Republican presidential candidate Rand Paul will host a meeting with members of the Congressional Black Caucus next week to discuss criminal justice reform.
The libertarian-leaning senator from Kentucky has long been an outspoken advocate for changing how the American criminal system prosecutes and sentences. Now he’s teaming up with Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), and other black lawmakers, to craft a strategy for advancing legislation as law enforcement issues have taken center stage following the death of several unarmed black men at the hands of police.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky officially declared himself a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination on Tuesday, promising a crowd of cheering supporters that he is ready to shake up Washington and disprove those in his own party who doubt that a fiercely libertarian conservative can be a serious contender.
“The Washington machine that gobbles up our freedoms and invades every nook and cranny of our lives must be stopped,” Mr. Paul told a jubilant audience at the Galt House hotel. “I want to be part of a return to prosperity.”
In a speech outlining his small-government vision for the country, Mr. Paul leaned heavily on his biography, describing his experience as an eye surgeon, a career that inspired him after his grandmother’s vision failed. Recalling his own story of living the American dream, Mr. Paul scolded both Republicans and Democrats for failing Americans. [...]
Regarding negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program, Mr. Paul said any deal must be approved by Congress: “I will oppose any deal that does not end Iran’s nuclear ambitions and have strong verification measures,” he said. “I will insist that any final version be brought before Congress.”
Mr. Paul drew loud cheers by criticizing President Obama’s domestic surveillance program, arguing that the United States has been compromising liberty for a false sense of security: “The president created this vast dragnet by executive order,” he said. “As president, on Day 1 I will immediately end unconstitutional surveillance.”
Mr. Paul also outlined his positions on economic policy, saying that poor cities should benefit from “economic freedom zones” and manufacturing jobs could be created by cutting taxes for American companies that return overseas profits to the United States. [...]
In an indirect criticism of his potential Republican rivals, Mr. Paul said that there was no point in his party nominating a “Democrat-lite” to take on the eventual Democratic nominee.
Mr. Paul’s brand of politics could make him both an outlier and a target among his rivals. In a primary contest of candidates debating which of them is the most committed conservative, Mr. Paul is likely to be the only one arguing for reducing federal drug penalties, clamping down on the nation’s intelligence agencies and taking a more deliberative approach to military intervention.
On social issues like abortion and same-sex marriage, however, he does not stray from the Republican Party line.
While Mr. Paul’s political résumé may be short — he entered politics with the emergence of the Tea Party movement, winning election to the Senate in 2010, in his first run for office — he has built over the past year and a half what Republican strategists say are some of the most extensive political operations in the states that will vote first in the party’s nominating process: Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada and South Carolina.
Much of the backbone for that political operation will come from the voters and volunteers who gave his father, former Representative Ron Paul of Texas, a base of energetic support in his own unsuccessful bids for the presidency in 2008 and 2012.
But Mr. Paul has made it clear in his appeals over the past two years to constituencies as varied as students at black colleges, tech executives, movement libertarians and establishment Republicans that his intention is to seek out a far wider path to the nomination than his father did. [...]
The next day he will speak near Charleston, S.C., with the aircraft carrier Yorktown as his backdrop. That event will focus on the issue that most sets Mr. Paul apart from his Republican rivals: his belief that the United States should be more cautious and restrained in its military engagements overseas.
It is a position Mr. Paul will have largely to himself when he squares off against other Republicans, but one that makes him a target of conservatives who say he would weaken the military and undermine national security.
Among the Republican contenders, Mr. Paul will need to put together the most disparate coalition to win the nomination. Some voters he hopes to win over are not even Republicans, like college students who could be drawn to his views on reining in domestic surveillance, and blacks who he hopes will welcome his position on easing drug-sentencing laws.
He also counts on energizing the libertarian faithful who supported his father in 2008 and 2012, and the Tea Party adherents who share Mr. Paul’s fiscally conservative belief in shrinking the size of government.
Mr. Paul would need to carry one of the first four states in the nominating process next year to silence critics who say he is little more than a repackaged version of his father, with more moderate-sounding talking points.
