has been blamed
for a cyber attack against the US.

An earlier attempt to breach OPM networks was blocked in March 2014, with
the US saying China was behind the attack.

*Union chief defends Hillary amid Bernie Sanders uprising
<http://nypost.com/2015/07/04/union-chief-defends-hillary-amid-bernie-sanders-uprising/>
// New York Post // Geoff Earle – July 4, 2015*

WASHINGTON — AFL-CIO boss Richard Trumka is using his political muscle to
try to run interference for Hillary Rodham Clinton, after movement by some
local labor groups to back rival Bernie Sanders.

The powerful union head advised state and local union chapters this week
that the national union in DC handles presidential endorsements.

“I want to remind you all that the AFL-CIO endorsement for president and
vice president belongs to the national AFL-CIO. State federations, central
and area labor councils, and all other subordinate bodies must follow the
national AFL-CIO endorsement,” Trumka wrote, according to Politico.

Clinton’s campaign is facing a growing challenge from Sanders. The South
Carolina and Vermont AFL-CIOs passed resolutions this spring calling on
“working people everywhere” to unite behind Sanders.

*Clinton, Chafee celebrate Fourth of July in the Granite State
<http://www.wmur.com/news/clinton-chafee-celebrate-fourth-of-july-in-the-granite-state/33998250>
// WMUR9 // Kristen Carosa – July 4, 2015*

GLEN, N.H. —Presidential hopefuls Hillary Clinton and Lincoln Chafee
celebrated the Fourth of July in New Hampshire Saturday.

Clinton opened an event in Glen by discussing her granddaughter.

“You know, you say to yourself, ‘I want to do everything I can to make sure
this precious little girl has every opportunity,’” Clinton said.

She said her campaign is about fighting for the middle class and helping
those in need.

“I advocate to raise the minimum wage, that’s why I am a supporter of the
income tax credit. We need to get more money into people's pockets," she
said. “I want to take a bright light and shine it on every regulation,
every licensing requirement, every tax requirement and take a hard look at
the difficulty of getting credit.”

Clinton also spoke about the importance of early education.

“If people are not equipped for the jobs of the future then a lot of what
we do today won't have staying power,” she said.

Clinton also visited the town of Gorham later Saturday. She will head to
Iowa Tuesday.

Chafee, the former Rhode Island governor, met voters during Fourth of July
parades in Merrimack and Amherst.

Chafee worked with Clinton in the Senate and said he looks forward to
seeing her on the presidential trail. He said he differs from Clinton
because he voted against the war in Iraq.

“I bring a good resume, a vision for the future, a more peaceful world, not
that hawkish approach is what I'm advocating. Bring those tax dollars home
here to spend on our schools, our roads and bridges and our health care,”
Chafee said.

Chafee began his political career as a Republican, first holding public
office in 1985.

*Hillary Clinton tells supporters in Virginia that ‘love triumphed’ in gay
marriage
<http://sentinelrepublic.com/hillary-clinton-tells-supporters-in-virginia-that-love-triumphed-in-gay-marriage/18583/>
// Sentinel Republic // Alan Binder – July 4, 2015*

Clinton headlined the state Democratic Party’s annual Jefferson-Jackson
event, previously a formal dinner but this year held as a campaign event at
George Mason University’s Patriot Center with general admission at $30.

The New Hampshire poll shows that many Democrats are responding favorably
to Clinton’s candidacy, including 74% who say they have a positive
impression of her. She also is more trusted to handle the economy and
health care, two of the leading domestic issues in the contest.

A fired-up Clinton then seemingly spoke directly at the 13 declared
Republican presidential hopefuls. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts), who
has said repeatedly that she will not run for president but was still being
included in polls at that point.

“Hillary Clinton’s early numbers had been higher than they reasonably could
have been expected to remain”, Smith said. “Equality triumphed, America
triumphed”.

Vice President Joe Biden clocks in at 8 percent, with 2 percent or less
supporting Martin O’Malley, Jim Webb and Lincoln Chafee. Clinton has the
money, the infrastructure, and the support from other prominent Democrats
that Sanders lacks, but the Vermont senator has advantages, too: enthusiasm
at the grassroots, the flexibility that comes with being a one-man band,
and the ability to position himself as a scrappy underdog and outsider.

Clinton is seeing her strong lead over Sen. As a senator, Clinton backed
civil unions and partner benefits for same-sex couples, and came out in
favor of same-sex marriage in 2013, shortly before the Court struck down a
key provision of the 1996 law. “The solution is for Congress to admit they
screwed up, repeal the ‘nightmare of Obamacare, ‘ and let states road-test
real health care reforms”, he said in a statement.

Ex- Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, who is seeking the GOP presidential
nomination, also blasted the court’s ruling. Neither governor would be able
to do anything to stop same-sex marriage in their state if the high court
rules it is a constitutional right.

Friday’s ruling is just one more step in securing equal rights for gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender people, she said. But she said she was
looking forward to the Clinton rally, especially because “we don’t have to
dress up”.

Yet it is important to remember that Obama and Clinton both opposed
marriage equality as late as early 2012.

She also ripped Republicans for recently voting against allowing the
Centers for Disease Control to study gun violence.

Mrs. Clinton asked “How can you watch massacre after massacre and take that
vote?” “I think that break from the pack has already begun”.

“I am for Hillary”, Cho said.

“This is personal for me”, said McAuliffe of Clinton.

The 2016 presidential race came to Virginia on Friday evening, ushered in
by the roaring voice of Gov. Terry McAuliffe introducing Hillary Clinton.
While we celebrate today, our work won’t be finished until every American
cannot only marry, but live, work, pray, learn and raise a family free from
discrimination and prejudice.

Despite her “crush”, the outspoken entertainer and LGBT rights activist
said she’s “long been” a fan of Clinton: “I had a hard time sort of
deciding between Hillary and Obama”. His fundraising efforts helped
bankroll the campaigns of both Clinton and her husband, ex- President Bill
Clinton. But most of all…because Hillary Clinton is a tenacious fighter.

*Hillary Clinton shrugs off heckler while GOP candidates meet voters in New
Hampshire, Iowa for Fourth of July campaigning
<http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/presidential-candidates-spend-july-4-campaigning-article-1.2281759>
// NY Daily News // Dennis Slattery – July 4, 2015*

Fourth of July parade routes were transformed into campaign trails Saturday
as presidential candidates spent the holiday shaking hands, mingling with
voters, and dealing with hecklers.

Early primary states celebrating Independence Day -- including Iowa and New
Hampshire -- were particularly awash in White House wannabes.

Democratic hopeful Hillary Clinton spent the day in the tiny hamlet of
Gorham, N.H., where she was taunted by a relentless heckler with a string
of grievances, including protesting her role leading the State Department
during the 2012 Benghazi attacks.

“Hillary, where were you at 3 a.m. when the phone rang on September 11th?”
the man yelled as he followed her along the parade route. “Can you name one
accomplishment at State? Just one?”

Clinton shrugged off the shouter.

“I’m just having a good time meeting everybody,” she told CNN.

Republican candidates got into the spirit as well, with New Jersey Gov.
Chris Christie and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio walking in a parade in
Wolfeboro, N.H.

Former Govs. Jeb Bush of Florida, Rick Perry of Texas and Lincoln Chafee of
Rhode Island as well as South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham worked the crowd
in Amherst, N.H.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former
Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley met voters in Iowa.

*Clinton hears cheers and jeers
<http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150705/NEWS0605/150709647> // New
Hampshire Union Leader // John Koziol – July 4, 2015*

GORHAM - Hillary Clinton marched in the town's historic Independence Day
parade Saturday, exciting her base, provoking her detractors and in
general, being met with mild amusement by the public.

Preceded by a gaggle of the touring press, some of whom appeared to be
filming a video documentary; inside a cordon of uniformed and plainclothes
security officer; flanked by staff; and backed by sign-carrying supporters,
the former first lady, U.S. senator from New York and Secretary of State
walked the entire parade route from Dublin Street down to the Gorham Town
Common.

The Gorham parade was Clinton's third event in the North County yesterday,
sandwiched in between a grassroots organizing event in Glen and a stop at
the Northland Restaurant & Dairy Bar in Berlin to schmooze with patrons.

Clinton is familiar with the Androscoggin Valley and Coos County, having
campaigned here on the way to winning the Jan. 8, 2008, New Hampshire
Democratic presidential primary and defeating then-Illinois Sen. Barack
Obama.

Obama went on to win the Democratic presidential nomination and then the
presidency in 2008 and he was re-elected in 2012. Despite those victories,
however, Gorham was one prize that Obama could not claim in 2008, as
Clinton bested him there by 330 votes to 222.

The presumptive Democratic presidential candidate for 2016 - although
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is mounting a strong challenge - Clinton
yesterday saw visible signs, a few, not many, that her past will continue
to be part of her future and that some people, like Sudie Francoeur and
Carl Gagnon, both of Berlin, desperately do not want to see her in the Oval
Office.

Exercising what they said was their First Amendment right of free speech on
the most hallowed of national holidays, both Francoeur and Gagnon held
signs with messages that were highly critical of Clinton's role in the
deaths of the U.S. ambassador and three other Americans at the U.S. Embassy
in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012.

As he got within earshot of Clinton, Gagnon would lob verbal jabs, asking
her, for example, to "tell us about when you were a poor person." One woman
yelled that Clinton "oughtta be in prison, not the White House."

Nonetheless, Clinton was undeterred, frequently stepping into the groups of
parade watchers on either side of the road to greet individuals and to
occasionally exchange some words.

Francoeur said she had been a longtime Democrat but became disenchanted
with what she said was its tilt toward socialism, adding that she was
unhappy with Clinton in particular about what happened in Benghazi.

Gagnon, who said he's attended the Gorham 4th of July parade "since
childhood," said Clinton has been a failure as a public servant and
therefore should not even be considered as a presidential candidate.

He was dismissive of what he saw Saturday as Clinton marched down Main
Street, with supporters loudly chanting her name while local residents -
some parked in vehicles directly on the parade route or sitting in lawn
chairs on the sidewalk - smiled and politely applauded, or occasionally let
out a joyful whoop, or, less frequently, a boo.

"The American election process," said Gagnon, "has now turned into a
coronation."

*OTHER DEMOCRATS NATIONAL COVERAGE*

*DECLARED*

*O’MALLEY*

*Sanders, O’Malley race to be the Clinton alternative
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/sanders-omalley-race-to-be-the-clinton-alternative/2015/07/04/ccd431ba-202a-11e5-84d5-eb37ee8eaa61_story.html?postshare=9381436039721322>
// WaPo // John Wagner – July 4, 2015*

COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Bernie Sanders and Martin O’Malley, two candidates
vying to become the chief challenger to Hillary Rodham Clinton for the
Democratic presidential nomination, crisscrossed Iowa over the past few
days, stopping in some of the same cities and marching in small-town Fourth
of July parades.

But at this point in the race, they could hardly be in different places.

During his swing, Sanders, the independent senator from Vermont, drew more
than 2,500 people to a convention center here — a record crowd for Iowa.
Supporters leapt to their feet and screamed as he decried the “grotesque
level” of income inequality in the country and the outsize influence of the
“billionaire class” on its politics.

O’Malley’s biggest turnout during his three-day trip was 119 people, who
gathered in the side room of a suburban bar outside Des Moines. The former
Maryland governor’s pitch included a self-deprecating joke about how little
known he remains in the state that will hold the nation’s first caucuses in
February.

Presidential politics are replete with candidates who get hot during the
summer only to fizzle in the fall. But the early rise of Sanders — a
self-described democratic socialist — underscores how hungry the
progressive base of the Democratic Party is for a truly authentic
alternative to Clinton.

As his crowds have swelled in recent weeks, Sanders’s poll numbers have
jumped in Iowa and New Hampshire. O’Malley and the other more mainstream
Democratic hopefuls, meanwhile, have stalled in the low single digits.
Former senator Jim Webb of Virginia, who jumped into the race Thursday, and
former Rhode Island senator and governor Lincoln Chafee have also stepped
forward to challenge Clinton.

Scores of interviews suggest Sanders has clearly tapped into the anxieties
of recession-weary voters, many of whom feel completely alienated from
Washington.

Echoing many others who came to see Sanders here, Steve Pinegar, a
33-year-old heating and air-conditioning technician, said he is looking for
someone outside the establishment and said he thinks that Sanders is the
only candidate for the Democratic nomination who is speaking to him.

“I don’t want to vote for anyone who’s part of the grand scheme,” Pinegar
said, adding that he has grown disillusioned with President Obama’s lack of
progress on working-class issues. “I was all hopey-changey last time, but
I’m done with that. . . . I feel like me and Bernie Sanders, we could go
have lunch and talk about the issues.”

Much of Sanders’s hour-long stump speech focuses on issues that could
affect the wallets of workers like Pinegar. Sanders wants to raise the
minimum wage to $15 an hour. He wants to guarantee family leave, sick time
and vacation time — Americans are working too long, he says. He wants to
make college free. And he promises that as president he would make
corporations and the wealthy pay more in taxes while trying to cut taxes
for those in lower brackets.

“The greed of the billionaire class and corporate America is destroying
this great country,” Sanders said Friday night, offering one of a few dozen
lines that produced sustained applause from a crowd that included many
Nebraskans from across the river.

Building on momentum

Some of Sanders’s largest audiences lately have been in states without
early nominating contests, including in Madison, Wis., where he attracted
10,000 people Wednesday.

It was clear from the outset of the race that there would be a bloc of
non-Clinton voters, and polling suggests that Sanders — at least for now —
has managed to corral most of them. That includes Democrats who were pining
to see Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a darling of the left, get into the
race. She has suggested recently that she might campaign for Sanders.

A Quinnipiac University poll released last week showed Clinton drawing 52
percent of likely Democratic caucusgoers in Iowa, with Sanders at 33
percent. O’Malley lagged with 3 percent, followed by Webb and Chafee, with
1 percent each.

Sanders’s numbers have been higher in New Hampshire, where voters are more
familiar with him, given his representation of neighboring Vermont. A
recent poll from the Granite State showed Sanders trailing Clinton by eight
percentage points.

Joe Trippi, a longtime Democratic strategist, said Sanders’s challenge will
be to build on the momentum he has established and show that he can
demonstrate a broader appeal than just to the party’s left wing.

“If you’re going to run a campaign based on ‘I’m further to the left of the
establishment,’ there’s a ready-made audience,” said Trippi, who ran the
2004 presidential campaign of former Vermont governor Howard Dean.

Dean surged in that race based on anti-Iraq war sentiment only to collapse
as voting began. Then Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), a candidate with more
establishment support, emerged as the Democratic nominee. Trippi said part
of the reason Dean lost support is people began to question whether he was
the strongest candidate to beat George W. Bush in the general election.

The O’Malley camp is betting on a similar phenomenon this cycle: that once
voters get to know all the candidates better, they will see O’Malley as a
more viable alternative than Sanders. O’Malley, 52, has also been casting
himself as a part of a “new generation” of leaders, a contrast with both
Clinton, who is 67, and Sanders, who is 73.

In an interview following a stop Thursday in Waukee, O’Malley said Sanders
has been on the rise partly because voters see him for now as a “protest
candidate.”

“People feel like big money has subsumed, taken over, their politics, and
they’re frustrated by it,” O’Malley said. “People feel like their voices
don’t matter. People feel like they’re not being heard, and right now, they
want to protest about that. I’m not running for protest candidate; I’m
running for president of the United States.”

O’Malley’s three-day swing has focused on his plan to address climate
change by moving the country’s electricity consumption entirely to clean
energy by 2050. Aides say other more substantive proposals will help set
him apart in coming months.

O’Malley, who served for eight years as Maryland’s governor and seven years
as Baltimore mayor, is also increasingly touting his executive experience
as an asset. In contrast to Sanders, who talks a lot about legislation he
has introduced, O’Malley touts bills that he muscled through in Maryland to
legalize same-sex marriage, abolish the death penalty and provide new
benefits to immigrants.

“There’s a great distance in saying what we’re for and actually
accomplishing things,” O’Malley told a crowd of about 70 people who came to
see him at a coffeehouse in Newton on Friday.

Swaying voters

Some analysts suggest O’Malley waited too long to get into the race. By the
time of O’Malley’s May 30 announcement, Sanders had already made
significant headway with progressive voters looking for an alternative to
Clinton.

“People were looking for someone to get in that space, and Martin was
playing coy, and Bernie wasn’t,” said one Democratic consultant formerly
employed by O’Malley who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak more
freely.

In Newton and elsewhere, there is evidence that O’Malley is making strides
with voters that doesn’t show up in a meaningful way yet in the polls.

Susan Daniels, a retired property manager, said she came to the event in
Newton “to expand my horizons” by hearing from a candidate she didn’t know
much about. She left inclined to caucus for O’Malley, impressed by his
command of details without notes. She also has nagging doubts about
supporting Clinton.

Interviews, however, also suggest that Sanders supporters might be harder
to peel off than people think. While some who attend his events are still
shopping for a candidate, many arrive already sold.

Daryl Kothenbeutel, a retired owner of a prairie seed business, drove about
90 minutes from Clear Lake to Fort Dodge on Thursday to see Sanders for the
third time in recent weeks. He said he has been most impressed with
Sanders’s commitment to fighting climate change and that he likes his other
prescriptions for the country.

“The man, I think, is our last hope for America. I really do,” said
Kothenbeutel, 71. “Hillary seems to bring up everything after Bernie does,”
Kothenbeutel said.

Tad Devine, a strategist for Sanders, said he thinks Sanders’s support will
continue to grow, in part because he has the ability to attract new voters
to the race, as Obama did in 2008. Once party elites begin to understand
that, Devine suggested, he said he thinks Sanders has the potential to win
more backing from the Democratic establishment.

Sanders made headway with endorsements over the weekend in New Hampshire,
winning the support of longtime party activist Dudley Dudley.

Dudley, who in the 1970s became the highest serving woman in the state’s
history as an executive councilor, hosted a house party in Durham for
O’Malley just two months ago.

She told CNN that she has nothing against O’Malley, but she likes the way
Sanders delivers his message.

“He has a way of stating it in a way that is no-nonsense and so
straightforward,” Dudley said.

*Martin O’Malley finishes three-day tour in Clinton, Iowa
<http://wqad.com/2015/07/04/martin-omalley-finishes-three-day-tour-in-clinton-iowa/>
// WQAD8 // Caroline Reinwald – July 4, 2015*

Following a three-day tour across the state of Iowa, democratic
presidential candidate, Martin O’Malley, stopped in Clinton, Iowa to speak
to voters on Saturday.

During his visit, O’Malley talked about Social Security reform, immigration
reform, and his climate change plan.

“We must set a goal as a nation of being 100-percent clean energy powered
by 2050. We can do it and create a lot of jobs along the way,” said
O’Malley.

O’Malley is polling third behind democratic candidates Hillary Clinton and
Bernie Sanders, but O’Malley says he plans to break away from the pack in
the upcoming weeks.

“The people of Iowa are not intimidated by polls or like being told who
they are supposed to vote for. They expect to meet every candidate to look
them in the eye, ask them questions, shake their hand, and take the full
measure of them,” O’Malley said.

*SANDERS*

*Bernie Sanders Outpaces Martin O’Malley as Hillary Clinton Alternative
<http://www.wsj.com/articles/bernie-sanders-outpaces-martin-omalley-as-hillary-clinton-alternative-1436064697>
// WSJ // Peter Nicholas and Colleen Mccain Nelson - July 5, 2015 *

Once considered the most viable Democratic challenger to Hillary Clinton,
former Maryland Gov. O’Malley is struggling to get a toehold

CARROLL, Iowa—Waiting for Martin O’Malley to arrive for a backyard campaign
stop, Chris Henning and some of her friends tried to figure out what office
the Democratic presidential candidate once held. Was he the former governor
of Maryland or perhaps Virginia? They weren’t sure.

Another Iowan who came out to hear Mr. O’Malley speak was at a loss as to
his employment. “He’s from the East Coast,” Rosemary Partridge told a
reporter. “Connecticut? I’m trying to guess. He’s a senator.”

At one time, the former Maryland governor seemed the most viable
alternative to Hillary Clinton the Democratic Party would produce. Yet he
is struggling to get a toehold, while the attention and donations from the
party’s liberal wing instead are going to an older, rumpled rival: Bernie
Sanders, the 73-year-old senator from Vermont.

Mr. Sanders is the one drawing boisterous crowds with his fiery attacks on
billionaires and wealthy corporations. Mr. Sanders drew about 10,000 people
in Madison, Wis., last week, a turnout the campaign billed as the largest
in either party to date.

“I’ve been waiting for him to run,” said Florita Louis de Malavé, a
librarian at the Sanders event in Madison. “He’s not beholden to corporate
interests. The other candidates are the same old, same old.”

On the stump, Mr. Sanders pledges to take direct aim at the wealthy,
diminish their power, expose their tax havens and break up the largest
financial institutions in the country. He tells working-class Americans
that he’ll fight for higher wages, guaranteed health care, family and
medical leave and paid vacations.

“This grotesque level of [income] inequality is immoral. It is bad
economics. It is unsustainable, and it is not what the United States of
America is supposed to be about,” Mr. Sanders said in Madison.

Mr. Sanders’s backers say this race is a choice between the senator from
Vermont and the former secretary of state; Mr. O’Malley doesn’t figure into
their thinking. Mr. Sanders can win the nomination, they say, but if he
doesn’t, he may push Mrs. Clinton to the left.

“At the very least, I hope some of these ideas take hold,” said Patrick
Downing, a piano tuner and technician and luthier from Perry, Wis.

In Madison, many Sanders supporters drove long distances to see their
candidate of choice, trekking in from other cities and states. Two hours
before Mr. Sanders was scheduled to take the stage, thousands were already
in line, spilling across the parking lot outside the arena.

Inside, a raucous crowd eventually filled nearly every one of the 10,000
seats, with more people standing in the aisles and on the floor of the
arena. They donned Bernie buttons and chanted “Feel the Bern” while they
waited for Mr. Sanders to take the stage.

If the Clinton campaign is worried about anyone in the Democratic field at
this stage, it would seem to be Mr. Sanders—not the more mainstream,
camera-ready Mr. O’Malley.

Speaking Friday in New Hampshire, Mrs. Clinton appeared to have Mr. Sanders
in mind when she said: “I take a back seat to no one when you look at my
record of standing up and fighting for progressive values.”

Meantime, polling shows Mr. O’Malley’s path to the nomination is getting
tougher. A Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll last month showed him with
just 2% support among registered voters planning to vote in the Democratic
primary. Mr. Sanders had 15%; Mrs. Clinton, 75%.

Asked if they could see themselves supporting Mr. O’Malley, 12% said yes
and 28% said no.

“He’s not a shouter,” Jim Kessler, a senior vice president at the centrist
think tank Third Way, said of Mr. O’Malley. “He’s a thoughtful and in some
ways ponderous person…He doesn’t come across as much of a real populist.
The message doesn’t come naturally to him.”

On the campaign trail, Mr. O’Malley seems to recognize the hurdles he
faces. Appearing at a house party in Ames, Iowa, after his visit to
Carroll, he told the crowd his name—not something Mrs. Clinton ever needs
to do. He ran through the offices he’s held and other bits of biography
before drawing contrasts with his rivals.

It seems clear from his stump speech that he wants to eclipse Mr. Sanders
as the liberal challenger to Mrs. Clinton. He stresses the parts of his
gubernatorial record that would most appeal to the left, telling how he
signed legislation imposing stricter gun controls in Maryland, legalizing
same-sex marriage and raising the state’s minimum wage.

“I have fearless progressive values,” Mr. O’Malley said in Ames.

He suggests that having enacted such measures he has a level of
accomplishment that eludes Mr. Sanders, a legislator working in a polarized
Congress. Asked how his brand of liberalism differs from that of Mr.
Sanders, Mr. O’Malley told reporters in Carroll: “I’ve actually gotten
these things done.”

*Sanders snags key endorsement in New Hampshire
<http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/04/politics/bernie-sanders-dudley-dudley-endorsement-new-hampshire/>
// CNN // Cassie Spodak – July 4, 2015*

Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (CNN)Sen. Bernie Sanders has snagged a key
endorsement in New Hampshire that may sting a little for Martin O'Malley's
campaign.

Longtime New Hampshire Democratic activist Dudley Dudley told CNN Friday
that she has decided to endorse Bernie Sanders for the Democratic 2016
nomination. Her decision comes less than two months after she hosted
O'Malley at both her Durham, New Hampshire homes.

Since then, according to a recent CNN/WMUR New Hampshire primary poll,
frontrunner Hillary Clinton's lead over Sanders has shrunk from 38
percentage points to 8, with O'Malley trailing both. Likely Democratic
primary voters are now more apt to see Sanders as the candidate who "best
represents the values of Democrats like yourself," the poll found.

Sanders recently finished a two-day swing through the state that saw
500-person crowds and high attendance at more intimate house parties.

Dudley told CNN she was won over by Sanders focus on money in politics, but
was particularly impressed by his style of delivering his message.

"He's very believable. A lot of people seem to say a lot of things that
don't come to pass. I feel that he is compelling and trustworthy and I'm
hoping that he will get the nomination," Dudley told CNN. "I particularly
like what he has to say about Citizens United, about the need to have a
more just tax system in this country, and to even out the income
inequality. He has a way of stating it in a way that is no nonsense and so
straight forward."

Sanders' campaign spokesperson Michael Briggs told CNN, "We are very
grateful and appreciate the support from such a key figure in New
Hampshire."

O'Malley's camp declined to comment on the endorsement.

As a state executive councilor in the 1970s, Dudley was the highest serving
woman in the state's history. She also gained a reputation as a grassroots
activist when she led a successful effort to stop the building of an oil
refinery off the coast of New Hampshire.

During a house party on May 13, Dudley spoke positively about O'Malley, but
told reporters after that event that while she opened her home, she was not
ready to endorse.

O'Malley returned the kind words for Dudley and spent a considerable amount
of time wooing the Democratic activists. In addition to the event, O'Malley
filmed key portions of his announcement video at Dudley's house.

Dudley said Friday that her Sanders endorsement is not so much about what
other Democratic candidates are lacking, but about how Sanders has
differentiated himself in the field.

"It wasn't in opposition to them. I'm just feeling that I like the way
Sanders presents himself and puts his points of view," Dudley told CNN.

Dudley acknowledges that Sanders' road to the White House, let alone the
Democratic nomination, will not be easy.

"Neither (race) is going to be a cakewalk, but I think that his stamina and
energy and points of view will carry him through," she said.

Dudley has had mixed success in endorsements over the years. In 2008, she
supported Barack Obama in the lead-up to the New Hampshire primary, but in
1992 she supported Paul Tsongas over Bill Clinton, and in 1980, she
spearheaded an unsuccessful challenge to incumbent President Jimmy Carter
with a write-in campaign for Ted Kennedy.

*Bernie Sanders Gains on Clinton in Early-State Polls, Hits Iowa Patriotic
Parade Circuit
<http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2015/07/04/bernie_sanders_pulls_closer_to_hillary_in_polls_spends_long_weekend_in_iowa.html>
// Slate // Beth Ethier – July 4, 2015*

On Saturday night, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders wrapped up a three-day charm
offensive that took him through a half-dozen counties in Iowa. He brought
standing-room crowds to small-town cafes and his Fourth of July schedule
was packed with parades, with hours spent carrying banners with small
armies in matching Bernie shirts and shaking hands in a state where his
standing in the polls seems to be growing by the day.

Sanders didn't manage to replicate the astonishing turnout that packed his
rally in a Madison, Wisconsin arena this week, if only because venues that
size are harder to find down in Iowa, but his 2,500-strong crowd in Council
Bluffs on Friday is reportedly the largest so far of any 2016 candidate
who's visited the state.

Conceding in their headline that "OK, now Hillary Clinton seems to have
some problems in Iowa," the Fix laid out poll numbers showing that Sanders'
impressive crowds seem to be driven by a trend upward in support, at least
in Iowa. Clinton still has a 19-point lead over Sanders in the state,
52-33, in the latest Quinnipiac poll, but that's not great news for a
candidate who was ahead by 45 in May.

Sanders is gaining Iowa's support largely at Clinton's expense, not only
from voters who identify themselves as very liberal but also from women.
Clinton is showing "a 12-point drop among women, in a poll with a margin of
error of 3.6 points," Philip Bump writes for the Fix. "It's real."

In Lebanon, New Hampshire on Friday, the Union Leader reports that Clinton
tried gamely to treat the press corps to ice cream but was met instead with
questions about the adoring fans following around her closest competitor,
who's within single digits in some recent New Hampshire polling.

Clinton had just come from an event at Dartmouth College in Hanover at
which 850 people turned out. The turnout was high for a Clinton campaign
stop in New Hampshire this go round, but nothing compared to the reported
10,000 people who turned out to see Sanders at a campaign stop in Wisconsin
on Wednesday.

When asked for her reaction to Sanders' big crowds and why she is not
drawing the same numbers, she simply said, "We each run our own campaigns
and I always knew it would be competitive. I want to have free debate in
the primary and caucuses around the country."

Clinton booster Sen. Claire McCaskill of Missouri went on MSNBC's Morning
Joe last week to downplay Bernie's large crowds, saying that "Well, you
know, Rand Paul’s father got massive crowds, Ron Paul. He got the same size
crowds. Pat Buchanan got massive crowds. It's not unusual for someone who
has an extreme message to have a following."

Even if McCaskill is right about that, there's still a cautionary tale in
the Ron Paul example: the participatory structure of the Iowa caucuses
allowed Paul's noisy faction to effectively stage a coup on the leadership
of the state Republican party in 2012.

With a chance that Sanders has both noise and numbers in his favor, and
with seven months left for him to win over voters in Iowa, Hillary should
resist the urge to be dismissive of his newest fans as extremists and
fanatics and start plotting to win them back to her side.

*Sanders encouraged by Iowa crowds, rising polls
<http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2015/07/04/bernie-sanders-july-fourth-parade-waukee/29719545/>
// Des Moines Register // Kevin Hardy – July 4, 2015*

On the tail end of a three-day Iowa swing, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders says
he's feeling good about his momentum here and across the country.

More than 150 supporters marched with Sanders on Saturday in Waukee's
Independence Day parade, the last of his eight Iowa stops this week.

"It's very gratifying to have so many people here in Waukee marching with
me," said Sanders, an independent vying for the Democratic nomination for
president. "I think our message is getting through. People are tired of
seeing our great middle class disappear."

In Iowa, Sanders has railed against money's influence on politics, big
banks and the "billionaire class," while at the same time pitching policies
to help strengthen the middle class, such as increasing the minimum hourly
wage to $15, providing free college for all, rolling out a massive federal
jobs program and making health care a universal right through a
single-payer system.

"I think people want to see a change in the way we do economics, make our
economic system work for working families and not just for billionaires,"
Sanders told reporters Saturday.

The senator's Iowa trip comes as national polls show him cutting into
Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton's lead.

"Two or three months ago, not a lot of people here in Iowa knew who Bernie
Sanders was or what our message was about," Sanders said. "I think it does
indicate we're gaining some good momentum and I look forward to seeing it
continue."

Sanders is drawing record crowds. On Wednesday night, more than 10,000
people attended his rally in Madison, Wisconsin, and nearly 2,500 attended
a Friday evening event in Council Bluffs — the biggest Iowa crowd of any
2016 presidential contender yet. Sanders said he likes his chances in
Iowa's first-in-the-nation caucuses.

"I think there's a lot of support and I think momentum is with us," he said.

In Waukee, Sanders led about 155 supporters who marched behind him. They
chanted "Bernie, Bernie," donned "Bern Unit" shirts and cleverly inserted
his name into a number of musical tunes.

"Bern, Bern, Bern, Bern is the word," they sang together to the tune of The
Trashmen's 1963 hit, "Surfin' Bird."

Some parade-goers seemed surprised by Sanders' following.

"Wow, look at all those people," one woman said. "Dear God."

Sanders drew both traditional Democrats and conservatives on Saturday.

"This will be the first time I've caucused with the Democrats," said
Michael Tallman, 25, of Des Moines.

Tallman, who works in banking, said Sanders seems like a candidate who will
represent all people — rich or poor, male or female, gay or straight. He
said many millennials are disturbed by the current political process and
they could be key to boosting Sanders' shot at winning.

"I think he has a real chance," Tallman said. "We've seen it happen before."

Micheal Davenport, 35, of Des Moines said he generally votes
conservatively. But he marched in support of Sanders Saturday.

Davenport is an anti-abortion Catholic (Sanders is staunchly pro-abortion
rights). But Davenport said Pope Francis' call for tolerance and more
moderate rhetoric surrounding social issues has made him rethink some
issues.

"There's an interesting synchronicity between the Pope and Bernie," said
Davenport, who works in security and is going back to school to become a
teacher.

Davenport relates to Sanders stances on economic issues, which he says are
just more pressing now than social issues.

"He's got the big mo," he said. "Great momentum."

AT THE EVENT

SETTING: Waukee Independence Day parade

CROWD: About 155 marching in parade

REACTION: Mills Roberts, 59, of West Des Moines said he's impressed with
Sanders, whose rising stock is reminiscent of Barack Obama's
come-from-behind campaign in 2008. "It has a little bit of that feel," he
said as a crowd swarmed around the candidate shouting "Bernie, Bernie,
Bernie."

OTHER STOPS: Creston Independence Day parade

WHAT'S NEXT: With his Iowa trip complete, Sanders will hold a campaign
event in Maine on Monday. The senator has a fundraiser planned for July 16
in Washington and is scheduled to be in Iowa again July 17 for the
Democratic Party's hall of fame celebration in Cedar Rapids. For details,
go to DesMoines Register.com/candidate tracker.

*‘Feel the Bern’: Activists spearhead Bernie Sanders social push
<http://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/feel-the-bern-activists-spearhead-bernie-sanders-social-push>
// MSNBC // Eric Levitz – July 4, 2015*

Bernie Sanders may trail Hillary Clinton by double digits in New Hampshire,
but he leads the Democratic front-runner by more than 4,000 “points” on
Twitter.

Between June 25 and July 1, the most popular hashtag associated with the
Vermont senator’s presidential campaign, “#feelthebern,” was tweeted an
average of 6,800 times-a-day, while “#hillary2016” garnered 2,700 tweets,
according to Topsy, which tracks activity on social media.

The insurgent candidate’s campaign picked up some momentum over the past
week, too. Last Wednesday, Sanders made headlines by drawing 10,000
supporters to a campaign event in Madison, Wisconsin – the largest crowd
assembled by any candidate so far this year. The following day, his
campaign announced that it had raised $15 million since April 30, and a
Quinnipiac poll showed Sanders gaining ground in the early voting state of
Iowa.

Still, by the candidate’s own estimation, it would take nothing short of a
“political revolution” for Sanders to win the 2016 Democratic primary.
Unable to compete with Clinton in fundraising or name recognition, Sanders
will need to make social media fervor matter more than it ever has in an
American election.

Winnie Wong and Charles Lenchner are spearheading that “revolution.”
Veteran political organizers, Wong and Lenchner created the #feelthebern
hashtag and co-founded People for Bernie Sanders, a digital platform where
the senator’s supporters can network and organize outreach efforts both
online and off. Through those efforts, People For Bernie has already
enlisted 10,000 campaign volunteers, according to its organizers.

Wong believes that social media will play a greater role in 2016 than it
has in any prior election.

“While I enjoy Quinnipiac polls, and watch them closely, I think there’s a
huge piece of data that they miss,” Wong told msnbc. “In 2015, we have huge
numbers of people taking to the internet to discuss everything. And those
conversations will affect the outcome of the 2016 elections.”

To put Sanders at the center of those conversations, People for Bernie
works with data analysts to track the success of their hashtags and map the
reach of their most influential Twitter supporters.

But behind such technical pursuits is an idealistic faith in the power of
social media to expand democratic engagement –  faith born of Wong and
Lechner’s experiences in New York City’s Zuccotti Park in 2011.

“Many of us are graduates of Occupy Wall Street,” Lenchner told msnbc. “And
we feel like there’s an enormous cohort of people that are disillusioned
with the limited range of choices in American politics. We’re committed to
expanding the number and kinds of people that assert their power within the
democratic system.”

“Bernie is taking donations from people and from unions. There’s no
bull****. He’s raising money from people, not corporations,” Wong added.

To get a sense of the kind of anti-corporate voter that Wong and Lenchner
wish to reach, Google the name “Killer Mike.”

People For Bernie first reached out to the rapper from the popular group
Run The Jewels in late May, tweeting to his account, “We hope that you
decide to #feeltheBern. Any Q’s feel free to hit us up.”

Killer Mike – whose actual name is Michael Render – invited them to send
more information. People for Bernie provided him with campaign memes and
links to articles about Sanders’ policy positions.

Last Monday, Killer Mike endorsed Sanders for president, telling his
149,000 Twitter followers, “I cannot support another Clinton or Bush ever.
I am beginning to see American political families like monarchs and I have
no affection for monarchs.”

The fact that Sanders – the 2016 campaign’s oldest candidate – is beloved
on social media would seem more ironic if it weren’t so familiar. In both
2008 and 2012, the elderly libertarian Rep. Ron Paul enjoyed a similarly
energetic online following, while drawing similarly large, impassioned
crowds to his campaign events. But that enthusiastic support proved too
narrow to carry Paul anywhere near his party’s nomination.

Some have called Sanders the left-wing version of Paul, and expect his
campaign to run a similar course. But Lenchner argues that there’s a key
distinction between the two candidates – unlike Paul, Sanders’ central
policy positions actually enjoy broad public support.

“Ron Paul’s signature’s issue was the Federal Reserve and monetary policy,
and I would say that’s esoteric for most people,” Lenchner said. “That’s of
a different caliber than Bernie’s issues – There’s too much inequality. We
should take care of our veterans. We should allow our students to graduate
without being in debt servitude. These are not complicated issues to
explain.”

Still, Lenchner doesn’t mind the comparison with the Paul campaign. While
the former Texas congressman failed to win his party’s nomination, Lenchner
believes his candidacy helped promote a libertarian view of criminal
justice reform that has since gained traction within the GOP.

Ultimately, Wong and Lenchner are as concerned with promoting Sanders’
policies as they are with promoting his candidacy. Both are veterans of the
campaign to draft Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren into the Democratic
presidential primary race, and believe that the threat of her candidacy
forced Clinton to run on a significantly more progressive platform in 2016
than she did in 2008.

Sanders’ candidacy has already brought mainstream media attention to
proposals like free public college and a 90% top marginal tax-rate –
policies that were far outside the left-pole of the 2012 debate.

“The traditional political game is one in which we’re presented with a
really narrow range of options,” Lenchner said. “And expanding that range
isn’t a strategy in order to do something – it’s one of the goals of
politics itself.”

*Our Bernie Sanders moment: This July 4, remember only true independence
and revolution ever brings change
<http://www.salon.com/2015/07/04/our_bernie_sanders_moment_this_july_4_remember_only_true_independence_and_revolution_ever_brings_change/>
// Salon // Patrick L. Smith – July 4, 2015*

One of the things progressives often get wrong has to do with how
fundamental change comes about. The standard reasoning is that people are
stirred when they hit the bottom of the bottom—a condition of diminished
expectations. It takes an economic depression, or a lot of political
repression, to prompt people to rise.

We need things to get worse before they get better. Let the suffering come.

This appears to be an entirely logical dialectic. But politics as
desperation, as we might call the thought, rarely, if ever, proves out.
Almost always it turns out to be an error.

Follow this line, and you want the Kochs to smash what remains of the
political process to smithereens. You want the Supreme Court handing down
ever more irrational judgments, you want more cops-in-camo shooting
African-Americans, you want more unemployment and more reckless ambition
among the foreign policy cliques. Then, you declare, people will be stirred
out of the stupefied apathy that grips this nation.

We ought to ask ourselves this July 4 the extent to which we are given to
this argument. Speaking only for myself, I made the mistake too many times
too many years ago not to have learned how wrong it is.

Those who, in another time, made revolution their work knew better. It is
amid rising expectations, not falling, that people are most likely to exert
themselves in pursuit of authentic change.

The key to this truth, I have always thought, lies in a people’s
consciousness of themselves. It is when they get some worthy things done,
and so realize the power they possess, that they use it to effect change
with true dedication. Nineteenth century Europe offers many examples making
the point. If I have my history right, the Russian revolution is a classic
case. (And so is the Berlin Wall’s fall.)

But there is no need to go further than the event we now celebrate,
thoughtfully or thoughtlessly as the case may be, to find an irrefutable
demonstration of the point.

Let’s ask ourselves this July 4: What exactly was on the minds of the
signers gathered in Philadelphia 239 summers ago this weekend? Was George
III’s boot on the colonists’ necks the primary sensation? The Declaration
was the original American case of politics as desperation? It was all about
the Stamp Act, the taxes on tea, the Boston Massacre?

Wrong read, obviously. The Declaration was a statement of principle
reflecting the confidence of people who had the Boston Tea Party, the First
Continental Congress, the battles of Lexington and Concord, the Second
Continental Congress and Bunker Hill immediately behind them. In
Jefferson’s handwriting they read of a future that they understood would
belong to them. The document exudes determination in its very cadences.

I mention this for a reason that may be plain by now. As anyone who pays
attention knows, we have just witnessed at least two very significant
political advances and probably a third. Suddenly, the expectations of many
millions are rising.

The gay marriage and health care decisions, handed down by the worst, most
corruptly biased Supreme Court to sit in my lifetime, suggest that those
judges who are nothing more than creatures of conservative ideology and
corporate interests recognized that they would risk a national revolt had
they ruled the other way on these questions. This is my read.

What will come of the Charleston murders is still to be determined. But we
have already seen an extraordinary display of solidarity and restraint as a
forms of power among South Carolina blacks close to the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, and it looks like this could eventually drive the worst
of Old Dixie down.

The point not to be missed: We reach this national day with the wind at
last at our backs and the road coming up to meet us, as the Irish say. I
see a momentum in the cause of a progressive redefinition of what it means
to be American that seemed little more than delusion or a faded memory but
a few years ago, so thoroughly did the American right appear to triumph in
the name of a perverse notion of patriotism.

Expectations rise. Returning to my original thought, a chance to get still
more done, created by way of a lot of sacrifice and hard work, presents
itself. What will people do with it? This is our question—not least because
the 2016 election draws near, and I will return to these.

A little autobiography here. In many years abroad I often looked back and
thought I saw some salutary impulse to resist the marketization of the
political process and the commodification of all culture at the hands of
corporations possessed of a conscienceless greed. It seemed just under the
surface, waiting to break through.

Then I would return on home leave and find everyone kicking the dirt. Talk
about diminished expectations. An assumption of powerlessness was
everywhere I looked. I found it hard to be around. I had to put what I
thought I saw from afar down to illusion, or an incurable streak of
optimism wholly in the American grain.

What about Obama’s victory in 2008, you ask. Yes, it seemed at the time a
confirmation of the perceptions I describe. I have said this before in this
space: I wept tears of joy when McCain capitulated—11 in the morning where
I was. But soon enough, the cold, hard judgment rendered by the late,
estimable Alex Cockburn seemed more the case: The junior senator was too
pretty for his own good, Cockburn wrote before the election, and would
never get his hands dirty.

A revised, altogether complicated take on Obama will have to get written,
given how things have just turned, but it no longer seems I was so wrong as
all that. What I thought I saw now takes form. The events of the past
couple of weeks have been crystallizing in this respect.

I leave the foreign side out of this, you will note. It is the dark side of
Obama’s moon by any reasonable reckoning.

At writing, there are one and a half exceptions.  Yes, the opening to Cuba
is a triumphant stroke. (I wept the morning that was announced, too, half a
century’s suffering at American hands finally ended.) Iran may come good,
depending on how Secretary of State Kerry does in the final days of
negotiations on a deal governing the Iranian nuclear program.

But Cuba is as nothing next to the truly strategic blunders—Russia,
Ukraine, Iraq redux, a god-awful misinterpretation of China and its intent
and now NATO unbound. By the same token, any Iran deal will be purposely
shorn of its proper significance: An agreement with Tehran should open out
to a broad rapprochement, so altering numerous dysfunctional relationships,
not least Washington’s with Israel. But the White House is already clear
that no such potential is to be explored. What Obama wants is primarily to
assuage the Israeli right wing, and that is the wrong ambition. It has
already cost Egyptians their first attempt at democratic government.

