Tag: 2016

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Sen. Bernie Sanders To Announce Run For 2016 Democratic Nomination For President

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) will launch a campaign Thursday becoming the first challenger to Hillary Clinton for the 2016 Democratic nomination for president.

A member of the U.S. Senate since 2007, Sanders will be a liberal challenge to Clinton, who he sees as being too soft on Wall Street. He describes himself as a “democratic socialist.”

Sanders has been an outspoken critic of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal the Obama administration is negotiating with 11 Pacific countries. Sanders is also a critic of the controversial Citizens United Supreme Court decision, which struck down corporate campaign contribution limits. Sanders has tried to pass a constitutional amendment to overturn the decision.

While Clinton is heavily favored over Sanders, the Vermont senator’s entry in the race will provide a platform for Democrats to criticize Clinton from the left. Sanders’ presence could also highlight a divide between progressive and moderate Democrats.

Before assuming office in the Senate in 2007, Sanders represented Vermont in the U.S. House for 16 years. He is the longest serving independent member of Congress.

According to HuffPost Pollster, which aggregates publicly available polling data, Sanders trails Clinton by 55.1 percentage points. He also trails Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Vice President Joe Biden.

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Dan Savage Ponders Rick Santorum’s “Imaginary, Hypothetical Gay Friends”

Last night on ALL IN with Chris Hayes, Dan Savage discussed the 2016 GOP contenders contention that they have “gay friends,” and whether or not they would attend their weddings.

Via Raw Story:

“When the anti-gay bigots like Rick Santorum are challenged on their anti-gay bigotry, or [Ted] Cruz or [Mike] Huckabee, they always point to their imaginary hypothetical gay friends who might apparently invite them to a gay wedding,” Savage told MSNBC host Chris Hayes. “In Walker’s case it was his own sister, and that’s what’s so interesting about it.”

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CNN/ORC Poll: Jeb Bush With Early Lead For 2016 GOP Nomination

Results of the latest CNN/ORC poll gives Jeb Bush a slight lead among possible Republicans running for the 2016 presidential nod notching 17% support followed in the number two spot by Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker at 12% and Sens. Rand Paul and Marco Rubio in 3rd and 4th respectively with 115.

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Meanwhile, on the Democratic side, Hillary Clinton continues to have a double digit lead over her closest competition, Vice-President Joe Biden. At 69% Hillary has seen a 7 point jump since she announced her run for the Dem nomination:

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In a hypothetical matchup, Sen. Marco Rubio fares best against Clinton losing to the former Secretary of State by 14 points, 55% to 41%.

Bush trails Clinton by 17 points, 56% to 39%.

Christie and Paul fall 19 points behind Clinton, each putting up 39% to Clinton’s 58%.

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Matt Baume On The Next President And The LGBT Community

Folks vote in a presidential elections based on a multitude of issues. Or, sometimes, it’s whether or not they think they like a particular candidate.

But for LGBT folks, the next election could see the progress on our rights continue, or be rolled back. It depends on the winner.

Matt Baume looks into his crystal ball to explain what’s at stake, and what we could stand to lose if the next president doesn’t support the civil rights gains of the last 8 years.

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Iowa: Gay Man Thanks Hillary Clinton For Her Support On Marriage Equality

Hillary Clinton’s campaign shares this clip of Mike Yowell having coffee this week with Hillary in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

“I was thrilled when you recently urged the Supreme Court to rule in favor of marriage equality. I was like ‘That’s our gal.'”

Hillary was my girl in 2008. And she’s my girl this election cycle.

Oral arguments on the issue of same-sex marriage at SCOTUS are scheduled for April 28th.

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For The Record – Rick Santorum Would NOT Attend A Gay Wedding

Earlier this week, GOP candidate for president Sen. Marco Rubio said he would attend the gay wedding of a loved one or close friend, even though he doesn’t agree with their “choice.”

Calling into the Hugh Hewitt radio show, Rick “Frothy Mix” Santorum – who says he may also run for 2016 GOP nom – makes it clear he would NOT attend any gay wedding anywhere.

No way. No how. Uh-uh. Never.

Period.

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Christian Conservative Pundit Says Hillary Clinton Too Ugly To Be President

Just to give you a sample of how “ugly” it’s going to get in the 2016 presidential election, here’s an opening salvo from a conservative writer attacking Hillary Clinton.

“Christian” pundit Don Feder says, among other things, that Hillary is too ugly to be president. Check this:

Lyndon Baines Johnson was the last profoundly ugly candidate to be elected president, and he was a legacy of the martyred JFK. Voters don’t want a leader who looks frazzled or frumpy. We’re told that Lincoln was too homely to be elected president in an age of television and paparazzi. But Lincoln’s homely face had a dignity, a gravitas. If nothing else, we want a face that reassures us, not one that scares us, a la Night of the Living Alinskyites.

Conservatives might as well get in their licks in now. After Iowa, we won’t have Hillary to kick around any more.

I think when you look like Don Feder, you have nerve criticizing ANYONE’s looks.

Throughout his mean-spirited diatribe, Feder makes up quotes with no source or linkage. That should tell you everything you need to know about the man.

Just saying…

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Ben Carson To Make “Major Announcement” May 4th In Detroit

So far, we have Rand Paul, Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio announcing runs for the Republican nom for prez in 2016, with Scott Walker, Jeb Bush and Chris Christie stills waiting in the wings.

And yesterday, retired neurosurgeon Ben Carson said he will make a “major announcement” come May 4th in Detroit. Of course, we assume it will be HIS initial prez pitch.

The retired neurosurgeon has been traveling the nation over the past six months, giving paid speeches and meeting with supporters to gauge interest in a bid. He recently traveled to Iowa and New Hampshire, and spoke last weekend at the National Rifle Association’s meeting in Tennessee.

Carson’s relative political inexperience, however, hasn’t turned him away from the campaign — if he runs, he’ll look to make it an asset, framing himself as a common-sense alternative to the broken policies of Washington politicians.

Carson’s inexperience has reared it’s head by opening him up for criticism over several misstatements to the press.

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Gay Couple Featured in Hillary Video Invite Her To Their Wedding

Mediaite points up this interview on MSNBC of the gay couple featured in Hillary Clinton’s presidential announcement video.

The gay couple featured in Hillary Clinton‘s announcement video has officially invited her to their wedding. Jared Milrad and Nate Johnson showed up in the video, in which Clinton touts her campaign, and today they tweeted this out:

The couple appeared on MSNBC and spoke with Alex Wagner today, talking about how much they appreciate Clinton’s support and how surprised they were to be in the video. They said they haven’t received any formal invitation yet, but wouldn’t mind if she brought a certain plus-one with her.