The ultimate test for Mr. Paul, though, will be whether the very different groups he is courting take his overtures as sincere, or instead come to view him as just another politician telling them what he thinks they want to hear.
Her GOP competition in that department would be Bush/Rubio, but I don't think they'll get as many people on board. When many Latinos think of GOP they still think of hardline policies, it's going to be hard for the party to change their minds.
You over estimate the importance of the Hispanic vote, it was 7% of the total electorate in 2012, if Romney had won 70% of the Hispanic vote he still would have lost the electoral vote by a margin of 270 to 268 but would have won the popular vote. I am not saying it is irrelevant but it's not the make or break block you think it is. The GOP would love to crack 40%, I think Bush did 44% which is the best the GOP has ever achieved. However Romney lost because the base didn't come out and vote for him. If he received the same numbers as McCain did he would be in the WH. The problem is white people stayed home.
I think it is important to go after the Latino votes it would be stupid to ignore them. Another way to look at it is where are these voters, California has ~14 million Latinos and New York ~4 million the GOP won't be winning these states regardless. Texas and Florida have the next largest populations compared to California. Texas is red where Florida is the state the GOP needs to focus on and I think Colorado which I know is socially liberal but I am convinced is still a swing state. The numbers I stated are populations not all can vote obviously.
Rick Perry(R), the Governor of Texas currently under indictment for abuse of official capacity and coercion of a public servant, and Martin O'Malley(D), the former Governor of Maryland whose already negligible poll numbers have taken a hit in the aftermath of the Baltimore Riots, are both now widely expected to announce in late May.
Chris Christie[R], the Governor of New Jersey has been in New Hampshire for weeks hoping it will serve as his last stand for a likely presidential announcement in June, despite both his dismal prospects coming into Iowa and decimated poll #s nationally with Bridgegate heading to trial.
Former Governor of Florida Jeb Bush(R) is still in preparation for expanded funding to his Super Pac, and Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker(R) is still working on a state budget. As a result, it's now pretty much confirmed neither will announce until mid-Summer.
Sources for this are paraphrased mostly from Politico and Roll Call articles, not verbatim.
__________________________________________________ ________________________________________________
You over estimate the importance of the Hispanic vote, it was 7% of the total electorate in 2012, if Romney had won 70% of the Hispanic vote he still would have lost the electoral vote by a margin of 270 to 268 but would have won the popular vote. I am not saying it is irrelevant but it's not the make or break block you think it is. The GOP would love to crack 40%, I think Bush did 44% which is the best the GOP has ever achieved. However Romney lost because the base didn't come out and vote for him. If he received the same numbers as McCain did he would be in the WH. The problem is white people stayed home.
I think it is important to go after the Latino votes it would be stupid to ignore them. Another way to look at it is where are these voters, California has ~14 million Latinos and New York ~4 million the the GOP won't be winning these states regardless. Texas and Florida have the next largest populations compared to California. Texas is red where Florida is the state the GOP needs to focus on and I think Colorado which I know is socially liberal but I am convinced is still a swing state. The numbers I stated are populations not all can vote obviously.
I see what you're saying, but we're the fastest-growing group in the US, we'll have to wait and see how much of us turned out to vote 4 years later. I hope turnout is bigger, not just with Latinos, but overall. Not here for declining numbers in Presidential elections.
In Colorado it depends on what people perceive is THE issue they want defended most. Colorado is all about guns so Democrats have to watch what they say, but it's fighting tooth and nail to defend its marijuana (like in the federal case filed against them by other states) so GOP needs to think carefully about what to say as well.
Colorado - Guns/Marijuana
Florida - Depends on the elderly turnout/how they vote
What are the issues in the other swing states?
Ohio
Hit hard by the EPA power plant regs and coal mining has been hurt badly all Obama.
Also their Gov. might get tapped for GOP VP. Which I am predicting.