So the Cold War ends in Cuba and begins again on Russia’s western border
and across the Pacific. Status quo in the Middle East. This is the Obama
record on the foreign side. I count it an appalling legacy.

I do not think we can forget this when celebrating the past couple of
weeks’ good news at home. In this there is a lesson in the Obama
presidency, and I will return to it shortly.

For now, a couple of things that should be considered next to the
crystallizing events of the past couple of weeks.

One is the unexpected (at least among many of us) success of Bernie Sanders
since the Vermont senator announced he would run for the Democratic
nomination. The other, of considerable importance if of somewhat lesser
magnitude, was a remarkable piece published recently on this site called
“Hillary Clinton is going to lose: She doesn’t even see the frustrated
progressive wave that will nominate Bernie Sanders.”

Numerous students of American politics argue now that Sanders cannot win
the nomination and is even further from carrying the election next year; he
is important because he shows how weak Hillary is. As of now, both of these
judgments seem right.

But I hold to “as of now.” One, Sanders trails Clinton by a startlingly
small margin in one poll after another. Two, you do not want to
underestimate the power of rising expectations. Think again of the signers
in Philadelphia and the events that propelled them there over a very short
period. Political landscapes can change very quickly.

Listen to what Sanders has to say. To me it is perfectly clear, and I doubt
he would be so shy of the language as American politicians customarily are:
He is talking about a social democratic America, which is not a new idea.
It is a 19th century idea buried and made “un-American” by very bad
Americans posing as patriots.

In terms deployed previously in this space and in the books noted at this
column’s end, Sanders is talking about a demythologized America, a nation
free of its exceptionalist tradition, one wherein we understand ourselves
and what we do in historical terms. Myth or history: In my view, absolutely
no distinction is more important now. At bottom, it is putting this
question in front of us, if only implicitly, that makes Sanders important.

As to the Salon piece just noted, it is remarkable not only for its
argument but also for who makes it. Read it here. Bill Curry was an adviser
to Bill Clinton and twice ran for governor on the Democratic ticket in
Connecticut. And here he is asserting, “There’s a rumbling out there, but
most Democrats are a long way from hearing it, let alone joining in.”

Curry’s piece astonished me for its to-the-point pith when I read it and
has captivated me ever since. Here we have a mainstreamer and one-time
White House insider identifying a progressive groundswell—his word—that has
often seemed illusory because virtually no one in power dared acknowledge
it. In effect, Curry pierces a conspiracy of silence, just as Sanders does.

More than this, Curry thinks this now-evident current in American politics
is already strong enough to tip Hillary over.

None of us can forecast with authority at this early moment. What interests
me is the power Curry assigns those who want to see authentic change and
who see Hillary Clinton for precisely what she is: treacherously awful,
whose nomination would amount to a political blight. Hillary would do one
thing with the expectations now rising among Americans: Foil them, crush
them, pervert them, turn them bitter. Take your pick, they all amount to
the same thing.

I got off Hillary’s bus long ago. Anyone remember November 1999, when, as
first lady, she traveled to the West Bank, where she lunched and exchanged
ceremonial praises with Suha Arafat, the late Yasser’s wife? On departing
she kissed Suha Arafat on the cheek—a kiss of Judas straight out of
Matthew, for when Clinton arrived in Jerusalem to shrieks of protest, she
thought nothing of denouncing Arafat and effectively denying the gesture of
friendship made a matter of hours earlier.

Unforgivable, but that is Hillary. Opportunism incarnate is all I see. To
be honest, until Sanders announced his candidacy I could not think of a
single reason to vote. We were offered no choice.

In pursuing the Democratic nomination, Sanders has craftily averted all the
“don’t split the vote” rubbish one heard when Ralph Nader ran as the
candidate of the Greens, the Vermont Progressives and the United Citizens
Party. This is exceptionally astute. There is nothing better than winning,
but a close second in the current American context is pushing candidates
with alternative politics in voters’ faces and forcing them to think about
what they have to say.

Such candidates have a cumulative effect, in other words, that can take
several election cycles to play out. The rapid pace of recent events
notwithstanding, we have to think in terms of a generational project, it
seems to me. In repudiating Nader in 2000, those who may otherwise have
supported him missed this, so that when the election was over, George W.
the victor, Democrats were at square one, no ground gained, as there could
have been, in the course of the defeat.

I would support Sanders on this basis alone. In a phrase, he speaks to the
groundswell. He is rising expectations, so obvious on this 239th
anniversary, made flesh. And in this Sanders stands more or less alone
among holders of high office for the moment, unless we count the reticent
Elizabeth Warren.

And here is the lesson the Obama administration leaves us with. As
expectations rise by way of big victories, we do not need another
gradualist who comes out of the policy cliques, or is too weak to resist
them, and is hence available to be betrayed in their internecine wars for
power. If the successes of the past few weeks tell us anything, it is that
transformers, not transitioners, are required if we are to make sense of
our time. Obama wanted to be the former but has turned out the latter.

More broadly, we must begin to identify mythologizers and exceptionalists,
no matter their professed stripe—and Hillary and her former boss are of
this type. And we must recognize the historicists among us, such as Bernie
Sanders. If this is what sets Sanders fundamentally apart, I urge we learn
from him the importance of the distinction: Unless Americans master the
exceptionalist impulse and dispose of all its attendant rhetoric, no battle
worth fighting can be decisively won.

Genuine Americans are critical Americans. This is by definition. And they
are unceasingly critical of the definition itself. Critical Americans just
handed us some excellent news. Happy 4th to them, especially.

*The Times Doctrine on Bernie Sanders
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-bromwich/the-times-doctrine-on-ber_b_7728470.html>
// HuffPo // David Bromwich – July 4, 2015*

On the fourth of July, the New York Times gave its readers a first extended
look at the political history of Bernie Sanders in Vermont. The article, by
Sarah Lyall, is titled "Bernie Sanders's Revolutionary Roots Were Nurtured
in '60s Vermont." This sketch of the young Sanders is free of obvious
malice. It would serve its purpose less effectively if it were malicious.

The attitude that Lyall adopts toward Senator Sanders is, instead, mildly
and cheerfully disparaging -- affectionate, but at the proper distance of
condescension; ironically agreeable, as you are allowed to be in dealing
with a second cousin or an eccentric uncle who is a bit of a blowhard. Hers
is not the first such article to appear on Sanders in the Times. Is it safe
to predict that this will remain the paper's approach to his campaign for
as long as he stays in the race?

Though malice is absent, the pejorative shading here begins with the title.
Does Sanders today describe himself as a revolutionist? "Revolutionary
roots" implies that he does. Sanders indeed calls himself a democratic
socialist. But it was a pretty steady difference between socialists and
communists, throughout the twentieth century, that socialists would choose
not to describe themselves as revolutionists. They were radical reformers
and tended to reject the path of violence that revolutionists embrace.
"Radical reformist roots" would have made a truer but a less eye-catching
headline.

Symptomatic excerpts from the article follow in boldface, with my comments
in italics:

[The young Bernie Sanders] came to Vermont in the late 1960s to help plan
the upending of the old social order.

Did he in fact come to Vermont with a detailed plan? The word suggests that
Sanders was a bit deluded. More likely, he came to Vermont with no plan
except to organize and reform: something that people with political
convictions have been known to do. The word "upending" is curious. It comes
from football: a linebacker who tackles a charging halfback by a grabbing
his ankles and tossing him head-over-heels is said to upend him. You can't
do that to something as heterogeneous and extended as American society. The
word suggests as much without having to say so. But it is unlikely that he
ever used the word "upend"; once again, the relevant missing word and idea
is reform.

+++

[A youthful article by Sanders in the Vermont Freeman gave] an
apocalyptically alarmist account of the unbearable horror of having an
office job in New York City.

The pileup of "apocalyptically alarmist" and "unbearable horror" triggers
the sarcasm. You can almost hear the unwritten sequel: "An office job in
New York City? Give me a break." Various personalities of the era - Bob
Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel -- seem to have shared the sentiments of the
young Sanders, but the incredulous adverb and adjectives do their work.

+++

Chalk some of this up to being young and unemployed. Mr. Sanders, now 73,
has had a steady, nonrevolutionary job for quite some time now.

It is the usual dig. Resistance and protest come from dissatisfaction and
failure; get a decent job and watch how your politics change.

+++

... barely 30, full of restless energy, with wild curly hair, a brash
Brooklyn manner and a mind fizzing with plans to remake the world. Short on
money but long on ideas...

Human-interest writing may come disguised as biography but it performs that
duty imperfectly. The fizzing mind is there because it rhymes with the
frizzy hair. "Short on money but long on ideas" is a cliché so lazy that
the barb is robbed of its sting.

+++

[Sanders's description of himself as a freelance writer] is a bit of a
stretch. A look through his journalistic output, such as it was, reveals
that he had perhaps a dozen articles published.

How many articles do you have to publish to qualify as a freelance writer?
Two dozen? The pedantry is polemical.

+++

[In a 1972 article by Sanders, the] opening passage, which deals with men's
sexual fantasies, is meant to be satirically provocative but comes across
as crassly sexist.

The article was reprinted in Mother Jones, and readers are free to check
their impressions against Lyall's description. It opens with a suggestion
that men too often fantasize themselves as rapists and women fantasize
being raped: the pleasurable compulsiveness of the fantasies testifies to
the sickness sex in American society. However shallow or wrong this
speculation, Lyall's characterization of it as "crassly sexist" is false.
The title, "Man -- And Woman," is enough to indicate the perspective.

Men think of women as an afterthought, the young Sanders was saying, and
that is our mistake. The article declares that the typical male vice is
"pigness" while the typical female vice is "slavishness." It advises men to
stop being pigs and women to stop being slaves. Lyall says that this early
article has drawn "unflattering attention," but her only link online yields
a brief Times paragraph which alludes to criticism "bouncing around social
media." In fact, the unflattering attention has mostly come from right-wing
corporate and pro-war sites -- Town Hall, National Review, The Weekly
Standard, Breitbart -- whose reasons for undermining Sanders are remote
from feminism.

+++

"Sexual adjustment seemed to be very poor in those with cancer of the
cervix," [Sanders] wrote, quoting a study in a journal called Psychosomatic
Medicine.

"Wrote, quoting": but if he quoted it, he didn't write it. This is meant to
emphasize again the supposed oddity of Sanders's sexual attitudes, but it
should never have passed editing.

+++

He also made a half-hour film about his hero, Eugene V. Debs, the labor
organizer who ran unsuccessfully for president five times.

What a peculiar fellow to have as a hero. The conjunction of
"unsuccessfully" and "five times" makes Debs an average union organizer and
a serial failure: he couldn't stop running for president. Not a word about
Debs going to prison for his opposition to American involvement in the
First World War. Would it be different -- and perhaps fairer -- to speak of
Eugene V. Debs as "the union leader who founded the Social Democratic Party
of America"? Of course, that would open up a weakness or two in the story
of Sanders's hopeless eccentricity.

None of this is likely to change as the contest of ideas in the
presidential race grows warmer. "What contest," you may ask. The Republican
field has drawn amused regard from the mainstream media for its array of
qualified and unqualified candidates -- the former seeking ever more
assiduously to resemble the latter -- with its apparent consensus that
climate change is a hoax and that we should have more wars, less
immigration, no unions, and work together to facilitate the extinction of
public education. The exception is Rand Paul, with his explicit criticism
of mass warrantless surveillance and of the Iraq and Libya wars.

The Democrats have been saved from embarrassment by showing little interest
in public discussion and only the beginnings of a debate. With the
exception of Bernie Sanders: His announcement of his candidacy and his
early speeches in Wisconsin and Iowa have shown no slackening in the force
of his attacks on Wall Street and the big corporations. His voice today
speaks almost alone for a wide dissatisfaction among the electorate with
our politics generally, and the popular jealousy of the vested interests
that for two decades have dictated policy and set the limits of reform far
beyond the area of free trade and the bank interest rates. Public opinion
must be controlled, domesticated, shepherded, and the dissatisfactions made
somehow laughable. Every amusing and dismissive report on a figure like
Sanders or Paul goes to serve that larger purpose.

*Bernie Sanders Sets A 2016 Record By Drawing A Huge Overflow Crowd In Iowa
<http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/04/bernie-sanders-sets-2016-record-drawing-huge-overflow-crowd-iowa.html>
// Politicus // Jason Easley – July 4, 2015*

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders set a new record in Iowa
by drawing an overflow crowd of 2,600 to a venue that only had 2,300 chairs.

The biggest Iowa crowd so far for any presidential candidate turned out on
a Friday night in Council Bluffs to hear Bernie Sanders ask them to join a
new American political revolution to reclaim the government of the United
States from the billionaire class.

At least 2,600 people filled the 2,300 chairs at the Mid-America Convention
Center and stood at the rear of the cavernous convention hall.

It was a remarkable turnout on the eve of Saturday’s Fourth of July
celebration as the Bernie called on them to join a mass movement to restore
the once-great American middle class.

They cheered when he called for raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
They applauded when he said it’s time to break up the big banks on Wall
Street. They shouted approval when he credited Pope Francis for his call
for bold action to prevent catastrophic climate change. They rose to their
feet when he said the United States should join every other major country
and provide health care as a right of citizenship.

The recent Quinnipiac Poll that showed Sanders gaining on Hillary Clinton
in Iowa looks like it was no fluke.

Bernie Sanders is setting attendance records where ever he goes. Sen.
Sanders has more grassroots enthusiasm for his campaign than any Republican
candidate, yet the media continues to give airtime to clowns and
controversy mongers like Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Mike Huckabee.

At some point, the press must be forced to wake up and realize that the
issues that Bernie Sanders is talking about are the ones that matter to the
American people. When the media ignores Bernie Sanders, they are ignoring
the concerns of hard-working Americans.

By filling up arena and venues around the country when Sanders comes to
their towns, the American people are forcing the corporate owned media to
pay attention.

*How Bernie Sanders threatens to derail Hillary’s coronation
<http://nypost.com/2015/07/05/how-bernie-sanders-threatens-to-derail-hillarys-coronation/>
// NY Post // Michael Goodwin – July 5, 2015*

Trying to create a presidential persona and a rationale for running,
Hillary Clinton relaunched her campaign at a memorial to FDR. She used the
glorious setting of Four Freedoms Park to summon Roosevelt’s legacy and
frame her theme as “Four Fights.”

She also invoked her husband and President Obama, as if piggy-backing on
presidents would define her. Perhaps it will work, but her predicament
recalls a Dem president she didn’t mention: Lyndon Baines Johnson. The
similarities must scare her.

LBJ looked certain to be re-elected in 1968, until a Minnesota senator with
a penchant for poetry named Eugene McCarthy shocked the world by getting 42
percent in the New Hampshire primary, against Johnson’s 49 percent. Less
than three weeks later, the president famously declared that “I shall not
seek, and I will not accept, the nomination of my party for another term as
your president.”

If there is a McCarthy-like figure on the scene today, it is Bernie
Sanders, the scrappy underdog threatening to upset Hillary’s coronation.

The news that Sanders is surging in polls in Iowa and New Hampshire must be
sending shivers through Clinton’s camp. Even though Hillary still leads in
the 2016 first states, the gap has narrowed so much that her surrogates are
lowering expectations, saying Sanders might win some showdowns.

That’s amazing enough, but her problem could be even more serious. Echoing
the Mark Twain line that “history doesn’t repeat itself, but it does
rhyme,” the Clinton-Sanders dynamic is starting to rumble like the
political earthquake of ’68.

LBJ’s demise is a textbook example of how quickly the bubble can burst. He
had the power of incumbency while Hillary wears the mantle of
inevitability. That didn’t work for her in 2008, either, when Obama emerged
to crash her party.

Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, doesn’t need to win the
nomination — and he probably won’t — to block Clinton. He only need show
that she’s not inevitable, and that there is a motivated, significant piece
of the party that rejects her.

That is exactly what he’s doing, as large, enthusiastic crowds greet him
wherever he goes. If she looks beatable, more viable candidates will find
the courage to run.

That’s the McCarthy model. He ran as a dissident against the Vietnam War
and the New Hampshire results in mid-March of ’68 crystallized unhappiness
with Johnson.

Nearly 20,000 American soldiers were dead by the end of 1967, and the
election year would be the bloodiest of all. It started with a Jan. 1
attack on a US military base and February’s Tet Offensive saw the deadliest
single week of the war, when 543 Americans were killed and more than 2,500
wounded. Overall, 16,899 of our soldiers died in 1968, the most in any year.

In those dark days, many people, including top Democrats, grew
disillusioned with Johnson, and McCarthy’s promise to end the conflict
found special resonance among draft-age students. Shaggy anti-war
protesters shaved and got haircuts in a “clean for Gene” movement.

But the New Hampshire primary was McCarthy’s high-water mark. After Johnson
bowed out, Bobby Kennedy jumped in, as did Vice President Hubert Humphrey.
Kennedy probably would have won, but was assassinated in June by
Palestinian terrorist Sirhan Sirhan. Humphrey got the nod at the Chicago
convention, a debacle marked by violent street protests that helped
Republican Richard Nixon win the presidency.

For her part, Clinton already has veered left to head off a challenge from
the progressive flank. But her long record as a relative military hawk who
is cozy with Wall Street is proving a tough sell in a party increasingly
more radical than she is.

The anti-Hillary movement is also picking up steam because of her shady
dealings with international oligarchs and the rivers of cash flowing to the
Clinton Foundation. Never reliably honest, she’s been caught in lies about
her e-mails as secretary of state, leading most voters to say she is
untrustworthy. That, in turn, is keeping several GOP candidates ahead or
close in hypothetical matchups.

Although she remains the likely nominee, there are many dents in Clinton’s
armor and a long way to go. By the end, 2016 could be the new 1968.

Bratton is better than his word

Bill Bratton’s bite is worse than his bark. That’s a very good thing for
New York.

With crime in June falling to its lowest level since at least 1993, the top
cop is showing he still has a talent for miracles. Through May, murder was
up nearly 20 percent.

Bratton’s reaction then was a disappointment, writing in The Post that the
“relatively minor increase” did not mean crime was “raging out of control.”
He said he had a plan of action, but his lack of a clear promise sounded
like he was preparing the city for a new normal of more violence.

Thankfully, that has not happened. June’s numbers were dramatically lower
than a year ago, with murders down 38 percent and fewer shootings, rapes,
robberies and stolen cars.

Beyond the obvious benefits, the stats are comforting because they prove
the NYPD still can move quickly and make a life-saving difference despite
the handcuffs and insults coming from City Hall. It’s just one month, but
let’s hope this is the start of a new, downward trend.

Congratulations to the commissioner and all the members of the NYPD. Once
again, they showed why they are the Finest.

Smith’s old wives tale

Former state Senate leader Malcolm Smith had delusions of grandeur,
boasting that he, President Obama and Gov. David Paterson all had wives
named Michelle. The implication was that he, too, was bound for glory.

His sentencing on federal bribery charges brought him back to earth with a
thud. A Democrat, he was convicted of a scheme to buy his way onto the
Republican mayoral ballot in 2013.

Leaving court last week, Smith said only, “I thank God for the opportunity
I’ve had to serve.” Presumably, he didn’t mean his time in prison, which
was set at seven years.

Oh, how the would-be mighty have fallen.

Pataki plays his ‘Trump’ card

Who’s afraid of Donald Trump? Apparently most of the GOP presidential
candidates except George Pataki.

Even as Republicans try to attract Latino voters, the former three-term New
York governor broke the party’s shocking silence over Trump’s statement
that Mexican immigrants are “bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime.
They’re rapists.”

In an open letter to competitors, Pataki said the comments “left me and a
lot of other sensible people wondering what century we are living in,” and
urged others to join him in denouncing them.

Initially, only former Texas Gov. Rick Perry mumbled disagreement, but late
Friday Marco Rubio finally denounced Trump’s comments as “offensive.” And
yesterday, Jeb Bush chimed in, labeling Trump’s remarks “extraordinarily
ugly.” Better late than never.

Pataki is a long shot for the nomination, but his refreshing capacity for
decency has not been dimmed by his time out of office.

*WEBB*

*Jim Webb Announces Presidential Bid; Only Democratic Candidate Opposed To
Marriage Equality
<http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=21160&MediaType=1&Category=26> //
On Top // Carlos Santoscoy – July 4, 2015*

Former Virginia Senator Jim Webb on Thursday announced his bid for the
White House.

Webb made his announcement in a 2,000-word Facebook post.

“After many months of thought, deliberation and discussion, I have decided
to seek the office of the Presidency of the United States,” Webb wrote.

He said that he had decided to run because “our country needs a fresh
approach to solving the problems that confront us and too often
unnecessarily divide us. … And at the same time our fellow Americans need
proven, experienced leadership that can be trusted to move us forward from
a new President's first days in office.”

Webb is the fifth candidate seeking the Democratic nomination. Former
Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton is considered the race's
frontrunner. Also in the race are Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders, former
Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley and former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln
Chafee. All of Webb's rivals support marriage equality.

While Webb is generally supportive of LGBT rights, he has yet to officially
change his stance favoring civil unions, not marriage, for gay and lesbian
couples. During a 2014 appearance on Meet the Press, Webb said that the
debate “has been a good thing for the country.”

*CHAFEE*

*Chafee's campaign leaves some NH Democrats a bit puzzled
<http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article26483401.html>
// Miami Herald // Michelle R. Smith – July 4, 2015*

LACONIA, N.H.  - Presidential candidate Lincoln Chafee stands before a few
dozen people at a meeting of New Hampshire's Belknap County Democrats. The
Republican-turned-independent-turned-Democrat gets nods of approval when he
tells them he was the only Republican senator to vote against authorizing
the war in Iraq.

Then smiles turn to laughter when he pitches another idea: The U.S. should
switch to the metric system.

The former Rhode Island governor has visited the first primary state of New
Hampshire a dozen times this year. But he seems to be making barely a
ripple — aside from curiosity about some of his policy platforms.

In Belknap County, at least some Democrats seemed intrigued by Chafee as
someone who could represent an alternative to Hillary Rodham Clinton, the
commanding favorite for the nomination. But they are also puzzled by what
he talks about sometimes.

Chafee told the group he wants to bring National Security Agency leaker
Edward Snowden home, dropping all charges against him. Paula Trombi of
Meredith said she liked some of what he said but was taken aback and
disappointed by his position on Snowden. She also can't understand why he
keeps talking about the metric system, of all things.

"With all the troubles that are going on, that seems almost odd to bring
up," she said.

Dave Kerr, a selectman in Barnstead, said he agreed with Chafee that
billions have been spent on the war that could have been better spent on
roads and schools. But Kerr was leaving with a poster and a donation
envelope for another Democratic rival, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, who
also opposed the Iraq war. A Sanders supporter had handed them out, and
Kerr wondered why Chafee hadn't, also.

Chafee is known to dislike fundraising and is just starting to raise money
for a race where spending is expected to be measured in the billions. His
past campaigns — two Senate races as a Republican and a governor's race as
an independent — have relied on an old New England family fortune amassed
over generations.

Dave Pollak, chairman of Belknap County Democrats, said he agreed with
Chafee that Snowden is a whistleblower and should not be prosecuted. With
Chafee's background in different parties, Pollak sees him as someone who
could bridge the ideological divide between Democrats and Republicans. He
even likes the metric system idea.

But Pollak finds other aspects of Chafee's campaign peculiar.

Clinton's campaign is in contact with the group every week inviting its
members to events, has multiple campaign offices open and created specialty
groups for supporters such as "High Schoolers for Hillary." The Sanders
campaign sends regular "rousing" emails on issues, Pollak said. The
campaign for another rival, former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, also has
staff in the state.

Chafee, on the other hand, has no campaign staff in New Hampshire yet and
appears to be running on a shoestring. Although Chafee has a vacation home
further north in Franconia, he said he hasn't been staying there during the
campaign. Instead, he drives to his New Hampshire events from Rhode Island,
a five-hour round trip this evening. He was back in Somersworth, New
Hampshire, the following day.

It makes Pollak wonder how serious he is.

"What's the organization?" he asks. "What gives you confidence that he can
get the voters out?"

Chafee gets testy when asked about matters like that. He says it's an
"evolutionary process."

"You guys never ask anything about the substance," he told a reporter.
"It's always about how many people, how much money have you raised. Ugh.

"I wish there was more intellectual discussion about the issues in these
campaigns."

As he spoke, Chafee aide Jonathan Stevens handed out stickers saying "Trust
Chafee." The design and motto are identical to the one from his 2010
campaign for governor. Asked if they're 2010 leftovers, Stevens replied,
"We recycle everything."

Stickers bearing this year's motto, "Fresh Ideas for America," were nowhere
in sight.

*UNDECLARED*

*BIDEN*

*The Joe Biden (mini-)boom
<http://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/david-shribman/2015/07/05/David-M-Shribman-The-Joe-Biden-mini-boom/stories/201507050070>
// Pittsburgh Post-Gazette // David M. Shribman – July 5, 2015*

Suddenly everybody’s talking about Joe Biden.

That itself is a phenomenon. The nation’s first vice president, John Adams,
described the job in a letter to his wife as “the most insignificant office
that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived,” and
indeed he did little in it. Its later occupants — and here the names Daniel
D. Tompkins, Richard Mentor Johnson, Henry Wilson and Charles W. Fairbanks
come to mind only if you’re playing a particularly difficult trivia contest
— have faded into the mists of history, forgettable and forgotten.

But in recent years vice presidents have become important forces in
American political life. As late as 1977, the vice presidency was a
political backwater; titanic political figures such as former Senate
majority leader Lyndon B. Johnson and former Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller
swiftly grew bored and depressed in the office. But all that changed when
Sen. Walter F. Mondale of Minnesota negotiated an important role for the
vice presidency as the price of joining former Gov. Jimmy Carter of Georgia
on the 1976 Democratic ticket, and strong vice presidents such as Albert
Gore Jr. and Richard B. Cheney further changed the profile of the office.

And, in a major departure from American history, vice presidents recently
have become formidable presidential candidates. Richard Nixon and Mr. Gore
were in breathtakingly close presidential elections only to lose in
disputed circumstances. George H.W. Bush ascended directly to the
presidency. Mr. Mondale and Hubert H. Humphrey won tough battles for the
Democratic presidential nomination but lost in the general election. The
vice presidency has become a potent staging ground for a presidential
campaign.

Which is why Mr. Biden now is in the news again — not for what he has done
but for what he might do.

Today nobody has an inkling whether Mr. Biden will seek to ascend the
greasy pole to the presidency. He is in deep mourning for his son, Beau
Biden, who died at 46 in May, though the younger Mr. Biden (and his
brother, Hunter) are thought to have hoped for a third Biden presidential
candidacy. The first two, in 1988 and 2008, went nowhere, though Mr.
Biden’s elder-statesman wisdom and generous spirit positioned him to become
Barack Obama’s running mate in 2008.

Makeshift draft-Biden efforts have launched in the early political states
of Iowa and New Hampshire, but they do not have the heft of either the
Ready for Hillary or the Run Warren Run organizations that were created for
former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who now is running for
president, and Sen. Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, who apparently is
not. They pale in comparison, moreover, with the Draft Eisenhower effort of
1951 and 1952, when the former supreme commander of Allied forces hadn’t
even made clear whether he was a Republican or a Democrat.

The question for 2016 is whether either the vice presidency or Mr. Biden
himself have the advantages Mr. Bush and Mr. Gore possessed when they
sought to go directly from the office to the White House. Mr. Bush is the
only person after Martin Van Buren to make that leap since 1837. Mr. Nixon,
a two-term vice president under Gen. Eisenhower, failed to do so in 1960,
though he prevailed eight years later, defeating another vice president,
Mr. Humphrey.

None of the vice presidents who won presidential nominations began the race
as far behind as Mr. Biden, nor did any face an established, perhaps even
historic, rival with the profile of Ms. Clinton, wife of a onetime
president, secretary of state to another and a U.S. senator. Mr. Biden is
in single digits in the latest Iowa and New Hampshire polls, and Ms.
Clinton holds a lead of nearly five-to-one over Mr. Biden in the
RealClearPolitics survey.

Until recent times, the presidential prospects of a vice president such as
Mr. Biden would be considered remote. Though 13 vice presidents have become
presidents, all but four of them ascended through the death or resignation
of an incumbent. John Adams (1796) and Thomas Jefferson (1800) pulled that
off when the political system bore almost no resemblance to contemporary
American politics.

Only in the 20th century, and only sporadically at that, has the vice
presidency been regarded as a stepping stone. Three wealthy men of small
accomplishment but large ambition sought the position with an eye on the
presidency in the first half of the century. Two of them (Franklin Delano
Roosevelt, successful 1920 Democratic nominee, and John F. Kennedy,
unsuccessful 1956 Democratic contender) calculated the vice presidency
would enhance their resumes. The third, Theodore Roosevelt, became
president on the death of William McKinley in 1901.

Like Mr. Cheney before him, Mr. Biden’s appeal for the vice presidency was
based in large measure on the belief he would not seek the White House on
his own. But Mr. Cheney, while an important vice president, did not have a
history of seeking the presidency while Mr. Biden has been preoccupied with
the notion for decades. Though his 1988 campaign ended amid charges he
plagiarized part of his stump speech from the British Labor leader Nick
Kinnock, it is largely forgotten today that Mr. Biden was regarded as a
very strong contender and the one with perhaps the best-developed strategy
for winning the White House.

That strategy — a Baby Boomer appeal by a man who wasn’t part of that
generation but nonetheless recognized the power of 75 million voters born
between 1946 and 1964 — would have no resonance today. His attraction in
2016 would be as the tested man of experience, the onetime
young-man-in-a-hurry who now possesses the seasoning, patience and
perspective to guide the United States to the end of the second decade of
the new century.

Ms. Clinton already has broken with the administration on the Pacific trade
pact and will be under pressure to identify other areas in which she
differs. Mr. Biden would face the same pressure but would have less
incentive or inclination to identify differences with his patron.

But in two respects a Biden candidacy would help Ms. Clinton. He is five
years older than she, thus removing the age issue. And he is still a member
of the administration, thus removing the notion that Ms. Clinton is the
candidate of a third Obama term.

*GOP*

*DECLARED*

*BUSH*

*Indignant Jeb Bush Says He Takes Donald Trump’s Remarks Personally
<http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/07/04/an-angry-jeb-bush-says-he-takes-donald-trumps-remarks-personally/?module=BlogPost-Title&version=Blog%20Main&contentCollection=Politics&action=Click&pgtype=Blogs&region=Body>
// NYT // Patrick Healy – July 4, 2015*

MERRIMACK, N.H. – Jeb Bush, whose wife is Mexican and three children were
raised to celebrate their bicultural roots, showed a flash of anger on
Saturday as he said that he “absolutely” took personal offense when Donald
Trump recently described Mexican immigrants coming to the United States as
“rapists” and criminals.

Mr. Bush, a former Florida governor, used his strongest language yet to
denounce Mr. Trump, a rival for the 2016 Republican presidential nomination
and the second-place finisher behind Mr. Bush in a New Hampshire poll that
was conducted after Mr. Trump made those remarks. Mr. Bush, after marching
in an Independence Day parade here with two of his children, George and
Noelle, said that Mr. Trump’s views are “way out of the mainstream” of the
party.

“To make these extraordinarily ugly kind of comments is not reflective of
the Republican Party,” Mr. Bush said about Mr. Trump, whose comments caused
NBC, Univision, Macy’s and others to cut ties with him.

“He’s doing this — he’s not a stupid guy, so I don’t assume he thinks that
every Mexican crossing the border is a rapist. He’s doing this to inflame
and incite and to draw attention, which seems to be the organizing
principle of his campaign,” Mr. Bush said.

Asked if he took Mr. Trump’s remarks personally, given his family, Mr. Bush
became a little cross.

“Yeah, of course it — absolutely — and a lot of other people” did as well,
he said. “But politically, we’re going to win when we’re hopeful and
optimistic and big and broad rather than errrrr, grrrr, just angry all the
time. This is an exaggerated form of that, and there is no tolerance for
it.”

Another Republican candidate, Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey, gave a
different answer on Friday when asked about Mr. Trump, a longtime friend.
He criticized Mr. Trump’s remarks but then appeared to vouch for him.

“I like Donald. He’s a good guy,” Mr. Christie said. “And as I said right
from the beginning, he’ll be as serious a candidate as he wants to be.
Those are his choices.”

Mr. Trump issued a statement in response to the criticism, saying, “Today,
Jeb Bush once again proves that he is out of touch with the American
people. Just like the simple question asked of Jeb on Iraq, where it took
him five days and multiple answers to get it right, he doesn’t understand
anything about the border or border security. In fact, Jeb believes illegal
immigrants who break our laws when they cross our border come “out of
love.” ”

*Bush: ‘Absolutely’ offended by Trump’s comments on Mexicans
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/07/04/bush-absolutely-offended-by-trumps-comments-on-mexicans/>
// WaPo // Ed O’Keefe – July 4, 2015*

MERRIMACK, N.H. -- Jeb Bush says he's "absolutely" personally offended by
Donald Trump's recent incendiary comments about Mexico and immigrants
coming from the country.

Bush, the former Florida governor whose wife is from Mexico, made his
comments about Trump to reporters at the end of two Independence Day
parades in the first-in-the-nation primary state.

"I don’t think he represents the Republican Party, and his views are way
out of the mainstream of what Republicans think," Bush said. "No one
suggests that we shouldn’t control our borders – everybody has a belief
that we should control our borders. But to make these extraordinarily ugly
kind of comments is not reflective of the Republican Party. Trump is wrong
on this."

"He’s doing this to inflame and to incite and to get to draw attention
which just seems to be the organization principle of his campaign. It
doesn’t represent the Republican Party or its values," Bush added.

Republican presidential candidate Jeb Bush begins marching in an
Independence Day parade in Amherst, N.H., on Saturday. (Ed O'Keefe/The
Washington Post)

During his announcement speech nearly three weeks ago, Trump blamed Mexico
for allowing immigrants to illegally cross into the United States.

“They’re bringing drugs,” Trump said in his campaign announcement speech.
“They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists.”

In the weeks since, several companies have cut ties to Trump and Democrats
have seized on the remarks as further evidence of the GOP's difficulty in
appealing to Latinos and other minority groups.

Bush was asked whether he's personally offended by the comments, given that
his wife, Columba, was born in Mexico.

"Yeah, of course. Absolutely. And a lot of other people as well," he said.
"But politically -- we’re going to win when we’re hopeful and optimistic
and big and broad rather than 'RRRR'" he said -- literally, growling --
"just angry all the time. This is an exaggerated form of that and there is
no tolerance for it."

Bush made similar, but less expansive comments about Trump while
campaigning in Nevada last weekend. His comments on Saturday were sharper
and more personal and came just a few hours after former Republican Party
presidential nominee Mitt Romney said that Trump's comments were hurting
the GOP.

"I think he made a severe error in saying what he did about
Mexican-Americans," Romney said, according to CNN.

Bush and Trump sit atop the most recent polls of New Hampshire Republican
primary voters, with several other GOP opponents who once topped the
surveys -- including Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker
-- sinking in those recent polls.

Bush spent more than four hours on Saturday marching with supporters and
likely shaking thousands of hands. He has been spending the last few days
at the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine. Given the proximity to
New Hampshire, his son, Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush, and his
daughter, Noelle, tagged along for the parades.

Bush marched first in tiny Amherst before coming here to Merrimack. Several
other presidential candidates, including Democrat Lincoln Chaffee and
Republicans Lindsey O. Graham and Rick Perry also marched in the Amherst
parade. Chaffee also marched here in Merrimack.

*Jeb Bush: Trump comments meant 'to draw attention'
<http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/04/politics/bush-trump-immigrants/> // CNN //
Ashley Killough – July 5, 2015*

(CNN)Jeb Bush said Donald Trump doesn't represent the views of most
Republicans, offering his most aggressive comments so far on the real
estate titan who's used inflammatory language when talking about immigrants.

"This is a guy who was a Democrat for most of the last decade. I don't
think he represents the Republican Party, and his views are way out of the
mainstream of what most Republicans think," Bush told reporters after an
Independence Day parade in Merrimack, New Hampshire, according to The New
York Times.

Calling immigrants from Latin America "rapists," Trump has become a thorn
in the side of many Republicans, who are trying to appeal to a wider tent
of voters, including Latinos.

Bush, whose wife is from Mexico, stated a week ago in Nevada that he simply
thought Trump was "wrong," adding that "maybe we will have a chance to have
an honest discussion about it on a stage somewhere."

But on Saturday, Bush talked at length about his presidential rival after a
week of continued pressure on Republicans -- including by other Republicans
-- to make more forceful condemnations of Trump.

"Trump is wrong on this," Bush said. "He's doing this. He's not a stupid
guy. Don't think he thinks every Mexican crossing the border is a rapist.
He's doing this to inflame and incite and to draw attention, which seems to
be his organizing principle of his campaign."

Trump fired back Saturday.

"Today, Jeb Bush once again proves that he is out of touch with the
American people," he said in a statement.

"... He doesn't understand anything about the border or border security. In
fact, Jeb believes illegal immigrants who break our laws when they cross
our border come "out of love."

He said he is "proud to be fighting for a strong and secure border,"
describing it as a crucial issue.

Trump said Friday that the recent killing of a young woman in San Francisco
by a suspect who police say is an undocumented immigrant is further proof
of his argument.

Asked about the slaying, Bush agreed that the border needs to be secure and
that anyone who commits a crime "should be deported," chiding what he
called "sanctuary cities that encourage this."

Sticking to his message about maintaining an optimistic tune, Bush said
Republicans will do best "when we're hopeful" rather than "angry all the
time."

"And this is an exaggerated form of that and there is no tolerance for
that," he said, according to The New York Times.

Following his presidential announcement last month, Trump saw a sharp boost
in his poll numbers and came in second place behind Bush according to the
latest CNN/ORC International poll.

Bush has been on the receiving end of sharp rhetoric from Trump, who's
criticized the former Florida governor for his positions on immigration and
Common Core.

"He thinks people come over for love. I don't understand why he's in first
place," Trump told CNN's Don Lemon earlier this week. "Maybe it's the Bush
name. Last thing we need is another Bush. But I will tell you, I'm a little
surprised he's in the position he's in."

*Jeb Bush’s Giving Totaled 1.5% of Income From 2007 to 2013
<http://www.belljarnews.com/jeb-bush-s-giving-totaled-1-5-of-income-from-2007-to-2013/8517412/>
// The Bell Jar – July 5, 2015*

In fact as shown above from Bush’s own tax return data in many years his
income and taxes were zero.

Bush’s income skyrocketed after he finished his time as Florida governor in
2007.

While the internet has made much of Bush’s post-political income
(approaching $30 million since he stopped being Governor in 2007) and his
high effective tax rate in recent years (nearing 42%), I’d like to focus
our attention a bit more narrowly: How was Jeb Bush impacted by President
Obama’s decision to allow the tax cuts enacted by his brother, George W.,
to expire effective January 1, 2013? Returns from 2014 aren’t yet filed
because Bush is still waiting to receive tax paperwork from his business
partnerships, aides said.

Mr Bush paid no federal taxes in 1985 and 1986, two years when his
investment losses cancelled out his income.

Republican Jeb Bush planned to release 33 years of tax records on Tuesday
in what was believed to be the most ever made public by a presidential
candidate.

Clinton’s campaign press secretary, Brian Fallon, said Tuesday that she
“fully expects to release her tax returns again this time, as she did the
last time she ran for president”. He also gave more than $100,000 to
charity that year.

He continued to make at least $1.85 million each year, with his highest
total, $7.3 million, coming in 2013.

Bush’s effective tax rate from 1981 to 2013 was about 36 percent – much
higher than Romney’s because most of Bush’s income was regular income
rather than capital gains, which are taxed a lower rate.

[Bush tax forms show income of million since 2007]. “And I don’t believe
that that is appropriate”, Bush said. A bar graph rendering that
comparison, showing Bush to the left of Bob Dole, who released 30 years of
returns, sat atop the page when it went live. In 2004, Democratic nominee
John Kerry disclosed 20 years of such records.

The tax returns can be viewed on Bush’s website here.

No other candidate or prospective presidential candidate this year has
committed to releasing as many tax returns as Bush. “None of Hillary
Clinton’s presidential opponents have revealed anything close to this
amount of personal financial information”.

Clinton’s earning since 2014 put the couple in the top one-tenth of 1
percent of all Americans.

“I paid the government more than one in three dollars that I earned in my
career”.

Some of the information has already been publicly available.

He earns between $40,000 and $50,000 per domestic speaking engagement –
which he noted during a news conference was less than the $65,000 that
fellow presidential offspring Chelsea Clinton brings in.

In 2012, the previous year for which Mrs Clinton made financial
disclosures, her wealth was estimated at $15m by OpenSecrets.org which
tracks candidates and campaign finances.

Bush’s Republican rivals did not indicate when their tax returns might be
made public.

And his income only continued to grow.

Mr Bush is himself a very wealthy man, with a net worth of $19-22m
[GBP12-14m].

Mr. Bush sat on several for-profit boards after he left the governor’s
office, including Cormatrix, Rayonier, Swisher Hygiene, Tenet Healthcare,
Empower Software Holdings and Geo Fossil Fuels LLC.

*Jeb Bush, Married To Mexican, Denounces Donald Trump, Takes 'Ugly' Remarks
About Immigrants Personally
<http://www.ibtimes.com/jeb-bush-married-mexican-denounces-donald-trump-takes-ugly-remarks-about-immigrants-1995945>
// International Business Times // Elizabeth Whitman – July 4, 2015*

Donald Trump's recent comments about Mexicans, which have offended a broad
range of Latin American society, from celebrities to television channels,
did not sit well with Jeb Bush. In fact, the former Florida governor and
one of Trump's many fellow contenders for the 2016 Republican nomination
for president took those remarks somewhat personally.

"He’s doing this to inflame and incite and to draw attention, which seems
to be the organizing principle of his campaign,” Bush told the New York
Times while in New Hampshire Saturday. And he "absolutely" felt the remarks
on a personal level. Bush's wife, Columba, is Mexican. They have three
children together, and Bush speaks fluent Spanish.

In June, Trump offered some thoughts on Mexican immigrants in the United
States: “They are bringing drugs. They are bringing crime. They’re
rapists,” he said in launching his first bid for the presidency. “Some, I
assume, are good people,” the business tycoon added.

Bush was also careful to deflect Trump's comments away from the party whose
presidential nomination they both seek. “To make these extraordinarily ugly
kind of comments is not reflective of the Republican Party,” Bush said.
"He’s not a stupid guy, so I don’t assume he thinks that every Mexican
crossing the border is a rapist," he added.

As for the benefits of making such derogatory remarks, Bush suggested there
were none. “But politically, we’re going to win when we’re hopeful and
optimistic and big and broad rather than errrrr, grrrr, just angry all the
time. This is an exaggerated form of that, and there is no tolerance for
it.”

In response to Trump's remarks, numerous entities have cut ties to the
media mogul. Several Latin American countries have dropped out of this
year's Miss Universe pageant or refused to broadcast the contest. Macy's,
NBC, Serta and Univision have also cut business ties with him, and the City
of New York is reviewing its contracts. Mayor Bill de Blasio called the
remarks "disgusting and offensive."

*Polls Show Jeb Bush In Good Standing To Win The GOP Nomination
<http://www.inquisitr.com/2224278/polls-show-jeb-bush-in-good-standing-to-win-the-gop-nomination/#WzMLHCMREfg1Fuiz.99>
// Inquisitr – July 5, 2015*

Marco Rubio had been gaining on Jeb Bush in the polls last month, but now
the momentum has switched and Bush appears to have regained his
front-runner status and is surging ahead of Rubio in one national poll, the
Tampa Bay Times reports. In the newest CNN/ORC poll released this past
week, Jeb Bush leads nationally among Republican candidates for president
with 19 percent, a substantial improvement over his 13 percent in June in
the same poll. Rubio has fallen from 14 percent to just six percent in the
same time period in the same poll.

