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Angling for a Comeback, Democratic Governors Sharpen Focus on Jobs New York Times WASHINGTON As Democrats battle President Trump on a multiplying array of issues, from immigration and climate change to health care and transgender rights, a group of Democratic governors is pressing the party to set one concern above all the rest: ... and more »

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Angling for a Comeback, Democratic Governors Sharpen Focus on Jobs - New York Times

From the Left: Revenge of the Democratic Establishment

Former Labor Secretary Tom Perezs victory over Keith Ellison in the election for Democratic National Committee chair has been heralded as the establishments triumph over the partys left-wing grassroots. But its a fight the grassroots didnt pick, Alex Shephard explains at The New Republic: Before Perez entered the race, the party was coalescing around Ellison as the natural choice to lead the party. Denying the win to Ellison also shows, Shephard argues, that the Democrats havent learned the right lessons from their disastrous 2016: In Perez, Democrats have made a small step toward shaking up the party, but they have also signaled that they dont believe a major course correction is in order and that they are reluctant to make significant reforms.

Science Writer: Why Were Lonelier Than Ever

Loneliness is contagious and now its gone viral. Thats the takeaway from Caroline Beaton at Psychology Today: The General Social Survey found that the number of Americans with no close friends has tripled since 1985. The question is, Why? First, it spreads: People who arent lonely tend to then become lonelier if theyre around people who are. And now the Internet has multiplied that effect: One reason the Internet makes us lonely is we attempt to substitute real relationships with online relationships. Though we temporarily feel better when we engage others virtually, these connections tend to be superficial and ultimately dissatisfying.

Libertarian: No Ones Killing Big Bird

The Trump administration is rumored to be considering ending taxpayer funding for public broadcasting. Thats invited cries of Save Big Bird! But such protests totally miss the point, notes Jim Epstein at Reason: About 70 percent of federal funding for public broadcasting goes to subsidize the operations of about 1400 local radio and television stations that primarily just rebroadcast national programs to their surrounding communities. Cutting PBS and NPR funding wouldnt kill Big Bird (Sesame Street was recently picked up by HBO) or shows like Frontline. In fact, revenue and cost-savings through the recent FCC spectrum sale could keep even poorer rural stations up and running for years. The truth, Epstein writes, is that the case for maintaining federal funding for public broadcasting is to save not Big Bird but the jobs of the people who work in the industry.

From the Right: McConnells Patience Pays Off

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is 2017s man of the year, declares Matt Latimer in Politico. Latimer, a former speechwriter for George W. Bush who also briefly worked for McConnell in 2006, says conservatives cheering Trumps selection of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court can thank McConnell for defying the odds and some would argue, all precedents by denying President Barack Obama the opportunity to replace the late Antonin Scalia upon his untimely death last February. Then theres President Trumps Cabinet picks: McConnell has so far gotten every nominee but one through. And hes just getting started: It will be he who has to cobble together a majority for ObamaCare repeal, a tax reform package and an infrastructure bill that will alienate many of the fiscal hawks in his conference.

Reporters Notebook: Conservative Gabfests Mutation

If you really wanted to understand the practical purpose of the annual Conservative Political Action Conference, argues McKay Coppins at The Atlantic, it was in the cavernous exhibit hall crammed with booths set up by right-wing think tanks, media outfits, pressure groups and publishers great for those shopping for careers. The general vibe is that of a trade show, with attendees perusing pamphlets about DC internships, swapping Twitter follows, and taking selfies with minor cable news celebrities. Indeed, far from a true representation of any right-wing ideology, CPAC has mutated in recent years into a networking event for young ladder-climbers and fame-seekers looking to get ahead.

Compiled by Seth Mandel

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Revenge of the Democratic establishment and other notable comments - New York Post

WASHINGTON, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Former U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders on Sunday urged a major overhaul of his party, calling for more aggressive efforts to court working-class voters and fight big businesses from Wall Street to the pharmaceutical sector.

Sanders, who spoke a day after Democrats chose Tom Perez, a veteran of former President Barack Obama's administration, as their new party chairman, said it was also crucial for progressives to do more to mobilize grassroots supporters to take on Republican President Donald Trump.

"We need a total transformation," the 75-year-old U.S. senator from Vermont said on CNN's "State of the Union."

"We need to open up the party to working people, to young people and make it crystal clear that the Democratic Party is going to take on Wall Street, it's going to take on the greed of the pharmaceutical industry, it's going to take on corporate America that is shutting down plants in this country and moving our jobs abroad," he added.

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Former Democratic U.S. presidential candidate Senator Bernie Sanders thrusts his fist in the air as he arrives to speak during the first session at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 25, 2016. REUTERS/Mike Segar

Senator Al Franken (D-MN) is seen at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. July 27, 2016. REUTERS/Gary Cameron

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 08: Governor of New York Andrew Cuomo speaks at Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton's election night party at Javits Center on November 8, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/FilmMagic)

California Attorney General Kamala Harris arrives to address delegates during the second session of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina, September 5, 2012. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS)

Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julian Castro testifies before a House Financial Services Committee hearing on "Oversight of the Federal Housing Administration", on Capitol Hill in Washington February 11, 2015. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS REAL ESTATE BUSINESS)

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 28: U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) delivers remarks on the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 28, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton received the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

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Democrats are struggling to recover from an electoral rout in November in which they lost not only the White House, but both chambers of the U.S. Congress. Republicans won the governor's office in 33 states, up from 31, and increased their dominance in state legislatures.

