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Congressional Republicans, we watched you at the White House Thursday. Just before Donald Trumps rambling, manic, often snarky press conference delivered more in the manner of a churlish insult comic than leader of the free world the president met with a group of you, a self-titled Trump caucus of early supporters.

You fawned over him like autograph hunters gushing over their favorite movie star. Rep. Chris Collins of New York: Mr. President, were all honored to be here. Scott DesJarlais of Tennessee: Were excited about the work youre doing. And Missouris Billy Long referenced the recent visit of Japans prime minister: I knew you all would hit it off because youre both people persons and great personalities. ... I knew you guys would get along good.

Oh, brother. Has it come down to this? The party of Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower in the thrall of a petulant, impulsive, preening and shamelessly amoral president who thinks Vladimir Putin is the apex of effective management.

Republicans, is this really the legacy you choose?

How can you not take a solid stand against an unhinged con man who in less than a month has undermined fundamental constitutional liberties, thrown governance into disorganized hell and possibly made decisions based on his desire to please the leader of another country? (Whats he afraid that Putin might do?)

Its well reported now that Trump campaign aides, including hustlers like the recently fired Mike Flynn and former campaign chairman Paul Manafort dubbed the King of K Street by a prominent business magazine were in regular touch with Russian intelligence and other officials during our 2016 election cycle and the presidential transition. Were they coordinating dirty tricks to damage not only the candidacy of Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Party but the fate of American democracy as well? Its possible.

Listening to Morning Edition on NPR this week, we were struck by the inability of some of your colleagues to get a grip and face some hard truths about all this. The broadcast played a Fox News clip of Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) appearing to justify a cover-up: I just dont think its useful to be doing investigation after investigation, particularly of your own party.

Then host Steve Inskeep spoke with Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA), who seemed to think Mike Flynn and the Trump campaigns contacts with Russia werent the problem. Following his presidents claim that the Russia story is a ruse and the real issue is leaks, he said, I mean, the leak of highly classified information by, what is apparent here, a number of individuals inside our intelligence community, is the illegal act that I think we need to review.

Johnson added: I dont think that theres anything extraordinary at all about persons in an incoming administration or during a campaign talking with officials from other countries.

Would you agree with us that a comment like that bespeaks less a stupid man than a man who looks upon the public as stupid? Is that what you think of the people now? In the full blossom of your monopoly power over government, are you writing off the people who gave you that power?

And so it went: Hemming and hawing, backing and filling, their comments reminded us of Watergate, a scandalous sequence of events that the two of us witnessed firsthand, and thought or hoped, at least would be the worst political and constitutional crisis of our lifetimes. This has the potential to be much, much worse.

Back then, as today, many Republicans refused to acknowledge the horrors perpetrated by Richard Nixon and his thugs. Some held onto their willful blindness right up to the bitter end, when to ignore the mans perfidy would have been tantamount to treason. Thanks in part to the courts and journalists like Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, and to true Republican patriots who refused to follow Nixons nefarious orders, this country narrowly averted a disaster.

Now, once again, we find ourselves desperately counting on the courts and an independent press to help protect us. We cant depend on but a handful of Republican senators and House members who have come forward. Theyve called for more thorough investigations by the House and Senate intelligence committees, and thats a start, but in this current Congress, its more than likely that a truly, impartial, transparent, honest inquiry will be stymied and quashed.

Thats why we continue to insist that only an open and public, independent, bipartisan investigation can determine if Trump and his pals actually colluded with Putins intelligence agencies to influence the 2016 election, and whether they came to power obligated to carry out the wishes of a foreign power.

Heres what former Democratic House member Lee Hamilton who was vice chair of the independent 9/11 Commission just told Karen Tumulty of The Washington Post: Very aggressive leadership is necessary, he said. Theres just an awful lot out there that needs to be clarified and investigated independently by people who do not have an interest in the outcome of the investigation. I am doubtful that the Congress can put together a very robust investigation. Their performance on oversight in recent years has been deplorable timid and not robust enough.

We have to remind you of something: Those Republicans who stand by watching all of this, silently, in the hope that in return for their obeisance they will get away with forcing a right-wing agenda of privatization, deregulation and inequality upon the nation, should keep in mind that when survivors look back upon a time of acute crisis, those who are remembered are not the spineless and opportunistic who hoped to snag a piece of the action. Rather, it is the men and women who rose in defiance and said this betrayal of what my country is supposed to be will not stand.

In the 50s, the red-baiting Joseph McCarthy was brought down not just by newsman Edward R. Murrow and the compassionate but scathing attorney Joseph Welch, but also by Republican senators who said enough is enough. During Watergate, Richard Nixon was not undone solely by The Washington Post and the justices of the Supreme Court, but also by Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee who voted for his impeachment and the senators who came to him in the White House and said it is time for you go.

Republicans, there is a name for those who take the moral high ground and fight back: heroes. When all is said and done, how will you be remembered?

Read more here:
Republicans, Where's The Backbone? - Huffington Post

WASHINGTONRep. Tom MacArthur was partway through a teleconference with constituents Monday night when one raised a sensitive subject: Why wasnt he speaking to them in person, at a town hall?