While Bush has gained on Rubio in the CNN/ORC poll, the Miami Herald
reports that both candidates are still behind Hillary Clinton in possible
general election match-ups measured in that poll. Hillary Clinton leads
Bush 54 percent to 41 percent, while having a 59 to 34 percent lead over
Donald Trump and a 56 to 39 percent lead over Marco Rubio.

Business Insider reports that Bush might well be once again the
front-runner for the GOP nomination for president in 2016, according to a
statement by CNN‘s polling director, Jennifer Agiesta.

“The findings suggest Bush is making progress toward being seen as the
frontrunner in a field that has long lacked a clear leader,” wrote Agiesta,
“He holds a significant lead over the second-place candidate Trump, is seen
as the candidate who could best handle illegal immigration and social
issues, and runs about even with Trump and well ahead of the other
candidates when Republicans are asked which candidate can best handle the
economy.”

A look at the latest polling data and averages at Real Clear Politics (RCP)
shows that Jeb Bush has a very plausible path to winning the GOP nomination
in 2016. Assuming some degree of accuracy of this polling data, here is how
the early caucus and primary votes might well go, and how they could lead
to a Jeb Bush nomination for president in 2016.

Bush is currently tied for second place, with Dr. Ben Carson, in the RCP
average in Iowa with 9.3 percent, and Scott Walker leads with 17.5 percent
in the average but he is believed to be slipping in the polls in Iowa. A
renewed and serious effort by Jeb Bush in Iowa could still find him coming
in second to Walker but perhaps a stronger-than-expected second that would
lead to pundits saying maybe the Bush campaign is gaining strength.

The momentum of finishing better than expected in Iowa should have Jeb Bush
going into New Hampshire gaining in the polls there, where Bush now leads
with 15.2 percent in the RCP average while Walker and Trump come in second
and third place respectively in New Hampshire. Poor finishes in Iowa and
New Hampshire are likely to cause several of the under-performing
candidates to suspend their candidacies.

After the strong performance in New Hampshire, Jeb Bush goes to South
Carolina gaining in the polls, where he now leads 13.7 percent to 13.3
percent over Scott Walker in the RCP average. This will be very much like
2000 in South Carolina, where John McCain needed to beat George W. Bush in
the state to stay in the race, and winning the state gave Bush a clear
advantage over McCain. Same in South Carolina in 2016, except the
candidates are Jeb Bush and Scott Walker. Same result, the candidate with
the last name of Bush wins.

Florida will vote next, where Jeb Bush even now leads with 24.3 percent to
Rubio at 18.7 and Walker at 11.7 in the RCP average of polls. Bush should
win that more easily, after winning New Hampshire and South Carolina, and
beyond that should easily win most of the remaining primary and caucus
votes on his way to winning the GOP nomination in 2016. This will be very
much like winning GOP campaigns of the past, including Mitt Romney in 2012,
John McCain in 2008, George W. Bush in 2000, George H.W. Bush in 1988, and
Ronald Reagan in 1980.

The current polling data shows Jeb Bush could very well follow the patterns
of many of those winning candidates who become GOP nominees and win the GOP
nomination for 2016. For that not to happen, one of the other candidates
will have to become the clear choice of those who do not want Jeb Bush as
the nominee, and win some early states to become the sole challenger to
Bush early in the process. Either Marco Rubio or Scott Walker would have to
defeat Bush in New Hampshire and South Carolina for that scenario to be
possible, and for one of them to defeat Jeb Bush in 2016. The polling data
today suggests that is not likely, but there is plenty of time for all of
this to change.

*RUBIO*

*Trump fires back at Rubio after ICE says suspected killer was deported 5
times
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jul/4/trump-fires-back-at-rubio-after-ice-says-kathryn-s/>
// Washington Times // Kellan Howell – July 4, 2015*

Donald Trump wants to know what Florida Senator Marco Rubio has to say
about a San Francisco woman who may have been killed by a convicted felon
with five previous deportations.

The New York businessman has come under fire for unfiltered comments on the
kinds of criminality that accompanies illegal immigration.

“Our next president needs to be someone who brings Americans together — not
someone who continues to divide,” Mr. Rubio wrote on Thursday. “Our broken
immigration system is something that needs to be solved, and comments like
this move us further from — not closer to — a solution.”

Mr. Trump took to Twitter on Thursday to highlight the case of Kathryn
Steinle, 32, who was killed while she walked along the city’s Pier 14 with
her father earlier in the week. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
officials said the man who was arrested in connection with her seemingly
random killing had been deported five times.

“.@marcorubio what do you say to the family of Kathryn Steinle in CA who
was viciously killed b/c we can’t secure our border? Stand up for US,” Mr.
Trump Tweeted.

Suspect Francisco Sanchez, 45, was arrested shortly after Ms. Steinle’s
killing.

Mr. Trump also used the story to fire back at his other critics as well.
His rhetoric on illegal immigration has cost him several partnerships with
major businesses like Macy’s, NBC, and Univision, and earned him harsh
criticism from actress America Ferrera.

“Thank you America Ferrara [sic] for supporting lawless criminals from
Mexico. One more needless death. 2 innocent lives taken,” Mr. Trump
tweeted. “Our Southern border it totally out of control. This is an
absolutely disgraceful. situation. We need border security!”

*Trump hammers Rubio: ‘Zero credibility,’ ‘outright lies’ to sell amnesty
<http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/07/04/trump-hammers-rubio-zero-credibility-outright-lies-to-sell-amnesty/>
// Breitbart News // Matthew Boyle – July 4, 2015*

Rubio joined Democrats and liberals—as well as most of the mainstream
media—in attacking Trump for calling out international criminals who
exploit America’s weak and insecure border to get into the United States
illegally.

“Trump’s comments are not just offensive and inaccurate, but also
divisive,” Rubio said. “Our next president needs to be someone who brings
Americans together – not someone who continues to divide. Our broken
immigration system is something that needs to be solved, and comments like
this move us further from – not closer to – a solution. We need leaders who
offer serious solutions to secure our border and fix our broken immigration
system.”

Rubio’s statement follows what Trump said about illegal aliens two weeks
ago in his presidential campaign announcement speech. “When Mexico sends
its people, they’re not sending their best,” Trump said then. “They’re
sending people that have lots of problems… they’re bringing drugs, they’re
bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

Rubio joins people like Barack Obama’s 2012 presidential campaign co-chair
and liberal actress Eva Longoria—who compared Trump to Adolf Hitler—and
Univision programming president Alberto Ciurana–who compared Trump to
Charleston, South Carolina, mass murderer Dylann Storm Roof. There are
plenty of others throughout the mainstream media and institutional left who
have slammed Trump as well, and some Republicans like former Texas Gov.
Rick Perry and former New York Gov. George Pataki.

Sending out a link to a Breitbart California article detailing how one such
illegal alien like the criminals Trump called out in his announcement
speech allegedly murdered a woman in San Francisco on Wednesday, Trump
launched his initial response at Rubio via Twitter: “Our Southern border is
unsecure. I am the only one that can fix it, nobody else has the guts to
even talk about it.”

“Our Southern border is totally out of control. This is an absolutely
disgraceful. situation,” Trump added. “We need border security!”

“Where are the other candidates now that this tragic murder has taken place
b/c of our unsafe border,” he added in another tweet. “We need a wall!”

In a fourth tweet, Trump sent a message directly to Rubio: “.@marcorubio
what do you say to the family of Kathryn Steinle in CA who was viciously
killed b/c we can’t secure our border? Stand up for US.”

In addition, a Trump adviser sent a lengthy statement to Breitbart News on
Friday evening signaling that the real estate mogul isn’t backing down.

“Mr. Trump will never apologize for wanting the American people to have a
secure border,” the Trump adviser said. “He is the sole candidate who will
secure our broken southern border by building a massive wall. The American
people deserve a wall to protect their safety, jobs and economy.”

In addition, Trump’s adviser told Breitbart News that his boss can’t wait
to expose Rubio’s weakness on immigration:

Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has zero credibility on securing our border.
Nothing has been more “divisive” than the outright lies used to try and
sell his amnesty for illegal immigrants to the American people. Hard
working Americans cannot depend on Senator Rubio to protect their jobs.
Senator Rubio’s “Gang of Eight” bill, which was such an epic failure it
never even came up for a vote in the House, would have given President
Obama the immediate power to grant amnesty to millions of illegal
immigrants.

Trump’s team seems ready to hone in on Rubio’s biggest weakness: That he
worked with senior Democrats like Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Dick Durbin
(D-IL), and the now-indicted Bob Menendez (D-NJ) to put forward an amnesty
bill last Congress. Rubio eventually backed away from his own bill after he
tanked in the polls.

“Rubio flip flopped on the bill for political expediency with the
explanation that he could not expect President Obama to enforce it. Why
would Rubio have given Obama this authority in the first place?” Trump’s
adviser said.

Just this past weekend in New Hampshire, Rubio used several of the same
talking points he used to sell the Gang of Eight bill to push a pathway to
citizenship for illegal aliens. When asked if he supports a pathway to
citizenship for those who broke America’s immigration laws, Rubio said: “I
do.”

But first we have to prove to the American people that illegal immigration
is under control and today that lack of confidence has made it impossible
for us to make progress on immigration reform. So the first thing we have
to do is we have to pass real reforms that secure the border more secure
than it is today, an entry-exit tracking system to prevent visa overstays,
and we also need to create an Electronic Verification system for employers
so they can verify that the people they’re hiring are legally here. We need
to put that in place and show it to the American people and prove that
illegal immigration for the future is under control. After we do that the
second step is we must modernize our legal immigration system.

Today, legal immigration is primarily on the basis of whether or not you
have a relative living here. In the 21st century it must be based on what
skills you have or what you can contribute economically. After we’ve done
those two steps, I believe the American people will be very generous and
responsible about what you do with those who have been here a long time. I
think the best approach is to have them come forward, undergo a background
check, pay a fine for having violated our law, start paying taxes—and in
return for all of that—they will get a work permit that will allow them to
work and travel legally in the United States. That’s the only status they
would be allowed to have for at least a decade.

Then assuming if after a decade they’ve complied with all of that then they
would be allowed to apply for permanent residency just like anybody else
would—not through a special path—and then of course once you have permanent
residency depending on how you acquire it, within three to five years, you
could apply for citizenship. That is a long path. But I do think it’s fair
and reasonable. But we can’t even get to that third step I’ve outlined
until we’ve done the other two things first. That’s just the reality of the
political situation we have today in America.

Rubio made most of the same claims in nearly identical language during his
advocacy for the Gang of Eight bill.

Trump has also been extraordinarily critical of the Obamatrade deal that
Rubio voted for.

“Rubio’s dangerous amnesty bill and his recent vote for Trade Promotion
Authority – after never reading the Trans-Pacific Partnership – show an
unsettling truth,” Trump’s adviser told Breitbart News.

Trump’s team compared Rubio at that point to Obama himself—both of them,
after all, were first-term U.S. Senators when they launched their White
House bids.

“Rubio is a typical politician who is controlled by the special interests,”
Trump’s adviser said. “The one-term Senator simply does not have the
experience or judgment to be President.”

Trump’s adviser wrapped his statement to Breitbart News by noting that
Trump will actually secure the border, unlike Rubio.

“Mr. Trump believes that a nation without borders is not a nation at all,”
Trump’s adviser said. “Mr. Trump will never apologize for fighting for
border security. It is common sense and will Make America Great Again!”

Trump is likely to turn the jets on Rubio, as Rubio continues sinking in
the polls again—much like he did after he drove amnesty through the Senate
last Congress. In an exclusive interview with Breitbart News in Trump Tower
in New York City after his presidential campaign announcement, Trump said
of Rubio: “I would say Marco Rubio is just not the guy.”

“Rubio is weak on immigration and he’s weak on jobs,” Trump said in a
previous interview with Breitbart News. “We need someone who is going to
make the country great again, and Rubio is not going to make the country
great again—and neither is [former Florida Gov. Jeb] Bush.”

*PAUL*

*Don’t dismiss Rand Paul’s tax plan
<http://www.dallasnews.com/business/columnists/scott-burns/20150704-burns-dont-dismiss-rand-pauls-tax-plan.ece>
// Dallas News // Scott Burns – July 4, 2015*

Most news media dismissed Rand Paul’s tax plan, like his candidacy for
president, as a nonstarter. But many of those reports failed to grasp a
gigantic part of the plan. They also wrongly concluded that the flat tax
was a big break for high-income people but not so good for middle-income
people.

Let’s take a closer look at the plan the Republican senator from Kentucky
proposes.

It would abolish the employment tax. The plan would end the most regressive
tax in the lifetime of every living American. This is a big, big deal. All
workers pay this tax on the first dollar of wages. But the tax stops at
$118,500. Wages over that amount pay taxes for Medicare but not for Social
Security. This tax has been rising since 1937.

In 1937, the tax was 2 percent of the first $2,000. Today, including the
Medicare tax, the rate is 15.3 percent on the first $118,500 in earnings.
It’s a big tax.

How big? Most Americans pay more employment taxes than income taxes. A
recent report shows that the income tax burden was lower than the
employment tax for most households with incomes under $200,000. Internal
Revenue Service data tells us that 96 percent of households have incomes
under that amount.

So take a look at your next pay stub. Think about what you could do with
the largest “raise” most people have gotten in years. Then think about the
trivial tinkering that most of the other candidates are offering.

The money to support Social Security and Medicare would come from a new
14.5 percent tax on corporate payrolls. Note that the tax is on the entire
payroll, not just wages up to $118,500. So the tax could sustain our
nation’s most important social programs. And it wouldn’t be regressive. The
other benefit is that a later increase in the tax could bolster Social
Security. The next generation wouldn’t be short-changed on benefits.

Most proposals to improve Social Security focus on shrinking the benefits
of future retirees while collecting the same regressive taxes. Young
workers would be most affected. For years, public and media reaction to the
idea of a flat tax has been that it would be tough on poor people but great
for rich people. The reality is different.

The Rand Paul proposal calls for a flat tax rate of 14.5 percent on all
taxable income. But first, some hefty deductions and exemptions come off
the top.

How hefty? Under current tax law, a family of four that didn’t itemize
would have deductions of $28,600. That’s four personal exemptions of $4,000
and a standard deduction of $12,600. Under Paul’s tax plan, the same family
would have $50,000 in exemptions and deductions. That means no taxes on an
extra $21,400.

A family with $50,000 in income would pay no income taxes under Paul’s
plan. The same family would pay $2,287.50 under current law. That’s a 100
percent tax cut.

Double income to $100,000, and the family would pay $7,250 under the Paul
plan and $9,787.50 under current law. That’s a 26 percent tax cut.

Double income again to $200,000, and the family would pay $21,750 under the
Paul plan and $35,043.50 under current law. That’s a 38 percent tax cut.

What about the big dogs? Yes, they’d get a big tax cut, too. The top 1
percent pays income taxes at an average tax rate of 22.8 percent according
to IRS figures. So the drop to 14.5 percent would be about a 36 percent cut.

The Paul plan cuts the corporate tax rate to 14.5 percent. Right now the
top rate is 35 percent. Armies of corporate finaglers, lobbyists and tax
code whisperers work to avoid that rate. They do their best to cut the
burden.

So reduce the rate. Then watch Apple and dozens of other companies
repatriate billions in overseas earnings. Watch companies that have become
corporate expatriates renew their love for Delaware. Watch companies decide
to build factories and hire workers in America, not Asia or Mexico.

This is a new deal for America. If Republicans can’t find the nerve to back
it, pray that a smart Democrat does.

*CRUZ*

*Ted Cruz: ‘Asinine’ to pull reruns of ‘The Dukes of Hazzard’
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/07/04/ted-cruz-asinine-to-pull-reruns-of-the-dukes-of-hazzard/>
// WaPo // Katie Zezima – July 4, 2015*

GREENVILLE, S.C. - Sen. Ted Cruz said Saturday that it is "asinine" that TV
Land pulled "The Dukes of Hazzard" after widespread calls for the
Confederate flag to come down.

"I think the cancellation of 'The Dukes of Hazzard' is utterly asinine and
an example of corporate America’s embrace of political correctness to a
degree that is ridiculous," Cruz said in an interview with The Washington
Post.

"I’m curious if the Torquemadas seeking to ban 'The Dukes of Hazzard' from
our TV sets are equally exercised by all of the leftist college students
with posters of Che Guevara in their college dorm rooms," Cruz said,
referring to Tomas de Torquemada, who served as the first grand inquisitor
of Spain.

Cruz visited South Carolina for the first time since Gov. Nikki Haley (R)
called for the removal of the Confederate flag from near the state capitol
in the wake of of the shooting deaths of nine people at a historic African
American church in Charleston. Photos have surfaced of the alleged shooter,
Dylann Roof, posing with the Confederate flag. Since then, a backlash has
grown against the flag, with Alabama removing it from its state capitol and
retailers pulling merchandise that displays the banner.

Two of Cruz's campaign co-chairs, South Carolina state Sen. Lee Bright and
state Rep. Bill Chumley, have said that they will fight to keep the flag at
a state house memorial.

The Texas Republican said that he has not spoken to Bright and Chumley;
Cruz's campaign said last month they are going to "stand by" Bright and
Chumley.

Bright likened the removal of the flag to a "Stalinist purge."

"It’s not just the flag,” Bright said in an interview with Politico last
month. “They want to take down the Confederate monuments; I’ve gotten
e-mails from people who want to rename streets. … Anytime you want to
basically remove the symbols of history from a state, that’s something that
just is very bad."

Chumley said on CNN last month that the people killed in the church "waited
their turn to be shot."

"We need to be focusing on the nine families that are left and see that
this doesn't happen again," he said. "These people sat in there and waited
their turn to be shot. That's sad that somebody in there with the means of
self-defense could have stopped this."

Cruz said, as he did in an interview with The Washington Post last month,
that the issue of the Confederate flag is one for South Carolina to decide.

"I understand this is an issue and debate that evokes strong emotions. I
understand those who see in the flag remembrances of our nation’s shameful
legacy of slavery and bigotry and hatred and oppression. I also understand
those who see in the flag a recognition of their ancestor’s sacrifices and
our history and traditions separate and apart from the horrors of slavery,"
Cruz said Saturday.

"The issue should be decided by South Carolinians, not by those from other
states parachuting in to lecture the citizens on how to resolve this
question of state law," Cruz said. "That’s the way our federalist system is
supposed to work."

Cruz said the decision of Wal-Mart and other retailers to stop selling
Confederate flag merchandise is theirs to make.

"I think that is a decision for each company and each individual in our
free market to make. I believe in free speech. Free speech means that each
of us can choose what to say and what not to say," he said.

Cruz said Guevara was "a sick, murderous, torturing, tyrant. And yet in the
bizarro world that is modern political correctness, because he’s a leftist,
Che Guevara, like Chairman Mao on their kitschy little watches, is to be
celebrated and glorified with no recognition of the thousands or even
millions of souls tortured and murdered at their hands."

*GOP presidential candidate Cruz wasn’t always ‘Ted’
<http://www.star-telegram.com/news/politics-government/state-politics/politex-blog/article26505046.html>
// Star-Telegram // Maria Recio & Anna M. Tinsley – July 4, 2015*

Until U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, was 13, he had an altogether different
first name than he does now.

He was named Rafael Edward after his father when he was born in 1970 and to
distinguish him from the elder Cruz, he went by the diminutive “Rafaelito,”
which was shortened to “Felito.”

“Until I was thirteen, I was ‘Felito Cruz,’” writes the GOP presidential
candidate in his just-released autobiography, A Time for Truth: Reigniting
the Promise of America. “The problem with that name was that it seemed to
rhyme with every major corn chip on the market. Fritos, Cheetos, Doritos,
and Tostitos — a fact that other young children were quite happy to point
out.”

What to do? His mother Eleanor gave him the solution: change your name.

“There are a number of other possibilities,” Cruz quotes her as saying
“Rafael. Raph. Ralph. Edward. Ed. Eddie. Or you could go by Ted,” she said.

Cruz said that he immediately warmed to “Ted.”

“But my father was furious with the decision. He viewed it as a rejection
of him and his heritage, which was not my intention,” recalled Cruz.

“‘What do you mean Ted is a nickname for Edward?” he snapped at my mother.
‘Who’s ever heard of that?’”

“My mother’s response was unfortunate. ‘Well, there’s Ted Kennedy,’” she
said.”

The late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., the liberal “Lion of the Senate”
was indeed known as “Ted.”

Rafael Cruz, Sr. refused to utter his son’s new name for two years.

No more ‘two-step’ in Texas

Fort Worth attorney Jason Smith is among those happy to see that the Texas
Democratic Party is scrapping the “Texas Two-Step,” a two-tiered system
that awards delegates through both a popular vote on election night and
also through post-election caucuses.

Smith filed a challenge to the way delegates were designated in 2008, after
Democrat Hillary Clinton won the popular vote in Texas’ primary but
Democrat Barack Obama received more delegates through the caucus process.

Recently, both the Texas Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Texas
made official plans to designate national convention delegates based on the
outcomes of their primaries.

“The DNC’s decision vindicates the principle of one person, one vote for
Texas Democrats,” Smith said.

Symbol of the struggle

U.S. Rep. Kay Granger, R-Fort Worth, a long-time advocate for education for
girls in the developing world, met June 23 with Malala Yousafzai, the
17-year old Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

The Pakistani girl, who is promoting education on a U.S. tour, became a
symbol of the struggle for young women to get an education in 2012 when she
was shot in the head for defying Taliban orders that girls not go to school.

After recovering in Britain, Malala, as she is internationally known,
became a vocal advocate for girls’ education and in 2014 was awarded the
Nobel Peace Prize.

“Malala Yousafzai’s accomplishments are a source of inspiration for me and
many others,” Granger said in a statement. “As the daughter of a teacher
and principal, and a former educator myself, I know firsthand the profound
impact that an education can have on a young adult.”

“The work that Malala does improves the lives of young men and women
throughout the world,” she said.

Granger, chairwoman of the House Appropriations Committee subcommittee on
State and Foreign Operations and Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., the ranking
member of the appropriations committee and Granger’s panel, met with Malala
in the Capitol.

*Cruz defends Trump: ‘Washington cartel’ doesn’t want illegal immigration
debate
<http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/jul/4/ted-cruz-defends-donald-trump-washington-cartel-do/>
// Washington Times // Kellan Howell – July 4, 2015*

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz defended Donald Trump in an interview on Friday,
praising the businessman for boldness in addressing illegal immigration
despite protests by the “Washington cartel.”

“I like Donald Trump. He’s bold, he’s brash, and I get that it seems the
favorite sport of the Washington media is to encourage some Republicans to
attack other Republicans,” Mr. Cruz told NBC’s Chuck Todd in an interview
on Meet The Press. “I ain’t going to do it. I’m not interested in
Republican on Republican violence,” he said, Mediaite reported.

Mr. Trump has been the subject of harsh criticism, including from GOP
candidates Marco Rubio and George Pataki, for comments he made in his
campaign launch speech calling Mexican illegal immigrants rapists and
criminals.

When Mr. Todd asked Mr. Cruz if “rhetoric matters,” Mr. Cruz responded, “I
salute Donald Trump for focusing on the need to address illegal
immigration. The Washington cartel doesn’t want to address that,” Mediaite
reported.

Mr. Cruz admitted that Mr. Trump has a “colorful” way of speaking and said
that was not the way he would speak, but added that he would not engage in
the media’s “game of throwing rocks and attacking other Republicans.”

*Ted Cruz Calls For US To Quit UN Human Rights Council After Vote
Condemning Israel
<http://www.ibtimes.com/ted-cruz-calls-us-quit-un-human-rights-council-after-vote-condemning-israel-1995746>
// International Business Times // Mark Hanrahan – July 4, 2015*

Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz called Friday for the U.S. to
withdraw from the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), after the
body voted to condemn Israel's conduct during the 2014 war in Gaza.

The U.S. was the only country to vote against the resolution put before the
council Friday, with 41 voting in favor, and five countries abstaining. The
resolution condemned Israel's targeting of innocent civilians during the
conflict, and also called for an end to the impunity of Israeli officials
responsible for alleged war crimes.

In a statement posted on his website, Cruz said that the single U.S. vote
against the censure was a “meaningless gesture.”

“It is time to stop ceding moral authority to the UNHRC and tell the truth
about this hopelessly biased and anti-Semitic institution. … The United
States should stop legitimizing the UNHRC with our membership and withdraw
now,” he added.

Other critics of the resolution argued that it ignored criticism of the
Palestinian side raised in an earlier U.N. Report, which accused both sides
in the conflict of committing war crimes.

“We are troubled that this current resolution focuses exclusively on
alleged Israeli violations, without any expressed reference to Palestinian
violations,” U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva Keith Harper said as he
explained why his country voted against the resolution, the Jerusalem Post
reported.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also condemned the UNHRC in a
statement, saying that the body was neither interested "in facts nor in
true human rights," Haaretz reported.

The United Nations has long been a target of Republican ire. President
George W. Bush's former ambassador to the U.N., John Bolton, famously once
remarked that if the U.N. building “lost ten stories it wouldn’t make a bit
of difference.”

*Ted Cruz Is Right to Call for Retention Elections for the Supreme Court
<http://www.nationalreview.com/article/420745/ted-cruz-supreme-court-george-will>
// National Review //Andrrew C. McCarthy – July 4, 2015*

Within the space of just 48 hours, the United States Supreme Court ruled
that the president is above the law; that straightforward statutory words
may be twisted to mean the opposite of what they say; that discrimination —
heretofore, the textbook example of a willful act — can be committed
unconsciously, thereby supplanting our constitutional foundation of equal
opportunity for all with the totalitarian’s dream of guaranteed outcomes
for favored factions; and that five politically unaccountable lawyers, by
dint of being issued robes, may impose their vision of the good society on
320 million Americans, reimagining our most basic institutions, our
founding law, centuries of jurisprudence, and millennia of civilization.

Like millions of Americans, Senator Ted Cruz (R., Texas) thought this was a
disastrous couple of days for the country. So did the rest of the
Trumped-up cavalcade of GOP presidential hopefuls — or, at least, they said
they did. Cruz, however, undertook to do something about it. He proposed an
amendment to the Constitution that would subject the justices to retention
elections.

“No social transformation without representation” adjured Justice Antonin
Scalia in dissent from the five-justice diktat that 50 states end their
democratic debate and redefine marriage to include same-sex couples. At
least for now it is “couples.” No coherent limiting principle stops Justice
Anthony Kennedy’s rendition of “All You Need Is Love” from devolving into
“Why Don’t We Do It in the Road?” — and yes, for the modern Supreme Court,
Lennon and McCartney are more apt than Blackstone and Story to shed light
on the countless ways we might “enjoy liberty as we learn its meaning.”

Cruz’s amendment simply takes up Scalia’s suggestion. Our would-be
overlords would be required to account to us if they wanted to continue
ruling us. Here at National Review last week, the senator outlined his
proposal: The justices would face the voters every eight years, earning
retention only if they are approved by a popular national majority plus
majorities in at least half of the states.

For this, Cruz has drawn the ire of the estimable George Will. The
columnist lambastes the senator for trying to “turn the court into a third
political branch” over “what he considers” the justices’ “political
behavior.”

Well, Homer nods.

My abiding respect for him notwithstanding, Will has this one exactly
backwards. What Cruz considers to be political behavior? Considers?

Alright, let’s “consider” the same-sex marriage ruling. In an opinion
dutifully joined by the Court’s four “progressive” justices (Ruth Bader
Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor, and Elena Kagan), Justice
Kennedy ruled that the states were powerless to define marriage for
themselves because our Constitution makes its definition a federal question
— the answer to which Kennedy purported to find in a remote Fourteenth
Amendment penumbra that had gone unexplored lo these 147 years.

But hold on: Just two terms ago, the jurisprudential blink of an eye, the
same Anthony Kennedy writing for the same four progressives, ruled that the
federal government was powerless to define marriage because our
Constitution makes its definition a state question — the answer to which
was for the people of each state to work out for themselves.

This breathtaking shift can be explained only by politics. It is not law.
Law is obliged to be rigorously logical and consistent. It is in politics —
the realm of opportunism, compromise, and the swerves of popular passion —
that logic and consistency are merely an option, and often not even an
aspiration.

The issue in 2013 was the Defense of Marriage Act, which progressives
despised because it cut against the campaign to promote same-sex marriage
in the states. The issue last week was the decision of several states to
reaffirm marriage as traditionally understood, which progressives despised
because it cut against the campaign to mandate same-sex marriage in the
states. The legal rationales for the two decisions cannot be squared, but
the legal rationales were beside the point. The Court was doing politics,
through and through.

As I pointed out last weekend, the Court’s four progressives are not
jurists applying legal principles to resolve cases. They are a voting bloc
of super-legislators, implementing an ideological agenda. In tandem with
Kennedy and Chief Justice John Roberts, who walk on the wild side when
personal or political calculation so dispose them, The Four prescribe
policy that hundreds of millions of people — people who have no cases
before the Court — are expected to accept without recourse. In this, The
Four are indistinguishable from, say, the Congressional Black Caucus . . .
except that the Caucus must account to its constituents and cannot, under
the guise of “constitutional interpretation,” proclaim its pieties as the
last, unreviewable word on whatever subject.

Cruz is not “turning the court into a third political branch.” Will has
mistaken the coroner for the surgeon. The Court already is a third
political branch. Cruz is trying to rein it in the only way a political
branch gets reined in: by requiring political accountability.

Will frets about what would become of the high court’s “prestige” if its
incumbents were subjected to elections. But the point is not the justices’
amour-propre. The Court’s prestige does not owe to the jurists’ insulation
from electoral politics; it owes to their function in our system: the
dispassionate reading of legal texts and application of developed legal
principle. That function, not concern over spectacle, is why justices are
not subjected to the ballot box.

And it is that function that the Supreme Court no longer performs. How,
Will wonders, would a politically accountable Court “stand athwart rampant
executives and overbearing congressional majorities”? When Will wrote those
words, the ink was not yet dry on the Court’s Obamacare ruling, which
upheld a rampant executive rewrite of a law rammed through Congress by an
overbearing majority. Yet it is somehow not parody.

Will is surely right to be concerned about the specter of national judicial
elections. I suspect they would be less harrowing than he supposes. Cruz is
not talking about having justices run against each other for office. At
issue would be whether a justice’s record warrants retention on the bench;
if he or she were voted out of office, that would create a vacancy that
would have to be filled in the familiar manner outlined in the
Constitution. This would not be an election between candidates, each making
commitments to this and that interest group in hopes of edging out the
rival. It would be a referendum on the American people’s conception of the
judicial role and the justice’s fidelity to it.

Of course it would be better if we did not have to do something like this.
It would be better if Congress and presidents had used their constitutional
appointment and impeachment powers to make clear that judges were expected
merely to judge (a hard enough job). It would be better if Congress had
used its constitutional control over the judiciary’s jurisdiction to
minimize the opportunities for judicial imperialism.

But they have not. Thus, as reformer types like to say, the system is
broken. Cruz did not break it; the justices did, with lots of help. Cruz is
trying to fix it: proposing a political check to pressure a politicized
institution into reverting to the Court Will is nostalgic for — the
nonpolitical branch that fortifies limited government.

Conservatives, it should be stressed, are not asking for a Supreme Court
that imposes our vision of marriage and market-based health care, or that
excuses discrimination when it actually occurs. We are asking for a Supreme
Court that upholds the constitutional framework of divided government; that
assigns law- and policy-making to the people’s representatives at the state
or federal level, depending on the subject matter; and that upholds the
liberty guarantees that are actually in the Constitution, rather than
degrading them in an arrogant exploration of “existence, of meaning, of the
universe, and of the mystery of human life.”

We are asking to go back to ruling ourselves.

*CHRISTIE*

*Christie slams Obama on Iran, hedges on breaking nuclear deal
<http://www.politico.com/story/2015/07/christie-slams-obama-on-iran-hedges-on-breaking-nuclear-deal-119733.html>
// Politico // Ben Schreckinger – July 4, 2015*

WOLFEBORO, N.H. — Chris Christie thinks President Barack Obama’s handling
of the Iran nuclear talks has been the “single most disturbing” chapter of
his presidency, but the New Jersey governor isn’t sure he’d undo a deal if
elected president.

Though Christie said Saturday morning that Obama should walk away from the
nuclear talks, he indicated only that as president, he would investigate
whether or not it made sense to stick to a deal the Obama administration
and its allies are expected to conclude with Iran to prevent the country
from obtaining nuclear weapons.

“I’m not one of those guys who’s going to say to you, ‘On day one I will
abrogate the agreement,’” said Christie. It was a reference to rivals —
including Gov. Scott Walker, Sen. Marco Rubio, Rick Perry, Sen. Lindsey
Graham, Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Bobby Jindal — who have said that as
president they would break off any deal not approved by Congress. Christie
cited the complexity of the region and the difficulty of predicting the
state of the Middle East in January 2017, when the next president will
assume office.

“On day one, I will look into and try to decide what to do with the
agreement, depending on where we are at that moment,” said Christie in
response to a question at a breakfast gathering of local Republicans.
“Because by the way it’s not just us involved anymore. We have a number of
our allies around the world who’re at that table as well, and sanctions are
most effective when not only we do it, but the other allies do it.”

The UK, Germany, France, China and Russia are also party to the
negotiations.

Christie harshly criticized Obama’s negotiating performance, saying he had
lost leverage by appearing too eager to reach a deal. “The best way to get
a result as you know in any negotiation, whether you’re negotiating an arms
deal with Iran or whether you’re buying a car, is to not look so
desperate,” he said. “Don’t look like you want the car. Don’t look like
you’re already driving the car, because the car salesman will go, ‘Oh wow,
I’m getting sticker today.”

Christie said that if he were conducting negotiations, he would have walked
away from the table and advised allies to reimpose tougher sanctions until
Iran offered more favorable terms.

On Thursday, China’s foreign minister said there was a “high possibility”
that Iran would reach a final deal with world powers within a matter of
days.

After the breakfast, Christie marched in Wolfeboro’s Independence Day
parade, along with Rubio and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
<http://time.com/3945854/chris-christie-iran-deal/>

*Christie Won’t Pledge to Undo Iran Deal
<http://time.com/3945854/chris-christie-iran-deal/> // TIME // Zeke J
Miller – July 4, 2015  *

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said Saturday that while he is deeply
troubled by the emerging Iranian nuclear agreement, he would not pledge to
undo it should he take office.

Speaking to Republicans on July 4th in this lakeside vacation town,
Christie sought to differentiate himself from the other 15 GOP candidates
for president, casting himself as a leader who would carefully consider all
options.

“I’m not one of those guys who’s going to say to you, ‘on Day One I will
abrogate the agreement,'” Christie said, noting that the American president
could not just act alone when China, Russia, Germany, France and the United
Kingdom are also parties to the deal, should one emerge. “On Day One, I
will look into it and try to decide, depending upon where we are at that
moment.”

As Christie was speaking, American and international negotiators were
continuing talks in Vienna to complete the deal before this week’s
deadline. Christie said he would have long since walked away from the
table, arguing that Iran cannot be trusted to implement the agreement.

“If I was negotiating this deal right now, I would be gone,” he said. “I
would be away from the table. I would be going back to our allies and
saying these are not reliable negotiators on the other side—not the people
we can count on to keep their word. They haven’t shown us that.”

But Christie added he could not commit to revoke an agreement without prior
investigation.

“If I’m saddled with the deal as president, then on the first day I’ll be
saying to my national security advisor, to my Secretary of State and to my
head of national intelligence: give me all the information I need to let me
know all the options I have to try to put this genie back in the bottle,
and then we’ll make a decision,” he added.

The comments follow a pattern for Christie, who has tried to draw subtle
differences between himself and the rest of the GOP field on a range of
policy proposals. Christie told a crowd of more than 100 at the breakfast
event to “be careful” of candidates who make promises about what they’ll do
on “Day One.”

“I have grave, grave doubts that this is an agreement I will be willing to
stand behind, but I also don’t want to be the kind of president who tells
all of you something in a campaign and that either doesn’t do it, hoping
you forget that I told you I would actually do it on the first day,” he
said. “Or, who does it only because I promised it, even if at that moment
it’s not what’s in the best interests of America.”

*Christie makes nice on the trail in New Hampshire
<http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2015/07/04/christie-makes-nice-trail-new-hampshire/29720513/>
// USA Today // Bob Jordan – July 4, 2015*

ASBURY PARK, N.J. — New Hampshire primary voters saw plenty of New Jersey
Gov. Chris Christie in the first week of his presidential campaign.

There he was making nice at the Pink Cadillac Diner. You could catch him at
the American Legion hall. If not there, then perhaps at a pub or fielding
questions at one of his trademark town halls. Wherever Christie went, he
was folksy, humorous, engaging, many miles removed from his most caustic,
"Sit down and shup up" YouTube moments.

But it remains to be seen, in a week where Donald Trump stole most of the
headlines and shined in the polls, whether Christie's focus on the Granite
State can improve his longshot chances for the 2016 Republican nomination.

Christie, trying to reverse a litany of polls showing voters view him
unfavorably, was warmly received at each campaign stop he made during a
five-day swing through New Hampshire through Saturday, but attendees
generally said they were still making up their minds, in a Republican field
expected to swell to some 16 candidates.

Christie officially became a candidate Tuesday.

"He comes across as a real guy but I'm still on the fence,'' said Tom
Hamlin, a retired carpenter, after meeting Christie at a packed town hall
in rural Ashland.

Dean Blake, a cook, also had praise for Christie, but added, "I'm
undecided. We're so early with our primary and really relish our important
role in the nominating process. A lot of us wait for all the candidates to
meet the grassroots people, shake hands with us, and look us in the eye.''

Because voters in New Hampshire tend to be fiscally conservative but more
socially moderate than those in Iowa or South Carolina, two other key
early-decision states, it has the profile of a state Christie could do well
in, political experts say.

Matthew Hale, a Seton Hall University political scientist, said it takes
effort to win over New Hampshire's voters.

"Campaigning in New Hampshire is unlike any place else in the country. It
only works in person,'' Hale said. "Governor Christie knows that and is
quite good at face-to-face politics.''

Christie's campaign skills should serve him well, said David Redlawsk, a
Rutgers University professor and the director of the Eagleton Center for
Public Interest Polling.

"He has a shot of being in the top tier in New Hampshire but right now it's
unclear if he can get there just on his campaign style alone,'' Redlawsk
said. "I think he will need to benefit from stumbles by other candidates
and need Republicans to overlook his baggage on the theory that he would be
a strong general election contender.''

Christie has held 11 town halls this year in New Hampshire, including eight
before his announcement. That's the most of any candidate.

"I assure you no one will catch up,'' Christie said. "We're just going to
keep doing them.''

Nonetheless, Christie has his work cut out for him. There is no clear
front-runner among New Hampshire Republicans, according to a recent CNN
poll, but six candidates polled higher than Christie. And with so many
candidates in the field, it will become that much more difficult to get
noticed.

At week's end, even Christie found himself fielding questions about fellow
candidate Trump, who caused an international stir with his harsh comments
about Mexican immigrants, followed by blow back from business partners
cutting their Trump ties. The "bad" publicity notwithstanding, Trump was
second only to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush in some national, Iowa and New
Hampshire polls. Christie, newly wonkish on policy matters ranging from
education to entitlements, still languishes in the back of the pack.

During his week in New Hampshire, Christie also showed a willingness to
pivot on positions in order to gain broader acceptance.

At one of the town halls, Christie tried to downplay concerns his foreign
policy positions are too hawkish.

Christie in May had laid out a get-tough vision that included a call for
more troops, more Navy ships, and more combat aircraft. He also urged
active American engagement in global conflicts, declaring at the time that
"we have never ignored the crises in the world around us."

But he added this modification when chatting with a morning audience at the
Pink Cadillac Diner on Thursday: "Let me be really clear: I'm not a
president who'd be looking to go to war at all."

That was good enough for retiree Cathy Spreeman, a Rochester resident.

"I've always liked Chris Christie,'' she said. "I like him because when
somebody is being stupid, he'll tell them they're being stupid.''

*Chris Christie: King of the 2016 long shots
<http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/opinion/op-ed/chris-christie-king-of-the-long-shots/article_f8925e16-9532-50f4-afc6-b3c0771c589b.html>
// Burlington County Times // Jonathan Bernstein – July 4, 2015*

Of the nine Republican presidential candidates I consider viable, I have
Gov. Chris Christie, who made his bid official Tuesday, as dead last.

From the start, Christie was probably too moderate to have much of a chance
at the nomination, and it wasn’t clear if Republicans nationwide would ever
warm to his New Jersey style. While conservatives might have forgiven him
for some of his positions (as they did Mitt Romney), they wouldn’t forget
his embrace of President Barack Obama after Superstorm Sandy, just before
the 2012 election. Then the trouble his staff created in blocking traffic
on the George Washington Bridge destroyed his November electability
argument by attaching a scandal to his candidacy.

Still, Christie remains a candidate with conventional qualifications
(unlike, say, Carly Fiorina or Ben Carson), and he is in the Republican
mainstream on policy (unlike Rand Paul). A sudden surge in public opinion
would make a lot of his liabilities look less formidable.

Christie may have a better chance of creating a surge moment than most
other long shots in the 2016 race — Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, Rick
Perry, John Kasish and Rick Santorum. I suspect a poll of Republican
operatives might find that opinion widespread.

Any candidate in the 2016 cycle can have a polling surge. But only
plausible nominees (that is, those who have conventional credentials and
mainstream party positions on policy) can take advantage of such a leap. If
one of them suddenly moves to the top of the heap early, then party actors
might rush to support him or her. (By contrast, if a Carson or a Fiorina
gets the same polling rush, the party figures wouldn’t jump on board; they
might even try to derail such a contender.)

A public-opinion groundswell isn’t enough to clinch the nomination (ask
Rick Perry, who lost his 2012 momentum in his awful debate performances).
But the eventual winner needs to get such a lift at some point in his or
her campaign. We understand how those surges happen. A candidate who
attracts national media attention early in the cycle, long before most
voters are paying attention, is likely to receive even higher rankings in
subsequent polls because voters are likely to think first of candidates
whose names they’ve seen more recently. That showing leads to more media
attention, producing even larger poll numbers. (Are those public-opinion
surges, and the campaign events that spark them, really that random? I
don’t think we political scientists have a good handle on the answer yet.)

In Christie’s case, even if he moves back up in the polls temporarily, his
prospects are dismal, as reflected in his campaign’s own spin. His team is
trying to make us believe, for example, that Vermont and Massachusetts —
where they believe Christie will do well — are crucial Republican
primaries. With no endorsements from governors to tout, his campaign is
reduced to letting Politico know that “he occasionally texts” with Gov.
Nikki Haley of South Carolina as an example of his (potential?) party
support in early primary states.

Still, none of the other viable candidates — not Jeb Bush nor Marco Rubio
nor Scott Walker nor others — has stepped up over the last six months, so
at least Christie hasn’t fallen any further behind. For a few more months,
that’s probably all it takes to make sticking around a reasonable choice.

*Green Pressure Applied Against Christie on Cap and Trade as He Enters
Presidential Fray
<http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/green-pressure-applied-against-christie-on-cap-and-trade-as-he-enters-presidential-fray/>
// The Blaze // Kevin Mooney – July 4, 2015*

With Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey now officially entering the
presidential fray, his decision to withdraw from a multi-state “cap and
trade” coalition, is expected to come under increased scrutiny and
criticism. Christie announced his decision during a May 2011 press
conference much to the consternation of environmental activists who hold
considerable power and influence in the state.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, widely known as RGGI, calls for
participating states to cut their emissions by 10 percent. During his press
conference, the Republican governor described RGGI as an ineffective,
counterproductive program that would result in higher costs for state
residents without producing any tangible environmental benefits.

“RGGI does nothing more than tax electricity, tax our citizens, tax our
businesses, with no discernable or measurable impact upon our environment.
Because states such as Pennsylvania are not RGGI members it’s just possible
that by making the cap too stringent clean New Jersey plants would be
forced to close only to be replaced by power from dirty Pennsylvania coal
plants,” Christie said. “It doesn’t make any sense environmentally or
economically and the continuation of this tax makes no sense for my efforts
and the Lieutenant Governor’s continued efforts to make New Jersey a more
business-friendly environment and a place where private sector jobs can
continue to be created.”