The unexpectedly strong challenge from Sanders, a Democratic socialist, to Hillary Clinton in the 2016 Democratic presidential primary laid bare the fissures within the party.

Sanders' calls to rein in big businesses echoed a campaign theme that energized his supporters during the Democratic primary.

Sanders had backed U.S. Representative Keith Ellison, a liberal from Minnesota, to lead the Democrats but threw his support behind Perez after Saturday's vote. Perez promptly made Ellison his deputy after the election.

Trump seized on the result to reprise a favorite phrase from the presidential campaign, calling the race for Democratic National Committee chairman "totally rigged."

"Bernie's guy, like Bernie himself, never had a chance. Clinton demanded Perez!" he said in a Twitter post on Sunday.

Perez, who was labor secretary under Obama, promised to rebuild the Democratic Party and redefine its mission from the grassroots up.

"That's what we have to do as Democrats, help elect people in statehouses, presidency, local government and everywhere in between," Perez said on NBC's "Meet the Press."

Democrats did not invest enough in their party infrastructure and grassroots organizing and ignored large swathes of rural America, Perez said in a round of television appearances.

Trump swept those areas and the Rust Belt region in the Midwest with his talk of bringing jobs back to America and renegotiating the trade deals many blamed for their loss.

Perez cited the angry town halls some Republican lawmakers have faced recently and said it was important for Democrats to harness that energy into the ballot booth. (Additional reporting by Doina Chiacu; Writing by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Caren Bohan)

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Democrats must overhaul party, attack big business, Sanders says - AOL News

Ohio Gov. John Kasich thinks House Republicans will need to reach out to Democrats in order to pass health-care reform that wont cut off coverage for millions of people. But hes not sure they will.

Speaking on CBSs Face the Nation on Sunday, the former Republican presidential candidate said too many House Republicans are determined to repeal all parts of the Affordable Care Act on principle.

I think there are some very conservative Republicans in the House who are going to say, just get rid of the whole thing, he said. Thats not acceptable when you have 20 million people, or 700,000 people in my state, because where do the mentally ill go? Where do the drug addicted go?

Kasich said Republicans who are truly focused on improving the ACA will have to reach out to Democrats instead of relying on those hard-core GOP members, but I dont know whether this is going to happen.

Kasich also acknowledged the recent town-hall protests and voter anger over a possible repeal, saying lawmakers are getting the message loud and clear.

I think its having an impact from the standpoint of, hey, people are watching, Kasich said. I dont think they mind reform, but dont take everything away.

Kasich voiced his concerns following a meeting with President Donald Trump on Friday, and a day after the nations governors were briefed on the Republicans potential replacement plan. According to a recent poll, 54% of Americans approve of the Affordable Care Act, its highest level of support ever.

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Kasich: GOP may need Democrats to ensure health coverage for millions - MarketWatch

WASHINGTON Democrats have invited immigrants, refugees and Muslim Americans to President Trumps first address to Congress on Tuesday in a political statement against his immigration policies.

Members of Congress are taking full advantage of their one invite each for presidential speeches by filling their lists with guests who could be harmed by the White House policies or who have made significant contributions despite discrimination.

Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-Brooklyn) invited Hameed Darweesh, an Iraqi refugee who was detained at Kennedy Airport in the chaos of Trumps initial travel ban issued last month.

Hameed Darweesh risked his life in dangerous circumstances in Iraq, working alongside the U.S. government. Now that hes relocated to our nation, his presence Tuesday will send a powerful message about Americas greatness and its diversity, Velazquez said in a statement to The Post.

House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi called the decision to bring people affected by the presidents policies a normal thing to do.

I, myself, would bring a guest who is a DREAMer. I would bring a guest who lost her son through gun violence, Pelosi told ABCs This Week. And Ill bring a guest who is a symbol of the freedom of the press, which the president, in his authoritarian manner, is attacking.

Pelosis office said the name of her guest will be released on Tuesday.

She and Senate Democratic Leader Charles Schumer will deliver a pre-buttal to Trumps speech Monday afternoon.

Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.) is bringing Dr. Mona HannaAttisha, an Iraqi-American pediatrician who helped to expose the Flint water crisis.

Rep. Luis Gutirrez (D-IL.) invited Fidaa Rashid, a Chicago immigration attorney whose parents were refugees from Gaza.

I want Trump to see the face of a woman, the face of a Muslim, and the face of someone whose family has enriched and contributed to this country despite starting out as refugees,Gutirrez said in statement. Trump needs to know that real people are hurt by his policies.

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Democrats invite immigrants and refugees to Trump's first address to Congress - New York Post