Monday, February 2: Iowa caucuses
Tuesday, February 9: New Hampshire
Saturday, February 20: South Carolina
Tuesday February 23: Nevada Caucuses
March[edit]
Tuesday, March 1: Colorado caucuses;[citation needed] Massachusetts; Oklahoma; Tennessee; Texas; Vermont; Virginia; North Carolina
Saturday, March 5: Louisiana
Tuesday, March 8: Alabama; Hawaii caucuses; Mississippi; Ohio; Michigan
Sunday, March 13: Puerto Rico
Tuesday, March 15: Illinois; Missouri; Florida
Tuesday, March 22: Arizona; Utah caucuses [42]
April[edit]
Tuesday, April 5: Maryland; Washington, DC; Wisconsin
Tuesday, April 26: Connecticut; Delaware; Pennsylvania; Rhode Island
May[edit]
Tuesday, May 3: Indiana
Tuesday, May 10: Nebraska; West Virginia
Tuesday, May 17: Kentucky; Oregon
Tuesday, May 24: Arkansas
June[edit]
Tuesday, June 7: California; Montana; New Jersey; New Mexico; South Dakota
[43]
States with no firm dates[edit]
Georgia — Tuesday 1 March (presumably)
Kansas — Saturday 5 March (presumably)
Maine — Saturday 5 March (presumably)
Nevada — Precinct Caucuses, Saturday 6 February (presumably)
New Hampshire — Primary, Tuesday 26 January (presumably)
North Carolina — Tuesday 1 March (presumably)
South Carolina — Saturday 23 January (presumably)
Utah — Tuesday 22 March Caucus (presumably)
Washington — Saturday 19 March - Saturday 16 April (presumably)
Wyoming — Saturday 27 February (presumably)
Minnesota -
Idaho
New York
Alaska
North Dakota
First GOP Debate taking place in August. Does anyone know when the first Democratic Debate is happening? Have we gotten word?
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, the chair of the DNC has only told sources such as The Hill that the first Democratic Debate is happening in Fall 2015. Most sources are predicting one debate a month in the order of the contested primaries - Iowa in September, New Hampshire in October, South Carolina in November, and Nevada in December. X
It's kind of hilarious compared to the Republicans, who already have some moderators picked:
Quote:
August 15, 2015 - Republican Primary Debate
Aired On: Fox News Channel
Location: Cleveland, Ohio
Sponsors: Fox News
Candidates: To be determined
September 16, 2015 - Reagan Library Republican Debate
Aired On: CNN and Salem Radio
Location: Reagan Library in Simi Valley, CA
Sponsors: Reagan Library Foundation, CNN, Salem Media Group (Press Release)
Moderators: Hugh Hewitt, Jake Tapper
Candidates: To be determined
October, 2015 Republican Primary Debate
Aired On: CNBC
Location: Colorado
Sponsors: CNBC (Press Release)
Candidates: To be determined
November, 2015 Republican Primary Debate
Aired On: Fox Business Network
Location: Wisconsin
Sponsors: Fox Business Network
Candidates: To be determined
December, 2015 Republican Primary Debate
Aired On: CNN
Location: Nevada
Sponsors: CNN, Salem Media Group
Candidates: To be determined
January, 2016 Republican Primary Debate
Aired On: Fox News Channel
Location: Iowa
Sponsors: Fox News
Candidates: To be determined
February, 2016 Republican Primary Debate
Aired On: ABC
Location: New Hampshire
Sponsors: ABC
Candidates: To be determined
February, 2016 Republican Primary Debate
Aired On: CBS
Location: South Carolina
Sponsors: CBS
Candidates: To be determined
February 26, 2016 Republican Primary Debate
Aired On: NBC and Telemundo
Location: Texas
Sponsors: NBC/Telemundo, National Review
Candidates: To be determined
March, 2016 Republican Primary Debate
Aired On: Fox News Channel
Location: TBD
Sponsors: Fox News
Candidates: To be determined
March, 2016 Republican Primary Debate
Aired On: CNN
Location: TBD
Sponsors: CNN, Salem Media Group
Candidates: To be determined
1) Former ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton (R) is rumored to announce either today or tomorrow X
2) Meanwhile, most of the polling in the Republican field shows no consistent leader and the differences between each are within the margin of error. Fox News has Ben Carson leading everyone by 3 points and PPP has Scott Walker leading by 5. It's an absolute mess.