But now, there is a movement afoot at the state level that could force N.J.
back into a “cap and trade” arrangement in anticipation of federal
regulations built around President Obama’s Clean Power Plan proposal. Team
Obama is aiming for a 30 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2030. The
Environmental Protection Agency is expected to release a new rule later
this year, perhaps as early as August, setting state-by-state goals for
reducing carbon emissions. Legal analysts familiar with the EPA proposal
have expressed concern that state officials could be persuaded to embrace a
“back door cap and trade” strategy as a way to preempt federal regulations.
This approach would avoid straight up and down votes in state legislatures
where opposition to cap and trade policies could gather strength, they warn.

“The politics of carbon trading has generally been pretty toxic whenever it
comes up at the federal level,” Gregory Sopkin, a partner at Wilkinson,
Barker Knauer, LLP, said in an interview. “Even during the Obama
Administration when it had Democrats in control of both houses of Congress,
cap and trade didn’t pass because the public generally opposed. So now,
with about 30 state legislatures controlled by Republicans, you can imagine
that a lot of environmental groups are not going to like this sort of
political accountability we could have if a proposal needed to pass both
chambers.”

But in those states where political opposition would most likely scuttle
cap and trade proposals, a “Common Elements Approach” could be presented as
a “middle ground” where states craft their own individual, as opposed to
multi-state, plans to achieve certain emissions targets, according to a
white paper Sopkin co-authored on behalf of his firm.

“The state adopting this approach with select common elements in its state
plan could, after approval by EPA of the individual state plan, partner
with states with similar state plans and effectively back in to multi-state
CO2 trading markets,” the paper explains. “These markets would not
necessarily share common regions or electrical interconnections, but would
share ‘common elements.’ ”

At the state level, there is growing concern over the impact a “federal
implementation plan” or FIP, could have on the coal industry, Sopkin noted.
For this reason, state officials are willing to entertain alternative
carbon trading plans folded within the “Common Elements Approach” that
would supposedly provide them with greater flexibility, he said.

Environmental organizations such as the Center for New Energy Economy,
which is part of Colorado State University, The Great Plains Institute
based in Minneapolis, Minn., the Southern Alliance for Clean Energy based
in Knoxville, Tenn. and RGGI have been organizing meetings with state
officials across the country.

“Not all of the meetings are publicized, and they take many forms, but we
do know these groups support the EPA plan and that they are pushing the
states in a certain direction,” Matthew Larson, an associate with the firm
and a co-author of the paper, said. Michael Bloomberg, the former mayor of
New York, has been a particularly active player in the northeast while Jay
Nixon, the governor of Missouri, has been holding court with
environmentalists in his state, Larson added.

Where Christie is concerned, RGGI was never enforceable between states. He
was able to take advantage of the fact that any state could leave the
coalition at any time. However, this would not be an option under the EPA
proposal.

“RGGI is different from the Common Elements Approach in which each state
would have its own plan, which involves trading with other states,” Sopkin
said. “Ultimately, we don’t believe RGGI is an adequate model for what the
EPA would require.”

If new regional agreements are implemented, it is possible N.J. could be
forced back into the cap and trade plan similar to what Christie unraveled
back in 2011.

So what happens if a state presses ahead with carbon trading without any
new legislation under the Clean Power Plan?

“I would expect, parties within that state will bring suit saying you do
not have the authority to do this,” Sopkin said. “But you could also see
litigation from the other side if they don’t believe the plan is sufficient
enough to comply with the EPA requirements. You could have citizen suits
involving Sierra Club and other environmental groups. There could be a lot
of pressure on both sides.”

But just prior to Christie’s official announcement on Tuesday, the U.S.
Supreme Court added a new wrinkle that could solidify state opposition to
green regulatory schemes. In Michigan v. EPA, the justices overturned an
EPA rule for reducing emissions of mercury and other substances from
coal-fired power plants. As this decision could set a strong precedent for
cases that involve EPA overreach, states and utilities may want to stay
their hand and avoid preemptively complying with the agency’s climate rule
before legalities are settled. That’s what the language of the ruling
strongly suggests.

Christie’s decision to withdraw from cap and trade has been opposed by N.J.
environmental groups and Democratic lawmakers. He has vetoed bills that
called for the state to rejoin RGGI.

Even so, the governor has sent out mixed signals on environmental policies
that he will need to clarify on the campaign trail. Back in November 2010,
he expressed skepticism toward the idea that human activity drove climate
change during a town hall meeting in Toms River, N.J. But during the press
conference announcing his decision to withdraw from RGGI, he moved
decisively in the opposite direction while also embracing wind and solar
power initiatives.

Recall that Christie was endorsed by the N.J. Environmental Federation
during his first run for governor. Since then, he has lost support from the
greenies, but hasn’t exactly convinced conservatives across the country of
his free-market credentials. He has arrived at the point where it is
necessary to clarify his position on the “science” underpinning global
warming alarmism.

*Christie campaign surges ahead on road to failure
<http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/jul/04/christie-campaign-surges-ahead-road-failure/>
// Las Vegas Sun // Jonathan Bernstein – July 4, 2015*

Of the nine Republican presidential candidates I consider viable, I have
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, who made his bid official Tuesday, as dead
last.

From the start, he was probably too moderate to have much of a chance at
the nomination, and it wasn’t clear whether Republicans nationwide would
ever warm to his New Jersey style. While conservatives might have forgiven
him for some of his positions (as they did Mitt Romney), they wouldn’t
forget his embrace of Barack Obama after Hurricane Sandy, just before the
2012 election. Then the trouble his staff created in blocking traffic on
the George Washington Bridge destroyed his November electability argument
by attaching a scandal to his candidacy.

Still, he remains a candidate with conventional qualifications (unlike,
say, Carly Fiorina or Ben Carson), and he is in the Republican mainstream
on policy (unlike Rand Paul). A sudden surge in public opinion would make a
lot of Christie’s liabilities look less formidable.

Christie may have a better chance of creating a surge moment than most
other long shots in the 2016 race: Mike Huckabee, Bobby Jindal, Rick Perry,
John Kasish and Rick Santorum. I suspect a poll of Republican operatives
might find that opinion widespread.

Any candidate in the 2016 cycle can have a polling surge. But only
plausible nominees (that is, those who have conventional credentials and
mainstream party positions on policy) can take advantage of such a leap. If
one of them suddenly moves to the top of the heap early, party actors might
rush to support him or her. (By contrast, if a Ben Carson or a Carly
Fiorina gets the same polling rush, the party figures wouldn’t jump on
board; they might even try to derail such a contender.)

A public-opinion groundswell isn’t enough to clinch the nomination (ask
Perry, who lost his 2012 momentum in his awful debate performances). But
the eventual winner needs to get such a lift at some point in his or her
campaign.

We understand how those surges happen. A candidate who attracts national
media attention early in the cycle, long before most voters are paying
attention, is likely to receive even higher rankings in subsequent polls
because voters are likely to think first of candidates whose names they’ve
seen more recently. That showing leads to more media attention, producing
even larger poll numbers. (Are those public-opinion surges, and the
campaign events that spark them, really that random? I don’t think we
political scientists have a good handle on the answer yet.)

In Christie’s case, even if he moves back up in the polls temporarily, his
prospects are dismal, as reflected in his campaign’s own spin. His team is
trying to make us believe, for example, that Vermont and Massachusetts —
where his team members believe Christie will do well — are crucial
Republican primaries. With no endorsements from governors to tout, his
campaign is reduced to letting Politico know that “he occasionally texts”
with Gov. Nikki Haley of South Carolina as an example of his (potential?)
party support in early primary states.

Still, none of the other viable candidates — not Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio,
Scott Walker or others — has stepped up over the past six months, so at
least Christie hasn’t fallen any further behind. For a few more months,
that’s probably all it takes to make sticking around a reasonable choice.

*In N.H., Christie says he’s ‘Telling It Like It Is’
<http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/07/03/christie-talks-largely-about-himself/XXUrB90rOxkpETbCrYo86K/story.html?p1=Article_Related_Box_Article>
// Boston Globe // James Pindell – July 4, 2015*

SANDOWN, N.H. — Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, in the middle of a
five-day presidential announcement tour in New Hampshire, travels with a
campaign banner that says “Telling It Like It Is.”

But the “it” Christie talks about these days is mostly himself.

This week Christie became the 14th Republican to announce his intention to
run for president in 2016. Two years ago Christie led the field, but he is
in a much weakened position today.

Under his watch, New Jersey has undergone nine credit rating downgrades.
The state is ranked 48th in private-sector job growth. He faces a public
employee pension crisis. In addition, the so-called Bridgegate scandal,
involving his once inner circle of aides, is still not over.

And when it comes to issues, Christie, a moderate, is hardly a darling of
the Republican base.

As a result, in his presidential announcement launch and during five
straight days of campaigning in the Granite State, Christie has treated the
presidential contest like a season of “The Bachelorette”: trying to win
over voters with charm and personal rapport.

His answers to voters’ questions are laced with “man” and “buddy” and “let
me tell ya.” When Hillary Rodham Clinton and Jeb Bush released their
announcement videos, they featured everyday people talking about their
lives. Christie’s pitch was two minutes of the candidate talking about the
moment his mother died.

He has repeated the story at town hall meetings in New Hampshire. He has
given marital advice, revealed how often he gets a test for prostate
cancer, and told a lengthy story about his daughter’s Notre Dame tuition
bill.

“The first thing that came to mind after seeing him is that he has a strong
personality,” said New Hampshire state Representative Joe Hagan, a
Republican from Chester, who attended Christie’s town hall meeting in
Sandown on Tuesday night.

Privately his aides note that Christie is trying, in part, to use the
playbook of Republican John McCain’s win in the 2000 New Hampshire primary.

Like McCain back then, he is essentially skipping Iowa, running an underdog
campaign on the cheap, and hoping his big personality will win people over
at endless town hall meetings at VFW halls, schools, diners, and even bars.

Whether this approach will work is unclear.

Sarah Crawford Stewart, a key New Hampshire aide to McCain in both his 2000
and 2008 victories, said Christie faces a more complicated campaign than
McCain did 16 years ago.

“Back then, McCain was the only Republican really going after independent
voters who can vote in the Republican primary,” Crawford Stewart said. “I
think there is a lot of opportunity in that space this year, and more
Republican candidates are going to be going after that group later in the
campaign than even these candidates realize.”

Still, Christie’s performance at the 138 town hall meetings he has held in
New Jersey made him a prominent national politician. Christie aides believe
they can recreate the magic of his YouTube town hall moments in another
state.

“Christie is an excellent campaigner in small groups — he is engaging and
funny, and can connect,” said David Redlawsk, who heads up the
Rutgers-Eagleton Poll in New Jersey.

Jodi Nelson, vice chairwoman of the Derry Republicans, said Christie is
standing out by being a truth-teller.

“At this point in the contest, people are just trying to get a sense of all
of these candidates, and Christie is someone out trying to meet everyone,”
Nelson said.

Boston College political science professor Dave Hawkins says Christie is
bringing a different style of campaign than McCain did.

“Their approach to what they call ‘straight talk’ is different,” Hawkins
said. “McCain used humor and tried to bring everyone together. He called
for campaign finance reform and an end to pork-barrel spending as a way to
demonstrate he was an honest broker against the system.”

Christie tries to earn points by going after political opponents —
liberals, Democrats, and teachers’ unions, Hawkins said.

“McCain also had an inspiring war hero biography that was central to his
story,” he said. “When people think of Christie, they think of a brash New
Jersey guy who yells at people.”

But these days Christie is doing less yelling. His style, he says, is “take
or leave it.”

“I am going to tell you what I think. If you like it, great. And if you
don’t, my goodness, there are 13 other candidates to pick from, so you will
find somebody who you agree with more than you agree with me. But you need
to know what you are buying,” Christie said.

To Jeff Pattera of Sandown, that approach puts Christie in the top tier of
candidates he might support in the February presidential primary.

In modern politics, Pattera said, Christie’s personality “is refreshing.”

*Here's Chris Christie's big problem in a nutshell
<http://www.businessinsider.com/chris-christie-problems-2015-7#ixzz3ezerbgnx>
// Business Insider // Brett Logiurato – July 4, 2015*

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R) has a big problem.

Two years ago, when he was a candidate for governor, he was the big-tent
candidate. He was attractive to both conservative and moderate Republican
voters. And he attracted a broad swath of traditionally Democratic voters —
he won 48% of the Latino vote, one-fifth of the African-American vote, and
31% of Democrats overall.

Two years later, as he officially dips his toe into the race for president,
he's no one's candidate.

"His issue at this point is that both moderates and conservatives within
the GOP hate him," said Tom Jensen, the director of Public Policy Polling.
"There was a time when maybe you could see everyone else splitting the
conservatives and Christie getting the centrists, but even they don't like
him now."

Two years after being touted as potentially the GOP's best hope against
Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton, Christie faces a steep uphill climb
to the Republican nomination. He's boxed in by members of his own party who
are similar to him ideologically. And he's lost his appeal as a moderate
candidate because people have grown tired of his brash personality.

That is manifesting itself in early-voting states like Iowa — which
Christie has been mostly avoiding so far, opting instead to press
full-steam ahead into New Hampshire. Home Depot founder Ken Langone,
perhaps Christie's most significant donor and Wall Street supporter, said
"the hell with Iowa" in an interview this week, leading to a round of bad
press in the state. Iowa Republicans are souring on him, too — just 28%
view him favorably, according to a recent Des Moines Register poll,
compared with 58% who view him unfavorably.

"His problem is that there isn't even a single fix for his problems,"
Jensen said. "Some people don't like him because he's too liberal, some
people don't like him because he's a jerk, some people don't like him
because he's a Cowboys fan. It would be hard enough to overcome one of
those problems, but near impossible to overcome all of them."

The chart below shows the change in Christie's fortunes, illustrating how
the percentages of Americans who hold favorable and unfavorable views of
the New Jersey governor have shifted over time. Christie's net favorability
peaked in January 2013, when 51% of Americans had a favorable opinion, and
just 23% had an unfavorable opinion.

Those numbers have flipped upside-down, with polling last month showing 27%
favorable and 55% unfavorable:

Over the past year and a half, different elements have pummeled his image
in and out of his home state. There's the Bridgegate scandal, to which he
was never directly linked but which clearly damaged his reputation as an
executive.

Then there's his economic record: He has endured nine credit downgrades,
and New Jersey's credit rating is second-worst in the nation. He has had
continual problems with his state's budget. And Democrats point to the fact
that New Jersey ranks 48th in job creation.

"He likes to tell people that he isn’t responsible for New Jersey’s
economic failures because he inherited a bad economy," one Democratic
strategist told Business Insider. "But since the Great Recession the
country has bounced back and New Jersey’s neighboring states haven’t just
recovered all the jobs they lost – they’ve added significantly more."

One poll released this week displayed, in brutal fashion, how his home
state's voters have turned on him. Among the highlights:

A clear majority (57%) of New Jerseyans think Christie should resign now
that he is officially running for president, compared with 37% who think he
should be allowed to stay in office.

His approval rating in the state sits at just 36%, compared with 58% who
disapprove.

Christie trails Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton, 49-32,
in a hypothetical general-election matchup.

Christie also trails his Republican opponents in primary matchups.
Republican voters in the state think both former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and
US Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) would make better presidents. And Wisconsin
Gov. Scott Walker draws even with Christie.

Then there's this: Just 27% of New Jersey residents say Christie would make
a good president, compared with 69%. Christie is well aware of this fact,
and he has attributed it in an interview with Fox News' Megyn Kelly to the
notion that "a lot of those people ... want me to stay" as governor.

But Monmouth followed up with poll respondents in an attempt to fact check
Christie's claim. It found that just 5% who said Christie wouldn't make a
good president said they gave that response because they hope he stays on
as governor. On the other hand, 89% confirmed for a second time that they
really think he would make a bad president.

“I’m not sure how the governor defines ‘a lot,’ but any common sense usage
of the term would have to be significantly greater than five percent,” said
Patrick Murray, the director of the Monmouth University Polling Institute.

*Christie enters the race: Swinging for the fence
<http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/opinion-guest-writers/swinging-forthefences-1.1368883>
// North Jersey // Matthew Hale – July 4, 2015*

CHRIS CHRISTIE is a Met Fan. There is always hope. Despite almost identical
records this year, Yankee fans have a lot more confidence in their team's
playoff chances than Met fans do. That is because the Yankees always have
an air of inevitability about them; the Mets? It's always about hope.

In the summer of 2011, Chris Christie was the Yankees. Every spring Yankee
fans expect them to make the World Series. Even Yankee haters have the
sense that no matter what they do, the Yankees will in fact make it to the
Promised Land. Back in 2011 Christie was full of confidence and swagger,
and even his harshest critics seemed resigned to the fact he was eventually
headed to the World Series of politics otherwise known as the White House.

In the summer of 2015, Chris Christie is the Mets. In the end, while Mets
and Christie fans alike hope they can go all the way, they have a gut sense
that maybe this is not their year.

Hope flourishes

Last week Governor Christie formally announced he was running for
president. For all candidates, announcement week is a time where hope
flourishes and nothing is inevitable. It is no exception with Christie. So
since he is a diehard Mets fan, here are a few things that Christie has to
"hope" will happen for him to thread the needle and win his party's
nomination.

1) A solid re-introduction to inattentive primary voters

I took my generally-indifferent-to-electoral-politics 12-year-old daughter
to Christie's formal announcement at Livingston High School on June 30. Her
thoughts afterward spoke volumes. What stood out to her were his
"conviction and honesty." I know my jaw dropped also, but, hey, she is only
12. However, I soon realized that my daughter was probably like many voters
in Iowa and New Hampshire. She doesn't (nor should she) pay enough
attention to what is going on in New Jersey politics to realize that voter
sentiment in the state toward the governor is such that those terms may
well rest on the bottom of a list of adjectives they'd invoke to describe
him.

Much has been made of how low Christie's poll ratings are in New Jersey and
even his overall negative ratings nationwide. However, like my daughter, at
this point voters in Iowa and especially New Hampshire probably don't care
or don't know about New Jersey or his record in it.

What they will soon know is what my daughter saw. Christie still has the
capacity to deliver a gut-grabbing, straight-talk juggernaut town hall
performance that has the room believing every single word. That counts for
a lot in New Hampshire and Iowa, where it is all about seeing the
candidates face to face. Christie has to hope that he connects with voters
in New Hampshire in the same way he connected with my daughter and the
crowd in Livingston this week.

2) The YouTube monster reawakens

I did a quick YouTube search by candidate names and then sorted them by
number of views. The overall lesson is: Get on Jimmy Fallon's show.
Christie doing "Dad Dancing with Jimmy Fallon" has been viewed almost 9
million times, while Jeb Bush's recent slow jam of the news with Fallon is
just under 1.5 million views. But even this back-of-the-envelope look shows
that Christie owns YouTube, at least among serious (e.g. non-Trump)
candidates. He has almost 20 different posts with more than 200,000 hits.
That is more than current frontrunners Jeb Bush, Marco Rubio and Scott
Walker combined.

Christie must reawaken the kind of viral video activity he had back when he
was a Yankee. Luckily for the governor, the debates, his town hall-style
meetings and New Hampshire in general are a natural breeding ground for the
YouTube moments that can make or break candidates. Can you imagine how many
hits Gary Hart's 1984 axe throwing would have today? Christie and his team
have the capacity to create a moment like that and he has to hope it
happens.

3) Christie's jabs become haymakers that land

Christie has been on his best behavior lately. It has been a long time
since he called anyone an "idiot" or "numbnuts." As a result, we haven't
been focusing on one of the governor's greatest strengths. He will take on
anyone, anywhere, anytime. In his announcement speech, Christie took a few
smacks at President Obama and "Second Mate" Hillary Clinton. But he also
took some vague jabs at fellow Republicans. Earlier this year, he was a
little more pointed when in the space of about six hours he took swings at
Jeb Bush, Ted Cruz and his favorite target, Rand Paul.

In a field of 15 plus, presidential candidates can either try to stay above
the fray hoping to look more presidential or they can attack their
opponents with joy and vigor. Guess which one is better suited for
Christie? He is, perhaps, the best debater of the bunch. A well-placed
haymaker from Christie might make Jeb Bush look entitled and privileged;
Scott Walker or Marco Rubio inexperienced and untested; or any of the other
candidates just plain crazy and unelectable. Christie has to hope that
happens. Even better if he can make those moments go viral.

Every year the Mets have moments of magic and hope. So far this year it has
been early outings from rookie pitchers Noah Syndergaard and Steven Matza
and an 11-game winning streak back in April. But talk to most Met fans and
while they are still hopeful, they are expecting the inevitable bad news to
come.

Christie has done an amazing job at steadying his sinking ship and
repositioning himself to make a serious run for his party's nomination. His
opening announcement tour continues to be well received and he clearly has
the talent and capacity to throw a couple of no hitters. There is hope in
the Christie camp.

*For Chris Christie, Freedom Means Nothing Left to Lose as New Jersey
Voters Want Him to Resign
<http://www.politicususa.com/2015/07/04/chris-christie-freedom-means-left-lose-jersey-resign.html>
// Politicus // Sarah Jones – July 4, 2015*

New Jersey wants to be free of Governor Chris Christie (R-NJ) according to
a Monmouth University poll taken after the Governor announced his bid for
the Republican presidential nomination.

It’s not that they don’t want to lose Christie, either, contrary to what
Christie believes. Only 5% said that’s why they don’t want Christie to run.
It’s more that they really, really, really do not think he will be a good
President. In fact, a majority would like the Republican governor to resign.

From the Monmouth University poll released on Thursday:

A large majority feels that Christie has abandoned his commitment to the
state and few say he is a good fit for the Oval Office.

Just 27% of New Jerseyans say Chris Christie would make a good president.
More than two-thirds (69%) say he would not. A few months ago, Christie was
asked on national TV about similar poll results. He responded that survey
participants told pollsters he would not make a good president because “a
lot of those people…want me to stay.” Monmouth followed up with the
participants in our poll and found that just 5% of those who said he would
not make a good president say they gave that response because they would
rather have Christie stay in New Jersey. Fully 89% of this group, though,
confirmed that their answer meant they really think he would make a bad
president.

And…. New Jersey would like Chris Christie to resign. Fifty-seven percent
of Garden State residents want Christie to get out of the Governor’s
mansion, and only 26% say he can run for president and govern New Jersey
effectively at the same time:

A majority (57%) of Garden State residents say the governor should resign
now that he’s thrown his hat into the ring, compared to 37% who say he
should stay in office. Even more New Jerseyans (71%) feel that Christie
cannot run for president and govern New Jersey effectively at the same
time. Just 26% say he can do both well.

“Chris Christie may be looking for a new job. Just don’t expect his current
employer to provide a good reference,” said Patrick Murray, director of the
independent Monmouth University Polling Institute.

Familiarity breeds contempt and all of that.

They hate him in New Jersey. So, like a Republican lost in his Fox bubble,
Christie figures this means he should run for national office.

You are probably thinking about reality and history and how being hated in
the state where a candidate is currently in office doesn’t bode well for
running for a bigger office, but being hated and hatred are working out
super well for Donald Trump. The Republican expert in bankruptcy is
currently polling in second place for his party’s nomination. There is
nothing the Republican base likes more than someone America hates.

Freedom for Christ Christie this Fourth of July is just another word for
nothing left to lose.

*PERRY*

*New Hampshire Republicans Not Ruling Perry Out
<https://www.texastribune.org/2015/07/04/new-hampshire-republicans-not-ruling-perry-out/>
// Texas Tribune // Abby Livingston – July 4, 2015*

DERRY, N.H. — If Rick Perry has a base in New Hampshire, it’s made up of
women and veterans.

At a Friday night campaign event, an adoring crowd ate up every word from
the Texas governor. Perry playfully referred to each female supporter he
met as "girl," no matter her age. And when the party’s hostess presented
him with a New Hampshire-shaped pin, he said, “Pin me.”

And with only two veterans in the GOP nomination hunt, veterans say they
have a special affinity for Perry, a former Air Force cargo pilot.

Perry’s New Hampshire political team ensured that parallel-parked cars
outside snaked down the street for blocks. But attendance isn’t commitment
among New Hampshire’s high-maintenance, fickle electorate.

Even the event’s host, retired Air Force fighter pilot Rob Hampton, is
still on the fence.

“He’s on our short list,” he said of Perry.

New Hampshire and Iowa, the other early primary state, are small enough in
population that Perry has enough time as an out-of-office former official
to make his case. Candidates like Ted Cruz, meanwhile, are tied down with
official duties.

Betty Gay, a relocated Texan who now lives in New Hampshire, was at the
event and said she liked Perry’s economic positions.

But she worries about Republican candidates taking a hard line on gay
marriage and abortion and alienating women and voters with friends and
family members who are gay.

“That’s my concern,” the retired Lamar University graduate said.

New Hampshire is traditionally more economically conservative than Iowa.
Perry cautiously answered a question on the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent gay
marriage ruling.

“I agree with those four justices that were on the losing side is who I
agree with,” Perry said. “But the fact is, we’re a rule-of-law country and
they make decisions up there that from time to time I don’t agree with. But
we are a country of rules and laws, and if we get away from that, we’ve
lost everything that we have.”

He then promised to appoint conservative judges as president.

“He finally got to the answer where he said we are a nation of laws, even
if we don’t like them,” Gay said. “So I thought that was the answer. But I
got the impression he didn’t really want to come out and say it’s a
non-issue… because he knows some people here are very upset about it.”

In contrast, New Hampshire state Rep. Ken Weyler is all-in for Perry.

Weyler does not want Perry to just do well in New Hampshire – his aim is
for Perry to run the table.

Weyler is part of a conservative initiative called the “603 Alliance.” 603
is the state’s area code, and the group seeks to consolidate conservative
support behind a single candidate so that Democratic and registered
Independent voters cannot cross over and determine the nominee in the
state’s open Republican primary.

But six months out from that election, Perry lags behind his GOP rivals in
state polling. A decisive victory over the crowded and talented GOP field
is a tall order for Perry.

“We have to start emphasizing, we want a resume, not a slogan. We want
something real,” Weyler said. “And we want a record of accomplishment. We
want a veteran… I’m trying to get the veteran vote behind him.”

Like a Perry campaign swing in March, the candidate’s articulate and
wide-ranging stump speech played well in this setting. Voter by voter,
Perry is effectively erasing memories of his 2011 debate flop.

“For crying out loud!” Gay said when asked about Perry’s 2011 troubles. “If
anybody can say they have never been deep into a discussion and all of the
sudden their mind switches to a different track…”

“Baloney!” she exclaimed.

Perry’s Texas rival for the GOP nomination, Cruz, will spend the Fourth of
July doing campaign and book tour events in Greenville, South Carolina.

*Report: Perry Emerges as Trump's Biggest Critic Among GOP Rivals //
Newsmax
<file:///C:\Report\%20Perry%20Emerges%20as%20Trump's%20Biggest%20Critic%20Among%20GOP%20Rivals%20%20Read%20Latest%20Breaking%20News%20from%20Newsmax.com%20http\::www.newsmax.com:Headline:Rick-Perry-Donald-Trump-immigration-Texas:2015:07:04:id:653475:#ixzz3f0Hdd6bm
Urgent: Rate Obama on His Job Performance. Vote Here Now!> // Todd Beamon –
July 4, 2015*

Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry is emerging as the strongest critic of fellow
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and his controversial
remarks on illegal immigrants.

"I don't think Donald Trump's remarks reflect the Republican Party," Perry
said Thursday after a speech at the National Press Club in Washington in
which he called on the GOP to reach out to African Americans in the
upcoming election.

He sharpened his attacks later in an interview with Fox News, The Texas
Tribune reports.

"I think that was huge error on his part and, number one, it's wrong,"
Perry said of Trump's remarks on illegals in his June 16 announcement
speech. "What I would say is that we want somebody who’s actually dealt
with this before, not somebody that’s just going to shoot from the hip.

"I will suggest to you I know how to secure the border, and the border
security is the real issue here," he said.

Perry, who stepped down in January as the Lone Star State's longest-serving
governor, last year deployed 1,000 National Guard troops to the
Texas-Mexico border to combat the surge in illegal immigrant children
pouring into the country.

His Thursday attacks on Trump marked a sharp departure from Perry's
comments the previous day, in which he told Fox that the billionaire
developer's remarks on immigration simply were ones "that I certainly
wouldn't have made."

Perry's campaign, however, played Thursday's criticism for all that it was
worth, the Tribune reports. Staffers immediately released the comments to
reporters, with video from the interview and transcripts highlighting the
remarks.

Perry himself even sent out this Twitter message linking to the release:

In response, Trump criticized Perry on Saturday, telling Fox News the
former governor had not done more "in terms of protecting people" from
illegals crossing the South Texas border.

Still, Perry remains far behind Trump in the polls. He finished 8
percentage points behind Trump, who placed second, with 12 percent of those
surveyed saying that they supported him.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush finished first, with 19 percent.

*GRAHAM*

*Republican presidential candidate Lindsey Graham has a stark warning for
the US
<http://www.businessinsider.com/lindsey-graham-has-a-stark-warning-for-the-us-2015-7>
// Business Insider // Maxwell Tani – July 4, 2015*

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) has a warning for the US: if we
don't reform entitlements, we could end up like Greece.

On Saturday, the Republican presidential candidate told Business Insider
that the US risks a Greek-style financial crisis if Congress doesn't reform
entitlement programs.

"If you can't do a grand bargain where you reform entitlements and flatten
out the tax code, we could become Greece," Graham said.

Years of debt and subsequent austerity measures have stifled the Greek
economy.

This week, Greece defaulted on its loan payments to the International
Monetary Fund. The country will vote Sunday on a referendum that will
decide if Greece will accept another bailout from its three main creditors:
the IMF, the European Central Bank, and the European Commission

In order to prevent a similar situation, Graham proposed a broad range of
solutions outlined in the 2012 Simpson-Bowles plan — a broad, relatively
centrist entitlement reform plan that died in Congress.

The Senator said that in order to curb rising costs of Medicare, Social
Security, and other programs, he'd raise the retirement age, trim benefits,
and flatten out the tax code.

Graham said he would be willing to eliminate some tax deductions to get
centrist Democrats on board. Graham told Business Insider that the Senate
Democrats like Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) and Sen. Dick Durbin
(D-Illinois) had expressed interest in entitlement reform, as long as the
plans included new revenue.

The South Carolina Senator said his plan may upset the hard-liners of both
parties, but could be a good compromise.

"You're not going to get Bernie Sanders, you're probably not going to get
the folks on the right to agree on revenue," Graham said. "We got to have a
bipartisan plan in order to avoid becoming Greece."

It's unlikely the US would run into a problem like Greece's, since the US
controls the currency that it owes its debt in. If the debt became too
great, the US could physically print its way out of debt, which would
devalue its currency significantly and lead to inflation, but would not
leave the country at the mercy of the IMF or other creditors.

The South Carolina Senator also brushed off concerns about Greece leaving
the European Union and seeking a greater alliance with Russia.

"That'd be like getting a ticket on the Titanic. I'm not so sure that's the
way to go for Greece," Graham said.

*Graham sees 'perfect storm' from terror
<http://www.unionleader.com/article/20150705/NEWS0605/150709646&source=RSS>
// Union Leader // Dan Tuohy – July 4, 2015*

MANCHESTER - Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said the U.S. government is
losing the ability to defend Americans "because of stupid politics."

The Republican presidential hopeful spoke before campaigning in New
Hampshire on the Fourth of July, when the State Department warned about
potential terror threats related to the holiday weekend.

Graham, long a defense hawk, continues to advocate for more robust national
security and surveillance.

"People kind of push back on me that I'm too much of an alarmist - that I'm
over-selling. I don't think I am," Graham said in an interview with the New
Hampshire Union Leader. "I think there's a perfect storm brewing out there
for us to get hit hard. In the face of increased threats, we are literally
reducing our defense and intelligence capability."

Graham had argued for renewal of the Patriot Act to ensure the National
Security Agency maintains surveillance authority.

Graham, a retired Air Force lawyer and judge advocate, sits on the Senate
Armed Services Committee.

This weekend was the first time Graham campaigned in New Hampshire since
the shooting in a church in Charleston, S.C., two weeks ago. Graham
postponed a visit in order to be in his home state to address the murders,
including controversy over the Confederate flag flying on state house
grounds. Graham, in a change of position on the flag, joined other leaders
in his state in calling for the flag to be removed from state house grounds.

Graham, in the interview, shook his head as he said he still cannot
understand how a 21-year-old like Dylann Roof could go into a church, be
invited to worship, and then shoot people.

"That's a level of hate that's hard to understand," Graham said.

Roof was arrested and charged with killing nine people at the Emanuel
African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston.

"But at the end of the day, 48 hours after the shooting, the families
appeared in court to confront the killer. They say, 'You destroyed my life,
but I forgive you, I love you.' That kind of love can only come from God,"
Graham said. "It changed my state. There's been a soul-searching in South
Carolina like I have never seen. Churches have been full. People have been
reaching out, holding each other. The flag will come down Monday. It won't
solve all of our problems, but it is a step forward."

*HUCKABEE*

*Mike Huckabee Vows To Prosecute Attacks Against Gay Marriage Opponents As
Hate Crimes
<http://www.ontopmag.com/article.aspx?id=21161&MediaType=1&Category=26> //
On Top  - July 4, 2015*

Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee on Thursday denounced the
Supreme Court ruling striking down state bans on gay marriage, saying that
as president he would protect opponents.

In a Fox News op-ed, Huckabee claimed that the Supreme Court's ruling was
an “out-of-control act of unconstitutional judicial tyranny.”

“While some cowardly politicians will wave the white flag and surrender to
the false god of judicial supremacy, I refuse to light a match to our
Constitution,” he wrote. “We must resist and reject judicial tyranny, not
retreat.”

Huckabee pledged as president to sign executive orders that “support
traditional marriage and protect businesses, churches, non-profits, schools
and universities, hospitals, and other organizations from discrimination,
intimidation, civil penalties, or criminal attacks for exercising their
religious beliefs” and direct the attorney general to “protect liberty and
prosecute any violations of First Amendment rights of individuals,
businesses, religious organizations, institutions, and civil servants,
including those who believe in traditional marriage.”

“The Justice Department will protect and defend the rights of American
citizens to follow their religious convictions without discrimination, and
prosecute attacks on people of faith and their religious liberty.”

“I will aggressively prosecute attacks against people of faith as hate
crimes,” he added.

A graphic posted on the Huckabee campaign Facebook page quotes the former
governor as saying, “An attack on Christians and their religious liberty is
a hate crime that be prosecuted.”

*FIORINA*

*Lt. governor offers support to Fiorina
<http://www.journalgazette.net/blog/political-notebook/Lt--governor-offers-support-to-Fiorina-7515578>
// Journal Gazette // Niki Kelly & Brian Francisco – July 5, 2015 *

Indiana Lt. Gov. Sue Ellspermann on Monday announced that she supports
Republican Carly Fiorina in her bid for the presidency in 2016.

“As a former business owner, I appreciate that Carly, previous CEO of a
Fortune 100 company, has the background to grow our economy and lead our
country,” Ellspermann said.

“With her breadth and depth of experience as a business leader, as the
former Chair of the CIA’s Advisory Board and as the leader of multiple
nonprofit organizations, Carly brings a fresh, yet informed perspective to
Washington. I believe Carly will place problem-solving before politics, a
behavior Americans desire and deserve.”

Ellspermann will co-chair Fiorina’s Indiana efforts with Suzanne
Jaworowski, the communications and government affairs director for Hallador
Energy/Sunrise Coal.

A news release said Ellspermann and Jaworowski will work to communicate
Fiorina’s unique credentials and accomplishments and will help build a
grass-roots network of support.

Fiorina is a businesswoman and former CEO of Hewlett-Packard.

She is the only female Republican candidate and recently came in second in
the Western Conservative Summit’s GOP presidential straw poll.

Donnellyvisits Iraq

Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., is part of a congressional delegation that has
been in Iraq on a fact-finding trip, his office announced Monday.

The delegation met with U.S. military leaders and Iraqi officials,
including Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, to discuss the fight against
Islamic State militants in Iraq.

“With more than 3,000 U.S. troops in Iraq and more on the way, I felt it
was critical to hear directly from our commanders on the ground and our
Iraqi allies – Shia, Sunni, and Kurdish – about the current strategy. We
also discussed what role the U.S. and our coalition partners in the region
should play going forward,” said Donnelly, a member of the Senate Armed
Services Committee, in a statement.

Donnelly is part of a delegation led by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

According to Kaine’s office, others in the group are Democratic Reps. Brian
Higgins of New York, Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii, Stephen Lynch and Jim
McGovern of Massachusetts and Peter Welch of Vermont.

The delegation visited Iraq and Kuwait last weekend, traveled to Jordan on
Monday and was in Turkey on Tuesday.

Hale not running

State Rep. Christina Hale, D-Indianapolis, announced Monday that she will
campaign for re-election next year rather than run for an open U.S. Senate
seat, the Associated Press reported.

Hale’s decision leaves former U.S. Rep. Baron Hill, a native of Seymour, as
the only announced Democratic candidate for the seat held by Republican
Sen. Dan Coats, who will not seek re-election.

Two Republicans – former state GOP Chairman Eric Holcomb of Indianapolis
and U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman, R-3rd, of Howe – seek to replace Coats.

*JINDAL*

*Bobby Jindal: The son of immigrants and new champion of the
tough-on-immigrants crowd
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-fix/wp/2015/07/04/bobby-jindal-the-son-of-immigrants-and-new-champion-of-the-tough-on-immigrants-crowd/?tid=pm_politics_pop_b>
// WaPo // Janell Ross – July 4, 2015*

Bobby Jindal lives in a very interesting and unique political space.

He's one of many, many men and one woman vying for the GOP nomination in
2016. He's a young governor but is widely regarded as a
withered-though-once-rising political star. He's the first Indian-American
to be considered a serious candidate for the White House, but he shuns that
label and believes that every American should strive to live a
non-hyphenated experience.

He's the pro-melting pot candidate in a world in which the American salad
bowl is seen as a hipper or at least more inclusive national metaphor. He
expresses significant concern about the danger he insists some immigrants
can represent in the United States and countries abroad. And this month,
all of that may have attracted more attention than Jindal's formal
announcement that he's running for president.

First, a bit of background.

In January, Jindal took a trip to Europe, gave some speeches and did some
interviews. They included the idea that some European countries have
mistakenly allowed Muslim immigrants to establish almost autonomous
communities in which strict religious laws, known as Sharia, govern life.
Some of these places had become "no-go" zones for non-Muslims, Jindal
claimed.

Amid criticism that his comments were not only counterfactual but flavored
by more than a little bit of influence from people like Pamela Geller, who
has long warned of the dangers created by so-called "creeping Sharia,"
Jindal doubled down. In a satellite interview from London with CNN, Jindal
said:

I knew that by speaking the truth we were going to make people upset. ...
The huge issue, the big issue in non-assimilation is the fact that you have
people that want to come to our country but not adopt our values, not adopt
our language and in some cases want to set apart their own enclaves and
hold on to their own values. I think that’s dangerous.

Then in February, Jindal came to Washington, D.C., addressed an anti-Common
Core curriculum organization, and repeated these thoughts.

All that was looming in the backdrop when Jindal announced his bid for the
White House on June 24. And true to his politics, Jindal's speech included
references to the exceptionalism of America, the experiences of his
immigrant parents and the "assault" that Christianity faces.

Then, he went on.

As for me, I’m sick and tired of people dividing Americans. And I’m done
with all this talk about hyphenated Americans. We are not Indian-Americans,
Irish-Americans, African-Americans, rich Americans, or poor Americans – we
are all Americans.

While I’m at it, here’s another thing you aren’t allowed to say, but I’m
going to say it anyway: We cannot allow people to immigrate to this country
so that they can use our freedoms to undermine our freedoms. ... It is not
unreasonable to demand that if you immigrate to America, you must do so
legally, and you must be ready and willing to embrace our values, learn
English and roll up your sleeves and get to work.

That was all too much for a certain subset of Americans. For those whose
social media accounts have yet to feature the #Jindian and
#BobbyJindalIsSoWhite hashtags, please brace yourself.

Writer Hari Kondabolu, formerly part of the writing team at the
now-canceled political comedy show "Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell,"
told the publication Colorlines that after Jindal's announcement, he was
irritated. Kondabolu, who is Indian American, was bothered by what he sees
as Jindal's cynical games with race and identity, fear of immigrants and
the desire of older Indian Americans to be fully included in American life.
So, he started the #BobbyJindalIsSoWhite hashtag.

Then, he went at Jindal hard. Real hard.

Soon, someone else shared their sense that Jindal pulled a downright
#jindian move when he allowed official and unofficial gubernatorial
portraits of himself to depict a man whose skin mysteriously appeared
several shades lighter than Jindal's own to be hung in public spaces.

And then there was this -- quite possibly the sharpest critique of them all
-- from comedian and "Daily Show" alum Aasif Mandvi:

It wasn't long before conservative fans of Jindal and others rose to
Jindal's defense. They described the online commentary as deeply offensive,
inappropriate, cruel and an exemplar of the left's hypocrisy. Jindal's
campaign even had some fun with it, printing T-shirts with the slogan
"Tanned. Rested. Ready."

All that might have faded into the mass of ideas shared on social media if
a pro-Jindal super PAC hadn't begun running ads in Iowa in recent days
playing up -- what else -- Jindal's views about immigrants.

“I think our immigration system is broken,” Jindal said in a clip included
in the ad. “If folks want to immigrate to America, they should do so
legally. They should adopt our values. They should learn English. And they
should roll up their sleeves and get to work.”

Here, we see the super PAC's version of Jindal, equipped and willing to say
what others won't or can't about America's immigrants -- perhaps because he
is the brown-skinned son of Indian Hindu immigrants. He "learned" English.
He speaks with a vaguely Southern-American-inflected accent. He converted
to Christianity. He rejects a life in which Indian Americans don't focus on
the latter portion of that label. Why can't others just do the same? In
fact, Jindal should be trusted to lead the United States, the argument
goes, precisely because of all of the above.

Jindal seems to subscribe to the idea that immigrants arrive with a range
of deficits and can't become better until they become American in the ways
that he believes matter. In the ad, it seems Jindal is American precisely
because he believes in a constant effort to emulate and approximate
"standard American-ness" -- what many would say is actually white-ness or
at least a very muted Indian-American-ness -- whenever and however possible.

Think that's reading a little too deeply? In January, while in London,
Jindal shared these insights:

I am not suggesting for one second that people should be shy or embarrassed
about their ethnic heritage. But I am explicitly saying that it is
completely reasonable for nations to discriminate between allowing people
into their country who want to embrace their culture, or allowing people
into their country who want to destroy their culture, or establish a
separate culture within.

Now, to be very clear, there are very large shares of Americans who share
Jindal's views.

The 2014 General Social Survey -- one of the most expansive looks at social
attitudes and change in United States each year since 1972 -- found that a
full 93 percent of Americans said that being able to speak English is very
or fairly important to being an American, compared to just 64 percent who
said that one's birthplace determines whether or not you're an American. In
that same poll, 92 percent pointed to citizenship and 91 percent said
following America's laws make you an American.

But lest anyone think that Jindal's views are all there is, also consider
this:

In a September 2012 CNN/Opinion Research poll, Americans were nearly evenly
split on questions of cultural assimilation. About 48 percent said it is
better for the United States to encourage immigrants to blend in by "giving
up some important aspects of their own culture." But 44 percent said the
country should encourage, "immigrants to maintain their own culture" even
if it means they "do not blend as well." And 5 percent said they thought
some mixture of both approaches would be ideal.

Finally, a Pew Research Center poll released in June 2014 found some
appreciable differences between the way that white, black and Latino
Americans view immigrants. And not surprisingly, there were even bigger
differences between Republicans and Democrats.

