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Its important to remember what was happening in the presidential race at the moment that The Washington Posts David Fahrenthold broke the story about that Access Hollywood tape.

It was Oct. 8, shortly after the first presidential debate thateveryone except Donald Trump agreed was a resounding victory for Hillary Clinton. Trump had edged closer in the polls, but, with only a month until the election, he was falling behind again quickly. On Sept. 15, he was down 1.5 points in the polls. By Oct. 1, it was 2.5. By the eighth of the month, 4.6.

For all of the talk about how bad the polls were last year, on the national level they were broadly accurate. On Nov. 7, the RealClearPolitics average gave Clinton a 3.2-point advantage. She won the national vote by 2.1 points. Those polls showed a real trend: Support for Trump falling.

It was at that moment that Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) had seen enough. The chairman of the House Oversight Committee and a member of Congress from a deep-red state that was deeply ambivalent about Trump, he told reporters that he could no longer support Trump.

Im out, he said to a local news affiliate the day the vulgar comments from Trump were made public. I can no longer in good conscience endorse this person for president. It is some of the most abhorrent and offensive comments that you can possibly imagine.

But then something weird happened. Trumps collapse halted and he started to regain ground against Clinton. The widest lead Clinton enjoyed in the last month was Oct. 17, when she was up 7.1 points. By Oct. 26, Trump had narrowed the gap to 5.6. Chaffetz suddenly altered his position, tweeting that he wouldnt defend or endorse Trump, but that he would vote for him. Two days later, Chaffetz, in his Oversight role, got a letter from FBI Director James B. Comey saying that the FBI was looking at new emails in its investigation of Clintons private server. By Nov. 1, the race was a dead heat once again.

Trump still wasnt expected to win, but, lo and behold, he did. The media was saturated with reflections on the rock-solid base of support that had powered Trumps surprise victory,and suddenly the Republicans had an unobstructed path to pass whatever policy they wanted. Nothing fuels political superstition like a victory especially a surprise victory so elected Republicans who had expressed skepticism about Trump when he was wavering were quick to rally to his side. Chaffetz among them.

The day Trump was sworn in as president, Chaffetz posted something remarkable to Instagram.

Next to an image from Fox News showing him shaking hands with Clinton, he wrote, So pleased she is not the President. I thanked her for her service and wished her luck. The investigation continues.

The investigation continues referring, of course, to the investigation of Clintons email server.

On Tuesday, Chaffetz was asked whether he would similarly call for an investigation into the events that led to the resignation of Michael Flynn, Trumps national security adviser, who resigned this week after it became publicly known that the Justice Department had informed the administration of the nature of calls hed held with a Russian official.

Chaffetz declined.

I think that situation has taken care of itself. I know that the Intel committee is looking into the hacking issue, he told reporters. I think he did the right thing stepping down.

Update: Credit where due, Chaffetz has asked the White House for information about security at Mar-a-Lago, after questions arose on Monday.

Chaffetzs disinterest in pressing further on Flynn was echoed by other Republican leaders, including the chairman of the Intelligence Committee, Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.).

House Speaker Paul D. Ryan (R-Wis.) said that more information was needed before an investigation which would unearth more information should begin.

Nunes and Ryan both supported investigations into Clinton, of course at least before Election Day.

A year ago, in the heat of the Republican primaries, we were beginning to see a fissure in the party between those who supported Donald Trump and those who supported other candidates. That fissure lasted almost until Election Day, with those two groups holding different views of Trumps candidacy until the very end. A key reason Trump won is that Republicans skeptical of Trump like Chaffetz and Ryan eventually came back on board, preferring him to another President Clinton.

Since Trump took office, that opposition from within his own party has vanished on Capitol Hill. While Cabinet votes are rarely moments during which senators break with the president of their own party, this years Cabinet considerations have received much more negative reception than in years past. But only three times have Republican senators cast votes in opposition to his nominees: Twice against Betsy DeVos and one vote against Trumps CIA nominee.

Why? Quite simply because Republicans are broadly supportive of Trump. Trumps approval ratings are lower in Gallups measurement than any other president at this point in his tenure but thats thanks mostly to disapproval from Democrats and independents. In its most recently weekly average, the polling firmfound that only 41 percent of Americans approve of the job that Trump is doing but 87 percent of Republicans do. (By contrast, only 11 percent of Democrats say the same.)

There is little political incentive at the moment to take a stand in opposition to Trump, regardless of what he does or what questions he may prompt. Cook Political Report compiles an index of how partisan House districts are. Chaffetzs is Republican plus-28 a strongly Republican district. Nuness is plus-10 and Ryans plus-3. Ryans is the most narrowly pro-Republican, but he won reelection last year by 35 points. Even when Chaffetz was confronted by angry constituents at a town hall meeting in Utah, he brushed them off, recognizing that a few hundred people wouldnt put his seat at risk (and claiming, ridiculously, that the attendees were paid to be there).