3) Finally, oh yeah...Jeb inadvertently announced he was running for president:
Quote:
"I’m running for president in 2016, and the focus is gonna be about how we—if I run—how do you create high, sustained economic growth, where more people have a chance at earned success? And I will apply my record and the ideas that are relevant going forward to all of this. Of course I have differences with every president, previous president."
In order of my preference atm
Hillary Clinton >>>>>> Rand Paul >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>Madonna>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>My left foot>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>> Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio.
Marc Lamont Hill made a GREAT point on CNN regarding Hillary not answering press questions Rather than talking to the media, she's actually out talking to VOTERS.
Marc Lamont Hill made a GREAT point on CNN regarding Hillary not answering press questions Rather than talking to the media, she's actually out talking to VOTERS.
Steve Schmidt made the same exact point to NPR months ago but went further and said that with social media as a new conduit to voters directly, she'd technically not have to talk to press for even longer.
It'll work to avoid the media dictating her narrative for now, but when she eventually does, and she'll have to, things will get messy.
1) The Campaign that Never Was: John Bolton has confirmed he's Not running for President X
2) Lindsay Graham just did a Jeb on CBS This Morning and pseudo-announced he's running, as expected X
3) Jeb Bush to Christian Broadcasting Network:
Traditional Marriage is a Sacrament and Businesses Have the Right to Turn Away Gay Couples X
4) Marco Rubio: Iraq Was Not a Mistake
5) The "Mike Huckabee Pledge" Is Now On His Campaign Website: X
Quote:
I, Mike Huckabee, pledge allegiance to God, the Constitution, and the citizens of the United States:
I will adhere to the Constitution of the United States.
I will oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes.
I will advocate for a complete overhaul of our tax system. This means passing the FairTax and
abolishing the IRS.
I will support a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution.
I will now, and will for the duration of my presidency, promote and sign all measures leading to
Obamacare’s defunding, deauthorization, and repeal.
I will oppose amnesty and government benefits for illegal immigrants who violated our laws, repeal
President Obama's unconstitutional executive orders, and secure our borders.
I will stand for the sanctity of all human life from the moment of conception until the grave. Taking
this unequivocal stand includes fighting to defund Planned Parenthood.
I will stand for the Institution of Marriage and vigorously oppose any redefinition.
I will defend our 2nd Amendment rights and oppose gun control legislation.
I will fight for the United States military to be the most feared, respected, and capable fighting force
the world has ever known. I will restore our military infrastructure after years of abuse and neglect.
I will stand with our friend and ally Israel in our shared fight against Radical Islam.
I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear capability.
I will end the national disgrace of failing to properly care for our veterans.
I will protect Social Security and Medicare and never rob seniors of the benefits they were promised
and forced to pay for.
I will fight to kill Common Core and restore common sense. Education is a family function - not a
federal function.
I will support the elevation of none but faithful constitutionalists as judges or justices. They must be
committed to restraint and applying the original meaning of the Constitution, not legislating from
the bench.
I will fight for term limits for members of Congress and judges.
Only ten Republican candidates could make the cut for the first GOP presidential primary debate of the 2016 campaign, the host of the event, Fox News, announced Wednesday.
The debate, which will be held August 6, 2015 in Cleveland, Ohio, is being organized by Fox and Facebook along with the Ohio Republican Party.
The top ten candidates will be selected by their average in the "five most recent national polls, as recognized by FOX News leading up to August 4th at 5 PM/ET," according to a release from Fox. If any candidates are tied in the polling average, there could be more than 10 contenders onstage.
Candidates must also meet the constitutional requirements, file papers with the Federal Election Commission paperwork, and pay the necessary federal and state filing fees to qualify.
Fox News' Bret Baier, Megyn Kelly, and Chris Wallace will moderate.
The second debate, which will be hosted by CNN on September 16, 2015 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California, will be divided into two parts, CNN announced Wednesday. The first half will feature only the top 10 candidates "according to public polling," according to a release from CNN and the library. The second half will allow any candidate who exceeds one percent in polls to participate.
Rather than talking to the media, she's actually out talking to VOTERS.