Now, Jindal is certainly entitled to advance whatever themes and policy
ideas he thinks best. It's also worth noting that the content of the super
PAC's ads are outside Jindal's control, even if they were created from
snippets of his public speeches and closely mirror his own, oft-used
rhetoric.

But it's also clear that Jindal is one of the few candidates -- besides
Donald Trump -- who has decided that talking about the threats he believes
are posed by unassimilated immigrants is part of his path to the White
House.

Conservative defenders would do well not to aggressively police the way
that Indian Americans discuss or even ridicule Jindal's choices. That
obscures the kind of learning and information exchange -- no matter how
embarrassing, squirm-inducing or painful -- that every American surely
knows can come from humor and debate.

At the same time, those who would dismiss Jindal as a political actor
worthy of nothing more than identity-centered ridicule might do well to
think about just how appealing a candidate willing to talk tough on
immigration and push assimilation and speaking English can be to many
Americans.

*Bobby Jindal expresses optimism about his future in Iowa
<http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2015/07/04/bobby-jindal-fourth-july-parades-urbandale-windsor-heights/29715415/>
// Des Moines Register // Maya Kliger – July 4, 2015*

Republican presidential hopeful Bobby Jindal wrapped up a five-day swing
through Iowa with stops at two metro-area parades on Independence Day.

The governor of Louisiana was encouraged by the reception he received
throughout the week, and he said was optimistic about future trips back to
the state hosting the first-in-the-nation caucuses.

"I think this is a marathon, not a sprint. I think that we got great
responses everywhere we went. Everywhere we went, people were signing up to
be volunteers and to learn more about the campaign," he said. "But
everywhere we went, we also committed that we'd be coming back, and we'd be
spending a lot of time here.

"We intend to do town halls and go to restaurants and factories, and do
exactly what we've done this week, and do that over and over. And I think
that will absolutely generate great results for us."

In both Urbandale and Windsor Heights, Jindal eagerly spoke to people in
the crowd, oftentimes falling behind the rest of the parade.

Many of the people he spoke to, although not positive they will ultimately
caucus for him, expressed support because of his conservative values and
what they described as his genuine demeanor.

"So far, he (Jindal) is my favorite. He seems like just a person, you
know?" said Pat Green, 64, of Urbandale. "I think we need down-to-earth
people to run our country because the majority of the country is
down-to-earth."

Despite the fact that Jindal is at the bottom of recent polls, he was
recognized Saturday because of his campaign ads and media appearances.

Those who knew of him at the parades referenced the video his campaign
released of Jindal and his wife telling their children he was running for
president, his ads concerning immigration and his interview this past week
with Fox News commentator Sean Hannity.

AT THE EVENT

SETTINGS: Fourth of July parades in Urbandale and Windsor Heights.

CROWDS: Jindal greeted dozens at both parades.

REACTION: Many were eager to shake hands and take pictures with the
governor, though few were sure that they'll be Jindal supporters.

WHAT'S NEXT: Saturday was the last of a five-day swing through Iowa. The
Jindal campaign is planning on coming back later in the month.

*Jindal poses with gun at campaign stop, met with online mockery
<http://www.statesman.com/news/news/national-govt-politics/bobby-jindal-poses-gun-campaign-stop-met-online-mo/nmrb6/>
// Statesman // July 4, 2015*

SIBLEY, Iowa — Republican presidential candidate and Louisiana Gov. Bobby
Jindal posted a photo of himself holding and admiring a weapon while at a
campaign stop in Iowa Friday.

Jindal’s photo caption reads: “My kind of campaign stop; Capital Armament
in Sibley.”

According to the company’s Facebook page, CapArms is a veteran-owned
company that manufactures ammunition, firearms and smokeless gunpowder.

Jindal has proven to be a strong supporter of gun ownership rights during
his tenure as governor, signing several pro-gun rights bills into law in
the state of Louisiana.

Still, not everyone is buying Jindal’s affection for weapons, especially on
social media. The photo received some mocking comments on Twitter, saying
he was pandering to constituents and calling him a poser. One commenter
called it Jindal’s Dukakis moment, referencing the 1988 campaign photo of
Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis riding in a tank.
Politico refers to that image as one of the “worst campaign backfires in
history.”

*Bobby Jindal’s former media director brands him ‘anti-gay’ and
‘destructive’
<https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/07/04/bobby-jindals-former-media-director-brand-him-anti-gay-and-destructive/>
// Pink News // Nick Duffy – July 4, 2015*

Republican Presidential hopeful Bobby Jindal has been attacked by his
former head of news media.

The Governor of Louisiana has in the past said his party doesn’t need the
support of gay people, and has continually tried to force through
“religious freedom” laws in his state which would allow anti-gay
discrimination.

However, in a column for the New Orleans Advocate, Jindal’s former news
media director Taylor Huckaby lashed out at him.

Mr Huckaby, who is gay, wrote: “During my years in the Jindal machine, I
became entrenched in the culture that gave birth to what we see today:
fire-and-brimstone Jindal, chomping at the bit to stand in the church house
door and refuse Americans their individual right to marry the one they love.

He continues: “I regret nothing more than my complicity in the state’s
relentless attacks against my fellow LGBTQ citizens.

“Being anti-gay was (and is) a system requirement for working in Louisiana
conservative politics, and it bred a powerful self-hatred.”

Savaging his former employer, he writes: “Jindal’s signature strategy of
rallying bigotry diminishes in power with each passing moment.

“Whatever procedural or bureaucratic chicanery he attempts in order to
block our freedom to marry will be fruitless, petty and ultimately
unsuccessful.

“This Independence Day marks the final Fourth of July Louisiana will
observe under Jindal’s dishonest, destructive administration — and also the
first Fourth of July that queer Americans may marry whomever they choose.

“For many, that’s something worth celebrating — and as Jindal fades into
irrelevance, my deepest hope is that Louisiana elects new leaders who
govern differently, leaders who prize fairness, charity, dignity, prudence
and kindness above all.”

Governor Jindal has previously defended anti-gay Duck Dynasty star Phil
Robertson, who has equated homosexuality with bestiality and claimed that
AIDS is “God’s punishment” for homosexuality.

The Governor claimed the Robertsons were “great citizens” of Louisiana, and
went on to attack the “politically correct crowd” for criticising the
comments by Robertson.

The Human Rights Campaign earlier this year marked an op-ed from Governor
Jindal – and he definitely didn’t pass with flying colours.

An attempted put-down of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union
address last year backfired, when Governor Jindal used the wrong “your” in
a tweet.

*Bobby Jindal Sued Over Anti-Gay Executive Order
<http://www.edgeboston.com/news/news/180339/bobby_jindal_sued_over_anti-gay_executive_order>
// Edge Media Network // John Reilly – July 4, 2015*

Bobby Jindal had better get the lawyers ready.

The ACLU Foundation of Louisiana, the Forum for Equality Foundation and six
individual plaintiffs have filed a lawsuit challenging an executive order
issued by the Louisiana governor that would allow people to discriminate
against same-sex couples.

The "Marriage and Conscience Order," as issued by Jindal in May, prohibits
the state or its agents from denying tax exemptions or credits, grants,
contracts, certification or accreditation from a person or business who
refuses to provide services to LGBT people if they believe that doing so
would violate their personal moral or religious beliefs regarding
homosexuality or same-sex marriage. Jindal, a Republican presidential
hopeful, issued the order after a bill that was similar in scope failed to
obtain enough votes to move out of committee in the Louisiana House of
Representatives.

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs argue that Jindal's order is
unconstitutional because it goes beyond his authority as governor, as
spelled out by the separation of powers clause in the Louisiana state
constitution. The lawsuit also alleges that the order creates a special
class of people and businesses who are protected due to their opposition to
marriage equality, while other people and businesses who support marriage
equality are not afforded those same rights. As a result of the protections
afforded to only those who oppose marriage equality, the plaintiffs argue
that the order essentially "sanctions discrimination" against not only
same-sex couples, but those who support them.

"Governor Jindal's unauthorized taking of the legislature's power to make
new laws or change existing laws violates the Louisiana Constitution," the
lawsuit reads. "Governor Jindal's 'Marriage and Conscience Order' also
exceeds the authority granted to him for issuing executive orders. The
governor is given authority to issue executive orders to see that laws are
faithfully executed. The statute does not give the governor the authority
to create a new law or overrule the legislature's decision to not pass a
law."

"Governor Jindal has violated the Louisiana Constitution by setting up
special protections for those who share his belief system," said Marjorie
Esman, the executive director of the ACLU Foundation of Louisiana. "In our
country no one is above the law, including the Governor. He swore to uphold
the laws of Louisiana. This lawsuit seeks to hold him to that oath."

*Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal governs via cellphone
<http://theadvocate.com/news/12819620-123/louisiana-gov-bobby-jindal-governs>
// The Advocate // Mark Ballard & Marsha Shuler – July 4, 2015*

Even before officially joining the presidential sweepstakes, Gov. Bobby
Jindal spent far less time in Louisiana than his predecessors.

Since announcing June 24 that he was seeking the Republican presidential
nomination, Jindal has been in Louisiana only one day, according to
campaign news releases and the lieutenant governor’s records. And with just
six months left in his administration, Jindal is expected to spend more and
more time in the early primary states of Iowa, New Hampshire and South
Carolina.

He’ll be governing Louisiana by cellphone.

“He has a tremendous amount of horsepower and bandwidth,” said Timmy
Teepell, Jindal’s longtime political strategist. “He’ll be able to campaign
and handle his duties as governor without a problem. He will keep a very
busy schedule.”

Even before he announced, Jindal spent a lot of time tending to politics
out-of-state.

So far this year, he has spent four days out of every 10 somewhere other
than in Louisiana, which is about the same rate he was gone in 2014,
according to the records of lieutenant governor, who by law is supposed to
take over when the governor leaves the state.

The governor’s office has stopped issuing press releases alerting the
public when Jindal is gone. But just like before the announcement,
Louisiana taxpayers are paying the salaries and expenses of the State
Police troopers who provide security for him, which includes renting and
driving the black Suburbans in which Jindal travels.

The governor’s aides send the lieutenant governor a notice when Jindal
leaves the state, as required by law, but otherwise there is no
coordination or communication with Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, who is
technically in charge. “The governor is chief executive at all times,”
Jindal’s Communications Director Mike Reed said.

Though it may not look good, computers and cellphones make it a lot easier
for an absent chief executive to keep abreast of the issues and make
decisions, former Gov. Mike Foster said in an interview last week.

“I don’t really see it as a big deal. It’s something somebody can gripe
about. Whether it hurts your efficiency, I doubt that,” said Foster, who
was criticized in his day for not traveling very much.

Short of a something like a hurricane or the Mississippi River flooding,
Foster said, Jindal’s presence in Baton Rouge isn’t necessary.

“I’m sure if there’s a hurricane he would be back here. I would be
surprised if he weren’t,” Foster said. “You know when they are coming, and
you have time to get back.”

But maybe the timing for a presidential run is a little off, said former
Gov. Buddy Roemer, who ran for president in 2012.

“He can do that. That is fun,” Roemer said of Jindal’s presidential bid.
“But his responsibility is governor. And for that he should stay with the
job or quit. Let the lieutenant governor do it. I want to make that point.
I don’t mind Bobby running for president, just not as governor.”

Similarly, former Gov. Kathleen Blanco criticized Jindal’s divided
attention. “I don’t know how a governor can take off so much time from his
job, but my experience was different,” she said.

Her last six months in office were wall-to-wall work as Louisiana recovered
from the 2005 hurricanes. Usually her trips out of state were to
Washington, D.C., to argue with congressmen and federal officials about the
conditions and requirements of loans and grants needed to rebuild flooded
homes, damaged schools and weakened levees.

Seventy-three-year-old state Sen. Francis Thompson, who just finished his
40th legislative session and has seen five other governors wind down their
administrations, said all the state’s chief executives have their own
styles. Some are more hands-on; others, like Jindal, delegate authority and
responsibilities. But all governors rely on their staffs to keep an even
keel, particularly during the final days of their tenure.

“It’s so critical that the staff stays engaged,” said Thompson, D-Delhi.
“They still have a role to play. Capital outlay goes nowhere without them.
We still have a number of lawsuits. We are still fooling with BP,” the
British oil giant responsible for the historic crude oil release in the
Gulf of Mexico after the 2010 Deepwater Horizon accident.

Though a state government budget crisis — lawmakers had to fill a $1.6
billion deficit — was averted this year, the solutions are precarious. Its
balance could be upset by any number of factors, such as another drop in
oil prices or a lack of confidence in the state by credit rating agencies
or the success of a lawsuit, like the one filed last week by the Louisiana
Chemical Association, challenging the constitutionality of one of the
revenue-raising rollbacks in tax breaks that impact businesses.

But short of a calamity like that, being in Baton Rouge is not that
necessary, said Terry Ryder, who was Blanco’s executive counsel and
Foster’s deputy chief of staff. “He’s got staff in Baton Rouge that can
handle it and, as needed, consult him by cellphone. There’s the signature
machine (to sign documents),” said Ryder, now a Baton Rouge lawyer.

Jindal receives a binder every morning with briefing materials about what
is going on that day. He usually reaches out by breakfast with questions,
said his chief of staff, Melissa Mann. The governor calls throughout the
day to walk through the questions and issue directives.

“My job is to keep everything running on time. If legislators have issues,
I help them sort through them,” Mann said June 26 at the end of her first
week on the job. “If the cabinet brings up issues that rise to the level of
the governor’s attention, then we have additional conferences on the phone.”

An Oak Grove native who joined the administration in 2008 after graduating
from LSU, Mann got the fourth-floor corner office on June 19 after Jindal’s
fourth chief of staff, Kyle Plotkin, joined the presidential campaign team.

“We have a pretty good idea of when the governor needs to be briefed on
something, when it rises to his level and when we need input and
decisions,” Mann said. “We understand the positions and the policies. We’ve
been doing this for seven and a half years, so there’s going to be some
hard guardrails we understand.”

Commissioner of Administration Kristy Nichols is Jindal’s chief budget
adviser and is in charge of the day-to-day operations of the state
government bureaucracy. Nothing much has changed for her. Over the years,
she has met with Jindal regularly — daily during legislative sessions or
weekly, depending on what’s going on. She contacts Jindal through the chief
of staff.

The rhythm Nichols and Jindal have developed over the years is in-depth
briefings on issues like the budget, operations of state government,
upcoming discussions with the Legislature, forecasting future finances and
major contracts that are being considered, she said.

“After having been with him for this length of time, I have a good feel of
what really needs to be decided by him. But I certainly always brief him on
issues that need to be brought to his attention,” Nichols said.

“He’s always got his finger on the pulse of what’s going on here,” said
Revenue Secretary Tim Barfield, who, like Nichols, has served in several
jobs during the Jindal administration. “From the things I see in my
department, I don’t see his physical presence necessary.”

“We’ve finished our final legislative session. We are not going to be
advancing a lot of new initiatives,” Mann said. “We’re going to be more
overseeing that transition and ensuring that cabinet agencies are prepared
for the transition period. ... We’re going to make sure we finish well.”

*TRUMP*

*Mitt Romney Criticizes Donald Trump for Comments on Mexican Immigrants
<http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/07/04/romney-criticizes-trump-for-remarks-on-mexican-immigrants/?module=BlogPost-Title&version=Blog%20Main&contentCollection=Politics&action=Click&pgtype=Blogs&region=Body>
// NYT // Maggie Haberman – July 4, 2015*

Mitt Romney criticized the real-estate mogul and presidential candidate
Donald Trump on Saturday, saying he was damaging the Republican Party with
his comments linking Mexican immigrants to crime.

Mr. Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, spoke at a Fourth of
July parade in Wolfeboro, N.H., where he owns a home. He was asked whether
Mr. Trump’s comments depicting Mexican immigrants as violent predators had
hurt a party that has been trying to make inroads with Hispanics.

“Yes,” he replied, in remarks reported by CNN. “I think he made a severe
error in saying what he did about Mexican-Americans.”

Some of Mr. Trump’s Republican rivals, like Gov. Chris Christie of New
Jersey, former governors Jeb Bush of Florida and George E. Pataki of New
York, have also taken issue with his comments. And the Democratic candidate
Hillary Rodham Clinton has been alluding to the comments in trying to
portray the Republican field as a whole as anti-immigrant.

*NASCAR is the latest brand to dump Donald Trump
<http://nypost.com/2015/07/04/nascar-is-the-latest-brand-to-dump-donald-trump/>
// AP // July 4, 2015*

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — NASCAR is the latest corporation to distance itself
from Donald Trump.

On the same day one of its top sponsors called on NASCAR to take a stance
against Trump, the motorsports series said it will not hold its
season-ending awards ceremony at the Trump National Doral Miami.

“We looked at everything we saw coming down and what we heard from our
sponsors and our partners and what we feel we should be doing, and that’s
what led us to the decision today,” NASCAR spokesman David Higdon said
Friday at Daytona International Speedway.

A message seeking comment from Trump left by The Associated Press was not
returned.

Higdon was responding to a letter released by Camping World CEO Marcus
Lemonis, whose company is the title sponsor of NASCAR’s Truck Series.
Lemonis made it clear he would not attend or participate in the awards
ceremony if it was held at a Trump property. The ceremony was held at Doral
last year.

“My company … has enjoyed a long running relationship with NASCAR as I
believe the vision of our companies both embody family, respect, unity,
comradery and diversity,” Lemonis wrote in a letter to NASCAR Chairman
Brian France. “These sentiments are at the core of what our country stands
for and will continue to embrace. … Due to recent and ongoing blatantly
bigoted and racist comments from Donald Trump in regards to immigrants of
the United States, I would like to inform you that I will not, nor will any
representative of Camping World, participate or attend in the ceremonial
event if it is held at any Trump property.

“Our company will not stand to support any person or organization that
associates with such beliefs and we feel strongly about distancing
ourselves from any negative and discriminatory comments made against any
gender, ethnicity, age group or so forth. I would hope that the entire
NASCAR organization would agree with my sentiments.”

NASCAR and Camping World are the latest to distance themselves from Trump
following his inflammatory statements regarding immigrants from Mexico.

NBC, which is one of NASCAR’s television broadcast partners, parted ways
with Trump earlier this week.

Higdon said NASCAR is looking for another place to hold its awards ceremony
and plans to formally announce a location later this summer.

*GOP worries about Donald Trump fallout
<http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/02/politics/donald-trump-republicans-latinos/index.html>
// CNN // Chris Moody – July 4, 2015*

Washington (CNN)Republicans seeking to broaden the party's appeal to Latino
voters have a challenge: Donald Trump.

The bombastic businessman, who is seeking the GOP presidential nomination,
is leaving many Republicans worried about the fallout from his comments
that immigrants from Latin America are "killers" and "rapists."

"Donald Trump's comments are hurtful for the cause of Republicans who want
to reach out not just to Latinos but across many different ethnic
barriers," said Ben Domenech, founder of The Federalist, a conservative
opinion website, who co-authored a 2012 guide for Republicans on Hispanic
outreach. "The problem with those comments is made worse by the fact that
people will continue to confuse Trump with a Republican, which he is not,
as opposed to thinking of him as an entertainer, which he is."

Since losing the 2012 presidential election, Republicans have emphasized
efforts to bring Latino voters into the fold. As a whole, the
rapidly-growing group supported President Barack Obama over Republican Mitt
Romney 71% to 27%, according to the Pew Research Center. The Republican
National Committee pledged to spend $10 million on minority outreach after
the election and made some in-roads during last year's mid-term races 2014,
Pew found.

Trump, who is polling near the top of Republican presidential contenders,
has already lost partnerships with companies including NBC and Macy's after
his comments stirred a public uproar.

Earlier this week, RNC chairman Reince Priebus, who initiated the party's
multi-million outreach program called Trump's comments "not helpful,"
according to The Washington Post.

Conservative groups unaffiliated with the official party that coordinate
Latino outreach efforts are speaking out against Trump's characterization
of immigrants.

"He's just wrong on policy. Flat-out. It's unkind and it mischaracterizes
the contributions of the entire immigrant community," said Daniel Garza,
executive director of the Libre Initiative. "They've brought wealth to
America and ingenuity and innovation. The fact that Donald Trump is wrong
both on sentiment and policy has allowed the Latino left to pile on. And
there's something valid about what they're saying, that this is wrong in
both content, style and policy."

Despite the outcry, Trump has refused to back down or walk back his remarks.

"If you look at the statistics of people coming, you look at the statistics
on rape, on crime, on everything coming in illegally into this country it's
mind-boggling!" Trump told CNN's Don Lemon in an interview Wednesday.
"Somebody's doing the raping, Don! I mean somebody's doing it! Who's doing
the raping?"

Meanwhile, Trump's fellow Republican presidential candidates have distanced
themselves from Trump on immigration.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry, who delivered a speech at the National Press Club in
which he called on minority voters to give Republicans a chance to make
their case, said: "I don't think Donald Trump's remarks reflect the
Republican Party."

And Florida Sen. Marco Rubio said last week that candidates "will be held
accountable by the voters for what they say."

"I can tell you what I believe, particularly about Mexican-Americans: they
are a community that has contributed greatly to this country, they work
extremely hard, they've been very productive citizens of our country, and I
think that's true of many ethnic groups in this country," he said.

*Trump stands by statements on Mexican illegal immigrants, surprised by
backlash
<http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2015/07/04/trump-stands-by-views-dangerous-mexican-illegal-immigrants-admits-surprised-by/>
// Fox News – July 4, 2015*

Republican presidential candidate and real estate mogul Donald Trump on
Saturday stood by statements he made recently that too many illegal
immigrants from Mexico are criminals but said he was surprised by the
backlash and that his comments are causing financial concerns.

“The crime is raging and it’s violent. And if you talk about it, it’s
racist,” Trump told Fox News, three days after a purported illegal Mexican
immigrant deported five previous times allegedly killed a woman in San
Francisco.

Trump first made his inflammatory remarks during his non-scripted, June 16
presidential announcement speech.

“When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending the best,” he said
during the announcement. “They're not sending you, they're sending people
that have lots of problems and they're bringing those problems. They're
bringing drugs, they're bringing crime. They're rapists and some, I assume,
are good people, but I speak to border guards and they're telling us what
we're getting."

Since then, a list of businesses have announced plans to cut ties with
Trump’s vast business empire, while fellow Republican candidates and others
have questioned Trump’s remarks.

NBC and Univision, for example, have decided not to air the Trump-owned
Miss Universe Pageant, Macy’s is dropping his signature clothing line, New
York Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio has ordered a review of Trump's city
contracts and NASCAR is moving an annual banquet from the Trump National
Doral resort in Miami.

“I didn’t know it was going to be this severe,” Trump said Saturday, adding
that he was surprised by the NASCAR decision, considering he has a good
relationship with the group. “I am a whipping post.”

Still, Trump has drawn support from Americans who say he is openly
confronting the severity of the immigration problem that others won’t
publicly knowledge.

Trump also said Saturday that the problem isn’t limited to Mexico, that
everybody entering the United States is not criminal or problematic and
that his concerns are rooted in national security.

“It’s about safety,” he said. “Some of the people coming here are very
violent people, not all.”

Trump and fellow GOP White House candidate and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio
have publicly exchanged remarks since Trump’s presidential announcement,
with Rubio saying Trump’s comments about Mexicans were “offensive,
inaccurate and divisive.”

After Mexican illegal immigrant Francisco Sanchez apparently killed
32-year-old Kathryn Steinle in San Francisco in a random attack Wednesday,
Trump, who has proposed build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, sent a
direct tweet to Rubio, the son of Cuban parents who has made immigration
reform a part of his presidential campaign.

“What do you say to the family of Kathryn Steinle in CA who was viciously
killed b/c we can’t secure our border? Stand up for US,” Trump tweeted.

Federal officials said local authorities repeatedly released Sanchez, who
was in their custody as recently as this spring.

On Saturday, Trump said Rubio was “weak on immigration” and that fellow GOP
White House candidate and former Texas Gov. Rick Perry “could have done a
lot more.”

He praised what he considers fellow candidate and Texas GOP Sen. Ted Cruz’s
tough immigration stance, calling him “very brave.”

*Trump comes up top in 'poll of polls' of Republican voters - despite
growing backlash over his anti-immigrant comments
<http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3149611/Donald-Trump-polls-Republicans-defends-comments-immigration-despite-increasing-opposition-Mitt-Romney-saying-remarks-hurt-GOP.html>
// Daily Mail // Christopher Brennan – July 4, 2015*

Donald Trump continues to stand by controversial comments he made about
Mexican immigrants as his standings in Republican primary polls improve
despite increasing criticism.

The presidential hopeful placed ahead of perceived front-runner Jeb Bush in
a new aggregated 'poll of polls' with 13.6 per cent support compared to the
former Florida governor's 13.3.

The rise comes as public figures and businesses continue to admonish Trump
because of the comments saying that those crossing the border from Mexico
illegally were 'rapists'.

Former Republican candidate Mitt Romney told CNN Saturday that the
businessman 'made a severe error in saying what he did about
Mexican-Americans'.

Trump defended the remarks,and used an interview on Fox and Friends
Saturday morning to take a dig at fellow presidential hopeful Marco Rubio.

'Rubio is weak on immigration,' Trump told Fox, while praising the stance
of Tea Party favorite Ted Cruz.

He linked policy at the southern US border to crimes, including the San
Francisco shooting of 32-year-old Kathryn Steinle by a man who had been
deported back to Mexico five times.

'The crime is raging and people don't want to talk about it. And if you
talk about it you're a racist,' he said Saturday.

Trump has continued to lose partnerships business after saying in his
presidential announcement that migrants from Mexico are 'bringing drugs,
they're bringing crime, they're rapists. And some I assume are good people'.

On Saturday NASCAR decided not to hold an event at one of his hotel's in
Miami. Univision and NBC have cut ties with his Miss USA and Miss Universe
pageants after outrage among Hispanic and Latino groups.

'I'm a little surprised at NASCAR to be honest', Trump said.

While Trump's polling numbers have risen beyond Jeb Bush's, Romney, whose
father was born in Mexico, replied that the comments have hurt the
Republican party.

He replied 'yes' when asked about the matter, according to CNN.

Former New York Governor and Republican candidate George Pataki, who Trump
criticized for not doing well in the polls, sent an open letter to those in
his party to denounce the Apprentice host.

Some presidential candidates such as Bush have been keen to court the
Hispanic vote, speaking Spanish on prominent television appearances and
during his announcement speech in a bid to make inroads to the crucial 2016
demographic.

Trump has repeatedly said that he love Mexico despite many saying that his
'rapists' comments were racist against people from the country.

The candidate said that he was being targeted 'from all sides' because he
is successful.

He denied that the ordeal was helping him by making him more recognizable.
'This is not good for my brand, I think it's bad for my brand. Maybe I'm
leading in polls, but this is certainly not good. I lose customers, lose
people,' he said.

Romney, who spoke at a New Hampshire event he attended with New Jersey
Governor Chris Christie and Florida Senator Marco Rubio, refused to say who
he is endorsing for the Republican nomination, adding that his decision
will come later.

*Republicans cast into turmoil as Donald Trump rides the populist surge
<http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/republicans/11718563/Republicans-cast-into-turmoil-as-Donald-Trump-rides-the-populist-surge.html>
// Telegraph // Philip Sherwell – July 5, 2015*

For Donald Trump the entrepreneur, it was a damaging week. Two major
television networks severed ties, Macy’s dropped his clothing line and
Carlos Slim, the even richer Mexican tycoon, ended a joint venture with him.

But for Donald Trump the inveterate showman and Republican challenger for
president, the week was a triumph as he climbed in the opinion polls and
dominated media coverage, despite the backlash against his decision to
condemn Mexican immigrants as rapists and drug traffickers.

“Wow, Huffington Post just stated that I am number one in the polls of
Republican candidates,” the brash billionaire bragged as the week closed,
citing the liberal media outlet that has been a platform for many of the
strongest attacks on him. “Thank you, but the work has just begun!”

Mr Trump was touting his first place in an average of 105 polls. Of the 14
candidates who have declared, Trump topped the field with 13.6 per cent
support to 13.3 per cent for Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor and son
and brother of two past presidents.

The property mogul, reality television star and beauty pageant owner with
the most flamboyant comb-over in public life may seem like a caricature and
a political joke.

But the Republican hierarchy is not laughing as he rides an
anti-establishment populist tide, shooting from the hip with his overheated
rhetoric. They are concerned not because they think he has a chance of
securing the nomination but because they fear he could influence the
election by scarring the party’s reputation.

“Donald Trump is like watching a roadside accident,” Ari Fleischer, a
former spokesman for George W Bush, told Politico. “Everybody pulls over to
see the mess. And Trump thinks that’s entertainment. But running for
president is serious. And the risk for the party is that he tarnishes
everybody.”

Mr Fleischer was a co-author of the party’s post-mortem into the 2012
presidential election defeat. That soul-searching concluded that the
Republicans needed to broaden their appeal to younger voters, women and
crucially the demographic of Hispanics.

Mr Fleischer’s old boss won 40 per cent of the Latino vote in 2004. Mitt
Romney took just 27 per cent eight years later. The party fears efforts to
reverse that trend will be set back by Mr Trump’s comments, especially if
his poll rating secures him a place at the first televised debate next
month.

“There’s a danger that Trump will crowd out our message with his antics,” a
senior Romney financial donor who is considering his 2016 options said.

“At first we all just thought he would crash and burn, but now the problem
is who he takes down with him.”

Mr Trump has long revelled in controversy and was a champion of the
“birther movement” that questioned whether Barack Obama was born in
America. But it was his comments about Mexican immigrants when he declared
his candidacy that have dominated attention.

“Mexico is sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing
those problems with them,” he said. “They’re bringing drugs. They’re
bringing crime. They’re rapists.” And then he added as an afterthought:
“And some, I assume, are good people.”

His solution is to build a wall along the border and make Mexico pay for it.

Mr Trump’s rivals in the race were at first unsure how to respond. Marco
Rubio, the Florida senator and son of Cuban immigrants, finally on Thursday
called the comments “not just offensive and inaccurate, but also divisive”.

Jeb Bush, whose wife is Mexican and who delivered his declaration speech in
English and Spanish and supports creating a path for legalising the status
of undocumented immigrants, said: “His remarks do not represent the values
of the Republican party and they do not represent my values.”

Univision, the largest Spanish-language network in the US, and NBC said
they were dropping their broadcasts of the Miss USA and Miss Universe
pageants, which Mr Trump co-owns, while Macy’s axed his line of suits and
ties.

The latest to distance itself from Mr Trump is Nascar, the motor racing
body, which said it would no longer use one of his hotels for its
end-of-season awards. Speaking to Fox News yesterday, Mr Trump, 69, said he
was surprised by Nascar’s decision and at the strength of the backlash.

“I knew it was going to be bad because all my life I have been told: if you
are successful you don’t run for office,” he said. “I didn’t know it was
going to be this severe.”

But he defended his stance and said he had become a “whipping post” for
speaking up on immigration and crime.The lone fellow candidate to speak up
for Mr Trump was Ted Cruz, the Texas senator whose father is Cuban, saying
he “speaks the truth”.

This is what attracts grassroots supporters such as Ken Crow, a leader of
the Tea Party in the first-voting caucus of Iowa. He reeled off a list of
reasons why he was backing Mr Trump. “Americans are sick and tired of
corrupt government and career politicians,” he said. “He will straighten
out the economy and defend our borders. Americans want a John Wayne right
now, someone who’ll be a champion of our country.”

The Trump candidacy is playing up strains between Tea Party activists and
senior party figures, with Mr Fleischer adding that his comments were
irresponsible and “hurtful”.

And John Weaver, an adviser on John McCain’s 2008 presidential campaign,
noted: “I remember growing up in Kermit [Texas], every time the carnival
came to town it drew a big crowd. But nobody wanted the carnival barker to
be mayor.”

*Donald Trump Immigration: Panama Leaves Miss Universe Pageant, Protesting
Offensive Comments About Mexicans
<http://www.ibtimes.com/donald-trump-immigration-panama-leaves-miss-universe-pageant-protesting-offensive-1995918>
// International Business Times // Elizabeth Whitman – July 4, 2015*

Add Panama to the growing list of Latin American nations refusing to
participate in this year's Miss Universe pageant, a contest partially owned
by 2016 presidential candidate Donald Trump, after the business tycoon
generated global backlash with disparaging remarks about Mexicans
immigrating to the United States.

“They are bringing drugs. They are bringing crime. They’re rapists,” Trump
said in June, referring to Mexican immigrants. “Some, I assume, are good
people,” he added. He also suggested building a wall between the United
States and Mexico.

Protesting these words, Panama's Miss Panama Organization and its Telemetro
television channel announced they would neither participate in nor
broadcast this year's contest, the Associated Press reported Saturday. The
entities described their decision as "a message of solidarity" to Mexicans.

With this move, Panama joins a growing chorus of voices from the Latin
American community blasting Trump's remarks as offensive and ignorant.
Colombian Paulina Vega, the reigning Miss Universe, condemned Trump's
comments in an Instagram post Thursday as "unjust and hurtful."

Organizers in Costa Rica and Mexico have also withdrawn from this year's
contest.

"We reject the xenophobic and offensive statements by the owner of the Miss
Universe pageant against our Mexican brothers and sisters, and therefore,
against all Latin Americans," Teletica, the television network that
organizes Miss Costa Rica, said Wednesday in a statement.

Teletica added it would not broadcast the annual pageant. "We will only
reconsider our decision if Donald Trump retracts his comments immediately
and apologizes for his inadmissible statements, or if he separates himself
completely from the organization of the pageant," it said.

Miss Universe is a beauty pageant that began in 1973. It is part of the
Miss Universe Organization, a venture jointly owned by Donald Trump and
NBCUniversal that includes Miss USA and Miss Teen USA, according to its
corporate website. The organization "uses its global grassroots reach to
empower women to be self-confident and strive to be their personal best."

*Fox Panelist Rips Trump: ‘Negotiate with Mexico? He Can’t Even Negotiate
with Macy’s!’
<http://www.mediaite.com/tv/fox-panelist-rips-trump-negotiate-with-mexico-he-cant-even-negotiate-with-macys/>
// Mediaite // Josh Feldman  - July 4, 2015*

Donald Trump‘s presidential campaign has given conservatives and
Republicans lots of mixed feelings. But Fox’s Eric Bolling, at least,
continues to be one of Trump’s biggest cable news defenders. On today’s
Cashin’ In

Panelist Jonathan Hoenig, however, wasn’t quite on board. He told Bolling,
“He’s not just a fool, but he’s a fraud… Negotiate with Mexico? He can’t
even negotiate with Macy’s!”

And quite frankly, Bolling was the only one really defending Trump. Wayne
Rogers said “if Trump can’t survive in the free market, that’s his
problem,” while Michelle Fields said she’s not a Trump fan and that NBC
probably did the right thing (even if they hypocritically embrace Al
Sharpton and Brian Williams).

Bolling still defended Trump, arguing that he’s bringing “fresh new ideas”
and is someone willing to stand up for America. Rogers pointed out that
there are other candidates who fit that description already, while Hoenig
made it abundantly clear he just really doesn’t like Trump.

Presidents, he said, don’t make over-the-top threats and don’t “alienate
America’s major corporations.” Hoenig pointed out how Trump used to be a
Democrat, and when Bolling talked about getting someone with a different
kind of track record in the White House, Hoenig said, “Trump’s got a record
of bankruptcy.”

*Donald Trump's contracts with the city protected under the First
Amendment, civil liberties lawyer says
<http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/trump-contracts-city-protected-free-speech-article-1.2281636>
// New York Daily News // Erin Durkin & Celeste Katz – July 4, 2015*

Donald Trump’s city contracts might be saved by something his billions
can’t buy: Free speech.

City politicians eager to dump the GOP presidential candidate over his
recent anti-Mexican rant are likely to find their efforts thwarted by the
First Amendment, according to a leading civil liberties lawyer.

While Macy’s, Univision and NBC all cut ties with The Donald in recent
days, nixing his deals with the city would not be as fast or easy,
according to both Trump and experts.

Mayor de Blasio already promised a review of Trump’s contracts, including
his sweet deal to operate New York’s newest golf course — a $230 million
Bronx layout.

And City Councilman Mark Levine called on the Parks Department to
immediately use the “out” clauses in its contracts to cut ties with Trump
over his “despicable” comments.

Other Trump-operated city attractions include the Wollman and Lasker
skating rinks, along with the Central Park carousel.

“Our parks are public spaces where everyone should feel welcome, and an
association with Mr. Trump directly contradicts this spirit,” said Levine,
whose district includes Upper West Side and Harlem.

“The Parks Department should exercise this option to sever all ties with
Mr. Trump immediately.”

But don’t cancel those Trump tee times just yet.

While Trump’s comments during his presidential kickoff speech about Mexico
importing “rapists” to the U.S. caused a furor, the odds on voiding any of
his city contracts are longer than a 900-yard par five.

“They can’t do that,” said prominent civil rights lawyer Norman Siegel.
“There’s a thing called the First Amendment, and the city of New York can’t
cancel a binding contract because they don't like the political views of
Donald Trump.”

Ron Lieberman, an executive vice president in the Trump Organization,
echoed the attorney.

“Our position is clear on that: There’s nothing to be reviewed,” said
Lieberman. “They don’t have the constitutional right to put these contracts
in play.

“They’re binding contracts. There’s all sorts of rights and provisions —
and millions and millions of dollars that would have to be paid back to us.
It would be an incredible mistake.”

The contract for the Ferry Park golf course, provided by City Controller
Scott Stringer’s office, specifies the agreement between Trump and Parks
“is terminable at will by the Commissioner in his sole absolute discretion,
at any time.”

There’s a caveat: “Such termination shall not be arbitrary or capricious.”

The Parks Department punted Daily News inquiries about Trump to City Hall,
and the Law Department declined to comment.

Siegel, former head of the New York Civil Liberties Union, agreed Trump's
comments were “offensive and wrong-minded.” But he warned it would “set a
terrible precedent” to penalize Trump for expressing his opinion.

It’s easy to see why Trump would want to stay the (golf) course.

He's got a contract to run the nearly 200-acre site next to the Whitestone
Bridge — a former landfill with Manhattan skyline views — while charging
far more per person per round than other courses operating on city land.
City residents pay $169 for 18 holes on weekends, while nonresidents pay
$215.

Under a deal struck during the Bloomberg Administration, the city footed
the approximately $230 million bill for the construction of the course -
and, as The News has reported, taxpayers could have to shell out as much as
$300,000 a year for the massive amount of water needed to maintain the
greens.

*Trump Says Comments on Mexicans Have Hurt Business
<http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-07-04/trump-says-comments-on-mexicans-have-hurt-business>
// Bloomberg // Ben Brody – July 4, 2015*

Donald Trump admits that racially charged comments he made while announcing
a run for the White House have hurt his business interests.  And he swears
he doesn't care.

"For the people that say I’m doing it for my brand -- this isn’t good for
my brand," the real estate mogul and Republican candidate said Saturday on
Fox & Friends. "I think it’s bad for my brand. I don’t care. You know maybe
I’m leading in polls, but this is certainly not good. I lose customers. I
lose people."

Trump, who nonetheless described his ongoing operations as "very powerful,
very strong" during the interview, shrugged off  the defection of multiple
high-profile business and media partners over his characterization of
Mexican immigrants as violent criminals and "rapists."

"I’ve always said if you’re a successful person, it’s very hard to run for
office, because they come at you at all different sides," Trump said.

Macy's, Serta mattresses, Univision, NASCAR, and NBC, which carried his TV
show The Apprentice, have all terminated agreements with Trump in recent
days over the assertion, made on June 16 during Trump's announcement of a
presidential run, that Mexico is "sending people that have lots of
problems... They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re
rapists."

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the city would review contracts it
has with the mogul, and his rivals in both parties have also condemned his
comments.

Still, Trump's recent surge in the polls has suggested the some voters
don't mind the rhetoric. Some may even warm to it.

In the Saturday interview, Trump continued to defend the comments.

"The crime is raging — it’s raging — and it’s violent," he said. "People
don’t even want to talk about it, and if you talk about it, you’re a
racist. I don’t understand it."

*UNDECLARED*

*WALKER*

*Walker to drop open records restrictions in Wisconsin
<http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/246877-walker-to-drop-open-records-restrictions-in-wisconsin>
// The Hill // Mark Hensch – July 4, 2015*

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker (R) said his state is jettisoning part of its
proposed budget that would eliminate many opens records laws.

Walker announced the move late Saturday alongside State Senate Majority
Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R), Assembly Speaker Robin Vos (R) and the
co-chairs of the state’s joint budget committee.

“[The proposal] will be removed from the budget entirely,” they said in a
statement, according to The Associated Press.

“[It] was never intended to inhibit transparency in government in any way,”
they added.

AP said the budget language would have exempted nearly anything created by
Wisconsin government officials from the state’s open records law.

Republicans added the details into the proposed budget late Thursday
evening.

The Wisconsin legislature is now forming a committee to research the
transparency issue and publicly discuss possible solutions.

Walker is reportedly formally launching his 2016 GOP presidential bid July
13 after the completion of his state budget.

A RealClearPolitics average of recent polls shows him second only to former
Florida Gov. Jeb Bush among potential Republican voters.

He also has a commanding lead in recent sampling of Iowa caucus voters.

*To Celebrate the Fourth, Scott Walker's GOP Declares Secrecy
<http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-bottari/to-celebarate-the-fourth_b_7726644.html>
// HuffPo // Mary Bottari – July 4, 2015*

America fought a revolution against secret and unaccountable government,
but this Fourth of July Scott Walker and the Wisconsin GOP are planning on
gutting Wisconsin's open records law, the strongest in the nation.

On the same day that Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker announced his run for
president, the Wisconsin GOP has proposed a virtual gutting of Wisconsin's
open records law, long considered one of the best in the nation. The
drastic changes were proposed in a last-minute, anonymous budget motion,
with zero public input on the eve of a holiday weekend. The motion will be
rolled into the state's massive budget bill and voted on in the coming
weeks.

The unprecedented proposal would give lawmakers broad authority to hide the
special interests who are working to influence legislation. It would keep
legislative drafting files under wraps,  create a new "deliberative
materials" exemption in the open records law that would exempt records at
all levels of government, and give the legislature an easy way to hide even
more records from disclosure in the future.

The move to gut the open records law appears to come in direct response to
a lawsuit that the Center for Media and Democracy filed against Governor
Walker in May. State Rep. Gordon Hintz, a democrat from Oshkosh on the
Joint Finance Committee, tweeted that GOP budget leaders made it clear to
the committee that Walker had signed off on the changes, including the
changes to the open records law.

CMD was the first to reveal that Walker's office had struck the "search for
truth" from the university's mission and eliminated the "Wisconsin Idea,"
and sued Walker after he withheld records pertaining to the changes, based
on a claimed "deliberative process privilege." Although Walker's lawyers
claim there already exists a deliberative privilege in Wisconsin law, that
clearly is not true, because if it were, his allies in the legislature
wouldn't have to add one through the budget process.

The sweeping proposal would gut the public records law as it applies to the
legislature and governor's office, hiding special interest influence over
public policy. The measure would help candidate Walker sidestep public
scrutiny as more and more national media outlets file records requests with
his office. The Joint Finance Committee chairs, Sen. Alberta Darling (R)
and Rep. John Nygren (R), have refused to say who asked for the changes.

Bill Lueders, president of the transparency watchdog Wisconsin Freedom of
Information Council, called the proposal a "cowardly" and a "shocking
assault on the state's long and proud tradition of open government."

"These radical and sweeping changes represent a full-frontal attack on
Wisconsin's history of open government," Lueders said. "They are clearly
intended to block the public from discovering what factors drive the
official actions of government, especially the Legislature, and will
inevitably lead to abuse, malfeasance and corruption."

Ron Sklansky, a former 35-year senior staff attorney at the nonpartisan
Wisconsin Legislative Counsel and an experts on open records, told CMD he
had never seen a legislative proposal put forward that was as "devastating"
to the open records law as this one. The measure is "almost a complete
gutting of open records as it applies to the legislative and executive
branch. It prevents the public from investigating the undue influence of
special interests on the passage of legislation and the development of
executive branch proposals and rule making," he said.