There was one Republican senator who called for an investigation into the Flynn situation. Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) demanded an exhaustive look at what happened, so that nobody wonders whether there was a stone left unturned.

Blunt was also reelected in 2016, but much more narrowly, edging out Jason Kander by about three points in a state Trump won by 19.

Nothing makes an elected official feel more comfortable with what theyre doing than feeling like it will help them win their next election. Trumps surprise win soothed a lot of frazzled nerves. In other words, whats driven responses to Trump since he declared his candidacy was the extent to which people thought that there would be a political cost for challenging him.

At this moment, the pendulum for many prominent Republicans has clearly swung back to no.

Update: That vote against Trumps CIA pick came from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.). In a radio interview reported by CNN, Paul said that an investigation into the Flynn situation might be excessive.

His rationale was interesting. I just dont think its useful to be doing investigation after investigation, particularly of your own party, he said. Well never even get started with doing the things we need to do, like repealing Obamacare, if were spending our whole time having Republicans investigate Republicans.

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Jason Chaffetz's passivity on Trump exemplifies Republican rationalizations - Washington Post

Former Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling spoke to media as he made an appearance at a Republican Party office in Salem, NH.

So whatever happened to the Curt Schilling-for-Senate campaign?

Though Senator Elizabeth Warren wont be seeking reelection until 2018, it isn't too early for the GOP to begin to worry about finding an opponent. And early indications are that the powers that be in the state party arent wild about their options.

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Their quandary doesnt come as a surprise. The GOPs numbers are tiny in both chambers of the Legislature. With the exception of Scott Brown, they havent elected a member of Congress since the Clinton administration. Governor Charlie Baker, by far the most popular Republican in the state, already has the job he wants. The bench is thin.

And it doesnt help that Warren has become a full-fledged national figure. Her already high profile got an invaluable boost last week when her attempt to quote a letter from civil rights icon Coretta Scott King on the Senate floor was shut down by the Senate majority leader, Mitch McConnell.

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Republicans feel pressure to wage a credible campaign against the states senior senator. They believe her bare-knuckles approach draws no small share of detractors, even amid an army of admirers. They believe giving her a race is not beyond the realm of plausibility, even if she isnt likely to lose.

Warren, who has emerged as a leading voice against President Trump, is up for re-election next year.

Theres just one small problem: The GOP needs a worthy candidate.

It isnt that there arent Republicans willing to take Warren on. Its just that they are, in various ways, problematic. Either they are too closely tied to a president who is deeply unpopular in Massachusetts, or they have tiny name recognition. Or, as in the case of the ubiquitous Schilling, they are, well, unpredictable.

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Of course, these categories arent mutually exclusive.

By conventional standards, the best candidate against Warren might be state Representative Geoffrey Diehl of Whitman. He is a favorite of party conservatives and reportedly hopes to make an issue of Warrens frequent attacks on Trump and Washington Republicans. That would figure to rally Republicans in a primary fight.

But he isnt likely to have the field to himself. Businessman Rick Green might run. In political circles, he is best known as the money behind the Massachusetts Fiscal Alliance, a conservative nonprofit. Green chaired John Kasichs presidential campaign in Massachusetts, which I guess makes him a moderate.

There is persistent speculation that voters havent seen the last of Gabriel Gomez, the businessman and former Navy SEAL who lost to Ed Markey in 2013. Gabs seemed like a great candidate on paper military, Latino, successful businessman but it didnt translate into real-life politics. My lasting image of Gomez is the video of him getting away from the Globes Stephanie Ebbert when she tried to ask him about his inflated claims of job creation. He seems to have become more of a moderate since his race, which could help.

The wild card in the race is Schilling. His heroics on the diamond are a matter of record, but his life off he field has hardly been senatorial. Hes been a failed businessman (just Google 38 Studios and bailout for details); a fired broadcaster; a man accused, quite understandably, of being sexist, racist, and homophobic on social media; and a guy who just a few months ago joked about lynching journalists.

You see why the GOP doesnt seem ready to coalesce around him.

The 2018 race feels a long way off, especially with events in Washington shocking the nation on a daily basis. Heaven knows, weve all seen how much can happen in politics in a surprisingly short time.

But it is impressive how quickly Warren has solidified her position in Massachusetts politics. Yes, she elicits strong passions on both ends of the political spectrum. But few will say she is likely to lose her seat. Warren is just four years into her Senate career, yet it feels like shes been there much longer.