The South Jersey congressman had a ready answer, one echoing Republicans throughout the region and country. He said such events were being hijacked.

I like hearing divergent views, but I don't want to be baited into having an event that some outside group can just make a spectacle out of, MacArthur said, accusing protesters of being bused in or paid to cause disruption.

Congressional Republicans heading home for a weeklong recess are taking a wary approach to public events as they face a wave of activism that has grown since President Trumps election. Given a week in their districts, the public schedules for lawmakers from the Philadelphia area are sparse to nonexistent.

None of the regions Republicans plan open town halls that might put them before a crowd and facing questions, despite protests and a flood of social media posts requesting them. While they said theyll be meeting with constituents and community groups, the events are mostly smaller sit-downs behind closed doors, guarding against the viral video confrontations that have flummoxed other Republicans.

No one wants to be the next Jason Chaffetz, the congressman whoserowdy reception in deep red Utahthis month sounded alarms for the GOP.

Local Republicans are instead relying on large conference calls with constituents. Dubbed tele-town halls, the events are not quite anodyne three this week included questions on some hot topics. But they are bloodless. Aides screen the questions and there are no follow-ups, crowd reactions, or visuals.

All of which left some activists demanding more.

I had to listen to a lot of upset and frustrated patients in my lifetime, said Eileen Hill, a retired doctor from Mount Laurel who joined MacArthurs teleconference. You know what makes them more upset? When you don't let them talk and they feel like they're not being heard.

Hill, 62, voted for Hillary Clinton but said she was never politically active she said she didnt even know who her congressman was six weeks ago. Now, she helped arrange what she calls a forced town hall for MacArthur. She and liberal groups have invited people togather Wednesdayat a Marlton school, and asked the congressman to show up and listen.

A similar event is planned next weektargeting Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.) in Allentown. After he helda tele-town hall Thursdaywith 90 minutes notice, his Facebook page filled withmore than 5,700responses, many blasting him for not talking to voters in person.

Its the same reason people like to go to concerts instead of just listening to the radio or buying the album, said Nancy Bea Miller, a 53-year-old artist and teacher who has protested outside Toomeys Philadelphia office and dismissed the telephone event. Looking someone in the eye, even if it's across an auditorium, really helps you judge the person, decide how sincere they are.

The situation mirrors the tea party protests that swamped Democrats in 2009 and 2010. On the back of that wave, Republicans won three local House seats previously held by Democrats.

They disrupted, they created buzz around their issues and made people respond, said Barbara Blonsky, another Mount Laurel Democrat who is among those pressuring MacArthur. They really are the model for this.

Republicans dont want to play into the effort. They accuse Democrats of ginning up crowds.

I have no plans to have one of these big, sort of circus meetings,Rep. Peter Roskam (R., Ill.) told a Chicago radio station. In upstate New York,Rep. Chris Collins told a TV station that at town halls,what you get are demonstrators who come and shout you down and heckle you. They are not what you hope they would be.

On Friday, the political arm of the liberal Center for American Progress alerted reporters that it had "ordinary Americans" who rely on the Affordable Care Act ready to speak out at coming town halls.

Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R., N.J.) met Friday with five constituent groups at his Mays Landing office. He said that has been my style for years and he has no plans for a town hall for the sole purpose of those only seeking their YouTube moment.

Those he sat with said it was no substitute for a public event.

Activists across several districts had one common goal: to push Republicans who control Congress to serve as a check on the president.

While the most vigorous protests have targeted Toomey, he is politically insulatedhe wont face reelection again until 2022. House members, however, have to run next year and could be on the front lines of any Trump backlash. Reps. Ryan Costello of Chester County and Patrick Meehan of Delaware County represent districts the president lost,according to data analyzed by website Daily Kos.

They are among those utilizing tele-town halls. The events start with automated calls blasted out to homes in each lawmakers district, inviting anyone who answers to join in. In some cases constituents can sign up to be included or submit questions online.

MacArthur took 19 questions over his one-hour call Monday, and more than 4,000 people participated, his office said. He spoke about Social Security, climate change, and why he wasnt holding a formal town hall.

I take offense when you say that these town halls have been hijacked, said a woman who identified herself as Jodi from Brick. I went to the Women's March in D.C. - no one paid me, I went with my 22-year-old daughter, I'm a teacher.

And then her phone cut out. MacArthur later said that there was a technical problem and that he spoke with Jodi by phone days later.

Republicans object to any suggestion they arent listening. Tele-town halls, they said, connect them with thousands of residents. It's a very effective way to stay in touch and to listen to the concerns that you have, Meehan said on his call Wednesday night.

The accusations that the crowds are paid or orchestrated, though, recall Democrats ill-fated dismissal of the tea party as an Astroturf movement.

Hill, Miller and other newly energized activists acknowledged they have followed guidelines from the liberal group Indivisible, which offers advice on how to pressure members of Congress. But they stressed they were driven to action by their own concerns, on their own time, and laughed at the idea they were paid.