Although the proposal passed the Joint Finance Committee along party
lines--with all Republicans voting in favor and all Democrats against--the
move has prompted outrage across the political spectrum. The president of
the right-wing MacIver Institute, Brett Healy, said the proposal "looks to
be a huge step backwards for open government." Wisconsin's Republican
Attorney General, Brad Schimel, said "Transparency is the cornerstone of
democracy and the provisions in the Budget Bill limiting access to public
records move Wisconsin in the wrong direction." Hours later, Walker's
spokesperson promised vaguely that the governor would work with the
legislature to address the issue.

Critically, some legislators are saying they will not vote for the
controversial budget with the changes included. "I will not support a
budget that includes this assault on democracy," GOP Senator Robert Cowles
said. And other GOP Reps. expressed discomfort and surprise with the move.

The proposal would:

1) Create a new "deliberative materials" exemption

The amendments would exempt all "deliberative materials" from disclosure
under the public records law, protecting anything that might have informed
a policy decision.

"Deliberative materials" are broadly defined as "communications and other
materials, including opinions, analyses, briefings, background information,
recommendations, suggestions, drafts, correspondence about drafts, and
notes, created or prepared in the process of reaching a decision concerning
a policy or course of action."

This measure could protect the disclosure of communications, draft
legislation, or background materials from groups like the American
Legislative Exchange Council, or "ALEC." It would allow legislators to hide
their communications with lobbyists or campaign donors seeking policy
favors. And it would allow the governor to hide how the executive budget
was developed--including, for example, how, and why, his office might have
sought to alter the purpose of the university system.

2) Allow legislators to hide the identify of any person who communicates
about the development of policy

This could allow lawmakers to hide the special interests who are working to
influence legislation.

For example, CMD has filed an open records request with Joint Finance Chair
Alberta Darling, who received thousands of dollars of contributions from
Bill Minahan, whose company Building Committee Inc. received a $500,000
unsecured loan from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC),
then promptly went bust leaving taxpayers to foot the bill.

The Wisconsin State Journall used the open records law to take a deep dive
into this loan, documenting that it came shortly after Minahan gave Walker
a $10,000 contribution and linking it to Walker's chief of staff Keith
Gilkes and second-in-command Mike Huebsch. Most recently, the State Journal
discovered that Minahan loan had not gone through the underwriting required
by law and many more loans failed to go through proper underwriting,
putting millions of taxpayer dollars at risk.

WEDC has been the subject of two damning state audits which documented
continued lawbreaking at Walker's flagship jobs agency. Shortly after the
last audit was published, two legislators threatened to get rid of the
highly respected non-partisan audit bureau. CMD sent records requests to
Reps. Adam Jarchow and David Craig, curious as to who was behind the
radical move to destroy the audit bureau, but has not yet received their
response.

3) Hide the "drafting files" showing how legislation is developed

"Drafting files" reveal the process of developing a bill or budget
provision, and are used regularly by journalists to gain insight into how
policy is developed. And those insights can sometimes be embarrassing.

Drafting files were key to undermining Walker's claims about his offices
changes to the Wisconsin Idea. After the deletion of the "search for truth"
sparked a "political firestorm" in Wisconsin and around the country, the
governor blamed the change on a "drafting error," and then on a
"miscommunication," then claimed that the university never raised concerns
about the changes. Yet those statements were contradicted by the drafting
files examined by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, and documents obtained
through records requests, earning Walker a "pants on fire" rating from
Politifact.

Drafting files also informed other important investigations. In 2014, for
example, a Wisconsin State Journal examination of drafting files showed a
wealthy, divorced donor to Rep. Joel Kleefisch helping to write a bill that
would have lowered his child support payments. If these amendments were
enacted, those records--and the donor's influence--would have been kept
secret.

Additionally, drafting records aren't just important for accountability,
"they are needed by the courts to discern the legislative intent behind the
construction of statutes," said Sklansky who noted that legislative intent
was a consideration in the recent Supreme Courts ruling on the federal
health care law last week.

Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice David Prosser, for example, a former
Republican legislator, regularly consults drafting files and legislative
records to ascertain legislative intent.

4) Allow the legislature to override the Public Records Law via legislative
rule

The proposal also gives the legislature the ability to exempt any
additional records from disclosure merely by adopting a new rule by
majority vote--without having to go through the legislative process.

By eliminating access to records that had previously been public, this move
limits the ability of the press and public to play their watchdog role.
Taken together with proposals to dismantle the nonpartisan Government
Accountability Board (after it investigated alleged campaign finance
violations by Walker's campaign) and the nonpartisan Legislative Audit
Bureau (after it critiqued Walker's jobs agency in a scathing audit), all
evidence indicates that Governor Walker and his allies are seeking to
muzzle the watchdogs.

*Scott Walker, Republican leaders remove open records restrictions from
Wisconsin budget
<http://host.madison.com/news/local/writers/jason-joyce/scott-walker-republican-leaders-remove-open-records-restrictions-from-wisconsin/article_ef208316-2293-11e5-965f-3373d5034dd2.html#ixzz3f0It78Hp>
// The Capital Times // Jason Joyce – July 4, 2015*

It appears Wisconsin's tradition of open records and transparent government
may be safe — for the weekend, at least.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, along with the co-chairs of the Legislature's
Joint Finance committee, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald and
Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, all Republicans, responded to substantial
pushback over a measure that would severely limit access to legislative
records with a Saturday afternoon statement, saying "the provisions
relating to any changes in the state's open records law will be removed
from the budget in its entirety."

The Joint Finance Committee, controlled like both houses of the Legislature
by Republicans, passed the measure on a party line vote late Thursday as
part of "Motion #999," which often includes last-minute wishlist items,
non-fiscal policy and nods to special interests.

"We are steadfastly committed to open and accountable government," read the
statement. "The intended policy goal of these changes was to provide a
reasonable solution to protect constituents' privacy and to encourage a
deliberative process between elected officials and their staff in
developing policy. It was never intended to inhibit transparent government
in any way."

Republicans have avoided identifying who is behind the proposal, but Rep.
Gordon Hintz, D-Oshkosh, a member of the JFC, tweeted Friday that his
Republican colleagues on the panel assured him that Walker had gone over
the motion, signing off on "motions including open records changes after
crossing out what he'd veto."

The statement also says a Legislative Council committee will be formed to
examine the issue of records access more closely and outside the budget
deliberation process.

Speaking with reporters Saturday morning, Walker made no mention of any
plans to address the issue this weekend, insisting that he planned to wait
until a Monday meeting with legislative leaders to iron out an issue that
was met by sharp criticism from all sides over the past two days. He also
avoided answering questions about his role in crafting and proposing the
measure.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel posted a brief video of Walker's meeting
with reporters.

The governor, who will announce he's running for president in Waukesha on
July 13, was first asked if his office had any input on the proposal.

"As I mentioned yesterday, we’re going to sit down and talk to the
legislative leaders about that. We had already planned a follow-up meeting
the other day in terms of the arena where we had all four legislative
leaders," Walker said. "I think it’s pretty clear they need to make some
changes on that and we’re going to work with them on it Monday."

Walker was then asked if he planned to veto the measure from the final
budget if it cleared the Assembly and Senate.

"Certainly it will all depend. We haven’t made commitments on any other
vetoes, but those are things obviously a lot of concerns about. My hope is,
after talking to them on Monday we get to a point where it’s either out
completely or there are significant changes to it," Walker said. "Again, as
you know at the end of the legislative processs, there’s a lot of things
the legislative leadership works on and for us, there’s other things in
there. We’ll review it and we’ll see what passes not just the Joint Finance
Committee, but what gets through the Assembly and the Senate."

Finally, Walker was asked if he was aware of the proposal and if he
objected to it.

"Again, those are all things we’ll talk about on Monday. We’ll talk about
what we’re going to do going forward. There’s always all sorts of ideas
that float around the Capitol before the end of the Joint Finance Committee
process, but I think it’s pretty clear that lawmakers from both parties, as
well as others, want us to make changes and we’re going to make sure that
happens starting with a meeting on Monday," Walker said.

Walker went on to say it's "overall, a very positive budget" and called
attention to property tax cuts.

The proposal to limit access to legislative records, effective as of July
1, the first day of the state's fiscal year, was immediately greeted with
criticism Thursday afternoon with legislators from both parties condemning
it within 24 hours of its passage.

The Capital Times and other media organizations have filed open records
requests for documents related to the drafting of the measure, which could
have been ignored had the proposal passed with the state budget and been
signed into law by Walker.

*Wisconsin Open Records Law: Gov Scott Walker, Likely 2016 Candidate,
Backtracks On Attempts To Limit Public Access To Records
<http://www.ibtimes.com/wisconsin-open-records-law-gov-scott-walker-likely-2016-candidate-backtracks-attempts-1995943>
// International Business Times  - Clark Mindock – July 4, 2015*

Expected 2016 Republican presidential candidate and Wisconsin Gov. Scott
Walker backtracked on legislation that would have restricted open records
access amid harsh backlash from critics in the last two days, the Milwaukee
Journal Sentinel reported Saturday. The open records law was part of a
broader state budget plan currently being considered.

A joint finance committee for the state Senate and Assembly voted Thursday
along party lines to advance a measure that included the open records
restrictions. The same day, Walker filed a letter with the Federal Election
Commission announcing he had met the formal qualifications to be considered
a candidate for president. However, he said, he was not yet making an
official announcement.

The open records provisions would have exempted certain records from public
scrutiny, including records from the Walker administration and draft
legislation.

“After substantive discussion over the last day, we have agreed that the
provisions relating to any changes in the state's open records law will be
removed from the budget in its entirety. We are steadfastly committed to
open and accountable government," a joint statement from Walker and GOP
lawmakers read, according to the Journal Sentinel. "The intended policy
goal of these changes was to provide a reasonable solution to protect
constituents' privacy and to encourage a deliberative process between
elected officials and their staff in developing policy. It was never
intended to inhibit transparent government in any way."

The Wisconsin Legislature is expected to hold a series of votes next week.
It will consider the budget, a 20-week abortion ban that makes no exception
for rape or incest cases, major tax changes, public funding for a Milwaukee
Bucks arena and possible changes to the prevailing wage for public workers,
which establishes minimum wages for those workers.

Walker is expected, according to several news outlets including CNN, to
declare his presidential candidacy July 13 after the budget is finalized in
the Legislature. He is entering as a favorite, and regularly polls in the
lead or near the top of the large GOP field currently fighting for the
party’s nomination. He is one of several current or former governors in the
race.

*Democrats underestimate Scott Walker at their own peril
<http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/opinion/op-ed/democrats-underestimate-scott-walker-at-their-own-peril/article_cfcee729-2a2b-5761-a68f-3a928328a0b6.html>
// Burlington County Times // Gene Lyons – July 5, 2015*

Economically speaking, all 237 GOP presidential candidates are selling the
same magic beans.

Everybody knows the script. Tax cuts for wealthy “job creators” bring
widespread prosperity. Top off Scrooge McDuck’s bullion pool, and the
benefits flow outward to everybody else. The economy surges, budget
deficits melt away, and the song of the turtledove will be heard in the
land.

Almost needless to say, these “supply side” miracles have never actually
happened in the visible world. State budget debacles in Kansas and
Louisiana only signify the latest failures of right-wing dogma. Hardly
anybody peddling magic beans actually believes in them anymore.
Nevertheless, feigning belief signifies tribal loyalty to the partisan
Republicans who will choose the party’s nominee.

However, with everybody in the field playing “let’s pretend,” a candidate
needs another way to distinguish himself. I suspect that Gov. Scott Walker
of Wisconsin may have found it. See, Walker won’t just put money back in
“hardworking taxpayers’ “ pockets.

Like a latter-day Richard Nixon, Walker will also stick it to people he
doesn’t like: lollygagging schoolteachers; featherbedding union members;
and smug, tenured college professors who think they’re smarter than
everybody else. If he lacks charisma, there’s an edge of ruthlessness in
Walker’s otherwise bland demeanor that hits GOP primary voters right where
they live.

No less an authority than Uncle Scrooge himself — i.e., David Koch of Koch
Industries, who with his brother, Charles, has pledged to spend $900
million to elect a Republican in 2016 — told the New York Observer after a
closed-door gathering at Manhattan’s Empire Club that Walker will win the
nomination and crush Hillary Clinton in a general election “by a major
margin.”

Viewed from a distance, the determination of prosperous, well-educated
Wisconsin to convert itself into an anti-union, right-to-work state like
Alabama or Arkansas appears mystifying. To risk the standing of the
University of Wisconsin system by abolishing academic tenure, as Walker
intends, is damn near incomprehensible.

Attack one of America’s great public research universities for the sake of
humiliating (Democratic-leaning) professors over nickel-and-dime budgetary
issues? Do Wisconsinites have no clue how modern economies work?

Maybe not. But Walker’s supporters definitely appear to know who their
enemies are, culturally speaking. Incredulity aside, it would be a mistake
not to notice the craftiness with which he’s brought off the
transformation. Not to mention that Walker has won three elections since
2010 in a blue state that hasn’t supported a Republican presidential
nominee since Ronald Reagan.

Wisconsin’s 10 electoral votes don’t mean much by themselves, but throw in
Michigan and Ohio, Midwestern states also trending similarly, and you’ve
definitely got something.

Act 10, the 2011 law that took away collective bargaining rights for many
public employees in Wisconsin — except, at first, for police officers and
firefighters — brought crowds of angry teachers (also mostly Democrats) to
the state capitol in Madison for weeks of angry demonstrations. As much as
MSNBC was thrilled, many Wisconsinites appear to have been irked.

In the end, the state ended up saving roughly $3 billion by shifting the
funding of fringe benefits such as health insurance and pensions from
employer to employee, costing the average teacher roughly 16 percent of his
or her compensation. Mindful of budget shortfalls, the unions had proposed
negotiations, but that wasn’t enough for Walker. For the record, Act 10 was
an almost verbatim copy of a bill promoted by the Arlington, Virginia-based
American Legislative Exchange Council, a think tank largely funded by, you
guessed it, the brothers Koch.

Four years ago, a documentary filmmaker caught Walker on camera telling
wealthy supporters that the new law was just the beginning. “The first step
is, we’re going to deal with collective bargaining for all public employee
unions,” he said, “because you use divide-and-conquer.”

“If we can do it in Wisconsin, we can do it anywhere — even in our nation’s
capital,” Walker wrote in his book, “Unintimidated,” noted Dan Kaufman in
the New York Times Magazine. Elsewhere, Walker has boasted that, as
president, he could take on foreign policy challenges, because “if I can
take on 100,000 protesters, I can do the same across the world.”

Ridiculous, of course, but it plays.

Meanwhile, rueful trade unionists who endorsed Walker in 2010, because they
never imagined that having vanquished the women’s union he’d come after the
ironworkers and the electricians in their pickup trucks, are crying the
blues. Divided, they’ve been conquered.

So right-to-work it is: Salaries are already diminished, with job security,
pensions, and health and safety regulations inevitably to follow.

More bullion for Scrooge McDuck’s pool.

So now it’s the professors’ turn. Walker, a Marquette dropout, has
described his new law as “Act 10 for the university.” Tenure is a dead
letter in cases of “financial emergency ... requiring program
discontinuance, curtailment, modification or redirection.”

So who gets redirected first? Left-wing culture warriors or climate
scientists? Hint: Scrooge is a fierce climate-change denier.

Meanwhile, Democrats underestimate Scott Walker at considerable peril.

*Politics of immigration take root in Walker's hometown
<http://www.jsonline.com/news/wisconsin/politics-of-immigration-take-root-in-walkers-hometown-b99522410z1-311662871.html>
// Journal Sentinel // Mary Spicuzza – July 5, 2015*

Delavan— A glimpse along the historic brick street at the heart of this
small southeastern Wisconsin city hints at how completely Gov. Scott
Walker's hometown has been transformed by immigration.

Brightly colored cakes for coming-of-age celebrations, known as
quinceañeras, and towering wedding cakes fill the windows at Cake Pastel
Mexican bakery. A few steps away, La Guanajuato Mexican food store offers
everything from a taqueria and butcher shop to calling cards and money
transfer services. Just next door, piñatas fill the storefront of Dulceria
Acapulco ice cream, coffee and candy shop.

Delavan has been thrust into the national news recently as Walker talks
about the values he learned as the son of a preacher during the nearly 10
years he spent here.

But the Republican governor and likely presidential candidate also has been
emphasizing get-tough policies on illegal, and even legal, immigration. He
has compared securing the borders to responding to military attacks on our
water ports and wants to bolster methods for making sure employers give
jobs only to people here legally.

In Wisconsin, Latinos account for 6% of the population, and the vast
majority live in urban counties.

But perhaps nowhere would Walker's proposals resonate more profoundly than
in the people, economy and culture of his boyhood home.

Almost 30% of Delavan's roughly 8,500 residents are Latino, and almost
one-third of those Latinos are first-generation immigrants, according to
the most recent U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

The city this year hosted its 14th annual Cinco de Mayo Festival in May,
and the entertainment lineup at the fall Heritage Fest features mariachi
bands along with polka and swing.

The Delavan-Darien School District, where Walker attended school from third
grade until he graduated from high school in 1986, has a Latino student
population of about 47%.

A University of Wisconsin-Madison report released last year found
Delavan-Darien had the highest proportion of Latino students of any school
district in Wisconsin. Recent statistics from the state Department of
Public Instruction show it's now essentially tied with Arcadia School
District for that spot.

"A lot of the higher-percentage districts were not in places that you would
think of on the map as being Latino centers," said David Long, a UW-Madison
researcher in the Applied Population Laboratory who co-authored the 2014
report on Wisconsin's Latino population. "It's pretty striking, and Delavan
is a great example of that."

Bilingual offerings

Coming from the town of Plainfield, Iowa, with fewer than 500 people,
Walker has said he saw Delavan as the "big city" when his family moved
there in 1977.

His father, Llew, took a job as the pastor at Delavan First Baptist Church,
and the future governor remained here with his family until enrolling at
Marquette University in 1986.

The area's Latino population has grow exponentially since around that time.
Only 7% in 1980, it climbed to 11% in 1990, then 21% in 2000 and nearly 30%
in 2010.

Many of Delavan's Latino families have members who initially moved here to
work at farms in the area, and others have been drawn by the pull of family
ties as increasing numbers of people stay throughout the year rather than
traveling back to Mexico.

In the Delavan-Darien district, classes, menus and services at the school
district are offered in both Spanish and English. A recent end-of-the-year
performance featured children singing the song "Five Little Monkeys" in
English and Spanish ("Cinco Monitos"). Young children starting in
kindergarten and first grade — English-speakers and Spanish-speakers, white
and Latino students alike — alternate languages.

Last school year the district launched a new two-way language immersion
experiment, the Dual Language Education Program, where English- and
Spanish-speaking students start 4-year-old kindergarten receiving 90% of
instruction in Spanish and 10% in English. Each year, the proportion
adjusts, so the split is 50/50 by third grade.

"We've really made a push to try to do more things in a bilingual manner,"
said Mike Heine, a spokesman for the district. "Then kids are learning both
languages side by side."

Cynthia Bell-Jimenez, a dual-language kindergarten teacher at Turtle Creek
Elementary School, said parents are encouraged to participate whether or
not they speak English.

"The parents are very involved, and we're making sure the parents are
involved more," she said. "We are trying to make sure everybody feels part
of the community."

School officials praise the district's growing Latino population as an
asset, saying its mission is to make sure students are prepared to
"contribute as a 21st-century citizen by providing a real-world education
that is engaging, thought-provoking and culturally diverse."

But Delavan-Darien also faces problems common in districts with large
numbers of immigrants.

Poverty is high, and support for school referendums is hard to come by
because residents don't want to approve higher taxes they can't afford. In
that climate, holding onto staff has been hard, the superintendent says. At
a time when the needs of Delavan schools are higher than ever, in part
because of its diversity, its budget is being crunched tighter than ever.

"Seventy percent of our students qualify for free (or) reduced lunch,"
Superintendent Robert Crist wrote in a recent letter to lawmakers. "We have
over one hundred homeless students."

Migrant workers

The town's unofficial historian, Wallace Gordon Yadon, spoke about the
evolution of the Latino community in a high school documentary project not
long before he died in 2013.

Yadon, who was born in Delavan in 1923 and lived there his whole life
except when he was serving in the Navy during World War II, talked about
seeing Latinos around town for the first time in about 1931. They picked
produce like potatoes, carrots and cabbage, Yadon said.

"It required an awful lot of hand cultivation, and the Latinos provided
it," Yadon said in the film. "By today's standards, the pay seems
ridiculously low. They got about $5 a day working 10-hour days."

Yadon told those interviewing him that the immigrants lived in shacks with
no electricity or running water and would typically stay from late spring
to early fall.

"It started out with a couple hundred laborers; as it expanded they would
bring more with them," he said. "Several hundred on a seasonal basis, then
after the war it steadily grew."

He added that after WWII, some Latinos started staying rather than leaving
after the growing season ended. "It wasn't a great movement overnight, but
they trickled in," he said. "Most of them applied for citizenship, and that
kind of was the embryonic start of our Latino population."

Yadon, who served as Delavan's postmaster for years, said he remembers
workers coming to the post office immediately after getting paid to send
money back home.

Yadon said many Latinos didn't "mix too well with the community" at first
but have since "blended in very harmoniously."

"They've been remarkable," Yadon said. "They're quite an asset to Delavan.
So many of them have gone into business of their own and been highly
successful."

Complex issue

What is left unspoken in all this is how much of that population is here
illegally.

Wisconsin is home to some 85,000 people who immigrated illegally,
three-fourths of them from Mexico, a study released last year by the Pew
Hispanic Center found. Much of Delavan's Latino population was born in the
central Mexican state of Guanajuato.

Money continues to be sent back home. Several local shop windows are lined
with signs offering a variety of money transfer services that allow cash to
be quickly wired directly to Mexico and other destinations.

The issue of illegal immigration has long been politically volatile — and
it will be critical to anyone seeking the GOP nomination in 2016. Although
the party is divided on exactly what measures should be taken to tighten
immigration laws, the consensus is that illegal immigrants should not be
afforded the same benefits as those who came here legally. The party's base
— which plays such a big role in primary season — is largely opposed to a
path to citizenship, something Democrats generally support.

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, for example, has faced intense criticism from
some in the GOP base over his support for giving illegal immigrants a path
to legal status.

Walker's views on immigration have been something of a moving target. He
has changed his mind from advocating a clear path to citizenship to
opposing any form of amnesty, and has said illegal immigrants should return
to their country of origin and essentially get in line to come back. He's
recently suggested that legal immigration should be curbed as well.

The governor frames his views as doing what's best for America's security,
its workers and its jobs — a framework virtually any candidate would
support. It's what fills in the picture that gets hard. How much should be
spent securing the border? How would self-deportation work, and what's the
fallout of breaking up families? What about employers who use illegal
immigrant labor? With an estimated 11 million to 12 million undocumented
immigrants in the country, that's where it gets difficult on both a
philosophical and practical level.

In Delavan, the complexity of the issue is evident. The mayor did not
respond to requests to be interviewed on Walker and immigration policy. The
city website has only the smallest hint that Latinos are a part of the
community's identity, much less a significant part.

AshLee Strong, a Walker political aide, said that he "has explained that we
have limits on immigration now, they just don't make any sense."

"His position on policies that are good for working families and wages are
not inconsistent with policies that are good for immigrants here today and
future immigrants. He is saying that we are a nation of immigrants, and as
we look at fixing our broken immigration system — we need to make sure the
policies are working as planned, which inherently means that they are
beneficial for working families, wages and the strength of the U.S.
economy," she said.

Strong stressed Walker's opposition to President Barack Obama's 2014
executive action on immigration.

"American citizenship is a distinct privilege and requires meeting a high
threshold. Citizenship should be reserved for only those who follow the law
and apply like everyone else," Strong said. "The next president is going to
have to work with Congress to determine what future policies look like for
the people here. This cannot be done outside of the law through executive
order."

Effects on Delavan

Karen Cano, a 22-year-old high school Spanish teacher who was raised in
Delavan, said Walker's recent immigration comments suggest he may be
out-of-touch with his hometown.

"It's always interesting to see that some people are so prideful that he's
from here. But some of the people feel he's not accepting of certain
populations — like the growing Latino community," Cano said. "I don't think
he is thinking about how his proposals would affect his hometown. And I
don't think he's accepting of how much it's changed."

Cano was born in Whitewater but moved to Delavan when she was 4 years old
because her parents, who were Mexican immigrants, wanted to be closer to
the town's La Luz del Mundo church congregation. She graduated from
Delavan-Darien High School and now teaches in nearby Milton.

She added that Walker's proposals would hurt not only Latino students and
families, but also Delavan's economy.

"Just in downtown alone, there are so many Latino-owned businesses I can't
even think of how many," Cano said.

She added that some Latino families have illegal immigrants, legal
immigrants (such as "green card" holders who have been granted
authorization to live and work in the United States on a permanent basis)
and citizens all living under one roof, and the idea of asking people who
are in the country illegally to return to their country of origin would
tear families apart. "It's just not logical," Cano said.

Positive contributions

Andy Sanchez is one of those illegal immigrants.

Waiting for his lunch at the taqueria in back of La Guanajuato one recent
day, he sits near a shrine to the Virgin of Guadalupe and a mural honoring
Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata.

Sanchez said he was born in Mexico and came to the U.S. as a teenager.

He has three children — a fourth died eight years ago — and seven
grandchildren, all of whom are U.S. citizens.

He says he spent years picking fruit before returning to his homeland to
serve in the Mexican army. He now works as a machine operator in the food
industry, Sanchez said.

He's heard all the negatives — the talk of gang involvement, criminal
behavior. But he said the positive contributions of Latinos who are in the
country both legally and illegally far outweigh the negatives, and he
wishes that would be more broadly embraced than any notion of deportation.

"If we go, we go," he said.

But he shakes his head at such talk.

"Believe me, if we leave, this country is going down," he said.

*KASICH*

*For Ohio Gov. John Kasich, "Win with Jeb and John" has a nice -- even
plausible – ring
<http://www.cleveland.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/07/for_ohio_gov_john_kasich_win_w.html>
// Cleveland // Thomas Suddes – July 5, 2015*

Word seeped out last Sunday that Republican Gov. John Kasich would soon
announce his bid for the presidency, demonstrating yet again that life is
one coincidence after another.

Exactly 71 years before last Sunday, in 1944, the Republican National
Convention, meeting in Chicago, nominated Ohio's then-governor, John
Bricker, for vice president. The GOP's pick for president: New York Gov.
Thomas Dewey.

The Dewey-Bricker ticket lost to Democratic President Franklin Roosevelt
and Harry Truman. Still, Dewey, with Bricker's help, carried Ohio. And part
of American politics' apostles' creed is that no Republican can reach the
White House without carrying Ohio.

Obviously, as Dewey demonstrated in 1944, and Richard Nixon did in 1960, a
Republican can carry Ohio and not become president. Still, beginning in
1860 with Abraham Lincoln, every Republican elected president has carried
Ohio. And John Kasich's record demonstrates he can carry Ohio.

Kasich's formal announcement will come on July 21, at Ohio State
University's Ohio Union. If you underestimate Kasich, your picture belongs
in the dictionary next to the word "fool." The only elections Ohio State
grad Kasich seems to have lost were 1972 and 1973 bids for president of
OSU's undergraduate student government. (The 1972 winner: Future Cleveland
Mayor Michael White.)

But for public office, look at Kasich's trophies:

* Unseat an incumbent Democratic state senator in 1978? Check.

* Unseat an incumbent Democratic U.S. House member in 1982? Check.

* Unseat an incumbent Democratic Ohio governor in 2010? Check.

* And win re-election as governor in 2014 despite having enraged organized
labor in 2011 with Senate Bill 5? Check.

It's tough, at this writing, to imagine that Republicans won't nominate
former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush for president at next year's Cleveland
convention. And if Bush is the nominee, it's hard to imagine a more
suitable running mate, politically, than John Kasich. True, Kasich's ... um
... spontaneity ... may make it hard for some bystanders to imagine him in
the presidency or vice presidency.

But compared with, say, Joe Biden, Kasich is an introvert.

"We'll win with Tom and John in November," pumped-up Bricker backers
shouted in 1944, when Ohio's Bricker landed the GOP's vice presidential
nomination.

Maybe, at next summer's Cleveland convention, Republicans will be shouting,
"We'll win with Jeb and John."

2004 marriage tally

Ohio voters banned same-sex marriage by amending the state constitution in
2004. And that year, the General Assembly passed Substitute House Bill 272,
a statutory (as opposed to constitutional) ban on same-sex marriage. The
House approved the bill 73-23; the Senate agreed, 18-15; and Gov. Bob Taft
signed the measure on Feb. 6, 2004.

Among legislators who voted against the 2004 statutory marriage ban were
former Gov. Nancy Hollister of Marietta, the only House Republican with the
courage to vote "no"; Rep. Fred Strahorn, a Dayton Democrat, now the
House's minority leader; then-Sen. Dan Brady, a Cleveland Democrat, now
Cuyahoga County Council president; then-Sen. David Goodman, a suburban
Columbus Republican, now in Kasich's Cabinet as director of Development
Services; then-Rep. Michael Skindell, a Lakewood Democrat now a state
senator; and then-Sen. Steve Stivers, a suburban Columbus Republican now in
Congress.

Those weren't easy votes 11 years ago. But as the Supreme Court's June
ruling showed, those votes defended human rights.

Among Ohio House Republicans voting in 2004 to pass the same-sex marriage
ban were then-Reps. Keith Faber of Celina, now the Senate's president; Jon
Husted of suburban Dayton, now secretary of state; and Mary Taylor of
suburban Akron, now Kasich's lieutenant governor.

*Ohio education officials: Kasich vetoes likely mean less funding for some
school districts
<http://hudsonhubtimes.com/news%20local/2015/07/05/ohio-education-officials-kasich-vetoes-likely-mean-less-funding-for-some-school>
// Hudson Hub Times // Marc Kovac – July 5, 2015*

Columbus -- State education officials say they won't know until after the
start of the new school year the total impact of policy and funding
decisions made in the $71 billion-plus biennial state budget.

Basic state foundation aid to schools, they said, won't decrease for any
district. But a couple of line-item vetoes by Gov. John Kasich June 30
likely mean less overall state funding for more than 100 districts.

Hudson is one of those districts.

Based on estimates Hudson Superintendent Phil Herman has seen, the Hudson
School District would see no reduction for fiscal 2016 but would have a
$1.8 million reduction to state funding in the second year of the budget,
2017.

"Because of the efforts to make reductions in the past, we are in a
position we won't have to immediately seek tax funding," Herman said.

The Hudson School District made previous reductions and reduced costs in
order to operate as long as possible without going back to the taxpayers
with a levy, he said.

"But with this reduction, we may have to go back sooner," Herman said.
"There will not be any immediate plans for a levy as a result of the
state's proposed budget," he added.

Herman said he was disappointed Gov. Kasich said the reductions were being
made to districts who have the capacity to pay more.

"Our taxpayers have already supported the schools, and that's disappointing
to feel we're being punished for the revenues our community has already
generated," Herman said.

The Ohio Department of Education won't compile funding totals for districts
until after the start of the new school year.

"We are about the work of implementing the contents of HB 64," said Aaron
Rausch, budget director for the state education department. "We will begin
to implement those changes. When the bill becomes effective at the end of
September, we will update all of the per pupil amounts and data …"

On basic state aid, the budget allocates more than $20 billion over the
biennium, the highest level on record. The legislation increases per-pupil
funding by $100 annually -- to $5,900 in fiscal 2016 and $6,000 in '17 from
$5,800 in the last fiscal year.

State Superintendent Richard Ross said the budget also includes incentives
for expanding career technical programs, an extra $40 million for early
childhood education, $10 million for expanded classes enabling high
schoolers to earn college credit and incentives for higher graduation and
reading proficiency rates, among other changes.

"We'll actually be funding school districts based on evidence that they are
successfully educating our children," Ross said.

But Ross and others did not have details about how Kasich's vetoes would
affect overall school funding.

The governor deleted a wealthy school district funding guarantee and a
tangible personal property reimbursement supplement for certain districts.

The administration has said the TPP supplement should be phased out,
allowing the state's school funding formula to work as intended.

That would mean more money for districts with less capacity to raise funds
on their own and less money for districts with declining enrollments.

Lawmakers, however, added the TPP supplement, among other budget moves, to
ensure no district received less in funding during the biennium than they
received in fiscal '15.

In the end, Kasich vetoed the TPP supplement for the second year of the
biennium.

"… This guarantee provision diverts resources that could be targeted to
lower capacity school districts and circumvents original intent of the law
to limit the reimbursement payments so that they were both declining and
temporary," Kasich wrote in his veto message.

Lawmakers had proposed the supplement for more than 100 of the 600-plus
school districts in the state. Affected districts will still receive the
funding during the next school year, but the reimbursements will end
thereafter.

"To recognize the concerns that districts receiving TPP payments need more
time to prepare for the decline in these payments, this veto will only
apply to the FY 2017 payments …," Kasich wrote.

An earlier estimate using enrollment totals from the fall put the second
year TPP supplement at more than $84 million. An updated projection, using
more recent enrollment statistics, put the total back at about $78.3
million.

*OTHER*

*New Hampshire Voters Bemoan Size of G.O.P. Field
<http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/05/us/size-of-gop-field-hinders-new-hampshires-role-as-national-screener.html?ref=politics>
// NYT // Patrick Healy & Maggie Haberman – July 4, 2015*

AMHERST, N.H. — The Independence Day parades across New Hampshire on
Saturday turned into parades of presidential candidates, and voters like
Stuart Harmon were left shaking their heads at the daunting reality of
watching, hearing and judging more than 20 contenders for the White House
over the next seven months.

“This race feels more like a spectator sport than an election,” said Mr.
Harmon, an independent who shook hands with former Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida
and watched a dozen other campaign contingents march through this town of
about 11,000. “Having all these candidates is a real problem, because it’ll
be hard to hear each of them. I’m interested in Jeb Bush, but it’s not easy
to pay attention to just one when there are so many.”

The likely field of 16 Republican candidates is stirring frustration,
particularly among voters who say they feel more overwhelmed, even
ambivalent, than ever before about their long-cherished responsibilities in
holding the nation’s first primary. Some voters said they were already
dreading the weeks of political fliers stuffed in their mailboxes, of
campaign volunteers at their doors during the day and of television ads and
automated phone calls all through the night. Others said they already had
candidate fatigue.

“Maybe I’ll just vote for the one who leaves me alone the most,” said Tim
Sullivan, a Republican from Gilford. He compared his party’s pack of
candidates to “a clown car where they never stop coming out.”

For decades, New Hampshire has fought to keep its place at the front of the
presidential nominating contests, and party leaders talk with almost
religious fervor about the state’s duty to “screen” and “weed out”
second-tier wannabes to save most other Americans the trouble. The state’s
news outlets, political consultants, and hotel and hospitality industries
also make tens of millions of dollars from the campaign operations.
Politics is pastime here, but the 2016 race creates a challenge that is the
opposite of a leisure pursuit: Is there such a thing for New Hampshire
voters as too many presidential candidates?

“I can’t keep track of all of them. It’s ridiculous,” Laura Major, an
independent voter from Milford, said as she collected candidate stickers
and free candy from volunteers for Mr. Bush and other campaigns along the
parade route here.

Steve Sartorelli, a registered independent from Auburn, said he felt that
the plethora of long-shot candidates was “insulting our intelligence.”

“It feels like a lot of Republicans are running for the recognition or to
get a TV gig or another job, not because they actually believe they could
win the presidency,” Mr. Sartorelli said.

On the Democratic side are a mere five candidates, though only two, Hillary
Rodham Clinton and Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, are showing real
strength in polls. And those two names were the only ones on the lips of
several voters at a campaign stop for Mrs. Clinton on Friday in Hanover, a
liberal enclave that is home to Dartmouth College.

As they stood in line for barbecue at Mrs. Clinton’s event, Ann Bracken and
Sue Donnelly chuckled when they were asked about Lincoln Chafee, a former
Rhode Island governor who is also running on the Democratic side.

“It’s certainly interesting on the Republican side — they keep us
entertained,” Ms. Bracken said. She offered a single name: “Trump.”

While recent polls show Donald Trump running second in the Republican field
here, many in New Hampshire still do not take him seriously. But interviews
with two dozen Republicans suggested concern that Mr. Trump’s remarks,
personality and billions of dollars would overshadow more credible
Republican candidates.

“Mr. Trump and some of the others are distractions, and it’s frustrating
that the serious candidates won’t get all the attention,” said Bill Burtt,
a Republican living in Tilton at the New Hampshire Veterans Home, which
Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey visited on Friday afternoon.

In Wolfeboro, a resort town in the northern part of the state, Mr. Christie
and his sign-waving supporters were directly ahead of a caravan of
volunteers for Senator Marco Rubio of Florida. Both men zigzagged along the
route, urged by paradegoers to come squeeze their hands.

“I like paying attention, but they have to get their act together, really,”
Lori Kirwan said of the Republicans, shaking her head. “I don’t know,” she
added, her voice trailing off. She and her husband both predicted that
candidates would have to drop out well before Primary Day, or it would all
become too unwieldy.

State Senator Jeb Bradley, the Republican majority leader, said the
complications of 2016 went beyond the sheer number of candidates: Voters
are also struggling because there is no clear front-runner, as there was in
2012 (Mitt Romney), 2008 (John McCain), 2004 (George W. Bush) and 2000 (Mr.
McCain).

“This is the first time since 1996 when we have a wide-open contest, and
there are now twice as many major candidates compared to back then,” Mr.
Bradley said. As for his own preferences, they are increasing — Mr. Bush,
Mr. Rubio, Gov. Scott Walker of Wisconsin, Mr. Christie, Senator Rand Paul
of Kentucky, Carly Fiorina, Gov. Bobby Jindal of Louisiana — rather than
shrinking.

“But look, by the time our primary rolls around in February, I just can’t
imagine there will be 16 people on the Republican ballot,” Mr. Bradley said.

Others are not so sure. The emergence of “super PACs” could allow just a
few wealthy supporters to finance advertising and other activities for
their preferred candidates, giving many of the 2016 contenders the
resources to survive poor showings in the first few nominating contests.

“I don’t think Iowa’s going to solve anything — the Republicans will pick
up from there and come here,” said Jack Donovan, an independent from
Concord, referring to the presidential caucuses that are held just before
the New Hampshire primary. “The candidates will still have money and more
televised debates, and will think: Why not try their luck in New Hampshire?”

It is the debates that start next month, far more than the number of
candidates in the parades this weekend, that many voters are eager to see
to help make up their minds.

“Every day there are two more Republicans jumping into the race, but
hopefully the debates will help us sort all of this out,” said Okie Howe, a
98-year-old Democrat and Army veteran living at the Tilton retirement home.
She said she wanted to find a Republican to support because she was “sick
of Hillary Clinton,” but thought she would probably vote for Mrs. Clinton
in the end because the Republican field “was too big to make sense out of.”
(As for the 73-year-old Mr. Sanders, Ms. Howe said, “He’s a bit too old,
isn’t he?” She then chided herself for “being the pot calling the kettle
black.”)

Other Democrats are torn about not having their own surfeit of candidates
this year. Katrina and Todd Spenceman of Chesterfield are a house divided.
She is an ardent supporter of Mrs. Clinton, while her husband and many of
her friends are Obama 2008 supporters who now lean toward Mr. Sanders.

“The independent streak in this region is palpable,” Mr. Spenceman said,
attributing some of the buck-the-Clinton behavior to that characteristic.

“I am right on the border of Vermont, which is very Bernie,” Mrs. Spenceman
said. “I’m experiencing a lot of discord between the former Hillarys
abandoning Hillary for Bernie.”

Would having more choices, as the Republicans do, benefit the Democratic
electorate?

“Yes and no,” Mr. Spenceman said. “Yes, from a Democratic view, that’d be
swell. But I also know that too many choices paralyze people from making a
decision.”

*Sleepover at Mitt's: Christie, Rubio bunk with Romney at N.H. retreat
<http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/04/politics/mitt-romney-chris-christie-marco-rubio-sleepover/>
// CNN // Cassie Spodak – July 4, 2015*

Wolfeboro, New Hampshire (CNN)Truth or dare? Warring pillow forts? What
does one do at a presidential candidate slumber party?

We'll likely never know exactly what happened Friday at Mitt Romney's
lakeside summer home in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, where Chris Christie and
Marco Rubio spent the night.

But Romney shared a few details Saturday morning at the Wolfeboro Fourth of
July parade, saying he didn't give either candidates any advice on running.

"These guys will make their own mistakes, Romney said. "Hopefully, they
won't follow mine."

The men ate hamburgers, hot dogs, baked beans, corn and potato salad,
Romney added.

"It was great, they're great hosts," Rubio said Saturday.

So what did they talk about?

"Life. All kinds of stuff," Rubio said, adding, "No politics."

According to Romney and his wife Ann, the group stayed up late chatting.

"A lot of sports talk actually, and family, talked about our family and how
we gather up here and what we do when we're up here. It was a lot of fun.
We stayed up late last night," he said.

Romney's extensive experience as a presidential candidate -- as well as his
broad network of donors -- makes him a unique resource for candidates
competing for votes in New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation primary.

He said its exciting to watch the candidates this time around and even
weighed in on the Democrats running.

"I thought it was going to be kind of boring, but I think Bernie Sanders
has made it kind of exciting," Romney said.

On Friday, Christie praised the former Massachusetts governor.

"What matters most to me is that he's a resource for me," said the New
Jersey governor, who was an early backer of Romney's 2012 candidacy. "And
he's a resource for our party, someone who has been doing this process
twice. He's been our nominee. That's somebody who you want to talk to and
listen to, if you're someone who's running for the first time, like I am."

Christie, who is finishing up a five-day visit to New Hampshire, said it's
too soon to expect an endorsement from Romney. For his part, Romney on
Saturday said he's not going to endorse anybody until later in the
nomination process.

"A lot of these folks helped me during my campaign. I'm going to be as
loyal to them as they were to me," he said.

But Rubio and Christie are not the only two GOP candidates to sit down with
Romney. On Monday, he'll meet with Jeb Bush and his wife, Columba, at
Walker's Point, the Bush family home in Maine.

*ObamaCare win turns up heat on GOP presidential field
<http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/246812-obamacare-win-turns-heat-on-gop-presidential-field>
// The Hill // Peter Sullivan and Sarah Ferris – July 4, 2015*

ObamaCare's victory at the Supreme Court is putting new pressure on
Republican presidential candidates to map out a replacement to the
healthcare law — a task that has eluded the party for more than five years.

With President Obama’s law twice affirmed by the nation’s high court,
congressional Republicans now say a victory in 2016 is their best chance to
tear down the statute and replace it with a GOP-favored alternative.

“I definitely think there will be pressure on these guys to put something
out there,” said Lanhee Chen, the policy director for Mitt Romney’s 2012
presidential campaign. “They will need to have a plan.”

However, few of the party’s dozen 2016 hopefuls have thus far offered
concrete details about what their alternative to the law would look like.

Chen said Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) are
“arguably further along,” in their planning, a point echoed by other
experts.

Rubio’s plan includes giving tax credits to people to help them afford
coverage and setting up high-risk insurance pools for people with
pre-existing conditions. His plan is still in the form of an op-ed, and has
not been fleshed out with details like the size of the credits and how it
would be paid for.

Jindal’s plan — outlined last year in a 23-page document — centers on
providing $100 billion over ten years in block grants to states that come
up with their own innovative healthcare proposals.

That funding would also be based on how well states control costs like
premiums and how well they ensure access to high-risk individuals, such as
people with pre-existing conditions.

Jindal’s and Rubio’s plans are more developed than much of the rest of the
field. Jeb Bush’s campaign referred The Hill to a blog post posted this
week on Medium, which includes a half-dozen bullet points about a system to
“empower states” but offers no specifics. He proposed a form of “tax
relief” for premiums and a “conservative solution” for people with
pre-existing conditions.

Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, another one of the party’s frontrunners, has
also been mum on details, and his campaign did not respond to a request for
comment on his replacement plan.