Excerpt from:
If not Curt Schilling for US Senate, then who? - The Boston Globe

Republicans are taking their first shot of 2017 at Planned Parenthood.

The House is expected this week to vote on a resolution that would rescind an Obama-era regulation barring states from defunding the organization for political reasons.

Because the measure is being moved through a law that allows Congress to rescind recently finalized rules, the bill cannot be filibustered in the Senate, raising its odds for success.

Republicans framed the move to rescind the regulation as a way to give back to the states the power to determine how federal funds should be spent on women's healthcare.

But Democrats call the move a thinly shrouded attack on abortion providers.

Its really about getting at Planned Parenthood, and this is the first salvo in doing so, said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.)

The House Rules Committee passed the resolution Tuesday along a party-line vote, 7-4, and the full House will likely vote on it later this week.

Now that Republicans have majorities in both chambers and a GOP president, theyre facing increased pressure from anti-abortion groups to move quickly on their promises to cut funds to Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers.

Republicans are also considering whether language defunding abortion providers will be included in a bill that repeals ObamaCare.

Anti-abortion protesters have gathered outside Planned Parenthood clinics across the country over the past week to call for an end to federal funding for the organization.

Obamas rule specifically requires that state and local governments distribute federal Title X funding for services related to contraception, fertility, pregnancy care and breast and cervical cancer screeners to health providers, regardless of whether they also perform abortions.

It was issued by the Obama administration after a string of states tried to block funding for Planned Parenthood and its affiliated clinics.

Supporters of Planned Parenthood argue that it provides essential services to low-income women, including birth control, STD tests and preventive care that could be at risk if defunded.

Democrats at Tuesday's hearing also accused Republicans of trying to make womens healthcare decisions for them.

Politicians shouldnt be making decisions about womens health for them, and states shouldnt be either, said Rep. Louise Slaughter (N.Y.), ranking Democrat on the Rules Committee.

Its high time we recognize that women can make decisions for themselves. For more than 40 years, men in blue suits have been trying to determine what women can and should do when it comes to their own health.

While Planned Parenthood doesnt use federal funds for abortion, Republicans argue any money given to the organization still supports the procedure.

We should invest in womens health, not abortion. Abortion is not healthcare, Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) said Tuesday during his testimony at the hearing.

The federal government should not incentivize the practice by undermining the authority of states.

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Republicans make first move targeting Planned Parenthood funding - The Hill

Andrew Puzder, the fast-food executive whom President Trump nominated to be labor secretary, emerged Monday as Democrats last, best hope of defeating one of Trumps Cabinet choices as four key Republicans are on the fence about his nomination.

The unenthusiastic reception from the Republican lawmakers comes after weeks of intense criticism from Democrats and liberal groups over workplace violations at Puzders restaurants Hardees and Carls Jr., sexually suggestive ads featuring bikini-clad models eating burgers, and his opposition to wage regulations. Puzder has also been accused of domestic abuse an accusation that was later recanted and has acknowledged hiring an undocumented worker for his home.

Puzder, 66, has faced the most early skepticism of any nominee besides Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, who won confirmation. The Republican senators who were noncommittal about Puzders nomination on Monday Susan Collins (Maine), Johnny Isakson (Ga.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Tim Scott (S.C.) sit on the committee that will hold his confirmation hearing Thursday. If they oppose him, his nomination is all but certainly dead.

Even if Puzder makes it out of committee, his final status may come down to a tiebreaker vote from Vice President Mike Pence similar to what happened last week for Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. It is the latest reminder of the paradox of Trumps Cabinet nominees they have struggled for confirmation more than the nominees of any other administration in recent history, but criticism that might have in the past doomed a candidates chances may no longer prove decisive.

Some Republicans say they are willing to overlook issues related to undocumented workers or unpaid taxes for the opportunity to have a business-minded leader in the Labor Department. But the racy ads and domestic violence allegations may test some conservatives and womens groups.

Collins said Monday that she has reviewed footage of an Oprah Winfrey Show interview with Puzders ex-wife, Lisa Fierstein, who once appeared in disguise on the program to discuss the multiple times, she says, that Puzder physically assaulted her in the 1980s. Fierstein retracted the allegations, and he has always denied that he abused her.

Im going to wait until the issues that have arisen are fully explored at his hearing, Collins told reporters. I am reviewing the other information that has come to light, and Im sure all of this will be explored thoroughly, she added, without specifying what information is of concern.

Collinss revelation that senators have seen footage of Fiersteins interview with Winfrey is notable, because Democrats and other organizations have been desperately seeking the footage for weeks in hopes of airing it and derailing Puzders nomination.

Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.), who chairs the health committee, told reporters Monday that he worked with Sen. Patty Murray (Wash.), the committees top Democrat, to arrange for senators to view a tape of the episode. Alexander said he has not seen the segment himself but he does plan to vote to approve Puzders nomination.