"If you know who's making payments to people, please inform me so I can get paid for my time," Blonsky said. "We have legitimate questions about our fears about this administration."

Some lawmakers are still braving town halls. Rep. Leonard Lance (R., N.J.) is planning two next week in his Central New Jersey districtone that Trump lost.

Its important to communicate with constituents and to have constituents communicate with me, Lance said. Having said that, I hope that the level of discussion will be conducted with civility.

More here:
As Trump critics demand an audience, Republicans avoid town halls - Philly.com

New York Times

Republicans Charge Into Resistance at Tumultuous Town Halls New York Times MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. The Republican lawmakers stood with fixed smiles, shifting in place, facing down turmoil but no trial inside a municipal courtroom overstuffed with constituents. Across the room, the first questioner foretold a long Saturday ... and more »

Continued here:
Republicans Charge Into Resistance at Tumultuous Town Halls - New York Times

New York Post

The #Resistance is pushing Republicans to back Trump New York Post That's the choice #TheResistance has created for many moderate Republicans, right-leaning independents and movement conservatives concerned about Trump. That is to say, they offer no choice whatsoever. They offer plenty of hysteria, hypocrisy and ... and more »

See more here:
The #Resistance is pushing Republicans to back Trump - New York Post

RALEIGH - Once again, Republican state lawmakers have filed legislation that threatens fellow Republican politicians in Fayetteville and Cumberland County.

Further, if these bills become law, it will be much harder for two of Cumberland County's incumbent judges even to get on the ballot to run for re-election. Those two judges don't belong to any political party.

Republican Rep. Justin Burr of Albemarle filed legislation last week to convert all of the state's judicial elections from nonpartisan to partisan elections.

Republican state Sen. Ron Rabin of Harnett County filed a bill on Thursday that would change nearly all of the state's nonpartisan elections - including board of education, city council and town council, as well as for judgeships - into partisan races.

It's true that many voters want to know the candidates' political parties and want this labeled on the ballot. They find it helpful, especially in elections in which they are less familiar with the candidates.

"Common sense says that elections at all levels and all categories should include the candidates' political affiliation because that reflects part of their belief system," Rabin said in a statement.

Rabin has to consider whether to sacrifice Republican Fayetteville Mayor Nat Robertson for that principle. Republican Cumberland County Board of Education Chairman Greg West could be at risk, too, in this county where partisan Democrats hold tremendous sway.

Robertson had an extremely tight race against Val Applewhite in his 2013 election.

If that race had been partisan, would Democrat Applewhite have beaten him?

Meanwhile, Senior Resident Superior Court Judge Jim Ammons and Superior Court Judge Claire Hill both recently abandoned the Democrats Party. They now are registered unaffiliated.

Fayetteville City Councilman Ted Mohn is also unaffiliated.

The Burr and Rabin bills punish unaffiliated candidates for standing on their principles. State laws written by Democrats and Republicans already punish unaffiliated candidates in the partisan elections for county offices, the legislature and and statewide races.

By law, in partisan races an unaffiliated candidate can't run unless he persuades enough voters to sign a petition to put his name on the ballot. In small places, this can be a few dozen or a few hundred. As the population rises, it runs into the thousands. In Cumberland County, the threshold is 8,541 for a county-wide race.

For statewide office, the minimum is 94,221 signatures.

Nearly 30 percent of North Carolina's voters, more than 2 million people, reject the political parties. If they want to run for office, they have to jump through that signature hoop.

Either that or the candidates can visit the Board of Elections and sign a piece of paper claiming allegiance to a political party that they dislike.

Burr contends that it is easier for unaffiliated candidates to get on a general election ballot than a party member. It's far less work and less expensive to collect signatures for a petition, he said, than it is to raise money, campaign and get out the vote for a primary.

If that's the case, perhaps Burr will quit his party and start collecting signatures to save himself the time, trouble and expense of the next GOP primary for his House seat.

I suggested to Burr it would be most fair to have open primaries in which anyone can file to run without petitions. All candidates of all parties and of no party would face each other from the start.

The ballots would include party labels to help those who want to know the candidates' affiliations.

The top two winners of the primary, regardless of party, would move on to the general election. A Republican could face a Republican, guaranteeing a Republican Party victory.

And there would no longer be three-way races, where the winner has less than half the total vote, such as we saw in recent U.S. Senate races and the governor's race. Former Gov. Pat McCrory, defeated by about 10,000 votes, certainly could have used some of 102,977 votes that went to the Libertarian candidate.

Burr thinks an all-face-all primary has risks for gamesmanship and corruption. For example, people might vote across party lines to try to sabotage the opposition by picking the weaker candidate, he said.

He prefers the two-party system as it is, with each party selecting its candidates for the general election.

So he will push to expand partisan primaries to our Superior Courts and District Courts.

And the state may again expand the ballot-access barrier it already imposes on 2 million potential candidates.

See original here:
Capitol Affairs: GOP bills could defeat Fayetteville Republicans and block unaffiliated candidates - Fayetteville Observer