Asked on Fox News last week about his replacement plan, Walker mentioned
letting the market “drive things,” giving consumers “full information”
about their choices and allowing people to buy insurance across state
lines.

The campaign of Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) also did not respond to a request
for comment. When asked how he would replace the law in January, Paul
indicated he would largely return to the pre-ObamaCare system.

“We could try freedom for a while,” Paul told Fox News.

“Nobody's talking about a time when the government doesn't participate at
all,” he said. “Even before ObamaCare, the government did take care of the
bottom five or ten percent of our public, who were on Medicaid, and then
there was also charity, so there are different ways that we take care and
help the poor. Nobody's saying we wouldn't still do those things if we
didn't have ObamaCare.”

A problem for Republicans is that ObamaCare’s coverage expansion gets more
ingrained with each passing year.

Tom Miller, who advised Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) on healthcare during his
2008 campaign, said he doesn’t expect any of the candidates to put forward
a fully fleshed plan — because they don’t need to.

A promise to repeal ObamaCare remains a litmus test for the GOP, but Miller
said it doesn’t mean that a Republican president would make it the first
goal of their presidency.

The most likely scenario for a GOP president is a gradual phasing out of
ObamaCare mandates, with help from Congress, to avert the chaos that would
result from an immediate and complete repeal of the law, he said.

“You’re steering the ship in a different direction but it’s not going in a
180 degree change,” said Miller, a fellow at the conservative American
Enterprise Institute. “No matter who is elected, it’s going to be slower
and little bit more incremental.”

Even so, any Republican president would need to act quickly, he warned. By
the time the next president takes office, the law will have been in place
for nearly seven years.

“You run out of time. Every year into the future makes it harder to go into
a different direction," Miller said, adding that he hasn’t yet endorsed a
candidate.

The difficulty in drafting a replacement plan for ObamaCare became clear
over the last six months as congressional Republicans scrambled to come up
with contingency plans for the King v. Burwell ruling.

Like that decision, a full repeal of ObamaCare would cause millions of
people to, at least temporarily, lose their subsidies.

Chen, the former Romney advisor, said that candidates have “guideposts”
from two replacement plans, one from Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) and one from
Rep. Fred Upton (R-Mich.), Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.) and Sen. Orrin Hatch
(R-Utah). Both plans offer a form of tax credits, as ObamaCare does, but
without the law’s mandate to buy coverage and same rules on pre-existing
conditions and what a plan must cover.

After ObamaCare survived its last major legal challenge last week,
Republicans acknowledge that full repeal is impossible with the president
still in office.

Congress still has a few options to try to peel back pieces of the law —
primarily, a legislative tool known as reconciliation that allows certain
budget bills to bypass the Senate’s 60-vote threshold. Others are hoping to
slash the president’s healthcare budgets through appropriation bills that
make the law tougher to implement. But Obama wields the veto pen.

Several Republican presidential candidates in the last few weeks have said
they are in favor of abolishing the Senate’s filibuster, which would help a
Republican president repeal ObamaCare even if the party can’t reach 60
votes in the chamber.

That idea, though, has drawn opposition from one of the biggest ObamaCare
critics in the 2016 field, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas).

Walker, along with former Texas Gov. Rick Perry and former Hewlett Packard
CEO Carly Fiorina, have all endorsed the idea, while Bush said he would
“certainly consider” it during an appearance on the Hugh Hewitt show.

Still, there’s near universal consensus that the debate over full repeal
will have to take place in the presidential debates.

“In 2016, we need to show the country what exactly we’d replace this law
with,” House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) said on
CBS's "Face the Nation" after the ruling. “So that when we win the election
in 2016, we have the ability to do it in 2017.”

*The GOP’s pathetic crybaby agenda: Trump, Scalia and the whiny, paranoid
new face of the right
<http://www.salon.com/2015/07/05/the_gops_pathetic_crybaby_agenda_trump_scalia_and_the_whiny_paranoid_new_face_of_the_right/>
// Salon // Bill Curry – July 5, 2015*

Republicans have no agenda. America won't fall for culture/religion wars
anymore. Petulance is all they have left

We are numbed by Charleston; by its irrefutable proof of our still virulent
racism and violent, gun-crazed culture, by being made to stare once again
into the face of evil. Yet when the families of the slain stood up in court
to voice forgiveness of Dylann Roof, we were startled and suddenly it was
harder to divide us. Our politics is small to begin with; next to such
staggering grief, it seems smaller still.

Like everyone on Facebook, Roof told us his life story in pictures. Absent
the shots of him sporting the insignia of the Confederacy, apartheid and
Nazi Germany, it’s hard to conceive of the Confederate flag being banished
from Wal-Mart, let alone the ground of his state Capitol. Some may fly it
out of mere nostalgia, but its core messages, now as always, are racism and
sedition. It’s the flag of those who loved slavery more than their country;
who sent hundreds of thousands to die rather than let one slave go free. A
hundred and fifty years after Appomattox it is at last coming down. Long
indeed is the arc of the moral universe.

The victory is more than symbolic. Fifty years ago as part of their
post-Civil Rights Act national membership drive, Republicans began beaming
coded racial messages to white voters. That code just got easier to crack.
Fifteen years ago they began to amp up voter suppression under cover of
absurdly inflated claims of voter fraud. If challenged on their motives or
their facts they hurl furious denials. They can hurl all they want now.
Debate has shifted. We’ve seen the pictures.

The slaughter of the Emanuel innocents was the most savage in a line of
white-on-black slayings that pricked the nation’s conscience. The list of
martyrs is long: Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, Eric Garner,
Walter Scott and countless others, known and unknown. Their deaths, though
tragic, were not in vain. America is at last sifting through the evidence.
A decade ago, most whites rejected every claim of racial disparity in our
law enforcement and criminal justice systems. Now sentencing reform and
cameras on cops are popular policies amongst all voters. We’ve a long ways
to go, but there’s less doubt about where we’re headed.

President Obama has spoken eloquently of the millions of young black men in
crisis in America. The chilling saga of Dylann Roof reminds us that
millions of young white men are also in crisis. We can’t pretend to know
its full nature or all its complex causes. We do know that, like young
black men, young white men need better education and better jobs, better
mental health services and better parenting. It’s probably time for someone
to talk to them and their families as Obama spoke of and to young black
men. For sure, it’s time we stop talking to them the way we do.

The right has long charged liberalism with fostering alienation,
dependency, isolation and addiction among the poor — and leading minorities
to reject traditional values and to see themselves as victims and whites as
culprits. Now consider Dylann Roof: a jobless, stoned, opiate-abusing high
school dropout who rejects such traditional values as law, order, hard
work, sobriety and tolerance to vent his rage and blames his problems on a
racially denominated  ‘other.’

The right blames all social pathologies on the left but would howl were
anyone to imply that it helped spawn Dylann Roof — or that its
anti-intellectualism led any young man to forgo college or that its
economic policies left anyone without the chance for a decent job at decent
pay. How does a young man so ensnared rationalize his fate? Roof got many
of his theories from the website of the Concerned Citizens Council—“We
oppose all efforts to mix the races”—headed by the lovely and vivacious
Earl P. Holt III (“Black people are the laziest, stupidest, most criminally
inclined race in the history of the world”). He was a donor to at least
five current or former GOP presidential candidates. But the problem isn’t
confined to the dark demimonde of far right hate groups.

Young white males are dropping out of college, high school and the
workforce in droves. In the reddest of states many turn to crime and drugs.
They deserve better than a steady diet of racially coded conspiracy
theories; better than Rick Santorum calling college a liberal trap or Mike
Huckabee calling their centrist black president a “tyrant”; better than
being taught each day to despise those who think different thoughts or
blame those who don’t look enough like them. The toxicity of right-wing
politics seeps steadily into the larger culture. It runs on infantile rage
and so must infantilize white men. We must find a way to reach even the
ones who seem a danger only to themselves.

Some Republicans must feel shame, or at least sense risk. Late last month
was full of historic happenings and at every one Republicans seemed out of
sync or ill at ease. On Wednesday the Senate sent Obama the bill
authorizing fast track approval for the Trans Pacific Partnership. It was a
big win for them and a bigger one for him. Passage pleased both parties’
big donors, who are after all the same people, more or less.

Some say the fight left Obama with wounds to heal but many of the wounded
were Democrats in Congress, a group whose health he seldom asks after.
Labor was mad but no one recalls the last time a union went off the
reservation. Democratic voters tend to dislike trade deals, but if Obama’s
happy they’re happy.

GOP voters really hate fast track, so House Republicans didn’t take any
victory laps. Passing the bill meant breaking their sacred vow not to let
Obama do anything.  His continued low standing would help them in 2016. But
business wanted the bill and they figured Obama’s last months in office
would offer him few chances to gild his resume.

Wouldn’t you know a big one got dropped in his lap the very next day?  By a
6-3 vote the Supreme Court again upheld the Affordable Care Act. The TPP
was a big win for Obama but this was huge. When the case was filed, few
took it seriously. When the Court took it up, opinion shifted. Why would it
go to the trouble of yet another review if five justices weren’t at least
thinking of voting for the plaintiffs?

The case came down to four words. Under the law the federal government may
subsidize consumers buying insurance through exchanges “established by the
states.” But only 13 states set up exchanges. The rest use the federal
exchange. The IRS ruled that Congress meant to provide subsidies to those
purchasing via the federal exchange. The Court ruled that the IRS ruled
correctly.

In a rude dissent, Justice Scalia called Justice Roberts’ majority opinion
“quite absurd… interpretive jiggery-pokery” that undermined the Court’s
reputation for “honest jurisprudence.” The right exploded. Among GOP
presidential candidates, Mike Huckabee outdid even Scalia, calling Roberts’
ruling, you guessed it, “an act of judicial tyranny.”

Only men as frivolous as Alito, Thomas and Scalia could fail to see it
truly was a frivolous case. As loud as Scalia screamed that those four
words could mean just one thing, Roberts was right to rule that the act’s
381,113 other words meant just the opposite. Courts give agencies wide
berths to interpret statutes but as Roberts took care to emphasize, here it
didn’t need to. Congress’ intent was clear.

John Boehner vowed another repeal vote—it would be the 57th— but voters
want to fix the law, not kill it. Republicans keep promising an alternative
plan, but in the narrow confines of their ideology there is none.
Obamacare, nee Romneycare, started at the Heritage Foundation. Heritage now
denies paternity but when Romneycare was signed into law, its president
attended the christening. GOP dead-enders are alone now on health care. In
the TPP fight their donors stood at their side, but here the insurers,
hospitals and docs are all with Obama.

On Friday the Court dropped the other shoe, voting 5-4 to recognize the
right of all same sex couples to marry. The Republican response to Justice
Kennedy’s heartfelt opinion was predictable enough. Scott Walker said he’d
amend the Constitution. Huckabee called it tyranny. Ted Cruz, sounding
increasingly unhinged, preached nullification, if not outright sedition.
But Jeb Bush and even Ben Carson said it was time to move on. They knew
they were on the wrong side of not just history but demography, a bad place
to be with an election coming on.

Watching Friday’s joyous celebration in front of the Court, it was hard to
imagine anyone not wanting to join in. For decades Republicans fought
same-sex marriage on religious grounds. Watching those revelers I felt as I
did hearing the families who forgave Dylann Roof — glad to bear witness to
such a powerful expression of love. I wanted to be there and wondered if
any Republicans wished they were, too.

Later that day Obama flew to South Carolina to deliver a eulogy for the
Rev. Clementa Pinckney of Charleston’s AME church. For six years even some
of his staunch supporters had wanted him to address issues of race more
forcefully and directly. On Friday he did all they’d asked and more. That
he did it in Pinckney’s honor — and in his church — made his words more
powerful still. Early on, he evoked the history of all black churches,

…‘hush harbors’ where slaves could worship in safety… rest stops for the
weary on the Underground Railroad; bunkers for the foot soldiers of the
Civil Rights Movement.

He then called the shootings what they were, “not random, but … a means of
control, a way to terrorize and oppress.”  He cited a policy or two — gun
safety, voting rights — but mostly he preached about prejudice, duty,
grace, forgiveness and love. The camera often cut to Boehner. who couldn’t
help looking out of place. Asked once on “Meet the Press” if he believed
Obama was a Christian, Boehner replied tartly, “I take him at his word.”
Meaning, of course, that he didn’t. Hearing Obama preach the word, I
wondered what Boehner had to say now.

It was a historic week, though to pilfer a thought from Justice Kennedy,
perhaps in ways we don’t yet see. Kennedy’s and Roberts’ opinions will mean
more or less depending on who our next president is. The Charleston tragedy
changed us all, but in ways that will be hard to measure and impossible to
prove. What seems most certain is that our politics is changing, perhaps
even in a fundamental way.

Little more than a week ago the press portrayed Obama as reeling from a
minor dust-up with House Dems over trade. Today he bestrides the town like
a colossus.  Politics is a tough game; he may be back on the skids shortly.
But what happened to Republicans this week feels more lasting. Less than a
year after their triumph in the 2014 midterms they seem suddenly to be in
more than just cyclical trouble. There are, I think, three reasons for it.

The first reason is that the culture wars that have raged since the 1960s
are at last winding down, at least as we’ve known them. Such historic
changes don’t happen overnight, but the week showed America at or near at
or near a tipping point. Race ignited these wars. Issues of gender and
sexuality fueled them. America is taking a harder look at all who seek to
foment or exploit racial anger or fear, even as it continues to be
transformed on issues of sexual preference and identity. We don’t need to
prove Republican complicity in the culture wars. They deny ever stooping to
such tactics. Fine; if so, they’ve nothing to worry about.

The second reason is that religion is—there’s no better word for
it—evolving. If the GOP can’t keep pace it will pay a steep price; we all
know what evolution does to those who fail to adapt. Its response to Pope
Francis’ masterfully composed encyclical on climate change is a case in
point. Bobby Jindal, Rick Santorum, and Jeb Bush, heretofore three of the
showiest Catholics in all of Christendom, told His Holiness quite bluntly
to mind his own beeswax. It seems they don’t see how a threat to the
survival of our species has a moral dimension. They don’t listen to
scientists either so one wonders whose advice they do take. (Oh, right.)

It was strangest coming from Bush, whose strict Catholic faith compelled
him to hand Terry Schiavo’s body over to Congress for disposition. Since
“Catholic” and “Reagan Democrat” are near synonyms, dissing the Pope should
come with fallout, but Republicans don’t see it. James Inhofe, the moron
who brought a snowball to the Senate to prove global warming’s a hoax–he
also chairs the environment committee–went on a Family Research Council
radio show to say Francis unwittingly fulfilled a dark biblical prophecy,
which would, technically speaking, make him an instrument of Satan. The
Holy Father will be here in September. Republicans underestimate how happy
we’ll all be to see him; it’s another event they’ll wish they could attend
in good faith.

The third reason is the absolute dearth of anything remotely resembling a
real GOP policy agenda, unless you count corporate tax cuts.  It turns out
they can’t have one, partly because their base is so crazy and partly
because they are. For six years Obama tried to sell them Mitt Romney’s
healthcare reform and George Bush’s immigration reform. They couldn’t even
meet for coffee. More than once he tried to sell them one of their own
fiscal policies, but when word got out Obama was for it, they no longer
could be. Their defense hawks’ favorite remedy is more tough talk. What’s
their alternative to a nuclear deal with Iran? Best possible answer: do
nothing and hope the sanctions regime holds. Likeliest answer: leave it to
Bibi.

For a while now we’ve known and they’ve known that time’s running out on
the politics of racism and sexism or as they call it, traditional values.
What we learned last week is how fast the sand is running through that hour
glass. With those cards harder to hide up their sleeve and with no agenda
to peddle, Republicans wandered all week from press conference to press
conference looking dazed and confused.

The smart ones felt the ground shift beneath their feet. It isn’t just the
tyrant Obama staring them down now on healthcare. It’s a 6-3 majority of a
Republican Supreme Court, their friends in the medical and insurance
industries and a majority of voters. On discrimination they have to beat
not just “the radical gay lobby” but another likely Supreme Court majority
and an even bigger popular one. For 20 years they ridiculed Al Gore for
reading, knowing and caring so much about our environment. They’ll find
Pope Francis a tougher target. As for race, at Rev. Pinckney’s service we
saw love’s power to heal and unite. If they watched, they saw it too.

Last week made Republicans easier to see through. My favorite Republican is
Donald Trump, who can’t open his mouth without giving away the game. Trump
used his campaign kickoff to deliver a rant so offensive to Mexicans it
forced Univision to cancel its broadcast of his tasteless beauty pageant.
To retaliate he banned Univision employees from his golf courses, a move
sure to help GOP outreach. Then NBC pulled out of his pageants and kicked
him off “Celebrity Apprentice.” It’ll be interesting to see how many
relationships he can torch before he feels he’s reaped enough publicity to
declare victory and get back to the links.

Seeing their limp diversification plans so easily thwarted makes
Republicans more desperate to rev up the base. They’re always on the
lookout for new ways to divide and conquer and lately they think they’ve
found one. It’s called xenophobia. If you want to know more about it you
can visit the same websites Dylann Roof frequents or those of any far right
European political party. As you may know, all are on the rise. Their
métier is immigration but they traffic in every species of nativism.

Republicans paint with a somewhat broader brush but clearly their new
culture war focuses on the foreign ‘other’; a mix of ISIS and immigrants,
of Putin, China and Iran; of anyone and everyone who is or can be made to
look scary. The world’s a scary enough place but they know how to make it
feel even more so. That they do it so well is one reason why Obama’s
foreign policy grades lag behind all his other grades by eight or more
points in polls.

With no viable or salable domestic policies to run on in 2016 Republicans
will complement their xenophobic neoconservatism with rehashes of various
schemes to cut taxes on the rich and slash spending for the old, the poor
and the sick; that and a vicious assault on the Democratic presidential
nominee. It’s a strategy anyone can see coming, so defeating it should be
no problem, right? Wrong. There are in fact two problems.

One is that Republicans always nominate their least crazy candidate. Every
four years Democrats pray they’ll pick a Pat Buchanan or Michelle Bachman,
a Ted Cruz or Ben Carson, but they never do. We hope the far right will
rise up and win it all but it turns out even Tea Partiers vote tactically.
In the end the party always goes with a Dole, a Romney or a McCain.  Even
George Bush didn’t look like a guy who’d bankrupt the nation or lie his way
into a catastrophic war. Granted, in a huge 2016 field only two or three
fit the bill of not seeming crazy, but they’ll find a way to thread the
needle. Anyway, Democrats have a bigger problem: themselves.

Hillary Clinton runs ahead of her field even as Bernie Sanders puts up
impressive numbers; in the size of his crowds; in his small donors–200,000
of whom have already ponied up $8 million—and in state polls. Thus far it
isn’t enough to get old liberal lobbies to take a serious look. Everybody’s
read a poll that told them, as polls always do, not to rock the boat. The
smart money’s been wrong so often it’s a wonder they still call it that,
but labor and environmental leaders still think and talk like political
consultants.

Democrats’ resistance to open debate is jaw dropping.  You’d think they’d
have learned from their experience with Obama. When he disappointed them
early on, they held their tongues. Looking back,  do they still think their
silence did him any favors? Most think their mute loyalty to Hillary is
helping now, but it isn’t. Her strategy is clear.  Like Obama in 2008, she
hopes to break big-dollar fundraising records while giving speeches laced
with populist metaphors. On national security she’ll run to Obama’s right,
where she thinks it safest for the country and herself.  She’s a liberal on
social issues and for once it may help.

The two issues that matter most to voters are the twin slow motion
collapses of our democracy and our middle class. On both Clinton will do as
she always does: preach the glories of growth and technology while nodding
to political reform. The TPP vote showed us once again that she, Obama and
most elite Dems march in lockstep with global capital, which runs on
corruption.  It’s the wrong strategy for her and us — but absent a real
contest and an open debate, just try moving her off it.

It was an amazing week. America shed bigotry even while mourning its
victims. We saw a glimpse of a possible new politics. The country and the
Court said loud racism and homophobia are no longer traditional or
Christian values. A Republican Party that trafficked in bigotry and looked
suddenly cornered. Many of its most easily identified leaders—Scalia,
Trump, Cruz, Huckabee, Walker, Santorum, the list goes on—acting like
infants, gave the lie to the whole enterprise. Still picking fights with
their chosen cast of villains– terrorists, immigrants, gays, liberals,
Obama—they saw the list of their foes suddenly lengthen to include Walmart,
Univision,  NBC, the Pope, the Supreme Court, the Constitution, the union
and the rule of law. It was the future itself and it was circling them like
a shark.

Perhaps most unexpectedly, the week brought the coming elections into focus
by exposing the choice toward which we drift: between GOP supply side
economics and xenophobia and the Democrats’ neoliberal economics, pay to
play politics and social liberalism. There’s no question which is the
better choice, but neither one will save us. With our environment, our
democracy and our middle class all at their tipping points, we need
something better. The most amazing thing about this week was that it
reminded us of how to get it. The heroes of Emanuel church and the same-sex
marriage movement know. So did Frederick Douglass: “If there is no struggle
there is no progress.” We can choose progress, but never quietly.

*OTHER 2016 NEWS*

*Facing a Selfie Election, Presidential Hopefuls Grin and Bear It
<http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/05/us/politics/facing-a-selfie-election-presidential-hopefuls-grin-and-bear-it.html?ref=politics>
// NYT // Jeremy W. Peters and & Ashley Parker – July 4, 2015*

“Press that white button! This right here,” the former secretary of state
instructed a technologically deficient fan in New Hampshire who was
fumbling to work an iPhone camera. Her patience thinning, Hillary Rodham
Clinton took matters into her own hands and jabbed the button herself. And
with the sound of an electronic shutter snap, another selfie — the
must-have political souvenir of 2016 — went up into the cloud for campaign
posterity.

Who wants their babies kissed or their yard signs autographed anymore? This
is the Selfie Election. And if you are running for president, you have no
choice but to submit.

Candidates can now spend an hour — or sometimes two, as Senator Rand Paul
did last month in New Hampshire — exhausting a line of eager selfie
seekers. Others, like Senator Ted Cruz, have learned to add an extra 20
minutes at the beginning and end of events because so many people want
pictures.

Jeb Bush has perfected a technique suited to his 6-foot-3 frame: For his
shorter fans, he will take the picture with his own outstretched selfie
stick of an arm. The sons of Gov. Scott Walker have watched their father
take so many, they say he has significantly polished his shutterbug skills.
Gov. Chris Christie’s staff says he has taken “too many to count.”

But as campaigns adjust to a new self-focused social media world, some are
left wondering whether more meaningful voter-candidate interactions are
suffering. When candidates oblige so many people, some requesting multiple
takes to straighten that smile, square a double chin or get a pesky photo
bomber out of the frame, are they losing the chance to clarify a policy
position, listen to concerns or even just look a voter in the eye?

“It’s self-serving, and the candidate is kind of screwed,” said Craig
Robinson, a former political director of the Iowa Republican Party.

“They just have to put up with it, because how do you decipher who is a fan
and who wants to fill their profile with pictures of them with candidates?”
said Mr. Robinson, now the editor of The Iowa Republican, a political
publication.

Indeed, it is not always clear whether the people asking for photographs
even like or plan to vote for the candidate they are posing with, or
whether they just want a Facebook trophy to flaunt.

Not all candidates care to oblige.

“Please stop,” wrote Ben Carson, the retired pediatric neurosurgeon and
Republican presidential hopeful, in a recent opinion piece for The
Washington Post that raised a jarring if somewhat hyperbolic concern:
Selfies kill.

“Beyond the obvious narcissism of endlessly photographing oneself and
blasting it over social networks for others to admire, selfies are
dangerous,” he went on, citing a few examples of how inattentive selfie
snappers had met their demise. (Falling off a cliff in Portugal, for
example.)

Former President Bill Clinton has complained that he is inundated with
requests whenever he goes out in public. At an event last year with another
former president, George W. Bush, Mr. Clinton observed that even eating out
had become a challenge — to which Mr. Bush cracked, “At least they’re still
asking.”

President Obama has had to draw the line before. “I want to warn in
advance, I can’t do a selfie with everybody,” he told a crowd last month.

Few people embody the selfie craze like Maggie Fitzgerald, a lobbyist in
Des Moines who has maneuvered her way into photos with politicians willing
and unwilling. Her biggest gets: Donald J. Trump, Rick Perry and Gov. Bobby
Jindal, whom she found eager and obliging, and Mrs. Clinton, Mr. Paul and
Mr. Carson, who seemed much less enthusiastic.

“Sometimes they’ll ask me, ‘Don’t you want a normal picture?’ ” Ms.
Fitzgerald said in an interview. “No, I just want a selfie.”

She is undecided in the race, but said she gained some insight into the
candidates by their demeanor during selfies. “Most of them aren’t stiff
about it,” Ms. Fitzgerald added. “Some of them might be. But they shouldn’t
be president.”

Then there are those who see the selfie as just one more example of how
people have become slaves to their devices at the expense of human
interaction. Queen Elizabeth II has said she finds the trend disconcerting
and indicated she misses eye contact with her subjects.

For security teams on the campaigns, all this close contact between
candidates and strangers can be a challenge, but in some ways it is easier
to monitor than a traditional rope line. That is because selfies keep
people’s hands up where they can be seen.

Many campaigns say they are benefiting after posing for all those pictures.
When shared on Facebook and Instagram, they can exponentially increase a
candidate’s visibility, spreading an authentic memento that helps extend
the chatter around a rally beyond those who attended.

“This is something that campaigns should embrace and be very happy with,
because it’s just free advertising,” said Mr. Paul’s chief digital
strategist, Vincent Harris.

The Paul campaign sees a branding opportunity. When people line up for
photos, campaign aides often erect a backdrop with a “Rand” logo on it for
people to pose in front of. These exercises have also resulted in a little
horizon broadening for Mr. Paul, who picked up a new term on the trail:
“Us-ie,” a selfie with multiple people.

The ubiquity of camera phones at campaign stops is forcing aides to become
proficient in operating different brands. Rick Tyler, an aide to Mr. Cruz,
said the staff member who usually traveled with the senator was now well
versed in how to quickly snap pictures with a Samsung Galaxy versus an
iPhone.

The demand for selfies has grown so much, he added, that even walking just
a short distance from one event to another can be an ordeal.

“Our schedulers will say to me: ‘He’s just going 100 steps. Why would it
take 20 minutes to get there?’ ” Mr. Tyler said. “Well, travel with us and
you’ll see.”

Senator Lindsey Graham said he could probably benefit from losing 15 pounds
to make his selfies a bit more flattering. But his attitude toward selfies
is upbeat: Society, he said, is richer for the selfie.

“When we take selfies and chat, it’s the beauty of American democracy,” Mr.
Graham said. “I don’t think Putin really does this,” he added, referring to
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia. “I don’t think he probably has to
worry about selfies.”

Senator Marco Rubio will indulge people who want selfies. But he often
travels with a professional photographer who takes photos of him with
voters as an aide trails behind, handing out index cards listing a website
where supporters can go to download their pictures.

The benefit? Not only does the photographer speed the process and produce
higher-quality images, but voters are asked to provide personal information
on Mr. Rubio’s website. Before they can view their photos, Rubio supporters
have told the campaign their name, their home and email addresses, which
issues matter most to them and if they are willing to volunteer.

Even voters who embrace the selfie culture can seem slightly conflicted.
Just take Lincoln Boyd, 22, who sneaked up to the stage at a recent
conservative gathering and captured a selfie with Mr. Rubio that quickly
went viral.

In a telephone interview, Mr. Boyd said he would have preferred to “grill”
Mr. Rubio, asking him, “Why weren’t you able to corral the Republicans to
get behind immigration?” But, he added, “there’s a time and a place for
that.”

And, Mr. Boyd explained, “we’re millennials, it’s the 21st century, and if
I’m with the candidate and I can get a quick picture with him, I’m going to
do that.”

*Voters are shifting to Democrats, flashing a warning for Republicans
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/lost-ground-for-gop-signals-challenges-for-2016/2015/07/04/0b6703d6-226e-11e5-aeb9-a411a84c9d55_story.html?tid=pm_politics_pop_b>
// WaPo // Dan Balz -  July 4, 2015*

The Gallup organization reported its latest findings on party
identification late last week, and the report contained good news for the
Democrats and a flashing yellow for Republicans.

The Democrats “have regained an advantage” over the GOP in party
affiliation, Gallup’s Jeffrey M. Jones wrote in an accompanying analysis.
Republicans, he added, “have seemingly lost the momentum they had going
into last fall’s elections.”

The current numbers don’t mean Republicans can’t win the White House in
2016. The Democrats’ advantage is not as large as at other points in the
past, for example. But the findings add to a series of data points that
underscore the challenges ahead for a party trying to keep pace with a
rapidly changing country.

The latest numbers essentially mark a reset that returns party affiliation
to its modern historical norm. Democrats long have enjoyed the advantage
over Republicans in Gallup’s measures.

In those few periods when the GOP drew even or slightly ahead (after
Republicans took control of Congress in 1994 or after the terrorist attacks
of Sept. 11, 2001), the party has been unable to hold that ground for long.

These have obviously been good weeks for President Obama and the Democrats.
The Supreme Court’s decisions rejecting another legal challenge to the
Affordable Care Act and ruling that same-sex marriage is now legal around
the country gave the Obama administration two significant victories that
were at odds with Republican doctrine.

Obama’s eulogy at the memorial service for the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, one
of nine people slain last month after Bible study at the Emanuel African
Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, S.C., was further evidence of a
president determined to leverage the powers of his office to advance an
agenda at odds with the policies and positions of the GOP.

Republicans in Congress have blocked his path to legislative success on
many of Obama’s pet issues: gun control, minimum wage, immigration reform
and climate change among them. But the president’s sharpened rhetoric on
these and other issues signaled a renewal of the quadrennial battle for
public opinion and electoral support.

Obama has repeated his attacks on the GOP as a party out of touch with the
country, as a party of the past during a time of historic change. Hillary
Rodham Clinton is echoing that same message about the Republicans as she
campaigns for the Democratic nomination.

Democratic Party affiliation no doubt has benefited by a modest rise in
Obama’s approval ratings, which were weak through most of 2014 and have
recovered somewhat this spring and summer. The stronger Obama’s approval
ratings next year, the more likely it is that the Democrats will retain the
White House for a third consecutive term.

This isn’t the first time Obama has enjoyed a confluence of good events and
renewed energy, only to see it slip away. Such ebbs and flows have marked
his presidency from the start and could pull him down from the high moment
he is enjoying.

Clinton is widely popular among Democrats of all ideological stripes, even
as she faces a challenge from the left for the nomination from Sen. Bernie
Sanders (I-Vt.). Still, she carries substantial baggage that could affect
her prospects in a general election, if she is the party’s nominee.

Republicans must hope that they nominate a presidential candidate who the
public sees as sharing its values and who embodies the future direction of
the country. For now, however, the contest for the nomination offers
potholes and pitfalls.

“Although Obama and the Republican majority in Congress remain a major
focus of the political news coverage, attention is increasingly turning to
the 2016 presidential campaign,” Jones’s analysis notes. “Here Democrats
may be benefiting from having a well-known and relatively popular
front-running candidate in Hillary Clinton, which paints a contrast to the
large, fractured and generally less well-known field of Republican
presidential candidates.”

The Republican field on paper is substantially better than it was four
years ago. But at present, no one is capturing the interest or imagination
of the voters.

The best known among the group is former Florida governor Jeb Bush. But his
family name and resistance hobble him to another Bush presidency.

The other Republicans have barely registered, even among party faithful.
Every one of the candidates has a personal story he or she thinks will turn
him or her into a more compelling figure, but few voters are listening at
this point. The seeming strength of the field has yet to return dividends
to the party as a whole.

Nor have the candidates begun to engage one another. When they do, the
party will be plunged into a debate about the future — of health care, of
the environment, of same-sex marriage, of the economy. On some of these
issues, the divisions risk playing into Obama’s and Clinton’s
characterization of the Republicans being caught in the past.

Obamacare animates the Republican base but is a call for repeal a winning
issue?

On same-sex marriage, should Republicans stand for a constitutional
amendment to give states the power to decide the definition of marriage, as
some GOP candidates advocate, or try to take the issue off the agenda?

On climate change, the challenge appears to be finding the right language
and the right balance on policy. How will the candidates divide on this
issue?

The Republicans running for president have choices to make as they attempt
to position themselves and their party as being in touch with the
aspirations of a majority of the voters.

The principles and values they stand for and the fights they decide to take
on will determine their success. What they have lost in affiliation over
the past few months is not irretrievably gone, but having to make up lost
ground is hardly the way Republicans wanted to start the 2016 campaign.

*Presidential candidates campaign in July Fourth parades
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/presidential-candidates-campaign-in-july-fourth-parades/2015/07/04/2cecf5ae-2275-11e5-a135-935065bc30d0_story.html>
// AP // Kathleen Ronayne – July 4, 2015*

AMHERST, N.H. — Alongside the patriotic music and waving flags Saturday in
parades across Iowa and New Hampshire were clear reminders of a
presidential race coming up next year: Red balloons promoting “Jeb! 2016,”
a tractor draped in a Rick Perry banner and dutiful volunteers holding
signs and chanting for their chosen candidates.

Marching in Fourth of July parades in these early voting states has become
a tradition for politicians seeking the White House, giving them a chance
to boost their name recognition and glad-hand with voters.

Former Govs. Jeb Bush of Florida, Rick Perry of Texas and Lincoln Chafee of
Rhode Island as well as South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham worked the crowd
in Amherst, while Hillary Rodham Clinton marched in a parade in New
Hampshire’s North Country. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie and Florida Sen.
Marco Rubio spent the holiday in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region, as Louisiana
Gov. Bobby Jindal, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Maryland Gov.
Martin O’Malley met voters in Iowa.

__

Clinton marched in a Fourth of July parade in Gorham, New Hampshire,
trailed by a band of supporters waving signs and separated by a long rope
from the pack of journalists that followed.

“I’ll tell you what — we need to get a Democratic president,” Clinton told
one woman along the parade route, who asked about the health care overhaul.
“I’m going to not only defend it, I’m going to make it even better.”

One man who carried a sign that read, “Benghazi” also followed the
candidate. Alluding to her time representing New York in the Senate, he
screamed repeatedly, “Carpetbagger!”

Another man on the route yelled, “What about Benghazi? What about the
emails?”

Clinton smiled broadly, shaking hands and stopping for quick photos. At one
point, she posed for a photo with two New Hampshire beauty pageant
contestants, who playfully flexed their biceps.

___

Graham and Perry brought the energy to Amherst, running through the streets
waving, shouting jokes and posing for photos.

“Sorry the government’s so screwed up!” Graham shouted to the crowd
numerous times, often followed by an apology to any children in the crowd
about the future of Social Security.

The former governor and current senator shook hands in the street,
prompting jokes of a Perry-Graham presidential ticket. Later, Perry snapped
a cell phone picture of Graham with two voters outside their home.

Chafee, meanwhile, walked the route with just a few aides and no large
signs bearing his name — nothing to indicate he’s vying for the Democratic
presidential nomination.

__

Bush took a more methodical approach, shaking so many hands that his team
had to nearly run down an entire street to catch up with the procession.
His campaign handed out red “Jeb! 2016” balloons along the entire parade
route.

“There’s nothing behind us — other than Hillary,” Bush joked to a voter who
chided him for holding up the parade. While Clinton campaigned elsewhere, a
team of her supporters marched right behind Bush’s, their blue signs in
sharp contrast with his red.

With his son George P. Bush, Texas’s land commissioner, by his side, Bush
picked up a number of small children, posed for selfies and thanked voters
who said they’ve been longtime fans of the Bushs. One of those voters wore
a shirt that said “Bush Hat Trick.”

___

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said he got clear instructions on how to behave
in an Iowa parade — no throwing things to the crowd.

Jindal walked in a July Fourth parade in the Des Moines suburb of
Urbandale. Accompanied by his wife, Jindal was the only Republican
presidential candidate there, though other contenders had representatives
there.

Jindal said he was cautioned that Iowa and Louisiana parades are different.

“We’re used to throwing things in Louisiana parades. We’re told that’s not
allowed here,” he said.

Jindal said that one of the first time the family went to Disney World, the
children were upset because Mickey Mouse didn’t throw them anything.

“In Louisiana every single parade, not just Mardi Gras, you’re supposed to
throw things,” the governor said.

Jindal kicked off the parade shaking hands and posing for selfies. He was
scheduled to appear at another parade in the area later in the day. He has
been campaigning in the kickoff caucus state since Tuesday.

*Presidential hopefuls discuss patriotism on July 4th
<http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/elections/presidential/caucus/2015/07/04/united-states-presidential-candidates-patriotism-july-fourth/29688615/>
// Des Moines Register – July 4, 2015*

Contenders for the nation's highest office are once again crisscrossing
Iowa, the state that kicks off presidential voting. Often, they speak of
their love of country.

In honor of this Fourth of July weekend, The Des Moines Register asked each
of them: How in your life have you best demonstrated patriotism?

DEMOCRATS

Lincoln Chafee

Former governor and U.S. senator from Rhode Island

"Patriots are those who love their country. We have a country that is
special — God shed its grace on thee, from sea to shining sea. I have spent
three decades in public service because I want to do my small part to keep
America strong and beautiful. I am proud of my record on protecting our
water, air and land, on defending our constitutional liberties, on voting
against the Iraq war, and on supporting programs that help build the middle
class. We are fortunate to be Americans. Happy July Fourth!"

Hillary Clinton

Former U.S. secretary of state, former U.S. senator from New York

"I have never felt more patriotic than standing with our first responders
in the aftermath of 9/11. The thick smoke made it hard to breathe or see,
but the brave rescuers never wavered. They made me so proud to be an
American, and inspired me to do everything I could as their senator to
support them and rebuild. Tragically, many of our first responders suffered
lasting health effects from their service at Ground Zero, and I spent years
working with both parties until they got care. They represent America at
its best, and they deserve the best from us."

Martin O'Malley

Former governor of Maryland

"We demonstrate patriotism through the care and compassion we show to one
another as Americans. In my life, that has taken on the form of service to
others — especially the most vulnerable and voiceless among us: the poor,
the sick, the homeless, the hungry and the imprisoned. That service has
also called me to be present, again and again, when our most courageous and
patriotic families have lost a family member who died serving the rest of
us."

Jim Webb

Former U.S. senator from Virginia

Editor's note: Webb was a combat Marine in Vietnam, awarded the Navy Cross,
the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals and two Purple Hearts; an
assistant secretary of defense; and the secretary of the Navy. His campaign
submitted this seal for his response:

REPUBLICANS

Jeb Bush

Former governor of Florida

"The Fourth of July is the perfect time to not only celebrate our
independence but to reflect on and thank those defending our freedom today.
As governor of Florida, I had the honor of serving as commander in chief of
the Florida National Guard. Daily, I was inspired by patriotism and
sacrifice of our men and women in uniform. Whether serving overseas in war
or responding to the eight hurricanes that battered the Sunshine State in
just 16 months, Florida's national guardsmen exemplified the values of all
the men and women who have committed to serving in our armed forces."

Ben Carson

Retired neurosurgeon

"I am humbled before God and before the courage and leadership of our
Founding Fathers. These are the touchstones and the guiding light of my
faith and patriotic values. Washington, Franklin, Jefferson, Nathan Hale;
they represent the very essence of patriotism, defined by their selfless
duty and service to their countrymen, and the generations that have
followed. Long ago, I accepted their baton of service to my fellow man as
my calling in life, as a care provider for children and as an advocate for
the principles of our Constitution."

Chris Christie

Governor of New Jersey

"The brave men and women who have worn our nation's uniform have
courageously and selflessly served to uphold the democratic principles that
as Americans we hold so dear. At the same time, we must remember the
families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and did not come home. I
am honored to be governor of a state with so many heroic and honorable men
and women who have served with distinction. We are forever grateful for
their service, today and every day."

Ted Cruz

U.S. senator from Texas

"My father came to America from Cuba in 1957. He had little money, and
spoke little English. My Irish-Italian mother was the daughter of
working-class parents. Both my parents worked hard. In a single generation,
their son became a United States senator, and now I am running for
president. That could only happen in America. These stories demonstrate how
America is the land of limitless opportunity. I ask myself, 'What have I
done today to ensure that same opportunity exists for future generations?'
We're an exceptional nation, and it is up to each of us to keep it that
way."

Carly Fiorina

Former CEO of Hewlett-Packard

"Ours was intended to be a citizen government, so when citizens volunteer
our time and talent to make our country, our government and our politics
better, we exhibit patriotism. I have continued to make this a priority,
acting as a volunteer chair of two large charities dedicated to improving
our communities. I have volunteered my time to help good candidates run for
political office — and I have even volunteered more directly to improve our
government, serving as an adviser for the departments of State, Defense and
Homeland Security as well as for the CIA and (National Security Agency)."

Lindsey Graham

U.S. senator from South Carolina

"I was honored to be an Air Force officer serving on active duty, in the
Guard, and in the Reserves for 33 years. Being part of a military unit that
is focused on the mission and not on individual differences was a great
inspiration and taught me what true patriotism is all about."

Mike Huckabee

Former governor of Arkansas

"When I was asked how I demonstrate patriotism, I considered all the ways I
try to convey my love and gratitude for this truly exceptional nation,
where a poor kid from Arkansas can someday become governor. But then I
remembered JFK: 'Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can
do for your country.' And I realized that what perfectly demonstrates pure,
selfless patriotism are those who love this country so much they offer
their lives to preserve its freedoms and opportunities for us all: the
heroic men and women of the United States military. "

Bobby Jindal

Governor of Louisiana

"My parents came to chase the American dream and they caught it, they've
lived it. I simply want my children and one day my grandchildren to be able
to live that same American dream. I want all of our children to have those
opportunities, so I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunities that
America has afforded my family. I want those opportunities to continue. One
of the ways I can show my gratitude for what this country has done for me
is fight with everything I've got to make sure those opportunities continue
to exist for the next generation."

John Kasich

Governor of Ohio

"Patriotism means you don't take a pass on dealing with problems where you
live. Far too many officials fear taking on big challenges, and as a
result, nothing gets done and problems worsen. Throughout my public career
both in Congress and as governor, I have taken on the challenges of the day
in the belief that big ideas drive success and generate excitement. Are
they risky? Do they aggravate some people? Sometimes. But, if you're not
doing that, you're not doing your job, and a strong agenda of ideas is not
only what people want — it's what our nation needs."

Rick Perry

Former governor of Texas

"Patriots put their country first, alongside faith and family. I had the
honor of wearing America's uniform, defending freedom as an Air Force
officer and aircraft commander. I inherited my love and sense of duty for
my country from my father, a WWII B-17 tail gunner. Patriots work 365 days
a year, not just on July 4. Providing for our heroes and their families is
a sacred duty I take extreme pride in executing. As governor, we took
important steps to expand our commitment to our nation's heroes. As
commander in chief, it would remain one of my highest priorities."

Marco Rubio

U.S. senator from Florida

"One way I exercise patriotism is by teaching my kids what America means to
me on a personal level. In school and from our entertainment culture,
children rarely receive a meaningful explanation of the principles and
ideals that set America apart from every other nation. I teach my children
that they, like me, owe a debt to America, for it is the nation that
changed our family's history. I believe these conversations are important,
for if our children believe America is just an ordinary country, they will
not be willing to go to extraordinary lengths to extend her promise."

Rand Paul

U.S. senator from Kentucky

"To me, patriotism means giving back to your community. Whether it is
volunteering at the local food shelter, tutoring struggling students,
singing in the church choir, or the most selfless act of all, serving in
our military to protect our nation and our American values. As a physician,
I have an obligation to help those in need. I am honored to have the
opportunity to perform free sight-restoring eye surgeries for lower-income
families in my home state. There is nothing more rewarding than using my
skills as an ophthalmologist to give back — to find the problem and
diagnose the solution."

Rick Santorum

Former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania

"The moment in my life I gave the most for my country was not when I ran
for Congress, not when I ran for the Senate, and not when I decided to run
for president. The moment I most committed myself to my country was the day
my son Daniel came to me and said he wanted to join the Air Force. I cannot
give more to my country than one of my own."

