CNN announced the rankings of the GOP presidential candidates today, and Carly Fiorina makes the cut to move up to the “adults” table.
The top eleven will debate at 8Pm at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley. The lower five will get a chance to make their cases at an earlier debate at 6PM.
The overall rankings based on an average of all qualifying polls for the 16 candidates who met the requirements for participation are:
Donald Trump practically loses his mind calling in to CNN’s “New Day” with Chris Cuomo this morning to slap back at Dr. Ben Carson, who yesterday appeared to question the depth or reality of Trump’s religious faith.
On Wednesday, reporters asked Carson what differences there were between the two candidates. From CNN:
“Probably the biggest thing — I’ve realized where my success has come from and I don’t in anyway deny my faith in God,” Carson said.
He explained what he meant by quoting what he said was one of his favorite bible verses.
“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches and honor and life and that’s a very big part of who I am. I don’t get that impression with him,” Carson said of Trump. “Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t get that.”
“Who is he to question my faith?” Trump asked this morning. “He knows nothing about me. I am a man of faith.”
“I hardly know Ben Carson. I’m a believer, big league in God. I will hit back on that.”
“I don’t think he’s a great religious figure. If you look at his faith, you’re not going to make it very far.”
Trump also addressed Carson’s personal energy as problematic. “He makes Bush look like the energizer bunny. Ben Carson is not going to be your next president.”
After meeting with Republican National Committee chairman Reince Priebus, GOP White House hopeful Donald Trump has signed a pledge to not run as an independent candidate in the 2016 presidential campaign. “I will be totally pledging my allegiance to the Republican Party and the conservative principles for which it stands,” said Trump. The “pledge” states: “I, Donald Trump, affirm that if I do not win the 2016 Republican nomination for President of the United States I will endorse the 2016 Republican presidential nominee regardless of who it is. “I further pledge that I will not seek to run as an independent or write-in candidate nor will I seek or accept the nomination for president of any other party.” At the first 2016 GOP debate, Trump was the only candidate to raise his hand when asked if anyone would not commit to such a pledge. Trump maintains that his reticence is based purely on his desire to be treated “fairly” by the Republican Party.
After proclaiming many times on the campaign trail that The Bible is his favorite book, Donald Trump was at a loss to cite one favorite verse, saying it was “too personal” to share.
At a press conference yesterday, Jeb Bush defended his use of the term “anchor babies” and made a point to speak in Spanish to show how “Latino” friendly he is.
Bush, however, said he’s “immersed in the immigrant experience,” referring to his wife who’s from Mexico. He also speaks fluent Spanish and has lived in the Miami area for decades. “This is ludicrous for the Clinton campaign and others to suggest that somehow I’m using a derogatory term,” he said, adding, “Frankly it’s more related to Asian people coming into our country, having children, in that organized efforts, taking advantage of a noble concept.”
Well, I can see that makes things much more palatable. It’s the ASIANS and not the LATINOS who are the “anchor baby” problem?
Clearly, Jeb is now working to alienate the asian community, too.
Bush’s clumsy mention of his fluent Spanish inspired Trump to mock that skill by retweeting this message from a follower – “Jeb Bush is crazy, who cares that he speaks Mexican, this is America, English !!”
A new poll from Rasmussen shows 57% of likely Republican voters now expect real estate mogul Donald Trump to be the party’s eventual nominee for president in 2016.
According to a new Rasmussen poll out on Friday, 57% of likely Republican voters now think Trump is likely to be the party’s nominee. That includes 25% of voters who say it’s “very likely” he’ll win the nomination.
As Rasmussen notes, that’s up significantly from the 27% in July who thought it likely that Trump would be the nominee.
The real-estate magnate has defied expectations and maintained his front-runner status in the polls despite numerous controversies and few concrete policy proposals.
Since jumping to the front of the pack in July, Trump has consistently received more than 20% of the Republican vote nationally, with a Real Clear Politics average of 22% in recent polling. The next-closest candidate is former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush (R), who has averaged about 10.7% of the vote recently.
The article makes a point to say the results of the poll aren’t who the Repubs WANT to be the nominee, but who they THINK will be the pick.
A recent CNN poll showed 58% of Republicans believe their party has a better chance to win with someone other than Trump.
Oh, please! This feud between @realDonaldTrump and @FOXNews reminds me of the "Alien vs. Predator" movie – whoever wins, WE LOSE!!— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) August 13, 2015
Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson and hotelier Ian Reisner
The gay hoteliers who raised money for anti-gay Sen. Ted Cruz are at it again, only this time Ian Reisner held a NYC event for anti-gay Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson.
A host and guests at a fundraiser held by embattled real estate developers Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass at their Central Park South penthouse donated at least $10,600 to Republican Ron Johnson, a right-wing US senator from Wisconsin who faces a 2016 challenge from Democrat Russ Feingold.
Reisner, who is gay, gave Johnson $2,700, the maximum allowed under federal election law. Reisner, who has otherwise largely supported Democrats, gave $2,700 to Hillary Clinton on June 15.
The hosts and the guests were supporting Johnson because of the senator’s support for Israel and his views on the Middle East, according to the press release, which described those in attendance as “a bipartisan group of Jewish business leaders –– both committed Republicans and several traditionally aligned with Democrats.”
The Out NYC and Reisner’s properties in the Pines on Fire Island came under boycott after the New York Times reported that he held an April 20 fundraiser for Republican Ted Cruz, a Texas senator and candidate for the Republican nomination for president. (This reporter has supported the boycott and played a role in organizing it.) The community objected to Reisner and Weiderpass taking money from their LGBT customers and giving it to anti-LGBT right-wingers.
After it was revealed that Reisner donated the personal maximum of $2,700 to Cruz after the April meeting (after previously saying “no funds were raised” at the dinner meeting), Reisner requested and received a refund from the Cruz campaign.
The Human Rights Campaign gives Johnson a zero ranking out of a possible 100 in the 113th Congress and a 15 out of a possible 100 in the 112th Congress. Johnson opposes same-sex marriage and voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act which would bar workplace discrimination.
Russ Feingold, Johnson’s opponent, who served 18 years in the U.S. Senate, had rankings from HRC in the high 80s/low 90s during his final six years in office.