His former wife has said it was all not true, Alexander said. She has reiterated that in a heartfelt letter to members of the committee and has been willing to talk to members of the committee, so I dont think thats an issue.

Puzders personal wealth has also earned scrutiny that has delayed his nomination for several weeks. Federal disclosure forms delivered to the Senate last week show that most of his wealth is tied to CKE Restaurants and that he plans to divest those holdings within six months if he is confirmed to lead the Labor Department.

The White House is standing by Puzder, declaring last week that he would be confirmed. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) told reporters that he is enthusiastically supporting the nominee.

Some business groups are also joining top Republicans in fighting the criticism by urging senators to back the nomination. A coalition of trade groups, including the International Franchise Association, the National Restaurant Association and the National Retail Federation, sent a letter to senators Monday praising Puzders business experience and policy acumen. Statewide restaurant associations in Maine and Alaska sent separate letters to Collins and Murkowski asking for their support.

If confirmed, Puzder would be the first labor secretary since the Reagan era to come to the role without any public-service experience.

Puzder got his start in the fast-food industry working as a personal attorney for Carl Karcher, the founder of the Carls Jr. restaurant chain. He helped Karcher avoid bankruptcy and in 1997 became executive vice president and general counsel for CKE. He then became president and chief executive of CKE in 2000, and he currently oversees 75,000 workers in 3,750 locations.

Puzder has spent much of his career promoting the idea that businesses thrive better when the government doesnt interfere. In interviews, speeches and op-eds, he has long argued that rules substantially increasing the minimum wage or expanding the number of people who qualify for overtime pay, for example, could drive up the cost of labor and decrease the number of jobs.

In an opinion piece for Forbes, he said that the Obama administrations overtime rule would force employers to cut costs elsewhere and limit some workers schedules. During a Business Insider interview last year, Puzder said that because of rising labor costs, he would consider investing in machines to replace some workers, because they never take a vacation, they never show up late, theres never a slip-and-fall, or an age, sex, or race discrimination case.

Labor groups and other critics say they are concerned about Puzders pure capitalist mind-set, noting that if confirmed, he may end up tilting the scales in favor of corporations.

But George Thompson, a spokesman for Puzder, said that if confirmed, Puzder would recuse himself from any business related to CKE and would remain impartial when it comes to rulemaking and enforcement.

Opponents also cite stories from employees at Hardees and Carls Jr. who allege they have had to work through breaks, not been paid for sick leave or been harassed on the job.

Hes going to be essentially responsible for enforcing the same laws that hes been breaking for years, said Kendall Fells, national organizing director of the Fight for $15, a group advocating for a higher minimum wage that organized lunchtime protests Monday at CKE offices in St. Louis and Anaheim, Calif., as well as restaurant locations throughout the country.

Womens groups, such as the National Womens Law Center, and labor advocates question whether he will defend female workers, citing what they say are demeaning ads that feature models eating burgers in skimpy outfits. Puzder, however, has defended the campaign as American and characterized it as a strategy for luring young, hungry guys.

On Tuesday, the Campaign for Accountability, a nonprofit watchdog, will head to a Missouri state court for a status update on its efforts to unseal Puzders divorce records, arguing that the domestic violence allegations raise serious concerns about his fitness to be labor secretary.

Yet some businesses and Republicans say they look forward to having someone in the Labor Department who understands that regulations can force businesses to make tough calls.

We dont want our workers to feel like theyre not being paid a fair wage, but we want people to understand the ramifications of it, said Peter Riggs, president of Pita Pit USA, a quick-service sandwich chain with about 600 locations in the United States and Canada. He understands what were going through.

Puzders fate will ultimately depend on whether his opponents can sway more than two Senate Republicans to vote against him.

The Republicans hesitating to publicly support him said they will make up their minds after the hearing.

No real story here, said a spokeswoman for Scott, noting that the senator hasnt been commenting on nominees until their confirmation hearing, with the exception of fellow South Carolina Republicans Nikki Haley, nominated to serve as United Nations ambassador, and Rep. Mick Mulvaney, nominated to lead the Office of Management and Budget.

Consistent with his policy on other nominees, Senator Isakson will make a final decision after Mr. Puzders confirmation hearing on Thursday, a spokeswoman said via email.

Murkowski said she will be working to learn more about Mr. Puzder leading up to and during the upcoming hearing, as well as through additional one-on-one conversations with him, a spokeswoman said.

Kelsey Snell contributed to this report.

Original post:
Four key Republicans could vote against Puzder for labor secretary - Washington Post

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Do Republicans Have A Death Wish? - Forbes