Donald Trump

Businessman

"Our country has a sacred duty to care for veterans and their families. One
of the greatest gifts of my success is being able to honor veterans. I sit
on the board of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, which helps find jobs
for veterans. One of my proudest accomplishments: In 1995, on the 50th
anniversary of World War II, only 100 spectators watched New York City's
parade. It was an insult. I agreed to lead a second parade that year. I
made a $1 million matching donation to finance the parade. Over 1.4 million
watched; more than 25,000 veterans participated."

Scott Walker

Governor of Wisconsin

"My family lived in Plainfield, Iowa, from 1970 to 1977. Right around the
time of our nation's bicentennial, I noticed that there was no state flag
at our City Hall. That inspired me and my brother to go around town with an
old mayonnaise jar and collect enough money to purchase an Iowa flag to fly
at City Hall. My mom still has a picture of my brother David and me holding
the flag, with smiles on our faces."

Editor's note: Campaigns for George Pataki and Bernie Sanders either
declined to provide a statement or did not respond to requests to do so.
Candidates were asked to submit statements of 100 words or fewer. Longer
responses were edited to that length.

*Candidates do holiday march through New Hampshire
<http://onpolitics.usatoday.com/2015/07/04/candidates-do-holiday-march-through-new-hampshire/>
// USA Today // David Jackson – July 4, 2015*

AMHERST, N.H. — Ah, the Fourth of July in New Hampshire: parades, picnics,
pyrotechnics and — and every four years — presidential candidates.

Republicans and Democrats marched up and down New Hampshire on Saturday’s
holiday, seeking to build support and goodwill seven months before the
Granite State holds the first presidential primaries of the 2016  campaign.

“It’s great to be in New Hampshire!” former Florida governor Jeb Bush told
a crowd in Amherst, N.H., at its traditional July 4 parade.

Former Texas governor Rick Perry and South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham,
both Republicans, also marched in Amherst.

Other campaigns, Democratic as well as Republican, sponsored marchers in
the parade that began at an elementary school staging area and wound its
way to a village green filled with families, musicians and games of chance.

As is tradition, the candidates walked at the back of the parade, behind
exhibits that included a truck carrying a Pop Warner football team,
Shriners in tiny red Corvettes, Civil War re-enactors dressed in Union
blue, high school bands, a kayak club, a clown car, at least one small
horse-drawn carriage and bagpipers blaring Amazing Grace and other tunes.

Graham noted to supporters that he was at least first in the parade line
among the politicians.

“This is a good omen,” he said. “It means everybody else should drop out,
except me.”

At one point on the parade route, Bush — the son of one president and the
brother of another — walked up to a man wearing a red T-shirt that said:
“Bush Hat Trick.”

“I told you it’d work,” the man told family and friends as the candidate
seeking to be the third Bush president strode up.

“Where’d you get that shirt?” Bush said as photographers and supporters
converged.

Bush later marched in another parade in nearby Merrimack.

Throughout the parade in Amherst, the candidates shook hands, held babies,
posed for selfies and signed campaign placards. At one point, Bush signed
the cast of a woman who had injured her leg playing soccer. The two
discussed Sunday’s U.S.-Japan Women’s World Cup final, each predicting an
American victory.

Two other Republican candidates — Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and New Jersey
Gov. Chris Christie — walked in the traditional parade in Wolfeboro, N.H.
Both Rubio and Christie spent time this weekend at the nearby home of Mitt
Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee.

Democratic presidential candidates also partook in July Fourth festivities
in both New Hampshire and Iowa, where caucuses will be the first nomination
contests of 2016.

Former secretary of State Hillary Clinton marched in a parade in Gorham,
N.H., after a local visit to a Mountain Fire Pizza.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and former Maryland governor Martin O’Malley
spent the holiday in Iowa. Sanders, who is moving up in polls against the
heavily favored Clinton, walked in parades in Creston and Waukee.

O’Malley, who has been in Iowa promoting his climate change plan, marched
in the July Fourth parade in aptly named Independence, Iowa, before hitting
the barbecue circuit in Dubuque and Clinton.

Another Democratic candidate, former Rhode Island governor Lincoln Chafee,
spent Saturday at the parades in Amherst and Merrimack, N.H.

Surveying the scene in Amherst, as residents hung bunting or positioned
lawn chairs in front of white clapboard houses, Chafee said: “It’s
Americana, isn’t it?”

*OPINIONS/EDITORIALS/BLOGS*

*Wirthman: Hillary Clinton's everyday feminism
<http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_28422063/hillary-clintons-everyday-feminism>
// The Denver Post // Lisa Wirthman – July 4, 2015*

Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign is a manifesto for everyday
feminism, both in Colorado and the nation. And that's a good thing. It's
long past time to air out our deep-seated gender issues and redefine what
it means to be a woman.

For decades, women have tried to fit into a world standardized around men.
In her 2008 presidential campaign, Clinton said she wasn't running as a
woman, but as a great candidate. For 2016, she's wholeheartedly embraced
the fact that she can be both.

Fueled by social media and a progressive cultural environment, feminism has
never been more popular — or more populist. And that's a good thing, too.

The economy is stronger when more women are involved, not just a token few.
This is not because women are inherently better than men, but because
diversity of thought and experience is better than a narrow view.

Colorado is a top state for women's workforce participation, which overall
added $2 trillion to the U.S. economy since the 1970s. Yet women hold only
7 percent of top corporate positions in Colorado.

In the 2016 presidential race, women are a majority of registered voters in
Colorado, and a widening gender gap could tip the scales. Single white
women — along with Hispanics, young voters, and working-class white men —
are likely swing votes in the election.

Clinton launched her campaign in June with a reference to her historic
candidacy, calling her outdoor rally on New York's Roosevelt Island "a
place with absolutely no ceilings."

To break those glass ceilings, women in Clinton's generation often had to
work twice as hard as their male colleagues to earn half as much money —
all while dealing with rampant sexism.

While these glass breakers are celebrated for their firsts, however,
they're also criticized by younger feminists for being the only members of
a small and exclusive group.

In 2016, feminism's greatest challenge is that women must not only be equal
to men, but to each other as well.

From the start, the banner of feminism has been held primarily by white
women privileged with the education and opportunity to reach the glass
ceiling — and make those initial cracks. But women's suffrage also has
strong ties to social justice.

In Colorado, suffragists argued that female voters would address the needs
of working people who were ignored by mainstream politicians, according to
the Women of the West Museum.

Today, young women are quick to point out that so-called corporate
feminists rarely represent the intersection of race, class, gender, and
sexual orientation that creates a multilayered experience for many women.

The issue of equal pay, which Clinton referenced in her kick-off speech, is
a good example of that intersection. While women in Colorado make 77.9
cents for every dollar earned by men, African- American women make 67.5
cents on that same dollar, and Hispanic women make just 52.5 cents.

If Clinton captures women's votes in 2016, it won't be simply because of
her gender, but also because she convinces women of all backgrounds and
experiences that she's willing and able to flip America's patriarchy on its
head.

So far, she seems to understand the challenge. Clinton's "Fighter" campaign
video highlights her 1995 visit to Beijing, where she told the U.N.
Conference on Women: "Human rights are women's rights and women's rights
are human rights, once and for all."

It was one of Clinton's most iconic feminist moments — and a part of her
résumé that clearly illustrates her willingness to fight for all women and
girls.

Clinton established herself as a fighter again in her kickoff speech, in
which she outlined her plan to restore equity to the middle class.

And she's planted her feet firmly at the intersection of gender, class,
race and sexual orientation in solidarity with women who see feminism as
just one facet of a more complex identity.

Clinton is impassioned on racial issues. After the shooting of nine people
in a black church in Charleston, S.C., she told the U.S. Conference of
Mayors: "Despite our best efforts and our highest hopes, America's long
struggle with race is far from finished."

She strongly supported the Supreme Court's decision to legalize gay
marriage in all 50 states. "Love triumphed in the highest court in our
land," Clinton told supporters. "Equality triumphed."

And she includes men in feminism's promise of equal opportunity by framing
universal preschool and child care, paid sick days and family leave, and
affordable college as family issues that impact both genders. It's a timely
message: In Colorado, more than 6o percent of children under the age of 6
live in households where all parents work.

Of course, female leadership is no guarantee for passing family-friendly
legislation. Colorado has the highest percent of female legislators of any
state, and an all-female leadership team in the house.

But with Republicans controlling the state Senate, Democrats were unable to
pass bills to create a family and medical leave insurance program, raise
the minimum wage, or make it easier for middle-class families to save for
college.

Clinton would face a similarly tough battle. But it's these populist
elements of her campaign that may give her the chance to fight it.

Clinton's everyday feminism is also a contrast to the more individualized
brand of feminism promoted by GOP candidate and former Hewlett-Packard CEO
Carly Fiorina, who recently visited Colorado.

In a campaign speech, Fiorina said a feminist is "a woman who lives the
life she chooses." Unfortunately, that definition only includes women who
have the opportunity to make choices.

Eventually, the GOP's male candidates will need to join this conversation.
And that's a good thing, too. Because while over 80 percent of Americans
say they believe in full gender equality, only one-fifth identify
themselves as feminists — or people who believe all men and women should
have equal opportunities.

Back in 2007, Clinton's gender-neutral campaign created strong debate among
feminists. "Do liberated women want to join the clubhouse or do we want to
burn it down?" asked a columnist for The Nation.

The answer is neither. Feminism's goal is not to enable women to succeed in
a man's world, nor to attack the success of men. Rather, it requires an
entirely new paradigm, where success is no longer defined by male
experiences, and all human beings have equal opportunities to succeed.

By putting her gender at center stage in 2016, Clinton may finally clarify
the conversation — and help voters realize our shared belief in gender
equality makes us all feminists at heart.

*Editorial: Hillary Clinton’s emails erode transparency claim
<http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/07/04/hillary-clintons-emails-erode-transparency-claim/29709447/>
// The Des Moines Register – July 4, 2015*

A thistle to former secretary of state Hillary Clinton, who claimed in
March that she had turned over to the State Department all relevant work
emails from her private server, and that she had never used her private
account to exchange classified information. Last week, the State Department
acknowledged that Clinton didn’t turn over at least 15 emails that are now
the subject of controversy. It also said portions of 25 emails it was
releasing are being kept confidential and “upgraded” to classified status.
As a presidential candidate, Clinton is turning press avoidance into
something of an art form, yet she once called herself “probably the most
transparent person in public life.” It’s a claim that becomes less
believable with each passing day.

*Fair pay for hard work is not just happy talk
<http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/editorials/2015/07/05/1-fair-pay-for-hard-work-is-not-just-happy-talk.html>
// The Columbus Dispatch // E.J. Dionne – July 5, 2015*

Central to our national self-understanding is the idea that hard work pays
off. Americans have always tolerated rather high levels of inequality, as
long as most people had a chance to rise.

Thus was Chris Christie’s opening tribute to his hardworking parents and
grandparents the most affecting part of his announcement on Tuesday that he
is seeking the Republican presidential nomination. The New Jersey governor
bestowed praise across gender lines, describing his grandmothers as women
“who knew how to work and who knew that hard work would deliver something
for their children.”

This section of Christie’s speech got little attention. But work, its
rewards and its discontents, will be central to our nation’s debate going
into the 2016 campaign. And President Barack Obama has laid down a marker
for testing how seriously politicians take the obligation to make hard work
pay.

Obama is putting forward new rules that would make up to 5 million more
American workers eligible for overtime pay. He’s doing this by ending a
scam through which employers designate even relatively low-paid workers as
managers to get around the law, which requires an overtime premium after 40
hours per week.

Under the current rules, as Obama wrote earlier this week in the Huffington
Post, workers earning as little as $23,660 a year can be robbed of overtime
by being given supervisory or managerial designations. The new regulation
would raise the threshold to a more-plausible $50,440 a year.

Not surprisingly, some firms immediately announced they would find ways of
evading the rule, warning of shorter hours and fewer jobs. But there are
always people in business — not everyone — who react this way to any effort
to improve the bargaining position or compensation of employees. Remember
all those warnings that the Affordable Care Act would be a “job killer”?
Funny how we seem to have added well over 12 million new private-sector
jobs since Obamacare passed in March 2010.

And avoiding overtime is not the only way in which employers are trying to
cut the compensation they offer workers. This week, The Wall Street
Journal’s Lauren Weber reported on how businesses are “setting up workers
as franchisees or owners of limited liability companies” to “shield”
themselves “from tax and labor statutes.” My Washington Post colleague
Catherine Rampell also has documented “the shifting of risk off corporate
balance sheets and onto the shoulders of individual Americans.”

In discussing rising inequality, we often act as if the trend is a natural
development about which we can do nothing. Of course there are big economic
forces at work. But government rules and laws — on pay, health care, labor
rights and taxes — can improve the standing of workers or they can make the
disparities worse. Government has a choice, and there is no purely neutral
ground on this question.

And this is why Christie’s lovely tribute to work and family needs to be
examined as something more than a sentiment from a greeting card. In the
wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling on same-sex marriage, what are typically
referred to as “values issues” quickly rose to the forefront of the
argument in the Republican presidential primary and next year’s election.
But no values issue is more relevant to more Americans (across the
boundaries of sexual orientation, gender and race) than whether the hard
work that politicians extol pays off in the ways they claim it should.

In a very crowded Republican presidential field, will any candidate find it
in his or her interest to break with the party’s orthodoxy on government
regulations and labor rights? Will any of them have the temerity to appeal
to their party’s many working-class supporters by making the point that
Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders and other Democrats are sure to advance:
that reinforcing our “conservative” values about the honor of work often
requires what are usually seen as “progressive” measures by government to
keep workers from being shortchanged?

“One of the things my mother used to say all the time,” Christie declared
on Tuesday, “was, ‘Christopher, if you work hard enough, you can be
anything.’” That is precisely the promise that our politicians should be
working harder to vindicate.

*Hillary Clinton takes the knocks but keeps on trucking
<http://www.smh.com.au/comment/hillary-clinton-takes-the-knocks-but-keeps-on-trucking-20150704-gi4jz5.html>
// Sydney Morning Herald // Annabel Crabb – July 4, 2015*

I cannot be the only carbon-based life form on Earth who fell a little bit
in love with Hillary Clinton when it was revealed on Wednesday that she
cannot use a fax machine.

And not in an adorable, Gen-Y, "what is a fax machine, old person with kind
eyes?" way either. No, Hillary Clinton – a woman in her late sixties whose
professional career has witnessed the fax machine's entire trajectory from
infancy to ascendancy and thence to redundancy – cannot use a fax machine
because they are just stupid and annoying and it's not her fault.

Clinton's refreshing fax-fail was revealed in the blizzard of her private
emails released last week for reasons only trainspotters can now readily
recall. Her exchange with aide Huma Abedin (a woman who - being married to
serial social media willy-waver Anthony Wiener - has ample cause to
distrust any image-based form of electronic communication) occurred in
December 2009 and carries the subject line: "Can you hang up the fax line,
they will call again and try fax".

HC: I thought it was supposed to be off hook to work?

HA: Yes but hang up one more time. So they can re-establish the line.

HC: I did.

HA: Just pick up phone and hang it up. And leave it hung up.

HC: I've done it twice now.

I like political leaders to be good at their jobs wherever possible, but
that's not to say a tiny part of me doesn't rejoice when they fail at basic
tasks. And the ancillary revelation that Mrs Clinton didn't know what the
diplomatic "E3+3" grouping was, even when she was the senior US
representative on it, also reassures me as to her fundamental humanity.

"What is the E and who are the three?" a mystified Clinton emailed her
adviser Jake Sullivan in 2009.

JS: E is Europe. E3 is UK, France and Germany. +3 is US, China, Russia. So
it's the same 6 as P5+1, just a different name.

HC: I already feel safer.

Hillary Clinton has been in and out of – or spousally proximate to – public
office in America for thirty-six years now. And in that time, America has
lived through a lot with that lady. It's praised her, despised her, turned
its nose up at her 1993 health reforms, felt sorry for her when Bill went
out tomcatting, harboured suspicions about her motivations, opted for the
other guy in 2008, paid her out for her scrunchies and pantsuits, snoozed
through her recent memoir, and next year Americans will all get together
(or at least the 57 per cent of them who bother to vote will; the rest will
heckle from the couch) to cast a final judgment on her.

This is a person who just keeps on trucking. Not much is handed to her. The
mounting-yard of opponents to her presidential run grows both more populous
and more ludicrous by the day; there are nearly 20 declared candidates now.
On Thursday, New Jersey Republican Governor Chris Christie announced he too
would be running. This is a guy best-known for intentionally causing large
traffic jams for base political purposes, so the scale of his optimism here
is fairly impressive; half of the Republican Party, it seems, thinks they
have a shot against Mrs Clinton.

It's not that the bread always falls butter-side-down for the former First
Lady; she has had a privileged life, and many opportunities, and people
will pay her several hundred thousand dollars just to turn up and make a
speech, which is more than you can say for most people who've missed out on
big jobs or been cheated on by their husbands.

But it's interesting to consider what all the loudly-proclaimed recent
triumphs of the Obama administration - the Supreme Court backing Obamacare
and declaring gay marriage to be legal across the USA, Obama's
congressional win on the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal and so
on – will mean for a campaigning Hillary Clinton.

Imagine the handover letter from the departing President Obama:

"Hi Hill! Couple of housekeeping things. You're welcome to everything in
the garden. Don't hang around near any lighted White House windows at
night. And sorry about the dog hair. On policy: I've done health care
reform, and it seems to be sticking. (You're welcome!) I've introduced gay
marriage, pretty much, so look out for angry religious types. Also gun
owners, because I've promised we're going to do something about that stuff.
I'm sure you'll do a super job of taking guns off people. Plus I've pledged
some pretty stiff carbon emission cuts, which the Republicans hate. And
I've legislated that free trade deal, which our party hates. You'll muddle
through, I'm sure. Let's see, what else – oh yeah. I've opened an embassy
in communist Cuba. Enjoy! And don't hesitate to fax me if you need
anything. Barack."

*Emotional decisions and Hillary Clinton's presidential bid (Your letters)
<http://www.syracuse.com/opinion/index.ssf/2015/07/emotional_decisions_and_hillary_clintons_presidential_bid_your_letters.html>
// Syracuse // Max Malikow – July 4, 2015*

To the Editor:

Separated by over two centuries, David Hume, a philosopher, and Jonathan
Haidt, a psychologist, have said decision-making tends to be emotionally
driven. Both have written of the human tendency to begin decision making
with a conclusion derived from feelings followed by the intellectual work
of justifying the conclusion. I'm not exempt from this proclivity, but I am
aware of it and resist it.

Concerning the current presidential campaign and Hillary Clinton's
candidacy, I submit there is nothing in her resume to support the belief
that she is qualified to serve as president of the United States. An
eight-year stint as first lady, an uneventful tenure as a senator, and
accumulating frequent flier miles as secretary of state have not prepared
her for the oval office. Moreover, being a woman is hardly a credential for
the presidency.

In the 1960 presidential campaign John Kennedy addressed the possibility of
being the first Catholic president: "I hope that no American, considering
the really critical issues facing this country today, will waste his
franchise and throw away his vote, by voting either for me or against me
because of my religious affiliation. It is not relevant."

I doubt Mrs. Clinton will address her status as a woman seeking the
presidency by saying, "It is not relevant." I also doubt what I've written
here will have the slightest effect on anyone who is emotionally committed
to Hillary Clinton - and there are many. So I brace myself for her
nomination, election, and presidency.

Max Malikow,

Syracuse

*TOP NEWS*

*DOMESTIC*

*Gay rights activists in Philadelphia mark landmark march from 1965
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/gay-rights-activists-in-philadelphia-mark-landmark-march-from-1965/2015/07/04/fafaff22-22a7-11e5-84d5-eb37ee8eaa61_story.html>
// WaPo // Natalie Pompilio – July 4, 2015*

PHILADELPHIA — Gay rights activists gathered in front of Independence Hall
in Philadelphia on the Fourth of July to mark the progress of their
movement and pay tribute to those who launched it a half-century ago — but
also made it clear that the fight for equality was far from over.

“In too many communities, you can still get married on Sunday and then
fired on Monday. Marriage equality was a critical milestone but not the
final destination,” said activist Aisha Moodie-Mills, referring to the
recent U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing same-sex marriages nationwide.

“If history has taught us anything, it’s that no community’s rights are one
and done with a simple piece of legislation,” Moodie-Mills said. “Equality
is not set in stone.”

The event was part of a weekend-long celebration of some of the earliest
gay rights marches, including a gathering of about 40 protesters calling
for equality at the same location on July 5, 1965.

Organizers called that demonstration an incredibly bold and courageous move
by the standards of the day, when homosexuals were legally barred from
government jobs and could be arrested for engaging in consensual intimate
acts even in the privacy of their own homes. The American Psychiatric
Association classified being gay as a disease that could be treated with
chemical castration or lobotomy.

“Fifty years ago, America perceived us as degenerates,” said Malcolm Lazin,
who organized the anniversary events. “One of the many goals of the gay
pioneers was to demonstrate that we are first-class American citizens.”

One way they did that in 1965 was with a dress code for the picketers:
suits for men, dresses and pantyhose for women. The marchers were silent,
holding hand-lettered signs calling for fair treatment. During Saturday’s
ceremony, a group of 40 people re-created that march, walking in a circle
on the cobblestone street in front of the building where both the
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.

The event also paid special tribute to the “mother and father of the gay
rights movement,” as Lazin described them: activists Barbara Gittings and
Frank Kameny.

Other notables included Edie Windsor, the plaintiff in the 2013 Supreme
Court case that struck down parts of the Defense of Marriage Act; Judy and
Dennis Shepard, whose son Matthew was killed in 1998 because of his sexual
orientation; the Rev. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay priest in the
Episcopal Church; and Walter Naegle, long-time partner of civil rights
activist Bayard Rustin, a confidant of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.

Entertainer Wanda Sykes, who hosted the event, joked that she was now “a
happily married woman in all 50 states, but I’m not sure I’m going to go
test the water in all 50 states. I’ll let them get a little bit used to it
first.”

Jim Obergefell, who was listed as the lead plaintiff in the successful
lawsuit that led the Supreme Court to legalize same-sex marriage, was
stopped after his remarks by South Jersey resident Jim Mancinelli, 64, and
his partner of 15 years, Dave Helgeson, 52.

“Thank you so much. I really appreciate what you did for all of us, the
strength you showed for all of us, the courage you showed for all of us,”
Mancinelli said, gesturing between himself and Helgeson as his eyes filled
with tears.

Obergefell, too, was emotional as he replied, “I loved my husband,” who
died in 2013.

“It was the easiest thing in the world to do.”

*Fatal shooting in San Francisco ignites immigration policy debate
<http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-0705-sf-shooting-20150705-story.html#page=1>
// LA Times // Louis Sahagun and Emily Alpert Reyes – July 4, 2015*

San Francisco and its liberal policy toward people in the U.S. illegally
were thrust into the national political debate this weekend after the fatal
shooting of a woman at a popular tourist destination, allegedly by a man
with a criminal record who had been deported to Mexico several times.

The Board of Supervisors adopted a law in 2013 that limited the conditions
under which those arrested could be placed in federal immigration holds.
Since then, dozens of cities and counties across the country have stopped
complying with immigration "detainer" requests after a federal judge ruled
that an Oregon county violated one woman's 4th Amendment rights by holding
her for immigration authorities without probable cause.

The San Francisco law allows holds only for people with violent records.
The suspect in the shooting, Francisco Sanchez, 45, had several felonies
but no major violent crime conviction in recent years, according to the San
Francisco Sheriff's Department.

On March 26, Sanchez was booked into the San Francisco County Jail on a
10-year-old drug-related warrant. The following day, local charges against
Sanchez were dismissed in San Francisco County Superior Court. Despite his
undocumented status, Sanchez was released from custody after the Sheriff's
Department confirmed that he had no active warrants and had completed a
federal prison sentence on separate charges, officials said.

San Francisco's ordinance made Sanchez ineligible for a U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement hold because he did not have "a violent felony
conviction within the last seven years, or a probable cause for holding
issued by a magistrate or judge on a current violent felony," said Freya
Horne, an attorney for the San Francisco Sheriff's Department. "Nothing in
his background showed anything like that."

Sanchez was freed even though ICE sought to hold him for deportation, said
Virginia Kice, a spokeswoman for the federal agency.

"An individual with a lengthy criminal history, who is now the suspect in a
tragic murder case, was released onto the street rather than being turned
over to ICE for deportation," Kice said. "We're not asking local cops to do
our job. All we're asking is that they notify us when a serious foreign
national criminal offender is being released to the street so we can
arrange to take custody."

The San Francisco Sheriff's Department announced last year that it would
only honor such requests if a judge had vetted them or a warrant was
obtained.

San Francisco County Sheriff Ross Mirkarimi said Kice misses the point.
"ICE was informed about San Francisco's position on detainers," he said,
"but did not seek a court order for Sanchez's transfer as required under
the law."

"That's all they had to do," he said. "Get a court order and we'd be happy
to honor it."

Sanchez was arrested Wednesday after police responded to reports of a
shooting on Pier 14 near the Embarcadero and Mission Street. Police found
Kathryn Steinle, 32, with a fatal gunshot wound to her upper body. After
she fell to the ground, Steinle, who had recently moved to San Francisco,
reportedly kept saying, "Dad, help me, help me."

She was transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The motive for the shooting remains under investigation, but police believe
it was a random attack.

An hour later, working on tips provided by witnesses, authorities arrested
Sanchez, who has seven felony convictions and has been deported five times,
most recently in 2009, authorities said. Four of his convictions involved
narcotics charges.

In 1989, San Francisco passed the "city and county of refuge" ordinance
that barred city money from being used to enforce immigration law and
prohibited authorities from stopping people based solely on their
immigration status or country of origin. The city has since expanded its
sanctuary policies.

The original ordinance grew out of the sanctuary movement of the 1980s,
when churches across the country provided refuge to Central Americans
fleeing civil strife in their homelands. Since then, hundreds of cities and
counties across the country have adopted "sanctuary" laws or policies, most
recently in response to immigration raids that have torn thousands of
families apart.

Civil rights organizations argue that ICE's detention requests are
unconstitutional under the 4th Amendment because they are not based on any
finding of probable cause.

Angela Chan, senior staff attorney for Asian Americans Advancing Justice —
Asian Law Caucus, pointed out that many law enforcement agencies, including
the Los Angeles Police Department, decided to reexamine their practices
after a 2014 federal ruling determined that an Oregon county was liable for
damages after holding an inmate beyond her release date so she could be
transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

"Nationally, over 320 jurisdictions do not respond to ICE holds because
they violate the 4th Amendment of the Constitution," Chan said. In San
Francisco, "even if the sheriff had a policy of responding to ICE holds, if
he'd respond he would be liable. He'd be sued."

It's not the first time San Francisco has found itself at the center of an
immigration controversy.

In 2008, then-Mayor Gavin Newsom was the target of criticism over the
city's policy of shielding convicted juvenile offenders who were in the
country illegally from federal authorities, either escorting them to their
home countries at city expense or transporting them to group homes, often
outside the city.

Newsom, who was positioning himself to run for governor at the time, said
the city had stopped the practice.

But news reports that eight young drug dealers in the country illegally
from Honduras who were convicted in San Francisco walked away from
unguarded facilities in San Bernardino County created an uproar.

The case against Sanchez became a divisive political campaign topic Friday
after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has come under
blistering criticism for comments about Mexican immigrants, described it as
"a senseless and totally preventable violent act committed by an illegal
immigrant."

Immigrant rights groups say the San Francisco tragedy is being exploited
politically to promote practices that have already been called into
question in federal courts.

"Unfortunately, some will utilize this tragic, senseless death to try to
impose immigration policies, city policies that are archaic and that are
more harmful to the community than they are good," said Jorge-Maria
Cabrera, a spokesman for the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los
Angeles.

Activists pushing for stricter enforcement of immigration laws disagree.
"If you can't deport an illegal immigrant who has been deported five times
and is guilty of seven felonies, then who exactly is deportable?" asked Joe
Guzzardi, national media director of Californians for Population
Stabilization.

*INTERNATIONAL*

*Day of Reckoning for Greek Banks and Eurozone’s Central Banker
<http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/06/business/international/day-of-reckoning-for-greek-banks-and-eurozones-central-banker.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&module=first-column-region&region=top-news&WT.nav=top-news>
// NYT // Jacl Ewing & James Kanter – July 5, 2015*

FRANKFURT — No matter which way the Greek vote goes, the European Central
Bank on Monday will face a series of agonizing decisions. Greece’s future
in the eurozone may well depend on how far the central bank is willing to
go to prop up struggling Greek banks and prevent a total economic collapse.

If Greeks vote yes — agreeing to accept unpopular dictates from other
eurozone nations and international creditors in return for more aid — the
central bank would have a much easier time justifying emergency loans and
other steps to keep the banks from failing. No economy can function
properly without banks; if they topple, so will the economy.

But if Greeks vote no, Mario Draghi, the president of the E.C.B., may be
confronted with a difficult choice. The central bank’s rules would probably
require it to stop providing cash to Greek banks. But Mr. Draghi might be
tempted to find a way around those rules, because choking off financial
support would thrust untold hardship upon ordinary Greeks and might send
the country on its way out of the euro currency union.

Either way the situation is tricky, and there are no precedents to rely on.

“It’s fair to say we can expect a few surprises in the next few days,” said
Nicolas Véron, a senior fellow at Bruegel, a research organization in
Brussels. “Clearly, we are in uncharted territory.”

The E.C.B.’s Governing Council is expected to hold a conference call Monday
to discuss Greek banks in light of the election results. If Greeks vote no
— rejecting further austerity measures, even though that could mean no
further bailout help — the central bank might focus its energy on
minimizing the collateral damage elsewhere in the 19-nation eurozone. One
way to do that would be to pump money into the bloc’s economy by stepping
up the central bank’s purchase of government bonds, and other debt, from
other eurozone countries.

But for Greece, its banks pose the clearest immediate danger. For months,
they have depended on the E.C.B.’s emergency loans to compensate for
withdrawals of money by Greeks who are worried that their government would
be unable to reach a bailout agreement with its creditors.

The extent of that dependency became clear last week after the central bank
decided to cap the emergency loans at about 89 billion euros, or about $99
billion. Because much of that credit line had already been used, the
borrowing cap forced the government to close the banks before they ran
completely out of money.

Under central bank rules, no emergency loans may be made to insolvent
banks. If Greeks vote no, it will be hard for Mr. Draghi and the Governing
Council to maintain the pretense that Greek banks are solvent. For one
thing, the banks have large holdings of Greek government bonds, which have
already plunged in value and would probably fall further.

Mujtaba Rahman, the Europe director for the Eurasia Group, a political risk
consultancy, wrote in a briefing note on Friday that a no vote by Greeks
would probably tilt the balance of opinion on the Governing Council in
favor of members from Germany, Latvia and other eurozone countries that
want to take a hard line with Greece.

But the E.C.B. is treading carefully. It does not want to take the blame
for any economic or humanitarian chaos that might ensue if Greek citizens
choose to reject a deal with creditors.

Even if Greeks vote yes, banks may not reopen Tuesday as the government has
promised. The banks have only about €1 billion, or $1.1 million, on hand,
Louka Katseli, the head of Greece’s banking association, said on Friday.

But a yes vote would improve the chances that Greece could negotiate a new
aid package with the other eurozone countries and its other main creditor,
the International Monetary Fund.

Those prospects could make it easier for the E.C.B. to justify an increase
in emergency lending, perhaps allowing the banks to reopen soon, or at
least continue dispensing limited amounts of cash. (Since last Monday’s
bank closure, the daily A.T.M. withdrawal limit for people with Greek bank
cards has been €60, or about $67.)

When the Greece government’s debt problems became evident during the
financial crisis, leading to international bailouts of the country in 2010
and 2012, one big worry was that other European banks could be dragged down
by losses on their Greek holdings.

By now, though, as European banks have sold off their Greek investments and
new eurozone banking regulations have been put in place, that risk has been
greatly reduced, according to the European Banking Federation, an industry
trade group.

“European banks in recent years have significantly reduced their exposures
to Greece, greatly limiting the risk of contagion through the banking
system to other countries,” the British bank Barclays wrote in a briefing
note on Friday.

Barclays said that other euro countries had exposure to Greece amounting to
only 3.5 percent of the eurozone’s gross domestic product and that exposure
of European banks to Greece had fallen to less than one-tenth of that level.

But Barclays warned that the safeguards put in place the last five years
were not “infallible.”

Even if the E.C.B. and other eurozone countries decide that Greece’s banks
deserve a rescue, the process would be far from painless.

The central bank’s emergency loans would not be a permanent solution. The
longer-term fix would probably need to come from a war chest called the
European Stability Mechanism that the eurozone countries set up during the
financial crisis to guard against future calamities.

That fund was used in 2012 and 2013 to lend €41 billion, or about $45.5
billion, to the Spanish government to help rebuild the assets of Spain’s
banking system, which was teetering toward collapse. It was also used the
next year to lend €9 billion, or about $10 billion, to Cyprus; some of
those funds were used for its banks.

In the case of Cyprus, there were howls of protest when a eurozone bank
bailout for the first time required some depositors to take “haircuts,” or
losses on their money.

But two years later, as the new Cypriot government that came to power
during the crisis had met the bailout conditions set by the eurozone and
the I.M.F., that solution has been deemed largely successful.

If a yes vote prevails in Greece, and the country — perhaps with a new
government — can come to terms with its creditors, a Cyprus-style bank
bailout might be part of the package. That is the view of Daniel Gros, the
director of the Centre for European Policy Studies, a research organization
in Brussels.

“There would certainly have to be a quid pro quo,” Mr. Gros said, “and I’m
almost certain that there would have to be some haircutting.”

*Spurned by the West, Georgians look to Russia despite past quarrels
<http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/despite-past-quarrels-with-russia-georgians-are-returning-to-its-orbit/2015/07/01/40d64c24-1b49-11e5-bed8-1093ee58dad0_story.html>
// WaPo // Michael Birnbaum – July 4, 2015*

TBILISI, Georgia — In this fiercely pro-Western nation that fought a brief
war with Russia in 2008, few thought the Kremlin could ever regain a
toehold. But with the West backing away from Georgia’s path to E.U. and
NATO membership after a year of conflict in Ukraine, pro-Russian sentiments
are on the rise.

The former Soviet nation’s leaders are warning that Russia may yet prevail
if Georgia is shut out from Western clubs. Wary of further provoking
Russia, Western politicians have quashed talk of NATO and the European
Union expanding eastward anytime soon. Russia has stepped into the vacuum,
increasing its presence by opening Georgian-language outlets of its
state-owned news network and deepening investments in the energy industry
and other key sectors.

Similar movements are happening in other former Eastern bloc nations
trapped between Russia and the West, in a tug of war that has deep Cold War
resonance.

“Stability and security cannot be maintained with this paradigm, with
Russia’s paradigm of having special rights towards other countries,” said
Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, in an interview in the
presidential palace on a bluff overlooking the old city of Tbilisi. The
blue-and-gold E.U. flag flies outside of the building, as it does at most
Georgian governmental buildings, as an emblem of the nation’s aspirations.

“Russia is working pretty actively, not only in Georgia, but all around the
world” to expand its influence, he said. Despite the growing Russian
presence, Georgia remains unshakably committed to eventual membership in
NATO and the E.U., he said. As a token of its devotion, Georgia has sent
more soldiers to Afghanistan to fight alongside U.S. troops in recent years
than many nations already in NATO.

The germ of the present conflict between Russia and the West lies in an
E.U. offer of closer ties to Ukraine and Russian President Vladimir Putin’s
infuriated reaction. E.U. membership for Ukraine was always a long shot —
but it has become even less likely after fighting that has killed more than
6,400 people, according to U.N. estimates.

E.U. leaders squabbled at a summit in May about whether to offer even the
faintest prospects for membership to Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova, which
have said they want to join. The E.U. leaders decided against it, and they
also delayed plans to ease visa rules for Georgian travelers, a bitter
disappointment for Georgia’s leaders. The E.U. caution stemmed from a
desire not to inspire backlash from Russia, diplomats involved in the
discussions say.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has taken the role of the lead
European interlocutor with Putin, has played down expansion prospects. So
has President Obama.

“Neither Ukraine or Georgia are currently on a path to NATO membership. And
there has not been any immediate plans for expansion of NATO’s membership,”
Obama said last year.

Now support for pro-Russian politicians in Moldova and Georgia is growing,
while Ukraine is so consumed by conflict that it has made little progress
in instituting overhauls necessary for westward integration. Armenia, a
fourth post-Soviet country that had been in talks with E.U. leaders about a
trade deal, last year abandoned the discussions altogether, allying itself
with the Russian camp.

Many here say that Russia has skillfully outmaneuvered the West.

“The Russians are working to dominate this part of the world. They
calculate, they plan and they know this region much better than the
Europeans and Americans,” said Tedo Japaridze, the chairman of the Georgian
Parliament’s foreign relations committee.

The United States has tried to offer consolation measures. U.S. troops did
training exercises with Georgian soldiers in May, and Georgia’s leaders
present an upbeat face about their westward efforts.

“We don’t have time to be disappointed,” said David Bakradze, the state
minister on European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. “Our aspirations are
irreversible.”

But some Georgians feel they have little to show for their long westward
push. Some of those sacrifices have been made in blood in grueling
deployments to Afghanistan, where they have been one of the top
contributors of soldiers to the battle efforts per capita, even though they
are not NATO members.

“More and more Georgians are feeling they haven’t gotten anything tangible
from the West,” said Shorena Shaverdashvili, a prominent Georgian
journalist. “There isn’t more love for Putin and Russia. It’s just a
realization that we’re left face-to-face with Russia, and we have to deal
with it.”

Spurned by the West, Georgians are starting to look elsewhere. Support for
signing the E.U. trade agreement was at 68 percent in April polls from the
National Democratic Institute, down from 80 percent immediately before the
Ukraine crisis started. Support for Georgia’s joining the Russian-dominated
Eurasian Economic Union, meanwhile, is up to 31 percent.

Part of the shift inside Georgia came with the ousting of President Mikheil
Saakashvili, the Western-trained lawyer who ruled the country for a decade
starting in 2003. Passionately anti-Russian and close to U.S. leaders,
Saakashvili rarely missed a chance to jab at the Kremlin. The biggest
eruption came in August 2008, when Georgian soldiers attacked Russian
soldiers who were amassing in greater numbers on breakaway territories of
Georgia.

The ensuing five-day war decimated Georgia’s military and led to Russia’s
recognizing the independence of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. By 2012, many
Georgians were ready to embrace the leadership of their nation’s wealthiest
man, Bidzina Ivanishvili, who promised to improve relations with Russia
while maintaining ties to the West.

The payoff for Georgia was swift. Russia lifted a ban on imports of
Georgian wine in 2013, and trade spiked.

“Those people who are trying to help us, we just want to tell them, ‘Stop
meddling with Russia,’ ” said Jemal Veliashvili, who works in a seed and
fertilizer shop in Georgia’s Kakheti wine-growing region, in the green
shadow of the Caucasus Mountains that form the border with Russia. He said
his business had tripled since the ban was lifted.

Even though diplomatic relations with the Kremlin remain tense, Russia’s
presence inside Georgia is strengthening. Just last month, Russia’s Sputnik
news agency opened new offices here and started a Georgian- and
Russian-language Georgian news service.

“Georgia should be neutral, and it should be militarily free,” said Archil
Chkoidze, the leader of Georgia’s Eurasian Choice, a coalition of
pro-Russian groups that says it has nearly 16,000 members.

For now, even some of Georgia’s most committed pro-Western politicians say
that their best hope is to hold tight to their goals but to expect little
from their partners.

“No one told us it was going to be easy,” said Irakli Alasania, the leader
of the opposition Free Democrats. Alasania was defense minister until
November, when he was ousted for being too pro-West, he says. The
possibility of joining NATO “will only open up after Putin,” he said.

Putin is widely expected to remain Russia’s leader until at least 2024.

*Iran Nuclear Talks Appear to Advance as Deadline Nears
<http://www.wsj.com/articles/iaea-chief-aims-to-report-on-irans-past-nuclear-work-this-year-1436007107>
// WSJ // Jay Solomon & Laurence Norman – July 4, 2015*

VIENNA—Key elements of a nuclear agreement between Iran and world powers
appeared to be falling into place on Saturday, just ahead of a July 7
deadline, according to officials involved in negotiations in Austria’s
capital.

Still, senior American and Iranian diplomats stressed an elusive deal to
end a 10-year standoff over Iran’s nuclear program was far from certain.

But they said advances have been made in recent days on two of the
thorniest issues confronting negotiators: the pace of sanctions relief for
Iran and a United Nations investigation into charges that Tehran has
secretly developed nuclear weapons technologies in recent decades.

A nuclear deal is aimed at blocking Iran’s ability to move swiftly toward
nuclear weapons in exchange for easing tight international sanctions.
Besides the U.S., the group with which Iran has been negotiating includes
Britain, France, Germany, Russia and China.

Meanwhile, the head of the U.N.’s nuclear watchdog said on Saturday that he
had agreed with Iran’s leadership to conclude an investigation into
Tehran’s alleged suspected nuclear weapons work by the end of the year.

“With the cooperation from Iran, I think we can issue a report by the end
of the year on the assessment of the clarification of the issues related to
possible military dimensions,” Yukiya Amano, director general of the
International Atomic Energy Agency, told reporters in Vienna shortly after
returning from Iran. Tehran says its nuclear program has been conducted
purely for civilian purposes.

The IAEA has been seeking Iranian responses to 12 sets of questions it
first raised in 2011 about Iran’s past nuclear work, based on evidence
suggesting Iran may have been developing nuclear weapons technology. The
IAEA says that despite promising closer cooperation in November 2013, Iran
has so far only partially addressed two of those questions. The agency says
that to date, Tehran has balked at requests to interview key Iranian
scientists and to visit alleged nuclear sites.

Negotiations continued in Vienna on Saturday despite the July 4 festivities
in the U.S.

The American Secretary of State John Kerry held a string of meetings on
Saturday with his Iranian counterpart, Foreign Minister Javad Zarif,
according to U.S. officials. And U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz was in
negotiations with Iranian atomic energy agency chief Ali Akbar Salehi. Some
other foreign ministers from the six power group are due to arrive in
Vienna for discussions on Sunday.

Iran and the U.S. have also made progress in recent days in addressing the
tricky issue of sanctions relief, according to senior U.S. and Iranian
officials.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has publicly demanded all
economic and financial sanctions on Tehran be lifted at the time of an
agreement. But Iranian negotiators in the past few days have committed in
Vienna to a phased approach, where sanctions will be lifted as Iran takes
specific steps to roll back its nuclear program.

That includes disconnecting centrifuge machines, reducing the country’s
nuclear stockpile and reconverting its heavy water reactor in the city of
Arak so it produces less weapons-usable plutonium.

“On a certain date, Iran will start doing its share, and at the same time,
the Americans and the Europeans will commit themselves to terminate
sanctions at a certain point,” a senior Iranian official said earlier this
week. “So the commitment is made beforehand, and the actual termination
will happen on the date that Iran will have finished its work.”

A senior U.S. official had warned on Friday evening that the July 7
deadline could slip, as the two sides try to narrow differences on several
key issues, including access to Iranian military sites, the timing of
sanctions relief and the continuing questions about Iran’s past nuclear
work.

If Iran and the world powers meet the July 7 deadline, it would mean the
U.S. Congress would only get 30 days to review an agreement. However, if no
deal is reached before July 9, the U.S. legislature would have an
additional 30 days to look over the accord. That would give skeptics more
time to rally opposition.

Appearing to anticipate an agreement in Vienna, leaders of the Republican
party in Washington, on Saturday stepped-up attacks on what they alleged
were going to be weak terms.

“Obama administration officials have talked themselves into the delusion
that the regime in Tehran will use a sanctions-relief jackpot to help its
people,” said Rep. Ed Royce (R., Calif.), chairman of the House Foreign
Relations Committee, on Saturday. “But Iran’s Supreme Leader isn’t looking
to cut this deal because he cares about ordinary Iranians.”